Targeting Human Milk Fortification to Improve Preterm Infant Growth and Brain Development
Preterm BirthBreast Milk Expression4 moreThis study is a randomized trial comparing 2 methods of human milk fortification for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). All participating infants will receive a human milk diet comprising maternal and/or donor milk plus multi-component and modular fortifiers. In one group (control), the milk will be fortified according to routine standard of care. In the other group (intervention), the fortification will be individually targeted based on the results of point-of-care human milk analysis. Outcomes include physical growth in the NICU and after discharge, brain structure by magnetic resonance imaging at term equivalent age, and neurodevelopment at 2 years.
Turner Syndrome Minipuberty Study
Turner SyndromeInfertility6 moreRationale: Due to accelerated germ cell loss, infertility is a major problem in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). Therefore, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue or oocytes before exhaustion of the ovarian reserve may preserve fertility in patients with TS. However, in the majority of females with TS , the ovarian reserve is exhausted before the age of menarche. Early markers indicating and predicting the ovarian reserve are necessary. During mid-childhood the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is quiescent and gonadotropins are usually unmeasurable. Nonetheless, this axis is active during infancy. Therefore, gonadotropins are measurable with peak values at 3 months of age and with lower (but still measurable) values at 9 months of age, in a period called the minipuberty. The aim of this study is to find markers of ovarian capacity, during the minipuberty, in order to predict ovarian reserve in the future. Objective: The hormonal range of LH, FSH, AMH, inhibin B, testosterone and estradiol in girls with TS during the minipuberty and the relation of the hormone serum levels with the karyotype. Study design: A prospective, cohort study with a duration of 3 years. Study population: Girls with a pre- or perinatal diagnosis TS who are born in a medical centre in the Netherlands during the duration of the study Main study parameters/endpoints: Serum levels of FSH, LH, AMH, inhibin B, testosterone and estradiol at the age of 3 and 9 months.
Fathers and Partners in Family Integrated Care Study
Mental Health Wellness 1Premature BirthAIMS: The primary aim is to investigate the impact of enhancing father/partner engagement in FICare of preterm infants on their mental health (MH) up to 6 weeks post discharge. Secondary aims are to investigate the impact on maternal MH. METHOD and ANALYSIS: This is a two-phase study: Phase-1 to gather baseline information and Phase-2 to assess the impact of improved father/partner engagement in FICare involving two NUs (a tertiary and level 2). 20 families of infants born at <33 weeks will be studied in each phase (40 fathers, 40 mothers, 40 babies). Father/partner MH will be assessed using validated questionnaires: Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU), and by semi-structured qualitative interviews. Similarly, mothers will be assessed by the same questionnaires and focus groups. The Neonatal DadPad materials will be updated using information from phase 1 study, systematic review of Fathers experiences of FICare and advice from parent advisory group. Father's engagement in FICare will be enhanced using Neonatal DadPad information booklet and app, father-specific peer support and bitesize teaching on caring for NU babies (Phase 2). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data will be performed. Phase 1 and Phase 2 study findings will be compared by performing appropriate statistical analysis.
Navigating the Grey Zone for Antenatal Corticosteroids
Decision MakingShared2 moreThe purpose of this study is to find out if including a decision support tool in clinical practice guidelines will improve how doctors discuss the option of antenatal corticosteroid treatment with patients who might deliver at 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Assessment of Factors Influencing Parents' Attendance Time During Feeding Time of Premature Infants...
Premature BirthThe precise description of parental presence and the associated factors will make it possible to construct an intervention in order to correct potentially low parental participation. The demonstration of the effectiveness of such an intervention will be the subject of a larger study (PHRIP type). Ultimately, the investigators want to personalize the daily support for parents to offer optimal support for parenting.
Neonatal Precursors of Neurodevelopment
Premature BirthThe NEOPRENE project proposes to examine processes that are among the earliest precursors of cognitive functions and assess 1) the relationship between neonatal cognitive precursors and cortical structure, structural connectivity and functional connectivity at birth and 2) the relationship between neonatal cognitive precursors and neurodevelopment.
The Use of Wireless Sensors in Neonatal Intensive Care
Preterm BirthApnea of NewbornThe study will be conducted in a convenience sample of 75 infants admitted to the NICU at the Montreal Children's Hospital, divided into 3 phases: (a) Phase 1a - monitoring for 8h per day for 4 consecutive days, (b) Phase 1b - monitoring between 2h to 8h per day for 2 to 4 consecutive days, and (c) Phase 2- monitoring for 96h continuously. Study objectives include: Demonstrate the feasibility of continuous wireless monitoring in term and preterm infants with variable degrees of maturation and acuity in the NICU. Assess safety of using a special wireless sensor system in neonates. Evaluate the accuracy of proposed wireless technology as compared to standard monitoring technology in the NICU.
Autonomic Regulation of Blood Pressure in Premature and Early Menopausal Women
HypertensionMenopause3 moreThis is a cross-sectional study in which the investigators will determine the impact of premature/early menopause on MSNA, BP and baroreflex sensitivity in younger (≤49 yr old) and older (≥50 yr old) women. Specifically, aim one will determine mechanisms driving autonomic dysregulation of BP in premature and early menopausal women and aim two will determine mechanisms driving autonomic dysregulation of BP in older menopausal women. The study design outlined below will permit testing of aim one and aim two.
Lateral Position MRI in Preterm Infants, an Observational Study
PrematurityMagnetic Field Exposure1 moreThe goal of this observational study is to evaluate safety of sedation in lateral position in premature babies undergone MRI. The main question it aims to answer are: number of apneas during sedation Maintenance of eupnea during deep sedation
Assessment of the Behavior of the Preterm Newborns
Premature BirthThe project presented here aims to evaluate the discrimination capacity of the Observation of Sensory-Motor Behavior (OSMB) grid of the preterm infant, as well as its predictive capacity for the child's later psychomotor development. To do this, OSMB grids will be completed during dystimulant care and during stabilizing care in 65 preterm infants. In addition, an OSMB grid will also be completed during a sensorimotor assessment at 37 weeks gestational age and at 1 month corrected for prematurity in 100 preterm infants. The OCSM scores will then be compared to the Bayley III scale scores at 6 months of age corrected for prematurity.