Social Determinants of Health and Timing of Tracheostomy for Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of ZIP code-level social determinants of health (SDoH), specifically household income, education level, and unemployment rate, with post-menstrual age (PMA) at tracheostomy placement in patients with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study of infants born <32 weeks' gestation and discharged from a Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium newborn intensive care unit. Patients were diagnosed with severe BPD and received tracheostomies before discharge. Maternal ZIP code at admission was linked to that ZIP code's SDoH via the 2021 US Census Bureau 5-year data. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were completed with separate models fit for each SDoH marker. RESULTS: 877 patients received tracheostomies at median (interquartile) 48 (44-53) weeks' PMA. In multivariable models, patients in the highest education groups received tracheostomies earlier (OR: 95% CI = 0.972: 0.947-0.997, p=0.031), and non-Hispanic Black patients received tracheostomies later compared with non-Hispanic White patients (OR: 1.026; 95% CI =1.005-1.048, p=0.017). For household income and unemployment, the PMA at tracheostomy did not differ by SDoH or race. For all three models, male sex, small for gestation status, and later PMA at admission were associated with later PMA at tracheostomy. For each SDoH marker, significant inter-center variation was noted as several centers had independently increased PMA at tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Education at the ZIP code-level influenced PMA at tracheostomy after adjusting for patient and clinical factors. Adjusted for each SDoH studied, significant differences were noted among centers. Factors leading to the decision and timing of neonatal tracheostomy need further evaluation.

Cutting into the NICU: Improvements in Outcomes for Neonates with Surgical Conditions.

The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC), established in 2010, seeks to improve care for infants with medically and surgically complex conditions who are cared for in level IV regional children's hospital NICUs across North America. Through patient-level individual data collection, comparative benchmarking, and multicenter quality improvement work, CHNC has contributed to knowledge and improved outcomes, leveraging novel collaborations between and across institutions. Focusing on antenatal and inpatient care for infants with surgical conditions including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, we summarize the progress made in these infants' care. We highlight the ways in which CHNC has enabled multidisciplinary and multicenter collaborations through the facilitation of diagnosis-specific focus groups, which enable comparative observations of outcomes through quality improvement and research initiatives. Finally, we review the importance of postbirth hospitalization needs of these infants and the application of telemedicine in this population.

A clinical consensus guideline for nutrition in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia from birth through discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a consensus guideline to meet nutritional challenges faced by infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: The CDH Focus Group utilized a modified Delphi method to develop these clinical consensus guidelines (CCG). Topic leaders drafted recommendations after literature review and group discussion. Each recommendation was sent to focus group members via a REDCap survey tool, and members scored on a Likert scale of 0-100. A score of > 85 with no more than 25% outliers was designated a priori as demonstrating consensus among the group. RESULTS: In the first survey 24/25 recommendations received a median score > 90 and after discussion and second round of surveys all 25 recommendations received a median score of 100. CONCLUSIONS: We present a consensus evidence-based framework for managing parenteral and enteral nutrition, somatic growth, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chylothorax, and long-term follow-up of infants with CDH.

A Multicenter Collaborative to Improve Postoperative Pain Management in the NICU.

OBJECTIVES: This quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease unrelieved postoperative pain and improve family satisfaction with pain management. METHODS: NICUs within the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium that care for infants with complex surgical problems participated in this collaborative. Each of these centers formed multidisciplinary teams to develop aims, interventions, and measurement strategies to test in multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Centers were encouraged to adopt evidence-based interventions from the Clinical Practice Recommendations, which included pain assessment tools, pain score documentation, nonpharmacologic treatment measures, pain management guidelines, communication of a pain treatment plan, routine discussion of pain scores during team rounds, and parental involvement in pain management. Teams submitted data on a minimum of 10 surgeries per month, spanning from January to July 2019 (baseline), August 2019 to June 2021 (improvement work period), and July 2021 to December 2021 (sustain period). RESULTS: The percentage of patients with unrelieved pain in the 24-hour postoperative period decreased by 35% from 19.5% to 12.6%. Family satisfaction with pain management measured on a 3-point Likert scale with positive responses ≥2 increased from 93% to 96%. Compliance with appropriate pain assessment and numeric documentation of postoperative pain scores according to local NICU policy increased from 53% to 66%. The balancing measure of the percentage of patients with any consecutive sedation scores showed a decrease from 20.8% at baseline to 13.3%. All improvements were maintained during the sustain period. CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of pain management and workflow in the postoperative period across disciplines can improve pain control in infants.

Variability for Age at Successful Extubation in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize clinical factors associated with successful extubation in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. STUDY DESIGN: Using the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database, we identified infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia from 2017 to 2020 at 32 centers. The main outcome was age in days at the time of successful extubation, defined as the patient remaining extubated for 7 consecutive days. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards ratio equations were used to estimate associations between clinical factors and the main outcome. Observations occurred through 180 days after birth. RESULTS: There were 840 eligible neonates with a median gestational age of 38 weeks and birth weight of 3.0 kg. Among survivors (n = 693), the median age at successful extubation was 15 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 8-29 days, 95th percentile: 71 days). For nonsurvivors (n = 147), the median age at death was 21 days (IQR: 11-39 days, 95th percentile: 110 days). Center (adjusted hazards ratio: 0.22-15, P < .01), low birth weight, intrathoracic liver position, congenital heart disease, lower 5-minute Apgar score, lower pH upon admission to Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database center, and use of extracorporeal support were independently associated with older age at successful extubation. Tracheostomy was associated with multiple failed extubations. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that infants who have not successfully extubated by about 3 months of age may be candidates for tracheostomy with chronic mechanical ventilation or palliation. The variability of timing of successful extubation among our centers supports the development of practice guidelines after validating clinical criteria.

Analgesia, Sedation, and Neuromuscular Blockade in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the use, duration, and intercenter variation of analgesia and sedation in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of analgesia, sedation, and neuromuscular blockade use in neonates with CDH. Patient data from 2010 to 2016 were abstracted from the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and linked to the Pediatric Health Information System. Patients were excluded if they also had non-CDH conditions likely to affect the use of the study medications. RESULTS: A total of 1,063 patients were identified, 81% survived, and 30% were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Opioid (99.8%), sedative (93.4%), and neuromuscular blockade (87.9%) use was common. Frequency of use was higher and duration was longer among CDH patients treated with ECMO. Unadjusted duration of use varied 5.6-fold for benzodiazepines (median: 14 days) and 7.4-fold for opioids (median: 16 days). Risk-adjusted duration of use varied among centers, and prolonged use of both opioids and benzodiazepines ≥5 days was associated with increased mortality (p < 0.001) and longer length of stay (p < 0.001). Use of sedation or neuromuscular blockade prior to or after surgery was each associated with increased mortality (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Opioids, sedatives, and neuromuscular blockade were used commonly in infants with CDH with variable duration across centers. Prolonged combined use ≥5 days is associated with mortality. KEY POINTS: · Use of analgesia and sedation varies across children's hospital NICUs.. · Prolonged opioid and benzodiazepine use is associated with increased mortality.. · Postsurgery sedation and neuromuscular blockade are associated with mortality..

Free-breathing magnetic resonance imaging with radial k-space sampling for neonates and infants to reduce anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Conventional chest and abdominal MRI require breath-holds to reduce motion artifacts. Neonates and infants require general anesthesia with intubation to enable breath-held acquisitions. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate a free-breathing approach to reduce general anesthesia using a motion-insensitive radial acquisition with respiratory gating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled children <3 years old who were referred for MRI of the chest or abdomen. They were divided into two groups according to MRI protocol: (1) breath-held scans under general anesthesia with T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted modified Dixon, and (2) free-breathing scans using radial sequences (T2-W MultiVane XD and contrast-enhanced T1-W three-dimensional [3-D] Vane XD). Two readers graded image quality and motion artifacts. RESULTS: We included 23 studies in the free-breathing cohort and 22 in the breath-hold cohort. The overall imaging scores for the free-breathing radial T2-W sequence were similar to the scores for the breath-held T2-W SSFSE sequence (chest, 3.6 vs. 3.2, P=0.07; abdomen, 3.9 vs. 3.7, P=0.66). The free-breathing 3-D radial T1-W sequence also had image quality scores that were similar to the breath-held T1-W sequence (chest, 4.0 vs. 3.0, P=0.06; abdomen, 3.7 vs. 3.9, P=0.15). Increased motion was seen in the abdomen on the radial T2-W sequence (P<0.001), but increased motion was not different in the chest (P=0.73) or in contrast-enhanced T1-W sequences (chest, P=0.39; abdomen, P=0.15). The mean total sequence time was longer in free-breathing compared to breath-held exams (P<0.01); however, this did not translate to longer overall exam times (P=0.94). CONCLUSION: Motion-insensitive radial sequences used for infants and neonates were of similar image quality to breath-held sequences and had decreased sedation and intubation.

Predicting treatment of pulmonary hypertension at discharge in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To predict pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy at discharge in a large multicenter cohort of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: Six-year linked records from Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and Pediatric Health Information System were used; patients whose diaphragmatic hernia was repaired before admission or referral, who were previously home before admission or referral, and non-survivors were excluded. The primary outcome was the use of PH medications at discharge and the secondary outcome was an inter-center variation of therapies during inpatient utilization. Clinical factors were used to develop a multivariable equation randomly applied to 80% cohort; validated in the remaining 20% infants. RESULTS: A total of 831 infants with CDH from 23 centers were analyzed. Overall, 11.6% of survivors were discharged on PH medication. Center, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of inhaled nitric oxide were associated with the use of PH medication at discharge. This model performed well in the validation cohort area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9, goodness-of-fit χ2, p = 0.17. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical variables can predict the need for long-term PH medication after NICU hospitalization in surviving infants with CDH. This information may be useful to educate families and guide the development of clinical guidelines.

Central Line Utilization and Complications in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

OBJECTIVE: Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) require multiple invasive interventions carrying inherent risks, including central venous and arterial line placement. We hypothesized that specific clinical or catheter characteristics are associated with higher risk of nonelective removal (NER) due to complications and may be amenable to efforts to reduce patient harm. STUDY DESIGN: Infants with CDH were identified in the Children's Hospital's Neonatal Database (CHND) from 2010 to 2016. Central line use, duration, and complications resulting in NER are described and analyzed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use. RESULTS: A total of 1,106 CDH infants were included; nearly all (98%) had a central line placed, (average of three central lines) with a total dwell time of 22 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 14-39). Umbilical arterial and venous lines were most common, followed by extremity peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs); 12% (361/3,027 central lines) were removed secondary to complications. Malposition was the most frequent indication for NER and was twice as likely in infants with intrathoracic liver position. One quarter of central lines in those receiving ECMO was placed while receiving this therapy. CONCLUSION: Central lines are an important component of intensive care for infants with CDH. Careful selection of line type and location and understanding of common complications may attenuate the need for early removal and reduce risk of infection, obstruction, and malposition in this high-risk group of patients. KEY POINTS: · Central line placement near universal in congenital diaphragmatic hernia infants.. · Mean of three lines placed per patient; total duration 22 days.. · Clinical patient characteristics affect risk..

Improving timeliness of hepatitis B vaccine administration in an urban safety net level III NICU.

OBJECTIVE: To avoid preventable consequences of perinatal hepatitis B infection, all infants should be given hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) within 24 hours of birth if birth weight is ≥2 kg and at 30 days of life or at discharge if <2 kg, to provide highest seroprotection rates while ensuring universal vaccination prior to discharge. We aimed to achieve timely HBV administration in >80% of eligible infants in both birthweight groups and decrease infants discharged home without receiving HBV to <1% over an 18-month period and sustain results for an additional 15 months. METHODS: Data were collected from June 2016 to May 2020 in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. A multidisciplinary team identified barriers and interventions through Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles from September 2017 to February 2019: using pharmacists as champions, overcoming legal barriers, staff education and best practice alerts (BPAs) embedded in electronic health records. Statistical process control (SPC) p charts were used to evaluate the primary outcome measure, monthly percentage of infants receiving timely HBV administration stratified by birthweight categories (≥2 and <2 kg). For infants receiving HBV outside the time frame, absolute difference of timeliness was calculated. RESULTS: Mean timely HBV administration improved from 45% to 95% (≥2 kg) and from 45% to 85% (<2 kg) with special cause variation in SPC charts. Infants discharged without receiving HBV decreased from 4.6% to 0.22%. Of those given HBV outside the recommended time frame, median absolute time between recommended and actual administration time decreased significantly: from 3.5 days (IQR 1.6, 8.6) to 0.3 day (IQR 0.1, 0.8) (p<0.001) in ≥2 kg group and from 6 days (IQR 1, 15) to 1 day (IQR 1, 6.5) (p=0.009) in <2 kg group. CONCLUSIONS: Using a multidisciplinary approach, we significantly improved and sustained timely HBV administration and nearly eliminated infants discharged home without receiving HBV. Pharmacists as champions and BPAs were critical to our success.

Treatment of pulmonary hypertension during initial hospitalization in a multicenter cohort of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

OBJECTIVE: Describe inpatient pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatment and factors associated with therapy at discharge in a multicenter cohort of infants with CDH. METHODS: Six years linked records from Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and Pediatric Health Information System were used to describe associations between prenatal/perinatal factors, clinical outcomes, echocardiographic findings and PH medications (PHM), during hospitalization and at discharge. RESULTS: Of 1106 CDH infants from 23 centers, 62.8% of infants received PHM, and 11.6% of survivors were discharged on PHM. Survivors discharged on PHM more frequently had intrathoracic liver, small for gestational age, and low 5 min APGARs compared with those discharged without PHM (p < 0.0001). Nearly one-third of infants discharged without PHM had PH on last inpatient echo. CONCLUSIONS: PH medication use is common in CDH. Identification of infants at risk for persistent PH may impact ongoing management. Post-discharge follow-up of all CDH infants with echocardiographic evidence of PH is warranted.

Management of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated With Extracorporeal Life Support: Interim Guidelines Consensus Statement From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.

The management of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is complex. Significant variability in both practice and prevalence of ECLS use exists among centers, given the lack of evidence to guide management decisions. The purpose of this report is to review existing evidence and develop management recommendations for CDH patients treated with ECLS. This article was developed by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization CDH interest group in cooperation with members of the CDH Study Group and the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in quaternary neonatal intensive care units: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in quaternary NICU is approximately 10-times higher than in the delivery room. However, the etiologies and outcomes of CPR in quaternary NICUs are poorly understood. We hypothesized that demographic characteristics, diagnoses, interventions, and arrest etiologies would be associated with survival to discharge after CPR. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of four quaternary NICUs over six years (2011-2016). Demographics, resuscitation event data, and post-arrest outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome was survival to discharge. RESULTS: Of 17,358 patients admitted to four NICUs, 200 (1.1%) experienced a CPR event, and 45.5% of those survived to discharge. Acute respiratory compromise leading to cardiopulmonary arrest occurred in 182 (91%) of the CPR events. Most neonates requiring CPR were on mechanical ventilation (79%) and had central venous access (90%) at the time of arrest. Treatments at the time of the arrest associated with decreased survival to discharge included mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, or vasopressor therapy (p < 0.01). Etiologies of arrest associated with decreased survival to discharge included multisystem organ failure, septic shock, and pneumothorax (p < 0.05). Longer duration of CPR was associated with decreased survival to discharge. The odds of surviving to discharge decreased for infants who had a primarily cardiac arrest and for infants who received epinephrine during the arrest. CONCLUSION: Approximately 1% of neonates admitted to quaternary NICUs require CPR. The most common etiology of arrest is acute respiratory compromise on a ventilator. CPR events with respiratory etiology have a favorable outcome as compared to non-respiratory causes.

Neonates Hospitalized with Community-Acquired SARS-CoV-2 in a Colorado Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

IMPORTANCE: The novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) has been well described in adults. Further, the impact on older children and during the perinatal time is becoming better studied. As community spread increases, it is important to recognize that neonates are vulnerable to community spread as well. The impact that community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 has in the neonatal time period is unclear, as this population has unique immunity considerations. OBJECTIVE: To report on a case series of SARS-CoV-2 in neonates through community acquisition in the USA. DESIGN: This is an early retrospective study of patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) identified as having SAR-CoV-2 through positive real-time polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swabs. FINDINGS: Three patients who required admission to the NICU between the ages of 17 and 33 days old were identified. All 3 had ill contacts in the home or had been to the pediatrician and presented with mild to moderate symptoms including fever, rhinorrhea, and hypoxia, requiring supplemental oxygen during their hospital stay. One patient was admitted with neutropenia, and the other 2 patients became neutropenic during hospitalization. None of the patients had meningitis or multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Infants with community-acquired SARS-CoV-2 may require hospitalization due to rule-out sepsis guidelines if found to have fever and/or hypoxia. Caregivers of neonates should exercise recommended guidelines before contact with neonates to limit community spread of SARS-CoV-2 to this potentially vulnerable population, including isolation, particularly as asymptomatic cases become prevalent.

STEPP IN: Working Together to Keep Infants Warm in the Perioperative Period.

OBJECTIVES: Reduce postoperative hypothermia by up to 50% over a 12-month period in children's hospital NICUs and identify specific clinical practices that impact success. METHODS: Literature review, expert opinion, and benchmarking were used to develop clinical practice recommendations for maintaining perioperative euthermia that included the following: established euthermia before transport to the operating room (OR), standardized practice for maintaining euthermia on transport to and from the OR, and standardized practice to prevent intraoperative heat loss. Process measures were focused on maintaining euthermia during these time points. The outcome measure was the proportion of patients with postoperative hypothermia (temperature ≤36°C within 30 minutes of a return to the NICU or at the completion of a procedure in the NICU). Balancing measures were the proportion of patients with postoperative temperature >38°C or the presence of thermal burns. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify key practices that improved outcome. RESULTS: Postoperative hypothermia decreased by 48%, from a baseline of 20.3% (January 2011 to September 2013) to 10.5% by June 2015. Strategies associated with decreased hypothermia include >90% compliance with patient euthermia (36.1-37.9°C) at times of OR arrival (odds ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.79; P < .001) and OR departure (odds ratio: 0.0.73; 95% CI: 0.56-0.95; P = .017) and prewarming the OR ambient temperature to >74°F (odds ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.999; P = .05). Hyperthermia increased from a baseline of 1.1% to 2.2% during the project. No thermal burns were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing postoperative hypothermia is possible. Key practices include prewarming the OR and compliance with strategies to maintain euthermia at select time points throughout the perioperative period.

Diuretic Use and Subsequent Electrolyte Supplementation in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between diuretic use, serum electrolyte concentrations, and supplementation requirements in infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study conducted in a freestanding children's hospital Level IV NICU. Data were collected for all infants younger than 6 months, admitted to the NICU between January 2015 and May 2017, who received 2 or more consecutive doses of furosemide, chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, and/or hydrochlorothiazide/spironolactone. The primary outcome was the composite of the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities and/or electrolyte supplementation requirement within 30 days of diuretic exposure. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients met inclusion criteria, with a median gestational age of 30 weeks. Overall, 92% of patients exposed to diuretics experienced derangement in at least 1 serum electrolyte and/or required electrolyte supplementation during diuretic therapy. Patients born at 36 to 41 weeks' gestational age, receiving thiazide diuretics, experienced a significantly lower rate of the primary outcome (37%, p ≤ 0.001). The most common electrolytes affected by diuretic use were potassium and bicarbonate, with the highest incidence of the primary outcome for potassium occurring in patients receiving furosemide (p = 0.0196). Last, the median total daily dose of chlorothiazide in patients with an adverse event was 15 mg/kg/day, compared with 10 mg/kg/day in patients without an adverse event (p = 0.0041). CONCLUSIONS: Use of diuretics in young infants is likely to cause electrolyte derangements and/or require electrolyte supplementation. Patients born at earlier gestational ages may be at higher risk for developing such adverse effects.

Utility of echocardiography in predicting mortality in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between interventricular septal position (SP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mortality in infants with severe BPD (sBPD). STUDY DESIGN: Infants with sBPD in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database who had echocardiograms 34-44 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) were included. SP and RVSP were categorized normal, abnormal (flattened/bowed SP or RVSP > 40 mmHg) or missing. RESULTS: Of 1157 infants, 115 infants (10%) died. Abnormal SP or RVSP increased mortality (SP 19% vs. 8% normal/missing, RVSP 20% vs. 9% normal/missing, both p < 0.01) in unadjusted and multivariable models, adjusted for significant covariates (SP OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0; RVSP OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.7). Abnormal parameters had high specificity (SP 82%; RVSP 94%), and negative predictive value (SP 94%, NPV 91%) for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal SP or RVSP is independently associated with mortality in sBPD infants. Negative predictive values distinguish infants most likely to survive.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and bloodstream infection in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the risk of bloodstream (BSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) and describe antibiotic use in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). STUDY DESIGN: The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database was queried for infants with CDH and ECMO treatment from 2010 to 2016. The outcomes included BSI, UTI, and antimicrobial medication. Member institutions completed a survey on infection practices. RESULT: Eighteen of the 338 patients identified (5.3%) had ≥1 BSI during their ECMO course. The likelihood of BSI increased with time: 1.2/1000 ECMO days; 0.6% (2/315) in the first week and rising to 14.6/1000; 8.6% (5/58) after 21 days (p = 0.002). More than 95% of patients received antibiotics each week on ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: Confirmed BSI is rare in infants with CDH treated with ECMO in the first week, but increases with the duration of ECMO. Use of antibiotics was extensive and did not correspond to infection frequency.

Association of Neonatologist Continuity of Care and Short-Term Patient Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To describe neonatologist continuity of care and estimate the association between these transitions and selected patient outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We linked Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database records with masked neonatologist daily schedules at 4 centers, which use 2- and 3-week and 1-month "on service" blocks to provide care. After describing the neonatologist transitions, we estimated associations between these transitions and selected short-term patient outcomes using multivariable Poisson, logistic, and linear regression analyses, independent of length of stay (LOS) and case-mix. We also completed analyses after stratifying the cohort by LOS, birthweight, age at admission categories, and selected diagnoses. RESULTS: Stratified by LOS, patient transitions varied between centers in both unadjusted (P < .001) and multivariable analyses (adjusted incidence rate ratio; 95% CI for center B = 3.98 (3.81-4.15), center C = 4.92 (4.71-5.13), center D = 4.2 (4.0-4.4), P < .001), independent of LOS, gestational age, birthweight, surgical intervention, ventilator duration, and mortality. Only central venous line duration (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.015, 95% CI 1.01-1.02) was minimally and independently associated with the number of transitions. No differences were observed in ventilator duration, oxygen use at neonatal intensive care unit discharge, bloodstream infections, or urinary tract infections. Surviving infants with meconium aspiration, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and diaphragmatic hernia demonstrated similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Transitions in neonatologists are frequent in regional neonatal intensive care units but appear unrelated to short-term patient outcomes. Future work to define continuity of care and develop effective strategies that promote longitudinal inpatient management is needed.

Prevalence and Predictors of Back-Transport Closer to Maternal Residence After Acute Neonatal Care in a Regional NICU.

Objectives To describe the demographics, clinical characteristics and referral patterns of premature infants to a regional level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); to determine the prevalence and predictors of back-transport of infants ≤ 32 weeks gestational age in a level IV NICU; for infants not back-transported closer to maternal residence, determine the length of stay beyond attainment of clinical stability. Methods Data (2010-2014) from the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database and individual chart review for infants ≤ 32 weeks admitted to a level IV NICU whose maternal residence was outside the metro area were included. Bivariate associations of maternal and infant characteristics with back-transport were estimated using two-sample t tests and Fisher's exact test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure independent predictors of back-transport. Clinical stability was defined as the attainment of full volume enteral feedings and low flow nasal cannula. Results A total of 223 infants were eligible for analysis; of whom 26% were back-transported after acute care. In the adjusted analysis, insurance status, distance from maternal residence and gestational age were significantly associated with back-transport. For infants not back-transported closer to maternal residence, median length of stay in the level IV NICU beyond attainment of clinical stability was 28.5 days. Conclusion for Practice Predictors of back-transport include private insurance, greater distance of maternal residence from NICU and younger gestational age. Many preterm infants admitted to a regional NICU for acute care remained hospitalized in a level IV NICU after achieving clinical stability, for which care in a NICU closer to maternal residence may be appropriate.