January 2010
The worldwide incidence of preterm birth: a systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidity
WHO Bulletin
Jan 5, 2010
Preterm birth, defined as childbirth occurring at less than 37 completed weeks or 259 days of gestation, is a major determinant of neonatal mortality and morbidity and has long-term adverse consequences for health.
Saving underweight babies with human contact in Senegal
UNICEF
Jan 7, 2010
Olivier was born last September at a health post in rural Senegal. He weighed just one kilogram at birth, and his mother, Lourdes Gomez, cried because she thought he would not live.
Premature babies may develop disabilities
The International News
Jan 7, 2010
Babies born extremely prematurely may have a better chance of survival today thanks to advances in modern medicine, but new research suggests that the vast majority will develop some form of mental or developmental disability by age 6.
Mozart Therapy: A Sonata a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Science Daily
Jan 8, 2010
The music they listen to doesn't have any lyrics that tell them to grow, but new research from Tel Aviv University finds that premature babies who are exposed to music by 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gain weight faster -- and therefore become stronger -- than those who don't.
QuickStats: Late Preterm Birth Rates,* by Plurality --- United States, 1990, 2000, and 2006
CDC
Jan 8, 2010
During 1990--2006, most of the increase in overall preterm birth rates was attributed to late preterm births. During this period, the late preterm birth rate for singleton births increased 19%, from 6.8% to 8.1%; the late preterm birth rate for multiple births increased 30%, from 29.3% to 38.1%.
US Preterm Births: "D" Is for Dismal
JAMA
Jan 13, 2010
Too many infants in the United States are born too soon, according to recent reports from the March of Dimes and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). But even though some solutions may seem clear-cut—reducing smoking rates among pregnant women and improving access to prenatal care, for example—experts say the highly complex reasons for prematurity still are not well understood.
‘Newborn mortality rate in Pakistan highest in Asia’
The International News
Jan 17, 2010
Improvements in immediate newborn care and interventions that target common killers like birth asphyxia offered in communities and rural health facilities can dramatically change the number of babies surviving their first month of life, said experts speaking at a seminar on strategies to improve newborn survival.
Fertility Drugs Contribute Heavily to Multiple Births
PR Newswire
Jan 15, 2010
The widespread use of so-called fertility drugs, not just high-tech laboratory procedures, likely plays a larger role than previously realized in the growing problem of premature births in the United States, because these drugs cause a high percentage of multiple births, the March of Dimes said today.
Fertility Drugs Contribute Heavily to Multiple Births
PR Newswire
Jan 15, 2010
The widespread use of so-called fertility drugs, not just high-tech laboratory procedures, likely plays a larger role than previously realized in the growing problem of premature births in the United States, because these drugs cause a high percentage of multiple births, the March of Dimes said today.
New Product Preemie World Baby Safe Pack Contains Forehead Thermometers, Bath Thermometer and UV Meter
PR Web
Jan 18, 2010
The PreemieWorld Baby Safe Pak will give parents the relief they need in a combination of thermometers that include Reusable & Disposable Forehead Thermometers – a must-have especially in view of the Swine Flu epidemic - a Bathtub Water Temperature Tester, and a Ultra-Violet Sun Safe Meter.
Every baby deserves to have a chance
Telegraph.co.uk
Jan 18, 2010
Bitter experience led footballer Phil Neville's family to raise funds for premature babies.
Effect of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on invasive pneumococcal disease in preterm born infants
BMC Infectious Diseases
Jan 19, 2010
Evidence for protection of preterm born infants from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) by 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV7) is relatively sparse. Data from randomized trials is based on relatively small numbers of preterm born children.
Inadequate prenatal care and the risk of stillbirth in the Peruvian Amazon
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Jan 20, 2010
Major risk factors for stillbirth include lack of skilled birth attendants, low socioeconomic status, poor nutrition, prior stillbirth, advanced maternal age, and the lack of prenatal care
Drugs for depression, anxiety tied to preterm birth
Reuters
Jan 21, 2010
Pregnant women who take certain drugs for depression or anxiety may have heightened risks of preterm delivery or other birth complications, according to a new study.
First Oral Bacteria Found Linking a Mother and Her Stillborn Baby
ScienceDaily
Jan 22, 2010
Yiping Han, a researcher from Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, reports the first documented link between a mother with pregnancy-associated gum disease to the death of her fetus.
Doctors focusing more attention on late preterm babies
The Chicago Tribune
Jan 25, 2010
Babies born between 34 and 36 week's gestation getting special care.
Women: Don't neglect your teeth and gums during pregnancy
EmaxHealth
Jan 24, 2010
Pregnancy is a time when many women focus on taking better care of themselves for the health and safety of their unborn child. A new study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology reminds women not to neglect their oral health, as untreated gum disease can have disastrous effects on the newborn.
The joy and the pain of having a premature baby
DailyRecord.co.uk
Jan 25, 2010
It's every parent's nightmare - being told your newborn baby might not survive.
Canada says G8 to focus on maternal, child health
Reuters
Jan 26, 2010
Canada will use its presidency of the Group of Eight leading nations to push for improvements in maternal and child health in poor countries, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in an editorial published on Tuesday.