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Winderlich J, Little B, Oberender F, Bollard T, Farrell T, Jenkins S, Landorf E, McCall A, Menzies J, O'Brien K, Rowe C, Sim K, van der Wilk M, Woodgate J, Paul E, Udy AA, Ridley EJ. Characteristics of enteral and oral nutrition support among infants and young children in the pediatric intensive care unit: A descriptive cohort study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2024. [PMID: 39037417 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children who are critically ill are often reliant on enteral and oral nutrition support. However, there is limited evidence to guide "what" to prescribe, and current practice is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to describe enteral nutrition prescription in children ≤2 years of age in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The secondary objectives were to describe oral nutrition support practices and factors associated with the use of increased energy and protein density nutrition support. METHODS Children ≤2 years of age admitted to participating PICUs over a 2-week period in June 2021 were enrolled. Data were collected on PICU admission days 1 to 7, 14, 21, and 28 on the mode of nutrition, enteral and oral nutrition support prescription, and dietitian intervention. RESULTS Eighty-four children were included (49 [58%] male; 79 [94%] ≤1 year of age). Enteral nutrition was administered to 79 (94%) children (with expressed breast milk in 45 [57%]). Forty-three children received formula as enteral nutrition. Increased energy and protein density formulas were provided to 14 (33%) children enterally, with concentrated standard infant formula powder being the most common (5 [12%]). Among children offered oral intake (22; 26%), three (14%) received oral nutrition support. Children who received increased energy and protein density enteral nutrition were more likely to receive dietitian intervention (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION In children ≤2 years of age admitted to PICU, expressed breast milk was provided to half of those requiring enteral nutrition and oral nutrition support prescription was infrequent. One third of children receiving formula via enteral nutrition received an increased energy and protein density feed, and this was strongly associated with dietitian intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Winderlich
- Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Little
- Starship Child Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Felix Oberender
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tessa Bollard
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tamara Farrell
- Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Samantha Jenkins
- Nutrition and Dietetics, John Hunter Children's Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Landorf
- Nutrition Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea McCall
- Nutrition Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica Menzies
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katie O'Brien
- Department of Nutrition & Food Services, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carla Rowe
- Nutrition and Dietetics, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kirsten Sim
- Nutrition and Dietetics, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melanie van der Wilk
- Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jemma Woodgate
- Department of Dietetics & Food Services, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eldho Paul
- Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew A Udy
- Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Intensive Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma J Ridley
- Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Dietetics and Nutrition, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Brown A, Griffiths C, Jones S, Weaver G, Shenker N. Disparities in being able to donate human milk impacts upon maternal wellbeing: Lessons for scaling up milk bank service provision. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13699. [PMID: 38987938 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Receiving donor human milk for a baby can have a protective effect upon parental wellbeing. A growing body of research also finds that being able to donate milk to a milk bank, particularly after infant loss, can also boost maternal wellbeing through feelings of altruism and purpose. However, most studies are qualitative, with small sample sizes outside the United Kingdom, and often do not include the experiences of those who have been unable to donate. Our aim was therefore to examine the impact of being able to donate milk, as well as the impact of not being able to do so, using a survey containing open and closed questions in a large UK sample. Overall, 1149 women completed the survey, 417 (36.3%) who donated their milk and 732 (63.7%) who did not. Most women who donated found it had a positive impact upon their wellbeing, feeling proud, useful and that they had achieved something important. Conversely, those unable to donate often felt rejected, frustrated, and excluded, especially if they received no response or felt that restrictions were unfair. Thematic analysis found that being able to donate could help women heal from experiences such as birth trauma, difficult breastfeeding experiences, neonatal unit stays, and infant loss; however, being unable to donate could exacerbate negative emotions arising from similar experiences. A minority of women who donated experienced raised anxiety over following guidelines. These findings further extend the impacts of milk banking services beyond infant health and development and support expanded service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Brown
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Faculty Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Catrin Griffiths
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Faculty Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Sara Jones
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Faculty Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Natalie Shenker
- The Human Milk Foundation, Gossams End, Berkhamsted, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Brown A, Griffin S, Weaver G, Shenker N. Receiving screened donor human milk as part of a community-based lactation support programme reduces parental symptoms of anxiety and depression. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13686. [PMID: 38898718 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Infant feeding decisions and maternal mental health are closely tied. Donor human milk (DHM) protects premature infant health and development and can reduce hospital stays. Recent qualitative research has highlighted that having the option for an infant to receive DHM can also support parental wellbeing through reducing concerns about infant health and supporting feeding preferences. However, no quantitative study has examined this relationship. In this study, anxiety and depression scores were measured before and after receiving DHM using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for 80 parents (77 mothers, 3 fathers) who had sought DHM from a community-facing milk bank. Reasons for seeking DHM included maternal cancer, maternal and infant health complications, insufficient glandular tissue, and low milk supply. Open-ended questions explored the experience of receiving milk. Milk bank records were used to match details of milk given (volume, duration, exclusivity, lactation support given) with survey responses. Both anxiety and depression scores significantly reduced after receiving milk. Although greater lactation support and longer duration of milk predicted a greater decrease in scores, in a regression analysis, only volume of milk given remained a significant predictor. Almost all parents agreed that being able to access DHM supported their wellbeing predominantly through reducing anxieties around infant health but also through feeding choices being respected and the support given at difficult times. The findings add important considerations to the literature considering when and for whom DHM should be used and the complex interplay between infant feeding and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Brown
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation (LIFT), Swansea, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Sam Griffin
- The Human Milk Foundation, Victory Road, Berkhamsted, UK
| | - Gillian Weaver
- The Human Milk Foundation, Victory Road, Berkhamsted, UK
| | - Natalie Shenker
- The Human Milk Foundation, Victory Road, Berkhamsted, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Marfo M, Acheampong AK, Asare C. Financial burden faced by breastfeeding mothers caring for children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana; an exploratory qualitative study. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:177. [PMID: 38486146 PMCID: PMC10938724 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-02931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When children are diagnosed of cancer, parents face varied financial issues. Among some of the identifiable factors that cause financial challenges among breastfeeding mothers include the high cost of childhood cancer care. The high cost of childhood cancer care could impede the sustainability of access to prompt care. There is paucity of literature on the financial burdens faced by breastfeeding mothers with children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to explore the financial burden faced by mothers with breastfeeding children diagnosed with cancer. METHODS The study employed qualitative exploratory descriptive design. One-on-one interviews were conducted among 13 mothers with breastfeeding children diagnosed of cancer. Permission was sought for data to be recorded, transcribed concurrently and inductive content analysis done. RESULTS Three main themes emerged after data analysis: High cost (sub-themes; expensive medications, laboratory investigation fees, and cost of mothers' feeding), Public support (sub-themes; appeal for funds, national health insurance scheme) and Self-financing (loans, personal savings). Most of the breastfeeding mothers narrated that high cost of childhood cancer care generated financial distress to them. They shared that the cost involved in purchasing their children's cancer medications, paying for laboratory investigations and feeding themselves to produce adequate breastmilk to feed their children were challenging. Some of the mothers self-financed the cost of their children's cancer care through loans and personal savings. CONCLUSION Government and other stakeholders should allocate annual budget and funds towards childhood cancer care to lessen the financial burden breastfeeding mothers caring for children with cancer experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Marfo
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Wisconsin International University College-Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Comfort Asare
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Wisconsin International University College-Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Scarpato E, Salvatori G, Barbaglia M, Casero D, Cazzato T, Righetti V, Staiano A, Davanzo R. Breastfeeding support among re-hospitalized young children: a survey from Italy. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:3. [PMID: 38191497 PMCID: PMC10775476 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01573-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021, the Task Force on Breastfeeding of the Italian Ministry of Health released a document calling for the provision of breastfeeding support in case of re-hospitalization of the child after birth. Since type and quality of breastfeeding support during re-hospitalization in Italian Pediatric Units (PUs) is largely unknown, the Breastfeeding Section of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (TASIP) conducted an ad hoc national survey. METHODS In March 2023, a specifically designed electronic questionnaire was sent to the Directors of 328 PUs, who were requested to fill it online. RESULTS Data from 161 PUs were received, with a response rate of 48.7%. Our results highlighted that 18.6% of units do not provide training on breastfeeding for healthcare professionals and 46% of PUs lack of an ad hoc policy on breastfeeding support in case of re-hospitalization of the child. Although 88.2% of PUs provide breast pumps to the mothers of the re-hospitalized young children, 34.8% lack of a protocol on the storage of expressed breast milk. CONCLUSIONS Breastfeeding support for the mothers of hospitalized breastfed young children appears to be suboptimal in Italian PUs. Interventions aimed to structure and improve the quality of breastfeeding support for the mother-child dyad are needed, particularly developing protocols and providing a training on breastfeeding to the majority of healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Scarpato
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Salvatori
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Deborah Casero
- Pediatric Dpt, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo-Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Annamaria Staiano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Davanzo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell'Istria 65/1, 34100, Trieste, Italy.
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Hookway L, Brown A. Barriers to optimal breastfeeding of medically complex children in the UK paediatric setting: a mixed methods survey of healthcare professionals. J Hum Nutr Diet 2023; 36:1857-1873. [PMID: 37501256 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is indisputably significant for infants and children, as well as their mothers. However, when breastfed children are admitted to the paediatric ward, they may experience breastfeeding modification due to clinical challenges, lack of staff training and institutional barriers. Although previous research has identified multiple barriers to optimal feeding within the maternity, neonatal and community settings, we know less about the barriers that exist in paediatrics. Paediatric healthcare staff attitudes, training and awareness as well as ward culture are likely to have an impact on the experiences of families but are relatively unresearched in the paediatric setting, especially with regard to the multidisciplinary nature of clinical paediatric care. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes, awareness and perceived barriers to effective breastfeeding support provision, as well as healthcare professional perception of barriers for families. METHODS This was a mixed methods study utilising a questionnaire which was completed by 409 healthcare professionals who identified as working within the paediatric setting. It included responses from paediatricians of all training grades, nurses, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals. Qualitative data from professionals were analysed to develop themes around professional and perceived parent barriers to optimal breastfeeding. RESULTS This study explored the barriers experienced by staff, as well as professionals' perception of parent barriers. These included lack of knowledge of how to help, a default formula culture, the pressure of maintaining strict fluid balance and breastfeeding being a low priority in the face of critical illness. Of the paediatric departments represented by this sample of healthcare professionals, most had a relatively poor culture of supporting breastfeeding, with multiple institutional barriers identified. Most professionals felt that there was not enough support for breastfeeding families on an average shift, and a large proportion identified as being one of just a few breastfeeding advocates on their ward. CONCLUSION In this relatively motivated and experienced sample of healthcare professionals, there were many identified barriers to optimal breastfeeding which could potentially be addressed by training that is carefully nuanced for the paediatric population. Ensuring that paediatric multidisciplinary healthcare professionals have sufficient skills and knowledge would address the identified challenge of poor awareness of breastfeeding and of how to overcome clinical lactation obstacles. Further improvements at policy level need to address the systemic lack of resourcing in paediatrics, as well as the lack of embedded breastfeeding-friendly organisational structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey Hookway
- School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation, Swansea, Wales
| | - Amy Brown
- School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales
- Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation, Swansea, Wales
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