Other content tagged: news research
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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.…
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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.…
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Debunking the myths about cannabis use during pregnancy – How cannabis can endanger the unborn child
The use of cannabis has increased over the past decades and with it the need to educate pregnant women about the adverse effects of cannabis use during pregnancy. A cohort study from Spain analysed data from the last 10 years to investigate the exact impact of cannabis use during pregnancy and how women can be encouraged to stop using it when pregnant. The data clearly warns expectant mothers against consuming cannabis, as there is…
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Estimating pregnant women’s’ risk of pre-eclampsia using artificial intelligence – with a focus on expectant mothers around the world
The leading cause of maternal deaths continues to be pre-eclampsia. The disease causes 46,000 maternal deaths annually as well as preterm birth, low birth weight and stillbirths. Although living in a country with a lower gross domestic product increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, pregnant women from these countries are underrepresented in pre-eclampsia research. To address this issue, a new risk prediction model called PIERS-ML was developed, including more than 10,000 women from the…
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