Antibiotic use in infants at risk of early-onset sepsis: results from a unicentric retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic use for early-onset sepsis represents a high percentage of antibiotic consumption in the neonatal setting. Measures to assess infants at risk of early-onset sepsis are needed to optimize antibiotic use. Our primary objective was to assess the impact of a departmental guideline on antibiotic use among term infants with suspected EOS not confirmed, in our neonatal unit. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, to compare antibiotic use in term infants during a baseline period of January to December 2018, and a postintervention period from October 2019, to September 2020, respectively. The primary outcome was antibiotic use measured by days of therapy, the antibiotic spectrum index, the antibiotic use rate, and the length of therapy. RESULTS: We included 71 infants in the baseline period and 66 infants in the postintervention period. Compared to those in the baseline period, there was a significant reduction in overall antibiotic measures in the postintervention period, (P < 0.001). The total days of therapy/1000 patient-days decreased from 63/1000 patient-days during the baseline period to 25.8/1000 patient-days in the postintervention period, representing a relative reduction of 59%. The antibiotic use rate decreased by more than half of the infants, from 3.2% during the baseline period to 1.3% in the postintervention period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a departmental guideline to assess infants at risk of early-onset sepsis based on their clinical condition and prompt discontinuation of antibiotics, is a simple and low-cost measure that contributed to an important decrease in antibiotic use.

Architectural design, facilities and family participation in neonatal units in Spain: A multicentre study.

AIM: The architecture of neonatal units plays a key role in developmental strategies and preterm outcomes. The aim was to evaluate the design of Spanish neonatal units and its impact on the participation of parents in neonatal care. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to all level III Spanish neonatal units, including questions about hospital data, architectural design, facilities and family participation. RESULTS: The study included 63 units. Most units (87%) had part or all the intensive care patients located in open bay units, while 54% had at least one individual patient cubicle. Single family rooms, defined as those including enough space and furniture for family members to stay with the infant without restrictions, were available in 8 units (13%). Eighteen units (29%) had a structured programme of family education. Units with single family rooms were more likely to have parental participation in rounds (p < 0.01), safety protocols (p = 0.02), oxygen management (p < 0.01) and nasogastric tube feeding (p = 0.02), as well as to allow siblings to participate in kangaroo care (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Widely variable architectural designs and policies were found in Spanish neonatal units. The presence of single family rooms may have impacted the participation of parents in neonatal care.

XIII International Conference on Kangaroo Mother Care - Different opinions, experiences and related KMC issues: Good practices, stabilisation concept, nutrition and basic respiratory support.

AIM: This study aimed to summarise the views and experiences of the participants in the workshop of the XIII International Conference on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). METHODS: The results of the discussions held during the workshop of the XIII International Conference on KMC were summarised. There were 152 participants from 47 countries. Four main KMC topics were discussed: good practices, immediate implementation, nutrition and basic ventilation. RESULTS: Several agreements were reached, namely that professional societies and governments should develop official recommendations to promote KMC as standard care for preterm and low birth weight infants and that parents should be involved as active caregivers in neonatal care units. Moreover, the criteria for referring community-born infants to KMC require standardisation. Important inequalities in resource availability among high-, middle- and low-income countries were recognised for all topics. Specific needs were identified for parenteral nutrition and fortifiers, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and oxygen blenders, which are rarely available in low- and middle-income countries. Immediate implementation of KMC was discussed as a new concept. Its benefits were recognised, but its application has some variability. CONCLUSION: Adequate preterm care requires a basic neonatal package, including KMC, nCPAP, immediate management protocols and adequate nutrition and feeding strategies. The differences in resources among high-, middle- and low-income countries highlight the wide disparities in neonatal care according to the place of birth.

Parents who spent more hours in intensive care units with their low birthweight newborn infant did not achieve autonomous care faster.

AIM: We examined the correlation between how long it took the parents of very low birthweight infants, born weighing up to 1500 g, to provide different kinds of autonomous care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: This prospective observational was conducted in the NICU of a Spanish hospital from 10 January 2020 to 3 May 2022. The unit had 11 beds single-family rooms and provided eight beds in an open bay room. The study examined breastfeeding, patient safety, participation in rounds, pain prevention and cleanliness. RESULTS: We studied 96 patients and their parents and there was no correlation between any type of care and the time it took parents to provide it autonomously. Parents in the single-family room cohort spent a median of 9.5 h per day between them in the NICU, while the parents in the open bay room spent 7.0 h with their infants (p = 0.03). However, parents in the single-family room group were able to recognise pain faster (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Parents in single-family rooms spent more time in the NICU and recognised pain faster but did not achieve autonomous care faster than parents in the open bay group.

[Summary PAPPS Childhood and Adolescence 2022]. / Resumen PAPPS Infancia y Adolescencia 2022.

Two important topics about children and adolescents in our primary care activity are presented in this update document: tobacco smoking prevention in adolescence and prophylaxis with vitamin K to prevent the hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Environmental Exposure during Pregnancy: Influence on Prenatal Development and Early Life: A Comprehensive Review.

Preconception and prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants may affect future health. Pregnancy and early life are critical sensitive windows of susceptibility. The aim of this review was to summarize current evidence on the toxic effects of environment exposure during pregnancy, the neonatal period, and childhood. Alcohol use is related to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, foetal alcohol syndrome being its most extreme form. Smoking is associated with placental abnormalities, preterm birth, stillbirth, or impaired growth and development, as well as with intellectual impairment, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Negative birth outcomes have been linked to the use of drugs of abuse. Pregnant and lactating women are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals present in foodstuffs, which may alter hormones in the body. Prenatal exposure to these compounds has been associated with pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and thyroid function. Metals can accumulate in the placenta, causing foetal growth restriction. Evidence on the effects of air pollutants on pregnancy is constantly growing, for example, preterm birth, foetal growth restriction, increased uterine vascular resistance, impaired placental vascularization, increased gestational diabetes, and reduced telomere length. The advantages of breastfeeding outweigh any risks from contaminants. However, it is important to assess health outcomes of toxic exposures via breastfeeding. Initial studies suggest an association between pre-eclampsia and environmental noise, particularly with early-onset pre-eclampsia. There is rising evidence of the negative effects of environmental contaminants following exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which should be considered a major public health issue.

Eight principles for newborn care in neonatal units: Findings from a national survey.

AIM: To assess, at national level, the implementation of eight principles for infant- and family-centred developmental care (IFCDC) in neonatal units. A European expert group established eight 'Principles of care' in 2018 that define neurodevelopmental and family-centred care. METHODS: The implementation of each principle was assessed by a survey sent to level-III Spanish units. A principle was considered to be implemented if all answers to the principle-associated questions were positive. RESULTS: The response rate was 84.5% (65/77). No unit had implemented eight principles. Principle 1 (free parental access) was implemented in 21.5% of the centres; Principle 2 (psychological support) 40%; Principle 3 (pain management) 7.7%; Principle 4 (environmental influences) 29%; Principle 5 (postural support) 84.6%; Principle 6 (kangaroo-care) 67.7%; Principle 7 (breastfeeding) 23% and Principle 8 (sleep protection) in 46%. In units attending ≥50 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, four or more principles had been implemented in 31% vs 13% <50 VLBW neonates (odds ratio 3.0 CI 95% 0.9-10.1, P .07). CONCLUSION: The principle with the highest implementation was related to newborn body positioning. Pain management was the principle with lowest implementation. More principles for IFCDC tend to be implemented in units providing care for a higher number of VLBW infants.

Percutaneous Inserted Venous Catheter via Femoral Vein in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the applicability of the insertion of small diameter catheters through the femoral vein in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: All femoral small diameter catheters (Silastic or femoral arterial catheter [FAC]) inserted in ELBW infants in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit were retrospectively reviewed. Success rate, dwelling time, and percutaneously inserted central venous catheter-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen small diameter catheters were inserted in seven ELBW infants. Mean gestational age at birth was 25+3 weeks (standard deviation [SD] ± 2.12) and mean birth weight was 686 g (SD ± 204.9). Mean weight at the first time of insertion was 1,044 g (SD ± 376.3). In two occasions, a FAC was used instead of a Silastic. In most cases (11/13, 84.6%), the patient was intubated prior to the procedure. The mean dwelling time was 16.7 days (SD ± 9.8). Most of the inserted small diameter catheters were removed electively (8/12, 66.7%), except for one episode of clinical sepsis from coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and three cases of accidental line extravasation. No other complications were reported. The success rate was 92.3%. CONCLUSION: Femoral venous catheterization using small diameter catheters in ELBW infants may be promising when other routes have been exhausted. Our results support that it is a feasible technique that can be performed at the bedside with successful results when conducted by experienced personnel.

[Childhood and adolescence PAPPS summary 2020]. / RESUMEN PAPPS Infancia y Adolescencia 2020.

Four important topics about children and adolescents in our Primary Care activity are presented in this update document: support for breastfeeding, promotion of physical activity, prevention of child injuries due to traffic accidents, and screening for major depression.

Spanish survey on follow-up programmes for children born very preterm.

AIM: To describe variations in practice between follow-up programmes for very preterm children born at less than 32 weeks' gestation or with very low birth weight of less than 1,500 g. METHODS: A survey on follow-up practices was electronically distributed to level II and III units among hospitals of the Spanish National Health Service in 2016. The survey included 70 questions covering issues such as follow-up organisation and resources, routine assessments, relationships with other services and families, information management and training. RESULTS: The response rate was 91.5% (141/154). Among respondents, 70.9% (100/141) reported that they do provide follow-up and 42% do so up to six years of age. Routine neurological and ophthalmological follow-up is not performed in 60% and 37% of hospitals, respectively, and a second hearing assessment is not given in 62%. Just 38% of units have psychologist. In 41% of hospitals, training in follow-up skills is not included in Paediatric Residency training programme. CONCLUSION: Although Spain has a nationwide health system that provides universal health coverage, we found that follow-up care for children born very preterm/very low birth weight is not equitable. Nearly half of paediatric residents receive no training in follow-up for this high-risk population.

Model that predicted death or disabilities in premature infants was valid at seven years of age.

AIM: Validated a model that used bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), brain injuries measured using ultrasound and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) to predict late death or disability in premature infants at seven years of age. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed at the 12 de Octubre Hospital neonatal unit in Madrid. A logistic model was applied to estimate the independent prognostic contribution of each morbidity, and the effect that the combination of morbidities had on the seven-year outcomes. The analysis was performed on the total cohort from 1991 to 2008 and on two subcohorts from 1991 to 1998 and 1999 to 2008. RESULTS: A total of 1001 children were included with a mean birth weight of 922 ± 208 g. Severe ROP was strongly associated with poor neurodevelopment, with an odds ratio (OR) 3.17 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.56-6.50, and so was BPD (OR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.03-2.2). The combination of two neonatal morbidities increased the risk of a poor outcome (OR 4.44, 95% CI: 1.51-7.86). The model behaved differently in the two subcohorts. CONCLUSION: The prognostic model predicted a poor outcome at seven years of age when the subjects had at least two of the three morbidities.

Congenital Laser-Induced Burns: A Potential Complication after Laser Photocoagulation in Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy.

Background: Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation can directly injure fetal skin and may at birth resemble aplasia cutis congenita (ACC). Case report: A twin monochorionic pregnancy was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome requiring in utero laser photocoagulation, resulting in the death of one twin. After birth, the viable baby presented skin lesions in both legs that were congruent with laser-induced burns. Conclusions: Laser-induced burns present as asymmetric superficial non-necrotic or ulcerated lesions, with a geographic outline, which turn into scars with no retraction or contractures and no changes in pain perception or motor limitations over time. ACC lesions are bilateral and symmetric, with a regular outline, an ulcerated or necrotic appearance, a higher degree of skin involvement affecting all skin layers and, over time, they turn into scars with retraction and contractures. These differential features may help clinicians in a challenging approach to the diagnosis of congenital skin defects.

Performance of a Quantitative PCR-Based Assay and Beta-d-Glucan Detection for Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Neonatal Patients (CANDINEO Study).

An epidemiological, multicenter, noninterventional, observational case-control study was conducted to describe the performance of serum beta-d-glucan (BDG) and Candida PCR in blood, serum, and sterile samples for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis (IC) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm neonates and to compare these techniques with culture of samples from blood and other sterile sites. Seventeen centers participated in the study, and the number of episodes analyzed was 159. A total of 9 episodes of IC from 9 patients (7 confirmed and 2 probable) and 150 episodes of suspected sepsis from 117 controls were identified. The prevalence of IC was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1 to 9.3). The mortality was significantly higher in episodes of IC (44.4%) than in the non-IC episodes (11.1%, P < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR performed on blood/serum samples were 87.5% and 81.6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the BDG results were lower (75.0% and 64.6%). For cases with negative culture results, the PCR and the BDG results were positive in 27 (17.4%) and 52 (33.5%) episodes, respectively. The presence of multiorgan failure, improvement with empirical antifungal therapy, thrombocytopenia, and Candida colonization were significantly associated (P < 0.01) with PCR or BDG positivity regardless of the results of the cultures. Serum BDG analysis and Candida PCR could be used as complementary diagnostic techniques to detect IC in VLBW neonates.

Improving nutritional practices in premature infants can increase their growth velocity and the breastfeeding rates.

AIM: This study analysed the changes in growth velocity (GV) of preterm infants weighing <1500 g based on different nutritional practices over a 24-year period. METHODS: A retrospective study with prospectively collected data was performed in a level three Spanish neonatal intensive care unit. Data on birthweight, gestational age (GA) and GV were collected from 1990 to 2013 and breastfeeding data were gathered from 2000. A generalised linear model corrected by GA and small for gestational age was applied. Multiple mean comparisons between the levels of the variables of interest were performed using the Tukey test. RESULTS: We included 1651 children in the study. The average GA in 1990-1991 was 30.48 ± 2.89 and the average GA in 2012-2013 was 28.79 ± 2.58 (p < 0.01). Significant differences were found when we compared the adjusted GV between the first and last study periods. The most important differences appeared between 1990 and 2013, when the GV increased by 3.27 ± 0.5 g/kg/day (p < 0.01). The breastfeeding rate in 2000-2001 was 47.95% and in 2012-2013 it was 73.58% (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Introducing nutritional practices such as the increased use of breastmilk and the breastfeeding rate improved GV over the study period.

Smart pumps and random safety audits in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a new challenge for patient safety.

BACKGROUND: Random safety audits (RSA) are a safety tool enabling prevention of adverse events, but they have not been widely used in hospitals. The aim of this study was to use RSAs to assess and compare the frequency of appropriate use of infusion pump safety systems in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before and after quality improvement interventions and to analyse the intravenous medication programming data. METHODS: Prospective, observational study comparing the frequency of appropriate use of Alaris® CC smart pumps through RSAs over two periods, from 1 January to 31 December 2012 and from 1 November 2014 to 31 January 2015. Appropriate use was defined as all evaluated variables being correctly programmed into the same device. Between the two periods they were established interventions to improve the use of pumps. The information recorded at the pumps with the new security system, also extracted for one year. RESULTS: Fifty-two measurements were collected during the first period and 160 measurements during the second period. The frequency of appropriate use was 73.13 % (117/160) in the second period versus 0 % (0/52) in the first period (p < 0.0001). Information was recorded on 44,924 infusions; in 46.03 % (20,680/44,924) of cases the drug name was recorded. In 2.5 % (532/20,680) of cases there was an attempt to exceed the absolute limit. CONCLUSIONS: Random Safety Audits were a very useful tool for detecting inappropriate use of pumps in the NICU. The improvement strategies were effective for improving appropriate use and programming of the intravenous medication infusion pumps in our NICU.

Validation of a screening questionnaire for a human milk bank to determine the presence of illegal drugs, nicotine, and caffeine.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the health and lifestyle questionnaire answered by donors to a human milk bank with respect to the presence of illegal drugs, nicotine, and caffeine levels in donor milk. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 400 human milk samples from 63 donors were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the presence of 14 illegal drugs, nicotine, and caffeine. Demographics and clinical and lifestyle data (illegal drugs, tobacco, and caffeinated beverage use) were collected from the required screening questionnaire of a human milk bank. The relationship between the 2 evaluation techniques was determined. RESULTS: Illegal drugs were not found in donor milk. Nicotine (46.1 ng/mL) and cotinine (138.6 ng/mL) were quantified in one milk sample from a donor who did not report tobacco use in the questionnaire (1.6% false negative). Caffeine was detected in 45.3% (181/400) of the total milk samples, with a mean concentration of 496 ± 778 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire to detect caffeine in donor milk was 46% and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The lifestyle questionnaire is reliable for the assessment of illicit drug use by donors to a human milk bank, but there are certain limitations regarding the identification of second-hand smoke exposure and the disclosure of consumption of caffeinated beverages. Data such as smoking habits of partners, type and volume of beverage or food containing caffeine, method of preparation, and time of day of consumption should be collected by the questionnaire.

Clinical Impact of Supplementation with Pasteurized Donor Human Milk by High-Temperature Short-Time Method versus Holder Method in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial.

Nosocomial infections are a frequent and serious problem in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Donor human milk (DHM) is the best alternative for feeding these babies when mother's own milk (MOM) is not available. Recently, a patented prototype of a High-Temperature Short-Time (HTST) pasteurizer adapted to a human milk bank setting showed a lesser impact on immunologic components. We designed a multicentre randomized controlled trial that investigates whether, in ELBW infants with an insufficient MOM supply, the administration of HTST pasteurized DHM reduces the incidence of confirmed catheter-associated sepsis compared to DHM pasteurized with the Holder method. From birth until 34 weeks postmenstrual age, patients included in the study received DHM, as a supplement, pasteurized by the Holder or HTST method. A total of 213 patients were randomized; 79 (HTST group) and 81 (Holder group) were included in the analysis. We found no difference in the frequency of nosocomial sepsis between the patients of the two methods-41.8% (33/79) of HTST group patients versus 45.7% (37/81) of Holder group patients, relative risk 0.91 (0.64-1.3), p = 0.62. In conclusion, when MOM is not available, supplementing during admission with DHM pasteurized by the HTST versus Holder method might not have an impact on the incidence of catheter-associated sepsis.