Sex-Related Nutritional Outcomes Among Preterm Very Low Birth-Weight Infants.

Background: Sex-specific differences exist in morbidity and growth yet little is known about other nutritional outcomes in preterm very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants. This is important because providing optimal nutrition is essential to promote growth and reduce neurodevelopmental impairment.

Purpose: To determine the effect of sex on days to full enteral feedings and other nutritional outcomes.

Impacts of Substance Use and Mental Health Symptoms on Cervical Cancer Screening and Viral Suppression: A Mixed Methods Study With Reproductive-Age Women With HIV in Florida.

Women with HIV (WWH) often receive suboptimal screening for cervical cancer despite being at an increased risk for cervical cancer and poor viral suppression. Mental health symptoms and substance use can adversely influence cervical cancer screening and viral suppression. The subjective experience of how these variables influence these outcomes in reproductive-age WWH is not well understood.

Music in Care (MIC) by Nurses: Initial Validation of a Questionnaire to Characterize Nurses' Attitudes and Feasibility of Implementation on the Use of Music in Patient Care.

The purpose of this study was to characterize nurses' attitudes toward music and implementation of music into patient care and to characterize barriers and facilitators toward the implementation of music into patient care. A cross-sectional, quantitative, web-based questionnaire with minor qualitative elements. The questionnaire contained both open- and closed-ended questions.

Biomarker-based text messages to promote lactation success in mothers of critically Ill infants: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Objective: Infrequent breast pumping limits mother's own milk production in mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. We aimed to determine the feasibility and benefit of biomarker-based personalized text messages on pumping frequency and milk sodium levels. A secondary aim examined lactation outcomes.

Mother's Own Milk Versus Donor Human Milk: What's the Difference?

Mother's own milk (MOM) is known to decrease complications in preterm infants and when unavailable, it is recommended that preterm very low-birth weight infants be fed donor human milk (DHM). Due to the pasteurization, processing, and lactation stage of donors, DHM does not contain the same nutritional, immunologic, and microbial components as MOM. This review summarizes the differences between MOM and DHM, the potential effects on health outcomes, and the clinical implications of these differences.

A Scoping Review of the Oral Microbiome in Preterm Infants.

The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the oral microbiome composition in preterm infants, sampling and collection methods, as well as exposures associated with oral microbiome composition and health implications. We conducted a scoping review of the literature using the Arskey and O'Malley framework. We identified a total of 13 articles which met our inclusion criteria and purpose of this scoping review.

Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis of Lactation-Stage-Matched Human and Bovine Milk Samples at 2 Weeks Postnatal.

Epidemiological data demonstrate that bovine whole milk is often substituted for human milk during the first 12 months of life and may be associated with adverse infant outcomes. The objective of this study is to interrogate the human and bovine milk metabolome at 2 weeks of life to identify unique metabolites that may impact infant health outcomes. Human milk ( = 10) was collected at 2 weeks postpartum from normal-weight mothers (pre-pregnant BMI < 25 kg/m) that vaginally delivered term infants and were exclusively breastfeeding their infant for at least 2 months.

Oral Care in Critically Ill Infants and the Potential Effect on Infant Health: An Integrative Review.

Background: Critically ill infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia and abnormal oral colonization. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for oral care in critically ill adults is associated with improved short- and long-term health outcomes. However, oral care guidelines for critically ill infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit have not been established, possibly increasing their risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and other health complications.

Pasteurization of human milk affects the miRNA cargo of EVs decreasing its immunomodulatory activity.

In this report, we evaluated the effect of the pasteurization (P) process of mother's own milk (MOM) on the miRNA content of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and its impact on innate immune responses. Differences in size or particle number were not observed upon pasteurization of MOM (PMOM). However, significant differences were observed in the EV membrane marker CD63 and miRNA profiles.

Leveraging mHealth and a milk expression frequency biomarker during postpartum to prolong lactation among parents of critically ill infants: a pilot study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and potential benefits of personalized biomarker-based text messages in prolonging lactation among parents of critically ill infants.

Study Design: Thirty-six participants were randomized to receive either daily texts with Mother's Own Milk (MOM) sodium levels or standard care. Surveys at months 1 and 3 assessed whether infants were receiving exclusive MOM feeding, any MOM feeding, and whether the parent was still lactating.

Comparison of 3 Methods for Measuring Gastric Tube Length in Newborns: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Incorrectly positioned gastric tubes occur in approximately 60% of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), increasing the risk of potentially serious complications.

Purpose: To compare 3 methods of determining gastric tube insertion length in infants in the NICU.

Methods: In this randomized triple-blind clinical trial, 179 infants admitted to the NICU were randomized to have their gastric tube insertion length determined by 1 of 3 methods: (1) the nose, earlobe, mid-umbilicus (NEMU) method, (2) a weight-based method, or (3) an age-related height-based (ARHB) method.

Nonpharmacologic Factors Affecting Milk Production in Pump-Dependent Mothers of Critically Ill Infants: State of the Science.

Background: Improved health outcomes for critically ill infants including neurodevelopmental, immunological, and cost benefits are dependent upon the dose and duration of mother's own milk feedings. However, mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) must express their milk (pump-dependent) and often struggle with milk production.

Purpose: To examine the state of the science on nonpharmacologic modifiable expression factors that may influence milk production in pump-dependent mothers of critically ill infants admitted to the NICU.

Influence of Sociodemographic and Occupational Factors on Safety Culture in Neonatal Intensive Care in Brazil.

Background: Patient safety culture is influenced by factors such as professional category, experience, and age. Understanding these factors can inform initiatives to improve safety.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics on health professionals' perception of patient safety culture.

Differences in Neonatal Outcomes Among Premature Infants Exposed to Mother's Own Milk Versus Donor Human Milk.

Background: Growing evidence supports the superior benefits of exposure to mother's own milk (MOM) in reducing prematurity-related comorbidities. Neonatal exposure to donor human Milk (DHM) is a suitable alternative when MOM is insufficient or unavailable. However, the same protective composition and bioactivity in MOM are not present in DHM.

Content validity of a Safe Nursing Care Checklist for a neonatal unit.

Background: Nursing checklists have been shown to improve communication, reduce the occurrence of adverse events, and promote safe, quality care in different care settings. However, to date, there is no validated patient care safety checklist for nurses caring for infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).

Aim: To describe development and content validation of the "Safe Nursing Care Checklist for Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit".

Effect of Routine Gastric Residual Aspiration on the Preterm Infant Fecal Microbiome.

Objective: Enteral feeding tubes are used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to assess feeding tolerance by utilizing preprandial gastric residual aspiration. This study evaluates the effect of gastric residual aspiration on the preterm infant fecal microbiome and gastrointestinal inflammation.

Study Design: Fifty-one very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (≤32 weeks' gestational age and ≤1,250 g) enrolled in a larger single-center randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of routine and nonroutine gastric residual aspiration were selected for further analysis.

Knowledge and Practices for Central Line Infection Prevention Among Brazilian Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: The risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) increases when preventive guidelines are not adhered to. However, studies have generally been quantitative and aimed at determining the effectiveness of CLABSI prevention bundles. Few studies have used a mixed-methods approach to investigate nursing professionals' knowledge and practices regarding CLABSI prevention.

Ultrasound to Verify Gastric Tube Position in Infants and Children: A Systematic Review.

Background: Placement of gastric tubes is commonly performed in infants and children but malpositioning is common and is associated with significant complications.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to identify the evidence on the use of ultrasound to verify correct gastric tube placement in infants and children and gaps in the research.

Methods: This review was performed using CINAHL, PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science databases.

Antepartum Breast Pump Education for Mothers and Their Support Person: Effect on Time to First Expression and Lactation Outcomes-A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

To determine the effect of providing antenatal education regarding milk expression to the support person (SP) of mothers of preterm infants on time to initial milk expression following delivery and daily volume of expressed mother's own milk. Sixty-one mothers delivering infants <35 weeks gestation and their SP were randomized to receive antenatal education regarding milk expression or to receive standard care. Time to initiation of milk expression was determined through self-report and verified through the electronic medical records.

Neonatal Feeding Tube Colonization and the Potential Effect on Infant Health: A Review.

Background: Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often require feeding tubes (FT) for weeks to months. Because FTs are in near constant contact with human milk and/or formula, rapid and extensive bacterial growth is possible. Due to their immature immunologic and gastrointestinal (GI) systems, infants may be at significant health risk due to FT colonization.