Effects of an early transfer from incubator to a warming crib in very low birthweight preterm infants.

PURPOSE: Very low birth weight infants are cared for postnatally in the incubator because of adverse consequences of hypothermia. Data on the optimal weight of transfer to a warming crib are rare. The aim of this study was to determine the course of temperature and body weight during a standardized transfer to a warming crib at a set weight. METHODS: Prospective intervention study in very low birthweight infants who were transferred from the incubator to a warming crib at a current weight between 1500 g and 1650 g. RESULTS: No infant had to be transferred back to an incubator. Length of hospital stay was equal compared to a historical cohort from the two years directly before the intervention. The intervention group showed an increase in the volume fed orally on the day after transfer to the warming crib, although this did not translate into an earlier discontinuation of gavage feedings. Compared to the historical group, infants in the intervention group could be transferred to an unheated crib at an earlier postmenstrual age and weight. CONCLUSIONS: Early transfer from the incubator to a warming crib between 1500 g and 1650 g is feasible and not associated with adverse short-term events or outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS-IDDRKS00031832.

Factors associated with booster seat use among Indigenous peoples in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Booster seat use among the general population remains relatively low, despite their effectiveness in preventing injury among children when involved in motor vehicle collisions. Given the prevention of injuries that booster seats provide, understanding the factors that hinder or facilitate the use of these seats is critical, particularly in communities that are often overlooked when conducting general population studies. To date, no studies have examined the prevalence and predictors of booster seat use among Indigenous peoples in Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of booster seat use among Indigenous peoples across Canada and the factors that impact their use. METHODS: Data were collected from a survey of participants from First Nations communities and organizations serving Indigenous peoples nationwide. Hypotheses arising from known predictors of booster seat use across the general population were tested using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The strongest predictor of booster seat use, even when all other study factors were accounted for, was the reduction of barriers related to the use of booster seats, such as a child's resistance to being placed or staying in the passive safety restraint or a parent, guardian, or other caregiver being unwilling to use or unsure of how to install/setup the booster seat. CONCLUSION: Most Indigenous participants consistently used booster seats to safely secure children being transported in vehicles. However, this compliance rate is well below that of the general population. Accessibility and affordability of child safety restraints and/or children's refusal to use booster seats, as well as having more than 1 child to secure, were identified as mitigating factors. Access to and the affordability of booster seats, coupled with clear and understandable information on how to use them, are critical components to compliance. Raising awareness among Indigenous peoples communities regarding the importance of using booster seats is imperative. To achieve this, Indigenous peoples must lead discussions to ensure that child safety strategies not only are based on research and best practices but are culturally connected and community driven. Through meaningful collaboration, vehicle-related injuries and mortality among Indigenous children can be significantly reduced.

Hospitalized Infants With Medical Complexity Experience Slow Acquisition of Gross Motor Skills.

OBJECTIVES: The progression of infant gross motor development during an acute hospitalization is unknown. Understanding gross motor skill acquisition in hospitalized infants with complex medical conditions is necessary to develop and evaluate interventions that may lessen delays. Establishing a baseline of gross motor abilities and skill development for these infants will guide future research. The primary purposes of this observational study were to: (1) describe gross motor skills of infants with complex medical conditions (n = 143) during an acute hospitalization and (2) evaluate the rate of change in gross motor skill development in a heterogenous group of hospitalized infants with prolonged length of stay (n = 45). METHODS: Gross motor skills in hospitalized infants aged birth to 18 months receiving physical therapy were evaluated monthly using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Regression analysis was completed to assess rate of change in gross motor skills. RESULTS: Of the 143 participants, 91 (64%) demonstrated significant motor delay at initial evaluation. Infants with prolonged hospitalization (mean 26.9 ± 17.5 weeks) gained new gross motor skills at a significant rate of 1.4 points per month in Alberta Infant Motor Scale raw scores; however, most (76%) continued with gross motor delays. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with complex medical conditions admitted for prolonged hospitalization frequently have delayed gross motor development at baseline and have slower than typical acquisition of gross motor skills during hospitalization, gaining 1.4 new skills per month compared with peers acquiring 5 to 8 new skills monthly. Further research is needed to determine effectiveness of interventions designed to mitigate gross motor delay in hospitalized infants.

Association Between Baby Walker Use and Infant Functional Motor Development.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between baby walker use and infant motor development, quality of gait, and potential development of lower extremity deformities. METHODS: An anonymous survey was conducted among 6874 parents and legal guardians regarding the use of baby walkers, their children's development, and the occurrence of lower extremity deformities and gait disorders. A total of 969 questionnaires were returned. RESULTS: Baby walkers were used by 15.6% of children. A higher percentage of children who used baby walkers omitted crawling compared with the 10.7% of children who did not use baby walkers. Gait disorders occurred at a similar percentage in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of baby walkers may be associated with infant motor development. Infants who used a baby walker were 3 times more likely to not have crawled for mobility than those who did not use a baby walker.

Rear-facing child safety seat effectiveness: evidence from motor vehicle crash data.

INTRODUCTION: In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated their car safety seat (CSS) guidelines to recommend that children ride rear-facing as long as possible, yet evidence from observational studies on rear-facing CSS effectiveness is limited. This study estimated the association between rear-facing CSS use and injuries among children aged 0-4 years who were involved in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). METHODS: This study analysed data on all MVCs involving children aged 0-4 years reported to the Kansas Department of Transportation from 2011 to 2020. Children who were in a rear-facing CSS were compared with children who rode in a forward-facing device. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: In unadjusted models, rear-facing CSS use was associated with a 14% reduction in the odds of suffering any injury versus riding in a forward-facing CSS (OR 0.860, 95% CI 0.805 to 0.919). In models adjusted for potential confounders, rear-facing CSS use was associated with a 9% reduction in the odds of any injury relative to riding forward-facing (OR 0.909, 95% CI 0.840 to 0.983). These estimates were driven by children seated in the back outboard positions. Rear-facing CSS use was also negatively associated with incapacitating/fatal injuries, but these estimates were imprecise. CONCLUSIONS: Children aged 0-4 years are less likely to be injured in an MVC if they are restrained in a rear-as opposed to forward-facing CSS. These results are particularly relevant because a number of state CSS laws do not require children of any age to ride rear-facing.

Does Exposure to Pediatrician or Parent Blog Content Influence Infant Safe Sleep Practices?

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether exposure to safe sleep recommendations using a blog format changed infant sleep practices. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial via Qualtrics, a web-based platform, with a national sample of parents of children < 1 year old. Survey questions about infant sleep practices included: bed-sharing, location, position and objects present. Safe sleep was defined as not bed-sharing, in a crib, bassinet or playard, back positioning, and no other objects present except pacifiers. Participants were randomized to read one of the following: (1) pediatrician blog post, (2) parent blog post, or (3) no blog post. The blog posts contained the same content about infant sleep but varied by identified authorship. All participants received links to online content about safe sleep. Participants received a follow-up survey 2-4 weeks later with the same questions about infant sleep practices. We compared responses in pre- and post-surveys by type of blog post exposure using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: The average infant age (n = 1500) was 6.6 months (Standard Deviation 3.3). Most participants (74%) were female; 77% were married; 65% identified as white Non-Hispanic, 12% were black and 17% were Hispanic. 47% (n = 711) completed both surveys. We identified no differences in the odds of any of the four safe sleep practices after exposure to safe sleep recommendations in blog post format. CONCLUSION: Although in-person advice has been associated with improved safe sleep practices, we did not identify changes in infant sleep practices after exposure to safe sleep advice using blog posts.

Optimal low-cost cooling strategies for infant strollers during hot weather.

The current study aimed to identity the optimal low-cost stroller cooling strategies for use in hot and moderately humid summer weather. A commercially available stroller was instrumented to assess the key parameters of the thermal environment. The cooling efficacy of eight different stroller configurations was examined in a counterbalanced order across 16 hot summer days (air temperature (Ta) = 33.3 ± 4.1 °C; relative humidity = 36.7 ± 15%; black globe temperature = 43.9 ± 4.6 °C). Compared with a standard-practice stroller configuration, combining a moist muslin draping with a battery-operated clip-on fan provided optimal in-stroller cooling, reducing the end-trial air temperature by 4.7 °C and the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) by 1.4 °C. In contrast, in-stroller temperatures were substantially increased by draping a dry muslin (Ta = +2.6 °C; WBGT = +0.9 °C) or flannelette (Ta = +3.7 °C; WBGT = +1.4 °C) cloth over the stroller carriage. These findings provide empirical evidence which may inform guidance aimed at protecting infants during hot weather.Practitioner summary: This study examined the efficacy of traditional and novel stroller cooling strategies for use in hot and moderately humid weather. Covering the carriage with a dry muslin cloth substantially increased stroller temperatures and should be avoided. Evaporative cooling methods reduced in-stroller temperatures. A moist muslin cloth draping combined with a fan provided optimal stroller cooling.

Changes in Pediatricians' Child Passenger Safety Counseling With Initiation of a Booster Seat Program.

Booster seats reduce injury in motor vehicle crashes, yet they are used less frequently than car seats and seat belts. Primary care providers are well positioned to educate and encourage families to use booster seats. We aimed to assess how a booster seat distribution program affected the documentation of restraint usage and anticipatory guidance at well-child visits at a pediatric primary care practice. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients aged 4 to 12 years from June to December in 2019 and 2020, representing before and after a booster seat program. The most frequently documented restraints in 2019 and 2020 were seat belts (51% vs 30%), booster seats (25% vs 27%), and not documented/unclear (17% vs 25%) (P < .001). The program significantly increased referrals for booster seats (P < .001). Despite significant differences in the proportion of children in each restraint category, overall booster seat use was similar between years.

Effects of bonded spurs, fixed and removable palatal crib in the early treatment of anterior open bite: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Bonded spurs, fixed or removable palatal cribs have been used to treat anterior open bite (AOB) in growing children. Different conclusions have been brought out by different authors. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of bonded spurs, fixed and removable palatal cribs in the early treatment of AOB. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search was carried out through PubMed, Embase (via Ovid), MEDLINE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science up to May 1, 2022. This meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The work was carried out by 2 reviewers in duplicate and independently, including electronic searching, data extracting, risk of bias assessment, quality of evidence grading, heterogeneity and statistical power analysis, and eligibility evaluation of the retrieved articles. RESULTS: Four studies out of 181 articles were recruited in the meta-analysis after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results showed that bonded lingual spurs and fixed palatal crib or spurs produced similar overbite changes (mean difference, -0.32; 95% confidence interval, -1.06 to 0.43; P = 0.41; I2 = 27%; meta power = 0.099). Fixed palatal crib and removable palatal crib also exhibited comparable effects in correcting AOB (mean difference, -0.02; 95% confidence interval, -0.90 to 0.86; P = 0.96; I2 = 0%; meta power = 0.2182). The quality of evidence about these 2 outcomes assessed with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) was low. CONCLUSIONS: Bonded lingual spurs, fixed palatal crib or spurs, and removable palatal crib had similar effects in the early treatment of AOB. Because the number of included studies was limited and only the overbite changes before and after treatment were assessed, more clinical randomized controlled studies with longer follow-ups are needed to get more clinically significant advice.

Belt fit for children in vehicle seats with and without belt-positioning boosters.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study is to use 3D technology to measure in-vehicle belt fit both with and without booster seats across different vehicles among a large, diverse sample of children and to compare belt fit with and without a booster. METHODS: Lap and shoulder belt fit were measured for 108 children ages 6-12 years sitting in the second-row, outboard seats of three vehicles from October 2017 to March 2018. Each child was measured with no booster, a backless booster, and a high-back (HB) booster in three different vehicles. Alternative high-back (HB HW) and backless boosters that could accommodate higher weights were used for children who were too large to fit in the standard boosters. Lap and torso belt scores were computed based on the belt location relative to skeletal landmarks. RESULTS: Both lap and torso belt fit scores were significantly different across vehicles when using the vehicle belt alone (no booster). In all vehicles, lap belt fit improved when using boosters compared with no booster among children ages 6-12 years in rear seats-with one exception of the HB HW booster in the minivan. Torso belt fit improved when using boosters compared with no booster in the sedan, and torso belt fit improved in the minivan and SUV with the use of HB and HB HW boosters when compared with no booster. CONCLUSIONS: Lap and torso belt fit for children ages 6-12 years in rear seats was substantially improved by using boosters. Parents and caregivers should continue to have their children use booster seats until vehicle seat belts fit properly which likely does not occur until children are 9-12 years old. Decision makers can consider strengthening child passenger restraint laws with booster seat provisions that require children who have outgrown car seats to use booster seats until at least age 9 to improve belt fit and reduce crash injuries and deaths.

Variations in Safe Sleep Practices and Beliefs: Knowledge is not Enough.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep-related infant deaths in the District of Columbia (DC) varies, with rates in certain geographical areas three times higher than DC and seven times higher than the national average. We sought to understand differences in infant sleep knowledge, beliefs, and practices between families in high-risk infant mortality and low-risk infant mortality areas in DC. METHODS: Caregivers of infants presenting to the emergency department were surveyed. The associations between location and safe sleep knowledge, beliefs, and practices were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-four caregivers were surveyed; 105 (37%) were from the high-risk infant mortality area. The majority (68%) of caregivers reported placing their infant to sleep on their backs, sleeping in a crib, bassinet, or pack and play (72%), and were familiar with the phrase "safe sleep" (72%). Caregivers from the high-risk infant mortality area were more likely to report that their infants sleep in homes other than their own (aOR 1.53; 95% CI 1.23, 2.81) and other people took care of their infants while sleeping (aOR 1.76; 95% CI 1.17, 3.19), adjusting for race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and help with childcare. No differences in safe sleep knowledge, beliefs, and practices were present. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Infants from the high-risk infant mortality area were more likely to sleep in homes other than their own and have other caretakers while sleeping. Lack of differences in caregiver awareness of safe sleep recommendation or practices suggests effective safe sleep messaging. Outreach to other caregivers and study of unmet barriers is needed.

Social and environmental risk factors for unintentional suffocation among infants in China: a descriptive analysis.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aimed to determine the epidemiological features of deaths caused by unintentional suffocation among infants in China. METHODS: The data used in this study were obtained from China's Under 5 Child Mortality Surveillance System (U5CMSS) from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. A total of 377 children under 1 year of age who died from unintentional suffocation were included in the survey. Primary caregivers were interviewed individually using the Unintentional Suffocation Mortality among Children under 5 Questionnaire. EpiData was used to establish the database, and the results were analysed using SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: Most (85.9%) unintentional infant suffocations occurred in rural areas, and 67.5% occurred in infants 0 to 3 months old. Among the primary caregivers of the infants, most (82.7%) had a junior middle school education or below, and 83.1% of them lacked unintentional suffocation first aid skills. Of the 377 unintentional suffocated-infant deaths, the causes of death were accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB) (193, 51.2%), inhalation suffocation (154, 40.8%), other unintentional suffocation (6, 1.6%), and unknown (24, 6.4%). Among the infant deaths due to ASSB, overlaying (88.6%) was the most frequently reported circumstance. A total of 93.8% of cases reported occurred during co-sleeping/bed sharing with parents, and in 72.8% of the cases, the infants were covered with the same quilt as their parents. In our study, most inhalation suffocation deaths (88.3%) involved liquid food (such as breast milk and formula milk). A total of 80.5% of infant deaths reportedly occurred after eating; in 28.2% of those cases, the infants were held upright and patted by their caregivers, and 57.2% of them were laid down to sleep immediately after eating. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the occurrence of unintentional suffocation, local government should strengthen knowledge and awareness of unintentional suffocation prevention and safety among parents and caregivers. Additionally, health care providers should educate parents and caregivers about safety issues of unintentional suffocation, and relevant policies should be introduced to provide environments and activities that reduce the risk of suffocation, such as promoting the Safe to Sleep Campaign. It is important to enhance the focus on infant unintentional suffocation as a health issue.

An Infant Carrier Intervention and Breastfeeding Duration: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Parent-infant skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth increases initiation and duration of bodyfeeding. We hypothesized that providing ergonomic carriers to parents during pregnancy would increase the likelihood of breastfeeding and expressed human milk feeding through the first 6 months of life. METHODS: A randomized two-arm, parallel-group trial was conducted between February 2018 and June 2019 in collaboration with a home-visiting program in a low-income community. At 30 weeks' gestation, 50 parents were randomly assigned to receive an ergonomic infant carrier and instruction on proper use to facilitate increased physical contact with infants (intervention group), and 50 parents were assigned to a waitlist control group. Feeding outcomes were assessed with online surveys at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: Parents in the intervention group were more likely to be breastfeeding or feeding expressed human milk at 6 months (68%) than control group parents (40%; P = .02). No significant differences were detected in feeding outcomes at 6 weeks (intervention: 78% versus control: 81%, P = .76) or 3 months (intervention: 66% versus control: 57%, P = .34). Exclusive human milk feeding did not differ between groups (intervention versus control at 6 weeks: 66% vs 49%, P = .20; 3 months: 45% vs 40%, P = .59; 6 months: 49% vs 26%, P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Infant carriers increased rates of breastfeeding and expressed human milk feeding at 6 months postpartum. Large-scale studies are warranted to further examine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of providing carriers as an intervention to increase access to human milk.

Stress, locus of control, hope and depression as determinants of quality of life of pregnant women: Croatian Islands' Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS).

The aims were to investigate determinants of the quality of life (QoL) of pregnant women. Total of 302 healthy women 18 to 28 weeks of gestation participated in prospective study. WHOQOL-bref, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the perceived stress appraisals were administered. Various patterns of predictors for four domains of QoL were identified, for psychological (42% variance explained), social relationship (29%), environmental (29%) and physical health (25%). Depression and hope, together with the extent to which one's health is influenced by powerful other or chance should be targeted in health promotion strategies during pregnancy.