Comparison of Hair Cortisol Levels and Perceived Stress in Mothers Who Deliver at Preterm and Term.

Objective: To evaluate relationships between hair cortisol levels and perceived stress in mothers who deliver preterm and term. We hypothesized that the rate of change in cortisol levels would be greater in the preterm delivery group.

Methods: This preliminary study compared hair cortisol levels and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores in predominately Caucasian mothers who delivered preterm ( n = 22) and term ( n = 30).

Referral to Palliative Care Infrequent in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Palliative care has been recommended as a means to assist patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in managing symptom burden and advanced care planning. Timing of referral is important because although most patients display a gradually progressive course, a minority experience acute deterioration, an outcome associated with high mortality.

Aim: To describe characteristics of IPF patients referred to a specialty lung disease center over a 10-year period who experienced acute deterioration and subsequent intensive care unit (ICU) admission, including frequency and timing of referral to palliative care.

Relationships of Feeding and Mother's Own Milk with Fecal Calprotectin Levels in Preterm Infants.

Objective: To describe longitudinal effects of feeding volume and type of milk on fecal calprotectin (f-CP) in very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Study Design: Prospective data were collected across Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission for 6 weeks or until discharge in 75 VLBW neonates. The mean gestational age on entry into the study was 29 weeks.