Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Of Preterm Birth

The increasing prevalence of preterm birth in the United States is a complex public health problem that requires multifaceted solutions. Preterm birth is a cluster of problems with a set of overlapping factors of influence. Its causes may include individual-level behavioral and psychosocial factors, sociodemographic and neighborhood characteristics, environmental exposure, medical conditions, infertility treatments, and biological factors. Many of these factors co-occur, particularly in those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. While advances in perinatal and neonatal care have improved survival for preterm infants, those infants who do survive have a greater risk than infants born at term for developmental disabilities, health problems, and poor growth. The birth of a preterm infant can also bring considerable emotional and economic costs to families and have implications for public-sector services, such as health insurance, educational, and other social support systems. Preterm Birth assesses the problem with respect to both its causes and outcomes. This book addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. By defining and addressing the health and economic consequences of premature birth, this book will be of particular interest to health care professionals, public health officials, policy makers, professional associations and clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science researchers.

The improved survival of very preterm and very low birth weight infants in recent decades has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of physical and neurodevelopmental problems. Attention is increasingly being focused on the quality of life of survivors, who are at greater risk of brain damage and consequent neurological disorders, and neuropsychological and behavioural impairments. In this volume, leading experts present a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on research in various aspects of the long-term consequences of very preterm birth. As well as extending existing knowledge of the neurodevelopmental sequelae following very preterm birth, a shared aim of this burgeoning body of research is to identify the mechanisms underlying variations in outcome, and thus recognise subgroups of children who are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems, for whom appropriate intervention strategies can be devised. Pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists will all find this to be essential reading.

The improved survival of very preterm and very low birth weight infants in recent decades has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of physical and neurodevelopmental problems. Attention is increasingly being focused on the quality of life of survivors, who are at greater risk of brain damage and consequent neurological disorders, and neuropsychological and behavioural impairments. In this volume, leading experts present a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on research in various aspects of the long-term consequences of very preterm birth. As well as extending existing knowledge of the neurodevelopmental sequelae following very preterm birth, a shared aim of this burgeoning body of research is to identify the mechanisms underlying variations in outcome, and thus recognise subgroups of children who are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems, for whom appropriate intervention strategies can be devised. Pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists will all find this to be essential reading.

Preterm birth refers to a condition when infant baby is born too early, before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy. There are four sub-categories of preterm birth which are defined on the basis on gestational age. These categories are extreme preterm, very early preterm, early preterm birth, and late preterm birth. Common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies, infections, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The most frequent and severe type of injury during preterm birth is hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or perinatal asphyxia. HIE refers to brain damage that occurs due to inadequate supply of oxygen or blood flow in the brain. The common signs and symptoms of HIE are abnormal movements or seizures, weak cry, and organ dysfunction (especially of heart, kidney and liver). The signs of brain damage can be diagnosed using neuroimaging tests, such as through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm birth. With its detailed analyses and data, it will prove immensely beneficial to professionals and students involved in this area at various levels.

Each year in the United States approximately 440,000 babies are born premature. These infants are at greater risk of death, and are more likely to suffer lifelong medical complications than full-term infants. Clinicians and researchers have made vast improvements in treating preterm birth; however, little success has been attained in understanding and preventing preterm birth. Understanding the complexity of interactions underlying preterm birth will be needed if further gains in outcomes are expected. The Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine sponsored a workshop to understand the biological mechanism of normal labor and delivery, and how environmental influences, as broadly defined, can interact with the processes of normal pregnancy to result in preterm birth. This report is a summary of the main themes presented by the speakers and participants.

With collaboration of Consulting Editor, Dr. Lucky Jain, Drs. Adams Chapman and DeMauro have put together a state-of-the art issue devoted to long-term outcomes for the NICU graduate. Top authors in the field provide clinical reviews in the following areas: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Early Childhood; Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at School Age and Adult Outcomes; Behavioral Sequela of Prematurity; Changing Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in Extremely Preterm Infants; Medical Morbidity and its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcome; NEC and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes; Biological and Social Influences Over Time/Chronic lung disease and neurodevelopmental outcomes; Intracranial hemorrhage and neurodevelopmental outcomes; Public health implications of extremely preterm birth: What are we measuring; Looking beyond neurodevelopmental impairment; Long-Term Functioning and Participation Across the Life Course for NICU Graduates; Early diagnosis of treatment of CP; Psychiatric Sequelae of Prematurity and Prevention of prematurity. Readers will come away with the information they need to imporove outcomes for the NICU infant.

This book synthesizes and analyzes research on early vocal contact (EVC) for preterm infants, an early healthcare strategy aimed at reducing the long-term impact of neonatal hospitalization, minimizing negative impacts of premature birth, and promoting positive brain development. Chapters begin by examining research on the maternal voice and its unique and fundamental role in infant development during the fetal and neonatal period. The book discusses the rationale for EVC with preterm infants, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and the challenges for infants’ development. Subsequent chapters highlight various EVCs that are used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including direct talking and singing to preterm infants. In addition, the book also presents and evaluates early family-centered therapies as well as paternal and other caregiver voice interventions. Topics featured in this book include: Early vocal contact and the language development of preterm infants. The maternal voice and its influence on the stability and the sleep of preterm infants. Parental singing as a form of early interactive contact with the preterm infant. Recorded or live music interventions in the bioecology of the NICU. The role of the music therapist to hospitalized infants. The Calming Cycle Theory and its implementation in preterm infants. Early Vocal Contact and Preterm Infant Brain Development is an essential reference for researchers, clinicians and related professionals, and graduate students in developmental psychology, pediatrics, neuroscience, obstetrics and nursing.

This book is written by experts with clinical expertise on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of women with cancer during pregnancy. It provides a comprehensive review of data and an overview of psychological, ethical, and social aspects. Chapters address the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of women with solid or hematologic cancers. The safety of subsequent pregnancy and the maintenance or enhancement of fertility in women undergoing cancer therapy are also addressed.