2024
Association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and neurodevelopmental outcomes among black and white preterm infants up to two years of age
Zhao T, Li A, Reese B, Cong Q, Corwin E, Taylor S, Matson A, Chen M, Alder N, Cong X. Association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and neurodevelopmental outcomes among black and white preterm infants up to two years of age. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research 2024, 3: 149-156. PMID: 39554223, PMCID: PMC11567671, DOI: 10.1097/nr9.0000000000000071.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPreterm premature rupture of membranesNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScaleNeurodevelopmental outcomesPostmenstrual agePreterm infantsDNA copy numberMitochondrial DNA copy numberPremature rupture of membranesYears of corrected ageIncreased mtDNAcnInfants up to 1 yearBayley Scales of InfantBirth gestational ageInfant clinical characteristicsPreterm premature ruptureWhite preterm infantsRupture of membranesInfant neurobehavioral outcomesAbnormal copy numberCopy numberYears of ageGestational ageInfant outcomesNeurobehavioral ScaleClinical characteristics98 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: 341-352. 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
Trends of fecal calprotectin levels and associations with early life experience in preterm infants
Xu W, Zhang Y, Zhao W, Chen J, Maas K, Hussain N, Henderson W, Cong X. Trends of fecal calprotectin levels and associations with early life experience in preterm infants. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research 2022, 1: 36-42. PMID: 36590866, PMCID: PMC9766919, DOI: 10.1097/nr9.0000000000000006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeonatal intensive care unitFecal calprotectin levelsPreterm infantsMother's own milkFecal calprotectinFCP levelsFCP concentrationsNeonatal intensive care unit hospitalizationBiomarker of mucosal inflammationPainful proceduresMaturation of immune systemImmune systemChronic pain proceduresInfluence immune activationHigher severity of illness scoresNoninvasive surrogate biomarkerAcute painful proceduresPediatric gastrointestinal disordersSeverity of illness scoresImmature immune systemIntensive care unitChildren's medical centerNon-white raceNICU hospitalizationCalprotectin levelsSex-specific gut microbiome profiles among preterm infants during the neonatal intensive care hospitalization
Chen J, Li H, Maas K, Starkweather A, Chen M, Cong X. Sex-specific gut microbiome profiles among preterm infants during the neonatal intensive care hospitalization. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research 2022, 1: 6-13. PMID: 36590867, PMCID: PMC9766955, DOI: 10.1097/nr9.0000000000000004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGut microbiome profilesNeonatal intensive care unitNeonatal intensive care unit hospitalizationMicrobiome profilesGut microbiotaPreterm infantsStool samplesComposition of gut microbiotaPredicted metabolic functionsPredictive functional profilingNeonatal gut microbiotaBacterial taxonomic compositionGut microbiota compositionAbundance of membranePreterm neonatesGlycan biosynthesisLipopolysaccharide biosynthesisNeonatal intensive care hospitalizationTaxonomic compositionGene regionB-diversityGut microbiomeMicrobiota compositionMale preterm neonatesDiversity indexNurses’ experiences of caring for preterm infants in pain: A meta-ethnography
Zhao T, Starkweather A, Matson A, Lainwala S, Xu W, Cong X. Nurses’ experiences of caring for preterm infants in pain: A meta-ethnography. International Journal Of Nursing Sciences 2022, 9: 533-541. PMID: 36285076, PMCID: PMC9587390, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2022.09.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCare of preterm infantsNeonatal intensive care unitMeta-ethnographyPreterm infantsNurses' experiencesUnrelieved painPain assessmentLived experience of nursesConsequences of unrelieved painPain managementCritical Appraisal Skills ProgrammeExperiences of nursesAppraisal Skills ProgrammeQualitative dataImprove pain managementEffective pain managementLack of trainingNurse participantsNursing perspectiveNurses' understandingLiterature quality evaluationNursing researchNursesIntensive care unitSkills ProgrammeAssociations 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 feedingIncrease in Oxytocin From Skin-to-Skin Contact Enhances Development of Parent–Infant Relationship
Vittner D, McGrath J, Robinson J, Lawhon G, Cusson R, Eisenfeld L, Walsh S, Young E, Cong X. Increase in Oxytocin From Skin-to-Skin Contact Enhances Development of Parent–Infant Relationship. Biological Research For Nursing 2017, 20: 54-62. PMID: 29017336, DOI: 10.1177/1099800417735633.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSkin-to-skin contactNeonatal intensive care unitStable preterm infantsOT levelsSkin-to-skinParent-infant contactIntensive care unitRandomized crossover studySC levelsPreterm infantsHigher OT levelsCrossover studyOT releaseParental OTParental anxiety scoresDay 1Care unitSalivary cortisolPre-SSCInfant stressInfantsPost-SSCParent-infant interactionOxytocinSaliva samplesThe 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 time