National Healthcare Safety Network 2018 Baseline Neonatal Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratios.

Background: The microbiologic etiologies, clinical manifestations, and antimicrobial treatment of neonatal infections differ substantially from infections in adult and pediatric patient populations. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed neonatal-specific (Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratios SAARs), a set of risk-adjusted antimicrobial use metrics that hospitals participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network's (NHSN's) antimicrobial use surveillance can use in their antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs).

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Vermont Oxford Network, identified eligible patient care locations, defined SAAR agent categories, and implemented neonatal-specific NHSN Annual Hospital Survey questions to gather hospital-level data necessary for risk adjustment.

Effects of ethnicity and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and changes in bone mineral content in infants.

Background: To evaluate the effects on serum 25(OH)D and bone mineralization of supplementation of breast-fed Hispanic and non-Hispanic Caucasian infants with vitamin D in infants in Houston, Texas.

Methods: We measured cord serum 25(OH)D levels, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and their changes over 3 months of life with 400 IU/day of vitamin D3 supplementation.

Results: Cord serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in Hispanic than non-Hispanic Caucasian infants (16.

Calcium absorption in very low birth weight infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of early bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on calcium (Ca) metabolism and growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Study Design: A dual-tracer, stable isotope method was used to assess Ca absorption in VLBW infants. Infants with early BPD received energy-dense feedings and mild fluid restriction.

Continuous feedings of fortified human milk lead to nutrient losses of fat, calcium and phosphorous.

Substantial losses of nutrients may occur during tube (gavage) feeding of fortified human milk. Our objective was to compare the losses of key macronutrients and minerals based on method of fortification and gavage feeding method. We used clinically available gavage feeding systems and measured pre- and post-feeding (end-point) nutrient content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (Phos), protein, and fat.

High frequencies of elevated alkaline phosphatase activity and rickets exist in extremely low birth weight infants despite current nutritional support.

Background: Osteopenia and rickets are common among extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW, <1000 g birth weight) despite current practices of vitamin and mineral supplementation. Few data are available evaluating the usual course of markers of mineral status in this population. Our objectives in this study were to determine the relationship between birth weight (BW) and peak serum alkaline phosphatase activity (P-APA) in ELBW infants and evaluate our experience with the diagnosis of rickets in these infants.

High rates of mortality and morbidity occur in infants with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.

Background: Extremely few data are available about the natural history of parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated cholestasis. The authors evaluated a cohort of infants at a large center to determine the outcome of PN-associated cholestasis in infants with some gastrointestinal function.

Methods: The authors reviewed the records of all infants admitted to a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit over a 16-month period who had the diagnosis of PN-associated cholestasis.