Title

Preterm Birth Prevention Compendium

Abstract

Objective: 

Globally, mid-trimester pregnancy losses and extreme preterm births remain the most important cause of infant mortality. The neonates that survive have high rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, and neurodevelopmental delay. Effective antenatal screening, management and postnatal counselling is best aided by comprehensive patient resource detailing epidemiology, appropriate management of modifiable risk factors, offering evidence-based interventions to optimise patient. engagement.

 

Design: This is a Norfolk-based patient information compendium informing on preterm birth from the antenatal period through to post-natal and NICU care. This was compiled as per clinical need to have ‘one-stop’ leaflet which could be given to patients at the pre-term birth clinic to help support them in their journey. 

 Method: 

We have compiled a patient-based compendium by (i) collating information available from RCOG, RCM, and charitable organisations like BLISS, WoW, SANDS, Tommy’s[1,2,3], (ii) reviewing research databases for relevant metanalyses and randomised controlled trials detailing the effectiveness of interventions available to reduce the risk of preterm birth; (iii) Encouraging direct patient involvement through engagement with various patient and public involvement forums including UK Parents of Preterm Babies Group and Maternity Voices Partnership groups from Bury St Edmonds, Norwich and Great Yarmouth; (iv) engaging with colleagues and families who had used our local NICU, particularly focusing on resources and facilities available for families who have preterm delivery; (v) encouraging clients and families to outline their experience to others in a similar situation.

 Results: 

The continually developing compendium is presented with original diagrams of uterine anomalies and pessary and cerclage placement generated by H Brown (Medical Student) and E Brown (Graphic Designer) using Adobe Creative Suite[4].   We have adapted this leaflet according to contributions from the patient forums above, as well as a literature review of the efficacy of clinical interventions which include our local Norwich outcomes. 

 Conclusion: This is a continually developing body of work which we hope to make a digitally accessed compendium for ease of adaptations. We welcome comments from general and preterm birth experts at the upcoming congress meeting. 

references:

1. For babies born premature or sick | Bliss [Internet]. Bliss.2022 [cited 25 August 2022]. Available from: https://www.bliss.org.uk

2. Premature labour patient information leaflet [Internet]. Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2022 [cited 25 August 2022]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/premature-labour-patient-information-leaflet/

3. Tommy's, together for every baby [Internet]. Tommy's. 2022 [cited 25 August 2022]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org

4.Graphics Diagrams, Adobe Creative Suite,including Photoshop and InDesign 

Categories (required)

High Risk Pregnancy

Authors and Affiliations (required)

Miss Hannah Brown h.brown2@uea.ac.uk

Norwich Medical School-University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom

Miss Emily Brown emilygracebrown88@gmail.com

Graphic Designer, King's Lynn, United Kingdom

Dr Chloe Jolly chloe.jolly@nnuh.nhs.uk

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom

Miss Saba Al-Juboori (Presenting) saba.aljuboori@doctors.org.uk

Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn, King's Lynn, United Kingdom

Mr Jon Lartey jon.lartey@nnuh.nhs.uk

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom