Effects of postnatal environmental tobacco smoke on non-nutritive swallowing-breathing coordination in newborn lambs

While prenatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a well-known risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, the effect of postnatal ETS exposure is less clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of postnatal ETS exposure on non-nutritive swallowing (NNS) and NNS-breathing coordination, which are crucial to prevent aspiration related-cardiorespiratory events. Eighteen newborn lambs (6 per group) were randomly exposed to either 10 cigarettes/day, 20 cigarettes/day or room air for 15 days. Lambs were instrumented for recording states of alertness, swallowing, electrocardiogram and breathing; recordings were performed in non-sedated lambs at the end of ETS exposure. Urinary cotinine/creatinine ratio confirmed relevant real-life exposure. Postnatal ETS exposure had no effect on NNS frequency but tended to decrease inspiratory NNS (p=0.07) during quiet sleep. No effect on respiratory or heart rate (p>0.6), apnea index (p=0.2) or sleep states (p=0.3) was observed. In conclusion, postnatal ETS exposure in lambs had only mild effects on NNS-breathing coordination

Effects of reflux laryngitis on non-nutritive swallowing in newborn lambs

Reflux laryngitis in infants may be involved not only in laryngeal disorders, but also in disorders of cardiorespiratory control through its impact on laryngeal function. Our objective was to study the effect of reflux laryngitis on non-nutritive swallowing (NNS) and NNS-breathing coordination. Two groups of six newborn lambs, randomized into laryngitis and control groups, were surgically instrumented for recording states of alertness, swallowing and cardiorespiratory variables without sedation. A mild to moderate reflux laryngitis was induced in lambs from the experimental group. A significant decrease in the number of NNS bursts and apneas was observed in the laryngitis group in active sleep (p=0.03). In addition, lower heart and respiratory rates, as well as prolonged apnea duration (p<0.0001) were observed. No physiologically significant alterations in NNS-breathing coordination were observed in the laryngitis group. We conclude that a mild to moderate reflux laryngitis alters NNS burst frequency and autonomous control of cardiac activity and respiration in lambs

Histoire des Amériques : "Nous venons en paix..."

"The tone is set in this ambitious publication’s title, “We Come in Peace” : a pronouncement that embodies a cruel irony of historical, ethical and political proportions. Seventeen artists from throughout the Americas and of Native, African and European ancestries demonstrate the persistence of history as a source of inspiration and an object of interrogation. The breadth of national, racial and linguistic representation ensures that the narratives revealed are marked by a multiplication of accounts, an examination of types and stereotypes and a presence of facts and individuals erased or decontextualized by an official History." -- Publisher's website

Expectant Parents’ Understanding of the Implications and Management of Fever in the Neonate

<div><p>Objective</p><p>We estimated the extent to which Canadian expectant parents would seek medical care in a febrile neonate (age 30 days or less). We also evaluated expectant parents’ knowledge of signs and symptoms of fever in a neonate, and explored the actions Canadian expectant parents would take to optimize the health of their child.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a sample of expectant parents from a large urban center in Canada. We recruited participants from waiting rooms in an obstetrical ultrasound clinic located in an urban tertiary care hospital in Montreal, Canada. We asked participants nine questions about fever in neonates including if, and how, they would seek care for their neonate if they suspected he/she were febrile.</p><p>Results</p><p>Among the 355 respondents, (response rate 87%) we found that 75% of parents reported that they would take their febrile neonate for immediate medical assessment, with nearly one fifth of the sample reporting that they would not seek medical care. We found no significant associations between the choice to seek medical care and expectant parents socio-demographic characteristics.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Despite universal access to high quality health care in Canada, our study highlights concerning gaps in the knowledge of the care of the febrile infant in one fifth of expectant parents. Physicians and health providers should strive to provide early education to expectant parents about how to recognize signs of fever in the neonate and how best to seek medical care. This may improve neonatal health outcomes in Canada.</p></div

Associations between socio-demographics and knowledge of whether to take febrile neonate to seek medical care.

<p>* Dollars reported in Canadian Dollars; OR = Odds Ratio, CI- Confidence Interval, Ref = referent group.</p><p>Associations between socio-demographics and knowledge of whether to take febrile neonate to seek medical care.</p

Actions expectant parents reported that they would take if they suspected fever in their neonate (n = 355).

<p>*Info-Santé is a Quebec health information phone hotline; MD = medical doctor.</p><p>Actions expectant parents reported that they would take if they suspected fever in their neonate (n = 355).</p

Survey response.

<p>Survey response.</p