Unplanned Extubation in Extremely Preterm Neonates: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

Background Unplanned extubation (UE) poses a significant safety risk to mechanically ventilated, preterm, and critically ill neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of UE from January 2018 to December 2021, identify contributing risk factors, and compare the outcomes with a cohort of extremely preterm (EP) infants. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the NICU at the Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.

Parental attitudes and perceptions towards the recruitment of children to clinical trials: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Clinical trials (CTs) in children are critical for understanding and treating childhood diseases. However, there trials require prior permission from parents. We evaluated parental attitudes and perceptions regarding the recruitment of their children in CTs.

Efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters in preventing sepsis post epicutaneo-caval catheter (ECC) removal in neonates: A retrospective study.

Background: Epicutaneo-caval catheters (ECC) are vital in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in enabling prolonged venous access. Despite their benefits, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) pose a potential risk. The ECC removal procedure may contribute to an increased risk of post removal sepsis through biofilm release.

Associations between maternal bacteremia during the peripartum period and early-onset neonatal sepsis: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) significantly impacts neonatal morbidity and mortality, with maternal bacteremia during the peripartum period being a potential risk factor. This study aims to explore the association between peripartum maternal bacteremia and EONS.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at the Women's Wellness and Research Center in Doha, Qatar (2015-2019) compared women with and without bacteremia, based on blood cultures taken from up to seven days before to 48 h after delivery, examining the association with EONS.

Impact of birth weight to placental weight ratio and other perinatal risk factors on left ventricular dimensions in newborns: a prospective cohort analysis.

Objectives: To investigate the association between birth weight to placental weight (BW/PW) ratio, and echocardiographic left ventricle (LV) morphology at birth, while accounting for other relevant perinatal factors.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on neonates at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital from 2014 to 2018, categorized by their BW/PW percentile. Missing data were imputed with principal component analysis.

Preterm infants with positive conjunctival swab culture: risk factors and association with late-onset sepsis-a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Purulent conjunctival discharge in hospitalized preterm infants may indicate conjunctivitis and warrant treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between positive conjunctival swab (CS) culture and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the relationship between positive CS culture growth results (CSP) obtained in preterm infants ≤34 weeks' gestation and the development of LOS within 120 h of obtaining CS compared with those who had negative CS culture results (CSN).

Comparing low-dose (DART) and enhanced low-dose dexamethasone regimens in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Introduction: Determining the optimal dexamethasone dosage for facilitating extubation in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains uncertain. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of low-dose (DART) and enhanced low-dose dexamethasone regimens in achieving successful extubation in these infants.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the Women's Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) involving ELBW infants who received dexamethasone for BPD prevention or treatment, or for extubation between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2019.

Perinatal factors impacting echocardiographic left ventricular measurement in small for gestational age infants: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) have an increased risk of developing various cardiovascular complications. While many influencing factors can be adjusted or adapt over time, congenital factors also have a significant role. This study, therefore, seeks to explore the effect of perinatal factors on the left ventricular (LV) parameters in SGA infants, as assessed immediately after birth.

Warfarin-Associated Fetal Subdural Hematoma Causing Severe Neurodevelopmental Delay: A Case Report.

Fetal subdural hematoma is an antenatal finding associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It can occur due to maternal or fetal risk factors, and its management varies based on the underlying cause and the anticipated long-term outcomes. We present a case of warfarin-associated fetal subdural hematoma resulting in a live birth and severe neurodevelopmental delay by 10 years of age.

Case report: Neonatal autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome with a novel pathogenic homozygous variant effectively treated with sirolimus.

Background: Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare disease characterized by defective signaling, which results in chronic, nonmalignant lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity accompanied by increased numbers of "double-negative" T-cells (DNTs) (T-cell receptor αβ+ CD4-CD8-) and an increased risk of developing malignancies later in life.

Case Presentation: We herein report a case of a newborn boy with a novel germline homozygous variant identified in the gene, exon 9, c.775del, which was considered pathogenic.

Peripherally inserted central catheters versus non-tunnelled ultrasound-guided central venous catheters in newborns: a retrospective observational study.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the success rates and other catheter-related parameters between peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and non-tunnelled ultrasound-guided central venous catheters (USG-CVCs) including femoral, jugular, brachiocephalic and subclavian lines.

Design: This was a retrospective observational study.

Setting: The study was performed in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Qatar, as a single-site study.

Neonatal Simulation Program: A 5 Years Educational Journey From Qatar.

We describe the process of implementation, adaptation, expansion and some related clinical intuitional impacts of the neonatal simulation program since its launch in 2016 in a non-simulation neonatal unit. The team has developed 6 types of curricula: 1 full-day course and 5 half-day workshops. A total of 35 free of charge simulation courses/workshops were conducted, 32 in Qatar and 3 abroad with a total of 799 diverse participants.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in mothers with diabetes mellitus in qatari population.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities. Our objective was to estimate the effect of both pre-pregnancy and gestational DM on the growth parameters of newborns in the Qatari population.

Methods: In this population-based cohort study, we compared the data of neonates born to Qatari women with both pre-pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus in 2017 with neonates of healthy non-diabetic Qatari women.

Video didactic at the point of care impacts hand hygiene compliance in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Objective: To increase the hand-washing (HW) duration of staff and visitors in the NICU to a minimum of 20 seconds as recommended by the CDC.

Methods: Intervention included video didactic triggered by motion sensor to play above wash basin. Video enacted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HW technique in real time and displayed timer of 20 seconds.

Prominent Eustachian Valve in Newborns: A Report of Four Cases.

The Eustachian valve (EV) is an embryological remnant of the inferior vena cava that during fetal life helps divert oxygenated blood from the IVC toward the foramen ovale to escape the pulmonary circulation. This remnant usually regresses after birth and is considered a benign finding in the majority of cases. However, EV can lead to complications in the neonatal period or later in life.

Histologic chorioamnionitis as a consideration in the management of newborns of febrile mothers.

Introduction: Chorioamnionitis (CA) presents a risk for neonatal sepsis, but its diagnosis remains a challenge. Maternal fever is often used as a clinical predictor of infection, but may be affected by other factors. There is no consensus among neonatologists regarding the length of treatment of babies born to febrile mothers with negative blood culture, but whose placentas are positive for the presence of histologic CA (HCA).

Simulated transport alters surfactant homeostasis and causes dose-dependent changes in respiratory function in neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats.

Objective: Forces transmitted to the neonate as a consequence of accelerations during transport have been associated with adverse neonatal outcomes including broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between the duration of transport and respiratory performance in the rat model.

Methods: Four groups of Sprague-Dawley rat pups (10-12 pups/groups) were exposed to simulated medical transport on postnatal day of life 11 or 12.

Perinatal isolated atrial flutter associated with maternal cocaine and opiate use in a late preterm infant.

Atrial flutter is a serious form of neonatal tachyarrhythmia. Maternal drug use of cocaine and/or opiate is associated with central and autonomic nervous signs in fetuses and newborn infants. The fetal cardiovascular effects of cocaine and opiate exposure are not well characterized.

Transient in utero disruption of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator causes phenotypic changes in alveolar type II cells in adult rats.

Background: Mechanicosensory mechanisms regulate cell differentiation during lung organogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was integral to stretch-induced growth and development and that transient expression of antisense-CFTR (ASCFTR) had negative effects on lung structure and function. In this study, we examined adult alveolar type II (ATII) cell phenotype after transient knock down of CFTR by adenovirus-directed in utero expression of ASCFTR in the fetal lung.

Special immunization considerations of the preterm infant.

More changes to the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Immunization Schedule have occurred in the past 3 years than in the previous decade. Selection of the optimal immunization regimen is essential to forestall immunization delay. New complications to the schedule pose challenges for the care of preterm infants who are at increased risk of mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases.