A multi-function neonatal incubator for low-income countries: Implementation and ab initio social impact.

The World health Organization estimates that about 8 million babies die prematurely worldwide. Most of these cases are found in low-income countries (LICs). The use of neonatal incubators has proven to be very useful in the reduction of infant mortality. However, access to this important medical device is not always easy in LICs. This article presents the implementation of a multi-function neonatal incubator with remote monitoring, fingerprint scanner, phototherapy, and heart rate monitoring. In this view, proportional integral (PI) control algorithm and an Android application were developed. Furthermore, an initial social impact of the implemented neonatal incubator usage was performed in some hospitals in Cameroon.

Exposure and reactivity of the preterm infant to noise in the incubator. / Exposição e reatividade do prematuro ao ruído em incubadora.

PURPOSE: To evaluate preterm infants' exposure and reactions to intense noise during incubator care. METHODS: An observational and prospective study was performed in the intermediary care unit of a hospital in Ribeirão Preto (SP). Thirty-five preterm infants participated in the first stage of the study (measuring noise) and 20 in the second (analysis of responses to intense noise). Noise was measured for two hours using a dosimeter, and the responses were video recorded by three cameras connected to a computer. The preterm infants' responses to an Lmax higher than 65 decibels were analyzed. RESULTS: Every preterm infant presented Leq above the limit recommended by international organizations, and more than half of the babies had a mean Leq above the limit permitted by the Brazilian standard. Regarding the babies' responses to the intense noise, the majority of them showed blink reflex, startle reflex, facial mimics, changed bodily activities or changed sleep and wake state, all with statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The sound levels measured were intense. The noises that preterm infants are exposed to while being cared for in incubators constitute a stressor event. Sudden, intense noises change their behavioral state and causes reflexive and bodily responses, facial manifestations and changes in their sleep and wake state.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a exposição e a reatividade do prematuro ao ruído intenso durante o cuidado em incubadora. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional prospectivo na unidade de cuidados intermediários de um hospital de Ribeirão Preto (SP). Na primeira etapa do estudo (dimensionamento do ruído) participaram 35 prematuros e na segunda (análise da reatividade diante de um ruído intenso), 20. O ruído foi mensurado durante duas horas por um dosímetro e a reatividade filmada por três câmeras conectadas no computador. Diante de Lmáx superior a 65 decibéis analisou-se a reatividade dos prematuros. RESULTADOS: Todos os prematuros apresentaram Leq acima do limite recomendado por organizações internacionais e mais da metade dos bebês esteve com Leq médios superiores ao limite permitido em incubadora pela norma brasileira. Diante do ruído intenso, grande parte dos bebês desencadeou reflexo cócleo-palpebral, sobressalto, mímica facial, modificou as atividades corporais ou apresentou padrão de sono e vigília, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas. CONCLUSÃO: Os níveis sonoros mensurados foram intensos. O ruído a que os prematuros estão expostos nas incubadoras durante os cuidados recebidos constitui um evento estressante, modifica o estado comportamental e desencadeia respostas reflexas, corporais, manifestações faciais e mudança no estado de sono e vigília diante dos ruídos intensos e súbitos.

Weaning of Moderately Preterm Infants from the Incubator to the Crib: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether length of hospital stay is decreased among moderately preterm infants weaned from incubator to crib at a lower vs higher weight. STUDY DESIGN: This trial was conducted in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Infants with gestational ages 29-33 weeks, birthweight <1600 g, and in an incubator were randomly assigned to a weaning weight of 1600 or 1800 g. Within 60 to 100 g of weaning weight, the incubator temperature was decreased by 1.0°C to 1.5°C every 24 hours until 28.0°C. The infants were weaned to the crib following stable temperature at 36.5°C to 37.4°C for 8 to 12 hours. Clothing and bedcoverings were standardized. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay from birth to discharge; secondary outcomes included length of stay and growth velocity from weaning to discharge. Adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: Of 1565 infants screened, 885 were eligible, and 366 enrolled-187 to the 1600-g and 179 to the 1800-g group. Maternal and neonatal characteristics did not differ among weight groups. Length of hospital stay was a median of 43 days in the lower and 41 days in the higher weight group (P = .12). Growth velocity from completion of weaning to discharge was higher in the lower weight group, 13.7 g/kg/day vs 12.8 g/kg/day (P = .005). Groups did not differ in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among moderately preterm neonates, weaning from incubator to crib at a lower weight did not decrease length of stay, but was safe and was accompanied by higher weight gain after weaning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02160002.

Exposição e reatividade do prematuro ao ruído em incubadora / Exposure and reactivity of the preterm infant to noise in the incubator

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a exposição e a reatividade do prematuro ao ruído intenso durante o cuidado em incubadora. Método Estudo observacional prospectivo na unidade de cuidados intermediários de um hospital de Ribeirão Preto (SP). Na primeira etapa do estudo (dimensionamento do ruído) participaram 35 prematuros e na segunda (análise da reatividade diante de um ruído intenso), 20. O ruído foi mensurado durante duas horas por um dosímetro e a reatividade filmada por três câmeras conectadas no computador. Diante de Lmáx superior a 65 decibéis analisou-se a reatividade dos prematuros. Resultados Todos os prematuros apresentaram Leq acima do limite recomendado por organizações internacionais e mais da metade dos bebês esteve com Leq médios superiores ao limite permitido em incubadora pela norma brasileira. Diante do ruído intenso, grande parte dos bebês desencadeou reflexo cócleo-palpebral, sobressalto, mímica facial, modificou as atividades corporais ou apresentou padrão de sono e vigília, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Conclusão Os níveis sonoros mensurados foram intensos. O ruído a que os prematuros estão expostos nas incubadoras durante os cuidados recebidos constitui um evento estressante, modifica o estado comportamental e desencadeia respostas reflexas, corporais, manifestações faciais e mudança no estado de sono e vigília diante dos ruídos intensos e súbitos.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate preterm infants' exposure and reactions to intense noise during incubator care. Methods An observational and prospective study was performed in the intermediary care unit of a hospital in Ribeirão Preto (SP). Thirty-five preterm infants participated in the first stage of the study (measuring noise) and 20 in the second (analysis of responses to intense noise). Noise was measured for two hours using a dosimeter, and the responses were video recorded by three cameras connected to a computer. The preterm infants' responses to an Lmax higher than 65 decibels were analyzed. Results Every preterm infant presented Leq above the limit recommended by international organizations, and more than half of the babies had a mean Leq above the limit permitted by the Brazilian standard. Regarding the babies' responses to the intense noise, the majority of them showed blink reflex, startle reflex, facial mimics, changed bodily activities or changed sleep and wake state, all with statistically significant differences. Conclusion The sound levels measured were intense. The noises that preterm infants are exposed to while being cared for in incubators constitute a stressor event. Sudden, intense noises change their behavioral state and causes reflexive and bodily responses, facial manifestations and changes in their sleep and wake state.

Noise level in neonatal incubators: A comparative study of three models.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants usually have to spend a long time in an incubator, excessive noise in which can have adverse physiological and psychological effects on neonates. In fact, incubator noise levels typically range from 45 to 70 dB but differences in this respect depend largely on the noise measuring method used. The primary aim of this work was to assess the extent to which noise in an incubator comes from its own fan and how efficiently the incubator can isolate external noise. METHODS: Three different incubator models were characterized for acoustic performance by measuring their internal noise levels in an anechoic chamber, and also for noise isolation efficiency by using a pink noise source in combination with an internal and an external microphone that were connected to an SVAN958 noise analyzer. RESULTS: The incubators studied produced continuous equivalent noise levels of 53.5-58 dB and reduced external noise by 5.2-10.4 dB. CONCLUSIONS: A preterm infant in an incubator is exposed to noise levels clearly exceeding international recommendations even though such levels usually comply with the limit set in the standard IEC60601-2-19: 2009 (60 dBA) under normal conditions of use.

Electronic Health Record Documentation of Nursing Care Procedures and Change in Weight of Healthy, Moderately Premature Neonates.

PURPOSE: To identify the nursing care procedures (NCPs) performed in a NICU that disrupt the thermal environment by opening the incubator of moderately preterm neonates (mPNs) (32-34 wk gestational age) and the relationship between the frequency of these disruptions and change in weight (Δwt). DESIGN: Survey and descriptive correlational methodology. SAMPLE: Systematically identified, published references to NCPs that opening the incubator developed an itemized list of NCPs that was used to query the electronic health records (EHRs) of 164 mPNs in the first ten days of life (DOL). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The Δwt between birth and ten DOL. RESULTS: Of 51 NCPs identified, 26 were represented in the EHR. A mean of 614 (range 402-1,080; SD = 137) EHR-documented NCPs that opening the incubator were recorded. The frequency of NCPs was negatively correlated with the Δwt of mPNs at ten DOL, rs (164) = -.162, p = .038.

[Infection Prevention in Premature Infants and Newborns in Thuringia: Implementation of Recommendation of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO)]. / Infektionsprävention bei Früh- und Neugeborenen in Thüringen: Umsetzung der Empfehlung der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention (KRINKO).

Systematic recording of practical implementation of current recommendations of KRINKO for the prevention of nosocomial infections in premature and newborn infants in children's hospitals in Thuringia. All neonatal treatment centers in Thuringia (n=18) were included in this survey. Answer were received from 83% (15/18). Degree of compliance was 100% in level-1 (3/3) and level-2 centers (5/5), and 70% in level-3 centers (7/10). The aim of the questionnaire was to evaluate infection prevention measures as well as structural/organizational parameters in neonatal centers in Thuringia. Preventive measures as well as weekly screening for colonization was fully performed in patients with a birth weight <1 500 g (n=205) at all centers. Additionally, prolonged screening and colonization surveillance measures were performed in 60% of all units until discharge from the hospital. Results related to structural/organizational parameters and especially structural conditions in neonatal centers in Thuringia pointed up challenges (2 m minimum distance between incubators in 27% (n=4/15), isolation in single room in 53% (n=8/15)). Insufficient number of staff also hamper the complete implementation of KRINKO recommendations (intensive care unit: patient/staff ratio (MW±SD) 2.5±1.1; newborn area 4.3±0.9). Analysis shows actual rate of implementation of KRINKO recommendations as well as structural/organizational parameters in neonatal treatment centers in Thuringia. It provides important points for discussion regarding necessary staff numbers and structural conditions. Analysis could also be used for future surveys in other regions in Germany.

The cost-savings of implementing kangaroo mother care in Nicaragua.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the costs of implementing kangaroo mother care (KMC) in a referral hospital in Nicaragua, including training, implementation, and ongoing operating costs, and to estimate the economic impact on the Nicaraguan health system if KMC were implemented in other maternity hospitals in the country. METHODS: After receiving clinical training in KMC, the implementation team trained their colleagues, wrote guidelines for clinicians and education material for parents, and ensured adherence to the new guidelines. The intervention began September 2010 The study compared data on infant weight, medication use, formula consumption, incubator use, and hospitalization for six months before and after implementation. Cost data were collected from accounting records of the implementers and health ministry formularies. RESULTS: A total of 46 randomly selected infants before implementation were compared to 52 after implementation. Controlling for confounders, neonates after implementation had lower lengths of hospitalization by 4.64 days (P = 0.017) and 71% were exclusively breastfed (P < 0.001). The intervention cost US$ 23 113 but the money saved with shorter hospitalization, elimination of incubator use, and lower antibiotic and infant formula costs made up for this expense in 1 - 2 months. Extending KMC to 12 other facilities in Nicaragua is projected to save approximately US$ 166 000 (based on the referral hospital incubator use estimate) or US$ 233 000 after one year (based on the more conservative incubator use estimate). CONCLUSIONS: Treating premature and low-birth-weight infants in Nicaragua with KMC implemented as a quality improvement program saves money within a short period even without considering the beneficial health effects of KMC. Implementation in more facilities is strongly recommended.

Early weaning from incubator and early discharge of preterm infants: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to assess the feasibility of earlier weaning from the incubator for preterm infants. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study with preterm infants with birth weights of <1600 g who were admitted to a neonatal subintensive ward. Findings for 47 infants who were transferred from an incubator to an open crib at >1600 g (early transition group) were compared with those for 47 infants who were transferred from an incubator to an open crib at >1800 g (standard transition [ST] group). The primary outcome of the study was length of stay. Secondary outcomes were the number of infants returned to an incubator, the growth velocity in an open crib and during the first week at home, the proportions of breastfeeding at discharge and during the first week at home, and the hospital readmission rate. RESULTS: The length of stay was significantly shorter in the early transition group than in the standard transition group (23.5 vs 33 days; P=.0002). No infants required transfer back to the incubator. Only 1 infant in the standard transition group was readmitted to the hospital during the first week after discharge. Growth velocities and individual amounts of breastfeeding were similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, weaning of moderately preterm infants from incubators to open cribs at 1600 g was safe and resulted in earlier discharge.

Developmental care in the UK: a developing initiative.

AIM: To review developmental care over time in the UK. METHODS: Longitudinal study comprising two prospective observational studies of unit organization and developmental care activity collected in 2005 and 2008 in all UK neonatal units. Indices related to developmental care and an aggregated score are reported corresponding to year and level of care. RESULTS: In 2008, over 90% units had open visiting for parents and modified lighting and 80% modified noise, showing no change since 2005. Incubator cover usage increased from 75% to 95%. Rates of parental tube feeding dropped from 76% to 64% and kangaroo care increased from 50% to 80%. Proportions of units with developmental care personnel and staff trained in developmental care have almost doubled to 64% and 57%. Aggregated scores, reflecting eight basic indices of developmental care, were unchanged: the 2005 mean was 5.7 (SD = 1.5) and 6.2 (SD = 1.5) in 2008. Scores were significantly higher in larger units and in those with developmental care personnel or developmentally trained staff. CONCLUSION: Despite a significant increase in developmental care skills and infrastructure, variable approaches persist, with limited improvements over time. These findings reflect a UK culture that is ambivalent towards developmental care, and enable comparison with other countries where developmental care is more fully supported.

Parental experiences during the first period at the neonatal unit after two developmental care interventions.

AIM: Developmental care has gained increased attention in the individualized care for preterm infants. This study was designed to explore the effect of a basic form of developmental care and the more extended Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) on parental stress, confidence and perceived nursing support. METHODS: Two consecutive randomized controlled trials (RCT's) comparing (1) standard care versus basic developmental care (standardized nests and incubator covers) (n = 133) and (2) basic developmental care versus NIDCAP, including behavioural observations (n = 150). Parents of infants born <32 weeks gestational age (GA) received questionnaires after the first week of admission in the neonatal unit and on average these 2 weeks after the birth of their infant. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in confidence, perceived nursing support or parental stress. The difference in parental stress between mother and father was less in the NIDCAP intervention group (p = .03), although not significant. CONCLUSION: Both basic developmental care and NIDCAP had little effect on parental experiences during the first period at the neonatal unit. As a result of increased paternal stress, the NIDCAP intervention tended to decrease the difference in parental stress levels of fathers and mothers, possibly because of the increased involvement of father during the NIDCAP intervention.

The ages of suspicion, diagnosis, amplification, and intervention in deaf children.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to determine the average ages of suspicion, diagnosis, and amplification of profound hearing loss and intervention in deaf children and to compare at-risk and not-at-risk children based on the studied ages. METHODS: This study was conducted on 86 children under 6 years of age with profound bilateral hearing loss in Newsha Aural Rehabilitation Center in Tehran from July to December 2005. Data were gathered through the completion of a questionnaire by the children's parents, and the children's medical and rehabilitative records were utilized in order to determine the kind and degree of hearing loss. RESULTS: The mean ages of suspicion, diagnosis, amplification, and intervention were 12.6+/-8.9, 15.2+/-9.3, 20.5+/-11.1, and 22.3+/-11.6 months, respectively; there being statistically significant differences between them. 47.7% of the children were in the high-risk group, and statistically there were no significant differences between the at-risk and not-at-risk children in the studied ages. Of all the neonatal diseases investigated, hyperbilirubinemia was the most frequent (40.7%), and there were also four cases of meningitis and six cases of measles. In terms of consanguinity, mating of first cousins was 41.9% and mating of second cousins and farther familial relationships was 14%. After suspecting hearing loss in their children, the parents had visited physicians (57%), audiologists (37.2%), speech therapists (2.3%), or other specialists (3.5%) for the first time. The economic circumstances of the families had a significant bearing on the average ages of suspicion, diagnosis, amplification, and intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the remarkable improvement in the average ages of suspicion, diagnosis, amplification, and intervention in comparison with those reported in a previous study carried out in Iran (2002), there is still noticeable difference between these ages and those suggested by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.

Co-bedding versus traditional bedding of multiple-gestation infants in the NICU.

This study was part of a large departmental performance improvement initiative to implement and evaluate developmental and family-centered care as "best practice" in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The goal was to evaluate the safety, effect on infant clinical and developmental outcomes, and maternal satisfaction of co-bedding of multiple-gestation infants compared to traditionally bedded infants/mothers. A secondary purpose was to evaluate co-bedding and American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended "back to sleep" behaviors in the same infants/mothers after discharge. A retrospective, comparative, descriptive design was used. Chart reviews and mailed written surveys were used to collect study data. Findings showed no significant differences in demographic variables or clinical and developmental outcomes between the total traditionally bedded and co-bedded groups. All mothers reported positive experiences with the NICU. Co-bedding may promote maternal bonding and has no negative clinical or developmental outcomes. Once policies and education are in place, parents should be offered the option to co-bed multiple-gestation infants in the NICU. There is a performance improvement opportunity regarding the education provided to parents of multiple-gestation infants before discharge on the "back to sleep" recommendations.

A clinical comparison of radiant warmer and incubator care for preterm infants from birth to 1800 grams.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare radiant warmer and incubator care for preterm infants from birth with respect to temperature control and weight gain. METHODS: Sixty preterm infants <33 weeks' gestation were randomized at birth to radiant warmer or incubator care. The initial goal was to maintain abdominal temperature at 36.8 degrees C in both groups and axillary temperature at 36.8 to 37.3 degrees C; air servocontrol was used for incubator infants. Infants in both groups received added humidity for 5 days if their weight was <1000 g and for 3 days if they weighed between 1000 and 1249 g. During a 3-hour period on days 1 to 7, recordings of abdominal, forehead, and foot temperatures were obtained. The percentage of the recording time during which the abdominal temperature was in the target range of between 36 degrees C and 37.5 degrees C was determined as an indicator of temperature control. Weight gain from birth to 1800 g was compared. Secondary outcomes included fluid balance and clinical events. RESULTS: There were 30 infants in each group; 48 were <1500 g (of whom 17 were <1000 g). There were no significant differences in birth weight, gestation, gender, or illness severity scores in the 2 groups. Significant differences in temperature control were noted on day 1. Although admission temperatures were similar, lower abdominal temperatures were noted in the first 2 hours of life in the incubator group (medians were 36.6 degrees C and 35.9 degrees C in the radiant warmer and incubator groups, respectively). Similarly, mean abdominal temperatures during the 3-hour recording on day 1 were lower in the incubator group, and infants in this group spent a significantly greater percentage of the recording time with temperatures outside the target range (17.3% compared with 0.88%). Other temperature recordings from the forehead and foot were not significantly different in the groups. Fluid intakes were higher for infants under radiant warmer on days 2, 3, and 4, and the difference amounted to a mean of 12.8 mL/kg/d. Maximum sodium levels in the first week were similar in the 2 groups. Mean weight gain was 17.4 g/kg/d for the radiant warmer group and 17.1 g/kg/d for the incubator group; days to regain birth weight and length of hospital stay were not significantly different. Greater numbers of infants in the radiant warmer group required phototherapy, and adverse events (which included death, necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, or retinopathy requiring laser treatment) were less frequent in the radiant warmer group (1 infant compared with 8 in the incubator group; relative risk 0.1; 95% confidence intervals: 0.01-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown differences in abdominal temperatures on day 1 and outcome, although the latter finding should be viewed with caution because of the sample size. The results indicate benefits for the initial use of the radiant warmer after birth. Although fluid requirements were higher in the radiant warmer group for days 2 through 4, the increased fluid volumes were given without apparent adverse effect.

[Contribution to the study of the management of extremely premature infants in metropolitan France (with the exception of Ile-de-France)]. / Contribution à l'étude de la prise en charge des grands prématurés en France métropolitaine (à l'exception de I'Ile-de-France).

BACKGROUND: Regionalization of perinatal care is one of the purposes of the last 'Plan du Gouvernement pour la Périnatalité' (French Government's Perinatal Project). The aims of the study are first to investigate the site of admission of the very low birth weight infants and secondly to analyze postnatal transfer policies. POPULATION AND METHODS: Neonatal units in France (excluding Ile-de-France area), using exogenous surfactant were asked for their number of intensive care costs (1-5, 6-10, more than 10) and for the yearly rate of admission preterms less than 33 weeks gestational age. They were also classified as academic or not. RESULTS: One hundred and six out of 129 units participated. Ten units were excluded because they did not use surfactants. Among the 71 non academic units, the number of intensive care cots was less than six in 57/71 (80%) vs 1/25 (4%) in the academic units. There was no relationship between the number of admission and transfer policy. In 29 units with less than six cots, and in 20 of those with 20 admissions or less, transfer occurred exceptionally or never. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of "critical mass", usually recommends to ensure expertise, is not warranted in most French neonatology units. It is worrisome to state that many small units do not transfer any children or do it for a limited number. On the other hand, a majority of the infants transferred post-natally could have drawn benefit from in utero transfer. From these data, it is possible to assume that regionalization of perinatal care is far from achieved in most parts of the French territory.