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Preemie Matters - April 2011

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In this issue of Preemie Matters: Study: Progesterone May Prevent Preterm Birth, Reduce Respiratory Problems  •  Pampers & Graham's Foundation Partner to Support Families of Micro-Preemies  •  Preemies Today Exec Director Recognized for Family Outreach •  New Toolkit Aims at Improving Care for Late Preterm Infants  •  Partner Spotlight: Parent Resource Network  •  Study: Progesterone May Prevent Preterm Birth, Reduce Respiratory Problems

New Findings: Late Preterm Babies Face Increased ADHD Risk

A Swedish study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that babies born just three weeks before their due-dates are at increased risk of developing ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Low birth-weight and micro-prematurity are already known risk factors for ADHD, but the new study also reveals that even babies born at 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy face a 20 percent increased ADHD risk. Among the implications of these findings: Healthcare providers and mothers considering scheduling cesarean births a few weeks early may have new reasons to reconsider, with the goal of delivering as close to term as possible.

Pampers & Graham's Foundation Partner to Support Families of Micro-Preemies

Pampers has selected the nonprofit Graham's Foundation as a partner to help launch the year-long Little Miracle Missions project, delivering tens of thousands of care packages to Level 3 NICUs in the US and Canada. In addition, over the next few months Pampers will match donations made to Graham's Foundation, up to $20,000. Starting the first week of May, supporters will also have the option to donate their points from the Pampers Gifts to Grow rewards program to Graham's Foundation, up to an additional $20,000. Graham's Foundation, created by Jennifer and Nick Hall in memory of their son, offers practical and emotional support to the families of micro-preemies. Since 2009, they have delivered more than 900 care packages to micro-preemie parents in more than 300 NICUs across the US and Canada.

Preemies Today Exec Director Recognized for Family Outreach

The National Association of Social Workers, Virginia chapter, has honored Preemies Today executive director Mary Beth Hazelgrove with its 2011 Public Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing her work supporting the families of preemies. The annual award is given to a citizen who is not a social worker but does social work activities in local communities. Hazelgrove's Northern Virginia nonprofit helps parents of premature babies cope with both immediate and long-term emotional and medical needs. The award is helping to raise awareness of the difficulties preemie parents face, and the emotional support needed in hospitals and beyond.

New Toolkit Aims at Improving Care for Late Preterm Infants

A new resource from the Oklahoma Infant Alliance is helping to create a better system of care for late preterm infants. Their new toolkit, offering guidelines for healthcare providers and helpful information for families, promotes better understanding of the unique issues facing late preterm babies - those born between 34 and 37 weeks. In addition to addressing common issues of apnea, jaundice, thermoregulation, sepsis and hypoglycemia, this comprehensive toolkit also covers crucial topics like parent/infant attachment and developmental support. To learn more or to order the toolkit, contact Bonnie Bellah, Director of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy: bonnieb@oica.org.

Partner Spotlight: Parent Resource Network

Since 2008, Pittsburgh-based Parent Resource Network has been providing services to local families, as well as to those in communities across the country. Founded by preemie mom Kelly Fraasch, the nonprofit organization's services include a Pittsburgh bereavement support group, Pittsburgh hospital outreach with trained volunteers, a toll-free line providing peer support and referrals to community-specific resources both nationally and internationally, direct services for perinatal palliative care and more.

Study: Progesterone May Prevent Preterm Birth, Reduce Respiratory Problems

New findings suggest that treatment with progesterone gel lowers the risk of preterm birth in women who have a short cervix - a known risk factor for early delivery. A team from the Perinatology Research Branch at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) looked at data from 44 medical centers around the world showing that the use of progesterone gel with these women reduced the preterm birth rate by 45 percent before the 33rd week of pregnancy. Another finding of this study: Infants born to women who received the treatment were less likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome, a breathing complication affecting preterm infants.

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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