Infants affected by Rh sensitization: A 2-year Canadian National Surveillance Study.

INTRODUCTION: Rh sensitization occurs when Rh(D)-negative women develop anti-Rh(D) antibodies following exposure through pregnancy or transfusion. Rh disease may cause jaundice, anemia, neurological impairment, and death. It is rare in countries where Rh Immune Globulin (RhIg) is used. Canadian Rh sensitization and disease rates are unknown. METHODS: This survey-based study was conducted using a Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program questionnaire sent to Canadian paediatricians and paediatric subspecialists to solicit Rh disease cases from May 2016 to June 2018. Paediatricians reported Rh-positive infants ≤ 60 days of age, born to Rh-negative mothers with RhD sensitization. RESULTS: Sixty-two confirmed cases of infants affected by Rh(D) sensitization were reported across Canada. The median gestational age of neonates was term, age at presentation was 2 hours, and hemoglobin at presentation was 137.5 g/L (33 to 203 g/L). The median peak bilirubin and phototherapy duration were 280 µmol/L (92 to 771 µmol/L), and 124 hours, respectively. Thirty (48%) infants received Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) (median two doses). Seventeen (27%) received one to three simple transfusions; 10 (16%) required exchange transfusions. Six (10%) infants presented with acute bilirubin encephalopathy, and less than five presented with seizures. Fourteen mothers with affected infants were born outside of Canada. DISCUSSION: Rh disease continues to exist in Canada. Additional efforts are needed to raise awareness of Rh disease, prevent disease, and minimize sequelae when it does occur. The ongoing global burden of Rh Disease, as well as the possibility of emerging Rh immunoglobulin refusal are among factors that could be taken into consideration in future prevention efforts.

The Development of a Simulated Umbilical Line Insertion Model and Curriculum in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background Insertion of an umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is a required skill for pediatric residents to learn and perform effectively. However, there is known variability in the ability of residents to perform this essential neonatal skill. Objective The objective of our study was to create a competency-based curriculum for umbilical vein catheter insertion using a human umbilical tissue simulated model, and to assess the feasibility of the curriculum on resident learners during their neonatology rotations. Methods We evaluated the curriculum by assessment of resident learning, reactions, and behaviours. Performance was assessed using the Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE). Results A total of 14 residents were included for analysis. The majority were 'senior' residents (postgraduate year (PGY)-3 and PGY-4 n = 10; PGY-1 n =4), and they reported a wide range of previous experience with UVC insertion prior to this curriculum implementation. The residents' reaction to the curriculum was overwhelmingly positive. All residents maintained or improved in their knowledge assessment. O-SCORE results showed improvement in UVC insertion before and after curriculum completion for both junior (2.5 +/- 0.71 to 4.5 +/- 0.41) and senior (3.55 +/- 0.42 to 4.95 +/- 0.15, p < 0.001) residents. The mean improvement in O-SCORE was greater for junior residents than senior residents. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility and emerging impact of a competency-based curriculum using simulation for procedural skills.

Early-onset neonatal sepsis: Organism patterns between 2009 and 2014.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in organisms causing early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Congruent with recent reports, we hypothesized there would be an increase in EONS caused by Escherichia coli. STUDY DESIGN: National data on infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units from 2009 to 2014 were compared to previously reported data from 2003 to 2008. We report 430 cases of EONS from 2009 to 2014. Bivariate analyses were used to analyze the distribution of causative organisms over time and differences by gestational age. Linear regression was used to estimate trends in causative organisms. RESULTS: Since 2003, there has been a trend of increasing numbers of cases caused by E coli (P<0.01). The predominant organism was E coli in preterm infants and Group B Streptococcus in term infants. CONCLUSIONS: With the majority of EONS cases now caused by E coli, our findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance of causative organism patterns and developing approaches to reduce cases caused by E coli.

Caring for children with mental health or developmental and behavioural disorders: Perspectives of family health teams on roles and barriers to care.

OBJECTIVE: To inform a shared care model between developmental and behavioural (DB) and mental health specialists and primary care physicians by having members of primary care family health teams (FHTs) report on strengths of and barriers to providing care for children with DB disorders and mental health concerns. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semistructured focus groups. SETTING: Academic and community-based FHTs in Toronto, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and family medicine trainees within the participating FHTs. METHODS: Nine focus groups were conducted with FHT members, and transcripts were analyzed for key themes using an inductive thematic analysis approach. MAIN FINDINGS: Eighty-four participants across 9 sites were interviewed. Six sites were academically affiliated and 3 were community based. Participants described their roles in the care of children with DB disorders as primarily "referral agent" but also as "long-term supporter" and "health care coordinator." Family health team members expressed the desire to "learn" and "do more" for these children but noted numerous barriers to providing care, captured in 4 overarching themes: limited training beyond how to screen, lack of service knowledge, limited time and communication, and cumbersome access to mental health and dual diagnosis services. CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians are in the unique position of being able to provide longitudinal care for children with DB and mental health disorders. However, they perceive barriers to providing care that can affect access to services, service quality, and health outcomes for these children and their families. The health system might benefit from addressing these barriers by providing more training for primary care physicians in the longitudinal care of children with mental health and DB disorders, and by improving communication between FHTs and DB and mental health specialists regarding service navigation and emerging comorbidities. A shared care model integrating DB and mental health specialists into primary care might be one approach that warrants implementation and research.

Effect of Eye Masks on Neonatal Stress Following Dilated Retinal Examination: The MASK-ROP Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Although screening examinations for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) prevent blindness, they are physiologically stressful for infants. Photosensitivity during mydriasis may contribute to postexamination stress, and reducing light stimulation may make infants more comfortable. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a phototherapy mask worn during mydriasis on infant stress in the 12-hour period following ROP screening. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Effect of Eyemasks on Neonatal Stress Following Dilated Retinal Examination (MASK-ROP) randomized clinical trial with patient recruitment from April 2016 to June 2017 at neonatal intensive care units at St Michael's Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A consecutive series of infants with birth weight of less than 1500 g and/or gestational age of less than 32 weeks undergoing their first ROP screening were analyzed beginning in July 2017. Analysis was intention to treat. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to wear a phototherapy mask for a minimum of 4 hours after dilating drop instillation in addition to standard comfort measures. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Number of desaturation, bradycardic, or apneic events during the 12-hour postexamination period. RESULTS: Of 51 infants who were examined, 28 (54.9%) were randomized to the treatment group (ie, used a mask) and 23 (45.1%) to the control group. Overall, 10 (35.7%) and 13 infants (56.5%) received ventilator support at the time of examination in the treatment and control groups, respectively. The mean (SD) gestational age was 27.9 (2.4) weeks, 32 (63%) were boys, and the mean (SD) birth weight was 1058.6 (312.0) g. The number of all stressful events were lower in the treatment group compared with controls in the 12-hour postexamination period, adjusted for events prior to examination and ventilation status (mean [95% CI] events, 1.0 [0.6-1.8] vs 1.7 [1.0-1.7]; rate ratio [RR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.3-1.2; P = .12). Risk factors associated with increased stress included younger gestational age (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5 per week), lower birth weight (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5 per 100 g), ventilator support around the time of examination (RR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6), intraventricular hemorrhage (RR, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.9-7.3), and hyponatremia (RR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.8-6.6). No adverse events occurred while using eye masks. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This randomized clinical trial found that light sensitivity may play a role in stress observed in the late postexamination period. However, unequal distribution of infants receiving ventilator support placed certain neonates at higher risk of stress, and the clinical significance of this intervention's benefit could not be concluded with confidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03824782.