Meta-analysis shows early kangaroo care reduces mortality in very preterm infants compared to conventional care
Early skin-to-skin contact may lower death risk for very preterm babies
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated early kangaroo care versus conventional neonatal care in very preterm infants (≤32 weeks)…
A review of trials found that starting skin-to-skin care within 24 hours reduced death risk for very preterm infants, though effects on infe…
Retrospective Cohort Examines Brain Development in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Brain Scans at Birth May Predict a Premature Baby's Development at Age Two
This retrospective cohort study enrolled 79 very low birth weight preterm infants within a neonatal intensive care setting.
Bedside brain scans in premature babies may help doctors predict which infants face developmental delays by age two.
Self-reported racial discrimination associated with postpartum depression and low birth weight in pregnant women
Discrimination Linked to Baby's Low Weight and Mom's Mood
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,473,417 participants assessed associations between self-reported interpersonal racial discrimi…
Experiencing racism during pregnancy is a serious health risk that doctors must address to keep moms and babies safe.
Research across Low Birth Weight
Related studies from across the Low Birth Weight family.
Continuous glucose monitoring in very preterm infants shows low ketones and higher lactate in first week
Study looks at glucose monitoring and metabolites in very preterm infants
This prespecified substudy of an RCT in 168 very low birth weight infants found consistently low ketone concentrations and higher lactate co…
Very preterm infants show high lactate levels that drop in a week, while ketones stay low with no clear link to blood sugar or insulin treat…
First-trimester serum retinol quintiles and pregnancy outcomes in a Chinese prospective cohort
High Vitamin A Might Lower Diabetes Risk But Raise C-Section Odds
A prospective cohort of 1,077 singleton pregnancies in China examined first-trimester serum retinol by quintile.
High vitamin A levels early in pregnancy lower diabetes and low birth weight risks but increase the chance of a C-section.
Questions about very low birth weight
What does the research say about brain development in very low birth weight infants?
Research shows very low birth weight infants face higher risks for long-term brain problems, but early skin-to-skin care can lower mortality and support better overall outcomes.
Full answer →Does early kangaroo care reduce mortality for very low birth weight infants?
Yes, early kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact within 24 hours) reduces mortality risk by about 19% for very low birth weight infants, based on a meta-analysis of four randomized trials.
Full answer →