MCRI guidelines to care for country’s very prem babies

New guidelines developed by the MCRI set to shape the care of very prem babies born in Australia

When he made his early and dramatic arrival into the world, tiny Teddy Kirby weighed about the same as a glass of milk.

Newport mum Sarah Kirby said her “miracle boy” was delivered at just 26 weeks by an emergency caesarean after his heart rate started to slow.

So tiny when he was born weighing just 719g, she said her son could almost fit into the palm of her hand.

“His tiny ears were like tissue and his skin transparent. I was taken aback at how thin he was because he hadn’t had a chance to put on any weight,” Ms Kirby said.

Corey and Sarah Kirby and baby Teddy, 14 months. Teddy weighed as much as a glass of milk when he was born 14 weeks early. Picture: Mark Stewart

Teddy, now 14 months old, is one of around 3500 babies born early each year in Australia.

Experts say around 40 per cent will experience some health setbacks including delayed growth, hearing loss, neurodevelopmental and sleep problems, language delay and autism.

Key, they say, to optimising the health of the babies, their growth and development is to detect any potential challenges early.

Sarah Kirby holds her son Teddy who weighed just 719 grams at birth at The Women’s and could almost fit in the palm of her hand. Image: Supplied.

To ensure this, a team led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) will release on Tuesday Australia’s first clinical guidelines for babies born in Australia before 32 weeks.

The guidelines, says MCRI Professor Jeanie Cheong, will be available online and accessible to any health professionals and families.

“We’re not saying that follow-up doesn’t happen, but we do we know that it is not uniform,” she says.

“The purpose is to bring together the decades of research, including that from within Australia and our team, to produce evidence-based guidelines to assist healthcare professionals, health services and the families know best practice.”

Prof Cheong said the National Health and Medical Research Council-funded guidelines were developed after a rigorous two-year consultation.

They will now recommend the follow-up services needed from when babies leave hospital until they turn six years old.

Prof Cheong says while the guidelines end at school entry, the team hopes to get further funding to involve school age adolescents and adult life.

“We have known for a long time that some children born very pre-term, less than 32 weeks of a 40-week completed pregnancy, have a higher chance of having challenges in multiple areas of health development and growth,” Prof Cheong said.

Baby Teddy Kirby spent more than 100 days in neonatal intensive care at The Women’s after he was born early at 26 weeks. Image: Supplied.

“In order to help children reach their full potential, they need to have follow-up but follow-up that is also targeted,” Prof Cheong said.

“Many children born less than 32 weeks do receive some sort of follow-up, but it depends on where you live and your access to health care.”

She said this lack of consistency meant many were missing out on important follow up care.

MCRI’s Dr Jamie Owen said to avoid these gaps in care, every family with a child born very preterm should be guided by a co-ordinated, multidisciplinary team.

“These guidelines detail how GP clinics, hospitals and other healthcare centres can work together to ensure all children have access to transformative, ongoing care and any health concerns are identified and treated early,” she said.

Sarah Kirby and baby Teddy, 14 months. She says he is her miracle boy. Picture: Mark Stewart

Teddy is now a healthy, happy toddler learning to walk, determined to run.

“He is the light of our lives,” Ms Kirby said.

“Teddy is meeting all his milestones, doing everything he should be.”

Ms Kirby says the guidelines will be a valuable resource for parents when they leave the NICU.

“While there has always been information for parents, this is taking it to the next level.”

Teddy was born at The Women’s and spent almost 100 days there.

“We had friends who had been in a similar situation and they told us to embrace the highs and ride out the lows,” Ms Kirby said.

“We didn’t have any lows, but you were always holding your breath, we were very lucky.

“You just hope, that’s all you can do.”

Teddy also has a big sister Lola, 9.

“We are beyond happy,” Ms Kirby says. “Everything’s perfect. Teddy is our miracle boy. He is so lovely and has so much personality and character.

“He knows what he wants! I wouldn’t change him for the world, or actually the whole experience of having a prem baby because it makes it worthwhile.”

To read the guidelines visit