Docosahexaenoic Acid and Sleep Quality in Very and Extreme Preterm Infants.

The results regarding the association of plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels with sleep duration conflict. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of DHA on the sleep quality of Brazilian extreme preterm infants. This cohort study is part of the Joinville Docosahexaenoic Acid Study (JoiDHA) conducted with 59 infants in Joinville, Brazil.

Oral DHA supplementation and retinopathy of prematurity: the Joinville DHA Clinical Trial.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in premature infants. The condition is associated with DHA deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DHA supplementation on the occurrence of ROP in infants receiving oral oil drops.

Perinatal mortality: epidemiological profile, causes and avoidable factors at a reference public maternity hospital in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2011-2015.

Background This study aimed to identify the perinatal mortality coefficient, the epidemiological profile, causes and avoidable factors at a reference public maternity hospital in southern Brazil. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 334 medical records of postpartum women and newborns were evaluated between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2015. The Expanded Wigglesworth Classification was used to assess the causes of perinatal mortality and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10/SEADE Foundation) was used for the preventable perinatal mortality analysis.

Breastfeeding the premature infant: experience of a baby-friendly hospital in Brazil.

Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding infants, providing nutritional, immunological, psychological, and economic advantages. These qualities are especially important in premature neonates because of their vulnerability. Nevertheless, a lower incidence of successful breastfeeding has been observed in this population.