By Tammy Noll, general manager of Maternal Infant Care at GE Healthcare
Preterm birth is by no means a recent problem. Four centuries ago, scholarly papers were published to address this topic, suggesting these infants needed additional care. Yet even in the early 20th century, premature babies were sent home with no medical intervention, and as a result, many didn’t make it to their first birthday. It wasn’t until the 1920s that hospitals offered a dedicated place to care for their tiniest patients – known today as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Prematurity is the leading cause of infant death in the United States. However, technological advancements and growing expertise about prematurity are dramatically increasing preterm babies’ chances of survival. Over the last 10 years, the smallest baby saved has improved from 550 to 350 grams, and the youngest baby saved has improved from 26 to 22 weeks. Miracles happen more today, with a lot of help from technology. This is good news for the 15 million babies who are born prematurely every year.
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In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently reported that the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped to its lowest point ever. It’s a sign of progress, but what’s behind this improvement?
Managing the “Golden Hour”
The “Golden Hour” traditionally refers to the crucial moments following a major trauma, as the correct treatment needs to be administered within the first 60 minutes to maximize chances of survival. The term is now increasingly used to refer to the hour immediately after birth for babies born preterm, or with other health challenges. In this baby “Golden Hour,” the infant needs to be continuously monitored for stable temperature and other vitals.
In the womb, the infant’s body temperature is effortlessly regulated at about half a degree Celsius above that of the mother’s. Once the baby has left the womb, their temperature will fall to within a normal range between 36.5 and 37 degrees Celsius, but a premature infant’s temperature can fall lower and will require immediate action by the neonatal clinical team.
Today, clinicians have access to advanced products, such as the Giraffe Shuttle, to streamline the journey from the delivery room to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) while offering continued monitoring and stabilization. By minimizing temperature swings and reducing unnecessary handling, the newborn can rest and strengthen in weight and size.
