Acta paediatrica
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Interventions to improve the oral feeding performance of preterm infants.
Preterm infants have difficulty oral feeding. We hypothesized that a specific sucking and swallowing exercises vs. no intervention accelerate the attainment of independent oral feeding through a faster maturation of infants' oral feeding skills (OFS). ⋯ The swallowing exercise is an efficacious intervention in facilitating the attainment of independent oral feeding, but not the sucking exercise. We speculate that the swallowing benefit resulted from an accelerated maturation of infants' OFS levels.
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To characterize early amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and single-channel EEG (aEEG/EEG) in very preterm (VPT) infants for prediction of long-term outcome. ⋯ Long-term outcome can be predicted by aEEG/EEG with 75-80% accuracy already at 24 postnatal hours in VPT infants, also in infants with no early indication of brain injury.
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Paediatric drug use with focus on off-label prescriptions at Swedish hospitals - a nationwide study.
To perform a nationwide investigation of paediatric drug use at Swedish hospitals, including an analysis of off-label drug use. ⋯ Paediatric off-label drug use is common at Swedish hospitals, and nearly half of all prescriptions were not documented for use in children. The findings emphasize a need for paediatric clinical studies as well as compilation of existing clinical experience and scattered evidence, particularly for drug treatment in infants and neonates.
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A greater emphasis on exclusive breastfeeding in recent years has re-ignited the historical debate over the role of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) in infants with breastfeeding difficulties. Several prospective cohort studies and randomized control trials have been published in this area in the last 10-15 years. We critically evaluated recent evidence and attempted to answer two important clinical queries in this area, that is, (i) whether ankyloglossia is associated with breastfeeding difficulties and (ii) whether frenotomy helps mother-baby dyad in such setting? ⋯ Neonates with tongue-tie are at increased risk for breastfeeding difficulties. An early recognition of this association by primary care provider and prompt referral to a lactation consultant is important. In cases with clearly documented breastfeeding difficulties, frenotomy often results in rapid improvement in symptoms.