Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Probiotics-supplemented feeding in extremely low-birth-weight infants.
The objective of this trial was to test whether probiotic-supplemented feeding to extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants will improve growth as determined by decreasing the percentage of infants with weight below the 10th percentile at 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Other important outcome measures, such as improving feeding tolerance determined by tolerating larger volume of feeding per day and reducing antimicrobial treatment days during the first 28 days from the initiation of feeding supplementation were also evaluated. ⋯ Although probiotic-supplemented feedings improve growth velocity in ELBW infants, there was no improvement in the percentage of infants with growth delay at 34 weeks PMA. There were no probiotic-related adverse events reported.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
High-fidelity simulator technology may not be superior to traditional low-fidelity equipment for neonatal resuscitation training.
Despite completing accredited resuscitation training, neonatal trainees often feel unprepared to deal with real-life clinical emergencies. High-fidelity simulator (HFS) technology offers the potential of recreating a realistic stressful clinical environment to aid training and evaluation. To date, there are limited data examining the physiological impact of this training modality in comparison to less costly alternatives. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of low-fidelity simulator (LFS) versus HFS technology on performance levels, objective and subjective measures of stress in neonatal trainees. ⋯ Simulated neonatal resuscitations induce a significant stress response in neonatal trainees; however, we were unable to identify any difference in stress measures between HFS and LFS. These data suggest that HFS technology offers no additional stress-inducing benefit.
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Comparative Study
Accuracy of pulse oximeter readings from probe placement on newborn wrist and ankle.
To compare the accuracy of pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) measured on the wrist compared with the ipsilateral palm, and SpO(2) measured on the ankle compared with the ipsilateral sole. ⋯ Our results show that the wrist and ankle can be used as alternative sites to measure SpO(2) in newborn infants in place of the routinely used palm or sole.
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To determine the association of a central-line maintenance team on the incidence of central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). ⋯ A line team provided for standardized, consistent central-line maintenance care leading to a significant, sustained decrease in CLABSI in a NICU.
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High-risk infant follow-up programs have the potential to act as multipurpose clinics by providing continuity of clinical care, education of health care trainees and facilitating outcome data research. Currently there are no nationally representative data on high-risk infant follow-up practices in the United States. The objective of this study is to collect information about the composition of high-risk infant follow-up programs associated with academic centers in the United States, with respect to their structure, function, funding resources and developmental assessment practices, and to identify the barriers to establishment of such programs. ⋯ High-risk infant follow-up programs associated with academic centers in the United States are functioning as multidisciplinary programs providing clinical care, trainee education and facilitating outcomes research.