March 30, 2006 E-zine

 

The Georgia SIDS Project E-Zine is an on-line educational update offered monthly by the Georgia Sudden Infant Death Information, Referral and Support Project, an affiliate of First Candle/SIDS Alliance. To comment on this issue, request additional information, refer families in need of support, make a donation or be added or removed from the list please contact us at gasids@mindspring.com or call 678-342-3360 or through Powerline at 1-800-822-2539.

 

This publication is made available through the generous donation of friends and supporters of our program.

 

Volume 2 - Issue Number 3B, March 2006

 

 

1.       Georgia SIDS Project is sponsoring a Spring Training Conference �Grief, Grieving and Grief Support Training� focused on the initial period following a miscarriage, stillbirth, or child death. The conference, planned for April 27, 2006 at Clayton State University will feature Charlie Walton, noted author and speaker. The cost for the full day, including continental breakfast, lunch and training materials, including copy of Mr. Walton�s book �When There Are No Words�� is $30 for professionals, and $5 charge for the afternoon sessions only is available for family members who have suffered a pregnancy loss or child death. The Conference is targeted at Georgia nurses, clergy, funeral directors, social workers, DFACS staff, death scene investigators and others. Nursing, Social Work, Chaplain, Babies Can�t Wait and funeral home director CEU�s have been applied for. The conference will be followed by a memorial program for professionals and parents to remember our children. Family members are invited to join us for the day, the afternoon sessions only or the memorial service.� To review the conference agenda and register for the conference go to www.sidsga.org

 

2.       Family Memorial Event -In Loving Memory of the Special Lives Lost Too Soon At Clayton State University, Morrow Georgia. Join families and professionals across Georgia to remember the children who are no longer with us on earth, but are in the memories and hearts� The memorial program will follow immediately after the Grief, Grieving and Grief Support Training Conference,� with a short reception and time to speak to one another.� Then at 5:30

�         Join Johnny Mobley and his band as they sing the song he wrote in memory of Olivia Grace, and plays music to uplift us all.

�         See tributes to and pictures of children who are no longer with us, but will be always in our hearts.*

�         Help us dedicate a bench by the lake at Clayton College, as a place of memory and contemplation.

�         Connect to others, share experiences and gain comfort and support from your shared link.

�         Join our families at a planting ceremony by the lake, remembering & celebrating the gift of their loved ones' presence in their lives.

*To share in the memorial activity consider providing a personal tribute, or picture of your child or loved one in our slide show, please, if possible, send the picture electronically to gasids@mindspring.com with a caption for the picture as part of the e-mail text. If you are unable to send a photograph electronically, please send a picture we can scan (they will not be returned, so please don�t send one-of-a-kind photos) with a brief note to use as a caption prior to April 7^th, 2006 to give us time to include your picture. Send pictures to Georgia SIDS Project 2300 Henderson Mill Rd. Suite 410, Atlanta, GA 30345. Or call us at 678-342-3360.

 

3.       Breastfeeding Medicine is a new peer-reviewed journal about the complexities and benefits of breastfeeding. The journal, launched this month by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), will be published on a quarterly basis. Topics will include epidemiologic and physiologic benefits of breastfeeding; health risks of artificial feeding; impact of breastfeeding on physical and psychological health; breastfeeding management in health and disease; indications and contraindications of breastfeeding; use of medications by the breastfeeding mother; and related social, cultural, and economic issues. More information about the journal is available at http://www.liebertpub.com/publication.aspx?pub_id=173&crit=breastfeeding. �More information about ABM and its programs is available at http://www.bfmed.org.

 

4.       CDC released the Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Reporting Form for state and local use in infant death-scene investigations. The SUIDI Reporting Form replaces the Investigation Report Form that accompanied the 1996 Guidelines for the Death Scene Investigation of Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death. The new SUIDI Reporting Form includes questions to establish cause and manner of death, determined by a 2004 national survey of medical examiners and coroners, in addition to new questions about recently recognized risk factors for SIDS (e.g., unaccustomed prone sleep position) The new form is shorter and simpler than the 1996 form. For example, most questions can be answered by checking the appropriate box or filling in the blank provided. A train the trainer program is planned for the Southeast in the fall of 2006. The announcement and full overview of the project can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5508a7.htm?s_cid=mm5508a7_e The form is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/SIDS.�

 

5.       Georgia SIDS Project has designed a training for EMS/First Responders on SIDS risk reduction, First Response and Family Grief Support. If your area would be interested in hosting this CEU approved class, please contact the Georgia SIDS Project at 678-342-3360. There is no charge for the training, but transportation reimbursement for the trainer may be necessary.

 

6.       Infant mortality reviews in the Aberdeen Area of the Indian Health Service: Strategies and outcomes. EagleStaff ML, Klug MG, Burd L. Public Health Rep. 2006 Mar-Apr;121(2):140-8. �The purpose of this study was to determine cause and manner of death for consecutive infant deaths in the Aberdeen Area of the Indian Health Service (AAIHS) from 1998 to 2002 and to identify risk markers for infant mortality. ��Infant deaths in the AAIHS were identified from four data sources: death certificates from four states in the AAIHS, deaths reported by local IHS Service Units, obituaries, and deaths reported by hospitals. Each infant death is then sent to the local IHS service unit for review, where data from the infant and mother's chart is extracted and recorded. Local community factors, birth and death certificates, and autopsy reports are collected. The case is then reviewed at the Perinatal Infant Mortality Review (PIMR) meeting and a cause and manner of death is assigned. Summary data for the cohort was examined and then compared by mortality category and three age-at-death groups. SIDS accounted for 33% of all infant deaths in the AAIHS. Prematurity was the second most prevalent cause-specific mortality category, accounting for 22% of all infant deaths. The authors found that infant mortality was surprisingly recurrent, with 32% of mothers of this infant having had a previous infant death.

 

7.       Early Access to Prenatal Care Implications for Racial Disparity in Perinatal Mortality Andrew J. Healy, MD et al. The study was designed to investigate racial disparities in perinatal mortality in women with early access to prenatal care. �A prospectively collected database from a large, multi-center investigation of singleton pregnancies, the FASTER trial, was queried. Patients were recruited from an unselected obstetric population between 1999 and 2002. A total of 35,529 pregnancies with early access to prenatal care were reviewed for this analysis. The timing of perinatal loss was assessed. The following intervals were evaluated: fetal demise at less than 24 weeks of gestation, fetal demise at 24 or more weeks of gestation, and neonatal demise. Perinatal mortality was defined as the sum of these three intervals. The study population was 5% black, 22% Hispanic, 68% white, and 5% other. All minority races experienced higher rates of intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, preterm birth, very-preterm birth, cesarean delivery, light vaginal bleeding, and heavy vaginal bleeding compared with the white population. Overall perinatal mortality was 13 per 1,000. The authors found that � Compared with whites, all minorities experienced significantly more perinatal mortality, with the black population having the highest percentage of perinatal mortality, followed by other and Hispanic populations, respectively.� The black population, which comprised only 5% of the study population, had 16% of the perinatal mortality. In addition, the black population sustained significantly more loss at every interval throughout the pregnancy and the neonatal period. After controlling for demographic characteristics and site of enrollment, race remained a significant predictor of perinatal mortality in all three groups (black, Hispanic, and other .The authors conclude that� "prenatal care . . . remains insufficient in its present form for minority women. Therefore, increasing early access to current prenatal care systems in the effort to minimize racial and ethnic disparities in prenatal mortality is insufficient."

 

8.       Racial disparities in birth outcomes increase with maternal age: recent data from North Carolina. Buescher PA, Mittal M. N C Med J. 2006 Jan-Feb;67(1):16-20. State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Division of Public Health, USA. �
Racial disparities in birth outcomes persist in North Carolina and the United States. We examined patterns of birth outcomes and women's health measures in North Carolina by race and age to portray the largest disparities. We wanted to see if our data were consistent with the "weathering hypothesis," which holds that the health of African American women may begin to deteriorate in early adulthood, with negative effects on birth outcomes.� We conducted a descriptive analysis of 1999-2003 North Carolina live birth and infant death records and 2001-2003 BRFSS survey data. Birth outcome measures examined were low birth weight, very low birth weight, infant mortality neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality. Women's health measures examined were obesity self-reported health status, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, current smoking, and smoking during pregnancy. Rates for whites and African Americans were compared for each of three age groups. Racial disparities in birth outcomes increase with increasing maternal age. African American teens often experience better birth outcomes than older African American women. Racial disparities in measures of women's health also increase with increasing age. Health problems among older African American women of reproductive age may contribute substantially to racial disparities in birth outcomes. Improving the health of older African American women may be an effective strategy to reduce the overall racial disparities in birth outcomes.

 

9.       CDC reports Lead-based paint remains the most common source of lead exposure for children aged <6 years. However, one report determined that 34% of children aged <6 years with lead poisoning in Los Angeles County had been exposed to items containing lead that had been brought into the home (1). These items might include candy, folk and traditional medications, ceramic dinnerware, and metallic toys and trinkets. Exposures to some of these items can result in life-threatening illness and death. The same year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 150 million pieces of imported metallic toy jewelry sold in vending machines.* Some lead-contaminated items intended for use by children are manufactured in countries with limited government regulation of lead in consumer products. In February, a boy aged 4 years died from lead poisoning after ingestion of a heart-shaped metallic charm. The charm had been attached to a metal bracelet provided as a free gift with the purchase of shoes manufactured by Reebok International Ltd. On March 23, a voluntary recall of 300,000 heart-shaped charm bracelets was announced. Health-care providers should consider lead poisoning in young children with increased intracranial pressure, unexplained and prolonged gastric symptoms, or a history of mouthing or ingesting nonfood items and warn caregivers against allowing children to mouth any metal objects. For more information go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm55d323a1.htm?s_cid=mm55d323a1_e

 

10.    Dia de la Mujer Latina -10th Anniversary Health Fair is on May 6^th. They are encouraging health agencies to participate in an upcoming event in Duluth, GA-.   They are partnering with many other dedicated healthcare providers to promote health & wellness to our medically underserved communities. The event will take place at Santa Fe Mall from 9am-2:30pm.  Volunteers will be receiving lunch and a T shirt.  Our Volunteer Coordinator will be Edwenna Morales and volunteer assignments will be made according to preference specified. If you are interested in an exhibit, contact Richard at richiegines@bellsouth.net or 770-717-0255.Our Event Coordinators at J&N Consulting Group. 770-330-7128.

 

11.    The Center for Injury Research and Control at the University of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the first seminar of our Online Webinar Series 2006: Injury Control Research Grand Rounds.  These FREE, monthly online live Webinars aim to present timely and high-quality injury control research addressing a spectrum of research topics for both intentional and unintentional injuries.  The seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4^th, 2006 and is entitled: �Identification Of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury In Well-Appearing Infants Using Serum And Cerebrospinal Markers:  A Possible Screening Tool� presented by Rachel Berger, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine� Tuesday, April 4^th, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. eastern time ��URL for further information: http://www.circl.pitt.edu/home/webinars/berger.mht

 

12.    Children's Reactions to Parental and Sibling Death. Sood AB, Razdan A, et al Psychiatry Rep. 2006 Apr;8(2):115-120. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 3440 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. A significant population of children will experience bereavement because of the death of a parent or a sibling. This grief is different from the bereavement seen in adults and needs to be understood in a developmental context. Cognitive and emotional understanding of death and dying in children gradually evolves with age. This report provides clinicians with information regarding the unique developmental elements in children that relate to the process of bereavement secondary to parental and sibling loss, risk factors for complicated grief, the warning signs of depression and anxiety beyond normal grief reaction, and the guidelines for intervention in children.

 

13.    The National Center for Cultural Competence will be forming a Community of Learners on addressing safe sleep in diverse communities. The idea behind a community of learners is that the expertise does not reside with us, but with all of you.� We will provide support, resources and a place to come together and communicate with each other about the challenges and successes you have encountered in addressing safe sleep in diverse communities. This diversity may be race, ethnicity, language, SES, literacy levels, age, geographic (rural/urban), etc.� We will chose up to 10 people to participate based on date of registration and, if more than ten are interested, evidence of significant issues related to diverse populations in the area you serve.� This group is meant for those of you implementing risk reeducation activities. It will be a �place to share practical issues related to implementation. It will not �be a general discussion group. *The initial call will be on April 20, 2006 at 1:00 to 2:30 EDT.� Dr. Fern Hauck will be with us to provide the research/data framework for our topic. * *Deadline for signing up to join the community of learners is April 5, 2006* To register to join the Community of Learners please go to this web address: https://www4.georgetown.edu/uis/keybridge/keyform/form.cfm?FormID=1360

 

14.    Higher rate of stillbirth at the extremes of reproductive age: a large nationwide sample of deliveries in the United States. Bateman BT, Simpson LL.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar; The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of maternal age on the rate of stillbirth in a large, nationwide sample of deliveries in the United States. Data were derived from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 1995 through 2002. With the use of ICD-9 codes, the rate of stillbirth was determined as a function of maternal age. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the effect of maternal age on the odds of stillbirth, with adjustment for multiple known risk factors for stillbirth.� There were 5,874,203 deliveries that were identified for analysis. The unadjusted rate of stillbirth was elevated for teenagers and for women aged > or =35 years. In the multivariate analysis, compared with women 20 to 34 years old, women who were < or =19 years old were more likely to have a pregnancy outcome of stillbirth (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08-1.14), as were women who were 35 to 39 years old (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.24-1.32) and women who were > or =40 years old (odds ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.63-1.81). Findings showed the extremes of maternal age are associated with an increased risk for stillbirth, even after adjustment for a large number of known predisposing conditions.

 

 

www.sidsga.org
2300 Henderson Mill Rd., Suite 410

Atlanta, Georgia 30345
678-342-3360 or Powerline 1-800-822-2539 FAX 770-451-2466

-mail: gasids@mindspring.com