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The purpose of this scoping review is to review the extant literature regarding perinatal health outcomes for women on community supervision in the United States. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Public Health were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in the United States from January 1, 1970, to March 7, 2023. After removal of duplicates and review of 1,412 article titles and abstracts, 19 articles were retrieved for full-text review; this yielded 4 studies for inclusion. Studies range in size from 10 to 292 participants (N = 405) and only two reported geographic locations. Three studies comprised probation or parole and two studies included court-mandated treatment for substance use. All studies examined outcomes during the postpartum period, such as mood disorder or substance use severity. No studies evaluated the health of women during pregnancy and/or childbirth. To enhance health equity and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality among women on community supervision, more inclusive research that examines health outcomes during the perinatal period is needed. Furthermore, there must be interventions that address the social determinants of health, racial and systemic discrimination, socioeconomic barriers, and violence that are often experienced among women with criminal justice system involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the importance of parent-infant attachment and the potential adverse effects of separation in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). Topics include the impact of separation on short- and long-term cognitive and emotional development, as well as mental health for both parents and infants.

The objective of this study is to assess women's vulnerability to becoming involved with the legal system as it relates to their exposure, sensitivity, and resiliency to specific experiences associated with incarceration before, during, and after their confinement using the vulnerability framework. We sampled 12 women who self‐identified as Latina mothers from local jail annexes, probation department offices, and substance use treatment centers in South Central Texas. We conducted a qualitative, secondary analysis. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) "[The abuse] just kept happening;" (2) "[Incarceration] was an excessive interference;" and (3) "I wasn't there back then [for my children], but now I can be [there for them] in some way." We also identified subthemes. More research and culturally tailored programming are needed to bridge services across legal system sites (jails, prisons, probation) that interact with this population of women to provide supportive services. Public Contribution: We would like to recognize community stakeholders who work in the local jail, probation, and medication treatment centers who helped with the distribution of fliers and participant recruitment along with the women who shared their experiences following incarceration for the original study's data used in this secondary analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Use the Life Course Theory (LCT) to explore the effects of involvement with the justice system on the health of Latina women and their children. Design: A supplementary analysis was conducted using data collected from the original study to answer a new research question. Setting: South Central Texas. Participants: A primary qualitative data set from 12 Latina women involved with the justice system. Methods: We applied LCT principles and used thematic content analysis as such we employed categoric distinction: lifespan development, time and place in individuals' lives, the timing of lives, human agency, and linked lives to analyze participants' narratives. Results: Five themes emerged that aligned with LCT principles: (1) It feels like I'm living in my own prison; (2) What do I have to live for now; (3) It is like double punishment; (4) They made my choices; and (5) People didn't really understand. Participants felt helpless with few options to overcome their prior adversities, which affected their ability to make positive future choices. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential, long‐term, negative health consequences that may result from incarceration. Considering that justice system involvement can lead to more profound maternal and child health disparities, our findings suggest that greater advocacy from the nursing profession would increase accessibility to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. Key points: Involvement with the justice system can result in negative health consequences for women and their children.Maternal and child health disparities are often more profound after involvement with the justice system.Greater advocacy is needed from the nursing profession to ensure access to equitable and respectful maternity and women's health care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The benefits of human milk for the preterm infant are well established. Preterm infants have lower breastfeeding rates and often face breastfeeding challenges. It is important that feeding practices for preterm infants optimize their chances of breastfeeding. Objective The purpose of this integrated review is to synthesize and critically analyze research related to the safety and efficacy of cup feeding as an alternative, supplemental feeding method for breastfed infants. Data Sources The electronic data bases of PubMed, CINAHL and were used to identify studies published in English from 1998- 2017. Design Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were initially assessed. After further screening 19 articles were included in the full review and of these 5 more were excluded. Lastly, an in-depth review of these 14 studies resulted in 2 more exclusions, for a total of 12 studies that met full inclusion and exclusion criteria. Review Methods Studies were examined for information on safety and efficacy of cup feeding as an alternative, supplemental feeding method for preterm breastfed infants. Studies were grouped into categories of outcomes that included (a) safety and physiologic properties; (b) breastfeeding outcomes. Results Use of cup feeding resulted in more stable heart rate and oxygen saturation than bottle feeding with similar weight gain. Additionally, breastfeeding rates were higher at discharge with continued higher rates at 3 and 6 months post-discharge for cup fed infants. Conclusions Premature infants face more breastfeeding obstacles than term infants. The potential for cup feeding as an alternative to bottle-feeding for breast fed preterm infants is positively supported by these results It is fundamentally important for NICU professionals to establish a protocol, education and training for the potential use of this feeding method for this vulnerable population., Author(s): Frances Penny [sup.1] [sup.2] , Michelle Judge [sup.2] , Elizabeth Brownell [sup.3] [sup.4] , Jacqueline M. McGrath [sup.2] [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 2111 4814, grid.263848.3, Department of [...]

Background: Historically, childbearing women from diverse and systematically hard-to-reach populations have been excluded from nursing research. This practice limits the generalizability of findings. Maximizing research strategies to meet the unique needs of these populations must be a priority. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide methodological context for the comprehensive application of reproductive justice strategies to guide research methods and promote engagement of underrepresented childbearing women while decreasing systemic bias. Methods: In this article, we use a reproductive justice lens to characterize and define strategies for enhancing ethical and equitable engagement in research involving childbearing women who are often systematically underrepresented using a case study approach. Using a specific case study exemplar, the core tenets of reproductive justice are outlined and affirm the need to advance research strategies that create ethical engagement of diverse populations, transform oppressive social structures, and shift research paradigms so research objectives intentionally highlight the strengths and resiliency inherent to the targeted communities. Results: We begin by describing parallels between the tenets of reproductive justice and the ethical principles of research (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, and justice). We then apply these tenets to conceptualization, implementation (recruitment, data management, and retention), and dissemination of research conducted with childbearing women from diverse backgrounds who are systemically underrepresented. We highlight our successful research strategies from our case study example of women with histories of incarceration. Discussion: To date, outcomes from our research indicate the need for multilevel strategies with a focus on respectful, inclusive participant and key community partner engagement; the time investment in local communities to promote equitable collaboration; encouragement of the patient's autonomous right to self-determination; and mitigation of power imbalances. Nurse researchers are well positioned to advance research justice at the intersection of reproductive justice and ethics to fully engage diverse populations in advancing health equity to support the best health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors address growing attention on neuroprotection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and encourages neonatal caregivers and scientists to explore more opportunities to make the most of the potential of the developing brain during intensive caregiving. Topics discussed include origin of the term 'neuroprotection', neurologic cost of many neonatal therapies used in the NICU, and neuroprotective strategies in the NICU.

Background: Growing evidence supports the superior benefits of exposure to mother's own milk (MOM) in reducing prematurity-related comorbidities. Neonatal exposure to donor human Milk (DHM) is a suitable alternative when MOM is insufficient or unavailable. However, the same protective composition and bioactivity in MOM are not present in DHM. Additional evidence is needed to justify and inform evidence-based practices increasing MOM provision while optimizing adequate use of DHM for premature infants.Purpose: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine differences in neonatal outcomes among premature infants exposed to predominately MOM versus DHM.Methods/search Strategy: Databases including PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane were searched (2020-2021) using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Evidence was classified using the John Hopkins evidence-based practice levels and quality of evidence.Results: Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Studied neonatal outcomes included ( a ) growth parameters (n = 8), ( b ) neonatal morbidities (n = 6), and ( c ) gut microbiome (n = 4). Overall, evidence suggests DHM exposure is beneficial but not equivalent to MOM feeding. Compared with DHM, greater doses of MOM are ideal to enhance protection primarily related to infant growth, as well as gut microbiome diversity and richness.Implications For Practice: Standardized and evidence-based practices are needed to clearly delineate optimal use of DHM without undermining maternal and neonatal staff efforts to support and promote provision of MOM.Implications For Research: Additional evidence from high-quality studies should further examine differences in neonatal outcomes among infants exposed to predominately MOM or DHM in settings using standardized and evidence-based feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]