Clinical Course and Outcomes of Infants with Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus Gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus (SGP), a subtype of Streptococcus bovis , is an uncommon but important cause of neonatal sepsis. Although uncommon, SGP infections during infancy have been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature on the clinical course and outcomes of infants with SGP infection.

Colorimetric CO2 Detector to Improve Effective Mask Ventilations in Very Preterm Infants: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

Introduction: End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) detector is currently recommended for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement during neonatal resuscitation. Whether it is feasible to use ETCO2 detectors during mask ventilation to reduce risk of bradycardia and desaturations, which are associated with increased risk of death in preterm babies, is unknown.

Methods: This is a pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT04287907) involving newborns 24 + 0/7 to 32 + 0/7 weeks gestation who required mask ventilation at birth.

Optimal Delivery Management for the Prevention of Early Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective:  Delivery management interventions (DMIs) were recommended to prevent delivery-associated transmission of maternal SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) to infants without evidence of effect on early neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection (ENI) and neonatal death <28 days of life (ND). This systematic review describes different DMI combinations and the frequency of ENI and ND.

Study Design:  Individual patient data were collected from articles published from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 from Cochrane review databases, Medline, and Google Scholar.

Incarcerated hernia with ileal perforation in an extreme preterm infant.

We describe a case of a premature 24 weeks gestation infant who presented with clinical lability and abdominal distention with initial concerns of necrotising enterocolitis. On further examination, a right inguinal hernia was noted and serial abdominal X-rays showed bowel loop dilatation with intramural air and no perforation. However, the hernia was recurrent and later found to be not reducible.

Management dilemma in Thoracoamniotic Shunt Migrations.

Shunt migration is a rare but significant complication of thoracoamniotic shunting, an intervention widely used for fetal pleural effusion. We describe a case of a term infant noted antenatally to have fetal hydrothorax that was managed with thoracoamniotic shunting but complicated by shunt migration. We also present the current literature on risk factors, complications and management of intrathoracic shunt migration.

Knowledge and Expectations of Perinatal Care Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and expectations of pregnant women on perinatal care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women ≥21 years, without a history of confirmed COVID-19, attending antenatal clinics between August and September 2020 a secure online platform. The survey consisted of 10 questions which evaluated the knowledge and expectations on perinatal and neonatal care during the current pandemic.

Singapore Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines 2021.

Neonatal resuscitation is a coordinated, team-based series of timed sequential steps that focuses on a transitional physiology to improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes. The practice of neonatal resuscitation has evolved over time and continues to be shaped by emerging evidence as well as key opinions. We present the revised Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines for Singapore 2021.

Being Prepared During the Evolving COVID-19 Pandemic: A Neonatal Experience in Training and Simulation.

Rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic raised an urgent need for preparedness in the healthcare sector, including training of healthcare workers to cope with the burden of infected cases while ensuring proper protection of themselves. Improper infection prevention and control measures were key reasons for infection in healthcare workers during the early phase of the outbreak. This paper describes the combined approach of 3 restructured hospitals in Singapore in preparing and training neonatal healthcare workers' during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as well as lessons learnt during this process.

Guidance for the clinical management of infants born to mothers with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Singapore.

In this paper, we provide guidance to clinicians who care for infants born to mothers with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 during this current pandemic. We reviewed available literature and international guidelines based on the following themes: delivery room management; infection control and prevention strategies; neonatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing; breastfeeding and breastmilk feeding; rooming-in of mother-infant; respiratory support precautions; visiting procedures; de-isolation and discharge of infant; outpatient clinic attendance; transport of infant; and training of healthcare staff. This guidance for clinical care was proposed and contextualised for the local setting via consensus by members of this workgroup and was based on evidence available as of 31 July 2020, and may change as new evidence emerges.

Successful containment of horizontal enterovirus infection in a neonatal unit in Singapore through diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequence analysis.

Background: Enterovirus (EV) outbreaks often coincide with seasonal peaks in the community. However, they may also sporadically occur in neonatal units. Identification of EV infection in neonates can be challenging, as they tend to present with mild or nonspecific symptoms.

Stopping enteral feeds for prevention of transfusion-associated necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Background: Feeding practices around the time of packed red blood cell transfusion have been implicated in the subsequent development of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Specifically, it has been suggested that withholding feeds around the time of transfusion may reduce the risk of subsequent NEC. It is important to determine if withholding feeds around transfusion reduces the risk of subsequent NEC and associated mortality.

Effect of Sustained Inflations vs Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Death Among Extremely Preterm Infants: The SAIL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Preterm infants must establish regular respirations at delivery. Sustained inflations may establish lung volume faster than short inflations.

Objective: To determine whether a ventilation strategy including sustained inflations, compared with standard intermittent positive pressure ventilation, reduces bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age without harm in extremely preterm infants.

Fluid supplementation for neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is a common problem which carries a risk of neurotoxicity. Certain infants who have hyperbilirubinaemia develop bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus which may lead to long-term disability. Phototherapy is currently the mainstay of treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

Intubation Attempts Increase the Risk for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate whether neonates exposed to multiple intubation attempts within the first 4 days after birth have an increased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of infants intubated during the first 4 days after birth. Infants had birth weights (BWs) less than 1500 g and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the University of California, San Diego, between January 1, 2005, and July 30, 2009.

Outcomes of infants with abdominal wall defects over 18years.

Background/purpose: Infants with abdominal wall defects (AWD) are at risk of poor outcomes including prolonged hospitalization, infections and mortality. Our objective was to describe and compare the outcomes of infants admitted with gastroschisis and omphalocele over 18years.

Methods: Population-based study of clinical data and outcomes of live-born infants with AWD admitted to all tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory from 1992 to 2009.

Quantitative end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in the delivery room: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the utility of continuous quantitative end-tidal CO2 (Etco2) monitoring for managing assisted ventilation in the delivery room (DR).

Study Design: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. Infants who received positive pressure ventilation (PPV) were randomized to a control versus a monitored arm.