November 2015
PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH
With 380,000 babies born too soon each year, the United States still has long way to go. Check out the 8th annual report card from March of Dimes this Prematurity Awareness Month,  giving the U.S.  a grade "C", with a premature birth rate of 9.6 percent in 2014. March of Dimes emphasizes a new goal to lower the national preemie rate to 8.1 percent by 2020. President  Dr. Jennifer L. Howse reminds us that "all babies, everywhere deserve a healthy start in in life." Learn more.
RSV POLICY BRIEF

The Institute for Patient Access'  new policy brief, by Medical Director Dr. Mitchell Goldstein,  urges greater  immunization and prophylaxis protection policies for the most vulnerable infants.


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 newsletters, policy briefs, and NCfIH communications.
NMA CALLS FOR RSV PROTECTION IN BLACK INFANTS 
T he National Medical Association (NMA) continues to advocate for RSV awareness, education and protection of infants. NMA provides expert opinion on any changes to the prophylaxis regimen, and offers unique guidance from the African American health prospective. 


RESEARCH
Delayed Cord Clamping Shows Health Benefits for Preemies
Re searchers recently found that a preemie's risk of brain bleeding was reduced if the umbilical cord was clamped after 45 seconds. The study explains that blood from the cord--packed with vital stem cells and immunoglobulins--can help the body repair itself naturally.

Researchers at the October 2015 American Academy of Pediatrics meeting reported that infants discharged from a NICU into a transitional medical home model  had fewer primary care and ER visits. 

SENTINEL 1 Study on RSV
Recent findings from the multi-institutional SENTINEL 1 study confirm that preemies who don't receive RSV  immunoprophylaxis frequently suffer severe RSV infection and ICU admission .

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A new bill, sponsored by  Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD  (R-LA), and  Sen. Robert Casey  (D-PA), prioritizes medical infant therapies for conditions qualifying as "critical need." S. 2041, " The Promoting Life-saving New Therapies for Neonates Act of 2015," offers pharmaceutical developers an intriguing trade-off: a one-year, transferrable extension on patent exclusivity in exchange for a new medical therapy that treats a critical need condition for pre- or full-term infants.
RSV RESOURCES
Just in time for RSV season, check out these valuable resources: 
  • New evidence supporting the effectiveness of a nasal RSV vaccine.

EVENTS

HOT TOPICS IN NEONATOLOGY 

December 6-9, 2015

Washington, DC 

 

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