Challenges in clinical identification of right ventricular dysfunction in preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular dysfunction, typically qualitatively diagnosed (Q-RVd) in preterm infants, requires echocardiography which is not always acutely available. We aimed to identify clinical indices of Q-RVd in very preterm infants (gestational age, GA <32 weeks) with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) and examine the reliability and validity of Q-RVd. METHODS: Forty-seven infants with mean ± SD GA of 26.8 ± 2.7 weeks who had targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) ≤72 h old, during PPHN, were retrospectively studied. Three standard TNE clips were reviewed by two blinded assessors, and infants categorized as Q-RVd if moderate-severe RVd was diagnosed on ≥2 clips. Cardiopulmonary clinical indices at TNE and quantitative RV functional markers were compared between Q-RVd vs. no-RVd groups. Potential quantitative RVd definitions examined by classifying each measurement as "low" or "normal" using published data. Inter-rater agreement for Q-RVd assessed using Kappa statistics. RESULTS: Mean age at TNE was 25.3 ± 20.4 h with Q-RVd diagnosed in 19(40 %) infants. Q-RVd group demonstrated higher peak oxygen requirements (96 ± 9 % vs. 84 ± 16 %, p < 0.01); however, no clinical parameters at TNE differentiated the groups. Quantitative measures were lower in Q-RVd patients, confirming classification validity. Among tested quantitative definitions, low RV stroke volume was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (41±7 vs. 47±9 mmHg, p = 0.02) and higher shock index (4.02±0.80 vs. 3.44±0.72, p = 0.02). Kappa for Q-RVd was 0.55 (95%CI 0.32-0.77). CONCLUSIONS: The non-specific nature of clinical markers of RVd in preterm infants with PPHN necessitates echocardiographic diagnosis of RVd. Studies should examine prognostic relevance of RVd and establish outcome-based quantitative definitions in preterm infants.

Relationship between cerebral oxygenation, cardiac output, and blood pressure during transitional period in extremely low gestational age neonates.

Objective: To describe the relationship between cerebral oxygenation, cardiac output, arterial blood pressure (BP), and cerebral blood flow velocity in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) during transition. Methods: This study comprises secondary analyses from a prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Recruited ELGANs underwent cerebral saturation (CrSO2) monitoring and serial echocardiography during 72 h from birth. Correlative analyses of CrSO2 and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (CFTOE) with left (LVO) and right ventricular output (RVO), superior vena cava (SVC) flow, middle cerebral artery blood flow mean velocity (MCA.MV), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean (MBP) BP were conducted. Results: Fifty ELGANs with median (range) gestational age of 25.9 (23.1-27.9) weeks were recruited. Echocardiography was performed sequentially at a median (range) age 5.0 (3.8-6.6), 17.3 (15.4-19.4), 31.0 (27.0-34.1), and 53.7 (49.3-58.3) hours. RVO, LVO, CrSO2, and SBP increased over time but no changes in MBP, DBP, CFTOE, MCA.MV or SVC flow were noted. A weak correlation was identified between CrSO2 and SBP (r2 = 0.11, p = 0.047) and MBP (r2 = 0.12, p = 0.04) at 17.3 (15.4-19.4) hours. No correlation of either CrSO2 or CFTOE with any measures of blood flow was identified. Conclusion: There is a weak correlation between measures of cardiac output, BP, and MCA.MV with both CrSO2 and CFTOE in ELGANs during transition. Whether this finding suggests intact cerebral autoregulation requires prospective evaluation in a cohort of sick ELGANs.

Trends in cyclicity and amplitudes on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography during transition in extremely low gestational age infants.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) cyclicity, background pattern, voltage margins and maturation scores in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) in the first 72 h. METHODS: Fifty infants with gestational age (GA) 23+0-27+6 weeks were prospectively studied. Infants with intraventricular haemorrhage ≦ Grade I and no disorders of transition (persistent pulmonary hypertension, hypotension, pulmonary haemorrhage) belonged to the 'Uncomplicated' group and those with intraventricular haemorrhage > Grade I and/or disorders of transition, to the 'Complicated' group. RESULTS: Thirty-six infants without opioid exposure were included: 23 with GA 25.9 (23.1-27.7) weeks in the 'Uncomplicated' group and 13 with GA 24.6 (23.3-27.4) weeks in the 'Complicated' group. Cyclicity was more common in the 'Uncomplicated' group [20/23 (87%) vs. 7/13 (54%), p = 0.045] with more cycles/hour [0.2 (0-0.78) vs. 0.03 (0-67), p = 0.036]. Age at appearance of cyclicity was similar [20 (7.7-40.7) hours in 'Uncomplicated' vs. 23.7 (5.4-60) hours in 'Complicated' group, p = 0.8]. In the 'Uncomplicated' group, maturation scores (p = 0.02), high (p < 0.0001) and low (p = 0.03) base voltage increased over time. CONCLUSION: During the first 72 h, clinically stable ELGANs without neurological injury demonstrate increased cyclicity compared to those with a complicated course. Maturation score, high and low base voltage increase over time.

Dopamine or norepinephrine for sepsis-related hypotension in preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study.

The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of dopamine (DA) versus norepinephrine (NE) as first-line therapy for sepsis-related hypotension in preterm infants. This is a retrospective cohort study over 10 years at two tertiary neonatal units. Preterm infants born < 35 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), who received DA or NE as primary therapy for hypotension during sepsis, defined as culture-positive or culture-negative infections or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), were included. Episode-related mortality (< 7 days from treatment), pre-discharge mortality, and major morbidities among survivors were compared between two groups. Analyses were adjusted using the inverse probability of treatment weighting estimated by propensity score (PS). A total of 156 infants were included, 113 received DA and 43 NE. The mean ± SD PMA at birth and at treatment for the DA and NE groups were 25.8 ± 2.3 vs. 25.2 ± 2.0 weeks and 27.7 ± 3.0 vs. 27.1 ± 2.6 weeks, respectively (p > 0.05). Pre-treatment, the NE group had higher mean airway pressure (14 ± 4 vs. 12 ± 4 cmH2O), heart rate (185 ± 17 vs. 175 ± 17 beats per minute), and median (IQR) fraction of inspired oxygen [0.67 (0.42, 1.0) vs. 0.52 (0.32, 0.82)] (p < 0.05 for all). After PS adjustment, NE was associated with lower episode-related mortality [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) 0.55 (0.33, 0.92)], pre-discharge mortality [0.60 (0.37, 0.97)], post-illness new diagnosis of significant neurologic injury [0.32 (0.13, 0.82)], and subsequent occurrence of NEC/sepsis among the survivors [0.34, (0.18, 0.65)]. CONCLUSION: NE may be more effective than DA for management of sepsis-related hypotension among preterm infants. These data provide a rationale for prospective evaluation of these commonly used agents. WHAT IS KNOWN: •Dopamine is the commonest vasoactive agent used to support blood pressure among preterm infants. •For adult patients, norepinephrine is recommended as the preferred therapy over dopamine for septic shock. WHAT IS NEW: •This is the first study examining the relative clinical effectiveness of dopamine and norepinephrine as first-line pharmacotherapy for sepsis-related hypotension among preterm infants. •Norepinephrine use may be associated with lower mortality and morbidity than dopamine in preterm infants with sepsis.

Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Intubation: Modification of the Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Intubation Procedure to Establish an Airway in a Fetus with a Congenital Cervical Teratoma.

INTRODUCTION: FETI is a technique where the fetal airway is secured in-utero via intubation by percutaneous endoscopic fetal tracheoscopy under ultrasound guidance. FETI has been described in large fetal neck masses with anatomical airway compression as a feasible airway management strategy and a potential alternative to an EXIT procedure in select cases. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes the use of a modified FETI procedure under continuous fetoscopic and ultrasound guidance, in a fetus with a large cervical teratoma causing airway displacement and compression. Following the FETI procedure, an uncomplicated caesarean section was performed. The endotracheal tube was in place at the time of birth, and a patent airway was confirmed. CONCLUSION: The modified FETI procedure described in this report represents another technique that can be used to establish an airway in fetuses with challenging upper airway anatomy, potentially mitigating the risks associated with an EXIT procedure.

A practical approach toward interpretation of amplitude integrated electroencephalography in preterm infants.

The developing preterm brain is vulnerable to injury, especially during periods of clinical instability; therefore, monitoring the brain may provide important information on brain health. Over the last 2 decades, a growing body of literature has been reported on preterm amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) with regards to normative data and associations with adverse outcomes. Despite this, the use of aEEG for preterm infants remains mostly a research tool with limited clinical applicability. In this article, we review the literature on normal and abnormal aEEG patterns in preterm infants and propose a stepwise clinical algorithm for aEEG assessment at the bedside that takes into account assessment of maturation and identification of pathological patterns. CONCLUSION: This algorithm may be used by clinicians at the bedside for interpretation to integrate it in clinical practice for neurological surveillance of preterm infants. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Studies have reported normative data on aEEG in preterm infants for different gestational ages. • Burst suppression pattern and absent sleep-wake cycling have been described to be associated with brain pathology and adverse outcomes in preterm infants. WHAT IS NEW: • We have synthesized aEEG characteristics in preterm infants across the spectrum of prematurity reported in the literature. • We present a stepwise approach for clinically applicable interpretation of aEEG in preterm infants.

Remote ischemic conditioning in necrotizing enterocolitis: study protocol of a multi-center phase II feasibility randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a maneuver involving brief cycles of ischemia reperfusion in an individual's limb. In the early stage of experimental NEC, RIC decreased intestinal injury and prolonged survival by counteracting the derangements in intestinal microcirculation. A single-center phase I study demonstrated that the performance of RIC was safe in neonates with NEC. The aim of this phase II RCT was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of RIC, to identify challenges in recruitment, retainment, and to inform a phase III RCT to evaluate efficacy. METHODS: RIC will be performed by trained research personnel and will consist of four cycles of limb ischemia (4-min via cuff inflation) followed by reperfusion (4-min via cuff deflation), repeated on two consecutive days post randomization. The primary endpoint of this RCT is feasibility and acceptability of recruiting and randomizing neonates within 24 h from NEC diagnosis as well as masking and completing the RIC intervention. RESULTS: We created a novel international consortium for this trial and created a consensus on the diagnostic criteria for NEC and protocol for the trial. The phase II multicenter-masked feasibility RCT will be conducted at 12 centers in Canada, USA, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK, and Spain. The inclusion criteria are: gestational age < 33 weeks, weight ≥ 750 g, NEC receiving medical treatment, and diagnosis established within previous 24 h. Neonates will be randomized to RIC (intervention) or no-RIC (control) and will continue to receive standard management of NEC. We expect to recruit and randomize 40% of eligible patients in the collaborating centers (78 patients; 39/arm) in 30 months. Bayesian methods will be used to combine uninformative prior distributions with the corresponding observed proportions from this trial to determine posterior distributions for parameters of feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The newly established NEC consortium has generated novel data on NEC diagnosis and defined the feasibility parameters for the introduction of a novel treatment in NEC. This phase II RCT will inform a future phase III RCT to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIC in early-stage NEC.

2% aqueous vs alcohol-based chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis in VLBW neonates undergoing peripheral venipuncture: a non-inferiority trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 2% aqueous chlorhexidine gluconate (AQC) vs. 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (ALC) for pre-venipuncture skin antisepsis in very-low-birth-weight neonates (VLBW, birth-weight <1500 grams). STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, non-inferiority trial randomized 199 VLBW neonates, age 2-28 days, to receive pre-venipuncture skin preparation using single application of swabstick impregnated with AQC (n = 99) or ALC (n = 100). Skin clearance rate (percentage post-cleansing skin swabs with <15 bacterial colony forming units) with a 10% non-inferiority margin for AQC was primary outcome. Absolute and relative CFU reduction and adverse skin reactions were compared. RESULTS: AQC's clearance was non-inferior to ALC (91% vs. 88%; 95% CI -6.6%, +12.4%). Median (interquartile range) absolute [61 (16, 110) vs. 63 (18, 100); p = 0.65] and relative [100% (97%, 100%) vs. 100% (99.7%, 100%); p = 0.20] CFU reductions were similar. Neither group experienced any adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: AQC may provide non-inferior skin disinfection to ALC in VLBW neonates. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01270776.

Physiology of Low Blood Pressure During the First Day After Birth Among Extremely Preterm Neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the circulatory physiology of hypotension during the first day after birth among stable extremely preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study of neonates born at ≤276/7 weeks gestational age with hypotension, defined as mean blood pressure in mmHg less than gestational age in weeks for at least 1 hour during the first 24 hours after birth, who underwent comprehensive echocardiography assessment before commencement of cardiovascular drugs. Neonates with hypotension (n = 14) were matched by gestational age and intensity of respiratory support with normotensive neonates (n = 27) who underwent serial echocardiography during the first day after birth, and relatively contemporaneous echocardiography assessments were used for comparison. RESULTS: Neonates with hypotension had a higher frequency of patent ductus arteriosus ≥1.5 mm (71% vs 15%; P < .001) and ductal size (median diameter, 1.6 mm [IQR, 1.4-2.1] vs 1.0 mm [IQR, 0-1.3]; P = .002), higher echocardiography indices of left ventricular systolic function (mean shortening fraction, 34 ± 7% vs 26 ± 4%; P < .001; mean longitudinal strain, -16 ± 5% vs -14 ± 3%; P = .04; and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, 1.24 ± 0.35 circ/s vs 1.01 ± 0.28 circ/s; P = .03), lower estimates of left ventricular afterload (mean end-systolic wall stress, 20 ± 7 g/cm2 vs 30 ± 9 g/cm2; P < .001 and mean arterial elastance, 43 ± 19 mmHg/mL vs 60 ± 22 mmHg/mL; P = .01), without significant difference in stress-velocity index z-score (-0.42 ± 1.60 vs -0.88 ± 1.30; P = .33). Neonates with hypotension had higher rates of any degree of intraventricular hemorrhage (71% vs 22%; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Low blood pressure in otherwise well extremely low gestational age neonates was associated with low systemic afterload and larger patent ductus arteriosus, but not left ventricular dysfunction.

Multicentre prospective observational study exploring the predictive value of functional echocardiographic indices for early identification of preterm neonates at risk of developing chronic pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic neonatal lung disease.

INTRODUCTION: Although chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) secondary to chronic neonatal lung disease is associated with increased mortality and respiratory and neurodevelopmental morbidities, late diagnosis (typically ≥36 weeks postmenstrual age, PMA) and the use of qualitative echocardiographic diagnostic criterion (flat interventricular septum in systole) remain significant limitations in clinical care. Our objective in this study is to evaluate the utility of relevant quantitative echocardiographic indices to identify cPH in preterm neonates, early in postnatal course and to develop a diagnostic test based on the best combination of markers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this ongoing international prospective multicentre observational diagnostic accuracy study, we aim to recruit 350 neonates born <27 weeks PMA and/or birth weight <1000 g and perform echocardiograms in the third week of age and at 32 weeks PMA (early diagnostic assessments, EDA) in addition to the standard diagnostic assessment (SDA) for cPH at 36 weeks PMA. Predefined echocardiographic markers under investigation will be measured at each EDA and examined to create a scoring system to identify neonates who subsequently meet the primary outcome of cPH/death at SDA. Diagnostic test characteristics will be defined for each EDA. Pulmonary artery acceleration time and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion are the primary markers of interest. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been received by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Board (REB) (#16-0111-E), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre REB (#228-2016), NHS Health Research Authority (IRAS 266498), University of Iowa Human Subjects Office/Institutional Review Board (201903736), Rotunda Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (REC-2019-008), and UBC Children's and Women's REB (H19-02738), and is under review at Boston Children's Hospital Institutional Review Board. Study results will be disseminated to participating families in lay format, presented to the scientific community at paediatric and critical care conferences and published in relevant peer-reviewed journals. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04402645.

Clinical validity of systemic arterial steal among extremely preterm infants with persistent patent ductus arteriosus.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate relevance of diastolic flow abnormalities in celiac trunk (aCT) and middle cerebral artery (aMCA) among preterms with persistent hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (phsPDA, diameter ≥ 1.5 mm, and age ≥ 7 days). STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred fifteen echocardiograms from 156 neonates born <28 weeks gestation age (GA) were analyzed retrospectively. Infants with aCT or aMCA at any time were compared with the rest. Separate comparisons were performed for aCT and aMCA. Primary outcome was composite of death, chronic lung disease (CLD), or necrotizing enterocolitis ≥ stage 2. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. RESULT: Mean (SD) weight and GA were 820(214) g and 25.2(1.3) weeks. aMCA, but not aCT, was associated with primary outcome [adjusted odds ratio 2.17, 95% CI: 1.01-4.67] and CLD [2.20 (0.99-4.87)]. CONCLUSION: aMCA may be a valid marker for defining the clinical significance of phsPDA in preterm neonates. aCeT may be of limited value in selecting patients for treatment.

Implementation of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in tertiary Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units-a longitudinal study.

AIM: To investigate the implementation of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) as bedside monitoring tool of cerebral function in tertiary Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) over the past decade. METHODS: Longitudinal study consisting of online surveys of neonatologists on the use of aEEG in 2009 and 2018. RESULTS: The response rate to the survey was 72 of 149 (49%) in 2009 and 18 of 30 (60%) in 2018, respectively. aEEG has been implemented in almost all (2009: 62.5%; 2018: 94%) tertiary Canadian NICUs. Two-thirds (2009: 67%; 2018: 71%) of the respondents considered information from aEEG tracing helpful in clinical practice. The main indications for aEEG were term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (2009 and 2018: 76%) and seizure detection/surveillance (2009: 88%; 2018: 94%). Teaching on aEEG has been implemented for neonatologists (2018: 100%) and health care providers (2018: 50%) in tertiary Canadian NICUs but there is a lack of standardization of training. Use of aEEG in preterm neonates (2009: 37%, 2018: 33%) and application of aEEG in research (18% reported occasional use) is less common. CONCLUSION: aEEG is well established in tertiary Canadian NICUs to monitor cerebral function and detect seizure activity. There is a need to develop formalized aEEG training programs and methods to assess competence. Further implementation of aEEG in preterm neonates and research is desirable.

Combined Multimodal Cerebral Monitoring and Focused Hemodynamic Assessment in the First 72 h in Extremely Low Gestational Age Infants.

BACKGROUND: Characteristic changes in cerebral saturation (CrSO2), amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), and echocardiography (ECHO) may be associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); however, the feasibility of their combined application is not known. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility and safety of combined multimodal cerebral and hemodynamic monitoring in extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants in the first 72 h after birth. METHODS: In this prospective -observational study of 50 infants born between 23 + 0 and 27 + 6 weeks gestation, we measured CrSO2 and aEEG, starting <8 h until 72 h of age. Sequential echocardiography and head ultrasound were performed at 4-8, 12-18, 24-30, and 48-60 h of age. The primary outcome was feasibility of multimodal monitoring, defined as >75% of the subjects satisfying at least 3/4 criteria: (a) CrSO2 and (b) aEEG monitoring each for >75% of the time, and (c) at least 2 out of 4 ECHO and (d) head ultrasounds (at least one by age 24 h). Adverse reactions to sensors, desaturation, and bradycardia during ultrasound studies were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty infants were enrolled over 14 months. Multimodal monitoring was feasible in 49 (98%) infants. Forty-one (82%) infants fulfilled all 4 criteria. Mild erythema below CrSO2 sensors lasting 3-8 h without skin breakdown was noted in 8/50 subjects (16%). Desaturation was noted during 17/197 (8.6%) of the ultrasound studies. In total, 26/50 (52%) infants developed IVH (grade I/II, n = 22; grade III/IV, n = 4). CONCLUSION: Multimodal monitoring is feasible, safe, and well tolerated in ELGA infants in the first 72 h after birth.

Effect of Phenobarbitone on Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy during Hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: Phenobarbitone induces suppression of cerebral electrical activity on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE); however, its effect during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of phenobarbitone on aEEG in neonates with HIE undergoing TH. METHODS: Thirty-five neonates born at ≥350 weeks gestational age (GA), who received phenobarbitone as first-line antiepileptic drug during TH for ≥ Sarnat stage II HIE with aEEG recordings were retrospectively studied. Background pattern, upper and lower margin voltages were characterized for a 30-min period before and 30-60 min after phenobarbitone administration. Primary outcome was presence of severely abnormal aEEG pattern after phenobarbitone administration. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) GA and median birth weight were 38.2 ± 1.9 weeks and 3.1 (2.5-3.9) kg, respectively. Phenobarbitone (10-20 mg/kg), administered at median age 16.8 h, was associated with background pattern worsening in 19/29 (65.5%) cases. Severe background patterns were more prevalent in post- versus pre-phenobarbitone tracings (21/29 [72%] vs. 11/29 [38%]; p = 0.01). Presence of severe pattern versus either continuous normal voltage or discontinuous normal voltage pattern post-phenobarbitone, (20/25 [80%] vs. 3/8 [38%]; p = 0.036) was associated with death or moderate-to-severe injury on MRI brain. Median time to trace recovery, when measurable, was 4 h (45 min-72 h). CONCLUSIONS: Phenobarbitone induces significant suppression on aEEG in infants with HIE undergoing TH. Development of severe aEEG background patterns after phenobarbitone may unmask a population at greater risk of abnormal outcome.

Patent ductus arteriosus: The physiology of transition.

The transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life represents a critical phase of physiological adaptation which impacts many organ systems, most notably the heart and the lungs. The majority of term neonates complete this transition without complications; however, dysregulation of normal postnatal adaptation may lead to acute cardiopulmonary instability, necessitating advanced intensive care support. Although not as well appreciated as changes in vascular resistances, the shunt across the DA plays a crucial physiologic role in the adaptive processes related to normal transitional circulation. Further, we describe key differences in the behavior of the ductal shunt during transition in preterm neonates and we postulate mechanisms through which the DA may modulate major hemodynamic complications during this vulnerable period. Finally, we describe the conditions in which preservation of ductal patency is a desired clinical goal and we discuss clinical factors that may determine adequate balance between pulmonary and systemic circulation.

Targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) consult service in a large tertiary perinatal center in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the utilization and study the factors associated with the impact on clinical management of a new TNE consultation service in a perinatal center. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all neonates who underwent TNE consultation at the neonatal unit of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada (November 2011 and July 2015). The consults that had "impact" were defined as those that led to a TNE suggested change in the clinical management within 6 h of its recommendation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with a change in clinical management following the consultation. RESULTS: A total of 553 consults were performed for 268 infants (gestational age: 27 ± 4 weeks and age at initial consult: 16 (5, 34) days). Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, 61%), suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH, 27%), and systemic hypotension (SH, 9%) were the common indications. The average consultations increased from 9 in 2012-2013 to 20 per month in 2014-2015. Forty eight percent of consults had an impact on clinical management (PDA scans: 38%, PH: 58%, and SH: 81%, p < 0.01 between all). Male gender (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.9 (1.0, 3.5); p = 0.04), mechanical ventilation (2.43 (1.2, 4.9); p = 0.01), and scans for PH (7.1 (2.2, 23.2); p < 0.01) and SH (2.6 (1.1, 6.5); p = 0.03) were independently associated with the impact on clinical management. TNE consults identified all incidental cases of major structural defects (n = 4), and six out of ten minor diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: TNE consult service demonstrated an increasing utilization and a significant impact on clinical management over time especially for non-PDA indications and in situations of high-illness severity. Although, all major cardiac defects were identified, some minor congenital defects were missed by TNEs.

Outcomes associated with early removal versus retention of peripherally inserted central catheters after diagnosis of catheter-associated infections in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes and hospital resource utilization of infants who had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early versus retained following diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. STUDY DESIGN: In a single centre retrospective cohort study, we compared outcomes of infants who had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early versus retained after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Mortality, cardio-respiratory deterioration, use of blood products and antibiotics were compared between groups. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, of the 119 eligible infants, 38 had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early and 81 had catheters retained after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Baseline demographics, illness severity at onset of sepsis and distribution of organisms were similar between the groups. Infants in "catheter-retained" group required longer antibiotic usage (17 ± 9 versus 13 ± 6 days; p = 0.025) and more frequent sequential positive blood cultures [31/81 (47%) versus 8/38 (22%), p = 0.014). Infants with Gram-negative bacteremia demonstrated higher mortality when catheters were retained [43% (9/21) versus 7% (1/14); p = 0.028]. CONCLUSIONS: Retaining peripherally inserted central catheters after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection was associated with longer duration of bacteremia and prolonged exposure to systemic antibiotics as well as increased mortality in Gram-negative bacteremia.