Brain scans of preterm babies could reveal best feeding plan

Brain scans of days-old premature babies could help researches determine the best feeding style for brain development, lowering the babies' risk of learning difficulties.

AAP: Gastroesophageal reflux in preterm infants normal, resolves with age

Gastroesophageal reflux, a common and normal condition among preterm neonates, should be diagnosed using signs of the condition such as feeding intolerance and irritability, and treated without the use of pharmacologic agents, according to a clinical report issued by the AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn.

Research shows programmed postnatal transition in newborn's heart

In the fetus, the blood vessel known as the ductus arteriosus or ductus Botalli bypasses blood from the lung artery to the aorta. A MedUni Vienna research group has now shown that this blood vessel remains open during the first few days of life to increase the pumping force of the left ventricle (which is less challenged before birth). This vessel then closes, having achieved its purpose.

CDC: Preterm births increased in US during 2014-2016

"The latest provisional information from the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Release program shows a continuing increase in total and late preterm birth rates and a stable early preterm birth rate for all births through 2017," the authors write.

New Blood Test Could Predict Preterm Labor 2 Months Before It Happens

Two newly developed blood tests may help moms-to-be accurately answer this ever-popular question: When is your baby due?

Infant pain-reduction focus of study in preterm baby eye exams

Not surprisingly, many studies have been done on ways to reduce a preterm (under 37 weeks) baby's discomfort during these exams. But while searching for a doctoral study topic, Disher realized nobody had ever done a comparative review of those studies to clearly determine which approach was the most effective.

Can Probiotics Prevent Deadly Infections in Preemies?

Scientists have yet to get a handle on the precise sequence of events that leads to NEC, but bacteria seem to play a key role.

The Ethics of Upcoding: Does Illegality Matter?

Because birth weight can give us a peek into the future, physicians use it to help figure out which newborns may benefit from a little extra attention.