The “Do’s and Don’ts in Neonatology” congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is an inaugural event where doctors, nurses, midwives, and patient and parent representatives take part in workshops and attend presentations focusing on best practices in neonatal care. Together with the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS), EFCNI co-organised this congress covering a wide range of topics, such as immediate skin-to-skin contact, mother-newborn couplet care, parenteral nutrition, and RSV prevention. Additionally, participants were invited to join workshops and attend presentations focused on best practices in neonatal care.
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
A key moment on the first day of the “Do’s and Don’ts in Neonatology” congress in Ljubljana was an insightful presentation on immediate skin-to-skin contact and mother-newborn couplet care by Dr. Stina Klemming. Klemming shared the latest recommendations and evidence from the “Immediate Parent-Infant Skin-to-Skin Study”, highlighting the benefits for very preterm infants and essential safety practices. She emphasised the critical importance of keeping mothers and babies together through couplet care, promoting stronger bonds and improved health outcomes. Furthermore, Klemming illustrated how this practice not only fosters stronger emotional bonds but also leads to significantly improved health outcomes for both mother and baby.
This congress day highlighted the need to support practices that ensure newborn babies remain close to their parents from the very beginning. This approach is crucial for advancing optimal neonatal care and safeguarding the well-being of newborns. For further details of this neonatal care practice and its benefits, feel free to follow our linked chapters on Skin-to-skin care and on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC).
Thursday, 4 July 2024
At the second day of the congress, the programme placed particular emphasis on the critical need for nutritional fortification in preterm and ill infants. A variety of presentations highlighted the necessity for these vulnerable infants to receive additional proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and calories beyond what breast milk alone can provide. The fortification of breast milk is a proven method of meeting these nutritional needs.
Our Chairwoman Silke Mader introduced a comprehensive factsheet designed for parents and caregivers, which provides detailed information on the application, types, and components of fortification. This resource was developed with the aim of promoting optimal development and growth for preterm and sick infants.
Friday, 5 July 2024
The final congress day placed a significant focus on the critical role of parenteral nutrition (PN) for very preterm and critically ill newborns. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a vital feeding method that provides essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream through a small needle or tube, bypassing the digestive system. This method is crucial, especially during the first 1,000 days of life, for supporting growth and ensuring optimal long-term metabolic, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
For preterm infants who require time to develop proper gastrointestinal function, PN serves as a necessary alternative to meet their nutritional needs. It is also indispensable for babies with digestive tract disorders, such as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), which impacts nutrient absorption.
The final day of the congress wrapped up with a plenary session focused on RSV and its prevention. EFCNI’s ResQ Family project managers Dr. Christina Tischer and Ilona Trautmannsberger presented their research on how infant RSV infections and hospitalisations impact the quality of life for parents and caregivers. The study highlighted that over 44% of parents often felt guilty about not preventing their child’s RSV infection, emphasising the ongoing need for improved prevention strategies and support for affected families.
