Risks of Infectious Diseases in Newborns Exposed to Alternative Perinatal Practices

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to educate providers about the risk of infectious diseases associated with emerging alternative peripartum and neonatal practices. This report will provide information pediatricians may use to counsel families before birth and to appropriately evaluate and treat neonates who have been exposed to these practices.

Skin Infection in Neonate After Delivery in Water: A Case Report

“…Due to these reports, as well as the absence of any maternal or neonatal benefit, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) do not recommend immersion births and additional research is necessary to evaluate this method of delivery. 3…”

“…Given the lack of evidence and rise in popularity surrounding water birth, the need for greater education regarding proper pre-birth sanitization and education regarding risks of water delivery should both be further built into prenatal care for those parents who show interest in potential alternative birth methods such as this. 3…”

“…Due to these reports, as well as the absence of any maternal or neonatal benefit, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) do not recommend immersion births and additional research is necessary to evaluate this method of delivery. 3 Invasive S aureus infections, including methicillinresistant S aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA) continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. While P aeruginosa infections are less common in neonates, an untreated infection may lead to sepsis and even death.…”

“…Given the lack of evidence and rise in popularity surrounding water birth, the need for greater education regarding proper pre-birth sanitization and education regarding risks of water delivery should both be further built into prenatal care for those parents who show interest in potential alternative birth methods such as this. 3 Although it is assumed that this neonate contracted both pathogens from their exposures during home water birth, there are confounders regarding whether there were possible other modes of transmission. Specifically, infants born to women colonized with S aureus are more likely to test positive after a vaginal delivery.…”

The Role of Public Health Nursing in Community Health Services

“…There is no doubt that in a public place such as a community, groups of residents are of different ages, occupations, and personalities, and the groups they come into contact with daily are also different. Therefore, in community public health nursing, the nursing staff must be aware of all kinds of disease prevention to effectively safeguard the physical and mental health of all age groups in the community [9].…”