New research has found that mothers with poor sleep quality in late pregnancy had babies with lower weight in the first 6 months of life, but higher weight after age 1-2 years. This effect was strongest in male infants and in babies born at term. The findings from the study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, suggest that incorporating sleep quality assessments into routine prenatal care could facilitate early identification of at-risk pregnancies, and addressing poor sleep quality could be beneficial for the health of both mother and child.

A UCLA Health study suggests that a commonly used strategy in cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce activity in the brain's sensory regions in autistic children and teens.