Preemie Matters - April 2012

In this issue of Preemie Matters - June 14-15 in Washington, DC: National Premature Infant Health Coalition Summit  • NPIHC Webinar: Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD & Postpartum Depression in Parents of NICU Babies  •  Let's Connect on Facebook  • Partner Profile: Supporting Premature Infant Health Nutrition (SPIN)  •  Study: Parents' Psychologicval Distress Associated with Preemie Behavior Problems  •  Yahoo! Group Brings Together Lactation Consultants Working in NICUs  •  Cervical Pessary May Prevent Preterm Birth in High-Risk Women.

June 14-15 in Washington, DC: National Premature Infant Health Coalition Summit

NPIHC is hosting Connections 2012 on June 14-15, 2012 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC. It's going to be a great event including an expert panel discussion on developmental care, a key speaker on strategies for using social media to educate and communicate in the field of prematurity, a town hall on critical issues in prematurity, a cocktail reception, and networking opportunities. We hope you can make it! If you plan to attend, please complete the online registration form as soon as possible.

NPIHC Webinar: Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD & Postpartum Depression in Parents of NICU Babies

Register online for the latest National Premature Infant Health Coalition webinar: "Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Postpartum Depression (PPD) in Parents of NICU Babies" on May 9, 2012 from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Our speaker, Dr. Michael Hynan, will describe the symptoms of ASD, PTSD and PPD, different trajectories of recovery and research on a potentially dangerous relationship between high levels of emotional distress in new parents and impaired infant development. Dr. Hynan will discuss potential interventions as well as model NICU programs, including teaching parenting competencies and developmental care; screening mothers and fathers for emotional distress; parent support groups led by veteran NICU parents, psychologists and psychosocial programs in the NICU; family-centered care; and referral networks.

Let's Connect on Facebook

Check out the new Facebook page for the National Premature Infant Health Coalition (NPIHC)! The page is a great place to connect with colleagues and friends in the prematurity field, as well to keep up with the latest prematurity-related news, research, events, and resources. "Like" the page and let your networks know about it. Do you have content you'd like to share on the page? Post it to the wall or send email to agoodman@hmhb.org.

Partner Profile: Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition (SPIN)

The SPIN program (Supporting Premature Infant Nutrition) at UC San Diego Health System was developed to address the challenges of helping mothers produce sufficient breast milk for their premature infants, and to improve the manner in which NICUs support optimal nutrition and growth in their most vulnerable population of patients. A new website and online educational videos are broadening SPIN's awareness and providing resources to both parents and NICU staff. The site offers a variety of patient resources, such as pumping log sheets, milk calculator and recipes, lactation research, and publications.

Parents' Psychological Distress Associated with Preemie Behavior Problems

A new study published in the March 12 online edition of the journal Pediatrics and covered by US News & World Report finds that children born prematurely at very low birthweight are more likely to develop behavioral problems when their parents are acutely stressed or depressed. The psychological well-being of both mothers and fathers was found to contribute to the behavioral problems of preemie children at age three. The study's authors say their findings spotlight the effects of the multi-faceted stress experienced by preterm children and their parents - as well as the need for adequate support for these families well beyond hospital discharge.

Yahoo! Group Brings Together Lactation Consultants Working in NICUs

Did you know? A Yahoo! group for lactation consultants who work with mothers and infants in the NICU is bringing these professionals together to network, consult with colleagues, and share updates on what's happening in NICUs across the US. The group is open to all interested.

Cervical Pessary May Prevent Preterm Birth in High-Risk Women

Findings from the first randomized trial examining the use of a pessary to prevent preterm birth have been published in The Lancet. The study found that pregnant women at high risk for preterm birth due to a short cervix can substantially reduce their risk of premature delivery through the insertion of a cervical pessary during the second trimester. The study also finds that the pessary intervention is a safe, low-cost, relatively non-invasive option. Ninety-five percent of the women who received a pessary in this study said they would recommend the intervention to others.

Sources:

• www.hmhb.org
• www.facebook.com/NPIHC
• http://health.ucsd.edu
• http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
• http://www.thelancet.com

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Webinar: Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Postpartum Depression in parents of NICU babies

This webinar on Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Postpartum Depression (PPD) in parents of NICU babies is provided by Dr. Michael Hynan, and describes the symptoms of ASD, PTSD and PPD, different trajectories of recovery, and research on a potentially dangerous relationship between high levels of emotional distress in new parents and impaired infant development. Dr. Hynan discusses potential interventions as well as model NICU programs, including teaching parenting competencies and developmental care, screening mothers and fathers for emotional distress, parent support groups led by veteran NICU parents, psychologists and psychosocial programs in the NICU, family-centered care and referral networks.

• Download the slides
• View the webinar

Webinar: The Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW)

Implications for the Future of Neonatal Care

Guest Speaker: Alan R. Spitzer, MD

Overview: This webinar provides an overview of the Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW). This novel tool allows for an unbiased extraction of information from an entire neonatal population care by physicians and advanced practice nurses in Pediatrix Medical Group. Because it represents the practice of newborn medicine ranging from small community intensive care units to some of the largest neonatal intensive care units in the United States, it is highly representative of scope of practice in the U.S. Its value in defining outcome measures, quality improvement projects, and research continues to grow annually. Now coupled with the BabySteps QualitySteps program for defined clinical quality improvement projects, it represents a robust methodology for meaningful use of an electronic health care record, as designated during this era of health care reform. Continued growth of the CDW should result in continued important observations and improvements in neonatal care.

• Download the slides
• View the webinar

Preemie Matters – February 2012

In this issue of Preemie Matters: Study: Latino Prematurity Risk Increases with Time Spent in United States  •  HHS Announces "Strong Start"  •  Webinar Available Online: Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW) & Implications for the Future of Neonatal Care  •  Partner Profile: Caiden's Hope  •  Research Finds Severe Morning Sickness Linked to Preterm Birth

Study: Latino Prematurity Risk Increases with Time Spent in United States

Research recently presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine finds that while new Latino immigrants have a low risk of delivering premature infants, their risk increases the longer they reside in the US and is highest among American-born Latinas. The increased risk was not related to the woman's age, body mass index, marital status, toxic exposures, diet, key health indicators or socioeconomic status - each of which the study adjusted for. One possible explanation cited by some evaluating the findings: the role of extended family and its greater prominence in immigrants' native homes.

HHS Announces "Strong Start"

This month the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new "Strong Start" initiative aimed at increasing the number of healthy deliveries and reducing preterm births nationwide. HHS will provide more than $40 million in grants to test ways to reverse current trends, as well as a public campaign to reduce early elective deliveries. The initiative involves many agencies within HHS and will include efforts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Administration on Children and Families. HHS will also work with a number of professional organizations on implementation.

Webinar Available Online: Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW) & Implications for the Future of Neonatal Care

Missed our February 15th webinar with Dr. Alan Spitzer? You can still take part in this learning opportunity, via audio and slides now archived online. Dr. Spitzer shared exciting insights from the Pediatrix BabySteps Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW), a novel tool offering a wealth of information about neonatal outcomes and care. This resource represents the practice of newborn medicine ranging from small community intensive care units to some of the largest neonatal intensive care units in the United States, and its value in defining outcome measures, quality improvement projects and research continues to grow annually.

Partner Profile: Caiden's Hope

Caiden's Hope, a nonprofit NICU-family support organization serving Texas and California, is founded on a simple but powerful belief: "Having a child in the NICU is enough stress. Parents shouldn't then have to sleep on the hospital floor." Caiden's Hope alleviates the unexpected financial burdens of travel and hotel stays for families whose infants have necessary, extended, non-elective clinic or hospital stays. The organizational vision came to life after meeting a young NICU couple at the UCLA Medical Center: "Each night they would gather their belongings, leave their baby and move upstairs to an empty waiting room, where they would sleep on the floor in their sleeping bags. Showering in the hospital bathroom the next morning, they would be back downstairs ready to care for their child." See Caiden's Hope families share their stories.

Research Finds Severe Morning Sickness Linked to Preterm Birth

A new study is significant news for the roughly one percent of pregnant women who suffer from extreme morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, and the health professionals who care for them. The study, presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and reported by MSNBC, Fox News and others, found that women with hyperemesis gravidarum were 23% more likely to deliver their babies before 34 weeks. Dr. Gary Stanziano and colleagues from Alere Health, analyzed information from 81,486 women enrolled in an Alere maternity education program who delivered between 2004 and 2011.

Sources:

• www.smfm.org
• www.cms.gov
• www.caidenshope.org
• www.hmhb.org
• www.smfm.org

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters - November 2011

In this issue of Preemie Matters: November 30th Congressional Briefing: "Preventing Prematurity - Progress and Pitfalls"  •  Virginia's Inova Fairfax Hospital: Nation's First Center of Excellence for Prematurity  •  Study: Children Born Moderately Preterm May Lag in Growth  •  Report Spotlights Experiences of Preemie Parents, Need for Ongoing Support  •  Holiday Cards Benefit Zoe Rose Memorial Foundation  •  November 30th Congressional Briefing:

"Preventing Prematurity - Progress and Pitfalls"

In response to the nation's grade of "C" on the annual Premature Birth Report Card, the March of Dimes will host a Congressional briefing, "Preventing Prematurity - Progress and Pitfalls," on Wednesday, November 30 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Capitol Visitors Center HVC-201. Lunch will be provided. To RSVP, send email to: mputman@marchofdimes.com.

Virginia's Inova Fairfax Hospital: Nation's First Center of Excellence for Prematurity

The Joint Commission has recognized Inova Fairfax Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as the first Center of Excellence for Prematurity in the United States. The neonatal mortality rate for infants born at Inova Fairfax is among the lowest in the nation. It is home to the largest subspecialty NICU in Northern Virginia, with a 75-bed, level III NICU caring for high-risk infants. The disease-specific survey determining this Joint Commission recognition looks at quality and process improvements, addressing areas including CA-BSIs, increasing breastfeeding and skin-to-skin, ROP and time to antibiotics.

Study: Children Born Moderately Preterm May Lag in Growth

Research published in the November edition of Pediatrics examines the growth of preschool-age children born moderately preterm. Using data from a community-based cohort of 1,123 children born between 32 and 35 weeks, they found that those born moderately preterm were shorter and weighed less at each assessment during the first four years of life than those born at term. Growth restraint was also found to be associated with being small for gestational age at birth. The authors conclude that children born moderately preterm may lag in growth and should be monitored closely during routine practice.

Report Spotlights Experiences of Preemie Parents, Need for Ongoing Support

A new report published in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month shares important insights from the parents of NICU infants - and highlights the need to support these families and children, both during the neonatal ICU stay and beyond. "Narratives from the NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Units Through the Eyes of Parents" was created from surveys of Inspire.com's sizable and highly-engaged Preemie Support Forum. The report features a foreward by Sue L. Hall, MD, a neonatologist and author of For the Love of Babies: One Doctor's Stories About Life in the Neonatal ICU. Download the 32-page report here.

Holiday Cards Benefit Zoe Rose Memorial Foundation

Photographer Naomi Levit of Eugene, Oegon has created a set of limited edition holiday cards whose sales will benefit the Zoe Rose Memorial Foundation. Levit is donating 50% from all proceeds to support the Foundation's mission: helping the families of micro-preemies. Each card contains a holiday message suitable for sharing with family, friends or colleagues. Free shipping and early delivery makes these cards a good choice for sharing holiday greetings that give back to families experiencing prematurity.

Sources:

• www.marchofdimes.com
• www.inova.org
• pediatrics.aappublications.org
• www.inspire.com
• www.zoerose.org

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters – October 2011

In this issue of Preemie Matters: PREEMIE Act of 2006 Needs Reauthorization Support in Congress  •  Prematurity Prevention Symposium: January 2012 in Washington, DC  •  Study: Preemies Have Higher Autism Risk  •  NICU Journal Helps Families Celebrate Preemie Milestones

PREEMIE Act of 2006 Needs Reauthorization Support in Congress

In an effort to better understand preterm birth as the leading cause of neonatal death - and to improve the health of millions of newborns in the United States - Congress passed the PREEMIE Act in 2006. This legislation has expanded research and other federal activities related to prematurity. The PREEMIE Act of 2006 sunsets later this year and must be reauthorized to continue as active legislation. In response, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has created an online Action Alert to help mobilize professionals, families and advocates in support of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S. 1440/H.R. 2679). AWHONN encourages you to email your US Representative and Senators, asking them to support the health of newborns by co-sponsoring this legislation.

Prematurity Prevention Symposium: January 2012 in Washington, DC

Mark your calendar for the Prematurity Prevention Symposium, "Examining National, State, Clinical and Community Efforts," set for January 19-20 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The event is organized by March of Dimes in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). It will bring together healthcare providers, health insurers, policy makers, health purchasers, regulators, public health practitioners and advocates to network, showcase successful prevention programs, share best practices and problem-solve. The Symposium will also launch the Prematurity Prevention Network, a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to preventing prematurity.

Study: Preemies Have Higher Autism Risk

New research published in the journal Pediatrics and reported by Reuters finds that children born preterm face five times the risk of developing autism, compared to peers born full-term. While the study is not the first to report a higher prevalence of autism among low-birthweight babies, it appears to confirm earlier studies using authoritative tools. The findings do not show that being born early necessarily causes autism, but they contribute to questions about whether prematurity puts babies' brains at higher risk for injury - and whether such injury may be related to autism.

NICU Journal Helps Families Celebrate Preemie Milestones

Created by preemie mom Jessica Williams, "A Journey Home" is a comprehensive preemie baby book and NICU Journal helping families document and celebrate milestones. Williams recognized that the parents of many babies born preterm find using traditional baby books frustrating, and wanted to create a way for preemie families to share and remember the unique joys and milestones of a baby's NICU journey, homecoming, and later development, while also building resources. The baby book and NICU journal offer practical information a preemie parent needs, such as conversion charts, important contact information, going-home checklists, and plenty of space for individualized journal entries. For every 10 journals sold, Williams donates a copy to a NICU for distribution to families.

Sources:

• www.awhonn.org
• www.marchofdimes.com
• pediatrics.aappublications.org
• miraclebebe.com
• www.ehjournal.net

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters - May 2011

In this issue of Preemie Matters: How Accurate Are 18-Month Autism Screens for "Extreme Preemies"?  •  Partner Profile: Project Cameron's Story  •  New Test on the Horizon to Predict Preterm Birth  •  Prematurity a Risk Factor for Diabetes Later in Life  •  FDA Warning: Feeding Product Linked to NEC in Preemies

How Accurate Are 18-Month Autism Screens for "Extreme Preemies"?

New research suggests that the standard pediatric autism screen may not yield accurate results for children born very prematurely. The study, recently presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting, finds that not all extremely premature infants who screen positive for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 18 months actually have the disorder - but may in fact fail the screen due to prematurity-related cognitive or language delays. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend that pediatricians screen all children for ASD at 18-24 months of age, with referrals to formal assessments for those who fail the screening. While many NICU follow-up clinics are using this protocol, the research team says the accuracy of early screening with extremely premature babies needs more investigation.

Partner Profile: Project Cameron's Story

Project Cameron's Story places a new, quality children's book in the hands of every parent of a premature baby admitted to the neonatal ICU at Albany Medical Center, New York. Founded by a micro-preemie mom who lost her son after a rehospitalization, this nonprofit organization uses children's literature and storytelling to support the bonding of parents with their infants during their time in the NICU. Their mission is powerful, empowering parents to form unique and profound connections with their children in an environment that is often uncertain and intimidating.

New Test on the Horizon to Predict Preterm Birth

A simple second-trimester blood test may soon be able to predict significant percentage of preterm births. After researchers at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah identified new peptide biomarkers that may signal preterm birth when analyzed alongside other proteins, they patented the method for detecting the peptides and licensed it to Sera Prognostics. The license-holding company says it plans to make available a diagnostic test for physician offices within a year. The current study is published in the May edition of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Prematurity a Risk Factor for Diabetes Later in Life

Swedish research has found a slightly increased risk of developing diabetes later in life for individuals born prematurely. The study, tracking roughly 630,000 births from the 1970s, found that children born before 37 weeks were at a modestly elevated (less than one percent) risk of developing diabetes by the time they reached their twenties and thirties. In addition to the need for awareness among healthcare providers and parents that prematurity is a diabetes risk factor, the findings point to how important it may be individuals born prematurely to avoid additional risk factors as they age - including being overweight, not getting enough exercise and having high blood pressure.

FDA Warning: Feeding Product Linked to NEC in Preemies

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning parents and healthcare providers not to feed the product SimplyThick to infants born before 37 weeks who are currently receiving hospital care or have been discharged from the hospital within the past 30 days. The product, used with children who have swallowing disorders, may cause the life-threatening condition necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The agency has become aware of multiple cases of NEC, inclduing two deaths, involving premature infants who were fed SimplyThick for varying lengths of time, mixed with mothers' breast milk or with infant formula products.

Sources:

• http://www.pas-meeting.org
• http://www.projectcameronsstory.com
• http://www.ajog.org
• http://care.diabetesjournals.org
• http://www.fda.gov

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters – January 2011

In this issue of Preemie Matters: New Resource: Revvin' Up for the RSV Season  •  Study: Impact of Heart Disease on Very Low Birthweight Infants  •  Report Shares Recommendations for Improving Pregnancy Outcomes  •  Debut iPad App Reaches Preemie Parents  •  Project Sweet Peas Offers NICU & Loss Support

New Resource: Revvin' Up for RSV Season

PreemieWorld has developed a free tool for parents of preemies, "Revvin' Up for RSV Season." This downloadable PDF resource is perfect for reminding parents to prep for each month's treatments to prevent the spread of RSV. Find this item and many other tools for free download at the PreemieWorld site.

Study: Impact of Heart Disease on Very Low Birthweight Infants

A study published in the January edition of the journal Pediatrics looks at the impact of heart disease on very low birthweight (VLBW) infants - those born weighing less than 1,500 grams or at a gestational age of 22-29 weeks. Drawing on data from more than 99,000 VLBW infants born or treated at 703 neonatal ICUs in 2006-2007, the study examines rates of heart disease and mortality. Among the significant findings: Serious congenital heart disease is probably more frequent in VLBW infants than in the general birth population. In addition, the mortality rate for VLBW babies who have congenital heart disease is significantly higher (44%) than for those who do not (12.7%).

Report Shares Recommendations for Improving Pregnancy Outcomes

A new report from partners in health shares recommendations intended to make pregnancy care more standardized and accessible nationwide. The report, TIOPP III (Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy III), represents a collaborative effort of more than 40 experts from a range of organizations, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance and The Joint Commission, the nation's standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. In addition to recommendations for providers and hospitals, the report encourages women to get a medical checkup before becoming pregnant, ask for referrals to specialists if a pregnancy is deemed high-risk, request appropriate ultrasounds during pregnancy and avoid induction or c-section before 39 weeks unless medically necessary. TIOPP III was funded by partners including the March of Dimes; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Debut iPad App Reaches Preemie Parents

The new iPad app launched last month by the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) as a companion to Healthy Mom&Baby magazine reaches pregnant women and new parents with key health messages - including information and tips for the parents of preemies. In addition to items on pregnancy nutrition, breastfeeding and an interview with mom and boxer Laila Alli, the app's debut edition included a front-page feature aimed at preemie parents, "Born Too Early?: Extra Care to Develop Well." The interactive resource includes the complete Healthy Mom&Baby magazine, plus iPad-only features such as videos, quizzes, click-to-reveal articles and exclusive online content.

Project Sweet Peas Offers NICU & Loss Support

With projects active in 17 states, Pennsylvania-based not-for-profit organization Project Sweet Peas provides support and comfort to families who have children in the neonatal ICU, as well as to to those who have lost a child. Founded by the parents of NICU babies, they work with hospitals to provide patients and families with customized care packages that can help to make stays less stressful - and to assist families who have experienced a loss with collecting precious memories. Working with local partners, Project Sweet Peas has distributed more than 1,588 care packages since 2009.

Sources:

• www.preemieworld.com
• http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
• www.marchofdimes.com
• www.awhonn.org
• http://projectsweetpeas.com

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters – December 2010

In this issue of Preemie Matters: National Vital Statistics Report Finds Decline in Preterm Birth Rate  •  Study: Reading in the NICU Helps Parents & Preemies Bond  •  Statewide Work Group Supports Virginia's Healthy Babies  •  CPSC Promotes Safe Babywearing  •  Webinar: Opportunities in Health Reform to Prevent Infant Death

National Vital Statistics Report Finds Decline in Preterm Birth Rate

After three decades of rising preterm birth rates, new data from the National Center for Health Statistics suggests that the trend may be in decline. The 2008 final preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent, from the 2006 final rate of 12.8 percent, with declines noted for all racial and ethnic groups. Other significant findings in the 2008 National Vital Statistics Report include these: Twenty-eight percent of infants were born "early term" (37-38 weeks) and only about 54 percent of infants were delivered full-term (39 to 41 weeks). This report marks the first to include data on "early term" infants, who are categorized as neither preterm nor full-term but who experience higher mortality rates and more health problems than full-term babies.

Study: Reading in the NICU Helps Parents & Preemies Bond

An innovative study led by a neonatal nurse at Montreal Children's Hospital finds that reading to NICU infants helps parents to feel close to their babies, easing the stress of disrupted parent-infant bonding. Nearly 70% of the 120 families who participated by reading to their NICU infants reported feeling more in control of their situation and closer to their newborns. The lead researcher of the study, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, says the findings suggest that healthcare professionals should make reading an essential tool for supporting parents in NICUs and follow-up clinics.

Statewide Work Group Supports Virginia's Healthy Babies

The Virginia State Health Commissioner's Infant Mortality Work Group, established in 2008, represents a success story about approaches that can work nationwide to raise awareness and reduce infant mortality. Members represent the private medical community, managed health care, several state agencies and community groups such as the March of Dimes. The group's collaborative nature allows key issues to be promptly identified and effectively addressed. With State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Remley, they recently celebrated Virginia's decline in premature births and a 22% decrease in teen pregnancy rates - an issue associated with low-birthweight and infant mortality.

CPSC Promotes Safe Babywearing

For many parents, "babywearing" promotes a positive bond and is an everyday part of caring for infants. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is working to share important information that will help families use baby slings and wraps safely. After reviewing 14 infant suffocation deaths related to sling-style carriers over the past 20 years, CPSC recommends that parents of newborns under four months, preemies, low-birthweight babies, and babies with colds and respiratory problems take extra care in using these types of carriers. CPSC's prevention recommendations for parents and caregivers include guidelines for proper use and visuals of safe positioning.

Webinar: Opportunities in Health Reform to Prevent Infant Death

A webinar on "Opportunities in Health Reform to Prevent Infant Death" is now available online from the National Sudden Unexpected Infant-Child and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center. The September 2010 webinar, co-sponsored by the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Professionals (ASIP) and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), covers 1) opportunities for maternal and child health under health reform legislation, 2) promoting preconception and interconception health through improved insurance coverage and benefits, 3) optimizing home visiting program investments and 4) leveraging investments from the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Sources:

• www.cdc.gov
• journals.lww.com
• www.vdh.virginia.gov/infantmortality
• www.cpsc.gov
• www.sidscenter.org

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Preemie Matters – November 2010

In this issue of Preemie Matters: March of Dimes Releases Premature Birth Report Card  •  CDC Report Finds Variations in NICU Admission of Very Low Birth Weight Infants  •  Partner Spotlight: Hand to Hold  •  Now Online: Resources from National Perinatal Association Conference  •  "Letters from Santa" Fundraiser Supports NICU Parents  •  American Lung Association Raises Profile of RSV During Prematurity Awareness Month

March of Dimes Releases Premature Birth Report Card

In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, the March of Dimes released its 2010 Premature Birth Report Card, which grades the nation and the states on their preterm birth rates. The overall US ranking of a "D" reminds us that national preterm birth rates do not yet measure up to the Healthy People 2010 goals. However, after three decades of increases, in 2008 there began a two-year decline in the preterm birth rates (a 4% drop from 2006). More information is available at the March of Dimes website, where you can also view state-by-state rankings and download your state's report card.

CDC Report Finds Variations in NICU Admission of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

New findings published in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) suggest that there is wide variation among states in the prevalence of NICU admission for infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) - and points to the need to further address state data to identify barriers to NICU admission. The report looked at NICU admissions of VLBW infants in 19 states during 2006. Current standards call for NICU care for all VLBW babies, since it has been shown to reduce mortality for this group. However, just 77.3% of VLBW infants in the study were admitted to NICUs, with some variations by ethnicity. The report is available on CDC's website.

Partner Spotlight: Hand to Hold

Among the least-known tragedies of prematurity are the estimated 76% of moms who experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a baby's neonatal ICU stay, with far-reaching consequences for families and communities. But a new nonprofit organization is addressing the unmet need for community-based peer support, which studies suggest can cut this statistic in half. Hand to Hold - whose pilot program based in Austin, TX will serve as a national model - provides resources and support programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special healthcare needs and those who have experienced a loss. Founded by a mother of preemies, Hand to Hold focuses on empowering parents to advocate for their children; encouraging counseling when needed; providing resources and information for managing insurance and financial issues; educating parents about the challenges their babies may face and preparing them to meet those needs; and sharing the resources and support necessary to help all children enjoy a full and satisfying life.

Now Online: Resources from National Perinatal Association Conference

Presentation materials and webinars from the National Perinatal Association's Annual Conference, held earlier this month, are now online and available to the public. Among the many topics covered are Cultural Sensitivity in Addressing Perinatal Loss and Bereavement, Advocating for Parents of Premature Infants, Parents as Staff Educators in a NICU, Effects of Postpartum Skin-to-Skin Contact for Mother and Baby, Life with a Child Who Has Special Needs and A Model NICU Program for SIDS Prevention.

"Letter from Santa" Fundraiser Supports NICU Parents

'Tis the season: Each December, St. John's Mercy in St. Louis, MO raises funds for its NICU Parent Support Program with a fun and innovative project. Order a personalized Letter from Santa for your child for a contribution of just $6, and you can help make a difference for the families of premature and critically ill babies. Thanks to this program, St. John's Mercy is able to provide assistance ranging from car seats to free books and gas cards, to one-on-one talks and weekly parent support-group meetings. The deadline is December 12, and it's easy to place your letter order online.

American Lung Association Raises Profile of RSV During Prematurity Awareness Month

The American Lung Association recently recognized National Prematurity Awareness Month with a special email to its supporters and website feature highlighting the RSV virus and its impact on the nation's most vulnerable patient populations. Their message emphasizes prematurity and living with people who smoke as significant risk factors for serious complications. A recent study found that 22,000 hospitalizations of children from RSV each year are related to secondhand smoke, and preemies exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk from dual factors.

Sources:

• www.marchofdimes.com
• cdc.gov/mmwr
• www.handtohold.org
• www.nationalperinatal.org
• www.stjohnsmercy.org
• www.lungusa.org

Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.