Workforce Shortage for Retinopathy of Prematurity Care and Emerging Role of Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of childhood blindness in very-low-birthweight and very preterm infants in the United States. With improved survival of smaller babies, more infants are at risk for ROP, yet there is an increasing shortage of providers to screen and treat ROP. Through a literature review of new and emerging technologies, screening criteria, and analysis of a national survey of pediatric ophthalmologists and retinal specialists, the authors found the shortage of ophthalmology workforce for ROP a serious and growing concern.

Understanding Barriers to Early Intervention Services for Preterm Infants: Lessons From Two States.

Objective: To explore existing barriers and challenges to Early Intervention (EI) referral, enrollment, and service provision for very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) infants.

Methods: We conducted 10 focus groups with parents of VLBW children (n = 44) and 32 interviews with key informants from EI (n = 7), neonatal intensive care units (n = 17), and outpatient clinics (n = 8) at 6 sites in 2 states. We used grounded theory to identify themes about gaps in services.

Pasteurized human donor milk use among US level 3 neonatal intensive care units.

Background: Pasteurized human donor milk (DM) is recommended by the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics for preterm infants when mother's own milk is unavailable, yet the extent and predictors of use and criteria for use in US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate current DM use in US level 3 NICUs and predictors and criteria of use.

Methods: We sent mail surveys to 302 US level 3 NICU directors.