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Complications of prematurity: an infographic

Journal of Perinatology volume 37, pages 1185–1186 (2017)Cite this article

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Infographics or information graphics are easy-to-understand visual representation of knowledge. An infographic outlining the course of an extremely preterm infant and various potential complications encountered during a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay was developed. This infographic can be used to discuss outcomes of prematurity during prenatal counseling and while the infant is in the NICU.

Imminent preterm delivery induces fear and anxiety among parents. This is a time when normal course of pregnancy is cut short and parents are unprepared. A neonatal specialist is often asked to counsel parents and review the course of an extremely preterm infant. At this crucial moment, the consulting neonatologist has to be honest about outcomes and instill hope. Consulting practices vary widely according to the level of NICU and experience of the provider.1 American Academy of Pediatrics published their formal recommendations in 2002 addressing the perinatal consultation for impending delivery of an extreme preterm infant.2 The most common scenario is to provide anticipatory information to parents regarding the survival, outcome and care of their preterm infant, and thus help them in decision-making. The neonatal research network provides a calculator3 to assess outcomes based on the available data that is often used during counseling.

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Acknowledgements

PC: Dr Henry C and Bertha H Buswell Fellowship grant—University at Buffalo. MR: Canadian Society of Paediatrics—Neonatal Resuscitation Program. SL: NICHD—1R01HD072929 and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—Neonatal Resuscitation Program grant.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, UBMD Pediatrics, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    P Chandrasekharan, M Rawat & S Lakshminrusimha

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  1. P Chandrasekharan
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  2. M Rawat
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  3. S Lakshminrusimha
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Correspondence to P Chandrasekharan.

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Chandrasekharan, P., Rawat, M. & Lakshminrusimha, S. Complications of prematurity: an infographic. J Perinatol 37, 1185–1186 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2017.65

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