Comparison of the efficacy and safety of cuffed versus uncuffed endotracheal tubes for infants in the intensive care setting: a pilot, unblinded RCT.

Objective: To study effectiveness and safety of cuffed versus uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) in small infants in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Design: Pilot RCT.

Setting: Neonatal and paediatric ICUs of children's hospital in Western Australia.

Long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors.

Objective: Survival rates for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are increasing. The long-term outcomes of CDH survivors were compared with a healthy control group to assess the morbidity for guidance of antenatal counselling and long-term follow-up programmes.

Participants And Design: Participants born with CDH in Western Australia 1993-2008 were eligible with matched controls from the general population.

Impact of hypoglycaemia on neurodevelopmental outcomes in hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Low blood glucose levels (BGLs) in infants are known to adversely affect neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, this risk is not well explored in infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) that receive therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Additionally, little information is available on the optimal BGLs to target in infants with HIE.

Cuffed endotracheal tubes in infants less than 3 kg: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Cuffed endotracheal tubes are being increasingly used in infants; however, current evidence in the literature mostly includes infants ≥ 3-kg weight.

Aims: The aim of this observational study was to compare the short-term outcomes with the use of Microcuff cuffed vs uncuffed endotracheal tubes in neonates < 3 kg.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in a single-centre, tertiary children's hospital neonatal intensive care unit.

Severe acquired subglottic stenosis in neonatal intensive care graduates: a case-control study.

Objective: To analyse current incidence and risk factors associated with severe acquired subglottic stenosis (SASGS) requiring surgical intervention in neonates.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Sole tertiary children's hospital.

A modern era comparison of right versus left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia outcomes.

Background/purpose: This study aims to retrospectively review outcomes, including neurodevelopmental outcomes, of neonatal right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias (RCDH) compared with left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias (L-CDH) treated surgically at our institute.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of all cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH), Perth, born between 1st January 2002 and 1st August 2012. The outcomes of R-CDH cases were compared with L-CDH cases.

The long-term neurodevelopmental and psychological outcomes of gastroschisis: A cohort study.

Objectives: Previous gastroschisis specific neurodevelopmental studies have focused on the first 3years of life. The aim of this study was to assess the intellectual, behavioral and neurological outcomes of older children and adolescents born with gastroschisis.

Study Design: Of 99 gastroschisis survivors born in Western Australia, 1992 to 2005, and who were at least 5years old, 42 agreed to take part in this study.

Cuffed endotracheal tubes for neonates and young infants: a comprehensive review.

Traditionally, uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) have been used for artificial ventilation of infants and children. More recently, newer designed high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) cuffed ETTs are being used with increasing frequency in infants from birth. Considering that many paediatric anaesthetists and intensivists are already using cuffed ETTs in infants >3 kg from birth, should neonatologists be doing the same? This review examines the reasons behind the traditional use of uncuffed ETTs and the problems associated with their use; newer HVLP cuffed ETTs and what they can potentially offer neonates; and reviews evidence from studies comparing the use of cuffed and uncuffed ETTs in neonates and small infants.

The long term physical consequences of gastroschisis.

Purpose: To determine the progress, physical and metabolic outcomes of gastroschisis survivors.

Methods: Fifty children born with gastroschisis were assessed with a health questionnaire, physical assessment, bone density and nutritional blood parameters at a median age of 9years (range 5-17).

Results: After initial abdominal closure, 27/50 (54%) required additional surgical interventions.

Growth and developmental outcomes of infants with hirschsprung disease presenting in the neonatal period: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To describe the presentation and progress over the first year of life of neonates with Hirschsprung disease, to describe their physical and developmental outcomes at 12 months of age, and to compare the outcomes of infants with short- vs long-segment Hirschsprung disease.

Study Design: A retrospective study of neonates born with Hirschsprung disease in Western Australia between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2010, to review their presentation, progress, growth, and development at 12 months of age.

Results: Fifty-four infants were identified (40 with short and 11 with long segment and 3 with total colonic aganglionosis); 9 infants had a recognized syndrome and 1 infant died, unrelated to Hirschsprung disease.

Growth and developmental outcomes of infants with gastroschisis at one year of age: a retrospective study.

Background: The aim of the study was to describe the physical growth and developmental outcomes of babies born with gastroschisis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of gastroschisis in Western Australia born between 1997 and 2010.

Results: In the 128 pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis, 117 babies were live born.

Peritoneal drainage versus laparotomy for perforated necrotising enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation: a retrospective cohort study.

Aim: Perforated necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in preterm infants are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The optimum surgical management during the acute stage remains unclear. The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of preterm infants (gestational age at birth <30 weeks) with perforated NEC or SIP undergoing primary peritoneal drainage (PD) versus laparotomy.

Ward reduction of gastroschisis in a single stage without general anaesthesia may increase the risk of short-term morbidities: results of a retrospective audit.

Background:  Ward reduction of gastroschisis in a single stage without the need for general inhalational anaesthesia (ward reduction) has been reported by some authors to be effective and safe. We introduced this practice to our neonatal unit 2 years ago.

Aim: To compare the short-term outcomes of this new practice with the standard procedure of reduction under general anaesthesia (GA).