Infant Body Weight Research Articles

The Volume of Breast Milk Intake in Infants and Young Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide global breast milk intake estimates for infants and children from 0 to 3 years old. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of online databases (Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL) was conducted and complemented with a manual search of additional databases (African Journals Online and LILACS), reference lists, and unpublished data. Studies with apparently healthy mothers and their children 0-3 years old worldwide were included. Random effects meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regressions were conducted. Results: A total of 167 studies on breast milk intake were identified. The mean daily breast milk intake among all the studies included was 670 mL per day and 117 mL/kg per day. Breast milk intake was influenced by infant age, infant body weight, and breastfeeding practices. The deuterium dilution method tended to yield higher estimates than test-weighing methods. Breast milk intake over time was modeled with a nonlinear meta-regression: breast milk intake (mL/day) = 51-1.4 × days +180 × log(days). When restricting to studies involving healthy term infants exclusively breastfed up to 6 months, breast milk intake was 624 mL per day and 135 mL/kg per day at 1 month, 735 mL per day and 126 mL/kg per day at 3 months, 729 mL per day and 107 mL/kg per day at 6 months, and 593 mL per day and 61 mL/kg per day at 12 months. Conclusions: This review provides global breast milk intake estimates for infants and young children. It demonstrates differences in intakes according to region and measurement method, as well as longitudinal changes over the first year of life.

Re-evaluating fluoride intake from food and drinking water: Effect of boiling and fluoride adsorption on food.

Although drinking water is the main source of fluoride intake, recent studies reported that fluoride intake from foods could also be high, depending on cooking methods. In this study, we quantified the fluoride accumulation in foods soaked or boiled in fluoride-containing water and assessed the fluoride intake in different age groups from food and drinking water. We observed that, in the case of rice soaked in fluoride-containing water, more fluoride was accumulated in the rice than previously estimated. Fluoride interferes with the iodine staining process of rice, indicating fluoride adsorption. Fluoride accumulation in rice and vegetables increased when the soaking temperature was raised to 100°C due to the gelatinization of rice grains and softening of vegetables. Ingesting foods boiled in fluoride-containing water increased the fluoride intake per body weight of infants more significantly than that in children and adults due to their low body weight. These results indicate that soaking and boiling foods in fluoride-containing water significantly increases fluoride intake compared to previous estimations. Therefore, it is necessary to re-evaluate the fluoride intake from food and drinking water considering the methods used for cooking food in each country and region.

Adequacy of the 10 mg/kg Daily Dose of Antituberculosis Drug Isoniazid in Infants under 6 Months of Age.

In 2010, the WHO recommended an increase in the daily doses of first-line anti-tuberculosis medicines in children. We aim to characterize the pharmacokinetics of the once-daily isoniazid (INH) dose at 10 mg/kg of body weight in infants <6 months of age. We performed a multicenter pharmacokinetic study in Spain. The N-acetyltransferase 2 gene was analyzed to determine the acetylation status. Samples were analyzed using a validated UPLC-UV assay. A non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. Twenty-three pharmacokinetic profiles were performed in 20 infants (8 females) at a median (IQR) age of 19.0 (12.6-23.3) weeks. The acetylator statuses were homozygous fast (n = 1), heterozygous intermediate (n = 12), and homozygous slow (n = 7). INH median (IQR) Cmax and AUC0-24h values were 4.8 (3.7-6.7) mg/L and 23.5 (13.4-36.7) h*mg/L and the adult targets (>3 mg/L and 11.6-26.3 h*mg/L) were not reached in three and five cases, respectively. The age at assessment or acetylator status had no impact on Cmax values, but a larger INH AUC0-24h (p = 0.025) and trends towards a longer half-life (p = 0.055) and slower clearance (p = 0.070) were observed in homozygous slow acetylators. Treatment was well tolerated; mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase levels were observed in three cases. In our series of young infants receiving isoniazid, no major safety concerns were raised, and the target adult levels were reached in most patients.

EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINATION OF MASSAGE THERAPY AND MUSIC ON BREATHING FREQUENCY AND WEIGHT IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Indonesia is listed at number 7 out of 10 countries with the highest infant mortality in the word based on WHO 2019 data. The most commond cause of infant mortality in Indonesia is low birth weight which can occur in premature babies. Vital sign are body parameters to assess the physiological function of the body’s vital organs or the body’s homeostatic mechanism. Various problems in premature infants include the risk of infection, difficulty breathing, hypothermia, poor sucking reflex, nutritional disorder, hypoglycemia, intracranial bleeding, meconium aspiration syndrome and hyperbilirubinemia. Premature babies are at risk for respiratory problems and impaired growth and development due to organ immaturity. Some interventions that can improve the health condition and growth and development of premature babies are massage therapy and music therapy.&#x0D; This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the combination of infant massage therapy and music on respiratory frequency and body weight in premature infants.&#x0D; The research method is quantitative using a quasi experiment with one group pre and posttest without control design on 10 premature babies, giving a combination of massage and music therapy for 7 days.&#x0D; The result of the Paired-sample t-Test showed p value 0,000 &lt; 0,05 in respiratory frequency and p value 0,047 &lt; 0,05 in body weight. These result indicate that the combination of massage therapy and music is effective on respiratory frequency and weight of premature babies.

Definitive repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect using valved conduit for low body weight infant

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect is a complex congenital heart defect whose management varies depending on the anatomy of pulmonary circulation and surgeon’s preferences. The surgical outcomes of complete repair in small infants and neonates in Vietnam have been seldomly reported. We reported our medium-term results of complete repair of this complex lesion using valved conduit in infants and neonates at our institution. The study included 25 patients with the body weight of less than 5kg who underwent definitive repair using valved conduit between January 2016 and December 2021. The median age at surgery was 66 days (IQR 45 – 116 days), and the mean body weight was 4 kg (3 – 5). Most (96%) attended all follow-up visits, and the average follow-up time was 37.4 months (8.4 – 69.3). There was 1 in-hospital death and 2 late mortalities. The 30-days and 5 years survival rate were 96% and 83%, respectively. One patient required conduit replacement at 3 years post operative because of conduit failure. The proportion of patients with freedom from conduit replacement at 5 years was 95%. Three cases required balloon dilatation of the left pulmonary artery due to stenosis. Freedom from all reinterventions and reoperations at 5 years was 52%. Definitive repair of this type of complex heart defect in small infants can be performed safely and resulted in good surgical outcomes.

Blastocyst culture of non-top-quality cleavage embryos may increase the risk of anembryonic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort study.

Anembryonic pregnancy (AP) is the most severe dysmorphogenesis of human embryo development and a frequent presentation of early pregnancy loss (EPL). Studies have analyzed the association between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and EPL. However, the specific relationship between ART and AP has not been fully elucidated. Several studies suggested that non-genomic anomalies might be related to AP and ART might increase the risk of epigenetic changes, thus possibly detecting some associations between ART and AP. Our study aims to find out any possible risk factors of AP in ART treatments, and translate the results into clinical practice. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Nanfang Hospital. Data from 1,765 singleton pregnancies following fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer from January 2014 to December 2017 were collated with the inclusion of EPLs and normal live births (NLB). Participants were divided into three groups: NLB (full-term birth with normal body weight infants), EPL (spontaneous pregnancy loss prior to 13 weeks gestation) with embryos (EE), and APs (embryonic pole was invisible in two consecutive ultrasound examinations). The basic characteristics of the patients and the association between ART-related variables and AP were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariable logistic regression model, respectively. Products of conception (POC) from AP and EE patients received karyotype analysis using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Blastocyst culture of non-top-quality cleavage stage embryos almost doubled the percentage of AP in EPL (45.9% vs. 24.4%, P=0.037), and the normal euploid rate was significantly higher in the AP group (50.5% vs. 32.3%, P=0.003). Using multivariable logistic regression model, we found that blastocyst transfer and advanced maternal age might be risk factors for AP (OR >1, P<0.05). Deceased β-HCG level might indicate its occurrence (OR <1, P<0.001) while CoQ10 supplementation might be a protective factor (OR <1, P<0.001). The occurrence of AP may be due to epigenetic abnormalities associated with advanced maternal age and extended in vitro embryo culture, while CoQ10 supplementation may be a potential method in preventing AP. Future multi-center prospective cohort studies should be conducted to verify these results.

Drink combination made from Fenugreek seeds and Phoenix dac-tylifera to increase prolactin hormone levels in postpartum mothers and its impact on baby weight

Background: Breast milk is the best leading food for the growth and development of the baby; however, the production of breast milk produced by breastfeeding mothers is still lacking and impacts the baby's weight. One of the efforts is consuming a combination drink of Fenugreek seeds and Phoenix dactylifera containing galactagogue, which has never been done in this study before, to see an increase in breast milk production from indicators of prolactin hormone levels and its impact on baby weight.Purpose: Knowing the effect of giving drinks a combination of Fenugreek seeds and Phoenix dactylifera on the hormone prolactin and its impact on baby weight.Methods: This is an experimental study with a combination design, pretest-posttest, and posttest-only design. Respondents totaled 32 breastfeeding mothers, 16 were given drinks combination of Fenugreek seeds and Phoenix dactylifera, and 16 were given Phoenix dactylifera drinks. The intervention was given for 14 days, and the Mann-Whitney test analyzed prolactin hormone and baby weight using the Independent T-test.Results: Mean levels of the hormone prolactin in the intervention group were higher (279.52 ng/ml) than in the control group (263.31 ng/ml) with p&gt;0.05. The average increase in body weight of infants of the intervention group (606.25 g) was higher than the control group (381.25 g) with a p&lt;0.05.Conclusion: A drink combination made from Fenugreek seeds and Phoenix dactylifera can increase hormone prolactin. However, it is not statistically meaningful, and mothers who consume drinks have babies weighing higher than mothers who only give Phoenix dactylifera drinks.

Clinical Monitoring of Serum Levels of Vitamins A, D and E in Children with Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections of Different Ages: A Clinical Controlled Trial.

ObjectiveTo study serum levels of vitamins A, D and E in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections of different ages and the correlation.MethodsThe clinical data of two groups of children of different ages were collected. The serum levels and deficiencies of vitamins A, D and E in children were statistically analyzed.ResultsThe proportions of premature infants, low body weight infants, special physique, hospitalization history, hypocalcemia, living in a bungalow, and daily outdoor activities in less than 30 minutes in the case group were higher than those in the control group (χ2=4.507, 5.165, 7.040, 14.907, 4.267, 33.800, 4.507, 8.571, P < 0.05). The serum levels of vitamins A, D and E of children aged 0–1, 2–5, and 6–12 in the case group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the serum vitamin A level of children in the case group was lower (t = 2.631, P < 0.05), and the deficiency rate was higher (χ2=24.200, P < 0.05).ConclusionSerum levels of vitamins A, D and E, which are related to birth mode, physical fitness, hospitalization history, hypocalcemia, vitamin deficiency, living environment, and daily outdoor activity time, vary in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections of different ages, and are lower in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections than in healthy children.

Effect of Education Using Poster on Mother's Self Efficacy in Kangaroo Mother Care Implementation at Panti Rahayu Hospital

Low Body Weight (LBW) infants are at risk of experiencing health problems, one of which is hypothermia. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is one of the LBW care interventions to prevent hypothermia. Preliminary studies at Panti Rahayu Hospital have not shown optimum KMC due to the lack of willingness of mothers, especially primiparas with LBW babies. LBW babies’ condition made them not very confident in taking care of their babies. This research aims to know the effect of education using posters on mothers’ self-efficacy in implementing Kangaroo Mother Care at Panti Rahayu Hospital. This was pre-experimental research with pre and post-test without control. Used quota sampling with 30 respondents. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire with 20 statements. The statistical test used the Wilcoxon Test. The result showed there was a difference in self-efficacy scores between before and after treatment (p=0.000) with a significance value of 5%. There is an effect of education using posters on mothers' self-efficacy in implementing KMC at Panti Rahayu Hospital with the average difference between before and after being 15.50. Further researchers are suggested to investigate factors that affect maternal self-efficacy in implementing KMC, such as the lack of information and knowledge of mothers about KMC.

Comparison of Effects of Mothers' and Mozart's Lullabies on Physiological Responses, Feeding Volume, and Body Weight of Premature Infants in NICU.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mothers' and Mozart's lullabies on physiological parameters, feeding volume, and body weight of premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).MethodsThis study used a non-equivalent control group, non-synchronized design as a quasi-experimental study. Two intervention groups (recorded mother's lullaby and Mozart's lullaby) and a control group were formed from a total of 65 premature infants: a mother's lullaby group of 22 infants, a Mozart's lullaby group of 22 infants, and a control group of 21 infants not provided with any lullabies. Their physiological parameters included heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and O2 saturation. The infants' feeding volume and body weight were measured as indicators related to the growth of premature infants. The mother's and Mozart's lullabies were played on a speaker in an incubator for 15 min for 7 consecutive days per group.ResultsThere were significant differences in the mean difference before and after intervention in neonatal heart rate (χ2 = 45.03, P < 0.001), systolic pressure (F = 43.29, P < 0.001), diastolic pressure (χ2 = 33.01, P < 0.001), respiratory rate (F = 76.06, P < 0.001), and O2 saturation (χ2 = 40.82, P < 0.001) between the three groups. The mean differences of both mother's and Mozart's lullaby groups were significantly higher than those of the routine care group in all physiological parameters, and those of the mother's lullaby group was significantly higher when compared with the Mozart's lullaby group. In repeated-measures ANOVA, there was a significant interaction between time and group in feeding volume (F = 2.46, P = 0.041). However, body weight did not significantly differ in an interaction between time and group (F = 1.75, P = 0.151).ConclusionThis study showed beneficial effects of mother's lullaby and Mozart's lullaby on physiological parameters. Especially, the mother's lullaby was found to significantly improve all physiological parameters and feeding volume of premature infants in the NICU compared to Mozart's lullaby group. Therefore, we recommend the regular integration of the mother's lullaby into supportive care of premature infants in the NICU, as this intervention highlights the need for mothers to participate in their care.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: KCT0004842 (https://cris.nih.go.kr).

Effectiveness of Infant Massage on Increasing Baby Weight and Length in Nosarara Community Health Centers during the Covid-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: One indicator of the health of infants and toddlers is an increase in body weight and length/height following age. This fact has attracted the attention of many parties trying to find solutions and innovations, including re-examining the local wisdom of Indonesian culture, which is believed to have been passed down from generation to generation to help increase the baby’s weight and length. AIM: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of baby massage on increasing a baby’s weight and length in the work area of the Nosarara Community Health Center, Palu City. METHODS: This type of research was a quasi-experimental research design with pre- and post-test control group design. The population in this study were all infants aged 0−11 months in the Nosarara Health Center’s working area, involving 60 infants; 30 were the intervention group for a month of massage and 30 were the control group. The sampling technique in this study used the purposive sampling method based on certain considerations. The statistical test used was parametric and the paired t-test. RESULTS: The age of the mother in this study is mostly 28−30 years old, namely, 23.3% with an education level of Senior High School at 63.3% and the mother’s work is Mother’s work, which is 95%. Then, the age of most children aged 4−7 months, namely, 38.3%. There is a difference in children’s weight before and after the intervention where the initial weight is 5.8 kg–6.43 kg after 1 month of intervention. There are differences in the child’s body length before and after the intervention where the initial body length was 56.97 cm–60.03 cm after 1 month of intervention. CONCLUSION: This study showed no significant difference in the increase in body weight and length of infants between the intervention and the control groups. The average increase of massaged infants was 600 g in weight and 3.01 cm in length. Those who were not massaged were 400 g in weight and 1.26 cm in length.

Gestational Age-Related Associations between Early-Life Feeding Trajectories and Growth Outcomes at Term Equivalent Age in Very Preterm Infants.

Establishing the different feeding trajectories based on daily enteral feeding data in preterm infants at different gestational ages (GAs), may help to identify the risks and extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) outcomes associated with the adverse feeding pattern. In a single center, we retrospectively included 625 infants born at 23–30 weeks of gestation who survived to term-equivalent age (TEA) from 2009 to 2020. The infants were designated into three GA groups: 23–26, 27–28, and 29–30 weeks. The daily enteral feeding amounts in the first 56 postnatal days were analyzed to determine the feeding trajectories. The primary outcomes were EUGR in body weight and head circumference calculated, respectively, by the changes between birth and TEA. Clustering analysis identified two feeding trajectories, namely the improving and adverse patterns in each GA group. The adverse feeding pattern that occurred in 49%, 20%, and 17% of GA 23–26, 27–28, and 29–30 weeks, respectively, was differentiated from the improving feeding pattern as early as day 7 in infants at GA 23–26 and 27–28 weeks, in contrast to day 21 in infants at GA 29–30 weeks. The adverse feeding patterns were associated with sepsis, respiratory, and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 23–26 weeks; sepsis, hemodynamic and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 27–28 weeks; and preeclampsia, respiratory, and gastrointestinal morbidities at GA 29–30 weeks. Using the improving feeding group as a reference, the adverse feeding group showed significantly higher adjusted odds ratios of EUGR in body weight and head circumference in infants at GA 23–26 and 27–28 weeks. Identifying the early-life adverse feeding trajectories may help recognize the related EUGR outcomes of preterm infants in a GA-related manner.

Meta-Analysis the Effect of Baby Massage in Increasing Quality of Sleep and Infant Body Weight

Background: Sleep patterns and weight in infants are identified as one of the most important topics related to infant growth and development. Baby massage is a slow and gentle stroke move­ment throughout the baby's body starting from the baby's feet, stomach, chest, face, hands and back. Baby massage is a form of touch stimulation. Babies who are massaged experience an increase in vagus nerve tone (10th brain nerve) which will lead to increased levels of gastrin and insulin absorption enzymes. Thus the absorption of food will be better. Therefore, body weight and sleep quality increased more than those who were not massaged. Subjects and Method: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted using PRISMA flow diagrams. Search articles through journal databases including: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Schoolar and SpingerLink by selecting articles published in 2010-2020. The keywords used were (“baby massage” OR “infant massage”) AND (“sleep quality” OR “baby sleep quality”) AND (“weight gain” OR “baby weight gain”) AND “randomized controlled trial”. Inclusion criteria were full paper articles with Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) research methods, the relationship measure used was Mean SD, the intervention given was baby massage, research subjects were infants aged 0-3 years. Eligible articles were analyzed using the Revman 5.3 application. Results: A meta-analysis of 16 articles showed that baby massage improved sleep quality (SMD 0.70; 95% CI= -0.05 to 1.46; p=0.07). In addition, baby massage increased body weight (SMD 0.52; 95% CI= 0.08 to 0.96; p=0.02). Conclusion: Baby Massage has an effect on improving the quality of sleep and baby's weight.

The Effect of Neonates' Exposure to Their Mother's Scent on Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of newborns' exposure to their mother's scent in the intensive care unit on their weight gain. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental randomized controlled study. One hundred and four neonates were included in the study. Two groups were observed in the research: the first group consisting of those exposed to their mother's scent (n = 52) and a second control group (n = 52). Data were collected with a data collection form and an infant body weight monitoring form. Significance for the study was accepted as p < 0.05. Results: Among the neonates, 61.5% were males, the gestational week of the infants was 38.49 ± 1.24, their mean weight was 3,213.32 ± 468.67 grams (g); the two groups were similar in terms of these characteristics (p > 0.05). The neonates exposed to their mother's scent at the beginning of the study were weighed, averaging 3,105.38 ± 487.69 g; at the end of Day 1 and Day 2, their mean weight was 3,150.77 ± 493.07 and 3,197.50 ± 489.06 g, respectively. It was seen that there were significant differences in the weight of the group of neonates exposed to their mother's scent before the experiment, on Day 1 and on Day 2 (p < 0.05). The neonates in the control group were weighed at the beginning of the experiment, exhibiting a mean of 3,119.42 ± 452.85 g. Their mean weight was 3,107.12 ± 463.30 g at the end of Day 1 and 3,116.63 ± 471.09 g at the end of Day 2. These differences, however, were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We found that the newborns exposed to their mother's scent in the intensive care unit registered a higher increase in weight. Our recommendation is that a mother's scent be routinely factored into neonatal care in intensive care units.

The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Increasing the Body Weight in Infants with Low Birth Weight: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a condition of babies born weighing &lt;2,500 grams regardless of gestational age. Stabilization of the general condition is an important thing to do during the treatment period, there are several treatments for LBW babies, namely standard care with an incubator, monitoring nutritional intake and doing kangaroo mother care. This study aims to analyze the effect of kangaroo mother care on weight gain in LBW infants, with a meta-analysis of primary studies conducted by previous authors. Subjects and Method: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis with the following PICO, population: infants with low birth weight. Intervention: Kangaroo Mother Care. Comparison: Conventional Method Care. Outcome: weight gain. The articles used in this study were obtained from three databases, namely Google Scholar, Pubmed, Science Direct and Springerlink. Keywords to search for articles “kangaroo mother care” AND “weight gain” OR “growth” AND “neonatal outcome” AND “low baby weight infants” OR “skin to skin contact” OR “kangaroo care” OR “kangaroo method” AND “Randomized Controlled Trial” OR “RCT”. The articles included are full-text English and Indonesian with a study design of a Randomized Controlled Trial from 2007 to 2020 and reporting on the Mean and SD in multivariate analysis. The selection of articles is done by using PRISMA flow diagram. Articles were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malay­sia, Kenya, and Egypt were selected for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The data collected showed that kangaroo mother care increased the weight of LBW infants and was statistically significant (SMD= 1.05; 95% CI= 0.56 to 1.54; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Kangaroo mother care increases weight in LBW babies.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Two Neonates With Hyperammonemia.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the feasibility of using hemofiltration for ammonia clearance in low body weight infants with an inborn error of metabolism.Design: A study of two cases.Setting: Quaternary pediatric hospital (Saint Louis Children's Hospital) NICU and PICU.Patients: Infants <6 months of age with an ICD-9 diagnosis of 270.6 (hyperammonemia).Interventions: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).Measurements and Main Results: We measure serum ammonia levels over time and the rate of ammonia clearance over time. Continuous renal replacement therapy was more effective than scavenger therapy alone (Ammonul™) for rapid removal of ammonia in low weight infants (as low as 2.5 kg).Conclusions: Continuous renal replacement therapy is technically feasible in low weight infants with severe hyperammonemia secondary to an inborn error of metabolism.

Safety and efficacy of Hemocare®LACT on breast milk production and prolactin levels in postpartum mothers: An open-label, placebo controlled, randomized trial

BackgroundBreast-feeding provides optimal nutrition along with immune support to newborns and infants and a host of lifelong health benefits to mother and child. Unfortunately, in daily health care practice, there are increasing numbers of reports on unsuccessful breastfeeding related problems. Galactagogues are substances that stimulate milk production. Hemocare®LACT, is a product of MMC Pharmaceuticals Ltd to enhance the milk secretion in lactating women. ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hemocare®LACT capsules on prolactin levels, infant body weight and hemoglobin in lactating mothers. MethodsOpen-label, placebo controlled, pilot, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 72 eligible mothers were randomized to placebo or Hemocare®LACT in the ratio of 1:1. Serum prolactin, hemoglobin levels and infant weight were evaluated at baseline, 30th day, 60th day and in the 90th day post commencement of treatment. ResultsA significant difference in infant weight was found from baseline to 90th day in Hemocare®LACT group (p<0.01). Similarly, statistically significant difference was found in prolactin levels at 90th day when compared to baseline (p<0.05). Hemoglobin levels well maintained in Hemocare®LACT group. ConclusionHemocare®LACT capsules increased prolactin levels and infants body weight in lactating mothers when compared to placebo with good tolerability.

Quantile regression for longitudinal data via the multivariate generalized hyperbolic distribution

While extensive research has been devoted to univariate quantile regression, this is considerably less the case for the multivariate (longitudinal) version, even though there are many potential applications, such as the joint examination of growth curves for two or more growth characteristics, such as body weight and length in infants. Quantile functions are easier to interpret for a population of curves than mean functions. While the connection between multivariate quantiles and the multivariate asymmetric Laplace distribution is known, it is less well known that its use for maximum likelihood estimation poses mathematical as well as computational challenges. Therefore, we study a broader family of multivariate generalized hyperbolic distributions, of which the multivariate asymmetric Laplace distribution is a limiting case. We offer an asymptotic treatment. Simulations and a data example supplement the modelling and theoretical considerations.

Meta-analysis of the effects of smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregation on birth outcome

BackgroundSmooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregation (SERa, SER+) has been reported to increase the risk of birth malformations and other abnormal outcomes, miscarriage, and perinatal complications. Other studies, however, suggest that SER+ embryos may develop into healthy infants. One report indicates that 25% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers discard SER+ oocytes. Thus, we investigated the effect of SER+ on birth outcomes in IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.MethodsWe performed a literature search using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Embase, Ovid, and Scopus. We found a total of 1500 relevant studies between 1978 and 2020 and conducted a meta-analysis to study the effects of SER+ on live births, birth weight, and the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes retrieved per cycle.ResultsEleven eligible studies were included. If the SER+ zygote was evaluated again at the embryo transfer (ET) stage, SER+ did not affect birth or infant body weight. Stimulated ovaries producing too many oocytes per cycle were positively correlated with SER+ (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 0.41–2.15; p = 0.004). SER+ was positively correlated with oocyte maturation rate, and observed heterogeneity in a previous meta-analysis was likely due to maternal age. Our data also showed that SER+ cycles produced more oocytes but achieved the same number of births from ET.ConclusionsThe use of SER+ MII oocytes is rare, with the collection of many oocytes in 1 cycle potentially inducing SER+. SER+ may be more common than we originally thought, as some SER+ is found in all oocytes. Although SER+ positively affected oocyte maturation rate, it did not affect births. We hypothesized that this is because the best embryos are chosen at every step of the process, and the oocytes with the poorest characteristics are removed. We therefore suggest a standard method for measuring SER+. Although embryos produced from SER+ cycles can be used, they should only be transferred when no other suitable embryos are available over several cycles.

The effectiveness of baby massage in increasing infant's body weight.

BackgroundThe low birth weight (LBW) problem is found in various developing countries with an increasing trend of cases every year. This is caused by nutritional status and a history of maternal health. The impact of LBW in children is they are more likely to experience delayed growth and development. This study aims to identify the effect of baby massage on infants’ body weight.Design and MethodsThe research design used was quasiexperimental pre and post-test type with control group. There were 16 infants for each group selected by purposive sampling. Baby massage was given to the infants twice a week within four weeks, 10 to 15 mins per session. Data analysis was used paired ttest and independent t-test.ResultsThe mean age of infants was 3.69 months for both group, the mean age at birth was 37.8 weeks (intervention) and 38 weeks (control), the mean birth weight of infants was 2,295 grams (intervention) and 2,288 grams (control). Most of the infants was male for both group. There was an effect of baby massage on the increase in infants’ weight gain with a history of low birth weight significantly with a p-value <0.05.ConclusionsBaby massage can increase infants’ weight with a history of low birth weight aged 1-6 months. The role of health workers is to provide education and practice baby massage for mothers in order to stimulate the growth and development of infants. This intervention can be integrated with maternal and child health programs in primary health care facilities.