@article {8349,
	title = {The cortical response to a noxious procedure changes over time in preterm infants.},
	journal = {Pain},
	volume = {157},
	year = {2016},
	month = {2016 Sep},
	pages = {1979-87},
	abstract = {<p>The aim of the study was to investigate whether cortical response to a repeated noxious procedure may change over time in preterm infants. Possible reasons for change are: (1) advancing maturation of central nervous system; and (2) increasing experience with noxious procedures during hospital stay. Sixteen preterm infants were recruited, with a postmenstrual age (PMA) ranging between 29 and 36 weeks. Newborns were assessed during a heel-prick procedure, once a week for at least 3 consecutive times. Multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect cortical activation, by measuring increase in cortical oxy-haemoglobin (HbO2). Parietal, temporal, and posterior frontal areas were monitored bilaterally. By regression analysis, we studied the effect of (1) increasing PMA and (2) increasing number of heel pricks, on the magnitude of cortical activation. We observed a bilateral nociceptive event-related activation of the posterior frontal cortex, mainly contralateral to the side pricked. Additionally, we found a significant positive effect of PMA, as HbO2 progressively increased in the posterior frontal cortex (P < 0.001), bilaterally, over time. Conversely, the degree of cortical activation decreased as the number of noxious events increased (P < 0.002). We conclude the following: (1) Preterm newborns showed a significant activation of the posterior frontal cortex in association with noxious stimuli; (2) Cortical activation was progressively greater with increasing PMA; (3) There was an inverse relationship between cortical activation and the number of heel pricks. We speculate that such findings may be due to both endogenous cortical maturation and experience-dependent neuroplasticity of the developing brain (eg, synaptogenesis, synaptic pruning).</p>},
	issn = {1872-6623},
	doi = {10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000605},
	author = {Bembich, Stefano and Marrazzo, Francesca and Barini, Alice and Ravalico, Paola and Cont, Gabriele and Demarini, Sergio}
}
@article {3630,
	title = {Making the first days of life safer: preventing sudden unexpected postnatal collapse while promoting breastfeeding.},
	journal = {J Hum Lact},
	volume = {31},
	year = {2015},
	month = {2015 Feb},
	pages = {47-52},
	abstract = {<p>Early and prolonged skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth between a mother and her newborn has been shown to generate beneficial effects on the mother-infant relationship and breastfeeding. Close mother-infant body contact immediately after birth positively enhances exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay, with a dose-response relationship. Skin-to-skin contact may ease the infant{\textquoteright}s transition to extra-uterine life and helps regulate the infant{\textquoteright}s body temperature and nursing behavior. However, reports of sudden unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC) soon after birth, in healthy term neonates, in association with SSC, have raised concerns about the safety of this practice. Based on available evidence, we developed a surveillance protocol in the delivery room and postnatal ward of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health of Trieste (Italy). The aim of our protocol is (a) to promote safe mother and infant bonding and (b) to establish successful breastfeeding, without increasing the risk of SUPC. As there is no known effective intervention to prevent SUPC, our protocol has been conceived as a potential best practice.</p>},
	issn = {1552-5732},
	doi = {10.1177/0890334414554927},
	author = {Davanzo, Riccardo and De Cunto, Angela and Paviotti, Giulia and Travan, Laura and Inglese, Stefania and Brovedani, Pierpaolo and Crocetta, Anna and Calligaris, Chiara and Corubolo, Elisa and Dussich, Valentina and Verardi, Giuseppa and Causin, Enrica and Kennedy, Jaquelyn and Marrazzo, Francesca and Strajn, Tamara and Sanesi, Cecilia and Demarini, Sergio}
}
