Premature babies have a higher chance of contracting deadly infections in wards than single rooms

Premature babies have a higher chance of contracting deadly infections like SEPSIS in wards compared to babies treated in single family rooms

  • Majority of babies are treated in neonatal intensive units with other babies
  • Babies cared for in a single room were 37% less likely to get sepsis
  • They were also 31% more likely to be breast fed after leaving hospital
  • But researchers said families could feel more stressed when isolated

Premature babies do better if they are cared for in single hospital rooms rather than open wards, researchers found.

The majority of babies born early in Britain are treated in neonatal intensive care units – large wards where they are carefully monitored by nurses and paediatricians.

But a review of medical evidence has found they are far less likely to suffer potentially deadly infections if they are instead looked after in single family rooms.

And the privacy means mothers are far more likely to successfully breastfeed their new babies – which is particularly important for premature infants.

Premature babies do better if they are cared for in single hospital rooms rather than open wards, researchers in the Netherlands found by analysing data of 4,165 premature babies

The findings, led by researchers in the Netherlands, could be crucial for the 60,000 children born prematurely in Britain each year – roughly one in 13 of all live births.

The researchers, based at the University of Amsterdam and the OLVG teaching hospital in Amsterdam, combined the results of 25 previous studies.

These monitored premature babies born before 28 weeks of gestation – the definition of ‘extremely premature’.

Examining data from 4,165 babies, they found that infants looked after in single family rooms were 37 per cent less likely to develop sepsis – a deadly condition triggered by infection.

Figures from 484 babies revealed that those in private rooms were also 31 per cent more likely to be exclusively breast fed by their mothers after they left hospital, rather than relying on infant formula.

Researcher Dr Sophie van der Schoor of OLVG, whose findings are published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, said: ‘Our findings support future development of single family rooms in neonatal units to reduce sepsis and improve breastfeeding rates during hospital stay.’

She added: ‘But to establish whether single rooms have an impact on long-term neurodevelopment we also need well-designed studies to examine the vast majority of preterm infants who are born after 32 weeks gestation, in whom no follow-up studies have been done.’

The team also examined whether private rooms improved a baby’s development until the age of two. They found no evidence that this was the case – but said a longer study might get a different result.

‘In all studies, outcomes were only assessed up to two years old, and some children who experience cognitive difficulties at school are classified as having normal neurodevelopmental function at two years of age.

‘Even for cases of severe cognitive deficit at later ages in childhood the accuracy of early detection is low.

‘As neuro-cognitive deficits often take a long time to develop, more and longer follow-up studies are needed.’ 

Dr Jayanta Banerjee from Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London said private rooms ‘should be seriously considered’ by NHS hospitals but he stressed that they do come with some shortfalls.

‘Single family rooms also have some inherent disadvantages,’ he said.

‘The parents might feel more isolated from other parents and healthcare professionals when caring for their infants in single family rooms, which might have deleterious effects on their stress and anxiety.’ 

BIRTH CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME

About 10 percent of babies born in the US each year are premature. 

A birth is premature if the baby arrives at least three weeks early – or prior to 37 weeks.

Premature babies or ‘preemies’ are often underweight and small. 

They sometimes continue to have delayed physical growth and development. 

Early birth has also been linked to broad behavioral and personality issues, thought to be caused by abnormalities in brain development.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, neurological disorders and autism are all more common in preemies. 

The lungs are one of the last vital organs to fully develop – only becoming mature after 32 weeks – so preemies frequently suffer from asthma and other pulmonary problems. 

Children born premature are also more likely to later have intestinal, hearing, vision and dental problems and get frequent infections. 

Premature birth is the largest cause of infant mortality in the US. In 2015, preterm birth and low-birth weights accounted for approximately 17 percent infant deaths.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk