Search

A recent study conducted at Shenzhen Children's Hospital focused on posttraumatic growth (PTG) among parents of premature infants. The research found that parents of preterm infants generally exhibited low to medium levels of PTG, with factors such as older gestational age, higher Apgar scores, positive coping styles, and high levels of social support being associated with higher PTG levels. The study suggests that targeted intervention programs could help improve parents' PTG and overall well-being. For more information, the full article can be accessed at BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Iowa examined the impact of anti-scatter grids on radiation exposure during transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants. The research found that the use of anti-scatter grids did not significantly alter radiation exposure levels in premature infants undergoing the procedure. The study concluded that transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure can be safely performed with minimal radiation exposure in premature infants. For more information, readers can refer to the research article published in Cardiology in the Young. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at West China Second University Hospital in Sichuan, China, focused on the use of a WeChat mini program for managing the catch-up growth of premature infants after discharge. The study surveyed 417 parents of premature infants and found that there is a high demand for such a program. Factors influencing the demand included occupation, education level, family structure, and frequency of using WeChat. The researchers concluded that the WeChat mini program can be further improved to meet the needs of parents of premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, have conducted a study on premature birth and the Triple Aim quality improvement standard. The study analyzed outcomes of extremely premature infants in neonatal intensive care units, focusing on population health, cost, and individual care. The findings suggest that achieving Triple Aim excellence in healthcare requires evidence-based methodologies and pragmatic decision-making. This research, published in the American Journal of Perinatology, highlights the complexities of improving quality and cost outcomes in neonatal care. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Karnataka, India, focused on interpreting amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) patterns in stable preterm neonates. The study included 45 preterm neonates between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation and found that aEEG patterns varied based on gestational age, with more mature patterns observed in infants over 30 weeks. The research concluded that aEEG is predominantly a continuous normal voltage pattern in infants over 30 weeks' gestation and discontinuous in those at 30 weeks' gestation. The study highlights the importance of monitoring brain activity in premature infants to better understand their neurological development. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on babbling in extremely premature infants at 12 months corrected age. The research found that premature infants had a lower proportion of infants producing canonical babbling and used a smaller consonant inventory compared to a reference group of infants without known medical diagnoses. The study suggests that further research is needed to determine if babbling at 12 months can predict speech and language skills in extremely premature infants at an older age. This peer-reviewed research provides valuable insights into the development of speech and language in premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the National Medical Center focused on the prevalence of unplanned extubation (UE) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study found that UE was a significant complication, especially in premature infants, with a prevalence rate of 2.0/100 days of ventilation. Immediate complications, such as desaturation and bradycardia, were common, highlighting the need for standardized protocols to reduce these events. The research underscores the importance of proper endotracheal tube care to prevent UE in vulnerable neonatal populations. [Extracted from the article]

Research conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focused on transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants weighing less than 1500 g using a KA micro plug device. The study, a single-center retrospective analysis, found that the procedure was successful in all 18 infants with no major complications, and all patients were alive with the device in good position during follow-up. The researchers recommended enhancing devices and delivery systems to simplify the procedure and reduce the risk of hemodynamic instability. This research has been peer-reviewed and published in Cardiology in the Young. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Division of Neonatology in Houston, Texas, focused on reducing iatrogenic blood losses in premature infants. The researchers used an implementation science approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, to decrease the amount of blood taken from very low birth weight infants during the first three weeks after birth. The study found that implementation strategies such as resident education, revised order sets, and blood loss awareness resulted in an 18.5% reduction in laboratory tests, a 17% decrease in blood taken, and an overall reduction of $290,328 in laboratory charges. The study concluded that this approach was effective in reducing laboratory tests, blood loss, and charges in premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by National Taiwan University Hospital aimed to assess the current neonatal nutritional practices in Taiwan and promote consensus on standardized protocols. The study found that most neonatal units in Taiwan adhere to standard parenteral nutrition protocols, but there are discrepancies in the use of protein-containing solutions and lower mineral supplements. The study suggests that these issues increase the nutritional risk for preterm infants and further research is needed. The findings provide new insights into premature birth and can inform future guidelines for neonatal care in Taiwan. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Universitas Brawijaya discusses the factors associated with maternal stress while caring for premature infants at home. The study, which involved 188 mothers with premature infants, found that the majority of mothers experienced a moderate level of stress. Factors such as younger age, low level of education, living in rural areas, and low knowledge of care were found to be associated with higher levels of stress. The research highlights the importance of understanding these factors in order to provide effective assistance to mothers in this situation. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Emory University conducted a study to identify factors associated with successful pharmacologic closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. The study found that older gestational age, male sex, and maternal preeclampsia were associated with successful closure, while infants who received postnatal steroids were less likely to have successful closure. These findings can help inform decision-making around the management of PDA. The study was supported by the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. [Extracted from the article]

A new report discusses research on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition affecting premature infants. The study reviewed the medical records of infants born at less than 31 weeks' gestational age and found that infants born at less than 24 weeks' gestational age were more likely to develop severe ROP and require treatment. The researchers recommend initiating ROP screening examinations before 31 weeks' postmenstrual age, particularly for infants born at less than 24 weeks' gestational age and those with lower birth weights. The study was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and was supported by various organizations. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at Ajou University in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, investigated the effect of white noise on premature infants during heel puncture. The study involved 60 premature infants, with half exposed to white noise during the procedure and the other half serving as the control group. The results showed that the infants exposed to white noise had a lower pain response and heart rate, as well as higher oxygen saturation, compared to the control group. The study concluded that white noise intervention is an effective nursing intervention to reduce pain and stabilize vital signs in premature infants during heel puncture. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, explored the effects of maternal speech on neural development in premature infants. The study found that playing recordings of a mother's speech to premature infants had a beneficial impact on neural development after 32 weeks gestational age. The research involved a prospective, randomized controlled trial with 49 subjects and measured heart rate variability in response to the speech recordings. This study suggests that exposure to maternal speech may improve outcomes for premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at George Washington University Hospital has found that a low-dose short course of dexamethasone combined with postextubation bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) intervention may lead to successful early extubation and a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation in extremely premature infants. The study compared the outcomes of infants who received this intervention with a control group and found that the duration of intubation was significantly shorter in the dexamethasone group. Although not statistically significant, the duration to wean to 21% bCPAP was also shorter in the intervention group. This research has been peer-reviewed and published in the American Journal of Perinatology. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences in Chengdu, China, explored nutritional management strategies for preterm newborns with very low birth weight. The study reviewed data from medical records of preterm infants weighing 1,000-1,500 g and found that combined nutrition, which involved a combination of parenteral nutrition and other methods, effectively met caloric and nutritional needs without increasing morbidity and mortality. Infants on combined nutrition demonstrated higher weight gain compared to those on parenteral nutrition. The study suggests that combined nutrition may be a viable alternative feeding approach for very low birth weight infants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Cadiz in Spain discusses the prediction of neurodevelopmental impairments (NDI) in premature infants using clinical data and machine learning techniques. The study found that while previous research has identified potential predictors of NDI, machine learning models still have low predictive capabilities. The researchers evaluated six different classification models and found that the best results were obtained using mutual information-selected features and oversampling for cognitive and motor impairment prediction, while clinician-selected features were best for language impairment prediction. The study concludes that further analysis and methods, as well as other types of data, should be considered to improve performance rates. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran explored the perspectives of nurses and physicians on the use of telecare for post-discharge follow-up care for premature infants. The study found that both nurses and physicians generally agreed on the usefulness of telecare, but had differing opinions on infant safety and trust in parents' understanding of telecare monitoring. The researchers highlighted safety concerns and the need for further exploration into long-term impacts and parental adherence to telecare protocols. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in managing post-discharge care for premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in Iran examined the effect of family-centered education on posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study involved 80 parents of premature infants, who were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received five sessions of family-centered education, while the control group received standard care. The results showed that family-centered education significantly reduced the severity of posttraumatic stress in mothers of premature infants. This research suggests that providing instructions and support to couples can help them emotionally adapt and cope with the traumatic experience of having a premature infant in the NICU. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Islamic Azad University examined the levels of vitamin D in premature infants with and without asphyxia. The study found that both neonatal and maternal vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of perinatal asphyxia, which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The researchers suggest that administering vitamin D supplements to pregnant mothers may help reduce the incidence of asphyxia. This study provides valuable insights into the potential role of vitamin D in preventing complications related to premature birth. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wyoming examined the development of craniofacial and velopharyngeal structures in premature infants. The study utilized MRI scans of six infants born prematurely and imaged before 40 weeks gestation. The results showed that linear craniofacial, velopharyngeal, and levator veli palatini dimensions were consistently shorter in infants under 40 weeks gestation compared to those reported within the first 6 months of life. However, angulation measures were relatively unchanged. The findings suggest that further research in this area may contribute to better diagnosis of craniofacial conditions in utero. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from the Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology in Tamil Nadu, India provides insights into the prevalence of advanced stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants. The study found that late presentation of infants with advanced stages of ROP is often due to a lack of awareness and screening. The research highlights the importance of early detection and management of ROP in premature infants. The study included 220 eyes of 110 premature infants and found that 47.27% of infants underwent vitreoretinal surgery. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina examined the use of insulin for the treatment of neonatal hyperglycemia in premature infants. The study included a cohort of 29,974 infants admitted to over 300 neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2018. The researchers found that the use of insulin significantly decreased over time, and the duration of insulin treatment was associated with adverse outcomes such as retinopathy of prematurity and chronic lung disease. The study concluded that insulin treatment for 1 to 7 days had increased odds of death and other complications compared to no exposure. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh explored the effects of a hearing protection device on the sleep of premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Premature infants often experience prolonged hospitalization in the NICU, where they are exposed to disruptive noise that can hinder their recovery and development. The study found that the use of the hearing protection device, called DREAMIES, increased sleep by 14.1% when it was turned on and decreased sleep by 18.4% when it was turned off. These findings suggest that DREAMIES may help improve sleep in premature infants by reducing exposure to adverse noise in the NICU. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and has been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston has developed a gestational age-based algorithm to detect hypothyroidism in premature infants. The study found that measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at one month of age was predictive of treatment for hypothyroidism. The research supports the use of this screening algorithm for early detection of hypothyroidism in premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the National University of Trujillo in Peru examined the presence of Candida albicans, a type of fungus, in intravenous lipid solutions administered to premature infants. The study found that Candida albicans was not detected in any of the filtered or unfiltered samples. However, the researchers recommend the use of a single 1.2 pm filter in line 'Y' according to international standards to ensure the health system is protected. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing the use of filters in intravenous nutrition for premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Kosin University School of Medicine in South Korea aimed to examine the health concerns of parents regarding their premature infants and identify changes in these concerns during the perinatal period and after discharge. The study found that parents' greatest health concerns for their premature infants were related to the respiratory system, followed by the central nervous system before discharge. However, after discharge, parents' concerns shifted to the gastrointestinal system. The study highlights the need for supportive interventions to enhance parental understanding of their child's health status. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Middlesex University in London, United Kingdom, has found that infants born prematurely are at risk for language development delays and impairments. The study investigated the influence of early musical experience in the home environment on language development in premature infants. The results showed that a musical home environment significantly predicted improved receptive vocabulary and gestural communication in these infants. This research suggests that an enriched musical experience can enhance early communication skills in premature infants, opening the door for future intervention research in home and childcare settings. However, it is important to consider the generalizability of these results, as the majority of participants in the study were highly educated and from socioeconomically stable backgrounds. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at Udayana University in Bali, Indonesia, examined the factors that influence refractive errors in premature infants. The research found that the prevalence of refractive errors is higher in children born preterm, and factors such as gestational age, birth weight, and retinopathy of prematurity status have a significant impact on refractive development. The study collected data from 53 premature infants and found that hypermetropia was the most common finding, followed by myopia and astigmatism. The research concluded that chronological age was the only risk factor associated with refractive errors in premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Germany examined the effects of the timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration (ACS) on short-term and long-term outcomes in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The study analyzed 534 deliveries between 220/7 and 296/7 gestational weeks from January 2008 to December 2015. The results showed that shorter intervals between ACS and delivery were associated with higher incidences of BPD and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), as well as the use of surfactant. However, there were no significant differences in other complications such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and no significant differences in neurodevelopment after 2 years. The study suggests that shorter ACS intervals may influence certain outcomes in premature infants with BPD. [Extracted from the article]

A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine examined the effects of human milk odor stimulation on feeding in premature infants. The study analyzed six randomized controlled trials with a total of 763 patients. The findings showed that human milk odor stimulation reduced the transition time to oral feeding and shortened the duration of parenteral nutrition in premature infants. However, it did not have an impact on the length of hospitalization. The researchers concluded that further studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of human milk odor stimulation on premature infants. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic support system for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. PDA is a common congenital heart defect in premature infants that can lead to significant health issues. The AI system utilizes electronic health record data to provide comprehensive data analysis and early symptom detection, achieving an accuracy rate of up to 84% and enabling detection up to 3.3 days in advance. The study highlights the potential of AI-driven tools in advancing neonatal diagnosis and care. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Chaoyang University of Technology in Taichung, Taiwan have developed a dual-channel pressure-sensing electronic pacifier with AI capabilities to detect sucking difficulties in premature infants. The pacifier measures sucking pressure, intensity, and duration using LabVIEW software. The study found that electronic pacifiers can provide individualized feedback and stimulation, improving sucking skills, strength, and coordination in premature infants. The researchers suggest that more research on the application value of electronic pacifiers in sucking intervention can be expected in the future. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Airlangga examined the impact of coping interventions on the ability of mothers to care for premature infants at home. The study involved 80 participants divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received a 3-month coping intervention, while the control group did not. The results showed significant improvements in the treatment group's abilities in providing nutrition, maintaining body temperature, preventing infection, recognizing danger signs, and stimulating development in premature infants. The researchers recommend that health workers incorporate coping interventions to empower mothers with the skills and knowledge needed for better care and development of their infants at home. This approach can contribute to the overall well-being and growth of premature infants while reducing the burdens on healthcare providers. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Liverpool discusses research on premature birth and its impact on maternal anxiety. The study found that mothers of premature infants are more likely to develop anxiety during the first year postpartum compared to mothers of term infants. However, commonly used measures of anxiety may not accurately capture postpartum anxiety in this specific population. The study aimed to determine if the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale - Research Short Form (PSAS-RSF) is interpreted similarly by mothers of premature infants and mothers of term infants. The findings suggest that certain items on the scale may be problematic and need modification for accurate measurement of anxiety in mothers of premature infants. [Extracted from the article]