Paula P. Meier

Accuracy of methods for calculating postnatal growth velocity for extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective. No uniform method for calculating growth velocity (GV) (grams per kilogram per day) among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants has been reported. Because the calculation of actual GV is so labor intensive, investigators have estimated GV with varying approaches, making comparisons across studies difficult. This study compares the accuracy of 3 mathematical methods used for estimating average GV, namely, 2-point models using the difference between weights at 2 time points divided by time and weight (either birth weight [BW] or average weight), linear regression models that are normalized for either BW or average weight, and an exponential model. The accuracy of all models was compared with actual GVs calculated from daily weight measures for a group of ELBW infants. Methods. Actual GVs were calculated from daily weights for 83 ELBW infants admitted to the special care nursery and were compared with estimated GVs from each of the 5 models for the same infants. Results. The exponential model, using weights from 2 time points, ie, GV = [1000 × ln(Wn/W1)]/(Dn − D1), was extremely accurate, with mean absolute errors of 0.02% to 0.10%. The 2-point and linear models were highly inaccurate when BW was used in the denominator, with mean absolute errors of 50.3% to 96.4%. The 2-point and linear models were fairly accurate when average weight was used in the denominator, with mean absolute errors of 0.1% to 8.97%. Additional analyses showed that the accuracy of the 2-point and linear model estimates was affected significantly by the combination of BW, length of stay, and chronic lung disease, whereas the exponential model was not affected by these combined factors. Conclusions. GV estimates calculated with 3 commonly used models varied widely, compared with actual GVs; however, the exponential model estimates were extremely accurate. The exponential model provides the accuracy and ease of use that are lacking in current methods applied to infant growth research.

The accuracy of test weighing for preterm infants.

A series of recent studies has suggested that preterm infants are capable of breast feeding at weights <1,500 g. However, estimating intake during breast feeding for these small infants is important for safe clinical practice and valid research. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of test weighing as an estimate of intake for preterm infants using two types of scales: a mechanical scale (Toledo) commonly used in many special care nurseries, and a new electronic scale (SMART; Olympic Medical). Fifty clinically stable preterm infants, weighing between 1,088 and 2,440 g (mean =1,599 g), who were clothed identically for all weights and feedings, were studied. Two experienced neonatal nurses (RN-1 and RN-2) collected the data. Before feeding, each infant was weighed once on each scale by each nurse; the order of nurse and scale was assigned randomly. Then, RN-1 administered a prescribed volume of feeding. After feeding, RN-2 weighed each infant twice on each scale; the order of scale was assigned randomly. RN-1 was blind to postfeed weights, and RN-2 was blind to actual volume of intake. Results indicated that differences between the actual and estimated volumes of intake were smaller for the electronic than for the mechanical scale on all measures. These findings suggest that test weighing with an electronic scale provides an accurate estimate of intake for preterm infants, and support the use of this instrument in clinical practice and research.

Cost Savings of Human Milk as a Strategy to Reduce the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a costly morbidity in very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,500 g birth weight) infants that increases hospital length of stay and requires expensive treatments. Objectives: To evaluate the cost of NEC as a function of dose and exposure period of human milk (HM) feedings received by VLBW infants during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization and determine the drivers of differences in NICU hospitalization costs for infants with and without NEC. Methods: This study included 291 VLBW infants enrolled in an NIH-funded prospective observational cohort study between February 2008 and July 2012. We examined the incidence of NEC, NICU hospitalization cost, and cost of individual resources used during the NICU hospitalization. Results: Twenty-nine (10.0%) infants developed NEC. The average total NICU hospitalization cost (in 2012 USD) was USD 180,163 for infants with NEC and USD 134,494 for infants without NEC (p = 0.024). NEC was associated with a marginal increase in costs of USD 43,818, after controlling for demographic characteristics, risk of NEC, and average daily dose of HM during days 1-14 (p < 0.001). Each additional ml/kg/day of HM during days 1-14 decreased non-NEC-related NICU costs by USD 534 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Avoidance of formula and use of exclusive HM feedings during the first 14 days of life is an effective strategy to reduce the risk of NEC and resulting NICU costs in VLBW infants. Hospitals investing in initiatives to feed exclusive HM during the first 14 days of life could substantially reduce NEC-related NICU hospitalization costs.

Breast pump suction patterns that mimic the human infant during breastfeeding: greater milk output in less time spent pumping for breast pump-dependent mothers with premature infants

Objective:The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness, efficiency, comfort and convenience of newly designed breast pump suction patterns (BPSPs) that mimic sucking patterns of the breastfeeding human infant during the initiation and maintenance of lactation.Study Design:In total, 105 mothers of premature infants ⩽34 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups within 24 h post-birth. Each group tested two BPSPs; an initiation BPSP was used until the onset of lactogenesis II (OOL-II) and a maintenance BPSP was used thereafter.Result:Mothers who used the experimental initiation and the standard 2.0 maintenance BPSPs (EXP-STD group) demonstrated significantly greater daily and cumulative milk output, and greater milk output per minute spent pumping.Conclusion:BPSPs that mimic the unique sucking patterns used by healthy-term breastfeeding infants during the initiation and maintenance of lactation are more effective, efficient, comfortable and convenient than other BPSPs.

A Comparison of the Efficiency, Efficacy, Comfort, and Convenience of Two Hospital-Grade Electric Breast Pumps for Mothers of Very Low Birthweight Infants

OBJECTIVE Many mothers of very low birthweight infants are breast pump-dependent for weeks or months and need a breast pump that is efficient, effective, comfortable, and convenient. STUDY DESIGN This multisite, blinded, randomized clinical trial compared the efficiency, efficacy, comfort, and convenience of the Symphony breast pump (Medela, McHenry, IL) (SBP) to the Classic breast pump (Medela) (CBP) and also compared these same outcome measures for single- and multiphase suction patterns used in the SBP. All 100 mothers initiated lactation with the CBP and were randomized to single- and multiphase suction patterns in the SBP when daily milk output was at least 350 mL/day. Protocol I included 35 mothers who compared each of three suction patterns in the SBP on two separate occasions (six observations) in the neonatal intensive care unit and used the CBP for all other pumpings. Protocol II included 65 mothers who compared single- and multiphase patterns in the SBP for 7 days and then returned to the CBP for 5 days. RESULTS The onset of milk ejection was quicker (P < 0.05) for the single- versus multiphase patterns in the SBP, suggesting that mothers had become conditioned to the unphysiolologic single-phase pattern in the CBP. However, all other measures of efficiency and efficacy were not significantly different, including milk output at 5-minute intervals. When asked to compare the SBP and the CBP, mothers in Protocol 1 rated the SBP as significantly more efficient, effective, comfortable, and convenient than the CBP (P < 0.05), regardless of the suction pattern in the SBP. Similarly, mothers in Protocol II rated the SBP significantly (P < 0.05) more comfortable than the CBP, regardless of the specific pattern in the SBP. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the SBP was as efficient and effective as the CBP but was significantly more comfortable to use for pump-dependent mothers of very low birthweight infants.

Breast-feeding behavior of small preterm infants.

Since even small preterm infants can breast-feed successfully, nurses need to develop better criteria for determining when each individual is ready to begin.

Depression, anxiety, and perinatal-specific posttraumatic distress in mothers of very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective: To compare the trajectories and determine the predictors of maternal distress defined as a continuous spectrum of symptomatology and elevated symptomatology, of depression, anxiety, and perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress (PPTS), in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants throughout the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Method: Sixty-nine mothers completed psychological questionnaires within the first month of their infants NICU hospitalization and again 2 weeks before NICU discharge. Multiple regression models determined maternal psychological, reproductive, sociodemographic, and infant medical predictors of maternal distress. Results: Perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress remained stable throughout the NICU hospitalization, whereas other aspects of distress declined. Previous psychological history and infant medical variables predicted higher PPTS but no other aspects of distress. Reproductive variables predicted anxiety and PPTS; history of fetal loss initially predicted lower PPTS but throughout hospitalization primipara status emerged as a predictor of higher anxiety and PPTS. Sociodemographic variables predicated initial, but not later, depressive distress. Conclusions: Psychological screening is important in the NICU. The PPTS profile suggests it may require distinct treatment. Primiparas should be targeted for intervention.

The Initial Maternal Cost of Providing 100 mL of Human Milk for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVES Human milk (HM) feeding is associated with lower incidence and severity of costly prematurity-specific morbidities compared to formula feeding in very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,500 g) infants. However, the costs of providing HM are not routinely reimbursed by payers and can be a significant barrier for mothers. This study determined the initial maternal cost of providing 100 mL of HM for VLBW infants during the early neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. METHODS This secondary analysis examined data from 111 mothers who provided HM for their VLBW infants during the early NICU stay. These data were collected during a multisite, randomized clinical trial where milk output and time spent pumping were recorded for every pumping session (n = 13,273). The cost analysis examined the cost of the breast pump rental, pump kit, and maternal opportunity cost (an estimate of the cost of maternal time). RESULTS Mean daily milk output and time spent pumping were 558.2 mL (SD = 320.7; range = 0-2,024) and 98.7 minutes (SD = 38.6; range = 0-295), respectively. The mean cost of providing 100 mL of HM varied from

Concurrent validity of a new instrument for measuring nutritive sucking in preterm infants

2.60 to

Rush SpecialKare Keepsakes.

6.18 when maternal opportunity cost was included and from