Parent-Administered Oral Stimulation in Preterm Infants: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess whether there was any difference in the transition time to full oral feedings between parent-administered and professional-administered premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI). The study also evaluated parental satisfaction with performing the intervention through an open-ended questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label pilot study was carried on between March 2017 and May 2019. A total of 39 infants born ≤32 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to either parent-performed or professionally performed oral stimulation. The oral stimulation was performed once a day for seven consecutive days between 31 and 32 weeks' postmenstrual age. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in transition time, weight gain, or length of hospital stay between the two groups. No adverse events were observed. Parents' satisfaction was high, and their active involvement enhanced their perception of adequacy to care for their infant. CONCLUSION: Following adequate training, a parent-administered PIOMI may be considered in preterm infants to reduce the transition time to full oral feeding and enhance the direct involvement of parents in neonatal care. KEY POINTS: · No difference in transition time between parent-performed and professional-performed PIOMI.. · PIOMI may be delivered by parents following appropriate training.. · Active involvement of parents may improve the parent-infant bonding..

Long-Distance, Nonstop Neonatal Transport From Shanghai, China, to Genoa, Italy.

The purpose of this article is to describe the long-distance, nonstop intercontinental transport of a severely ill, mechanically ventilated newborn from Shanghai, China, to Genoa, Italy focusing in particular on the clinical and planning difficulties. The aircraft equipment, the assessment and preparation for transport are discussed.

Space For Children: improving mastery and reducing negative emotions about COVID-19 in youth via mobile interactive storytelling.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a complex event for children and adolescents, significantly impacting their daily activities. In this scenario, our study aims at verifying if "Space for Children," an ad-hoc developed game based on interactive storytelling about the pandemic, can increase mastery and reduces negative emotions about COVID-19. METHODS: The app Space for Children has been sponsored and spread online by email and social media platforms for a limited time period (from May 2021 to January 2022). Before and after the interactive storytelling, participants answered two questionnaires containing a couple of critical questions regarding their emotional state and their perceived mastery about COVID-19. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six participants (M=116; F=120) between 7 and 12 years old completed the Space for Children interactive experience. Our results show a significant effect of the game experience on emotional state and perceived mastery regarding COVID-19. Indeed, before the interactive storytelling unpleasant emotional states prevail (reported by 77% of participants) while after the game a clear prevalence of pleasant emotions emerges (reported by 68% of participants). Regarding perceived mastery, results show that self-reported very expert participants passed from 49% to 88%. All the results hold irrespective of age group and sex. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents preliminary findings that highlight the potential benefits of utilizing new technologies based on Interactive Storytelling for Children to effectively convey age-appropriate information about complex real-life events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, while also mitigating associated negative emotional responses.

A key developmental step for preterm babies: achievement of full oral feeding.

Aims: To investigate timing of oral feeding (OF) introduction and full oral feeding (FOF) achievement in preterm infants and to explore factors associated with feeding progression.Methods: Retrospective review of 100 medical records of preterms ≤32 weeks of gestation (GA) without major complications. Outcome measures were timing of OF introduction, transition time from nasogastric tube to FOF and FOF achievement. Variables such as sex, twins, GA, birthweight, respiratory supports used and duration of tube feeding, were also considered.Results: Post menstrual age (PMA) for OF introduction was 33.6 ± 1.1 weeks. FOF was achieved at 35.1 ± 1.5 weeks. PMA at OF introduction and PMA at FOF correlated with: birthweight (p = .0001, p = .001); duration of respiratory supports (p = 0.01, p = .0001); PMA at which respiratory supports were stopped (p = .0001, p = .0001); age of introduction of gavage (p = .0001, p = .003) and time of utilization of tube feeding (p = .02, p = .0001). Transition time was 1.5 ± 8.5 days. PMA at OF introduction significantly influenced PMA at FOF (p = .0001, r = .61). OF introduction, transition time and FOF were correlated with duration of hospitalization (p = .004, p = .0001, p = .008).Conclusions: The achievement of feeding skills is confirmed to affect length of hospitalization, but the earlier you introduce OF, the earlier you reach FOF, so introduction should be anticipated. There is a clear trend to favor higher birthweight classes in FOF achievement. Feeding tube placement and need for respiratory supports may represent a nociceptive experience delaying feeding skills' achievement. This highlights the importance of prospective studies investigating the role of preventative interventions.