Comparison of 'post-patent ductus arteriosus ligation syndrome' in premature infants after surgical ligation vs. percutaneous closure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of post-PDA ligation syndrome after surgical vs. percutaneous closure of PDAs in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study comparing 59 infants who underwent surgical ligation with 25 infants who underwent percutaneous closure. Comparisons between groups were made using two-sample t-tests and a Fisher's exact test. Comparisons of pre vs. post variables within each group were made using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Patients who underwent surgical ligation had a higher need for initiation of post-procedure hemodynamic support (12/59 vs. 0/24, p = 0.016), a higher post-procedure peak FiO2 (0.64 vs. 0.43, p = 0.004), and a larger absolute change in peak FiO2 (0.23 vs. 0.09, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: VLBW infants who had percutaneous closure of their PDA did not experience post ligation syndrome and had less escalation of respiratory support compared with infants who underwent surgical ligation.

Creation and Validation of Tool to Assess Resident Competence in Neonatal Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Pediatrics requires that pediatricians be able to initiate stabilization of a newborn. After residency, 45% of general pediatricians routinely attend deliveries. However, there is no standard approach or tool to measure resident proficiency in newborn resuscitation across training programs. In a national survey, we found a large variability in faculty assessment of the amount of supervision trainees need for various resuscitation scenarios. Objective documentation of trainee performance would permit competency-based decisions on the level of supervision required and facilitate feedback on trainee performance. METHODS: A simplified tool was created following the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) algorithm, with emphasis on communication, leadership, knowledge of equipment, and initial stabilization. To achieve content validity, the tool was evaluated by the NRP steering committee. To assess internal structure of the tool, we filmed 10 simulated resuscitation scenarios, 9 of which contained errors. Experienced resuscitation team members used the tool to assess performance of the team leader in the videos. To evaluate the response process, the tool was used to assess experienced resuscitators in real time at academic and non-academic sites. RESULTS: The NRP steering committee approved the tool, providing evidence of content validity. Performance of the team leader in the simulated videos was assessed by 16 evaluators using the tool. There was an intraclass coefficient of 0.86, showing excellent agreement. There was no statistical difference in scores between 102 resuscitations led by experienced resuscitators at academic and nonacademic hospitals (P = .98), which demonstrates generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: The tool we have developed to assess performance in initiating newborn resuscitation shows evidence of construct validity based on assessment of content and internal structure (interobserver agreement, response processes, and generalizability).

The amount of supervision trainees receive during neonatal resuscitation is variable and often dependent on subjective criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Measure variation in delivery room supervision provided by neonatologists using hypothetical scenarios and determine the factors used to guide entrustment decisions. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was distributed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics. Neonatologists were presented with various newborn resuscitation scenarios and asked to choose the level of supervision they thought appropriate and grade factors on their importance in making entrustment decisions. RESULTS: There was significant variation in supervision neonatologists deemed necessary for most scenarios (deviation from the mode 0.36-0.69). Post-graduate year of training and environmental circumstances influence the amount of autonomy neonatologists grant trainees. Few neonatologists have objective assessment of a trainees' competence in neonatal resuscitation available to them and most never document how the trainee performed. CONCLUSION: Delivery room supervision is often determined by subjective evaluation of trainees' competence and may not provide a level of supervision congruent with their capability.

An international, multidisciplinary, service-learning program: an option in the dental school curriculum.

INTRODUCTION: Many health professions students who treat Spanish-speaking patients in the United States have little concept of their culture and health related traditions. The lack of understanding of these concepts may constitute major barriers to healthcare for these patients. International service-learning experiences allow students to work directly in communities from which patients immigrate and, as a result, students gain a better understanding of these barriers. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the implementation of an international, multidisciplinary, service-learning program in a dental school in the United States. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Indiana University International Service-Learning program in Hidalgo, Mexico began in 1999 as an alternative spring break travel and clinical experience for medical students, focusing on the treatment of acute health problems. Travel-related preparatory sessions were offered, and no learning or service objectives had been developed. The program has evolved to include a multidisciplinary team of dental, medical, nursing, public health and social work students and faculty. The experience is now integrated into a curriculum based on the service-learning model that allows students to use their clinical skills in real-life situations and provides structured time for reflection. The program aims to enhance teaching and foster civic responsibility in explicit partnership with the community. Preparatory sessions have evolved into a multidisciplinary graduate level course with defined learning and service objectives. PROGRAM EVALUATION METHODS: In order to assess the program's operation as perceived by students and faculty and to evaluate student's perceptions of learning outcomes, evaluation tools were developed. These tools included student and faculty evaluation questionnaires, experiential learning journals, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. FINDINGS: Evaluation data show that after program participation, students perceived an increase in their cultural awareness, cross-cultural communication skills and understanding of barriers and disparities faced by Latinos in the United States. Faculty evaluations offer insights into the lessons learned through the implementation process. CONCLUSION: The development of a service-learning based curriculum has posed challenges but has enriched international service experiences.

Multiple arterial thrombi and in utero leg gangrene in an infant of a diabetic mother.

This case report is of an infant of a diabetic mother who presented with lower extremity gangrene occurring in utero that necessitated a below the knee amputation at 3 hours of age. The association of venous thrombi in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) has been firmly established. However, in this case the thrombi were arterial and resulted in gangrene during the second trimester of gestation. The reason for the increased tendency to develop thrombi in infant of diabetic mothers has not been elucidated. We did an extensive workup of this infant to look for a cause of the arterial thrombus. The only abnormality found was in the plasminogen activity, which was significantly lower than the reference values for infants of the same gestational and chronological age. The significance of this finding on the propensity of IDMs to develop thrombi is discussed.