Establishment and development of infant gut microbiota

The nascent gut microbiota at birth is established in concert with numerous developmental parameters. Here, in the INFAMTET study, we chronicled the impact of some factors which are key determinants of the infant gut microbiota, namely; mode of birth, gestational age, and type of feeding. We determined that the aggregated microbiota profile of naturally delivered, initially breastfed infants are relatively stable from one week to six months of age and are not significantly altered by increased duration of breastfeeding. Contrastingly, there is significant development of the microbiota profile of C-section delivered infants, and this development is significantly influenced by breastfeeding duration. Preterm infants, born by either mode of birth, initially have a high proportion of Proteobacteria, and demonstrate significant development of the gut microbiota from week 1 to later time-points. The microbiota is still slightly, but significantly, affected by birth mode at one year of age although no specific genera were found to be significantly altered in relative abundance. By two years of age, there is no effect of either birth mode or gestational age. However this does not preclude the possibility that symptoms developed later in life, which are associated with preterm or C-section birth, are as a result of the early perturbation of the neonatal gut microbiota. It is likely that the combination of relatively low exposure (breast fed), high exposure (formula fed) or delayed exposure (C-section and preterm) to specific antigens and the resulting inflammatory responses, in this crucial window of host-microbiota interaction, influence systemic health of the individual throughout life.

Ingestão proteica na infância e risco de obesidade

Trabalho Complementar apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de licenciada em Ciências da Nutrição

Trial for reducing weight retention in new mums: a randomised controlled trial evaluating a low intensity, postpartum weight management programme

BACKGROUND: Failure to return to pregnancy weight by 6 months postpartum is associated with long-term obesity, as well as adverse health outcomes. This research evaluated a postpartum weight management programme for women with a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg m(-2) that combined behaviour change principles and a low-intensity delivery format with postpartum nutrition information. METHODS: Women were randomised at 24-28 weeks to control (supported care; SC) or intervention (enhanced care; EC) groups, stratified by BMI cohort. At 36 weeks of gestation, SC women received a 'nutrition for breastfeeding' resource and EC women received a nutrition assessment and goal-setting session about post-natal nutrition, plus a 6-month correspondence intervention requiring return of self-monitoring sheets. Weight change, anthropometry, diet, physical activity, breastfeeding, fasting glucose and insulin measures were assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent (40 EC and 41 SC) of the 105 women approached were recruited; 36 EC and 35 SC women received a programme and 66.7% and 48.6% completed the study, respectively. No significant differences were observed between any outcomes. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] weight change was EC: -1.1 (9.5) kg versus SC: -1.1 (7.5) kg (6 weeks to 6 months) and EC: +1.0 (8.7) kg versus SC: +2.3 (9) kg (prepregnancy to 6 months). Intervention women breastfed for half a month longer than control women (180 versus 164 days; P = 0.10). An average of 2.3 out of six activity sheets per participant was returned. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low intervention engagement, the high retention rate suggests this remains an area of interest to women. Future strategies must facilitate women's engagement, be individually tailored, and include features that support behaviour change to decrease women's risk of chronic health issues.

2016 West Nile Virus Cases

Most people get infected with West Nile virus by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. In a very small number of cases, West Nile virus has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Recovery from severe disease may take several weeks or months. Some of the neurologic effects may be permanent. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die.

Déterminants biologiques et maternels des problèmes de comportement chez l’enfant inuit d’âge scolaire

Méthodologie: Corrélations de Pearson, Matrice de Raven

Relação precoce mãe-filho. Revisão dos indicadores pós-parto do projeto Maternidade com Qualidade no CHBM-EPE

O aleitamento materno exclusivo é uma recomendação universal e o contacto pele-a-pele mãe/recém-nascido é fator de desenvolvimento para a díade. O trabalho académico desenvolvido centra-se nos indicadores de medida e evidência - amamentação na 1ª hora de vida & contacto pele a pele entre a díade. Tal enraíza-se no projeto Maternidade com Qualidade, da Ordem dos Enfermeiros Portugueses e em curso no Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo EPE. O projeto iniciou-se em setembro de 2015, seguindo-se os procedimentos que se relatam no atual documento. No diagnóstico de situação recolheu-se o estado dos indicadores. A vertente de investigação considerou como amostras profissionais e utentes do Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo e recolheu dados. A intervenção realizada produziu evolução positiva nos indicadores. O bonding em período sensível é reconhecido pelos profissionais como um elemento relevante nos cuidados. Com a implementação deste projeto contribuiu-se para a melhoria da qualidade dos cuidados na área de saúde materna; Mother-Child early relationship. Evaluating postpartum indicators from the Project Maternity with Quality at CHBM-EPE ABSTRACT: Exclusive breastfeeding is a universal recommendation and skin-to-skin mother / newborn is a development factor for the dyad. The academic work focuses on the measurement indicators and evidence - breastfeeding within the 1st hour of life & skin-to-skin between the dyad. This is rooted in the Maternity design with quality, of the Portuguese Nurses and ongoing in-Hospital Center Barreiro Montijo EPE. The project began in September 2015, following the procedures that are reported in the current document. In the situation analysis was collected status indicators. The research strand considers sample practitioners and users Barreiro-Montijo Hospital Center and collects data. The intervention performed produced positive results for these indicators. The bonding in the sensitive period is recognized by professionals as an important element in the care. With the implementation of this project contributed to improving the quality of care in maternal health.

Empoderamento da puérpera para o sucesso no aleitamento materno

São muitas as vantagens do aleitamento materno para a mãe e recém-nascido, havendo consenso de que a sua prática exclusiva deve ser até aos seis meses de vida. A intervenção teve como objetivo empoderar a puérpera para o sucesso no aleitamento materno. Foram aplicados três questionários a duas populações-alvo: um aos enfermeiros do Serviço de Obstetrícia do Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Entidade Pública Empresarial e outros dois às puérperas, que permitiram a recolha de informações sobre os conhecimentos dos enfermeiros acerca das práticas no aleitamento materno e da perceção das puérperas, quanto aos cuidados recebidos durante o internamento. Os resultados apontaram para a necessidade de formação dos enfermeiros sobre o aleitamento materno e a necessidade de empoderamento/acompanhamento no pós-parto. Desenvolveram-se atividades formativas e educacionais, quer para os profissionais, quer para as puérperas. A intervenção profissional revelou-se benéfica para a melhoria contínua dos cuidados de enfermagem na promoção do aleitamento materno exclusivo; EMPOWERMENT OF POSTPARTUM WOMEN FOR SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING ABSTRACT: Breastfeeding presents several advantages to the mother and child, being generally agreed that its practice should be exclusive until six months of age. The goal of this intervention was to empower the puerpera towards breastfeeding success. Three questionnaires were applied to two populations: one to the nurses from the Obstetric Department of the Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Entidade Pública Empresarial and other two to puerperas, which allowed collection of information on the nurses’ knowledge about breastfeeding practices and the puerperas’ perception on received care during hospitalization. The results demonstrated the nurses’ need of training on breastfeeding and the need of empowerment/follow-up during the post-partum period. Educational and training activities, directed to professionals and puerperas, were developed. The professional intervention demonstrated benefits to the improvement of the nursing care in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.