The second day of jENS 2023 kicked off with a lively and energetic poster walk session. In the morning rush, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Andrei S. Morgan, a partner in the TREOCAPA research project, who presented his poster titled “Long-Term Follow-Up After Trials Using a European Platform of Preterm Birth Cohorts: LIFT-UP Preterm.”

Soon after, Silke Mader and Professor Luc Zimmermann co-chaired the first parallel session of the day, focused on “Ethical Aspects Around New Technologies and Research Trials.” The session emphasized that collaboration is essential to advancing neonatal health research and securing sustainable funding for better outcomes in neonatal care.

Professor Luc Zimmermann, Medical Director of GFCNI (EFCNI), followed with a session dedicated to “Patient Involvement in Neonatal Research and New Technologies.” He called for removing barriers to parent involvement by placing patients and families at the center of clinical research, reinforcing the importance of meaningful and inclusive engagement.

In the EFCNI-led “Golden Hour” session, esteemed expert Dr. Lukas Mileder delivered a powerful presentation on patient safety, focusing on “Keeping the Baby Warm – Thermoregulation.” His session provided practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting fragile newborns during their first critical moments of life.

The day concluded on a heartfelt note with a beautiful session on Kangaroo Mother Care by Dr. Stina Klemming. In her moving talk, she asked, “If a parent’s love and closeness is not paramount to a child’s wellbeing, then what is?” Her answer made a compelling case for immediate skin-to-skin care after birth, echoing a message that resonates deeply with our mission at GFCNI.

It was a day rich in learning, collaboration, and inspiration, all rooted in the shared goal of improving neonatal and maternal care worldwide.

Thursday was an intense and impactful day—incredibly busy, productive, and full of valuable insights. We are deeply grateful for the supportive community of partners, medical experts, patient representatives, and advocates who continue to join forces in advancing newborn and maternal health.

The day began with a session focused on improving nutrition and feeding practices for preterm infants. Professor Magnus Domellöf offered thought-provoking insights into fortification strategies in the NICU, explaining why alternative approaches are being explored to optimize outcomes. He was followed by Professor Luc Zimmermann, who discussed the importance of informing and involving parents in their baby's nutritional care in the NICU.

“Being in the NICU is a stressful experience for both the baby and the parents. Feeding problems are the most common difficulties after discharge. Informing and involving parents in care procedures early on is the best way to co-regulate parental stress and improve outcomes for babies,” he concluded.

We were also proud to support two expert-led symposia:

• In the first, Professor Angelika Berger and Professor Raffaella Nenna explored the topic of RSV, providing up-to-date insights into epidemiology and key risk factors in the post-COVID era.
• The second symposium focused on the benefits of breast milk for preterm infants, particularly its impact on developmental outcomes, with expert contributions from Professor Magnus Domellöf and Professor Jean-Michel Hascoët.

Later, the program featured a hands-on workshop on patient safety, emphasizing how a blame-free culture in healthcare settings can enhance the quality of neonatal care, especially in emergency situations.

The day also addressed broader societal and political issues affecting neonatal and maternal care. A dedicated session on war and migration brought attention to the challenging and often traumatic conditions faced by pregnant women and healthcare providers working in conflict zones and displaced communities.

Thursday was a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility and collective strength within our community, as we continue working toward a future where every baby receives the best possible start in life.

Another fantastic day at jENS 2023—we were thrilled to welcome familiar faces and new visitors to the GFCNI (EFCNI) booth and share ideas, updates, and inspiration with our growing community.

At noon, Dr. Isabel Geiger, former Head of the European Standards of Care for Newborn Health (ESCNH) at GFCNI (EFCNI), and Verena Krause, former ESCNH Project Manager, hosted the Ambassador Lunch Kick-off Meeting. This special gathering brought together experts and advocates from across Europe, celebrating those who are actively advancing the ESCNH.

The Ambassador Programme recognizes outstanding contributions from Chair Committee members, healthcare professionals, parent representatives, preterm-born adults and adolescents, and policymakers. Its core goals are to raise awareness, expand the ESCNH network, promote specific standards and topics, and advance both the translation and local implementation of the standards.

In the afternoon, Dr. Christina Tischer, Head of Scientific Affairs and Research at GFCNI (EFCNI), presented initial findings from the ResQFamily study. Her talk revealed that severe RSV infections in infants significantly reduce parental quality of life and disrupt family functioning, particularly during the acute phase of illness. These insights highlight the urgent need to increase disease awareness and emphasize the importance of preventive measures among healthcare professionals, patient representatives, and policymakers.

A big thank you to all participants and presenters who continue to drive change in neonatal and maternal health through research, advocacy, and collaboration.

It’s a wrap! After five incredible days of inspiring talks, insightful lectures, engaging debates, and meaningful networking, jENS 2023 has come to a close—and we leave feeling grateful, energized, and proud to have been part of this remarkable experience.

Today, we had the honor of chairing our final sessions on infant- and family-centered developmental care (IFCDC) and parental involvement in the NICU, together with Professor Karen Walker. These sessions focused on topics close to our hearts, including Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), Couplet Care, the role of fathers in the NICU, and stress prevention after preterm birth.

We were thrilled to see such strong attendance on the final day and grateful for the lively, thoughtful discussions that highlighted the importance and lasting impact of these topics in neonatal care and beyond.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited the GFCNI (EFCNI) booth, connected with our team, and shared their stories.

A special thank you to our parent community, whose presence and perspectives gave voice to families and patients throughout the congress. Your contributions are at the core of everything we do.

And finally, our sincere thanks to MCA Scientific Events for the opportunity to take part in this exceptional congress and for ensuring that parents and patient organizations have a place in the global conversation on maternal and newborn health.

We’ll cherish the memories of #jENS2023 and are already counting down the days until we reunite at jENS 2025!

The jENS Awards were a spectacular highlight of the first day at jENS 2023 in Rome, honoring outstanding contributions to the field of neonatal and maternal health.

Our warmest congratulations go to Ilknur Okay, co-founder and president of the Turkish parent organization El Bebek Gül Bebek, Committee Member of GLANCE, and member of the ESCNH Parent, Patient and Public Advisory Board (PPPAB). A long-standing and trusted partner within the GFCNI (EFCNI) community, Ilknur has been instrumental in advancing newborn health in Turkey and beyond. We thank her for her exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact.

We also extend our congratulations to the ESPR and UENPS awardees:

• Professor Heike Rabe, honored by the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR)

• Professor Neena Modi, honored by the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS)

   

Their visionary work continues to shape and strengthen the future of neonatal care worldwide.