Other content tagged: news research
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy in the COVID-19 era
Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy poses a serious threat to both the pregnant individual and their infant. IPV can be physical, sexual, or psychological, often leading to mental health struggles, substance use, and pregnancy complications. Previous research has shown that lockdowns and stay-at-home orders led to a surge in IPV cases. COVID-19’s impact on IPV A recent American study sheds light on how COVID-19-related stressors influenced IPV experiences and affected postpartum outcomes. Researchers…
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Born into a humanitarian emergency: How to improve essential newborn care in natural disaster and war zones
Essential Newborn Care (ENC) defines minimum standards for the care of infants that must be applied immediately after birth and in the first weeks of life. ENC can be applied in any situation, as it significantly prevents neonatal deaths. However, the adaption to humanitarian disaster settings remains a challenge. Wars, refugee crises, and natural disaster affect millions of people around the world and do not spare infants born into these adverse environments.…
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Study reveals Aspirin reduces preterm preeclampsia risk
Aspirin and preterm preeclampsia prevention are critical areas of focus for improving maternal health. Preterm preeclampsia (PE) is a serious condition affecting pregnant women worldwide, with potentially severe consequences for both mother and child. A study in East Asia has revealed that a first-trimester screening strategy, combined with low-dose aspirin, can significantly reduce the risk of preterm PE in high-risk women. Understanding preeclampsia Preeclampsia is a hypertensive multi-system disorder during pregnancy characterised by high…
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Telemedicine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): The potential and limitations of eHealth applications to support parents of hospitalised infants
Anxiety and stress are common feelings for parents of newborns being hospitalised in the NICU, reducing their mental health. Subsequently, this can reduce the parents’ wellbeing and even negatively impact the development of the child. To support parents during this stressful time, telemedicine interventions have been investigated for their effect on parental mental health. A recent study evaluated all kinds of eHealth applications available to parents, such as bedside cameras, supportive apps,…
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Revolutionising RSV prevention in all infants
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory infections in infants, often resulting in hospitalisation. A recent study from Galicia, Spain, demonstrates the effectiveness of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, in preventing RSV-related hospitalisations during the 2023-2024 season. The findings offer critical evidence for improving RSV prevention strategies and highlight the potential for universal implementation. Overview of RSV prevention with nirsevimab RSV poses a significant risk to infants, particularly those under 24 months. This study evaluated nirsevimab’s…
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The neglected sibling? – Investigating the implications of having a preterm born sibling on the quality of life of the term born sibling
Siblings are one’s first peer group experience. Growing up, they contribute greatly to identity building and childhood development. However, there is little data on how having a preterm child affects the lives of term born siblings. A study from Finland therefore reviewed the available data to investigate the siblings’ quality of life after the birth of a preterm newborn. The study revealed that the absence of the mother and father for their…
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What impact does climate change have on perinatal mortality? – The link between high temperatures and the risk of stillbirth
Extreme heat can affect both pregnant women and their foetuses. The effects can be indirect to the mother’s environment or directly to the child. Indirect influences include reduced responsiveness and quality of healthcare systems. Direct effects on the child are placental and epigenetic changes. However, especially from areas most affected by climate change and subsequent heat waves, such as sub-Saharan Africa, only very limited data is available. A new study examined over 138,000…
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Improving therapeutic hypothermia for newborns by keeping parents close to their newborns
Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard treatment for perinatal asphyxia. A Swedish study explores the integration of parent-infant closeness during TH, highlighting the benefits of combining TH with family-centred care. Through interviews with NICU staff in Sweden, the research underscores the importance of standardised routines, supportive care environments, and parental involvement to enhance the effectiveness of TH and improve outcomes for infants and their families. Understanding therapeutic hypothermia Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH) involves lowering a newborn’s…
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The power of developmental care – exploring the mechanisms to shorten Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospitalisation
Developmental care is an approach to improve the care of infants hospitalised in a NICU. It includes measures to adapt the NICU environment to be more patient-friendly, foster parental involvement in care, increase oral immune therapy and exclusive breastfeeding. A new study conducted in 14 hospitals in China and including more than 1,300 low birth weight infants highlights the promising outcomes of developmental care. Most significantly, the length of hospitalisation was markedly shorter…
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Impact of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes
This meta-analysis examines the impact of vitamin D deficiency in over 28,000 pregnant women. The study found that vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of low birth weight infants (LBWI) but showed no clear link to preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Given the rise of vitamin D deficiency globally, especially in pregnant women, the study emphasises the need for regular monitoring and interventions. Further research with larger samples is recommended to better…
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