Neonatal And Perinatal Health Outcomes

Discuss disparities related to ethnic and cultural groups relative to low birth weight infants and preterm births.

-Race or ethnicity: Historically, minority populations in the United States have had higher rates of preterm delivery. In 2007, non-Hispanic White women accounted for the lowest number of preterm births in the United States, accounting for only 11.5% of all preterm births (MacDorman, 2011). In contrast, non-Hispanic Blacks, Puerto Ricans, American Indians and Hispanic women had preterm birth levels of 18.3%, 14.5%, 13.9% and 12.3% respectively (MacDorman, 2011). The Asian minority had the lowest risk at 10.9% (MacDorman, 2011). Some studies have attributed such significant differences to racial disparities in resources and health care (Dominguez, 2008; Vanderbilt & Wright, 2013). However, other studies such as Menon’s et al, which looked at differences in White versus Black women, suggest that racial disparities in preterm birth may

This paper is going through comparing data of immigrants’ health status with native-born people to find out the relationship between immigrants experience and health and well-being. Two susceptible age groups are being discussed and females are also an emphasis. Also, how cultural difference conflicts and problems of employment affect immigrant health will be considered.

According to the World Health Organisation [WHO] (2014) pre-term babies are at increased risk of illness, disability and death. It also states that globally 15 million babies are born pre-term and the figures are rising. In England and Wales during 2012 7.3% of live births were pre-term under 37 weeks nearly 85% of all babies born prematurely will have a very low birth weight (Office for National Statistics, 2012). Pre-term birth is associated with respiratory complications and lung disease, long-tern neurological damage and problems with bowel function (Henderson & Macdonald, 2011). Neonatal services provide care to babies who are born prematurely or are ill and require specialist care. It is seen that sixty per cent of infant deaths occur in the neonatal period (DH,

There are many expecting mothers in our society that are very unware of what steps to take to ensure that they maintain a healthy environment for the developing fetus. In the case of Tano and Lonita, they are a couple of struggling immigrants who are working hard to get by. Unfortunately for them are some resources that are not made available to them due to socioeconomic status. However, there are many steps they can talk in order to eliminate the risks of a low birth weight, or preterm labor. One step would be to attend a comprehensive prenatal care program that are known to improve birth outcomes in situations such as Lonita’s. Another way would be for Tano to become more involved with Lonita and keep a strong bonded and caring relationship between them. The last solution would be to apply for government aid programs to improve financial situations.

Statistically, African American have 2.5 times the likelihood of women of other races to start prenatal care in the third trimesters, or in some cases, not at all (Heisler, 18). Prenatal care includes education and counseling about how to handle various aspects of pregnancy in terms of nutrition, the importance of adequate physical activity, and basic infant care skills. This education encourages appropriate weight gain and discourages alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy. It can be inferred from this information that prenatal care will reduce the occurrence of low birthweights and short gestational age births (premature births) (Heisler, 18).This education can also decrease deaths due to accidents or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). No prenatal care for the mother will result in a high probability that the infant will die in the first month after birth. However, it is a sad reality that many African American women do not have access to or knowledge of prenatal care; this unawareness will result in an equally disparaging consequence - high

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services works tirelessly in order to improve the conditions for newborn infants. Their goal is to provide essential human services, as well as protect the health for all Americans. Specifically, the area of infant health focuses on the period of rapid development from birth to one year age. The factors that contribute to infant health is not only attributed to the child, but also extends to the health of the mother and their family support system as well. This area of healthcare is extremely important because it ensures the future health of the next generation. Infant health has many external factors, such as social, economic, and biological, that influence the well-being of the

The book is set in New York City and focuses specifically on immigrant women and their families as they adapt to both cultural and social changes that influence their daily lives. The methodology of research used was ethnography and the observation of families in their natural state to better understand the idea of the birth weight paradox amongst the immigrant population.

The authors' point of view is that although there is no scientific evidence of the “healthy foreign-born effect” for childhood obesity in the USA, the period of infancy and early childhood is highly significant for predicting health and weight-related problems. However, other points of view also exist, particularly concerning “healthy immigrants effect”, which have a number of proponents.

Birth outcomes not only predict immigrant health outcomes, they also may determine factors affecting health behaviors of foreign-born immigrants and U.S.-born Americans. Research articles on immigrant infants’ health indicate despite parents’ ethnicity, newborns from foreign-born immigrant mothers have lower rates of low birth weight and fewer preterm births than newborns from U.S.- born mothers. Reducing preterm (<2500g) births are important for perinatal health because preterm and low birth weight put babies at a higher risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality (Urquia, Frank & Glazier 2010). Low birth weight is associated with higher risks of congenital anomalies, neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders, and generally poorer child health

Early life as a social determinant of health has the potential to impact both a person’s health and wellbeing. Social and economic disadvantage, belonging to a marginalised population, access to adequate nutrition, educational attainment and exposure to adverse experiences all contribute to an individual’s functional health into midlife and old life age. Those children who suffer socioeconomic disadvantages have earlier onset and faster progression of disease, resulting in higher morbidity and earlier mortality (Agahi, Shaw, & Fars, 2014).

In 2013, 16.3% non-Hispanic black infants were born preterm, 10.2% non-Hispanic white and 11.3% Hispanic infants. The preterm birth disparities between white and black infants still exists. Hispanic women account 1 out of every 4 which is 23.2% in U.S alone. The 2013 preterm birth rate for black infants was 60% higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white infants and 44% higher than the rate for Hispanic infants (March of Dimes, n.d). The impact of low weight babies are extremely high, not only on physical but emotional and financial aspect as well. Both the families and the community may have mixed emotional feelings. For the first time parents or even to other parents, having low weight babies or preterm infants can be costly and at times,

There may be things that can be added from here if you see anything missing **http://www.childpolicyintl.org/countries/sweden.html#maternity

These are defined as the conditions in which people work, play, grow, live that affect wide range of health and quality of life. The determinants like socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, social capital, behavioral factors (e.g., tobacco use, maternal smoking), biological and psychosocial factors (e.g., family and peer social support) which greatly affects the inequalities among minorities in infant mortality and birth outcomes (Kim, 2013). In order to understand the social determinants impacting infant mortality and birth outcomes, it is important to understand the conceptual framework of societal to individual level determinants of infant mortality and birth outcomes. Conceptual framework includes identifying social determinants at mirco, meso and macro levels. This in turn will help in interpreting patterns of disparities in infant mortality and birth outcomes among blacks. Social conditions consists of where people work, play, age, born, live etc. which depends on their race, ethnicity, gender, social capital, socio-economic status. Macroeconomic determinants include income inequality, which directly affect the infant mortality rates. Income inequality means household income and unemployment for women. In order to reduce the incidences of infant mortality, reducing the income inequalities and generating employment and increasing economic growth among women of childbearing age will help to achieve the desired outcome. Access to prenatal care also influenced by social

Preterm Birth is one of the most important and interesting topics to any prospective parent. One of the reasons is because it happens so often and unexpectedly. Preterm Birth has become a personal interest in research simply because it has made a tremendous impact in my life. Having a Preterm Birth has taught me lots of things, such as, to grow as a person and as a mother, to see things from a different perspective, to get up, continue with my life, and perhaps to learn how to say “good bye” to a little one without even saying “hello.” For all the reasons above, there are some questions I would like to address: Why do preterm births happen and how can it be prevented? What kind of help is offered to parents and family members who go through the process of having a preterm birth? How effective and relevant is that help?