New Techniques for Saving Preemie Babies

For babies born too early, several risks and complications exist. Even a few extra days or weeks of gestation can make a big difference. A baby born at 23 weeks of gestation has between a 10 and 35 percent chance of survival. At 25 weeks, the survival rate increases to between 50 and 80 percent. Premature babies risk life threatening infections, low birth weight and respiration difficulties. Several new techniques are being studied to help minimize the long- and short-term effects of these problems, many of which can greatly reduce difficulties for parents and their babies.

Cow's Milk Protein

• In an Italian study titled “Cow’s Milk Protein Could Help Save Preemies’ Lives” published in the October 2009 New England Journal of Medicine, a protein from cow’s milk was found to reduce the rate of blood infections in premature babies by about two-thirds. The study, conducted by Dr. Paolo Manzoni, a neonatologist at S. Anna Hospital in Torino, showed a correlation between daily doses of the milk protein lactoferrin administered during the first week of life can limit the incidence of sepsis, a life threatening condition where the bloodstream becomes overwhelmed by bacteria, in newborns that weigh less than 3.3 pounds. Preemies are often more susceptible to sepsis because their digestive systems are often underdeveloped at birth. The treatment, according to the study, is inexpensive, easily obtained and easily administered. The protein as it was used in the study--isolated from milk and concentrated--is not yet approved by the FDA, but no problems are predicted since the protein is naturally found in milk.

Caffeine for Respiration

• Though still in the early stages of study, caffeine is being used to help resolve breathing difficulties in infants who are born prematurely. Caffeine belongs to a group of drugs called methylxanthines, which have been shown to improve respiration. Caffeine is a stimulant which acts primarily on the respiratory system by relaxing bronchial muscles. This, it is suggested, may help improve oxygen intake by premature infants, where respiratory failure and other issues are a major concern. The study, first published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006, does not specify how premature the infants were, and it is not known if the therapy would be effective for infants whose lungs are too immature to work correctly. During the study, there was a 37 percent reduction in the infants’ need for supplemental oxygen. Additionally, the treatments allowed ventilation to be discontinued as soon as one week earlier than in infants not receiving the treatment. More testing is underway and will be followed up after five years. It has yet to be made a standard therapy.

Enfacare

• A new special dietary formula for premature infants from the maker of Enfamil, Enfacare is a specialized, more targeted formula specifically designed for the nutritional needs of preemies. The formula is iron fortified and provides much needed calories for infants who are born prematurely. Since weight and warmth are primary concerns, this special formula contains extra protein, vitamins and minerals for special diet infants. Used for years by pediatricians and NICU departments, this formula is now becoming readily available for home use. Breast milk, because of its positive effects on the immune system, is still a better choice, but for infants with special feeding needs, Enfacare can be a solid second choice. It has been shown to provide as much benefit for "catch-up’"growth, eye and brain health as breast milk in a study done by Dr. Thomas Clandinin from the University of Alberta. It costs a little more than standard starter formulas and is sometimes more difficult to find, but the nutritional benefits can make a big difference.