Social Media as a Source of Medical Information for Parents of Premature Infants: A Content Analysis of Prematurity-Related Facebook Groups.

OBJECTIVE: Parents are increasingly turning to social media for medical recommendations. Our objective was to systematically examine posts on Facebook for parents of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to analyze how advice on medical topics was requested and given, and whether this advice was potentially medically inappropriate. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred Facebook groups were screened for study eligibility. In each group, up to 400 posts on medical topics were evaluated. The first 10 comments of each post were classified based on content and presence of medical advice. Appropriateness of advice was evaluated by a neonatologist. RESULTS: Of 28 groups meeting study criteria, 10 permitted access for data collection. We identified 729 posts requesting medical advice of which 29% referenced the NICU period. Posts on diagnosis and development (30 and 32% of posts, respectively) were the most common topics, and most likely to receive advice (78 and 76% of posts on these topics, respectively). We identified 238 comments containing potentially inappropriate medical advice and 30 comments recommending going against medical advice. CONCLUSION: Parents are utilizing Facebook as a source of support and medical information. Parents are most likely to give development-related advice from their own parenting experiences. The high percentage of posts requesting advice about diagnosis and development in the post-NICU stage suggests parents seek increased anticipatory guidance. KEY POINTS: · Parents of premature infants use Facebook to obtain medical advice.. · Advice was at times potentially medically inappropriate.. · Much advice focused on the post-NICU period..

Birth Weight Gradient in Parent-Reported Special Healthcare Needs among Children Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the association of birth weight with parent-reported special healthcare needs (SHCN) and unmet healthcare needs among children born prematurely. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Prematurity, birth weight, SHCN, and unmet healthcare needs were reported for one child per participating household. We analyzed children age 0-5 years, and classified birthweight among children born preterm as very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g), low birth weight (LBW, 1500-2500 g), and normal weight (NBW, >2500 g). Term-born NBW children were included as a reference group. RESULTS: The analysis included 190 VLBW preterm, 688 LBW preterm, 884 NBW preterm, and 15 629 NBW term-born children. Weighted SHCN prevalence was 10%, and 1% had unmet healthcare needs. On multivariable analysis, children born preterm and VLBW had significantly higher odds of SHCN compared with NBW term-born children (OR, 9.8; 95% CI, 4.9-19.6). Preterm LBW and NBW preterm groups had smaller increases in SHCN odds (OR, 2.5 and OR, 1.6, respectively). The odds of unmet healthcare needs did not differ among the 4 study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among children under 5 years of age, preterm birth and VLBW are associated with very high likelihood of SHCN, compared with LBW/NBW preterm or NBW term-born children. However, requirements for additional health services in this group were adequately met, according to caregiver report.

Individualized fluid management in extremely preterm neonates to ensure adequate diuresis without increasing complications.

OBJECTIVE: Decrease the incidence of inadequate diuresis (ID, loss of <6% of birth weight) in extremely preterm neonates (EPT, <28 weeks of gestation at birth) during the first week of life by 50% in 1 year. STUDY DESIGN: Quality improvement project in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. A fluid management protocol was implemented, including the use of a fluid guide sheet and closer monitoring of hydration parameters. Seventy-nine baseline EPT neonates were compared to 83 post intervention. The incidence of ID was tracked monthly, along with prespecified morbidities and complications. Statistical data analyses also compared the pre- and post-intervention periods. RESULTS: Fluid volumes in the first week were decreased (p < 0.001). ID decreased from 43 to 29% (p = 0.061). Tracked morbidities and complications were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Intentional and individualized adjustment of fluids led to decreased ID without increased hypernatremia and dehydration, or a change in tracked morbidities.