Infant Care Research Articles

‘It’s so heavy on my mind’: The lived experience of diabetes in pregnancy and postpartum mother and infant lifestyle

BackgroundDiabetes in pregnancy is associated with short and long-term adverse health outcomes for mothers and babies. The condition disproportionately impacts Pacific, Maaori, and Indian pregnancies. Those with diabetes are offered intensive support during pregnancy, but in many centres, no additional support following birth beyond routine care. The aim of this study was to determine the postpartum needs for mothers and whaanau (family) impacted by diabetes in pregnancy, to inform co-design of a new service to improve metabolic and developmental outcomes for infants.MethodsPregnancies complicated by diabetes were identified using a local diabetes registry. Mothers with a diagnosis of GDM or T2DM and gave birth between January 2022 -June 2022 were eligible for the study. A total of 19 parents (18 mothers, 1 father) were interviewed. Participants primarily identified as Maaori (6), Pacific (6), Indian (3), Asian (2), and New Zealand European (2). Interviews took place between December 2022 and February 2023, between 5-13 months post-pregnancy. Interviews facilitated by an externally contracted local Pacific mother, with a professional background in social work were conducted using Koorero and Talanoa, Maaori and Pacific methods of qualitative data collection, to capture the lived experiences of participants. A multidisciplinary group reviewed and coded interview transcripts. Themes were presented back to participants and stakeholders for feedback and refinement. Four over-arching themes were illustrated with exemplar quotes.ResultsFour themes described the importance of 1) Finding a balance between what is “best practice” and what is best for me, my baby and my whaanau, 2) The need for individualised and culturally appropriate care, 3) Centrality of whaanau and family to the pregnancy and postpartum journey, 4) The pervasive negative impact of diabetes on taha hinegaro (well-being) beyond childbirth.ConclusionPeople who are affected by diabetes in pregnancy have ongoing physical, psychological, and social needs. A holistic, whaanau-centred approach is required to ensure optimal health and well-being outcomes of mothers, infants and whaanau. The findings of this study will inform a new targeted model of care for infants and whaanau affected by diabetes in pregnancy.

Factors associated with maternal stress while caring for premature infants at home

The occurrence of stress in mothers with premature infants is known to have a negative impact on both mothers and their infants. To overcome the condition, nurses must understand its influential factors to provide effective assistance. Therefore, this study aims to identify factors associated with stress in mothers with premature infants.The study procedures were carried out using a cross-sectional design with a purposive sampling technique comprising 188 mothers with premature infants. In addition, the instruments used were questionnaires for assessing the PSS (Parent Stress Scale), knowledge about the benefits of caring for infants, and support. Data analysis was then carried out using univariate analysis, chi-square, and binary logistic regression.The majority of mothers had a moderate level of stress, accounting for 46.3% of the total population. In addition, the results showed that factors associated with moderate levels of stress in mothers with premature infants were younger age, low level of education, SC delivery method, living in rural areas, low knowledge of care, very low infant weight, and low partner support.Based on the results, maternal factors and unfavorable infant conditions could increase stress in mothers with premature infants.

Association between pregnancy intention and completion of newborn and infant continuum of care in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe newborn and infant continuum of care such as essential newborn care, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and immunisation are highly recommended for improving the quality of life and survival of infants. However, newborn and infant mortality remains high across Sub-Saharan African countries. While unintended pregnancies are associated with adverse newborn and infant health outcomes, there is inconclusive evidence on whether pregnancy intention influences newborn and infant continuum of care completion. Therefore, this review aimed to pool findings reported in the literature on the association between pregnancy intention and newborn and infant health care across the continuum of care in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE Complete, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, and Global Health databases for studies potentially eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Two researchers independently screened the identified articles by abstract and title, and then full-text using Covidence. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of the included studies. The Cochran’s Q test and I2 were executed to detect and quantify the presence of statistical heterogeneity in the studies. Meta-analysis was done for each outcome when more than one original study reported relevant data, using Stata statistical software version 18.ResultsEleven studies were included from a total of 235 articles identified by the search. The odds of completing essential newborn care (pooled odds ratio: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.56, 5.90), early initiation of breastfeeding (pooled odds ratio: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.52), exclusive breastfeeding (pooled odds ratio: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.89), and being fully immunised (pooled odds ratio: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.16, 6.40) were higher among infants born to women with intended pregnancies as compared to women with unintended pregnancies.ConclusionIntended pregnancy was positively associated with essential newborn care completion, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and full immunisation of infants in SSA countries. Thus, policy-makers and stakeholders should strengthen the provision of quality family planning services to prevent unintended pregnancy. Furthermore, follow-up of women with unintended pregnancies is needed to increase women’s opportunity to access essential newborn health care services that further reduce the risk of newborn and infant morbidity and mortality.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42023409148.

Prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway

Congenital defects and genetic diseases in the fetus are the focus of prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis. Obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, medical imaging (ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging), clinical laboratory, pathology, and other disciplines are mostly involved in this multidisciplinary work on maternal and infant health care, which aims to prevent birth defects in strict accordance with laws, regulations, and pertinent industry standards, such as the Notice of the National Health Commission on Issuing the Basic Standards for Prenatal Screening Technical Medical Institutions and the Basic Standards for Prenatal Diagnosis Technical Medical Institutions (Guowei Maternal and Child Letter [2019] No. 297). To further support the implementation of prenatal screening and diagnosis work and streamline workflow, this study has compiled the timing, inspection, and testing procedures of various projects in each link from the standpoint of the disease clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway. This approach improves communication amongst various disciplines in prenatal screening and diagnosis work and offers clinical service quality, and it also helps improve the standard of the birth population and prevent and controll severe birth defects.

The Effect of using E-Booklet Media on Increasing the Knowledge of Primigravida Mothers about Breastfeeding Techniques and Newborn Umbilical Cord Care

Primigravida mothers often lack sufficient knowledge about newborn care, including umbilical cord care and breastfeeding techniques. Better education and support from healthcare professionals are essential to enhance their knowledge and skills in infant care. Effective training and counseling can help primigravida mothers feel more confident and competent in caring for their children. This study aims to determine the effect of e-booklet media on the knowledge of primigravida mothers regarding breastfeeding techniques and umbilical cord care in the service area of the Pamandegan Health Center and Midwife Clinic. This research uses a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design and a one-group pretest-posttest research design. The sample size in this study was 68 respondents, selected using total sampling, and all respondents received the intervention for 1 month. The measurement tool used in this study was a questionnaire that had undergone normality and validity tests. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and data analysis was conducted using univariate analysis and bivariate analysis with the Wilcoxon test. The hypothesis test results showed a p-value = 0.000 < 0.05, indicating that the use of e-booklet media significantly affected the knowledge of primigravida mothers regarding breastfeeding techniques and umbilical cord care. It is crucial for primigravida mothers to improve their knowledge in these two aspects as it can greatly impact their ability to care for their babies effectively.

Paternal behavior in captive fat-tailed dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius) is preserved under socially relevant conditions.

Fat-tailed dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius), primates endemic to Madagascar, are obligate hibernators that form stable, lifelong pairs in the wild. Given the temporal constraints imposed by seasonal hibernation, infant dwarf lemurs must grow, develop, and wean within the first two months of life. Maternal as well as paternal infant care, observed in the wild, has been deemed critical for infant survival. Given the importance of fathers' involvement in early infant care, we expect this behavior to persist even under captive conditions. At the Duke Lemur Center, in Durham NC, we observed two families of fat-tailed dwarf lemurs and focused on the behavior of adult males within the first two months of the infants' lives. We report evidence of paternal involvement, including babysitting, co-feeding, grooming, accompanying, and leading infants, consistent with observations from the wild. As expected, paternal babysitting decreased as infants gained independence, while co-feeding increased. Supplemental anecdotes, video recorded by observers, also highlight clear cases of involvement by both parents, and even older siblings, in safeguarding and socializing new infants. We argue that maintaining captive fat-tailed dwarf lemur populations under socially and ecologically relevant conditions facilitates the full expression of physiological and behavioral repertoires. Most importantly, it also allows dwarf lemurs to realize their species' potential and become robust proxies of their wild kin.

Improve the Quality of Care for Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through Indicator Management

<p>新生兒低體溫發生率是衡量新生兒死亡率的重要指標之一，據研究發現，若早產兒體溫低於36℃，死亡率高達64%，尤以極低體重早產兒風險更高。故維持極低體重早產兒體溫恆定，是新生兒加護病房早產兒照護品質的重要指標之一。</p> <p>經由現況分析發現，造成本院極低體重早產兒入住新生兒加護病房一小時內低體溫發生率高的要因包含：轉送過程未使用加溫保暖設備、保暖設備功能不良、交班內容有所遺漏、護理人員認知不足及醫療團隊未掌握醫療相關資訊導致醫療處置時間過長等。因此透過軟硬體設備購置、流程設計、表單優化、相關教育訓練及指標管理應用等，減少極低體重早產兒低體溫的發生，進而提升新生兒加護病房早產兒照護品質。</p> <p> </p><p>The incidence of neonatal hypothermia is a crucial indicator of neonatal mortality. According to existing research, if the body temperature of a preterm infant drops below 36°C, the mortality rate can reach as high as 64%; particularly, preterm infants with extremely low birth weight are at an even higher risk. Therefore, maintaining a stable body temperature for preterm infants with extremely low birth weight is a key indicator of the quality of care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).</p> <p>An analysis of the status quo revealed several factors contributing to the high incidence of hypothermia within the first hour of admission to the NICU for preterm infants with extremely low birth weight in our hospital. These factors include the lack of use of warming equipment during transport, malfunctioning warming equipment, omissions in handover information, insufficient knowledge among nursing staff, and prolonged medical interventions due to the healthcare team’s failure to possess relevant medical information. Consequently, through the acquisition of appropriate equipment, design of workflow, optimization of forms, provision of relevant training, and application of indicator management, the incidence of hypothermia among preterm infants with extremely low birth weight can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of care in the NICU.</p> <p> </p>

Women’s and Partners’ Experiences With a Closed-loop Insulin Delivery System to Manage Type 1 Diabetes in the Postpartum Period

ObjectivesClosed-loop insulin delivery has the potential to offer women with type 1 diabetes a break from intense diabetes self-care efforts postpartum. Our aim in this study was to explore the views and opinions of hybrid closed-loop users and their partners in the first 24 weeks postpartum. MethodsThis qualitative study was embedded in a controlled study of women with type 1 diabetes randomized to closed-loop insulin delivery (MiniMed™ 670G or 770G) or sensor-augmented pump use for 1 to 11 weeks 6 days postpartum, with all on closed-loop delivery from 12 to 24 weeks postpartum. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 study participants and their partners at 12 and 24 weeks postpartum. Thematic analyses were used to examine participants’ and partners’ experiences. ResultsParticipants’ positive perceptions of closed-loop use related to reduced hypoglycemia, in contrast to previous experiences with nonautomated insulin delivery. These perceptions were balanced against frustrations with the system, allowing blood glucose levels to be higher than desired. Closed-loop use did not influence infant feeding choice, but infant feeding and care impacted participants’ diabetes management. Partners expressed uncertainty about the closed loop taking away control from participants who were highly skilled with diabetes self-management. ConclusionsParticipants reported that closed-loop insulin delivery resulted in less time spent in hypoglycemia when compared with the previously used nonautomated delivery. Yet, participants desired a greater understanding of the workings of the closed-loop algorithm. Our study provides potential users with realistic expectations about the experience with the MiniMed 670G or 770G closed-loop system in the postpartum period.

Innovative Applications of Intelligent Technology in Infant Care Products: A Study on the Design of Bottle Warmers and Milk Warmers

This paper delves into the innovative application of intelligent technology in the design of infant care products, with a particular focus on the design of smart bottle warmers and milk warmers, and their impact on user experience. The study begins by analyzing the current market demands and limitations of existing products in the field of infant care products, followed by a detailed discussion of the design features, technological advantages, and user experience of HAUTURE brand products. Through an in-depth analysis of the temperature control technology of the smart bottle warmer, the user interface design, and the dual-sealing system and vibration reduction and noise reduction technology of the milk warmer, this paper reveals how intelligent technology enhances product performance and user satisfaction. In addition, this paper examines the role of user feedback in product design improvement and proposes solutions to technical challenges. Finally, it provides an outlook on the future development trends of intelligent infant care products, predicting how intelligent technology will further shape innovation in this field.

The Value of Emotional Intelligence in Midwifery: Enhancing Care and Outcomes for Mothers and Infants through Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership

Emotional Intelligence (EI), the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others, plays a crucial role in the field of midwifery. This article explores the value of EI in midwifery practice, highlighting its impact on maternal and infant outcomes, professional relationships, and job satisfaction among midwives. Through a comprehensive literature review and case studies, the article demonstrates how high levels of EI contribute to effective communication, empathy, and stress management, leading to improved care experiences for mothers and infants. The discussion includes practical strategies for developing EI skills among midwives and recommendations for integrating EI training into midwifery education and professional development programs. The article also connects the value of EI in midwifery to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising its importance in achieving gender equality, health, and well-being. Furthermore, the role of leadership in fostering a culture of EI within midwifery practice is examined. The findings underscore the importance of EI as a key competency in midwifery, essential for fostering a supportive and responsive care environment aligned with global development goals.

Isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates from unused diapers sold in major markets in Enugu Metropolis: Clinical and policy perspectives.

Diapers, being one of the most used items for infant care, it is imperative that they are always free of contamination from microorganisms. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of bacterial contamination and the antibiotics profile of isolated bacteria from unused diapers sold in markets in Enugu Metropolis, southeast Nigeria. The study also investigated the effectiveness of the Nigerian Consumer protection laws towards maintaining the standard of care for infants and toddlers. Fifty pieces of different brands of diapers were sampled for bacterial contamination using standard bacteriological procedures. The results show that out of 50 samples analyzed, bacterial growths were identified in 9 (18%), of which five different bacterial species were isolated. The most prevalent being Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus 3 (33.3%). Other bacteria isolated were Lactobacillus spp, Klebsiella spp, and Streptococcus spp 1 (11.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the bacterial contamination of diapers across the different brands(p>0.05). We conclude that baby diapers sold in markets in Enugu metropolis are prone to contamination with bacteria.We recommend that appropriate measures should be taken during the manufacturing process to reduce or prevent the incidence of bacterial contamination of diapers.

Analysis of Policy Implementation and Availability of Infrastructure on the Implementation of Early Breastfeeding Initiation After Cesarean Section Delivery in Private Hospitals in Kudus District

Early initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) is placing the infant on the mother's chest or abdomen and allowing the infant to seek the mother's nipple within the first hour of birth. Caesarean section (SC) poses challenges to the implementation of Early Breastfeeding Initiation (IMD) in both internationally and nationally recommended hospital programs for maternal and infant care. The purpose of this study was to analyze policy implementation and analyze the availability of hospital facilities in the implementation of Early Breastfeeding Initiation (IMD) after Sectio Caesarean delivery. The research design was descriptive qualitative. The main informants of the study were SPOg doctors, implementing midwives and the Head of the Central Surgical Unit. Supporting informants are laboring mothers, central surgery unit nurses, pediatricians, hospital management. Data collection using in-depth interviews and observation. Data validity strategy using source triangulation. There is a policy contained in the decree of the hospital director and the hospital SOP as a work instruction for the implementing unit, monitoring is carried out every delivery and the division of tasks is carried out situationally. The number, competence and infrastructure are available well enough to support the implementation of IMD after Sectio Caesarea delivery in the hospital

High-exchange ULTrafiltration to enhance recovery after paediatric cardiac surgery (ULTRA): study protocol for a Canadian double-blinded randomised controlled trial

IntroductionSurgical repair is the standard of care for most infants and children with congenital heart disease. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is required to facilitate these operations but elicits a systemic inflammatory...

The Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Isomerism Undergoing Single Ventricular Palliation: Insights From A Single-Center Study in Thailand.

Background: The management of atrial isomerism across various countries may impact survival outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients diagnosed with atrial isomerism undergoing single ventricular palliation between 2000 and 2021. The objective was to evaluate survival outcomes within the right atrial isomerism (RAI) and left atrial isomerism (LAI) groups, as well as overall survival. Results: Of the 125 patients diagnosed with atrial isomerism, 105 (84%) had RAI, and 20 (16%) had LAI. The median age at presentation was 3 days (range: birth to 7.1 years), with median follow-up of 6.6 years (range: 0.59 months to 30.8 years). In the overall cohort, survival rates at one, five, and ten years were 85.6%, 72.3%, and 66.8%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between RAI and LAI groups (log rank P value = .293). Specifically, survival rates in the RAI group at one, five, and ten years were 83.8%, 69.0%, and 62.6%, respectively, while in the LAI group, there were 95.0%, 89.7%, and 81.6%, respectively. Following the third-stage operation, overall survival rates at one and five years were 76.4% and 76.4%, respectively. Among patients in the RAI group, survival rates at one and five years post-third stage operation were 80.2% and 80.2%, respectively. Conclusions: Despite resource limitations, the survival outcomes of patients with atrial isomerism were found to be similar with those observed in high-income countries. Although an increased mortality rate was noted within the first year of life, focusing efforts on neonatal and infant care holds potential for improving overall outcomes.

Assessing the validity of maternal report on breastfeeding counselling in Kosovo’s primary health facilities

BackgroundImproving the quality of breastfeeding counselling delivered by primary care providers can improve breastfeeding outcomes and ultimately reduce mortality and morbidity of children and mothers. Accurate data on coverage and quality of primary care breastfeeding counselling is essential for monitoring progress; however, global and national indicators are limited. To help address this gap, this study validated indicators of receipt and quality of breastfeeding counselling during routine consultations for infant care at seven primary health facilities across Kosovo.MethodsMothers’ reports of breastfeeding counselling received during routine consultations for their infants (0–12 months of age) were collected by exit interview in 2019 and 2021 (n = 609). Responses were compared against direct observation of their consultation using a structured checklist (reference standard) by a trained third-party observer at the primary care facility. We assessed 13 indicators; ten were related to the receipt and content of breastfeeding counselling, and three were specific to the provider’s interpersonal skills. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) to determine individual-level reporting accuracy.ResultsTen indicators had an agreement rate above 70% and seven indicators had high overall individual-level validity (AUC ≥ 0.7). High prevalence indicators recorded high sensitivity and low specificity, and the inverse for low prevalence indicators. More subjective indicators were less reliable, e.g., mothers over-reported the prevalence of all three indicators related to providers’ interpersonal skills.ConclusionsThis study offers evidence on breastfeeding counselling quality by validating maternal reports of whether a provider discussed breastfeeding, the clinical content of that counselling, and how it was delivered. It is also situated in a primary care setting within a fragile state of which there is limited evidence. We observed that mothers reported accurately when asked directly to recall breastfeeding counselling services received. However, there is a need to further validate subjective questions about interpersonal skills and other measures for the ‘experience of care’ quality dimension.

Diaper-based wearable SERS sensing system with a silver nano dual-structure composite hydrogel for the detection of biomarkers and pH in urine

Wearable sensors are essential for continuous monitoring of an individual’s health status to enable personalized health management. Urine as a typical non-invasive biological fluid is rich in biological information. Although diaper-based biosensors have been developed, the development of wearable sensors for multiple biomarkers in urine remains a major challenge to be explored. In this paper, a hydrogel SERS sensor consisting of two metal nanostructures of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) and silver nanocubes (Ag NCs) was developed and adhered to nappies to form a wearable nappy-based SERS sensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of bio markers (creatinine, uric acid and bilirubin) and pH in urine. The hydrogel’s excellent adsorption and water-locking properties greatly simplify the collection of urine samples. At the same time, its encapsulation effect can effectively maintain the freshness of the urine sample and ensure the accuracy of the test. The introduction of silver nano dual-structure improves the antimicrobial properties of the hydrogel and reduces the risk of infection when the sensor comes into contact with the skin. Moreover, the silver nano dual-structure triggers abundant electromagnetic “hot spots” around intersecting nanojunctions and gaps, which greatly improves SERS sensitivity. For the detection of creatinine, uric acid and bilirubin, the LODs were as low as 0.59 μM, 69 nM, 89 nM. Finally, the urine pH was accurately detected using a functionalized Ag NWs-Ag NCs/CCNF/Gel/PVA hydrogel. This wearable diaper sensor is expected to be used for personal health condition monitoring and holds great promise for effective care of infants, the elderly, and those with limited mobility.

Fathers’ experiences of nurses’ roles and care practices during their preterm infant’s stay in the neonatal intensive care unit

IntroductionNeonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses play a crucial role in providing infant care, as well as in bridging the communication gap with parents. AimExplore fathers’ perceptions and interactions with nurses during their preterm infants’ stay in a NICU. DesignQualitative study using ethnographic data collection techniques. MethodsTwenty fathers of preterm infants were purposively sampled in a level III NICU in Italy. Data collection comprised 120 h of participant observation, 68 informal conversations, and 20 semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsAnalysis revealed five primary themes: (i) communication and clarity about infants’ health condition and progress, (ii) inclusiveness and guidance from nurses, (iii) fathers’ satisfaction with nurses’ support for mother, (iv) nurses’ personal attention to the babies, and (v) nurses’ varied personalities. ConclusionNurses are crucial in facilitating father-infant bonding in the NICU. Although the content of nurse communication is critical for fathers, the delivery style becomes especially relevant during their infant’s hospitalization. Discrepancies in messages and guidance can negatively impact fatherly confidence and their ability to care for their preterm infants and support partners. Thus, training that emphasizes the recognition of the unique ways that fathers exhibit distress is crucial. Relevance to Clinical PracticeNurses play a critical role in shaping the fathers’ experiences in NICU. Emphasizing clear communication and individualized care is vital. To strengthen father support in NICU settings, recommended approaches include regular training, holistic care, fostering inclusivity, emotional support, and improving bonding opportunities. Reporting MethodAdherence to the COREQ guidelines.

Examining racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis and access to care in infantile atopic dermatitis in the United States: a retrospective cohort study.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder that is common in children and associated with medical and psychosocial comorbidities. Previous studies have shown that there exist significant racial disparities in healthcare utilization in children with AD; however, literature on disparities in dermatology access is limited. The primary aim of this study was to identify differences in diagnosis of AD and access to dermatologic care by race and ethnicity in infants with AD. We conducted a retrospective chart review of infants diagnosed with AD at Boston Children's Hospital from January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2019. Race and ethnicity were categorized as Native American or Alaska Native, Asian, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic white, and other. Outcomes included time to diagnosis and dermatology visit from rash onset and were analyzed utilizing a Kruskal-Wallis test. Severity of presentation at first dermatology visit, presentation to the emergency department (ED), medications prescribed, and follow up were analyzed using Chi-squared tests. Significantly more non-Hispanic white infants received a prescription by their pediatrician for AD than Hispanic infants (p = 0.002). Non-Hispanic Black and Asian infants waited longer to see a dermatologist after receiving a prescription for AD by their pediatrician compared to non-Hispanic white patients (p < 0.001; p = 0.007). Significantly more non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic infants presented to the ED for AD within the first year of life than non-Hispanic white patients (p < 0.001; p = 0.003). Our study suggests disparities in diagnosis and access to care for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic infants with AD, with differences in prescriptions, time to see a dermatologist, and presentation to the ED compared to non-Hispanic white infants.

Study on Sleep Procrastination Behavior and Psychological Prevention Strategies Among University Students During Vocational Awareness Internships

The concept of sleep procrastination is a newly introduced notion in the field of health behavior procrastination. It can be summarized as the behavior where individuals, without any external hindrances, still choose to delay their predetermined sleep time. With the rapid development of the socio-economic environment and the internet, people are increasingly going to bed later, making sleep procrastination more prevalent. However, psychological research on sleep procrastination in China remains significantly lacking. This study aims to investigate the current state of sleep procrastination behavior among college students during vocational awareness internships and propose psychological intervention strategies. Through an electronic questionnaire survey of 641 students majoring in Infant Care Services and Management from a vocational college in Weifang, Shandong Province, 541 valid responses were obtained after excluding invalid questionnaires. The results showed that the sleep procrastination behavior of the students was at a moderate to low level, with no significant impact from variables such as only-child status, gender, and place of origin. This study proposes intervention strategies for sleep procrastination behavior among college students through behavior intervention, psychological adjustment, and environmental optimization to improve sleep quality, overall quality of life, and academic performance in vocational awareness .

The Effect of Oral Colostrum Application on the Condition of the Mouth and Incidence of Late-Onset Sepsis Among Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Premature infants have higher risks of infection due to their underdeveloped immune systems and changes to the oral cavity's normal flora colonization. To assess the effect of oral colostrum application on the condition of the mouth and the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS) among premature infants. In this randomized controlled trial, 70 newborn premature infants were randomly allocated to colostrum or sterile water groups. The Mouth Care Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the condition of the mouth for 5 days after oral colostrum application. The incidence of LOS was measured using clinical and laboratory indicators from 72hours after birth until discharge. The condition of the mouth was significantly different on days 4 and 5, demonstrating that the colostrum group had less need for oral care ( P <.001) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in clinical symptoms and laboratory values related to LOS ( P >.05). Oral colostrum application can benefit oral mucosal health and reduce the need for oral care among premature infants. It is also safe alternative oral care for premature infants who cannot breastfeed during the first few days of life. Future research should include infants of different gestational ages and mechanically ventilated infants to assess the effect of oral colostrum application on serum immune factors.