In the spotlight
Optimizing Bone Health for Preterm Infants
Preterm infants, especially those less than 27 weeks gestation and/or <1000g at birth, are at risk for developing rickets. The AAP recently released a clinical report from the Committee on Nutrition providing healthcare providers with recommendations regarding supplementation of Calcium and Vitamin D in preterm infants. Recommendations for post-discharge care of these infants include:
- Measure serum APA 2 to 4 weeks after discharge in exclusively breastfed infants who were born at weights <1500 grams. Follow-up is recommended if the APA value is >800 IU/L and mineral supplementation should be provided if the value is >1000 IU/L.
- Supplement infants receiving fewer than 800mL of premature transitional formula daily with 200 to 400 IU/day of Vitamin D.
Featured
Planned Home Births
The Committee on Fetus and Newborn has released a statement for Pediatricians to help them provide “supportive, informed counsel” to women who choose to deliver their newborns at home. The AAP statement agrees with the ACOG statement but adds that every newborn deserves the same standard of care regardless of the location of birth. This care starts with a designated person at the delivery whose primary responsibility it is to monitor and care for the infant including providing resuscitation if needed. Subsequent care should follow the recommendations as per the Guidelines of Perinatal Care, including newborn screening, eye prophylaxis, Hepatitis B vaccination and screening for hyperbilirubinemia.
Read the guidelines from the AAP »
Guidelines for Perinatal Care »
in the news
Infant Deaths Associated with the Usage of Infant Sleep Positioners
The CDC reports that 13 infants in the past 13 years have died of suffocation as a result of Infant Sleep Positioners (ISPs). These ISPs are devices that allow an infant to sleep on his/her side, rather than the supine position recommend by the AAP. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers should remember to counsel families about “safe sleep” habits at home which include infants sleeping in their own bed, supine and without soft objects or loose bedding.
AAP Releases 2013 Immunization Schedule
The AAP has released the 2013 Immunization schedule for children and adolescents. New this year is the recommendation that adolescents and adults receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to help protect newborns from Pertussis. Pertussis has been implicated in severe illness, hospitalization and even death in newborns.
Raising Awareness: Late Preterm Birth and Non-Medically Indicated Introductions Prior to 39 Weeks
The National Child and Maternal Health Program offers an online educational module, Raising Awareness: Late Preterm Birth and Non-Medically Indicated Inductions Prior to 39 Weeks, that addresses the science behind medical recommendations to schedule elective deliveries on or after 39 weeks’ gestation.
Practice support
New resources are available. This is designed to help pediatricians deliver quality care and conduct an efficient, fiscally sound practice.
what does the section on perinatal pediatrics do?
The Section on Perinatal Pediatrics committees and working groups focus on perinatal health from many viewpoints.