This article describes the development and assessment of a neuroimaging curriculum for neonatology fellows. The curriculum is focused on topics that are relevant to the practice of neonatology and employs contemporary teaching methods, such as flipped classroom, learner engagement, and spaced repetition. Since its implementation 2018 the curriculum has been appreciated by our trainees and demonstrated improvements in trainee knowledge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate the impact of inclusion of an anti-seizure medication (ASM) weaning protocol in a neonatal seizure pathway on the percent of infants discharged on ASMs.
Study Design: This cohort study included surviving infants with acute symptomatic seizures treated with ASMs across three institutions. We evaluated infants in 2 epochs, pre- and post-implementation of the ASM weaning protocol.
Background: Our objective was to examine heterogeneity in the effect of therapeutic hypothermia by sex in infants with moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy.
Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the Induced Hypothermia trial, which included infants born at gestational ages ≥36 weeks, admitted at ≤6 postnatal hours with evidence of severe acidosis or perinatal complications and moderate or severe neonatal encephalopathy. Multivariate modified Poisson regression models were used to compare the treatment effect of whole-body hypothermia versus control, with an evaluation of interaction by sex, on the primary outcome of death or moderate or severe disability at 18-22 months of corrected age.
Objectives: To assess variability in continuation of antiseizure medication (ASM) at discharge and to evaluate if continuation of ASM at discharge is associated with death or disability among infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and seizures.
Design: Retrospective study of infants enrolled in three National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Trials of therapeutic hypothermia.
Setting: 22 US centres.
Objective: To compare treatment failure between: (1) infants treated with phenobarbital versus levetiracetam for first-line treatment and (2) infants treated with phenytoin versus levetiracetam for second-line treatment following phenobarbital.
Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included infants with seizures receiving phenobarbital or levetiracetam as the initial anti-seizure medication. Treatment failure was defined as the need for additional anti-seizure medication within 24-72 h and compared using mixed-effect logistic regression after adjustment for confounding factors, including center.
Objective: To evaluate how inotropic requirements in neonates with respiratory failure are affected by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) mode and whether high requirements predict mortality.
Study Design: This retrospective chart review included all neonates undergoing ECMO for primary respiratory failure from 2010 to 2016 at a single institution. The vasoactive inotropy score (VIS) was calculated as described in the literature.
Clin Perinatol
September 2018
Predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk neonates remains challenging despite advances in neonatal care. Early and accurate characterization of infants at risk for neurodevelopmental delays is necessary to best identify those who may benefit from existing early interventions and novel therapies that become available. Although neuroimaging is a promising biomarker in the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk infants, it requires additional resources and expertise.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrenatal diagnosis has changed perinatal medicine dramatically, allowing for additional fetal monitoring, referral and counseling, delivery planning, the option of fetal intervention, and targeted postnatal management. Teams participating in the delivery room care of infants with known anomalies should be knowledgeable about specific needs and expectations but also ready for unexpected complications. A small number of neonates will need rapid access to postnatal interventions, such as surgery, but most can be stabilized with appropriate neonatal care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study aims to evaluate the ability of (1) a novel amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) background evolution classification system; and (2) specific hour of life (HOL) cut points when observation of aEEG normalization and development of cycling can predict adverse neurological outcomes in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Study Design: Continuous aEEG data of term neonates with HIE were reviewed for background pattern and aEEG cycling from start of monitoring through rewarming. Infants were classified by overall background evolution pattern.
Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
January 2017
Objective: To develop normative ranges for citrate-modified and heparinase-modified thromboelastography (TEG) in term neonates.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Setting: An outborn neonatal and cardiac intensive care unit in a free-standing academic children's hospital.