
Patterned Experience for Preterm Infants
Complication of PrematurityThe PEPI study is designed to provide a patterned feeding experience. By using a regularly occurring and necessary caregiving event, feeding, as the vehicle for the patterned experience, the intervention should be effective at promoting and reinforcing neuronal growth and connections that are critical for neurobehavioral and cognitive function while at the same time being cost effective in its delivery.

Randomized Study of Weekly Erythropoietin Dosing in Preterm Infants
Preterm InfantsPreterm infants are a risk for multiple transfusions, and the administration of human recombinant erythropoietin (Epo) has been shown to decrease transfusion requirements. Dosing usually occurs three times a week, but extended dosing schedules have been successful in adults. The investigators assessed weekly Epo dosing in preterm infants compared to standard three times weekly dosing.

Antibiotics Study in Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes
Preterm Premature Rupture of the MembranesThe purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy on maternal infection, chorioamnionitis and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and to review the evidence and provide recommendations on the use of antibiotics in PPROM.

Glycerin Suppositories to Reduce Jaundice in Premature Infants
Idiopathic HyperbilirubinemiaNeonatal Hyperbilirubinemia1 moreThe purpose of this study is to find out if giving glycerin suppositories will help decrease the length of time premature infants need phototherapy. The investigators hypothesize that glycerin suppositories (initiated along with phototherapy) will have no effect on reducing duration of phototherapy in premature infants with jaundice.

Weaning Preterm Infants at 1500 Grams From Incubators
Preterm InfantsBackground: The weight at which infants are weaned from incubators varies among neonatal units. Objective: To determine the effect on weight gain, temperature stability and resting energy expenditure (REE) of weaning infants at body weight of 1500 g versus 1600 g. Design/Methods: infants will be randomized to incubator weaning at the weight of 1500 g or 1600 g. Preterm infants 1500 g birth weight, fully enterally fed, and without supplemental oxygen, at the postnatal age of 2 weeks will be included. Infants will be weaned to a warming bassinet (Babytherm 8000, Dräger) set to keep a mattress temperature of 37°C while decreasing it gradually to room temperature. Failure to wean is defined as core body temperature of < 36.1°C. Data collection included skin and rectal temperature obtained before weaning, and at 1/2, 1, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after weaning, weekly weight gain (g/kg/d). REE (kcal/kg/24h) will be measured by indirect calorimetry (Deltatrac II, Finland) before and 24 hours after weaning.

Safety and Efficacy of Propranolol in Newborns With Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of PrematurityThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the administration of propranolol is effective in the treatment of the retinopathy of the prematurity.

CO2 Inhalation as a New Treatment Modality for Apnea of Prematurity
Apnea of PrematurityThe objective of the present proposed study is to discover whether, in the nursery setting, administration of low concentration inhaled CO2 (0.8%) for a prolonged period (3 days) can make breathing more regular with less apneic time than that observed with administration of theophylline. The hypothesis to be tested is that inhalation of low concentration CO2 (0.8%) will reduce apnea more effectively and will have fewer adverse side effects than theophylline.

Total Parenteral Nutrition Associated Cholestasis (TPNAC) and Plasma Amino Acid Levels in Neonates...
Premature BirthThe purpose of this study is to analyze if the infants who received Primene solution, have lower serum levels of methionine and cysteine and higher serum levels of taurine, we also analyze if the infants who received Primene solution develop TPN-associated cholestasis in a smaller proportion than those who received Trophamine solution.

Pain Reactivity to Non-Pharmacological Interventions Across Repeated Routine Heel-Sticks in Preterm...
Preterm InfantsSwitzerland is having one of the highest premature rates in Europa and most of the preterm neonates need neonatal intensive care. Up to 80% of the analgesic used in neonatal intensive care units are either "off label used" or "non-licensed" used. As an alternative approach non-pharmacological interventions for pain prevention and relief are increasingly being recommended for the prevention and treatment of mild and moderate pain in this population. This multicenter pilot study will use a randomized three group,repeated measures design. The primary aims of this study of premature neonates are to: 1.) Estimate effect sizes for the impact of the proposed interventions(facilitated tucking alone, sucrose alone and sucrose in combination with tucking)on pain reactivity. 2.) Examine the impact of gestational age on the estimates of efficacy 3.) Examine the impact of the numbers of painful procedures the infant experiences and the concurrent use of analgesic medications on the estimates of efficacy

Feasibility Study of Aerosolized Surfaxin in the Prevention of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)...
Respiratory Distress SyndromeTo evaluate the feasibility, safety and tolerability of aerosolized lucinactant delivered by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants.