Oral Contraceptive Pills Increase Circulating 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D Concentrations in Women Who Are Lactating.

Objective: This article aims to determine the association between maternal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] status and intake of hormonal oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) in women who are lactating.

Study Design: Women who were exclusively breastfeeding participated in a randomized controlled trial assessing vitamin D supplementation at 400, 2,400, or 6,400 international unit (IU)/d from 1 month through 7 months postpartum. This observational, secondary analysis assessed whether OCPs were associated with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations in women who are lactating.

Atraumatic care: EMLA cream and application of heat to facilitate peripheral venous cannulation in children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the application of heat placed to a child's potential intravenous (IV) site after the application of EMLA Cream™ decreases vasoconstriction, therefore promoting atraumatic care in the hospitalized pediatric patient. Venipuncture in children is a painful and frequently performed procedure. While use of EMLA Cream™ to reduce pain on insertion is a common practice with pediatric patients, no studies had measured venous size in relation to EMLA Cream™ and heat application.