The studies reported on in this thesis addressed the development of suckingpatterns in preterm newborns. Preterm infants often have problems learningto suckle at the breast or to drink from a bottle. It is unclear whether this isdue to their preterm birth or whether it is the consequence of neurologicaldamage. From the literature, as well as from daily practice, we know thatthere is much variation in the time and in the way children start suckingnormally. Factors such as birth weight and gestational age may indeed berisk factors but they do not explain the differences in development. A smallspot-check proved that most hospitals in the Netherlands start infants onoral feeding by 34 weeks’ post-menstrual age (pma). By and large the policyis aimed at getting the infant to rely on oral feeding entirely as soon aspossible. The underlying rationale is to reduce the stay in hospital, and theidea that prolonged tube-feeding delays or even hampers the development ofsucking.
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Infants attend daycare at an early age, which raises questions about children's sensitivity to the childcare environment and the role of different temperamental traits in their development in the early years. In a two-year longitudinal study with parent- and caregiver-reported data for Dutch children at the age of 1 and 2 years (120 children from 92 groups), we explored fine-grained dimensions of negative affect and their relationship with socio-emotional functioning. Especially shyness, frustration and soothability proved robust predictors of socio-emotional development across parent- and caregiver-reported data with both concurrent (Year-1) and predictive associations (Year-2). Also, the quality of caregiver–child interactions moderated caregiver-reported child wellbeing and competence. Infants that are open to social contacts, are easy to comfort and have low levels of frustration, and have higher levels of wellbeing and less problem behaviour in early daycare than peers with higher levels of shyness and frustration and relatively low levels of soothability.
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Background and aim: Moderate preterm (MP) birth is associated with an increased risk of developmental problems. However, post-discharge support for this group is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a post-discharge parenting program (TOP program) for MP infants. Three feasibility dimensions were evaluated (1) recruitment capability and compliance, (2) intervention acceptability, and (3) limited efficacy testing. Methods: A group of MP infants with a gestational age (GA) between 320/7‐346/7 weeks and their parents received six home visits by a TOP interventionist until 6 months corrected age (CA). A pre-posttest intervention design with quantitative and qualitative measures was used. Recruitment capability and compliance, acceptability, and satisfaction with the intervention were evaluated using a questionnaire, checklists, interviews, and a focus group. Infant socio-emotional development, parental distress, self-efficacy, and reflective functioning were measured with questionnaires. Observation measurements were used for infant motor development and parental sensitivity. Results: Thirty-two families completed the six home visits. The satisfaction rate (scale 0–10) was remarkably high (Mean 9.4, range: 8–10). Parents reported that the program was suitable, enhanced their understanding of their infants' developmental needs, and increased their self-efficacy. The infants showed age-appropriate motor and socio-emotional development post-intervention. Parental self-efficacy, reflective functioning, and sensitivity improved from pre to post intervention, with small to large effect sizes. Conclusion: The study demonstrated high compliance, acceptability, and satisfaction with the TOP program for MP infants with promising infant and parent outcomes. This study contributes to the preparatory work prior to a larger scale evaluation and dissemination.
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Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a common and severe pregnancy complication and is associated with substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality in mothers and infants. The disease is often characterized by a non-specific presentation which makes it challenging for physician to diagnose PE during regular pregnancy check-ups. To date, there are no diagnostic tests on the market for detection of PE early in pregnancy (first trimester). In this project, we will develop a platform to sensitively analyse calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) which will unlock the full potential of CBPs as predictive PE markers. The technology will also be applicable for other diseases (e.g., dementia and cancer) where CBPs are also known to play a key role in disease pathophysiology. We will develop with phage display antibodies that can recognize calcium binding to specific motifs in proteins. To this end we will synthesize peptide motifs with and without calcium to select antibodies that are specific for calcium bound proteins. These antibodies will be validated for their clinical use. For this goal we will use serum samples from the Improved studie (EU subsidised study) to determine if we can recognize pre-eclampsia in a very early stage. This knowledge can lead to a better treatment of pregnant women suffering from this disease and also will probably increase the well-being for the baby born and the development further in life.
Het Godivapp Applied in Pediatric Primary care (GoAPP) project ontwikkelt, onderzoekt en realiseert de implementatie van een e-health applicatie voor uitwisseling van videomateriaal in zelfstandige praktijken (MKB) in de eerstelijnsgezondheidszorg. Voor een goede analyse van bewegingsproblemen bij baby?s uit risicogroepen is het van belang de motorische ontwikkeling te meten en te volgen in de tijd. Kinderfysiotherapeuten gebruiken hiervoor een observatie-instrument, de Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). In 2014 en 2015 heeft de GODIVA-onderzoeksgroep (GrOss motor Development of Infants using home Video registration with the AIMS) van Hogeschool Utrecht een methode ontworpen, waarbij de ontwikkeling gevolgd kan worden aan de hand van video?s gemaakt door ouders. De methode wordt door professionals gezien als een aanvulling op bestaande methoden, die het monitoring van kinderen doelmatiger en transparanter maakt. De methode past uitstekend in de huidige e-health ontwikkeling en zelfmanagement/empowerment van ouders. Voor research met de videomethode is een prototype applicatie ontwikkeld waarmee op veilige wijze de filmbeelden verstuurd kunnen worden en opgeslagen. Het prototype is nog niet geschikt voor gebruik binnen de beroepspraktijk. Eerstelijns Kinderfysiotherapiepraktijken zouden graag de applicatie gebruiken. Zij verwachten dat het een waardevolle uitbreiding is van hun mogelijkheden en een kans om als praktijk te innoveren. Zij zien, als zelfstandige ondernemers, echter ook belemmeringen, zoals ICT-ondersteuning en een passende tarifering van een videoconsult. Voor deze kleine bedrijven spelen ook betaalbaarheid en gebruiksgemak een essentiële rol. Binnen GoAPP zijn vijf perspectieven voor innovatie en implementatie van e-health bij elkaar gebracht: eindgebruikers, zorginhoudelijk, harde technologie, zachte technologie en bedrijfskundig perspectief. Georganiseerd rondom drie werkpakketten wordt interdisciplinair onderzoek gedaan naar (1) optimalisatie van het videoportal, (2) implementatie, en (3) bedrijfskundige haalbaarheid, via ontwerpgericht onderzoek, literatuuronderzoek, implementatieanalyse en business-case onderzoek. Een vierde werkpakket richt zich op doorgroei van het netwerk kinderfysiotherapeuten naar een Community of Practice. Doel: Een innovatieve videomethode voor het observeren van de motoriek van zuigelingen, geschikt voor eerstelijnspraktijken kinderfysiotherapie, met een passend implementatieplan en business modelling.
