RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Reported survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 23 weeks' gestation are based on the infants admitted to NICUs. In this study, we aim to describe the association between clinical characteristics and admission to NICU at 23, 24 and 25 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Cohort data from 2 national databases enabled comparison of the clinical characteristics all Australian births and all NICU admissions during 2010-2013 at 23, 24, and 25 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: NICU admission occurred in 15% of all births at 23 weeks, in comparison with 49% at 24 weeks and 64% at 25 weeks. At 23 weeks, live-born infants were less likely to be admitted to NICU with birth weight <500 g compared with >500 g (13% vs 43%, P < .0001), and boys were admitted less compared with girls (33% vs 43%, P < .018). In contrast, birth weight (including birth weight <500 g) and sex had little or no impact on NICU admission at 24 and 25 weeks. Only 8% of live births were born by caesarean delivery at 23 weeks compared with 33% at 24 weeks and 48% at 25 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSIONS: In the Australian population, admission to the NICU is more likely to be influenced by birth weight and sex at 23 weeks' gestation when compared with 24 and 25 weeks' gestation. Survival outcomes at 23 weeks may be affected by less active perinatal care. Uncertainty exists regarding the generalizability of current data regarding survival and developmental potential of live-born 23-week infants.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Surface temperatures of fibreoptic phototherapy pads using a high intensity blue light-emitting diode (LED) light source have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to measure the temperature of LED fibreoptic phototherapy pads during phototherapy in a bench-top study, and to determine temperature effects on babies during phototherapy. METHODS: A commercially available LED fibreoptic phototherapy system was tested. In a bench-top setting, pad surface temperatures were measured before, during and after a 12-h period of phototherapy (10 different LED light box-pad combinations). A prospective, cohort study of well babies at >34 weeks' gestation receiving phototherapy was then conducted to determine changes in pad and body temperatures during a 90-min phototherapy period. RESULTS: In the bench-top study, the mean (95% CI) pad temperature was 21.8°C (21.5-22.1) before lights, 27.0°C (26.5-27.5) after 12 h of lights, and 22.1°C (21.9-22.4) 8 h after turning off the lights (F = 366.1, p < 0.0005). The magnitude of change in pad temperature with phototherapy was linearly correlated with irradiance (r = 0.89, p < 0.0005). The pad plastic covering absorbed 13% of blue light from fibres. In the clinical study, the warmest pad temperature during phototherapy was 38.9°C. Axillary temperature increased by a mean (95% CI) of 0.3°C (0.1-0.5), p < 0.019, and exceeded 37.5°C in 4 babies. CONCLUSIONS: LED fibreoptic phototherapy pads are heated by high-intensity blue light. The thermal environment and temperature of babies should be monitored closely during LED fibreoptic phototherapy. A temperature probe placed between the skin and the pad will not accurately reflect the core temperature during fibreoptic phototherapy.
