Barbara Weaver

The effect of music-based listening interventions on the volume, fat content, and caloric content of breast milk-produced by mothers of premature and critically ill infants.

PURPOSE:Maternal breast milk is considered the nutritional “gold standard” for all infants, especially premature infants. However, preterm mothers are at risk of not producing adequate milk. Multiple factors affect the production of milk, including stress, fatigue, and the separation of the breastfeeding dyad—for example, when mother or infant is hospitalized. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of listening and visual interventions on the quantity and quality of breast milk produced by mothers using a double electric breast pump. SUBJECTS:Mothers of 162 preterm infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. METHODS:The control group received standard nursing care, whereas mothers in the 3 experimental groups additionally listened to a recording of 1 of 3 music-based listening interventions while using the pump. RESULTS:Mothers in the experimental groups produced significantly more milk (P < .0012). Mothers in these groups also produced milk with significantly higher fat content during the first 6 days of the study.

Hemodynamics and Perfusion in Premature Infants During Transfusion

Background: Premature infants may require packed red blood cell transfusions, but current guidelines lack empirical evidence and vary among institutions and prescribers. Objective: To compare the physiological changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics and oxygen delivery between premature infants with anemia who receive packed red blood cell transfusions and premature infants without anemia. Methods: The study was a prospective observational cohort investigation of 75 premature infants. Comparisons among the data were made before, during, and after transfusion in infants with anemia and over time in infants in the control group. In infants with anemia, feedings were withheld 12 hours before and after transfusions. Results: Electrical cardiometry and near‐infrared spectroscopy measurements in premature infants with anemia revealed changes in hemodynamic parameters not detected by standard bedside monitoring. Statistically significant changes were seen before and after transfusions in cardiac output, fractional tissue oxygen extraction, heart rate variability, heart rate complexity, and splanchnic regional tissue oxygen saturation. Conclusion: Bedside monitoring of cardiovascular hemodynamics and oxygen delivery during packed red blood cell transfusion may inform individualized care for the premature infant with anemia and could be useful for the development of evidence‐based practice guidelines.