Swiss neonatal caregivers express diverging views on parental involvement in shared decision-making for extremely premature infants.

AIM: Due to scarce available national data, this study assessed current attitudes of neonatal caregivers regarding decisions on life-sustaining interventions, and their views on parents' aptitude to express their infant's best interest in shared decision-making. METHODS: Self-administered web-based quantitative empirical survey. All 552 experienced neonatal physicians and nurses from all Swiss NICUs were eligible. RESULTS: There was a high degree of agreement between physicians and nurses (response rates 79% and 70%, respectively) that the ability for social interactions was a minimal criterion for an acceptable quality of life. A majority stated that the parents' interests are as important as the child's best interest in shared decision-making. Only a minority considered the parents as the best judges of what is their child's best interest. Significant differences in attitudes and values emerged between neonatal physicians and nurses. The language area was very strongly associated with the attitudes of neonatal caregivers. CONCLUSION: Despite clear legal requirements and societal expectations for shared decision-making, survey respondents demonstrated a gap between their expressed commitment to shared decision-making and their view on parental aptitude to formulate their infant's best interest. National guidelines need to address these barriers to shared decision-making to promote a more uniform nationwide practice.

Correction to: Decision-making at the limit of viability: differing perceptions and opinions between neonatal physicians and nurses.

After publication of our article [1] it was brought to our attention that we did not have permission to reproduce the questionnaire in Additional File 1.

Association between perinatal interventional activity and 2-year outcome of Swiss extremely preterm born infants: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if centre-specific levels of perinatal interventional activity were associated with neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age in two separately analysed cohorts of infants: cohort A born at 22-25 and cohort B born at 26-27 gestational weeks, respectively. DESIGN: Geographically defined, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: All nine level III perinatal centres (neonatal intensive care units and affiliated obstetrical services) in Switzerland. PATIENTS: All live-born infants in Switzerland in 2006-2013 below 28 gestational weeks, excluding infants with major congenital malformation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes at 2 years corrected for prematurity were mortality, survival with any major neonatal morbidity and with severe-to-moderate neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). RESULTS: Cohort A associated birth in a centre with high perinatal activity with low mortality adjusted OR (aOR 0.22; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.32), while no association was observed with survival with major morbidity (aOR 0.74; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.19) and with NDI (aOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.46 to 2.02). Median age at death (8 vs 4 days) and length of stay (100 vs 73 days) were higher in high than in low activity centres. The results for cohort B mirrored those for cohort A. CONCLUSIONS: Centres with high perinatal activity in Switzerland have a significantly lower risk for mortality while having comparable outcomes among survivors. This confirms the results of other studies but in a geographically defined area applying a more restrictive approach to initiation of perinatal intensive care than previous studies. The study adds that infants up to 28 weeks benefited from a higher perinatal activity and why further research is required to better estimate the added burden on children who ultimately do not survive.

Correction to: decision-making at the limit of viability: differing perceptions and opinions between neonatal physicians and nurses.

After publication of the original article [1], the corresponding author noticed the given names and family names of the members included in the Swiss Neonatal End-of-Life Study Group were incorrectly reverted.

Variability of Very Low Birth Weight Infant Outcome and Practice in Swiss and US Neonatal Units.

OBJECTIVES: Outcomes of very preterm infants vary considerably between health care facilities. Our objective was to compare outcome and practices between the Swiss Neonatal Network (SNN) and US members of the Vermont Oxford Network (US-VON). METHODS: Retrospective observational study including all live-born infants with a birth weight between 501 and 1500 g as registered by SNN and US-VON between 2012 and 2014. We performed multivariable and propensity score-matched analyses of neonatal outcome by adjusting for case-mix, race, prenatal care, and unit-level factors, and compared indirectly standardized practices. RESULTS: A total of 123 689 infants were born alive in 696 US-VON units and 2209 infants were born alive in 13 SNN units. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for the composite "death or major morbidity" (aRR: 0.56, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.62) and all other outcomes were either comparable or lower in SNN except for mortality, for which aRR was higher (aRR: 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.50). Propensity score matching and restricting the analysis to infants for which we expect no survival bias, because both networks routinely initiate intensive care at birth, revealed comparable aRR. Variations in observed practices between SNN and US-VON were large. CONCLUSIONS: The SNN units had a significantly lower risk ratio for death or major morbidity. Despite higher mortality, this difference is independent of survival bias. The higher delivery room mortality reflects the SNN practice to favor primary nonintervention for infants born <24 completed gestational weeks. We propose further research into which practice differences have the strongest beneficial impact.

Decision-making at the limit of viability: differing perceptions and opinions between neonatal physicians and nurses.

BACKGROUND: In the last 20 years, the chances for intact survival for extremely preterm infants have increased in high income countries. Decisions about withholding or withdrawing intensive care remain a major challenge in infants born at the limits of viability. Shared decision-making regarding these fragile infants between health care professionals and parents has become the preferred model today. However, there is an ongoing ethical debate on how decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment should be reached and who should have the final word when health care professionals and parents do not agree. We designed a survey among neonatologists and neonatal nurses to analyze practices, difficulties and parental involvement in end-of-life decisions for extremely preterm infants. METHODS: All 552 physicians and nurses with at least 12 months work experience in level III neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Switzerland were invited to participate in an online survey with 50 questions. Differences between neonatologists and NICU nurses and between language regions were explored. RESULTS: Ninety six of 121 (79%) physicians and 302 of 431(70%) nurses completed the online questionnaire. The following difficulties with end-of-life decision-making were reported more frequently by nurses than physicians: insufficient time for decision-making, legal constraints and lack of consistent unit policies. Nurses also mentioned a lack of solidarity in our society and shortage of services for disabled more often than physicians. In the context of limiting intensive care in selected circumstances, nurses considered withholding tube feedings and respiratory support less acceptable than physicians. Nurses were more reluctant to give parents full authority to decide on the course of action for their infant. In contrast to professional category (nurse or physician), language region, professional experience and religion had little influence if any on the answers given. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and nurses differ in many aspects of how and by whom end-of-life decisions should be made in extremely preterm infants. The divergencies between nurses and physicians may be due to differences in ethics education, varying focus in patient care and direct exposure to the patients. Acknowledging these differences is important to avoid potential conflicts within the neonatal team but also with parents in the process of end-of-life decision-making in preterm infants born at the limits of viability.

Sources of distress for physicians and nurses working in Swiss neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Medical personnel working in intensive care often face difficult ethical dilemmas. These may represent important sources of distress and may lead to a diminished self-perceived quality of care and eventually to burnout. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to identify work-related sources of distress and to assess symptoms of burnout among physicians and nurses working in Swiss neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). METHODS: In summer 2015, we conducted an anonymous online survey comprising 140 questions about difficult ethical decisions concerning extremely preterm infants. Of these 140 questions, 12 questions related to sources of distress and 10 to burnout. All physicians and nurses (n = 552) working in the nine NICUs in Switzerland were invited to participate. RESULTS: The response rate was 72% (398). The aspects of work most commonly identified as sources of distress were: lack of regular staff meetings, lack of time for routine discussion of difficult cases, lack of psychological support for the NICU staff and families, and missing transmission of important information within the caregiver team. Differences between physicians' and nurses' perceptions became apparent: for example, nurses were more dissatisfied with the quality of the decision-making process. Different perceptions were also noted between staff in the German- and French- speaking parts of Switzerland: for example, respondents from the French part rated lack of regular staff meetings as being more problematic. On the other hand, personnel in the French part were more satisfied with their accomplishments in the job. On average, low levels of burnout symptoms were revealed, and only 6% of respondents answered that the work-related burden often affected their private life. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived sources of distress in Swiss NICUs were similar to those in ICU studies. Despite rare symptoms of burnout, communication measures such as regular staff meetings and psychological support to prevent distress were clearly requested.

Gestational age-adapted oxygen saturation targeting and outcome of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs).

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Optimal oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets for extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs, gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) are unknown. Conflicting results from five recently published multicentre trials, which randomised ELGANs to high (91 to 95%) or low (85 to 89%) SpO2 targets from birth up to a corrected GA of 36 weeks, prompted us to examine our experience with two different SpO2 policies. METHODS: We retrospectively compared outcomes of two cohorts of ELGANs which were exposed to two different SpO2 target policies adapted to the infants' corrected GA. Between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2007, SpO2 targets were 85 to 95% at <30 weeks and 88 to 97% at ≥30 weeks (high SpO2 target cohort, n = 157). Between 1 July 2007 and 31 December 2011, SpO2 targets were lowered to 80 to 90% at <30 weeks, 85 to 95% between 30 and 34 weeks and finally 88 to 97% at ≥34 weeks (low SpO2 target cohort, n = 84). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the high and low SpO2 target cohorts in mortality rates (15.9 vs 17.9%, risk ratio [RR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-1.60), incidences of severe retinopathy of prematurity (2.3 vs 0%, RR 3.68; 95% CI 0.19-70.3), or moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (14.4 vs 21.1%, RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.37-1.26). CONCLUSIONS: Adapting SpO2 targets to the advancing corrected GA seems safe and is associated with low incidences of short-term complications. Mortality rates did not vary with the two different SpO2 target policies utilised and were comparable to those reported from recently published randomised controlled SpO2 target trials.

Anaesthesia for the paediatric outpatient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review was to discuss recent developments in paediatric anaesthesia, which are particularly relevant to the practitioner involved in paediatric outpatient anaesthesia. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of a pharmacological premedication is still a matter of debate. Several publications are focussing on nasal dexmedetomidine; however, its exact place has not yet been defined. Both inhalational and intravenous anaesthesia techniques still have their advocates; for diagnostic imaging, however, propofol is emerging as the agent of choice. The disappearance of codeine has left a breach for an oral opioid and has probably worsened postoperative analgesia following tonsillectomy. In recent years, a large body of evidence for the prevention of postoperative agitation has appeared. Alpha-2-agonists as well as the transition to propofol play an important role. There is now some consensus that for reasons of practicability prophylactic antiemetics should be administered to all and not only to selected high-risk patients. SUMMARY: Perfect organization of the whole process is a prerequisite for successful paediatric outpatient anaesthesia. In addition, the skilled practitioner is able to provide a smooth anaesthetic, minimizing complications, and, finally, he has a clear concept for avoiding postoperative pain, agitation and vomiting.

Swiss medical centres vary significantly when it comes to outcomes of neonates with a very low gestational age.

AIM: This study quantified the impact of perinatal predictors and medical centre on the outcome of very low-gestational-age neonates (VLGANs) born at <32 completed weeks in Switzerland. METHODS: Using prospectively collected data from a 10-year cohort of VLGANs, we developed logistic regression models for three different time points: delivery, NICU admission and seven days of age. The data predicted survival to discharge without severe neonatal morbidity, such as major brain injury, moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity (≥stage three) or necrotising enterocolitis (≥stage three). RESULTS: From 2002 to 2011, 6892 VLGANs were identified: 5854 (85%) of the live-born infants survived and 84% of the survivors did not have severe neonatal complications. Predictors for adverse outcome at delivery and on NICU admission were low gestational age, low birthweight, male sex, multiple birth, birth defects and lack of antenatal corticosteroids. Proven sepsis was an additional risk factor on day seven of life. The medical centre remained a statistically significant factor at all three time points after adjusting for perinatal predictors. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for perinatal factors, the survival of Swiss VLGANs without severe neonatal morbidity was strongly influenced by the medical centre that treated them.

Venous access in children: state of the art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to discuss recent developments in vascular access technology and to highlight those that are particularly relevant to the practitioner. RECENT FINDINGS: The need for venous access should always be critically assessed in every child, and it is important to use the limited number of suitable veins wisely and to avoid unnecessary attempts. Near-infrared devices make veins visible, but they do not necessarily increase the success rate of peripheral venous puncture. In contrast, ultrasound is now almost universally used for central venous puncture, and it helped to popularize the supraclavicular puncture of the left anonymous vein. The focus has shifted more toward infectious and especially thrombotic complications. SUMMARY: Despite the development of new technical devices, successful venous puncture remains heavily dependent on the skills of the operator.

Outcome of extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) following a pro-active treatment approach: a Swiss single centre experience over 10 years.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: To determine the impact of a pro-active treatment approach on outcome of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs; gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) born at the perinatal centre of Lucerne, Switzerland. METHODS: We assessed rates of survival, severe neonatal morbidity and neuro-developmental impairment (NDI) of all ELGANs born alive and treated at our centre between 2000 and 2009. The results were compared with published data from contemporary national and international cohorts. RESULTS: Over the 10-year study period, a total of 216 ELGANs were born alive at the perinatal centre of Lucerne. The survival rate was 74% for all live-born infants, and 81% for those admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Among the 160 survivors, 25% sustained at least one major neonatal morbidity; severe brain injury (i.e., periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3 or 4 and/or cystic periventricular leukomalacia) affected 10%; moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia 16%; retinopathy of prematurity ≥ stage 3 1%; and necrotising enterocolitis 2%. Neuro-developmental outcome data at 18 to 24 months was available for 92% of all survivors: 88% had no or mild NDI, whereas moderate and severe NDI were present in 10% and 2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: When compared with published national or international data, our pro-active treatment approach to ELGANs was associated with higher or equal survival rates without increasing rates of severe neonatal morbidity or neuro-developmental impairment at the age of 18 to 24 months.

Neonatal steroids induce a down-regulation of tenascin-C and elastin and cause a deceleration of the first phase and an acceleration of the second phase of lung alveolarization.

Pre- and postnatal corticosteroids are often used in perinatal medicine to improve pulmonary function in preterm infants. To mimic this clinical situation, newborn rats were treated systemically with dexamethasone (Dex), 0.1-0.01 mg/kg/day on days P1-P4. We hypothesized that postnatal Dex may have an impact on alveolarization by interfering with extracellular matrix proteins and cellular differentiation. Morphological alterations were observed on 3D images obtained by high-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy. Alveolarization was quantified stereologically by estimating the formation of new septa between days P4 and P60. The parenchymal expression of tenascin-C (TNC), smooth muscle actin (SMA), and elastin was measured by immunofluorescence and gene expression for TNC by qRT-PCR. After Dex treatment, the first phase of alveolarization was significantly delayed between days P6 and P10, whereas the second phase was accelerated. Elastin and SMA expressions were delayed by Dex treatment, whereas TNC expression was delayed and prolonged. A short course of neonatal steroids impairs the first phase of alveolarization, most likely by altering the TNC and elastin expression. Due to an overshooting catch-up during the second phase of alveolarization, the differences disappear when the animals reach adulthood.

The journey towards lung protective respiratory support in preterm neonates.

The aim of this conceptual review is to provide the reader with a broad perspective on progress made in respiratory support of preterm infants over the past five decades. Landmark discoveries are described in their historical context and underlying theories of lung protection are discussed. The review finishes by integrating different approaches and perspectives into a state-of-the-art concept for lung-protective ventilation in this fragile patient population. Improvements in neonatal respiratory support in the 1970s and 1980s have contributed to dramatic improvements of mortality and morbidity rates among neonates with respiratory failure. Continuous positive airway pressure, antenatal corticosteroids and surfactant replacement therapy revolutionized the care of preterm infants. With the recognition that atelectrauma, volutrauma and oxygen toxicity are the main factors contributing to ventilator-induced lung injury, lung-protective strategies, including noninvasive respiratory support, tidal volume targeting during conventional mechanical ventilation and high frequency ventilation were developed in the 1990s. Given the fact that progress made in the last decade has only resulted in minor improvements in mortality and morbidity rates of neonates with respiratory failure, it seems unlikely that further refinements of current technologies will produce giant leaps forward in high-resource countries. It appears that entirely new approaches would be required. In contrast, knowledge and technology transfer of basic respiratory support strategies (e.g. use of oxygen, simple systems to provide continuous positive airway pressure), could have an enormous impact on the prognosis of neonates with respiratory failure in low-resource countries.

Feasibility and safety of passive cooling in a cohort of asphyxiated newborn infants.

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic hypothermia has become a standard neuroprotective treatment in term newborn infants following perinatal asphyxia. Active cooling with whole body surface or head cooling is complex, expensive and often associated with initial hypothermic overshoot. We speculated that passive cooling might suffice to induce and maintain hypothermia. METHODS: We analysed 18 asphyxiated term newborns treated with hypothermia in three tertiary neonatal and paediatric intensive care units. Target temperatures of 33.5 °C or 33.0 °C were induced and maintained by turning off the heating system of the open neonatal care unit and by using analgesics and sedatives. We compared our results with matching published data from the hypothermia trial of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) neonatal research network. RESULTS: Four infants required no active cooling at all during the whole cooling period. The other 14 infants had passive cooling during 85% of the total cooling time, and active cooling with ice packs in 15% of the total cooling time. Overshoot was smaller in the present study than in the NICHD study. CONCLUSION: Passive cooling for asphyxiated newborns appears to be feasible for induction and maintenance of hypothermia with a lower risk of overshoot.