Months Of Baby Research Articles

A formative study to inform mHealth based randomized controlled trial intervention to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices in Myanmar: incorporating qualitative study findings.

BackgroundUndernutrition is a major concern for Myanmar children with low exclusive breastfeeding rate (24%). A formative study was conducted to explore the perceptions and practices relating to exclusive breastfeeding, and barriers and facilitators to using mobile communications for exclusive breastfeeding counselling. The results inform the design of a randomized control trial to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices among Myanmar mothers.MethodsWe conducted twenty in-depth interviews with pregnant women and accompanying family members attending an antenatal clinic at the Central Women’s Hospital, Yangon, seven key-informant interviews and one focus group discussion with fifteen service providers such as nurses, doctors, managers and staff from the National Nutrition Centre, Department of Health, United Nations Children’s Fund International and National Non-Government Organizations and Ooredoo, a private mobile company.ResultsWidespread practices of feeding water, honey, infant formula and semi-solid food were reported to be existed in the community before the child reaches four months, mostly influenced by grandmothers from both sides. All couples knew breast milk was good for baby and intended to breastfeed, though limited understanding of the term exclusive breastfeeding was reported. Perception that breast milk alone was not sufficient to provide all nutrients needed for the first six months of baby’s life, mother had insufficient milk supply or breast problems, mother’s back to work and grandmothers’ influence emerged as barriers to breastfeed exclusively for six months. All women knew how to make basic phone calls, majority could read mobile text message in Burmese and possess mobile phones while a few of them shared phones with their husbands. All couples preferred to receive text messages 2–3 times per week in the evening. Institutional staff suggested messages to be simple, easily understandable and culturally appropriate. Perceived barriers included limited mobile network coverage, affordability of mobile handset and phone bills, literacy and community familiarity with text messages. All respondents welcomed the idea of planned intervention.ConclusionWe incorporated findings to develop messages and determine the modality, inclusion criteria and tailored with gestation and child age, to be delivered in the randomized controlled trial intervention.

What We Should Know For The Evaluation And Management Of Undescended Testis

Undescended testis or cryptorchidism is one of the most common diseases in pediatric urology field, it is a diseasethat is not fixed in the normal scrotal site. Most of testicles are in normal scrotal site but sometimes they can be foundanother area or cannot be found. The prevalence are 9.2-30.0% in preterm infant, 3.4-5.5% in live birth and 0.8% in 1year, it highly dependent on developmental stage of the fetus. If birth weight of neonate is lower than 2.5Kg, theprevalence will higher. Although testicles are not perceived by touch in physical examination in 20% of these, mostcase of undescended testicle is diagnosed by careful physical examination and corrected by surgery. The otherdiagnostic modalities of cryptorchidism are testicular sonography, testicular scan, angiography, and abdominalexploration. The causes of orchiopexy, is prevention of infertility and cancer, cosmetic aspects. The adequate age oforchiopexy is 6 months of baby.

An Assessment on Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices in Odisha, India

The World Health Organization recommends the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 months after birth. Breastfeeding, the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method that fulfills the infant’s needs for nutrition and growth and it also reduces child morbidity and mortality. Although breastfeeding is a common practice in India, several factors like some cultural beliefs and misconceptions etc. affect poor breast feeding practices. Most of the people do not properly understand the importance of the knowledge about breastfeeding how it should be given, the timings, duration, correct techniques and appropriate time of weaning mother’s milk. The study was taken up to assess the knowledge, attitude and actual practices of breastfeeding in the mothers of children less than 2 years of age who attended the Immunization clinic. This was a Observational (Cross-sectional) study at Immunization clinic of Hi-Tech Medical College &Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for 3 months period. 286 mothers who visited the immunization clinic whose children were less than 2 years of age were part of the cohort. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire were used to interview the mothers. The data were analyzed in percentile. Knowledge of initiation of breastfeeding within half an hour to one hour of birth was there in 52.78% mothers And 40% had an idea about the importance of colostrum. The meaning of Exclusive breastfeeding was known to 34.97% while almost 48% mothers initiated breastfeeding within half an hour of birth, 75% fed colostrum to their newborns, 61% were practicing exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months and 90% were practicing night feeds. Inappropriate attachment and positioning was observed in 55% of mothers. Only 15% started weaning (supplementary feeding) after 6 months of baby’s age. To give prelacteal feeds, non initiation of breastfeeding soon after birth, giving supplementary foods (Weaning) earlier and avoid exclusive breastfeeding are some of the cultural practices still prevalent in many areas and societies. The study showed that the mothers lacked knowledge regarding breastfeeding practices which could be imparted early during antenatal visits to the mothers and their spouses for support, sensitizing the health care givers and improving infrastructure for a successful breastfeeding initiation.

Study of Maternal Knowledge and Attitude toward Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding (BMF) in the First 6 Months of Infant in Yazd-Iran

Introduction: Breast milk is a complete food for growing children until 6 months of age, and mothers, as the most important child health care, play a decisive role in their growth. So promoting their attitude toward the benefits of breastfeeding ensures guarantee child health in the future. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge and attitude of Mashhad toward exclusive Breast Milk Feeding (BMF)in the first 6 months of infant life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 190 mothers who referring to Yazd health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24 month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic tests and using SPSS 11.5. Results: Mean score of maternal attitude toward exclusive BMF was 10.14±2.00 (out of 14) and maternal knowledge score toward advantages of breast milk was 10.12±2.015 (out of 14). The incidence of exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of life study was 72.9%. Child growth was as follows: excellent growth (24.5%) and good growth (55.3%). ANOVA showed a significant difference between parents' education and maternal attitude and maternal knowledge towards exclusive BMF; whatever higher education of parents, more positive knowledge and attitude towards exclusive BMF (P<0.05). There was a significant direct relationship between knowledge and attitude (Spearman test, P-value= 0.000& r= 0.4). Conclusion: Maternal knowledge and attitude towards exclusive BMF was moderate. It is essential to plan for mothers by officials in order to promote breast-feeding in the first 6 months of baby's life to enhance positive maternal attitude in this regard.

English

BACKGROUND: Breast feeding is almost universal, but there are many barriers for proper breast feeding practices. Despite the well-recognized importance of exclusive breast feeding (EBF), this practice is not widespread in the developing countries like India. This is mainly due to lack of understanding and poor adherence of mothers to EBF practices for the first 6 months postpartum. Also, the knowledge and practices of early breast feeding are suboptimal among mothers. OBJECTIVE: To know knowledge, attitude and practices of nourishing rural mothers about breast feeding and their association with demographic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study, performed in M.G.M.M.C. & L.S.K Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar, between December-2013 to January-2014. A total of 129 nourishing mothers of children between 0-2 years of age were selected. Breast feeding knowledge of the mothers was evaluated by giving them a printed structured questionnaire containing different types of questions regarding breast feeding. RESULT: Among 129 nourishing mothers, 100% knew that mother’s milk is the best food for the baby. 71.3% of the mothers were having knowledge that breast feeding should be started within 1⁄2 hr. of birth. 86.8% of the mothers were having knowledge that EBF should be given upto 6 months. CONCLUSION: This study showed a lack of understanding of the importance of breast feeding and poor adherence to EBF for the first 6 months of baby’s life. A lot of gap is present between literate and illiterate mothers in breast feeding practices, which need to be changed.

Maternal Knowledge and Attitude toward Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding (BMF) in the First 6 Months of Infant Life in Mashhad

Introduction: Breast milk is a complete food for growing children until 6 months of age, and mothers, as the most important child health care, play a decisive role in their growth. So promoting their attitude toward the benefits of breastfeeding ensures guarantee child health in the future. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge and attitude of Mashhad toward exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of infant life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 126 mothers who referring to Mashhad health-care centers for monitoring their 6-24 month year old infants. They completed questionnaire. Participants were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive- analytic tests and using SPSS 11.5. Results: Mean score of maternal attitude toward exclusive BMF was 14.32±5.28 (out of 28) and maternal knowledge score toward advantages of breast milk was 19.59±4.80 (out of 28). The incidence of exclusive BMF in the first 6 months of life study was 73.8%. Child growth was as follows: excellent growth (5.6%) and good growth (42.1%). ANOVA showed a significant difference between parents' education and maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF; whatever higher education of parents, more positive maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF (P<0.05). There was a significant direct relationship between knowledge and attitude (Spearman test, P-value= 0.000& r= 0.4). Conclusion: Maternal attitude towards exclusive BMF was moderate. It is essential to plan for mothers by officials in order to promote breast-feeding in the first 6 months of baby's life to enhance positive maternal attitude in this regard.

PP.73 Health Promotion of the Pregnant: Analysis of Some Intervening Variables

BackgroundThe deficit in preparing women for motherhood is responsible for a higher incidence of complications in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, as well as lower prevalence of breastfeeding until 6 months...

FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN KUNJUNGAN K4 DALAM PELAYANAN ANTENATAL DI KELURAHAN RAWANG BARAT PADANG

Aternal, mortality rate in Indonesia was 470 per 100.000 life birth in 2004. Public Health Centre (PHC) Rawang Barat is the only one of all PHC in Padang City that has under target reached of the fourth examination of pregnancy with 77,2%. One intervention to decrease the maternal mortality is to have antenatal care at least once in first and second trimester and twice in third trimester during of any pregnancy's period. This research is to get some factors related to the fourth antenatal care of pregnancy. The research design is across sectional study, done at Rawang Barat in September 2008 up to April 2009. Population in this research are all mothers with 0-6 months of baby with amount 67 babies: The research has univariate and bivariate analysis with chi-square test. The research results are 20,9% mothers with non-complete fourth antenatal care, 29,9% mothers with highly pregnant risk, 38,8% mothers with afar residence from integrated health services unit (Posyandu), and 44,8% mother with lower education. Bivariate analysis get no significant correlation between age, distance to Posyandu and the fourth antenatal care, meanwhile it get significant correlation between knowledge and the fourth antenatal care. Intensive Health Education is needed to increase amount of antenatal care, especially the fourth antenatal care.

Inclusion of Fathers in an Intervention to Promote Breastfeeding: Impact on Breastfeeding Rates

This controlled clinical trial, conducted in southern Brazil, assessed the impact of paternal inclusion in a breastfeeding education program carried out in a maternity hospital. Rates of breastfeeding in the first 6 months of babies' lives were measured in 586 families: 201 in the control group, 192 in the group with only mothers exposed to the intervention, and 193 in the group with mothers and fathers exposed to the intervention. Paternal inclusion significantly increased the rates of exclusive breastfeeding but not the rates of any breastfeeding. Intervention with fathers with less than 8 years of schooling resulted in a decrease in the rate of breastfeeding when compared with the intervention with mothers only. The likelihood of success might have been greater if the cultural and behavioral complexities associated with this practice had received more attention.

Infant Feeding Patterns in the First 6 Months: An Assessment in Full‐term Infants

The infant formula market has grown significantly and offers a wide range of products for the different stages of healthy infant growth. Healthy infants often go through a series of unnecessary changes of formulas. The present study aimed to identify the factors leading to switches to alternative formulas. We studied the feeding patterns in the first 6 months of babies born at term, particularly changes in infant formulas. We also investigated the reasons for choosing the first formula, infant formula changes, the addition of formulas to supplement breast-feeding, and various aspects related to formula thickening. Two hundred parents of babies ages 6 to 18 months were interviewed. The interviews included a detailed questionnaire and were conducted in child and maternal health care centers. Forty-seven percent of these infants underwent changes in their formula in the first 6 months of life, most of which (67%) were to another cow's milk-based formula. The main reasons for switching a formula were regurgitation or vomiting (24%) followed by restlessness (18%). Lower z scores at birth and a higher Deltaz2 (z score at the time of the questionnaire minus z score at birth) were associated with significantly more formula changes. The impact of pediatricians and other health care professionals on the choice of infant nutrition was surprisingly negligible. The most common reason for switching a formula was concern regarding common infantile symptoms or behavior patterns perceived by parents to be related to formula intolerance. The decision to switch formula was usually made by the parents without consulting a health professional.

Avaliação do repertório comportamental de bebês nos quatro primeiros meses de vida: uma proposta de análise

O presente projeto avaliou o desenvolvimento de 40 bebês, utilizando o Inventário Portage Operacionalizado (IPO), durante os primeiros quatro meses de vida. Neste período foi avaliada a ocorrência, a cada mês, de 45 comportamentos, previstos no protocolo de Estimulação Infantil. Esta avaliação pretendeu identificar diferenças de freqüência destes comportamentos a cada mês. As avaliações mensais ocorreram em data próximo ao aniversário de mês de cada bebê, em agendamento prévio. Os bebês eram oriundos de uma maternidade que atende, prioritariamente, usuárias do SUS. Os critérios de análise foram: condições de estabilização (ocorrência para mais de 75% da amostra), normalização (de 25% a 75% da amostra) e aparecimento (menos de 25% dos bebês) a cada mês. Os resultados obtidos apontaram para a existência de comportamentos típicos (estabilizados) e prováveis (normalizados) para cada mês. No primeiro mês, os bebês apresentaram 25% (estabilização) dos 45 comportamentos avaliados. Do restante deles, os bebês apresentaram 26% no segundo mês. No terceiro mês, dos comportamentos que não estavam ainda estabilizados os bebês apresentaram 36% e, no quarto mês apresentaram 44% dos que restaram. Tais resultados permitem concluir que um número menor de comportamentos avaliados facilitaria sobremaneira o processo de avaliação de bebês e orientação de pais, resultando em economia de tempo e desgaste emocional dos cuidadores e aplicadores. Estudos conduzidos com populações maiores poderão validar estes resultados.

Longitudinal Study of the Fundamental Frequency of Hunger Cries Along the First 6 Months of Healthy Babies

Potentially rich in information, the baby's cry has motivated several researches along the years. Although most of these studies have generated important knowledge about the baby's cry, they were focused on the neonatal period. The few longitudinal studies on changes in the acoustical features of the cry over the baby's growth have been done with a small sample and a large recording interval. Aiming to overcome such methodological limitations, this work investigated hunger cries using a more representative sample size (30 babies) and time resolution (biweekly intervals) from birth to 6 months of baby's age. The findings indicate that the fundamental frequency (f0) of the cry signals did vary more than previously reported in the literature. The results showed a widespread oscillatory behavior in f0 evolution along all the 6 months with an especially significant decrease from birth to the 15th day of life. The present results are not clinically applicable yet, but they pointed some novel aspects of the f0 mean values along the baby's growth. These findings and further longitudinal studies can help standardize age-related cry parameters, which are essential for medical and language development researches.

Lactancia materna: ¿puede el personal sanitario influir positivamente en su duración?

Mother's milk is the ideal meal for the baby during the first six months of life. A good health education (before and after birth) helps to prolong breastfeeding (BF). To know the prevalence of BF among a group of women and to study the relationship with health education. Observational and analytic study. Dr. Pujol i Capsada Primary Health Center (El Prat de Llobregat); Casagemes CAD's afterbirth group in Badalona, and Alba Lactancia Women's group. SUBJECTS OF THE STUDY: 135 women with babies born between the 1st of March 2002 and the 28th of February 2003. Mother's motivation for breast-feeding and the type of information she has got were evaluated. Breast-feeding period was measured from the second month of baby's life by means of a survey passed by nursing staff. The average BF period was of 160 days, 22% breastfed their babies for less than a week, and 14% between a week and a month. The main variables in relation with the increase of BF are: to want to breast-feed (P=.05); mother sleeping with the baby (P=.03); to receive assistance from nursing staff while in hospital (P=.01); not to receive additional meals in hospital (P=.02); no problems during the first month of life (P<.0001); to receive information from health center (P=.009). If the first contact mother-baby (bringing the baby close to the breast) lasts more than 30 minutes 51% give up BF before the first month; but if the first contact is before of 30 minutes only give up 20.8% (P=.002). The prevalence of BF increases among the women that got health education and support from the health professionals.

Intrapartum and neonatal single-dose nevirapine compared with zidovudine for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in Kampala, Uganda: 18-month follow-up of the HIVNET 012 randomised trial

In 1999, we reported safety and efficacy data for short-course nevirapine from a Ugandan perinatal HIV-1 prevention trial when 496 babies were followed up to age 14-16 weeks. Safety and efficacy data are now presented for all babies followed up to 18 months of age. From November, 1997, to April, 1999, HIV-1 infected pregnant women in Kampala, Uganda, were randomly assigned nevirapine (200 mg at labour onset and 2mg/kg for babies within 72 h of birth; regimen A) or zidovudine (600 mg orally at labour onset and 300 mg every 3 h until delivery, and 4 mg/kg orally twice daily for babies for 7 days, regimenB). Infant HIV-1 testing was done at birth, age 6-8 and 14-16 weeks, and age 12 months by HIV-1 RNA PCR, and by HIV-1 antibody at 18 months. HIV-1 transmission and HIV-1-free survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. We recorded adverse experiences through 6-8 weeks postpartum for mothers, and 18 months for babies. Efficacy analyses were by intention to treat. We enrolled 645 mothers to the study: 313 were assigned regimen A, 313 regimen B, and 19 placebo. Eight mothers were lost to follow-up before delivery. 99% of babies were breastfed (median duration 9 months). Estimated risks of HIV-1 transmission in the zidovudine and nevirapine groups were 10.3% and 8.1% at birth (p=0.35); 20.0% and 11.8% by age 6-8 weeks (p=0.0063); 22.1% and 13.5% by age 14-16 weeks (p=0.0064); and 25.8% and 15.7% by age 18 months (p=0.0023). Nevirapine was associated with a 41% (95% CI 16-59) reduction in relative risk of transmission through to age 18 months. Both regimens were well-tolerated with few serious side-effects. Intrapartum/neonatal nevirapine significantly lowered HIV-1 transmission risk in a breastfeeding population in Uganda compared with a short intrapartum/neonatal zidovudine regimen. The absolute 8.2% reduction in transmission at 6-8 weeks was sustained at age 18 months (10.1% [95% CI 3.5-16.6]). This simple, inexpensive, well-tolerated regimen has the potential to significantly decrease HIV-1 perinatal transmission in less-developed countries.

Social Determinants of Initiation, Duration and Exclusivity of Breastfeeding at the Population Level

According to Canadian public health recommendations, newborns should be fed exclusively with breast milk during their first 4 to 6 months of life. The aim of this paper is to identify the main social determinants of initiation, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding from birth to 4 months, at the population level. The results will help the development of public health interventions aimed at improving the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 4 to 6 months of babies' life. The analyses were performed with the data of the Longitudinal Study of Child Development in Quebec (ELDEQ 1998-2002). The study follows a representative sample (n = 2,223) of the children born in 1998 in the province of Quebec, in Canada. The relations between breastfeeding (all and exclusive) and mothers' education level, annual family income, family type, parents' working situation and mothers' age group have been evaluated by crude and adjusted odds ratios. Multivariate analyses were used to identify the most influential factors. In 1998, nearly three quarters (72%) of the Quebec newborns were breastfed at birth. When they reached 4 months, only 6% of the Quebec children were exclusively breastfed, thus following public health recommendations. Mothers' education level remains the strongest factor of influence on breastfeeding from birth to 3 months, and its impact increases with baby's age. At 4 months, it is also the most important factor for all breastfeeding, but mothers' age is more important for exclusive breastfeeding. When all the studied factors are considered equal for all children, being breastfed in accordance with public health recommendations, which refers to exclusive breasfeeding for at least 4 months, is mainly influenced by mothers' age, followed by mothers' education level. Family income, family type and parents' working situation do not influence exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months. It should be noted that when considering all breastfed children, if mothers' age and education level are equal, annual family income shows a negative relationship with breastfeeding at any of the studied ages. This negative relationship is also observed at 2 months for exclusive breastfeeding (dollar 40,000-dollar 59,999). From a public health perspective, it is important that newborns be breastfed at birth and exclusively breastfed during their first 4 to 6 months of life. The analysis indicates that once the decision to breastfeed is made, different social factors influence the duration of breastfeeding and its exclusivity. Public policy targets are necessary to evaluate whether the situation is improving from one year to another and whether disparities are increasing or decreasing for newborns accumulating the impact of material and social deprivation early in life.

Mother to child transmission of hepatitis C virus: prospective study of risk factors and timing of infection in children born to women seronegative for HIV-1

Objective: To determine the risk factors for and timing of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus in women who are not infected with HIV-1.Design: Follow up for a median of...

Neonatal neurological examination as a predictor of neuromotor outcome at 4 months in term low-Apgar-score babies in Zimbabwe

The predictive value of the neonatal neurological examination (NNE) adapted from Prechtl, was investigated in 139 term Zimbabwean infants born with an Apgar score of five or less at 5 min. At 4 months, seven infants had died and 13 were lost to follow-up, leaving 119 infants to undergo the Infant Motor Screen (IMS). Eighty-eight infants were diagnosed as normal, six as suspect and 25 as abnormal at screening. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the NNE were 94%, 55%, 42% and 96%, respectively. Seventeen (14%) infants had developed microcephaly at 4 months and 13 (77%) of them scored abnormal on the IMS. Twenty-three of the 48 (48%) infants who had convulsions within 48 h of birth, were diagnosed as abnormal (P < 0.0001). The NNE proved to be very sensitive in detecting neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the neonatal period and the five abnormal syndromes derived from the NNE were able to correctly identify 94% of the abnormal infants.

182-PA12 Tuberculosis — an emergency health problem in Europe

In 1999, we reported safety and efficacy data for short-course nevirapine from a Ugandan perinatal HIV-1 prevention trial when 496 babies were followed up to age 14–16 weeks. Safety and efficacy data are now presented for all babies followed up to 18 months of age.From November, 1997, to April, 1999, HIV-1 infected pregnant women in Kampala, Uganda, were randomly assigned nevirapine (200 mg at labour onset and 2 mg/kg for babies within 72 h of birth; regimen A) or zidovudine (600 mg orally at labour onset and 300 mg every 3 h until delivery, and 4 mg/kg orally twice daily for babies for 7 days, regimen B). Infant HIV-1 testing was done at birth, age 6–8 and 14–16 weeks, and age 12 months by HIV-1 RNA PCR, and by HIV-1 antibody at 18 months. HIV-1 transmission and HIV-1-free survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. We recorded adverse experiences through 6–8 weeks postpartum for mothers, and 18 months for babies. Efficacy analyses were by intention to treat.We enrolled 645 mothers to the study: 313 were assigned regimen A, 313 regimen B, and 19 placebo. Eight mothers were lost to follow-up before delivery. 99% of babies were breastfed (median duration 9 months). Estimated risks of HIV-1 transmission in the zidovudine and nevirapine groups were 10·3% and 8·1% at birth (p=0·35); 20·0% and 11·8% by age 6–8 weeks (p=0·0063); 22·1% and 13·5% by age 14–16 weeks (p=0·0064); and 25·8% and 15·7% by age 18 months (p=0·0023). Nevirapine was associated with a 41% (95% CI 16–59) reduction in relative risk of transmission through to age 18 months. Both regimens were well-tolerated with few serious side-effects.Intrapartum/neonatal nevirapine significantly lowered HIV-1 transmission risk in a breastfeeding population in Uganda compared with a short intrapartum/neonatal zidovudine regimen. The absolute 8·2% reduction in transmission at 6–8 weeks was sustained at age 18 months (10·1% [95% CI 3·5–16·6]). This simple, inexpensive, well-tolerated regimen has the potential to significantly decrease HIV-1 perinatal transmission in less-developed countries.

The influence of maternal factors on the outcome at 18 months of babies born at 23 to 28 weeks gestation: [formula omitted]x, A. Skoll, F. Lefebvre x, J. Gloriaux x. Depts of Ob/Gyn and Peds, Ste-Justine Hospital, U. of Montreal, Montreal

The influence of maternal factors on the outcome at 18 months of babies born at 23 to 28 weeks gestation: [formula omitted]x, A. Skoll, F. Lefebvre x, J. Gloriaux x. Depts of Ob/Gyn and Peds, Ste-Justine Hospital, U. of Montreal, Montreal

Implementation of government recommendations for immunising infants at risk of hepatitis B.

Babies born to mothers positive for hepatitis B e antigen have an 80% risk of perinatal infection and a 40% risk of death from hepatitis B associated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in later life; babies born to mothers who are positive for hepatitis e antibody are at much lower risk. The Department of Health recommends vaccination at birth and at the ages of 1 month and 6 months for babies born to infected mothers. Babies at high risk should also receive hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 12 hours of birth.1 In 1992 we became concerned that these recommendations were not being carried out reliably in north Manchester. We therefore instituted a new protocol and audited the results. We produced a neonatal pack for hepatitis B vaccination for attachment to the notes of pregnant women …