Kristie McNealy, MD

A while back, I introduced you all to a really fun series of workbooks and audiobooks about the human body. Human Body Detectives is great for homeschoolers, as well as anyone who just wants to supplement their child’s school science curriculum.

I just found out that in order to make room for the second edition of the series, the whole first edition is on sale buy one get one free, with free shipping while supplies last. This would be a great chance to complete your set, or buy a few as gifts.

While I’m excited to see what’s new in the second edition, the first edition is great, so I encourage you to check it out.

This week Deb Discenza, moderator of the Inspire Preemie Support Group, launched a survey of preemie moms regarding insensitive comments from family, friends and the public.  I know I originally met some of you on the Inspire preemie form back in the day, so I wanted to pass on this opportunity to share your experiences.

Survey respondents will be entered to win one of three prizes in a random drawing: a $50 Amazon gift card; a copy of “The Preemie Parent’s Survival Guide to the NICU,” from www.PreemieWorld.com; and a copy of the “Little Man” DVD, from www.PreemieWorld.com.

While this survey is only open to the moms of preemies and former preemies, keep your eye out for future surveys looking for the input of other family members.

Mahua Choudhury, a neonatology research fellow at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, was recently granted $100,000 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study preeclampsia, a condition that is a major cause of  preterm birth and maternal death.  Choudhury’s project, “A Sensitive Epigenic Tool for Prediction of Preeclampsia” was one of 88 projects to receive funding from the Grand Challenges Exploration project.

As a winner  of this grant, Choudhury is in the running to receive additional funds based on the success of her project.

Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy complication where high blood pressure develops and protein is found in the urine.  Preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, resulting in seizures and organ damage.  Currently the only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby, and sometimes this results in preterm delivery.

A tool that accurately predicted the development of preeclampsia could help healthcare providers better allocate resources to monitor those women and babies who are at the highest risk.  Ultimately knowing more about the development of preeclampsia could also help us identify new avenues of research into treatments or measures which could prevent preeclampsia.