Effect of skin-to-skin contact at birth on early neonatal hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Skin-to-skin contact (SCC) at birth has a positive impact on breastfeeding indicators and physiological stabilization at birth. On the other hand, globally and in Colombia, morbidity and mortality have increased in intermediate- and low-risk infants. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of immediate skin-to-skin contact, compared to separation at birth, on the risk of hospitalization of intermediate- and low-risk infants prior to discharge from the maternity ward. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of newborn who underwent a SCC compared to habitual management was conducted. Intermediate- and low-risk neonates with spontaneous neonatal adaptation and cardiorespiratory stability at birth were included. Main outcome measure was hospital admission prior to the discharge from the maternity ward. RESULT: A total of 816 infants were included, 672 (82.3%) in the skin-to-skin contact group and 144 (17.6%) in the habitual management group. The main causes of hospital admission were jaundice and feeding/sucking related issues. Significantly lower admission to the neonatal unit was found for infants in the contact group compared to infants who did not receive skin-to-skin contact (13.8% vs. 26.4%; OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.71, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Skin-to-skin contact in newborns of intermediate and low risk has protective effects on the risk of hospital admission within the first few hours of life. SSC is proposed as a prevention strategy in second-level care scenarios.

El peso transportado en las mochilas escolares: Un estudio en cuatro escuelas de la región metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina / A study concerning how much weight schoolchildren carry in their bags, involving four schools in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar el peso transportado del equipaje escolar (en valores absolutos y relativos) y la distancia caminada en los trayectos hogar-escuela, en escolares de cuatro escuelas de la región metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Métodos Se estudiaron 751 alumnos (394 varones y 357 mujeres, de 9 a 18 años) de niveles primario (4to. a 6to. grados), y secundario (1ro. a 3er. años) de tres escuelas de gestión privada y una pública. Se midieron los pesos corporal y del equipaje escolar, y se indagó sobre la distancia desde la escuela al hogar, y sobre las cuadras caminadas en este trayecto. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y contrastes según género, nivel educativo, tipo de escuela y grados y años cursados. Se verificaron posibles asociaciones entre variables. Se dividió al grupo en dos: quienes transportaban menos del 10 % de su peso corporal, y los que acarreaban el 10 % (considerado como valor crítico) y más, calculándose las frecuencias según tipo de equipaje utilizado. Resultados El 68 % de los evaluados transporta un peso por encima del 10 % del peso corporal (P42=10,13 %), siendo del 66 % para varones (P44 = 10,12 %) y 60 % para mujeres (P40=10,2 %). En escuelas privadas se acarrearon mayores pesos que en públicas (p<0,05); y en ambos niveles educativos los alumnos de cursos inferiores transportaron pesos superiores que los de grados superiores (p<0,05). Conclusiones La mayoría de los alumnos transporta pesos relativos por encima de las recomendaciones, siendo las mujeres las más perjudicadas. Los más pequeños cargan pesos absolutos y relativos mayores.

ABSTRACT Objective Determining the weight children carry in their bags to school (absolute and relative values) and the distance walked during home-school routes, involving students from four schools in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. Method The study involved 751 primary (4th to 6th grades) and secondary (1st to 3rd years) level students who were attending three private schools and one public one. Body and bag weights were measured and the children were asked about the distance (in blocks) they walked from school to home. The study involved a descriptive analysis and contrasted the students by gender, educational level, type of school and grade or year. Possible associations between variables were ascertained. The group was divided into those carrying bags weighing less than 10% of their body weight and those who carrying 10% (considered a critical value) and more; frequencies were calculated by the type of bag being used. Results 68% of the sample were carrying 10% or more of their body weight (P42=10.13%): 66% in male (P44=10.12%) and 60% in female children (P40=10.2%). Private school students carried more weight than public school children (p<0.05) and younger students carried a greater weight than older students (p<0.05) in both educational levels. Conclusions Most children were carrying relative weights well above that recommended and female students were most affected. Younger students carried higher absolute and relative weights.

[A study concerning how much weight schoolchildren carry in their bags, involving four schools in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina]. / El peso transportado en las mochilas escolares: Un estudio en cuatro escuelas de la región metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina

OBJECTIVE: Determining the weight children carry in their bags to school (absolute and relative values) and the distance walked during home-school routes, involving students from four schools in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. METHOD: The study involved 751 primary (4th to 6th grades) and secondary (1st to 3rd years) level students who were attending three private schools and one public one. Body and bag weights were measured and the children were asked about the distance (in blocks) they walked from school to home. The study involved a descriptive analysis and contrasted the students by gender, educational level, type of school and grade or year. Possible associations between variables were ascertained. The group was divided into those carrying bags weighing less than 10% of their body weight and those who carrying 10% (considered a critical value) and more; frequencies were calculated by the type of bag being used. RESULTS: 68% of the sample were carrying 10% or more of their body weight (P42=10.13%): 66% in male (P44=10.12%) and 60% in female children (P40=10.2%). Private school students carried more weight than public school children (p<0.05) and younger students carried a greater weight than older students (p<0.05) in both educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: Most children were carrying relative weights well above that recommended and female students were most affected. Younger students carried higher absolute and relative weights.