The National Coalition for Infant Health released a new Fast Facts health bulletin, "Fish Consumption for Pregnant Women."The bulletin highlights guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Together, these authorities shape a unified message: two to three servings of cooked fish each week offer pregnant women and growing children proven health benefits. You can read a summary blog post HERE.
STEERING COMMITTEE CONVENES IN BALTIMORE
The NCfIH Steering Committee came together at
P.A.S. in Baltimore, Maryland on May 2
to discuss pressing issues including ways to improve the Baby Steps to Home program and a renewed focus on mental health resources for preemie caregivers. They also heard briefings on brand new SENTINEL 1 (RSV) data, seafood nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, and the clinical and economic benefits of an exclusive human milk diet for premature infants less than 1,250 grams.
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ZIKA VIRUS UPDATE
"The CDC has concluded that Zika does cause microcephaly," said Tom Frieden, CDC Director at an April media briefing. The statement was made after an evidence review was published on an expedited basis in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Women living in active Zika regions should wear long shirts and pants, stay indoors with screens, and use insect repellant.
The
CDC recently reminded the public of contamination from Cronobacter, a substance sometimes found in powdered infant formulas, and occasionally in herbal teas, starches, and powdered milk.
Formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii, the pathogen can be particularly dangerous to infants, the CDC reports.
Vaccination Safe in Preterm Babies
According to
recent results published in Pediatrics, immunization of preterm infants can be performed safely without an increased risk for respiratory decompensation or need to alter standard vaccination schedules.
"Consideration to immunize this high-risk group should not be delayed out of concern for clinical deterioration," conclude the researchers.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
NCfIH Medical Director Dr. Mitchell Goldstein recently wrote to the Senate Health Committee in opposition to California Senate Bill 1316. The bill creates barriers to an exclusive human milk diet for the premature infants who need it most.
In late April, with the support of Senator McCaskill (D-Missouri), the Senate approved a bill requiring airports to provide lactation rooms. Under the bill, large and medium hub airports have two years to install rooms and can use federal funds from the Airport Improvement Program.
NEW RESOURCES
Researchers from Kings College London developed a new app to assess individual risk of preterm birth. An algorithm combines gestation period of previous pregnancies with fetal fibronectin levels and cervix length to provide a comprehensive estimate of risk.
Peekaboo ICU recently expanded its PeekabooICU.com, featuring new info focused on the growth and development of premature infants in the NICU.
