Other content tagged: news research
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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Good practice recommendations for term and preterm infants: A call for global cooperation
Worldwide, about 2.4 million neonatal deaths are reported annually, even though two-thirds of these infant deaths are preventable. Therefore, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) published a guidline of good practice recommendations for the care of term and preterm infants. The aim is to reduce neonatal mortality through better care and prevention of possible difficulties. FIGO supports the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goals to lower neonatal mortality to less…
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Research priorities for care of preterm or low birth-weight infants: Health policy
The outcomes of preterm birth remain concerning in many countries: Approximately 11% of infants worldwide are born preterm, and preterm birth complications are still the leading cause of death among children under five years of age. This is why, in 2020 the WHO convened a Guideline Development Group (GDG) to examine evidence and formulate recommendations for the care of preterm or low birth-weight (LBW) infants. The 25 new WHO recommendations confirm the pivotal…
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Examining the positive effects of family involvement at the neonatal intensive care unit for newborns and their parents
The stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) demands a lot from new parents. The physical and emotional separation between the newborn and their parents often creates feelings of helplessness and stress. Family-centred care (FCC) concepts can help to improve the parents’ mental well-being and the infant’s physical health. The FCC intervention enables parents to be with their child at any time and empowers them to care for their newborn. It also involves…
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Infection prevention and control in neonatal units: interactions between healthcare providers and mothers
Aiming to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections, a study from Ghana explored the role of mothers and healthcare providers (HPs) in infection prevention and control (IPC) for newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Both groups involved faced problems, particularly when interacting with each other, resulting in insufficient IPC interventions. While mothers received not enough information and felt insecure and stressed, the HPs reported not to have the capacity to collaborate in a better way. ©…
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Listening to the fathers of twins – Being sensitive to fathers’ needs in maternity and child healthcare
Currently, the number of twin births worldwide is higher than ever before. For parents, this can be challenging. So far, research has mostly focused on mothers and their experiences. However, fathers of twins also face special challenges – like establishing an early bond and interaction with both children. In addition, having more than one child of the same age also means multiplied responsibilities in childcare. Therefore, fathers of multiples must often adapt to…
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Family reflections: preterm birth and the power of parent involvement in research
In a heart-touching testimony that emphasises the power of patient and family involvement in neonatal research, Fabiana Bacchini's journey with her preterm-born child leads to significant insights into the care of preterm infants beyond hospital walls. Her story underscores the critical role parents play not only in their child's immediate well-being but also in driving long-term positive outcomes for the whole neonatal community. In her article, Fabiana Bacchini, a resilient mother of twins…
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Evaluating the success of preconception and pregnancy lifestyle interventions in preventing obesity in children: A scoping review protocol
Childhood obesity leads to many health problems and needs to be addressed. However, there are mixed results from lifestyle interventions that target the periods of preconception and pregnancy, motivating researchers within the EndObesity project to develop and present a protocol of a scoping review to clarify discrepancies in the literature. The review will consist of six stages. The authors expect that the results, which will be submitted for publication in a journal, will interest…
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