Inhaled bronchodilators for the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease in preterm infants.

Background: Chronic lung disease (CLD) occurs frequently in preterm infants and is associated with respiratory morbidity. Bronchodilators have the potential effect of dilating small airways with muscle hypertrophy. Increased compliance and tidal volume, and decreased airway resistance, have been documented with the use of bronchodilators in infants with CLD.

Application of Video Laryngoscopy for Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study.

Unlabelled: Minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) has emerged as a preferred method of surfactant delivery. Pioneers of this technique have described the use of direct laryngoscopy (DL) for MIST. With the increasing application of video laryngoscopy (VL) for neonatal airway management, it is speculated that MIST techniques can be adapted for use with VL.

CPAP Versus NIPPV Postextubation in Preterm Neonates: A Comparative-Effectiveness Study.

Background And Objectives: Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) has been shown to be superior to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) postextubation in preterm neonates. However, studies have not permitted high CPAP pressures or rescue with other modes. We hypothesized that if CPAP pressures >8 cmH2O and rescue with other modes were permitted, CPAP would be noninferior to NIPPV.

Enteral supplementation with probiotics in preterm infants: A retrospective cohort study and 6-year follow-up.

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of an enteral probiotics supplementation protocol on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants born <33 weeks gestational age (GA) or birth weight (BW) <1,500 g. In addition, a 6-year follow-up is presented after instigation of probiotic use. In October 2014, our NICU introduced an enteral probiotics supplementation protocol for infants born <33 weeks GA or BW <1,500 g.

A survey of minimally invasive surfactant therapy in Canada.

Introduction: Minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) can be used to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Clinical and institutional variances in MIST utilization persist globally with little published research regarding MIST utilization in Canada. Therefore, the objective of this study was to survey MIST utilization in NICUs in Canada.

Survey of Mode of Delivery and Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Canada.

Objective: To identify determinants of cesarean delivery (CD) and examine associations between mode of delivery (MOD) and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a Canadian multicentre birth cohort derived from provincial data collected in 2008/2009. Maternal and perinatal characteristics and outcomes were compared between vaginal and cesarean birth and between the following MOD subgroups: spontaneous vaginal delivery (VD), assisted VD, planned cesarean delivery (CD), and intrapartum CD.

Airway injury and pneumomediastinum associated with less invasive surfactant administration in a premature neonate: a case report.

Background: The use of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA)/minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) has increased due to its potential advantage over traditional surfactant delivery methods through an endotracheal tube. Known complications for this procedure include failure of the first attempt at insertion, desaturation, and bradycardia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema following LISA.

Impact of Catheter Choice on Procedural Success of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy.

Objective: Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing; a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. Procedural details among different centers vary, with marked differences in the choice of catheter to instill surfactant. Studies report use of feeding catheters, multiaccess suction catheters, vascular catheters, and more recently custom-built catheters for this purpose.

Actuarial Survival Based on Gestational Age in Days at Birth for Infants Born at <26 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective: To provide comprehensive, contemporary information on the actuarial survival of infants born at 22-25 weeks of gestation in Canada.

Study Design: In a retrospective cohort study, we included data from preterm infants of 22-25 weeks of gestation admitted to neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network between 2010 and 2017. Infants with major congenital anomalies were excluded.

Epidemiology of thrombosis in Canadian neonatal intensive care units.

Objective: To assess the rate, location, risk factors, management, and outcomes of neonatal thrombosis (NT).

Design: A retrospective study investigating infants admitted to NICUs in Canadian Neonatal Network between January 2014 and December 2016 and diagnosed with NT. Each infant with NT was matched with an infant without NT.

High-volume surfactant administration using a minimally invasive technique: Experience from a Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing, a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST), is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. There is paucity of data regarding the administration of high-volume surfactant using this technique.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to review the safety, efficacy, and procedural details pertaining to the delivery of 5 mL/kg of BLES® via MIST approach.

Effects of bovine lipid extract surfactant administration in preterm infants treated for respiratory distress syndrome.

Aim: To review the initial effectiveness of bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.

Methods And Results: A retrospective review of data collected from infants born <37-week gestation with respiratory distress syndrome treated with BLES between February 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016. Data were analyzed to determine the timing of initial dose, the length of time to wean the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) concentration to 0.

Vascular and ventilatory mechanical responses in three different stages of pulmonary development in the rabbit model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia 1.

Purpose: To evaluate the vascular ventilatory response in different stages of lung development and to compare them to the neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a rabbit model.

Methods: New Zealand rabbits were divided into 8 groups (n=5): E25, E27, E30, and CDH. All groups were ventilated on a FlexiVent (Scireq, Montreal, QC, Canada), compounding the other 4 groups.

Pregnancy gestation at delivery and breast milk production: a secondary analysis from the trial.

Background: Preterm birth alters the normal sequence of lactogenesis. Lactogenesis I may not yet have started when mothers of very preterm infants (≤ 29 weeks gestation) have given birth. Preterm infants are too small or too ill to initiate suckling in the immediate postpartum period thus altering the normal cascade of event for lactogenesis II.

Effectiveness of Family Integrated Care in neonatal intensive care units on infant and parent outcomes: a multicentre, multinational, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: Despite evidence suggesting that parent involvement was beneficial for infant and parent outcomes, the Family Integrated Care (FICare) programme was one of the first pragmatic approaches to enable parents to become primary caregivers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We aimed to analyse the effect of FICare on infant and parent outcomes, safety, and resource use.

Methods: In this multicentre, cluster-randomised controlled trial, we stratified 26 tertiary NICUs from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand by country and size, and assigned them, using a computer-generated random allocation sequence, to provide FICare or standard NICU care.

Neonatal outcomes of extremely preterm infants exposed to maternal hypertension and cigarette smoking.

Objective: To study the outcomes of extremely preterm infants of hypertensive mothers who smoke.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included infants born between 2003 and 2012 at <29 weeks' gestation and admitted to neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network. Infants were divided into four mutually exclusive groups.

Enhancing Human Milk Production With Domperidone in Mothers of Preterm Infants.

Background: Mothers of preterm infants often are at risk of expressing an inadequate amount of milk for their infants and the use of galactogogues is often considered. Domperidone is a widely used galactogogue with little information available to guide clinicians regarding initiation, timing, and duration of treatment. Research aim: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether administration of domperidone within the first 21 days after delivery would lead to a higher proportion of mothers achieving a 50% increase in the volume of milk at the end of 14 days of treatment compared with mothers receiving placebo.

SMCHD1 mutations associated with a rare muscular dystrophy can also cause isolated arhinia and Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome.

Arhinia, or absence of the nose, is a rare malformation of unknown etiology that is often accompanied by ocular and reproductive defects. Sequencing of 40 people with arhinia revealed that 84% of probands harbor a missense mutation localized to a constrained region of SMCHD1 encompassing the ATPase domain. SMCHD1 mutations cause facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2 (FSHD2) via a trans-acting loss-of-function epigenetic mechanism.

Portuguese self-reported oral-hygiene habits and oral status.

Background: Good oral health is essential for good general health and quality of life. In Portugal, there are few studies on oral-health habits and the population's perceptions of this behaviour.

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to characterise the Portuguese population's self-reported oral-health status, habits and perceptions, as well as their demands regarding national oral health-care services.

Bronchodilators for the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease in preterm infants.

Background: Chronic lung disease (CLD) occurs frequently in preterm infants. Bronchodilators have the potential effect of dilating small airways with muscle hypertrophy. Increased compliance and tidal volume and decreased pulmonary resistance have been documented with the use of bronchodilators in infants with CLD.

Temporal profile of intestinal tissue expression of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in a rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Objectives: Necrotizing enterocolitis is a severe multifactorial intestinal disorder that primarily affects preterm newborns, causing 20-40% mortality and morbidity. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein has been reported to be a biomarker for the detection of intestinal injuries. Our aim was to assess intestinal tissue injury and the molecular expression of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein over time in a necrotizing enterocolitis model.

Effect of irradiation with different laser wavelengths on oxidative stress of non-hepatectomized rats.

Purpose: To assess the effect of two laser wavelengths, either separate or combined, on intact rat livers.

Method: Nineteen male Wistar rats (200-300 g) were submitted to laser irradiation at 5 different sites on the liver surface.Wavelengths 660 and 780 nm were used, with a dose of irradiation of 60 J/cm2/site.

Online Calculator to Improve Counseling of Short-Term Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes at Extremely Low Gestational Age (23-28 Weeks).

Objective Extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants are at high risk of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Accurate and relevant data are essential for developing a health care plan and providing realistic estimates of infants' outcomes. Study Design Retrospective analysis of all infants delivered between 23(0/7) and 28(6/7) weeks' gestation over 11 years at a single center.

Evaluation of the Family Integrated Care model of neonatal intensive care: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Canada and Australia.

Background: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may disrupt parent-infant interaction with adverse consequences for infants and their families. Several family-centered care programs promote parent-infant interaction in the NICU; however, all of these retain the premise that health-care professionals should provide most of the infant's care. Parents play a mainly supportive role in the NICU and continue to feel anxious and unprepared to care for their infant after discharge.