Other content tagged: news research
The scientific debate on the use of probiotics in preterm infants: Does it save or risk infants’ lives?
The death of a preterm infant associated with bacteria in the probiotic prevention-treatment of NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) caused a stir. As a result, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a warning advising against the administration of probiotics in preterm and low birth weight infants. In a reply, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) now takes the side of long-standing research findings and criticises the…
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Exploring the most important elements to improve family-integrated care – A parent’s perspective
Family-integrated care (FICare) has the potential to significantly improve the health of both newborn and parents. This is especially vital when the infant is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and is thus often separated from their parents. A parent survey conducted in the Netherlands now provides insight into how parents experienced their integration in care. The study shows that most parents are involved to a certain extend. However, they highlight…
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Highlighting the power of nutrition: New recommendations on preventing preterm birth through omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy
Preterm birth is difficult to predict and most women who deliver preterm have no prior risk factors. Recent studies now agree that there is a promising, effective, and safe way to prevent preterm birth and especially early preterm birth. The daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids by pregnant women can reduce the risk to deliver preterm by up to 50% whilst being easy to integrate into the daily diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are…
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Safety unveiled: COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and the reassuring truth about its impact on the risk of preterm birth
Amid the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccination during pregnancy, specifically in relation to preterm birth, took centre stage. A systematic review comprising six studies with more than 35,000 patients from diverse geographical locations aims to shed light on the safety of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The analysis reveals no significant increase in the risk of preterm birth after vaccination. These…
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The fasting month of Ramadan: Does intermittent fasting of pregnant women influence the risk for preterm birth?
Fasting during Ramadan is a valuable experience for Muslims all over the world. Even though it is not compulsory for pregnant women to participate in fasting, many choose to do so. However, the question arises as to whether abstaining from food and water throughout the day could have an impact on the well-being of the unborn child. To answer this question, fourteen studies from seven countries were reviewed, involving more than 2,800 expectant…
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Are preterm born adults more optimistic or pessimistic? Exploring the long-term effects of preterm birth in adulthood
Optimistic people not only have a more positive outlook on life but also benefit from better health. They have better physical and mental health, recover faster from illness, and live longer. However, individuals born preterm tend to show poorer physical and mental health and a higher mortality rate. But does that mean that adults born preterm are, because of their particular circumstances, also less optimistic and more pessimistic in their attitude towards life?…
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Examining the most common risk factors for preterm birth (PTB): Can artificial intelligence predict PTB?
For healthcare professionals, it can be difficult to assess the risk of PTB because risk factors can vary from one woman to another. Women who have already been pregnant (parous women) have different and additional risk factors than those in their first pregnancy (nulliparous women). In addition, there are individual aspects to consider. Therefore, machine learning models can serve as screening tools and help clinicians to assess the individual woman’s risk factors, even…
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Mother-Newborn Couplet Care: Recommendations to implement and improve coupled care from Nordic practice
As preterm newborns and mothers have different medical needs, they are usually treated on different wards. However, the concept of mother-newborn coupled care breaks with that tradition and instead keeps them together throughout their hospitalization. This allows for immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, a higher quality of care, and lower rates of morbidity and mortality for the infant. The concept is already well-established in Swedish and Finish maternity hospitals and serves as a…
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Exploring the difference in life satisfaction of parents with term born and preterm infants
Preterm birth is associated with higher morbidity and mortality of the newborn and possible developmental delay. Parents of preterm children experience increased levels of stress, not only in the period after birth but also years later. To gain a better understanding of the particular situation of families with preterm children, parents in the German Socio-Economic Panel and the British Understanding Society Study were asked to assess their life satisfaction before, during, and after…
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Predicting the neurodevelopment of preterm born children: Is a low Apgar score associated with impaired development?
The Apgar score is a tool to quickly evaluate a newborn’s health status right after birth. It helps healthcare professionals to quickly make treatment decicions for the infant only minutes after birth. It is an important tool for determining neonatal health because a low Apgar score is associated with higher mortality and morbidity. A study conducted by the EPICE-SHIPS research group examined nearly 1,000 preterm born children at age five to find out…
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