December is AIDS Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, educate, and take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.1 For women living with HIV, the possibility of transmitting the virus to their baby can be a concern. But there is good news: with the right steps, the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) can be reduced […]
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it can come with its share of challenges. One common concern during pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is the most common metabolic disease & affects at least 14.7% of pregnancies globally.1 In the United States, approximately 3% to 8% of all pregnancies are diagnosed with GDM.2 What […]
Bone health starts before birth! A baby’s bones start forming in the womb, relying on maternal nutrition and overall health for proper development. For preterm babies, this process is disrupted, increasing the risk of metabolic bone disease (MBD) or osteopenia. These are conditions that lead to weaker bones, a higher risk of fractures, and slower […]
Preterm labor is when regular contractions cause the cervix to open for birth too early—before 37 weeks of pregnancy.1 A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, so babies born early are called preemies. These bundles of joy may face health challenges and often need special care in the NICU. Understanding the signs of preterm labor […]
What is GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when a baby’s stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food to the stomach.1 This is called reflux, and it’s normal for babies to have 2-3 episodes of reflux each hour.2 A little reflux is normal, but when it causes pain, feeding […]
Summer is expected to bring record-breaking heat, keeping your preterm baby cool and safe is more important than ever. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), due to the global temperature rising extreme heat events will become more frequent and severe.1 This will pose serious health risks—especially for vulnerable populations like your preterm infant! Preterm […]
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is an eye condition that affects premature babies, especially those who are born before 30 weeks or whose birth weight was less than 3 pounds. ROP occurs when the blood vessels in the retina (the part of the eye that senses light) don’t develop properly. While mild cases can improve on […]
What is Adjusted Age? Premature babies are infants born before 37 weeks, which means they have less time to develop in the womb. To account for this, healthcare providers use “adjusted age” to assess a preemie’s growth and development. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from […]