Early human development
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Early human development · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii on necrotizing enterocolitis or sepsis in very low birth weight infants: a randomised controlled trial.
Probiotics have strain specific effects and the effects of fungi in preventing diseases in preterm infants have been investigated poorly. Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast which acts both as a probiotic and a polyamine producer. ⋯ Saccharomyces boulardii did not decrease the incidence of NEC or sepsis.
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Early human development · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEarly communication in preterm infants following intervention in the NICU.
Despite ongoing improvements in clinical care, preterm infants experience a variety of stressors in the first weeks of life, including necessary medical procedures, which may affect development. Some stress-reduction programmes based in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have reported a positive impact on development. In particular, trials of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program (MITP) have shown positive short and longer term effects, and are based on training parents to recognise and minimise stress responses in preterm infants. ⋯ As significant cognitive and language deficits are reported in longitudinal studies of preterm children, an intervention that improves early infant communication abilities is promising, especially since previous research suggests that the strongest benefits may emerge at later ages.
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Early human development · Aug 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialIs it a safe practice to administer oxygen during uncomplicated delivery: a randomized controlled trial?
Newborns exposed to oxygen suffer from an oxidative stress with significant alterations in the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSSG). ⋯ Maternal exposure to oxygen during delivery is not associated with changes in umbilical cord SOD or GSSG. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms responsible for the need of resuscitation in the oxygen group.
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Early human development · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe metabolic effects of two different lipid emulsions used in parenterally fed premature infants--a randomized comparative study.
To compare the effects of two different lipid emulsions, based on soybean oil and olive oil respectively on plasma lipid concentrations and acylcarnitine profile of very low birth weight infants. ⋯ Low levels of very low density lipoprotein in Group I may be a way of hemostasis to keep the serum triglyceride within normal levels. Lower free carnitine levels in soybean oil-based group is the result of carnitine need during the mitochondrial transport of long chain fatty acids. In Group I, due to the inefficient transport of medium chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, medium chain acylcarnitines accumulate in plasma. This may be the reason of lower carnitine levels in Group I. We suggest that higher levels of hexanoyl carnitine, reflecting defective mitochondrial transport of hexanoyl which leads immunsupression, may be the cause of higher sepsis risk in Group I.