Excessive workload and insufficient night-shift remuneration are key elements of dissatisfaction at work for French neonatologists.

AIM: Neonatologists are exposed to ethical issues and unplanned emergencies that require 24-h in-house coverage. These elements may affect quality of life at work, which we surveyed. METHODS: This was a self-administered, voluntary and anonymous cross-sectional survey of French neonatologists. An online questionnaire was sent to members of the French Society of Neonatology from June to October 2022. RESULTS: Of approximately 1500 possible responses, 721 were analysed, with a response rate of 48%. Respondents were mostly women (77%), aged 35-50 years (50%), and hospital practitioners (63%). Reported weekly working time was over 50 h for 80%. Among the 650 neonatologists with on-call duty, 47% worked ≥5 shifts per month. For 80% of practitioners, on-call duty was perceived to have a negative impact on personal life; 49% indicated having sleep disorders. The mean satisfaction score at work was 5.7 ± 1.7 on a scale of 0-10. The main reasons for dissatisfaction were excessive working hours and insufficient remuneration for on-call duty. CONCLUSION: This first evaluation of the quality of life at work of French neonatologists showed high workload. The working conditions and specificities of NICU activity may have significant consequences for their mental health.

Early arterial pressure monitoring and term-equivalent age MRI findings in very preterm infants.

INTRODUCTION: Variability of arterial blood pressure (ABP) has been associated with intraventricular hemorrhage in very preterm neonates (VPT) and may predict other brain lesions assessed at term-equivalent of age (TEA). METHODS: This was a prospective single-center study including VPT with early invasive continuous ABP monitoring and assessed at TEA using brain magnetic resonance imaging (TEA-MRI). The association between early mean ABP (MABP) and TEA-MRI findings was modeled by multivariate logistic regression analysis using covariates selected by the LASSO method. RESULTS: Among 99 VPT, the LASSO procedure selected consecutive periods of lowest MABP of 30 min on day 1 (d1) and 10 min on day 2 (d2) as the most relevant durations to predict TEA-MRI findings (OR [95% CI], 1.11 [1.02-1.23], p = 0.03 and 1.13 [1.01-1.27], p = 0.03, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed optimal thresholds at 30.25 mmHg on d1 and 33.25 mmHg on d2. This significant association persisted after adjustment with covariates including birthweight, gestational age, sex, and inotrope exposure. Final models selected by LASSO included the decile of the birthweight and lowest MABP for 30 min on d1 and 10 min on d2, for which the areas under the ROC curve were 74% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early continuous ABP monitoring may predict brain TEA-MRI findings in VPT. IMPACT: Early arterial blood pressure monitoring may contribute to predicting brain damage upon MRI at term-equivalent of age for infants born very preterm. Careful blood pressure continuous monitoring in very preterm infants may identify infants at risk of long-term brain damage. Umbilical artery catheterization provides the best option for continuously monitoring arterial blood pressure in very preterm infants.

Patent ductus arteriosus, tracheal ventilation, and the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) exists when moderate-to-large patent ductus arteriosus shunts (hsPDA) persist beyond 14 days. GOAL: To examine the interaction between prolonged exposures to tracheal ventilation (≥10 days) and hsPDA on the incidence of BPD in infants <28 weeks gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Predefined definitions of prolonged ventilation (≥10 days), hsPDA (≥14 days), and BPD (room air challenge test at 36 weeks) were used to analyze deidentified data from the multicenter TRIOCAPI RCT in a secondary analysis of the trial. RESULTS: Among 307 infants who survived >14 days, 41 died before 36 weeks. Among survivors, 93/266 had BPD. The association between BPD and hsPDA depended on the length of intubation. In multivariable analyses, prolonged hsPDA shunts were associated with increased BPD (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 3.00 (1.58-5.71)) when infants required intubation for ≥10 days. In contrast, there was no significant association between hsPDA exposure and BPD when infants were intubated <10 days (OR (95% CI) = 1.49 (0.98-2.26)). A similar relationship between prolonged hsPDA and length of intubation was found for BPD/death (n = 307): infants intubated ≥10 days: OR (95% CI) = 2.41 (1.47-3.95)); infants intubated <10 days: OR (95% CI) = 1.37 (0.86-2.19)). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-large PDAs were associated with increased risks of BPD and BPD/death-but only when infants required intubation ≥10 days. IMPACT: Infants with a moderate-to-large hsPDA that persist beyond 14 days are only at risk for developing BPD if they also receive prolonged tracheal ventilation for ≥10 days. Infants who receive less ventilatory support (intubation for <10 days) have the same incidence of BPD whether the ductus closes shortly after birth or whether it persists as a moderate-to-large shunt for several weeks. Early PDA closure may be unnecessary in infants who require short durations of intubation since the PDA does not seem to alter the incidence of BPD in infants who require intubation for <10 days.

Effect of Early Targeted Treatment of Ductus Arteriosus with Ibuprofen on Survival Without Cerebral Palsy at 2 Years in Infants with Extreme Prematurity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of early echocardiography-targeted ibuprofen treatment of large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on survival without cerebral palsy at 24 months of corrected age. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled infants born at <28 weeks of gestation with a large PDA on echocardiography at 6-12 hours after birth to ibuprofen or placebo by 12 hours of age in a multicenter, double blind, randomized-controlled trial. Open-label ibuprofen was allowed for prespecified criteria of a hemodynamically significant PDA. The primary outcome was survival without cerebral palsy at 24 months of corrected age. RESULTS: Among 337 enrolled infants, 109 had a small or closed ductus and constituted a reference group; 228 had a large PDA and were randomized. The primary outcome was assessed at 2 years in 108 of 114 (94.7%) and 102 of 114 (89.5%) patients allocated to ibuprofen or placebo, respectively. Survival without cerebral palsy occurred in 77 of 108 (71.3%) after ibuprofen, 73 of 102 (71.6%) after placebo (adjusted relative risk 0.98, 95% CI 0.83-1.16, P = .83), and 77 of 101 (76.2%) in reference group. Infants treated with ibuprofen had a lower incidence of PDA at day 3. Severe pulmonary hemorrhage during the first 3 days occurred in 2 of 114 (1.8%) infants treated with ibuprofen and 9 of 114 (7.9%) infants treated with placebo (adjusted relative risk 0.22, 95% CI 0.05-1.00, P = .05). Open-label rescue treatment with ibuprofen occurred in 62.3% of infants treated with placebo and 17.5% of infants treated with ibuprofen (P < .001), at a median (IQR) age of 4 (3, 5) and 4 (4, 12) days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early echocardiography-targeted ibuprofen treatment of a large PDA did not change the rate of survival without cerebral palsy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Eudract 2011-003063-30 and ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01630278.

Frequency of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support and Outcomes After Implementation of a Structured PICU Network in Neonates and Children: A Prospective Population-Based Study in the West of France.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency and outcomes on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) among critically ill neonates and children within a structured pediatric critical care network in the West of France. To assess the optimality of decision-making process for patients primarily admitted in non-ECMO centers. DESIGN: Observational prospective population-based study from January 2015 to December 2019. PATIENTS: Neonates over 34 weeks of gestational age, weighing more than 2,000 g and children under 15 years and 3 months old admitted in one of the 10 units belonging to a Regional Pediatric Critical Care Network. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eight-thousand one hundred eighty-nine children and 3,947 newborns were admitted within one of the 10 units of the network over the study period. Sixty-five children (8.1% [95% CI, 6.2-10‰]) and 35 newborns (9.4% [95% CI, 6.4-12%]) required ECMO support. Of these patients, 31 were first admitted to a non-ECMO center, where 20 were cannulated in situ (outside the regional ECMO center) and 11 after transfer to the ECMO regional center. Cardiogenic shock, highest serum lactate level, and cardiac arrest prior to first phone call with the regional ECMO center were associated with higher rate of in situ cannulation. During the study period, most of the patients were cannulated for underlying cardiac issue (42/100), postoperative cardiac surgery instability (38/100), and pediatric (10/100) and neonatal (10/100) respiratory distress syndrome. Patients primarily admitted in non-ECMO centers or not had similar 28-day post-ICU survival rates compared with those admitted in the referral ECMO center (58% vs 51%; p = 0.332). Pre-ECMO cardiac arrest, ECMO, and lower pH at ECMO onset were associated with lower 28-day post-ICU survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our local results suggest that a structured referral network for neonatal and pediatric ECMO in the region of Western France facilitated escalation of care with noninferior (or similar) early mortality outcome. Our data support establishing referral networks in other equivalent regions.

Criteria for assessing the quality of clinical practice guidelines in paediatrics and neonatology: a mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Evidenced-based practice is a key component of quality care. This study aims to explore users' expectations concerning paediatric local clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: A mixed method approach was applied, including material from quantitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Data were analysed with constant comparative method. Qualitative data were parsed and categorized to identify themes related to decision-making. RESULTS: A total of 83 physicians answered the survey (response rate 83%). 98% of the participants wanted protocols based on international guidelines, 80% expected a therapeutic content. 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand implementation processes, barriers and facilitators. Qualitative analysis revealed 5 emerging themes: improvement of local clinical practice guidelines, patterns of usage, reasons for non-implementation, alternative sources and perspectives. CONCLUSION: Some criteria should be considered for the redaction of local clinical practice guidelines: focus on therapeutic, ease of access, establish local clinical practice guidelines based on international guidelines adapted to the local setting, document references and include trainees such as residents in the redaction.

A novel, short and easy-to-perform method to evaluate newborns' social olfactory preferences.

Humans' early olfactory perception has been studied mainly within the framework of mother-offspring interactions and only a few studies have focused on newborns' abilities to discriminate body odors per se. The aim of this study was to develop a method to evaluate olfactory social preferences of infants at term-equivalent age. Twenty dyads of infants (10 born preterm and 10 born at term) at term-equivalent age and their mothers were included. We analyzed the behavioral reactions of infants to their mother's upper-chest odor (that bears social, non-food related information). The two impregnated gauzes and a control gauze were presented to the infants for 10 s each, in a random order. We compared two durations of gauze impregnation: 30 min and 12 h. This study reveals that mothers' upper chest emits sufficient olfactory information to induce reactions in infants born full-term or born preterm and that a short impregnation is preferable to evaluate their perception of body odors, notably for those born preterm.

Staphylococcus capitis isolated from bloodstream infections: a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units.

To increase the knowledge about S. capitis in the neonatal setting, we conducted a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) covering 56.6% of French NICU beds. We demonstrated 14.2% of S. capitis BSI (S.capBSI) among nosocomial BSIs. S.capBSI incidence rate was 0.59 per 1000 patient-days. A total of 55.0% of the S.capBSIs were late onset catheter-related BSIs. The S. capitis strains infected preterm babies (median gestational age 26 weeks, median birth weight 855 g). They were resistant to methicillin and aminoglycosides and belonged to the NRCS-A clone. Evolution was favorable in all but one case, following vancomycin treatment.

Effect of Atropine With Propofol vs Atropine With Atracurium and Sufentanil on Oxygen Desaturation in Neonates Requiring Nonemergency Intubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Propofol or a combination of a synthetic opioid and muscle relaxant are both recommended for premedication before neonatal intubation but have yet to be compared. Objective: To compare prolonged desaturation during neonatal nasotracheal intubation after premedication with atropine-propofol vs atropine-atracurium-sufentanil treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (2012-2016) in 6 NICUs in France that included 173 neonates requiring nonemergency intubation. The study was interrupted due to expired study kits and lack of funding. Interventions: Eighty-nine participants were randomly assigned to the atropine-propofol group and 82 to the atropine-atracurium-sufentanil group before nasotracheal intubation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was prolonged desaturation (Spo2 <80% lasting > 60 seconds), using intention-to-treat analysis using mixed models. Secondary outcomes assessed the characteristics of the procedure and its tolerance. Results: Of 173 neonates randomized (mean gestational age, 30.6 weeks; mean birth weight, 1502 g; 71 girls), 171 (99%) completed the trial. Of 89 infants, 53 (59.6%) in the atropine-propofol group vs 54 of 82 (65.9%) in the atropine-atracurium-sufentanil group achieved the primary outcome (adjusted RD, -6.4; 95% CI, -21.0 to 8.1; P = .38). The atropine-propofol group had a longer mean procedure duration than did the atropine-atracurium-sufentanil group (adjusted RD, 1.7 minutes; 95% CI, 0.1-3.3 minutes; P = .04); a less frequent excellent quality of sedation rate, 51.7% (45 of 87) vs 92.6% (75 of 81; P < .001); a shorter median time to respiratory recovery, 14 minutes (IQR, 8-34 minutes) vs 33 minutes (IQR, 15-56 minutes; P = .002), and shorter median time to limb movement recovery, 18 minutes (IQR, 10-43 minutes) vs 36 minutes (IQR, 19-65 minutes; P = .003). In the 60 minutes after inclusion, Spo2 was preserved significantly better in the atropine-propofol group (time × treatment interaction P = .02). Of the atropine-propofol group 20.6% had head ultrasound scans that showed worsening intracranial hemorrhaging (any or increased intraventricular hemorrhage) in the 7 days after randomization vs 17.6% in the atropine-atracurium-sufentanil group (adjusted RD, 1.2; 95% CI, -13.1 to 15.5, P = .87). Severe adverse events occurred in 11% of the atropine-propofol group and in 20% of the atropine-atracurium-sufentanil group. Conclusions and Relevance: Among neonates undergoing nonemergency nasotracheal intubation, the frequency of prolonged desaturation did not differ significantly between atropine used with propofol or atropine used with atracurium and sufentanil. However, the study may have been underpowered to detect a clinically important difference, and further research may be warranted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01490580, EudraCT number: 2009-014885-25.

Effect of early low-dose hydrocortisone on survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants (PREMILOC): a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a major complication of extreme prematurity, has few treatment options. Postnatal steroid use is controversial, but low-dose hydrocortisone might prevent the harmful effects of inflammation on the developing lung. In this study, we aimed to assess whether low-dose hydrocortisone improved survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial done at 21 French tertiary-care neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), we randomly assigned (1:1), via a secure study website, extremely preterm infants inborn (born in a maternity ward at the same site as the NICU) at less than 28 weeks of gestation to receive either intravenous low-dose hydrocortisone or placebo during the first 10 postnatal days. Infants randomly assigned to the hydrocortisone group received 1 mg/kg of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate per day divided into two doses per day for 7 days, followed by one dose of 0·5 mg/kg per day for 3 days. Randomisation was stratified by gestational age and all infants were enrolled by 24 h after birth. Study investigators, parents, and patients were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. We used a sequential analytical design, based on intention to treat, to avoid prolonging the trial after either efficacy or futility had been established. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov, number NCT00623740. FINDINGS: 1072 neonates were screened between May 25, 2008, and Jan 31, 2014, of which 523 were randomly assigned (256 hydrocortisone, 267 placebo). 255 infants on hydrocortisone and 266 on placebo were included in analyses after parents withdrew consent for one child in each group. Of the 255 infants assigned to hydrocortisone, 153 (60%) survived without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, compared with 136 (51%) of 266 infants assigned to placebo (odds ratio [OR] adjusted for gestational age group and interim analyses 1·48, 95% CI 1·02-2·16, p=0·04). The number of patients needed to treat to gain one bronchopulmonary dysplasia-free survival was 12 (95% CI 6-200). Sepsis rate was not significantly different in the study population as a whole, but subgroup analyses showed a higher rate only in infants born at 24-25 weeks gestational age who were treated with hydrocortisone (30 [40%] of 83 vs 21 [23%] of 90 infants; sub-hazard ratio 1·87, 95% CI 1·09-3·21, p=0·02). Other potential adverse events, including notably gastrointestinal perforation, did not differ significantly between groups. INTERPRETATION: In extremely preterm infants, the rate of survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age was significantly increased by prophylactic low-dose hydrocortisone. This strategy, based on a physiological rationale, could lead to substantial improvements in the management of the most premature neonates. FUNDING: Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris.

Early-onset neonatal sepsis is associated with a high heart rate during automatically selected stationary periods.

AIM: This study examined the heart rate variability characteristics associated with early-onset neonatal sepsis in a prospective, observational controlled study. METHODS: Eligible patients were full-term neonates hospitalised with clinical signs that suggested early-onset sepsis and a C-reactive protein of >10 mg/L. Sepsis was considered proven in cases of symptomatic septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia or enterocolitis. Heart rate variability parameters (n = 16) were assessed from five-, 15- and 30-minute stationary sequences automatically selected from electrocardiographic recordings performed at admission and compared with a control group using the U-test with post hoc Benjamini-Yekutieli correction. Stationary sequences corresponded to the periods with the lowest changes of heart rate variability over time. RESULTS: A total of 40 full-term infants were enrolled, including 14 with proven sepsis. The mean duration of the cardiac cycle length was lower in the proven sepsis group than in the control group (n = 11), without other significant changes in heart rate variability parameters. These durations, measured in five-minute stationary periods, were 406 (367-433) ms in proven sepsis group versus 507 (463-522) ms in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early-onset neonatal sepsis was associated with a high mean heart rate measured during automatically selected stationary periods.

Transvesical Intra-Abdominal Pressure Measurement in Newborn: What Is the Optimal Saline Volume Instillation?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intravesical pressure in critically ill newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg, and to establish a reference of intra-abdominal pressure value in this population. DESIGN: Prospective monocentric study. SETTING: Neonatal ICU and PICU. PATIENTS: Newborns, premature or not, weighing less than 4.5 kg who required a urethral catheter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups according to whether they presented a risk factor for intra-abdominal hypertension. Nine intravesical pressure measures per patient were performed after different volume saline instillation. The first one was done without saline instillation and then by increments of 0.5 mL/kg to a maximum of 4 mL/kg. Linear models for repeated measurements of intravesical pressure with unstructured covariance were used to analyze the variation of intravesical pressure measures according to the conditions of measurement (volume instilled). Pairwise comparisons of intravesical pressure adjusted mean values between instillation volumes were done using Tukey tests, corrected for multiple testing to determine an optimal instillation volume. Forty-seven patients with completed measures (nine instillations volumes) were included in the analysis. Mean intravesical pressure values were not significantly different when measured after instillation of 0.5, 1, or 1.5 mL/kg, whereas measures after instillation of 2 mL/kg or more were significantly higher. The median intravesical pressure value in the group without intra-abdominal hypertension risk factor after instillation of 1 mL/kg was 5 mm Hg (2-6 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: The optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intra-abdominal pressure in newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg was 1 mL/kg. Reference intra-abdominal pressure in this population was found to be 5 mm Hg (2-6 mm Hg).

Recursive Model Identification for the Evaluation of Baroreflex Sensitivity.

A method for the recursive identification of physiological models of the cardiovascular baroreflex is proposed and applied to the time-varying analysis of vagal and sympathetic activities. The proposed method was evaluated with data from five newborn lambs, which were acquired during injection of vasodilator and vasoconstrictors and the results show a close match between experimental and simulated signals. The model-based estimation of vagal and sympathetic contributions were consistent with physiological knowledge and the obtained estimators of vagal and sympathetic activities were compared to traditional markers associated with baroreflex sensitivity. High correlations were observed between traditional markers and model-based indices.

Biological Impact of Recent Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVES: Recent guidelines for preterm neonates recommend early initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) with high protein and relatively high caloric intake. This review considers whether these changes could influence homeostasis in very preterm infants during the first few postnatal weeks. METHODS: This systematic review of relevant literature from searches of PubMed and recent guidelines was reviewed by investigators from several perinatal centers in France. RESULTS: New recommendations for PN could be associated with metabolic acidosis via the increase in the amino acid ion gap, hyperchloremic acidosis, and ammonia acidosis. The introduction of high-intake amino acids soon after birth could induce hypophosphatemia and hypercalcemia, simulating a "repeat feeding-like syndrome" and could be prevented by the early intake of phosphorus, especially in preterm infants born after fetal growth restriction. Early high-dose amino acid infusions are relatively well tolerated in the preterm infant with regard to renal function. Additional studies, however, are warranted to determine markers of protein intolerance and to specify the optimal composition and amount of amino acid solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal PN following new guidelines in very preterm infants, despite their demonstrated benefits on growth, may induce adverse effects on ionic homeostasis. Clinicians should implement appropriate monitoring to prevent and/or correct them.

Comparison of early and late MRI in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy using three assessment methods.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimum timing of MRI in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia. Reliable early imaging assessment might help managing treatment. OBJECTIVE: To assess non-random differences between early and late MRI that might influence intensive-care decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all asphyxiated term neonates eligible for hypothermia treatment November 2009-July 2012. MRI scans were systematically performed at day 4 (early MRI) and day 11 of life as part of routine protocol. Two experienced pediatric radiologists reviewed both scans according to three assessment methods: a pattern classification, a scoring system and a simplified classification. Agreement between early and late imaging findings was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Thirty-three neonates were included. Interobserver agreement was excellent. Early MRI detected all severe injuries. Agreement between early and late MRI was excellent for the simplified classification (κ = 0.82), good for the pattern classification (κ = 0.64), and good to excellent for 3 scores out of 4 in the scoring system (κ = 0.70-0.89). CONCLUSION: Early MRI may provide valuable information about brain injury to help parents and neonatologists in intensive-care decisions at the end of hypothermia treatment.

Parametric analysis of an integrated cardio-respiratory model in preterm newborns during apnea.

The analysis of the complex interactions involved in the acute physiological response to apnea-bradycardia events in preterm newborns remains a challenging task. This paper presents a novel integrated model of cardio-respiratory interactions, adapted to preterm newborns. A sensitivity analysis, based Morris' screening method, was applied to study the effects of physiological parameters on heart rate and desaturation, during the simulation of a 15-seconds apnea-bradycardia episode. The most sensitive parameters are associated with fundamental, integrative physiological mechanisms involving: (i) respiratory mechanics (intermediate airways and lung compliance), (ii) fraction of inspired oxygen, (iii) metabolic rates (oxygen consumption rate), (iv) heart rate regulation and (v) chemoreflex (gain). Results highlight the relevant influence of physiological variables, involved in preterm apnea-bradycardia events.

Early detection of late-onset neonatal sepsis from noninvasive biosignals using deep learning: A multicenter prospective development and validation study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal sepsis is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its accurate and timely diagnosis is hindered by vague symptoms and the urgent necessity for early antibiotic intervention. The gold standard for diagnosing the condition is the identification of a pathogenic organism from normally sterile sites via laboratory testing. However, this method is resource-intensive and cannot be conducted continuously. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict the onset of late-onset sepsis (LOS) with good diagnostic value as early as possible using non-invasive biosignal measurements from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) monitors. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, we developed a multimodal machine learning algorithm based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) structure that uses the power spectral density (PSD) of recorded biosignals to predict the onset of LOS. This approach aimed to discern LOS-related pathogenic spectral signatures without labor-intensive manual artifact removal. RESULTS: The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic score of 0.810 (95 % CI 0.698-0.922) on the validation dataset. With an optimal operating point, LOS detection had 83 % sensitivity and 73 % specificity. The median early detection was 44 h before clinical suspicion. The results highlighted the additive importance of electrocardiogram and respiratory impedance (RESP) signals in improving predictive accuracy. According to a more detailed analysis, the predictive power arose from the morphology of the electrocardiogram's R-wave and sudden changes in the RESP signal. CONCLUSION: Raw biosignals from NICU monitors, in conjunction with PSD transformation, as input to the CNN, can provide state-of-the-art prediction performance for LOS without the need for artifact removal. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to highlight the independent and additive predictive potential of electrocardiogram R-wave morphology and concurrent, sudden changes in the RESP waveform in predicting the onset of LOS using non-invasive biosignals.

Trial of labor versus elective cesarean delivery for patients with two prior cesarean-sections: A retrospective propensity score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Despite awareness of obstetricians to the constant increase in the number of cesarean sections in recent years, the fear of a uterine scar rupture is still present and influences the choice of the mode of delivery in patients with two previous cesarean sections. However, several clinical studies have suggested that, under certain conditions, vaginal birth after two cesarean sections is usually successful and safe. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal issues according to the planned mode of delivery in patients with two previous cesarean sections. METHODS: It was a retrospective observational comparative study at Rennes University Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020. We performed a propensity score for the comparison of neonatal outcomes: cord pH, cord lactates, Apgar scores, transfer to neonatal unit and deaths, according to the planned delivery mode. Secondary outcomes were maternal issues: uterine rupture, post-partum hemorrhage, deaths. RESULTS: A total of 410 patients with two previous cesarean section were eligible for our study. Prophylactic cesarean was performed in 358 cases (87.3%). Trial of labor was attempted in the 52 remaining patients (12.7%), 67.3 % of whom were successful. Neonatal weight, APGAR score at 1-5-10 min, and pH on cord blood were comparable in both groups. One case of uterine rupture occurred in the trial of labor group. CONCLUSION: Trial of labor seems to be a reasonable option for women with two previous cesarean sections in a selected population.

Assessment of compliance with a color code protocol for non-elective cesarean section and its impact on time to delivery interval and neonatal outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: We set out to assess the compliance with a cesarean section color code protocol and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes since its implementation in our maternity ward. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including a sample of 200 patients per year who underwent a non-elective cesarean section delivery in Rennes University Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018. Patients were grouped by year and by color code (red, orange or green). The main outcome was compliance with the protocol (color code in accordance with indication for cesarean section) and compliance with the corresponding decision-delivery interval. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Eight hundred patients were included during the study period. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics over the years. There was a significant improvement in protocol compliance: full compliance increased from 22.4% in 2015 to 76.5% in 2018 (p < 0.0001). The respect of the 15 min decision-delivery interval in red code protocol increased between 2015 and 2018 (p = 0.0020). CONCLUSION: We observed a significant improvement in compliance with the color code protocol between 2015 and 2018 and in the 15 min decision-delivery deadline for the red code.