Research news

10 August 2023

Exclusive Human Milk Diet for Extremely Premature Infants: A Novel Fortification Strategy with Human Milk-Derived Fortifiers to Enhance the Bioactive Properties of Donor Milk

A recent study at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick in Ireland sheds light on the benefits of human milk-derived fortifiers (HMDF) for extremely preterm and low-birthweight infants. Results show that,...
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18 July 2023

An ethical examination of twin anemia polycythemia sequence screening

In a recent US case study, researchers have shed light on the ethical challenges surrounding diagnosing and managing Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS), a rare condition affecting monochorionic twin pregnancies....
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10 July 2023

Exploring Parental Bereavement Support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

A recent systematic review from Canada explored parental experiences and bereavement in the NICU, shedding light on the challenges of infant loss. Healthcare professionals are crucial in supporting parents, which...
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20 June 2023

Kangaroo Mother Care – Global position paper and implementation strategy: Two new WHO resources

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched new guidelines for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes through infant- and family-centred developmental care. The guidelines highlight Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a...
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13 June 2023

Development and validation of a screening questionnaire for early identification of pregnant women at risk for excessive gestational weight gain

In a significant effort to improve preventive care, a team of researchers developed and validated a screening questionnaire to identify pregnant women at risk for excessive gestational weight gain (GWG)....
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31 May 2023

New preliminary study results suggest that new RSV antibody may help reduce infant hospitalisation due to RSV

Interesting first preliminary results from the HARMONIE phase 3b trial on the efficacy of Nirsevimab against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection were presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the...
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26 May 2023

Kangaroo mother care: new resources released by WHO

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) significantly improves survival and health outcomes for preterm and low birthweight babies, compared to clinical stabilization in a more ‘high-tech’ incubator or warmer. To support preterm...
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25 May 2023

Born too soon: a decade of action on preterm birth

With preterm birth now being the leading cause of child deaths before the 5th birthday, 70+ organisations in 45+ countries, including EFCNI, have worked together to develop the report 'Born...
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23 May 2023

Impact of a sensory-based intervention in the NICU on parents and their preterm born babies

35 families received the Supporting and Enhancing Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Sensory Experiences (SENSE) programme-based intervention. The preterm born babies (≤ 32 weeks of pregnancy) experienced sensory exposures like...
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17 April 2023

Preterm birth and parent-child relationships: the long-term impact for children and adolescents

The family environment influences the child's social-emotional development. Especially in preterm-born children, these influences seem to be greater than in peers born at term. O'Brien and others studied the relationship...
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