Health Care Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Individuals Born Preterm.

Importance: Limited data exist on pediatric health care utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among children and young adults born preterm. Objective: To investigate differences in health care use related to COVID-19 concerns during the pandemic among children and young adults born preterm vs those born at term. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, questionnaires regarding COVID-19 and health care utilization were completed by 1691 mother-offspring pairs from 42 pediatric cohorts in the National Institutes of Health Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program. Children and young adults (ages 1-18 years) in these analyses were born between 2003 and 2021. Data were recorded by the August 31, 2021, data-lock date and were analyzed between October 2021 and October 2022. Exposures: Premature birth (<37 weeks' gestation). Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was health care utilization related to COVID-19 concerns (hospitalization, in-person clinic or emergency department visit, phone or telehealth evaluations). Individuals born preterm vs term (≥37 weeks' gestation) and differences among preterm subgroups of individuals (<28 weeks', 28-36 weeks' vs ≥37 weeks' gestation) were assessed. Generalized estimating equations assessed population odds for health care used and related symptoms, controlling for maternal age, education, and psychiatric disorder; offspring history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or asthma; and timing and age at COVID-19 questionnaire completion. Results: Data from 1691 children and young adults were analyzed; among 270 individuals born preterm, the mean (SD) age at survey completion was 8.8 (4.4) years, 151 (55.9%) were male, and 193 (71.5%) had a history of BPD or asthma diagnosis. Among 1421 comparison individuals with term birth, the mean (SD) age at survey completion was 8.4 (2.4) years, 749 (52.7%) were male, and 233 (16.4%) had a history of BPD or asthma. Preterm subgroups included 159 individuals (58.5%) born at less than 28 weeks' gestation. In adjusted analyses, individuals born preterm had a significantly higher odds of health care utilization related to COVID-19 concerns (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21-2.38) compared with term-born individuals; similar differences were also seen for the subgroup of individuals born at less than 28 weeks' gestation (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.40-3.29). Maternal history of a psychiatric disorder was a significant covariate associated with health care utilization for all individuals (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.17-1.78). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, children and young adults born preterm were more likely to have used health care related to COVID-19 concerns compared with their term-born peers, independent of a history of BPD or asthma. Further exploration of factors associated with COVID-19-related health care use may facilitate refinement of care models.

The Feasibility and Impact of a Postresuscitation Care Protocol in the Well Baby Nursery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine if a postresuscitation care (PRC) protocol in the well baby nursery (WBN) would improve identification of infants requiring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective and prospective cohort study of a PRC protocol in 765 WBN admissions after delivery room (DR) resuscitation with continuous positive airway pressure and/or positive pressure ventilation. RESULTS: After protocol initiation, NICU transfers during the birth hospitalization increased significantly (11.17 vs. 16.08%, p < 0.05). There was no difference in incidence of NICU transfer (5.99 vs. 7.29%, pre-PRC vs. PRC, p = 0.47) during the first 4 hours of life during protocol administration. Respiratory distress was the most common indication for NICU transfer in both cohorts (7.90 vs. 11.81%, p = 0.09, pre-PRC vs. PRC). Noninvasive positive pressure and/or high-flow nasal cannula (5.72 vs. 9.55%, p = 0.06, pre-PRC vs. PRC) were routinely administered in the NICU to transferred infants. CONCLUSION: After apparent recovery from DR resuscitation, WBN admissions experience significant risk of complications requiring NICU transfer, supporting Neonatal Resuscitation Program recommendation for enhanced monitoring. In our study, we demonstrated the feasibility of standardized PRC protocol in the WBN. NICU transfers increased after initiation of a PRC protocol; however, further studies are needed to confirm possible benefits of this PRC protocol in improving identification of infants requiring a higher level of care. KEY POINTS: · A PRC protocol in WBN is feasible and associated with increased NICU transfer.. · Despite initial apparent recovery, delayed presentation of respiratory distress is a frequent morbidity.. · Increased surveillance as recommended by Neonatal Resuscitation Program is indicated in this population..

What happens to 35 week infants that receive delivery room continuous positive airway pressure?

OBJECTIVE: Delivery room (DR) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is increasing. Our study examined the risk for neonatal morbidities after DR CPAP in 35 week neonates. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of 259 infants born at 35 weeks gestational age between January 1, 2017-December 31, 2018 at a single center. RESULTS: DR resuscitation was administered in 30.5%, with 19.7% receiving CPAP alone. Eighty percent who received DR CPAP were admitted to the NICU. DR CPAP was associated with the highest NICU admission risk, 9.3 times the risk of those without DR positive pressure, and with respiratory conditions (RDS: OR 4.22 {CI 1.46-11.51}, TTN: OR 3.30 {CI 1.36-7.64}). For the DR CPAP group, non-invasive positive pressure was administered post resuscitation in 90%. CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, 35 week infants frequently received DR CPAP. Of these infants, a majority were admitted to the NICU for respiratory disorders.

Short term outcomes in term and late preterm neonates admitted to the well-baby nursery after resuscitation in the delivery room.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk for deterioration in well-baby nursery (WBN) admissions after resuscitation. STUDY DESIGN: A single center retrospective study (2015-2016) of 370 resuscitated WBN admissions. RESULTS: Of the 11,307 admissions, 3.27% received resuscitation with 183 receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) alone and 187 receiving positive pressure ventilation (PPV) ± CPAP. Resuscitated neonates were more frequently transferred to the NICU (11.6 versus 3.9%, p < 0.001) compared to those without resuscitation. More neonates requiring CPAP alone were transferred to the NICU compared to those requiring PPV ± CPAP (15.85 versus 7.49%, p = 0.01). Univariate risk ratios for transfer were elevated for CPAP alone and lower gestational age categories. Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated increased transfer risk across gestational age categories only. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates admitted to the WBN after delivery room resuscitation are at increased risk for NICU transfer compared to those without resuscitation. This study supports the recommendation for post-resuscitation care.

Increased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in neonates of mothers with abnormally invasive placentation.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of abnormally invasive placentation (AIP) is increasing. Most of these pregnancies are delivered preterm. We sought to characterize neonatal outcomes in AIP pregnancies. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study (2006-2015), AIP neonates (n = 108) were matched to two controls each for gestational age, antenatal glucocorticoid exposure, sex, plurity, and delivery mode. Medical records were reviewed for neonatal and maternal characteristics/outcomes. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were performed to determine relative risk ratios (RR). RESULTS: There were no mortalities. All neonatal outcomes were similar except for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which affected 37% of AIP neonates (versus 21% of controls). AIP neonates required respiratory support (64.8% vs. 51.9%) and continuous positive airway pressure (53.7% vs. 42.1%) for a longer duration. Univariate regression yielded elevated RRs for RDS for AIP (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.24-2.54), placenta previa (RR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.36-2.76), and placenta previa with bleeding (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.36-3.86). One episode of bleeding had a RR of 2.43 (95% CI 1.57-3.76), 2 or more episodes had a RR of 2.95 (95% CI 1.96-4.44), and bleeding/abruption as the delivery indication had a RR of 2.57 (95% CI 1.82-3.64). A multivariate regression stratifying for AIP and evaluating the combined and individual associations of AIP, bleeding, placenta previa, and GA, resulted in elevated RRs for placenta previa alone (RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.15-4.06) and placenta previa and bleeding (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.001-2.85). CONCLUSIONS: The increased incidence of RDS at later gestational ages in AIP is driven by placenta previa. AIP neonates required respiratory support for a longer duration than age-matched controls. Providers should be prepared to counsel expectant parents and care for affected neonates.

Comparison of Feeding Strategies for Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are at risk for growth failure, particularly after stage 1 procedures. The effect of continuous enteral feedings on weight gain has not been previously investigated. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single ventricle variants after stage 1 procedures. Eligible infants were randomized to a continuous and intermittent feeding regimen or an exclusive intermittent feeding regimen after stage 1 procedures and continued until hospital discharge. Anthropometric measures and markers of nutritional status were assessed throughout hospitalization. RESULTS: Twenty-six infants completed the study. There were no significant differences in weight gain, growth, or nutritional status. Weight gain on full enteral feedings was 24.3 versus 23.6 g/d (P = .88) for the combination (continuous and intermittent) versus intermittent feeding groups. Weight-for-age Z scores at discharge were -1.37 versus -1.2 (P = .59) for the combination versus intermittent groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in weight gain, growth, or nutritional status were observed at hospital discharge between the two feeding strategies. Despite both groups achieving target daily weight gain after attaining full feeds, growth failure continued to be a problem after stage 1 procedures. Further strategies to improve growth during initial hospitalization are needed.