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Dear friends and supporters of GFCNI,
This edition brings together three important reminders of what progress in newborn health truly requires – stronger systems, better training, and committed people who help move the field forward.
The transition from hospital to home is one of the most sensitive moments in preterm infant care. When discharge planning is unclear or inconsistent, it can place unnecessary strain on families and professionals alike. Standardization does not mean losing flexibility – it means creating clearer, safer, and more supportive pathways for every child and family.
At the same time, high-quality care depends on high-quality education. The certification of the European School of Neonatology’s Master of Advanced Studies in Neonatology is an encouraging milestone for harmonized newborn care training in Europe. Investing in the next generation of professionals is essential if we want care to become more equitable, evidence-based, and family-centered across settings.
We also celebrate Dr. Lindsay Broadbent, whose award recognizes the power of connecting science, healthcare, and public understanding. Her work is a strong example of why communication matters so deeply in our field.
Together, these stories reflect the kind of progress we believe in: thoughtful, collaborative, and always centered on babies and families.
Warm regards,
Silke Mader and the GFCNI team
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© FREEP!K
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United for Better Breathing
Co-Creating Care: GFCNI at the ERS Congress
This year’s European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, held in collaboration with the ELF (European Lung Foundation) in September, will spotlight the vital relationship between respiratory professionals and patients, placing patient involvement at the heart of its program. Ahead of the Congress, GFCNI has been invited to contribute to a pre-congress webinar on partnerships involving children, young people and caregivers. We are grateful to share insights from our “BronQ Family” study, illustrating the challenges and clear benefits of co-creating care for patients with respiratory diseases. Stay tuned for the summer webinar series, and check back regularly for updates on registration.
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© FIBAA / ESPR
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Neonatology Master Certified
Advancing Harmonized Newborn Care Training in Europe
Congratulations to the European School of Neonatology (ESN) on achieving FIBAA certification for its Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Neonatology, an important milestone we are proud to support. This fully online program equips early-career physicians with flexible, rigorous training that integrates academic learning and clinical practice. It aligns with European standards and aims to reduce disparities in care. By strengthening professional training and promoting a family-centered approach, the program helps advance more consistent, high-quality care for newborns and their families across Europe.
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© Lindsay Broadbent
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Bridging Voices
Recognizing Dr. Lindsay Broadbent for Building Bridges Across Science and Care
Dr. Lindsay Broadbent, Lecturer in Virology at the University of Surrey, has received the 2026 Outreach and Engagement Prize from the Microbiology Society and delivered her prize lecture at the Society’s Annual Conference. Her research focuses on respiratory virus-host interactions, innate immune responses, and the long-term effects of respiratory viral infection, including chronic lung disease. An expert on RSV, she is also widely recognized for her commitment to science communication and public engagement. We are proud to count her among the experts in our wider network and delighted to celebrate this recognition of her work and her continued commitment to making complex science more accessible and relevant across communities.
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© amada Helena
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Support, Qualification, and Advocacy
Advancing Dignity, Recognition, and Support for Bereaved Parents in Brazil
We are pleased to welcome “amada Helena” as a new member of our international network of parent and patient organizations. For more than 14 years, “amada Helena” has supported parents in Brazil who have experienced the loss of a child at any stage of life. Grounded in the validation of parental grief, its work promotes listening, respect, compassion, and dignity across health, education, and social care. In addition to supporting families, “amada Helena” trains professionals, raises public awareness, and advocates for more humane and stigma-free approaches to bereavement. Its work has also helped shape public policy, including the Helena Maffini Law in 2022 and the 2025 national policy on the humanization of maternal and parental bereavement. We are very glad to welcome “amada Helena” to our network.
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© FREEP!K
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Family Quality of Life
When Preterm Birth Reshapes Parental Well-Being
A new systematic review and meta-analysis shows that parental quality of life is often lowest during neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization and improves over time, particularly after discharge. Drawing on 34 studies involving more than 14,000 parents, the analysis highlights how emotional strain, physical exhaustion, and social disruption shape the early experience of caring for a preterm infant. The findings also show that mothers often report lower well-being in the early period, although these differences tend to narrow later. For healthcare professionals, the message is clear – strong communication, emotional support, and family-centered care can make a meaningful difference.
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© FREEP!K
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Discharge Readiness
Why Better Discharge Planning Matters Long Before a Baby Goes Home
A Swedish mixed-method study across 36 neonatal units found substantial variation in how preterm infants are discharged from hospital to home. Staff often relied on personal judgment rather than shared criteria, while parents were only limitedly involved in planning and sometimes received preparation late in the process. The findings also show unequal access to neonatal home care, particularly for families facing language or social barriers. For healthcare professionals, the study underscores the need for clearer standards, earlier parent involvement, and more consistent communication – all of which can strengthen parental confidence and support a safer transition home.
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© Pexels / Olly
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Sensitive Care
How Maternal Sensitivity May Strengthen Outcomes for Preterm Children
A large individual participant data meta-analysis across seven birth cohorts found that higher maternal sensitivity is associated with better cognitive and language outcomes in children born preterm. The association was strongest for cognition in those born at lower gestational ages, suggesting that sensitive parent-infant interaction may offer particular benefit for the most vulnerable children. The findings support a growing focus on responsive, emotionally attuned care as part of standardized newborn care and long-term follow-up. For healthcare professionals, the study adds strong evidence that promoting sensitive early interactions can support developmental outcomes across preterm populations.
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