Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from title page (Digital Archive@GSU, viewed June 16, 2010) Anne Z. Murphy, committee chair; Timothy Bartness, Matthew Grober, Michael Gold, Charles Derby, committee members. Includes bibliographical references (p. 148-164).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-169) and index.

Thesis (M.P.H.) - University of Queensland, [2003]. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1986. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [288]-303.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2001Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:23:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rugolojunior_a_dr_botfm.pdf: 1524515 bytes, checksum: b2ec74b5e5edffce6e56137de1331d01 (MD5) / A incidência de displasia broncopulmonar (DBP) é alta em prematuros de muito baixo peso. Dentre os vários fatores implicados em sua patogênese tem-se destacado a deficiência de vitamina A como um importante fator contributivo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a condição de vitamina A em prematuros de muito baixo peso e avaliar a relação entre os níveis plasmáticos de retinol e a DBP. Após a obtenção do consentimento materno, foram coletadas amostras de sangue materno, do cordão umbilical e do recém-nascido com 3, 14 e 28 dias de vida, para as dosagens do retinol plasmático, que foram efetuadas por cromatografia líquida de alta resolução (HPLC). Foram estudados 34 recém-nascidos com peso de nascimento médio de 1156 g (± 248 g) e idade gestacional mediana de 30 semanas, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: Sem DBP (n = 24) e Com DBP (n = 10). Nestes grupos analisou-se as características demográficas maternas e dos recém-nascidos, as condições de nascimento, a evolução clínica no período neonatal, os níveis plasmáticos de retinol e a oferta de vitamina A por via enteral e parenteral. Os resultados das variáveis clínicas foram analisados pelos testes t de Student e Mann-Whitney e comparados entre e dentro dos grupos pelo teste de associação de Goodman. Para a análise dos dados da vitamina A utilizou-se os testes de Wilcoxon (para 2 grupos e 2 momentos) e Freedman (para 2 grupos e 4 momentos). A correlação entre as variáveis foi feita pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. O nível de significância foi de 5%. As características maternas e as condições... / The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is high in preterm very low birthweight infants. Multiple factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, and the deficiency of vitamin A has been described as an important contributing cause. Several studies have shown that premature infants have low vitamin A status at birth and this has been associated with increased risk of developing chronic lung disease, however many trails showed inconsistent effects of vitamin A supplementation on prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to determine vitamin A status in the very low birthweight infants and to evaluate the relationship between plasma retinol levels and BPD. After parental informed consent, the maternal and cord blood samples were obtained at delivery, and peripheral blood of the infants were drawn at day 3, 14 and 28 of life. Plasma retinol content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Thirty four infants (1156 g ± 248 mean birthweight and 30weeks median gestation age) were enrolled, and assigned to 2 groups as follows: BPD (n=10), No-BPD (n=24). The maternal and neonatal demographic data, birth condition... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

M.Cur. (Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing) / A premature baby is physiologically and neurologically immature and does not always react as desired to the extra-uterine environment. A possible way to stimulate babies is by playing slow baroque music to them. The purpose of the study was to determine what effect slow baroque.music has on the heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation, blood pressure and motor movements of premature babies. The effect of slow baroque music on premature babies was investigated by means of an extensive literature study, but only limited research on premature babies was found. A preparatory study was used to determine whether slow baroque music has a positive effect on the behaviour of premature babies. Ten premature babies were then used as case studies to determine the effect of slow baroque music on their heart and respiratory rates, saturation, blood pressure and motor movements. The following conclusions were reached by statistically processing the results: • Slow baroque music had a positive and significant effect on the babies' respiratory rate and motor movements. • The heart rate, saturation and blood pressure of the babies showed a slight positive effect only. Nursing guidelines were established for playing baroque music to premature babies and recommendations were made for further research.

Background: Prematurity is a major risk factor for intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). Premature infants often require respiratory support. There is little information on neonates with IVH who require respiratory support in low and middle income countries. Objective: To describe the characteristics and short-term outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with IVH who required respiratory support in a tertiary neonatal unit with resource limitations. Methods: This was a matched retrospective observational study. The population included VLBW infants with IVH, who received positive pressure respiratory support between January 2014 and December 2016. Outcomes of infants with severe IVH was compared to those with mild IVH. Outcomes were further analysed according to mode of ventilation. Results: 150 infants were included in the study, 56 (37%) received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) only and 94 (63%) mechanical ventilation. Severe IVH was associated with surfactant therapy across both ventilation groups (p=0.03). Oxygen requirement at 28 days was more frequent in infants with severe IVH compared to mild IVH (79% vs 38%, p=0.01) (OR 6.11 (95% CI 1.19-31.34), p=0.03). Severe IVH and the presence of coagulopathy were the strongest predictors of death in both ventilation groups (p <0.0001). Pulmonary haemorrhage was the commonest cause of death in those with severe IVH and blood culture confirmed sepsis in those with mild IVH. Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) was associated with severe IVH in those receiving invasive ventilation (OR 6.67 (95% CI 1.11-40.17)). Conclusion: Mechanical ventilation, coagulopathy and pulmonary haemorrhage were strongly associated with death in VLBW infants with severe IVH in a resource-limited setting. These prognostic factors may have a role in end of life decisions.

Parents of premature infants have unique information and support needs regarding the caregiving of their premature infants after the initial discharge home from the hospital. These needs may only become evident after the discharge, which presents challenges that require additional social and professional support. Through my research I strived to determine the information and support needs of parents relating to the caregiving of their premature infants after the initial discharge home from the hospital. The main aim of my study was to inform a South African post-discharge parent support programme within the Developmental Systems Model theoretical framework. A four-phase qualitative descriptive design was employed. In Phase 1, an integrative literature review was conducted to determine the information and support needs of parents of premature infants following their initial discharge home from the hospital. Phase 2 explored the information and support needs of 25 South African parents regarding the caregiving of their premature infants by utilising a pilot study and four asynchronous online focus groups. In Phase 3 the data sources from Phases 1 and 2 were merged to develop and finalise ten recommendations that were utilised to develop the content of the parent support programme. Seven Early Childhood Intervention professionals were involved to ensure the recommendations were appropriate and contextual for South African parents. Fifteen South African parents were subsequently asked to validate and confirm the ten recommendations. The final phase (Phase 4) of the study comprised a parent validation survey with 17 South African parents, which ensured the appropriateness of the content for the South African post-discharge parent support programme. The contents, based on the findings of the four-phase study, will appropriately serve as the foundation for a South African parent support programme to be implemented as part of a future project. Keywords: caregiving, information needs, parents, post-discharge programme, premature infants, recommendations, support needs, South Africa. / Thesis (PhD (Augmentative and Alternative Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / NRF / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) / PhD (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) / Restricted

The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative case study using secondary data on four mothers with premature infants in a home visitation intervention group. Three data points were collected on each mother and infant: the health of the infant, the quality of attachment as seen in play interactions, and maternal life circumstances such as depression, social support and use of community resources. The data was looked at prenatally up until the infants were 15 months old. The results indicated that all four infants were relatively healthy across the first year of their lives. Three out of the four mothers had a secure attachment with their premature infants at 12 months of age and one mother was at risk for an insecure attachment. All four mothers demonstrated some positive play interactions; however, one mother in particular demonstrated low involvement. Of the four mothers, one was highly depressed, and the other three mothers were minimally to moderately depressed. The four mothers were also in a marital or partner relationship, and all reported satisfaction in their support systems as well as very similar uses of community resources. The results of this study can be used to assist Home Visitors in understanding the need to help mothers improve their interactions with their premature infants and to encourage the Home Visitors to refer the mothers who show any signs of depression.