Risk Factors for Admission Hyperthermia and Associated Outcomes in Infants Born Preterm.

Maternal, placental, and neonatal factors were compared between infants born at ≤29 weeks of gestational age with admission hyperthermia (>37.5○C) and euthermia (36.5-37.5○C). Admission hyperthermia was associated with longer duration of face-mask positive-pressure ventilation and infant's temperature ≥37.5○C in the delivery room. Infants born preterm with admission hyperthermia had greater odds of developing necrotizing enterocolitis and neurodevelopmental impairment.

Evaluation of a respiratory care protocol including less invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory care protocol including less invasive ssurfactant administration (LISA) in ≤29 weeks' gestational age (GA) infants introduced in October 2018. METHODS: Retrospective study of infants admitted on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) October 2018 to December 2021. Maternal and neonatal variables were compared between infants managed on CPAP with and without LISA. Infants who received LISA and subsequently required mechanical ventilation (MV) within 72 h of life (HOL) [LISA failure (LF)] were compared with those who required no MV [LISA success (LS)]. RESULTS: 249 infants were admitted on CPAP, 5 were intubated prior to LISA, 143 required LISA and 101 remained on CPAP without surfactant. Of those receiving LISA, 108 were LS and 35 were LF. Compared to LS, LF infants were of lower GA and birth weight, required higher fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2), and CPAP level at birth, admission, one HOL, and an hour after LISA. Moreover, LF infants had higher mortality and morbidity. Together GA ≤ 25 weeks' and FiO2 ≥ 0.3 an hour after LISA best predicted LF. CONCLUSIONS: Over 80% of infants admitted on CPAP avoided MV within 72 HOL. Early predictors of LF provide targets for future interventions to decrease need for MV in preterm infants. IMPACT: Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) decreases the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and improves outcomes. However, some infants require MV within 72 h of life (HOL) despite LISA (LISA failure). Over 80% of ≤29 weeks' gestational age (GA) infants can be successfully managed on CPAP with or without surfactant in the first 72 HOL. A combination of factors including ≤25 weeks' GA and fraction of inspired oxygen ≥0.3 an hour after LISA predict LISA failure. Evaluation of a noninvasive respiratory support strategy including LISA provides targets for intervention to decrease need for MV in preterm infants.

Should less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) become routine practice in US neonatal units?

The harmful effects of mechanical ventilation (MV) on the preterm lung are well established. Avoiding MV at birth and stabilization on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) decreases the composite outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Although preterm infants are increasingly being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit on CPAP, centers differ in the ability to manage infants primarily on CPAP. Over the last decade, less invasive surfactant administration (LISA), a method of administering surfactant with a thin catheter, has been devised and has been shown to decrease the need for MV and improve outcomes compared to surfactant administration via an endotracheal tube following intubation. While LISA has been widely adopted in Europe and other countries, its use is not widespread in the United States. This article provides a summary of the existing evidence on LISA, and practical guidance for US units choosing to implement a change of practice incorporating optimization of CPAP and LISA. IMPACT: The accumulated body of evidence for less invasive surfactant administration (LISA), a widespread practice in other countries, justifies its use as an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration in US neonatal units. This article summarizes the current evidence for LISA, identifies gaps in knowledge, and offers practical tips for the implementation of LISA as part of a comprehensive non-invasive respiratory support strategy. This article will help neonatal units in the US develop guidelines for LISA, provide optimal respiratory support for infants with respiratory distress syndrome, improve short- and long-term outcomes of preterm infants, and potentially decrease costs of NICU care.

Discontinuing Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Infants ≤32 Weeks of Gestational Age: A Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare immediate cessation of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) vs a stepwise decrease in pressure on the duration of NCPAP therapy in infants born prematurely. STUDY DESIGN: A single center study in infants 230-326 weeks of gestational age. NCPAP was stopped either at 5 cm H2O (control) or 3 cm H2O after a stepwise pressure wean (wean) using defined stability and failure criteria. Primary outcome is total NCPAP days. RESULTS: We enrolled 226 infants; 116 were randomly assigned to control and 110 to the wean group. There was no difference in the total NCPAP days between groups (median [25th, 75th percentiles] 16 [5, 36] vs 14 [7, 33] respectively). There were no differences between groups in secondary outcomes, including duration of hospital stay, critical care days, and oxygen supplementation. A higher proportion of control infants failed the initial attempt to discontinue NCPAP (43% vs 27%, respectively; P < .01) and required ≥2 attempts (20% vs 5%, respectively; P < .01). In addition, infants 23-27 weeks of gestational age in the wean group were 2.4-times more likely to successfully stop NCPAP at the first attempt (P = .02) vs controls. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of NCPAP after a gradual pressure wean to 3 cm H2O did not decrease the duration of NCPAP therapy compared with stopping from 5 cm H2O in infants ≤32 weeks of gestational age. However, weaning decreased failed initial attempts to stop NCPAP, particularly among infants <28 weeks of gestational age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02064712.

RDS-NExT workshop: consensus statements for the use of surfactant in preterm neonates with RDS.

OBJECTIVE: To provide the best clinical practice guidance for surfactant use in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The RDS-Neonatal Expert Taskforce (RDS-NExT) initiative was intended to add to existing evidence and clinical guidelines, where evidence is lacking, with input from an expert panel. STUDY DESIGN: An expert panel of healthcare providers specializing in neonatal intensive care was convened and administered a survey questionnaire, followed by 3 virtual workshops. A modified Delphi method was used to obtain consensus around topics in surfactant use in neonatal RDS. RESULT: Statements focused on establishing RDS diagnosis and indicators for surfactant administration, surfactant administration methods and techniques, and other considerations. After discussion and voting, consensus was achieved on 20 statements. CONCLUSION: These consensus statements provide practical guidance for surfactant administration in preterm neonates with RDS, with a goal to contribute to improving the care of neonates and providing a stimulus for further investigation to bridge existing knowledge gaps.

Decreasing delivery room CPAP-associated pneumothorax at ≥35-week gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: We previously reported an increase in pneumothorax after implementing delivery room (DR) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for labored breathing or persistent cyanosis in ≥35-week gestational age (GA) neonates unexposed to DR-positive pressure ventilation (DR-PPV). We hypothesized that pneumothorax would decrease after de-implementing DR-CPAP in those unexposed to DR-PPV or DR-O2 supplementation (DR-PPV/O2). STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective cohort excluding DR-PPV the primary outcome was DR-CPAP-related pneumothorax (1st chest radiogram, 1st day of life). In a subgroup treated by the resuscitation team and admitted to the NICU, the primary outcome was DR-CPAP-associated pneumothorax (1st radiogram, no prior PPV) without DR-PPV/O2. RESULTS: In the full cohort, occurrence of DR-CPAP-related pneumothorax decreased after the intervention (11.0% vs 6.0%, P < 0.001). In the subgroup, occurrence of DR-CPAP-associated pneumothorax decreased after the intervention (1.4% vs. 0.06%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of CPAP-associated pneumothorax decreased after avoiding DR-CPAP in ≥35-week GA neonates without DR-PPV/O2.

Decreasing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Failure in Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many preterm infants stabilized on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at birth require mechanical ventilation (MV) during the first 72 hours of life, which is defined as CPAP failure. Our objective was to decrease CPAP failure in infants ≤29 weeks' gestational age (GA). METHODS: A quality improvement bundle named OPTISURF was implemented for infants ≤29 weeks' GA admitted on CPAP, consisting of stepwise escalation of CPAP and less invasive surfactant administration guided by fractional inspired oxygen concentration ≥0.3. The CPAP failure rate was tracked by using control charts. We compared practice and outcomes of a pre-OPTISURF cohort (January 2017 to September 2018) to a post-OPTISURF cohort (October 2018 to December 2019). RESULTS: Of the 216 infants ≤29 weeks' GA admitted to NICU on CPAP, 125 infants belonged to the pre-OPTISURF cohort (OSC) and 91 to the post-OSC. Compared with the pre-OSC, a higher proportion of infants in the post-OSC received CPAP 7 cm H2O within 4 hours of life (7% vs 32%; P < .01). The post-OSC also had lower rates of CPAP failure (54% vs 11%; P < .01), pneumothoraces (8% vs 1%; P < .03), need for MV (58% vs 31%; P < .01), and patent ductus arteriosus treatment (21% vs 9%; P = .02). Additionally, in a subgroup analysis, CPAP failure was lower in the post-OSC among infants 23 to 26 weeks (79% vs 27%; P < .01) and 27 to 29 weeks' GA (46% vs 3%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a quality improvement bundle including CPAP optimization and less invasive surfactant administration decreased CPAP failure and need for MV in preterm infants.

Noninvasive Ventilation in the Delivery Room for the Preterm Infant.

A decade ago, preterm infants were prophylactically intubated and mechanically ventilated starting in the delivery room; however, now the shift is toward maintaining even the smallest of neonates on noninvasive respiratory support. The resuscitation of very low gestational age neonates continues to push the boundaries of neonatal care, as the events that transpire during the golden minutes right after birth prove ever more important for determining long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the most important mode of noninvasive respiratory support for the preterm infant to establish and maintain functional residual capacity and decrease ventilation/perfusion mismatch. However, the majority of extremely low gestational age infants require face mask positive pressure ventilation during initial stabilization before receiving CPAP. Effectiveness of face mask positive pressure ventilation depends on the ability to detect and overcome mask leak and airway obstruction. In this review, the current evidence on devices and techniques of noninvasive ventilation in the delivery room are discussed.

The use of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) in the United States with review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The majority of extremely low gestational age neonates undergo intubation for surfactant therapy. Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) uses a thin catheter inserted into the trachea to deliver the surfactant. During the procedure, the infant is breathing spontaneously while supported with continuous positive airway pressure. Although LISA is widely adapted in Europe and Australia, the rate of LISA use in the United States is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of LISA in the US. A web-based survey was distributed via SurveyMonkey to 2550 neonatologists from AAP's SoNPM mailing list. RESULTS: Of the 472 neonatologists who answered the survey, 15% used LISA either as a part of routine care (8%) or as part of research (7%). CONCLUSION: Unlike several regions of Europe, LISA is not widely used in the US. Future studies should address ambiguities regarding infant selection, procedure training and "roadblocks" to its broader application.

Delivery Room Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) added consideration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for spontaneously breathing infants with labored breathing or hypoxia in the delivery room (DR). The objective of this study was to determine if DR-CPAP is associated with symptomatic pneumothorax in infants 35 to 42 weeks' gestational age. METHODS: We included (1) a retrospective birth cohort study of neonates born between 2001 and 2015 and (2) a nested cohort of those born between 2005 and 2015 who had a resuscitation call leading to admission to the NICU and did not receive positive-pressure ventilation. RESULTS: In the birth cohort (n = 200 381), pneumothorax increased after implementation of the 2011 NRP from 0.4% to 0.6% (P < .05). In the nested cohort (n = 6913), DR-CPAP increased linearly over time (r = 0.71; P = .01). Administration of DR-CPAP was associated with pneumothorax (odds ratio [OR]: 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4-6.8); the OR was higher (P < .001) in infants receiving 21% oxygen (OR: 8.5; 95% CI: 5.9-12.3; P < .001) than in those receiving oxygen supplementation (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 2.5-5.0; P < .001). Among those with DR-CPAP, pneumothorax increased with gestational age and decreased with oxygen administration. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DR-CPAP is associated with increased odds of pneumothorax in late-preterm and term infants, especially in those who do not receive oxygen in the DR. These findings could be used to clarify NRP guidelines regarding DR-CPAP in late-preterm and term infants.

Early predictors of continuous positive airway pressure failure in preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction model to identify infants admitted on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) requiring intubation within seventy-two hours of life (HOL). STUDY DESIGN: Infants born ≤29 weeks' gestational age between 2013 and April 2018 were randomly assigned to either a modeling cohort (MC) or a validation cohort (VC) in a 2:1 ratio. Variables available within two HOL were compared between the CPAP failure group (CFG) and the CPAP success group (CSG). RESULTS: Of the 189 infants in the MC, 50% failed CPAP. Compared to CSG, infants in the CFG had lower antenatal steroid exposure, birth weight, higher radiographic severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). A forward stepwise logistic regression modeling in both MC and VC showed that FiO2 >0.3 and radiographic severe RDS predicted CPAP failure. CONCLUSION: FiO2 >0.3 within two HOL and radiographic severe RDS predicts CPAP failure in preterm infants.

Quality Improvement Project to Decrease Delivery Room Intubations in Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Avoidance of delivery room intubation (DRI) reduces death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm neonates. Our objective with this quality improvement project was to decrease DRI rates by improving face mask positive pressure ventilation (Fm-PPV) among infants born ≤29 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Key drivers of change were identified from a retrospective review of resuscitation records. A resuscitation bundle to optimize Fm-PPV including the use of a small round mask and end-tidal CO2 detectors, increasing peak inspiratory pressure when indicated, and debriefing after each intubation were implemented in consecutive plan-do-study-act cycles. The DRI rate was tracked by using a control chart. Resuscitation practice and outcomes of pre-quality improvement cohort (QIC) (January 2014-September 2015) were compared with post-QIC (October 2015-December 2016). RESULTS: Of the 314 infants who were resuscitated, 180 belonged to the pre-QIC and 134 to the post-QIC. The antenatal steroid administration rate was higher in the post-QIC (54% vs 88%). More infants in the post-QIC had resolution of bradycardia after Fm-PPV (56% vs 77%, P = .02). Infants in the post-QIC had lower DRI rates (58% vs 37%, P < .01), lower need for mechanical ventilation (85% vs 70%, P < .01), lower rates of BPD (26% vs 13%, P < .01), and severe retinopathy of prematurity (14% vs 5%, P = .01). Rates of DRI, BPD, and severe retinopathy of prematurity remained lower even after controlling for the potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a resuscitation bundle decreased the DRI rate and improved outcomes of preterm infants.

Effect of placental transfusion on the blood volume and clinical outcome of infants born by cesarean section.

Delay in cord clamping up to 30 to 40 seconds is feasible and should be practiced in preterm and term infants born by cesarean section. In term infants, this maneuver may decrease iron deficiency anemia at 6 months of age. Premature infants may have a higher blood volume and hematocrit initially requiring fewer transfusions. They also have a decreased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage. The effect of compounding factors, such as maternal blood pressure, uterine contraction, medications, bleeding, and their effects on the infant's immediate and long-term outcome are unclear.

Otopalatodigital syndrome type 2 in a male infant: A case report with a novel sequence variation.

We report a male infant with typical clinical, pathological and radiological features of otopalatodigital syndrome type 2 (OPD 2) with a novel sequence variation in the FLNA gene. His clinical manifestations include typical craniofacial features, cleft palate, hearing impairment, omphalocele, bowing of the long bones, absent fibulae and digital abnormalities consistent with OPD 2. Two hemizygous sequence variations in the FLNA gene were identified. The variation c.5290G>A/p.Ala1764Thr has been previously reported in a patient with periventricular nodular heterotopia, but subsequently it has been reported as a polymorphism. The other variation c.613T>C/p.Cys205Arg detected in the proband has not been previously reported and our analysis indicates that this is a novel disease-causing mutation for OPD2.

Elevated acetoacetate and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in cord blood of infants of diabetic mothers.

BACKGROUND: Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) are at increased risk for metabolic complications. Type 1 and some type 2 diabetic patients have elevated levels of the ketone bodies acetoacetate (AA) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine how hyperketonemia in diabetic mothers affects markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in their offspring. METHODS: Blood was obtained from 23 diabetic mothers and 13 healthy mothers and their infants' umbilical cords at delivery. Interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and protein carbonyl (protein oxidation) levels were determined by ELISA. U937 human monocyte cell culture was used to examine the effect of AA and BHB on secretion of MCP-1. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the levels of AA in cord blood of IDMs compared with cord blood of infants of healthy mothers. A significant increase in the levels of protein oxidation (p < 0.05) and MCP-1 levels (p < 0.05) was observed in the cord blood of IDMs. The level of MCP-1 correlated significantly (r = 0.51, p = 0.01) with the concentration of AA in the IDMs. In further experiments with cultured monocytes treated with exogenous AA (0-4 mM), a significant increase in MCP-1 secretion was observed in AA- but not BHB-treated monocytes. CONCLUSION: Blood levels of AA and MCP-1 are elevated in IDMs, which may contribute to the development of the metabolic complications seen in IDMs.

Use of a visual aid to improve counseling at the threshold of viability.

OBJECTIVES: To pilot-test a visual aid developed to help counsel pregnant women. METHODS: After agreeing to participate, pregnant women at >28 weeks of gestation were assigned randomly to counseling with or without a visual aid. The visual aid contained pictures, graphics, and short messages about delivery room resuscitation, chances of survival, anticipated neonatal course, and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities. A neonatal fellow performed counseling with a standardized script for an anticipated delivery at 23 weeks of gestation. In precounseling and postcounseling sessions, women were given a structured interview to assess their knowledge of chances of survival and disability and attitudes toward resuscitation. RESULTS: Of the 89 women who participated, 76% were black and 59% read below a 9th-grade level. Compared with the no-visual aid group, women in the visual aid group recalled more disabilities and predicted longer neonatal stays (P = .01). For both groups, mothers' perceptions of the chances of survival were lower after counseling; the decrease was greater in the visual aid group (P = .03). The majority of women in each group opted for resuscitation, which was not affected by counseling. In multivariate analyses, use of the visual aid was a significant independent factor in explaining before/after differences in survival chances and recall of a long NICU stay and number of disabilities; higher literacy levels also were significant for recalling the number of disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a visual aid improved mothers' knowledge and showed promise as a decision aid for counseling at the threshold of viability.