The Optimal State Scoring Tool: guidance for interdisciplinary care of infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and its relation to linear growth.

OBJECTIVE: Infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) have complex medical courses. We developed the clinician-rated Optimal State Scoring Tool (OSST) that measures factors relevant to clinical improvement of sBPD and investigated preliminary validity using linear growth outcome and OSST scores in sBPD patients. METHODS: Tool development process and pilot findings are provided for 13 patients evaluated longitudinally. OSST scores, length measurements, and steroid dependency values were obtained. Changes in OSST scores and lengths were examined using linear mixed-effect models. RESULTS: OSST scores were significantly correlated with linear growth (95% CI 0.36, 0.57). The steroid-dependent group showed significantly slower rate of linear growth (95% CI 0.74, 1.05) and slower rate of increase in OSST scores (95% CI 0.99, 2.13) compared to the non-steroid-dependent group, with the OSST showing the largest effect size. CONCLUSION: Pilot data reflect promising evidence for OSST construct validity in monitoring clinical outcomes in sBPD patients.

Development of a Structured Regional Analgesia Program for Postoperative Pain Management.

OBJECTIVES: We pursued the use of regional analgesia (RA) to minimize the use of postoperative opioids. Our aim was to increase the use of postoperative RA for eligible surgical procedures in the NICU from 0% to 80% by June 30, 2019. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team determined the eligibility criteria, developed an extensive process map, implemented comprehensive education, and a structured process for communication of postoperative pain management plans. Daily pain team rounds provided an opportunity for collaborative comanagement. An additional 30 minutes for catheter placement was added in operating room (OR) scheduling so that it would not affect the surgeon OR time. RESULTS: There were 21 eligible surgeries in the baseline period and 34 in the intervention period. In total, 30 of 34 infants in eligible surgeries (88%) received RA. The average total opioid exposure in intravenous morphine milligram equivalents decreased from 5.0 to 1.1 mg/kg in the intervention group. The average time to extubation was 45 hours in the baseline period and 19.9 hours in the intervention group. After interventions, 75% of infants were extubated in the OR, as compared with 10.5% in the baseline period. No difference was seen in postoperative pain scores or postoperative hypothermia between the baseline and intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: We used quality improvement methodology to develop a structured RA program. We demonstrated a significant reduction in opioid requirements and need for mechanical ventilation postoperatively for those infants who received RA. Our findings support safe and effective use of RA, and provide a framework for implementation of a similar program.

Reduction of Analgesia Duration after Tracheostomy during Neonatal Intensive Care: A Quality Initiative.

INTRODUCTION: As survival has improved in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), there has been a 10-fold increase in the proportion of infants requiring a tracheostomy. At our institution, we observed a wide variation in the duration of opioid use posttracheostomy from 6 to 148 days. We aimed to decrease the duration of opioid exposure in postoperative tracheostomy patients in the NICU from a baseline average of 24 days to 7 days by December 31, 2017. METHODS: We established a multidisciplinary team to develop change ideas to implement in 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles that focused on enhanced care plan standardization and communication in patient care rounds with subsequent documentation in the medical record and the timely addition of dexmedetomidine to the postoperative care plan. RESULTS: Baseline population was from October 2014 to December 2016. The mean posttracheostomy opioid duration was 24.6 days (range, 6-148 days); neuromuscular blockade was 2.89 days (range, 0-9 days), and benzodiazepine exposure was 20.9 days (range, 1-114 days). Following our interventions, the mean duration of posttracheostomy opioid duration was 5.4 days (range, 4-21 days); neuromuscular blockade was 3.14 days (range, 1-5 days), benzodiazepine duration was 8.88 days (range, 4-25 days), and dexmedetomidine was 4.6 days (range, 0-32 days). CONCLUSIONS: We utilized quality improvement methodology to standardize posttracheostomy management and demonstrate that we could significantly reduce the duration of opioid and benzodiazepine use after tracheostomy with the timely addition of dexmedetomidine, a structured written daily care plan, and clarification of roles and responsibilities.

Enteral zinc supplementation and growth in extremely-low-birth-weight infants with chronic lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Zinc deficiency causes growth deficits. Extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, experience growth failure and are at risk for zinc deficiency. We hypothesized that enteral zinc supplementation would increase weight gain and linear growth. METHODS: A cohort of infants was examined retrospectively at a single center between January 2008 and December 2011. CLD was defined as the need for oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Zinc supplementation was started in infants who had poor weight gain. Infants' weight gain and linear growth were compared before and after zinc supplementation using the paired t test. RESULTS: A total of 52 ELBW infants with CLD met entry criteria. Mean birth weight was 682 ± 183 g, and gestational age was 25.3 ± 2 weeks. Zinc supplementation started at postmenstrual age 33 ± 2 weeks. Most infants received fortified human milk. Weight gain increased from 10.9 before supplementation to 19.9 g · kg(-1) · day(-1) after supplementation (P < 0.0001). Linear growth increased from 0.7 to 1.1 cm/week (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation improved growth in ELBW infants with CLD receiving human milk. Further investigation is warranted to reevaluate zinc requirements, markers, and balance.

Intermittent intravenous sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension management in neonates and infants.

PURPOSE: The use of intermittent i.v. sildenafil dosing in three patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and limited venous access is reported. SUMMARY: One preterm infant with PH in addition to bronchopulmonary dysplasia and two full-term neonates with PH after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repairs were successfully treated for PH with adjunctive intermittent i.v. sildenafil. sildenafil dosages ranged from 0.4 to 2 mg/kg every six hours. Infusion periods ranged from one to three hours. The longer infusion periods were used to minimize the risk of hypotension during infusion, with continued efficacy assessment between dosing intervals by monitoring ongoing oxygenation saturation trends and oxygen requirements when the drug was not infusing. Treatment duration ranged from 5 to 50 days. Decreases or fluctuations in systemic blood pressure were noted at the beginning of treatment, but minimal interventions were required to maintain blood pressure, which generally increased during extended treatment. Fraction of inspired oxygen requirements were decreased or remained stable during each patient's first dose, and the need for respiratory support decreased over time, with improvements in oxygenation and prevention of continual life-threatening desaturation episodes. PH eventually resolved in each patient, based on improvements in serial echocardiographic studies with decreased requirements for inhaled nitric oxide, oxygen, and mechanical ventilation. All three patients required weaning from sildenafil treatment, suggesting a potential for rebound respiratory insufficiency with abrupt discontinuation of sildenafil. CONCLUSION: Intermittent i.v. sildenafil dosing provided a well-tolerated, practical, and potentially effective treatment for PH in three patients when enteral intake was undesirable and when there was a need to conserve available venous access.

Safety of ketorolac in surgical neonates and infants 0 to 3 months old.

BACKGROUND: Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug widely used as an adjunct to postoperative pain control in adult and pediatric patients. Minimal safety data exist regarding the use of ketorolac in neonates. METHODS: The charts of 57 postsurgical neonates between 0 and 3 months of age were retrospectively reviewed for bleeding events associated with ketorolac. Data included gestational age (GA), corrected gestational age (CGA) at the time of ketorolac, serum creatinine, platelet count, urine output (in milliliters per kilogram per hour), concomitant medications, enteral feeds, number of ketorolac doses, and surgical procedure performed. RESULTS: Of 57 patients, 10 (17.2%) demonstrated a bleeding event. Mean CGA and serum creatinine for those with bleeding events was 39.4 weeks (P = .69) and 0.64 mg/dL (P = .03), respectively. Patients with a bleeding event received ketorolac at a mean of 20.7 days of life with 70% receiving the drug at less than 14 days of age, whereas those without a bleeding event received ketorolac at a mean of 31.9 days (P = .04). Bleeding events correlated with glomerular filtration rate of less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or concomitant medications in all but 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Infants younger than 21 days and less than 37 weeks CGA are at significantly increased risk for bleeding events and should not be candidates for ketorolac therapy.

Ibuprofen lysine for the prevention and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus.

Approximately 70-80% of newborns less than 28 weeks' gestational age require pharmacologic and/or surgical intervention to close a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Indomethacin has been the pharmacologic treatment of choice and has also been used prophylactically in very premature neonates to prevent PDA. The drug, however, is associated with renal and gastrointestinal adverse effects. In July 2006, intravenous ibuprofen lysine became available in the United States for treatment of hemodynamically significant PDA. The mechanism of action for both indomethacin and ibuprofen lysine is through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, resulting in ductal constriction. Both drugs appear to be equally efficacious in closing echocardiographically confirmed PDA. Ibuprofen lysine has demonstrated significantly less effects on cerebral, renal, and mesenteric blood flow in premature neonates when compared with indomethacin. A transient but significant increase in serum creatinine concentration, decrease in urine output, and increase in frequency of oliguria were observed with indomethacin when compared with ibuprofen lysine. However, the rate of reopening of the ductus after pharmacologic closure and the need for rescue therapy were not different between the two drugs. In addition, no differences were noted in other outcomes such as frequency of intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, or chronic lung disease, as well as in duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay. When administered prophylactically, ibuprofen lysine did not prevent intraventricular hemorrhage nor provide any neurodevelopmental benefits. In addition, ibuprofen lysine has not been adequately studied in neonates of 27 weeks' gestational age or younger. Ibuprofen lysine is as efficacious as indomethacin in treating hemodynamically significant PDA in neonates greater than 27 weeks' gestational age.

Enhancing parenteral nutrition therapy for the neonate.

The neonate receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy requires a physiologically appropriate solution in quantity and quality given according to a timely, cost-effective strategy. Maintaining tissue integrity, metabolism, and growth in a neonate is challenging. To support infant growth and influence subsequent development requires critical timing for nutrition assessment and intervention. Providing amino acids to neonates has been shown to improve nitrogen balance, glucose metabolism, and amino acid profiles. In contrast, supplying the lipid emulsions (currently available in the United States) to provide essential fatty acids is not the optimal composition to help attenuate inflammation. Recent investigations with an omega-3 fish oil IV emulsion are promising, but there is need for further research and development. Complications from PN, however, remain problematic and include infection, hepatic dysfunction, and cholestasis. These complications in the neonate can affect morbidity and mortality, thus emphasizing the preference to provide early enteral feedings, as well as medication therapy to improve liver health and outcome. Potential strategies aimed at enhancing PN therapy in the neonate are highlighted in this review, and a summary of guidelines for practical management is included.

Implementation and case-study results of potentially better practices to improve pain management of neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Collaborative quality improvement techniques were used to facilitate local quality improvement in the management of pain in infants. Several case studies are presented to highlight this process. METHODS: Twelve NICUs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Improvement Collaborative 2002 focused on improving neonatal pain management and sedation practices. These centers developed and implemented evidence-based potentially better practices for pain management and sedation in neonates. The group introduced changes through plan-do-study-act cycles and tracked performance measures throughout the process. RESULTS: Strategies for implementing potentially better practices varied between centers on the basis of local characteristics. Individual centers identified barriers to implementation, developed tools for improvement, and shared their experience with the collaborative. Baseline data from the 12 sites revealed substantial opportunities for improved pain management, and local potentially better practice implementation resulted in measurable improvements in pain management at participating centers. CONCLUSIONS: The use of collaborative quality improvement techniques enhanced local quality improvement efforts and resulted in effective implementation of potentially better practices at participating centers.