A biological fluid transfer system.
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Child↗
Biomedical subjects
J D Gatts
Publications and source records attributed to J D Gatts.
Reducing crying and irritability in neonates using a continuously controlled early environment.
A mother's "holding" environment has been shown to be effective in reducing infant crying and irritability. When mothers hold or cuddle their infants they create a microenvironment with stimuli similar to those of the intrauterine environment. Several of these same stimuli were incorporated into a cradle designed to provide a similar "holding" environment for the infant when the mother was not there. Ninety healthy term newborn infants were randomized to an experimental (n = 45) or control group (n = 45). The experimental group used a cradle that produced motion, sound, tactile (containment), and reduced-light stimuli at stimulus levels that initially approximated intrauterine sensory stimulation levels and gradually decreased to the levels of the home environment over 16 weeks. The control group used an identical cradle with no stimulus modulation features. Infants were placed in their respective cradles from 2 hours after birth during the times they would normally be placed in an infant bed. The mother-infant interaction or parenting style was not changed or manipulated. Mothers' use of the cradles did not differ significantly. An electronic status monitor measured and recorded infant presence and crying in the cradles. The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale test was done at 1 to 2, 14, and 24 days of age by "blinded" examiners. Additionally, phone calls and home visits were conducted by a registered nurse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
A modified newborn intensive care unit environment may shorten hospital stay.
Premature infants with birth weights from 1121 to 2000 gm were assigned randomly to two groups. Experimental group infants were placed on a microprocessor-controlled cradle that provided levels of motion and sound analogous to those of the third-trimester intrauterine environment. Periods of motion totaling 50% of the time were randomized on and off; motion speed was reduced 35% during a 12-hour night period. A uterine souffle sound was generated continuously but varied in pulse rate and volume with the motion and speed of the bed. Experimental group infants (n = 20) were placed on the cradle under a radiant warmer as soon as their condition was stable clinically. Control group infants (n = 18) were usually placed initially under a radiant warmer and transferred to an incubator when their condition was stable. Otherwise, both groups received standard newborn intensive care unit care. The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for experimental group infants than for control group infants after controlling for gestational age and weight on entry to the study. Experimental group infants began nippling earlier and stopped requiring gavage feedings sooner. Experimental group infants had a decreased incidence of apnea. Blinded Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale scores for the Orientation and Range of State cluster scales were significantly better for experimental group infants. A retrospective contrast group of preterm infants who met study criteria had an average length of stay similar to that of the control group infants. These data support the hypothesis that appropriate levels and kinds of stimulation may facilitate the maturation of preterm infants.
Birth Weight↗