My name is Korrina and I am the mother of two beautiful twin girls. Lena and Kassie are former 24 weekers. They were born in October 2006 at 24 weeks, 6 days gestation. Lena was 1lb 7oz (647g) and Kassie was 1lb 5oz (600g). Like most preemie moms I do not have joyous memories of the birth of my children and I often feel like I got ripped off (...)
http://bitsandpiecesofme.com/for-parents-of-premature-preemie-babies/
14/02/2009
New ruling in premature baby case
A high court judge gave doctors more discretion yesterday to decide on the treatment of Charlotte Wyatt, the tiny premature baby clinging to life in a hospital oxygen box, after a breakdown in the relationship between the doctors treating her and her parents, Darren and Debbie.
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust won a court ruling last October that doctors need not put the terminally ill baby on a ventilator if her condition deteriorated.
But the trust took the case back to the high court yesterday after repeated disagreements broke out about drugs being given to 14-month-old Charlotte at St Mary's hospital, Portsmouth, to combat infections and ease her chronic lung disease.
Her parents accuse doctors of not doing all they might to keep her alive and have reported them to the police.
Doctors feel so threatened that the hospital has insisted that Mr Wyatt, 33, must be accompanied by a security guard when he visits his daughter.
Mr Justice Hedley, who two months ago ruled that Charlotte should not be subjected to aggressive treatment and should be allowed to die in her parents' arms, said yesterday after a private hearing that the inability of doctors and parents to reach agreement had posed risks for Charlotte.
If the difficulties were not resolved, there would be a further hearing on January 28.
But Mr Wyatt and his 23-year-old wife, of Buckland, Portsmouth, believe there is still a glimmer of hope for their baby, which doctors dispute.
Mr Justice Hedley said: "My immediate task is to make some provision in the meantime, in particular over the holiday period, so that the welfare of Charlotte is not imperilled and the work of the treating clinicians is not seriously impaired."
He said hospital staff had a duty to act in the best interests of the child if there was an emergency and they could not secure an agreement with the parents or contact them.
The judge ordered the hospital to use its "best endeavours" to obtain the parents' consent before embarking on any treatment or exercising any discretion permitted.
The clinicians were allowed to vary the use of drugs and nursing care which had already been agreed for Charlotte.
The judge had heard from paediatric experts at the first hearing that she was not expected to live beyond a further year and was likely to succumb to a respiratory infection this winter.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/dec/18/health.medicineandhealth
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust won a court ruling last October that doctors need not put the terminally ill baby on a ventilator if her condition deteriorated.
But the trust took the case back to the high court yesterday after repeated disagreements broke out about drugs being given to 14-month-old Charlotte at St Mary's hospital, Portsmouth, to combat infections and ease her chronic lung disease.
Her parents accuse doctors of not doing all they might to keep her alive and have reported them to the police.
Doctors feel so threatened that the hospital has insisted that Mr Wyatt, 33, must be accompanied by a security guard when he visits his daughter.
Mr Justice Hedley, who two months ago ruled that Charlotte should not be subjected to aggressive treatment and should be allowed to die in her parents' arms, said yesterday after a private hearing that the inability of doctors and parents to reach agreement had posed risks for Charlotte.
If the difficulties were not resolved, there would be a further hearing on January 28.
But Mr Wyatt and his 23-year-old wife, of Buckland, Portsmouth, believe there is still a glimmer of hope for their baby, which doctors dispute.
Mr Justice Hedley said: "My immediate task is to make some provision in the meantime, in particular over the holiday period, so that the welfare of Charlotte is not imperilled and the work of the treating clinicians is not seriously impaired."
He said hospital staff had a duty to act in the best interests of the child if there was an emergency and they could not secure an agreement with the parents or contact them.
The judge ordered the hospital to use its "best endeavours" to obtain the parents' consent before embarking on any treatment or exercising any discretion permitted.
The clinicians were allowed to vary the use of drugs and nursing care which had already been agreed for Charlotte.
The judge had heard from paediatric experts at the first hearing that she was not expected to live beyond a further year and was likely to succumb to a respiratory infection this winter.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/dec/18/health.medicineandhealth
12/02/2009
Essentials of the standard precautions to be used in the care of all patients
[http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/medicalwaste/148to158.pdf]
A. Hand washing
· Wash hands after touching blood, secretions, excretions and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn. · Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts.
· Use a plain soap for routine hand washing.
· Use an antimicrobial agent for specific circumstances.
B. Gloves
Wear gloves when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items.
Put on clean gloves just before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin.
C. Mask, eye protection, face shield
Wear a mask and eye protection or a face shield during procedures and patientcare activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions.
D. Gown
Wear a gown during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions.
E. Patient-care equipment
Ensure that reusable equipment is not used for the care of another patient until it has been cleaned and reprocessed appropriately.
F. Environmental control
Ensure that the hospital has adequate procedures for the routine care, cleaning, and disinfection of environmental surfaces.
G. Linen
Handle used linen, soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, and that avoids transfer of microorganisms to other patients and environments.
H. Occupational health and bloodborne pathogens
· Take care to prevent injuries when using needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices.
· Use ventilation devices as an alternative to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation methods.
I. Place of care of the patient
Place a patient who contaminates the environment or who does not assist in maintaining appropriate hygiene in an isolated (or separate) room.
Hospital infection rates in England out of control
Zosia Kmietowicz/ London [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1117592]
The NHS in England could save an estimated £150m ($240m) and many hundreds of lives by tightening hygiene rules in hospitals and investing in infection control, according to the spending watchdog the National Audit Office. The money could then be ploughed back into patient care.
At least 100000 cases of hospital acquired infections occur each year in England, with an estimated 5000 deaths, all of which cost the NHS in the region of £1bn annually, states the report.
Better education of staff on the spread of infection, improved surveillance of patients who have had major surgery, and the involvement of senior clinicians and management in the control of infection could reduce this burden by 15%Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, told parliament.
At any one time 9%of patients in hospital are being treated for an infection they acquired there. Yet one in five trusts do not have an infection control programme, 40%are dissatisfied with their isolation facilities, and 60%have no defined budget.
Despite guidance from the Department of Health that chief executives should take overall responsibility for ensuring effective infection control, there is little evidence of their involvement. More than half were not aware of the resources spent on hospital acquired infection or the number of cases, says the report.
“Hospital infections are a huge problem for the NHS,” said Sir John. “They prolong patients' stay in hospital and, in worst cases, cause permanent disability and even death. By implementing the [National Audit Office's] recommendations, the NHS could make real improvements in the quality of care for patients and free up significant additional resources,” he added.
Among other recommendations, he said that hospitals should join the nosocomial infection national surveillance scheme, which collects statistics on infection rates to allow local comparisons to be made.
More research on appropriate staffing levels is also warranted. In some areas a single infection control nurse is expected to cover over 1000 beds—a number described by the report as “unacceptably high.”
Moreover, despite a recommendation by the Royal College of Pathologists that the ratio of infection control doctors to beds should be 1:1000, only 46 trusts out of the 219 studied by the report reached that standard.
David Davis MP, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, commented: “There is clear evidence that in many cases investing more in infection control—for example, by funding more infection control nurses—would save both cash and lives. There would also be a dramatic improvement in the quality of care for many other patients.”
The Management and Control of Hospital Acquired Infection in Acute NHS Trusts in England is available through the National Audit Office's home page (www.nao.gov.uk).
The NHS in England could save an estimated £150m ($240m) and many hundreds of lives by tightening hygiene rules in hospitals and investing in infection control, according to the spending watchdog the National Audit Office. The money could then be ploughed back into patient care.
At least 100000 cases of hospital acquired infections occur each year in England, with an estimated 5000 deaths, all of which cost the NHS in the region of £1bn annually, states the report.
Better education of staff on the spread of infection, improved surveillance of patients who have had major surgery, and the involvement of senior clinicians and management in the control of infection could reduce this burden by 15%Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, told parliament.
At any one time 9%of patients in hospital are being treated for an infection they acquired there. Yet one in five trusts do not have an infection control programme, 40%are dissatisfied with their isolation facilities, and 60%have no defined budget.
Despite guidance from the Department of Health that chief executives should take overall responsibility for ensuring effective infection control, there is little evidence of their involvement. More than half were not aware of the resources spent on hospital acquired infection or the number of cases, says the report.
“Hospital infections are a huge problem for the NHS,” said Sir John. “They prolong patients' stay in hospital and, in worst cases, cause permanent disability and even death. By implementing the [National Audit Office's] recommendations, the NHS could make real improvements in the quality of care for patients and free up significant additional resources,” he added.
Among other recommendations, he said that hospitals should join the nosocomial infection national surveillance scheme, which collects statistics on infection rates to allow local comparisons to be made.
More research on appropriate staffing levels is also warranted. In some areas a single infection control nurse is expected to cover over 1000 beds—a number described by the report as “unacceptably high.”
Moreover, despite a recommendation by the Royal College of Pathologists that the ratio of infection control doctors to beds should be 1:1000, only 46 trusts out of the 219 studied by the report reached that standard.
David Davis MP, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, commented: “There is clear evidence that in many cases investing more in infection control—for example, by funding more infection control nurses—would save both cash and lives. There would also be a dramatic improvement in the quality of care for many other patients.”
The Management and Control of Hospital Acquired Infection in Acute NHS Trusts in England is available through the National Audit Office's home page (www.nao.gov.uk).
BMJ. 2000 February 26; 320(7234): 534.
PMCID: PMC1117592
Copyright © 2000, British Medical Journal
Hospital acquired infections
[http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/private-hospitals/hospital-infections-guide/]
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most pressing issues facing our health services today. According to the Department of Health 1 in 10 patients acquires a HAI, and those who do contract an infection stay in hospital nearly three times longer than ordinary patients, placing tremendous financial pressure on the already strapped-for-cash health services.
The two hospital acquired infections, known as 'superbugs', posing a particularly serious threat to our hospital wards are MRSA and C. difficile. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and is a form of bacteria from the Staphylococcus aureus (SA) family. If SA bacteria get into the body via cuts or wounds they can cause a boil or abscess and more seriously blood poisoning or a heart-valve infection. Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium from the Clostridium family causing diarrhoea and in more serious cases damage to the colon and intestines.
Many experts believe that the misuse of antibiotics has caused the drug-resistant SA infections to occur (if a course of treatment is not finished some of the bacteria can multiply and survive a range of antibiotics) and the high turnover of patients and high bed occupancy rates in our health services compound the problem. Indeed, the Health Protection Agency believes that reducing bed occupancy in NHS hospitals to 85%, or lower, is a crucial move to reduce the incidence of HAIs, but it is a Catch-22 situation as it is difficult to eliminate the superbugs with such a high volume of patients.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most pressing issues facing our health services today. According to the Department of Health 1 in 10 patients acquires a HAI, and those who do contract an infection stay in hospital nearly three times longer than ordinary patients, placing tremendous financial pressure on the already strapped-for-cash health services.
The two hospital acquired infections, known as 'superbugs', posing a particularly serious threat to our hospital wards are MRSA and C. difficile. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and is a form of bacteria from the Staphylococcus aureus (SA) family. If SA bacteria get into the body via cuts or wounds they can cause a boil or abscess and more seriously blood poisoning or a heart-valve infection. Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium from the Clostridium family causing diarrhoea and in more serious cases damage to the colon and intestines.
Many experts believe that the misuse of antibiotics has caused the drug-resistant SA infections to occur (if a course of treatment is not finished some of the bacteria can multiply and survive a range of antibiotics) and the high turnover of patients and high bed occupancy rates in our health services compound the problem. Indeed, the Health Protection Agency believes that reducing bed occupancy in NHS hospitals to 85%, or lower, is a crucial move to reduce the incidence of HAIs, but it is a Catch-22 situation as it is difficult to eliminate the superbugs with such a high volume of patients.
The Right Environment for Premature Babies
It's a challenge for doctors who treat premature babies. How do you best recreate an environment closest to the womb for babies who should still be there?(...)
the whole article: http://www.sanfordhealth.org/Newsroom/VideoLibrary/VideoStories/TheRightEnvironmentforPrematureBabies/index.cfm
the whole article: http://www.sanfordhealth.org/Newsroom/VideoLibrary/VideoStories/TheRightEnvironmentforPrematureBabies/index.cfm
Environmental Sensitivity: Little Known Facts About Premature Baby
(...)Premature babies react more to changes in temperature, light, sound, scent and activity than full-term babies...
A premature baby who may only be recently out of the hospital does not need to be around a whole group of people. When a preemie has too much stimulus, he or she will basically shut down....
Preemies can also respond negatively to any extreme lighting.This includes not only harsh or too-bright lighting, but also to rooms that are too dark. Any pre-term infant that has spent time in a NICU also spent his or her days and nights with some kind of lighting. Hospital NICUs are never completely dark...
whole article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/202299/environmental_sensitivity_little_known.html?cat=5
A premature baby who may only be recently out of the hospital does not need to be around a whole group of people. When a preemie has too much stimulus, he or she will basically shut down....
Preemies can also respond negatively to any extreme lighting.This includes not only harsh or too-bright lighting, but also to rooms that are too dark. Any pre-term infant that has spent time in a NICU also spent his or her days and nights with some kind of lighting. Hospital NICUs are never completely dark...
whole article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/202299/environmental_sensitivity_little_known.html?cat=5
National Geographic - In The Womb 1/10
Series of videos recorded the miracle of birth of human being.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxpI2UtuWQ&feature=PlayList&p=3C2EEE1B07864AD2&index=0&playnext=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxpI2UtuWQ&feature=PlayList&p=3C2EEE1B07864AD2&index=0&playnext=1
Incubators in earlier times 1883
Artificial womb-like protective environment, the couveuse, developed by Etienne Stephane Tarnier for premature babies.
Infant could be accessed through door (P).
Infant could be viewed through movable glass cover (d).
Space (K) filled with sawdust to insulate the cubicle.
Heater (Th) raised water (W) temperature.
Ventilating air (L) was warmed as it flowed around water reservoir before entering infant cubicle.
https://eee.uci.edu/clients/bjbecker/NatureandArtifice/lecture18.html
Babies placed in incubators decrease risk of depression as adults
Babies who receive incubator care after birth are two to three times less likely to suffer depression as adults according to a new study published in the journal Pyschiatry Research. The surprising discovery was made by scientists from the Université de Montréal and Sainte Justine Hospital Research Center in collaboration with researchers from McGill University, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre and the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College in the U.K.
http://www.physorg.com/news145543850.html
http://www.physorg.com/news145543850.html
Costs of Preterm Birth
Prematurity can have a severe effect on newborns and their families. Additionally, premature birth in the U.S. puts a significant burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Employers are also affected by associated healthcare costs and reduced workplace productivity.http://www.fullterm.net/hcp/preterm_birth/costs.html
What is a premature baby?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_birth
In humans, preterm birth (PB) refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. Premature birth, commonly used as a synonym for preterm birth, refers to the birth of a premature infant. Because it is by far the most common cause of prematurity, preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal mortality in developed countries. Premature infants are at greater risk for short and long term complications, including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. Significant progress has been made in the care of premature infants, but not in reducing the prevalence of preterm birth.[1] The cause for PB is in many situations elusive and unknown; many factors appear to be associated with the development of PB, making the reduction of PB a challenging proposition.
Epidemiology
As weight is easier to determine than gestational age, the World Health Organization tracks rates of low birth weight (<>
In humans, preterm birth (PB) refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. Premature birth, commonly used as a synonym for preterm birth, refers to the birth of a premature infant. Because it is by far the most common cause of prematurity, preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal mortality in developed countries. Premature infants are at greater risk for short and long term complications, including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. Significant progress has been made in the care of premature infants, but not in reducing the prevalence of preterm birth.[1] The cause for PB is in many situations elusive and unknown; many factors appear to be associated with the development of PB, making the reduction of PB a challenging proposition.
Epidemiology
As weight is easier to determine than gestational age, the World Health Organization tracks rates of low birth weight (<>
Incubators influences the heartbeat of a newborn
GERMAN:
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/magazin/wissen/nature-news/Neonatologie-Babies-Herzrhythmus;art15656,2525355
This webpage talks about that incubator changes the heart beat of a baby. Scientists from the Uni Siena (IT) figured out that the machine emits electromagnetic rays that influences the heart beat, if the incubator is "on". The heart rate decrease which is a drastic problem. On the other hand the incubators are necessary for premature infants, until now scientists didnt find another or better solution.
But its stressfull for the small body of a premature infant when they switch on and off the incubator. The heart beat will in- and decrease.
10% of all births are preamture infants and its easier for them to die a cot death. Until now scientists dont know if the electromagnetic rays are blame for it.
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/magazin/wissen/nature-news/Neonatologie-Babies-Herzrhythmus;art15656,2525355
This webpage talks about that incubator changes the heart beat of a baby. Scientists from the Uni Siena (IT) figured out that the machine emits electromagnetic rays that influences the heart beat, if the incubator is "on". The heart rate decrease which is a drastic problem. On the other hand the incubators are necessary for premature infants, until now scientists didnt find another or better solution.
But its stressfull for the small body of a premature infant when they switch on and off the incubator. The heart beat will in- and decrease.
10% of all births are preamture infants and its easier for them to die a cot death. Until now scientists dont know if the electromagnetic rays are blame for it.
The Neonatal Unit
interesting information addressed to the mother:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/prembaby/scbu/
BAPM
British Association of Perinatal Medicine
(click on name to view website)
includes annual reports and publications that might be of interest
(click on name to view website)
includes annual reports and publications that might be of interest
11/02/2009
Saving Premature Babies
The costs associated with saving a premature infant can be staggering.
*watch the video
Colour Psychology
“(...)Premature babies suffering from jaundice (Yellowed skin) are exposed to BLUE light for a few days as treatment. The BLUE light triggers chemical reactions in the babies’ skin and this relation between BLUE light and jaundice is steadily gaining scientific recognition.”
Colours
“(…)Chromotherapy, which was developed in the 1920s, is regularly used in hospitals to treat ailments with coloured light. Blue light is used to soothe inflammation and the pain of arthritis and to reduce high blood pressure. It is administered to premature babies to prevent brain damage or death through an underdeveloped liver, and to treat jaundice in newborn babies. Red light is used to treat poor circulation, stiff joints and migraine.(...)”
Premature babies less pain-sensitive
Premature infants requiring intensive care or surgery after birth are reportedly less sensitive to temperature change later on in life.
According to a study published in Pain, premature delivery results in life-long impairment of the child's sensory perception.
Compared to full-term children, premature babies experience similar pain; there are, however, minor differences in the way these two groups cope with pain.
A University College London study showed that premature children particularly those undergoing early surgical operations are less sensitive to temperature and pain in locations close to their surgical scars.
Temperature and pain perception are transmitted by the same nerve fibers. Any damage to these fibers can affect the child's perception of pain and temperature.
Scientists believe the severity of injury and trauma in early life influences the degree of sensory damage.
Previous studies had reported that premature babies are more prone to developing disability and various illnesses when they grow up.
PKH/HGH
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=79656§ionid=3510210
Higher IQ in Later Life for Premature Babies Fed On Nutrient Rich Diet.
“Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital have recently discovered that premature babies fed on a high protein diet grow up to be more intelligent with a higher IQ. They followed a group of 76 child”
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200803/1205847051.html
10/02/2009
Premature babies put at risk by lack of intensive care facilities in hospital
Premature babies put at risk by lack of intensive care facilities in hospital
The Independent, Wednesday, 19 December 2007
The lives of England's most vulnerable babies are being put at risk by a critical shortage of intensive care cots and nurses, an inquiry has found.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/premature-babies-put-at-risk-by-lack-of-intensive-care-facilities-in-hospitals-765889.html
Staff shortages 'put premature babies at risk'
The Guardian, Wednesday 15 October 2008
It used the Freedom of Information Act to secure data from NHS trusts showing a shortfall of 1,700 neonatal nurses, leaving premature baby units unable to provide the recommended standard of care.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/oct/15/children-health
The Independent, Wednesday, 19 December 2007
The lives of England's most vulnerable babies are being put at risk by a critical shortage of intensive care cots and nurses, an inquiry has found.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/premature-babies-put-at-risk-by-lack-of-intensive-care-facilities-in-hospitals-765889.html
Staff shortages 'put premature babies at risk'
The Guardian, Wednesday 15 October 2008
It used the Freedom of Information Act to secure data from NHS trusts showing a shortfall of 1,700 neonatal nurses, leaving premature baby units unable to provide the recommended standard of care.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/oct/15/children-health
What your prem baby needs
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/prembaby/needs/
The incubator
Keeping warm
Preventing dry skin
Sleep
Protection from infection
Protection from bright light
Protection from noise
Your voice, heartbeat and other body sounds
Your smell
Touch
Nappy changing
Cleaning
Swaddling
Movement
Clothes
Nappies
Toys
The incubator
Keeping warm
Preventing dry skin
Sleep
Protection from infection
Protection from bright light
Protection from noise
Your voice, heartbeat and other body sounds
Your smell
Touch
Nappy changing
Cleaning
Swaddling
Movement
Clothes
Nappies
Toys
Critical decisions
Critical decisions have to be taken by mothers who are about to deliver premature babies, as the babies are likely to suffer from long-term disabilities, and their survival rates are lower. (...)
Three options are presented to women who are about to deliver premature babies, they are:
1) initiate intensive care for the new born baby or resuscitate the baby;
2) keeping the baby comfortable without resorting to medical care procedures;
3) resuscitate the baby if its condition is good, otherwise go in for comfort and care.
(...)
Date:12/3/2005
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Critical-Decisions-Have-To-Be-Taken-By-Mothers-Of-Premature-Babies-6023-1/
Three options are presented to women who are about to deliver premature babies, they are:
1) initiate intensive care for the new born baby or resuscitate the baby;
2) keeping the baby comfortable without resorting to medical care procedures;
3) resuscitate the baby if its condition is good, otherwise go in for comfort and care.
(...)
Date:12/3/2005
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Critical-Decisions-Have-To-Be-Taken-By-Mothers-Of-Premature-Babies-6023-1/
Newborn senses
It should be noted that in the cases of sight and hearing, premature babies are more at risk for developing problems. Additionally, any injury to the brain will likely have some impact on the development of the senses. Premature babies should be checked for eye and hearing problems before they leave the NICU and at regular intervals following that. this artile describes the development of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. click the link below:
Inside the Preemie Brain
Incubator Enables MRI Scans on Preemies for Preventing Birth Asphyxia.
December 1, 2005 — Designed by a team of doctors, nurses, and engineers, a specially designed incubator allows premature babies to receive MRI scans to assess their health. The scans can measure many indicators, such as the levels of various metabolic substances in the body, to reveal whether or not a baby may have developmental problems, enabling parents to take therapeutic steps sooner for their children.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/1211-inside_the_preemie_brain.htm
*Has a nice video
December 1, 2005 — Designed by a team of doctors, nurses, and engineers, a specially designed incubator allows premature babies to receive MRI scans to assess their health. The scans can measure many indicators, such as the levels of various metabolic substances in the body, to reveal whether or not a baby may have developmental problems, enabling parents to take therapeutic steps sooner for their children.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/1211-inside_the_preemie_brain.htm
*Has a nice video
09/02/2009
Infant Stimulation for Premature Babies
Infant stimulation is a series of activities that encourage normaldevelopment. Premature babies, as a group, are more likelyto suffer from certain physical and social problems than full-term babies. Many hospitals recommend that parentsuse infant stimulation techniques when their babies come home.
the suggestions for infant stimulation from the sences of smell, vision, touch, motion, hearing...
Smell of Vanilla Reduces Breathing Problems
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/preo.html
Dr. Luc Marlier and his co-workers at the CNRS tested 14 premature babies in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital in Strasbourg. The respiratory rate of each baby was monitored on three consecutive days:
January 28, 2005
Babies who are born prematurely often have breathing problems. In fact, approximately 80% of infants born after only 30 weeks of development have episodes of apnea, when they temporarily stop breathing. Doctors often treat these babies with drugs such as caffeine, theophylline and doxapram to prevent apnea. However, these drugs have significant side effects (for example, sleep problems, hyperactivity and gastrointestinal disorders) and do not work in all infants. Researchers at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France, have found that the smell of vanilla can reduce apnea in premature infants who do not respond to drug treatment.
Babies who are born prematurely often have breathing problems. In fact, approximately 80% of infants born after only 30 weeks of development have episodes of apnea, when they temporarily stop breathing. Doctors often treat these babies with drugs such as caffeine, theophylline and doxapram to prevent apnea. However, these drugs have significant side effects (for example, sleep problems, hyperactivity and gastrointestinal disorders) and do not work in all infants. Researchers at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France, have found that the smell of vanilla can reduce apnea in premature infants who do not respond to drug treatment.
Dr. Luc Marlier and his co-workers at the CNRS tested 14 premature babies in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital in Strasbourg. The respiratory rate of each baby was monitored on three consecutive days:Day 1 (baseline control): no treatment.
Day 2 (experimental condition): 15 drops of a vanillin solution was applied to the pillow of each infant. (Vanillin smells like vanilla.)
Day 3: (recovery control): no treatment.
The number of apnea episodes occurred significantly less often when the babies were exposed to the vanilla smell. The average number of apnea events was 34.7 on Day 1 (baseline control) and 33.2 on Day 3 (recovery control), but only 22.2 on Day 2 (when vanilla was placed on the pillows). The vanilla smell effectively reduced apnea in 12 of the 14 infants.
The scientists are not certain how the vanilla odor works to prevent apnea, but they offer two hypotheses:
Vanillin has direct or indirect effects on respiratory centers in the brain. Vanillin may reach the brain through the bloodstream after passing through the nasal mucosa or it may be carried into the brain by nerves in the olfactory system.
Vanillin helps infants adapt to stress.
So far, the researchers have tested vanillin only on infants with apnea who do not respond to drug treatment. Pleasant odors other than vanilla have not been tested. Nevertheless, because odor therapy is simple, inexpensive and without side effects, it appears to be a useful treatment for at least some premature infants with apnea.
The scientists are not certain how the vanilla odor works to prevent apnea, but they offer two hypotheses:
Vanillin has direct or indirect effects on respiratory centers in the brain. Vanillin may reach the brain through the bloodstream after passing through the nasal mucosa or it may be carried into the brain by nerves in the olfactory system.
Vanillin helps infants adapt to stress.
So far, the researchers have tested vanillin only on infants with apnea who do not respond to drug treatment. Pleasant odors other than vanilla have not been tested. Nevertheless, because odor therapy is simple, inexpensive and without side effects, it appears to be a useful treatment for at least some premature infants with apnea.
A newborn baby
Pic.1 - The baby is placed in a hospital incubator about 7 minutes after birth. A heart and blood-oxygen monitor is attached to the baby's foot. 
Pic.2 - Mom provides nourishment for the newborn. The baby gently supples at mom's breast in search for breastmilk.
Pic.3 - 10 minutes after birth, the baby lies in a hospital incubator. These warm confines will be home for the baby's first days.
Pic.4 - An hour after birth, the newborn baby fills their lungs with oxygen while crying.
By the YeahBaby.com editorial staff
Common health problems in premature babies
http://www.prematurebabes.org/problems.html
-Breathing problems;
-Hypoglycaemia;
-Jaundice;
-Infection;
-Anaemia;
-Feed intolerance / enterocolitis;
-Eye problems;
-Intraventricular haemorrage;
-Patent ductus arteriosus.
-Breathing problems;
-Hypoglycaemia;
-Jaundice;
-Infection;
-Anaemia;
-Feed intolerance / enterocolitis;
-Eye problems;
-Intraventricular haemorrage;
-Patent ductus arteriosus.
Premature babies face higher risk of disability
Babies born extremely prematurely face much higher rates of disability and learning difficulties compared to full-term infants, researchers have found.
The EPICure study, which has followed UK babies born under 26 weeks gestation since 1995, found that 80% had some form of impairment, in many cases mild but with some children suffering cerebral palsy and blindness.
The researchers found that very premature babies were around twice as likely to suffer mild problems, such as low IQ or a squint, than their classmates.
The EPICure study, which has followed UK babies born under 26 weeks gestation since 1995, found that 80% had some form of impairment, in many cases mild but with some children suffering cerebral palsy and blindness.
The researchers found that very premature babies were around twice as likely to suffer mild problems, such as low IQ or a squint, than their classmates.
Quality of life
Premature boys were two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer moderate and severe disabilities compared to girls born under 26 weeks.
The researchers said the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, would help doctors in the information they give to patients experiencing a premature birth about what they could expect.
Advances in medical technology have meant increasing numbers of babies born on the brink of viability are surviving.
Many critics have questioned to what extent doctors should fight nature in helping these babies survive, especially when many suffer severe disabilities which affect their quality of life.
Kate Costeloe, a professor of paediatrics at Queen Mary University of London, said there was very little data available on what happened to extremely premature babies.
"We decided that we needed to essentially study what was happening in the UK and find out what has happening to the children we were looking after," she said.
Increased rates of disability
The EPICure study involved more than 1,200 babies born under 26 weeks gestation in 1995, of which only 314 survived to leave hospital.
In the first set of results involving 302 surviving babies at the age of two-and-a-half, 50% were found to have no disabilities, while 25% had some level of disability and 25% had severe disability.
The latest results, assessing 241 children at around six-and-a-half, found rates of disability had increased, mainly because more effective IQ tests were possible at this age.
Only 20% of the children had no problems at all, while 34% had mild disabilities such as wearing glasses or low IQ scores.
More than a fifth (22%) had a severe disability such as cerebral palsy, very low IQ scores, blindness or profound deafness.
A further 24% had moderate disability, such as milder cerebral palsy, special learning needs and visual and hearing impairment.
The figures also revealed that more than 35% of extremely premature boys had moderate to severe disabilities, making them 2.4 times more likely than girls to experience a bad outcome.
'High rates of problems'
The researchers also compared the premature youngsters with a 160 of their classmates.
While 18% of the comparison group were found to have a mild disability, including low IQ or visual problems, this almost doubled to 34% among those born extremely prematurely.
Lead author Neil Marlow, professor of neonatal medicine at the University of Nottingham, said that in the general population under 1% would be expected to suffer a moderate to severe disability, which rose to 22% among the extremely premature group.
"This is a group that has very high rates of problems," he said.
But Professor Marlow said it was important to point out that many children had only mild disabilities which did not severely affect their quality of life.
"These results show that the majority of children do not have a serious physical disability, ie. do not have cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness.
"And despite the high incidence of learning difficulties, half are doing reasonably well and keeping up with their classmates," he said.
Professor Marlow said it was not clear why very premature boys did so much worse than girls.
"It may be there are differences between rates of maturation between girls and boys in the womb.
"The organs of girls may be more mature than boys when they are born," he said.
The figures also revealed wide differences between babies born at 25 weeks and those born earlier.
At 22 weeks gestation, the majority of babies died, with only 0.7% surviving with a good outcome, rising to 9% at 24 weeks and 20% at 25 weeks.
Boosting survival rates
Professor Costeloe said data suggested that giving steroids to the mother before birth had helped boost the survival rates of babies born very early.
The Netherlands has a national policy not to treat babies born at less than 25 weeks gestation.
But the researchers said they would not agree with such a policy being introduced in the UK.
Rob Williams, chief executive of premature baby charity Bliss, which sponsored the research, said: "Here, a large number of babies who would go on to have a very full quality of life would not make it under the Dutch policy."
Mr Williams said the EPICure study went a long way to explaining what parents might expect from doing everything in their power to help very premature babies survive.
"There are people who have said why are we putting so much effort into these premature babies when the quality of life they might expect and outcomes may be very poor.
"But more than half do not have severe impairments."
Mr Williams added: "Babies born at this early gestation age represent a very small proportion of the 40,000 babies born prematurely and the fact that they survived at all is a tribute to the improved knowledge and continuing dedication of the neonatal team and parents."
Does classical music make babies smarter?
Does playing classical music to babies make a difference?Opinion is divided; but many experts think that it may stimulate the brain in a way that helps educational and emotional development.
It's known as the Mozart Effect, a theory which is credited with boosting IQ, improving health, strengthening family ties and even producing the occasional child prodigy.
Numerous studies conclude that playing music to babies in the womb and in the early years helps build the neural bridges along which thoughts and information travel. And research suggests it can stimulate the brain's alpha waves, creating a feeling of calm; a recent study of premature infants found that they were soothed by the music.
In Florida, all state-funded pre-schools are required to play classical music by law, and many US hospitals give classical CDs to new mums.
In the UK, many parents have also embraced the theory, with Classic FM's Music for Babies CD enjoying several weeks at the top of the classical charts earlier this year.
Baby proms
And this week Sound Beginnings, a series of concerts aimed at the very young, begins in Hampshire. It's the brainchild of Peter and Juliet Kindersley, who founded the Dorling Kindersley publishing empire. Both are strong believers in the power of classical music.
"Just as it's vitally important to eat good-quality food right from the start, so we are deeply affected by the music we hear from a very early age, even in the womb," Peter Kindersley says.
Sound Beginnings - and a planned "baby prom" next year - came about as babies and toddlers are rarely welcome in concert halls.
Professor Paul Robertson, a leading expert in the field, says it's important the best music is made available to babies at the earliest possible stage of their growth.
"There is compelling scientific evidence that the music we hear at the earliest ages significantly affects the way our neurological pathways are laid down during development."
Chill out
Beanbags will be provided to make the setting more relaxed and the pieces - including compositions by Mozart, Schumann and Ravel - have been selected to benefit the wellbeing of babies, toddlers and parents.
It has also been geared towards pregnant women, as a foetus responds to sound from about 24 weeks and learns familiar noises it will recognise after birth, such as music its parents have listened to repeatedly.
Violinist Paul Robertson, the presenter of Channel 4's Music and the Mind, and the acclaimed Russian concert pianist Mikhail Kazakevich will present the concerts, the first of which will be held at the Newbury Spring Festival in Hampshire on Thursday.
Sound Beginnings will then travel to the London Symphony Orchestra's St Luke's venue next month and tour the country later in the year. A symposia, bringing together the latest scientific research into the effects of music on development and wellbeing, is also planned for June.
By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4558507.stm
Building Baby's Brain:The Role of Music
"Researchers believe that musical trainingactually creates new pathways in the brain."
Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. Parents know that a quiet, gentle lullaby can soothe a fussy baby. And a majestic chorus can make us swell with excitement. But music also can affect the way we think.
In recent years, we have learned a lot about how the brain develops. Babies are born with billions of brain cells. During the first years of life, those brain cells form connections with other brain cells. Over time, the connections we use regularly become stronger. Children who grow up listening to music develop strong music-related connections.
Some of these music pathways actually affect the way we think. Listening to classical music can improve our spatial reasoning, at least for a short time. And learning to play an instrument may have an even longer effect on certain thinking skills
.
Does Music Make Us Smarter?
Not exactly. Music seems to prime our brains for certain kinds of thinking. After listening to classical music, adults can do certain spatial tasks more quickly, such as putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
Why does this happen? The classical music pathways in our brain are similar to the pathways we use for spatial reasoning. When we listen to classical music, the spatial pathways are turned on and ready to be used.
This priming makes it easier to work a puzzle quickly. But the effect lasts only a short time. Our improved spatial skills fade about an hour after we stop listening to the music.
Learning to play an instrument can have longer-lasting effects on spatial reasoning, however. In several studies, children who took piano lessons for six months improved their ability to work puzzles and solve other spatial tasks by as much as 30 percent.
Why does playing an instrument make such a difference?
Researchers believe that musical training creates new pathways in the brain.
Why Classical Music?
The music most people call classical--works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart--is different from music such as rock and country. Classical music has a more complex musical structure. Babies as young as 3 months can pick out that structure and even recognize classical music selections they have heard before.
Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. So listening to classical music may have different effects on the brain than listening to other types of music.
This doesn‘t mean that other types of music aren‘t good. Listening to any kind of music helps build music-related pathways in the brain. And music can have positive effects on our moods that may make learning easier.
What Can You Do?
Parents and child-care providers can help nurture children‘s love of music beginning in infancy. Here are some ideas:
- Play music for your baby. Expose your baby to many different musical selections of various styles. If you play an instrument, practice when your baby is nearby. But keep the volume moderate. Loud music can damage a baby's hearing.
- Sing to your baby. It doesn‘t matter how well you sing! Hearing your voice helps your baby begin to learn language. Babies love the patterns and rhythms of songs. And even young babies can recognize specific melodies once they‘ve heard them.
- Sing with your child. As children grow, they enjoy singing with you. And setting words to music actually helps the brain learn them more quickly and retain them longer. That‘s why we remember the lyrics of songs we sang as children, even if we haven‘t heard them in years.
- Start music lessons early. If you want your child to learn an instrument, you don‘t need to wait until elementary school to begin lessons. Young children‘s developing brains are equipped to learn music. Most four- and five-year-olds enjoy making music and can learn the basics of some instruments. And starting lessons early helps children build a lifelong love of music.
- Encourage your child‘s school to teach music. Singing helps stimulate the brain, at least briefly. Over time, music education as a part of school can help build skills such as coordination and creativity. And learning music helps your child become a well-rounded person.
Diane Bales, Ph.D.Assistant Professor and Human Development Specialist,Department of Child and Family Development
Premature birth has lingering effects
Being born prematurely can cause health problems that haunt people into adulthood and even affect their own children, a study shows.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-25-premature-birth_N.htm#open-share-help
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