Documento del Grupo de Estudios Neonatales sobre el acompañamiento de padres y madres a recién nacidos en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales y Maternidades durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 / Document of the Neonatal Study Group on the accompaniment of parents of newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Maternity Units during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

El documento partede una reflexión sobre la política de restricción de visitas de los padres en las unidades neonatales y del acompañamientoen las plantas de maternidad que se aplicó en los hospitales en las primeras fases de la pandemia. Casi un año tras suinicio, un grupo de neonatólogos con espíritu autocrítico trabajamos de forma conjunta, en el marco del Grup d’EstudisNeonatals, con la voluntad de analizar los posibles efectos adversos de las medidas sobre aspectos fundamentales comoson el neurodesarrollo del recién nacido, la lactancia materna y la salud psicológica de los progenitores. Y, finalmente,desde el conocimiento y recursos que teníamos en ese momento, elaborar nuevas recomendaciones.(AU)

The document is based on a reflection on the policy ofrestricting parental visits in neonatal units and the accompanying in maternity wards that was applied in hospitals inthe early phases of the pandemic. Almost a year after its beginning, a group of neonatologists with a self-critical spiritworked together, within the framework of the Grup d’Estudis Neonatals, with the aim of analyzing the possible adverseeffects of the measures on fundamental aspects such as the neurodevelopment of the newborn, breastfeeding andthe psychological health of the parents. And, finally, from the knowledge and resources we had at that time, to developnew recommendations.(AU)

El document parteix d’una reflexiósobre la política de restricció de visites dels pares a les unitats neonatals i de l’acompanyament a les plantes dematernitat que es va aplicar als hospitals a les primeres fases de la pandèmia. Gairebé un any després del seu inici,un grup de neonatòlegs amb esperit autocrític treballem conjuntament, en el marc del Grup d’Estudis Neonatals,amb la voluntat d’analitzar els possibles efectes adversos de les mesures sobre aspectes fonamentals com sónel neurodesenvolupament del nounat, la lactància materna i la salut psicològica dels progenitors. I, finalment, desdel coneixement i recursos que teníem en aquell moment, elaborar noves recomanacions.(AU)

Are Low Weight or Cardiopathy Contraindications for Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula?

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is becoming an increasingly widespread technique; there is still controversy about its indication in certain patients. Our objective is to analyze if potential risk factors such as major congenital heart disease (CHD) or low birth weight (LBW) are a limitation to this approach. METHODS: Retrospective study (2017-2021) of patients with EA and distal TEF who underwent thoracoscopic repair were included. Patients with LBW less than 2,000 g or major CHD were compared with the rest. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Nine patients (36%) had major CHD. Five of them (20%) were LBW less than 2,000 g, and only 8% (2/25) presented both risk factors. There were no differences in terms of operative time, conversion rate, tolerance evaluated with gasometric parameters (pO2, pCO2, pH) or complications (anastomotic leak and stricture, both early or during follow-up) in patients with major CHD and LBW (1,473 ± 319 vs. 2,664 ± 402 g). One conversion to thoracotomy was performed in a neonate weighing 1,050 g due to anesthetic intolerance. There was no recurrence of TEF. One patient died at the age of 9 months, due to major uncorrectable heart disease. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF is feasible technique in patients with CHD or LBW, with similar results to other patients. The complexity of this technique warrants individualizing the indication in each case. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Flowmetering for microfluidics.

Originally designed for chromatography, electrophoresis, and printing technologies, microfluidics has since found applications in a variety of domains such as engineering, chemistry, environmental, and life sciences. The fundamental reason for this expansion has been the development of miniature components, allowing the handling of liquids at the microscale. For the maturation of microfluidic technologies, the need for affordable, reliable, and quantitative techniques to measure flow rates from 1 nL min-1 to 1 mL min-1 appears as a strong challenge. We review herein the different technologies available and those under development, and discuss their sensing principles and industrial maturity. Given the need of traceability of these measurements, we then focus on the developments of primary standards to measure microfluidic flow rates by metrological institutes. We conclude this review with some perspectives and pending challenges for microfluidic flowmeters.

Time to improve documentation of neonatal resuscitation: a narrative review.

A complete, objective and systematic documentation of delivery room resuscitation is important for research, for quality improvement, for teaching and as a reference for postresuscitation care. However, documentation during neonatal resuscitation is usually paper-based, retrospective, inaccurate and unreliable. In this narrative review, we discuss the strengths and pitfalls of current documentation methods in neonatal resuscitation, as well as the challenges of introducing new or emerging technologies in this field. In particular, we discuss innovations in electronic and automated medical records, video recording and Smartphones and Tablet Apps. Given the lack of a consensus standard, we finally propose a list of items that should be part of any neonatal resuscitation documentation method.

Guía española de estabilización y reanimación neonatal 2021. Análisis, adaptación y consenso sobre las recomendaciones internacionales / Spanish guide for neonatal stabilization and resuscitation 2021: Analysis, adaptation and consensus on international recommendations

Tras la publicación de las recomendaciones, consensuadas por todas las sociedades científicas a través del ILCOR, a finales del año 2020, el GRN-SENeo inició un proceso de análisis y revisión de los principales cambios desde las últimas guías, a los que se añadió un posicionamiento específico de consenso en temas controvertidos, tratando de evitar ambigüedades, y procurando adaptar la evidencia a nuestro medio. El presente texto, resume las principales conclusiones de este trabajo y refleja el posicionamiento de dicho grupo. (AU)

After the publication of the recommendations, agreed by all the scientific societies through the ILCOR, at the end of 2020, the GRN-SENeo began a process of analysis and review of the main changes since the last guidelines, to which a specific consensus positioning on controversial issues, trying to avoid ambiguities and trying to adapt the evidence to our environment. This text summarizes the main conclusions of this work and reflects the positioning of that group. (AU)

Spanish guide for neonatal stabilization and resuscitation 2021: Analysis, adaptation and consensus on international recommendations.

After the publication of the recommendations, agreed by all the scientific societies through the ILCOR, at the end of 2020, the GRN-SENeo began a process of analysis and review of the main changes since the last guidelines, to which a specific consensus positioning on controversial issues, trying to avoid ambiguities and trying to adapt the evidence to our environment. This text summarizes the main conclusions of this work and reflects the positioning of that group.

Anastomosis near to the ileocecal valve in neonates with focal intestinal perforation, is it safe.

BACKGROUND: Anastomosis near the ileocecal valve (ICV) are controversial due to the increased pressure on the suture; in this situation, the valve could be removed at a first stage or at the moment of stoma closure. However, preservation of the ICV has proved important benefits in the long term. The aim of this study is to evaluate its feasibility in neonates with focal intestinal perforation (FIP). METHODS: Retrospective study (2010-2019) of neonates with FIP who underwent intestinal resection and primary anastomosis. Patients were divided into group A (anastomosis less than 5 cm from ICV) and group B (more than 5 cm). RESULTS: Forty patients were treated. Patients ostomized or with resection of ICV were excluded. Finally, 24 patients (birth weight 1043 ± 594 g (520-3000), age 8.8 ± 7.8 days (2-39)) were included for analysis. Patent ductus arteriosus was present in 75%. There were 6 patients in group A (25%) and 18 in group B (75%). Groups were comparable in terms of gestational age, birth weight, and age at the time of surgery (p > .05). There were no cases of dehiscence nor stenosis of the anastomosis. There were no differences in reoperation rate, infectious complications, time to enteral feeding, days of parenteral nutrition, hospital stay nor survival (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Ileo-ileal anastomosis closer to the ileocecal junction, in neonates with focal intestinal perforation, is an effective and safe option which also allows the preservation of the ICV avoiding the complications derived from its absence in a group of patients with high morbidity.

[Spanish guide for neonatal stabilization and resuscitation 2021: Analysis, adaptation and consensus on international recommendations]. / Guía española de estabilización y reanimación neonatal 2021. Análisis, adaptación y consenso sobre las recomendaciones internacionales.

After the publication of the recommendations, agreed by all the scientific societies through the ILCOR, at the end of 2020, the GRN-SENeo began a process of analysis and review of the main changes since the last guidelines, to which a specific consensus positioning on controversial issues, trying to avoid ambiguities and trying to adapt the evidence to our environment. This text summarizes the main conclusions of this work and reflects the positioning of that group.

Perinatal outcomes and central nervous system abnormalities following intrauterine fetal transfusion: 17 years' experience in a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the perinatal outcome and central nervous system (CNS) anomalies in fetuses undergoing red blood cell (RBC) intrauterine transfusion (IUT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This was an observational single-cohort study carried out at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, between 2002 and 2018 in women undergoing RBC IUT for suspected fetal anemia. Primary outcomes were adverse perinatal outcome (intrauterine or neonatal death and termination of pregnancy [TOP]), prenatal or postnatal CNS anomalies, and significant neurological impairment. RESULTS: A total of 145 RBC transfusions were performed in 68 pregnancies of 60 women. The median gestational age for the first transfusion was 26 weeks (range, 18-32). Twenty-two (32%) fetuses were hydropic at the first transfusion. Fifty-eight pregnancies (85.3%) resulted in live births and 10 (14.7%) in adverse perinatal outcomes. Adverse perinatal outcomes were associated with hydrops (odds ratio [OR], 6.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-29.23; P = .012) and gestational age at first transfusion (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89; P = .04). Four (5.9%) cases of cerebellar hemorrhage were diagnosed prenatally. In 14 (35%) of the 41 neonates undergoing brain ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were reported. The median follow-up was 6.5 years (range, 3 months to 19 years). Significant neurological impairment was reported in two cases (4.2%). CONCLUSION: In fetuses undergoing intrauterine RBC transfusion, the survival rate is high, particularly in the absence of hydrops and if the gestational age at first transfusion is above 22 weeks. Significant neurological impairment is uncommon, despite the fact that postnatal CNS anomalies at ultrasound or MRI are frequent.

Recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología para la utilización de palivizumab como profilaxis de las infecciones graves por el virus respiratorio sincitial en lactantes de alto riesgo, actualización / An update of the recommendations of the Spanish Neonatology Society for the use of palivizumab as prophylaxis for severe infections due to syncytial respiratory virus in high risk infants

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Hemocromatosis neonatal. Diez años en un cambio de paradigma / Neonatal haemochromatosis: 10 years into a paradigm shift

No disponible

Recomendaciones para el cuidado del cordón umbilical en el recién nacido / Recommendations for the care of the umbilical cord in the newborn

El cuidado del cordón umbilical hasta su desprendimiento continúa siendo motivo de controversia en la actualidad. La Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda en su última revisión realizar la cura en seco en países con cuidados obstétricos adecuados y una tasa baja de mortalidad neonatal. Por otro lado, en los últimos años han surgido nuevos estudios y revisiones que atribuyen un beneficio a aplicar clorhexidina tópica en el muñón. El presente documento analiza la evidencia disponible y concluye en la conveniencia de continuar recomendando la cura en seco en los nacimientos de nuestro entorno

The care of the umbilical cord until its detachment still remains controversial. The latest updated recommendations by the World Health Organisation advocate dry cord care in those countries with adequate obstetric care and low neonatal mortality rate. In recent years, new studies and reviews attribute some benefit to applying chlorhexidine on the umbilical stump. An analysis is presented here of the available evidence and results in the advisability of still recommending the dry cord care in the newborns in our setting

[Recommendations for the care of the umbilical cord in the newborn]. / Recomendaciones para el cuidado del cordón umbilical en el recién nacido.

The care of the umbilical cord until its detachment still remains controversial. The latest updated recommendations by the World Health Organisation advocate dry cord care in those countries with adequate obstetric care and low neonatal mortality rate. In recent years, new studies and reviews attribute some benefit to applying chlorhexidine on the umbilical stump. An analysis is presented here of the available evidence and results in the advisability of still recommending the dry cord care in the newborns in our setting.

Cribado de cardiopatías congénitas críticas en el periodo neonatal. Recomendación de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología / Pulse oximetry screening of critical congenital heart defects in the neonatal period. The Spanish National Neonatal Society recommendation

Debido a su gravedad y a las consecuencias de un diagnóstico tardío, los defectos cardíacos congénitos críticos (DCCC) representan un reto, por lo que es necesario su diagnóstico muy precoz, idealmente antes del comienzo de los síntomas clínicos, que normalmente preceden al colapso circulatorio o muerte del recién nacido. Por ello es importante su diagnóstico prenatal y posnatal muy precoz; sin embargo, tanto el diagnóstico por ecocardiografía fetal como la exploración física del recién nacido pueden ser insuficientes para diagnosticar un número importante de estos DCCC. El cribado de DCCC mediante el uso de pulsioximetría ha demostrado ser un método eficaz, no invasivo y de bajo coste, además de bien tolerado, para detectar a recién nacidos asintomáticos y afectos de DCCC en las primeras horas después del nacimiento. La Sociedad Española de Neonatología, a través de su Comisión de Estándares, hace una recomendación, basada en la evidencia actual, para la implementación en nuestro medio de la pulsioximetría como cribado neonatal de DCCC, y poder ofrecer a estos recién nacidos el mejor tratamiento posible en cada caso (AU)

Due to its severity, as well as the consequences of a late diagnosis, critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) represent a challenging situation, making an early diagnosis necessary and ideally before symptoms appear when circulatory collapse or death of the newborn can occur. Due to this, a prenatal and very early postnatal diagnosis is very important. Prenatal ultrasound screening and physical examination of the newborn can miss a considerable number of CCHD cases. Pulse oximetry screening has been demonstrated to be an effective, non-invasive, inexpensive, and well accepted tool in the early diagnosis of CCHD. The Spanish National Society of Neonatology, through its Standards Committee, and based on the current evidence, recommend the implementation of pulse oximetry screening of CCHD in Spain, and then to offer the best therapy possible to these newborn infants (AU)

[Pulse oximetry screening of critical congenital heart defects in the neonatal period. The Spanish National Neonatal Society recommendation]. / Cribado de cardiopatías congénitas críticas en el periodo neonatal. Recomendación de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología.

Due to its severity, as well as the consequences of a late diagnosis, critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) represent a challenging situation, making an early diagnosis necessary and ideally before symptoms appear when circulatory collapse or death of the newborn can occur. Due to this, a prenatal and very early postnatal diagnosis is very important. Prenatal ultrasound screening and physical examination of the newborn can miss a considerable number of CCHD cases. Pulse oximetry screening has been demonstrated to be an effective, non-invasive, inexpensive, and well accepted tool in the early diagnosis of CCHD. The Spanish National Society of Neonatology, through its Standards Committee, and based on the current evidence, recommend the implementation of pulse oximetry screening of CCHD in Spain, and then to offer the best therapy possible to these newborn infants.

Recomendaciones para la prevención, la detección y el manejo de la hiperbilirrubinemia en los recién nacidos con 35 o más semanas de edad gestacional / Guidelines for prevention, detection and management of hyperbilirubinaemia in newborns of 35 or more weeks of gestation

La hiperbilirrubinemia representa la causa más común de reingreso hospitalario en la primera semana de vida. Su detección continúa siendo un desafío, debido especialmente al alta precoz que puede asociarse con un retraso en el diagnóstico. La identificación de los niños con riesgo de desarrollar hiperbilirrubinemia significativa es una de las principales prioridades de la sanidad pública. En este documento, se presenta un enfoque para el manejo de la ictericia del recién nacido, según recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia médica y en la opinión del Comité de Estándares de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología (AU)

Hyperbilirubinaemia is one of the most frequent causes of hospital readmission during the first week of life. Its detection is still a big challenge, mainly due to the early discharge from the hospital that can be associated with a delay of the diagnosis. The identification of those newborns at risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinaemia is one of the main priorities in the public health care system. An approach to the management of newborn jaundice is presented in this article, following the recommendations based on the medical evidence and on the opinion of the Standards Committee of the Spanish Society of Neonatology (AU)