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Preemie Matters – January 2011

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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:

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