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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Caring for hospitalized premature infants, who are exposed to a variety of painful caregiving, exposes mothers to many challenges that lead to anxiety. This study was designed to provide solutions to reduce maternal anxiety and neonatal pain. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on 90 mothers with preterm infants in three groups of massage intervention, kangaroo care and control group. The interventions of both groups were performed from the time of stabilization of the neonates to the time of discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Spielberger overt and covert anxiety questionnaires with a minimum score of 20 and a maximum of 80 were completed before and after the intervention. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference between the levels of overt and covert anxiety of mothers in the massage group (34.43±11.74 and 32.13±9.25) and the kangaroo care group (36.90±10.06 and 38.07±13.10) compared to the control group (57.47±10.86 and 50.10±9.19) (p<0.001). This difference in the levels of neonatal pain was also significant in the massage group (1.87±1.20) and in the kangaroo care group (2.00±1.02) compared with the control group (4.17±1.21) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that infant massage and kangaroo care by the mother are effective in reducing maternal anxiety as well as reducing pain levels in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neonatal homecare (NH) can be used to provide parents the opportunity of bringing cardiopulmonary-stable preterm infants home for tube feeding and the establishment of breastfeeding supported by neonatal nurses visiting the home. However, home visits can be challenging for hospitals covering large regions, and, therefore, regular neonatal hospital care has remained the first choice in Denmark. As an alternative to home visits, telehealth may be used to deliver NH. Thus, neonatal tele-homecare (NTH) was developed. Positive infant outcomes and the optimization of family-centred care have been described, but the costs of telehealth in the context of NH remain unknown. This study aims to assess the costs of NTH compared to regular neonatal hospital care, from the health service perspective.Methods: The cost analysis was based on an observational study of NTH in Denmark (run from November 2015 to December 2016) and followed the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards. The intervention group were the families of preterm infants receiving NTH (n = 96). The control group comprised a historic cohort of families with preterm infants, receiving standard care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (n = 278). NTH infants and the historical group were categorized according to gestational age at birth at/under and over 32 weeks. The outcomes were NTH resource utilization, in-NICU hospital bed days, re-admissions and total costs on average per infant. The time horizon was from birth to discharge.Results: The costs of NTH resource utilization were, on average, €695 per infant, and the total costs per infant, on average, were €12,200 and €4200 for infants at/under and over 32 weeks, respectively. The corresponding costs of the control group were €14,300 and €4400. The difference in total costs showed statistical significance for the group of infants under 32 weeks (p < 0.001).Discussion: The cost analysis showed that NTH was less costly compared to regular hospital care, especially for infants born with gestational age at/under 32 weeks. NTH is an appropriate model of care for preterm infants and their families, is clinically effective and less expensive than similar services delivered in the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Placental abruption is a major determinant of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, often related to asphyxia and preterm birth. However, the impact of abruption on the long-term morbidity of the offspring is less investigated.Methods: We designed a hospital-based cohort study, in which the incidence of long-term neurology-related hospitalisations of offspring to women with and without placental abruption was assessed. All singleton deliveries between 1991 and 2014 were included in the study. Congenital anomalies, perinatal mortality, and multifetal pregnancies were excluded from the analyses. We compared cumulative morbidity incidence using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and estimated the risk for long-term neurological hospitalisations from Cox proportional hazards models after adjustment for putative including maternal age, parity, hypertensive disorders, pre-gestational and gestational diabetes, gender, ethnicity, and year of birth.Results: Over the 22-year period, 2 202 269 person-years of follow-up, there were 217 910 deliveries of which 0.5% (n = 1003) were complicated with placental abruption. The median (interquartile range) follow-up of children in the abruption and non-abruption groups was 10.3 (4.6, 15.9) and 12.0 (6.3, 16.5) years, respectively. The cumulative incidence of total neurological hospitalisations was comparable between abruption (3.32 per 1000 person-years) and non-abruption (3.16 per 1000 person-years). Abruption was associated with increased rates of cerebral palsy (hazard ratio [HR] 6.71, 95% CI 3.32, 13.58) and developmental disorders (HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.38, 8.13), but not for total neurology-related hospitalisations (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.78, 1.49).Conclusion: Placental abruption is associated with increased rate of cerebral palsy and developmental disorders in the offspring later in life. This study may define risk factors for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders, enabling early diagnosis and intervention in children with such disorders, and perhaps improving their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manipulative therapies include osteopathic manipulative treatment and many other forms of manual therapies used to manage a variety of conditions in adults and children. Spinal manipulative therapy may provide short-term improvement in patients with acute or chronic low back pain, comparable with other standard treatments. When compared with oral analgesics, cervical manipulation and/or mobilization appears to provide better short-term pain relief and improved function in patients with neck pain. Manipulative therapies may be as effective as amitriptyline for treating migraine headaches and can reduce the frequency and intensity of pain. Although manipulative therapy is sometimes recommended to treat conditions in children (e.g., musculoskeletal problems, otitis media, respiratory conditions, infantile colic, allergies), there is supporting evidence only for reducing the length of hospital stay for preterm infants. Mild adverse events, such as muscle stiffness and soreness, occur in up to 50% of adults who undergo manipulative therapy. Although serious adverse events such as lumbar disk herniation, cauda equina syndrome, and vertebrobasilar injury are rare, they can cause significant disability or death. Given the limited proven benefits of manipulative therapies and small risk of serious adverse events, additional high-quality, adequately powered studies are needed before definitive recommendations can be made for treating many conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The attitudes of neonatologists towards the active management of extremely premature infants in a developing country like China are uncertain.Methods: A web-based survey was sent to neonatologists from 16 provinces representing 59.6% (824.2 million) of the total population of China on October 2015 and December 2017.Results: A total of 117 and 219 responses were received in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Compared to 2015, respondents in 2017 were more likely to resuscitate infants <25 weeks of gestation (86% vs. 72%; p < 0.05), but few would resuscitate infants ≤23 weeks of gestation in either epoch (10% vs. 6%). In both epochs, parents were responsible for >50% of the costs of intensive care, but in 2017, significantly fewer clinicians would cease intensive care (75% vs. 88%; p < 0.05) and more would request for economic aid (40% vs. 20%; p < 0.05) if parents could not afford to pay. Resource availability (e.g. ventilators) was not an important factor in either initiation or continuation of intensive care (~60% in both epochs).Conclusion: Cost is an important factor in the initiation and continuation of neonatal intensive care in a developing country like China. Such factors need to be taken into consideration when interpreting outcome data from these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Most infants born before 30 weeks gestational age (GA) develop respiratory distress syndrome soon after birth. Methods of surfactant administration that avoid ventilation have been recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a new procedure of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) and determine whether it is associated with an improvement in respiratory outcome. Methods: This single center cohort quality improvement study analyzed preterm infants born before 30 weeks GA between May 2010 and April 2016. Changes in health care practices and respiratory outcomes following the implementation of a LISA, i.e. the administration of surfactant through a thin catheter, were analyzed using quality control charts. Then, the effect of LISA on respiratory outcome was assessed by propensity score matching and logistic regression weighted by the inverse of the propensity score. Results: During the study period, 379 infants were included. Of those that were not intubated at ten minutes of life, 129 received surfactant and were ventilated for one hour or more (InVent), 127 received LISA, five received surfactant with tracheal mechanical ventilation for less than one hour (InSurE), and 55 were only treated with nasal continuous positive pressure during the first hour of neonatal care (nCPAP). Quality-chart analysis revealed rapid implementation of the method with a concomitant decrease in required ventilation. LISA was associated with fewer tracheal ventilation days and a lower incidence of supplemental oxygen on day 28. When controlling for the propensity to be exposed or not to LISA, this procedure was not associated with a lower risk of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Conclusion: In this study, the successful implementation of the new method was associated with lower rates of mechanical ventilation, but without a significant reduction of grade I/II/III BPD or death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop quality of care (QoC) indicators, evaluate the quality of the processes of care (QPC) and clinical outcomes, and analyze the association between the QPC and severe clinical outcomes of preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Design: Mixed methods approach: (1) development of QoC indicators via modified RAND/UCLA method; (2) cross-sectional study of QoC evaluation and (3) multiple logistic regression analysis to ascertain the association between the QPC and severe clinical outcomes.Setting: Two NICUs belonged to the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Mexico City.Participants: About 489 preterm neonates (<37 weeks of gestation) without severe congenital anomalies.Main Outcome Measure(s): The QoC indicators; ≥60% of recommended QPC and severe clinical outcomes.Results: The QoC included 10 QPC indicators across four domains: respiratory, nutrition and metabolism, infectious diseases, and screening, and five outcome indicators. The lower QPC indicators were for the nutrition and metabolism domain (17.8% started enteral feeding with human milk, and 20.7% received sodium bicarbonate appropriately). The higher QPC indicator was for the screening domain (97.6% of neonates <30 weeks gestation underwent early (≤14 days) transfontanelar ultrasound). The mean recommended QPC that neonates received was 47.5%. Only 26.6% of neonates received ≥60% of recommended QPC. About 60.7% of neonates developed severe clinical outcomes including mortality and healthcare-related major morbidity. Receiving ≥60% of recommended QPC was associated with a decrease of nearly half of odds of severe clinical outcomes.Conclusion: The evaluation of the QoC in NICUs is essential to address modifiable gaps in quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim to assess quality of nursing care for premature baby during nasogastric tube feeding in neonatal intensive care unit through assess of quality of nursing performance for premature baby during nasogastric tube feeding in neonatal intensive care unit and to find out the relationship between quality of nursing performance for premature baby during nasogastric tube feeding and socio-demographic characteristics with certain variables. Non-probability purposive sample of (25) nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit. The data were collected through the use of Observational instrument which consist of sociodemographic characteristics, quality of nursing care. The study shows that the majority of participants was female with age (20-29) years with diploma and more half was married with somewhat sufficient of monthly income, years of experience in nursing and neonatal intensive care unit were, quality of care before, during, and after at fair level. The overall quality of nursing care regarding nasogastric feeding tube with for most of participants was at a fair level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Catholic hospital is decreasing the prevalence of disabilities in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] survivors. The hospital developed guidelines that encourage parents to allow their premature baby to die. Using extremely negative message framing, a physician guides the prospective parents to choose to forego an examination of their baby when it is born. Making this choice before birth ensures that no intervention or health care will be provided. The goal is to decrease the probability that the family will leave the hospital with a baby who will be disabled. The outcome is the death of a baby who may or may not have been disabled. Key Words: Disability; Justice; Message framing; Palliative; Periviability; Unethical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India contributes to the largest pool of the global neonatal and under-five mortalities. The current healthcare delivery services have a scope for improvement in terms of the quality of care at the point of delivery. In this era of resource constraints across the low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), quality improvement techniques can be a game changer to positively address the common bottlenecks of health service delivery and increase community participation. Globally, networks of quality of care and collaboratives have demonstrated significant impact in improving processes of care and the quality of services delivered to the end user. The Nationwide quality of care network (NQOCN) is a self-sustaining network of quality improvement teams, which have cohesively led the spread and adoption of simple quality improvement strategies across the Indian subcontinent. The current perspective apprises the reader about NQOCN, its relevance and impact in current times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To create editing guidelines for artefact removal in preterm infant pulse oximetry recordings.Methods: 38 preterm infants ready for discharge home from the neonatal intensive care unit underwent 24-hour pulse oximetry recording using the Masimo® Rad-8 device. An expert panel determined editing rules based on clinical protocols. For each recording, three reports were generated, 'raw' no editing, 'auto' using the software editing feature and 'manual' reviewed and edited according to the rules. Primary outcome measures were desaturation indices including desaturation index 3% and 4%. Secondary measures included heart rate, mean oxygen saturation and time below 90%.Results: While all oximetry outcomes differed significantly between editing modes, the majority were not considered likely to influence clinical management. Use of the auto editing compared to no editing did alter by >5%: Time spent <90% oxygen saturation and Desaturation index 4% >10 seconds. The use of manual editing removed extremely low pulse values that were considered unphysiological in this group of otherwise healthy infants.Conclusion: We recommend that oximetry recordings to determine cardiorespiratory stability in newborn infants ready for discharge from the neonatal unit have software editing features applied. This will remove artefact without consuming time in a busy unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a method of care for the premature or low birth weight infant that is revolutionizing the care of the premature infant whether in developed or developing countries. KMC is probably the oldest innovation currently available to reduce neonatal and infant mortality and improve the quality of survival of these children during their most fragile period, the first 1000 days of life. It is also the ideal technique for humanizing neonatology in high-tech units and possibly for protecting the growing brain through the multi-sensory stimulations, it creates between the environment, the mother and the family and this infant born too early. KMC is now an evidenced-based method in all its aspects (kangaroo Position, kangaroo nutrition and kangaroo discharge policies with strict follow up in an ambulatory KMC program) and should no longer be an option if not a routine of care in all neonatal care units in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast-feeding and being with mother have positive effects on the preterm infant's health status. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) on physiological parameters of premature infants in Fatemiyeh Hospital in Hamadan in 2016. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. One hundred newborns who were admitted to in neonatal intensive care unit of Fatemiyeh Hospital in Hamadan city, Iran were selected by convenience sampling. They were randomly divided into two groups (experimental group, n = 50 and control group, n = 50). In the experimental group, newborns were taken daily KMC for an hour during 7 days. In the control group, routine care was performed in the incubator. The data gathering tool was questionnaire of infants and mother characteristics, checklists of vital signs and oxygen saturation. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 19 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (Independent t - test, Paired t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA). Results: Before intervention, there was no significant difference between the physiological parameters of the infants (heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood oxygen saturation and temperature) in experimental and control groups. However, after intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of physiological indices (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the effect of KMC on enhancement of physiological indices. Therefore, it is recommended that KMC is taken as one of the routine care of premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This Italian study evaluated whether painful procedures during the first four weeks of life were related to subsequent weight gain, head circumference (HC) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, METHODS: We evaluated the number of invasive procedures that infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) underwent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Careggi Hospital, Florence, from January to December 2015. Weight and HC were recorded at birth, 36 weeks of PMA and six and 12 months of CA. Neurological outcomes were assessed at six and 12 months of CA using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development - Third Edition.Results: We studied 83 preterm infants with a GA of 28 ± 2 weeks and birth weight of 1098 ± 340 g. A higher number of invasive painful procedures were related to a lower HC standard deviation score at 36 weeks of PMA and six and 12 months of CA and with lower cognitive scores at six months. At 12 months, the relationship only remained significant for infants born at less than 28 weeks (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Invasive painful procedures affected regular HC growth and short-term cognitive scores in preterm infants in the first year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study evaluated poor weight gain as a risk factor for infants who required treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), by comparing those born before and after the implementation of higher oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) targets at the Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.Methods: We compared infants born at less than 31 weeks, who were screened and, or, treated for ROP: 127 in 2011-2012 when SpO2 targets were 88-92% and 142 in 2015-2016 when they were 91-95%. The subjects were reviewed for birth characteristics, weekly weight and ROP treatment. Data were analysed using the weight, insulin-like growth factor 1, neonatal, ROP (WINROP) prediction tool.Results: The 2011-2012 infants who needed ROP treatment (12.6%) had significantly poorer postnatal weight gain than those who did not, but this was not seen in the treated (17.6%) and nontreated ROP groups in 2015-2016. WINROP sensitivity decreased from 87.5% in 2011-12 to 48% in 2015-2016.Conclusion: After the SpO2 target range was increased from 88-92% to 91-95%, postnatal weight gain was no longer a significant risk factor and WINROP lost its ability to predict ROP requiring treatment. Risk factors clearly change as neonatal care develops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactant treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was introduced in Europe during the 1990s. Meta-analyses have indicated that using less invasive surfactant administration techniques on preterm neonates receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) results in improved survival rates without bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Surfactant should be administered early and ventilator settings adapted to changing oxygen requirements and lung mechanics. Side effects including initial bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, tube obstruction and isolated cases of pulmonary haemorrhage have been reported.Conclusion: Less invasive surfactant therapy improves pulmonary outcomes in preterm neonates with RDS and should ideally be administered in combination with CPAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study evaluated the long-term effects of enteral glutamine supplementation on neurodevelopmental outcomes of a Dutch cohort of very preterm children at 13 years of age.Methods: The cohort was enrolled in a randomised placebo-controlled trial between 2001 and 2003 in which infants received glutamine- or alanine-supplemented enteral nutrition during the first month of life. Participants were invited for follow-up at a mean age of 13.30 years. Motor, neurocognitive, academic and behavioural outcomes were assessed in 61 children.Results: No differences were found between the groups regarding motor, intellectual, academic and behavioural functioning. Forward span visuospatial working memory performance was better in the controls (crude/adjusted model: d = 0.67/0.64, p = 0.02/0.02), but no difference was found for backward span. After the data were adjusted for confounders, the groups differed regarding parent-rated attention (crude/adjusted model: d = 0.47/0.73, p = 0.07/0.003), but both groups scored within the normal range.Conclusion: This was the first study on the long-term effects of enteral glutamine supplementation on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm children. Our study provided no evidence that enteral glutamine supplementation had any beneficial or adverse effects on the children's motor, neurocognitive, academic and behavioural outcomes at 13 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the key changes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to help meet the needs of preterm infants. Topics mentioned include the recognition of the benefit of cuddling and skin-to-skin contact to infants, the transition from ward to individually family room setting, and the introduction of a music- and rhyme-based early language programs for parents to create nurturing environments for infants.

Objective: To compare preterm birth rates and gestational length in four race-nativity groups including Somali Americans.Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design of Ohio birth certificates, we analyzed all singleton births between 2000 and 2015 from four groups of women categorized as U.S.-born, non-Hispanic white (USBW), U.S.-born, non-Hispanic black (USBB), African-born black (ABB, primarily of West African birth country), and Somalia-born (SB). An algorithm trained on maternal names was used to confirm Somali ethnicity. Gestational length was analyzed as completed weeks or aggregated by clinically relevant periods. Risk of spontaneous and health care provider-initiated preterm birth was calculated in a competing risk model.Results: Births to women in the designated groups accounted for 1,960,693 births (USBW n=1,638,219; USBB n=303,028; ABB n=10,966, and SB n=8,480). Women in the SB group had a lower preterm birth rate (5.9%) compared with women in the USBB (13.0%), ABB (8.4%), and USBW (7.9%) groups (P<.001). Women in the SB group had a higher frequency of postterm pregnancy (5.8% vs less than 1%, P<.001 for all groups). The lower rate of preterm birth in the SB group was unrelated to differences in parity or smoking or whether preterm birth was spontaneous or health care provider-initiated. The lower rate of preterm birth and tendency for prolonged gestation was attenuated in ethnic Somali women born outside Somalia.Conclusion: We report a positive disparity in preterm birth and a tendency for prolonged gestation for ethnic Somali women in Ohio. Etiologic studies in multiethnic cohorts aimed to uncover the sociobiological determinants of gestational length may lead to practical approaches to reduce prematurity in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effects of immediate delivery an expectant management among women whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) in the late preterm period (from 34 0/7 weeks until 36 6/7 weeks of gestation).Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception until December 2016.Methods Of Study Selection: We included all randomized controlled trials with individual participant data reporting on late preterm PROM with randomization to immediate delivery or expectant management. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes: probable or definitive neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, stillbirth, or neonatal death.Tabulation, Integration and Results: Of eight eligible trials (total n=3,203 mothers), three (2,563 mothers, 2,572 neonates) had individual participant data available. The composite adverse neonatal outcome occurred in 9.6% of neonates in the immediate delivery group and 8.3% in the expectant management group (relative risk [RR] 1.20, 95% CI 0.94-1.55). Neonatal sepsis rates were 2.6% and 3.5%, respectively (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.47-1.15). Neonates in the immediate delivery group were more likely to be diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10-1.97), and to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.11-1.23) and had longer admissions. Mothers randomized to immediate delivery were less likely to have an antepartum hemorrhage (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.95) or chorioamnionitis (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.13-0.35), but more likely to undergo cesarean delivery (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08-1.47).Conclusion: In women with late preterm PROM, immediate delivery and expectant management resulted in comparable rates of the composite of adverse neonatal outcomes. Effects on individual secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes were mixed.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, 42016032972. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory morbidity of preterm infants in the first two years after discharge in three cohorts from 1996 to 2009.Methods: We included infants with a gestational age from 25 + 0 to 29 + 6 weeks, who were born in 1996-1997, 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. The following parameters were recorded: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined as oxygen demand or positive pressure at 36 weeks, mortality, duration of supplemental oxygen, discharge with supplemental oxygen and a nasogastric feeding tube, rehospitalisation and the use of inhaled medication.Results: In line with our protocols, 106, 120 and 156 infants were analysed in the three study periods and 29%, 22% and 18% were diagnosed with BPD. Respiratory morbidity did not change over time in infants with and without BPD, except for an increase in rehospitalisation for respiratory issues in infants with BPD. This decreased in infants without BPD. Respiratory morbidity occurred more frequently in infants with BPD than without BPD, but this was not statistically significant.Conclusion: This study showed that when cohorts of preterm infants were compared over time, respiratory morbidity in the first two years of life remained an important consequence after discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Minimally aggressive and easily performed techniques that facilitate spontaneous respiratory stabilisation are required to reduce rescue intubation in extremely premature infants. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of administering surfactant into the pharynx of infants born at <25 weeks immediately after birth.Methods: This study of 19 infants was conducted from January 2013 to June 2014 in a tertiary perinatal centre in Prague. We administered 1.5 mL of Curosurf as a bolus into the pharynx and simultaneously performed a sustained inflation manoeuvre (SIM). The extent of the interventions, death and severe neonatal morbidity in the study group were compared with 20 controls born before the study period and 20 born after it.Results: All infants received oropharyngeal surfactant within the median (interquartile range) time of 40 seconds (25-75) after cord camping. The surfactant had to be suctioned in one infant because of upper airway obstruction. Although more subsequent surfactant was administered in the study group, significantly fewer study period infants required intubation than the before and after controls (16% versus 75% and 58%, respectively, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Oropharyngeal surfactant with simultaneous SIM was feasible and safe and reduced the need for delivery room intubation in these fragile infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To collate and assess international clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to determine current recommendations guiding oxygen management for respiratory stabilisation of preterm infants at delivery.Methods: A search of public databases using the terms 'clinical practice guidelines', 'preterm', 'oxygen' and 'resuscitation' was made and complemented by direct query to consensus groups, resuscitation expert committees and clinicians. Data were extracted to include the three criteria for assessment: country of origin, gestation and initial FiO2 and target SpO2 for the first 10 minutes of life.Results: A total of 45 CPGs were identified: 36 provided gestation specific recommendations (<28 to <37 weeks) while eight distinguished only between 'preterm' and 'term'. The most frequently recommended initial FiO2 were between 0.21 and 0.3 (n = 17). Most countries suggested altering FiO2 to meet SpO2 targets recommended by expert committees, However, specific five-minute SpO2 targets differed by up to 20% (70-90%) between guidelines. Five countries did not specify SpO2 targets.Conclusion: CPG recommendations for delivery room oxygen management of preterm infants vary greatly, particularly in regard to gestational ages, initial FiO2 and SpO2 targets and most acknowledge the lack of evidence behind these recommendations. Sufficiently large and well-designed randomised studies are needed to inform on this important practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We tested the hypothesis that routine MRI would improve the care and well-being of preterm infants and their families.Design: Parallel-group randomised trial (1.1 allocation; intention-to-treat) with nested diagnostic and cost evaluations (EudraCT 2009-011602-42).Setting: Participants from 14 London hospitals, imaged at a single centre.Patients: 511 infants born before 33 weeks gestation underwent both MRI and ultrasound around term. 255 were randomly allocated (siblings together) to receive only MRI results and 255 only ultrasound from a paediatrician unaware of unallocated results; one withdrew before allocation.Main Outcome Measures: Maternal anxiety, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety inventory (STAI) assessed in 206/214 mothers receiving MRI and 217/220 receiving ultrasound. Secondary outcomes included: prediction of neurodevelopment, health-related costs and quality of life.Results: After MRI, STAI fell from 36.81 (95% CI 35.18 to 38.44) to 32.77 (95% CI 31.54 to 34.01), 31.87 (95% CI 30.63 to 33.12) and 31.82 (95% CI 30.65 to 33.00) at 14 days, 12 and 20 months, respectively. STAI fell less after ultrasound: from 37.59 (95% CI 36.00 to 39.18) to 33.97 (95% CI 32.78 to 35.17), 33.43 (95% CI 32.22 to 34.63) and 33.63 (95% CI 32.49 to 34.77), p=0.02. There were no differences in health-related quality of life. MRI predicted moderate or severe functional motor impairment at 20 months slightly better than ultrasound (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (CI) 0.74; 0.66 to 0.83 vs 0.64; 0.56 to 0.72, p=0.01) but cost £315 (CI £295-£336) more per infant.Conclusions: MRI increased costs and provided only modest benefits.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01049594 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01049594. EudraCT: EudraCT: 2009-011602-42 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The preferred timing of umbilical-cord clamping in preterm infants is unclear.Methods: We randomly assigned fetuses from women who were expected to deliver before 30 weeks of gestation to either immediate clamping of the umbilical cord (≤10 seconds after delivery) or delayed clamping (≥60 seconds after delivery). The primary composite outcome was death or major morbidity (defined as severe brain injury on postnatal ultrasonography, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, or late-onset sepsis) by 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis, accounting for multiple births.Results: Of 1634 fetuses that underwent randomization, 1566 were born alive before 30 weeks of gestation; of these, 782 were assigned to immediate cord clamping and 784 to delayed cord clamping. The median time between delivery and cord clamping was 5 seconds and 60 seconds in the respective groups. Complete data on the primary outcome were available for 1497 infants (95.6%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of the primary outcome between infants assigned to delayed clamping (37.0%) and those assigned to immediate clamping (37.2%) (relative risk, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.13; P=0.96). The mortality was 6.4% in the delayed-clamping group and 9.0% in the immediate-clamping group (P=0.03 in unadjusted analyses; P=0.39 after post hoc adjustment for multiple secondary outcomes). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidences of chronic lung disease or other major morbidities.Conclusions: Among preterm infants, delayed cord clamping did not result in a lower incidence of the combined outcome of death or major morbidity at 36 weeks of gestation than immediate cord clamping. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC] and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre; APTS Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12610000633088 .). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States, and the risk for RSV hospitalizations is greater for infants born preterm. Recent studies in preterm and term infants have shown that RSV hospitalization rates vary considerably depending on infant chronologic age. This study sought to aggregate the data available from published literature and from nationally representative databases of US infant hospitalizations to generate a composite description of the effect of young chronologic age on RSV hospitalizations among US preterm and term infants by individual month of age. Methods: Data describing the relative incidence of RSV hospitalizations by individual month of chronologic age during the first year of life were obtained from recently published studies, the 2006-2011 National Inpatient Sample databases, and the 2006 and 2009 Kids Inpatient Databases. Results: All data sources showed that ≥20% of infant RSV hospitalizations occurred in the second month of life and >50% and >75% of RSV hospitalizations were observed during the first 3 and 6 months of life, respectively. These findings were consistent for both preterm and term infants. Conclusion: Data from multiple sources demonstrate that the greatest risk of RSV hospitalization occurs during the first 6 months of life among US preterm and term infants. Strategies to prevent infant RSV hospitalizations should be targeted to infants during the first months of life. Funding: AstraZeneca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal for the neonatologist is to facilitate the adaptation to extra-uterine life during initial transition, while minimizing lung injury opening and protecting the premature lung from the first breath onwards. An appropriate management from birth should lead to the achievement of an early functional residual capacity (FRC), and the following steps should aim at maintaining an adequate lung volume. To date, different strategies are available to optimize fetal-neonatal transition and promote lung recruitment. New ventilation approaches, such as sustained lung inflation (SLI) and "open lung strategy", well-established ventilation techniques with a more tailored application and less invasive modalities to administer surfactant have been recently introduced in clinical practice with promising results.Conclusions: given the current status of neonatal care, it seems that lung injury and BPD could be reduced with multiple strategies starting early in the delivery room. Literature underlines the importance of a respiratory tailored management of preterm infants from birth and during the whole NICU stay. What is Known: • Experimental and clinical studies have shown that the transition from fetal to adult type cardiorespiratory circulation needs an adequate lung ventilation. An appropriate management in the delivery room should lead to the achievement of an early FRC, and through the following steps, the neonatologist should aim at maintaining an adequate lung volume. • Literature underlines the importance of a respiratory tailored management of preterm infants during the whole NICU stay to maintain the benefits of a successful postnatal adaption. What is New: • Herewith, we describe the most relevant and recent interventions which can be performed from the delivery room to the NICU stay to guarantee an adequate tradition to postnatal life and an effective cardiorespiratory stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Preterm infants undergo stress owing to essential treatments and exposure to the extrauterine environment in neonatal intensive care units. Aims The aim of this study was to enable preterm infants to maintain adequate positioning with a newly developed swaddling clothing, in order to improve low muscle tone and sleep quality, and to confirm the safety of the clothing. Study design This prospective clinical trial included an intervention group (preterm infants wearing bag-shaped clothing, allowing only exposure of the head, n = 27), and a control group (preterm infants managed only with conventional swaddling, n = 12). Outcome measures We used the Dubowitz method to analyze behavior, recorded the frequency of vomiting and apnea in both groups, and assessed the sleep state in the intervention group. Results Muscle tone and total score for the Dubowitz method significantly improved in the intervention group, compared with those in the control group. We evaluated the sleep state before and after the introduction of the device in the intervention group, and State 1 increased from 53.5% to 69.2% after introduction. No significant difference was seen in the frequency of vomiting and apnea between the groups. Conclusions The new swaddling clothing with enhanced stretch capacity improved the muscle tone and increased sleep time by decreasing the state level of preterm infants. This is an effective tool to assist in infant development in neonatal intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To reduce the risks of hypoxia and hyperoxia in preterm infants in the delivery room; national and international guidelines recommend titrating supplemental oxygen delivery to achieve specific oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets. Our aim was to measure the proportion of time infants <32 weeks' gestation spent within and outside prescribed SpO2 targets during the first 10 min after birth.Method: Prospective observational study using data from a preductal SpO2 sensor and oxygen analyser measuring fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in the inspiratory limb of the respiratory circuit. Measurements of SpO2, heart rate and FiO2 were recorded every 2 s. We assessed compliance with the upper SpO2 limit only when infants were receiving supplemental oxygen. SpO2 measurements were recorded as being below, within or above the target at each time point. We measured the number of times infants were continuously below or above the target range for more than 30 s.Results: Twenty-seven infants; mean (SD) 28 (3.4) weeks and 962 (370) g were studied. Infants were below, within and above the prescribed targets for 28%, 35% and 37% of the first 10 min after birth, respectively.Conclusions: Preterm infants spent almost two-thirds of the first 10 min after birth with oxygen saturations outside prescribed target ranges. New titration strategies are required to reduce the risks of hypoxia and hyperoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Preterm infants display aberrant gut microbial colonisation. We investigated whether the differences in gut microbiota between late preterm and full-term infants results from prematurity or external exposures.Methods: This study comprised 43 late preterm infants (340/7 -366/7 ) and 75 full-term infants based on faecal samples collected following birth and at two to four weeks and six months of age. We assessed clinically relevant bacteria using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether the observed differences in gut microbiota were attributable to prematurity or perinatal exposure.Results: The prevalence of bifidobacteria differed in the intestinal microbiota of the full-term and late preterm neonates. Differences in the presence of specific species were detected at the age of six months, although the microbiota alterations were most prominent following delivery. As well as prematurity, the mode of birth, intrapartum and neonatal antibiotic exposure, and the duration of breastfeeding had an additional impact on gut microbiota development.Conclusion: The gut microbiota composition was significantly different between late preterm and full-term infants at least six months after birth. Antibiotic exposure was common in late preterm infants and modulated gut colonisation, but preterm birth also affected gut microbiota development independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm infants are most vulnerable to pertussis. Whether they might benefit from maternal immunization is unknown. Extending our previous results in term neonates, this observational study demonstrates that second- rather than third-trimester maternal vaccination results in higher birth anti-pertussis toxin titers in preterm neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the noise levels recorded in two different neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) settings: a pod and an open plan NICU located in the same hospital. Background: The NICU is a busy environment with ambient noise levels that often exceed established recommendations. This noise deleteriously affects the physiological stability and developmental outcomes of sick and preterm infants. Pods have reduced numbers of cots (in this case, 6) compared to open plan NICUs (in this case, 11), yet the noise levels in pods have not been reported. Method: This study compared real-time decibel (dB) levels in an A-weighted scale, captured continuously by sound dosimeters mounted in both NICU settings for a period of 4 weeks: a pod setting and an open plan NICU. Researchers also collected observational data. Results: The average noise level recorded in the pod was 3 dBs less than in the open plan NICU. This result was statistically significant. However, dB recordings in both areas were over the recommended limits by 4-6 dBs, with isolated peaks between 74.5 dBs (NICU) and 75.9 dBs (pod). Observational data confirmed this correlation. Conclusions: Further research to evaluate interventions to decrease the noise levels in both settings are needed, especially during times of peak activity. Staff working in these settings need to be more aware that control of acoustic levels is important in the neuroprotection of neonates. Coupling this with careful consideration to structural components and evidence-based design planning may contribute to lowering dB levels in the NICU environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This trial compares two oral feeding schedules, every three-hour and every six-hour oral feeding attempts, to determine which schedule allows for more rapid attainment of full oral feeding in preterm infants.Methods: Infants born at ≤33-week gestation were randomly assigned to receive oral feeding every three hours or every six hours if feeding cues were present. The primary outcome was time to full oral feeding; secondary outcomes include respiratory and apnoea rates, growth and length of stay.Results: A total of 55 infants were recruited. There was no difference between the groups in the primary or secondary outcomes.Conclusion: For preterm infants fed when oral feeding cues are present, an every six-hour schedule did not alter the time to full oral feeding and had no effect on rates of tachypnoea, apnoea or length of hospital stay compared to every three-hour feeding schedule. An every six-hour oral feeding schedule led to only small reductions in number of oral feeding attempts per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study described how parents perceived their own sleep, and their infants', during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and after discharge. It also explored the infants' sleeping location at home.Methods: The study was conducted in the NICUs of two Swedish university hospitals. The parents of 86 infants - 86 mothers and 84 fathers - answered questionnaires during their infants' hospital stay, at discharge and at the infants' corrected ages of two, six and 12 months. The parents' own sleep was explored with the Insomnia Severity Index.Results: Mothers reported more severe insomnia than fathers during their infants' hospitalisation, and these higher insomnia severity scores were associated with more severe infant sleep problems at discharge (p = 0.027) and at two months (p = 0.006) and 12 months (p = 0.002) of corrected age. During the study period, 4%-10% of the parents reported severe or very severe infant sleeping problems. The bed-sharing rate was 75% after discharge and about 60% at the corrected age of 12 months.Conclusion: Maternal insomnia during an infant's hospital stay was associated with later perceptions of sleep problems in their children. Parents need support to find solutions for optimal sleep without seeing their child's sleeping patterns as a problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: A new guideline for the early respiratory management of preterm infants that included early nCPAP and INSURE was recently introduced in our NICU. This case series describes the clinical courses of a group of preterm infants managed according to this guideline, and reports the rates of successful extubation within 30 minutes of surfactant administration with and without the use of naloxone and adverse events encountered. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive case series of all preterm babies admitted to our unit who were candidates for INSURE procedure with premedication from August 2012 to August 2013. RESULTS: A total of 31 infants were included with a mean birth weight of 1178 grams and a mean gestational age of 28.4 weeks. Twelve out of thirteen (92%) infants in the naloxone group were extubated within 30 minutes of surfactant administration while only 12/18 (67%) in the non-naloxone group were extubated within the same time frame. No adverse reactions were noted with naloxone usage in this context. CONCLUSION: Naloxone can be effective in reversing the respiratory depressive effect of analgesic premedication and in turn facilitates expeditious extubation in some preterm infants intubated for INSURE procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: A preterm infant is a baby born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Preterm infants often have low weight at birth so birth weight is the single most important marker of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcome. So Touch therapy, tactile stimulation, stroking and flexing by the nurse or preferably by the mother provide useful tactile simulations to the baby that helps in weight gain in infant &to explore new measures to manage weight in preterm infants, this study has been done. AIM : Aim of the study to assess the effectiveness of touch therapy on weight gain among preterm infants admitted in NICU at G.G.S Medical Hospital, Faridkot. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative research approach and Quasi-experimental research design was used. Study setting includes NICU of G.G.S. Medical Hospital, Faridkot. Study population 60 preterm infants between 32 to 36 weeks of gestational age. Convenient sampling technique was used and random allocation of study subjects is done. Socio demographic data sheet to collect baseline information and a data sheet was prepared to record the weight in preterm infants using digital weighing machine. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed that the conventional care and experimental group were homogenous with respect to selected socio demographic variables. Beneficial effects of Touch therapy on weight gain among preterm infants on 14th day were found to be statistically significant at p< 0.05. In comparison of experimental and conventional care group, the mean difference in the weight was found to be 2157.67 in experimental group and 1940.33 in conventional care group. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it is concluded that Touch therapy is found to be more effective in term of weight gain among preterm infants in experimental group as compared to conventional care group and thus can be used as a routine care for effective weight gain among preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease as a function of chronologic age and exposure to young children in US preterm infants. Methods: In the RSV Respiratory Events among Preterm Infants Outcomes and Risk Tracking (REPORT) study, preterm infants born at 32–35 weeks gestational age (wGA) were enrolled from 188 US clinics and followed September-May of 2009–2010 or 2010–2011. Infants with medically-attended acute respiratory illness had nasal/pharyngeal swabs collected for viral testing. Results of RSV tests conducted during routine clinical care were also collected. Event rates during November-March were modeled as a function of chronologic age and birth month using Poisson regression and adjusting for other covariates. Rates were calculated overall and for infants with and without exposure to young siblings or daycare attendance. Of 3317 infants screened, 1646 were enrolled as a consecutive sample. Infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, life expectancy <6 months, or receiving or being considered for RSV immunoprophylaxis were excluded. 84% of patients completed the study. Demographics of the enrolled cohort were generally similar to those of US infants born at 32–35 wGA; infants 32–34 wGA, Hispanic infants, and infants of less-educated mothers were under-represented. Results: Among 1642 evaluable infants, outpatient RSV lower respiratory illness incidence was highest at older ages, whereas RSV hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were highest at younger ages. In all instances, young child exposure was associated with higher RSV incidence. The highest RSV hospitalization and ICU rates occurred among February-born infants with young child exposure, at 19.0 (95% CI, 13.5–27.0) and 6.5 (95% CI, 5.6–7.6) per 100 infant-seasons, respectively. Conclusions: Preterm infants have a substantially elevated risk of RSV disease. Young age and exposure to other young children identify those at greatest risk of severe RSV disease. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling length of stay in neonatal care is vital to inform service planning and the counselling of parents. Preterm babies, at the highest risk of mortality, can have long stays in neonatal care and require high resource use. Previous work has incorporated babies that die into length of stay estimates, but this still overlooks the levels of care required during their stay. This work incorporates all babies, and the levels of care they require, into length of stay estimates. Data were obtained from the National Neonatal Research Database for singleton babies born at 24–31 weeks gestational age discharged from a neonatal unit in England from 2011 to 2014. A Cox multistate model, adjusted for gestational age, was used to consider a baby’s two competing outcomes: death or discharge from neonatal care, whilst also considering the different levels of care required: intensive care; high dependency care and special care. The probabilities of receiving each of the levels of care, or having died or been discharged from neonatal care are presented graphically overall and adjusted for gestational age. Stacked predicted probabilities produced for each week of gestational age provide a useful tool for clinicians when counselling parents about length of stay and for commissioners when considering allocation of resources. Multistate modelling provides a useful method for describing the entire neonatal care pathway, where rates of in-unit mortality can be high. For a healthcare service focussed on costs, it is important to consider all babies that contribute towards workload, and the levels of care they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the world increasingly use music interventions. The most recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) dates from 2009. Since then, 15 new RCTs have been published. We provide an updated systematic review on the possible benefits of music interventions on premature infants’ well-being. Methods: We searched 13 electronic databases and 12 journals from their first available date until August 2016. Included were all RCTs published in English with at least 10 participants per group, including infants born prematurely and admitted to the NICU. Interventions were either recorded music interventions or live music therapy interventions. All control conditions were accepted as long as the effects of the music intervention could be analysed separately. A meta-analysis was not possible due to incompleteness and heterogeneity of the data. Results: After removal of duplicates the searches retrieved 4893 citations, 20 of which fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The 20 included studies encompassed 1128 participants receiving recorded or live music interventions in the NICU between 24 and 40 weeks gestational age. Twenty-six different outcomes were reported which we classified into three categories: physiological parameters; growth and feeding; behavioural state, relaxation outcomes and pain. Live music interventions were shown to improve sleep in three out of the four studies and heart rate in two out of the four studies. Recorded music improved heart rate in two out of six studies. Better feeding and sucking outcomes were reported in one study using live music and in two studies using recorded music. Conclusions: Although music interventions show promising results in some studies, the variation in quality of the studies, age groups, outcome measures and timing of the interventions across the studies makes it difficult to draw strong conclusions on the effects of music in premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), neonatal sleep is disrupted due to different factors. Due to the critical role of sleep in premature infants' brain development, this study aimed to investigate the effect of nesting and swaddling on the sleep duration of premature infants hospitalized in NICUs. Materials and Methods: In a crossover clinical trial, 42 preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to two groups of nest-swaddle and swaddle-nest. Sleep status was evaluated by observation and use of Prechtl's criteria. Then, durations of total sleep time (TST) and quiet sleep time (QST) were recorded. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Mean values of TST and QST during nesting and also swaddling periods were significantly higher than in the control period in both groups (P < 0.001). Mean values of TST and QST in the swaddling period were higher than in the nesting period in both groups, However, these differences were not significant (P = 0.245). Conclusions: Both swaddling and nesting could significantly increase the duration of TST and QST, compared to the control. There were no significant differences between the effects of these interventions on TST and QST. Therefore, using any of these methods is suggested to improve infants' quality of sleep in NICU, with respect to the ward policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal mitigation strategy to prevent transfusion transmission of cytomegalovirus (TT-CMV) in preterm very low birthweight infants remains debated. Hospitals caring for this patient population have varied practices.Study Design and Methods: A prospective observational comparative effectiveness pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility for a larger study. The pilot was carried out at hospitals using a leukoreduction (LR)-only transfusion strategy. Specimen and data collection for this study was performed in a similar approach to a study completed at Emory University that employed the CMV-seronegative plus LR approach. All testing was performed at one laboratory. The rates of TT-CMV using the two transfusion strategies were compared.Results: Zero incidence of TT-CMV was detected in infants (n = 20) transfused with LR-only blood (0/8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0-25.3%) and is consistent with the previously reported zero incidence of TT-CMV finding in a cohort of infants transfused with CMV-negative plus LR blood (0/310; 95% CI, 0%-0.9%). The seroprevalence rate among enrolled mothers (n = 17) was 60%. Forty percent of those infants (8/20) received 43 transfusions; five were transfused with one or more CMV-seropositive blood components. One infant had tested positive for CMV before receiving blood transfusions; the infant's mother was CMV immunoglobulin (Ig)G positive and IgM negative.Conclusions: Using the LR-only transfusion approach, zero cases of TT-CMV were detected in this pilot study. A larger study is needed to reliably determine the most effective strategy for prevention of TT-CMV in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among preterm infants, the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is the standard line for central venous access; however, its placement exposes them to hypothermia and pain. Ultrasound (US)-guided central line insertion may be less morbid than standard PICC line. Aims: To determine the ease, success rate, and morbidity associated with US-guided central line insertion in the internal jugular vein (IJV) by comparing it to the standard PICC line placement. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center nonrandomized prospective study evaluating preterm infants between October 2013 and June 2014. Patients were allocated into two groups: The standard group (control group) who underwent blind PICC line insertion and the intervention group who underwent a percutaneous US-guided central line insertion in the IJV. The epicutaneo-cava-catheter was used in both groups. Results: Fifty neonates were enrolled on study. A statistically difference in favor of US-IJV insertion was noted concerning the rate of successful first attempt (P < 0.001), insertion (P = 0.001), and procedure duration (P < 0.001) and number of trials (P < 0.001) compared to PICC. No difference in complications (P = 1.000) was noted. Conclusion: US guided catheterization of the IJV technique is faster than PICC line insertion with higher rates of successful first attempt and insertion, less procedure duration and fewer number of trials compared to PICC line insertion. There were no differences in complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Standard resuscitation guidelines are based on data from a range of gestational ages. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of our delivery room resuscitation protocol across a range of gestational ages in preterm infants born at <29 weeks.Methods: We performed an observational study of prospectively collected video recordings of 73 preterm infants. The percentage of bradycardic patients, time to reach target oxygen saturation and the extent of all interventions were compared between three gestational age groups: 22-24 weeks (n = 22), 25-26 weeks (n = 27) and 27-28 weeks (n = 24).Results: Although the same resuscitation protocol was followed for all infants, bradycardic infants born <25 weeks responded poorly and required significantly longer to reach oxygen saturation targets of >70%, >80% and >90% (p < 0.03). They required significantly more interventions and had higher rate of death (p < 0.05) and severe intraventricular haemorrhage (p < 0.03). Significantly lower heart rate and oxygen saturation values were found in infants with intraventricular haemorrhage.Conclusion: Current recommendations for resuscitation may fail to achieve timely lung aeration in infants born at the borderline of viability, leading to higher mortality and morbidity. Sustained inflation and delayed cord clamping may be effective alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to survey level 2 and 3 neonatal units in Australasia to determine the prevalence of oximetry studies at discharge for preterm infants, how these oximetry studies are performed, and which measures are included in an oximetry report.Methods: A 10-question online survey was created using Survey Monkey regarding use of predischarge oximetry and e-mailed to 46 neonatal units (all level 2 and three units in NZ and all level 3 units in Australia).Results: The response rate was 59% (27/46) with a NZ response rate of 78% (18/23). There was variation in the groups of infants receiving predischarge oximetry studies, with one fifth of responding neonatal units never performing oximetry at discharge. Of the units using predischarge oximetry screening, infants being discharged home on supplemental oxygen were the only group for which all units perform predischarge oximetry. Masimo (Masimo, Irvine, California, USA) is the most common oximeter brand and profox Associates, Inc. (PROFOX Associates, Inc., Escondido, CA 92025, USA) the most common analysis software used. Measures included in oximetry reports vary between units, with profox Associates, Inc.'s default event definition of 'a drop in saturation by four or more' being the most commonly reported desaturation definition.Conclusions: These findings indicate a need for guidelines to standardise preterm infant oximetry monitoring at neonatal discharge. Further research is required to determine the utility of predischarge oximetry and to establish which infants should be screened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-discharge preventive intervention programmes with involvement of the parent may support the resilience and developmental outcomes of infants born very preterm. Randomized controlled trials of home-based family-centred intervention programmes in very preterm infants that aimed to improve cognitive outcome, at least at age two, were selected and updated on the basis of a recent systematic review to compare their content and effect over time to form the basis of a narrative review. Six programmes were included in this narrative review. Four of the six programmes led to improved child cognitive and/or motor development. Two programmes, which focused primarily on responsive parenting and development, demonstrated improved cognitive outcome up till 5 years after completion of the programme. The programmes that also focused on maternal anxiety remediation led to improved maternal mental well-being, along with improved child behaviour, in one study - even at 3 years after completion of the programme. The magnitude of the effects was modest. Family-centred preventive intervention programmes that aim at improvement of child development should be continued after discharge home to improve the preterm child's resilience. Programmes may be most effective when they support the evolvement of a responsive parent-infant relationship over time, as well as the parent's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]