Late-Onset Sepsis among Extremely Preterm Infants of 24-28 Weeks Gestation: An International Comparison in 10 High-Income Countries.

Introduction: Despite advances in neonatal care, late-onset sepsis remains an important cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Neonatal late-onset sepsis rates have decreased in some countries, while in others they have not. Our objective was to compare trends in late-onset sepsis rates in 9 population-based networks from 10 countries and to assess the associated mortality within 7 days of late-onset sepsis.

Perinatal and neonatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight, very preterm twins: a population-based study.

Objective: To determine the effect of perinatal and neonatal risk factors on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to examine the association of fertility treatments on the risk for ROP in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm twins.

Methods: The population-based observational study consisted of VLBW twins born at 24-29 weeks gestational age (GA). Data from the Israel national database (1995-2020) were applied.

Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Background And Objectives: Late-onset sepsis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Our objective was to determine risk factors associated with late-onset sepsis and to present temporal trends in overall and pathogen-specific rates.

Methods: Population-based study by the Israel Neonatal Network on VLBW infants (≤1500 g) born between 1995 and 2019.

Effect of maternal age on neonatal outcomes in very low birth weight singleton infants: a population-based study.

Background: Little is known on the impact of maternal age (MA) on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants' outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that at both ends of MA there are increased adverse neonatal outcomes in VLBW infants.

Methods: We used the Israel National Neonatal Network VLBW (≤1500 g) database.

Neonatal morbidities and postnatal growth failure in very low birth weight, very preterm infants.

Aim: To assess postnatal growth in infants with and without major neonatal morbidities.

Methods: This study is based on analysis of data collected by the Israel Neonatal Network on VLBW infants (≤1500 g) born in Israel from 2009 to 2018. Postnatal growth was assessed in two 5 years epochs: 2009-2013 (n = 4583) and 2014-2018 (n = 4558).

International Variation in the Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Its Association with Infant Outcomes: A Survey and Linked Cohort Study.

Objective: To assess whether treating patients with a presymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), based on early routine echocardiography, performed regardless of clinical signs, improved outcomes.

Study Design: This multicenter, survey-linked retrospective cohort study used an institutional-level questionnaire and individual patient-level data and included infants of <29 weeks of gestation born in 2014-2016 and admitted to tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of 9 population-based national or regional neonatal networks. Infants in NICUs receiving treatment of presymptomatic PDA identified by routine echocardiography and those not were compared for the primary composite outcome (early death [≤7 days after birth] or severe intraventricular hemorrhage) and secondary outcomes (any in-hospital mortality and major morbidities).

Preterm Singleton Birth Rate during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic national lockdown period on the rate of singleton preterm births in Israel.

Study Design: This is a population-based cohort study of 3,41,291 singleton infants born in the months of January to July 2017 to 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the influence of period and year on the rates of preterm births during the lockdown period (11 March - 5 May 2020) compared with rates before (January 1 2020 - March 10 2020), and after the lockdown (May 6 2020-June 30 2020) and to the corresponding periods in 2017to 2019.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Obesity: A National Study of 1.1 Million Israeli Adolescents.

Purpose: The incidences of obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have increased in parallel over recent decades. We assessed the association between obesity and ADHD in a national sample of adolescents.

Method: In a nationwide population-based study of 1 118 315 adolescents (57% males; mean age 17 years), risks of obesity were compared between individuals with severe and mild ADHD and those without ADHD.

Five-minute Apgar score and outcomes in neonates of 24-28 weeks' gestation.

Objectives: To assess associations between 5 min Apgar score and mortality and severe neurological injury (SNI) and to report test characteristics in preterm neonates.

Design, Setting And Patients: Retrospective cohort study of neonates 24 to 28 weeks' gestation born between 2007 and 2016 and admitted to neonatal units in 11 high-income countries.

Exposure: 5 min Apgar score.

Variations in Neonatal Length of Stay of Babies Born Extremely Preterm: An International Comparison Between iNeo Networks.

Objective: To compare length of stay (LOS) in neonatal care for babies born extremely preterm admitted to networks participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes of Neonates (iNeo).

Study Design: Data were extracted for babies admitted from 2014 to 2016 and born at 24 to 28 weeks of gestational age (n = 28 204). Median LOS was calculated for each network for babies who survived and those who died while in neonatal care.

Inter-center variability in neonatal outcomes of preterm infants: A longitudinal evaluation of 298 neonatal units in 11 countries.

Collaboration and cooperation of clinicians and neonatal units at regional, national, and international levels are key features of many networks or systems that aim to improve neonatal outcomes. Network performance is typically assessed by comparing individual, unit-level outcomes. In this paper, we provide insight into another dimension, i.

Antenatal corticosteroid therapy is associated with a lower risk of cystic periventricular leukomalacia.

Aim: To evaluate the association of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) therapy on the risk for cystic periventricular leukomalacia (c-PVL) in very low birth weight (VLBW), very preterm infants, whilst accounting for the occurrence of major neonatal morbidities; sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Methods: Population-based observational cohort study applying data collected by the Israel national VLBW infant database from 1995-2016.

Results: Cystic PVL was diagnosed in 692 (6.

Short-term outcomes of Jewish and Arab preterms: a population-based comparison.

Objective: To compare short-term outcomes of Arabs versus Jewish infants in Israel.

Methods: We used the Israel national VLBW infant database to compare adjusted mortality and major morbidities rates of Arabs versus Jewish infants delivered between January 1995 and December 2016. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to study the association of ethnicity with the odds for mortality and neonatal morbidities.

Socioeconomic inequalities and severe obesity-Sex differences in a nationwide study of 1.12 million Israeli adolescents.

Introduction: In a nationwide population of adolescents, we investigated the sex-specific association of socioeconomic position (SEP) with severe obesity, and trends over time.

Methods: The cohort comprises all Israeli adolescents (mean ± SD age 17.3 ± 0.

Family Rooms in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Neonatal Outcomes: An International Survey and Linked Cohort Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the proportion of neonatal intensive care units with facilities supporting parental presence in their infants' rooms throughout the 24-hour day (ie, infant-parent rooms) in high-income countries and to analyze the association of this with outcomes of extremely preterm infants.

Study Design: In this survey and linked cohort study, we analyzed unit design and facilities for parents in 10 neonatal networks of 11 countries. We compared the composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity, length of stay, and individual morbidities between neonates admitted to units with and without infant-parent rooms by linking survey responses to patient data from 2015 for neonates of less than 29 weeks of gestation.

Neonatal outcomes of extremely preterm twins by sex pairing: an international cohort study.

Objective: Infant boys have worse outcomes than girls. In twins, the 'male disadvantage' has been reported to extend to female co-twins via a 'masculinising' effect. We studied the association between sex pairing and neonatal outcomes in extremely preterm twins.

Antepartum Hemorrhage and Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight, Very Preterm Infants: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: We aimed to determine the independent effect of maternal antepartum hemorrhage (APH) on mortality and major neonatal morbidities among very low birth weight (VLBW), very preterm infants.

Study Design: A population-based cohort study of VLBW singleton infants born at 24 to 31 weeks of gestation between 1995 and 2016 was performed. Infants born with the following pregnancy associated complications were excluded: maternal hypertensive disorders, prolonged rupture of membranes, amnionitis, maternal diabetes, and small for gestational age.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Level Patent Ductus Arteriosus Treatment Rates and Outcomes in Infants Born Extremely Preterm.

Objectives: To assess associations between neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-level patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment rates (pharmacologic or surgical) and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: This cohort study included infants born at 24-28 weeks of gestation and birth weight <1500 g in 2007-2015 in NICUs caring for ≥100 eligible infants in 6 countries. The ratio of observed/expected (O/E) PDA treatment rates was derived for each NICU by estimating the expected rate using a logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounders and network.

Neonatal Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants With Severe Congenital Heart Defects: An International Cohort Study.

Background Very preterm infants are at high risk of death or severe morbidity. The objective was to determine the significance of severe congenital heart defects (CHDs) for these risks. Methods and Results This cohort study included infants from 10 countries born from 2007-2015 at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation with birth weights <1500 g.

Mode of delivery and necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm very-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective: To investigate the association between delivery mode and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very preterm (24-31 weeks' gestational age (GA)) very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) (≤1500 g) infants.

Design: Population-based observational study using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Setting: The Israel National VLBW infant database 1995-2015.

Postnatal steroid therapy is associated with autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents of very low birth weight infants.

Background: This study evaluates the association between major neonatal morbidities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents born of very low birth weight (VLBW).

Methods: Historical cohort study using the Israel national VLBW infant database linked with the Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS) medical records. The study cohort comprised 4963 VLBW subjects born from 1999 to 2012, >1 year of age.

Survey shows marked variations in approaches to redirection of care for critically ill very preterm infants in 11 countries.

Aim: We surveyed care practices for critically ill very preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates (iNeo) to identify differences relevant to outcome comparisons.

Methods: We conducted an online survey on care practices for critically ill very preterm infants and infants with severe intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). The survey was distributed in 2015 to representatives of 390 NICUs in 11 countries.

Preventive strategies and factors associated with surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants: an international unit survey linked with retrospective cohort data analysis.

Objectives: To compare necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) prevention practices and NEC associated factors between units from eight countries of the International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes of Neonates, and to assess their association with surgical NEC rates.

Design: Prospective unit-level survey combined with retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Neonatal intensive care units in Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Tuscany (Italy).

Trends in Outcomes for Neonates Born Very Preterm and Very Low Birth Weight in 11 High-Income Countries.

Objective: To evaluate outcome trends of neonates born very preterm in 11 high-income countries participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes of neonates.

Study Design: In a retrospective cohort study, we included 154 233 neonates admitted to 529 neonatal units between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015, at 24 to 31 weeks of gestational age and birth weight <1500 g. Composite outcomes were in-hospital mortality or any of severe neurologic injury, treated retinopathy of prematurity, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); and same composite outcome excluding BPD.