Negative Healthcare Impacts of Management of Presumed Early-Onset Sepsis in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants on Feeding, Jaundice, and Hospital Length of Stay.

Background/objectives: Early-onset sepsis in neonates is a potentially catastrophic condition that demands prompt management. However, laboratory diagnosis via cerebral spinal fluid and blood tests is often inconclusive, so diagnosis on the basis of clinical symptoms and risk factors is frequently required, and the majority of neonates treated with antibiotics for presumed early-onset sepsis (PEOS) do not have culture-proven sepsis. The management of such PEOS is mainly achieved via antibiotic therapy, which itself has adverse effects, creating a dilemma for clinicians in optimising healthcare.

Early readmission of exclusively breastmilk-fed infants born by means of normal birth or cesarean is multifactorial and associated with perinatal maternal mental health concerns.

Background: Late preterm and full-term infants comprise the majority of births in our hospital which serves a multicultural lower socioeconomic community. Patients give birth vaginally (normal birth, NB) or by cesarean birth (CB), and the majority of neonates are exclusively breastmilk fed until discharge. In this study we examined what factors within these two birth modes and feeding regimes of exclusive breast milk were associated with early postnatal readmission.

Weekly Proactive Telephone Breastfeeding Standard Care by Lactation Consultants in the First Month Postpartum Prolongs Breastfeeding for Up to 6 Months.

Many mothers, especially those with co-morbidities, do not achieve exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months, with the loss of multiple health benefits including enhanced infant nutrition. We wished to evaluate whether proactive lactation consultant telephone advice in the first month postpartum improved breastfeeding rates for up to 6 months. A prospective cohort observational study was performed.

Maternal obesity adversely affects early breastfeeding in a multicultural, multi-socioeconomic Melbourne community.

Background: Maternal breastfeeding support and maternal obesity are concerns effectively addressed at the community level. International, national and regional surveys have established that elevated maternal body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for early cessation of breastfeeding. However, the extent of these concerns in the local community is often an unknown and related to variables such as socioeconomic status, education, culture and ethnicity.

Earlier Nutrient Fortification of Breastmilk Fed LBW Infants Improves Jaundice Related Outcomes.

This study aimed to evaluate jaundice outcomes of low-birthweight premature infants commenced on earlier versus later nutrient supplementation (80 mL/kg/day vs. 160 mL/kg/day; total fluid intake, F80 vs. F160).

Nasal High-Flow Therapy for Newborn Infants in Special Care Nurseries.

Background: Nasal high-flow therapy is an alternative to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a means of respiratory support for newborn infants. The efficacy of high-flow therapy in nontertiary special care nurseries is unknown.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial involving newborn infants (<24 hours of age; gestational age, ≥31 weeks) in special care nurseries in Australia.

Commencing Nutrient Supplements before Full Enteral Feed Volume Achievement Is Beneficial for Moderately Preterm to Late Preterm Low Birth Weight Babies: A Prospective, Observational Study.

The aim of this study was to observe after following a routine change in the feeding protocol whether the earlier introduction of nutrient supplements improved nutritional outcomes in moderately preterm to late preterm low birth weight (LBW) babies. In this prospective observational study, LBW babies between 31 and 39 weeks' gestation admitted to a Special Care Nursery were assigned to two groups (F80, = 45, F160, = 42) upon commencing nutrient supplement at total fluid intake achievement of 80 or 160 mL/kg/day. Outcomes included weight, protein intake, biochemical markers, feeding intolerance, and length of stay (LOS).