A Description of Medications and Intravenous Fluids Used During Neonatal Transport by a Regional Pediatric Critical Care Team.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the type and frequency of enteral and parenteral fluids and medications used during the transport of neonates by a regional pediatric critical care transport team. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of neonates transported by a regional neonatal transport team affiliated with a level IV neonatal intensive care unit within a large care network between 2020 and 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the electronic medical record. Standard frequency tabulation and summary statistics were used to report demographics, transport characteristics, and fluid and medication use; results were then stratified by preterm (37 weeks) and term births. RESULTS: In the 628 included transports, more term than preterm infants received at least 1 fluid or medication (53% vs. 43%, respectively). The most commonly administered medications were antibiotics (ampicillin and gentamicin), prostaglandin, and opiates (morphine sulfate and fentanyl). In addition, term infants received more analgesic medications, antimicrobials, and prostaglandin, whereas preterm infants received total parenteral nutrition more often. There were over 38 different medications provided on the transports studied. CONCLUSION: This study of a single transport team revealed that a wide variety of medications and fluids were used in the transport of neonates, with term infants receiving more medications than preterm infants. These data could be used by transport teams in making or updating their standardized medication lists or in creating simulations.

The neonatal DAV-expert algorithm: a GAVeCeLT/GAVePed consensus for the choice of the most appropriate venous access in newborns.

In most NICUs, the choice of the venous access device currently relies upon the operator's experience and preferences. However, considering the high failure rate of vascular devices in the neonatal population, such clinical choice has a critical relevance and should preferably be based on the best available evidence. Though some algorithms have been published over the last 5 years, none of them seems in line with the current scientific evidence. Thus, the GAVePed-which is the pediatric interest group of the most important Italian group on venous access, GAVeCeLT-has developed a national consensus about the choice of the venous access device in the neonatal population. After a systematic review of the available evidence, the panel of the consensus (which included Italian neonatologists specifically experts in this area) has provided structured recommendations answering four sets of questions regarding (1) umbilical venous catheters, (2) peripheral cannulas, (3) epicutaneo-cava catheters, and (4) ultrasound-guided centrally and femorally inserted central catheters. Only statements reaching a complete agreement were included in the final recommendations. All recommendations were also structured as a simple visual algorithm, so as to be easily translated into clinical practice.  Conclusion: The goal of the present consensus is to offer a systematic set of recommendations on the choice of the most appropriate vascular access device in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Quality Indices and Outcomes of a Neonatology Telerounding Program in a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Single-Center Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this program evaluation was to describe the outcomes of daily neonatologist telerounding with the onsite advanced practice provider (APP) in a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Bedside telerounding occurred with an onsite APP using a telehealth cart and paired Bluetooth stethoscope. Data collected by longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys and chart review before (May 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were admitted to the Level II NICU before (May 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographic characteristics and outcomes, including breastfeeding at discharge and length of stay were similar pre- and postonset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Postrounding surveys by 10 (response rate 83%) neonatologists indicated parents were present in 80 (77%) of rounds and video was at least somewhat helpful in 94% of cases. Cross-sectional survey responses of 23 neonatologists and APPs (response rate 62%) indicated satisfaction with the program. Common themes on qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses were "need for goodness of fit" and "another set of eyes" and "opportunities for use." CONCLUSION: Daily telerounding with neonatologists and APPs in a Level II NICU supported neonatal care. Quality metrics and clinical outcomes are described with no differences seen before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. KEY POINTS: · Little is known about Level II NICU quality metrics and outcomes.. · Daily bedside telerounding with neonatologists and APPs is described.. · Telerounding supported neonatal care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.. · Neonatologists found visual exam helpful in the majority of cases.. · No differences in NICU clinical outcomes were seen during the COVID-19 pandemic..

Measuring antenatal counseling skill with a milestone-based assessment tool: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal counseling for parents in the setting of expected preterm delivery is an important component of pediatric training. However, healthcare professionals receive a variable amount and quality of formal training. This study evaluated and discussed validity of a practical tool to assess antenatal counseling skills and provide evaluative feedback: the Antenatal Counseling Milestones Scale (ACoMS). METHODS: Experts in antenatal counseling developed an anchored milestone-based tool to evaluate observable skills. Study participants with a range of antenatal counseling skills were recruited to participate in simulation of counseling sessions in person or via video with standardized patient actors presenting with preterm labor at 23 weeks' gestation. Two faculty observers scored each session independently using the ACoMS. Participants completed an ACoMS self-assessment, demographic, and feedback survey. Validity was measured with weighted kappas for inter-rater agreement, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests for milestone levels between degrees of expertise in counseling, and cronbach's alpha for item consistency. RESULTS: Forty-two participants completed observed counseling sessions. Of the 17 items included in the tool, 15 items were statistically significant with scores scaling with level of training. A majority of elements had fair-moderate agreement between raters, and there was high internal consistency amongst all items. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the internal structure of the ACoMS rubric has greater than fair inter-rater reliability and high internal consistency amongst items. Content validity is supported by the scale's ability to discern level of training. Application of the ACoMS to clinical encounters is needed to determine utility in clinical practice.

Neonatal Transport Safety Metrics and Adverse Event Reporting: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal transports are an essential component of regionalized medical systems. Neonates who are unstable after birth require transport to a higher level of care by neonatal transport teams. Data on adverse events on neonatal transports are limited. The aim of this study was to identify, evaluate, and summarize the findings of all relevant studies on adverse events on neonatal transports. METHODS: We identified 38 studies reporting adverse events on neonatal transports from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019. The adverse events were distributed into 5 categories: vital sign abnormalities, laboratory value abnormalities, equipment challenges, system challenges, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and transport-related mortality. RESULTS: Most of the evidence surrounds vital sign abnormalities during transport (n = 28 studies), with hypothermia as the most frequently reported abnormal vital sign. Fourteen studies addressed laboratory abnormalities, 12 reported on events related to equipment issues, and 4 reported on system issues that lead to adverse events on transport. Of the 38 included studies, 12 included mortality related to transport as an outcome, and 4 reported on cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport. There were significant variations in samples, definitions of adverse events, and research quality. CONCLUSION: Adverse events during neonatal transport have been illuminated in various ways, with vital sign abnormalities most commonly explored in the literature. However, considerable variation in studies limits a clear understanding of the relative frequencies of each type of adverse event. The transport safety field would benefit from more efforts to standardize adverse event definitions, collect safety data prospectively, and pool data across larger care systems.

Neonatal Vital Sign Trajectories and Risk Factors During Transport Within a Regional Care Network.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize vital sign abnormalities, trajectories, and related risk factors during neonatal transport. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of neonates transported within a US regional care network in 2020 to 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic records. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify groups of neonates who followed distinct vital sign trajectories during transport. Patients with conditions likely to impact the assessed vital were excluded. Risk factors for trajectories were examined using modified Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Of the 620 neonates in the study, 92% had one abnormal systolic blood pressure (SBP) measure, approximately half had an abnormal heart rate (47%) or temperature (56%), and 28% had an abnormal oxygen saturation measure during transport. Over half (53%) were in a low and decreasing SBP trajectory, and 36% were in a high and increasing heart rate trajectory. Most infants ≤ 28 weeks postmenstrual age had 2 or more concerning vital sign trajectories during transport. CONCLUSION: Abnormal vital signs were common during neonatal transport, and potentially negative trajectories in heart rate and SBP were more common than temperature or oxygen saturation. Transport teams should be trained and equipped to detect concerning trends and respond appropriately while en route.

Early-life factors associated with pediatric functional constipation.

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter prospective study aimed to establish possible risk factors for functional constipation (FC) in the first year of life. METHODS: At the infant's age of 3, 6, and 12 months, parents of all included infants completed 2 questionnaires: one about the presence of FC and the other screened the possible risk factors for FC. Parents of 465 infants completed the questionnaires at 3 and 6 months and of 402 infants at 12 months of life. RESULTS: According to the Rome III criteria, FC was found in 11.6% of the infants at 3 months, in 13.7% at 6 months, and in 10.7% at 12 months after birth. Family history of atopy was present in 38.8% and 45.3% of infants with constipation at 3 and 6 months (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively), but no significant association was found at 12 months (P = 0.80). Breast-feeding was significantly related to a normal evacuation pattern at 3 months (P = 0.05), but not at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.12 and P = 0.9, respectively). Acetaminophen and female sex appeared to be risk factors for FC at 12 months. After the adjustment for all analyzed variables, FC in infants was significantly associated with the use of acetaminophen (odds ratio 6.98, 95% confidence interval 0.82-13.50). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that breast-feeding is a protective factor for FC in the first 3 months of life and that the female sex is at risk to have FC. We found that the use of acetaminophen was associated with a higher incidence of FC in the first year of life.

The intracavitary electrocardiography method for tip location of jugular internal vein access device in infants of less than 5 kg: A pilot study.

PURPOSE:: This is a prospective observational study conducted by neonatologists in neonatal intensive care unit from Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano Hospital, Caserta, Italy. The objective of the study is to verify the feasibility of intracavitary electrocardiography method for tip location of central venous access device in infants of less than 5 kg and evaluate the accuracy of the method in comparison with post-procedural echocardiographical verification of the tip position. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: We enrolled 27 patients weighted between 0.660 and 5 kg, requiring central vascular access. Ultrasound-guided jugular internal vein access was used and after cannulation, we applied the intracavitary electrocardiography for tip location as well as post-procedural echocardiography. RESULTS:: No significant complication related to intracavitary electrocardiography occurred in the studied infants. The increase in P wave on intracavitary electrocardiography was detected in all cases (27/27). In only one case (false positive), the catheter had the tip out of cavoatrial junction-target zone (to post-procedural echocardiography). CONCLUSION:: The intracavitary electrocardiography method for tip location of central venous access device is safe and accurate in infants, as demonstrated by post-procedural comparative echocardiographic controls. As an alternative to echocardiography, not always achievable, the diffusion of intracavitary electrocardiography method could reduce X-ray exposition and complications of a malpositioned tip.

The intracavitary electrocardiography method for positioning the tip of epicutaneous cava catheter in neonates: Pilot study.

PURPOSE:: The neonatologists of Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano Hospital of Caserta have carried out a pilot study investigating the safety, feasibility, and accuracy of intracavitary electrocardiography for neonatal epicutaneous cava catheter tip positioning. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: We enrolled 39 neonates (1-28 days of postnatal age or correct age lower than 41 weeks) requiring epicutaneous cava catheter in the district of superior vena cava (head-neck or upper limbs). Intracavitary electrocardiography was applicable in 38 neonates. RESULTS:: No significant complications related to intracavitary electrocardiography occurred in the studied neonates. The increase in P wave on intracavitary electrocardiography was detected in 30 cases. Of the remaining eight cases, six malpositioned catheters tipped out of cavoatrial junction-target zone (chest x-ray and echocardiographical control) and two were false negative (tip located in target zone). The match between intracavitary electrocardiography and x-ray was observed in 29/38 cases, and the same ratio between intracavitary electrocardiography and echocardiography was detected. CONCLUSION:: We conclude that the intracavitary electrocardiography method is safe and accurate in neonates as demonstrated in pediatric and adult patients. The applicability of the method is 97% and its feasibility is 79%. The overall accuracy is 76% but it rises to 97% if "peak" P wave is detected.