Other content tagged: preterm birth
Developmentally supportive care among NICU nurses in South Korea
The implementation of developmentally supportive care can directly impact the health outcome of preterm babies. A study evaluated South Korean NICU nurses’ experience and perception regarding this approach. Of the 160 participants, almost half could not provide adequate developmentally supportive care, and all nurses indicated the need for education on the matter. Preterm birth rates have increased in South Korea during the last years, and management and care provision has become a significant healthcare…
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Are pre- and early pregnancy lifestyle factors associated with the risk of preterm birth? A secondary cohort analysis of the cluster-randomised GeliS trial
Preterm birth remains a global and partially unresolved health problem with affected newborns having an increased mortality and morbidity risk and often long-term health impairments. In this secondary analysis, researchers investigated the preventative role of modifiable risk factors for preterm birth and identified that a high dietary quality seems to be protective. Since preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five years, effective prevention strategies to reduce…
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Compassionate care for sick or preterm newborns at the end of life
Providing palliative care for sick or preterm newborns and their parents/caregivers is a major challenge and is in strong contrast to ‘usual’ care. Healthcare professionals should make decisions in the best interest of the child while weighing the continuation or omission of treatments, accompany the parents in this extremely difficult situation, and allowing as much time as possible between child and parents/caregivers. Verbalising and showing one’s own feelings, perceiving parents as experts and considering…
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The changing face of neonatal intensive care for infants born extremely preterm
Researchers from the University of Melbourne have analysed changes in attitude, physical environment, staffing and medical treatment within neonatal intensive care to identify the changes’ impact on extremely preterm (EP) babies. Applying an evidence-based approach is key to adapting to those changes without compromising the health of preterm babies. Neonatal intensive care for infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks’ gestation) has changed dramatically over the past years, beginning with the rudimentary care of the…
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Docosahexaenoic acid (an omega-3) supplementation during pregnancy to reduce early preterm birth: new findings
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), provided as a prenatal omega-3 supplement, could reduce early preterm birth (EPB), as a recent study suggests. Researchers conducted a study with 1032 participants in the USA comparing a dose of 1000 mg to the standard prenatal dose of 200 mg of DHA. Results show better outcomes with 1000 mg DHA daily than 200 mg in reducing EPB if participants had low DHA status at enrolment. Early preterm birth (EPB) is defined…
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Extreme heat exposure as an increased risk for preterm birth and stillbirth – results from two studies
Climate change causes more frequent and extreme heatwaves, resulting in higher temperatures around the world. Several studies have found that extreme heat in pregnancy may lead to adverse birth outcomes. For this purpose, two studies in different settings (one in the United States and one in lower- to middle-income countries) have addressed this issue. Both studies found, that exposure to extreme heat waves is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth. Extreme weather…
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Characteristics and outcomes of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK
There is concern that neonates might contract infections more easily, but data on the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in babies is limited. To gain more insights, researchers in the UK analysed incidence, transmission and severity of SARS-CoV-2 cases in newborn babies receiving hospital care. Due to the lack of data about how the virus spreads to newborns and how it affects them, guidelines for the management of babies at risk have varied. However, the…
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Both preterm and post-term birth increases risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder
The causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are complex and remain unclear. A recent study, involving more than 3.5 million children, now shows that the risk of ASD may slightly increase for each week a baby is born before or after 40 weeks of gestation. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting 1% to 2% of children worldwide. Children with this disease cannot initialize or take part in social communication and have repetitive behaviours. The reasons may be…
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