Workforce Shortage for Retinopathy of Prematurity Care and Emerging Role of Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of childhood blindness in very-low-birthweight and very preterm infants in the United States. With improved survival of smaller babies, more infants are at risk for ROP, yet there is an increasing shortage of providers to screen and treat ROP. Through a literature review of new and emerging technologies, screening criteria, and analysis of a national survey of pediatric ophthalmologists and retinal specialists, the authors found the shortage of ophthalmology workforce for ROP a serious and growing concern. When used appropriately, emerging technologies have the potential to mitigate gaps in the ROP workforce.

Understanding Barriers to Early Intervention Services for Preterm Infants: Lessons From Two States.

OBJECTIVE: To explore existing barriers and challenges to Early Intervention (EI) referral, enrollment, and service provision for very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) infants. METHODS: We conducted 10 focus groups with parents of VLBW children (n = 44) and 32 interviews with key informants from EI (n = 7), neonatal intensive care units (n = 17), and outpatient clinics (n = 8) at 6 sites in 2 states. We used grounded theory to identify themes about gaps in services. RESULTS: Both parents and providers found EI helpful. However, they also identified gaps in the current EI system at the levels of eligibility, referral, family receptivity, and service provision and coordination with medical care. Inadequate funding and variable procedures for evaluation may affect children's eligibility. Referrals can be missed as a result of simple oversight or communication failure among hospitals, EI, and families; referral outcomes often are not formally tracked. Families may not be receptive to services as a result of wariness of home visits, social stressors, denial about potential developmental delays, or lack of understanding of the benefits of EI. Once a child is deemed eligible, services may be delayed or terminated early, and EI providers may have little specialized training. Communication and coordination with the child's medical care team is often limited. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic barriers, including funding and staffing issues, state and federal regulations, and communication with families and medical providers, have led to gaps in the EI system. The chronic care model may serve as a framework for integrating community-based interventions like EI with medical care for VLBW children and other vulnerable populations.

Pasteurized human donor milk use among US level 3 neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Pasteurized human donor milk (DM) is recommended by the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics for preterm infants when mother's own milk is unavailable, yet the extent and predictors of use and criteria for use in US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate current DM use in US level 3 NICUs and predictors and criteria of use. METHODS: We sent mail surveys to 302 US level 3 NICU directors. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze predictors of DM use. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 60%, and 76 of 182 (42%) directors reported DM use. Among DM users, 30% have used DM < 2 years and 55% for 2 to 5 years. Among nonusers, 63% were uncertain of turnaround time when ordering DM, 36% were unclear what guidelines milk banks followed, and 31% were unsure of parent receptiveness. In multivariate analyses, > 800 annual admissions (odds ratio [OR], 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-11.82; reference ≤ 400 admissions) and location in the Midwest (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.17-7.76) and West (OR, 6.33; 95% CI, 2.28-15.57; reference Northeast) were positively associated with DM use; safety-net hospitals (> 75% Medicaid insurance) were negatively associated (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.89). CONCLUSION: Pasteurized human donor milk use is rapidly emerging among US level 3 NICUs. Larger NICUs and those in the West and Midwest were more likely to use DM, while safety-net hospitals were less likely to use DM. Lack of knowledge by medical directors of accessibility, safety, and parental receptiveness may be barriers to DM use.