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Preemie Matters - April 2012

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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.

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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