Antenatal magnesium sulfate and the need for mechanical ventilation in the first three days of life.

Background: Antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO) to women in preterm labor has gained widespread use. This study examined the relationship between MgSO exposure with neonatal respiratory outcomes.

Methods: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants exposed to antenatal MgSO were included.

Complications associated with incorrect use of nasal CPAP.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is a safe, effective, non-invasive respiratory modality to deliver positive end expiratory pressure in neonates. Many studies have established its associated improved respiratory outcomes without increase in major morbidities associated with preterm neonates. In contrast, there is paucity in literature addressing complications such as nasal injury, abdominal distention, air leak syndromes (especially pneumothorax), hearing loss, heat and chemical burns, swallowing and aspiration of small components of the nasal interface and delay in escalation of respiratory support associated with the use of nCPAP, most frequently due to its incorrect use.

A Dose-Limited Dexamethasone and Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Ventilation-Dependent Extremely Premature Infants.

Objective: Dexamethasone has been associated with early extubation and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. High doses or prolonged courses of dexamethasone may be associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Study Design: This is an observational cohort study assessing the efficacy of a low-dose short dexamethasone course combined with postextubation bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) strategy on rates of successful extubation and reduction of the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in extremely preterm infants.

Use of Rapid Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early Detection of Bacteremia in Neonates Prior to Blood Culture Positivity: A Pilot Study.

Objective: There has been national strive to decrease the time needed to identify microorganisms in blood culture samples to reduce antibiotic use. This study evaluated rapid molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) use in identifying microorganisms in negative culture bottles from neonates with suspected bacterial blood stream infection at 20 to 24 hours of incubation.

Study Design: All blood specimens from neonates with suspected blood stream infection were included.

Maternal Opioids Usage and Cesarean Delivery Rates: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Objective: The growing opioid crisis increasingly affects maternal care in the US and it is unknown if opioid use puts pregnant women at increased odds for cesarean delivery (CD). Understanding how opioids influence CD trends is important in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aims to understand the association of opioid use with CD in the context of the demographic, clinical, behavioral, and health system complexity.

Significant Correlation between Regional Tissue Oxygen Saturation and Vital Signs of Critically Ill Infants.

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to non-invasively measure specific tissue oxygen saturation (StO) continuously. Cerebral autoregulation status can be derived from NIRS and arterial blood pressure. The relationship of both cerebral and somatic StO, fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE), and cerebro-splanchnic oxygenation ratio (CSOR) with measured vital sign parameters for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients has not been well studied.