2024
98 The Crosstalk between Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants with Pain/Stress in the NICU
Zhao T, Chang X, Biswas S, Balsbaugh J, Liddle J, Chen M, Matson A, Cong X. 98 The Crosstalk between Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants with Pain/Stress in the NICU. Journal Of Clinical And Translational Science 2024, 8: 27-27. PMCID: PMC11023861, DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.96.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScalePreterm premature rupture of membranesPost-menstrual agePreterm infantsNeurodevelopmental outcomesNeurobehavioral outcomesAssociated with neurobehavioral outcomesNNNS summary scoresPremature rupture of membranesWeeks post-menstrual ageAssociated with neurodevelopmental outcomesPreterm premature ruptureRupture of membranesAssociated with protein levelsProspective cohort studyMitochondrial dysfunctionNICU hospitalizationNeurobehavioral ScaleClinical characteristicsPretermEpithelial barrierCohort studyReceptor binding activityNICUInfantsPain/Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants
Zhao T, Chang X, Biswas S, Balsbaugh J, Liddle J, Chen M, Matson A, Alder N, Cong X. Pain/Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants. Developmental Neuroscience 2024, 46: 1-11. PMID: 38286121, PMCID: PMC11284246, DOI: 10.1159/000536509.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm premature rupture of membranesNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScalePost-menstrual ageNeurodevelopmental outcomesPreterm infantsNeurobehavioral outcomesNeonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral ScaleNeonatal intensive care unit hospitalizationPremature rupture of membranesWeeks post-menstrual agePreterm premature ruptureRupture of membranesAssociated with neurobehavioral outcomesAssociated with protein levelsAdverse neurodevelopmental outcomesBuccal swabsOptimal neurodevelopmental outcomesProspective cohort studyIntensive care unitEvaluate protein expression levelsNeurobehavioral ScaleClinical characteristicsPretermMitochondrial function-related proteins
2023
Health disparities in preterm births
Brown J, Chang X, Matson A, Lainwala S, Chen M, Cong X, Casavant S. Health disparities in preterm births. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1275776. PMID: 38162611, PMCID: PMC10757361, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1275776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm birth rateNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsPreterm birthNon-Hispanic white (WNeonatal Infant Stressor ScaleBirth rateClinical treatment informationHealth disparitiesImprove social determinants of healthIntensive care unitSocial determinants of healthOutcome inequalityDeterminants of healthImprove social determinantsElectronic health recordsNeurodevelopmental outcomesPretermHospital stayAdverse health outcomesAnthropometric measurementsLifesaving procedureLife course approachCross-sectional analysisCare unitThe Impact of Early Life Experiences and Gut Microbiota on Neurobehavioral Development in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Chen J, Li H, Zhao T, Chen K, Chen M, Sun Z, Xu W, Maas K, Lester B, Cong X. The Impact of Early Life Experiences and Gut Microbiota on Neurobehavioral Development in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Microorganisms 2023, 11: 814. PMID: 36985387, PMCID: PMC10056840, DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030814.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeonatal intensive care unitNeonatal neurobehavioral scaleNeonatal intensive care unit hospitalizationOperational taxonomic unitsPreterm infantsPost-menstrual ageNeurobehavioral developmentGut microbiotaNeonatal intensive care unit admissionWeeks of post-menstrual ageFifty-five infantsDaily stool samplesIntensive care unitLongitudinal cohort studyImpact of early life experiencesNeurobehavioral ScalePretermPostnatal dayClinical featuresCohort studyEarly life experiencesStool samplesCare unitNeurobehavioral outcomesInfants
2022
Associations of Mitochondrial Function, Stress, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Early Life: A Systematic Review
Zhao T, Alder N, Starkweather A, Chen M, Matson A, Xu W, Balsbaugh J, Cong X. Associations of Mitochondrial Function, Stress, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Early Life: A Systematic Review. Developmental Neuroscience 2022, 44: 438-454. PMID: 35995037, PMCID: PMC9928905, DOI: 10.1159/000526491.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeurodevelopmental outcomesPreterm infantsEarly life stressPostnatal stressSystematic reviewInfluence neurodevelopmental outcomesMitochondrial function/dysfunctionEarly lifeAssociated with stress exposurePreferred Reporting ItemsFull-termPrimary research articlesBIOSIS databasesInfluence of biological sexLife stressLack of longitudinal dataInfant stressInfantsReporting ItemsPretermInvasive samplingOutcomesStress exposureBehavioral changesFunction/dysfunctionEarly-life factors associated with neurobehavioral outcomes in preterm infants during NICU hospitalization
Zhao T, Griffith T, Zhang Y, Li H, Hussain N, Lester B, Cong X. Early-life factors associated with neurobehavioral outcomes in preterm infants during NICU hospitalization. Pediatric Research 2022, 92: 1695-1704. PMID: 35338349, PMCID: PMC9509490, DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02021-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal Infant Stressor ScalePreterm infantsNeurobehavioral outcomesBreastmilk intakeGestational ageNICU hospitalizationMaternal breastmilkAssociated with increasing GADay of NICU hospitalizationWeeks post-menstrual ageNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScalePoorer quality of movementOlder gestational agePost-menstrual ageMethodsA prospective cohort studyNISS scoresInfant neurobehavioral outcomesProspective cohort studyDays of lifeConclusionsPreterm infantsGA infantsYounger GAPain/stressNeurobehavioral ScalePreterm
2021
Multi-Omics Analysis on Neurodevelopment in Preterm Neonates
Casavant S, Chen J, Xu W, Lainwala S, Matson A, Chen M, Starkweather A, Maas K, Cong X. Multi-Omics Analysis on Neurodevelopment in Preterm Neonates. Nursing Research 2021, 70: 462-468. PMID: 34380978, PMCID: PMC8563389, DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000548.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm infantsIntensive care unitNecrotizing enterocolitisFeeding intoleranceNeurodevelopmental impairmentNeonatal intensive care unit periodAdverse outcomesHost genetic variationIntestinal microbiomePreterm infants born <Care unitNeonatal intensive care unitInfants born <Weeks gestational ageGut microbiomeIntensive care unit periodFollow-up visitRegulation of intestinal healthPreterm neonatesGestational agePotential adverse outcomesNeurodevelopmental outcomesPain sensitivityPretermMulti-omics analysisPilot Study of Absolute Telomere Lengths in Preterm Infants
Casavant S, Li H, Reese B, Chen M, Cong X. Pilot Study of Absolute Telomere Lengths in Preterm Infants. Nursing Research 2021, 70: 481-486. PMID: 34173371, PMCID: PMC8563375, DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsSample of preterm infantsAbsolute telomere lengthIncreased risk of neurodevelopmental disordersTelomere lengthAssociated with epigenetic alterationsRisk of neurodevelopmental disordersAssociated with painIntensive care unitPreterm infant samplesTime of dischargeBorn pretermInfant demographicsStudy of adultsAntibiotic usePretermPolymerase chain reactionPilot studyQuantitative polymerase chain reactionIncreased riskPainful proceduresShorter telomere lengthCare unitEpigenetic alterations
2020
Log-contrast regression with functional compositional predictors: Linking preterm infants’ gut microbiome trajectories to neurobehavioral outcome
Sun Z, Xu W, Cong X, Li G, Chen K. Log-contrast regression with functional compositional predictors: Linking preterm infants’ gut microbiome trajectories to neurobehavioral outcome. The Annals Of Applied Statistics 2020, 14: 1535-1556. PMID: 34163544, PMCID: PMC8218926, DOI: 10.1214/20-aoas1357.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsNeurobehavioral outcomesPreterm infant studyWeeks of post-menstrual ageVery preterm neonatesPost-menstrual ageIntensive care unitInfant studiesMicrobiome markersIdentified microbiome markersStressful early life experiencesBrain-gut axisPreterm neonatesPostnatal ageInfant fecal samplesPretermInfant neurodevelopmentInfant's first monthCare unitPostnatal stagesInfantsGut microbiome compositionEstimated time dynamicsFirst month
2019
Breastfeeding experiences and perspectives on support among Chinese mothers separated from their hospitalized preterm infants: a qualitative study
Yang Y, Brandon D, Lu H, Cong X. Breastfeeding experiences and perspectives on support among Chinese mothers separated from their hospitalized preterm infants: a qualitative study. International Breastfeeding Journal 2019, 14: 45. PMID: 31695726, PMCID: PMC6824106, DOI: 10.1186/s13006-019-0242-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsHospitalized preterm infantsMothers of preterm infantsMaternal-infant separationHigh-risk infantsExpressed breast milkIntensive care unitBreastfeeding experienceMother-infant attachmentCare unitBreast milkInfantsBreastfeedingMilk supplyPretermDescriptive studyMothersConclusionsThe studyMethodsA qualitative descriptive studyChinese mothersHealth professional supportNeonatesDifficulties mothersBabiesAssociations between preterm infant stress, epigenetic alteration, telomere length and neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review
Casavant S, Cong X, Moore J, Starkweather A. Associations between preterm infant stress, epigenetic alteration, telomere length and neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review. Early Human Development 2019, 131: 63-74. PMID: 30870624, DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.03.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAngiomotinsBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorEpigenesis, GeneticHumansInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureInsulin-Like Growth Factor IIIntensive Care Units, NeonatalIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsMembrane ProteinsMicrofilament ProteinsNeurodevelopmental DisordersNF-KappaB Inhibitor alphaReceptors, GlucocorticoidStress, PhysiologicalTacrolimus Binding ProteinsTelomereConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsEpigenetic alterationsAssociated with increased riskLong-term outcome measuresTelomere erosionIntensive care unitBorn pretermTelomere lengthPreterm birthNeurodevelopmental outcomesPretermDisease entityPainful proceduresCare unitPreferred Reporting ItemsInfant stressHuman studiesLife-saving careTherapeutic interventionsOutcome measuresPsychiatric diseasesEarly detectionSystematic reviewReporting ItemsAllostatic Load and Biomarkers of Stress in the Preterm Infant: An Integrative Review
Casavant S, Cong X, Fitch R, Moore J, Rosenkrantz T, Starkweather A. Allostatic Load and Biomarkers of Stress in the Preterm Infant: An Integrative Review. Biological Research For Nursing 2019, 21: 210-223. PMID: 30654634, DOI: 10.1177/1099800418824415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsLong-term outcome measuresMarkers of oxidative stressIntensive care unitBorn pretermNociceptive inputNonnoxious stimuliBrain-gut-microbiome axisPretermPainful proceduresCare unitHuman studiesInclusion criteriaLife-saving careTherapeutic interventionsInfantsOutcome measuresEarly detectionTime pointsBiomarkersActivation of stress responsesCortisol levelsOxidative stressSystematic search
2018
Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Outcomes at Six Months in Preterm Infants
Wang Y, Briere C, Xu W, Cong X. Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Outcomes at Six Months in Preterm Infants. Journal Of Human Lactation 2018, 35: 80-89. PMID: 29723482, DOI: 10.1177/0890334418771307.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm infantsPrevalence of breastfeedingLevel of breastfeeding self-efficacyMothers of very preterm infantsFactors associated with exclusive breastfeedingPreterm mother-infant dyadsIntensive careBreastfeeding practicesLate preterm infantsVery preterm infantsInfant gestational ageMonths corrected ageNeonatal intensive careYoung maternal ageElevated EPDS scoresPerception of breastfeeding self-efficacyImprove breastfeeding durationGestational agePostpartum depressive symptomsCorrected ageLongitudinal observational studyPreterm mothersDepressive symptomsPretermMaternal age
2017
Systematic Review of the Effect of Enteral Feeding on Gut Microbiota in Preterm Infants
Xu W, Judge M, Maas K, Hussain N, McGrath J, Henderson W, Cong X. Systematic Review of the Effect of Enteral Feeding on Gut Microbiota in Preterm Infants. Journal Of Obstetric Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing 2017, 47: 451-463. PMID: 29040820, PMCID: PMC5899689, DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.08.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm infantsGut microbial communityEnteral feedingGut microbiotaEffects of enteral feedingGut microbiomeMicrobial communitiesBreast milk feedingInfant feeding typeMother's own milkGut microbial community structureInfant gut microbial communityDiversity of gut microbiotaSystematic reviewDonor human milkCochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsGut microbiome patternsDatabase of Systematic ReviewsELBW infantsPremature infantsMicrobial community structureSupplementation of prebioticsPretermEffects of probioticsFormula feedingThe impact of cumulative pain/stress on neurobehavioral development of preterm infants in the NICU
Cong X, Wu J, Vittner D, Xu W, Hussain N, Galvin S, Fitzsimons M, McGrath J, Henderson W. The impact of cumulative pain/stress on neurobehavioral development of preterm infants in the NICU. Early Human Development 2017, 108: 9-16. PMID: 28343092, PMCID: PMC5444300, DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.03.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitPreterm infantsNeurobehavioral outcomesNeurobehavioral development of preterm infantsOutcomes of preterm infantsDevelopment of preterm infantsSkin-to-skin holdingVulnerable preterm infantsIntensive care unitProspective exploratory studyInfant developmental outcomesNeurodevelopmental outcomesAltered neurodevelopmentNeurobehavioral developmentCare unitNeuroprotective strategiesInfantsAssociated with habituationAcute eventPretermEarly lifeOutcomesNeurodevelopmentDevelopmental outcomesCumulative timeFKBP5 genotype and early life stress exposure predict neurobehavioral outcomes for preterm infants
D'Agata A, Walsh S, Vittner D, Cong X, McGrath J, Young E. FKBP5 genotype and early life stress exposure predict neurobehavioral outcomes for preterm infants. Developmental Psychobiology 2017, 59: 410-418. PMID: 28247564, DOI: 10.1002/dev.21507.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitNeurobehavioral outcomesNeonatal intensive care unit stressNeonatal intensive care unit careFKBP5 genotypeIntensive care unitEarly life stress exposureStress response-associated genesGenetic susceptibility to stressInfant neurobehavioral developmentPreterm infantsImpact of genetic variationNeurodevelopmental impairmentResponse-associated genesLife stress exposureNeurobehavioral developmentCare unitEnvironmental risk factorsRisk factorsInfant problemsAssociated with neurobehavioral outcomesStatistical analysisPretermSusceptibility to stressStress exposure
2015
Early Life Experience and Gut Microbiome
Cong X, Henderson W, Graf J, McGrath J. Early Life Experience and Gut Microbiome. Advances In Neonatal Care 2015, 15: 314-323. PMID: 26240939, PMCID: PMC4583334, DOI: 10.1097/anc.0000000000000191.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGut microbiomeHigh-risk infantsStressful early life experiencesCentral nervous systemSignaling systemPreterm infantsIntestinal innate immunityPain responseBrain-gut-microbiota axisNeonatal careEarly life experiencesNeuroimmune systemMicrobial speciesNervous systemInnate immunityRegulation mechanismInfantsGutMicrobiomeTargeted interventionsRegulationModulating stressPretermState-of-the-science reviewComplex mechanisms
2014
State of the Science
Briere C, McGrath J, Cong X, Cusson R. State of the Science. The Journal Of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing 2014, 28: 51-58. PMID: 24476652, DOI: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000011.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2012
Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Autonomic Pain Responses in Preterm Infants
Cong X, Cusson R, Walsh S, Hussain N, Ludington-Hoe S, Zhang D. Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Autonomic Pain Responses in Preterm Infants. Journal Of Pain 2012, 13: 636-645. PMID: 22595172, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.02.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutonomic pain responsesIncubator carePreterm infantsHeel stickLow frequency powerHigh frequency powerPain responseSpectral power analysis of heart rate variabilityEffect of skin-to-skin contactNeonatal intensive care unitSkin-to-skin contactLF/HF ratioHeart rateEffective pain interventionIntensive care unitAnalysis of heart rate variabilityKC conditionsBeat-to-beat heart rateRandomized crossover trialSpectral power analysisAffected infantsKangaroo carePretermPain interventionsCrossover trial
2011
Kangaroo Care and Behavioral and Physiologic Pain Responses in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Twins: A Case Study
Cong X, Cusson R, Hussain N, Zhang D, Kelly S. Kangaroo Care and Behavioral and Physiologic Pain Responses in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Twins: A Case Study. Pain Management Nursing 2011, 13: 127-138. PMID: 22929600, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2010.10.035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreterm Infant Pain ProfilePhysiological pain responsesHeel stickPain responseKangaroo careInfant BVery-low-birth-weightPainful proceduresGestational age twinsIncidence of apneaLF/HF ratioSympathetic-parasympathetic balanceHeart rate variability indicesPreterm infantsIncubator careLow-frequency powerPain ProfilePain scoresHigh-frequency powerCrying timeBradycardia episodesBaseline levelsInfantsPretermIC conditions