Effects of a valved infant-bottle with ergonomic teat on the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and respiration in late-preterm infants. The Safe Oral Feeding randomized Trial.

Introduction: Breastfeeding naturally enables the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and respiration patterns for safe feeding. When breastfeeding is not possible a feeding device that releases milk in response to intra-oral vacuum could potentially offer improved coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing patterns compared to conventional devices. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of a valved infant-bottle with an ergonomic teat compared to a standard infant-bottle. Methods: This unblinded randomized controlled trial focused on late preterm infants fed by bottle for at least three meals over the day, admitted to the Neonatal Unit of Sant'Anna Hospital (Turin, Italy). Infants were randomized to be fed with a valved infant-bottle with an ergonomic teat (B-EXP arm) or with a standard infant-bottle (B-STD arm). Monitoring included a simultaneous synchronized recording of sucking, swallowing and respiration. The main outcome was the swallowing/breathing ratio. Results: Forty infants (20 B-EXP arm; 20 B-STD arm) with a median gestational age of 35.0 weeks (IQR 35.0-36.0 weeks) completed the study. Four infants were censored for the presence of artifacts in the polygraphic traces. The median swallowing/breathing ratio was 1.11 (1.03-1.23) in the B-EXP arm and 1.75 (1.21-2.06) in the B-STD (p = .003). A lower frequency of swallowing events during the inspiratory phase of breathing was observed in B-EXP arm compared with B-STD arm (p = 0.013). Discussion: The valved infant-bottle with an ergonomic teat improves the coordination of sucking-swallowing-respiration and limits the risk of inhalation reducing the frequency of swallowing during the inspiratory phase.

OC16 - Calculation skills and e-learning platform: study pre-post test on students of paediatric nursing in Italy.

UNLABELLED: Theme: Child protection and managing risk. Errors in medication is a very recurring problem in paediatric units and for that reason paediatric nursing students have to possess good mathematical skills (Doherty C, 2012). It is important to evaluate these competences during their university nursing degree (Harvey 2009). This problem has been discussed and it was subsequently decided to introduce 'Clinical and Practical pharmacology' lessons like a mandatory subject. AIM: Evaluate the paediatric nursing students learning curve before and after 'Clinical and Practical pharmacology' lessons, job placement and through an e-learning platform. METHODS: A before and after experimental study, using a non-randomized test, administered at different academic phases was used. RESULTS: Learning curve had an increase from 54.09 % to 82.65 %. In particular, that result is significant before 'Clinical and Practical pharmacology' lessons and at final test (p<0.00578). CONCLUSION: These study results are helpful for increased training action and to develop a customized e-learning platform.