A randomized controlled study about the use of eHealth in the home health care of premature infants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One area where the use of information and communication technology (ICT), or eHealth, could be developed is the home health care of premature infants. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate whether the use of video conferencing or a web application improves parents’ satisfaction in taking care of a premature infant at home and decreases the need of home visits. In addition, nurses’ attitudes regarding the use of these tools were examined.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Thirty-four families were randomized to one of three groups before their premature infant was discharged from the hospital to home health care: a control group receiving standard home health care (13 families); a web group receiving home health care supplemented with the use of a web application (12 families); a video group with home health care supplemented with video conferencing using Skype (9 families). Families and nursing staff answered questionnaires about the usefulness of ICT. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 families.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the parents in the web group found the web application easy to use. 83% of the families thought it was good to have access to their child’s data through the application. All the families in the video group found Skype easy to use and were satisfied with the video calls. 88% of the families thought that video calls were better than ordinary phone calls. 33% of the families in the web group and 75% of those in the video group thought the need for home visits was decreased by the web application or Skype. 50% of the families in the web group and 100% of those in the video group thought the web application or the video calls had helped them feel more confident in caring for their child. Most of the nurses were motivated to use ICT but some were reluctant and avoided using the web application and video conferencing.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The families were satisfied with both the web application and video conferencing. The families readily embraced the use of ICT, whereas motivating some of the nurses to accept and use ICT was a major challenge.</p

Histopathological Changes of the Heart After Neonatal Dexamethasone Treatment:Studies in 4-, 8-, and 50-Week-Old Rats

Dexamethasone (Dex), for prevention of chronic lung disease in preterm infants, showed potential negative long-term effects. Studies regarding long-term cardiovascular effects are lacking. We investigated possible histopathological myocardial changes after neonatal Dex in the young and adult rat heart. Rats were treated with Dex on d 1, 2, and 3 (0.5, 0.3, and 0. 1 mg/ka) of life. Control-pups received saline. At 4, 8, and 50 wk after birth rats were killed and anatomic data collected. Heart tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Cadherin-periodic acid schiff, and sirius red for cardiomyocyte morphometry and collagen determination. Presence of macrophages and mast cells was analyzed. Cardiomyocyte length of the Dex-treated rats was increased in all three age groups, whereas ventricular weight was reduced. Cardiomyocyte volumes were increased at 50 wk indicating cellular hypertrophy. Collagen content gradually increased with age and was 62% higher in Dex rats at 50 wk. Macrophage focus score and mast cell count were also higher. Neonatal Dex affects normal heart growth resulting in cellular hypertrophy and increased collagen deposition in the adult rat heart. Because previous studies in rats showed premature death, suggesting cardiac failure, cardiovascular follow-Lip of preterm infants treated with glucocorticoids should be considered. (Pediatr Res 66: 74-79, 2009