Got milk? Effects of early enteral feedings in patients with gastroschisis.

Background: Initiating early enteral intake post-surgical gastroschisis repair may result in better patient outcomes. However, there is lack of evidence and consistency in clinical practice regarding the timing of initiation of feedings, and few studies have determined best practices for post-operative nutritional management.

Purpose: To determine whether early nutritional management using a standardized advancement protocol improves outcomes for patients with gastroschisis.

Creating windows of opportunity for policy change: Incorporating evidence into decentralized planning in Kenya.

Problem: Because researchers and policy-makers work in different spheres, policy decisions in the health arena are often not based on available scientific evidence.

Approach: We describe a model that illustrates the policy process and how to work strategically to translate knowledge into policy actions. Several types of activity--agenda-setting, coalition building and policy learning--together can create a window of opportunity for policy change.