Other content tagged: news research
The neglected sibling? – Investigating the implications of having a preterm born sibling on the quality of life of the term born sibling
Siblings are one’s first peer group experience. Growing up, they contribute greatly to identity building and childhood development. However, there is little data on how having a preterm child affects the lives of term born siblings. A study from Finland therefore reviewed the available data to investigate the siblings’ quality of life after the birth of a preterm newborn. The study revealed that the absence of the mother and father for their…
Read more
What impact does climate change have on perinatal mortality? – The link between high temperatures and the risk of stillbirth
Extreme heat can affect both pregnant women and their foetuses. The effects can be indirect to the mother’s environment or directly to the child. Indirect influences include reduced responsiveness and quality of healthcare systems. Direct effects on the child are placental and epigenetic changes. However, especially from areas most affected by climate change and subsequent heat waves, such as sub-Saharan Africa, only very limited data is available. A new study examined over 138,000…
Read more
Improving therapeutic hypothermia for newborns by keeping parents close to their newborns
Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard treatment for perinatal asphyxia. A Swedish study explores the integration of parent-infant closeness during TH, highlighting the benefits of combining TH with family-centred care. Through interviews with NICU staff in Sweden, the research underscores the importance of standardised routines, supportive care environments, and parental involvement to enhance the effectiveness of TH and improve outcomes for infants and their families. Understanding therapeutic hypothermia Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH) involves lowering a newborn’s…
Read more
The power of developmental care – exploring the mechanisms to shorten Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospitalisation
Developmental care is an approach to improve the care of infants hospitalised in a NICU. It includes measures to adapt the NICU environment to be more patient-friendly, foster parental involvement in care, increase oral immune therapy and exclusive breastfeeding. A new study conducted in 14 hospitals in China and including more than 1,300 low birth weight infants highlights the promising outcomes of developmental care. Most significantly, the length of hospitalisation was markedly shorter…
Read more
Impact of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes
This meta-analysis examines the impact of vitamin D deficiency in over 28,000 pregnant women. The study found that vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of low birth weight infants (LBWI) but showed no clear link to preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Given the rise of vitamin D deficiency globally, especially in pregnant women, the study emphasises the need for regular monitoring and interventions. Further research with larger samples is recommended to better…
Read more
Optimising parenteral nutrition in paediatric care: challenges, recommendations, and safety considerations
A recent study underscores the critical role of parenteral nutrition (PN) in paediatric patients. Although PN is crucial for the growth and development of preterm infants, it often involves considerable variability and risk, which can lead to complications. Advances such as Multi-Chamber Bags (MCB) have shown potential for improving precision, safety, and efficiency, but challenges persist in meeting paediatric needs. The findings stress the importance of standardising practices and adopting evidence-based guidelines to improve…
Read more
Counteracting the challenging Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment: The SENSE programme provides a neurobehavioral approach
A stay in the NICU is a challenging experience for both parents and their hospitalised infants. The adverse environment can have a negative impact on the neonate’s neurological development as well as the parents’ mental health. One solution aimed at counteracting these negative effects is to improve the sensory experience in the NICU. The SENSE programme can be implemented in any NICU and provides guidance for healthcare professionals and parents to enable better care…
Read more
Information about impending preterm birth – Gap between parents’ needs and current practice
One out of ten newborns is born preterm, meaning birth occurs more than three weeks earlier than the expected date. These babies have higher morbidity and mortality, requiring special medical support from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). For parents, a preterm birth is associated with uncertainty, stress, and potential loss. Effective information exchange about impending preterm birth between families and medical staff is necessary to improve the well-being of both newborns and parents. However,…
Read more
Reviewing best practices for human milk banks: Urgent need for international milk bank guidelines
As the number of human milk banks grows globally, the lack of international standards becomes increasingly apparent. Donated human milk is provided to the most vulnerable sick and preterm infants in order to reduce their mortality. However, this comes with a responsibility to ensure the safe and hygienic handling of milk. A systematic review analysed the best practices for each step of the milk donation process using eight country guidelines and three organisation guidelines.…
Read more
Strengthening the competence of mothers in the prevention of preterm birth – Development of a new tool to personalise healthcare prevention
Preterm birth is associated with severe short and long-term consequences for the child, including increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, good preventive strategies are a powerful resource to reduce these adverse outcomes. Preventive behaviours include adequate nutrition, physical activity, good stress management, regular health check-ups, and the ability to identify and act on risk symptoms. Yet every woman is different, has different knowledge and self-efficacy when it comes to nutrition or exercise.…
Read more
