Neonatal and perinatal care is a national priority in Ukraine. In 2023, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) intensified efforts to strengthen perinatal services across the country. As part of these efforts, the set of 16 standards for the topic of “Follow-up and continuing care” has now been translated, reviewed, and adapted into Ukrainian.   Translation of the ESCNH standards The translation of the standards on “Follow-up and continuing care” was a joint initiative by the NHSU, UNICEF, and the parent and patient organisation “Early Birds” (Ранні пташки). This milestone supports Ukraine in aligning national practice with international best standards, also in the context of EU integration.   Supporting healthcare professionals nationwide The Ukrainian editions are intended for healthcare professionals working in maternity, perinatal, and paediatric services. They are expected to serve as a key reference for future national clinical guidelines, protocols, and legislation.   Capacity-building and knowledge sharing Capacity-building activities are already under way. Since 2024, UNICEF has led a national webinar programme on Follow-up Care for Newborns with Low Birth Weight within the Medical Guarantees Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service of Ukraine, “Early Birds”, and with support from the Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation. The programme brings together teams from perinatal care centres, oblast children’s hospitals, and primary healthcare facilities.   Gratitude and collaboration The Ministry of Health, the National Health Service of Ukraine, UNICEF Ukraine, and Early Birds express their sincere gratitude to GFCNI for ongoing support and collaboration in improving care for Ukraine’s smallest patients – especially in times of war.

© Pexels Infections remain a serious threat for newborns, especially those born preterm and requiring intensive care. Neonatal sepsis and other bacterial infections can lead to long-term complications or even death if not treated properly. In recent years, some studies have suggested shortening antibiotic treatment or switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics sooner. While these ideas aim to reduce antibiotic overuse, they often rely on limited evidence and may overlook important safety concerns. This perspective article reviews why caution is needed before changing current treatment practices and stresses the importance of parental involvement in decisions about care. The findings highlight the need for safe and responsible antibiotic use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Antibiotics are vital for protecting newborns from dangerous infections. However, their use in neonatal intensive care requires careful consideration. While overuse can contribute to antibiotic resistance and other complications, under-treatment puts infants at risk of life-threatening conditions. The challenge lies in finding the right balance. The article examines recent observational studies that recommend shorter antibiotic courses or early transition from intravenous to oral antibiotics for newborns with suspected or confirmed infections. These studies, however, often lack standardised definitions, include diverse infection types in a single group, and are conducted without parental consent. Such limitations raise concerns about the reliability of the findings and their potential impact on vulnerable infants.   Why standard guidelines still matter Evidence-based guidelines, such as those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, provide a framework for safe treatment of neonatal infections. Departures from these recommendations, if not backed by robust research, can increase risks for infants, especially those born very preterm, who have immature immune systems. The article stresses that newborns, and particularly preterm infants, cannot be treated as smaller versions of older children or adults. Their unique vulnerabilities must be recognised. Additional results show that both early- and late-onset sepsis remain major health challenges worldwide. Very low birth weight infants are at much higher risk, and survival rates are strongly linked to gestational age. Importantly, many neonatal infections cannot be reliably confirmed by blood cultures, meaning that stopping antibiotics too early could leave serious infections untreated.   What this means for parents and caregivers For parents, the key message is that antibiotics should neither be overused nor withheld when they are truly needed. Antibiotic stewardship programmes can safely reduce unnecessary exposure while ensuring effective treatment. Measures such as using sepsis risk calculators or automatic stop alerts have shown promise in lowering inappropriate antibiotic use without harming infants. Still, the authors caution that stewardship must always prioritise safety over speed. This article emphasises that any changes to antibiotic treatment for newborns should be introduced with great care, clear definitions, and full parental involvement. For families and healthcare providers alike, the priority remains the same: protecting the health and future of every newborn through safe, evidence-based care.   Paper available at: Investigating antibiotics in the NICU and patient safety – PubMed Full list of authors: Lawrence, S.M.; Wynn, J.L.; Kimberlin, D.W.; Cantey, J.B. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1563940

© Pexels Providing the best possible start in life for all newborns is a global challenge, particularly for those requiring intensive hospital care. Traditionally, neonatal care has focused more on medical tasks than on the essential role of parents. To address this gap, a programme called Close Collaboration with Parents was developed in Finland as a staff training initiative to strengthen family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Involving 26 units, the programme has shown promising outcomes for infants, families, and healthcare staff alike. Most notably, it helped create a care culture where parents are true partners in their infant’s care. These changes have led to improved infant growth, shorter hospital stays, more parent-infant interaction, and a reduction in maternal depressive symptoms.   Changing care culture in neonatal units Newborns in intensive care need more than medical treatment – they need the emotional and physical closeness of their parents. However, many hospitals have traditionally limited parental involvement. This lack of inclusion can increase stress for parents and disrupt bonding with their infant. The Close Collaboration with Parents programme addresses this issue by guiding healthcare teams to adopt a more relationship-based approach, promoting open communication and shared caregiving with parents. To shift care culture, the programme trains all NICU staff in four key phases: observing and understanding infant behaviour, collaborating with parents on care decisions, listening to each family’s unique story, and involving parents in all aspects of care, including discharge planning. Staff practice these skills at the bedside with support from trained mentors, helping them apply what they learn in real-life settings.   Improved connections benefit everyone involved After completing the training, hospitals observed significant improvements. Parents spent more time in the unit and increased skin-to-skin contact with their infants. Fathers especially reported greater involvement in shared decision-making. Staff gained confidence in supporting parents, providing emotional care, and listening actively. Nurses described a shift from being primary caregivers to being facilitators who empower parents to take an active role. In addition to enhanced relationships, measurable medical benefits were observed. Preterm infants in trained units had better weight gain and shorter hospital stays. A long-term follow-up showed that mothers reported fewer depressive symptoms even two years after discharge. These results show that investing in family-centred care has a positive impact on both emotional well-being and clinical outcomes.   From training to transformation The programme ensures that all families – regardless of background or medical condition – can participate fully in their child’s care. This inclusiveness is key to providing equitable support across neonatal units. By involving entire care teams and tailoring implementation to each hospital’s needs, the program fosters sustainable changes that benefit every infant and family. With its emphasis on partnership, empathy, and shared responsibility, the Close Collaboration with Parents programme offers a powerful model for units worldwide. Its success demonstrates that nurturing relationships between staff and families is not just supportive, it is essential.   Paper available at: Close Collaboration with Parents—Implementation and effectiveness – Ahlqvist‐Björkroth – 2025 – Acta Paediatrica – Wiley Online Library Full list of authors: Ahlqvist-Björkroth, S.; Axelin, A.; Lehtonen, L. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.17210