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Am J Perinatol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.

Introduction:  Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common neonatal malformations and are a leading cause of infant death in developed countries. Finding safe and effective diagnostic methods to screen for CHDs is important.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulse oximetry (PO) and perfusion index (PI) in screening CHD. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Objectives:  Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality among neonates. The use of nonculture-based tools for early diagnosis is an area of active investigation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum interleukin-27 (IL-27) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in full-term neonates with LOS. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to describe clinical outcomes of bridled nasogastric tube (NGT) program implementation for infants requiring assisted home feeding (AHF) to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Study Design:  This was a descriptive prospective analysis of a pilot cohort of infants after implementation of a bridled NGT AHF program to facilitate discharge from level III and IV NICUs from March 2019 to October 2020.

Results:  Of 29 attempts in infants, 22 infants were discharged with bridled NGTs over 18 months. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

Objective:  The objective of this study was to survey national utilization of cervical length (CL) ultrasound on labor and delivery (L&D) for the evaluation of preterm labor (PTL) and identify provider attitudes and barriers to utilization.

Study Design:  Survey was emailed to Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program and advertised via links on obstetric-related Facebook interest groups. The survey was open from August 4, 2020 to January 4, 2021. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 16. Epub 2022 May 16.

Division of Family Planning Services and Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to quantify the likelihood of assessing all mandated fetal views during the second-trimester anatomy ultrasound prior to the proposed federal 20-week abortion ban.

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 1,983 patients undergoing anatomy ultrasound in 2017 at a tertiary referral center. The difference in proportion of incomplete anatomic surveys prior compared with after 20-week gestation was analyzed using and adjusted logistic regression; difference in mean days elapsed from anomaly diagnosis to termination tested using -tests and survival analysis. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Neonatalogy, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: To compare the effect of maternal and paternal Kangaroo care (KC) on vital signs and cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) parameters.

Methods: This randomized study included 35 preterm infants born at 32 weeks gestation or earlier. The body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation (sPO2), and cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) were measured at the postnatal 35 th week of gestation during three periods: in the incubator before kangaroo care (KC), during KC with the mother or father, and in the incubator after kangaroo care. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, United States.

Background: Pediatric nephrology prenatal consultations for congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and criteria for kidney replacement therapy initiation in neonatal end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are not well described. We evaluated pediatric nephrology approaches to prenatal CAKUT counseling and neonatal dialysis initiation.

Methods: A 35 question Qualtrics® survey was distributed via the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies email list between January-March 2021. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Division of Neonatal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States.

Objective - We characterize the most recent natural history of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), as this is an essential first step in guiding the prevention and treatment of this disease in the present day. Study Design - We performed a retrospective cohort study of neonates who were born at 23-29 weeks gestation and birth weight <1500 grams who received care from the Pediatrix Medical Group between 2004 and 2019. We assessed the incidence of medical and surgical NEC and the patterns of initial antibiotic treatment to develop a contemporary cohort for further analysis. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.

Objective: Neonatal perinatal medicine (NPM) fellowship programs in the United States support >800 learners annually. Understanding variations in the programmatic structure, challenges, and needs is essential to optimize the educational environment and ensure the specialty's future.

Study Design: NPM fellowship program directors (PD) and associate program directors (APD) were invited to complete an electronic survey on their program administration, recruitment, clinical training, assessment methods, scholarly program, and career pathways. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London Health Science Centre, Western University, LONDON, Canada.

Objective: Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography (TNE) is a real-time cardiac imaging modality used by a hemodynamics program to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of neonatal cardiovascular illness. This study aimed to describe trainees' perspectives on existing hemodynamics education, and perceived impacts of TNE and hemodynamics services on their education.

Study Design: This was a mixed quantitative and qualitative study that surveyed Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) fellow trainees in Canada and the United States of America (USA), at programs both with and without a hemodynamics service. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States.

Background and Objectives As pediatric COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands, understanding predictors of vaccine intent is critical to effectively address parental concerns. Objectives included: 1) Evaluate maternal COVID-19 vaccine intent for child(ren) and associated predictors of stated intent; 2) Describe attitudes related to hypothetical vaccination policies; 3) Summarize themes associated with intention to vaccinate child(ren) for COVID-19. Methods Mothers enrolled in Heath eMoms, a longitudinal survey project, were recruited for this electronic COVID-19 survey. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.

Objective:  The effect of gestational age (GA) on gastroschisis outcomes is unclear and delivery timing varies in practice. We aimed to correlate clinical outcomes of infants with gastroschisis and GA at delivery in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC).

Study Design: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of infants with gastroschisis admitted to CHNC neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from 2010 to 2016. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 11. Epub 2022 May 11.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

Objective:   We aimed to evaluate the correlation and agreement of interleukin (IL)-8 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9) levels between cervicovaginal (CVF) and amniotic fluids (AF) in women with preterm labor (PTL) and to determine the clinical values of these proteins in CVF compared with those in AF.

Study Design:  We designed a retrospective cohort study of 85 singleton pregnant women with PTL at 23 to 34 weeks, who underwent amniocentesis. The AF was cultured, and CVF samples were collected at the time of amniocentesis. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 9. Epub 2022 May 9.

Evanston Hospital, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine bereavement support for siblings of patients who die in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) given the adverse effects of unprocessed grief and the paucity of information on children whose newborn siblings die STUDY DESIGN:  This was an anonymous online original survey assessing pre-COVID-19 pandemic bereavement services for NICU families, clinicians' attitudes toward support interventions, challenges, and center characteristics. In spring 2020, nurse managers at 81 U.S. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.

Objective: To examine factors accounting for the incidence of traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) in infants younger than one year old.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) data from 1240 neonatal (≤ 28 days) and 399 infant lumbar puncture (LP) procedures. Data from two successive LP procedures were obtained from 108 patients. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Pediatrics/Neonatology, LAC USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, United States.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that simulation training improves echocardiography skills.

Study Design: In this prospective study, 43 participants (16 neonatologists, 26 neonatology fellows, and 1 nurse-practitioner) were tested on the simulator after 4 hours of didactic sessions on topographical cardiac anatomy and standard echocardiographic views. Participants were given 20 minutes to obtain and save the standard views. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.

Objective: To compare rates of hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses in preterm and full-term children for four years before and after the 2014 update to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) respiratory syncytial (RSV) immunoprophylaxis guidance, which restricted eligibility among infants born at 29-34 weeks in the first winter and all preterm infants in the second winter after neonatal discharge.

Methods: We conducted pre-post and interrupted time series analyses on claims data from a commercial national managed care plan. We compared the number of RSV and all respiratory hospital admissions in the first and second RSV seasons after neonatal discharge among a cohort of preterm children, regardless of palivizumab status, in the four years before and after implementation of the 2014 palivizumab eligibility change. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, United States.

Objective: To determine inhaled corticosteroid (IC) use in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), define the inter-hospital variation of IC administration to infants with BPD, and compare clinical, demographic, and hospital factors associated with IC use.

Study Design: Using the Pediatric Health Information System database a retrospective multicenter cohort of 4,551 infants born at <32 weeks of gestation with developing BPD was studied. The clinical, demographic, and hospital characteristics of infants exposed and not exposed to ICs were compared. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Pediatrics / Neonatology, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States.

Objective Data from the academic medical centers in the US showing improvements in survival of periviable infants born at 22-24 weeks GA may not be nationally representative since a substantial proportion of preterm infants are cared for in community hospital-based neonatal intensive care units. Our objective was to examine the national trends in survival and other short-term outcomes among preterm infants born at ≤24 weeks' gestational age (GA) in the U.S from 2009 to 2018. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Pediatrics, Nemours at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, United States.

Objective: To assess the impact of delayed cord clamping (DCC) for 45 seconds on hemoglobin at birth and close to discharge in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and to compare modes of delivery in infants who received DCC.

Study Design: In a retrospective study, 888 VLBW infants (< 1500 gram) who survived to discharge and received immediate cord clamping (ICC) were compared with infants who received DCC. Infants who received DCC and born via Cesarean section (C-section) were compared with those born via vaginal birth. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Introduction:  Whether biomarkers may enable early identification of women who develop peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) prior to disease onset remains a question of interest.

Methods:  A retrospective nested case-control study was conducted to determine whether first trimester -terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) or high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) differed among women who developed PPCM versus unaffected pregnancies. Cases were matched to unaffected women by age, race, parity, and gestational age of sample (control A) and then further by blood pressure and pregnancy weight gain (control B). Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 May 6. Epub 2022 May 6.

Pegasus Research, Neuschwaendistrasse 6, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland.

Objective:  The objective of this study was to describe the acute side effects experienced by pregnant women who received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the United States and to compare their experience to non-pregnant women of similar age.

Study Design:  Adults who received a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States were invited via social media to enroll in an online, longitudinal, community-based registry (www.helpstopCOVID19. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.

Objective: Progesterone administration has been associated with improved neurologic outcomes following traumatic brain injury in adults. However, studies examining the effect of progesterone on the risk of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are inconsistent. We sought to determine if maternal administration of intramuscular 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) is associated with decreased rates of intraventricular hemorrhage in infants born before 32 weeks' gestation. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru.

Objective: This review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy as compared to the conventional phototherapy in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and their adverse effects.

Study Design: We searched the following databases right from their inception till April, 2021: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and LILACS. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the LED phototherapy with other light sources, which enrolled newborns (term and preterm) with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were included. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States.

Objective To evaluate the utility of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin, galectin-3 and miRNA-126a-5p as screening biomarkers for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) by comparing expression in serum of infants with hypoxic-ischemic injury that develop PPHN to those that do not. Study design This was a prospective, observational pilot study including neonates with hypoxic-ischemic injury undergoing therapeutic hypothermia (TH) at two regional perinatal medical centers. PPHN in this population was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by ECHO. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Objective: Prostaglandin inhibitors are used for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and they often transiently decrease the urine output (UO) due to prostaglandin inhibition in the renal vasculature. We hypothesized that preterm infants whose renal vasculature shows greater sensitivity to prostaglandin inhibitors are likely to have ductal tissue with greater sensitivity to the same. Our objective was to determine whether the decrease in UO following treatment of PDA with a prostaglandin inhibitor is associated with a higher probability of PDA closure. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 18. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Objective:  Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major cause of morbidity in neonates and can be associated with long hospitalization and high health care utilization. This extremely stressful situation can be difficult for many families and caregivers. The high-risk situation combined with increased medical complexity can result in involvement of Department of Child Services (DCS) and even foster care placement. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 6. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Neonatology, University of Health Sciences Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the results of congenital hypothyroidism screening (CHS) in neonates born to women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) during pregnancy and to identify maternal and neonatal characteristics associated with recall rate in CHS.

Material And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included non-refugee pregnant women and newborn pairs who underwent thyroid function tests during prenatal follow-up between 2014 and 2017 and had neonatal CHS records. The women were evaluated overall and divided into euthyroidism (ET) and SHT groups according to their thyroid function tests. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 5. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

With recent advances in neonatal intensive care, preterm infants are surviving into adulthood. Nonetheless,epidemiological data on the health status of these preterm infants has begun to reveal a worrying theme; prematurity and the supplemental oxygen therapy these infants receive after birth appear to be risk factors for kidney disease in in adulthood, affecting their quality-of-life. As the incidence of chronic kidney disease and the survival time of preterm infants both increase, the management of hyperoxia-induced renal disease is becoming increasingly relevant to neonatologists. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2022 Apr 5. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Pediatrics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between internal cerebral vein (ICV) pulsation and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to identify the cutoff values that predict IVH. We hypothesized that the severity of ICV flow pulsations was related to IVH severity.

Study Design: In this prospective observational study, ICV flow was measured in 61 extremely preterm infants using ultrasonography every 12 h until 96 h after birth and on days 7, 14, and 28. Read More