Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Parental Safe Sleep Knowledge And Infant Safe Sleep Practices In Tidewater, Virginia, Karen Hancock, Kathie Zimbrow, Carolyn Rutledge

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Tidewater, VA has the highest SIDS rate in the state. The purpose of this submission is to contribute to the limited knowledge available on parental knowledge and infant safe sleep practices in Tidewater, VA. Through this study we have attempted to identify impediments to infant safe sleep practices and hope to use this information to address gaps in education on infant safe sleep practices.

This abstract will be presented in poster presentation form and is appropriate for the following categories: Maternal, Child, and Neonatal Nursing as well as Public Health and Community Nursing.

Contributions to this work were made by …

Eeg Signatures Of Motor Development In Early Childhood: A Systematic Review, Sonia Khurana, Ashwini Kulkarni, Thomas C. Bulea, Hunter J. Bennett

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Early identification of motor developmental disorders is limited due to lack of objective neural markers that characterize typical neurodevelopmental patterns. This systematic review interprets and synthesizes existing evidence to propose a framework of EEG signatures associated with motor development in children aged 0-5 years, which may help inform future benchmarks for early assessment and intervention.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched published and gray literature across five databases between 2000 and 2025 (registered protocol). Included studies examined EEG during task-based, resting-state, or sleep studies linked to motor milestones, task performance, or standardized motor assessments. Study quality was assessed using …

Feeding Mode Is Associated With Infant Night Sleep Trajectories During The First Postnatal Year, Magdalena Olson, Li Liu, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Dean V. Coonrod, Sarada S. Panchanathan, Megan E. Petrov, Corrie M. Whisner

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Short sleep and formula feeding during infancy are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. Feeding practices and sleep arrangements vary during infancy and may also be dynamic, yet their impact on infant night sleep duration remains unclear. Understanding these relationships is crucial for formulating recommendations to support breastfeeding and address sleep concerns. Objective: We examined the association between feeding mode and parent-reported infant night sleep duration during the first postnatal year, while additionally evaluating night-weaning and bedsharing as contextual sleep-related practices. Methods: Infants in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (n = 193) were followed up at 3, 8, 13, …

Quantification Of Illicit And Prescription Drug Residues In Pasteurized Donor Human Milk: A Comprehensive Analytical Approach, Michelle Brenner, Kaytlin Krutsch, Ashlynn Baker, Dhavalkumar Patel, Palika Datta

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Objective

To assess the risk of infant exposure to illicit and prescription drug residues, from infant-ready, pooled, pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) provided by healthy, screened, voluntary non-remunerated donors to a not-for-profit milk bank.

Study Design

A total of 150 pooled samples, representing 742 donor contributions, were analyzed for 15 illicit and prescription drug analytes using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Detected concentrations were evaluated for clinical significance.

Result

All 150 PDHM samples tested negative for residues of marijuana, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine. Three samples (2%) contained trace amounts of oxycodone (< 0.6 parts per billion), yielding exposures over 455 times lower than established standards for infant safety (Relative Infant Dose: < 0.022%; standard safety threshold 10%).

Conclusion

Comprehensive analysis detected no clinically …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained ∼2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS buffer, MNs …

Proof-Of-Concept Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of A Microarray Patch Platform For Codelivery Of Multiple Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies For Hiv Prevention, M. Melissa Peet, Vivek Agrahari, Parbeen Singh, Lam Luong Hoai Nguyen, Louise A. Ouattara, Eun Sung Yang, Carolina Herrera, Amarendra Pegu, Theodore C. Pierson, Thanh D. Nguyen, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are advancing as a preventative or treatment option for HIV infection, but currently must be administered parenterally, typically as a large injection or infusion, an invasive method of delivery, especially for the pediatric population. Here, we present proof-of-concept data on a minimally invasive microneedle (MN) patch platform codelivering three bnAbs, PGT121, VRC07-523LS, and PGDM1400LS, from separate MN patch units or pixels. Each 1 cm² patch pixel, fabricated via solvent casting, contained similar to 2 mg of one bnAb. In ex vivo porcine skin tests, the MNs effectively penetrated the skin. When tested in vitro in PBS …

Seasonal And Geographic Patterns Of Gastroschisis In Canada: Protective Effect Of Periconceptional Sunlight Exposure, Shiliang Liu, Shin Jie Yong, Dunjin Chen, Gavin C. Hughes, Claude L. Hughes

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Gastroschisis is a right-sided, full-thickness defect with extra-amnionic herniation of abdominal contents directly into the amniotic cavity. The causes of gastroschisis remain obscure. We hypothesized that limited periconceptional sunlight exposure might lead to insufficient vitamin D during fetal development and play a role in gastroschisis etiology.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study of infants conceived in Canada between April 2006 and March 2020. We used winter months (i.e., November and December) and northern geographic latitudes as indicators of insufficient sunlight exposure, while summer months (July and August) and southern geographic latitudes were considered as reference. We examined the …

Early Parenting Stress And Later Abuse Risk: Dyadic Analysis Of Mediation By Maternal And Paternal Negative Attributions, Jewelian N. Fairchild, Christina M. Rodriguez

Psychology Faculty Publications

Predicting the likelihood parents will become physically abusive towards their children remains a high priority. Early parenting stress may increase the extent to which parents negatively appraise their children's behaviours, which in turn may influence their abuse risk. This study explored whether parental negative attributions mediated the association between early parenting stress and later abuse risk. A sample of 186 first-time mothers and 146 of their male partners reported on their parenting stress when infants were 6 months old and their negative attributions regarding child behaviours at 18 months. Parents' child abuse risk was assessed at age four using two …

Traditional And Non-Traditional Behavioral Tests Demonstrate The Attenuation Of Cognitive Deficits By Therapeutic Hypothermia In A Rat Model Of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, Angela Saadat, Cortney Kaszowski, Haree Pallera, Frank Lattanzio, Richard A. Britten, Asna Sulaiman, Stephanie Newman, Alireza Hosseini, Tushar Shah

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Introduction: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is neurological disease caused by the deprivation of oxygen and blood flow to the brain during the developmentally-critical perinatal period. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard of care treatment for HIE, though cognitive deficits can persistent throughout life despite treatment. The nature of these deficits, and the impacts of TH and sex are not well understood, and this presents a key barrier in the development of novel therapeutics.

Methods: The goal of this study was to enhance the characterization and measurement of cognitive outcomes with tasks that measure spontaneous behaviors in a rodent models of …

Methodological And Clinical Concerns In The Study On Postpartum Hypertension Management, Takaki Tanamoto, Kyosuke Kamijo, Yusuke Tsutsumi, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] We read with interest the recent study by Rosenfeld et al.¹ However, we have several clinical and methodological concerns about this study.¹

First, this study's propensity score matching (PSM) lacked key clinical confounders, including perinatal risk factors and the highest systolic/diastolic blood pressures. Smoking, alcohol use, and multifetal gestation, which influence blood pressure during pregnancy,²,³ potentially affect both primary and secondary outcomes. Additionally, the authors did not report standardized mean differences before and after PSM, which are essential for assessing balance.⁴

Effectiveness And Safety Of Intravenous Iron Therapy In Outpatient Obstetrical Clinic For Treatment Of Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy, Ellen M. Murrin, Olivia S. Lebeau, Lillian Singer, Mark A. Kassab, Peyton Kalan, Julie Costanzo, Scott A. Sullivan, George L. Maxwell, George R. Saade, Antonio F. Saad

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) affects over one-third of pregnant patients globally, contributing to severe maternal morbidity and adverse neonatal outcomes. Oral iron supplementation, while cost-effective, is limited by poor absorption, significant gastrointestinal side effects, and poor adherence. The use of intravenous (IV) iron addresses many of these concerns, including eliminating GI side effects and the need for daily therapy. However, administration of IV iron in pregnant patients is typically restricted to specialized infusion centers or hospitals due to concerns about acute side effects, cost, resource utilization, the need for fetal heart rate monitoring, and extended infusion times.

Methods

This descriptive …

The Efficacy Of Physical Activity Or Exercise Among Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review Of Systematic Reviews, Majed M. Alhumaid, Faris Yahya I. Asiri, Mohamed A. Said, Justin A. Haegele

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.

Methods

Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic …

Virtual Home Visits During Covid-19 Pandemic: Mothers' And Home Visitors' Perspectives, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Michele A. Kekeh, Stephanie Ewers, Amy L. Prusinski, Kimberly J. Alombro, Nancy Welch

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

The experiences of mothers enrolled in Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program with virtual home visiting (VHV) during the pandemic remain mostly unknown. This study aimed to describe in detail the experience of home visitors and mothers with VHV during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a prerequisite for guiding future efforts to optimize MIECHV services that are provided through virtual operation.

Methods

Focus groups discussion were conducted with home visitors (n = 13) and mothers (n = 30) who were enrolled in BabyCare program in Virginia from January 2019 to June 2022. This included mothers who received …

My Baby, My Move+: Feasibility Of A Community Prenatal Wellbeing Intervention, Jenn A. Leiferman, Rachael Lacy, Jessica Walls, Charlotte V. Farewell, Mary K. Dinger, Danielle Symons Downs, Sarah S. Farrabi, Jennifer L. Huberty, James F. Paulson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG), insufficient prenatal physical activity and sleep, and poor psychological wellbeing independently increase risks for adverse maternal and infant outcomes. A novel approach to mitigate these risks is utilizing peer support in a community-based prenatal intervention. This study assessed the feasibility (acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality) of a remotely delivered prenatal physical activity intervention called My Baby, My Move + (MBMM +) that aims to increase prenatal physical activity, enhance mood and sleep hygiene, and reduce EGWG.

Methods

Participants were recruited through community organizations, local clinics, and social media platforms in the Fall of 2020 …

Prenatal Perception Of Wic Breastfeeding Recommendation Predicts Breastfeeding Outcomes In Infant's First Year, Joanne Guthrie, Qi Zhang, Kelin Li, Kathryn Wouk, Rajan Lamichhane

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives

Promoting breastfeeding (BF) is a priority of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Prior research found that pregnant mothers who believed WIC recommends BF only (versus BF and formula equally OK) were more likely to initiate BF and continue through 1 month postpartum. We examine whether such mothers are more likely to continue to exclusively BF through 5 months and BF at all through the infant's first year. Methods

Data are from the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (ITFPS-2), a longitudinal study that includes 2,649 mothers who completed prenatal interviews. Four BF …

Maternal Depression Trajectories And Child Bmi In A Multi-Ethnic Sample: A Latent Growth Modeling Analysis, Charlotte V. Farewell, Ryley Donohoe, Zaneta Thayer, James Paulson, Jacinda Nicklas, Caroline Walker, Karen Waldie, Jenn A. Leiferman

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression impacts approximately 12% of mothers. Perinatal depression can impact everyday functioning for mothers, and the relationship with, and development of, their children. The purpose of this study was to investigate depression trajectories from the antenatal period through 54-months postpartum and associations with child body mass index at 54-months postpartum.

Methods

This study applied latent growth modeling to the Growing Up in New Zealand study, which is a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study that provides nationally representative-level data, to investigate associations between depression at three time points (antenatal, 9-months postpartum, 54-months postpartum) and child body mass …

Fetal Myocardial Performance Index In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy: Feasibility And Reproducibility Of Conventional Spectral Doppler Versus Spectral Tissue Doppler Technique, Lea M. Porche, Elena Sinkovskaya, Rachel D. Seaman, Hadiza I. Galadima, Letty Romary, Jennifer Philips, Alfred Abuhamad,

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objective: This study aims to compare completion rates and reproducibility of myocardial performance index (MPI) using conventional spectral Doppler versus tissue Doppler in an unselected high-risk third trimester population.

Study Design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of high-risk pregnancies at ≥28 + 0 weeks’ gestation. Conventional spectral and tissue Doppler MPI of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) was attempted on all patients.

Results: Seventy-nine pregnancies were evaluated. LV tissue Doppler MPI was completed more frequently than LV conventional spectral Doppler MPI (63/79, 79.7% vs. 45/79, 55.7%), p-value

Conclusion: Tissue Doppler had statistically higher completion rates than …

Comparison Of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners' And Pediatric Residents' Care Of Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants, M. Gary Karlowicz, Jennifer L. Mcmurray

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective: To compare outcomes and charges of health care delivery to extremely low-birth-weight infants by neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP) and pediatric residents.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A 56-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a university teaching hospital.

Methods: Study population included all infants with birth weights less than 1000 g who were admitted to the NICU during the 2-year period between September 1, 1994, and August 31, 1996. Infants who died earlier than 12 hours of age, or who were admitted after 1 week of age or with major malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, or congenital infections were excluded. There …

Problems And Coping Styles Of Antepartal Patients Being Treated For Risk Of Preterm Labor, Janet Wiehrs Rogers

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the range of problems and coping strategies as perceived by antepartal patients experiencing medical treatment to decrease risk of preterm labor. In this qualitative, interpretive study problems and coping strategies were identified through semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of seven antepartal patients. Using content analysis of interview data, identified problems were categorized, and for each problem, coping strategies were identified and grouped using the categories of the Jalowiec Coping Scale. Major categories of problems were: bedrest, role change, finances, uncomfortable emotions, and reactions of families and friends. Supportant, palliative, and confrontive …

An Explanatory Study Of Maternal Stress And Coping With A Cystic Fibrosis Child, Leslie G. Potter

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of coping with a cystic fibrosis (CF) child and to define coping strategies from the perspective of the mother. The research design was based upon a phenomenological approach with analysis of transcribed, semi-structured interviews with mothers of CF children. A purposive sample of eight mothers with CF children were interviewed to explore the maternal CF experience. Each interview was tape recorded and followed up with a phone call to allow the mothers to add additional information, if so desired. Data analysis consisted of reviewing each typed, verbatim transcript to categorize …

Pre-Natal Learning Needs Perceptions Of Expectant Parents And Childhood Educators, Cynthia Divens Sweeney

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between the unique learning needs of expectant parents and those perceived by childbirth educators. A purposive sample of 40 expectant parents and ten childbirth educators completed the Expectant Parents Learning Needs Tool (EPLNT) and a demographic inventory developed by the researcher. Subjects were classified into five groups based on their status as first-time fathers, repeat fathers, first-time mothers, repeat mothers, and childbirth educators. Data were analyzed using t-tests for independent samples and an ANOVA for group differences. The results showed significant differences in the learning needs between the expectant parents …

Pregravid Weight, Prenatal Weight Gain And Maternal Age As Risk Factors In Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Development, Maryellen C. Remich

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study examined whether the factors of pregravid weight, total prenatal weight gain at twenty-eight weeks and maternal age correlated with the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the third trimester. An ex post facto chart review of low risk primigravidas attending a public health maternity clinic was performed. A multiple regression correlation procedure demonstrated no significant correlation between the variables. Significant results of Chi-sguare tests of independence were demonstrated between low maternal age and pregnancy-induced hypertension development and between the failure of the mean arterial pressure to decrease in the second trimester and the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the …

The Influence Of Lamaze Classes And Delivery Room Presence On Paternal Attachment Behavior, Cherie Sammis-Gonzales

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the significance of attendance of Lamaze classes and(or presence in the delivery room on paternal attachment behaviors. Seventeen white, first-time fathers, ages 20 to 35, were observed in the mother's hospital room within 72 hours of birth using a modified paternal attachment tool. The behaviors observed included verbalization, inspection, holding, en face, smiling, and tactile response. Observations were scored on 30-second intervals for a total of 15 minutes. Fathers were then placed into one of the following groups: Group I (n 10) — Fathers from Lamaze classes and present in the delivery …