Top Ranked NICU’s in the U.S. – 2010

www.LittleSproutCollection.com – Thoughtful Organic Cotton Clothing for Preemies 

The U.S. News and World Report has just announced it’s top hospitals in the U.S.   They also further rank  subspecialties including Neonatology.  The methodology for the rankings is a blend of reputation, clinical outcomes and care-related measures such as nursing, advanced technology, credentialing and other factors.  The children’s hospitals were evaluated on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists – the hospitals these specialists would recommend for the sickest children – along with data collected from a lengthy survey.  Most of the hospitals considered for these rankings are members of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions. Complete rankings of children’s hospitals by specialties and more information about methodology are available at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

Check to see if your NICU has ranked!!!

Premature Birth Rate Drops for Second Year in a Row!!!

Sprout (www.littlesproutcollection.com)  is dedicated to growing healthy preemies. 

The rate of premature births declined for the second year in a row in 2008, the first two-year decrease in almost 30 years, the government reported this month.

Multimedia

Graphic

Preterm Birth Rates

The report, from the National Center for Health Statistics, finds that preterm births (babies born at least three weeks early) declined to 12.3 percent in 2008, from 12.8 percent in 2006 and 12.7 percent in 2007. The decrease held for all races, and for all age groups except mothers over 40, and the numbers went down nationwide. Rates increased only in Hawaii.

“The rate is still too high,” said the lead author, Joyce A. Martin, an epidemiologist at the center. “But the suggestion that the trend is going down is a hopeful sign.”

After rising steadily since 1990, the rate among “late preterm” infants — those born at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation — declined to 8.8 percent in 2008 from 9.1 percent in 2006. The percentage of babies delivered earlier eased slightly, to 3.6 percent in 2008 from 3.7 percent in 2006.

The rate of Caesarean preterm births decreased to 17.1 percent in 2008 from 17.8 percent in 2006.

These declines, the report says, are encouraging, but the preterm birth rate in 2008 was still higher than in any year from 1981 to 2002. Moreover, there were still significant differences by race: the preterm birth rate among non-Hispanic black newborns was 17.5 percent, compared with 12.1 percent for Hispanics (who may be of any race) and 11.1 percent for white babies. The reasons for this disparity, Ms. Martin said, are not well understood.

Dr. Alan R. Fleischman, the medical director of the March of Dimes, said that “this is a turning point in the data,” but he had some advice for both mothers and doctors.

“Mothers need to be aware that all pregnancies should go on to 39 weeks at least, unless there is a clear indication of some problem,” he said. “Mothers shouldn’t be asking for early delivery, and doctors shouldn’t be scheduling inductions or C-sections before 39 weeks unless there is a medical reason. If this isn’t happening, mothers should certainly be asking the doctor why.”

A Chemical Reaction

Sprout is dedicated to keeping premature babies healthy.  Little Sprout Collection (www.littlesproutcollection.com) creates 100% organic clothing for preemies.

A Chemical Reaction, is a documentary movie that tells the story of one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America.  It started with one lone voice in 1984.  Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist, noticed a connection between her patients’ health conditions and their exposure to chemical pesticides and herbicides.  With relentless persistence she brought her concerns to town meetings to warn her fellow citizens that the chemicals they were putting on their lawns posed severe health risks and had unknown side effects on the environment.

www.LittleSproutCollection.com

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Create a band for a baby you love. Your gift supports research and programs that give premature babies a fighting chance. 

Visit March of Dimes for more information.

Helping Hands program to educate about RSV

 

Sprout (www.littlesproutcollection.com) is dedicated to keeping premature babies healthy.  Sprout has created a beautiful collection of 100% organic preemie baby clothing.

MedImmune, maker of Synagis, has created the Helping Hands program to educate and support parents throughout the RSV season.  This is a free program which will provide information, reminders and freebies to help with the prevention of RSV. 

They send out these adorable signs and wipes as part of the program.  Check out http://www.synagis.com/rsv-protection.aspx  to get your free kit.

www.LittleSproutCollection.com

New AAP Guidelines for Synagis Use

Sprout (www.LittleSproutCollection.com) is dedicated to keeping premature babies healthy.  Sprouts preemie clothing is made from 100% organic cotton and designed specifically for premature babies.

 Synagis (palivizumab) is indicated for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric patients at high risk of RSV disease and is administered by intramuscular injection. Safety and efficacy were established in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), infants with a history of premature birth (≤35 weeks gestational age), and children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD). The first dose of Synagis should be administered prior to commencement of the RSV season.

Eligibility criteria for prophylaxis of high-risk infants, young children:

Infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity

Infants and children younger than 24 months of age who receive medical therapy (supplemental oxygen, bronchodilator, diuretic or chronic corticosteroid therapy) within six months before the start of the RSV season (a maximum of five monthly doses).

Infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation (31 weeks, 6 days or less)

Infants born at or before 28 weeks’ gestation who may benefit from prophylaxis during the RSV season, whenever that occurs during the first 12 months of life. Infants born at 29 to 32 weeks of gestation may benefit from prophylaxis up to 6 months of age (a maximum of five monthly doses).

Infants born at 32 weeks’ to less than 35 weeks’ gestation (32 weeks, 0 days through 34 weeks, 6 days)

A change has been made in the recommendation for infants in this category so that these infants receive a maximum of three doses. Therefore, recommendations have been modified to reduce the risk of RSV hospitalization during the period of greatest risk (the first 3 months of life) among infants with consistently identified risk factors for hospitalization.

Synagis prophylaxis should be limited to infants in this age group who are at greatest risk of hospitalization due to RSV, namely infants younger than 3 months of age at the start of the RSV season or born during the RSV season and who are likely to have an increased risk of exposure to RSV. Epidemiologic data suggest that RSV infection is more likely to occur and more likely to lead to hospitalization for infants in this gestational age group when either of the following two risk factors is present: infant attends child care or infant has a sibling younger than 5 years of age.

Prophylaxis may be considered for infants from 32 through less than 35 weeks’ gestation (32 weeks, 0 days through 34 weeks, 6 days) who are born less than three months before the onset or during the RSV season and for whom at least one of the two risk factors is present. Infants in this gestational age category should receive prophylaxis only until they reach 3 months of age and should receive a maximum of three monthly doses; many will receive only one or two doses before they reach 3 months of age. Once an infant is older than 90 days of age, the risk of hospitalization attributable to RSV lower respiratory tract disease is reduced. Administration of Synagis is not recommended for these infants after they reach 90 days of age.

Many Thanks!!

A big THANK YOU to ModEco Kids  blog for posting about Sprout collection! Check out her very resourceful blog featuring modern and eco-friendly products for babies and children.  This blog features gifts for kids that are handmade with organic, vintage and recycled or upcycled materials. You’ll also find articles of interest to independent retailers such as merchandising ideas, reports on kids trade shows and retailer spotlights.

(image via modecokids.com)

 

Organic cotton……a must for our babies!!!

When a baby is born, they are instantly bombarded with environmental chemicals. 

Premature infants have immature skin, a decreased or absent stratum corneum, decreased cohesiveness between skin layers, increased water fixation, and tissue edema. The immature skin integrity leads to easy injury, transdermal absorption of drugs and other materials in contact with the skin and increased risk for infection. 

So, the question is, is Organic Baby Clothing really worth it? We answer with a resounding, Yes!! 

Conventional cotton clothes contain pesticide residues as well as many chemicals used in the finish of the cotton. The dangerous pesticides end up on the babies skin through direct contact from the very clothes he or she wears, and can absorbed by the body through the skin. These chemicals affect many infants and children. Not only does conventional cotton negatively impact  babies health, but also it seriously affects our environment. Cotton pesticides contaminate our ground and surface water. Birds are killed from aerial spraying, and fish are killed from pesticides polluting streams and rivers.

 We dye our yarn and material with colors that are free of heavy metal and harmful chemicals, and in accordance with Demeter standard. Our dyes do not contain PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride). PVC is a dangerous chemical used in the conventional dyeing process and has been shown to cause kidney failure, developmental delays, and even hearing loss in children. Our aim is to use only agents and processes that are environmentally sound and ensure the highest quality standard.

 We also do not use chemical finishing on our fabrics. One of the most dangerous chemicals found in the finishing of conventional fabrics is Formaldehyde. Babies and children are very sensitive to this chemical. It can cause skin rashes, coughing, and flu-like symptoms in children wearing clothes finished with it.

 All our products are made from 100% handpicked organic cotton, without the use of pesticides or chemicals throughout the entire production process.  The dyeing process uses metal-free or vegetable dyes. We hope that by creating beautiful and high quality clothing for your premature baby, you can be reassured that you’re giving your baby the best.

Beginning to sprout

 

www.LittleSproutCollection.com

Welcome to The Little Sprout Blog!!  

I am very excited to finally have it up and running.  It’s been an amazing launch and a truly incredible journey.   I wanted to create a line of clothing that encompassed all the wishes and dreams of new parents; the softest most natural materials to surround your baby, the highest quality designs and construction, and most importantly the hope of a cleaner, kinder earth. 

With this blog, I will keep you updated with what’s going on in the world of premature babies, along with the amazing people who have inspired me along the way.  

Please feel free to share your knowledge and insight with others as well. So have fun and blog away!