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Preemie Matters – August 2010

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In this issue of Preemie Matters: Registration Open: NIH Conference on Inhaled Nitrous Oxide Therapy for Preemies  •  PreemieVoices Offers Advocacy Toolkit  •  Healthcare 411 Shares Messages Tied to Prematurity Prevention  •  New Data on Outcomes for Extremely Preterm Infants  •  Webinar from NPA: Making the Case for Family Support in Every NICU

Registration Open: NIH Conference on Inhaled Nitrous Oxide Therapy for Preemies

There is still time to register for the October 27-29 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference, "Inhaled Nitrous Oxide Therapy for Premature Infants," in Bethesda, Maryland. Researchers have long examined expanding the use of inhaled nitric oxide therapy to treat babies born at less than 34 weeks gestation, but studies on this therapy's safety and effectiveness for preterm infants with severe respiratory problems have shown mixed results. This event will convene leaders from the field to assess the available scientific evidence and better understand the benefits and risks of inhaled nitric oxide therapy for preemies. An independent panel will prepare and present a consensus statement at the event's end. Can't attend in person? You can sign up to receive the final conference statement and register online to view the webcast.

PreemieVoices Offers Advocacy Toolkit

Did you know? PreemieVoices offers a free Advocacy Toolkit, a how-to guide for those who want to learn how to advocate for legislation that supports and protects preterm infants and their families. The toolkit, a 61-page downloadable PDF, provides an overview of preterm birth in the US, a complete toolbox of customizable advocacy materials, expert advise on maximizing the effectiveness of your efforts, an overview of how public policy works, talking points, tips on working with the health insurance system and a primer on media relations. Download the Advocacy Toolkit from the PreemieVoices homepage.

Healthcare 411 Shares Messages Tied to Prematurity Prevention

Healthcare 411, a free health information series created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is sharing messages about healthy pregnancy and birth that address issues related to prematurity. The Healthcare 411 series provides consumers with the latest research findings, news and information on a wide range of health topics. Among the current features are those on the risks of electively inducing labor, smoking during pregnancy and getting optimum prenatal care, among others. Healthcare 411 audio programs are available in a variety of formats and lengths, and are downloadable to portable digital players such as iPods. Users can also subscribe to the series to receive the latest features as podcasts.

New Data on Outcomes for Extremely Preterm Infants

Findings from a large study of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network, published in the journal Pediatrics' online edition this week, show that morbidity rates for extremely preterm babies (22-28 weeks gestation) continue to be high, with infants born earliest at greatest risk. The data were collected for almost 10,000 infants of extremely low gestational age and very low birth weight who were born from 2003 to 2007. Overall, 93% had respiratory distress syndrome, 46% had patent ductus arteriosus, and 36% late-onset sepsis. The study also looks at rates of additional complications and disorders, as well as differences in management and outcomes.

Webinar from NPA: Making the Case for Family Support in Every NICU

Archived audio from the National Perinatal Association's (NPA) first webinar is now available online - including a panel presentation on "Making the Case for Family Support in Every NICU," with presenters from the University of Utah Hospital, St. John's Mercy Hospital and March of Dimes. Additional presentations available online include "State Perinatal Associations: Models that Work" with representatives from four states and "Advocating for Your Cause" with Judy Meehan of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), Maureen Boyle of Mothers of Super Twins (MOST) and MaryAnn Laffin of the NY State Association of Licsensed Midwives (NYSALM). Access the audio on the NPA homepage.

Sources:

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.

Renee Klink