Weight Gain In Newborns Research Articles

Newborn Weight Gain Questions

Newborn Weight Gain Questions

Effects of Early Aquatic Experience on Motor and Physiological Outcomes in Infants and Children Under 36 Months: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background and Purpose: Early aquatic experiences may benefit infants and young children with and without developmental delays, but research is limited. Our purpose was to review aquatic experience effects on motor skill, heart rate, and weight gain for participants younger than 3 years of age. Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL were searched from inception through February 2022. Included studies examined infants and children younger than 36 months having aquatic experiences, compared with not having or prior to aquatic experiences, and reported outcomes that included motor skills, heart rate, or infant weight gain. Studies were assessed for quality and potential bias using the PEDro or STROBE checklists. Effect sizes were calculated as the standardized mean difference (Cohen's d; 95% confidence interval) within and between groups in individual studies and combined across studies using random-effects models. Results: Twelve of 16 articles met the criteria, with 110 participants in studies assessing motor skills, 58 participants in studies assessing heart rate, and 421 newborns in studies assessing infant weight gain. Significant within-group effects were found in motor skills (d = 1.16; 0.09, 2.23), heart rate (d = −0.93; −1.54, −0.31), and weight gain (d = 1.01; 0.09, 1.92). Between-group effects were not significant in motor skills (d = 0.48; −0.49, 1.44), but were significant in newborn weight gain (d = 0.63; 0.43, 0.83). No articles reported between-group data for heart rate. Discussion and Conclusions: Moderately strong evidence supports the beneficial effects aquatic experiences have in infants and young children. Limitations include heterogeneity across aquatic experience protocols and measures, retrospective study design for one study, and lack of recommendations for optimal timing and duration for protocols. Additional research is needed to determine effectiveness in subpopulations at developmental risk.

Newborn weight nomograms in selected low and middle-income countries

Growth impairment is common in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and may begin during early infancy, increasing morbidity and mortality. To ensure healthy infant growth, healthcare providers in high-income countries (HIC) track newborn weight change using tools developed and validated in HIC. To understand the utility of these tools for LMIC, we conducted a secondary analysis to compare weight trajectories in the first 5 days of life among newborns born in our LMIC cohort to an existing HIC newborn weight tool designed to track early weight change. Between April 2019 and March 2020, a convenience sample of 741 singleton healthy breastfeeding newborns who weighed ≥ 2000 g at birth were enrolled at selected health facilities in Guinea-Bissau, Nepal, Pakistan, and Uganda. Using a standardized protocol, newborn weights were obtained within 6 h of birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days, and nomograms depicting newborn weight change were generated. The trajectories of early newborn weight change in our cohort were largely similar to published norms derived from HIC infants, with the exceptions that initial newborn weight loss in Guinea-Bissau was more pronounced than HIC norms and newborn weight gain following weight nadir was more pronounced in Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, and Uganda than HIC norms. These data demonstrate that HIC newborn weight change tools may have utility in LMIC settings.

Understanding the impact of newborn touch upon mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates.

Introduction: Many interventions have been designed to support the development of the preterm baby and minimise the complications of prematurity. However, there is limited evidence of the possible psychological benefits of touch to the mother when she is the one performing the support programme during the hospitalisation of her newborn. Objective: This study explored whether the type of touch provided to preterm neonates had an impact on maternal self-efficacy, self-esteem and maternal-to-infant attachment, as-well-as newborn weight gain. Methods: Using a randomised cluster trial, forty babies and their mothers were allocated to one of two groups receiving either a touch-based intervention (TAC-TIC; Touching And Caressing; Tender In Caring) or spontaneous touch. Results: Mothers who provided the touch-based intervention demonstrated greater increases in self-efficacy, self-esteem and attachment, and babies gained more weight than those using spontaneous touch. Conclusion: The results indicate that systematic touch interventions may be used to facilitate the mother-baby relationship as well as to promote newborn weight gain.

Hubungan Delayed Cord Clamping terhadap Kenaikan Berat Badan Neonatus

Delaying clamping and cutting the umbilical cord is one of the efforts that can be done to increase the growth of neonates. The increase in neonate weight at the age of 28 days with a delay in cutting the umbilical cord was 1499.29grams. This study aims to analyze the relationship between delayed cord clamping and weight gain in neonates. The research design was cross-sectional using secondary data in the mother's and baby's medical records. The population of this study was all mothers who gave birth normally from two Independent Midwife Practices in the Jagakarsa area, South Jakarta and the sampling technique used was the purposive sampling technique. Data analysis using Chi-Square Test. The results showed that from 50 respondents, 82.4% of neonates experienced weight gain during delivery with delayed cord clamping. The results of the bivariate analysis obtained a significance value of 0.0001, this indicates that there is a relationship between the Delayed Cord Clamping method and the weight gain of newborns up to the neonatal period. The average weight gain of neonates with Delayed Cord Clamping was 1308.57 grams, while the weight gain of neonates without DCC was 781.25grams. The Delayed Cord Clamping method can increase the growth of neonates because the baby will get more blood containing oxygen, food, and antibodies. Babies get nutrients that affect their growth. It is hoped that every maternity mother who meets the requirements can delay the umbilical cord for 1-3 minutes so that it can increase the baby's hemoglobin level which can help the neonate's weight gain.

The Effectiveness of the Implementation of Kangaroo Treatment Method in Increasing the Weight Gain of Newborns with LBW

Background: Low body weight (LBW) cases have continuously occurred. However, some newborns with LBW could not afford good and hightechnological health services due to several barriers such as cost, geography, transportation, and communication barriers. Incubator replacement through kangaroo treatment method is considered to be an effective and economical alternative in which the weight gain in newborns with LBW could be enhanced. Kangaroo care method can be used in treating newborns with low birth weight. The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of the implementation of the kangaroo care method in increasing the weight gain of newborn with LBW at the General Hospital of Majene. Methods: The research design used in this study was a pre-experiment with One Group Pretest Posttest Design. The sampling method used in this research was total sampling where 38 samples were selected. This research was conducted at the Regional Hospital of Majene in the Perinatology room. Results: The results of this research indicated that there were significant differences in newborns before and after the implementation of the Kangaroo care method. It was evident that the newborns weight significantly increase with the Kangaroo care method. Therefore, further research should be carried out to investigate the factors which influence the increase of newborns weight. Conclusion: In this study we found that there were significant differences in LBW babies before and after being treated with the kangaroo method (PMK).

Health literacy and its relation to continuing with breastfeeding at six months post-partum in a sample of Spanish women.

AimTo explore the relation between health literacy (HL) and continuing breastfeeding (BF) at 6 months post‐partum.DesignObservational, longitudinal and prospective study between December 2018–May 2019. The STROBE checklist was used.Methods114 mother/baby pairings from a Spanish Hospital were included. Mothers’ health literacy was studied with the Newest Vital Sign and Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish Adults 50 (SAHLSA‐50). Before hospital discharge, BF efficiency was studied using the LATCH BF score and BF continuity was followed for 6 months. Survival analysis and Cox regression were done.ResultsHealth literacy levels and BF effectiveness were adequate before hospital discharge. At 6 months post‐partum, less than half the sample still exclusively breastfed. The main reason for early exclusive BF cessation was lower than the recommended newborn weight gain. The HL level acted as a protective factor against abandonment of BF.

Disrespect and abuse as a predictor of postnatal care utilisation and maternal-newborn well-being: a mixed-methods systematic review

IntroductionGlobally, a substantial number of women experience abusive and disrespectful care from health providers during childbirth. As evidence mounts on the nature and frequency of disrespect and abuse (D&A), little...

Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects.

Simple SummaryPlacentophagia is the ingestion of the placenta and afterbirth components released during and after parturition. The maternal behavior is widespread in mammalians and takes place in nonhuman primates too. It can occur between related and unrelated female primates and female and male weanling siblings in rats and hamsters. There are reports of human placentophagia in North America where women consume their placenta, whether raw, cooked, dehydrated, processed, or encapsulated, assuming potential health benefits for mothers and their offspring. However, there are also possible detrimental health risks associated with placental consumption in women. There is no scientific research regarding the beneficial effects of human placentophagia, and available information is mostly hearsay. We discuss the cause-effect of placentophagy and the endocrine, nutritional, and analgesic proposed benefits and adverse effects of this practice that have been published in humans and nonhuman mammals.Placentophagia is a common mammalian behavior, and the first scientific study of the potential effects of human maternal placentophagia on lactation was in 1917. More recently, in the 1970s, human placentophagia was reported in North America with a trend toward increased consumption. There are different hypotheses about the women and nonhuman mammals’ motivation towards placentophagia, but few have been subject to hypotheses testing. In women, the controversy continues; on the one hand, researchers attribute benefits like increased breast milk, weight gain in newborns, decreased postpartum depression and fatigue, and improved mothers’ mood. In contrast, bacterial or viral infections, hormonal, or trace elements that could become toxic for both the mother and baby are reported as possible health risks. Other reports argue a lack of scientific rigor to support the self-reported benefits of placentophagia. Also, the way the placenta is prepared (raw, cooked, dehydrated, processed, or encapsulated) alters its components, and thus the desired effects. This review provides relevant information and the different hypotheses and points of view around placentophagia. However, there are still questions to be resolved, and more studies are needed to confirm or reject the data generated so far about placentophagia in humans and nonhuman mammals.

A randomized control trial of hypothermia alert device in low birth weight newborns and the effect on kangaroo mother care and weight gain

Background: Lack of thermal protection is one of the major challenges faced by developing nations for newborn survival. Early detection and subsequent prevention of hypothermia through Kangaroo Care could lead to significant health outcomes for the newborn. Hypothermia alert device is a bracelet that monitors for early hypothermia by sensing the extremities and sounding an alarm for parents to take action.Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, the effect of the hypothermia alert device on KMC compliance at home and weight gain of newborns on 4th week follow-up was evaluated. New borns discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH). Neonates who were LBW (less than 2500 grams) were included in the study once they were stable and ready for discharge. Neonates were given a hypothermia alert device to monitor their temperatures for hypothermia for 4 weeks. Weekly follow-ups were held with parents and to record measurements of growth. Additionally, parents were given a KMC diary to track sessions of KMC. Neonates were given either a placebo bracelet or a BEMPU Bracelet. Bracelets were identical and both monitored for hypothermia, however only the BEMPU Bracelet gave an alarm when the newborn was hypothermic.Results: Statistically 44 neonates completed the 4-week trial; 23 were in the control group and 21 were in the BEMPU group; of these, 19 participants in the control group completed KMC diaries and 19 BEMPU group completed KMC diaries. The results of the clinical trial reveal that parents of neonates in the BEMPU group demonstrated better compliance to KMC. In the BEMPU group, the average daily time spent doing KMC was significantly higher in first (3.02 v 1.96 h, p=0.016) and fourth (3.04 v 2.38 h, p=0.094) week of discharge. There was an increase of weight gain in the BEMPU group after the first (25.7 v 20.7 g, p=0.1.85) and fourth (28.3 v 22.9 g, p=0.057) week of discharge.Conclusions: The hypothermia alert device was found to be an effective intervention to promote parent adherence to Kangaroo Care and weight gain.

Oxytocin, Vasopressin and Prolactin in New Breastfeeding Mothers: Relationship to Clinical Characteristics and Infant Weight Loss.

Maternal milk production requires the neuropeptide oxytocin. Individual variation in oxytocin function is a compelling target for understanding low milk production, a leading cause of breastfeeding attrition. Complicating the understanding of oxytocin pathways is that vasopressin may interact with oxytocin receptors, yet little is known about the role of vasopressin in lactation. The aims of this study were (1) to describe maternal plasma oxytocin, vasopressin, and prolactin patterns during breastfeeding following low-risk spontaneous labor and birth in healthy first-time mothers and (2) to relate hormone patterns to maternal characteristics and breastfeeding measures. Eligible women were recruited before hospital discharge. Forty-six participants enrolled and 35 attended the study visit. Participants kept a journal of breastfeeding frequency, symptoms of lactogenesis, and infant weight. Plasma samples were obtained at breastfeeding onset on Day 4-5 postpartum, and repeated after 20 min. Hormones were measured with immunoassays. Infant weight change, milk transfer, and onset of lactogenesis were also measured. Baseline oxytocin and vasopressin were inversely related to one another. Oxytocin and prolactin increased significantly across the 20-min sampling period while vasopressin decreased. Higher oxytocin was associated with higher maternal age, lower BMI, shorter active labor, physiologic labor progression, and less weight loss in the newborn. Higher vasopressin correlated with younger maternal age, higher BMI, and greater newborn weight loss. Oxytocin and vasopressin have contrasting relationships with maternal clinical characteristics and newborn weight gain in early breastfeeding infants. Further study is needed to understand how oxytocin and vasopressin influence lactation outcomes.

Mantenimiento de la lactancia materna exclusiva a los 3 meses posparto: experiencia en un departamento de salud de la Comunidad Valenciana

AimsTo investigate the prevalence of EBF at 3-months postpartum, and the early factors for discontinuation. DesignObservational, retrospective study. Location: Health department of La Ribera, Valencia, Spain. ParticipantsNewborns between December 2012 to January 2017. MethodsPregnant women were interviewed at postpartum and at 3 months regarding variables associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation, matched with socio-demographic and obstetric-neonatal information. Main measurements: Prevalence of breastfeeding at discharge and exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months. Reasons for interrupt exclusive breastfeeding. Chi-square determination between qualitative variables. FindingsOne thousand three hundred and thirty-eighth women were recruited. EBF at discharge was 68.2% (913) and at 3 months 46.7% (625). EBF duration was 68.7±32.7 days (95% CI: 66.9-71.2). We found statistically significant differences between the type of breastfeeding and the variables, year of study, country of origin and parity (P<0.001, P=0.005 and P=0.05 respectively). Hypogalactia (21.8%) and lower than recommended increase in newborn weight gain (14.9%) were most frequent factors for discontinuation. ConclusionThe prevalence of EBF at 3 months is low compared to other similar studies, although we see an upward trend. Belief in hypogalactia influenced the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.

Weight gain in newborns submitted to skin-to-skin contact

ABSTRACT Purpose: to compare the weight gain among newborns submitted to the kangaroo method and those not submitted to it, and to analyze the factors that may influence this gain: length of hospital stay, gestational age, corrected gestational age, birth weight, weight on the first day of follow-up, duration of gastric tube feeding, duration of oral feeding, and type of diet. Methods: a cross-sectional, quantitative study, with 86 newborns divided into two groups: group 1, with 48 neonates undergoing skin-to-skin contact and Group 2, 38 newborns who did not have this contact. Weights were recorded until hospital discharge. Results: a greater weight gain in Group 1, a longer time of hospitalization in Group 2, and a significant difference in weight gain related to the type of diet in Group 2. Conclusion: skin-to-skin contact has a positive influence on weight gain and length of hospital stay of newborns. The use of an infant formula does not influence weight gain for dyads who experienced skin-to-skin contact. Gestational age, corrected gestational age, birth weight, weight on the first day of follow-up, duration of gastric tube feeding, duration of oral feeding are not correlated with weight gain.

Pengaruh Multiple Mikro Nutrien (MMN) Terhadap Berat Badan Bayi Baru Lahir Di Desa Pandes Klaten

Abstract: MMN, Newborn Baby Weight. During pregnancy food is required with good quality and quantity to meet the nutritional needs of mother and baby. The low nutritional status of pregnant women during pregnancy can lead to various adverse effects for mothers and infants, such as those born with Low Birth Weight (LBW). LBW babies have a 10 to 20 times greater chance of dying than babies born with enough birth weight. Multiple Micro Nutrient (MMN) contains 15 types of vitamins and minerals most important for pregnant women, including vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, Vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin C, Fe , folic acid, Zink, Copper, Selenium, and Iodine. MMN is one of the nutrients to prevent the occurrence of anemia because in MMN there are factors forming Hemoglobin ie Fe, Vitamin B12 and folic acid. The availability of adequate hemoglobin makes the metabolic system work well. Lack of hemoglobin not only affects the health of the mother but also affects the health of the fetus it contains, including the growth of the fetal inhibition (such as weight, body length). The purpose of this study was to prove the effect of MMN on newborn weight in Pandes Klaten village. This type of research is arestrospective study with cross sectional design. The subjects of this study were BBL (newborn) whose mother consumed MMN during pregnancy. Different test sing Independent T-test to compare control group and treatment group. Significant value in this study was p &lt;0.05. The results of this study were no significant difference between birth weight between control group and MMN treatment group (P = 0.879). In conclusion MMN has no significant effect on newborn weight gain.

Vaginal delivery: how does early hospital discharge affect mother and child outcomes? A systematic literature review

There is an international trend to shorten the postpartum length of stay in hospitals, driven by cost containment, hospital bed availability and a movement toward the ‘demedicalization’ of birth. The aim of this systematic literature review is to determine how early postnatal discharge policies from hospitals could affect health outcomes after vaginal delivery for healthy mothers and term newborns. A search for systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and primary studies was carried out in OVID MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Econlit and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, DARE and HTA databases). The AMSTAR checklist was used for the quality appraisal of systematic reviews. The quality of the retrieved studies was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s tools. The level of evidence was appraised using the GRADE system. Seven RCTs and two additional observational studies were found but no comprehensive economic evaluation. Despite variation in the definition of early discharge, the authors of the included studies, concerning early discharge and conventional length of stay, reported no statistical difference in maternal and neonatal morbidity, maternal and neonatal readmission rates, infant mortality, newborn weight gain, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, or breastfeeding rates. The authors reported conflicting results regarding postpartum depression and competence of mothering, ranging from no difference according to length of stay to better results for early discharge. The level of evidence of the vast majority of outcomes was rated as low to very low. Because of the lack of robust clinical evidence and full economic evaluations, the current data neither support nor discourage the widespread use of early postpartum discharge. Before implementing an early discharge policy, Western countries with longer length of hospital stay may benefit from testing shorter length of stay in studies with an appropriate design. The issue of cost containment in implementing early discharge and the potential impact on the current and future health of the population exemplifies the need for publicly funded clinical trials in such public health area. Finally, trials testing the range of out-patient interventions supporting early discharge are needed in Western countries which implemented early discharge policies in the past.

Comparison of the Blood Level OF Leptin in Umbilical Cord of Newborns of Mothers With Gestational Diabetes and Normal Mothers and Its Relationship With Growth Indices of Newborns

Background: Diabetes is defined as an abnormal increase in blood glucose levels and is the most common disease that can complicate pregnancy. Leptin, a hormone produced mainly in adipose tissue, plays an important role in preventing fat accumulation in tissues such as skeletal muscle and myocardium and can be used to evaluate changes in lipid levels effectively. Leptin cannot cross the placental barrier, and its level in the umbilical cord is of fetal origin. Objectives: Due to the lack of similar studies in Ahvaz, we aimed to determine the relationship between umbilical blood levels of this hormone with growth indices of newborns with normal mothers and mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and Methods: After delivery and using the aseptic method, 5 mL of blood from the umbilical vein was taken immediately by staffs to separate serum and was then stored at −20°C. Serum level of leptin was measured using the Elisa method in two groups: “case” and “control.” All information collected in the questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS-19 software as well as other statistical methods. Results: Serum leptin levels in the cord blood of mothers with GDM were significantly higher than in normal mothers. There was a significant relationship between serum leptin levels and birth weight in infants with diabetic mothers. In this study, no significant correlation was observed between cord leptin levels and other growth indices. Conclusions: Changes in neonatal leptin levels can reflect changes in the body fat tissue and neonatal birth weight and could be effective in predicting weight gain in newborns with mothers who have gestational diabetes and may reduce birth trauma or future complications.

Effect of nebivolol treatment during pregnancy on the genital circulation, fetal growth and postnatal development in the Wistar rat

The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of nebivolol, a cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker of the third generation with vasodilatory properties, vs. bisoprolol on the genital circulation, uterine vasculature, fetal growth and postnatal development in pregnant Wistar rats. Non invasive measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and heart rate (HR), and invasive measurement of genital blood flow (GBF) were taken in pregnant rats, by tail cuff and transonic probe methods respectively, after an oral treatment by gastric gavage with nebivolol (8mg/kg/day) or bisoprolol (10mg/kg/day) from day 11 to day 18 of pregnancy. Other morphometrical and histological measurements were performed on the ovarian and uterine arteries to evaluate the effect of nebivolol on the uterine vasculature. Furthermore, postnatal mortality and pup growth were recorded. The data demonstrated that nebivolol (compared with bisoprolol) induced a significant decrease in SBP, HR and GBF while DBP remained unchanged. Moreover, nebivolol increased the diameter and the length of ovarian and uterine arteries and the number of uterine artery segmental branches. The results also showed that the body weight gain of newborns in the nebivolol group was significantly lower vs. bisoprolol and vs. control with a higher mortality rate. The nebivolol action is not only limited to its favorable hemodynamic effects represented by a decrease in blood pressure, but it also produces adverse effects on fetal growth and postnatal development that may limit its therapeutic use in females during pregnancy.

When there is no doctor: Use of decision support to produce reliable weight gain in hospitalized newborns in Indonesia

Background: Globally, malnutrition is responsible for 53% of deaths in children under 5. This proportion is arguably higher among hospitalized newborns. In hospitals, the newborn is isolated from its natural feeding sourceethe mothereand often too immature or weak to suck. Furthermore, feeding a sick newborn is not intuitive. Doctors who initiate this process often have insufficient knowledge on newborn feeding. The situation is exacerbated in under-resourced settings where there is a scarcity of doctors. EMAS is a 5-year USAID-funded program, which aims to reduce high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Indonesia by increasing the quality of medical services in 150 hospitals and 300 health centers. At year 3, EMAS is targeting neonatal nutrition and introducing the use of decision support tools to directly improve neonatal feeding practices. Decision support is a quality improvement methodology that directs users toward evidence-based choices—often in checklist form—at the time of vital decisions. Structure/Method/Design: September to December 2013, teams consisting of one U.S. volunteer pediatrician and two Indonesian general doctors mentored staff at eight hospitals on neonatal nutrition for a period of 10 days. Using patient records and an electronic scale, baseline data on nutrition status of the neonates were obtained. With the permission of hospital pediatricians, perinatology nurses took responsibility for nutrition management. The mentoring teams taught nurses how to use the new scale, how to use decision support tools to determine feeding volume and caloric content ofmilk from themeasuredweight, andhow to preparemilk for feeding, including supplementing breast milk to 24 kcal per 30 cc for infants less than 2000 grams. The team calculated average weight gain of newborns 6 days after the start of the intervention.Neonatal units agreed to report on average weight gain of patients monthly. Results (Scientific Abstract)/Collaborative Partners (Programmatic Abstract): Indonesian MOH Indonesian Pediatric Association Boston Children’s JHPIEGO SAVE Summary/Conclusion: Two of the eight hospitals chose not to proceed to the intervention stage.Of the remaining six hospitals, prior to the intervention, newborns only received 78% of recommended feed volume (n1⁄4 50) and none routine caloric supplementation. Newborns 7 days old had average weight gain of +1.38 g/kg/day (n 1⁄4 23) (95% CI, e2.27 to 5.051). Following the intervention, newborns 7 days old increased weight gain to +13 g/kg/day (n1⁄4 21; P< 0.01). The latter rates are considered normal even for healthy newborns. The average weight of patients in this study was 2191 grams.

Effect of Implementing Breastfeeding Promotion Program in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on Newborn Weight and Breastfeeding Practices

Background: Mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have challenges breastfeeding their infants. Even if not intending to breastfeed, they may be encouraged to do so for short-term to protect their infants. Yet, they need consultation to assist initiation, and maintenance of breastfeeding. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of implementation of Breastfeeding Promotion Program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on breastfeeding practices and newborn weight. Methods: A Breastfeeding Educational Promotion Initiative Program was started in the NICU. Our targets were health care professionals, social workers and staff in the NICU as well as mothers of VLBW infants admitted to the NICU. Forty-six VLBW infants were included in the study. We compared the newborn weight and breastfeeding practices such as number of mother rs’ visits, and breastfeeding rate at time of discharge from the NICU between two groups. Group A, n = 23, pre-intervention and group B, n = 23, post-intervention. Results: Infants weight at discharge and percentage increase in weight gain were more in group B which showed significant difference (P = 0.02) and (P &lt; 0.01) respectively. Expressed breast milk per day was more in group B with significant difference (P &lt; 0.005). The number of mothe rs’ visit and the percentage of breastfeeding at time of discharge were more in group B with highly statistically significant difference (P = 0.001 and 0.0001 respectively). Conclusion: Implementation of a Breastfeeding Educational Promotion Program in the NICU improved newborn weight gain and breastfeeding practices. Int J Clin Pediatr. 2014;3(2):40-45 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/ijcp159w

Conditional repression of STAT5 expression during lactation reveals its exclusive roles in mammary gland morphology, milk‐protein gene expression, and neonate growth

The role of Stat5 in maintaining adequate lactation was studied in Stat5a(-/-) mice expressing a conditionally suppressed transgenic STAT5 in their mammary glands. This system enables distinguishing STAT5's effects on lactation from its contribution to mammary development during gestation. Females were allowed to express STAT5 during their first pregnancy. After delivery, STAT5 levels were manipulated by doxycycline administration and withdrawal. In two lines of genetically modified mice, the absence of STAT5 expression during the first 10 days of lactation resulted in a decrease of 29% or 41% in newborn weight gain. The STAT5-dependent decrease in growth was recoverable, but not completely reversible, particularly when STAT5 expression was omitted for the first 4 days of lactation. Within the first 10 days of STAT5-omitted lactation, alveolar occupancy regressed by 50% compared to that measured at delivery. By Day 10, only 18% of the fat-pad area was involved in milk production. The alveolar regression caused by 4 days of STAT5 deficiency was reversible, but neonate growth remained delayed. STAT5 deficiency resulted in reduced estrogen receptor α and connexin 32 gene expression, accompanied by delayed induction of both anti- and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. An increase in Gata-3 expression may reflect an attempt to maintain alveolar progenitors. A decrease of 39% and 23% in WAP and α-lactalbumin expression, respectively, with no associated effects on β-casein, also resulted from lack of STAT5 expression in the first 10 days of lactation. This deficiency enhances the major effect of alveolar regression on delayed weight gain in newborns.