Prospective cohort study of neurodevelopmental outcomes following extreme neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in Australia.

Aim: This study aimed to establish the incidence and nature of neurodevelopmental outcomes following extreme neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in an Australian cohort.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of neurodevelopmental outcomes up to 3 years of age of infants born between 2010 and 2013 at ≥34 weeks gestation, with total serum bilirubin ≥450 μmol/L and/or clinical signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy. Outcome measures comprised neurological examination, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition and Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition.

Prospective Surveillance of Extreme Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Australia.

Objectives: To determine the incidence, causes, associated factors, and short-term outcomes of extreme neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Australia in order to identify opportunities for prevention.

Study Design: This was a prospective population-based surveillance study in collaboration with the Australian Pediatric Surveillance Unit between April 1, 2010, and March 31, 2013. Case definition was: infants >34 weeks gestation with a peak total serum bilirubin ≥450 μmol/L and or clinical evidence of bilirubin encephalopathy.

Breast milk donation after neonatal death in Australia: a report.

Lactation and breast milk can hold great value and meaning for grieving mothers who have experienced a recent death of an infant. Donation to a human milk bank (HMB) as an alternative to discarding breast milk is one means of respecting the value of breast milk. There is little research, national policy discussion, or organizational representation in Australia on the subject of breast milk donation after infant death.

Implementation and evaluation of an individualized developmental care program in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Purpose: This study aims to detect differences in outcomes for very preterm infants after the introduction of developmental care in a neonatal nursery, and to evaluate the effect of developmental care on parental well-being.

Design And Methods: Prospective before and after cohort study of very preterm babies, with education for all staff between cohorts.

Results: No significant differences were found between cohorts for short-term outcomes for babies or parental anxiety levels or depression.

The impact of evidence-based education on a perinatal capacity-building initiative in Macedonia.

Context: The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Macedonia is among the highest in Europe. The World Bank supported a consultant (HEJ) to collaborate with a Macedonian team to develop a national perinatal strategy with the goal of reducing the PMR. Education was given priority in the form of a hospital-based initiative to develop the capacity of health professionals to introduce evidence-based perinatal practice into 16 participating hospitals.