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Introduction The purpose of this study was to describe symptoms of problematic feeding in infants with tongue-tie, evaluate changes in non-nutritive suck measures before and after frenotomy, and examine tongue-tie severity with changes in non-nutritive suck patterning. Method Parents completed the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool about infant feeding before frenotomy. Non-nutritive suck data were collected for 5 min before and after frenotomy. We used paired t-tests to compare non-nutritive suck measures pre- and post-frenotomy and linear regression evaluated the effect of tongue-tie severity and infant behavioral state on change in non-nutritive suck mechanics. Results Twenty-one infants had scores that met criteria for problematic feeding. The infant's non-nutritive suck amplitude (cmH2O) (p = .02) and non-nutritive burst duration (sec) (p = .03) decreased post-frenotomy. Discussion This study supports the need for additional research to better understand feeding problems and changes in non-nutritive suck amplitude and duration in infants with tongue-tie.

Aim Very preterm infants are exposed to an atypical environment that could alter their developmental trajectory. We aimed to examine neonatal imitation, a foundation of social cognition, in very preterm and full-term infants. Methods In Strasbourg, France, between 2015 and 2018, we prospectively investigated the development of imitation skills. Very preterm (27 to 33 weeks of gestational age, n = 20) and full-term infants (n = 20) were enrolled using four gestures: tongue protrusion, mouth opening, sequential finger movements and hand movements. All testing were performed in infants at term-equivalent age. Two independent and blinded observers coded the behaviour of each infant on video recording. Facial expressions or hand movements, similar to the one presented, were quantified and classified according to their timing. Results A total of 37 out of 40 infants imitated at least one gesture. The very preterm and term infants did not differ in the presence of imitation or its timing for the four gestures tested. The very preterm infants displayed more imitation abilities for sequential finger movement. Tongue protrusion and sequential finger movement were the particularly strong imitated gesture in both groups. Conclusion These findings are the first to show similar neonatal imitation in term and very preterm infants. Our results may support early parent-infant social interactions.

To assess breastfeeding exclusivity and rate of breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and satisfaction with breastfeeding after hospital discharge among low-income women with late-preterm and early-term infants compared with women with full-term infants.Prospective, comparative, with repeated measures.Four Midwestern U.S. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children offices.Participants included 270 mother-infant dyads.We assessed breastfeeding exclusivity, rate of breastfeeding, and breastfeeding self-efficacy at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 5 months and satisfaction with breastfeeding at 5 months after birth or when participants stopped breastfeeding.More than 50% of women in each subgroup were non-Hispanic White. Late-preterm and early-term infants had lower breastfeeding exclusivity rates than full-term infants across the three time points (40%, 51%, and 65% at 2 weeks, p = .029; 22.5%, 34%, and 58% at 2 months, p .001; and 7%, 15%, and 28.46% at 5 months, p .001, respectively). The overall exclusive breastfeeding rate for all groups was 55.93% at 2 weeks, 44.07% at 2 months, and 20.37% at 5 months; 55.56% continued any breastfeeding at 5 months. Breastfeeding self-efficacy during the first 5 months after birth, satisfaction with breastfeeding, level of education, and attending breastfeeding classes were positively correlated with breastfeeding exclusivity. We found significantly less exclusive breastfeeding, lower breastfeeding self-efficacy, and lower satisfaction with breastfeeding among participants with late-preterm and early-term infants compared to those with full-term infants.Ongoing professional breastfeeding support for women is needed to improve and promote breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation among their late-preterm and early-term infants.

Objective We investigated the relationship between gross motor abilities and sensory processing in typically developing children. Method Participants included children aged 18 to 36 months (N = 48). All participants were full-term infants. We assessed gross motor abilities based on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and sensory processing characteristics based on the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). The gross motor ability index was calculated using GMFM score which was estimated from the age. Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships between the gross motor ability indexes and ITSP section scores. Results Our findings showed that gross motor ability may be related to oral sensory processing. The children who were more responsive to oral sensory processing tended to exhibit gross motor abilities below the standard for that age. Conclusion Gross motor abilities were related with sensory processing, especially oral sensory processing, in children aged 18 to 36 months.

Introduction Hyperbilirubinaemia is a very common and frequently benign condition in newborns,but is a leading cause of hospitalisation in the first week of life. Many healthy full-term newbornsdevelop significant hyperbilirubinemia, often leading to serious complications as bilirubinencephalopathy and death. The present study was aimed to determine early predators and riskfactors in full-term healthy newborns developing significant hyperbilirubinemia. Methods - This wasa prospective observational cohort study conducted at the department of pediatrics at a tertiary careteaching hospital over 1 year enrolling 200 full-term healthy newborns and following them from birthto 72 hrs of life to determine early predictors of hyperbilirubinemia. The data were analysed usingthe Statistical Package of Social Science Software (SPSS) program. Bilirubin levels measured at 72hrs were compared to identify significant hyperbilirubinemia using cut off at or above highintermediate risk zone in Bhutani nomogram. Results- Neonates with birth weight 6mg/dl and 48Hr serum bilirubin >11 mg/dl were significantly associated with significant hyperbilirubinemia(p

Objective of the research: to assess the value of new biomarkers – erythropoietin (EPO), nitric oxide (NO), calcium ion for the early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in full-term newborns. Materials and methods: 100 full-term infants with NEC and 30 generally healthy infants (control group) were examined. In newborns of both groups in the first 2 weeks of life, plasma NO levels were determined by the colorimetric method (Caymans Nitrate/Nitrite Colorimetric Assay Kit) using an ELISYS UNO HUMAN; EPO – by Human Enzyme Immunoassay ELISA Kit, calcium ions – by a photometric test with BioScreen MS2000. Results: an increase in EPO levels and a decrease in Ca+2 level were revealed in patients depending on the NEC stage. In patients with stage I NEC, EPO and NO values increased by 54% and 46%, respectively, and the Ca+2 values were decreased by 19% in comparison with indicators in children of the control group. In patients with stage II NEC, EPO values increased by 70%, NO – by 124%, and Ca+2 were decreased by 61% compared to the indicators of children in the control group. In patients with stage III NEC, EPO values increased by 100%, NO – by 222% compared with the indicators of children in the control group. Conclusion: EPO, NO, and Ca+2 are biomarkers of early diagnosis of NEC in term infants and detection of severe variants of the disease.

Aim Separating infants and their parents after a Caesarean section is still the routine care worldwide. This study investigated three caregiving models on the wakefulness and physiological parameters of full‐term infants after an elective Caesarean section. Methods Newborn infants born in a Chilean public hospital in 2009‐12 were randomised to three groups: cot, fathers' arms or skin‐to‐skin contact with their father. They were assessed at 15‐minute intervals, from 45 to 120 minutes after the Caesarean section. Their physiological parameters were measured, and their wakefulness was assessed using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale. Results We studied 95 infant (53% girls) born at a mean gestational age of 38.9 ± 0.9 weeks. Heart rates were significantly higher in the skin‐to‐skin than cot or fathers' arms groups and showed greater stability over time. Wakefulness was initially higher in the skin‐to‐skin group, but there were no significant differences by the end of the observation. There were no differences between the groups in peripheral oxygen saturation. Skin‐to‐skin contact had no negative impact on the infants. Conclusion The skin‐to‐skin group showed some advantages over the cot and fathers' arms groups when it came to establishing stable physiological parameters and wakefulness. This approach should be supported during mother‐infant separation.

Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 (OLB6378) was selected as a strain that enhances the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) in vitro. This ability of non-live OLB6378 has been shown by a clinical trial in preterm infants. In the present study, we examined whether non-live OLB6378 also enhances the production of secretory IgA, even in full-term infants. One hundred full-term infants were allocated to receive formula with (BbF group, 49 infants) or without non-live OLB6378 (PF group, 51 infants). Breastfeeding was prioritised, so infant formula was used for infants with breastfeeding difficulties. The intervention was initiated by five days of age. The faecal IgA concentration and OLB6378 level were determined at one, two, four, and eight weeks of age. Faecal IgA in the BbF group (1.04 ± 0.47 mg/g of faeces, n=45) was significantly higher than that in the PF group (0.85 ± 0.42 mg/g of faeces, n=49) at four weeks of age (p=0.047). OLB6378 was not detected in faeces at any age. This indicated that production of secretory IgA in full-term infants may also be enhanced by non-live OLB6378 intake.

Objective: To investigate if Early Movement Monitoring Assessment (EMMA) is a sesitive tool to the developmental changes across time, in frequency of total movements in Greek full term and preterm infants with normal and low birth weight. Methods: EMMA and Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) were performed on Greek infants, who were born full-term and pre-term (age corrected), with normal or low birth weight. Specifically, 11 full-term infants, 4 preterm infants with normal birth weight (>2500 gr) and 5 preterm infants with low birth weight (

Objective: To compare the difference between full-term infants and very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants at term equivalent for cerebellum development by cranial ultrasound in order to provide reference for monitoring the extrauterine development of cerebellum in VLBW premature infants. Methods: With a study of 88 cases which were VLBW premature infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks were examined by cranial ultrasound at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age and 65 full-term infants at 40 weeks of gestational age were examined by cranial ultrasound at the day of birth. Comparing the difference between the two groups for transverse cerebellar diameter, cerebellar vermis height, anteroposterior vermis diameter, cerebellar vermis circumference and cerebellar vermis area . The difference of the above cerebellar indexes between 32 extremely premature infants with gestational age of less than 28 weeks and 56 premature infants with gestational age of greater than or equal to 28 weeks were compared as well. Results: Compared to the premature infants at term equivalent age group and full-term infants group, the transverse cerebellar diameter in the premature infants at term equivalent age group was smaller than that in the full-term infants group (P 0.05). The transverse cerebellar diameter in the extremely premature infants group was smaller than that in VLBW premature infants group (P 0.05). Conclusion: The growth of midline structure of the cerebellum was preserved in the premature infants at term equivalent age without supratentorial brain injury probably, and the growth of lateral structure of the cerebellum will be decreased, which is most vulnerable to insult following the factor of premature birth.

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia in a neonate may occur in 60 -70 % of term and 80 % of preterm babies. It is known to be associated with significant morbidity like neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy and even death. The concept of prediction of jaundice offers an attractive option to pick up babies at risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Objective: To assess the predictive value of cord blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cord albumin in development of indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term infants. Patients and method: This prospective cohort study was conducted at Obstetrics Emergency Department, Menoufia University Hospital and included (100) healthy full-term neonates over a period November 2019 to August 2020. Result: The cord alkaline phosphatase in no jaundice group was (248.63±71.73 U/L) while in jaundice group it was significantly higher (374.98±67.15 U/L, p

Background: Preterm children present more often than children born at term with neurological problems that include severe neurological handicaps, such as cerebral palsy or severe mental retardation, or more subtle cognitive impairments. Purpose of the study: To investigate the relation between visual motor integration and cognitive development in full term versus preterm infants. Subjects: One hundred and twenty infants (full term & preterm infants) from both sexes, their ages ranged from 6 to 24 months. They were selected from Saray El-kobba Medical Center & Sawa Academy Nursery in Cairo (Ain shams area). Methods: Children were divided into 2 groups of equal number, Group A: Included sixty full term infants and Group B: Included sixty preterm infants (low risk preterm). Within the 2 groups children were subdivided into 3 subgroups according to their chronological age for full term and corrected age for preterm. The participants of both groups were assessed by the following tools to assess their visual motor integration and cognition by The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Second Edition (PDMS-2) and the Portage Guide to early childhood education: (Arabic version) respectively. Results: The results revealed that there was a strong positive correlation between PDMS-2 and Portage scale in full term sub groups (6-12months), (12-18 months) and (18-24 months) scores [( r= 0.48, p=0.03), (r=0.84, p=0.0001) and (r=0.75, p=0.0001) respectively]. There was strong positive correlation between PDMS-2 and Portage scale in preterm subgroups (6-12 months), (12-18 months) and (18-24 months) scores [(r=0.84, p=0.0001) – (r=0.63, p=0,003) –(r=0.88, p=0.0001) respectively]. Conclusion: Based on this study, it could be concluded that there is a relation between visual motor integration and cognitive development in full term versus preterm infants.

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of preterm birth and maternal childbirth-related posttraumatic stress and parenting stress on maternal mind-mindedness (MM). The study also investigated the effects of perceived social support on parenting stress and MM. Sixty-five preterm (N = 32) and full-term (N = 33) mother-infant dyads were observed at 6 months. Measures of maternal MM were obtained from observations of mother-infant interaction. Mothers also provided ratings of their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, parenting stress, and perceived social support via an online survey. Experiencing a preterm birth did not affect mothers' use of mental state descriptors during mother-infant interaction. Neither childbirth-related posttraumatic stress nor parenting stress directly affected maternal ability to comment on the child's mental states appropriately. However, at medium and high levels of perceived social support, a negative association between parenting stress and MM was observed. Maternal perception of being emotionally supported by significant others promoted MM in mothers showing low or mild levels of parenting stress, but not in mothers experiencing high stress in parenting their infants. Results suggest that a proclivity to MM might be affected by the interaction between parenting stress and social support, rather than by childbirth-related variables, such as prematurity.El propósito de este estudio fue examinar los efectos del nacimiento prematuro y el estrés materno postraumático relacionado con dar a luz, y el estrés de la crianza sobre la disposición de la mente (MM). El estudio también investigó los efectos que la percepción del apoyo social tiene en el estrés de la crianza y la disposición de la mente. Se observaron 65 díadas de madre-infantes prematuros (N = 32) y de gestación completa (N = 33) a los 6 meses. Las medidas de la disposición mental materna se obtuvieron de observaciones de la interacción madre-infante. Las madres también suministraron los puntajes de sus síntomas de PTSD, el estrés de la crianza y la percepción del apoyo social por medio de una encuesta electrónica. El experimentar un nacimiento prematuro no afectó el uso por parte de las madres de los factores de descripción del estado mental durante la interacción madre-infante. Ni el estrés postraumático relacionado con el dar a luz ni el estrés de la crianza directamente afectaron la habilidad materna para comentar de manera apropiada sobre los estados mentales del niño. Sin embargo, al nivel medio y alto de la percepción de apoyo social, se observó una asociación negativa entre el estrés de crianza y la disposición de la mente. La percepción materna de contar con el apoyo emocional de su pareja promovió la disposición mental de las madres que mostraban bajos o leves niveles de estrés de crianza, aunque no así en aquellas madres que experimentaban un nivel alto de estrés en la crianza de sus infantes. Los resultados sugieren que una propensión a la disposición mental pudiera ser afectada por la interacción entre el estrés de crianza y el apoyo social, en vez de las variables relacionadas con el dar a luz, tal como el nacimiento prematuro.Le but de cette étude était d'examiner les effets du stress posttraumatique lié à la naissance avant terme et à l'accouchement maternel et le stress de parentage sur l'Etat d'esprit/Orientation mentale (abrégé ici EE/OM). L’étude s'est aussi penchée sur les effets du soutien social perçu du stress de parentage et de l'EE/OM maternel. Soixante-cinq dyades mères-bébés nés avant terme (N = 32) et à plein terme (N = 33) ont été observées à 6 mois. Les mesures d'EE/FM maternel ont été obtenues d'observations de l'interaction mère-bébé. Les mères ont aussi offert des évaluations de leurs propres symptômes ESPT, du stress de parentage, et du soutien social perçu au travers d'un questionnaire en ligne. Le fait d'avoir fait l'expérience d'une naissance avant terme n'a pas affecté l'utilisation de descripteurs de santé mentale des mères durant l'interaction mère-bébé. Ni le stress posttraumatique lié à l'accouchement ni le stress de parentage n'ont affecté directement la capacité maternelle à commenter les états mentaux de l'enfant de manière appropriée. Cependant, à des niveaux moyens et élevés de soutien social perçu, une association négative entre le stress de parentage et l'EE/OM a été observée. La perception maternelle d’être soutenue émotionnellement par leurs partenaires a promu l'EE/FM chez les mères faisant preuve de niveaux bas ou peu élevés de stress de parentage, mais pas chez les mères faisant preuve de stress élevé dans le parentage de leurs bébés. Les résultats suggèrent qu'une tendance à l'EE/OM peut être affectée par l'interaction entre le stress de parentage et le soutien social, plutôt que par des variables liées à l'accouchement, comme la prématurité.Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Effekte von Frühgeburten, geburtsbedingtem mütterlichen posttraumatischem Stress und elterlichem Stress auf mütterliche Mind-Mindedness (MM) zu untersuchen. Außerdem untersuchte die Studie den Effekt von wahrgenommener sozialer Unterstützung auf elterlichen Stress und MM. 65 Mutter-Kind Dyaden (mit N = 32 früh und N = 33 reif geborenen Säuglingen) wurden im Alter von 6 Monaten beobachtet. MM wurde anhand von Beobachtungen der Mutter-Kind-Interaktion erhoben. Über eine Online-Umfrage gaben die Mütter ein Rating ihrer PTBS-Symptome, ihres elterlichen Stresses und ihrer wahrgenommenen sozialen Unterstützung ab. Das Erleben einer Frühgeburt hatte keinen Einfluss auf die Verwendung von Beschreibungen mentaler Zustände durch die Mütter während der Mutter-Kind-Interaktion. Weder geburtsbedingter posttraumatischer Stress noch elterlicher Stress hatten einen direkten Einfluss auf die mütterliche Fähigkeit, mentale Zustände des Kindes angemessen zu kommentieren. Bei mittlerer und hoher wahrgenommener sozialer Unterstützung wurde jedoch ein negativer Zusammenhang zwischen elterlichem Stress und MM beobachtet. Wahrgenommene soziale Unterstützung förderte MM bei Müttern mit geringem oder mildem elterlichem Stress, nicht jedoch bei Müttern mit starkem elterlichem Stress. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass eine Tendenz zu MM eher durch die Wechselwirkung zwischen elterlichem Stress und sozialer Unterstützung als durch geburtsbezogene Variablen wie Frühgeburt beeinflusst werden könnte.早期産児と満期産児の母親におけるマインド−マインドネスと育児ストレス:母 親が認識する社会的サポートの緩和的役割 本研究の目的は、母親のマインド−マインドネス(MM)に対する早期産と母親の出 産に関連した心的外傷後ストレスと育児ストレスの影響について研究することで ある。また、育児ストレスとマインド−マインドネスに対する母親が認識する社 会的サポートの影響についても研究した。早期産(N = 32)と満期産(N = 33)の乳 児とその母親 65組を出生後6ヶ月時に観察した。母親のMMの評価は、母子相互作 用の観察から得た。母親らはまた、オンライン調査を通して、PTSD症状、育児ス トレス及び自分が認識する社会的サポートの評価を提供した。早期産の体験は、 母子相互作用中に使われる精神状態の記述子に影響を及ぼすことはなかった。出 産に関連した心的外傷後ストレス及び育児ストレスは、どちらも子どもの精神状 態を適切に表現する母親の能力に直接的に影響を及ぼすことはなかった。しかし ながら、母親が認識する社会的サポートの中及び高レベルにおいて、育児ストレ スとマインド−マインドネス間には負の相関が観察された。重要な他者に精神的 に支援されているという母親の認識は、育児ストレスが低あるいは中レベルでみ られる母親においては、マインド−マインドネスを促進していたが、育児におい て高ストレスを体験している母親ではそうなってはいなかった。結果は、マイン ド−マインドネスの傾向は、早産児といったような出産に関連する変数よりはむ しろ、育児ストレスと社会的サポート間の相互作用によって影響を受ける可能性 を示唆している。.本研究旨在探讨早产、母亲分娩相关的创伤后压力和育儿压力对母亲心智 (MM) 的影响。本研究还调查了领悟社会支持对育儿压力和心智的影响。在6个月龄时观察了65个早产 (N = 32) 和足月 (N = 33) 的母婴二人组。从母婴互动的观察中获得了对母亲MM的测量。母亲们还通过在线调查提供了他们的PTSD症状, 育儿压力和领悟社会支持的等级。经历早产并不影响母亲在母婴互动过程中使用心理状态描述词。分娩相关的创伤后压力和育儿压力都不会直接影响母亲对孩子心理状态的恰当评价。但是, 在中等和较高的领悟社会支持水平下, 观察到育儿压力和心智之间呈负相关。在那些表现出较低或中等水平育儿压力的母亲中, 得到另一半情感支持的母性知觉会提高其心智, 但在育儿过程中经历高压力的母亲则不会。研究结果表明, 心智倾向可能会受到育儿压力和社会支持之间相互作用的影响, 而不是受到与分娩相关的变量 (如早产) 的影响。.التخاطب الذهني وإجهاد الرعاية الوالدية عند أمهات الأطفال المبتسرين والرضّع كاملي المدى: الدور الملطف للدعم الاجتماعي المتصور كان الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو دراسة آثار الولادة المبتسرة والإجهاد اللاحق للولادة وإجهاد الرعاية الوالدية على التخاطب الذهني الأمومي(MM) .كما بحثت الدراسة في آثار الدعم الاجتماعي المتصور على الإجهاد الأبوي والتخاطب الذهني. تم ملاحظة 65 ثنائي من الأمهات والأطفال المبتسرين (N = 32) وكاملي المدة(N = 33) عند فترة 6 أشهر. تم الحصول على مقاييسMM الأم من ملاحظات التفاعل بين الأم والرضيع. كما قدم الأمهات تقييمات لأعراض اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة، والإجهاد الأبوي، والدعم الاجتماعي المتصور من خلال استبيان على الإنترنت. لم تؤثر تجربة الولادة المبتسرة على استخدام الأمهات لتوصيفات الحالة الذهنية أثناء التفاعل بين الأم والرضيع. لم يؤثر الإجهاد اللاحق للأمومة المرتبط بالولادة أو الإجهاد الأبوي بشكل مباشر على قدرة الأمهات على التعليق على الحالات العقلية للطفل بشكل مناسب. ومع ذلك، لوحظ وجود ارتباط سلبي بين الإجهاد الأبوي والتخاطب الذهني على المستويات المتوسطة والعالية من الدعم الاجتماعي المتصور. وقد عزز تصور الأم للدعم العاطفي من الشريك قدرة التخاطب الذهني لديها وأظهرت مستويات منخفضة أو خفيفة من إجهاد الرعاية الوالدية، ولكن لم يظهر هذا عند الأمهات اللاتي تعاني من الإجهاد العالي في الرعاية الوالدية للرضع. وتشير النتائج إلى أن الميل إلى التخاطب الذهني قد يتأثر بالتفاعل بين إجهاد الرعاية الوالدية والدعم الاجتماعي، وليس بالمتغيرات المرتبطة بالولادة، مثل الولادة المبتسرة.

Purpose Pre-term infants are at risk of abnormal visual development that can range from subtle to severe. The aim of this study was to compare flash VEPs in clinically stable pre-term and full-term infants at 6 months of age. Methods Twenty-five pre-term and 25 full-term infants underwent flash VEP testing at the age of 6 months. Monocular VEPs were recorded using flash goggles on a RETIscan system under normal sleeping conditions. Amplitude and peak time responses of the P2 component in the two eyes were averaged and compared between the two groups. Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship of the P2 responses with birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Results At 6 months corrected age, pre-term infants had significantly delayed P2 peak times than full-term infants (mean difference: 10.88 [95% CI 4.00–17.76] ms, p = 0.005). Pre-term infants also showed significantly reduced P2 amplitudes as compared to full-term infants (mean difference: 2.36 [0.83–3.89] µV, p = 0.003). Although the regression model with GA and BW as fixed factors explained 20% of the variance in the P2 peak time (F2,47 = 5.98, p = .0045), only GA showed a significant negative relationship (β = −2.66, p = .003). Neither GA (β = 0.21, p = .28) nor BW (β = 0.001, p = .32) showed any relationship with P2 amplitude. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that, compared with full-term infants, clinically stable pre-term infants exhibit abnormal flash VEPs, with a delay in P2 peak time and a reduction in P2 amplitude. These findings support a potential dysfunction of the visual pathway in clinically stable pre-term infants as compared to full-term infants.

Objective To identify differences in feeding skill performance among preterm infants at term equivalent age compared with full-term infants. Study design Ninety-two infants (44 preterm infants born ≤32 weeks gestation at term equivalent age and 48 full-term infants within 4 days of birth) had a standardized oral feeding assessment. Result Preterm infants at term equivalent age had lower Neonatal Eating Outcome Assessment scores (67.8 ± 13.6 compared with 82.2 ± 8.1; p

The article provides a theoretical analysis of the notions of “maternity”, “maternal sphere”, “maternal role” and “maternal identity”. The place of maternal identity in the system of a woman’s identities is determined. This article provides a brief description of the structural elements (cognitive, emotional, behavioural and axiological) of maternal identity. It also emphasizes the signifi cance of the postpartum period in a women’s psychic life and stresses its pivotal role in the development of maternal identity. Finally, the article points out some peculiarities of maternal identity of full-term and pre-term mothers. The period of early adulthood is characterized by a number of peculiarities which relate to attaining new social roles, reaching maturity and overcoming crisis periods. The same stages are relevant within the context of studies of maternity. When a woman becomes a mother, she attains a new social role – that of a mother. By internalizing it, a woman reaches a new level of maturity and maternal identity. The purpose of this article is to highlight and analyze the notion of maternal identity by (1) defi ning and separating such notions as “maternity”, “maternal sphere”, “maternal role”, “maternal identity”; (2) determining the place maternal identity occupies within the system of women’s identities; (3) providing short characteristics of the structural elements of the phenomenon in question; (4) identifying key phases and stages of the development of maternal identity; (5) describing the role of the postpartum period in a woman’s psychic life; and fi nally, by pointing out some possible peculiarities of maternal identity of women after a full-term and pre-term pregnancy.

Contains fulltext : 242376.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a 5-week daily skin-to-skin contact (SSC) intervention between mothers and their full-term infants, compared with care-as-usual, on exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration during the first post-natal year. Healthy pregnant women (n = 116) from a community sample were enrolled and randomly allocated to the SSC or care-as-usual condition. SSC mothers were requested to provide one daily hour of SSC for the first five post-natal weeks. Twelve months post-partum, mothers indicated the number of exclusive and continued breastfeeding months. Multiple regression analyses were conducted using intention-to-treat, per-protocol and exploratory dose–response frameworks. In intention-to-treat analyses, exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration was not different between groups (exclusive: 3.61 ± 1.99 vs. 3.16 ± 1.77 months; adjusted mean difference 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.33 to 0.89; p = 0.36; continued: 7.98 ± 4.20 vs. 6.75 ± 4.06 months; adjusted mean difference 0.81, 95% CI -0.46 to 2.08; p = 0.21). In per-protocol analyses, exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration was longer for SSC than care-as-usual dyads (exclusive: 4.89 ± 1.26 vs. 3.25 ± 1.80 months; adjusted mean difference 1.28, 95% CI 0.31–2.24; p = 0.01; continued: 10.81 ± 1.97 vs. 6.98 ± 4.08 months; adjusted mean difference 2.33, 95% CI 0.13–4.54; p = 0.04). Exploratory dose–response effects indicated that more SSC hours predicted longer exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration. This study demonstrates that for the total group, the 5-week daily SSC intervention did not extend exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration. However, for mothers performing a regular daily hour of SSC, this simple and accessible intervention may extend exclusive and continued breastfeeding duration by months. Future studies are required to confirm these promising findings. Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR5697). 10 p.

Aimto evaluate EEG connectivity during the first year of age in healthy full-term infants and preterm infants with prenatal and perinatal risk factors for perinatal brain damage.MethodsThree groups of infants were studied: healthy at full-term infants (n = 71), moderate and late preterm infants (n = 54), and very preterm infants (n = 56). All preterm infants had perinatal or/and perinatal risk factors for brain damage. EEG was obtained during phase II of natural NREM sleep. EEG analysis was performed in 24 segments of 2.56 s free of artifacts. For the calculation of EEG sources, the spectral Structured Sparse Bayesian Learning (sSSBL) was used. Connectivity was computed by the phase-lag index.ResultsIn healthy full-term infants, EEG interhemispheric connectivity in the different frequency bands followed similar trends with age to those reported in each frequency band: delta connectivity decreases, theta increases at the end of the year, in the alpha band, different trends were observed according to the region studied, and beta interhemispheric connectivity decreases with age. EEG connectivity in preterm infants showed differences from the results of the term group.DiscussionImportant structural findings may explain the differences observed in EEG connectivity between the term and preterm groups.ConclusionThe study of EEG connectivity during the first year of age gives essential information on normal and abnormal brain development.

As visual perception development proceeds rapidly after birth, early detection of developmental maturity is required. Healthy infants do not have many opportunities for visual perception evaluation, so a reliable evaluation method is necessary. This retrospective study included 276 healthy full-term infants p < 0.05). In those 12 month and above, no clinical factors were significantly associated with the PreViAs scores in all domains. The PreViAs questionnaire is a useful tool for visual assessment of healthy full-term infants under 24 months of age, suggesting reference values and cutoff scores according to age, and estimating the maturation age for visual perception development of each domain.

The authors' aim was to verify the correlation between segmental trunk control and gross motor performance in healthy preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) infants aged 6 and 7 months and to verify if there are differences between groups. All infants were assessed at 6 and 7 months by means of Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) to identify the exact level of segmental trunk control and Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) to measure gross motor performance. A significant correlation between segmental trunk control and gross motor performance was found in healthy PT infants at 7 months and FT infants at 6 months. PT infants showed a delay on segmental trunk control at 6 and 7 months and in supported standing posture at 6 months compared with FT infants. Segmental trunk control and gross motor performance showed an important relationship in healthy PT and FT infants, mainly in sitting posture.

BACKGROUND: To date, no study has compared preterm and full term auditory environments. AIM: To define differences in auditory exposure for preterm infants at term equivalent age in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) compared to auditory exposure in hospital rooms on a labor and delivery ward after full term birth. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-eight infants (48 preterm infants born ≤ 28 weeks gestation in the NICU at term equivalent age and 50 full term infants in a hospital room on the labor and delivery ward within 4 days of birth) had auditory exposure measured over a single 16-hour period using the Language Environment Acquisition (LENA) device. RESULTS: More language (p

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is usually associated with premature infants; however, it has been estimated to occur in up to 5% of infants born at term and may be associated with different prenatal, perinatal and postnatal risk factors. The present retrospective study included toddlers aged 13-24 months, born at term (≥36 weeks), referred to the Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Zagreb, Croatia, because they had at least two risk factors for neurodevelopmental delay. A total of 63 patients without hemorrhage were control subjects, while 103 case patients were children with IVH. The ordinal logistic regression revealed that neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants was associated with IVH grade (p0.05)., Intraventrikulsko krvarenje (IVK) obično se povezuje s prerano rođenom djecom, međutim, procjenjuje se kako se pojavljuje i do 5% djece rođene u terminu te se može povezati s različitim prenatalnim, perinatalnim i postnatalnim rizičnim čimbenicima. Ova retrospektivna studija obuhvatila je djecu u dobi od 13 do 24 mjeseca koja su rođena u terminu (≥36 tjedana), a koja su upućena na Kliniku za reumatologiju, fizikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju u Zagrebu zato što su imala barem dva rizična čimbenika za neuromotoričko odstupanje. Kontrolnu skupinu činilo je 63 djece bez intraventrikulskog krvarenja, dok je 103 djece imalo IVK. Ordinalna logistička regresija pokazala je kako je neuromotoričko odstupanje u djece rođene u terminu povezano sa stupnjem IVK-a (p0,05).

This study examined the characteristics of the vocal behaviors of parents and preterm infants, as compared to their term-born peers, at three months of age. Potential links between specific features of parental IDS and infants’ vocal activity were also sought. We analyzed the frequencies and durations of vocalizations and pauses during the dyadic interactions of 19 preterm and 19 full-term infants with their mothers and fathers. The results showed that the duration of the vocalizations was shorter for the preterm than for the full-term infants, regardless of the interactive partner. Mothers vocalized more frequently and for a longer time than fathers, regardless of the group, but only the frequency of paternal utterances was significantly and positively correlated with the frequency and duration of infant vocalizations. Frequent conversational pauses of a relatively short total duration seemed to be related to more active infants’ vocal participation, regardless of prematurity and parent gender.

Infants who are small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk of neonatal and infant death, non-communicable diseases and growth retardation. However, the epidemiological characteristics of SGA remain unclear. We aim to explore the prevalence of SGA and to examine its socioeconomic associations by using data from 21 cities. 10,515,494 single live birth records between 2014 and 2019 from the Guangdong Women and Children Health Information System were included in the study. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the prevalence trend of SGA and its distribution. We also analyze the associations between the prevalence of SGA and per-capita GDP. The prevalence of SGA in Guangdong Province from the years 2014–2019 was 13.17%, 12.96%, 11.96%, 12.72%, 11.45%, 11.30% respectively, and the overall prevalence was 12.28%. The prevalence of term SGA infants in Guangdong Province was 12.50%, which was much higher than that of preterm SGA (7.71%). There was a significant negative correlation between the SGA prevalence and per-capita GDP in 21 cities of Guangdong Province. The level of economic development may affect the prevalence of SGA. The prevalence of SGA in full term infants is significantly higher than in premature infants, suggesting that most SGA infants may be born at a later gestational age.

Purpose To compare the retinal thickness at the fovea center, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and choroidal thickness (CT) in former preterm and full-term infants. Methods A total of 121 healthy children aged 4-8 years were divided 4 groups: group 1; children born on time, group 2; preterm children without a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), group 3; preterm children with a history of spontaneously regressed ROP and group 4; preterm children who underwent diode laser photocoagulation for ROP. The retinal thickness at the fovea, peripapillary RNFL thickness at global, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants and submacular CT at 7 different points were measured by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results The mean retinal thickness at the fovea center was statistically higher, whereas the mean RNFL thickness values in global, nasal, superior and inferior quadrants were statistically lower in group 4. No difference was found in the mean submacular CT value of any point between the groups. Conclusion Transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation treatment for ROP seems to cause an increase in macular thickness and a decrease in RNFL thickness.

Background: Wired pulse oximetry is a critical tool for monitoring neonates but the probe wire can become dislodged or entangled with movement, and requires frequent replacement. Wireless pulse oximetry is an emerging technology that has the potential to simplify monitoring of hospitalized term and preterm infants, but has not previously been studied. Objective: To compare oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) values recorded by a reference wired pulse oximeter (Nonin 8500M™) with a wireless oximeter (Owlet™ Smart Sock) in full term and preterm neonates. Design/Methods: Healthy full term infants born ≥ …

Purpose of Study Presence of metabolic acidemia at birth has been associated with abnormal outcomes in full term infants. However, few studies have reviewed this association in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. This study aimed to describe potential association between perinatal acidemia in VLBW infants with short- and long-term outcomes. Methods Cord blood gases and blood gases on admission of all VLBW infants born at LAC+USC Medical Center between 2009-2019 were collected. Acidemia was defined as …

This is a report of rare cases of full-term infants born with persistent tunica vasculosa lentis (TVL) with no retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and no plus disease. This condition can be mistaken with iris vascular enlargement-associated plus disease, leading to unnecessary laser or intravitreal injections. The cases were treated with close observation, which resulted in complete resolution of the TVL. In conclusion, we encourage the diagnosis of TVL and careful monitoring of such cases before the intervention, as the condition may revert completely.

Essential, non-essential and conditionally essential amino acid blood concentrations play a critical role in newborns. We aimed to quantitate most of these amino acids in the blood of full-term breastfed infants, perinatally and correlate the obtained values with their birth weight. Breastfed full-term infants (

Objectives To determine adherence to the screening for anemia in 9-month-old full-term infants and factors associated with non-adherence to the screening for anemia. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 9-month-old full-term healthy infants who visited the General Pediatric and Well Child Care Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Demographic data, adherence to the screening, and factors associated with non-adherence to the screening were analyzed using percentage, χ2 test, and bivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 234 full-term infants, aged 9 months, were included in the study between January and December 2019. The prevalence of adherence to the screening for anemia was 76.1% (95% CI 0.70–0.81). The most common cause of non-adherence to the screening was the waiting time for laboratory results (39.3%). Factors associated with non-adherence to the screening were low education of caregiver (AOR 2.684; 95% CI 1.451–4.966), low socio-economic status (AOR 2.26; 95% CI 1.568–3.258), and inadequate complementary food (AOR 1.961; 95% CI 1.107–3.473). Conclusion The most common cause of non-adherence to the screening for anemia is the waiting time for laboratory results. Pediatricians and general practitioners should ensure the importance of anemia screening in infants and plan on anemia screening with parents.

OBJECTIVES: Changes in body weight, length and head circumference have long been indicators of infant growth and development. PediaTrac™ is a web-based measure designed to engage caregivers in the gathering of longitudinal, real-time, multi-domain data on infant/toddler growth and development at time periods corresponding to well-child visits. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in growth (weight, length, head circumference) between the newborn and 6 m time periods for both term and pre-term (

Background Several papers pointed out that the language disorders are the most commonly reported cognitive deficits of the preterm (PT) infants. However, neither the exact interpretation (disrupted or delayed) of their language development nor the most powerful perinatal risk factors have been specified yet. Aims We aimed to determine whether postnatal development of prosodic processing of PT infants is disrupted or delayed in the first year of life? We also tested the role of Birth Weight (BW) and Gestational Age (GA) regarding the PT and full-term (FT) infants’ language perception. Method We registered the mismatch responses (MMR) of 34 PT (at 6 and 12 month of ages) and 33 FT infants (at 4 and 10 month of age) elicited by bisyllabic pseudo-words in two oddball conditions. Result Contrary to their FT peers, younger PT group detected stress changes of the legal stress form only. Analogously, a positive MMR (P-MMR) was found for the legal form discrimination exclusively in PT12 group. Furthermore, the lack of sensitivity to the standard vs. deviant difference was identified in the PT infants. In PT infants, BW explained 21 % of the total variance of the P-MMR. Conclusion Consequently, we argue that the stress sensitivity of the PT infants is unimpaired, but their stress processing seems to be disrupted from the 6th month on. We suggest for further studies to take BW into account in studies using MMR paradigms in PT infants.

BACKGROUND The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Mixed Breastfeeding and Bottle-feeding (NeoEAT-Mixed Feeding) is a parent-report assessment of symptoms of problematic feeding in infants who are feeding by both breast and bottle. PURPOSE To establish reference values for the NeoEAT-Mixed Feeding and evaluate factors that contribute to symptoms of problematic feeding in healthy, full-term infants. METHODS Parents of 409 infants less than 7 months old completed an online survey. Median and percentile scores are presented for infants aged 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, and 6-7 months old. RESULTS Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool-Mixed Feeding total score and scores for the Gastrointestinal Tract Function and Energy & Physiologic Stability subscales decreased with increasing infant age. Infant Regulation and Feeding Flexibility subscale scores remained stable over time, whereas Sensory Responsiveness subscale scores increased with increasing infant age. Infants with more gastrointestinal symptoms had higher NeoEAT-Mixed Feeding total scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The reported reference values may be used to identify infants in need of further assessment, referral, and intervention. In healthy, full-term infants with concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms and problematic feeding, interventions targeted at gastrointestinal symptoms may help to improve symptoms of problematic feeding as well.

The achievement of optimal growth is the result of the interaction of various factors, such as genetic factor,environment, behavior and stimulation. There are several other factors that influence the increase in theinfant’s weight including drugs, congenital abnormalities or chronic diseases of the infant, the sex of theinfant, family socioeconomic conditions, nutrition and provision of baby massage stimulation. The studyaims to assess the effectiveness of baby massage in promoting baby growth, i.e. weight, length, chestcircumference and head circumference.The study uses a quasi-experiment with pretest-posttest control group design. Subjects were recruitedfrom visitors in integrated service post (in Indonesian: Posyandu), independent midwifery practices andcommunity health sub-centers. We collected data of baby growths in Malang regency where the residentsare a homogeneous group. 30 infants were included in the study. They, subsequently, were randomly dividedinto experimental and control group. The experimental group babies aged 3-6 months participated in thebaby massage for four weeks. The control group (N=15) was paired with the experimental group (N=15) bymatching the baby’s age and sex. The growth indicators were measured two times and statistically analysedusing independent t-test and eta-squared test.Growth assessment used measurement results from variable body length, weight, chest circumference, headcircumference. After four weeks of massage, we found that weight, length, chest circumference and headcircumference increased among babies aged 3 to 6 months who received stimulation of baby massage.Overall, the results of this study reassure that baby massage affects the growth of the infant.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the duration of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) on blood glucose levels at 2 hours after birth in healthy full-term infants. This observational study was done at one of the baby-friendly hospitals located in Aichi, Japan in 2009. Sixty newborn infants who were born vaginally from uncomplicated pregnancies were participated. All infants were held SSC within 5 minutes. All data regarding neonatal information, blood glucose levels at 2 hours of age, and maternal information were obtained from their medical history. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent contribution of the duration of SSC. The mean duration of SSC was 59.6 ± 13.6 minutes (range: 11.0-97.0 minutes) and the infant blood glucose level was 53.1 ± 9.5 (range: 30.0-80.0 mg/dL) mg/dL. The duration of SSC (β [95% confidence interval] = .282 [range: 0.037-0.357], standardized β = .282, P < .017) was significantly and positively associated with infant blood glucose levels independent of gestational age, birth weight, sex, length of second-stage labor, and mode of delivery. Thus, the longer early SSC was associated with higher blood glucose level at 2 hours of age in healthy full-term infants.

Ashley Scherman,1,2 Jack Wiedrick,3 William C Lang,4 Rebecca E Rdesinski,5 Jodi Lapidus,3 Cynthia McEvoy,1 Aimee Abu-Shamsieh,6 Scott Buckley,7 Brian Rogers,1 Neil Buist1 1Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; 2Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA; 3Biostatistics and Design Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; 4Department of Mathematics, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, IN, USA; 5Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; 6Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco at Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA; 7Research Prototypes, Portland, OR, USA Background: We developed summaries of oral bottle-feeding skills among preterm (37 gestational weeks) infants using a mechanical device (Orometer) to measure intraoral pressure changes, with accompanying automated software and analytics. We then compared the rates of change in feeding skills over several weeks (feeding trends) between preterm and full-term infants. We also compared group means at 40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Patients and methods: Healthy full-term and preterm infants capable of oral feeding were recruited from the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic at University of California, San Francisco, Fresno, and from the Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Neonatal Critical Care Unit, respectively. Feeding skill was quantified using an Orometer and automated suck-analysis software. Factor analysis reduced the >40 metrics produced by the Orometer system to the following seven factors that accounted for >99% of the sample covariance: suck vigor, endurance, resting, irregularity, frequency, variability, and bursting. We proposed that these factors represent feeding skills and that they served as the dependent variables in linear models estimating trends in feeding skills over time for full-term and preterm infants (maturation). At ~40 weeks PMA, we compared mean feedings skills between infants born preterm and those born full-term using predictions from our models. Results: Feeding skills of 117 full-term infants and 82 preterm infants were first captured at mean PMA of 42.3 and 36.0 weeks, respectively. For some feeding skills, preterm and full-term infants showed different trends over time. At 37–40 weeks PMA, preterm infants took ~15% fewer sucks than infants born full-term (P=0.06) and generally had weaker suck vigor, greater resting, and less endurance than full-term babies. Preterm infants’ feeding skills appeared similar to those of full-term infants upon reaching ≥40 weeks PMA, although preterm infants showed greater variability for all factors. Conclusion: The Orometer device, accompanying software, and analytic methods provided a framework for describing trends in oral feeding, thereby allowing us to characterize differences in maturation of feeding between healthy preterm and full-term infants. Keywords: infant feeding, Orometer, neonatal, developmental, feeding problems, sucking patterns, sucking maturation

AIM We hypothesise that clinically well late-preterm infants (LPI) (34+0 -36+6 weeks) are neurologically more immature than their term counterparts, and this immaturity persists even when these infants reach term-corrected age (TCA). The primary aim of our study was to characterise and contrast the neurodevelopmental profile of well LPI with full-term infants (FTI) (39+0 -41+6 weeks) using the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE). Our secondary aim was to obtain local reference ranges for the 34 items in the HNNE in an Asian-dominant population. METHODS LPI were assessed at two time points: 12-72 h of life and at TCA of 39+0 -41+6 weeks, while FTI were assessed at 12-72 h of life using the HNNE. Each of the 34 items on the HNNE was assigned an optimality score (OS) of 0, 0.5 or 1, totalling up to 34. A quantitative comparison of the neurobehavioral patterns was made using two-sample t-tests. RESULTS A total of 212 infants (79 LPI and 133 FTI) were recruited. Mean OSs for LPI and FTI at birth were (25.11 ± 3.36)/34 and (31.19 ± 1.50)/34, respectively, with a mean difference of 6.08 (P value

Background: Umbilical cord milking (UCM) consists of performing several milkings of the cord from the placenta to the newborn. The objective was to evaluate the effects of UCM on newborns ≥34 weeks’ gestation. Methods: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials, and the clinicaltrails.gov database for randomized clinical trials (RCT), with no time or language restrictions, and for articles that compared UCM with other strategies. The main results were initial hemoglobin and hemoglobin after 6 weeks. The data were collected by two reviewers and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Manual methodology. Results: The sample included 1845 newborns in 10 RCTs. The use of UCM in ≥34 weeks’ gestation newborns was not related to initial hemoglobin levels (pooled weighted mean difference: (PWMD = 0.40 g/L [−0.16 to 0.95]) or after 6 weeks (PWMD = 0.07 g/L [−0.29 to 0.27]). A reduction in hemoglobin levels was also observed at 6 weeks when the control group had undergone late clamping (PWDM = 0.16g/L [−0.26 to −0.06]). Conclusions: UCM produced no differences in hematologic variables for newborns with ≥34 weeks of gestation relative to controls. However, a slight decrease in hemoglobin levels is observed at 6 weeks when the control group is made up of newborns with late clamping.

A central goal of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols, free from commercial interest or influence, for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.

Objective: \ud To determine the influence of maternal sensitivity on infant feeding problems in very preterm/very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and full-term (FT) infants.\ud \ud Methods: \ud Longitudinal study of 178 infants (73 VP/VLBW and 105 FT). Feeding problems and maternal sensitivity were assessed at term, 3 and 18 months. A cross-lagged path model was tested to assess the longitudinal associations.\ud \ud Results: \ud The direction of the association between maternal sensitivity and feeding problems differed among VP/VLBW and FT infants. In VP/VLBW infants, higher feeding problems at term and 3 months were associated with less maternal sensitivity at 3 months (β = −.27, p < .05) and at 18 months (β = −.36, p < .05), respectively. In FT infants, a reciprocal relationship of feeding problems and maternal sensitivity over time was found. Feeding problems at 3 months were associated with decreased maternal sensitivity at 18 months (β = −.32, p < .05), whereas decreased maternal sensitivity at 3 months was related to increased feeding problems at 18 months (β = −.25, p < .05).\ud \ud Conclusion: \ud Feeding problems are frequent in VP/VLBW infants and subsequently are associated with poorer maternal sensitivity. In FT infants, poorer levels of maternal sensitivity were both predicted by feeding problems but also were associated with more feeding problems over time.

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) is used to aid in the diagnosis of Biliary Atresia in full-term infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. There is little information on the utility of the HBS in premature infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and infants with parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC). The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of HBS in differentiating Biliary Atresia and PNAC in premature neonates and full-term infants who received parenteral nutrition (PN).Retrospective data collection and analysis on infants who developed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and had HBS performed during their stay at level IV neonatal intensive care unit between 2005 and 2015.A total of 20 patients with exposure to PN had HBS; two patients were confirmed to have Biliary Atresia. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with Biliary Atresia versus PNAC in demographics, days on PN, or gamma glutamyl-transferase levels. Stool color was statistically significantly different between the two groups; patients with Biliary Atresia had acholic stools more consistently than patients without Biliary Atresia. HBS had 100% sensitivity, 17% specificity, positive-predictive value of 12%, and a negative-predictive value (NPV) of 100%.These data indicate that the ability of HBS to aid in diagnosing Biliary Atresia is poor in a population of preterm neonates and full-term infants with PNAC. Although there is 100% sensitivity, the poor specificity (17%) should be acknowledged when utilizing HBS to diagnose Biliary Atresia in this vulnerable patient population. NPV of 100% is helpful in ruling out Biliary Atresia in this population.