Ventilatory Assistance Before Umbilical Cord Clamping in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Providing assisted ventilation during delayed umbilical cord clamping may improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants. Objective: To determine whether assisted ventilation in extremely preterm infants (23 0/7 to 28 6/7 weeks' gestational age [GA]) followed by cord clamping reduces intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or early death. Design, Setting, and Participants: This phase 3, 1:1, parallel-stratified randomized clinical trial conducted at 12 perinatal centers across the US and Canada from September 2, 2016, through February 21, 2023, assessed IVH and early death outcomes of extremely preterm infants randomized to receive 120 seconds of assisted ventilation followed by cord clamping vs delayed cord clamping for 30 to 60 seconds with ventilatory assistance afterward. Two analysis cohorts, not breathing well and breathing well, were specified a priori based on assessment of breathing 30 seconds after birth. Intervention: After birth, all infants received stimulation and suctioning if needed. From 30 to 120 seconds, infants randomized to the intervention received continuous positive airway pressure if breathing well or positive-pressure ventilation if not, with cord clamping at 120 seconds. Control infants received 30 to 60 seconds of delayed cord clamping followed by standard resuscitation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was any grade IVH on head ultrasonography or death before day 7. Interpretation by site radiologists was confirmed by independent radiologists, all masked to study group. To estimate the association between study group and outcome, data were analyzed using the stratified Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test for relative risk (RR), with associations summarized by point estimates and 95% CIs. Results: Of 1110 women who consented to participate, 548 were randomized and delivered infants at GA less than 29 weeks. A total of 570 eligible infants were enrolled (median [IQR] GA, 26.6 [24.9-27.7] weeks; 297 male [52.1%]). Intraventricular hemorrhage or death occurred in 34.9% (97 of 278) of infants in the intervention group and 32.5% (95 of 292) in the control group (adjusted RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.81-1.27). In the prespecified not-breathing-well cohort (47.5% [271 of 570]; median [IQR] GA, 26.0 [24.7-27.4] weeks; 152 male [56.1%]), IVH or death occurred in 38.7% (58 of 150) of infants in the intervention group and 43.0% (52 of 121) in the control group (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.68-1.21). There was no evidence of differences in death, severe brain injury, or major morbidities between the intervention and control groups in either breathing cohort. Conclusions and Relevance: This study did not show that providing assisted ventilation before cord clamping in extremely preterm infants reduces IVH or early death. Additional study around the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of assisted ventilation before cord clamping may provide additional insight. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02742454.

Exhaled CO2 monitoring to guide non-invasive ventilation at birth: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Measuring exhaled carbon dioxide (ECO2) during non-invasive ventilation at birth may provide information about lung aeration. However, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) only recommends ECO2 detection for confirming endotracheal tube placement. ILCOR has therefore prioritised a research question that needs to be urgently evaluated: 'In newborn infants receiving intermittent positive pressure ventilation by any non-invasive interface at birth, does the use of an ECO2 monitor in addition to clinical assessment, pulse oximetry and/or ECG, compared with clinical assessment, pulse oximetry and/or ECG only, decrease endotracheal intubation in the delivery room, improve response to resuscitation, improve survival or reduce morbidity?'. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomised and non-randomised studies identified by Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL search until 1 August 2022. SETTING: Delivery room. PATIENTS: Newborn infants receiving non-invasive ventilation at birth. INTERVENTION: ECO2 measurement plus routine assessment compared with routine assessment alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endotracheal intubation in the delivery room, response to resuscitation, survival and morbidity. RESULTS: Among 2370 articles, 23 were included; however, none had a relevant control group. Although studies indicated that the absence of ECO2 may signify airway obstruction and ECO2 detection may precede a heart rate increase in adequately ventilated infants, they did not directly address the research question. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence to support the use of an ECO2 monitor to guide non-invasive positive pressure ventilation at birth is lacking. More research on the effectiveness of ECO2 measurement in addition to routine assessment during non-invasive ventilation of newborn infants at birth is needed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022344849.

Effects of Discontinuation of Weekly Surveillance Testing on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the NICU.

OBJECTIVE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is a major cause of serious morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There is no clear consensus on infection control measures. Some approaches to MRSA colonization management may be burdensome with unclear benefits. The objective of this study was to determine if stopping weekly MRSA surveillance with active detection and contact isolation (ADI) was associated with a change in infection rate. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of infants admitted to two affiliated NICUs. The ADI cohort infants received weekly nasal MRSA cultures and were placed in contact isolation if MRSA colonized for the duration of their hospitalization. The No Surveillance cohort infants were only placed in isolation if there was active MRSA infection or if MRSA colonization was identified incidentally. The rates of infection were determined between the cohorts. RESULTS: There were 8,406 neonates representing 193,684 NICU days in the comparison period. In the ADI cohort, MRSA colonization occurred in 3.4% of infants and infection occurred in 29 infants (0.4%). There were no differences between cohorts in the percent of infants with a MRSA infection at any site (0.5 vs. 0.5%, p = 0.89), rate of MRSA infections per 1,000 patient-days (0.197 vs. 0.201, p = 0.92), rate of bloodstream infections (0.12 vs. 0.26%, p = 0.18), or in the overall mortality rate (3.7 vs. 3.0% p = 0.13). ADI represented an annual cost of $590,000. CONCLUSION: The rates of MRSA infection did not change when weekly ADI was discontinued and was associated with a decrease in cost and resource utilization. KEY POINTS: · Placing MRSA-colonized infants in contact isolation is a common practice.. · Data are limited with respect to efficacy in the NICU.. · This study provides evidence that active detection and contact isolation for MRSA colonization may not be beneficial..

Early Physiological and Adrenal Effects of Budesonide Mixed with Surfactant in Large Observational Preterm Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The combination of surfactant and budesonide has been shown to decrease BPD rates and severity. Budesonide may be released systemically from lungs, and the effects on the immature adrenal glands are not known. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if adrenal suppression rates are higher in preterm infants receiving budesonide with surfactant compared to surfactant alone. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 608 infants ≤1,250 g received intubation for surfactant therapy from 2013 through 2020. In August 2016, budesonide was added to surfactant for these infants. Indicators of adrenal suppression, including mean blood pressures, plasma electrolyte levels, hydrocortisone use, and the use of vasoactive medications, were analyzed for the first 14 days after birth. Respiratory variables, biochemical signs of adrenal insufficiency, and neonatal morbidities were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference in hydrocortisone administration in the first 14 days between infants receiving budesonide with surfactant (n = 314) or surfactant alone (n = 294) (23% vs. 19%, p = 0.38). Budesonide exposed infants received hydrocortisone 3 days later than surfactant only infants (median DOL 5 vs. 2, p < 0.001). Infants receiving budesonide had higher blood pressures, required less dopamine (19% vs. 39%, p < 0.001) and dobutamine (2% vs. 6%, p = 0.02). Budesonide exposed infants were discharged home after a shorter NICU stay (85 days vs. 94 days, p = 0.02) and at a younger gestational age (39 vs. 40 weeks, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of surfactant and budesonide does not alter the rate of hydrocortisone use, but does delay the timing of treatment initiation and decreases the use of vasoactive medications.

Umbilical Cord Milking in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Cord Milking with Immediate Cord Clamping.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess potential benefits of umbilical cord milking (UCM) when compared with immediate cord clamping (ICC) in extremely preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial of infants 240/7 to 276/7 weeks' gestation who received UCM versus ICC. In the experimental group, 18 cm of the umbilical cord was milked three times. The primary aim was to assess the initial hemoglobin and to assess the number of blood transfusions received in the first 28 days after birth. Secondary outcomes were also assessed, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). A priori, neurodevelopmental follow-up was planned at 15 to 18 months corrected gestational age (CGA). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics for 56 enrolled infants were similar in both groups with a mean gestational age of 26.1 ± 1.2 weeks and a mean birth weight of 815 ± 204 g. There were no differences in the mean initial hemoglobin in the UCM group when compared with the ICC group, 13.7 ± 2.0 and 13.8 ± 2.6 g/dL, respectively (p = 0.95), with no differences in median number of blood transfusions after birth between the ICC group and the UCM group, 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-4) versus 2.5 (IQR: 1-5) (p = 0.40). There was also no difference in the rate of severe IVH. At 15 to 18 months CGA, there were no differences in death or disability in the ICC group compared with the UCM group (26 vs. 22%; p = 1.0) and no differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes. CONCLUSION: In a randomized trial of ICC versus UCM in extremely preterm infants, no differences were seen in initial hemoglobin or number of blood transfusions. KEY POINTS: · Umbilical cord milking may be an alternative to delayed cord clamping, but its safety and efficacy are not established in extremely premature infants.. · There are minimal available published data on the longer term neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely premature infants who receive umbilical cord milking compared with immediate clamping.. · We did not find a significant difference in the primary outcomes of initial hemoglobin and blood transfusions between the groups, nor did we find a difference in severe IVH with umbilical cord milking..

Presumed adrenal insufficiency in neonates treated with corticosteroids for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if extremely preterm (EPT) neonates receiving dexamethasone for the prevention of BPD have a higher incidence of presumed adrenal insufficiency (PAI). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of neonates <28 weeks gestation examining PAI after dexamethasone use and PAI after intratracheal budesonide with surfactant administration. RESULT: Of 332 neonates, 38% received dexamethasone. The incidence of PAI was higher in neonates who had received dexamethasone (20.8% vs 2.9%, p < 0.001). However, for intubated babies receiving surfactant, dexamethasone was not independently associated with increased PAI after adjusting for gestational age, birthweight, and race (aOR 2.92, 95% CI: 0.79-10.85). Dexamethasone was independently associated with increased PAI in infants previously receiving budesonide/surfactant treatment (aOR 5.38, 95% CI: 1.38-20.90). CONCLUSION: The use of dexamethasone alone was not associated with increased PAI, when adjusted for prematurity-related factors. The combination of budesonide with dexamethasone was significantly associated with increased PAI.

Budesonide mixed with surfactant did not affect neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 or 18 months corrected age in observational cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The addition of budesonide to surfactant in very-low-birth-weight infants with less severe RDS decreased bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity. Long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up was needed to monitor for systemic effects of budesonide. METHODS: Infants ≤1250 g who received intratracheal budesonide (0.25 mg/kg) with surfactant (n = 173) were compared to a historical cohort who received surfactant alone (n = 294). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales II at 4-6 months corrected age and Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development III at 18-22 months corrected age were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in muscle tone or motor skills by Peabody exam. There were no differences in the cognitive, language, or motor domains between cohorts on Bayley III. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of infants treated with budesonide mixed with surfactant, there were no differences in developmental outcomes at 4-6 months or 18-22 months corrected age.

Bloody Stools in a 3-Day-Old Term Infant.

A 3-day-old term, male infant presented to the emergency department for evaluation of bloody stools. The infant was born after an uncomplicated pregnancy followed by a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. The mother was group B Streptococcus colonized, and received antenatal penicillin prophylaxis. The infant received routine delivery room care, and was given ophthalmic erythromycin and intramuscular vitamin K. Circumcision was performed without bleeding and he was discharged from the newborn nursery and the hospital after 48 hours. On the day of presentation, he had streaky bright red blood in 4 consecutive stools. After discussion with the infant's pediatrician, the parents took him to the emergency department. The infant was afebrile, nursing well without emesis, and had made ∼10 wet diapers that day. The physical examination revealed a fussy infant with mild tachycardia, tachypnea, and scleral icterus. The complete blood count was unremarkable. Serum total bilirubin was 11.9 mg/dL, sodium 156 mmol/L, chloride 120 mmol/L, potassium 4.7 mmol/L, and bicarbonate 16 mmol/L. International normalized ratio was prolonged at 2.7, prothrombin time 26.6 seconds, partial thromboplastin time 38.9 seconds. The stool was hemeoccult positive. An obstructive radiograph series of the abdomen showed a nonobstructed gas pattern. Official radiology interpretation the following day reported possible pneumatosis intestinalis in the left and right colon. Our multidisciplinary panel will discuss the assessment of bloody stools in the term newborn, evaluation of electrolyte abnormalities, the diagnosis, and patient management.

Procedures in the 1st year of life for children with trisomy 13 and trisomy 18, a 25-year, single-center review.

Care of the child born with trisomy 13 or 18 has evolved over the past few decades, leading to increased healthcare utilization. We hypothesized that there has been an increase in procedures across all intensity types, including major, invasive procedures. We performed a retrospective-cohort study of children with trisomy 13 or 18 from 1990 to 2014 in a quaternary, free-standing children's hospital. Children were identified using ICD-9 billing diagnoses. Procedures were identified during these encounters and categorized by intensity (major, intermediate, or minor). One hundred thirty-two children with trisomy 13 or 18 were identified. In children with trisomy 13, major procedures increased from period 1 (1990-1997) to period 3 (2006-2013) from 0.11 to 0.78 procedures per patient. For trisomy 18, the increase between the time periods was from 0.14 to 1.33 procedures per patient. By the end of the study period, nearly all trisomy 13 patients had a major procedure and the majority of those with trisomy 18 had undergone a major procedure. Estimated 1-year survival for those with a major procedure was 30% and 22% for trisomies 13 and 18, respectively. In conclusion, there was an increasing rate of procedures per patient of all intensity levels over the 25-year study period. Given differences in characteristics in those with trisomies 13 and 18, and effects of intervention on survival, an individualized approach to care of these patients should be employed by parents and healthcare providers, using factors such as trisomy type, infant gender, co-morbidities, and parental preference. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Life-threatening neonatal epidural hematoma caused by precipitous vaginal delivery.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal in-hospital falls occur relatively frequently, although they are likely underreported. Significant intracranial head trauma from a fall or birth injury is not common in the immediate newborn period. Furthermore, intracranial bleeding requiring surgical intervention is exceedingly rare. We present an unusual case of an in-hospital fall in the delivery room requiring neurosurgical intervention. CASE REPORT: A term infant, appropriate for gestational age, delivered precipitously from a maternal standing position. The vertex neonate struck the linoleum floor after an approximate 80-cm fall, landing headfirst. The physical and neurological exams were initially normal, and skull films did not demonstrate an obvious fracture. The baby was closely observed, undergoing continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring. After the patient had an episode of apnea, a scalp hematoma was noted. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left parietal fracture with an acute epidural hematoma, which required emergent craniotomy. The infant had an unremarkable post-operative course and had a normal neurodevelopmental assessment at 15 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Close, continuous observation is recommended for infants following an in-hospital fall or after significant birth trauma. A high degree of suspicion for intracranial hemorrhage must be maintained. Fall prevention strategies should focus on careful baby handling by the convalescing mother.

Strangulated bowel as an unusual complication of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report and literature review.

Strangulation of bowel in utero causing infarction has been rarely reported in neonates. We report a case of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with bowel incarceration, requiring substantial resection of necrotic bowel. Despite a prolonged hospitalization, the patient had a good outcome and was discharged home nippling full enteral feeds. Three previous cases with a similar diagnosis were identified through a literature review and suggest a similar pattern of initial patient presentation.