Search

Neonatal resuscitation is a high acuity, low occurrence event (HALO), and in rural community hospitals, low birth rates prevent providers from regular opportunities to maintain essential resuscitation skills. Simulation is an effective training modality for medical education, although resources for simulation are often limited in rural hospitals. Our primary objective was to test the hypothesis that in situ neonatal resuscitation simulation training improves rural hospitals' delivery room team confidence in performing key Neonatal Resuscitation ProgramWe conducted a quasi-experimental pre-training survey and post-training survey of delivery room team confidence in NRPOur data demonstrate a significant improvement in self-assessed confidence levels pre- and post-simulation training in key areas of neonatal resuscitation. Participants reported higher confidence in airway management (4 vs. 3, p=0.003), emergency intravenous access (3 vs. 2, p=0.007), and the ability to manage a code in the delivery room (4 vs. 3, p=0.013) and the operating room (4 vs. 3, p=0.028). Improvements were also noted in their team member's knowledge and skills to perform neonatal resuscitation. While improvements were appreciated in confidence, the performance of skills (NRPAn in situ-based neonatal resuscitation outreach simulation program improves self-confidence among rural delivery room teams. Additional research is needed to understand how to translate improved confidence into actual improved performance.

Context Term neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) may experience delays in acquiring skills for oral feeding, thus prolonging hospital admission. Objective To determine whether osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can decrease the overall length of stay (LOS) for term neonates by accelerating the transition to full oral feeds. Methods A pilot study was conducted to compare LOS in term neonates treated with OMT to matched historical controls. Eligibility criteria were gestational age greater than or equal to 37 weeks, mild to moderate encephalopathy, absent seizure activity, and no brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging. Treated neonates had OMT twice between day of life four and seven, then twice per week on nonconsecutive days until hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes were to compare the number of days with nasogastric tube in both OMT and historically matched control groups and to characterize somatic dysfunction patterns in the primary affected areas of the craniosacral mechanism. Results Twelve of 28 neonates treated with TH between October 2017 and August 2018 met eligibility criteria for the study and were matched 3:1 to 36 historical controls. On average, mothers of neonates who received OMT were older than the historical control mothers (31.3 years [SD, ±6.0] vs. 27.4 [SD, ±4.5]; p=0.02) Nineteen of the 36 historical control neonates, but no neonates in the OMT group, were intubated for a median of two days (interquartile range 1, 4). The mean LOS in the OMT group was 9.1 vs. 11.6 days for historical controls (p=0.048); however, in a sensitivity analysis excluding intubated neonates from the historical controls, the difference was 9.1 vs. 10.1 days (p=0.21). All neonates were orally feeding at discharge. Neonates given OMT had between two and four treatments lasting 8–20 minutes. By the final treatment, the craniosacral mechanism’s intraosseous and cranial base compressions and physiologic motion were improved. There were no adverse effects noted during OMT sessions. Conclusion Our findings suggest that OMT performed on term neonates treated with TH may decrease the amount of time needed to acquire the necessary skills for oral feeding. Although this result was not statistically significant, it may be clinically significant. A larger prospective clinical trial may have the power needed to detect a statistically significant reduction in LOS and number of days to full oral feeds in this patient population.

Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) is a common prenatally diagnosed cerebellar malformation, characterized by cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle, upward rotation of the hypoplastic vermis, and posterior fossa enlargement with torcular elevation. DWM is associated with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental abnormalities such as cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments, which cannot be explained solely by cerebellar malformations. Notably, the pathogenesis of these symptoms remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether fetal structural developmental abnormalities in DWM extended beyond the posterior fossa to the cerebrum even in fetuses without apparent cerebral anomalies. Post-acquisition volumetric fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis was performed in 12 fetuses with DWM and 14 control fetuses. Growth trajectories of the volumes of the cortical plate, subcortical parenchyma, cerebellar hemispheres, and vermis between 18 and 33 weeks of gestation were compared. The median (interquartile range) gestational ages at the time of MRI were 22.4 (19.4–24.0) and 23.9 (20.6–29.2) weeks in the DWM and control groups, respectively (p = 0.269). Eight of the 12 fetuses with DWM presented with associated cerebral anomalies, including hydrocephalus (n = 3), cerebral ventriculomegaly (n = 3), and complete (n = 2) and partial (n = 2) agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC); 7 presented with extracerebral abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected by microarray analysis in 4 of 11 fetuses with DWM, using amniocentesis. Volumetric analysis revealed that the cortical plate was significantly larger in fetuses with DWM than in controls (p = 0.040). Even without ACC, the subcortical parenchyma, whole cerebrum, cerebellar hemispheres, and whole brain were significantly larger in fetuses with DWM (n = 8) than in controls (p = 0.004, 0.025, 0.033, and 0.026, respectively). In conclusion, volumetric fetal MRI analysis demonstrated that the development of DWM extends throughout the brain during the fetal period, even without apparent cerebral anomalies.

Background Neonatal neurocritical care (NNCC) is a rapidly advancing field with limited fellowship training available in locally developed, non-accredited programs. A standardized survey aimed to understand the training backgrounds of individuals practicing NNCC, the structure of existing clinical NNCC services/training programs, and suggested clinical competencies for new graduates. Methods We developed an anonymous survey electronically sent to members of societies related to NNCC. Using the survey results as a guide, we discuss a competence by design (CBD) curriculum as a complementary approach to traditional time-based training. Results There were 82 responses to the survey from 30 countries; 95% of respondents were physicians. Thirty-one (42%) institutions reported having an NNCC service, 24 (29%) individuals reported formal NNCC training, 81% reported "significant variability" across NNCC training programs, and 88% were both in favor of standardizing training programs and pursuing formal accreditation for NNCC in the next 5 years. Conclusions The survey results demonstrate international interest in standardizing NNCC training and development of an accreditation or certification process. We propose consideration of a CBD-type curriculum as a training approach to focus on the development of specific NNCC competencies, rather than assuming the acquisition of these competencies based on time as a surrogate. Impact Continued growth and development in the field of NNCC has led to increasing need for training programs suited to meet the diverse needs of trainees from varied backgrounds. We present the results of an international survey that assessed the structure of existing training programs and the priority areas in which graduates must demonstrate competence, highlighting the combination of CBD and time-based training as one approach to address these recommendations. The survey results support interest in translating published training competencies, existing expertise, and infrastructure across centers into a standardized curriculum for NNCC including certification opportunities.

Background The maternal experience of caring for and bonding with infants affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has not been adequately characterized. Purpose This study was designed to describe mothers' experiences of, supports for, and barriers to bonding with infants with NAS. Methods Semistructured interviews were coded using computer-assisted thematic content analysis. A code co-occurrence model was used to visualize the relationships between themes. Results Thirteen mothers of infants with NAS participated. Trying to Do What Is Best emerged as the overarching theme with which several subthemes co-occurred. Subthemes that captured mothers loving their infants and bonding, feeling supported by the infants' fathers, feeling supported in the community, and receiving information from hospital staff were associated with mothers' trying to do what is best. Barriers to trying to do what is best included feeling unsupported in the community, guilt about taking medications or substances during pregnancy, feeling judged, and infant withdrawal. Implications for practice Specific implications for practice may be derived from the mothers' criticisms of NAS assessment tools. Mothers highlighted the value of reassurance and education from providers and the uniquely nonjudgmental support received from peers and male coparents. Implications for research There is a lack of information about maternal-infant bonding in dyads affected by NAS and factors that contribute to parental loss of custody. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies in diverse populations might help researchers better understand the long-term outcomes of NAS and develop interventions that decrease family separation.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common blood-borne pathogen in the United States. In the context of the opioid epidemic, there has been a dramatic rise in perinatal opioid use and the prevalence of HCV infection, which can be transmitted to infants. One national guideline recommends HCV screening for all pregnant women and screening for HCV-exposed newborns after 18 months of age. In this study, we aimed to identify the trends in HCV prevalence and screening among mothers using opioids during pregnancy and infants exposed to HCV infection in utero. METHODS: Infants with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (779.5) or International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes (P96.1) for neonatal abstinence syndrome and in-utero exposure to methadone, buprenorphine, or other opioid medications were identified for this retrospective cohort analysis. Information regarding maternal and infant HCV screening, demographics, and follow-up care was also extracted from the electronic medical record and HealthInfoNet, a statewide database of laboratory results. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2018, 769 infants with in-utero opiate exposure were identified. The maternal HCV screening rate increased from 58.1% in 2013 to 90% in 2018. Of the mothers tested for HCV during pregnancy, 257 (47.9%) were HCV-positive. Of the 177 infants eligible for testing by age criteria, 94 (53%) were tested for HCV, and 7 (7.4%) were HCV-positive. We estimate that an additional 10 infants were HCV-positive and undiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high prevalence of HCV, rates of maternal and infant screening remain suboptimal. This study highlights the need for improved care for this high-risk population of infants born to mothers with opiate use disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Score (FNAS) monitors infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), but it has been criticized for being time consuming and subjective. Many institutions have transitioned to a more straightforward screening tool, Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC), an assessment based on 3 simple observations with a focus on maximizing nonpharmacologic therapies. We aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the ESC with that of the FNAS to determine if infants who needed pharmacologic therapy could potentially be missed when assessed by using ESC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of infants identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision billing codes for NAS. FNAS scores were recorded every 4 hours for the entire hospitalization. ESC proxy scores were created by using components of the FNAS that referenced eating, sleeping, and consoling. Detailed demographic and clinical data were manually extracted regarding opioid exposures and pharmacologic treatment of NAS. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, 423 infants ≥37 weeks’ gestation had a total of 33 115 FNAS scores over 921 days of observation. In total, 287 (68%) were exposed to buprenorphine, 100 (23.7%) were exposed to methadone, and 165 (39%) were pharmacologically treated. The FNAS was 94.8% sensitive and 63.5% specific for pharmacologic treatment, and the ESC proxy variables were 99.4% sensitive and 40.2% specific (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: ESC proxy variables have slightly higher sensitivity compared with FNAS, suggesting that ESC use is unlikely to miss infants requiring treatment who would have been identified by FNAS. Transitioning from FNAS to ESC is not likely to impair the care of infants with NAS.

Executive summary: Neonatal encephalopathy and neurologic outcome, second edition. Report of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Task Force on Neonatal Encephalopathy. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123:896–901. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000445580.65983.d2. Lally PJ, Montaldo P, Oliveira V, Swamy RS, Soe A, Shankaran S, et al. Residual brain injury after early discontinuation of cooling therapy in mild neonatal encephalopathy. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2018;103:F383–F7. Article Google Scholar Natarajan G, Laptook A, Shankaran S. Therapeutic hypothermia: how can we optimize this therapy to further improve outcomes? Clin Perinatol. 2018;45:241–55. Article Google Scholar Wenger TL, Gerdes J, Taub K, Swarr DT, Deardorff MA, Abend NS. Telemedicine for genetic and neurologic evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol. 2014;34:234–40. CAS Article Google Scholar Lally PJ, Montaldo P, Oliveira V, Soe A, Swamy R, Bassett P, et al. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of brain injury after moderate hypothermia in neonatal encephalopathy: a prospective multicentre cohort study. Lancet Neurol. 2019;18:35–45. Article Google Scholar Armfield NR, Donovan T, Bensink ME, Smith AC. The costs and potential savings of telemedicine for acute care neonatal consultation: preliminary findings. J Telemed Telecare. 2012;18:429–33. Article Google Scholar Craig AK, James C, Bainter J, Evans S, Gerwin R. Parental perceptions of neonatal therapeutic hypothermia; emotional and healing experiences. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2020;33:2889–96. Article Google Scholar Download references We would like to thank our colleagues from the MaineHealth Telestroke Program for making this project possible through the generous loan of the telemedicine equipment. This research was not supported by any funding. The telemedicine equipment was loaned by the MaineHealth Telestroke Program. Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Portland, ME, USA Alexa K. Craig Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA Lauren M. McAllister Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Portland, ME, USA Scott Evans & Misty E. Melendi You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar AKC conceptualized the study design, designed the study collection instruments, and supervised the data collection. She was involved in data analysis and reviewed and revised all portions of the manuscript. LMM analyzed the data and drafted the first version of the manuscript and reviewed and revised all portions of the manuscript. SE provided the expertise and training in use of the telemedicine system and reviewed and revised all portions of the manuscript. MEM contributed to the data analysis and reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Correspondence to Alexa K. Craig. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Reprints and Permissions Craig, A.K., McAllister, L.M., Evans, S. et al. Telemedicine consults to assess neonatal encephalopathy are feasible in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00828-3 Download citation Received: 18 June 2020 Revised: 14 August 2020 Accepted: 10 September 2020 Published: 21 September 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-00828-3

The Suppression Ratio (SR) estimates the percent of the electroencephalography (EEG) epoch with very low voltage, and is associated with neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. We aimed to compare the SR generated by two monitoring devices and determine the association between SR and patterns on amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) and full conventional EEG (cEEG).Consecutive adult patients treated with TTM after cardiac arrest were enrolled. We compared the SR from the Medtronic Vista monitor (MSR) to the SR generated from the full montage cEEG with Persyst Magic-Marker software (PSR). A blinded neurologist, board certified in epilepsy, scored the 4-channel aEEG pattern and the cEEG background using standardized terminology. Values for SR were compared to aEEG and cEEG categories using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, and to each other using Altman-Bland methodology.23 adults treated with TTM had a mean core temperature of 33.8 °C at the time of SR and EEG background analysis. The MSR was 0% during continuous cEEG background, 23% when cEEG was discontinuous, and 64% during cEEG burst suppression (p = 0.01). The MSR was 0% during aEEG continuous patterns, 34% during aEEG burst suppression, and 46% during flat aEEG (p 0.001). The MSR and PSR were highly correlated (0.88, p 0.0001), with minimal bias (0.3%) and excellent 95% limits of agreement (-2.9 to 2.4%).The Suppression Ratio from the Medtronic Vista monitor is highly correlated with the full montage SR from Persyst software. The MSR values are valid, changing with different aEEG patterns and cEEG background categories.

OBJECTIVES Understanding the experience of parents with newborns hospitalized with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) across all inpatient settings is important in optimizing their involvement as part of the care team. A descriptive qualitative study design was utilized to understand the parental experience and identify barriers to parent involvement in care of newborns with NAS care. METHODS Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with parents of a convenience sample of fifteen infants admitted for NAS in the newborn nursery and level II/III neonatal intensive care unit within a tertiary care center in Northern New England. Interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS Sixty percent of mothers were treated with buprenorphine during pregnancy, and 60% of infants required pharmacological treatment for NAS symptoms. The predominant themes of parental experience included preparation/education for hospitalization, communication with providers, NAS management, family resources, physical hospital environment, and maternal guilt. CONCLUSION The parental experience of care for NAS is negatively affected by lack of standardized NAS education in the prenatal and postnatal settings, inconsistent communication with providers, the Finnegan scoring system, lack of provider sensitivity to parental substance use disorder, and maternal guilt. This study also highlights the parental desire to be more involved in the care of newborns with NAS.

In this case study we describe the prenatal and postnatal course of a patient with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) focusing on the prenatal diagnostic challenges. During a routine prenatal ultrasonographic survey, a 19 weeks female fetus was found to have several anatomical anomalies including poorly visualized cavum septum pellucidum. Fetal growth was normal at that time. Fetal brain MRI at 22 weeks demonstrated an enlarged extra-axial space and scalp edema, but no other apparent anomalies. Amniocentesis revealed normal karyotype and chromosomal microarray. Postnatally the infant possessed physical features suggestive of CdLS (growth restriction, microcephaly, limb deformities), later genetically confirmed with a mutation in NIPBL gene. Postnatal brain MRI demonstrated brachycephaly, immature frontal lobe sulcation, and partial agenesis of the corpus callosum that were not seen on the fetal MRI. The case supports previous radiological findings, emphasizing the importance of subtle ultrasonographic and MRI features that potentially could lead to earlier detection of the syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The unique communication challenges faced by parents of infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia have not been well characterized. PURPOSE: To develop awareness of communication challenges experienced by families of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a group setting with parents matched into groups according to the severity of the infant’s presenting encephalopathy. The interviews were transcribed and coded into principal and additional sub-themes. RESULTS: Thirty adults were interviewed including 15 mothers, 12 fathers, two grandmothers and one grandfather. The 15 infants were between two and 24 months at the time of the interviews. The principal theme of communication included the following three subthemes; transparency, consistency and delivery style. Parents reported a strong desire for improved early and transparent communication about therapeutic hypothermia, particularly during transfer from an outside hospital. Parents also reported a preference for consistent communication and highlighted parental touch of the hypothermic infant, obstetrical nurse to NICU nurse communication and parent and visitor presence in the infant’s room as areas in need of greater communication consistency. Parents valued direct and compassionate communication styles that excluded medical jargon. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: All providers can implement recommendations for communication to parents of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia by increasing transparency, developing greater consistency in the communication delivered and employing a direct and compassionate style to improve the parental experience of therapeutic hypothermia. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Further investigation is needed into the specific challenges parents face with a lack of transparent communication prior to the transfer of an infant for therapeutic hypothermia.

Neonates and families face challenges in hypothermic therapy, including trauma to parents, extreme emotions, and unfamiliarity with the medical system. Communication is an essential element to supporting parents while their children are in the NICU, and beyond, building the foundation for the ongoing relationship the family has with the medical system. Significant consideration needs to be given to the critical element of integrating the family into the care of a baby being treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Clinicians can promote healing of accumulated traumas of parents through ensuring parent's emotional safety, facilitating a trusting relationship, and promoting parent empowerment. Connecting parents with resources, especially peer support, is an essential part of a hospital stay. In this chapter, we explore best practices to support families during and after hypothermic therapy.

Fetuses with isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) are associated with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental disability that cannot be specifically predicted in prenatal neuroimaging. We hypothesized that ACC may be associated with aberrant cortical folding. In this study, we determined altered patterning of early primary sulci development in fetuses with isolated ACC using novel quantitative sulcal pattern analysis which measures deviations of regional sulcal features (position, depth, and area) and their intersulcal relationships in 7 fetuses with isolated ACC (27.1 ± 3.8 weeks of gestation, mean ± SD) and 17 typically developing (TD) fetuses (25.7 ± 2.0 weeks) from normal templates. Fetuses with ACC showed significant alterations in absolute sulcal positions and relative intersulcal positional relationship compared to TD fetuses, which were not detected by traditional gyrification index. Our results reveal altered sulcal positional development even in isolated ACC that is present as early as the second trimester and continues throughout the fetal period. It might originate from altered white matter connections and portend functional variances in later life.

AIM Concerns for infant destabilisation often prohibit parental holding of infants during therapeutic hypothermia (TH). We assessed the feasibility of maternal holding during TH, as the inability to hold can impede bonding. METHODS Vital signs were assessed in stable infants before, at two-minute intervals during and 30 minutes after a single 30-minute holding session. The infant remained on the blanket throughout holding, and both infant and blanket were placed into the mother's arms on top of a thin foam insulating barrier. Mothers and nurses were surveyed about their experience. RESULTS Ten infants undergoing TH for neonatal encephalopathy had no equipment malfunctions or dislodgement. The mean temperature was 33.4°C prior to and 33.5°C (p = 0.18) after holding. There was no significant bradycardia (heart rate

INTRODUCTION: Parents of infants who undergo therapeutic hypothermia experience emotional challenges that have not been fully characterized. Comprehensive understanding of the parental experience of hypothermia is needed to provide better care to the family of the infant. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the parental emotional experience of therapeutic hypothermia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a group setting with parents matched into groups according to the severity of the infant’s presenting encephalopathy. The interviews were transcribed and coded into principal and additional sub-themes. RESULTS: Families of 15 infants, who were between 2 months and 2 years at the time of the interview, participated. Infants had a mean gestational age of 40.0 weeks and 11 (73%) were male. Eleven (73%) were transferred from other hospitals following birth and 8 (53%) had seizures. Emotional Experiences was a principal theme and included subthemes of Traumatic experiences, Loss of normalcy, and Separation of parent and infant. The birth was frequently described as traumatic with descriptions of chest compressions, excessive blood loss and infants not crying. Trauma was also described in the parental observations of the shivering hypothermic infant. Parents highlighted the loss of normalcy in terms of their expected birth narrative and the loss of the early opportunity to breast feed and hold their infant. Parents reported that the physical separation imposed by hypothermia adversely impacted their ability to bond with their infant. Healing Experiences was the other principal theme with subthemes identified as Incorporation of parents into NICU care, Reclaiming parenthood and Support from other hypothermia families. Parents reported feeling a connection to their infant when they were involved in medical rounds and when asked to participate in routine care of their infant. Occasionally, parents strongly advocated for their own participation in a particular aspect of their infant’s care such as a diaper change and this was perceived as reinforcing their role as parent. Lastly, parents requested greater access to peer support from parents who had experienced therapeutic hypothermia. CONCLUSION: Parents of infants treated with hypothermia reported the experience of their unexpected adverse delivery and their baby subsequently being treated with therapeutic hypothermia as traumatic. This trauma can be compounded by the pale, still and shivering appearance of their newborn and the delay in bonding as a result of physical separation during hypothermia treatment. Parents described feeling connected to their infant in the context of performing routine care activities and desired greater access to peer support. The themes reported in this study could be used to inform high level NICU care and raise provider awareness of the parent experience.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the parent experience of therapeutic hypothermia (TH), specifically focusing on unmet expectations. STUDY DESIGN: Open-ended questions were used in a focus group setting. We employed an inductive approach to develop thematic content from the transcribed recordings. RESULTS: 30 parents of infants treated with TH participated. Within the principal theme of managing expectations, four sub-themes emerged. These included parental concerns about morphine use; specifically the association of morphine with end- of-life care and addiction. Parents perceived their role as key in the decision to implement TH and were emotionally burdened by this during and after TH. Parents recall intense fear for the infant’s immediate survival and were not sufficiently reassured regarding survival. Parents also experience ongoing uncertainties about the long-term prognosis after TH. CONCLUSION: The identification of these four areas in which parents have unmet expectations is important in order to improve the delivery of care.

The cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndromes are a rare group of neurodevelopmental disorders defined by low levels of cerebrospinal fluid 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the context of normal serum folate. Infantile-onset CFD, a phenotype of the CFD syndromes, typically presents between 4 and 6 months of age and is amenable to treatment with folinic acid. To date, only 20 cases of this phenotype have been reported. Here, we present a patient diagnosed at 4 years with infantile-onset CFD who demonstrated dramatic clinical and radiological improvement after supplementation with high-dose oral folinic acid. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an African patient with this condition and the first to capture neuroimaging both before and after treatment. With this case report, we aim to provide radiologic evidence and further demographic diversity to support existing guidelines for simple vitamin supplementation in this rare but treatable condition.

Background The traumatic experiences of parents of babies treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) have been described. No research has assessed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse experience in providing care to hypothermic babies and emotional support to their parents. Purpose To assess NICU nurse attitudes to the provision of TH with respect to perceptions about baby pain/sedation, need for nurse and parent education, decision making about initiation of TH, and barriers to best care. Methods A survey was electronically sent to 219 nurses at 2 affiliated academic level III NICUs: 1 rural and 1 urban location. There were 17 questions where responses were selected from a preset list and 7 opportunities for nurses to provide free text responses. Findings The response rate was 38% (N = 83). Overwhelming similarities between the urban and rural institutions were found with NICU nurses expressing understanding of the indications for initiating TH, agreement that TH improves long-term outcomes and that the benefits of TH outweigh the risks. Nurses at the urban institution more frequently expressed concerns surrounding inadequate treatment of baby pain/sedation, and nurses at both institutions strongly emphasized the need for more nurse and parent education about TH and improved timeliness of decision making for initiation of TH. Implications for practice NICU nurses specifically want to learn more about outcomes of babies after treatment with TH and feel that parents need more education about TH. Implications for research Research is urgently needed to better understand the implications of TH treatment for parent-baby bonding.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a neuroprotective therapy regularly used in newborn infants following traumatic births. The infant’s temperature is maintained at 33.5°C for 72 hours by a cooling blanket upon which the infant is placed. Parents are not permitted to hold their infant while TH is ongoing due to concerns for unintentional rewarming or accidental dislodging of catheters or other monitoring equipment. Our prior qualitative research with nurse and parent interviews described the inability to hold an infant during TH as a significant source of stress. We assessed the feasibility of a 30-minute period of maternal holding for infants being actively treated with TH and assessed both the maternal experience of holding and the nurse experience of supporting holding. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This was a feasibility study employing a mixed-methods approach. Inclusion criteria were gestational age at birth of 35 weeks or greater, absence of clinical or electrographic seizures during the first 24 hours of TH, and designation as “clinically stable” by the attending neonatologist with the infant on room air, nasal cannula, or continuous positive airway pressure. Quantitative data were obtained from vital sign monitoring every 2 minutes before, during and after holding and from maternal and nurse research surveys. Qualitative data were obtained from nurse surveys. Infant rewarming was prevented through use of a thin foam insulating barrier placed between mother and infant during holding. Adverse events were defined as a change in infant temperature greater than 0.5°C above or below 33.5°C, accidental dislodging of central lines/disruption of EEG leads or early termination of holding due vital sign instability present for greater than 2 recorded measurements including infant bradycardia defined as heart rate less than 80 beats per minute, hypotension defined as mean arterial pressure less than 40 mmHg or oxygen saturation of less than 93%. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: There were 10 newborn infants undergoing TH for neonatal encephalopathy (median gestational age 39.4 weeks) and their mothers (median age=31 years) were recruited. Infants remained on the hypothermia blanket during holding and were transferred safely to their mother’s arms without medical equipment malfunction/dislodgement. Holding occurred at a median of 47 hours of life. The mean temperature prior to holding was 33.4°C and at completion of holding the mean temperature was 33.5°C (p=0.18). There were no significant bradycardia, hypotension or oxygen desaturation events. In total, 80% of mothers reported difficulty bonding with their baby prior to holding and 90% reported a high level of stress before holding. After holding, all mothers felt their bond was “stronger” or “much stronger” and all felt “less stressed” or “much less stressed.” After holding, 75% of nurses reported that they felt a more positive emotional response to the infant. One nurse stated, “being a part of this emotional experience made me feel closer and more connected to this family and gave me a different perspective on just what they had been dealing with and feeling since giving birth to their child.” In free text responses, on 5 separate occasions, nurses commented on the relaxed, calmed or less irritable appearance of the infant while being held during TH. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: In this sample of term infants treated with TH, a 30-minute period of maternal holding was not associated with increased temperature or other adverse events. Holding during TH was associated with extremely positive feedback from mothers and nurses. Future larger studies could consider assessing the impact of holding on endocrinological markers of stress and bonding, on infant glycemic control, on breastfeeding success rates, and the impact of earlier and improved bonding on the developmental outcomes of children held during their treatment with TH. Increasing the duration of holding and allowing both parents to hold on more than one occasion during the 72 hours of TH may increase the proposed benefits of this intervention.

Background: Legislation on physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is being considered in a number of states since the passage of the Oregon Death With Dignity Act in 1994. Opinion assessment surveys have historically assessed particular subsets of physicians. Objective: To determine variables predictive of physicians’ opinions on PAS in a rural state, Vermont, USA. Design: Cross-sectional mailing survey. Participants: 1052 (48% response rate) physicians licensed by the state of Vermont. Results: Of the respondents, 38.2% believed PAS should be legalised, 16.0% believed it should be prohibited and 26.0% believed it should not be legislated. 15.7% were undecided. Males were more likely than females to favour legalisation (42% vs 34%). Physicians who did not care for patients through the end of life were significantly more likely to favour legalisation of PAS than physicians who do care for patients with terminal illness (48% vs 33%). 30% of the respondents had experienced a request for assistance with suicide. Conclusions: Vermont physicians’ opinions on the legalisation of PAS is sharply polarised. Patient autonomy was a factor strongly associated with opinions in favour of legalisation, whereas the sanctity of the doctor–patient relationship was strongly associated with opinions in favour of not legislating PAS. Those in favour of making PAS illegal overwhelmingly cited moral and ethical beliefs as factors in their opinion. Although opinions on legalisation appear to be based on firmly held beliefs, approximately half of Vermont physicians who responded to the survey agree that there is a need for more education in palliative care and pain management.