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The scientific debate on the use of probiotics in preterm infants: Does it save or risk infants’ lives?
The death of a preterm infant associated with bacteria in the probiotic prevention-treatment of NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) caused a stir. As a result, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a warning advising against the administration of probiotics in preterm and low birth weight infants. In a reply, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) now takes the side of long-standing research findings and criticises the…
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Exploring the most important elements to improve family-integrated care – A parent’s perspective
Family-integrated care (FICare) has the potential to significantly improve the health of both newborn and parents. This is especially vital when the infant is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and is thus often separated from their parents. A parent survey conducted in the Netherlands now provides insight into how parents experienced their integration in care. The study shows that most parents are involved to a certain extend. However, they highlight…
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Survey: Adults born preterm with respiratory dysfunction
Calling all adults born preterm: Help us shape the future of prematurity research! EFCNI recently joined a project called “EMPOWER: Real-world patient research in prematurity and respiratory diseases” by Chiesi, a survey for adults born preterm. The survey aims to explore the perspective of patients with asthma, COPD or BPD who were born preterm to assess their awareness level of their medical history from an early age and to gather information about their interactions with various physicians. Join the…
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EFCNI auf der GNPI (2024)
EFCNI auf der GNPI Heimspiel in München bei der 50. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Neonatologie und Pädiatrische Intensivmedizin (GNPI) mit einem bunten und breit gefächerten Programm (see English article below) Tag 1 Ein Highlight des erstes Tag war die Session zu „Baulichen Benefits in der Neo für Patient:innen und Teams“, deren Vorsitz Silke Mader, EFCNI-Gründerin und Vorsitzende, und Barbara Mitschdörfer vom Bundesverband das frühgeborene Kind e.V. hatten. Den Auftakt machte Barbara Mitschdörfer vom…
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Highlighting the power of nutrition: New recommendations on preventing preterm birth through omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy
Preterm birth is difficult to predict and most women who deliver preterm have no prior risk factors. Recent studies now agree that there is a promising, effective, and safe way to prevent preterm birth and especially early preterm birth. The daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids by pregnant women can reduce the risk to deliver preterm by up to 50% whilst being easy to integrate into the daily diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are…
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Safety unveiled: COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and the reassuring truth about its impact on the risk of preterm birth
Amid the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccination during pregnancy, specifically in relation to preterm birth, took centre stage. A systematic review comprising six studies with more than 35,000 patients from diverse geographical locations aims to shed light on the safety of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The analysis reveals no significant increase in the risk of preterm birth after vaccination. These…
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Guaranteed by the state: Empowering families to know and exercise their rights
Guest article by Oleksandra Balyasna, Head of partner parent organisation "Early Birds" in Ukraine and member of the EFCNI Parent and Patient Advisory Board. Knowing your rights guaranteed and provided by the State can decrease the stress among parents of preterm babies and improve health outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Questions to think about for every parent organisation: Does your patient network know their rights and where to check this information? Do you know what to do when your…
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Making skin-to-skin care a reality for families in need with “ConTact”
Guest article by Professor Concepción Gómez Esteban, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, and President of APREM, one of EFCNI’s esteemed partner parent organisations in Spain. In 2022, APREM initiated an innovative programme in Spain called “ConTact”, aimed at facilitating skin-to-skin care between preterm infants and their families as well as supporting those families when going back home. We focused particularly on the most vulnerable tiny patients, namely preterm babies who, in addition to medical challenges,…
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Neonatal care through the ages: The impressive journey of infant and family-centred developmental care in Denmark
A guest article by Sarah Fügenschuh When we imagine modern neonatal care, in industrialised nations in particular, we might think of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) equipped with state-of-the-art technical and medical appliances, the involvement of parents in the care of their hospitalised child, Kangaroo Mother Care, patient-centred treatment and follow-up care, and a relationship between healthcare professionals and parents at eye level. If one were to imagine a NICU in Denmark to be like this, one would not be…
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The fasting month of Ramadan: Does intermittent fasting of pregnant women influence the risk for preterm birth?
Fasting during Ramadan is a valuable experience for Muslims all over the world. Even though it is not compulsory for pregnant women to participate in fasting, many choose to do so. However, the question arises as to whether abstaining from food and water throughout the day could have an impact on the well-being of the unborn child. To answer this question, fourteen studies from seven countries were reviewed, involving more than 2,800 expectant…
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