A validated NICU database: recounting 50 years of clinical growth, quality improvement and research.

The importance of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) database lies in its critical role in improving the quality of care for very preterm neonates and other high-risk newborns. These databases contain extensive information regarding maternal exposures, pregnancy complications, and neonatal care. They support quality improvement (QI) initiatives, facilitate clinical research, and track health outcomes in order to identify best practices and improve clinical guidelines.

Evaluation of a respiratory care protocol including less invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants.

Background: Respiratory care protocol including less invasive śsurfactant administration (LISA) in ≤29 weeks' gestational age (GA) infants introduced in October 2018.

Methods: Retrospective study of infants admitted on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) October 2018 to December 2021. Maternal and neonatal variables were compared between infants managed on CPAP with and without LISA.

Xylitol for the prevention of acute otitis media episodes in children aged 1-5 years: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the regular use of xylitol, compared with sorbitol, to prevent acute otitis media (AOM), upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and dental caries.

Design: Blinded randomised controlled trial with a 6-month study period.

Setting: Enrolment took place at 11 primary care practices in Ontario, Canada.

Impact of Size for Gestational Age on Multivariate Analysis of Factors Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) primarily affects preterm, especially small for gestational age (SGA), infants. This study was designed to (1) describe frequency and timing of NEC in SGA versus non-SGA infants and (2) assess whether NEC is independently associated with the severity of intrauterine growth failure.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of infants without severe congenital malformations born <33 weeks' gestational age (GA) carried out from 2009 to 2021.

Hyperglycemia and prematurity: a narrative review.

Hyperglycemia is commonly encountered in extremely preterm newborns and physiologically can be attributed to immaturity in several biochemical pathways related to glucose metabolism. Although hyperglycemia is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes frequently described in this population, evidence for causality is lacking. Variations in definitions and treatment approaches have further complicated the understanding and implications of hyperglycemia on the immediate and long-term effects in preterm newborns.