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.

Preemie Matters - June 2010

In this issue of Preemie Matters: Public Health Leaders Urge Congress to Reauthorize PREEMIE Act  •  Ob/Gyn & Mom of Preemies Shares Her Story  •  First-Ever National Standards for Newborn Screening  •  Rethinking the Definition of a "Term" Pregnancy  •  Summer Webinar: The Professional's Role in Perinatal Bereavement

Public Health Leaders Urge Congress to Reauthorize PREEMIE Act

In May, public health leaders from CDC, NIH, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), March of Dimes Foundation and others addressed America's prematurity crisis before a Congressional subcommittee on health, calling for Congress to reauthorize the PREEMIE Act (P.L. 109-450). The PREEMIE Act, signed into law in December 2006, authorizes expanded federal research related to preterm labor and care for preterm infants; public and provider education and support services; the establishment of an interagency council on prematurity to report to the HHS secretary; and the establishment of the Surgeon General's Conference on Preterm Birth, which led to the creation of prematurity-related agendas for both public and private sectors.

Ob/Gyn & Mom of Preemies Shares Her Story

Six years ago, ob/gyn Jennifer Gunter lived the devastating experience of preterm labor as a patient, rather than as the treating physician. And it changed her life and her work. Pregnant with triplets, Dr. Gunter lost her son Aidan after he was born at 22 1/2 weeks. She then delivered sons Oliver and Victor at 26 weeks, followed by the months and years of medical and financial stressors common to many parents of preemies. Today, Jennifer Gunter shares tips and strategies - as well as stories about her sons - on her blog and website, PreemiePrimer.com. She also has used her unique perspective as both a physician and a veteran preemie parent to author a new book, The Preemie Primer: A Complete Guide for Parents of Premature Babies.

First-Ever National Standards for Newborn Screening

In late May, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the first-ever national standards for newborn screening, recommended by the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. These standards will guide states in ensuring that their newborn screening programs are using the latest practices and technologies, so that all babies across the country receive the same standard of care in detecting potentially life-threatening but treatable diseases. All 50 states and the District of Columbia currently require that every baby be screened for 26 or more of the now 30 disorders on the uniform panel - but public health advocates continue to urge all states to screen for all 30 disorders. A national screening map is available from the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center.

Rethinking the Definition of a "Term" Pregnancy

A commentary published in the July 2010 edition of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology argues for refining the definition of a "term" pregnancy. Citing the "growing body of evidence suggesting that significant differences exist in the outcomes of infants delivered within this five-week interval [of 37 to 41 weeks]," the authors call for the use of a subcategory of term births called "early term," from 37 0/7 to 38 6/7 weeks of gestation. They note the growing body of data that births during this "early term" period have increased mortality and neonatal morbidity, compared with neonates born later at term. How will the categorization matter? The authors suggest that the broadest definition of "term" affects clinical decision-making on the management of pregnancy complications, as well as the timing of both elective and indicated deliveries.

Summer Webinar: The Professional's Role in Perinatal Bereavement

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) will host a live continuing education webinar, "The Professional's Role in Perinatal Bereavement," August 26, 2010 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. EDT. The program will cover evidence-based support for nursing assessment of parent needs and interventions for families. Participants will gain knowledge about he psychological and developmental impact of perinatal loss - and how to be prepared to offer crucial care and support. Details and registration are available on the AWHONN site.

Sources:

• http://energycommerce.house.gov
• www.preemieprimer.com
• http://genes-r-us.uthscsa.edu
• http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal
• www.awhonn.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 - April 2010

In this issue of Preemie Matters: Save the Date! Join Us for the National Premature Infant Health Coalition Meeting  •  Your Voice Needed: NIH Conference on Specialized Therapy for Preemies  •  babyfirst: New Website for the Neonatology Community  •  NCHS Report: Preterm Birth Rate Declines for Second Consecutive Year  •  Submit a Proposal for the National Perinatal Association Conference 2010

Save the Date! Join Us for the National Premature Infant Health Coalition Meeting

Join colleagues working with and for families affected by prematurity - as well as local, state and national organizations focusing on this mission - at the National Premature Infant Health Coalition Meeting on June 3, 2010. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, Virginia, just two blocks from the King St. metro station. Those arriving in town early will gather the evening prior, June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the rooftop deck of the hotel's Presidential Suite, for a networking reception. To take advantage of The Lorien's block of rooms at $209, book directly with them by May 17 at (877) 956-7436. Be sure to mention your participation in this event when you make reservations. The National Premature Infant Health Coalition is managed by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition with a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please RSVP by Monday, May 17, 2010 to Melisa Dilber at mdilber@hmhb.org.

Your Voice Needed: NIH Conference on Specialized Therapy for Preemies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a public event allowing us to better understand the benefits and risks of a specialized treatment for premature infants with respiratory illness. October 27-29 at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, NIH will host a Consensus Development Conference, "Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy for Premature Infants." Since its approval, researchers have examined expanding the use of inhaled nitric oxide therapy to treat premature babies born at less than 34 weeks' gestation. Studies looking at the therapy's safety and effectiveness for these babies have shown mixed results, and the range of implications aren't yet fully understood. The conference will include a systematic literature review, expert presentations and audience input, allowing an independent panel to prepare a consensus statement. Your input is valuable! Learn more and register online to attend this free event, or sign up to follow the webcast.

babyfirst: New Website for the Neonatology Community

Have you heard? NICUniversity.org has launched a new web-based neonatology resource for both clinicians and parents. Sharing clinical knowledge with a family focus, babyfirst.com provides useful tools for parents, from a glossary demystifying NICU terms to articles on devices and therapies to testimonials of parents who have lived the NICU experience with their own babies. Practitioners can visit babyfirst as a single source for educational material, research papers and lectures from opinion leaders in all specializations of the neonatology field.

NCHS Report: Preterm Birth Rate Declines for Second Consecutive Year

According to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), preterm births in the U.S. are down three percent, marking a second consecutive year of decline. Seventy-nine percent of the decline occurred among late preterm babies. The report, "Births: Preliminary Data for 2008," documents the 2008 preterm birth rate's drop to 12.3 percent, down from the 2007 rate of 12.7 percent - Welcome news after a more than 20 percent increase in U.S. preemie rates between 1990 and 2006. Learn more by downloading the complete report.

Submit a Proposal for the National Perinatal Association Conference 2010

The proposal due-date for the National Perinatal Association (NPA) Conference - set for November 4-6, 2010 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. - has been extended to May 1. NPA's 2010 conference theme, "Bridging Gaps: Healthcare, Ethics, Technologies and Pollitics in Neonatology and Perinatology," invites proposals from families, healthcare professionals and policy makers that engage with the issues and challenges of care for at-risk babies.

Sources:

• www.hmhb.org
• http://consensus-nih.org
• www.babyfirst.com
• www.cdc.gov/nchs
• www.nationalperinatal.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 - March 2010

In this issue of Preemie Matters: New from NICHD: Web-Based CE Program on Reducing SIDS Risk  •  Free Webcast: Symposium on Quality Improvement to Prevent Prematurity  •  Lamaze Resources for Expectant Parents: Healthy Birth, Your Way  •  New Research Explores Connection Between Earthquakes & Preterm Birth  •  ACOG Opinion on Maternal Depression Could Impact Prematurity Rates

New from NICHD: Web-Based CE Program on Reducing SIDS Risk

NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has launched an online version of their SIDS risk-reduction CE program for nurses. The continuing ed module was developed by NICHD and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), in collaboration with several national nursing and health organizations. It covers the most recent research on SIDS and provides nurses with practical approaches to help new parents and caregivers reduce the risk of SIDS by creating a safe sleep environment. In the near future NICHD will launch a companion website for NICHD nurse partners, offering a variety of materials that nurses can share - including articles, flyers, website buttons and an e-card. Learn more in the NIH virtual newsroom.

Free Webcast: Symposium on Quality Improvement to Prevent Prematurity

Last fall's March of Dimes-hosted Symposium on Quality Improvement to Prevent Prematurity is now available online as a free, on-demand webcast. The live event took place in October 2009 in Arlington, VA and brought together a multidisciplinary group of healthcare practitioners, health insurers, policy makers, health purchasers, regulators and citizens to talk about the role quality improvement plays in preventing prematurity, promoting health and saving costs. What emerged from the gathering was an action agenda for decreasing the rate of preterm births are not inevitable or medically necessary.

Lamaze Resources for Expectant Parents: Healthy Birth, Your Way

Do you know about Lamaze International's "Healthy Birth, Your Way" videos and print material? These resources are accessible, user-friendly tools for expectant parents that share basic information on making choices for a safe and healthy birth. Among the topics are: Let Labor Begin on Its Own, Have Continuous Support, and Avoid Unnecessary Interventions. Content centers around what common sense tells parents and research confirms, as reflected in the six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices.

New Research Explores Connection Between Earthquakes & Preterm Birth

A new study awaiting completion of peer review extends previous research into a possible connection between significant earthquakes and rates of premature birth in affected parts of the world. The hypothesis: Pregnant women who experience major earthquakes during their first trimester have a slightly increased risk of preemie birth and are slightly more likely to give birth to lower birthweight infants. While the effects are small, they are statistically significant and suggest that earthquakes experienced more than six months before birth can negatively impact a pregnancy's outcomes. The newest research, focusing on births in Chile, follows up on the 2001 landmark study of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which was shown to most affect mothers in their first trimester. The "hows" and "whys" of this correlation need much more investigation, but researchers suggest something unique in first-trimester maternal stress caused by the trauma of natural disaster - possibly connected to a burst of corticotropin-releasing hormone, a known stress response. Read more about these studies and see citations here.

ACOG Opinion on Maternal Depression Could Impact Prematurity Rates

A recent Committee Opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has the potential to make a positive impact on the prevention of preterm birth in the US. ACOG is encouraging ob/gyns to screen, refer, and follow up with pregnant women and mothers who have depressive symptoms. Clinical depression is common among reproductive-age women and is the leading cause of disability among American women. Between 14% and 23% of all pregnant women will experience depression. And untreated maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight and preeclampsia.

Sources:

• www.nichd.nih.gov
• www.marchofdimes.com
• www.lamaze.org
• http://health.psych.ucla.edu
• www.acog.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 – December 2009

In this issue of Preemie Matters: What Does "Full Term" Mean to Expectant Moms?  •  Tackling Preterm Birth Rates in the "Big 5"  •  HMBANA: Life-Saving Milk Banking for Preemies  •  Preterm Birth on Wickipedia  •  The "Mozart Effect" on Preemie Infant Growth

What Does "Full Term" Mean to Expectant Moms?

A study published in the December issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology looks at the varying beliefs of pregnant women in the U.S. about the safety of birth at various stages of gestation. Of the 650 pregnant women who completed the researchers' survey, 24.1 percent chose 34-36 weeks' gestation as "full term," while 50.8 percent chose 37-38 weeks, and 25.2 percent chose 39-40 weeks. When asked to name "the earliest point in the pregnancy that it is safe to deliver the baby, should there be no other medical complications requiring early delivery," more than half of the women selected 34-36 weeks of gestation as their response. Fewer than 25 percent of the women selected either 37 or 38 weeks. Why does it matter? The authors suggest that as women have an increased role in medical decision-making about delivery, ensuring that they understand the implications of the timing of delivery may be important to reducing the number of elective or semi-elective late preterm and early term births. Click here for the abstract.

Tackling Preterm Birth Rates in the "Big 5"

Together, five states account for 36.8 percent of preterm births in the United States. California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas, known as the "Big 5," share high overall birth rates and many of the same challenges in improving birth outcomes. In recognition of the "Big 5's" significance to its mission, March of Dimes brought together state and maternal child health leadership, hospital systems and prematurity experts for a summit in 2007 that set the groundwork for reducing preemie births in the "Big 5." By tackling together the need to improve program evaluation to understand which programs had an impact on birth outcomes, these partners formed a valuable alliance. Today, it's more formally organized as the March of Dimes Big 5 State Prematurity Collaborative, and its members are still successfully partnering to improve evidence-based interventions, systems and tools. Visit the March of Dimes prematurity microsite by clicking here.

HMBANA: Life-Saving Milk Banking for Preemies

Do you know about the life-saving work being done by the members of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America? HMBANA is a multidisciplinary group of health care providers that promotes, protects and supports milk banking. It is THE professional membership organization for milk banks in the United States, Canada and Mexico, setting the standards and guidelines for donor milk banking that supplies preemies and other medically fragile newborns with pasteurized, screened, medically-prescribed donor breast milk. For many babies, this milk means the difference between life and death, because their tiny, underdeveloped bodies are not able to process formula and because their own mothers are unable to successfully pump breast milk or to breastfeed at all. Learn more about HMBANA, the 11 milks across the U.S., and the organization's April conference celebrating 100 years of milk banking.

Preterm Birth on Wikipedia

Wikipedia.org's entry on prematurity/preterm birth is worth a visit for parents, advocates, and MCH colleagues alike. You may want to follow the contributors' lively discussions, watch the timeline of the page's development, or even contribute your own additions or edits to the page. Wikipedia is a free, accessible, multi-lingual, collaborative online encyclopedia that is now one of THE major public references for everything from medical conditions to rock bands to historical events. For more about how Wikipedia works and its global influence, click here. For the Wikipedia entry on prematurity/preterm birth, click here.

The "Mozart Effect" on Preemie Infant Growth

A study published online December 7 in the journal Pediatrics expands upon previous studies that have found that the rate of weight gain in preterm babies improves when the infants are exposed to music. Speculating that one mechanism for this improvement could be music's effect on the efficiency of metabolism, the current study exposed a small sampling of 20 gavage-fed preterm infants to the music of Mozart, measuring their REE (resting energy expenditure) and their weight gain. Their finding? Exposure to Mozart significantly lowers REE in healthy preterm infants and can contribute, at least in part, to improved weight gain that results from the "Mozart Effect." For the abstract, click here.

Sources:

• http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal
• www.marchofdimes.com
• www.hmbana.org
• http://en.wikipedia.org
• http://pediatrics.aappublications.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.