Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neurobehavioural outcomes at birth and 2 years in infants born before 30 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To identify neurobehavioural risks in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) prior to hospital discharge. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Longitudinal study of 676 newborns born before 30 weeks of gestation. SETTING: Nine university NICUs affiliated with six universities. All were Vermont Oxford Network (VON) participants. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Infants were enrolled in the Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants Study from April 2014 to June 2016. Prospective medical record reviews, VON definitions and criteria, and maternal interviews were used to collect maternal and neonatal medical variables and socioenvironmental data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) at the time of hospital discharge; Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) and Gross Motor Function Classification System at 2 years' corrected age. RESULTS: Infants with moderate/severe BPD were less attentive (Wald χ2 9.68, p=0.008), more lethargic (Wald χ2 9.91, p=0.007), with increased non-optimal reflexes (Wald χ2 7.37, p=0.025). Infants with moderate/severe BPD were more likely to have Bayley-III language and motor scores <85 (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.74, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.85, and aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.85). Infants with both moderate/severe and mild BPD were more likely to have a cerebral palsy diagnosis (aOR 2.96, 95% CI 1.34 to 6.54, and aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.99). CONCLUSIONS: BPD severity presents risks for poor neurodevelopment at NICU discharge and at age 2 years. Early identification of poorly regulated behaviour can provide critical information for early preventive and targeted interventions with potential to improve long-term outcomes.

Utility of morbidity and mortality conference in end-of-life education in the neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: A monthly neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) morbidity and mortality conference (M&MC) was used to study the documentation of end-of-life (EOL) care, and integrate related education for staff and trainees. OBJECTIVE: To study the current documentation of comprehensive, interdisciplinary, palliative EOL care in the NICU at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and improve it relative to a historical background. DESIGN/METHODS: A survey tool was developed and used at all neonatal M&MCs for 1 year (August 2003 through July 2004), in conducting a prospective chart audit of 50% of NICU deaths. The survey ascertained documentation of EOL care to include the anticipation of death by family and staff; provision of pain management; discussion of ethical and EOL decision-making issues; and the use of supportive services. Clinical education and literature references pertaining to these elements of care were presented in the conferences. RESULTS: Twenty-six surveys were completed (48% of deaths in NICU over the study period). Documentation of EOL care ranged from excellent (pain management, 100%) to poor (spiritual support, 54%). Documentation of all other measures varied from 69% to 92%. Staff and trainees reported educational enhancement of the M&MC, and greater awareness of issues important to EOL care throughout this period. CONCLUSIONS: Areas for improving EOL care exist in the NICU. The M&MC is a familiar venue for incorporating EOL care education for staff and trainees. A survey tool may serve to aid in the assessment of documentation of such care. Staff awareness of, and attention to, EOL issues may be improved through such a mechanism.