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OBJECTIVE: Delayed-interval delivery (DID) is the delivery of the first fetus in a multiple gestation pregnancy without prompt delivery of the remaining fetus(es). We aimed to assess infant outcomes of DID. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of infants born 22-28 weeks’ gestation or weighing 401-1500g. DID was defined as a passage of >24 hours between the birth of firstborn and retained infants. Rates of mortality, morbidity, and developmental outcomes were compared within DID multiples, to other multiples not born by DID, and all infants in the Generic Database and follow-up datasets (excluding DID-born). RESULTS: DID-born multiples were younger and smaller than other multiples. Retained infants had no significantly different rates of mortality and morbidities compared to their firstborn counterparts, apart from less bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: DID showed no evidence of harm and a potential benefit of decreased bronchopulmonary dysplasia mediated by increased gestational age and birthweight.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Introduction: Individuals with opioid use disorder often report feelings of shame and describe feeling judged negatively. These feelings are especially true for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative conducted a multimodal quality improvement initiative for infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). An important component of the project was focused on improving staff attitudes toward mothers of infants with NAS. Methods: The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative implemented an education program for healthcare providers at 39 participating hospital units regarding opioid use as a chronic disease and principles of nonjudgmental, trauma-informed care. Healthcare providers partnered with the mother of infants with NAS in the care of the infant and connected with local community resources. This work was a subcomponent of an overall multimodal quality improvement project. Healthcare provider attitudes were measured with the “Attitude Measurement: Brief Scales” questionnaire anonymously, at 3 different time points throughout the project. Attitude change was measured by pretraining and posttraining scores. ANOVA methods were used to compare individual items and a summary score across the 3 surveys. Results: Summary scores improved significantly from 18.99 at baseline (January–March 2014) to 19.94 (P < 0.0001) in February 2015 and were maintained at 20.05 in July 2016. Conclusions: A nonjudgmental attitude toward mothers of infants with NAS is an important component of compassionate care. Improving healthcare provider attitudes can benefit a mother of an infant with NAS and help preserve the mother–infant dyad.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with need for Child Protective Services (CPS) supervision at hospital discharge compared with those discharged without CPS supervision. STUDY DESIGN: For infants born at

Introduction: Within our hospital system, all infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis were directly admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for evaluation and treatment of presumed sepsis for a minimum of 48 hours, regardless of clinical appearance. Implementation of a risk-stratification system for thesWe high-risk infants based on the early onset sepsis (EOS) calculator may decrease NICU admissions and antibiotics exposure in well-appearing neonates. Methods: We used The Model for Improvement as a framework for designing this initiative. Participants were inborn infants 35 weeks and older born to mothers with chorioamnionitis and/or fever. Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles were utilized to educate staff, monitor for sepsis, and follow adherence to the calculator in the newborn nursery. Results: From June 2015 to June 2016, there were 312 at-risk infants identified and evaluated on the EOS calculator. Of these 312 infants, 228 did not require admission to the NICU based on their risk assessment using the online calculator. Implementation of the Kaiser EOS calculator protocol for at-risk infants decreased NICU admission rates, decreased practitioner practice variability, decreased the number of painful procedures, promoted family bonding, resulted in higher breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge, diminished financial burden, and promoted antibiotic stewardship. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the implementation of the sepsis risk calculator at an academic medical center can decrease the number of asymptomatic infants transferred to the NICU for empiric antibiotic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Oral feeding skills of moderately preterm infants are not mature at birth. AIMS: To establish the relationship between postmenstrual age at introduction of first oral feeding and attainment of full oral feeding and hospital discharge for moderately preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of moderately preterm infants admitted to a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network hospital. SUBJECTS: 6146 infants born at 29-33 weeks’ gestation from January 2012 to November 2013. OUTCOME MEASURES: Postmenstrual age at full oral feeding and at hospital discharge. RESULTS: The median postmenstrual age at first oral feeding was 33.9 weeks (interquartile range 33.1-34.3). For each week earlier at first oral feeding, full oral feeding occurred 4.5 days earlier (p

Objectives To describe the frequency of postnatal discussions about withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining therapy (WWLST), ensuing WWLST, and outcomes of infants surviving such discussions. We hypothesized that such survivors have poor outcomes. Study design This retrospective review included registry data from 18 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Infants born at 22-28 weeks of gestation who survived >12 hours during 2011-2013 were included. Regression analysis identified maternal and infant factors associated with WWLST discussions and factors predicting ensuing WWLST. In-hospital and 18- to 26-month outcomes were evaluated. Results WWLST discussions occurred in 529 (15.4%) of 3434 infants. These were more frequent at 22-24 weeks (27.0%) compared with 27-28 weeks of gestation (5.6%). Factors associated with WWLST discussion were male sex, gestational age (GA) of ≤24 weeks, birth weight small for GA, congenital malformations or syndromes, early onset sepsis, severe brain injury, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Rates of WWLST discussion varied by center (6.4%-29.9%) as did WWLST (5.2%-20.7%). Ensuing WWLST occurred in 406 patients; of these, 5 survived to discharge. Of the 123 infants for whom intensive care was continued, 58 (47%) survived to discharge. Survival after WWLST discussion was associated with higher rates of neonatal morbidities and neurodevelopmental impairment compared with babies for whom WWLST discussions did not occur. Significant predictors of ensuing WWLST were maternal age >25 years, necrotizing enterocolitis, and days on a ventilator. Conclusions Wide center variations in WWLST discussions occur, especially at ≤24 weeks GA. Outcomes of infants surviving after WWLST discussions are poor. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT00063063 .

Objective To determine if current retinopathy of prematurity screening guidelines1 adequately identify treatable ROP in a contemporary cohort of extremely low gestation infants. Study Design Data from the Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Pulse Oximetry Randomized Trial were used. Inborn infants 24 0/7 to 27 6/7 weeks gestational age with consent prior to delivery were enrolled in 2005-2009. Severe retinopathy of prematurity (Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity or treatment with laser, cryotherapy, or bevacizumab) or death was the primary outcome for the randomized trial. Examinations followed then current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) screening recommendations, beginning by 31-33 weeks postmenstrual age.2,3 Results 1316 infants were enrolled in the trial. 997 of the 1121 who survived to first eye exam had final retinopathy of prematurity outcome determined. 137 (14% of 997) met criteria for severe retinopathy of prematurity and 128 (93%) of those had sufficient data (without missing or delayed exams) to determine age of onset of severe retinopathy of prematurity. Postmenstrual age at onset was 32.1 to 53.1 wks. In this referral center cohort, 1.4% (14/997) developed severe retinopathy of prematurity after discharge. Conclusion Our contemporary data support the 2013 AAP screening guidelines for ROP for infants 24 0/7 to 27 6/7 weeks gestational age.1 Some infants do not meet treatment criteria until after discharge home. Post-discharge follow-up of infants who are still at risk for severe ROP is crucial for timely detection and treatment.

Objective To explore differences in blood cytokine profiles among distinct bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) patterns. Study design We evaluated blood spots collected from 943 infants born at ≤1000 g and surviving to 28 days on postnatal days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 for 25 cytokines. Infants were assigned to the following lung disease patterns: (1) no lung disease (NLD); (2) respiratory distress syndrome without BPD; (3) classic BPD (persistent exposure to supplemental oxygen until 28 days of age); or (4) atypical BPD (period without supplemental oxygen before 28 days). Median cytokine levels for infants with BPD were compared with the IQR of results among infants with NLD. Results The distribution of enrolled infants by group was as follows: 69 (NLD), 73 (respiratory distress syndrome), 381 (classic BPD), and 160 (atypical BPD). The remaining 260 infants could not be classified because of missing data (104) or not fitting a predefined pattern (156). Median levels of 3 cytokines (elevated interleukin [IL]-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9; decreased granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor) fell outside the IQR for at least 2 time points in both infants with atypical and classic BPD. Profiles of 7 cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, C-reactive protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) differed between infants with classic and atypical BPD. Conclusions Blood cytokine profiles may differ between infants developing classic and atypical BPD. These dissimilarities suggest the possibility that differing mechanisms could explain the varied patterns of pathophysiology of lung disease in extremely premature infants.

To examine the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns of neonatal brain injury defined by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network to predict death or IQ at 6-7 years of age following hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy.Out of 208 participants, 124 had MRI and primary outcome (death or IQ70) data. The relationship between injury pattern and outcome was assessed.Death or IQ70 occurred in 4 of 50 (8%) of children with pattern 0 (normal MRI), 1 of 6 (17%) with 1A (minimal cerebral lesions), 1 of 4 (25%) with 1B (extensive cerebral lesions), 3 of 8 (38%) with 2A (basal ganglia thalamic, anterior or posterior limb of internal capsule, or watershed infarction), 32 of 49 (65%) with 2B (2A with cerebral lesions), and 7 of 7 (100%) with pattern 3 (hemispheric devastation), P.001; this association was also seen within hypothermia and control subgroups. IQ was 90 ± 13 among the 46 children with a normal MRI and 69 ± 25 among the 50 children with an abnormal MRI. In childhood, for a normal outcome, a normal neonatal MRI had a sensitivity of 61%, specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 92%, and a negative predictive value of 59%; for death or IQ70, the 2B and 3 pattern combined had a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 78%, positive predictive value of 70%, and a negative predictive value of 87%.The Neonatal Research Network MRI pattern of neonatal brain injury is a biomarker of neurodevelopmental outcome at 6-7 years of age.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00005772.

Extremely preterm infants contribute disproportionately to neonatal morbidity and mortality.To review 20-year trends in maternal/neonatal care, complications, and mortality among extremely preterm infants born at Neonatal Research Network centers.Prospective registry of 34,636 infants, 22 to 28 weeks' gestation, birth weight of 401 to 1500 g, and born at 26 network centers between 1993 and 2012.Extremely preterm birth.Maternal/neonatal care, morbidities, and survival. Major morbidities, reported for infants who survived more than 12 hours, were severe necrotizing enterocolitis, infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe intracranial hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, and/or severe retinopathy of prematurity. Regression models assessed yearly changes and were adjusted for study center, race/ethnicity, gestational age, birth weight for gestational age, and sex.Use of antenatal corticosteroids increased from 1993 to 2012 (24% [348 of 1431 infants]) to 87% (1674 of 1919 infants]; P .001), as did cesarean delivery (44% [625 of 1431 births] to 64% [1227 of 1921]; P .001). Delivery room intubation decreased from 80% (1144 of 1433 infants) in 1993 to 65% (1253 of 1922) in 2012 (P .001). After increasing in the 1990s, postnatal steroid use declined to 8% (141 of 1757 infants) in 2004 (P .001), with no significant change thereafter. Although most infants were ventilated, continuous positive airway pressure without ventilation increased from 7% (120 of 1666 infants) in 2002 to 11% (190 of 1756 infants) in 2012 (P .001). Despite no improvement from 1993 to 2004, rates of late-onset sepsis declined between 2005 and 2012 for infants of each gestational age (median, 26 weeks [37% {109 of 296} to 27% {85 of 320}]; adjusted relative risk [RR], 0.93 [95% CI, 0.92-0.94]). Rates of other morbidities declined, but bronchopulmonary dysplasia increased between 2009 and 2012 for infants at 26 to 27 weeks' gestation (26 weeks, 50% [130 of 258] to 55% [164 of 297]; P .001). Survival increased between 2009 and 2012 for infants at 23 weeks' gestation (27% [41 of 152] to 33% [50 of 150]; adjusted RR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.05-1.14]) and 24 weeks (63% [156 of 248] to 65% [174 of 269]; adjusted RR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.03-1.07]), with smaller relative increases for infants at 25 and 27 weeks' gestation, and no change for infants at 22, 26, and 28 weeks' gestation. Survival without major morbidity increased approximately 2% per year for infants at 25 to 28 weeks' gestation, with no change for infants at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation.Among extremely preterm infants born at US academic centers over the last 20 years, changes in maternal and infant care practices and modest reductions in several morbidities were observed, although bronchopulmonary dysplasia increased. Survival increased most markedly for infants born at 23 and 24 weeks' gestation and survival without major morbidity increased for infants aged 25 to 28 weeks. These findings may be valuable in counseling families and developing novel interventions.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00063063.

Objectives To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm ( Study design Retrospective cohort study from 16 centers of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network over 10 years (2001-2011). Infants who survived to at least 36 weeks (N = 8683), including 304 infants with tracheostomies, were studied. Primary outcome was death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI; a composite of ≥1 of developmental delay, neurologic impairment, profound hearing loss, severe visual impairment) at a corrected age of 18-22 months. Outcomes were compared using multiple logistic regression. We assessed the impact of timing by comparing outcomes of infants who underwent tracheostomy before and after 120 days of life. Results Tracheostomies were associated with all neonatal morbidities examined and with most adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Death or NDI occurred in 83% of infants with tracheostomies and 40% of those without (OR adjusted for center 7.0, 95% CI 5.2-9.5). After adjustment for potential confounders, odds of death or NDI remained higher (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.4-4.6), but odds of death alone were lower (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.7) among infants with tracheostomies. Death or NDI was lower in infants who received their tracheostomies before, rather than after, 120 days of life (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9). Conclusions Tracheostomy in preterm infants is associated with adverse developmental outcomes and cannot mitigate the significant risk associated with many complications of prematurity. These data may inform counseling about tracheostomy in this vulnerable population.

We examined superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in response to feeding in infants randomized to trophic feeds (n = 16) or nil per os (n = 18) during previous treatment for patent ductus arteriosus. Blood flow velocity increased earlier in the fed infants, but was similar in the 2 groups at 30 minutes after feeding.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships among blood pressure (BP) values, antihypotensive therapies, and in-hospital outcomes to identify a BP threshold below which antihypotensive therapies may be beneficial. METHODS: Prospective observational study of infants 230/7 to 266/7 weeks’ gestational age. Hourly BP values and antihypotensive therapy use in the first 24 hours were recorded. Low BP was investigated by using 15 definitions. Outcomes were examined by using regression analysis controlling for gestational age, the number of low BP values, and illness severity. RESULTS: Of 367 infants enrolled, 203 (55%) received at least 1 antihypotensive therapy. Treated infants were more likely to have low BP by any definition (P < .001), but for the 15 definitions of low BP investigated, therapy was not prescribed to 3% to 49% of infants with low BP and, paradoxically, was administered to 28% to 41% of infants without low BP. Treated infants were more likely than untreated infants to develop severe retinopathy of prematurity (15% vs 8%, P = .03) or severe intraventricular hemorrhage (22% vs 11%, P < .01) and less likely to survive (67% vs 78%, P = .02). However, with regression analysis, there were no significant differences between groups in survival or in-hospital morbidity rates. CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than BP contributed to the decision to use antihypotensive therapies. Infant outcomes were not improved with antihypotensive therapy for any of the 15 definitions of low BP investigated.

Decreases below the target temperature were noted among neonates undergoing cooling in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Trial of whole body hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.To examine the temperature profile and impact on outcome among ≥ 36 wk gestation neonates randomized at ≤ 6 hrs of age targeting an esophageal temperature of 33.5°C for 72 hrs.Infants with intermittent temperatures recorded of32.0°C during induction and maintenance of cooling were compared to all other cooled infants, and the relationship with outcome at 18 months was evaluated.None.There were no differences in the stage of encephalopathy, acidosis, or 10 min Apgar scores between infants with temperatures of32.0°C during induction (n = 33) or maintenance (n = 10) and all other infants who were cooled (n = 58); however, birth weight was lower and the need for blood pressure support higher among infants with temperatures of32.0°C compared to all other cooled infants. No increase in acute adverse events was noted among infants with temperatures of32.0°C, and hours spent at32°C was not associated with the primary outcome of death or moderate/severe disability or the Bayley II Mental Developmental Index at 18 months.Term infants with a lower birth weight are at risk for decreasing temperatures of32.0°C while undergoing body cooling using a servo-controlled system. This information suggests extra caution during the application of hypothermia as these lower birth weight infants are at risk for overcooling. Our findings may assist in planning additional trials of lower target temperature for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Candidiasis carries a significant risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW;1000 g). We sought to determine the impact of candiduria in ELBW preterm infants.Our study was a secondary analysis of the Neonatal Research Network study Early Diagnosis of Nosocomial Candidiasis. Follow-up assessments included Bayley Scales of Infant Development examinations at 18-22 months of corrected age. Risk factors were compared between groups using exact tests and general linear modeling. Death, NDI, and death or NDI were compared using generalized linear mixed modeling.Of 1515 infants enrolled, 34 (2.2%) had candiduria only. Candida was isolated from blood only (69 of 1515 [4.6%]), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) only (2 of 1515 [0.1%]), other sterile site only (not urine, blood, or CSF; 4 of 1515 [0.3%]), or multiple sources (28 of 1515 [2%]). Eleven infants had the same Candida species isolated in blood and urine within 3 days; 3 (27%) had a positive urine culture result first. Most urine isolates were Candida albicans (21 of 34 [62%]) or Candida parapsilosis (7 of 34 [29%]). Rate of death or NDI was greater among those with candiduria (50%) than among those with suspected but not proven infection (32%; odds ratio, 2.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.3]) after adjustment. No difference in death and death or NDI was noted between infants with candiduria and those with candidemia.These findings provide compelling evidence that ELBW infants with candiduria are at substantial risk of death or NDI. Candiduria in ELBW preterm infants should prompt a systemic evaluation (blood, CSF, and abdominal ultrasound) for disseminated Candida infection and warrants treatment.

To examine the predictive ability of stage of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) for death or moderate/severe disability at 18 months among neonates undergoing hypothermia.Stage of encephalopathy was evaluated at6 hours of age, during study intervention, and at discharge among 204 participants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Trial of whole body hypothermia for HIE. HIE was examined as a predictor of outcome by regression models.Moderate and severe HIE occurred at6 hours of age among 68% and 32% of 101 hypothermia group infants and 60% and 40% of 103 control group infants, respectively. At 24 and 48 hours of study intervention, infants in the hypothermia group had less severe HIE than infants in the control group. Persistence of severe HIE at 72 hours increased the risk of death or disability after controlling for treatment group. The discharge exam improved the predictive value of stage of HIE at6 hours for death/disability.On serial neurologic examinations, improvement in stage of HIE was associated with cooling. Persistence of severe HIE at 72 hours and an abnormal neurologic exam at discharge were associated with a greater risk of death or disability.

Background: Suspected or complicated intra-abdominal infections are common in young infants and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Meropenem is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with excellent activity against pathogens associated with intra-abdominal infections in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem in young infants as a basis for optimizing dosing and minimizing adverse events. Methods: Premature and term infants 4 mu g/mL for 50% of the dose interval and > 2 mu g/mL for 75% of the dose interval in 96% and 92% of patients, respectively. The estimated penetration of meropenem into the cerebrospinal fluid was 70% (5-148). Conclusions: Meropenem dosing strategies based on postnatal and gestational age achieved therapeutic drug exposure in almost all infants.

To examine pathogens and other characteristics associated with late-onset bloodstream infections (BSIs) in infants with intestinal failure (IF) as a consequence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Infants weighing 401-1500 g at birth who survived for72 hours and received care at Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network centers were studied. The frequency of culture-positive BSI and pathogens were compared in infants with medically managed NEC, NEC managed surgically without IF, and surgical IF. Among infants with IF, the duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) and other outcomes were evaluated.A total of 932 infants were studied (IF, n = 78; surgical NEC without IF, n = 452; medical NEC, n = 402). The proportion with BSI after diagnosis of NEC was higher in the infants with IF than in those with surgical NEC (P = .007) or medical NEC (P.001). Gram-positive pathogens were most frequent. Among infants with IF, an increased number of infections was associated with longer hospitalization and duration of PN (median stay: 172 for those with 0 infections, 188 days for those with 1 infection, and 260 days for those with ≥2 infections [P = .06]; median duration of PN: 90, 112, and 115 days, respectively [P = .003]) and decreased achievement of full feeds during hospitalization (87%, 67%, and 50%, respectively; P = .03).Recurrent BSIs are common in very low birth weight infants with IF. Gram-positive bacteria were the most commonly identified organisms in these infants.

BACKGROUND: Extremely low birth weight twins have a higher rate of death or neurodevelopmental impairment than singletons. Higher-order extremely low birth weight multiple births may have an even higher rate of death or neurodevelopmental impairment. METHODS: Extremely low birth weight (birth weight 401–1000 g) multiple births born in participating centers of the Neonatal Research Network between 1996 and 2005 were assessed for death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months' corrected age. Neurodevelopmental impairment was defined by the presence of 1 or more of the following: moderate to severe cerebral palsy; mental developmental index score or psychomotor developmental index score less than 70; severe bilateral deafness; or blindness. Infants who died within 12 hours of birth were excluded. Maternal and infant demographic and clinical variables were compared among singleton, twin, and triplet or higher-order infants. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the association between singletons, twins, and triplet or higher-order multiples and death or neurodevelopmental impairment, controlling for confounding variables that may affect death or neurodevelopmental impairment. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 8296 singleton, 2164 twin, and 521 triplet or higher-order infants. The risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment was increased in triplets or higher-order multiples when compared with singletons (adjusted odds ratio: 1.7 [95% confidence interval: 1.29–2.24]), and there was a trend toward an increased risk when compared with twins (adjusted odds ratio: 1.27 [95% confidence: 0.95–1.71]). CONCLUSIONS: Triplet or higher-order births are associated with an increased risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months' corrected age when compared with extremely low birth weight singleton infants, and there was a trend toward an increased risk when compared with twins.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare survival and neonatal morbidity rates between very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with Down syndrome (DS) and VLBW infants with non–DS chromosomal anomalies, nonchromosomal birth defects (BDs), and no chromosomal anomaly or major BD. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for infants weighing 401 to 1500 g who were born and/or cared for at one of the study centers participating in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network in 1994–2008. Risk of death and morbidities, including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis (LOS), retinopathy of prematurity, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), were compared between VLBW infants with DS and infants in the other groups. RESULTS: Infants with DS were at increased risk of death (adjusted relative risk: 2.47 [95% confidence interval: 2.00–3.07]), PDA, NEC, LOS, and BPD, relative to infants with no BDs. Decreased risk of death (relative risk: 0.40 [95% confidence interval: 0.31–0.52]) and increased risks of NEC and LOS were observed when infants with DS were compared with infants with other non–DS chromosomal anomalies. Relative to infants with nonchromosomal BDs, infants with DS were at increased risk of PDA and NEC. CONCLUSION: The increased risk of morbidities among VLBW infants with DS provides useful information for counseling parents and for anticipating the need for enhanced surveillance for prevention of these morbidities.

OBJECTIVE: This report presents data from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network on care of and morbidity and mortality rates for very low birth weight infants, according to gestational age (GA). METHODS: Perinatal/neonatal data were collected for 9575 infants of extremely low GA (22–28 weeks) and very low birth weight (401–1500 g) who were born at network centers between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007. RESULTS: Rates of survival to discharge increased with increasing GA (6% at 22 weeks and 92% at 28 weeks); 1060 infants died at ≤12 hours, with most early deaths occurring at 22 and 23 weeks (85% and 43%, respectively). Rates of prenatal steroid use (13% and 53%, respectively), cesarean section (7% and 24%, respectively), and delivery room intubation (19% and 68%, respectively) increased markedly between 22 and 23 weeks. Infants at the lowest GAs were at greatest risk for morbidities. Overall, 93% had respiratory distress syndrome, 46% patent ductus arteriosus, 16% severe intraventricular hemorrhage, 11% necrotizing enterocolitis, and 36% late-onset sepsis. The new severity-based definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia classified more infants as having bronchopulmonary dysplasia than did the traditional definition of supplemental oxygen use at 36 weeks (68%, compared with 42%). More than one-half of infants with extremely low GAs had undetermined retinopathy status at the time of discharge. Center differences in management and outcomes were identified. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of infants with GAs of ≥24 weeks survive, high rates of morbidity among survivors continue to be observed.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to examine the impact of birth at night, on the weekend, and during July or August (the first months of the academic year) and the impact of resident duty-hour restrictions on mortality and morbidity rates for very low birth weight infants. METHODS: Outcomes were analyzed for 11 137 infants with birth weights of 501 to 1250 g who were enrolled in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network registry in 2001–2005. Approximately one-half were born before the introduction of resident duty-hour restrictions in 2003. Follow-up assessments at 18 to 22 months were completed for 4508 infants. Mortality rate, short-term morbidities, and neurodevelopmental outcome were examined with respect to the timing of birth. RESULTS: There was no effect of the timing of birth on mortality rate and no impact on the risks of short-term morbidities except that the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (stage ≥2) was higher after the introduction of duty-hour restrictions and the risk of retinopathy of prematurity requiring operative treatment was lower for infants born during the late night than during the day. There was no impact of the timing of birth on neurodevelopmental outcome except that the risk of hearing impairment or death was slightly lower among infants born in July or August. CONCLUSION: In this network, the timing of birth had little effect on the risks of death and morbidity for very low birth weight infants, which suggests that staffing patterns were adequate to provide consistent care.

To examine risk factors for neonatal clinical seizures and to determine the independent association with death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.A total of 6499 ELBW infants (401-1000 g) surviving to 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were included in this retrospective study. Unadjusted comparisons were performed between infants with (n = 414) and without (n = 6085) clinical seizures during the initial hospitalization. Using multivariate logistic regression modeling, we examined the independent association of seizures with late death (after 36 weeks PMA) or NDI after controlling for multiple demographic, perinatal, and neonatal variables.Infants with clinical seizures had a greater proportion of neonatal morbidities associated with poor outcome, including severe intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, meningitis, and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (all P.01). Survivors were more likely to have NDI or moderate-severe cerebral palsy at 18 to 22 months corrected age (both P.01). After adjusting for multiple confounders, clinical seizures remained significantly associated with late death or NDI (odds ratio, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.37-4.19).ELBW infants with clinical seizures are at increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, independent of multiple confounding factors.

To determine the prevalence in the neonatal literature of statistical approaches accounting for the unique clustering patterns of multiple births and to explore the sensitivity of an actual trial to several analytic approaches to multiples.A systematic review of recent perinatal trials assessed the prevalence of studies accounting for clustering of multiples. The Nitric Oxide to Prevent Chronic Lung Disease (NO CLD) trial served as a case study of the sensitivity of the outcome to several statistical strategies. We calculated odds ratios using nonclustered (logistic regression) and clustered (generalized estimating equations, multiple outputation) analyses.In the systematic review, most studies did not describe the random assignment of twins and did not account for clustering. Of those studies that did, exclusion of multiples and generalized estimating equations were the most common strategies. The NO CLD study included 84 infants with a sibling enrolled in the study. Multiples were more likely than singletons to be white and were born to older mothers (P.01). Analyses that accounted for clustering were statistically significant; analyses assuming independence were not.The statistical approach to multiples can influence the odds ratio and width of confidence intervals, thereby affecting the interpretation of a study outcome. A minority of perinatal studies address this issue.