New early birth guidelines

NICE have this week release new guidelines for professionals on the management of early birth.  Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second leading cause of deaths in children under fives and those babies who survive have increased rates of disability.  These guidelines identify ways to prevent preterm birth, to diagnose and manage preterm labour, and to reduce the associated risks to the baby. It also sets out a range of recommendations for healthcare professionals who treat women who are likely to deliver preterm.

RCM quality and audit development advisor Jane Munro said: “We are particularly pleased to see such a high focus in the guideline on detailed information-giving to women and their families at all stages of pregnancy with the risk of prematurity, as a lack of access to this information has remained an important and disturbing issue for a long time.”

Read the new guidelines here

For a summary see here

RCM response may be viewed here