A clinical consensus guideline for nutrition in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia from birth through discharge.

Objective: To develop a consensus guideline to meet nutritional challenges faced by infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: The CDH Focus Group utilized a modified Delphi method to develop these clinical consensus guidelines (CCG). Topic leaders drafted recommendations after literature review and group discussion.

Tissue Oxygenation Changes After Transfusion and Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Secondary Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study of the Transfusion of Prematures Randomized Clinical Trial (TOP NIRS).

Importance: Preterm infants with varying degrees of anemia have different tissue oxygen saturation responses to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, and low cerebral saturation may be associated with adverse outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether RBC transfusion in preterm infants is associated with increases in cerebral and mesenteric tissue saturation (Csat and Msat, respectively) or decreases in cerebral and mesenteric fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE and mFTOE, respectively) and whether associations vary based on degree of anemia, and to investigate the association of Csat with death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 22 to 26 months corrected age.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a prospective observational secondary study conducted among a subset of infants between August 2015 and April 2017 in the Transfusion of Prematures (TOP) multicenter randomized clinical trial at 16 neonatal intensive care units of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network.

Experience With the Crescent• Right Atrial Jugular Dual Lumen Catheter for Pediatric Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Series.

The Crescent dual lumen right atrial (RA) cannula has recently been introduced for the support of pediatric patients in need of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support. We present the first pediatric case series illustrating utility of the Crescent RA cannula in the pediatric patient population at a single institution over a 10 month period. From December 2021 to August 2022, six pediatric patients were adequately supported on seven VV ECMO runs at our institution with the Crescent RA cannula.

Establishing a Fetal Center in a Freestanding Pediatric Hospital.

Advances in antenatal imaging have allowed early and accurate diagnosis of many fetal anomalies. This, together with the increasing understanding of the natural history of many fetal diseases, has opened the door to the possibility of offering timely fetal interventions in progressive or life-threatening conditions with the intention of improving perinatal outcomes. These interventions can occur at an adult hospital with obstetrical services (with or without pediatric care) or at a freestanding pediatric hospital.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes After Carotid Artery Ligation Versus Carotid Artery Reconstruction Following Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Infants and Children.

Introduction: In pediatric and neonatal populations, the carotid artery is commonly cannulated for venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The decision to ligate (carotid artery ligation [CAL]) versus reconstruct (carotid artery reconstruction [CAR]) the artery at decannulation remains controversial as long-term neurologic outcomes remain unknown. The objective of this study was to summarize current literature on clinical outcomes following CAL and CAR after Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

Ventilation Strategies During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Neonatal Respiratory Failure: Current Approaches Among Level IV Neonatal ICUs.

Unlabelled: To describe ventilation strategies used during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for neonatal respiratory failure among level IV neonatal ICUs (NICUs).

Design: Cross-sectional electronic survey.

Setting: Email-based Research Electronic Data Capture survey.

Variability for Age at Successful Extubation in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize clinical factors associated with successful extubation in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Study Design: Using the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database, we identified infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia from 2017 to 2020 at 32 centers. The main outcome was age in days at the time of successful extubation, defined as the patient remaining extubated for 7 consecutive days.

Early brain and abdominal oxygenation in extremely low birth weight infants.

Background: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at risk for end-organ hypoxia and ischemia. Regional tissue oxygenation of the brain and gut as monitored with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) may change with postnatal age, but normal ranges are not well defined.

Methods: A prospective study of ELBW preterm infants utilized NIRS monitoring to assess changes in cerebral and mesenteric saturation (Csat and Msat) over the first week after birth.

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Acute Stabilization and Management of Neonates with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or PPHN, represents a challenging condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Management is complicated by complex pathophysiology and limited neonatal specific evidence-based literature, leading to a lack of universal contemporary clinical guidelines for the care of these patients. To address this need and to provide consistent high-quality clinical care for this challenging population in our neonatal intensive care unit, we sought to develop a comprehensive clinical guideline for the acute stabilization and management of neonates with PPHN.

Predicting treatment of pulmonary hypertension at discharge in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To predict pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy at discharge in a large multicenter cohort of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: Six-year linked records from Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and Pediatric Health Information System were used; patients whose diaphragmatic hernia was repaired before admission or referral, who were previously home before admission or referral, and non-survivors were excluded. The primary outcome was the use of PH medications at discharge and the secondary outcome was an inter-center variation of therapies during inpatient utilization.

Analgesia, Sedation, and Neuromuscular Blockade in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the use, duration, and intercenter variation of analgesia and sedation in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of analgesia, sedation, and neuromuscular blockade use in neonates with CDH. Patient data from 2010 to 2016 were abstracted from the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and linked to the Pediatric Health Information System.

Venovenous versus venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation among infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: is there a difference in outcome?

Objective: Our hypothesis was that among infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), venoarterial (VA), compared to venovenous (VV), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with an increased risk of mortality or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Design/methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of infants in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database from 2010 to 2016 with moderate or severe HIE, gestational age ≥36 weeks, and ECMO initiation <7 days of age. The primary outcome was mortality or ICH.

Treatment of pulmonary hypertension during initial hospitalization in a multicenter cohort of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Objective: Describe inpatient pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatment and factors associated with therapy at discharge in a multicenter cohort of infants with CDH.

Methods: Six years linked records from Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database and Pediatric Health Information System were used to describe associations between prenatal/perinatal factors, clinical outcomes, echocardiographic findings and PH medications (PHM), during hospitalization and at discharge.

Results: Of 1106 CDH infants from 23 centers, 62.

Development of a Structured Regional Analgesia Program for Postoperative Pain Management.

Objectives: We pursued the use of regional analgesia (RA) to minimize the use of postoperative opioids. Our aim was to increase the use of postoperative RA for eligible surgical procedures in the NICU from 0% to 80% by June 30, 2019.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team determined the eligibility criteria, developed an extensive process map, implemented comprehensive education, and a structured process for communication of postoperative pain management plans.

Central Line Utilization and Complications in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) require multiple invasive interventions carrying inherent risks, including central venous and arterial line placement. We hypothesized that specific clinical or catheter characteristics are associated with higher risk of nonelective removal (NER) due to complications and may be amenable to efforts to reduce patient harm.

Study Design: Infants with CDH were identified in the Children's Hospital's Neonatal Database (CHND) from 2010 to 2016.

Higher or Lower Hemoglobin Transfusion Thresholds for Preterm Infants.

Background: Limited data suggest that higher hemoglobin thresholds for red-cell transfusions may reduce the risk of cognitive delay among extremely-low-birth-weight infants with anemia.

Methods: We performed an open, multicenter trial in which infants with a birth weight of 1000 g or less and a gestational age between 22 weeks 0 days and 28 weeks 6 days were randomly assigned within 48 hours after delivery to receive red-cell transfusions at higher or lower hemoglobin thresholds until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was a composite of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (cognitive delay, cerebral palsy, or hearing or vision loss) at 22 to 26 months of age, corrected for prematurity.

Noninvasive neurocritical care monitoring for neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: where do we stand?

Objective: To determine practice variation in the utilization of neuromonitoring modalities in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients across Level IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey design using electronic surveys sent to site sponsors of a multicenter collaborative of 34 Level IV NICUs of the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) from June to August 2018.

Results: We had 22 survey respondents from CHNC ECMO centers.

Outcomes Following Post-Hemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation among Infants of Extremely Low Gestational Age.

Objective: To assess outcomes following post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) among infants born at ≤26 weeks of gestation.

Study Design: Observational study of infants born April 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015, in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network and categorized into 3 groups: PHVD, intracranial hemorrhage without ventricular dilatation, or normal head ultrasound. PHVD was treated per center practice.

Usefulness of Postnatal Echocardiography in Patients with Down Syndrome with Normal Fetal Echocardiograms.

The objective of this study is to evaluate if the diagnosis of a complex congenital heart disease (CHD) was missed in a patient with Down syndrome (DS) who had a fetal echocardiogram that was read as normal. Secondary goal of this study was to determine if any CHD was missed postnatally when a fetal echocardiogram was read as normal. A retrospective chart review of children with DS at Nationwide Children's Hospital whose birthdates were between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2017 was performed.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and bloodstream infection in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To characterize the risk of bloodstream (BSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) and describe antibiotic use in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Study Design: The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database was queried for infants with CDH and ECMO treatment from 2010 to 2016. The outcomes included BSI, UTI, and antimicrobial medication.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants With Retinopathy of Prematurity by Treatment.

Objective: Among extremely preterm infants, we evaluated whether bevacizumab therapy compared with surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is associated with adverse outcomes in early childhood.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on preterm (22-26 + 6/7 weeks' gestational age) infants admitted to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network centers who received bevacizumab or surgery exclusively for ROP. The primary outcome was death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18 to 26 months' corrected age (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition cognitive or motor composite score <70, Gross Motor Functional Classification Scale level ≥2, bilateral blindness or hearing impairment).

Trigger Criteria to Increase Appropriate Palliative Care Consultation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) seeks longitudinal relationships with patients facing life-threatening conditions. The majority of pediatric deaths occur within the first year of life, especially neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); however, the consultation by PPC in the NICU is not routine. This project sought to improve the PPC's presence within 1 NICU for patients facing life-limiting conditions through quality improvement techniques.

Acquired Infection and Antimicrobial Utilization During Initial NICU Hospitalization in Infants With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Background: In addition to substantial medical and surgical intervention, neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia often have concurrent concerns for acquired infection. However, few studies focus on infection and corresponding antimicrobial utilization in this population.

Methods: The Children's Hospital Neonatal Database was queried for congenital diaphragmatic hernia infants hospitalized from January 2010 to February 2016.

Outcomes of Preterm Infants following Discussions about Withdrawal or Withholding of Life Support.

Objectives: To describe the frequency of postnatal discussions about withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining therapy (WWLST), ensuing WWLST, and outcomes of infants surviving such discussions. We hypothesized that such survivors have poor outcomes.

Study Design: This retrospective review included registry data from 18 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network.