#neonatal

[reasonsforhope]

Article

The number of children dying under five years of age declined by two thirds over the past two decades in Southern Asia, according to new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Division and the World Bank Group. Southern Asia includes nine countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The report reveals that the number of child deaths under 5 years of age decreased from 5 million in 1990 to 1.3 million in 2022.  The report also shows that Southern Asia’s under five mortality rate, or the probability that a child would die before five years of age, reduced by 72 per cent since 1990, and 62 per cent since 2000.

“We have made heartening progress to save millions of children’s lives since 1990.  These aren’t just numbers on a page – these are children’s lives saved, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. This success is largely due to investments in trained health workers, improvements in newborn care, treatment of childhood illnesses and vaccinations for children against deadly diseases,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for Southern Asia. “This progress shows us that change is possible. These lives saved are testament to the engagement and will of governments, local organizations, health care professionals such as skilled birth attendants, parents, and families to save the most vulnerable children.” ...

Despite this progress, however, much more needs to be done...

The report also reveals that progress among countries is uneven. Three countries (Iran, Sri Lanka and Maldives) have achieved the SDG 2030 target for under five child mortality reduction and four are on track to meet the target (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal). For example, Bangladesh’s neonatal mortality rate decreased from 66 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990, to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022.

However, in Pakistan and Afghanistan, urgent action is required to accelerate their annual rates of reduction substantially to meet 2030 targets...

“We call on governments across the region to invest in simple solutions such as having trained birth attendants at every birth, ensuring that all newborns have essential care, better care of small and sick newborn babies, medicines, clean water, electricity, and vaccines to save lives. Every child has the right to healthcare.”

-via UNICEF, March 14, 2024

[panoramaofhell]

Oatchi is revving her engine.

[broadlyepi]

Respiratory distress in SARS-CoV-2 exposed uninfected neonates followed in the COVID Outcomes in Mother-Infant Pairs (COMP) Study

Top 5 Takeaways

High Rates of Respiratory Distress in Exposed Uninfected Neonates: The study found unusually high rates (17%) of respiratory distress (RD) in SARS-CoV-2 exposed uninfected (SEU) term neonates.

Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination Reduces Neonatal RD: Maternal vaccination against COVID-19 significantly reduced the frequency of neonatal RD, with a 67% decline in the odds of RD in neonates born to vaccinated mothers compared to those born to unvaccinated mothers.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Inflammatory Response: Proteomic analysis indicated a robust inflammatory response in SEU neonates with RD, involving pathways like ciliary dysregulation and enhanced IgE production.

Demographic and Clinical Factors: The study enrolled 221 pregnant persons with COVID-19 and 227 exposed fetuses. It highlighted the correlation of RD with factors like maternal disease severity, prematurity, and the absence of maternal COVID-19 immunization.

Th2-Skewed Immune Response in SEU Neonates: SEU preterm infants with RD showed a Th2-skewed immune response, indicated by elevated levels of certain cytokines and the inhibition of FC gamma receptors.

Original Article Author and Citation

Olivia M. Man, Tamiris Azamor, Mary Catherine Cambou, Trevon L. Fuller, Tara Kerin, Sophia G. Paiola, Jessica S. Cranston, Thalia Mok, Rashmi Rao, Weiqiang Chen, Jae U. Jung, Viviana Fajardo Martinez, Suan-Sin Foo, Karin Nielsen-Saines

Suggested Citation

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44549-5

Summary

The study aimed to understand the impact of prenatal COVID-19 exposure on neonatal respiratory distress (RD). A high incidence of RD was observed in SEU neonates, and maternal vaccination notably reduced this risk. Proteomic analysis suggested a strong inflammatory response in these neonates.

Methods

The research employed a longitudinal cohort study approach, enrolling mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their exposed fetuses. Various demographic, clinical, and proteomic analyses were used to understand the complex relationship between maternal COVID-19 parameters and infant RD.

Discussion

The findings highlight the protective role of maternal COVID-19 vaccination in reducing neonatal RD. The study also revealed a Th2-skewed immune response in SEU neonates with RD, suggesting potential long-term implications, including the development of allergic processes and pulmonary fibrosis.

Conclusion

Maternal vaccination against COVID-19 significantly decreases the risk of neonatal RD in SEU infants. The study underscores the importance of maternal vaccination for reducing neonatal morbidity and improving long-term infant health.

[fivay774]

Greater Los Angeles wildfires

The Greater Los Angeles area has long been susceptible to wildfires, a phenomenon that has become an annual fixture due to the region’s Mediterranean climate, dry brush, and strong seasonal winds. Wildfires in this area, often referred to as "LA fires," are both a natural and devastating occurrence, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, residents, and emergency responders.

Severity and Frequency: Wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles region have increased in both frequency and intensity over recent years, exacerbated by climate change, drought, and urban sprawl. The 2018 Woolsey Fire and the 2020 Bobcat Fire are among the most significant examples of recent devastation. These fires, along with others like the 2007 Griffith Park Fire and 2014 San Fernando Valley Fires, have ravaged large swathes of land, destroying homes, forcing thousands of people to evacuate, and disrupting daily life.

The impact is not limited to the physical destruction of homes and infrastructure; the loss of natural habitats and wildlife is equally tragic. Forests, chaparral, and other ecosystems that rely on periodic fires for regeneration are devastated, and animals are displaced or perish. Smoke pollution is also a major concern, affecting air quality across the region and even spreading to neighboring states.

Preparedness and Response: One of the strengths of the Los Angeles area when it comes to wildfire management is the rapid and coordinated response of local agencies, particularly the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Cal Fire, and other regional firefighting units. These agencies are equipped with the latest technology, including fire-retardant planes, helicopters, and ground crews, to combat wildfires. However, despite their best efforts, the sheer scale and unpredictable nature of these fires often result in overwhelming situations, especially when fires spread quickly due to high winds or difficult terrain.

Evacuation plans, public alerts, and community preparedness programs are crucial in mitigating the impact of wildfires. Unfortunately, some neighborhoods in wildfire-prone areas are still underprepared, which can lead to tragic outcomes. The public's awareness of fire dangers has improved over the years, but ongoing education remains necessary to minimize risks and casualties.

Environmental Consequences: Beyond the immediate destruction caused by wildfires, the environmental aftermath is long-lasting. While fire can play a natural role in certain ecosystems by clearing out dead vegetation, the intensity and frequency of these fires have outpaced nature's ability to recover. Wildfires in urban-adjacent areas are particularly harmful because of their impact on water supplies, air quality, and local wildlife, many of which struggle to adapt to the increasingly volatile environment.

The rebuilding process is not only financially costly but also environmentally taxing, as there is often a need to balance restoration with sustainability. There’s also the added issue of the loss of carbon sequestration capacity in areas that burn, which further contributes to the cycle of climate change.

Conclusion: Wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles area are a constant and evolving challenge. While the region is well-equipped to handle these events, the frequency and scale of these disasters continue to test the limits of preparedness, response, and recovery. As climate change intensifies, it’s crucial that both residents and authorities adapt to new methods of fire management, land use, and ecological restoration.

As it stands, the wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles area serve as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between human development and nature. The beauty and appeal of the LA area are inextricably linked to the wild landscapes that surround it, but so too is the ever-present risk of fire. Until there is a significant shift in both environmental policy and urban planning, these wildfires will remain a defining aspect of life in Los Angeles.

[drsonnet]

"...medical teams refused to leave the hospitals, staying behind to take care of patients in ICUs and NICUS who could not move without dying. This includes 48 premature babies whose incubators and respirators have since failed."

"... رفضت الفرق الطبية مغادرة المستشفيات، وبقيت هناك لرعاية المرضى في وحدات العناية المركزةICUs ورعاية الخدج NICUs الذين سيتسبب نقلهم بوفاتهم. ويشمل ذلك 48 طفلاً خديجًا تعطلت حاضناتهم وأجهزة التنفس الصناعي منذ ذلك الحين."

@LatuffCartoons #غزة #Gaza #MedTwitter

[doctxrdoctxr]

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[crazycrochetcatlady]

Oh, Archie! What a beautiful model for these quick neonate sweaters I whipped up in a hurry to keep this baby warm.

[irishprematurebabies]

https://www.hippocraticpost.com/australasia/stillborn-and-preterm-statistics-for-covid-19-first-wave/ Interesting research. The research of 52 million births from 26 countries, published in Nature Human Behavior, reported a 3-4 per cent reduction overall in preterm births, averting almost 50,000 preterm pregnancies during the first month of lockdown alone. But the decrease in preterm births was limited to only high-income countries including Australia. The International Perinatal Outcomes in the Pandemic (iPOP) Study, one of the largest such studies of its kind, involved 167 collaborators across 42 countries. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute co-led the project alongside The Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, The University of Edinburgh and UNSW Sydney. #preemiefamily #preterm #prematurebabiesawareness #neonatolgy #neonatal #prematurity #earlybaby #earlybabies #premature #research #nicuparents #nann #NICU https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpvrxnaqzb2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=