Guideline No. 424: Umbilical Cord Management in Preterm and Term Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of deferred (delayed) cord clamping (DCC) and umbilical cord milking in singleton and twin gestations on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. TARGET POPULATION: People who are pregnant with preterm or term singletons or twins. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: In preterm singletons, DCC for (ideally) 60 to 120 seconds, but at least for 30 seconds, reduces infant risk of mortality and morbidity. DCC in preterm twins is associated with some benefits. In term singletons, DCC for 60 seconds improves hematological parameters. In very preterm infants, umbilical cord milking increases risk for intraventricular hemorrhage. EVIDENCE: Searches of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 2020 were undertaken using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and key words related to deferred cord clamping and umbilical cord milking. This document represents an abstraction of the evidence rather than a methodological review. VALIDATION METHODS: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional [weak] recommendations). INTENDED USERS: Maternity and newborn care providers.

Directive clinique no 424 : Prise en charge du cordon ombilical chez le nourrisson prématuré ou à terme.

OBJECTIF: Évaluer l'effet du clampage retardé du cordon et de la traite du cordon ombilical sur les risques de mortalité et de morbidité maternelles et néonatales en contexte de grossesses monofœtale ou gémellaire. POPULATION CIBLE: Femmes enceintes dont la grossesse monofœtale ou gémellaire est à terme ou avant terme. BéNéFICES, RISQUES ET COûTS: Chez les prématurés de grossesse monofœtale, le clampage retardé de 60 à 120 secondes idéalement, mais d'au moins 30 secondes, réduit le risque de mortalité et de morbidité. Chez les jumeaux prématurés, le clampage retardé est associé à certains bénéfices. Chez les nourrissons de grossesse monofœtale à terme, le clampage retardé de 60 secondes améliore les paramètres hématologiques. Chez les grands prématurés, la traite du cordon ombilical augmente le risque d'hémorragie intraventriculaire. DONNéES PROBANTES: Une recherche a été effectuée au moyen des bases de données Medline, PubMed, Embase et Cochrane Library, de leur création jusqu'à mars 2020, à partir de termes MeSH et de mots clés liés au clampage retardé du cordon et à la traite du cordon ombilical. Le présent document est un résumé des données probantes et non pas une revue méthodologique. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Les auteurs ont évalué la qualité des données probantes et la force des recommandations en utilisant le cadre méthodologique d'évaluation, de développement et d'évaluation (GRADE). Voir l'annexe A en ligne (tableau A1 pour les définitions et tableau A2 pour l'interprétation des recommandations fortes et conditionnelles [faibles]). PROFESSIONNELS CIBLES: Fournisseurs de soins de maternité et néonataux.

Discharge planning of the preterm infant.

"When will my baby come home?" is one of the most common questions asked by parents of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While the hospital course varies based on the gestational age at birth and the attainment of "physiological maturity," the aim of this statement is to provide guidance for the safe discharge of infants born before 37 weeks. The discharge process should start at the time of admission to NICU, and with a plan for assessing physiological markers including thermoregulation, control of breathing, respiratory stability, and adequate weight gain as an indication of feeding skills. Importantly, the infant's family unit is a crucial part of the care team and their involvement in the NICU will promote confidence, decrease anxiety, increase resilience, and help ensure a safe discharge environment.

DIRECTIVE CLINIQUE CONJOINTE DE LA SOGC ET DE LA SCP: Directive clinique no 424 : Prise en charge du cordon ombilical chez le nourrisson prématuré ou à terme.

Objectif: Évaluer l'effet du clampage retardé du cordon et de la traite du cordon ombilical sur les risques de mortalité et de morbidité maternelles et néonatales en contexte de grossesses monofœtale ou gémellaire. Population cible: Femmes enceintes dont la grossesse monofœtale ou gémellaire est à terme ou avant terme. Bénéfices risques et coûts: Chez les prématurés de grossesse monofœtale, le clampage retardé de 60 à 120 secondes idéalement, mais d'au moins 30 secondes, réduit le risque de mortalité et de morbidité. Chez les jumeaux prématurés, le clampage retardé est associé à certains bénéfices. Chez les nourrissons de grossesse monofœtale à terme, le clampage retardé de 60 secondes améliore les paramètres hématologiques. Chez les grands prématurés, la traite du cordon ombilical augmente le risque d'hémorragie intraventriculaire. Données probantes: Une recherche a été effectuée au moyen des bases de données Medline, PubMed, Embase et Cochrane Library, de leur création jusqu'à mars 2020, à partir de termes MeSH et de mot-clés liés au clampage retardé du cordon et à la traite du cordon ombilical. Le présent document est un résumé des données probantes et non pas une revue méthodologique. Méthodes de validation: Les auteurs ont évalué la qualité des données probantes et la force des recommandations en utilisant le cadre méthodologique d'évaluation, de développement et d'évaluation (GRADE). Voir l'annexe A en ligne (tableau A1 pour les définitions et tableau A2 pour l'interprétation des recommandations fortes et conditionnelles [faibles]).

JOINT SOGC-CPS CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE: Guideline No. 424: Umbilical cord management in preterm and term infants.

Objective: To assess the impact of deferred (delayed) cord clamping (DCC) and umbilical cord milking in singleton and twin gestations on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Target Population: Women who are pregnant with preterm or term singletons or twins. Benefits Harms and Costs: In preterm singletons, DCC for (ideally) 60 to 120 seconds, but at least for 30 seconds, reduces infant risk of mortality and morbidity. DCC in preterm twins is associated with some benefits. In term singletons, DCC for 60 seconds improves hematological parameters. In very preterm infants, umbilical cord milking increases risk for intraventricular hemorrhage. Evidence: Searches of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 2020 were undertaken using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and key words related to deferred cord clamping and umbilical cord milking. This document represents an abstraction of the evidence rather than a methodological review. Validation Methods: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional [weak] recommendations).

Evaluation of transport-related outcomes for neonatal transport teams with and without physicians.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the presence of a physician in the neonatal transport team (NTT) affects transport-related outcomes and procedural success. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching. SETTING: Canadian national study. PATIENTS: Neonatal transports from nontertiary centres between January 2014 and December 2017. INTERVENTIONS: Comparison of transports conducted by NTTs with physicians (MD Group) and without physicians (noMD Group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in patient acuity as measured by the transport risk index of physiologic severity (TRIPS) score. Secondary outcomes included mortality within 24 hours of NICU admission, clinical complications during transport, procedural success, and stabilization time. RESULTS: Among 9,703 eligible cases, 899 neonatal transports attended by NTTs with physicians were compared to 899 neonatal transports without physicians using propensity score matching. No differences were seen in the improvement of TRIPS score or mortality ≤24 hours of NICU admission. The MD Group had more clinical complications (7.7% versus 5.0%, P=0.02). No differences were seen in success rates of invasive procedures. The MD Group had shorter stabilization times. In multivariable analysis, the MD Group was not a significant predictor for the improvement in TRIPS score after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal transports conducted by teams including physicians compared to teams without physicians, did not have higher improvement in TRIPS scores and had similar success rates for procedures. These results provide insights for the planning of the structure and training of specialized interfacility neonatal transport programs.

Cerebral oxygenation monitoring of ex-preterm infants during the infant car seat challenge test.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and until recently the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend preterm infants undergo an Infant Car Seat Challenge test prior to discharge to rule out systemic oxygen desaturation when placed at a 45-degree angle in a car seat. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides objective measurements of the impact of systemic oxygen (SO2) desaturation, bradycardia, or both on cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2). OBJECTIVE: To characterize baseline cerebral rSO2 during a car seat trial in preterm infants ready for discharge. DESIGN/METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed in 20 infants (32 ± 5 weeks [mean] at a postmenstrual age 37 ± 6 weeks [mean]). Cerebral rSO2 was continuously monitored by placing a NIRS transducer on head during Infant Car Seat Challenge (ICSC). Failure of an ICSC was defined as two SO2 desaturation events below 85% for more than 20 seconds or one event below 80% for 10 seconds. RESULTS: The lowest SO2 was 70% with a lowest NIRS recording of 68%. Three infants failed their ICSC, with the lowest rSO2 in these three infants being 68%, above the lowest acceptable limit of 55%. Heart rate but not SO2 appears to influence rSO2 over the range of cerebral oxygenation seen. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline cerebral rSO2 during ICSC oscillates between 68 and 90%. There were no episodes of significant cerebral oxygen desaturation in studied infants regardless of whether they passed or failed the ICSC. We postulate that former preterm infants are capable through cerebral autoregulation, of maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow in the presence of either systemic oxygen desaturation or bradycardia when they are otherwise ready for discharge.

Predictors of Severe Neurologic Injury on Ultrasound Scan of the Head and Risk Factor-based Screening for Infants Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for severe neurologic injury (intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or greater and/or periventricular leukomalacia) diagnosed by ultrasound scan of the head among infants born at 300-326 weeks of gestation and compare different screening strategies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of infants born at 300-326 weeks or >326 weeks of gestation with a birth weight <1500 g admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the Canadian Neonatal Network from 2011 to 2016. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant risk factors and calculate aORs and 95% CIs. Risk factor-based screening strategies were compared. RESULTS: The rate of severe neurologic injury was 3.1% among infants screened (285/9221). Significant risk factors included singleton birth (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.35-2.85), 5-minute Apgar <7 (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30-2.50), mechanical ventilation on day 1 (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.88-3.71), and treatment with vasopressors on day 1 (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 2.19-4.75). Risk categories were low (no risk factor, 1.2%, 25/2137), moderate (singleton with no other risk factor: 1.8%, 68/3678), and high (≥1 risk factor among 5-minute Apgar <7, receipt of vasopressors or mechanical ventilation on day 1: 5.6%, 192/3408). Screening moderate- to high-risk infants identified 91% (260/285) of infants with severe neurologic injury and would require screening fewer infants (1647 infants per year) than screening all infants <33 weeks of gestation (2064 infants screened per year, 93% [265/285] of cases identified). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factor-based ultrasound scan of the head screening among infants born at 30-32 weeks of gestation could help optimize resources better than gestational age based screening.

A Lung Ultrasound Severity Score Predicts Chronic Lung Disease in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a lung ultrasound severity score (LUSsc) can predict the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) in preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants <30 weeks' gestational age were enrolled in this study. Lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed between 1 and 9 postnatal weeks. All ultrasound studies were done assessing three lung zones on each lung. Each zone was given a score between 0 and 3. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the ability of LUSsc to predict CLD. RESULTS: We studied 27 infants at a median (interquartile range [IQR]) gestational age and birth weight of 26 weeks (25-29) and 780 g (530-1,045), respectively. Median (IQR) postnatal age at the time of LUS studies was 5 (2-8) weeks. Fourteen infants who developed CLD underwent 34 studies. Thirteen infants without CLD underwent 30 studies. Those who developed CLD had a higher LUSsc than those who did not (median [IQR] of scores: 9 [6-12] vs. 3 [1-4], p < 0.0001). An LUSsc cutoff of 6 has a sensitivity and specificity of 76 and 97% and positive and negative predictive values of 95 and 82%, respectively. Adding gestational age < 27 weeks improved sensitivity and specificity to 86 and 98% and positive and negative predictive values to 97 and 88%. CONCLUSION: LUSsc between 2 and 8 weeks can predict development of CLD in preterm neonates.

The screening and management of newborns at risk for low blood glucose.

Hypoglycemia in the first hours to days after birth remains one of the most common conditions facing practitioners across Canada who care for newborns. Many cases represent normal physiologic transition to extrauterine life, but another group experiences hypoglycemia of longer duration. This statement addresses key issues for providers of neonatal care, including the definition of hypoglycemia, risk factors, screening protocols, blood glucose levels requiring intervention, and managing care for this condition. Screening, monitoring, and intervention protocols have been revised to better identify, manage, and treat infants who are at risk for persistent, recurrent, or severe hypoglycemia. The role of dextrose gels in raising glucose levels or preventing more persistent hypoglycemia, and precautions to reduce risk for recurrence after leaving hospital, are also addressed. This statement differentiates between approaches to care for hypoglycemia during the 'transitional' phase-the first 72 hours post-birth-and persistent hypoglycemia, which occurs or presents for the first time past that point.

Caffeine is a risk factor for osteopenia of prematurity in preterm infants: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine, the most commonly used medication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, has calciuric and osteoclastogenic effects. METHODS: To examine the association between the cumulative dose and duration of therapy of caffeine and osteopenia of prematurity, a retrospective cohort study was conducted including premature infants less than 31 weeks and birth weight less than 1500 g. Osteopenia of prematurity was evaluated using chest X-rays on a biweekly basis over 12 weeks of hospitalization. RESULTS: The cohort included 109 infants. 51% had osteopenia of prematurity and 8% had spontaneous rib fractures. Using the generalized linear mixed model, caffeine dose and duration of caffeine therapy showed a strong association with osteopenia of prematurity. Steroids and vitamin D were also significantly correlated with osteopenia of prematurity while diuretic use did not show a statistically significant effect. CONCLUSION: The cumulative dose and duration of therapy of caffeine, as well as steroid are associated with osteopenia of prematurity in this cohort. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the lowest dose of caffeine needed to treat effectively apnea of prematurity.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Abdominal Wall in a Premature Infant: A Case Study.

We present a first report of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall in a 23-day-of-age, former 32-week-gestation premature infant. She was successfully treated with antibiotics without the need for initial debridement. After reviewing the etiology of necrotizing fasciitis, we discuss the unique aspects of this case, including the noninvasive approach to initial treatment, which we consider significantly contributed to her survival.

Pulse oximetry screening in newborns to enhance detection of critical congenital heart disease.

Pulse oximetry screening is safe, noninvasive, easy to perform and proven to enhance detection of critical congenital heart disease in newborns. However, this test has yet to be adopted as routine practice in Canada. The present practice point highlights essential details and recommendations for screening, which research has shown to be highly specific, with low false-positive rates. Optimal screening for critical congenital heart disease should include prenatal ultrasound, physical examination and pulse oximetry screening. Screening should be performed between 24 hours and 36 hours postbirth, using the infant's right hand and either foot to minimize false-positive results. Newborns with abnormal results should undergo a thorough evaluation by the most responsible health care provider. When a cardiac diagnosis cannot be excluded, referral to a paediatric cardiologist for consultation and echocardiogram is advised.

Assessment of cardiorespiratory stability using the infant car seat challenge before discharge in preterm infants (<37 weeks' gestational age).

Preterm infants younger than 37 weeks corrected gestational age are at increased risk for abnormal control of respiration. The infant car seat challenge has been used as a screening tool to ensure cardiorespiratory stability before discharging preterm infants from many hospitals in Canada. While it is clear that infants placed in a car seat are more likely to experience oxygen desaturation and/or bradycardia than when they are supine, neither positioning predicts an adverse neurodevelopmental outcome or mortality post-discharge. A review of the literature yielded insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of the infant car seat challenge as part of discharge planning for preterm infants. This finding has prompted a change in recommendation from a previous Canadian Paediatric Society position statement published in 2000.

Les nourrissons prématurés de moins de 37 semaines d'âge postconceptionnel sont plus à risque de présenter un contrôle anormal de leur respiration. Dans de nombreux hôpitaux du Canada, le test du siège d'auto est utilisé comme outil de dépistage pour garantir la stabilité cardiorespiratoire des nourrissons prématurés avant leur congé. Il est évident que les nourrissons installés dans un siège d'auto sont plus susceptibles de souffrir de désaturation en oxygène ou de bradycardie qu'en décubitus dorsal, mais aucune de ces deux positions ne permet de prédire une évolution neurodéveloppementale défavorable ou un décès après le congé. Une analyse bibliographique n'a pas permis de colliger assez de données probantes pour recommander l'utilisation systématique du test du siège d'auto chez les nourrissons prématurés dans le cadre de leur plan de congé. En raison de cette observation, les recommandations qu'a publiées la Société canadienne de pédiatrie dans un document de principes en 2000 sont modifiées.

Evaluation of the Family Integrated Care model of neonatal intensive care: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Canada and Australia.

BACKGROUND: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may disrupt parent-infant interaction with adverse consequences for infants and their families. Several family-centered care programs promote parent-infant interaction in the NICU; however, all of these retain the premise that health-care professionals should provide most of the infant's care. Parents play a mainly supportive role in the NICU and continue to feel anxious and unprepared to care for their infant after discharge. In the Family Integrated Care (FICare) model, parents provide all except the most advanced medical care for their infants with support from the medical team. Our hypothesis is that infants whose families complete the FICare program will have greater weight gain and better clinical and parental outcomes compared with infants provided with standard NICU care. METHODS/DESIGN: FICare is being evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial among infants born at ≤ 33 weeks' gestation admitted to 19 Canadian, 6 Australian, and 1 New Zealand tertiary-level NICU. Trial enrollment began in April, 2013, with a target sample size of 675 infants in each arm, to be completed by August, 2015. Participating sites were stratified by country, and by NICU size within Canada, for randomization to either the FICare intervention or control arm. In intervention sites, parents are taught how to provide most of their infant's care and supported by nursing staff, veteran parents, a program coordinator, and education sessions. In control sites standard NICU care is provided. The primary outcome is infants' weight gain at 21 days after enrollment, which will be compared between the FICare and control groups using Student's t-test adjusted for site-level clustering, and multi-level hierarchical models accounting for both clustering and potential confounders. Similar analyses will examine secondary outcomes including breastfeeding, clinical outcomes, safety, parental stress and anxiety, and resource use. The trial was designed, is being conducted, and will be reported according to the CONSORT 2010 guidelines for cluster randomized controlled trials. DISCUSSION: By evaluating the impact of integrating parents into the care of their infant in the NICU, this trial may transform the delivery of neonatal care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01852695 , registered December 19, 2012.

Use of an obturator with nCPAP in a premature infant with a cleft lip and palate.

Premature infants have underdeveloped lungs and their care involves the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). For an adequate amount of oxygen to enter the lungs, the palate needs to be intact. Premature infants with a cleft lip and palate remain intubated for extended periods of time with the risks inherent in long-term intubation because of the inability to maintain nCPAP. This paper describes the fabrication of a custom-designed obturator attached to nCPAP variable flow generator tubing for a premature infant with a unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Use of paralysis in silo-assisted closure of gastroschisis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between pre-closure neuromuscular paralysis and time to final surgical closure for infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction. STUDY DESIGN: This study was an exploratory review of observational variables obtained from the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network database. The focus was on the subset of infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction between May 2005 and March 2009. Of the 186 infants, paralysis use could be ascertained for 167 infants (79 received pre-closure paralysis and 88 received none). Groups were compared by using statistical tests, with relationships explored using regression analysis. RESULTS: Infants receiving paralysis took longer to achieve closure by an average of 3 days (8 versus 5 days; P < .001) and had greater mean number of ventilation days (12 versus 7 days; P < .001). The relationship between paralysis and days to closure remained after adjusting for other variables. CONCLUSIONS: In infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction, use of paralysis was associated with longer time to closure. Pre-closure paralysis should be carefully weighed in this population.