Interested in getting more involved in the Section on Pediatrics? Visit the Section's Volunteer Page to find out how to do it!
Message from the Neonatology SIG Leadership
Hello Neonatology Special Interest Group member! This is Sue Hausch, Chair of the Neonatology SIG (NNSIG), rolling out the 3rd edition of the Neonatology Special Interest Group Newsletter. Hope you have an opportunity to relax and soak up some of the summer sunshine.
We are still seeking your feedback regarding certification for therapists practicing in the NICU. It is still a topic of interest for many clinicians and needs further exploration. However, your input and ideas are just as important to the processes leading to certification. Other professional organizations have similar certifications and use a combination of training modules, tests, and expectations to achieve certification. Do you think there is a need for a Neonatology Certification? As a neonatal practitioner do you think this certification is something you would be interested in pursuing? Contact Sue Hausch to share your thoughts!
If you have ideas on how to grow the SIG, other thoughts regarding additional fact sheets, topics for programming, areas of concern, ideas or contributions for the Newsletter, or discussion by members, please let us hear from you. Your ideas matter to us! Thank you.
Jane Sweeney, PT, PhD, PCS, FAPTA: Neonatology SIG Secretary
Marie Reilly,PT, PhD: SoPAC Liaison to Neonatology SIG
Patty McGee, PT, DPT, PCS: Neonatology SIG Social Media Coordinator
What's Been Happening
The Neonatology and Early Intervention SIG collaborative workgroup are continuing to refine a workable communication form to facilitate a smooth, supportive transition for our qualifying NICU graduates into EI. Bertie Gatlin, NN SIG Vice-Chair, co-coordinates the committee along with Paula Cox from the EI SIG. We look forward to them discussing their findings at SoPAC 2016. If you would like to share your concerns, challenges and suggestions for success with this sensitive transition it's not too late - please contact one of the committee members (Bertie Gatlin, Charlotte Yates, or Katie Lammers) to share your thoughts.
In our last newsletter we announced the start of our "secret" Facebook group. Patty McGee and Bertie Gatlin were instrumental in launching this for the NN SIG. We will again reach out to members through an email blast with an invitation to join the group. Follow the link in the email. If you do not already have a Facebook account, you will need to create one once you follow the link to the site. Our Facebook group is labeled as "secret." This means that it is NOT viewable or even searchable to the general public. The only way to gain access to the group is to be invited by a group member, and then approved by an administrator.
Only Section on Pediatrics members who have paid dues and are registered Neonatology SIG members will be granted access to the group. You may also "friend" Patty McGee or Bertie Gatlin through Facebook to allow them to extend an invitation to you. If you are not yet an APTA or Section on Pediatrics member, please join as these are wonderful opportunities to get involved in your profession and specialty areas. If you are a Section on Pediatrics member but are not yet a Neonatology SIG member, please follow this link to register. Membership to the SIG is free and will give you access to clinicians around the country practicing in neonatology units and follow-up clinics.
For all new members be sure to check out our website which has tools to help the practitioner. These can be accessed at www.pediatricapta.org under Members, Special Interest Groups, Neonatology.
Future Programming
SoPAC 2015 - Pittsburgh, PA, November 6-8 We look forward to another year of spectacular programming at SoPAC 2015. Topics will include Splinting/Bracing/Taping in the NICU; Plasticity and Experience in Perinatal Motor Development; Perinatal Motor Development and Newborn Behavioral Observations. The Neonatology SIG will presenting at the Practice Fair in the Exhibit Hall. If you'd like to lend a hand at the Neonatology SIG booth in the Exhibit Hall, please stop by. Volunteers are always welcome to provide suggestions and collaborative ideas on challenges faced in their NICU practices. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Pittsburgh!
Deformational Plagiocephaly is a hot topic not only for infants and toddlers, but in the NICU as well. Premature infants are particularly prone to this condition due to medically necessary positional constraints resulting in their heads remaining in one position for extended periods of time. The soft bones of the skull flattens easily when the head remains in a fixed position. Positioning babies on ventilator assist or neonates who have undergone complicated surgical procedures can pose a challenge to even the most seasoned NICU team. A new gel cap designed to prevent this deformity has been undergoing trial at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The gel cap redistributes pressure on the premature infants head. You may be seeing this gel cap soon in a NICU by you. You may find the following articles of interest.
DeGrazia M, Giambanco D, Hamn G, Ditzel A, Tucker L, Gauvreau K. Prevention of deformational plagiocephaly in hospitalized infants using a new orthotic device. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2015 Jan-Feb;44(1):28-41.
Flannery AB, Looman WS, Kemper K. Evidence-based care of the child with deformational plagiocephaly, part II: management. J Pediatr Health Care,2012 Sep-Oct;26(5):320-31.
Xia JJ, Kennedy KA, Teichgraeber JF, Wu KQ, Baumgartner JB, Gateno J. Nonsurgical treatment of deformational plagiocephaly: a systematic review. See comment in PubMed Commons belowArch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008 Aug;162(8):719-27.
Training & Advancement of Pediatric Therapists for NICU Care: Science & Practice in Neonatal Interventions, Feeding, and Transition to Home: 6-8 August, 2015
Developmental Orthopedics & Splinting and Taping Update: Neonate and Young Child 9-10 August, 2015 (includes lab)