January 2016
OUR YEAR IN REVIEW
We're thrilled to start off the new year with continued passion, an ongoing sense of accomplishment, and immense gratitude to you for your engaged partnership. Last year brought a re-launch for the  National Coalition for Infant Health (NCfIH) , an expansion of our work to include issues impacting premature infants through age two and our first-ever national Preemie Matters policy summit in Washington, DC. Out of that meeting evolved our key issues and the renewal of our core values : Safety, Access, Nutrition and Health and Equality. We're not slowing down! Here's to improved health outcomes for preemies in 2016 and beyond.


HUMAN MILK POLICY BRIEF
IfPA recently released  The Value of Human Milk Access by Premature Infants policy brief  by Medical Director Mitchell Goldstein, MD, detailing the importance of quality  and safety, as well as benefits of an exclusive human milk diet for the most fragile preemies. It also encourages policymakers to collaborate on access and quality standards while broadening parent awareness through informed consent.

NCfIH MEMBERSHIP
Complete this brief form  to join or maintain NCfIH 
membership. There is no financial obligation. Membership is open to organizations and congressional leaders, 
and all individual preemie advocates will continue to receive NCfIH communications.

IMPACT OF SKIN-TO-SKIN
A recent meta-analysis
from Harvard University confirms that kangaroo mother care (KMC) has a dramatic impact on outcomes for preemies. The research shows that continuous KMC during the first days of life may reduce infant deaths by more than one-third compared to conventional care.

RESEARCH
Increased NICU Admissions Raise Concerns
A recent study from Dartmouth University found a 23 percent increase in NICU admissions  in just five years; more than half of those for normal birth weight infants. Researcher  Dr. David Goodman shared: "very little work has been done to identify overuse and underuse."

Extreme Prematurity May Increase Autism Risk
New research from Sweden examined the differences in the brains of children born v ery premature compared to full term and found that those extremely premature ran a much higher risk of developing autism. The results suggest that birth weight and complications may increase autism risk. 

Breast Milk Prevents ROP in Preemies
A meta-analysis published in  Pediatrics showed that feeding human milk to very preterm babies may help prevent ROP. The theory is that  breast milk's protective power lies in its antioxidant and immune-protective properties. "Human milk plays a strong role in protecting very preterm newborns from any-stage ROP and severe ROP," the authors conclude.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
NEW WEBSITE

Check out AWHONN's new website, delivering the latest evidence-based information and resources, as well as: 
  • A personalized online profile
  • Enhanced search features
  • Messaging, forums, and blogs
  • New Online Learning Center 
  • Ability to print invoices, view events, and create content feeds.

EVENTS

February 17-20, 2016
Clearwater, FL

February 25-28, 2016
Orlando, FL

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