Correlation Between Heart Rate Characteristic Index Score and Severity of Brain Injury in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Background: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains devastating for neonates despite widespread treatment with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). The heart rate characteristic (HRC) index score, a measure of heart rate variability, could prove useful in the management of neonates with HIE as new therapies emerge or when withdrawal-of-support decisions are being considered.

Purpose: The main purpose was to describe correlation between HRC index scores and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) severity of injury for neonates with HIE.

Current Practices and Attitudes Regarding Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in the NICU: Results From a Survey of Members of the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.

Background: Excessive supplemental oxygen exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be associated with oxygen-related toxicities, which can lead to negative clinical consequences. Use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) can be a successful strategy for avoiding hyperoxia in the NICU. iNO selectively produces pulmonary vasodilation and has been shown to improve oxygenation parameters across the spectrum of disease severity, from mild to very severe, in neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

A Review of Oxygen Physiology and Appropriate Management of Oxygen Levels in Premature Neonates.

Background: Although oxygen is the most widely used therapeutic agent in neonatal care, optimal oxygen management remains uncertain.

Purpose: We reviewed oxygen physiology and balance, key studies evaluating oxygen saturation targets, and strategies for oxygen use in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Results: Oxygen is a potent vasodilator involved in the transition at birth to breathing.

Newborn screening: a literature review.

Newborn screening is the largest genetic testing effort for newborns in the U.S. Its purpose is to identify newborns who are at risk for metabolic, endocrine, or hematologic disorders.