$73,459 raised for neonatology

New this year, Plant Baby Month took place across the province, not just in Sherbrooke. From the North Shore to Estrie, Quebecers answered the call and got themselves beautiful baby plants. This year, the population was able to benefit from new discovered boxes, including the box Animal friends. At the end of March 2022, $73,459.20 was donated to the CHUS Foundation. This sum will be dedicated to a research project as well as to the improvement of care at the neonatology department of Hôpital Fleurimont.

“Although the birth of a newborn is a happy event, several babies need to stay in the neonatal unit before they can go home. Among the causes of hospitalization are respiratory problems, infections, lack of oxygen at birth and prematurity, the latter being one of the most frequent causes. In fact, approximately 8% of babies are born before 37 weeks of gestational age in Quebec. Fortunately, for the majority of these children, hospitalization will result in a return home without sequelae or special follow-up.”

- Dr. Jean-Sébastien Tremblay-Roy, one of the beneficiary doctors

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The research project funded by the profits of the Plant Baby Month focuses on the development of technologies used to support the heart and lungs of sick newborns hospitalized in the neonatal unit.

As for the improvement of daily care during hospitalization on the neonatal unit, it should be noted that on a daily basis, the adaptation of parents and the healthcare team to the reactions of the premature newborn is crucial to allow the babies' brains to develop as normally as possible. To do this, the amount raised will allow professionals working on the CIUSSSE-CHUS neonatal unit to benefit from a recognized developmental care education program in order to be able to improve the clinical care they offer, but also to better teach parents how to interpret their baby's behaviors during hospitalization.

The objective of this training, for the healthcare team, is to better support and guide parents in the development of their babies. Thus, the CIUSSSE-CHUS neonatology team wishes to implement the FINE “Family and Infants Neurodevelopmental Education” program, which aims to improve the quality of care from a family-centered perspective and oriented towards the optimal brain development of patients hospitalized on the neonatal unit.

Many thanks to Mélanie, to the whole team behind this magnificent project and to all those who purchased baby plants during the month of March. Thanks to you, babies born prematurely will be able to have the best care, here, close to their families.

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