Implementation of a Modified Neonatal Early-onset Sepsis Calculator in Well-baby Nursery: a Quality Improvement Study.

Background: The use of sepsis risk scores (SRSs), calculated based on the neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) calculator, has been shown to limit the unwarranted sepsis evaluations and to reduce the empirical use of antibiotics in neonates.s.

Purpose: To reduce both the sepsis evaluation rate (SER) and antibiotic initiation rate (AIR) by 25% from baseline by incorporating conservative SRS cutoff values into the routine sepsis risk assessment of well-appearing neonates born at 34 weeks and older gestation.

A rare association of right hemicerebral dysgenesis with congenital anophthalmia in a neonate.

Congenital anophthalmia is rare and can occur due to various etiologies, including genetic defects, teratogenic exposures, and vascular disruptions. We report a rare case of right-sided congenital anophthalmia and hemicerebral dysgenesis in association with ipsilateral hemicerebral vascular dysgenesis in a neonate. Postnatal neuroimaging was conspicuous for a "bare orbit sign.

Reducing antibiotic utilization rate in preterm infants: a quality improvement initiative.

Background: Judicious use of antibiotic therapy in preterm infants is necessary as prolonged and unwarranted use of antibiotics have been associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes.

Local Problem: Our baseline data review revealed overuse and unnecessary prolonged antibiotic exposure among preterm infants despite a low suspicion for sepsis.

Methods And Interventions: The baseline overall AUR was calculated retrospectively from our pharmacy database for a period of 4 months prior to the quality improvement (QI) initiative (pre-QI phase).

Assessment of the QT interval in the electroencephalography (EEG) of children with syncope, epilepsy, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The interpretation of QT interval is often neglected during electroencephalography (EEG) reading. We compared the incidence of prolonged QT interval, as seen in the electrocardiography (ECG) recording lead of the EEG, in children presenting with seizure, syncope, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Abnormal QT was defined as >460 ms.