Bo Lv’s research while affiliated with Hunan Cancer Hospital and other places

Background: Survival of very-low-birth-weight infants is improving in neonatology and family-centered-care might contribute to premature infants' clinical outcomes. Aim: To evaluate a family-centered care intervention on clinical outcomes of very-low-birth-weight infants. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a Chinese NICU between June 2016 and June 2017. The intervention included parental education of basic care knowledge and skills followed by active participation in care for at least 4 h a day. A total of 319 very-low-birth-weight infants were recruited by convenience sampling; intervention group n = 156 and control group n = 163. Primary outcome measures were weight at discharge, length-of-stay, breastfeeding, nasal feeding, total parental nutrition, re-admission, hospital expenses. Secondary outcome measures were infant complications. Results: Infants' weight at discharge was higher in the interventions group (2,654 g vs. 2,325 g, p < 0.001). Nutritional outcomes improved significantly: breastfeeding rate 139 vs. 91, p < 0.001; days of total parental nutrition 25 d vs. 32 d, p < 0.001; gastric feeding days 23 d vs. 35 d, p < 0.001. Length-of-stay and hospital expenses did not differ between both groups. Improved infants' complications were bronchopulmonary dysplasia (32 vs. 51, p = 0.031), retinopathy of prematurity (between groups no/mild and moderate/severe, p = 0.003), necrotizing enterocolitis (6 vs. 18, p = 0.019), and re-admission rate (21 vs. 38, p = 0.023). No differences were observed in intraventricular hemorrhage and nosocomial infections. Conclusion: Very-low-birth-weight premature infants might experience improved clinical health outcomes when parents are present and caring from them. Family-centered care is as a beneficial care model for premature infants and should be recognized and implemented by NICUs where parents have currently limited access.

Abstract Background Most Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in China have restricted visiting policies for parents. This also implicates that parents are not involved in the care of their infant. Family Integrated Care (FIC), empowering parents in direct care delivery and decisions, is becoming the standard in NICUs in many countries and can improve quality-of-life and health outcomes of preterm infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a FIC intervention on the clinical outcomes of preterm infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). Methods A pre-post intervention study was conducted at NICUs in two Chinese children’s hospitals. Infants with BPD were included: pre-intervention group (n = 134) from December 2015 to September 2016, post-intervention (FIC) group (n = 115) and their parents from October 2016 to June 2017. NICU nurses were trained between July and September 2016 to deliver the FIC intervention, including parent education and support. Parents had to be present and care for their infant minimal three hours a day. The infants’ outcome measures were length-of-stay, breastfeeding, weight gain, respiratory and oxygen support, and parent hospital expenses. Results Compared with control group (n = 134), the FIC group (n = 115) had significantly increased breastfeeding rates (83% versus 71%, p = 0.030), breastfeeding time (31 days versus 19 days, p

Aims & Objectives: In China, parents have limited access to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and are not integrated in the care of their preterm infant during hospitalization. Family Integrated Care (FIC) is a model where parents become the primary caretaker to improve quality-of-life and health outcomes of preterm infants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a FIC intervention on the clinical outcomes of preterm infants with Bronchopulmonary Disease (BPD). Methods: A pre-post intervention study at NICUs in two Chines children’s hospitals. The pre-intervention group included infants (n=134) hospitalized from December 2015 to September 2016; FIC group were infants (n=115) admitted between October 2016 to June 2017. NICU nurses were trained, July to September 2016, to deliver the FIC intervention; parent education and support. Parents needed to take care for their infant for minimal three hours a day. Outcome measures were length-of-stay, breastfeeding, weight gain, respiratory and oxygen support. Results: Compared with control group (n=134), FIC group (n=115) had significantly higher breastfeeding rate (χ2 = 4.696, p=0.030), breastfeeding time (t = 4.501, p<0.001), enteral nutrition time (t = 7.195, p<0.001), weight gain (t=3.180, p=0.002), and significantly lower respiratory support time (t = -5.388, p<0.001). Oxygen Exposure Time decreased but not significant (39.38 ± 14.918 VS 40.94 ± 13.786; p=0.393). Conclusions: Our study suggests that educating and involving parents in the care might improve clinical outcomes of preterm infants with BPD and provides a reference for further implementation of FIC to enhance parental involvement in those NICU with limited parental participation.