...the persistence of disparities in infant and maternal health among the different racial and ethnic groups. Now a day a major concern which is affecting communities on overall pertaining to childbirth is preterm births in the United States of America. In fact, preterm births and low birth weight have negative consequences not only for the infants and their families but also on the society. Actual delivery before 37 weeks of gestation is the primary concern and low birth weights have a major impact on the functional domains, such as cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, and hyperactivity disorder (Brooks-Gunn J., McCarton C. M., Casey P. H., McCormick M. C., Bauer C. R., Bernbaum J. C., Tonascia J. (1994). Babies who weigh 5.5 pounds (2500grams) or less at birth are low babies with low birth weight. Babies weighing 3.3 pounds (1500 grams) or less are Very low birth weight babies. There is a significant medical and social cost for low birth weight infants and preterm births. Low birth weight is a major predictor of infant mortality. Ethnic and cultural group’s disparities related to low birth weight infant and preterm infant are significantly disproportionate, affecting minority Americans. Although infant morbidity cannot be directly linked with low birth weight but it is a frequently used as a marker for poor health at birth because it amounts for the leading risk factor for infant morbidity and for subsequent mortality among the surviving infants. The extent of which ethnic and...
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...How is low birth weight defined? Gestational age? Identify 5 risks factors associated with LBW and preterm birth. Low birth weight is defined as babies weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. Gestational age is defined as a way of saying how far along the pregnancy of a woman is. It is several factors that are associated with LBW and preterm birth (Kotch, 2013). The five risk factors associated with LBW (Low Birth Weight) are: Demographic risks Medical risk predating pregnancy Medical risks in current pregnancy Behavioral and environmental risks Health care risks. The five risk factors associated with Preterm Birth are: Established risk factors- Black race Probable risk factors- No prenatal care or inadequate prenatal care Inconclusive risk factors- Psychosocial stress Maternal age Alcohol assumption Define infant mortality. Define maternal mortality and morbidity....
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...Community and International Nutrition Low Preconception Body Mass Index Is Associated with Birth Outcome in a Prospective Cohort of Chinese Women1 Alayne G. Ronnenberg,2 Xiaobin Wang,* Houxun Xing,† Chanzhong Chen, Dafang Chen,†** Wenwei Guang,† Aiqun Guang,† Lihua Wang,** Louise Ryan‡ and Xiping Xu Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; *Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA; †Institute for Biomedicine, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China; **Center for Ecogenetics and Reproductive Health, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, China; ‡Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA KEY WORDS: ● birthweight ● body mass index ● intrauterine growth restriction ● China Although vast improvement has been made in the survival of low birthweight (LBW3 Ͻ 2500 g) and preterm (Ͻ37 completed weeks of gestation) infants, these outcomes remain associated with virtually all causes of neonatal and postneonatal death (1–3). LBW and preterm birth are also associated with infant and childhood morbidity, including asthma (4) and neurodevelopmental delays (3,5). Recent evidence suggests that preterm birth and LBW are also linked to adverse health in adulthood (6), including insulin resistance (7), hypertension (8) and coronary heart disease (9). The potentially serious health consequences of these birth outcomes underscore the public health...
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...Black infants have a higher infant mortality rate than whites approximately 2.4 times higher, in the United States, this as a result of low birth weight (The office of Minority Health, 2011.)Women from East Asia typically have low preterm birth, and Hispanic women. Women from South Asia and Indians have high rates of low birth weight infants, but is higher in black mothers among all groups living in the United States. It is suggested that environmental factors can could contributed to this such as exposure to smoking during pregnancy, also poor maternal care during pregnancy, lack of proper nutrition, uterine infections due to bacteria. Effects of extremely low birth babies on the family and society, can be difficult as these infants require a lot of time and care, the emotional stress on the immediate family can be devastating as they are not sure what the outcome or quality of life their child may have. Preterm babies are at risk for developmental problems as learning disorders and sensor and motor deficits. It can be very expensive for the family, initially NICU care is required and that is costly. According to the IOM approximately 26.2billionUSD or 51,600USD was spent annually on infants born preterm in 2005.Also cost of caregivers, special rehabilitation needs that be necessary in long-term care, future loss of productivity in the family. The community I’m from there are organizations such as Texas Department of State Health Services, Rehabilitation Services at University...
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...procedures. The conclusion depends upon the statistical procedures used in the study and if they are appropriate. A study conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) in premature infants uses descriptive statistics and analysis to determine the outcome of very low birth weight in infants. The study concluded, with low survival rates for infants less than 900 grams with low mean subscales, and one-third of the babies identified as at risk. The study revealed appropriate conclusions with statistically significant findings. The following is an analysis of the study conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa. Statistical Procedures The study centers on preterm infants born between June 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study provides statistical analysis and data to support the researchers’ findings. The statistical procedures mentioned in this research are descriptive statistics, and Chi-square test. For continual data, summary measures such as mean and standard deviation (SD) or 95% confidence intervals for normally distributed data or median and inter-quartile range (IQR) for non-normally distributed data were presented (Ballot, Chirwa, & Cooper, Hilburn, & Potterton, 2012). The researchers used measures, such as the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development or BSID to determine the long-term outcome of the study. The mean scores of several categories such as gender, Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV...
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...During this video, two physicians ponder the questions of why African American females give birth to small babies at twice the rate of white females. The United States has one of the worst preterm birth rates than a lot of other countries (California Newsreel, 2008). Preterm births are among the 2nd leading causes of death for infants in the United States (California Newsreel, 2008). Those infants that were born preterm and survive are more likely to have lifetime learning and medical problems than those babies who are not preterm (California Newsreel, 2008). The general rule of thumb is the higher the socioeconomic status they tend to live longer and have fewer health problems than those with low socioeconomic status. However, this is...
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...Topic: Care of the Premature Infant Date: March 2, 2010 Introduction: Prematurity is defined as birth that occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It is associated with 1/3 of all infant deaths in the US. Associated with diseases such as CP, vision impairment and hearing impairment. Complications of prematurity are the underlying reasons for the higher rate of infant mortality and morbidity. There are both short-term complications and long-term sequelae in patients that survive and are discharged from the NICU Key Definitions of Premature Infants: Defined as GA or weight Late Preterm Birth – GA between 34 and less than 37 weeks Very Preterm Birth – GA less than 32 weeks Extremely Preterm Birth – GA at or below 25 weeks Low Birth Weight – BW less than 2500 grams Very Low Birth Weight – BW less than 1500 grams Extremely Low Birth Weight – BW less than 1000 grams Short term complications of Prematurity: NICU based Respiratory Distress PDA Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Late Onset Sepsis Grade III – IV Intraventricular Hemorrhage Necrotizing Enterocolitis Periventricular Leukomalacia ROP Long Term Complications of Prematurity: Outpatient Based Neurodevelopmental Disabilities – impaired cognitive skills, motor deficits, sensory impairments, vision and hearing losses, behavioral problems. Chronic Health Issues – RSV, asthma, feeding intolerance, surgical issues, poor weight gain, small head circumference...
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...Long Lasting Effects of Preterm Birth Angel McClucas Psychology 221 The National Institute for Child Health and Development (NICHD) published an article about long lasting effects of preterm birth. NICHD performed several research studies that shows preterm birth leads to different long term challenges after birth. The researchers explained that infants born 32 weeks of gestation or less are considered preterm, with being born early their brain and other organs are not fully developed as they would be if the infant was born after 32 weeks. NICHD continued to explain that preterm infants, most times, require life-saving medical treatments to survive. These treatments can cause pain and stress that is unwanted for the infant. The pain and stress during these critical development periods can cause problems long term. Some challenges for these infants long term can consist of visual memory, poor planning skills, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Several studies have been done by The Institute to understand how these stressors affect the brain development and to help find ways to make their first weeks after birth easier. NICHD is also hoping to promote healthy development with these studies. In one study the researchers measured the cortisol level in the children’s saliva before, during and after the children performed simple tests. The study showed the children who were born extremely preterm did worse than the children born preterm and full term. However...
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...Health Disparities in Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes of Women in the United States The Health Resources and Services Administration, defines health disparities as “population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to health care” (Mandal, 2014). This paper will focus on the health disparities existing within the United States between women of various ethnicities. Specifically, the disparities we will discuss incorporate preterm births, low birth rates, and infant deaths. First, a brief background will be presented, followed by two solutions to combat the issue, and finally I will conclude with my recommendations for the foremost beneficial approach to combat these distressing disparities. Background...
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...THE NEWBORN WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS A preterm infant is usually defined as a live-born infant born before the end of week 37 of gestation; another criterion is a weight of less than 2,500 grams (5lb 8oz) at birth I. INCIDENCE Occurs approximately 7% of live births of white infants, in Afro-American infants the rate is doubled 14% (Thilo & Rosenberg, 2003) CAUSES/FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRETERM BIRTHS 1. Low socio-economic status 2. Poor nutritional status 3. Lack of prenatal care 4. Multiple pregnancy 5. Previous early birth 6. Race (non-whites have higher incidence than whites) 7. Cigarette smoking 8. Age of the mother (highest incidence is in mothers younger than age 20) 9. Order of birth (early termination is highest in first pregnancies and in those beyond 4th pregnancies) 10. Closed spaced pregnancies 11. Abnormalities of mother’s reproductive system, such as intrauterine septum 12. Infections (especially UTI) 13. Obstetric complications (PROM, premature separation of placenta 14. Early induction of labor 15. Elective cesarean birth ASSESSMENT A. History – detailed pregnancy history will reveal reason for the preterm birth; be careful not to convey disapproval of reported pregnancy behaviors such as smoking, etc. Being overburdened with guilt may be detrimental to her attempts to bond with her infant B. Appearance Criteria Posture Premature infant Resting posture – characterized by very little, if any, flexion in upper extremities and only partial flexion of...
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...Preventing Hypothermia in Preterm Infants Mary McDermott Grand Canyon University Introduction to Nursing Research March 15, 2013 Preventing Hypothermia in Preterm Infants Bredemeyer, S., Reid, S., & Wallace, M. (2005, February 15). Thermal management for premature births. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 482-489. http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org.libaccess.fdu.edu/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03616.x Abstract: This paper reports an audit of the effect on admission temperatures of using occlusive polyethylene wrap applied immediately after the birth of extremely premature infants. Use of occlusive polyethylene wrap during the early postnatal management of the premature infant reduces evaporative and convective heat loss. Retrospective pre-intervention (control) group infants were immediately dried with pre-warmed towels and resuscitated under radiant heat. Infants in the intervention group were managed under radiant heat, were not dried, but were immediately enclosed in an occlusive polyethylene wrap. The demographic characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Use of occlusive polyethylene wrap resulted in higher admission temperatures for infants less than 27 weeks gestation. There was no statistically significant improvement in admission temperatures for 27-29 week infants. The rate of hypothermia on admission was lower in the intervention group, but more infants recorded temperatures exceeding 37.2 degrees C during the first 12 hours. There were no other adverse...
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...DATA COLLECTION The purpose of the study is to define the gestational age as term or preterm depending on gestational week, as determined by the last menstrual period and ultrasound. The statistical information were gathered from medical records of a clinic, it is uncertain the determination of gestational age through ultrasound was indicated and who measured date or obtained medical record report, it is very pertinent to know who obtained the data report and its preciseness and correctness of information is important. QUANTATIVE ANALYSIS Ickovics et al 2003 utilize both descriptive and inferential statistics to scrutinize the data, the reason for the study was to evaluate the difference among the two groups, for the inferential statistics the McNemar test was used, which was suitable for the degree of enquiry due to the matched group, the Cohort design was also implemented as they intended to quantify between groups. Also as relates to the variables outcome. (Polit & Beck 2008). The paired T test was also proper for the study due to the fact its purpose is to test the differences among the two groups that are either paired or matched on the essence of the characteristics. The F test was also implemented, it occurs as the test used when apply multiple linear regression as this F statistics has been utilized while stipulating the influence between birth weight and preterm delivery (p1054). The purpose of linear regression is to describe the amount of the outcome variable...
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...depression can be precipitated by a traumatic event, a person with depression will often not be able to explain their feelings and might seem to have a lack of motivation, inability to concentrate, suffer from insomnia, and have a loss of interest or joy in activities they once enjoyed. Treatment for depression is especially important in pregnancy. Woman who do not receive treatment may not get regular prenatal care, are at a higher risk for an increase in substance abuse, preterm delivery and low birth weight infant’s (Fleschler and Peskin, 2008). Non-pharmacological treatment of depression includes: exercise, yoga, relaxation techniques, and participation in support groups or cognitive behavioral therapy. When these options do not create improvement, the main treatment of choice is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). But the use of pharmacological treatment does not come without risks of its own. Through recent research and studies, the use of SSRI’s has shown a correlation to preterm birth and heart defects (Pedersen, Hendricksen, Vestergaard, Olsen, & Bech, 2009). Importance to Nursing...
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...The Effects of Maternal Substance Abuse on Infants Casey A. Burns Oklahoma City University The Effects of Maternal Substance Abuse on Infants Substance abuse is a topic that is encountered in our world everyday. Drinking and doing drugs are recreational activities that many people choose to participate in on a regular basis. What most people do not understand is that if you drink and do drugs while pregnant, then the fetus is essentially drinking and doing drugs as well. This is because the majority of anything the mother injests crosses the placental and hematoencephalic barrier with out being metabolised first which in turn affects, primarily, the central nervous system of the unborn fetus (Kassada, Marcon, Pagliarini, Rossi,...
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...With this information, it has been concluded that preterm born children are at a more increased risk of language acquisition delay than children born full term(Schirmer et al., 2006). With this knowledge SLPs can prepare to detect language impairments at a much younger age and provide intervention sooner to children who were born prematurely! Limitations of research...
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