Are multiple projections necessary when assessing umbilical venous catheter placement in neonates? A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: There is variability in clinical practice regarding the number of radiographic views required to accurately determine umbilical venous catheter (UVC) tip position. Some units prefer performing a single anteroposterior (AP) view and others do both AP and lateral views. The aim of this study was to compare the need for one versus two radiographical views to accurately determine UVC tip position. METHODS: Radiographs of 382 infants (all gestations) from two level six neonatal units were included in the study. Patients with congenital anomalies and those who had adjustment of UVC position between AP and lateral films being performed were excluded. Six clinicians reviewed anonymized AP only images and documented UVC tip position. Subsequently, they reviewed both AP and lateral views and again documented the UVC tip position. Results were compared to the expert consensus which was taken from the consensus of two paediatric radiologists. RESULTS: The study population had a mean gestational age of 32.8 weeks and birth weight of 2190 g, with 58% males. The UVC tip positions were accurately determined 76% times by the AP view alone and 82% times by using both the AP and lateral views (P < 0.001). The low placed UVC tip position which is the most inappropriate for use was more accurately determined by two images (78% times) rather than single image (70% times) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Utilising both AP and lateral views was superior in accurately determining UVC tip position to AP view alone.

Survey of nutritional practices during therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current nutritional practices during and after therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in UK neonatal units. STUDY DESIGN: Email survey of neonatal clinicians. SETTING: UK neonatal units providing active TH. PATIENTS: Neonates cooled for HIE. METHODS: Email survey including questions regarding the timing of starting enteral feeds, volumes, frequency and parenteral nutrition (PN) use and availability of guidelines. RESULTS: Forty-nine responses were received (49/69, 71%). The rate of enteral feeding during TH and rewarming was 59% (29/49). There was a significant linear trend for the increase in the proportion of units starting enteral feeds (p=0.001) during TH. As compared with post-TH period, significantly lower milk volumes were started during TH (median (range): 7.5 mL/kg/day (1.5-24) vs 17.5 mL/kg/day (7.5-30), p=0.0004). During TH, breast milk was primarily used by 52% of units predominantly as 2-3 hourly feeds, and volumes were increased as tolerated in 55% of units. Only 29% (14/49) of units used PN, with 86% (12/14) of those offering enteral feeds during PN. Guidelines for feeding during TH were available in 31% (15/49) of units. CONCLUSIONS: Many neonatal clinicians offer enteral feeds predominantly using expressed breast milk, with or without PN, during TH, although with huge variability. The heterogeneity in the nutritional practice underscores the need for assessing the safety of both enteral and parenteral feeding during TH.