How small is too small?

 - Philippe Chessex, Susan Albersheim, Anne Synnes

Advances in the field of neonatology over the past 50 years allow us to treat smaller and more premature babies. When managing these babies, we need to address a number of ethical issues at the threshold of viability. At what threshold are outcomes bad enough to not offer life saving treatments? Who are the best decision makers? How do you ensure that the decision makers have the right information to make those decisions?

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Buy one get one free!

 - Wendy Robinson, Tim Rowe, Horacio Osiovich

Consequences of delaying childbirth and assisted reproductive technologies. Multiple births increase the risks of fetal, maternal and neonatal morbidities. The present epidemic of multiple births is partly due to assisted reproductive technologies. With the current delayed age of childbirth we are witnessing a substantial increase in the use of assisted reproductive technologies. Parallel to this phenomenon, there is a higher rate of multiple pregnancies with increased risk of maternal-fetal complications. Can we continue to afford uncontrolled access to assisted reproductive technologies, is it time to regulate? Please, join us in the debate.

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Too posh to push?

- Peter Von Dadelszen, Jan Christilaw, Lee Saxell

Perinatologists disagree widely about the risks and benefits of cesarean section on demand. The C-section rate is at an all-time high. The prematurity rate also keeps going up, and the main cause is the late-preterm infant. Late preterm infants have higher morbidity and mortality rates than term infants (gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) even though they are often the size and weight of some term infants. Join in on a debate about how the increasing cesarean section rate might be a contributing factor to the increasing number of late preterm deliveries.

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Blame it on your parents!

 - Judith Hall, Mikael Norman, Tim Oberlander, Sheila Innis

In developmental biology, programming relates to the concept that a stimulus applied at a sensitive period early in life could have long-term consequences. There is an overwhelming body of evidence suggesting that antenatal and neonatal environmental challenges are the origin of chronic adult conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Learn the strategies that might help reduce adverse adult health outcomes by intervening during pregnancy and immediately after birth.

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Do premies become problem teens?

 - Mike Whitfield, Ruth Grunau

Tiny premature babies are now surviving into school age, adolescence and early adulthood. What kinds of health, behavioral and academic challenges do these children face as they mature? How do they rate their quality of life?

Changing the reproduction line: Public input needed

 - Mike Whitfield, Charlyn Black, Craig Mitton

The Canadian system is experiencing mounting pressure on Neonatal Intensive Services, which is at risk of increasing adverse outcomes for patients and families. There is a mismatch between increasing demand and limited resources in the system. Learn how British Columbia is dealing with these issues and how the input of the public might help promote healthier populations.