Cureus最新文献

{"title":"Correction: Insulin Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Ethnicity and Age in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Tarik AlShaibani, Wadeea Gherbal, Amer Almarabheh, Diaa Rizk, Elaf Alhakmani, Raghad Alshamrani, Farah AlBahraini, Husain Taha, Amal Hassani, Yahya Naguib","doi":"10.7759/cureus.c204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.c204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64886.].</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"c204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11666121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142883989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Migration of a Surgical Clip Into the Common Bile Duct and Its Spontaneous Passage.","authors":"Zachary K Woodward, Goutham Sivasuthan, Chee Hua Lim, Ratna Aseervatham","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76275","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76275","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical operations worldwide. A rare complication following this procedure is the migration of surgical clips used to secure the cystic duct and artery. Herein, we report the migration of a metallic surgical clip into the common bile duct of a 75-year-old gentleman who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 24 years prior. He presented to the hospital three times over the course of six months with the predominant symptoms of right upper quadrant pain. His symptoms improved with supportive care during his first two admissions, and he was discharged home with a plan for ongoing investigation. Subsequent endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging did not identify a cause for his symptoms. On his third presentation to the hospital, he had mild transaminitis with elevated bilirubin and his computed tomography scan revealed migration of a surgical clip into the distal common bile duct where it was causing obstruction. As he was also symptomatic with influenza A and at a heightened anaesthetic risk, a conservative management approach was taken instead of upfront endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for clip retrieval. Over the coming days, his bilirubin and liver function tests began to normalise and the offending clip was not identified on a repeat computed tomography scan performed three days later, indicating spontaneous passage of the clip from the common bile duct. On re-review of the initial imaging, the surgical clip can be seen within the remnant cystic duct prior to its migration into the distal common bile duct. Surgical clip migration is an exceedingly uncommon occurrence, and this case highlights the difficulty of establishing the diagnosis despite extensive investigation. Increased awareness of this phenomenon among clinicians will hopefully aid in earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76275"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11666329/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142883991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Rare and Life-Threatening Complication of Salmonella Typhi Infection: A Case Report From India Highlighting Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in Salmonella Sepsis.","authors":"Jaziya Jabeen, M Ardra, Chithra Valsan, John Paul, Cherish Paul","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76234","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Salmonella infections are widely known to cause gastroenteritis, especially in areas of poor hygiene and sanitation. Common symptoms include sustained fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), various neurological manifestations, and multiorgan failure are other uncommon presentations. Raising appropriate awareness about its clinical spectrum is therefore crucial, even in the absence of typical symptoms. The following case of a 34-year-old Indian female who developed <i>Salmonella Typhi</i>-induced sepsis addresses various challenges involved in diagnosing and treating the condition. The case was successfully managed with rapid diagnostics, targeted antibiotic therapy, and supportive care. Recognizing the condition early and providing necessary treatment is therefore vital to preventing substantial morbidity and mortality. To improve outcomes for critically ill patients, it is important that the causative organism be identified quickly and appropriate treatment be commenced. Here, we present a case of Salmonella sepsis complicated by DIC, its clinical course, and the diagnostic and treatment modalities we have followed.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76234"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142883973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patient-Reported Outcomes of Orthodontic Treatment for Mild Crowding With Modified Aligner Appliance With Nickel-Titanium Springs: A Prospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Ziad Mohamad Alhafi, Mohammad Y Hajeer, Ahmad S Burhan, Youssef Latifeh, Mowaffak A Ajaj, Alaa Oudah Ali Almusawi, Ahmad Salim Zakaria","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76179","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background and objectives A modified aligner appliance with nickel-titanium springs (MAA) is a relatively new appliance that has not received extensive attention in orthodontics. This study evaluated the patient-reported outcomes when orthodontic treatment was provided using a modified aligner appliance to treat mild lower incisor crowding. Materials and methods This prospective cohort study consisted of 42 patients (11 males and 31 females; mean age 21.69 ± 2.56 years) with mild crowding. Twenty-one patients were treated using a modified aligner with nickel-titanium springs, while the remaining patients were treated with a conventional fixed orthodontic appliance (FA). Patient responses regarding pain, discomfort, and difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and speaking were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) at six assessment times: 24 hours (T1), two days (T2), three days (T3), two weeks (T4), one month (T5), and two months (T6) after appliance application. Results The mean perceived pain and discomfort levels were generally lower in the traditional fixed appliance (FA) group than the modified aligner appliance with nickel-titanium springs group at most assessment times. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. Chewing difficulty levels were similar between the two groups with no substantial differences. Swallowing and speech difficulty were significantly higher in the MAA group compared to the FA group during the first two days of treatment (P < 0.008). Conclusions Patients using both types of orthodontic appliances experienced temporary discomfort, including pain and difficulty chewing. While the modified aligners appliance with nickel-titanium springs caused additional challenges with swallowing and speaking, these issues were resolved over time, allowing patients to adjust to the treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11663397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142879112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Prone to Prepared: Airway Management in a Patient With Penetrating Thoracic Trauma.","authors":"André Santos, Beatriz Leal, Francisco Valente","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76193","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76193","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Perioperative and critical care management following penetrating thoracic trauma represents a complex challenge. Those who survive the early trauma approach and reach the hospital alive often remain in critical condition, with cardiocirculatory complications and major pulmonary injuries. Additional difficulty arises from the presence of a weapon <i>in situ</i>, particularly in a dorsal location, which limits patient positioning, and the safe manipulation of both the weapon and the patient. We present the case of a 47-year-old man, who suffered a stabbing assault, resulting in a deep dorsal thoracic wound with the knife still <i>in situ</i>. The patient was initially treated by the pre-hospital team, where the weapon was stabilized with gauze pads and medical tape, and resuscitation was initiated. He was then transported to a regional hospital hemodynamically unstable, requiring further resuscitation with blood products. After stabilization, a computed tomography scan revealed bilateral hemopneumothoraces and the tip of the knife lodged in the lower lobe of the left lung. The hemopneumothoraces were drained and the patient was transported to our trauma center in the prone position, spontaneously breathing with the weapon <i>in situ</i>. The patient was proposed to undergo thoracic surgery, specifically an exploratory thoracotomy in the right lateral decubitus position. Airway approach plan A involved anesthetic induction in the prone position while maintaining spontaneous ventilation and placement of an AuraGain™ (Ambu, Denmark) laryngeal mask airway (LMA), followed by fiberoptic guided intubation through the device. Due to glottic edema and inability for glottic progression of the fibrescope, the AuraGain<i>®</i> LMA was replaced by an iGel<i>®</i> (Intersurgical, UK) LMA, and fiberoptic-guided intubation was successfully achieved. After surgery, the patient remained in the intensive care unit and was successfully extubated five days later. We acknowledge that alternative solutions could have been applied to this case, and we discuss some of them further in this text. This case highlights that, in such complex scenarios, clinical experience and comprehensive knowledge of various airway management devices are critical. Nevertheless, certain principles remain universal in difficult airway management, including the preservation of spontaneous ventilation and meticulous but flexible planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76193"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11663432/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142879095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Marginal Bone Loss Around the Implant: A Retrospective Analysis of Bone Remodeling Over Five Years of Follow-Up.","authors":"Cosmin I Faur, Adrian Herman, Ionut Leahu, Sergiu Megiesan, Ionut Caluian","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76228","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bone remodeling around implants in implant-supported rehabilitation is a continuous debate with no consensus in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the implant- and patient-specific factors contributing to marginal bone loss near the implant.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We included patients who had implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation using one implant system, between 2014 and 2018, who had full follow-up documentation and orthopantomography over five years, and who had no unwell-controlled systemic pathologies that may influence bone metabolism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty-one patients who received 500 implants met the inclusion criteria. We observed approximately 1 mm of bone resorption at the five-year follow-up, with the first 0.78 mm of them being documented at the three-year follow-up. Adults younger than 60 years old had an increase in bone resorption by approximately 30%. No difference was seen between men and women. However, a slight increase in bone resorption at five years was seen in female patients older than 50 years old than in ones younger than 50 years (by 30%). The narrowest diameter (3.5 mm; p = 0.001) and anterior mandible (p = 0.008) had the highest bone resorptions. Contrarily, with an insertion depth of approximately 1 mm (p = 0.004), the splinted implant prosthesis (p = 0.21) and zirconia material of the prosthesis (p = 0.57) had the lowest bone remodeling. Moreover, patients younger than 60 years and female patients above 50 years had an increased bone resorption.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Bone remodeling is a multifactorial process. The treatment planning has to take into consideration both implant- and patient-specific factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11668266/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142886642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Influencing Patient-Centered Care and Shared Decision-Making in Primary Care Settings in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Monzir A Alfattani, Wed A Bakudam, Waleed I Alharbi","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76142","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone many reforms in light of Vision 2030, and the health sector is no exception. Vision 2030 highlights the importance of utilization and increased quality in primary care. Patient-centered care (PCC) and shared decision-making (SDM) are two methods used to increase healthcare quality globally. However, there is limited research on the implementation of such methods in primary care within Saudi Arabia. Thus, this scoping review aims to address this gap by investigating the different factors influencing the implementation of PCC and SDM in primary care in Saudi Arabia. The scoping review completed a comprehensive search of three databases, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, resulting in eight articles that met the inclusion criteria. The review found three major themes of influencing factors: patient-specific factors, physician-specific factors, and health system and external factors. The review highlights the lack of research in this area and provides context for the implementation of new reforms and policies in relation to PCC and SDM in primary care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Most notably, it emphasizes the importance of increasing health literacy, improving physician training, investigating cultural influence, and enhancing policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76142"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11663035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142879092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the Impact of Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Quality of Life in Patients at Family Medicine and Primary Health Care Clinics of the National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh.","authors":"Mohammed N AlDosari, Rakan M Alotaibi, Mohammad N Algahtani, Turki S Alshammari, Bader F Almziri","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76158","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent GI conditions, characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain relieved by defecation, changes in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, or both), and bloating. These symptoms can profoundly impact the quality of life (QoL) and psychological state of patients. Despite a high prevalence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, estimated at around 18.2%, there is a significant lack of studies assessing and documenting the impact of IBS on life satisfaction and the overall mental well-being of individuals within the kingdom. This study aims to bridge this gap by assessing the impact of IBS on the QoL in patients attending family medicine and primary health care clinics at National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 379 IBS patients who met the eligibility criteria participated in this cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at family medicine clinics within the National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh. Participants were selected through a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. The Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Measure (IBS-QOL) questionnaire was primarily used for assessment. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results In this study, males comprised 57% of the sample, and 79% were married. Forty percent held a bachelor's degree, while 30% earned between 5,000 and 9,000 riyals a month. The QoL of these individuals was profoundly affected by IBS. They frequently reported feelings of vulnerability, isolation, depression, and helplessness due to their bowel problems. The two most common concerns were monitoring dietary intake and food choices and difficulty controlling bowels in public. The IBS-QOL measure did not significantly correlate with smoking status, and no evident gender differences were found in the emotional reactions associated with IBS. Noticeable variations in the impact of IBS-QOL among age groups were observed, but no clear pattern emerged. Conclusion This study highlights the impact of IBS on various facets of daily living, including dietary, psychological, emotional, social, and functional aspects. Recognizing these outcomes helps in developing strategies to minimize patient suffering and enhance overall satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142883985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Single-Center Retrospective Study on the Clinical Outcomes of TightRope Fixation Versus Syndesmotic Screw Fixation in the Management of Acute Traumatic Ankle Syndesmotic Injuries.","authors":"Fang Fang Quek, Humam Jundi, Ioannis Aktselis, Mosab Elgalli","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76153","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76153","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Background Ankle fractures are one of the most common presentations in orthopaedic surgery and represent the third most frequent musculoskeletal injury in the elderly population. Syndesmotic injuries can be associated with ankle fractures, and surgical intervention is critical in these injuries to restore stability and prevent long-term disability. Traditionally, syndesmotic screw fixation has been the standard treatment for acute traumatic syndesmotic injuries, but controversies regarding this fixation method remain. Over recent years, the TightRope system (Arthrex, Florida, US) has gained popularity as a dynamic alternative, offering the advantage of restoring anatomical function while maintaining reduction. The optimal surgical fixation method for managing syndesmotic injuries remains a topic of ongoing debate within orthopaedic practice. Therefore, this study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of these two fixation methods to provide further guidance on their use in managing acute traumatic syndesmotic injuries. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients with ankle syndesmotic injuries who underwent surgical fixation using either TightRope devices or syndesmotic screws at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust between June 2020 and June 2023, identified through the BlueSpier electronic record system (Bluespier, Droitwich, United Kingdom). Data on demographics and surgical details were extracted from electronic medical records while radiographic images were systematically reviewed to confirm eligibility for inclusion. Clinic letters were also reviewed for complications and reasons for metalwork removal. Results A total of 217 patients met the eligibility criteria for this study, with 132 (61%) females and 85 (39%) males, aged between 13 and 93 years (mean age: 49 years). Of the cohort, 28 (13%) underwent syndesmotic fixation with TightRope devices while 189 (87%) were treated with syndesmotic screws. Metalwork removal was required in 11% of TightRope cases (3 patients) and 28% of syndesmotic screw cases (52 patients). The most common reason for metalwork removal in our study cohort was for broken or loosened screw(s), followed by discomfort and patient preferences. The metalwork removal rates in our study cohort are consistent with those reported in the current literature. Conclusion In conclusion, our study found that the use of TightRope devices is associated with lower removal rates in comparison to syndesmotic screws. This finding is consistent with those reported in the current literature. The most common documented reason for metalwork removal in our study cohort was due to screw breakage or loosening. Although emerging evidence suggests that routine removal of syndesmotic screws may not be necessary, given the lack of consensus regarding the routine removal of syndesmotic screws, decisions for metalwork removal should be tailored by clinical judgement and individual patient needs. Despite its limitations,","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11663228/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142878875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Smell and Taste of Milk on Feeding Parameters in Preterm Neonates: An Updated Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Sarah Alenezi, Manal Aldaihani, Sabah Alqabandi, Ahmad A Alkandari, Bader A Almukaimi, Latifah Almutairi, Mohamed Abualqassim, Ziad A Kanaan, Manaal H Ameen, Yara H Farahat, Ahmed Abu-Zaid","doi":"10.7759/cureus.76110","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.76110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Smell and taste sensations have been linked to positive outcomes in the feeding of premature infants, though the impact on the time required to transition to oral feeding remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of smell and taste interventions on clinical outcomes in preterm infants. We conducted a search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through September 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of smell and taste on clinical outcomes in preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the updated Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool (version 2). The primary outcome was the time required to achieve oral feeds. Secondary outcomes included the time to reach full enteral feeds, length of hospital stay, postmenstrual age, the need for parenteral nutrition, and the incidence of nosocomial infections. The outcomes were summarized as mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. A total of 12 RCTs involving 1,638 preterm infants were included in the analysis. The results showed that smell and taste interventions significantly reduced the time needed to reach oral feeds (MD = -1.37 days, 95% CI [-2.26, -0.48], p < 0.001; I² = 42.15%) compared to no intervention. These findings were consistent across subgroup analyses based on birth weight at admission, type of exposure, and sample size. However, no significant differences were found for the other secondary outcomes. In conclusion, smell and taste interventions significantly reduced the time to reach oral feeds, with similar outcomes for other clinical measures compared to no intervention. These findings suggest that smell and taste interventions could be used in the care of preterm infants, with the need for large-volume RCTs and long-term assessments being warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"16 12","pages":"e76110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11662373/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142879087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}