Longitudinal Study of music Therapy's Effectiveness for Premature infants and their caregivers (LongSTEP): protocol for an international randomised trial

INTRODUCTION

Preterm birth has major medical, psychological and socioeconomic consequences worldwide. Music therapy (MT) has positive effects on physiological measures of preterm infants and maternal anxiety, but rigorous studies including long-term follow-up are missing. Drawing on caregivers' inherent resources, this study emphasises caregiver involvement in MT to promote attuned, developmentally appropriate musical interactions that may be of mutual benefit to infant and parent. This study will determine whether MT, as delivered by a qualified music therapist during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalisation and/or in home/municipal settings following discharge, is superior to standard care in improving bonding between primary caregivers and preterm infants, parent well-being and infant development. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Design: international multicentre, assessor-blind, 2×2 factorial, pragmatic randomised controlled trial; informed by a completed feasibility study. Participants: 250 preterm infants and their parents. Intervention: MT focusing on parental singing specifically tailored to infant responses, will be delivered during NICU and/or during a postdischarge 6-month period. Primary outcome: changes in mother-infant bonding at 6-month corrected age (CA), as measured by the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes: mother-infant bonding at discharge and at 12-month CA; child development over 24 months; and parental depression, anxiety and stress, and infant rehospitalisation, all over 12 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics approved the study (2018/994/REK Nord, 03 July 2018). Service users were involved in development of the study and will be involved in implementation and dissemination. Dissemination of findings will apply to local, national and international levels.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03564184.

Educational efficacy of high-fidelity simulation in neonatal resuscitation training: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The training of neonatal resuscitation is an important part in the clinical teaching of neonatology. This study aimed to identify the educational efficacy of high-fidelity simulation compared with no simulation or low-fidelity simulation in neonatal resuscitation training.

METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese databases (CBM, CNKI, WanFang, and Weipu), ScopeMed and Google Scholar were searched. The last search was updated on April 13, 2019. Studies that reported the role of high-fidelity simulation in neonatal resuscitation training were eligible for inclusion. For the quality evaluation, we used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for non-RCTs. A standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied for the estimation of the pooled effects of RCTs.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (10 RCTs and 5 single arm pre-post studies) were ultimately included. Performance bias existed in all RCTs because participant blinding to the simulator is impossible. The assessment of the risk of bias of single arm pre-post studies showed only one study was of high quality with a low risk of bias whereas four were of low quality with a serious risk of bias. The pooled results of single arm pre-post studies by meta-analysis showed a large benefit with high-fidelity simulation in skill performance (SMD 1.34; 95% CI 0.50-2.18). The meta-analysis of RCTs showed a large benefit in skill performance (SMD 1.63; 95% CI 0.49-2.77) and a moderate benefit in neonatal resuscitation knowledge (SMD 0.69; 95% CI 0.42-0.96) with high-fidelity simulation when compared with traditional training. Additionally, a moderate benefit in skill performance (SMD 0.64; 95% CI 0.06-1.21) and a small benefit was shown in knowledge (SMD 0.39; 95% CI 0.08-0.71) with high-fidelity simulation when compared with low-fidelity simulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements of efficacy were shown both in resuscitation knowledge and skill performance immediately after training. However, in current studies, the long-time retention of benefits is controversial, and these benefits may not transfer to the real-life situations.

Increased Needs for Copper in Parenteral Nutrition for Children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit With an Ostomy

BACKGROUND

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element, with deficiency causing anemia, neutropenia, and other abnormalities. Cu is mainly absorbed in the small intestine. Patients with intestinal failure or jejunostomy have increased Cu losses and require additional Cu supplementation in parenteral nutrition (PN). The American Society for Clinical Nutrition standards for trace element recommendations in PN, including Cu, were created in 1988, and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition currently follows the same recommendations.

METHODS

Patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for surgical intervention resulting in an ostomy (ileal or jejunal) were included in this retrospective study. Patients received PN support with Cu dosed individually, rather than in a multi-trace element package. Cu and ostomy output were analyzed daily. Serum Cu was obtained 2 months postsurgical intervention.

RESULTS

Out of the 7 patients enrolled, 71% had low serum Cu. Weekly mean Cu intake for all 7 patients ranged from 5.3 to 154.8 μg/kg/day from enteral and parenteral sources, with individual mean weekly Cu intake ranging from 18.9 to 74.4 μg/kg/day from surgical intervention to 2 months post-surgery. Patients' weekly ostomy outputs ranged from 0 mL/kg/day to 77.2 mL/kg/day, with individual mean weekly output ranging from 3.7 to 41.6 mL/kg/day.

CONCLUSION

Providing 20 μg/kg/day of Cu in PN to neonates with ostomies is insufficient to prevent Cu deficiency. Further studies are warranted to determine an optimal dosage of parenteral Cu to prevent Cu deficiency.

Prophylactic Vitamin K Administration in Neonates on Prolonged Antibiotic Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of vitamin K deficiency after intramuscular vitamin K or no treatment in neonates with sepsis on prolonged (>7 days) antibiotic therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

Open label randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

PARTICIPANTS

Neonates with first episode of sepsis on antibiotics for ≥7 days were included. Neonates with clinical bleeding, vitamin K prior to start of antibiotic therapy (except the birth dose), cholestasis or prenatally diagnosed bleeding disorder were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

Randomized to receive 1 mg vitamin K (n=41) or no vitamin K (n=39) on the 7th day of antibiotic therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Vitamin K deficiency defined as Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence (PIVKA-II) >>2 ng/mL after 7 ± 2 days of enrolment.

RESULTS

The prevalence of vitamin K deficiency was 100% (n=80) at enrolment and it remained 100% even after 7 ± 2 days of enrolment in both the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonates receiving prolonged antibiotics have universal biochemical vitamin K deficiency despite vitamin K administration on 7th day of antibiotic therapy.

Assessment of Signal Processing Methods for Measuring the Respiratory Rate in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Knowledge of the pathological instabilities in the breathing pattern can provide valuable insights into the cardiorespiratory status of the critically-ill infant as well as their maturation level. This paper is concerned with the measurement of respiratory rate in premature infants. We compare the rates estimated from the chest impedance pneumogram, the ECG-derived respiratory rhythms, and the PPG-derived respiratory rhythms against those measured in the reference standard of breath detection provided by attending clinical staff during 165 manual breath counts. We demonstrate that accurate RR estimates can be produced from all sources for RR in the 40-80 bpm (breaths per min) range. We also conclude that the use of indirect methods based on the ECG or the PPG poses a fundamental challenge in this population due to their poor behavior at fast breathing rates (upward of 80 bpm).

Three-hourly feeding intervals are associated with faster advancement in very preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of two-hourly (Q2H) vs. three-hourly (Q3H) feeding on time to achieve full enteral feeding, growth metrics and respiratory tolerance in very preterm infants with birth weight ≤ 1250 g.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study review of 18 months before and after a change in our feeding guideline from Q3H to Q2H feedings.

RESULTS

113 infants were included, 59 in Q3H and 54 in Q2H groups. Q2H infants required 10% more days to achieve full enteral feeding, however it was not statistically significant (P = 0.054). Q2H feeding was associated with 16% more central catheter days (P = 0.02) and 17% more parenteral nutrition days (P = 0.019). There were no differences in respiratory outcomes or growth metrics between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Very preterm infants fed Q3H had less central catheter and parenteral nutrition days when compared to those fed Q2H, without significant differences in growth or respiratory outcomes.

Human Milk and Clinical Outcomes in Preterm Infants

The LOVE MOM cohort (Longitudinal Outcomes of VLBW Infants Exposed to Mothers' Own Milk; NIH: R010009; Meier PI) enrolled 430 infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) between 2008 and 2012 to study the impact of the dose and exposure period of MOM during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on potentially preventable complications of prematurity and their associated costs. In this prospective study, MOM and formula feedings were calculated daily (mL), medical diagnoses for NICU morbidities (necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC], late-onset sepsis [sepsis], and bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD]) were confirmed independently by 2 neonatologists, and propensity scoring was used to analyze covariates. Neurodevelopmental outcome was measured for a subset of 251 LOVE MOM infants at 20 months of age, corrected for prematurity (CA). Data revealed a dose-response relationship between higher amounts of MOM received during critical NICU exposure periods and a reduction in the risk of NEC, sepsis, BPD, and their costs, as well as higher cognitive index scores at 20 months CA. MOM appears to function via different mechanisms during NICU exposure periods to reduce the risk of potentially preventable complications and their costs in VLBW infants. Institutions should prioritize the economic investments needed to acquire, store, and feed high-dose MOM in this population.

Factors influencing decision making in neonatology: inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

We studied decision making regarding inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in preterm infants with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).

STUDY DESIGN

We asked members of the AAP-Society of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Division-Chiefs to select from three management options- initiate iNO, engage parents in shared decision making or not consider iNO in an extremely preterm with PH followed by rating of factors influencing their decision.

RESULTS

Three hundred and four respondents (9%) completed the survey; 36.5% chose to initiate iNO, 42% to engage parents, and 21.5% did not consider iNO. Provider's prior experience, safety, and patient-centered care were rated higher by those who initiated or offered iNO; lack of effectiveness and cost considerations by participants who did not chose iNO.

CONCLUSIONS

Most neonatologists offer or initiate iNO therapy based on their individual experience. The minority who chose not to consider iNO placed higher value on lack of effectiveness and cost. These results demonstrate a tension between evidence and pathophysiology-based-therapy/personal experience.

Mother-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (M-NICU): A Novel Concept in Newborn Care

Health facilities in India are faced with the challenge of providing quality newborn care in the face of major skilled human resource shortage. A possible solution is the concept of Mother-Neonatal ICU (M-NICU), where the mother has her bed inside the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by the side of baby's warmer. Our observations in M-NICU of a public sector hospital in New Delhi, India, indicate that mothers can be easily trained to follow asepsis routines and monitor the neonates, and are better prepared for their post-discharge care. Incorporating space for both mothers and their newborns in level-II NICUs may provide quality and developmentally supportive newborn care in coming years.

Artificial womb technology and the frontiers of human reproduction: conceptual differences and potential implications

In 2017, a Philadelphia research team revealed the closest thing to an artificial womb (AW) the world had ever seen. The 'biobag', if as successful as early animal testing suggests, will change the face of neonatal intensive care. At present, premature neonates born earlier than 22 weeks have no hope of survival. For some time, there have been no significant improvements in mortality rates or incidences of long-term complications for preterms at the viability threshold. Artificial womb technology (AWT), that might change these odds, is eagerly anticipated for clinical application. We need to understand whether AWT is an extension of current intensive care or something entirely new. This question is central to determining when and how the biobag should be used on human subjects. This paper examines the science behind AWT and advances two principal claims. First, AWT is conceptually different from conventional intensive care. Identifying why AWT should be understood as distinct demonstrates how it raises different ethico-legal questions. Second, these questions should be formulated without the 'human being growing in the AW' being described with inherently value laden terminology. The 'human being in an AW' is neither a fetus nor a baby, and the ethical tethers associated with these terms could perpetuate misunderstanding and confusion. Thus, the term 'gestateling' should be adopted to refer to this new product of human reproduction: a developing human being gestating ex utero. While this paper does not attempt to solve all the ethical problems associated with AWT, it makes important clarifications that will enable better formulation of relevant ethical questions for future exploration.

Safety and effectiveness of parent/nurse controlled analgesia on patient outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit: a systematic review protocol

REVIEW QUESTION

The review question is: How safe is parent/nurse controlled analgesia and what is its effectiveness on patient outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit?

Facilitating Colostrum Collection by Hospitalized Women in the Early Postpartum Period for Infant Trophic Feeding and Oral Immune Therapy

Administration of colostrum for early trophic feedings and colostrum oral immune therapy for neonates in the NICU is essential to enhance gut maturation and lower risk of infections. However, it is often difficult for women to collect early colostrum because of its thick viscosity and low volume. Women may be unable to sit upright during pumping sessions because of postsurgical pain, acute or chronic illness, or birth complications and may need assistance. In this article, we describe specific techniques that providers can use to help women to collect colostrum when they are unable to accomplish collection on their own. Helping women collect and administer colostrum to their neonates in the NICU may engage and motivate them to continue to pump and provide breast milk for their hospitalized neonates.

Disparities in NICU quality of care: a qualitative study of family and clinician accounts

OBJECTIVE

To identify how family advocates and clinicians describe disparities in NICU quality of care in narrative accounts.

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative analysis of a survey requesting disparity stories at the 2016 VON Quality Congress. Accounts (324) were from a sample of RNs (n = 114, 35%), MDs (n = 109, 34%), NNPs (n = 55, 17%), RN other (n = 4, 1%), clinical other (n = 25, 7%), family advocates (n = 16, 5%), and unspecified (n = 1, <1%).

RESULTS

Accounts (324) addressed non-exclusive disparities: 151 (47%) language; 97 (30%) culture or ethnicity; 72 (22%) race; 41 (13%) SES; 28 (8%) drug use; 18 (5%) immigration status or nationality; 16 (4%) sexual orientation or family status; 14 (4%) gender; 10 (3%) disability. We identified three types of disparate care: neglectful care 85 (26%), judgmental care 85 (26%), or systemic barriers to care 139 (44%).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all accounts described differential care toward families, suggesting the lack of equitable family-centered care.

Characteristics Associated With Preferences for Parent-Centered Decision Making in Neonatal Intensive Care

Importance

Little is known about how characteristics of particular clinical decisions influence decision-making preferences by patients or their surrogates. A better understanding of the factors underlying preferences is essential to improve the quality of shared decision making.

Objective

To identify the characteristics of particular decisions that are associated with parents' preferences for family- vs medical team-centered decision making across the spectrum of clinical decisions that arise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional survey assessed parents' preferences for parent- vs medical team-centered decision making across 16 clinical decisions, along with parents' assessments of 7 characteristics of those decisions. Respondents included 136 parents of infants in 1 of 3 academically affiliated hospital NICUs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from January 7 to July 8, 2016. Respondents represented a wide range of educational levels, employment status, and household income but were predominantly female (109 [80.1%]), white (68 [50.0%]) or African American (53 [39.0%]), and married (81 of 132 responding [61.4%]).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Preferences for parent-centered decision making. For each decision characteristic (eg, urgency), multivariable analyses tested whether middle and high levels of that characteristic (compared with low levels) were associated with a preference for parent-centered decision making, resulting in 2 odds ratios (ORs) per decision characteristic.

Results

Among the 136 respondents (109 women [80.1%] and 27 men [19.9%]; median age, 30 years [range, 18-43 years]), preferences for parent-centered decision making were positively associated with decisions that involved big-picture goals (middle OR, 2.01 [99% CI, 0.83-4.86]; high OR, 3.38 [99% CI, 1.48-7.75]) and that had the potential to harm the infant (middle OR, 1.32 [99% CI, 0.84-2.08]; high OR, 2.62 [99% CI, 1.67-4.11]). In contrast, preferences for parent-centered decision making were inversely associated with the following 4 decision characteristics: technical decisions (middle OR, 0.82 [99% CI, 0.45-1.52]; high OR, 0.48 [99% CI, 0.25-0.93]), the potential to benefit the infant (middle OR, 0.42 [99% CI, 0.16-1.05]; high OR, 0.21 [99% CI, 0.08-0.52]), requires medical expertise (middle OR, 0.48 [99% CI, 0.22-1.05]; high OR, 0.21 [99% CI, 0.10-0.48]), and a high level of urgency (middle OR, 0.47 [99% CI, 0.24-0.92]; high OR, 0.42 [99% CI, 0.22-0.83]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Preferences for parent-centered vs medical team-centered decision making among parents of infants in the NICU may vary systematically by the characteristics of particular clinical decisions. Incorporating this variation into shared decision making and endorsing models that allow parents to cede control to physicians in appropriate clinical circumstances might improve the quality and outcomes of medical decisions.

Reduction in Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in a NICU: Practical Lessons for Its Achievement and Sustainability

Central venous catheters are commonly used for the provision of parenteral nutrition and medications for critically ill neonates in the NICU. However, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a major complication associated with their use and remain an important cause of nosocomial sepsis in NICUs. Central line-associated bloodstream infection has shifted from being an expected routine complication of central line use to an adverse event now evaluated as a critical event with the goal of identifying root causes so future CLABSI events are prevented. Success has been achieved through multiple strategies including implementation and maintenance of care bundles, education strategies to promote consistent adherence to bundle components, and institutional and unit support. Although low CLABSI rates can be achieved, sustaining low CLABSI rates and achieving zero CLABSI remain an ongoing challenge. We describe our experience with lessons learned, with an emphasis on the areas of difficulty during implementation of the bundle elements and the strategies and tools we utilized to overcome them.

Trauma-informed care in the newborn intensive care unit: promoting safety, security and connectedness

Both babies and their parents may experience a stay in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) as a traumatic or a 'toxic stress,' which can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ultimately to poorly controlled cortisol secretion. Toxic stresses in childhood or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are strongly linked to poor health outcomes across the lifespan and trauma-informed care is an approach to caregiving based on the recognition of this relationship. Practitioners of trauma-informed care seek to understand clients' or patients' behaviors in light of previous traumas they have experienced, including ACEs. Practitioners also provide supportive care that enhances the client's or patient's feelings of safety and security, to prevent their re-traumatization in a current situation that may potentially overwhelm their coping skills. This review will apply the principles of trauma-informed care, within the framework of the Polyvagal Theory as described by Porges, to care for the NICU baby, the baby's family and their professional caregivers, emphasizing the importance of social connectedness among all. The Polyvagal Theory explains how one's unconscious awareness of safety, danger or life threat (neuroception) is linked through the autonomic nervous system to their behavioral responses. A phylogenetic hierarchy of behaviors evolved over time, leveraging the mammalian ventral or 'smart' vagal nucleus into a repertoire of responses promoting mother-baby co-regulation and the sense of safety and security that supports health and well-being for both members of the dyad. Fostering social connectedness that is mutual and reciprocal among parents, their baby and the NICU staff creates a critical buffer to mitigate stress and improve outcomes of both baby and parents. Using techniques of trauma-informed care, as explained by the Polyvagal Theory, with both babies and their parents in the NICU setting will help to cement a secure relationship between the parent-infant dyad, redirecting the developmental trajectory toward long-term health and well-being of the baby and all family members.

Monitoring Neonatal Resuscitation: Why Is It Needed?

Stabilisation and resuscitation of babies at birth is one of the most frequently performed procedures and requires considerable skill. If it is not done well, the baby may suffer prolonged hypoxia and bradycardia. Over the last few years there has been a growing interest in carefully evaluating an infant's condition at birth and the details of what is happening during resuscitation. Clinical assessment of an infant at this time is difficult and often inaccurate. Assessments of heart rate, colour, chest excursions, mask leak, tidal volume, inflation and expiration times, endotracheal intubation, and spontaneous breathing are imprecise. Detailed monitoring of gas flow in and out of the baby, integrated to tidal volume and used to calculate the leak around the face mask or endotracheal tube, together with ventilation pressures, pulse oximetry, ECG, and capnography add objectivity to the clinical assessments. These physiological parameters can be used directly to guide care but are also very useful for debriefing, feedback, audit, teaching, and research. With simultaneous video recording of the resuscitation it is possible to see exactly what is happening during the procedure. Endotracheal intubation is a difficult skill to learn and teach. However, this is now much easier with video laryngoscopy showing the intubator and supervisors exactly what is happening at the larynx.

Successfully implementing and embedding guidelines to improve the nutrition and growth of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care: a prospective interventional study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to improve the nutritional care of preterm infants by developing a complex (multifaceted) intervention intended to translate current evidence into practice. We used the sociological framework of Normalization Process Theory (NPT), to guide implementation in order to embed the new practices into routine care.

DESIGN

A prospective interventional study with a before and after methodology.

PARTICIPANTS

Infants <30 weeks gestation or <1500 g at birth.

SETTING

Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention was introduced in phases: phase A (control period, January-August 2011); phase B (partial implementation; improved parenteral and enteral nutrition solutions, nutrition team, education, August-December 2011); phase C (full implementation; guidelines, screening tool, 'nurse champions', January-December 2012); phase D (postimplementation; January-June 2013). Bimonthly audits and staff NPT questionnaires were used to measure guideline compliance and 'normalisation', respectively. NPT Scores were used to guide implementation in real time. Data on nutrient intakes and growth were collected continuously.

RESULTS

There were 52, 36, 75 and 35 infants in phases A, B, C and D, respectively. Mean guideline compliance exceeded 75% throughout the intervention period, peaking at 85%. Guideline compliance and NPT scores both increased over time, (r=0.92 and 0.15, p<0.03 for both), with a significant linear association between the two (r=0.21, p<0.01). There were significant improvements in daily protein intake and weight gain between birth and discharge in phases B and Ccompared with phase A (p<0.01 for all), which were sustained into phase D.

CONCLUSIONS

NPT and audit results suggest that the intervention was rapidly incorporated into practice, with high guideline compliance and accompanying improvements in protein intake and weight gain. NPT appears to offer an effective way of implementing new practices such that they lead to sustained changes in care. Complex interventions based on current evidence can improve both practice and clinical outcomes.

The Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool: Development and Content Validation

PURPOSE

To develop and content validate the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool (NeoEAT), a parent-report measure of infant feeding.

DESIGN

The NeoEAT was developed in three phases. Phase 1: Items were generated from a literature review, available assessment tools, and parents' descriptions of problematic feeding in infants.Phase 2: Professionals rated items for relevance and clarity. Content validity indices were calculated. Phase 3: Parent understanding was explored through cognitive interviews.

SAMPLE

Phase 1: Descriptions of infant feeding were obtained from 12 parents of children with diagnosed feeding problems and 29 parents of infants younger than seven months. Phase 2: Nine professionals rated items. Phase 3: Sixteen parents of infants younger than seven months completed the cognitive interview.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE

Content validity of the NeoEAT.

RESULTS

Three versions were developed: NeoEAT Breastfeeding (72 items), NeoEAT Bottle Feeding (74 items), and NeoEAT Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding (89 items).

Antibiotic stewardship in the newborn surgical patient: A quality improvement project in the neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

There is significant diversity in the utilization of antibiotics for neonates undergoing surgical procedures. Our institution standardized antibiotic administration for surgical neonates, in which no empiric antibiotics were given to infants with surgical conditions postnatally, and antibiotics are given no more than 72 hours perioperatively.

METHODS

We compared the time periods before and after implementation of antibiotic protocol in an institution review board-approved, retrospective review of neonates with congenital surgical conditions who underwent surgical correction within 30 days after birth. Surgical site infection at 30 days was the primary outcome, and development of hospital-acquired infections or multidrug-resistant organism were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight infants underwent surgical procedures pre-protocol, and 127 underwent procedures post-protocol implementation. Surgical site infection rates were similar pre- and post-protocol, 14% and 9% respectively, (P = .21.) The incidence of hospital-acquired infections (13.7% vs 8.7%, P = .205) and multidrug-resistant organism (4.7% vs 1.6%, P = .143) was similar between the 2 periods.

CONCLUSION

Elimination of empiric postnatal antibiotics did not statistically change rates of surgical site infection, hospital-acquired infections, or multidrug-resistant organisms. Limiting the duration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis to no more than 72 hours after surgery did not increase the rate of surgical site infection, hospital-acquired infections, or multidrug-resistant organism. Median antibiotic days were decreased with antibiotic standardization for surgical neonates.

Five-year plan will revamp neonatal services in Scotland

The Scottish Government is considering recommendations for a revamp of neonatal services - including creating three specialist neonatal intensive care units in the next five years.

Eight principles for patient-centred and family-centred care for newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit

Despite the recent improvements in perinatal medical care leading to an increase in survival rates, adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes occur more frequently in preterm and/or high-risk infants. Medical risk factors for neurodevelopmental delays like male gender or intrauterine growth restriction and family sociocultural characteristics have been identified. Significant data have provided evidence of the detrimental impact of overhelming environmental sensory inputs, such as pain and stress, on the developing human brain and strategies aimed at preventing this impact. These strategies, such as free parental access or sleep protection, could be considered 'principles of care'. Implementation of these principles do not require additional research due to the body of evidence. We review the scientific evidence for these principles here.