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Objective High-risk infant follow-up (HRIF) is a complex process lacking standardization. We present a simple, single-provider model that proved effective and is well-received by caregivers. Study Design In this study, we measured caregiver use and satisfaction with an HRIF visit attended by an experienced neonatologist in a well-care setting, soon after discharge. Results One hundred parents participated in the survey. Among the infants of these parents, 78% of infants were seen in the first 3 months of life and 39% within 1 month of discharge. Nutrition (98%) and development (97%) were the most commonly discussed topics, followed by general health (95%), iron supplementation (93%), and head size (90%). Using a 5-point Likert's scale, with 5 being the highest rating, parents responded that the meeting answered their questions (4.7, n = 93), organized their infants' needs (4.6, n = 90), and increased their confidence in caring for their infants (4.65, n = 92). Conclusion HRIF with an experienced neonatologist is an effective means of increasing parents' understanding of their infants' medical needs and confidence in caring for their infants. Key Points Meeting with a neonatologist after discharge addressed many crucial aspects of patient care. Meeting with a neonatologist after discharge was met with a high level of caregiver satisfaction. Neonatal consultation in the community may promote caregiver confidence in caring for their infant. Neonatal consultation reduced parental anxiety, especially regarding growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow and continuous administration of indomethacin may prevent toxic decreases in blood flow velocity to the brain yet still be effective in closing patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. PDA is a congenital heart abnormality. Indomethacin is commonly given to correct PDA. A study of 18 preterm infants weighing less than 1750 grams found that the nine infants who received slow, continuous administration of indomethacin did not experience the drops in cerebral blood flow velocity that can cause stroke. Infants who received rapid injections of indomethacin had drops in cerebral blood flow velocity of 30% to 40%. Both treatments were successful however. Constriction of the blood vessels of the kidney may also result from rapid injection of indomethacin., Objective. Therapeutic administration of indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure has been documented to decrease cerebral blood flow velocity which may be harmful to the vulnerable premature neonate. We have therefore compared the effects of administering indomethacin by rapid injection versus slow, continuous indomethacin infusion at the same total therapeutic dose on middle cerebral artery (MCA) systolic and diastolic flow velocity, resistance index, and cerebral blood flow (as reflected by the integrated area under the curve). Methods. Premature neonates (, ABBREVIATIONS. PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; MCA, middle cerebral artery; IV, intravenous. Indomethacin is a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor used extensively to promote ductal closure in the premature neonate. Rapid infusion of [...]

Objective: Very low birth weight (VLBW, ≤1500 g) infants' mortality rates have decreased markedly. We aimed to quantify the relative contribution of changes in the distribution of population characteristics and changes in specific mortality rates on the decline in mortality rates of VLBW infants.Study Design: A population-based observational study of the Israel national VLBW infant database. The study population comprised singleton VLBW infants of 24-32 weeks' gestation born during the epochs 1995-2000 (n = 3728) and 2006-2010 (n = 3246). The Kitagawa methodology was applied to determine the contribution of changes in demographic and perinatal characteristics and changes in specific mortality rates on the decline in mortality between the periods.Results: During the study epochs, VLBW infant mortality rates decreased from 19.7 to 13.8%. Of the 5.9% decrease in mortality, 60.6% was attributed to the decrease in specific mortality rates and 39.4% to changes in the proportions of population characteristics and therapies, predominantly early initiation of prenatal care (8.1%), antenatal steroids (25.1%), and cesarean delivery (8.1%). For most of the demographic and perinatal categories considered the relative contribution of changes in their proportions was <3%, whereas >97% could be attributed to changes in the specific mortality rates for these characteristics.Conclusions: The decrease in preterm VLBW infant mortality was attributable predominantly to changes in variable specific mortality rates whereas changes in the proportions of demographic, perinatal risk factors, and therapies had a limited impact on VLBW infant mortality. Future assessment of determinants of VLBW infant mortality data should be dissected by discriminatory models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neonatal asphyxia is often associated with hepatic injury. We hypothesized that this might lead to increased bilirubin concentrations. Study Design Term neonates admitted between January 2015 and April 2017 who remained hospitalized for ≥ 4 days and who had serial serum bilirubin concentrations recorded were divided into those with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) and controls. Serial serum bilirubin concentrations during the first days of life were compared between groups. Results Twenty-nine neonates with NE and 84 age-matched controls were identified. Mean total serum bilirubin concentrations of NE babies were significantly lower than those controls throughout the first days of life. At 96 hours of age, NE serum bilirubin concentrations were 4.5 (3.2, 5.8) versus controls of 10.5 (9.4, 11.5) mg/dL (p < 0.0001). The mean area under the curve (AUC) for the NE group was 268 (215, 321) versus 663 (608, 718), p < 0.0001, for the control group. All of the NE babies remained below the 40th percentile of the Bhutani curve and none required phototherapy. Conclusion Contrary to our hypothesis, bilirubin concentrations in NE infants are significantly lower than expected during the first 4 days postnatally. We speculate that, under conditions of severe oxidative stress, bilirubin is consumed as an antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor.-- Cardiopulmonary arrest of a healthy term infant in the delivery room after an uneventful vaginal delivery is an extremely rare event. (1,2) We recently encountered 2 such [...]

Aim: In this study, we evaluate the associations between fetal urinary production rate (FUPR), measured by ultrasound, and adverse neonatal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM occurring at gestational week 24 or later managed until spontaneous labor (after 48 h of admission), chorioamnionitis, or induction by protocol at 35 + 0 weeks. FUPR was evaluated by 2D sonography at admission (corrected for gestational age). The main neonatal outcome measures were chorioamnionitis, placental inflammatory grading, first neonatal creatinine value, first neonatal dextrose value, length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (grades I-IV), blood transfusions, reduced neonatal urine production rate (<4 mL/kg/h), and early neonatal sepsis. Samples of maternal (at admission) and umbilical cord blood were analyzed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) level.Results: The study included 38 women. Low FUPR was associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, longer NICU hospitalization (p = 0.01), higher rates of NEC or IVH (p = 0.008), and blood transfusion (p = 0.004).Conclusions: A finding of FUPR on in utero ultrasound examination in pregnancies complicated by PPROM may be indicative of adverse neonatal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]