Continuous positive airway pressure for term and ≥34+0 weeks' gestation newborns at birth: A systematic review.

Background: Respiratory distress is common during transition after birth, but the effect of continuous positive airway pressure applied in the delivery room has not been systematically evaluated in spontaneously breathing term and ≥34+0 weeks' gestation infants.We aimed to compare delivery room continuous positive airway pressure with no delivery room continuous positive airway pressure for term and ≥34+0 weeks' gestation newborn infants at birth. Methods: Information sources: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Databases, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. The Databases were last searched in October 2021.Eligibility criteria: Randomized, quasi-randomized, interrupted time series, controlled before-after, and cohort studies with English abstracts.Synthesis of results: Two authors independently extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and certainty of evidence. The main outcome was admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or higher level of care receiving any positive pressure support. Data were pooled using fixed effects models.Risk of bias: Was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized trials and the Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions Tool (ROBINS-I) for observational studies. Results: In this meta-analysis, two randomized control trials (323 newborns delivered by cesarean section) showed that delivery room continuous positive airway pressure decreased the likelihood of NICU admission (risk ratio (RR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27 (0.11-0.66), p < 0.005) and NICU respiratory support (RR (95% CI) 0.18 (0.05-0.60), p = 0.005) when compared with no delivery room continuous positive airway pressure. However, in two before-after studies (8,476 newborns), delivery room continuous positive airway pressure use was associated with an increased risk of air leak syndrome when compared with no delivery room continuous positive airway pressure. Discussion: Certainty of evidence was very low for all outcomes. Among term and ≥34+0 weeks' gestation infants having or at risk of having respiratory distress, there is insufficient evidence to suggest for or against routine use of continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room.Funding: No Funding has been received to conduct this study.Clinical Trial Registration: This systematic review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) [identifier: CRD42021225812].

Laryngeal Mask Ventilation during Neonatal Resuscitation: A Case Series.

Positive pressure ventilation via a facemask is a critical step in neonatal resuscitation but may be a difficult skill for frontline providers or trainees to master. A laryngeal mask is an alternative to endotracheal intubation for some newborns who require an advanced airway. We present the first case series in the United States in which a laryngeal mask was successfully utilized during resuscitation of newborns greater than or equal to 34 weeks' gestation following an interdisciplinary quality improvement collaborative and focused training program.

Effect of rotating providers on chest compression performance during simulated neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: Simulation studies in adults and pediatrics demonstrate improvement in chest compression (CCs) quality as providers rotate every two minutes. There is paucity of studies in neonates on this matter. This study hypothesized that frequent rotation while performing CCs improves provider performance and decreases fatigue. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized, observational crossover study where 51 providers performed 3:1 compression-ventilation CPR as a pair on a term manikin. Participants performed CCs as part of 3 simulation models, rotating every 3, 5 and 10 minutes. Data on various CC metrics were collected. Participant vitals were recorded at multiple points during the simulation and participants reported their level of fatigue at completion of simulation. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was seen in any of the compression metrics. However, differences in the providers' fatigue scores were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: CC performance metrics did not differ significantly, however, providers' vital signs and self-reported fatigue scores significantly increased with longer CC durations.

Best Practices for Conducting Clinical Trials With Indigenous Children in the United States.

We provide guidance for conducting clinical trials with Indigenous children in the United States. We drew on extant literature and our experience to describe 3 best practices for the ethical and effective conduct of clinical trials with Indigenous children. Case examples of pediatric research conducted with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities are provided to illustrate these practices. Ethical and effective clinical trials with Indigenous children require early and sustained community engagement, building capacity for Indigenous research, and supporting community oversight and ownership of research. Effective engagement requires equity, trust, shared interests, and mutual benefit among partners over time. Capacity building should prioritize developing Indigenous researchers. Supporting community oversight and ownership of research means that investigators should plan for data-sharing agreements, return or destruction of data, and multiple regulatory approvals. Indigenous children must be included in clinical trials to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in these pediatric populations. Establishment of the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Institutional Development Award States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ECHO ISPCTN) in 2016 creates a unique and timely opportunity to increase Indigenous children's participation in state-of-the-art clinical trials.

Evaluating Patients' and Neonatologists' Satisfaction With the Use of Telemedicine for Neonatology Prenatal Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine plays a critical role in providing safe, effective healthcare services, while reinforcing social distancing and optimizing the use of personal protective equipment. In this context, the Oklahoma Children's Hospital implemented virtual neonatology prenatal visits for pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal anomalies. While tele-consultations have been broadly used with a high degree of acceptance in rural and remote areas, satisfaction has not been assessed in this particular scenario, where patients and physicians discussing sensitive healthcare information had to rapidly adjust to this new modality. Objectives: To evaluate patients' and neonatologists' satisfaction with virtual prenatal consultations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare satisfaction levels of patients receiving virtual consultation with those receiving in-person consults. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated patients' and neonatologists' satisfaction with virtual consultations. Participants included pregnant women with diagnosis of fetal anomalies who received neonatology prenatal consultations at Oklahoma Children's Hospital, either in-person or through telemedicine, from May to mid-November 2020, and neonatologists providing virtual prenatal consultations in the same period. Virtual visits were delivered via Zoom Pro™. Patients and physicians who agreed to participate rated acceptability completing an anonymous 5-point Likert scale survey. Item frequencies and means for categories of items were computed by group (video-consult patients, in-person patients, physicians) and analyzed, using Welch's t for unequal sample size. Results: Overall consultation quality was rated good or excellent by 35 (100%) video-consult patients and 12 (100%) in-person patients. Patient group means computed on six 5-point Likert items about patient-physician communication did not differ significantly, video-consult: M = 28.71 (2.22); in-person consult: M = 28.92 (1.78) (p = 0.753263). All eight physicians (100%) agreed or strongly agreed that telemedicine was effective, using a 5-point Likert scale, and their combined consultation quality score computed on 10 survey questions was high: M = 46.4 (3.11). Conclusion: Despite patient inexperience with tele-consultations, the quick implementation of telemedicine, and the sensitive reason for the visit, patients and physicians were highly satisfied with virtual visits. Telemedicine is a safe, effective alternative for providing neonatology prenatal consultations for pregnant women with diagnosis of fetal anomalies during the pandemic.

Clinical and Laboratory Predictors for the Development of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome in Infants Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Pilot Study.

Cardiac surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass exposes infants to a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of clinical and laboratory variables to predict the development of low cardiac output syndrome, a frequent complication following cardiac surgery in infants. We performed a prospective observational study in the pediatric cardiovascular ICU in an academic children's hospital. Thirty-one patients with congenital heart disease were included. Serum levels of nucleosomes and a panel of 20 cytokines were measured at six time points in the perioperative period. Cardiopulmonary bypass patients were characterized by increased levels of interleukin-10, -6, and -1α upon admission to the ICU compared to non-bypass cardiac patients. Patients developing low cardiac output syndrome endured longer aortic cross-clamp time and required greater inotropic support at 12 h postoperatively compared to bypass patients not developing the condition. Higher preoperative interleukin-10 levels and 24 h postoperative interleukin-8 levels were associated with low cardiac output syndrome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated a moderate capability of aortic cross-clamp duration to predict low cardiac output syndrome but not IL-8. In conclusion, low cardiac output syndrome was best predicted in our patient population by the surgical metric of aortic cross-clamp duration.

Self-directed video versus instructor-based neonatal resuscitation training: a randomized controlled blinded non-inferiority multicenter international study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of video-assisted self-directed neonatal resuscitation skills course with video-assisted facilitator-led course. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, blinded, non-inferiority-controlled trial compared two methods of teaching basic neonatal resuscitation skills using mask ventilation. Groups of novice providers watched an instructional video. One group received instructor facilitation (Ins-Video). The other group did not (Self-Video). An Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) measured skills performance, and a written test gauged knowledge. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four students completed the study. Sixty-three of 68 in the Self-Video Group (92.6%) and 59 of 66 in the Ins-Video Group (89.4%) achieved post-training competency in positive pressure ventilation (primary outcome). OSCE passing rates were low in both groups. Knowledge survey scores were comparable between groups and non-inferior. CONCLUSIONS: Video self-instruction taught novice providers positive pressure ventilation skills and theoretical knowledge, but it was insufficient for mastery of basic neonatal resuscitation in simulation environment.

Tele-Echocardiography for Congenital Heart Disease Screening in a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with Hybrid Telemedicine System.

Introduction: The nationwide shortage of pediatric cardiologists in medically underserved areas poses a challenge to congenital heart disease (CHD) screening requiring echocardiography, resulting in transfer of neonates to regional Level III/IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of tele-echocardiography for advanced CHD screening at a Level II NICU managed by a hybrid telemedicine system. Methods: Retrospective chart review of infants requiring tele-echocardiography at a Level II NICU. Patient demographics, echocardiography indications, and findings were analyzed. Agreement between tele-echocardiography and conventional echocardiography findings was assessed. Transport cost savings were calculated based on preventable transfers to Level IV NICU. Descriptive statistics were computed for demographic and clinical variables. Results: Over 5 years, 52 infants were screened for CHD. Thirty-two infants (62%) had findings consistent with minor CHD or normal neonatal transitional physiology. Twenty infants (38%) had abnormal findings requiring follow-up with either a conventional echocardiography as inpatient at the regional Level IV NICU or as outpatient after discharge. Only 5 infants (10%) required transfer to a Level IV NICU for CHD management, whereas 15 infants (29%) were scheduled for outpatient follow-up. Strong agreement was noted between tele-echocardiography and conventional echocardiography findings. No case of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) was missed. Tele-echocardiography saved $260,000 in transport costs. Conclusions: Tele-echocardiography can be accurate, safe, and effective in CHD screening, preventing unnecessary transfer of most infants to regional Level III/IV NICUs, saving transfer costs.

Impact of electronic cardiac (ECG) monitoring on delivery room resuscitation and neonatal outcomes.

AIM: In 2016, the neonatal resuscitation guidelines suggested electronic cardiac (ECG) monitoring to assess heart rate for an infant receiving positive pressure ventilation immediately after birth. Our aim was to study the impact of ECG monitoring on delivery room resuscitation interventions and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Observational cohort study compared maternal, perinatal and infant characteristics, before (retrospective cohort, calendar year 2015) and after (prospective cohort, calendar year 2017) implementation of ECG monitoring in the delivery room. Association of ECG monitoring with delivery room resuscitation practice interventions and neonatal outcomes was assessed using unadjusted and adjusted multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 632 newly born infants who received positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room, ECG monitoring was performed in 369 (the prospective cohort) compared with no ECG monitoring in 263 (the retrospective cohort). Compared to neonates in the retrospective cohort, neonates with ECG monitoring had a significantly lower endotracheal intubation rate (36% vs 48%, P < .005) in the delivery room and higher 5-min Apgar scores (7 [5-8] vs 6 [5-8], P < .05). There was no difference in mortality (31 [8%] vs 23 [9%]), but infants who received ECG monitoring had increased odds of receiving chest compressions with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.4-9.5). CONCLUSION: Introduction of ECG monitoring in the delivery room was associated with fewer endotracheal intubations, and an increase use of chest compressions with no difference in mortality.

Ventilación del recién nacido: comparación entre un reanimador con pieza en t y bolsas autoinflables en un simulador de neonato prematuro / Newborn ventilation: comparison between a T-piece resuscitator and self-inflating bags in a neonatal preterm simulator

Administrar ventilación asistida adecuada es la intervención más eficaz durante la reanimación de los recién nacidos en sala de partos. La evidencia sobre cuál es el dispositivo óptimo para suministrar ventilación con presión positiva (VPP) luego del nacimiento es aún limitada. Objetivo. Comparar la precisión en la administración de presión positiva y frecuencia respiratoria en un modelo de reanimación neonatal, con bolsas autoinflables (BAI) de 240 ml y 450 mly un reanimador con pieza en T y evaluar la variabilidad según la experiencia del operador.Población y métodos. 76 profesionales divididos en dos grupos, de acuerdo a su experiencia, realizaron VPP a un simulador neonatal empleando los tres dispositivos de ventilación, con máscara facial y tubo endotraqueal. Utilizaron aleatoriamente cada combinación de dispositivo y la interfaz en dos oportunidades consecutivas. Se realizó análisis de varianza a dos factores paramediciones repetidas.Resultados. Las BAI 240 y 450 fueron similares en la media de la presión inspiratoria máxima (PIM), pero ambas fueron significativamente diferentes(p menor 0,001) con respecto al reanimador con pieza en T, aunque los valores se acercaron a lo solicitado. La frecuencia respiratoria media sobrepasó la indicada con todos los dispositivos (p menor 0,001). Los operadores experimentados, independientemente del dispositivo y de la interfaz utilizados, estuvieron más cerca que los principiantes de la frecuencia respiratoria solicitada. Conclusión. Tanto la pieza en T como las BAI administraron PIM cercanas a las indicadas, independientemente de la experiencia del operador,y con las bolsas se observaron valores superiores.Las BAI y los operadores principiantes se asociaron con una mayor FR. La consistencia intraoperador fue equiparable en las variablesmedidas con todos los dispositivos.

Ventilación del recién nacido: comparación entre un reanimador con pieza en t y bolsas autoinflables en un simulador de neonato prematuro / Newborn ventilation: comparison between a T-piece resuscitator and self-inflating bags in a neonatal preterm simulator

Administrar ventilación asistida adecuada es la intervención más eficaz durante la reanimación de los recién nacidos en sala de partos. La evidencia sobre cuál es el dispositivo óptimo para suministrar ventilación con presión positiva (VPP) luego del nacimiento es aún limitada. Objetivo. Comparar la precisión en la administración de presión positiva y frecuencia respiratoria en un modelo de reanimación neonatal, con bolsas autoinflables (BAI) de 240 ml y 450 mly un reanimador con pieza en T y evaluar la variabilidad según la experiencia del operador.Población y métodos. 76 profesionales divididos en dos grupos, de acuerdo a su experiencia, realizaron VPP a un simulador neonatal empleando los tres dispositivos de ventilación, con máscara facial y tubo endotraqueal. Utilizaron aleatoriamente cada combinación de dispositivo y la interfaz en dos oportunidades consecutivas. Se realizó análisis de varianza a dos factores paramediciones repetidas.Resultados. Las BAI 240 y 450 fueron similares en la media de la presión inspiratoria máxima (PIM), pero ambas fueron significativamente diferentes(p menor 0,001) con respecto al reanimador con pieza en T, aunque los valores se acercaron a lo solicitado. La frecuencia respiratoria media sobrepasó la indicada con todos los dispositivos (p menor 0,001). Los operadores experimentados, independientemente del dispositivo y de la interfaz utilizados, estuvieron más cerca que los principiantes de la frecuencia respiratoria solicitada. Conclusión. Tanto la pieza en T como las BAI administraron PIM cercanas a las indicadas, independientemente de la experiencia del operador,y con las bolsas se observaron valores superiores.Las BAI y los operadores principiantes se asociaron con una mayor FR. La consistencia intraoperador fue equiparable en las variablesmedidas con todos los dispositivos.(AU)

Ventilación del recién nacido: comparación entre un reanimador con pieza en t y bolsas autoinflables en un simulador de neonato prematuro / Newborn ventilation: comparison between a T-piece resuscitator and self-inflating bags in a neonatal preterm simulator

Administrar ventilación asistida adecuada es la intervención más eficaz durante la reanimación de los recién nacidos en sala de partos. La evidencia sobre cuál es el dispositivo óptimo para suministrar ventilación con presión positiva (VPP) luego del nacimiento es aún limitada. Objetivo. Comparar la precisión en la administración de presión positiva y frecuencia respiratoria en un modelo de reanimación neonatal, con bolsas autoinflables (BAI) de 240 ml y 450 mly un reanimador con pieza en T y evaluar la variabilidad según la experiencia del operador.Población y métodos. 76 profesionales divididos en dos grupos, de acuerdo a su experiencia, realizaron VPP a un simulador neonatal empleando los tres dispositivos de ventilación, con máscara facial y tubo endotraqueal. Utilizaron aleatoriamente cada combinación de dispositivo y la interfaz en dos oportunidades consecutivas. Se realizó análisis de varianza a dos factores paramediciones repetidas.Resultados. Las BAI 240 y 450 fueron similares en la media de la presión inspiratoria máxima (PIM), pero ambas fueron significativamente diferentes(p menor 0,001) con respecto al reanimador con pieza en T, aunque los valores se acercaron a lo solicitado. La frecuencia respiratoria media sobrepasó la indicada con todos los dispositivos (p menor 0,001). Los operadores experimentados, independientemente del dispositivo y de la interfaz utilizados, estuvieron más cerca que los principiantes de la frecuencia respiratoria solicitada. Conclusión. Tanto la pieza en T como las BAI administraron PIM cercanas a las indicadas, independientemente de la experiencia del operador,y con las bolsas se observaron valores superiores.Las BAI y los operadores principiantes se asociaron con una mayor FR. La consistencia intraoperador fue equiparable en las variablesmedidas con todos los dispositivos.(AU)

[Newborn ventilation: comparison between a T-piece resuscitator and self-infating bags in a neonatal preterm simulator]. / Ventilación del recién nacido: comparación entre un reanimador con pieza en T y bolsas autoinflables en un simulador de neonato prematuro.

INTRODUCTION: Although the provision of effective assisted ventilation is the most effective intervention in delivery room resuscitation of depressed newborn infants, there is still limited evidence about which is the optimal device to deliver positive pressure ventilation (PPV). OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of pressures and ventilation rate (VR) delivered to a neonatal simulator with three devices: 240 ml and 450 ml self-infating bags (SIB) and a T-piece resuscitator, and to evaluate the variability in terms of providers' experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 76 health care providers divided in two groups according to experience were asked to provide positive pressure ventilation to a neonatal simulator through a facial mask or an endotracheal tube with three ventilating devices: a T-piece resuscitator, a 240 ml and a 450 ml self-infating bags. Participants used each combination of device and interface randomly on 2 consecutive occasions. Mean and maximum PIP and respiratory rate were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULT: SIB 240 and 450 were similar in the mean target peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) but both were significantly different (p < 0.001) from T-piece, although all values were close to the target. Mean VR was over the target for all the devices (p < 0.001). The highest difference found was 7 ± 1.7 breaths/minute with the 240 ml bag when compared with the T-piece using a mask. Experienced operators were closer than novice operators to target VR, regardless of the device or interface. CONCLUSION: The accuracy for the devices was comparable in the variables measured regardless operator´s experience. Overall, the T-piece provided lower PIP while both SIB, higher than the target. The VR was over the target for all the devices. Both SIB and novice participants were associated with higher VR. The intraoperator consistency was comparable in the variables measured with all devices.

[Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survey]. / Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional.

UNLABELLED: Based on the results of two large RCTs, guidelines from NRP/AAP, ILCOR, ACOG, and from Argentinean scientific societies for intrapartum and postpartum management of pregnancies with Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid (MSAF) have radically changed. However, there are no data as to current delivery room management of infants born through MSAF. OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess current delivery room approaches in infants born through MSAF in Argentina; 2) To evaluate the adherence to NRP/AAP recommendations among different centers. DESIGN/METHODS: A 20-question anonymous web-mail based survey was sent to 121 institutions with > or = 500 births a year. RESULTS: The response rate was 63% representing 182,540 deliveries/year (26% of the total number of births in the country). Among the surveyed institutions, 24% were located in the city of Buenos Aires and 72% were public hospitals. Although no longer recommended, the following procedures are frequently performed: 1) Oro-nasopharingeal suctioning of meconiumstained infants before the delivery of the shoulders: sometimes, 50% of centers; always, 7 %. 2) Routine tracheal suctioning in vigorous infants, 30%. 3) Glottis exposure under laryngoscopy, 13 % for thin-consistency MSAF and 43% for thick-consistency MSAF. On the contrary, and although strongly recommended, only 69% of depressed infants have tracheal suctioning before ventilation. Up to 7% of centers perform other non recommended procedures such as chest compression and pressure over the larynx, to avoid breathing, and gastric lavage. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of not being currently recommended, intrapartum suction and postnatal intubation and suction of vigorous infants with MSAF are commonly performed in Argentina while in depressed newborns the latter procedure is not always carried out. Our study confirms the frequent gaps observed between scientific evidence, guidelines and clinical practice.

Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional / Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survery

Las guías de las sociedades científcas internacionales para asistencia intraparto y posparto de nacimiento con líquido amniótico meconial (LAM) cambiaron radicalmente en los últimos años en base a dos grandes estudios aleatorizados. En la Argentina no hay información acerca de las prácticas que se realizan en estos nacimientos. Objetivos: 1) Conocer qué prácticas se utilizan en la recepción de recién nacidos con antecedente de LAM. 2) Evaluar el grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones actuales. Material y métodos- Encuesta anónima vía internet a centros del país con mayor o igual 500 nacimientos anuales. Se contactaron 121 instituciones. Resultados: Respondieron 76/121 (63 por ciento) correspondientes a 182540 nacimientos anuales (26 por ciento del total de la Argentina). De las respuestas, 24 por ciento fueron de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y 72 por ciento de hospitales públicos. Se realizan frecuentemente los siguientes procedimientos no recomendados: 1) aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros: en el 50 por ciento a veces y en el 7 por ciento siempre; 2) Aspiración endotraqueal de rutina en niños vigorosos, 30 por ciento de los centros; 3) laringoscopia de rutina para visualizar las cuerdas vocales en el 13 por ciento de LAM fluido y 31 por ciento de LAM espeso. Por el contrario, y a pesar de ser una recomendación formal, la aspiración endotraqueal de niños deprimidos antes de comenzar con la ventilación se realiza sólo en el 69 por ciento de los casos. Un 7 por ciento de los centros encuestados, realiza otros procedimientos no recomendados, como comprensión torácica y presión sobre la laringe para evitar que el niño respire y también el lavado gástrico. Conclusiones: La aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros y la intubación y aspiración posnatal de niños vigorosos con LAM se realizan frecuentemente en la Argentina.

Prácticas en la asistencia de niños nacidos con líquido amniótico meconial en la sala de partos: una encuesta nacional / Delivery room practices in infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid: a national survery

Las guías de las sociedades científcas internacionales para asistencia intraparto y posparto de nacimiento con líquido amniótico meconial (LAM) cambiaron radicalmente en los últimos años en base a dos grandes estudios aleatorizados. En la Argentina no hay información acerca de las prácticas que se realizan en estos nacimientos. Objetivos: 1) Conocer qué prácticas se utilizan en la recepción de recién nacidos con antecedente de LAM. 2) Evaluar el grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones actuales. Material y métodos- Encuesta anónima vía internet a centros del país con mayor o igual 500 nacimientos anuales. Se contactaron 121 instituciones. Resultados: Respondieron 76/121 (63 por ciento) correspondientes a 182540 nacimientos anuales (26 por ciento del total de la Argentina). De las respuestas, 24 por ciento fueron de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y 72 por ciento de hospitales públicos. Se realizan frecuentemente los siguientes procedimientos no recomendados: 1) aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros: en el 50 por ciento a veces y en el 7 por ciento siempre; 2) Aspiración endotraqueal de rutina en niños vigorosos, 30 por ciento de los centros; 3) laringoscopia de rutina para visualizar las cuerdas vocales en el 13 por ciento de LAM fluido y 31 por ciento de LAM espeso. Por el contrario, y a pesar de ser una recomendación formal, la aspiración endotraqueal de niños deprimidos antes de comenzar con la ventilación se realiza sólo en el 69 por ciento de los casos. Un 7 por ciento de los centros encuestados, realiza otros procedimientos no recomendados, como comprensión torácica y presión sobre la laringe para evitar que el niño respire y también el lavado gástrico. Conclusiones: La aspiración orofaríngea y nasofaríngea antes del desprendimiento de los hombros y la intubación y aspiración posnatal de niños vigorosos con LAM se realizan frecuentemente en la Argentina.(AU)

What (not) to do at and after delivery? Prevention and management of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening disorder in newborn infants. Universal intrapartum suction of infants with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and postnatal suction of vigorous infants have been used in an attempt to decrease the incidence and severity of the disease by clearing the airway. Both procedures have been proven fruitless when challenged through randomised control trials (RCTs). Endotracheal intubation and suctioning are currently recommended only for non-vigorous infants. Respiratory failure in infants with MAS is frequently treated initially with conventional or synchronized mechanical ventilation. Surfactant administration and high-frequency ventilation (HFV) are commonly used as rescue therapy for severe cases. Nitric oxide (NO) is added when severe pulmonary hypertension is demonstrated. ECMO is an option when other treatments have failed. In the pathophysiology of severe MAS, asphyxia and pulmonary hypertension are considered to be more important than the obstruction of the airways and/or damage to the lung produced by meconium.

Ventilation strategies in the depressed term infant.

The transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life requires the lungs to change from being fluid-filled to air-filled and for regular, spontaneous respiration to become established. Many infants do not achieve this transition promptly without assistance and are given some form of artificial ventilation. Professional guidelines advocate the establishment of effective ventilation as the primary objective in the management of the apneic or bradycardic newborn infant in the delivery room. Considering the frequency with which neonatal resuscitation is performed, and the variety of devices available for resuscitating newly born infants, there have been relatively few prospective, randomized, clinical studies in newborns on which to base recommendations for practice. Much of the information comes from small case series, studies performed in asphyxiated or immature animals, and in-vitro tests.

Maternal antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and infant low birth weight and preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between maternal antiretroviral regimens during pregnancy and adverse infant outcomes [low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth]. The a priori hypothesis was that protease inhibitor (PI)-containing regimens are associated with an increased risk of LBW and preterm birth. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of HIV-1-infected women and their infants (NISDI Perinatal Study). METHODS: Data were analysed from 681 women receiving at least one antiretroviral drug [in order of increasing complexity: one or two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (1-2 NRTI), two NRTI plus one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) (HAART/NNRTI), or two NRTI plus one PI (HAART/PI)] for at least 28 days during pregnancy, and who delivered live born, singleton infants with known birth weight and gestational age by 1 March 2005. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to assess the relationship of maternal ART with LBW and with preterm birth, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The incidence of LBW and preterm birth, respectively, was 9.6% and 7.4% (1-2 NRTI), 7.4% and 5.8% (HAART/NNRTI), and 16.7% and 10.6% (HAART/PI). There was no statistically significant increased risk of LBW [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.5; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.7-3.2] or preterm birth (AOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.5-2.8) among women who received HAART/PI compared with women receiving 1-2 NRTI. CONCLUSIONS: Among a population of HIV-1-infected women in Latin America and the Caribbean, maternal receipt of PI-containing ART regimens during pregnancy was not associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of LBW or preterm birth.

Initial ventilation strategies during newborn resuscitation.

Ventilation alone is usually effective in most neonatal resuscitation episodes. A review of the evidence underpinning recommendations for methods and devices for providing initial ventilation during newborn resuscitation was conducted. Self-inflating bags, flow-inflating (anesthesia) bags, and T-piece devices all may be used to provide effective ventilation after birth, with none clearly superior. Whichever method is used, ventilation is likely to be delivered more consistently if a pressure-monitoring device is incorporated. The best indication of successful ventilation is a prompt increase in heart rate. The role of positive end-expiratory pressure during resuscitation requires further research, particularly in preterm infants, in whom it may protect against lung injury.