It has been close to six decades since Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA and more than ten years since the human genome was decoded. Today, through the collection and analysis of a small blood sample, every baby born in the United States is screened for more than fifty genetic disorders. Though the early detection of these abnormalities can potentially save lives, the test also has a high percentage of false positives-inaccurate results that can take a brutal emotional toll on parents before they are corrected. Now some doctors are questioning whether the benefits of these screenings outweigh the stress and pain they sometimes produce. In Saving Babies?, Stefan Timmermans and Mara Buchbinder evaluate the consequences and benefits of state-mandated newborn screening - and the larger policy questions they raise about the inherent inequalities in American medical care that limit the effectiveness of this potentially life - saving technology. Drawing on observations and interviews with families, doctors, and policy actors, Timmermans and Buchbinder have given us the first ethnographic study of how parents and geneticists resolve the many uncertainties in screening newborns. Ideal for scholars of medicine, public health, and public policy, this book is destined to become a classic in its field.

Awarded Third Place in the 2016 AJN Book of the Year Awards in the Maternal-Child Health Category! Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician: Using the Evidence, Fourth Edition is an essential and practical reference guide for clinicians. Using a research-based approach, it includes literature reviews while covering incidence, etiology, risk factors, prevention, prognosis and implications, interventions, expected outcomes, care plans, and clinical algorithms. With a focus on the practical application of evidence-based knowledge, this reference offers a problem-solving approach to help busy clinicians integrate the latest research into everyday clinical practice. Completely updated and revised, the Fourth Edition includes a new discussion of the vitally important newborn gut microbiome. In addition, it features new and more effective techniques for addressing breastfeeding barriers, new research, and the latest guidelines.

The 5th edition of this indispensable resource captures the latest insights in neonatal neurology in a totally engaging, readable manner. World authority Dr. Joseph Volpe has completely revised his masterwork from cover to cover, describing everything from the most up-to-the-minute discoveries in genetics through the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of neurologic disorders. He delivers all the clinical guidance you need to provide today's most effective care for neonates with neurological conditions. Provides comprehensive coverage of neonatal neurology, solely written by the field's founding expert, Dr. Joseph Volpe - for a masterful, cohesive source of answers to any question that arises in your practice. Focuses on clinical evaluation and management, while also examining the many scientific and technological advances that are revolutionizing neonatal neurology. Organizes disease-focused chapters by affected body region for ease of reference. Features a brand new, full-color design with hundreds of new figures, tables, algorithms, and micrographs. Includes two entirely new chapters: Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up and Stroke in the Newborn; a new section on Neonatal Seizures; and an extensively expanded section on Hypoxic-Ischemia and Other Disorders. Showcases the experience and knowledge of a new editorial team, led by Dr. Joseph Volpe and Dr. Terrie E. Inder, Chair of the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, all of whom bring a wealth of insight to this classic text. Offers comprehensive updates from cover to cover to reflect all of the latest information regarding the development of the neural tube; prosencephalic development; congenital hydrocephalus; cerebellar hemorrhage; neuromuscular disorders and genetic testing; and much more. Uses an improved organization to enhance navigation. Expert ConsultT eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, Q&As, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

From World Health Organization data, the prevalence of hearing impairment among infants varies between 0.5 and 3.0 cases per thousand, but in children hospitalised in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and in those with other risk factors (ie: anatomically small for gestational age, craniofacial abnormalities, intrauterine infections, family history of hearing loss, ototoxic drugs, mechanical ventilation , etc.), the prevalence is 10-20 times greater. Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be defined as an intensive care unit for sick newborns who need specialised treatment. NICU combines equipment and advanced technology with medical staff specially trained in newborn care. The Joint Committee on Infants Hearing (JCIH) identified many risk factors in NICU infants like prolonged mechanical ventilation, asphyxia, low birth weight and ototoxic medication, and so it also considers intensive care as a whole a risk factor. The present book focuses its attention on this hearing loss risk factor, starting from risk factors and screening strategies, highlighting the various neonatal levels of care, focusing on the treatment of infants with neural tube defects and the future motor development of premature babies. This should be done until caregivers can get the attention of drug therapies used in the NICU.

Care of the Well Newborn is a unique text that focuses on care of the term newborn for the first month of life. Written by distinguished experts in the field, it teaches students and professionals how and what to assess in the care of the nonverbal newborn, while also providing criteria for recognizing deviations from normal and strategies for managing complications that arise. The first text of its kind, it provides easily accessible information on evidence-based neonatal care that follows current guidelines, standards, and recommendations. Also explored are physiology and pathophysiology, data collection, differential diagnosis, cultural considerations, and parental education. An ideal resource for both students and professionals, each chapter includes multiple choice questions, case studies, or activities to facilitate critical thinking and learning.

Neonatal Formulary provides comprehensive guidance on the safe use of the drugs prescribed during pregnancy and commonly given to babies during labour and delivery, as well as during lactation and the first year of life. Treating the journey from pregnancy to parenthood as a continuous event, the new edition contains updated information on how the drugs affect both mother and baby. The first part of the book focuses on drug storage, drug licensing, and drug prescribing. In addition, it explains to why the metabolism of drugs differs in premature and sick infants, and why the practice of extrapolating doses from adult studies is unsafe. Patient safety, excipients, and therapies that affect drugs are also covered. Part 2 consists of monographs for over 250 drugs that may find use in the neonatal unit, and possibly outside it. Each monograph is divided into sections covering use, pharmacology, treatment, drug interactions or other administration, information, supply and administration, and references. The monographs are evidence-based and include links to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and national guidelines. The third part presents information on additional drugs, and groups of drugs, that are often taken by mothers during pregnancy, labour, or during breast feeding. The drugs discussed in this section all affect the foetus or infant. Containing far more detail than is available in the British National Formulary for Children, and with additional online material featuring updates related to specific drugs and dosing, Neonatal Formulary is an essential guide for neonatologists, neonatal nurses, hospital pharmacists, obstetric staff, advanced nurse practitioners and for all health care professionals caring for pregnant women and their infants in the first year of life.

In 1983 two doctors, one from each side of the world, decided to form a partnership, and so began a scientific adventure that would improve the odds that babies could be born healthy and whole. Neural tube defects that severely disabled or killed babies were epidemic in China (where the folk term was guai tai--roughly ""monster baby""--for an infant whose embryonic neural tube doesn't completely close and whose head and neck may be misshapen or spine may protrude) and a significant problem in the United States, leading teams of researchers from the United States and China to combine forces to recruit more than 285,000 Chinese women and to follow nearly 250,000 pregnancies in an epidemiological study. Sixteen thousand staff were involved in running the project, which encountered massive bureaucratic obstacles as well as cultural differences, politicking for study designs and funding, the crisis of Tiananmen Square, and testy debates over research ethics. Nevertheless, the researchers persevered in a collaboration that lasted more than three decades and led to landmark findings on the role of folic acid in preventing spina bifida. Fortifying cereal grain products with folic acid became routine in the United States and a growing number of nations around the world: that intervention was named one of the ten great public health achievements of the last decade.

In 1983 two doctors, one from each side of the world, decided to form a partnership, and so began a scientific adventure that would improve the odds that babies could be born healthy and whole. Neural tube defects that severely disabled or killed babies were epidemic in China (where the folk term was guai tai--roughly ""monster baby""--for an infant whose embryonic neural tube doesn't completely close and whose head and neck may be misshapen or spine may protrude) and a significant problem in the United States, leading teams of researchers from the United States and China to combine forces to recruit more than 285,000 Chinese women and to follow nearly 250,000 pregnancies in an epidemiological study. Sixteen thousand staff were involved in running the project, which encountered massive bureaucratic obstacles as well as cultural differences, politicking for study designs and funding, the crisis of Tiananmen Square, and testy debates over research ethics. Nevertheless, the researchers persevered in a collaboration that lasted more than three decades and led to landmark findings on the role of folic acid in preventing spina bifida. Fortifying cereal grain products with folic acid became routine in the United States and a growing number of nations around the world: that intervention was named one of the ten great public health achievements of the last decade.

A new look at how we welcome newborn babies into the world, whatever context they are born in, but particularly if they are born in a large maternity hospital. Reflections, exercises and ideas for midwives and other maternity professionals. "The deeply ingrained, rational scientific culture we live in today suppresses our innate knowledge of how things could improve. We focus on categorising through measuring, counting and documenting what we do, instead of realising deep inside that things must change with regard to our rituals around birth in hospital. It's as if we don't quite know how to engender that change..." Experienced midwife Debby Gould considers the current situation and explores how change is not just possible but also beneficial for mother, baby and healthcare professionals. Questions and exercises are provided to stimulate reflection and seminar discussion. Following a varied and distinguished career in many maternity contexts, Debby Gould is currently Head of Midwifery for University College London Hospitals and has served two full terms in office (as Deputy Chair, then Chair) on the Royal College of Midwives Council. She is also named in Debrett's People of Today as one of the top 25,000 influential and successful people in the UK. Her words are well worth reading

In this book, the authors present new research in the study of neonatal care. Topics discussed include the effects of maternal stress and intrauterine environmental factors on foetal behaviour and central brain processes related to cognition, memory and habituation; phosphodieterases and their inhibitors in some respiratory system disorders; glucocorticoids in meconium aspiration syndrome and the possible benefits versus the risks of treatment; and the evidence linking hyperbilirubinemia to auditory neuropathy and prelingual deafness.

Severely unwell children are the most frightening emergency a clinician can face. This second edition of Emergencies in Paediatrics and Neonatology, guides the clinician through what to do and when, in a format that can be read at the bedside. Resuscitation techniques are described in detail and comprehensive management plans are provided. Organised by symptom, the handbook concisely covers a range of essential information, from the key facts to elicit in the history to the specific difficulties of treating children in an emergency situation - communication and pain relief. Symbols are used to indicate clinical severity ranging from life-threatening to minor, and the book includes detailed drug dosages for children and the most recent resuscitation guidelines. The new edition brings this bestselling guide fully up-to-date, including the management of anaphylaxis and rheumatic fever. The number of algorithms included in the book has also been increased.

This is the true story of the heart-wrenching struggle for survival, devastating financial loss, and the power of hope that comes with extremely premature babies born nearly four months early. The twin babies arrived at 24 weeks gestation and each weighed a pound. Imagine that, the same as six sticks of butter It's a riveting story of despair and tragedy, joy and laughter. I couldn't put it down and I hope you find it the same way...perhaps just not so late into the wee hours of the night. Re-told from journals, the story unfolds like a medical-mystery. Will the twins survive? Will they have devastating disabilities? The breath-taking pace of life-altering decisions in a Neonatal Intensive Care setting is like witnessing an accident--one you can't bear to watch and yet so compelling you can't look away. Follow the roller-coaster ride through heroics, medical miracles, unrelenting fear, and heart-warming joy. The events of this true story will make you cry. You'll be appalled at the insensitivity of some towards this young family. You'll be angry at the gall of insurance companies that use "fine print" to deny coverage for certain medical treatments. And you'll rejoice with the miracle of life fought for and won. With less than a 20% chance of survival at birth, the doctors warned; "If the babies manage to survive, they have an 80% chance of debilitating issues--including cerebral palsy, breathing issues, and severe learning disabilities." The second edition of A Pound of Hope adds the much awaited five-year look back on this harrowing start in life. Read the unexpected outcome (I won't spoil the surprise here ) of these one-pound miracle babies. The backdrop setting for this story of survival is one of financial disaster. This family is bankrupted by the unrelenting medical costs to save their babies. They lose everything--savings and retirement accounts are emptied; belongings are sold and their house is lost as they fall into the bottomless pit of medical bankruptcy. Our leaders in health insurance, medical services, and government have failed to address a hole in the very fabric of our society. A hole so big it swallows families at a time when they are experiencing life-threatening issues. For what is the point of medical miracles if there is no way to pay for them? Our society has developed machines and techniques to preserve and extend life against all odds. But at what cost? Families stricken with the financial burden of catastrophic medical bills will see their financial stability, their future, even their very viability as a family slip away. If science can save the babies, who will save the family?

Growth Parameters of the Newborn Revisited With Review of the Standardized Placental Measurements