Neonatal Intensive Care News and Research

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Newborns carry antibiotic resistance genes within first hours of life

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) – segments of DNA that help bacteria survive the effects of antibiotics – can be present in newborns within the first hours of life, according to research presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

20 Apr 2026

Inside the high-stakes corporate fight over feeding preterm babies

In 2013, a scientist at Abbott Laboratories saw study results with potentially big implications for the company's profits and the lives of some of the world's most fragile people: preterm infants.

30 Mar 2026

Low-cost interventions reduce neonatal sepsis from Klebsiella pneumoniae

A new study found that a multifaceted infection prevention and control intervention could at least temporarily thwart outbreaks of infections from the Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterium, a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and mortality in Africa and South Asia.

10 Mar 2026

Stem cells from human primary tooth pulp may help treat chronic-phase cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a condition usually caused by brain damage before or during birth, resulting in impaired posture and movement.

4 Mar 2026

Sucrose reduces pain in newborns during hospital needle procedures

A new Cochrane review has found that sucrose can help with pain relief in newborn babies during common hospital procedures, such as venepuncture. This involves drawing blood with a needle, typically for testing.

3 Mar 2026

Standard doses of antidepressants during pregnancy appear to be safe, study suggests

Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital.

24 Feb 2026

UK aid cuts accelerate dangerous retreat from global health in crisis-affected regions

UK aid cuts demand justice-led solutions such as debt restructuring to repair the harm, writes Katie Husselby, director of Action for Global Health.

17 Feb 2026

Review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of harlequin ichthyosis

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a rare, severe genetic skin disorder caused by ABCA12 mutations, leading to defective lipid transport and loss of skin barrier function.

17 Feb 2026

SSRI use during pregnancy linked to gestational diabetes risk and early adaptation problems in newborns

An international team of researchers has found that the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes and early adaptation problems in newborns, even after taking maternal depression into account.

13 Feb 2026

New soft robotic probe enables continuous monitoring of fetus's vital signs

Northwestern University researchers have developed the first device that can continuously track a fetus's vital signs while still in the uterus - a feat that previously has not been possible.

26 Jan 2026

Microbiome differences distinguish preterm infants with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis

24 Jan 2026

AI predicts health outcomes for premature newborns from blood samples

An artificial intelligence-based tool can predict the medical trajectories of individual premature newborns from blood samples collected soon after they are born, a Stanford Medicine-led study has shown.

21 Jan 2026

Study finds no safety or efficacy gap between paracetamol and ibuprofen for neonatal PDA

In a UK pilot randomized trial, intravenous paracetamol and ibuprofen showed no statistically significant differences in short-term efficacy or safety when used as rescue therapy for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants. The study demonstrated high feasibility but was not powered to determine clinical superiority or equivalence between treatments.

21 Jan 2026

Higher maternal blood pressure linked to increased risks of pregnancy complications

Helping women to keep their blood pressure at normal levels could reduce their risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Bristol. The research is published in BMC Medicine today [14 January].

13 Jan 2026

Music sessions aid bonding and provide respite in NICUs

Playing soothing live music in intensive care units not only helps parents bond with their baby but also provides a moment's respite from an uncertain and stressful situation, says a senior doctor in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.

18 Dec 2025

Interdisciplinary project aims reduce noise exposure for premature children in neonatal care

Premature babies are particularly susceptible to strong sensory impressions and high sound levels from the incubator. Now researchers will look at what can be done to protect children's hearing and development.

12 Dec 2025

A 36-week screening strategy safely reduces pre-eclampsia at term

Screening pregnant women at 36 weeks using a validated risk model and offering risk-stratified planned early-term birth reduced the incidence of term pre-eclampsia by about 30 percent without increasing maternal or neonatal complications. The randomised PREVENT-PE trial demonstrates that a personalised timing-of-birth strategy can prevent term pre-eclampsia where no effective medical prevention currently exists.

8 Dec 2025