Multidimensional assessment of infant, parent and staff outcomes during a family centered care enhancement project in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: study protocol of a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: The therapeutic advances and progress in the care for preterm infants have enabled the regular survival of very immature infants. However, the high burden of lifelong sequelae following premature delivery constitutes an ongoing challenge. Regardless of premature delivery, parental mental health and a healthy parent-child relationship were identified as essential prerogatives for normal infant development.

Persistent high activity of the fetal adrenal cortex in preterm infants: is there a clinical significance?

Background: In preterm infants, the activity of the fetal adrenal cortex continues until term. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate can block the synthesis of surfactant in vitro. The incidence of pulmonary disease is higher in male than in female preterm infants.

Cortisol production rates in preterm infants in relation to growth and illness: a noninvasive prospective study using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Context: Whereas intrauterine growth and maturation depend on low cortisol levels, an adrenal stress response postnatally is thought to be mandatory in preterm infants.

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine cortisol production rates (CPRs) in preterm infants during early life with extreme illness and, thereafter, during extrauterine growth and maturation.

Design: We describe a longitudinal observational study.

Assessing cortisol production in preterm infants: do not dispose of the nappies.

The aim of this study was to develop a practical approach allowing a reliable and noninvasive assessment of cortisol production rates in premature infants. To measure daily urinary excretion rates of glucocorticoids, we developed a procedure using a hydraulic compression method to collect urine from cellulose nappies (diapers). Glucocorticoid metabolites were profiled by quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.