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Since the first publication of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists committee opinion in 2012, and following the update in 2017, multiple institutions in the United States (US) adopted the practice of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and/or umbilical cord milking (UCM) in preterm and term infants. However, there have been variations reported in practices with regard to method of placental transfusion, timing of cord clamping and gestational age thresholds. Furthermore, the optimal cord clamping practice in situations of depressed infants needing resuscitation or in higher-risk delivery situations, such as placental abruption, intrauterine growth restriction, multiple gestation, chorioamnionitis, maternal human immunodeficiency virus syndrome/hepatitis or maternal general anesthesia is often debated. An evaluation of these variations and exploration of associated factors was needed to optimally target opportunities for improvement and streamline research activities. The objective of this survey, specifically aimed at neonatologists working in the US was to identify and describe current cord clamping practices and evaluate factors associated with variations.The survey was distributed electronically to the US neonatologists in August 2019 with a reminder email sent in October 2019. Clinicians were primarily identified from Perinatal Section of AAP, with reminders also sent through various organizations including California Association of Neonatologists, Pediatrix and Envision national groups. Descriptive variables of interest included years of experience practicing neonatology, affiliation with a teaching institution, level of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and practicing region of the US. Questions on variations in cord management practices included information about center specific guideline/protocol, cord clamping practices, gestational age threshold of placental transfusion, performance of UCM and practice in higher-risk delivery situations.The response rate was 14.8%. Among 517 neonatologists whom responded, majority (85.5%) of the practices had a guideline and performed (81.7%) DCC in all gestational ages. The cord clamping practice was predominantly DCC and it was categorized as reporting clamping times60 s in 46.6% and ≥60 s in 48.7% of responses. A significant association was detected between time of delay in cord clamping and region of practice. The Northeast region was more likely to clamp the cord in60 s than other regions in the US. More than half of the providers responded not performing any UCM (57.3%) in their practice. Significant associations were detected between performance of UCM and all queried demographic variables independently. Clinicians with20 years of experience were more likely from institutions performing UCM compared to the providers with fewer years of experience. However, teaching hospitals were less likely to perform UCM compared to non-teaching hospitals. Similarly, practices with level IV NICUs were less likely to perform UCM compared to practices with level III units. Hospitals in the Midwest region of US were less likely to perform UCM compared to hospitals in the Western region. Significant variations were also noticed for not providing placental transfusion in higher-risk deliveries. Demographic and professional factors were noted to be associated with these differences.Although the majority of practices have a guideline/protocol and are performing DCC in all gestational ages, there are variations noted with regard to timing, method, and performance in higher-risk deliveries. Demographic and professional factors play an important role in these variations. Future research needs to focus on the modifiable factors to optimize the procedure and impact of DCC.

ObjectivesTo ascertain parental perceptions of the impact of restricted visiting policies to neonatal intensive care units during the current COVID-19 pandemic.DesignCross-sectional survey of parents impacted by visitation policies.SettingSix tertiary level neonatal units, four from the UK and two from the USA, participated in the study.ParticipantsParents and families of infants hospitalised in the participating centres between 1 May 2020 and 21 August 2020.MethodsOnline-based and/or paper-based survey, querying the visitation policies and their impact on parents’ ability to visit, care for and bond with their infants.ResultsA total of 231 responses were received. Visitation limited to a single visitor with no restrictions on duration was the most frequently reported policy; 140/217 (63%). Visitation policies were perceived as being restrictive by 62% (138/219) of the respondents with 37% (80/216) reporting being able to visit less often than desired, 41% (78/191) reporting being unable to bond enough and 27% (51/191) reporting not being able to participate in their baby’s daily care. Mild to severe impact on breast feeding was reported by 36% (75/209) of respondents. Stricter policies had a higher impact on families and were significantly associated with a lack of bonding time, inability to participate in care and an adverse impact on breast feeding.ConclusionsVisitation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic varied between centres and over time with stricter restrictions implemented earlier on in the pandemic. Parents reported significant impacts on their ability to visit, care for and bond with their infants with perceived severity of impact worse with stricter restrictions.

Objective This article aims to determine the incidence of short-term complications of surgical patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligations, the factors associated with those complications, and whether complications are associated with poor long-term outcomes. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of all extremely low birth weight (ELBW, Results A total of 180 ELBW infants were included; median gestational age and birth weight was 24 weeks and 683 g, respectively, and 44% of infants had at least one short-term complication. Need for vasopressors (33%) was the most common medical complication and vocal cord paralysis (9%) was the most common surgical complication. Younger corrected gestational age at time of repair was associated with increased risk for complications. Mortality, length of stay, and BPD rates were similar between infants with and without complications. Conclusion Serious complications were seen in a minority of infants. Additional research is needed to determine if short-term complications are associated with long-term adverse outcomes.

This double-blinded, randomized, crossover study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of 20 mL/kg aliquots of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions versus 15 mL/kg aliquot transfusions in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with anemia. The study enrolled 22 hemodynamically stable VLBW infants requiring PRBC transfusions, with a mean gestational age of 25.7 ± 2.2 weeks and birth weight of 804 ± 261 g. Each infant was randomized to receive one of two treatment sequences: 15 mL/kg followed by 20 mL/kg or 20 mL/kg followed by 15 mL/kg. The infants were monitored during and after transfusions, and the efficacy and safety of the treatments were evaluated. Infants had higher posttransfusion hemoglobin (13.2 g/dL vs 11.8 g/dL, P < 0.01) and hematocrit levels (38.6 g/dL vs 34.4 g/dL, P < 0.01) following 20 mL/kg PRBC transfusions when compared to 15 mL/kg transfusions. There were no differences in the incidence of tachypnea, hepatomegaly, edema, hypoxia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or vital sign instability between groups. In conclusion, high-volume PRBC transfusions (20 mL/kg) were associated with higher posttransfusion hemoglobin and hematocrit levels but no adverse effects. Higher-volume transfusions may reduce the need for multiple transfusions and therefore the number of donors the infant is exposed to.

The interaction between pre-eclampsia and diabetes mellitus (DM) is far from being completely understood. In this study, we compared normal pregnancies with those complicated with pre-eclampsia, gestational DM, and/or pre-existing diabetes to assess the effects of hyperglycemia on placental development. AnInstitutional Review Board (IRB) approved retrospective cross-sectional study with 621 subjects was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using Duncan's post hoc test and analysis of variance. Regardless of diabetes status, patients with pre-eclampsia delivered prematurely. Patients in the group with pre-eclampsia and pregestational diabetes delivered much earlier, at 35.0±0.4 weeks, when compared with the patients that had pre-eclampsia with gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia with no diabetes (*P

To understand factors contributing to the neonatal mortality rate (NMR), we studied trends in the NMR during 2000 to 2009 with respect to demographic factors and health care resources. Birth- and death-linked mortality data for 14,168 neonatal deaths that occurred between 2000 and 2009 were obtained from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Demographic factors and health care resource data were analyzed using analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and linear regression analysis. The average NMR increased from 3.37 in 2000 to 3.77 in 2009. The NMR in blacks ranged from 6.57 to 8.97 during the study period. Among the babies who died, the mean birthweight decreased from 1505 to 1275 g (P < 0.001) and the mean gestational age decreased from 28.4 to 27.8 weeks (P < 0.001). Cesarean section deliveries increased from 32.7% to 44.9% (P < 0.001). The percentage of mothers receiving prenatal care increased from 81.4% to 86.6% (P < 0.001). Mothers with a college education increased from 8.8% to 20.5% (P < 0.001). The median household income increased from $41,047 to $49,189 (P < 0.001). The number of neonatal intensive care unit beds increased from 33.4 to 56 per 10,000 births, and the number of neonatologists increased from 0.27 to 0.40 per 10,000 women of 15 to 44 years of age. In conclusion, the NMR didn't improve despite improvements in demographic factors and health care resources. Racial disparities persist, with a high NMR in the black population. We speculate a possible genetic predisposition related to ethnicity, and a potentially higher rate of extreme prematurity might have contributed to a high NMR in the study population.

Bilateral congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicles is extremely rare. We report a case of this entity presenting in the neonatal period. We highlight the importance of the differential diagnosis when clavicular fracture shows no evidence of healing or occurs bilaterally.