WHO urges quality care for women and newborns in critical first weeks after childbirth (WHO)

WHO HNN Team

This article was published by WHO. New recommendations stress urgency of both physical and mental health support in postnatal period GENEVA, 30th March 2022 The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its first ever global guidelines to support women and newborns in the postnatal period – the first six weeks after birth. This is a … Continued

The latest climate report includes a new focus on pregnant people. One of its authors explains why (The 19th)

The 19th HNN Team

This article was published by the 19th.  “Heat, air pollution and natural disasters all have been shown to impact maternal and fetal health. Climate and health expert Kristie Ebi says we can take more measures to protect those affected.” This article highlights a new section of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, April … Continued

Brazilian babies born with Zika virus syndrome at greater risk of death in first three years of life than those born without (LSHTM)

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) News Brazil HNN Team

This article was originally published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).  New study highlights urgent need for women of childbearing age to be protected from bites, and early intervention to improve babies’ chances of survival. Babies born with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), due to infection with the Zika virus during pregnancy, are … Continued

Latest child mortality estimates reveal world remains off track to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (WHO)

WHO News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  New report by the UN IGME reveals an urgent need to invest in strengthening data systems to track newborn and child health and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, two thirds of which have had no reliable mortality data in the past three years. The world remains … Continued

Why it’s so hard to treat pain in infants (National Geographic)

National Geographic HNN Team

This article was originally published by National Geographic.  BY SHARON GUYNUP PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 11, 2021 “For decades physicians believed that premature babies didn’t experience pain. Here’s what doctors know now – and the innovative solutions being embraced by today’s caregivers. Doctors once believed that infants—especially premature babies—did not feel pain, and if they did, they would … Continued

New global targets to prevent maternal deaths (WHO)

WHO News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  Access to a ‘continuum of care’ needed, before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Today the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNFPA launched five critical targets to help countries get back on track in reducing preventable maternal deaths, and for tracking progress against the Sustainable … Continued

International Women’s Health Organisations Recognise World Patient Safety Day

FIGO HNN Team

This statement was originally published by FIGO, International Federation of Genecology and Obstetrics. FIGO Joint Statement (English, French, Spanish) You can still sign on to this statement as an individual or organisation. Visit this page to make your commitment. Today, our organisations – which represent specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology around the world – come together to … Continued

Nearly one in five babies in Brazil born ‘small’ and at risk of early childhood death

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine News (website) Brazil HNN Team

This article was originally published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. New identification of small vulnerable newborns at higher risk of mortality could be a step towards preventing neonatal deaths. 18% of babies born in Brazil over seven years were born ‘small’ –  either preterm, small for gestational age (SGA) or with … Continued

COVID-19 pandemic leads to major backsliding on childhood vaccinations, new WHO, UNICEF data shows

World Health Organization (WHO) News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services in 2020, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019 15 July 2021 l News release l Geneva/New York l Reading time: 5 min (1353 words) 23 million children missed … Continued

Caesarean section rates continue to rise, amid growing inequalities in access: WHO

WHO News HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization.  Rising rates suggest increasing numbers of medically unnecessary, potentially harmful procedures According to new research from the World Health Organization (WHO), caesarean section use continues to rise globally, now accounting for more than 1 in 5 (21%) of all childbirths. This number is set to continue … Continued