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06/01/2005
Study reveals disability risk for premature babies
A new report has revealed that nearly half of all premature babies have a risk of developing a disability or learning difficulty.
The findings of the Epicure Study, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that 22% of extremely premature babies (those born before 26 weeks) who survived, suffered from a severe disability, including cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness, while another 24% had a moderate disability, such as learning difficulties. The study also revealed that boys were more likely to develop disabilities than girls – more than a third of extremely premature male babies, which was 2.4 times the number of girls.
The Epicure Study, began monitoring extremely premature babies born in the UK and Ireland in 1995. The study originally involved 1,200 babies born under 26 weeks, but only 314 survived – 241 babies were assessed in the latest round of tests.
Researchers who worked on the project could not explain what caused the disabilities, although adverse conditions in the womb has been suggested as a possible cause.
However, they believe that the results of the report will help parents understand the problems their children might have to deal with and they also hope that future research would look into why some children have disabilities while others do not.
(KMcA/SP)
The findings of the Epicure Study, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that 22% of extremely premature babies (those born before 26 weeks) who survived, suffered from a severe disability, including cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness, while another 24% had a moderate disability, such as learning difficulties. The study also revealed that boys were more likely to develop disabilities than girls – more than a third of extremely premature male babies, which was 2.4 times the number of girls.
The Epicure Study, began monitoring extremely premature babies born in the UK and Ireland in 1995. The study originally involved 1,200 babies born under 26 weeks, but only 314 survived – 241 babies were assessed in the latest round of tests.
Researchers who worked on the project could not explain what caused the disabilities, although adverse conditions in the womb has been suggested as a possible cause.
However, they believe that the results of the report will help parents understand the problems their children might have to deal with and they also hope that future research would look into why some children have disabilities while others do not.
(KMcA/SP)
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05 December 2012
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
27 September 2012
Two Premature Babies Die In Hospital After Bug Outbreak
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Two Premature Babies Die In Hospital After Bug Outbreak
Two premature babies have died at a Staffordshire hospital as a result of an infection. A third baby is still in isolation after the outbreak at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).
27 May 2014
Warning Over Increasing Numbers Of Blind Children
A warning has been launched by the charity Blind Children UK over the increasing number of blind or partially sighted children being born, thought to be the result of a rise in the survival rates of severely premature babies. The charity said that one in 20 premature babies surviving is likely to be born blind.
Warning Over Increasing Numbers Of Blind Children
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14 February 2008
Fatal Infection Closes Baby Ward
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Fatal Infection Closes Baby Ward
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27 March 2006
Row erupts over baby 'bed blockers' comments
A row has broken out after a report described the treatment of premature babies as 'bed blocking'. A report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists suggested that resources would be better used to treat babies born over 25 weeks with a better chance of survival, rather than those born under 25 weeks.
Row erupts over baby 'bed blockers' comments
A row has broken out after a report described the treatment of premature babies as 'bed blocking'. A report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists suggested that resources would be better used to treat babies born over 25 weeks with a better chance of survival, rather than those born under 25 weeks.
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