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Purpose: Hypothermia upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contributes significantly to various neonatal complications, particularly in preterm infants. This study aimed to assess the impact of quality improvement (QI) interventions, including using plastic bags and head caps, and adjusting delivery room temperatures, on improving the admission body temperature and reducing hypothermia in infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g who admitted to the NICU at Samsung Medical Center from January 2022 to February 2024. The QI program that was initiated in April 2023 focused on managing admission temperatures using plastic bags and head caps, and maintaining delivery room temperatures at ≥25 °C. The admission temperature and short-term outcomes pre- and post-QI were compared. Results: In a study of 270 patients, implementing QI initiatives significantly raised the admission temperature from 36.2±0.5 to 36.4±0.4 °C (p<0.01), particularly impacting infants weighing ≥1,000 g, in whom mild hypothermia occurrences dropped from 76.3% to 43.9% (p<0.01). This improvement in temperature management significantly decreased both mild and severe hypothermia rates post-QI. Additionally, implementing all three initiatives was more effective than when two or fewer initiatives were implemented. Conclusion: Simple and cost-effective QI interventions can increase admission temperatures and decrease hypothermia in neonates. Further research is essential to explore the long-term outcomes and develop effective hypothermia management strategies in neonatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the risk factors associated with hypospadias in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (VLBWIs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 729 infants born at ≥24 weeks of gestational age and weighing <1,500 g from January 2012 to December 2022. We assessed the prevalence of hypospadias by birth weight percentiles and also compared the demographics and placental histopathology of the infants with hypospadias (n=52) and those without hypospadias (n=677). Results: Of the 729 patients analysed, hypospadias was recorded in 26 (20.3%), 14 (26.9%), and 12 (2.5%) infants in the <3rd, ≥3rd–<10th, and ≥10th–<90th percentiles, respectively. Of all of the patients with hypospadias, 50% had birth weights <3rd percentile (p<0.001). The hypospadias group demonstrated a longer mean gestational age (30.1 weeks vs. 27.9 weeks, p<0.001), lower incidence of maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension (48.1% vs. 17.3%, p<0.001), lower incidence of premature rupture of membrane (11.5% vs. 27.1%, p=0.013), lower acute chorioamniotic maternal response (9.1% vs. 35.2%, p<0.001), and higher maternal underperfusion (95.5% vs. 71.9%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of hypospadias was found to be the highest among VBLWIs <3rd percentile, who were severely small for their gestational age (SGA). Additionally, the incidence increased with a decreasing birth weight. Physical examination is necessary at birth for VLBWIs classified as SGA. Moreover, the data on the incidence of hypospadias among VLBWIs in neonatal intensive care units can assist in tracking counseling from the prenatal to the postnatal period for patients born <3rd percentile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that the survival of peri-viable infants with birth weight (BW) ≤500 g could be improved with better care practices in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study aimed to investigate the care quality level of NICU-dependent variations in the survival rate of infants with BW ≤500 g. Methods: To determine the quality of NICU care-dependent variations in the survival rate, 226 eligible infants of BW ≤500 g and ≥22 weeks gestation registered in the Korean Neonatal Network between 2013 and 2017 were grouped according to the survival rates of infants at 23–24 weeks gestation, reflecting the care quality level of each NICU as group I (≥50%, n = 107) and group II (<50%, n = 119). Results: The survival rate of group I infants (40.2%, 43/107) was significantly higher than that of group II infants (14.3%, 17/119). Significantly reduced deaths from birth to the age of 7 days due to cardiorespiratory causes were the primary contributors to improved survival. In multivariable Cox hazard model analyses, besides the gestational age and BW, antenatal steroid use, cesarean section, pH, and base excess at admission were associated with improved infant survival. Conclusions: The survival rate of pre-viable infants with BW ≤500 g could be improved by providing better NICU quality care practices, including better cardiorespiratory management starting from delivery room resuscitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While recent pieces of evidence suggest that discontinuation of levothyroxine replacement therapy (LRT) earlier than the current guidelines of 3 years is possible, the optimal duration of LRT for delayed hyperthyrotropinemia in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) remains unknown. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of early discontinuation of LRT for delayed hyperthyrotropinemia in ELBWIs. Methods: The medical records of 92 ELBWIs who had shown delayed hyperthyrotropinemia, defined as a delayed rise in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to >20 µIU/mL after initial normal TSH level, were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether the duration of LRT affects the short-term outcomes at discharge from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the long-term outcomes at the corrected age (CA) of 2 years. The infants were grouped into: no LRT required group (n = 21), short-term LRT given until the time of NICU discharge – 90 ± 64 (13–211) days group (n = 36), and long-term LRT given – 749 ± 333 (339–1,967) days group (n = 35). Results: While mortality in the no LRT required group was significantly higher than that in the long-term LRT group, no significant differences were observed in short-term outcomes at discharge from NICU and long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at CA of 2 years between the short- and long-term LRT groups. Conclusions: Termination of LRT at around the time of discharge from NICU in well, clinically stable ELBWIs who have delayed hyperthyrotropinemia appears to be safe and feasible and avoids the risk of overtreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the natural course of hemodynamically significant (HS) patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with conservative management and whether the presence or prolonged duration of HS PDA affected mortality/morbidities in infants at 22–25 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 77 infants born at 22–25 weeks EGA, stratified into 22–23 weeks (n = 21) and 24–25 weeks EGA (n = 56). HS PDA was present in 77%, 76%, and 77%, and open ductus at discharge was 12%, 13%, and 12% in the total and at 22–23 and 24–25 weeks EGA infants, respectively. For backup rescue treatment, 7% and 5% of the infants received oral ibuprofen and device closure, respectively. A mortality rate of 9% was found in the HS PDA (+) infants, significantly lower than the 28% in HS PDA (−) infants. There are no significant differences in morbidities. In multivariate analyses, the presence and/or prolonged duration of HS PDA was not associated with increased mortality or morbidity. Spontaneous closure of HS PDA was achieved through conservative management in the peri-viable infants at 22–25 weeks EGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]