Publications by authors named "Thao Griffith"
Background: Early life stress exposure in preterm infants may alter DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, disrupting neurobehaviors needed for oral feeding (PO) skill development.
Purpose: To (1) examine the feasibility of the study protocol; (2) describe early life stress, DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, and PO skill development; and (3) explore the association between DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2 and infant characteristics, early life stress, and PO skill development.
Method: We employed a longitudinal descriptive pilot study (N = 10).
Background: Preterm infants face challenges to feed orally, which may lead to failure to thrive. Oral feeding skill development requires intact neurobehaviors. Early life stress results in DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2, which may disrupt neurobehaviors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Stress exposure, operationalized as a count of painful or skin-breaking breaking procedures, is an important concept for inclusion in studies of preterm infants. The Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS) was developed to also account for nonpainful and environmental stressors; however, validity of this measure is unknown.
Aims: The purpose of this review was to define the breadth of use of the NISS in neonatal research studies and determine its predictive and concurrent validity.
Public health challenges rapidly escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a severe lack of resources and support in the near western suburbs of Chicago, the COVID Equity Response Collaborative: Loyola (CERCL) was established by an interprofessional team of Loyola University Chicago students, staff, and faculty. CERCL sought to minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities, those that are largely Black, Hispanic, or low-income.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Preterm infants in the NICU are at risk for early toxic stress exposure, which can lead to changes in their biology that affect neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- This study aimed to explore the connection between early toxic stress in the NICU, epigenetic changes, and neurodevelopmental results in preterm infants, highlighting the need for better measurements of stress exposure.
- The review included 13 articles and found that specific gene methylations related to serotonin and cortisol regulation were linked to poorer developmental outcomes, although the methods for measuring toxic stress varied across studies.
Purpose: Seventy percent of preterm infants experience challenges with oral feeding and commonly require tube feedings. Yet it is not well understood how these behaviors change over time while infants are receiving tube feedings only and through the transition to oral feedings. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the change in behaviors surrounding feeding and with respect to advancing Post Menstrual Age (PMA) for preterm infants who received extended tube feedings during hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A successful transition from the NICU to home is fundamental for the long-term health and well-being of preterm infants. Post-NICU discharge, parents may experience a lack of support and resources during the transition to home. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify post-NICU discharge interventions that may reduce parental stress and provide support to families with preterm infants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of early-life pain/stress and medical characteristics on neurobehavioral outcomes in preterm infants.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 92 preterm infants (28-32 weeks gestational age [GA]). Early-life pain/stress was measured via the Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS) during the first 28 days of NICU hospitalization.
Background: Preterm infants experience a multitude of prenatal and postnatal stressors, resulting in cumulative stress exposure, which may jeopardize the timely attainment of developmental milestones, such as achieving oral feeding. Up to 70% of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit experience challenges while initiating oral feeding. Oral feeding skills require intact neurobehavioral development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRelationship Between Duration of Tube Feeding and Success of Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs
September 2018
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore how the length of tube feeding impacts the ability of preterm infants to successfully transition to oral feeding.
- Results showed a significant negative relationship between the duration of tube feeding and oral feeding success, suggesting that longer tube feeding may hinder this transition.
- No connections were found between tube feeding duration and infants' alert states, orally directed behaviors, or nutritive sucking, indicating that other factors may not influence the relationship as expected.
Background: The term "oral feeding success" (OFS) is frequently used in clinical practice and research. However, OFS is inconsistently defined, which impacts the ability to adequately evaluate OFS, identify risk factors, and implement interventions in clinical practice and research.
Purpose: To develop the defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences for the concept of OFS in preterm infants during their initial hospitalization.
Background: The relationship between behavioral states (alert, sleep, drowsy, and crying) and oral feeding efficiency in preterm infants is not well understood.
Purpose: To determine the relationship between behavioral states and feeding efficiency in preterm infants.
Methods: This correlational study was conducted as a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.