Third stage of the kangaroo method: exclusive breastfeeding and growth of preterm and/or low birth weight newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and growth of preterm and/or low birth weight newborns during the third stage of the Kangaroo Method (TSKM), at discharge. METHODS: Retrospective study in a reference public maternity hospital between Jan/2014 and Dec/2017, including the preterm (less than 37 weeks) and/or low birth weight (less than 2500 g) newborn infants. Information was collected from medical records. Statistics analysis was done in SPSS software. RESULTS: 482 infants were included and followed up at the TSKM ambulatory. The average gestational age was 33 weeks (variation: 24-39 weeks) and birth weight, 1715g (variation: 455-2830 g). EBF occurred in 336 (70.1%) infants at hospital discharge, and in 291 (60.4%) at TSKM discharge. Each additional day of hospital stay increased the chance of infant formula (IF) use by 9.3% at hospital discharge and by 10.3% at TSKM discharge. Staying in the Kangaroo Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit (KNICU) favored EBF at hospital discharge and TSKM discharge (p<0.001). Not performing the kangaroo position increased the chance formula administration to the newborn infant at hospital discharge by 11%. Weight gain and head circumference growth were higher in infants using formula (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The length of hospital stay and not performing the kangaroo position favored the use of infant formula at hospital and TSKM discharge. Staying in the KNICU favored exclusive breastfeeding at hospital and TSKM discharge. Weight gain and HC growth were higher in newborns receiving infant formula.

The All4Children project to assess the initial implementation of the Integrated Model of Family Foster Care in Portugal: A description of the study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The All4Children project addresses the urgent need to transition from institutionalization to family-based care for out-of-home children in Portugal. Despite evidence highlighting the detrimental effects of institutionalization, only a small percentage of children (less than 4%) are currently placed in family foster care in the country. In response to European directives for deinstitutionalization, Portuguese legislation now prioritizes non-kinship family foster care as the preferred alternative for young children in need of care. To facilitate this transition, the Integrated Model of Family Foster Care (MIAF) was developed, offering a comprehensive framework covering the entire spectrum of family foster care. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to investigate the initial implementation stage of the MIAF to promote high-quality family foster care in Portugal. METHOD: The study will conduct a mixed-method and longitudinal research project in family foster care agencies across different regions of Portugal, focusing on evaluating the implementation and outcomes of the MIAF model using a multi-informant and multi-method approach. The participants will include caseworkers, children aged 0-9 years entering foster care, and their respective foster families enrolled in the MIAF program. Process evaluation will assess fidelity, feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of MIAF modules, while outcome evaluation will examine child safety, stability, well-being, as well as foster family well-being and quality of relational care. OUTCOMES: The insights gained from this research initiative will serve as a foundation for the ongoing enhancement of MIAF. Consequently, this project has the capacity to advance evidence-based child welfare practices by refining processes and strategies to better serve vulnerable children and youth. CONCLUSION: Facilitated by a multidisciplinary team, this project will contribute to advancing research in the field, enhancing practice, and informing policy during a pivotal stage of deinstitutionalization in Portugal.

Third stage of the kangaroo method: exclusive breastfeeding and growth of preterm and/or low birth weight newborns / Terceira etapa do método canguru: aleitamento materno exclusivo e crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo e/ou de baixo peso ao nascer

Objective: To evaluate the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and growth of preterm and/or low birth weight newborns during the third stage of the Kangaroo Method (TSKM), at discharge. Methods: Retrospective study in a reference public maternity hospital between Jan/2014 and Dec/2017, including the preterm (less than 37 weeks) and/or low birth weight (less than 2500 g) newborn infants. Information was collected from medical records. Statistics analysis was done in SPSS software. Results: 482 infants were included and followed up at the TSKM ambulatory. The average gestational age was 33 weeks (variation: 24-39 weeks) and birth weight, 1715g (variation: 455-2830 g). EBF occurred in 336 (70.1%) infants at hospital discharge, and in 291 (60.4%) at TSKM discharge. Each additional day of hospital stay increased the chance of infant formula (IF) use by 9.3% at hospital discharge and by 10.3% at TSKM discharge. Staying in the Kangaroo Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit (KNICU) favored EBF at hospital discharge and TSKM discharge (p<0.001). Not performing the kangaroo position increased the chance formula administration to the newborn infant at hospital discharge by 11%. Weight gain and head circumference growth were higher in infants using formula (p<0.001). Conclusions: The length of hospital stay and not performing the kangaroo position favored the use of infant formula at hospital and TSKM discharge. Staying in the KNICU favored exclusive breastfeeding at hospital and TSKM discharge. Weight gain and HC growth were higher in newborns receiving infant formula.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as taxas de aleitamento materno exclusivo e o crescimento dos recém-nascidos (RN) pré-termo e/ou de baixo peso ao nascer à alta da terceira etapa do Método Canguru (TEMC). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo realizado em maternidade pública de referência entre janeiro/2014 e dezembro/2017, que incluiu os RN pré-termo (<37 semanas) e/ou de baixo peso (<2.500 g). As informações foram coletadas de prontuários médicos e analisadas pelo programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Resultados: Foram seguidos 482 RN, com mediana da idade gestacional de 33 semanas (variação: 24-39 sem) e peso ao nascer 1.715 g (variação: 455-2.830 g). O aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) ocorreu em 336 (70,1%) RN à alta hospitalar e em 291 (60,4%) à alta da TEMC. Cada dia a mais de permanência hospitalar aumentou a chance do uso de fórmula infantil em 9,3% à alta hospitalar e em 10,3% à alta da TEMC. Permanecer na Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários Canguru (UCINCA) favoreceu o AME à alta hospitalar e da TEMC (p<0,001). Não realizar a Posição Canguru aumentou em 11% a chance de o RN utilizar fórmula infantil à alta hospitalar. O ganho de peso e crescimento do perímetro cefálico foram maiores nos RN em uso de fórmula infantil (p<0,001). Conclusões: O tempo de permanência hospitalar e a não realização da Posição Canguru favoreceram o uso de fórmula infantil à alta hospitalar e da TEMC. Permanecer na UCINCA favoreceu o AME à alta hospitalar e da TEMC. O ganho de peso e crescimento do PC foram maiores nos RN em uso de fórmula infantil.

Crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo pequenos para idade gestacional / Growth of small for gestational age preterm infants

Objetivos: descrever o crescimento linear e sua velocidade, de recém-nascidos pré-termo, pequenos para a idade gestacional (RNPT PIG), em relação às variáveis peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico, do nascimento até três meses de idade corrigida. Métodos: estudo prospectivo com 100 RNPT PIG de 28 a 36 semanas de idade gestacional ao nascer, classificados como pequenos quanto ao peso para a idade gestacional. Os dados antropométricos foram obtidos ao nascer, semanalmente até a 40ª semana, e mensalmente até três meses de idade corrigida. Na construção das curvas de crescimento, os valores medianos foram ajustados por função polinomial do modelo de Count.Resultados: as curvas de crescimento dos RNPT PIG para as três variáveis estudadas estão bem abaixo daquelas dos recém nascidos pré-termo adequados para a idade gestacional (RNPT AIG) até a 40ª semana. No entanto, com 40 semanas, o crescimento do perímetro cefálico alcança o percentil 10 do NCHS e o percentil 25 aos três meses de idade corrigida. A curva de crescimento do peso alcança o percentil 10 em torno de um mês e meio para o sexo masculino e dois meses e meio para o sexo feminino, e a curva do comprimento alcança a do percentil 10 para o sexo masculino e Se aproxima daquela para o sexo feminino aos três meses de idade corrigida. Conclusão: durante o período estudado, ocorreu uma tendência à recuperação do peso e do comprimento em relação aos RNPT AIG e aos RN a termo. O perímetro cefálico mostrou uma recuperação evidente e precoce

[Growth of small for gestational age preterm infants]. / Crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo pequenos para a idade gestacional.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the linear growth and growth velocity of preterm infants born small for gestational age according to variables such as weight, length and head circumference, from birth to three months of corrected age. METHODS: Prospective study of one hundred preterm infants born small for gestational age from 28 to 36 weeks after birth and classified as small according to the weight for their gestational age. The anthropometric data was obtained at birth, and continued to be measured weekly until the probable delivery date and monthly until three months of corrected age. Growth curves were calculated according to the mean values adjusted by the polynomial function of Count model. RESULTS: The infants' growth curves for the three variables were much below the ones of the preterm infants with adequate size for gestational age until the fortieth week. However, the head circumference growth reached the 10th percentile curve of the NCHS at the fortieth week, and the 25th percentile at three months of corrected age. The weight growth curve reached the 10th percentile curve around one month and a half for males and two months and a half for females. The length growth curve reached the 10th percentile for males at three months of corrected age and it almost reached that percentile for females after the same period of time. CONCLUSIONS: A tendency of recovering weight and length related to preterm infants with adequate size and term newborns was observed. The head circumference showed an obvious and early recovery.