Analyzing video recorded support of postnatal transition in preterm infants following a c-section.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years, research on neonatal resuscitation has focused on single interventions. The present study was performed to analyze the process quality of delivery room management of preterm infants born by c-section in our institution. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of videos of preterm infants born by c-section. Videos were analyzed according to time point, duration and number of performed medical interventions. The study period occurred between January 2012 and December 2013. Infants were caterogized in 3 groups according to their gestational age. RESULTS: One hundred eleven videos were analyzed. 100 (90 %) of the infants were transferred to NICU and 91 (83 %) received respiratory support after a median of 0.5 min. All infants were auscultated after 8 (5-16) seconds median (IQR) and an oxygen saturation sensor was placed after 37 (28-52) seconds. 23 infants were intubated after 9 (6-17) minutes and 17 received exogenous surfactant; 29 % according to INSURE (intubation-surfactant-extubation) technique. The duration of intubation attempts was 47 (25-60) seconds. 51 % of the newborns received a sustained inflation for 8 (6-9) seconds. A successful IV-line placement occurred after 15 (12-20) minutes. 4 % of the infants were transported to the NICU without an IV-line after 3 (difference range: 2-5) unsuccessful attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Using video analysis as a tool to study process quality, we conclude that interventions differ not only between but also within similar age groups. This data can be used for benchmarking with current guidelines and practice in other centers.

Neonatal assessment in the delivery room--Trial to Evaluate a Specified Type of Apgar (TEST-Apgar).

BACKGROUND: Since an objective description is essential to determine infant's postnatal condition and efficacy of interventions, two scores were suggested in the past but weren't tested yet: The Specified-Apgar uses the 5 items of the conventional Apgar score; however describes the condition regardless of gestational age (GA) or resuscitative interventions. The Expanded-Apgar measures interventions needed to achieve this condition. We hypothesized that the combination of both (Combined-Apgar) describes postnatal condition of preterm infants better than either of the scores alone. METHODS: Scores were assessed in preterm infants below 32 completed weeks of gestation. Data were prospectively collected in 20 NICU in 12 countries. Prediction of poor outcome (death, severe/moderate BPD, IVH, CPL and ROP) was used as a surrogate parameter to compare the scores. To compare predictive value the AUC for the ROC was calculated. RESULTS: Of 2150 eligible newborns, data on 1855 infants with a mean GA of 28(6/7) ± 2(3/7) weeks were analyzed. At 1 minute, the Combined-Apgar was significantly better in predicting poor outcome than the Specified- or Expanded-Apgar alone. Of infants with a very low score at 5 or 10 minutes 81% or 100% had a poor outcome, respectively. In these infants the relative risk (RR) for perinatal mortality was 24.93 (13.16-47.20) and 31.34 (15.91-61.71), respectively. CONCLUSION: The Combined-Apgar allows a more appropriate description of infant's condition under conditions of modern neonatal care. It should be used as a tool for better comparison of group of infants and postnatal interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Protocol Registration System (NCT00623038). Registered 14 February 2008.

Suctioning habits in the delivery room and the influence on postnatal adaptation - a video analysis.

AIMS: To determine how often infants are suctioned during delivery and how it affects the neonate. METHODS: Single-center analysis of video-recorded delivery room management after c-section from January 2012 until April 2013. Time point, duration, and frequency of suctioning in term and preterm newborns were analyzed along with vital parameters (heart rate (HR) and saturation values). RESULTS: Three hundred forty-six videos were analyzed. Twenty-three percent of term and 66% of preterm newborns were suctioned. Newborns were suctioned up to 14 times; total duration spent for suctioning was between 2 and 154 s. Suctioning before face mask application occurred in 31% of the suctioned newborns requiring respiratory support. No severe bradycardia (<60 bpm) was noticed. Suctioning did not have an effect on HR and saturation in preterm infants but was associated with significantly higher HR in term infants requiring respiratory support. Term infants who did not require respiratory support showed significantly higher saturation values at 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 min if they were not suctioned. CONCLUSIONS: Suctioning of newborns in the delivery room does not adhere to recommendations of international guidelines. However, previously described side effects of suctioning could not be confirmed.

Analyzing support of postnatal transition in term infants after c-section.

BACKGROUND: Whereas good data are available on the resuscitation of infants, little is known regarding support of postnatal transition in low-risk term infants after c-section. The present study was performed to describe current delivery room (DR) management of term infants born by c-section in our institution by analyzing videos that were recorded within a quality assurance program. METHODS: DR- management is routinely recorded within a quality assurance program. Cross-sectional study of videos of term infants born by c-section. Videos were analyzed with respect to time point, duration and number of all medical interventions. Study period was between January and December 2012. RESULTS: 186 videos were analyzed. The majority of infants (73%) were without support of postnatal transition. In infants with support of transition, majority of infants received respiratory support, starting in median after 3.4 minutes (range 0.4-14.2) and lasting for 8.8 (1.5-28.5) minutes. Only 33% of infants with support had to be admitted to the NICU, the remaining infants were returned to the mother after a median of 13.5 (8-42) minutes. A great inter- and intra-individual variation with respect to the sequence of interventions was found. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides data for an internal quality improvement program and supports the benefit of using routine video recording of DR-management. Furthermore, data can be used for benchmarking with current practice in other centers.

Individual course of cranial symmetry and proportion in preterm infants up to 6 months of corrected age.

INTRODUCTION: A significant proportion of preterm infants have dolichocephaly and/or deformational plagiocephaly (DP) at term equivalent age. However, quantitative data on the clinical course after discharge is limited in these infants. AIMS: To quantify the individual course of cranial symmetry and proportion in infants born <32 gestational weeks up to six months of corrected age (CA) and to investigate, whether measurements at discharge predict subsequent cranial deformations. METHODS: A total of 56 infants were examined at discharge, three and six months of CA. Cranial proportion and symmetry were quantified using a 3D laser scan method. Classification and prevalence data were obtained using age related reference values. Predictive value of DP at discharge regarding subsequent deformation was evaluated. RESULTS: Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index was 3.9% at discharge, 4.5% at three months and 3.7% at six months of CA. Prevalence of DP was 34% at discharge, 46% at three months and 27% at six months. Cranial Index was 71.4% at discharge and constantly increased over the examination period. Prevalence of dolichocephaly was high at discharge (77%) and subsequently decreased. While severe DP at discharge was predictive for a persistent deformation (PPV 0.78), 46% of infants without DP at discharge developed DP by six months of CA. DISCUSSION: Despite a high prevalence at discharge, the decreased prevalence of DP and dolichocephaly at six months of CA suggests an optimistic course. However, changes in head shape are hardly predictable for the individual infant. Thus, an accurate quantification should be part of neonatal follow-up programs.

Positioning of term infants during delivery room routine handling - analysis of videos.

BACKGROUND: Delivery room management (DR) of the newly born infant should be performed according to international guidelines, but no recommendations are available for an infant's position immediately after birth. The present study was performed to answer the following questions: 1. How often is DR-management performed in term infants in side position? 2. Is routine DR-management possible in side position? 3. Is there any benefit of side position with respect to agitation or vital parameters? METHODS: Cross-sectional study of video-recorded DR-management in term newborns delivered by C-section in 2012. Videos were analysed for infant's position, administered interventions, vital parameters and agitation. RESULTS: 187 videos were analysed. The Main Position (defined as position spent more than 70% of the time) was "supine" in 91, "side" in 63 and "not determinable" in 33 infants. "Supine" infants received significantly (p < 0.001) more often stimulation (12.5% of the total time) than "side" infants (3.9% of time). There were no differences between both groups with regard to suctioning; CPAP was exclusively (98%) administered in supine position. Newborns on side were less agitated than those on supine. There was a trend towards a better oxygenation in "side" positioned infants (p = 0.055) and significantly (p = 0.04) higher saturation values in "left-sided" infants than "right-sided" infants at 8th minute. "Side" positioned infants reached oxygen saturation values >90% earlier than "supine" positioned infants (p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: DR-management is feasible in the side position in term infants. Side position seems to be associated with reduced agitation and improved oxygenation. However, it remains unclear whether this represents a causal relationship or an association. The study supports the need for a randomized controlled trial.

Prevalence of head deformities in preterm infants at term equivalent age.

INTRODUCTION: Due to a rising number of head deformities in healthy newborns, there has been an increasing interest in nonsynostotic head deformities in children over recent years. Although preterm infants are more likely to have anomalous head shapes than term newborns, there is limited data available on early prevalence of head deformities in preterm infants. AIMS: The purposes of the present study were to acquire quantitative data on head shape of preterm infants at Term Equivalent Age (TEA), to determine the prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design, Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Cranial Index (CI) calculated from routine head-scans with a non-invasive laser shape digitizer were recorded and categorized in type and severity of deformation for three different groups of gestational age. Perinatal and postnatal patient data was tested for possible associations. RESULTS: Scans of 195 infants were included in the study. CVAI at TEA was higher in very preterm (4.1%) compared to term and late preterm infants. Prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly was 38% in very preterm infants. CI was lower in very (71.4%) and late (77.2%) preterm infants compared to term infants (80.0%). Compared to term babies (11%), a large number of very (73%) and late (28%) preterm infants exhibited dolichocephaly at TEA. DISCUSSION: Prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities in preterm infants is high at TEA. Interventions are required to prevent head deformities in preterm infants during the initial hospital stay.

Three-dimensional digital capture of head size in neonates - a method evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of neonatal care is mainly determined by long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. The neurodevelopment of preterm infants is related to postnatal head growth and depends on medical interventions such as nutritional support. Head circumference (HC) is currently used as a two-dimensional measure of head growth. Since head deformities are frequently found in preterm infants, HC may not always adequately reflect head growth. Laser aided head shape digitizers offer semiautomatic acquisition of HC and cranial volume (CrV) and could thus be useful in describing head size more precisely. AIMS: 1) To evaluate reproducibility of a 3D digital capture system in newborns. 2) To compare manual and digital HC measurements in a neonatal cohort. 3) To determine correlation of HC and CrV and predictive value of HC. METHODS: Within a twelve-month period data of head scans with a laser shape digitizer were analysed. Repeated measures were used for method evaluation. Manually and digitally acquired HC was compared. Regression analysis of HC and CrV was performed. RESULTS: Interobserver reliability was excellent for HC (bias-0.005%, 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) -0.39-0.39%) and CrV (bias1.5%, 95%LoA-0.8-3.6%). Method comparison data was acquired from 282 infants. It revealed interchangeability of the methods (bias-0.45%; 95%LoA-4.55-3.65%) and no significant systematic or proportional differences. HC and CrV correlated (r(2) = 0.859, p<0.001), performance of HC predicting CrV was poor (RSD ±24 ml). Correlation was worse in infants with lower postmenstrual age (r(2) = 0.745) compared to older infants (r(2) = 0.843). DISCUSSION: The current practice of measuring HC for describing head growth in preterm infants could be misleading since it does not represent a 3D approach. CrV can vary substantially in infants of equal HC. The 3D laser scanner represents a new and promising method to provide reproducible data of CrV and HC. Since it does not provide data on cerebral structures, additional imaging is required.

Continuous non-invasive monitoring of tidal volumes by measurement of tidal impedance in neonatal piglets.

BACKGROUND: Electrical Impedance measurements can be used to estimate the content of intra-thoracic air and thereby give information on pulmonary ventilation. Conventional Impedance measurements mainly indicate relative changes, but no information concerning air-volume is given. The study was performed to test whether a 3-point-calibration with known tidal volumes (VT) during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) allows subsequent calculation of VT from total Tidal-Impedance (tTI) measurements using Quadrant Impedance Measurement (QIM). In addition the distribution of TI in different regions of the thorax was examined. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: QIM was performed in five neonatal piglets during volume-controlled CMV. tTI values at three different VT (4, 6, 8 ml/kg) were used to establish individual calibration curves. Subsequently, each animal was ventilated with different patterns of varying VT (2-10 ml/kg) at different PEEP levels (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 cmH(2)O). VT variation was repeated after surfactant depletion by bronchoalveolar lavage. VT was calculated from tTI values (VT(calc)) and compared to the VT delivered by the ventilator (VT(PNT)). Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between VT(calc) and VT(PNT) before (bias -0.08 ml; limits of agreement -1.18 to 1.02 ml at PEEP = 3 cmH(2)O) and after surfactant depletion (bias -0.17 ml; limits of agreement -1.57 to 1.22 ml at PEEP = 3 cmH(2)O). At higher PEEP levels VT(calc) was lower than VT(PNT), when only one fixed calibration curve (at PEEP 3 cmH(2)O) was used. With a new calibration curve at each PEEP level the method showed similar accuracy at each PEEP level. TI showed a homogeneous distribution over the four assessed quadrants with a shift toward caudal regions of the thorax with increasing VT. CONCLUSION: Tidal Impedance values could be used for precise and accurate calculation of VT during CMV in this animal study, when calibrated at each PEEP level.