In the Spotlight
Mitzi Go, MD - Oregon Health and Science University
District VIII Fellow Representative and Gene Lawyer Awardee for Clinical Excellence
Mitzi is currently a second year fellow of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, and a post-graduate student in their Masters of Clinical Research program. Born and raised in the Philippines, she was actively involved in youth leadership training while obtaining her bachelors degree in Biology at the University of the Philippines, Manila. Mitzi was a volunteer for medical and surgical missions around the country after obtaining her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas. She served as a third year chief resident prior to completing her Pediatrics residency with the Children's Hospital at Scott and White/Texas A&M University and is a recipient of their Gene Lawyer Award for Clinical Excellence. As a fellow in Neonatology, her research is focused on the effects of nicotine and maternal smoking on the fetus and neonate, as well as on the effects of antenatal steroids on pulmonary function in late preterm infants. She has also recently co-authored a commentary article for the WHO Reproductive Health Library.
32nd Annual Trainees Seminar on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics, with the support of a medical education grant from Abbott Nutrition, held its 32nd Annual Seminar at the Bishop's Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico from May 30 - June 2, 2009.
Presentations, photos and more! »Featured Articles
Chorioamnionitis
Brian Carter, MD, Vanderbilt UniversityThis excellent review article gives an update on what we know, and don't know, about both the clinical and pathologic (histologic) definitions and implications of chorioamnionitis. The authors review important infectious etiologies, inflammatory biomarkers, and genetic associations of this condition which is likely responsible for more than 70% of preterm births. Significant considerations of genetic predisposition-including racial disparity, inflammatory responses, host immunomodulation, and apoptosis of membrance cells-are referenced and provide insights into candidate pathophysiologic processes that must be understood in order to make headway in both preventing preterm birth and minimizing fetal harm.
Chorioamnionitis-A complex pathophysiologic syndrome »
Using a surgical fetal lamb preparation, these investigators introduced LPS into the fetal respiratory and gastrointestinal systems and evaluated the inflammatory responses engendered in a 2-7 day period. Measurements included inflammatory cells, cytokine mRNA (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8), mRNA for the acute phase raectant serum amyloid a(SAA), and TNF-alpha production of culture lung monocytes. This model clearly demonstrates a systemic fetal inflmmatory response, inducible alveolar macrophages, and modulated the function of monocytes. It appears from these studies that different organ systems (lung, gastrointestinal tract)respond to LPS in different manners, and the downstream ramifications for each (and for the yet unstudiend CNS) remain to be elucidated.
Modulation of fetal inflammatory response on exposure to lipopolysaccharide by chorioamnion, lung, or gut in sheep »in the news
20 Minutes with Neonatologist, David Adamkin, MD
University of Louisville neonatologist, David Adamkin, has dedicated his career to sick babies, particularly to low and very low birthweight babies, their nutritional needs, and strategies to help them grow and thrive. Kentucky ranks among the highest in the US for low birthweight babies, with about 9 percent of babies weighing less than 5 lbs 8 oz. The smaller a baby is, the greater his risk of neurodevelopmental problems. An expert in infant nutrition, Adamkin has found, through clinical experience and research, that aggressive feeding makes a difference for these babies, especially in the first 2 to 3 weeks after birth. He has outlined his feeding guidelines and strategies in the new book "Nutritional Strategies for the Very Low Birthweight Infant."
Read the full interview with David Adamkin, MD »March of Dimes' Symposium on Quality Improvement
to Prevent Prematurity
In October, 2009, this Symposium brought together a multidisciplinary group to discuss quality improvement as an essential component in the strategy to prevent prematurity, promote health, and save costs.The Symposium explored the state of quality initiatives to prevent preterm birth and developed an action agenda to decrease the rate of preterm births that are not inevitable or medically necessary.
Slides and audio of the Symposium provided by the Clinical Directors Network »National Association of Neonatal Nurses Issues Statement
on Human Milk and Breastfeeding
Mother's milk and breastfeeding are important aspects of optimal care of newborns, especially those who are born preterm or with other serious conditions. The unique nutritional and immunological benefits of human milk make it an integral component of care of infants in the newborn intensive care unit. NANN has issued a statement strongly supporting human milk and breastfeeding.
View the NANN statement»Section on Perinatal Pediatrics
The Section on Perinatal Pediatrics is the home organization for specialists in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and also welcomes affiliate members working in related disciplines. At a membership of nearly 3,500, the Section is the largest specialty group of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Section's highest priority is to ensure optimal health and well-being of babies and mothers and this is accomplished through the Section's core activities in the realms of advocacy, education, outreach and support of clinicians and researchers.
Trainees' Resources
NeoReviews Plus - Free!
All current trainees in Neonatology are eligible for a NeoReviews Plus subscription, compliments of Abbott Nutrition. Find out more »
