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Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine Topic Homepage
Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine Overview
Perinatal and neonatal medicine encompasses the care of newborn babies immediately prior to and during birth, and in the following 28 days.
Birth is a critical time for both mother and baby; however, due to the routine introduction of antenatal screening and scanning, congenital abnormalities and any potential problems that could arise during birth are usually foreseen. When there is significant benefit to the fetus pre-natal...
... surgery is performed, but this occurs on a case by case basis as there is a high risk of premature birth. The malformations that are sometimes eligible for surgery are; congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, sacrococcygeal teratoma and urinary tract obstructions.1 Alternatively the time to plan effective post-natal treatment, and to ensure that the birth occurs in a specialist centre, can lead to the best possible outcome.2
Premature birth occurs in 7% of pregnancies in the UK.3 These neonates often require more interventions than those who are born at term. Premature birth can be induced to provide the best outcome for mother and fetus. This decision is most controversial on the borderline of viability; at 23 weeks gestational age a fetus has the potential to live independent of its mother.4 However, premature babies often suffer from respiratory complications5 and some form of disability.6 An increase in premature births in recent years has been attributed to an increase in reproductive assistance and subsequently a higher rate of multiple births.3 There is a trend showing earlier births in pregnancies with more babies; twins are born on average at approximately 36 weeks gestation, whereas this figure is 28 weeks gestation for quintuplets.3
1. Browne N. Nursing Care of the Pediatric Surgical Patient. Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2007 : 153-156.
2. Dykes E. et al. Impact of Prenatal Diagnosis on Neonatal Surgery. Semin Neonatol.1996 ; 1: 177-184.
3. Lissauer T. et al. Neonatology at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell. 2006 : 22-23.
4. Louis J.M. et al. Perinatal Intervention and Neonatal Outcomes Near the Limit of Viability. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. October 2004 ; 191 (4) : 1398-1402.
5. Kotecha S. Chronic Respiratory Complications of Prematurity. Pediatric Respiratory Medicine. Elsevier Inc. Second Edition. 2008 : 387-411.
6. Steinmacher J. et al. Neurodevelopmental Follow-up of Very Preterm Infants after Proactive Treatment at a Gestational Age of ≥23 Weeks. The Journal of Pediatrics. June 2008 ; 152 (6) : 771-776.
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Drug News
FDA approves Procysbi (Raptor Pharmaceutical) for Nephropathic Cystinosis
02-05-2013The FDA has approved Procysbi (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed release capsules, from Raptor Pharmaceutical, for the treatment of Nephropathic Cystinosis in adults and children 6 years and older....
FDA approves Eliquis (BMS/Pfizer) to reduce the risk of Stroke and Systemic Embolism
30-12-2012
The FDA on 28 December 2012 approved the anti-clotting drug Eliquis (apixaban) from BMS/Pfizer, an oral tablet used to reduce the risk of Stroke and dangerous blood clots (Systemic Embolism) in...
FDA will review Procysbi (Raptor Pharma) in April 2013
29-12-2012Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. announced that the FDA will require additional time to complete its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for RP103 (Procysbi), for the potential treatment of...
Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine Drug Data - A-Z
Possible searches include drugs or medicines (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases, conditions and more.
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Recent Drug Updates
INOmax 400 ppm mol/mol inhalation gas
02-04-2013INOmax, in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate active substances, is indicated: - for the treatment of newborn infants ≥ 34 weeks gestation with hypoxic respiratory failure...
INOmax 800 ppm mol/mol inhalation gas
02-04-2013INOmax, in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate active substances, is indicated: - for the treatment of newborn infants ≥ 34 weeks gestation with hypoxic respiratory failure...
CANCIDAS (formerly Caspofungin MSD)
29-03-2012• Treatment of invasive candidiasis in adult or paediatric patients. • Treatment of invasive aspergillosis in adult or paediatric patients who are refractory to or intolerant of...
Clinical Guidelines
Recognition and treatment of neonatal jaundice
May 2010This guideline provides guidance regarding the recognition, assessment and treatment of neonatal..
... jaundice. The advice is based on evidence where this is available and on consensus-based practice where it is not.
Clinical Trials
Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Mother-to-child Transmission by Serovaccination.
12-03-2013The prevalence of HBsAg carriage in pregnant women varies in France, according to the native country, with highest rates in those originating from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (5 to 8 % in Parisian area). The level of HBV-DNA varies according to HBe status and geographical origin, and is strongly predictive of the risk..
... of HBV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). It has been shown that the rate of vertical transmission (Chinese study by Yuan J et al) was 0 % in newborns to mothers whom HBV-DNA was < 105 copies/mL and up to more than 40 % in newborns to mothers with high viral loads > 108 copies/mL, despite HBIg and vaccine at birth. Thus, data are needed concerning the current practices about the prevention of HBV MTCT in France, and their results.
Acupuncture in Infantile Colic - a Three Armed Randomized Multi Center Trial (ACU-COL)
29-12-2012The purpose of this prospective randomized three armed, multi center study is to compare the effect of two types of acupuncture and no acupuncture in 2-8 weeks old infants with infantile colic. Group A will get standardized minimal acupuncture in LI4, group B will get individualized acupuncture in different points..
... according to symptoms and group C will not get acupuncture. Parents (who register the infants crying) and the nurse they meet at the study CHC are blinded.
Medical Videos
Medical Journal Abstracts
Prebiotic supplementation in preterm neonates: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Clinical Nutrition
Jun 2013
Background & aims: Regular administration of prebiotic oligosaccharides promote beneficial gut flora in infants. We aimed to systematically review randomized controlled trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of prebiotic oligosaccharide supplementation in preterm infants ≤37 weeks of gestation. Methods: Available..
Effects of music on physiological and behavioral responses of premature infants: A randomized controlled trial
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
May 2013
Introduction: Despite persuasive theories about the beneficial effects of music and singing in developmental care for premature infants, few small studies are available in this regard. We conducted this study to investigate the physiological and behavioral responses of premature infants to recorded lullaby music and..
Medical Apps
Neonatal Knowledge - £1.85
Neonatal growth chart - Free
Neonatal infusion therapy - Free
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