Influence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and maternal vaccination status on neonatal outcome.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can adversely affect maternal and neonatal health, although risks vary depending on the variant of concern (VOC). Omicron, although highly infectious, causes fewer maternal and neonatal complications than earlier VOC, so vaccination may be considered unnecessary in planned pregnancy. Using data from the CRONOS registry, we compared pregnancy outcomes according to VOC and vaccination status.

Management of Paediatric Cardiac Arrest due to Shockable Rhythm-A Simulation-Based Study at Children's Hospitals in a German Federal State.

(1) Background: To improve the quality of emergency care for children, the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration offered paediatric simulation-based training (SBT) for all children's hospitals in Hesse. We investigated the quality of paediatric life support (PLS) in simulated paediatric resuscitations before and after SBT. (2) Methods: In 2017, a standardised, high-fidelity, two-day in-house SBT was conducted in 11 children's hospitals.

Long-Term Outcome of Neonates and Infants whose Mothers Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy - a Pilot of the Post-CRONOS Project.

Objective: Long-term effects on infants of mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are increasingly discussed in the literature. Besides potential neurodevelopment impairments after intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 exposure, there might be differences in the postnatal pediatric care of those children, like the timing of preventive medical examinations (PME) or vaccinations. In this first national long-term follow-up study of women included in the CRONOS registry, we describe maternal impressions of their child´s development and the prevalence of regulatory disorders, and we analyze the timing of PMEs and vaccinations.

Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 - data from the German COVID-19 related obstetric and neonatal outcome study (CRONOS).

Objectives: We aimed to determine the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in newborns born to mothers with peripartum SARS-CoV-2 infection in a German cohort, to identify potential risk factors associated with neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to present short-term outcomes of newborns with vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Data on women with SARS-CoV-2 infection occurring anytime during their pregnancy was gathered prospectively within the CRONOS registry. From April 2020 to February 2023 a total of 8,540 women had been registered.

Does Educational Status Influence Parents' Response to Bad News in the NICU?

Communication in neonatal intensive care units and the relationship between families and staff have been reported to influence parental mental well-being. Research has also shown an impact of parental educational level on their well-being. However, whether different educational levels result in different reactions to breaking bad news (BBN) by physicians remains unanswered so far.

Successful implementation of a rater training program for medical students to evaluate simulated pediatric emergencies.

Introduction: Simulation-based training is increasingly used in pediatrics to teach technical skills, teamwork, and team communication, and to improve potential deficiencies in pediatric emergency care. Team performance must be observed, analyzed, and evaluated by trained raters. The structured training of medical students for the assessment of simulated pediatric emergencies has not yet been investigated.

Do parents get what they want during bad news delivery in NICU?

Objectives: Little is known about parents' preferences in breaking bad news (BBN) in neonatology. The study was aimed at comparing parents' experiences with their first BBN discussion with a neonatologist/pediatric surgeon to their personal preferences.

Methods: We conducted a quantitative survey amongst 54 parents of hospitalized preterm or term infants with severe diseases in two medium-size and one small German neonatal units.

Postnatal growth restriction and neurodevelopment at 5 years of age: a European extremely preterm birth cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) during the neonatal hospitalisation by sex among extremely preterm (EPT) infants is associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and cognitive and motor abilities at 5 years of age.

Study Design: Population-based cohort of births <28 weeks of gestation with data from obstetric and neonatal records and parental questionnaires and clinical assessments at 5 years of age.

Setting: 11 European countries.

Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in Advanced Aged Mothers-Maternal Age Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Infants Born Very Preterm.

As childbearing is postponed in developed countries, maternal age (MA) has increased over decades with an increasing number of pregnancies between age 35-39 and beyond. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of advanced (AMA) and very advanced maternal age (vAMA) on morbidity and mortality of very preterm (VPT) infants. This was a population-based cohort study including infants from the "Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe" (EPICE) cohort.

Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds as Potential Novel Biomarkers for Chorioamnionitis - Proof of Experimental Models.

Histologic chorioamnionitis is only diagnosed postnatally which prevents interventions. We hypothesized that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the amniotic fluid might be useful biomarkers for chorioamnionitis and that VOC profiles differ between amnionitis of different origins. Time-mated ewes received intra-amniotic injections of media or saline (controls), or live serovar 3 (Up) 14, 7 or 3d prior to c-section at day 124 gestational age (GA).

Association between postnatal growth and neurodevelopmental impairment by sex at 2 years of corrected age in a multi-national cohort of very preterm children.

Background & Aims: Extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) is common among very preterm (VPT) infants and has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment. Some research suggests that adverse effects of EUGR may be more severe in boys. We investigated EUGR and neurodevelopment at 2 years of corrected age (CA) by sex in a VPT birth cohort.

Different Effects of Two Protocols for Pre-Procedural Analgosedation on Vital Signs in Neonates during and after Endotracheal Intubation.

Background: Analgosedation is often used for endotracheal intubation in neonates, but no consensus exists on the optimal pre-procedural medication.

Aims: To compare the time to intubation and vital signs during and after intubation in 2 NICUs using different premedication protocols.

Methods: Prospective observational study in 2 tertiary NICUs, comparing fentanyl and optional vecuronium for elective neonatal endotracheal intubation (NICU-1) with atropine, morphine, midazolam and optional pancuronium (NICU-2).

Variation in very preterm extrauterine growth in a European multicountry cohort.

Objective: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) among very preterm infants is related to poor neurodevelopment, but lack of consensus on EUGR measurement constrains international research. Our aim was to compare EUGR prevalence in a European very preterm cohort using commonly used measures.

Design: Population-based observational study.

[Kidney Cysts and Cystic Nephropathies in Children - A Consensus Guideline by 10 German Medical Societies].

This consensus-based guideline was developed by all relevant German pediatric medical societies. Ultrasound is the standard imaging modality for pre- and postnatal kidney cysts and should also exclude extrarenal manifestations in the abdomen and internal genital organs. MRI has selected indications.

T17 Cell Frequency in Peripheral Blood Is Elevated in Overweight Children without Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.

Background: The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased in children in the last few decades and is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. Fat tissue produces IL-6 and TNF-α, which are stimuli for T17 cell differentiation. These cells are characterized by expression of the transcription factor receptor-related orphan receptor C (RORC) and by IL-17A production.