• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate factors that may affect the method of feeding among preterm infants at 4 weeks after discharge. Methods: This study included 222 mother-infant dyads born before a gestational age of 37 weeks. The feeding method and general medical characteristics of the participants were assessed at 4 weeks after discharge using a structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine which factors were associated with breastfeeding at home. Results: Of the 222 infants who qualified for the study, 71 (32.9%) continued to receive breastmilk at 4 weeks post-discharge. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that breastfeeding at 4 weeks post-discharge was associated with higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, vaginal delivery (experience), direct breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks, and breastmilk consumption in the NICU. The following factors were associated with mixed feeding at 4 weeks post-discharge: being employed, having higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, and direct breastfeeding in the NICU. Conclusion: NICU nurses should provide opportunities for direct breastfeeding during hospitalization and support breastfeeding to enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy. These factors may help to ensure the continuation of breastfeeding after discharge. Moreover, factors that affect breastfeeding should be considered when providing interventions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2001

Purpose: Gastroesophgeal reflux (GER) is defined as involuntary movement of gastric contents into esophagus. Relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter caused by immature anatomical development in newborn and young infants produces GER frequently. We wanted to know whether the frequency of GER is influenced by feeding types and position or not. We studied in 16 subjects according to feeding types (breast feeding group: BFG-7, formula feeding group: FFG-9) who admitted to the Soonchunhyang university hospital for recurrent regurgitation with 24 hr esophageal pH monitoring from August 1996 to July 1999. Methods: We compared two groups by number of reflux episode, reflux rate, longest episode, numbers of episodes lasting >5 minutes, longest episode in upright position and longest episode in supine position. We used Mann-Whitney test for statistical analysis. Results: 1) The subjects were 7 infants in BFG and 9 infants in FFG, 16 in total, and mean age was 2.1, and 2.6 months for BFG and FFG, respectively. 2) The reflux numbers were $244{\pm}151/day$, $275{\pm}155/day$ for BFG and FFG, respectively. 3) The reflux rate was $14{\pm}15%$ for BFG and $28{\pm}22%$ for FFG. It was lower in BFG. 4) The longest episode was $20{\pm}28$ minutes for BFG and $58{\pm}66$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly longer in FFG. 5) The numbers of episodes lasting >5 minutes were $5{\pm}6$ for BFG and $9{\pm}3$ for FFG. 6) The longest episode in upright position was $10{\pm}8$ minutes for BFG and $40{\pm}47$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly shorter in BFG. 7) The longest episode in supine position was $18{\pm}29$ minutes for BFG and $52{\pm}66$ minutes for FFG. It was significantly shorter in BFG. Conclusion: Breast feeding is strongly recommended to reduce the regurgitation in infancy. It is an another benefit of breast feeding.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 1999

Purpose: Regurgitation, vomiting and feeding intolerance are frequent in the neonates. Esophageal function and gastric peristalsis are not fully developed in the neonates, so we should give attention to reduce the incidence of regurgitation and vomiting after feeding. It is necessary to shorten the gastric emptying by change of feeding types and postprandial postures. Gastric emptying time was measured by ultrasound in the neonates to evaluate the effect of feeding types and postprandial postures. Method: We measured gastric antral cross sectional area along the abdominal aorta at the level of the superior mesenteric artery in longitudinal section at NPO state (4 hours after feeding), 0 and every 30 min. after feeding until the value goes below or back to the NPO state. Fifteen neonates were examined in each breast-fed and formula-fed group in supine position. Eighteen and 15 neonates were examined in supine and prone posture after formula feeding, respectively. We used 5 MHz convex prove with Aloka Echo Camera SSD-650. Result: 1) Gastric emptying time of breast-fed infants was $76.0{\pm}20.02$ min. which was significantly shorter than $96.0{\pm}20.28$ min. of formula-fed infants. 2) Gastric emptying time on postprandial prone posture was $85.0{\pm}22.43$ min. which was not significantly different from $96.0{\pm}20.28$ min. on postprandial supine posture. Conclusion: Breast feeding is strongly recommended to the neonates to shorten gastric emptying time. So we can expect to reduce the incidence of regurgitation, vomiting and feeding intolerance. The postprandial posture depends on the traditional trend which is safe and comfortable to the mothers.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2011

Purpose: The unique nutrient requirements of premature infants necessitate knowledge of the composition of human milk produced by mothers of such infants. We investigated longitudinal changes in iron concentration of preterm human milk and compared to those observed in human milk of mothers of 1-week old term infants to determine optimal iron supplementation guidelines when preterm infants are nourished exclusively by breast feeding. Methods: Human milk samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum from 103 mothers who delivered infants of gestational age <34 weeks or weighing <1,800 g. Term human milk samples were collected at 1 week postpartum from 24 mothers. Results: There were no significant differences in the iron concentrations of preterm human milk obtained at 2 to 8 weeks postpartum (36.3${\pm}$23.1 to 45.8${\pm}$26.0 $\mu$g/dL), but these concentrations were higher than those noted at 1 week in preterm (23.1${\pm}$14.6 $\mu$g/ dL) and term (25.2${\pm}$7.55 $\mu$g/dL) infants. The iron concentration in preterm human milk obtained at corrected term age (42.2${\pm}$19.4 $\mu$g/dL) was significantly higher than that of mature term human milk (25.2${\pm}$7.55 $\mu$g/dL). Conclusion: The concentration of iron in preterm human milk was consistently low during the first 3 months of lactation. Supplementation with iron of at least 2 mg/kg/day should be considered for preterm infants who are exclusively breastfed and who have low body iron stores, to meet the minimum enteral iron requirements recommended by AAP-CON (2004).

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of breastfeeding education among preterm mothers. Methods: A nonequivalent control group, repeated measure, quasi-experimental study design was used. The participants comprised 46 preterm mothers recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital who were divided into two groups: 23 in the control group and 22 in the experimental group. The breastfeeding education program intervention to promote preterm mothers' self-efficacy used was devised based on the self-efficacy theory. The intervention program consisted of individual breastfeeding education with demonstrations and discharge education, and telephone follow-up education within one week after being discharged. The participants were surveyed before and after the intervention, and four weeks after being discharged from the newborn intensive care unit. Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in breastfeeding self-efficacy compared with the control group (F=6.92, p=.003) and showed a significant increase in their breastfeeding attitude score (F=3.49, p=.039). Four weeks after discharge, the breastmilk volume of the intervention group increased significantly (t=-2.87, p=.006), and the same group continued to breastfeed more compared with the control group (χ²=4.50, p=.049). Conclusion: This study suggests that the preterm breastfeeding program had a positive effect on breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding attitude, and extending the breastfeeding period among preterm mothers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.119-132
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of a direct breastfeeding program for premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted during August 2016 to April 2017. Sixty mothers of premature infants were assigned to the experimental (n = 31) or control groups (n = 29). The program was comprised of breastfeeding education and direct breastfeeding support. The experimental and control groups were provided with education and counseling on breastfeeding at the time of admission and discharge. In the experimental group, the mothers initiated oral feeding with direct breastfeeding and engaged in breastfeeding at least seven times during the NICU stay. The collected data were analyzed by the χ2-test and repeated measures ANOVA using an SPSS program. Results: The experimental group showed a higher direct breastfeeding practice rate (χ2 = 19.29, p < .001), breastfeeding continuation rate (χ2 = 3.76, p < .001), and self-efficacy (F = 25.37, p < .001) than the control group except for maternal attachment. Conclusion: The direct breastfeeding program in the NICU has significant effects on the practice and continuation rate of breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Therefore, this program can be applied in the NICU settings where direct breastfeeding is limited.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.488-494
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• 2010

Purpose : A human milk bank collects, processes, eliminates, and stores breast milk from donors and provides breast milk to those in need. The authors hereby present the experiences and the objective lessons obtained through operating a nationwide human milk bank over a period of 2 years. Methods : The characteristics of the donors and the recipients and the amounts of breast milk donated, processed, and received at the East-West Neo Medical Center Human Milk Bank were investigated from August 2007 to August 2009. Results : The donor pool consisted of 131 first-time donors and 39 repeat donors who made 341 and 127 donations, respectively. Seventy-nine percent of the donors resided in the Seoul-Kyunggi area, and 60% of the donors were in their 30s. Most information and motivation came from the Internet (66%) or television (14%). A total of 2,736 L of breast milk was collected, and 1,979 L were processed. The cumulative number of recipients was 160 preterm or full-term infants and 21 adults, each group receiving the breast milk 337 and 41 times, respectively. In total, infants received 1,663 L and adults received 179 L. Conclusion : Through the present study, the role and importance of a human milk bank in collecting, pasteurizing, and storing surplus breast milk in through sanitary, medically proven methods and providing this breast milk to recipients could be appreciated and reevaluated. The authors believe that a national support system is necessary to expand this practice to a nationwide scale.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breast milk olfactory stimulation on physiological responses, oral feeding progression, and body weight in preterm infants. Methods: A repeated measures design with nonequivalent control group was used. The participants were healthy, preterm infants born at a gestational age of 28~32 weeks; 12 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group. Data were collected prospectively in the experimental group, and retrospectively in the control group, by the same methods. Breast milk olfactory stimulation was provided 12 times over 15 days. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and linear mixed models using SPSS 19. Results: The gastric residual volume (GRV) of the experimental group was significantly less than that of the control group. The heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, transition time to oral feeding, and body weight were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: These findings indicate that breast milk olfactory stimulation reduces GRV and improves digestive function in preterm infants without inducing distress.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.383-386
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• 2011

Acrodermatitis enteropathica due to zinc deficiency is characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and intractable diarrhea. Here we report a case of transient acrodermatitis enteropathica in a 2-month-old preterm infant, whose skin is erythematous, scaly, eczematous, with an eruption starting from the periorificial area. While her serum zinc level was normal at 118.2 ug/dL, the serum alkaline phosphatase level was low at 48 IU/L and the serum alkaline phosphatase level get increased concordant with clinical improvement after zinc supplementation. Hence, this case shows that the diagnosis of zinc deficiency can be aided with a low level of serum alkaline phoaphatase although serum zinc level is normal.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to determine the factors that affect the breastfeeding of late preterm infants (gestation age 34⁺⁰~36⁺⁶) in South Korea. Method: A cross-sectional and questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 178 mothers of 209 late preterm infants discharged from a university hospital. We collected data on participants' demographics, breastfeeding-related characteristics and current status of breastfeeding and analyzed them using SPSS. Results: Breastfeeding duration varied significantly according to the number of babies born (t=3.691, p<.001), birth order (F=6.416, p=.002), type of feeding planned (F=8.691, p<.001), planned breastfeeding period(F=24.779, p<.001), previous baby's breastfeeding type(F= 8.510, p<.001), previous baby's breastfeeding duration(F=10.589, p<.001). The mothers with incomes of 3-5 million won a month were less likely to continue breastfeeding than those with incomes over 5 million won (CI: 0.049-0.086: p=0.035). Conclusion: Our results are meaningful in that we revealed that mother's monthly income influenced breastfeeding continuation, first-time mothers and mothers of multiples were at risk of breastfeeding difficulties. Interventions for helping late preterm infants' mothers establish breastfeeding and maintain an adequate milk supply are vital.