Latest news with #AngelicaRonald
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists think genetics could explain how old babies are when they start walking
Scientists think genetics could explain how old babies are when they start walking Scientists think genetics could explain how old babies are when they start walking Whether babies take their first steps at nine or 15 months depends on a lot of factors – including their genes, a new study has found. New parents wait with bated breath for their babies to begin walking independently, which is an important early sign of child development. But the exact age that they start hinges on their size, whether they were born early, if they've had the chance to practice walking, and their nutrition, among other conditions. Now, the study indicates 11 genetic markers can explain about a quarter of the variation in when babies start walking on their own. Related ADVERTISEMENT 'Parents can provide a constructive environment and support their children, but they're not 100 per cent in control,' Angelica Ronald, the study's senior author and a professor of psychology and genetics at the University of Surrey in the UK, told Euronews Health. 'Genes also influence this timing'. The study was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour and included nearly 71,000 children in Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK. The genes that influence the age at which children learn to walk overlap closely with genes that affect both brain size and how many folds are on the outer layer of the brain, which is associated with cognitive function, the analysis found. Related Notably, the genes tied to early walking also overlap with those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADVERTISEMENT The researchers hypothesised that more active babies with shorter attention spans could move around more, giving them more practice walking earlier. Meanwhile other research has shown that learning how to walk late – beyond around 18 months – can be an early sign of intellectual disabilities. The new findings 'suggest that the genes influencing the age of onset of walking are quite central to development across a range of areas,' Ronald said. Related Going forward, Roland's team plans to study how genes interact with the environment to shape young children's development, with the goal of identifying the most ideal settings for infants to grow up. But for now, she said the results should help assuage parents' worries that they aren't doing enough to help their babies walk unassisted. 'We put a lot of emphasis on kids who do things quicker than others,' Ronald said, but 'there are probably advantages to walking later and walking earlier'.
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Late-walking babies ‘may do better in school'
Infants who take longer to learn to walk may end up doing better at school, a genetic study suggests. Scientists discovered the age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes. They also found that the same genes that are linked to late walking are also involved in higher educational achievement. It suggests the same genes that predispose youngsters to do well in education may also be influencing when babies start to walk. Late walking also appears to lower the risk of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The study from the universities of Surrey, Essex and London found that genetics accounts for about a quarter of the differences in when children take their first steps. 'First genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale' 'We studied hundreds of thousands of genetic differences that are common in the population,' said Angelica Ronald, professor of psychology and genetics at the University of Surrey. 'We see that the genetic differences that influence walking later also influence higher educational attainment and less likelihood of ADHD. 'It is the first genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale and the first one to investigate when children learn to walk. 'Genetic differences are important to study because they teach us about the biology underlying these behaviours.' Babies generally take their first steps sometime between ages eight and 24 months, with most toddlers walking unaided by 18 months. But this can vary and parents often worry if their children take longer to hit the important developmental milestone. For years, researchers knew environmental factors could influence when babies begin to walk, but this new finding shows genetics also has a major impact. In the first study of its kind, scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 infants, identifying 11 genetic markers influencing when babies start walking. The team found that genetic factors responsible for the timing of a child's first steps are also linked to brain development, including the amount of folding and ridges in the outer surface of the brain - the cortex. Relatively later onset of walking was influenced by some of the same genes involved in higher educational attainment. Likewise, walking later was linked genetically to a lower chance of developing ADHD. Dr Anna Gui, an author of the study and a researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Birkbeck, University of London said: 'Until now, we didn't understand what causes the wide differences between children when they take their first step. 'Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. We see that genetics play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone.' Other factors that influence when a baby will begin walking include the strength of leg muscles, general health and opportunities for practising Prof Ronald added: 'While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. There is a lot of variety when children take their first step on their own. 'It is exciting to be able to discover the genes that influence when children learn to walk. Starting to walk independently is a major milestone for young children.' The research was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
Euronews
07-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Scientists think genetics could explain how old babies are when they start walking
ADVERTISEMENT Whether babies take their first steps at nine or 15 months depends on a lot of factors – including their genes, a new study has found. New parents wait with bated breath for their babies to begin walking independently, which is an important early sign of child development. But the exact age that they start hinges on their size, whether they were born early, if they've had the chance to practice walking, and their nutrition, among other conditions. Now, the study indicates 11 genetic markers can explain about a quarter of the variation in when babies start walking on their own. Related No link between COVID vaccines and infection during pregnancy and developmental delays in toddlers 'Parents can provide a constructive environment and support their children, but they're not 100 per cent in control,' Angelica Ronald, the study's senior author and a professor of psychology and genetics at the University of Surrey in the UK, told Euronews Health. 'Genes also influence this timing'. The study was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour and included nearly 71,000 children in Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK. The genes that influence the age at which children learn to walk overlap closely with genes that affect both brain size and how many folds are on the outer layer of the brain, which is associated with cognitive function, the analysis found. Related Why experts are warning parents not to give their kids dietary supplements like vitamins Notably, the genes tied to early walking also overlap with those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers hypothesised that more active babies with shorter attention spans could move around more, giving them more practice walking earlier. Meanwhile other research has shown that learning how to walk late – beyond around 18 months – can be an early sign of intellectual disabilities. The new findings 'suggest that the genes influencing the age of onset of walking are quite central to development across a range of areas,' Ronald said. Related Young people's eating disorders could be linked to lagging brain development, study finds Going forward, Roland's team plans to study how genes interact with the environment to shape young children's development, with the goal of identifying the most ideal settings for infants to grow up. But for now, she said the results should help assuage parents' worries that they aren't doing enough to help their babies walk unassisted. 'We put a lot of emphasis on kids who do things quicker than others,' Ronald said, but 'there are probably advantages to walking later and walking earlier'.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Late-walking babies ‘may do better in school'
Infants who take longer to learn to walk may end up doing better at school, a genetic study suggests. Scientists discovered the age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes. They also found that the same genes that are linked to late walking are also involved in higher educational achievement. It suggests the same genes that predispose youngsters to do well in education may also be influencing when babies start to walk. Late walking also appears to lower the risk of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The study from the universities of Surrey, Essex and London found that genetics accounts for about a quarter of the differences in when children take their first steps. 'First genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale' 'We studied hundreds of thousands of genetic differences that are common in the population,' said Angelica Ronald, professor of psychology and genetics at the University of Surrey. 'We see that the genetic differences that influence walking later also influence higher educational attainment and less likelihood of ADHD. 'It is the first genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale and the first one to investigate when children learn to walk. 'Genetic differences are important to study because they teach us about the biology underlying these behaviours.' Babies generally take their first steps sometime between ages eight and 24 months, with most toddlers walking unaided by 18 months. But this can vary and parents often worry if their children take longer to hit the important developmental milestone. For years, researchers knew environmental factors could influence when babies begin to walk, but this new finding shows genetics also has a major impact. In the first study of its kind, scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 infants, identifying 11 genetic markers influencing when babies start walking. The team found that genetic factors responsible for the timing of a child's first steps are also linked to brain development, including the amount of folding and ridges in the outer surface of the brain - the cortex. Relatively later onset of walking was influenced by some of the same genes involved in higher educational attainment. Likewise, walking later was linked genetically to a lower chance of developing ADHD. Dr Anna Gui, an author of the study and a researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Birkbeck, University of London said: 'Until now, we didn't understand what causes the wide differences between children when they take their first step. 'Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. We see that genetics play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone.' Other factors that influence when a baby will begin walking include the strength of leg muscles, general health and opportunities for practising Prof Ronald added: 'While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. There is a lot of variety when children take their first step on their own. 'It is exciting to be able to discover the genes that influence when children learn to walk. Starting to walk independently is a major milestone for young children.' The research was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists discover why some babies learn to walk later than others
Scientists discover why some babies learn to walk later than others The age at which babies learn to walk is strongly influenced by their genes, researchers have found (Getty/iStock) A child's first steps are a momentous occasion, but the age at which this milestone is reached could be determined by genetics, a new study suggests. Scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 babies and identified 11 genetic markers that influence when youngsters take their first steps. In findings published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the team, from the universities of Surrey and Essex, suggested that genetics accounts for about a quarter of the differences in when children begin to walk. Professor Angelica Ronald, senior researcher on the study from the University of Surrey, said that 'most babies take their first step sometime between ages eight months and 24 months, so it is a wide window in which this exciting milestone happens. ADVERTISEMENT 'It is a big moment for both parents and baby; it symbolises a new phase in a child's life. 'We hope these new genetic findings can advance fundamental understanding about the causes of walking and be used to better support children with motor disorders and learning disabilities. 'While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. 'There is a lot of variety in when children take their first step on their own.' Scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 babies (Getty/iStock) Dr Anna Gui, who worked on the study, added that, until now, 'we didn't understand what causes the wide differences between children in when they take their first step'. 'Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. 'We see that genetics play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone.' ADVERTISEMENT The study found that those genes influencing when children take their first steps are partly the same genetic factors that influence brain development. There is also a relationship between the later onset of walking and genes that are involved in higher educational attainment. Walking later, but within the typical range, was further linked genetically with less chance of developing ADHD, the research suggested.
