The effect of kangaroo care on cortisol levels and immune factors in breast milk.

This paper investigated the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) in the early postpartum period on cortisol levels and immune factors in breast milk. This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in western Türkiye. The sample consisted of 63 mothers and their infants. All mothers had a cesarean delivery. Participants were divided into control (n = 32) and experimental groups (n = 31). The control group received routine care at the clinic. The experimental group received KMC for the first 3 days after birth in addition to the routine care at the clinic. Milk samples were collected on the third day after delivery to examine cortisol, IgA, IgM, and IgG levels. All parameters were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The experimental group had lower cortisol levels (17.740 ± 1.438) than the control group (18.503 ± 1.449) (p < .05). This result showed that the difference between the two groups was clinically significant (effect size = .53). There was no significant difference in IgA, IgM, and IgG levels between the groups (p > .05). The experimental and control groups had similar immunological factors, but the former had lower cortisol levels than the latter. Therefore, healthcare professionals should encourage mothers to provide KMC to their infants as soon as possible.

The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Breastfeeding and Development in Preterm Neonates.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of kangaroo care (KC) on breastfeeding rate and development in preterm neonates in the first six months of life. DESIGN: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group design. The sample consisted of preterm neonates in the NICU of two state hospitals of Turkey. The experimental group (n =30) was provided with KC by their mothers for 30 min once a day during a postnatal month. The control group (n = 30) received routine care. Feeding patterns and physical development parameters were determined during the transition to exclusive breastfeeding and at discharge, and in the first, third, and sixth postnatal months. Data were collected using a descriptive characteristics questionnaire, a nutrition and physical development follow-up form, and a home KC follow-up form. Percentage distribution, mean, chi-square test, and t-test were used for analysis. RESULTS: The KC group had a significantly higher mean body weight than the control group in the third and sixth postnatal months (p < .05). The KC group had higher breast milk intake and breastfeeding rates than the control group during the transition to exclusive breastfeeding and at discharge, and in the first, third, and sixth postnatal months (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The KC neonates were breastfed for a more extended period of time than controls. This result suggests that KC improves breast milk intake and breastfeeding rates. Therefore, mothers should be trained in KC in the postnatal period. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should encourage and follow mothers for kangaroo care.

Effectiveness of transparent film dressing for peripheral intravenous catheter.

BACKGROUND: The intravenous applications are the most common type of such interventions. It is underlined that in cases where the peripheral intravenous catheter is not properly secured in place, even a minor movement inside the vein would result in injury of vein. OBJECTIVE: The insertion of peripheral intravenous catheter is a common practice. This is a randomized controlled prospective study aiming at investigating the effectiveness of use of transparent film dressing for peripheral intravenous catheter. METHODS: The universe of this study included inpatients in the Internal Diseases clinic of a University Hospital, and the sample included a total of 110 peripheral intravenous catheters that were calculated by power analysis. The patient identification form, the peripheral venous catheter and treatment information form, and the visual infusion phlebitis identification scale were used to collect data. The forms were completed by the investigators on the basis of daily observations. The data were assessed by the percentage, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis via the software SPSS 20.00. RESULTS: The individuals in the study group and the control group included in the sample are comparable in terms of gender, having/not having a chronic disease, the site of peripheral intravenous catheter, use of antibiotics, intravenous fluid therapy, and mean age. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. There was a significant relationship between the dwell time for the catheter and development of any complications and the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of transparent film dressing for insertion of peripheral intravenous catheter can be recommended as it increases the dwell time for the catheter and reduces incidence of complications.

The Effects of Two Methods on Venipuncture Pain in Children: Procedural Restraint and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Package.

BACKGROUND: Invasive interventions can produce fear, anxiety, and pain in children. This may negatively affect the children's treatment and care. AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effects of procedural restraint (PR) and cognitive-behavioral intervention package (CBIP) on venipuncture pain in children between 6-12 years of age. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in the pediatric blood collection service of the hospital in Turkey between October 1, 2015, and April 1, 2016. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: The population of the study consisted of children admitted to the blood collection service during the study period who met the inclusion criteria. METHODS: The children included in the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 31) received PR in accordance with routine clinical practice. Group 2 (n = 30) received the CBIP. The data were collected by the researchers using a questionnaire, the visual analog scale (VAS), and the Wong-Baker FACES (WB-FACES) Pain Rating Scale. RESULTS: The children in the PR group had a mean VAS score of 5.90 ± 3.22 and a mean WB-FACES score of 8.70 ± 2.22. The children in the CBIP group had a mean VAS score of 2.43 ± 2.02 and a mean WB-FACES score of 2.80 ± 2.49. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean VAS and WB-FACES pain scores of the groups (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the children in the CBIP group had a lower pain level during venipuncture compared to those restrained for the procedure.

Investigation of suitability of ventrogluteal site for intramuscular injections in children aged 36 months and under.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine suitability of ventrogluteal (VG) site for intramuscular (IM) injections in children aged 36 months and under. DESIGN AND METHODS: The present study was designed as a prospective descriptive study and performed between 2016 January and June. The study included a total of 120 children aged 36 months and under that met the study criteria. The subcutaneous tissue thickness and muscle thickness of anterolateral, deltoid, and VG sites were measured and assessed by ultrasound. RESULT: A strong and powerful correlation was identified between the measurements of subcutaneous tissue and muscle thicknesses in the injection site by the age groups. The thickness of subcutaneous tissue was deltoid < anterolateral < VG by age groups. The muscle thickness of anterolateral and VG sites was significantly higher than that of deltoid site. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study established that skin thickness of VG site was suitable for IM injection in children aged 36 months and under.