Family Rooms in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Neonatal Outcomes: An International Survey and Linked Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the proportion of neonatal intensive care units with facilities supporting parental presence in their infants' rooms throughout the 24-hour day (ie, infant-parent rooms) in high-income countries and to analyze the association of this with outcomes of extremely preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

In this survey and linked cohort study, we analyzed unit design and facilities for parents in 10 neonatal networks of 11 countries. We compared the composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity, length of stay, and individual morbidities between neonates admitted to units with and without infant-parent rooms by linking survey responses to patient data from 2015 for neonates of less than 29 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

Of 331 units, 13.3% (44/331) provided infant-parent rooms. Patient-level data were available for 4662 infants admitted to 159 units in 7 networks; 28% of the infants were cared for in units with infant-parent rooms. Neonates from units with infant-parent rooms had lower odds of mortality or major morbidity (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.89), including lower odds of sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, than those from units without infant-parent rooms. The adjusted mean length of stay was 3.4 days shorter (95%, CI -4.7 to -3.1) in the units with infant-parent rooms.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of units in high-income countries lack facilities to support parents' presence in their infants' rooms 24 hours per day. The availability vs absence of infant-parent rooms was associated with lower odds of composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity and a shorter length of stay.

Hospital Care Cost and Resource Use of Early Discharge of Healthy Late Preterm and Term Singletons: A Population-based Cohort Study and Cost Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the hospital care cost and resource use associated with discharge timings after late preterm and term births.

STUDY DESIGN

This population-based cohort study and cost analysis included all healthy singleton late preterm (35-36 weeks gestational age) and term infants (37-41 weeks gestational age) born vaginally in hospitals in Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2012. Early, late, and very late discharge (<48, 48-71, and 72-95 hours after birth, respectively) were compared using generalized linear models. The primary outcome was the total hospital care cost (hospitalizations and emergency department visits) per infant within 28 days of birth.

RESULTS

Among 860 693 singletons (3.7% late preterm), early discharge increased significantly over 10 years for term infants (from 69% to 82%; P < .001), but not late preterm infants (from 32% to 35%; P = .75). The mean total cost within 28 days after birth was not significantly different for late preterm infants between early discharge and late discharge after adjustment. However, for term infants, the adjusted cost was higher with early discharge than late discharge (aMCD $311 [95% CI, $211-$412] per infant; $366 [95% CI, $355-$377] per mother-infant dyad). The neonatal readmission rates were higher after early than late discharge for late preterm and term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Early discharge was not associated with cost savings for vaginally born healthy singleton late preterm infants, and instead was associated with a cost increase for term infants. Early discharge was associated with higher neonatal readmission rates. Individualized approach balancing the risk and benefit is appropriate to determine the discharge timings.

Neonatal Life Support: 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations

This 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) for neonatal life support includes evidence from 7 systematic reviews, 3 scoping reviews, and 12 evidence updates. The Neonatal Life Support Task Force generally determined by consensus the type of evidence evaluation to perform; the topics for the evidence updates followed consultation with International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation member resuscitation councils. The 2020 CoSTRs for neonatal life support are published either as new statements or, if appropriate, reiterations of existing statements when the task force found they remained valid. Evidence review topics of particular interest include the use of suction in the presence of both clear and meconium-stained amniotic fluid, sustained inflations for initiation of positive-pressure ventilation, initial oxygen concentrations for initiation of resuscitation in both preterm and term infants, use of epinephrine (adrenaline) when ventilation and compressions fail to stabilize the newborn infant, appropriate routes of drug delivery during resuscitation, and consideration of when it is appropriate to redirect resuscitation efforts after significant efforts have failed. All sections of the Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithm are addressed, from preparation through to postresuscitation care. This document now forms the basis for ongoing evidence evaluation and reevaluation, which will be triggered as further evidence is published. Over 140 million babies are born annually worldwide (https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/births-and-deaths-projected-to-2100). If up to 5% receive positive-pressure ventilation, this evidence evaluation is relevant to more than 7 million newborn infants every year. However, in terms of early care of the newborn infant, some of the topics addressed are relevant to every single baby born.

The Route, Dose, and Interval of Epinephrine for Neonatal Resuscitation: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Current International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommendations on epinephrine administration during neonatal resuscitation were derived in 2010 from indirect evidence in animal or pediatric studies.

OBJECTIVE

Systematic review of human infant and relevant animal studies comparing other doses, routes, and intervals of epinephrine administration in neonatal resuscitation with (currently recommended) administration of 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg doses given intravenously (IV) every 3 to 5 minutes.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and trial registry databases.

STUDY SELECTION

Predefined criteria were used for selection.

DATA EXTRACTION

Risk of bias was assessed by using published tools appropriate for the study type. Certainty of evidence was assessed by using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

RESULTS

Only 2 of 4 eligible cohort studies among 593 unique retrieved records yielded data allowing comparisons. There were no differences between IV and endotracheal epinephrine for the primary outcome of death at hospital discharge (risk ratio = 1.03 [95% confidence interval 0.62 to 1.71]) or for failure to achieve return of spontaneous circulation, time to return of spontaneous circulation (1 study; 50 infants), or proportion receiving additional epinephrine (2 studies; 97 infants). There were no differences in outcomes between 2 endotracheal doses (1 study). No human infant studies were found in which authors addressed IV dose or dosing interval.

LIMITATIONS

The search yielded sparse human evidence of very low certainty (downgraded for serious risk of bias and imprecision).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of epinephrine by endotracheal versus IV routes resulted in similar survival and other outcomes. However, in animal studies, researchers continue to suggest benefit of IV administration using currently recommended doses.

Chylothorax Associated with Congenital Complete Atrioventricular Block

Introduction  Congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) associated with congenital chylothorax is a rare finding that has been reported in only one case in the literature. We report here the case of an infant with CCAVB complicated by congenital chylothorax. Patient Report  We present the case of a male neonate with a birth weight of 2114 g. Fetal bradycardia and right pleural effusion were detected at gestational age of 22 weeks. Maternal serum levels of anti-Sjögren's-syndrome-related antigen A autoantibody were high (4840 U/mL). The neonate was delivered at gestational age of 33 weeks; a temporary external pacemaker was placed immediately after birth that resulted in an improved cardiac output. Milk-colored pleural effusion increased in volume together with the initiation of breast milk feeding. Lymphocytosis and high triglyceride levels in the pleural fluid led to the diagnosis of chylothorax. The pleural effusion resolved in response to prednisolone, octreotide, and total parenteral nutrition. Discussion  The causal relationship between CCAVB and congenital chylothorax can be explained by considering the damage to the lymphatic vessels secondary to inflammation due to maternal autoantibodies and venous congestion due to bradycardia. Conclusion  In any case of CCAVB associated with atypical pleural effusion, one must consider the possibility of congenital chylothorax.

A sensitive method for analyzing fluconazole in extremely small volumes of neonatal serum

BACKGROUND

The need for a large volume of serum sample significantly reduces the feasibility of neonatal pharmacokinetic studies in daily practice, which must often rely on scavenged or opportunistic sampling. This problem is most apparent in preterm newborns, where ethical and practical considerations prohibit the collection of large sample volumes. Most of the fluconazole analysis assays published thus far required a minimum serum sample of 50 to 100 μL for a single assay. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a sensitive method requiring a smaller sample volume (10 μL) to satisfy clinically relevant research requirements.

METHODS

Following simple protein precipitation and centrifugation, the filtrated supernatant was injected into a liquid chromatography system and separated with a C18 reverse-phase column. Fluconazole and the internal standard (IS, fluconazole-d4) were detected and quantified using tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated with reference to the Food and Drug Administration's Guidance for Industry. Accuracy and precision were evaluated at six quality control concentration levels (ranging from 0.01 to 100 μg/mL).

RESULTS

Investigated calibration curves were linear in the 0.01-100 μg/mL range. Intra- and inter-day accuracy (- 7.7 to 7.4%) and precision (0.3 to 6.0%) were below 15%. The calculated limit of detection and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.0019 μg/mL and 0.0031 μg/mL, respectively. Fluconazole in the prepared samples was stable for at least 4 months at - 20 °C and - 80 °C. This method was applied to analyze 234 serum samples from ten neonates who received fosfluconazole, a water-soluble phosphate prodrug of fluconazole which converts to fluconazole in the body, as part of a pharmacokinetic study using daily scavenged laboratory samples. The median (range) concentration up to 72 h after fosfluconazole administration was 2.9 (0.02 to 26.8 μg/mL) μg/mL, which was within the range of the calibration curve.

CONCLUSION

Fluconazole was able to be detected in an extremely small volume (10 μL) of serum from neonates receiving fosfluconazole. The method presented here can be used to quantify fluconazole concentrations for pharmacokinetic studies of the neonatal population by using scavenged samples.

Survey shows marked variations in approaches to redirection of care for critically ill very preterm infants in 11 countries

AIM

We surveyed care practices for critically ill very preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates (iNeo) to identify differences relevant to outcome comparisons.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey on care practices for critically ill very preterm infants and infants with severe intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). The survey was distributed in 2015 to representatives of 390 NICUs in 11 countries. Survey replies were compared with network incidence of death and severe ICH for infants born between 23^0/7 and 28^6/7  weeks of gestation from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015.

RESULTS

Most units in Israel, Japan and Tuscany, Italy, favoured withholding care when care was considered futile, whereas most units in other networks favoured redirection of care. For infants with bilateral grade 4 ICH, redirection of care was very frequently (≥90% of cases) offered in the majority of units in Australia and New Zealand and Switzerland, but rarely in other networks. Networks where redirection of care was frequently offered for severe ICH had lower rates of survivors with severe ICH.

CONCLUSION

We identified marked inter-network differences in care approaches that need to be considered when comparing outcomes.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Level Patent Ductus Arteriosus Treatment Rates and Outcomes in Infants Born Extremely Preterm

OBJECTIVES

To assess associations between neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-level patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment rates (pharmacologic or surgical) and neonatal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

This cohort study included infants born at 24-28 weeks of gestation and birth weight <1500 g in 2007-2015 in NICUs caring for ≥100 eligible infants in 6 countries. The ratio of observed/expected (O/E) PDA treatment rates was derived for each NICU by estimating the expected rate using a logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounders and network. The primary composite outcome was death or severe neurologic injury (grades III-IV intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia). The associations between the NICU-level O/E PDA treatment ratio and neonatal outcomes were assessed using linear regression analyses including a quadratic effect (a square term) of the O/E PDA treatment ratio.

RESULTS

From 139 NICUs, 39 096 infants were included. The overall PDA treatment rate was 45% in the cohort (13%-77% by NICU) and the O/E PDA treatment ratio ranged from 0.30 to 2.14. The relationship between the O/E PDA treatment ratio and primary composite outcome was U-shaped, with the nadir at a ratio of 1.13 and a significant quadratic effect (P<.001). U-shaped relationships were also identified with death, severe neurologic injury, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Both low and high PDA treatment rates were associated with death or severe neurologic injury, whereas a moderate approach was associated with optimal outcomes.

Utilizing Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy to Intubate Simulated Newborns while Contained within the Incubator: A Randomized Crossover Study

OBJECTIVE

The use of video laryngoscopy for intubating neonates in ergonomically challenging settings has not been studied well. We aimed to assess the usefulness of video laryngoscopy for experienced neonatologists to intubate neonatal manikins in incubators via side hand ports or head window.

STUDY DESIGN

In this randomized crossover trial at three neonatal intensive care units in Japan, 27 neonatologists were randomized into two groups, namely, those intubating neonatal simulators using video laryngoscopy and then using direct laryngoscopy, or vice versa. The intubations were performed via hand ports or head window without opening top and side walls in incubators in two manikin positions (rotated 90° or unrotated). Glottis visualization (0-100%), success rate, intubation time, and ease of laryngoscopy (from 1 [very difficult] to 10 [very easy]) were compared between video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy. Generalized linear models were used for the analyses.

RESULTS

This study assessed 108 intubations performed by 27 neonatologists. The use of video laryngoscopy improved the glottis visualization by 14% (95% confidence interval, 7.4-20%; p < 0.01) and easiness scores of laryngoscopy by 0.8 (0.2-1.4; p < 0.01), but did not reduce the intubation time.

CONCLUSION

Video laryngoscopy is useful for experienced neonatologists for intubating neonatal manikins in incubators without opening the top or side walls.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome complicated with foregut malformation and high airway fistula to the alimentary tract – a case series with four distinct types

Background

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare disease and recently has been noticed to show typical prenatal images, such as hyperinflated lungs and flattened or inverted diaphragms. However, in some cases correct diagnosis may be difficult and in such cases the mortality rate increases.

Case presentation

We report four cases of CHAOS complicated with a high airway fistula to the alimentary tract and foregut malformation. The patients did not show the typical features of CHAOS in the fetus. This may be attributed to the high airway fistula acting as a decompression route for the accumulated lung fluids to the alimentary tract.

Conclusion

The combination of CHAOS, foregut malformation and a high airway fistula is very rare and classified into four distinct types: (1) CHAOS with a high airway fistula but not with a foregut malformation; (2) CHAOS with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula; (3) CHAOS with a high airway fistula and duodenal atresia; and (4) CHAOS with esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula and duodenal atresia. It may be useful for treating physicians to be aware of these four distinct types and the typical characteristics of each type.

Neonatal Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants With Severe Congenital Heart Defects: An International Cohort Study

Background

Very preterm infants are at high risk of death or severe morbidity. The objective was to determine the significance of severe congenital heart defects (CHDs) for these risks.

Methods and Results

This cohort study included infants from 10 countries born from 2007–2015 at 24 to 31 weeks’ gestation with birth weights <1500 g. Severe CHDs were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) and Tenth (ICD‐10) codes and categorized as those compromising systemic output, causing sustained cyanosis, or resulting in congestive heart failure. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were neonatal brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity. Adjusted and propensity score–matched odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Analyses were stratified by type of CHD, gestational age, and network. A total of 609 (0.77%) infants had severe CHD and 76 371 without any malformation served as controls. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 27.8 weeks and 1018 g, respectively. The mortality rate was 18.6% in infants with CHD and 8.9% in controls (propensity score–matched OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.61–3.27). Severe CHD was not associated with neonatal brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, or retinopathy of prematurity, whereas the OR for bronchopulmonary dysplasia increased. Mortality was higher in all types, with the highest propensity score–matched OR (4.96; 95% CI, 2.11–11.7) for CHD causing congestive heart failure. While mortality did not differ between groups at <27 weeks’ gestational age, adjusted OR for mortality in infants with CHD increased to 10.9 (95% CI, 5.76–20.70) at 31 weeks’ gestational age. Rates of CHD and mortality differed significantly between networks.

Conclusions

Severe CHD is associated with significantly increased mortality in very preterm infants.

Summary of Japanese Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines 2015

The Japan Resuscitation Council joined the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) as a member of the Resuscitation Council of Asia in 2006. In 2007, the Japan Society of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine (JSPNM), which is a member of an affiliated body, launched the Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NCPR) program as an authorized project to ensure that all staff involved in perinatal and neonatal medicine can learn and practice neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations developed by ILCOR. The content of courses in the NCPR program is based on the NCPR guidelines. These guidelines are revised by the Japan Resuscitation Council according to the Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations, which is updated by ILCOR every 5 years. The latest updated edition in Japanese was published in 2016 and we translated these Japanese guidelines to English in 2018. Here, we introduce a summary of the NCPR guidelines 2015 in Japan. The NCPR 2015 algorithm has two flows, "lifesaving flow" and "stabilization of breathing flow" at the first branching point after the initial step of resuscitation.

2019 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has initiated a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation science. This is the third annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. It addresses the most recent published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. This summary addresses the role of cardiac arrest centers and dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the role of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults and children, vasopressors in adults, advanced airway interventions in adults and children, targeted temperature management in children after cardiac arrest, initial oxygen concentration during resuscitation of newborns, and interventions for presyncope by first aid providers. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the certainty of the evidence on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence to Decision Framework Highlights sections. The task forces also listed priority knowledge gaps for further research.

Neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation project in Japan

In July 2007, the Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NCPR) program in Japan was launched to ensure that all staff involved in perinatal and neonatal medicine can learn and practice NCPR based on the Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations developed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. In 1978 in North America, a working group on pediatric resuscitation was formed by the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiac Care Committee and concluded that the resuscitation of newborns required a different strategy than the resuscitation of adults. The original first edition of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program textbook was published in 1987. The NCPR program consists of three courses for health-care providers and two courses for instructors. A course and B course are for newly certified health-care providers and course S is for health-care providers who are renewing their certification. As of 31 March 2019, 3,227 advanced instructors (I instructor) and 1,877 basic instructors (J instructor) were trained to teach A, B, and S courses to health-care providers on the basis of their license. In total 7,075 A courses and 4,012 B courses were held; 131 651 people attended A course or B course of the NCPR program, and 77 367 were certified. A total of 1,865 S courses, which were developed in 2015, were held and 12 875 people attended this course. Here, we introduce the background, purpose, history, and content of the development of the NCPR program in Japan.

The clinical management and outcomes of extremely preterm infants in Japan: past, present, and future

There is a wide variation in neonatal mortality rates across regions and countries. Japan has one of the lowest neonatal mortality rates in the world; in particular, the mortality rate of extremely preterm infants (i.e., those born before 26 weeks of gestation) is much lower in Japan than in other developed countries. In addition, Japan has low incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and late-onset sepsis, a very high incidence of retinopathy of prematurity, and a relatively high incidence of chronic lung disease. In Japan, general perinatal medical centers (PMCs), which are PMCs that offer the highest levels of care, are required to have an obstetric department with maternal-fetal intensive care units as well as a neonatal or pediatric department with neonatal intensive care units (NICU), in order to promote antenatal rather than neonatal maternal transfer of high-risk cases. The limit of viability of extremely preterm infants is 22 weeks of gestation, and approximately half of them are estimated to receive active resuscitation. The clinical management of extremely preterm infants in Japan are characterized by (I) circulatory management that is guided by neonatologist-performed echocardiography, (II) relatively invasive respiratory management, (III) nutritional management, which entails the promotion of breast milk feeding, early enteral feeding, routine glycerin enema, and the administration of probiotics, (IV) neurological management by means of minimal handling, sedation of ventilated infants, and serial brain ultrasounds, and (V) infection control with the assistance of serial C-reactive protein (CRP) monitoring. Thus, this review provides a brief description of the development of neonatology in Japan, introduces the unique features of Japanese clinical management of extremely preterm infants, and overviews their outcomes.

Maternal smoking and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants <29 weeks gestation: a multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants at 18-21 months corrected age (CA) whose mothers smoked during pregnancy to those whose mothers did not smoke.

STUDY DESIGN

Preterm infants born at <29 weeks of gestation and evaluated at 18-21 months CA were included. Primary outcome was a composite outcome of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI).

RESULTS

Of a total of 2760 infants, 699 met exclusion criteria. Of the remaining 2061 infants, 280 (13.6%) were exposed to maternal smoking and 1781 (86.4%) were not. The odds of the composite outcome of death or NDI (aOR 1.40; 95% CI: 1.03-1.91), NDI alone (aOR 1.43; 95% CI: 1.01-2.03), and Bayley-III motor score <85 (aOR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.31-2.81) were higher in exposed infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to maternal smoking was associated with adverse composite outcome of death or NDI, NDI alone and lower motor scores at 18-21 months CA.

Initial Oxygen Use for Preterm Newborn Resuscitation: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

: media-1vid110.1542/5839981895001PEDS-VA_2018-1828Video Abstract CONTEXT: The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation prioritized to review the initial fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio₂) during the resuscitation of preterm newborns.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the scientific summary of initial Fio₂ in preterm newborns (<35 weeks' gestation) who receive respiratory support at birth.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched between January 1, 1980 and August 10, 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were selected by pairs of independent reviewers in 2 stages with a Cohen's κ of 0.8 and 1.0.

DATA EXTRACTION

Pairs of independent reviewers extracted data, appraised the risk of bias (RoB), and assessed Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty.

RESULTS

Ten randomized controlled studies and 4 cohort studies included 5697 patients. There are no statistically significant benefits of or harms from starting with lower compared with higher Fio₂ in short-term mortality (n = 968; risk ratio = 0.83 [95% confidence interval 0.50 to 1.37]), long-term mortality, neurodevelopmental impairment, or other key preterm morbidities. A sensitivity analysis in which 1 study with a high RoB was excluded failed to reveal a reduction in mortality with initial low Fio₂ (n = 681; risk ratio = 0.63 [95% confidence interval 0.38 to 1.03]).

LIMITATIONS

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty of evidence was very low for all outcomes due to RoB, inconsistency, and imprecision.

CONCLUSIONS

The ideal initial Fio₂ for preterm newborns is still unknown, although the majority of newborns ≤32 weeks' gestation will require oxygen supplementation.

Unit-Level Variations in Healthcare Professionals' Availability for Preterm Neonates <29 Weeks' Gestation: An International Survey

INTRODUCTION

The availability of and variability in healthcare professionals in neonatal units in different countries has not been well characterized. Our objective was to identify variations in the healthcare professionals for preterm neonates in 10 national or regional neonatal networks participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes (iNeo) of neonates.

METHOD

Online, pre-piloted questionnaires about the availability of healthcare professionals were sent to the directors of 390 tertiary neonatal units in 10 international networks: Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Illinois, Israel, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Tuscany.

RESULTS

Overall, 325 of 390 units (83%) responded. About half of the units (48%; 156/325) cared for 11-30 neonates/day and had team-based (43%; 138/325) care models. Neonatologists were present 24 h a day in 59% of the units (191/325), junior doctors in 60% (194/325), and nurse practitioners in 36% (116/325). A nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1 for infants who are unstable and require complex care was used in 52% of the units (170/325), whereas a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 for neonates requiring multisystem support was available in 59% (192/325) of the units. Availability of a respiratory therapist (15%, 49/325), pharmacist (40%, 130/325), dietitian (34%, 112/325), social worker (81%, 263/325), lactation consultant (45%, 146/325), parent buddy (6%, 19/325), or parents' resource personnel (11%, 34/325) were widely variable between units.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified variability in the availability and organization of the healthcare professionals between and within countries for the care of extremely preterm neonates. Further research is needed to associate healthcare workers' availability and outcomes.

Room Air for Initiating Term Newborn Resuscitation: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

: media-1vid110.1542/5839981898001PEDS-VA_2018-1825Video Abstract CONTEXT: The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation prioritized to rigorously review the initial fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio₂) during resuscitation of newborns.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the scientific summary of initial Fio₂ in term and late preterm newborns (≥35 weeks' gestation) who receive respiratory support at birth.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched between January 1, 1980 and August 10, 2018.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were selected by pairs of independent reviewers in 2 stages, with a Cohen's κ of 0.8 and 1.0.

DATA EXTRACTION

Pairs of independent reviewers extracted data, appraised risk of bias, and assessed Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 quasi RCTs included 2164 patients. Room air (Fio₂ 0.21) was associated with a statistically significant benefit in short-term mortality compared with 100% oxygen (Fio₂ 1.0) (7 RCTs; n = 1469; risk ratio [RR] = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57 to 0.94). No significant differences were observed in neurodevelopmental impairment (2 RCTs; n = 360; RR = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.77 to 2.60) or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (5 RCTs; n = 1315; RR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.18).

LIMITATIONS

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation certainty of evidence was low for short-term mortality and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and very low for neurodevelopmental impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Room air has a 27% relative reduction in short-term mortality compared with Fio₂ 1.0 for initiating neonatal resuscitation ≥35 weeks' gestation.

Outcomes after Neonatal Seizures in Infants Less Than 29 Weeks' Gestation: A Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between neonatal seizure and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18 to 24 months in extremely preterm neonates. The association between anticonvulsants use and NDI was also assessed.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study of infants born at <29 weeks' gestation from the Canadian Neonatal Network and Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network databases, we compared mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants who had neonatal seizures with those without seizures after adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

Of the 2,762 eligible neonates, 133 (4.8%) had seizures. Infants who had seizures were of lower gestation (25.2 vs. 26.2 weeks) and birth weight (819 vs. 920 g) and had higher rates of adverse outcomes. Neonatal seizure was associated with higher odds of composite outcome of death or significant NDI (74 vs. 27%; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-5.4). Death or significant NDI was higher in infants with seizures treated with anticonvulsants than those without treatment (89 vs. 70%); however, when adjusted for confounders, it was not significantly different (adjusted OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 0.83-14.6).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal seizures were independently associated with higher odds of death or significant NDI at 18 to 24 months of age. Relationship of anticonvulsant and neurodevelopmental outcomes needs further studies.

Neonatal Outcomes of Very Preterm or Very Low Birth Weight Triplets

OBJECTIVES

To compare the neonatal outcomes of very preterm triplets with those of matched singletons using a large international cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective matched-cohort study of preterm triplets and singletons born between 2007 and 2013 in the International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes in neonates database countries and matched by gestational age, sex, and country of birth was conducted. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality or severe neonatal morbidity (severe neurologic injury, treated retinopathy of prematurity, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for model 1 (maternal hypertension and birth weight z score) and model 2 (variables in model 1, antenatal steroids, and mode of birth). Models were fitted with generalizing estimating equations and random effects modeling to account for clustering.

RESULTS

A total of 6079 triplets of 24 to 32 weeks' gestation or 500 to 1499 g birth weight and 18 232 matched singletons were included. There was no difference in the primary outcome between triplets and singletons (23.4% vs 24.0%, adjusted odds ratio: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-1.01 for model 1 and 1.00, 95% CI: 0.90-1.11 for model 2). Rates of severe neonatal morbidities did not differ significantly between triplets and singletons. The results were also similar for a subsample of the cohort (1648 triplets and 4944 matched singletons) born at 24 to 28 weeks' gestation.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were identified in mortality or major neonatal morbidities between triplets who were very low birth weight or very preterm and matched singletons.

What to do if A + B doesn't work

The majority of newborn resuscitations require very little beyond simple airway management and assisted ventilation. If cardiovascular collapse is serious enough to warrant additional support, resuscitation algorithms recommend moving to chest compressions and then on to medications and possibly volume replacement if vital signs remain marginal or absent. The evidence base upon which this part of the neonatal resuscitation algorithm is structured is sparse. Chest compressions and medications are rare interventions that do not lend themselves easily to clinical trials. Slowly but surely, however, the genesis of an empirical evidence base for this part of the algorithm is beginning to appear.

Association of Maternal Diabetes With Neonatal Outcomes of Very Preterm and Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants: An International Cohort Study

IMPORTANCE

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with a 2-times to 3-times higher rate of very preterm birth than in women without diabetes. Very preterm infants are at high risk of death and severe morbidity. The association of maternal diabetes with these risks is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the associations between maternal diabetes and in-hospital mortality, as well as neonatal morbidity in very preterm infants with a birth weight of less than 1500 g.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 7 national networks in high-income countries that are part of the International Neonatal Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates and used prospectively collected data on 76 360 very preterm, singleton infants without malformations born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015, at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation with birth weights of less than 1500 g, 3280 (4.3%) of whom were born to diabetic mothers.

EXPOSURES

Any type of diabetes during pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes were severe neonatal morbidities, including intraventricular hemorrhages of grade 3 to 4, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity needing treatment and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and other morbidities, including respiratory distress, treated patent ductus arteriosus, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated, adjusted for potential confounders, and stratified by gestational age (GA), sex, and network.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) birth weight of offspring born to mothers with diabetes was significantly higher at 1081 (262) g than in offspring born to mothers without diabetes (mean [SD] birth weight, 1027 [270] g). Mothers with diabetes were older and had more hypertensive disorders, antenatal steroid treatments, and deliveries by cesarean delivery than mothers without diabetes. Infants of mothers with diabetes were born at a later GA than infants of mothers without diabetes. In-hospital mortality (6.6% vs 8.3%) and the composite of mortality and severe morbidity (31.6% vs 40.6%) were lower in infants of mothers with diabetes. However, in adjusted analyses, no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR, 1.16 (95% CI, 0.97-1.39) or the composite of mortality and severe morbidity (adjusted OR, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.88-1.10) were observed. With few exceptions, outcomes of infants born to mothers with and without diabetes were similar regardless of infant sex, GA, or country of birth.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In high-resource settings, maternal diabetes is not associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality or severe morbidity in very preterm infants with a birth weight of fewer than 1500 g.