At a crossroads for early medical treatment of persistent patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

Administration of early medical therapy for the patent ductus arteriosus has ebbed and flowed through the years, with a multitude of studies failing to demonstrate a reduction in morbidity or mortality from ductal closure in the preterm population. Concerningly, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated an increase in morbidity, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and mortality with the use of early medical therapy to close the ductus. Considering information regarding potential risk without clear benefit in an overall cohort of preterm patients with a patent ductus, use of early medical therapy is increasingly challenging to justify and necessitates studies that will aid in identifying a patient population that would benefit from ductal closure and timing of therapy.

Trends in C-Reactive Protein Use in Early-onset Sepsis Evaluations and Associated Antibiotic Use.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of C-reactive protein (CRP) use in early-onset sepsis (EOS) evaluations in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the US over time and to determine the association between CRP use and antibiotic use.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of NICUs contributing data to Premier Healthcare Database from 2009 through 2021. EOS evaluation was defined as a blood culture charge ≤ 3 days after birth.

28 NICUs participating in a quality improvement collaborative targeting early-onset sepsis antibiotic use.

Objective: There is widespread overuse of antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The objective of this study was to safely reduce antibiotic use in participating NICUs by targeting early-onset sepsis (EOS) management.

Study Design: Twenty-eight NICUs participated in this statewide multicenter antibiotic stewardship quality improvement collaborative.

Data-driven longitudinal characterization of neonatal health and morbidity.

Although prematurity is the single largest cause of death in children under 5 years of age, the current definition of prematurity, based on gestational age, lacks the precision needed for guiding care decisions. Here, we propose a longitudinal risk assessment for adverse neonatal outcomes in newborns based on a deep learning model that uses electronic health records (EHRs) to predict a wide range of outcomes over a period starting shortly before conception and ending months after birth. By linking the EHRs of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the Stanford Healthcare Adult Hospital, we developed a cohort of 22,104 mother-newborn dyads delivered between 2014 and 2018.

Diagnostic Performance and Patient Outcomes With C-Reactive Protein Use in Early-Onset Sepsis Evaluations.

Objectives: To determine performance of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of early-onset sepsis, and to assess patient outcomes with and without routine use of CRP.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of infants admitted to 2 neonatal intensive care units. CRP was used routinely in early-onset sepsis evaluations during 2009-2014; this period was used to determine CRP performance at a cut-off of ≥10 mg/L in diagnosis of culture-confirmed early-onset sepsis.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Contemporary Perspective for the Pediatric and Adult Cardiac Care Provider.

The burden of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) continues to be significant. In view of marked differences in preterm infants versus more mature, term counterparts (viewed on a continuum with adolescent and adult patients), mechanisms regulating ductal patency, genetic contributions, clinical consequences, and diagnostic and treatment thresholds are discussed separately, when appropriate. Among both preterm infants and older children and adults, a range of hemodynamic profiles highlighting the markedly variable consequences of the PDA are provided.

Ductus arteriosus and the preterm brain.

As the approach to the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the preterm infant remains controversial, the potential consequences of a significant ductal shunt on the brain should be evaluated. In this population at high risk of adverse outcomes, including intraventricular haemorrhage and white matter injury, as well as longer-term neurodevelopmental impairment, it is challenging to attribute sequelae to the PDA. Moreover, individual patient characteristics including gestational age and timing of PDA intervention factor into risks of brain injury.

The Term Newborn: Early-Onset Sepsis.

The changing epidemiology of early-onset neonatal sepsis among term infants has required reappraisal of approaches to management of newborn infants at potential risk. As this is now a rare disease, new strategies for reduction in diagnostic testing and empirical treatment have been developed. Adoption and refinement of these strategies should be a priority for all facilities where babies are born.

Regional Variation of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease Prevention Strategies in Mainland China.

Background: Prevention strategies can reduce the incidence of early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) neonatal sepsis (EOGBS). Rates of GBS colonization and infection vary among regions within China. China has not adopted a unified prevention strategy.

Vignettes Identify Variation in Antibiotic Use for Suspected Early Onset Sepsis.

Background And Objectives: There is widespread unwarranted antibiotic use and large individual provider variation in antibiotic use in NICUs. Vignette-based research methodology offers a unique method of studying variation in individual provider decisions. The objective with this study was to use a vignette-based survey to identify specific areas of provider antibiotic use variation in newborns being evaluated for early onset sepsis.

Stratification of Culture-Proven Early-Onset Sepsis Cases by the Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive assessment of case stratification by the Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis (EOS) Calculator, a novel tool for reducing unnecessary antibiotic treatment.

Study Design: A systematic review with individual patient data meta-analysis was conducted, extending PROSPERO record CRD42018116188. Cochrane, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and major conference proceedings were searched from 2011 through May 1, 2020.

Technical assessment of the neonatal early-onset sepsis risk calculator.

The use of the neonatal early-onset sepsis risk calculator, developed by Kaiser Permanente Northern California (CA, USA), is increasing for the management of late preterm and full term newborn babies at risk for early-onset sepsis. The calculator is based on a robust logistic regression model that provides quantitative individualised estimates of early-onset sepsis risk. Low sensitivity for prediction of sepsis at birth shows that standard perinatal risk factors alone are insufficient for ascertainment of neonatal early-onset sepsis.

Does crossover treatment of control subjects invalidate results of randomized trials of patent ductus arteriosus treatment?

Optimal management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm infants remains controversial. There is paucity of evidence on the benefits of PDA treatment in reducing mortality and morbidities in extremely preterm infants. Failure of randomized clinical trials to demonstrate beneficial effects of PDA treatment on outcomes has often been attributed to open treatment of control subjects.

Sustainability of a Clinical Examination-Based Approach for Ascertainment of Early-Onset Sepsis in Late Preterm and Term Neonates.

We demonstrated the sustained impact over a 5-year period of a clinical examination-based approach to identification of early-onset sepsis in late preterm and term neonates at our hospital. To date, more than 20 000 neonates have been safely managed using this approach, resulting in a 63% reduction in antibiotic use.

Newborn Antibiotic Exposures and Association With Proven Bloodstream Infection.

Objectives: To estimate the percentage of hospital births receiving antibiotics before being discharged from the hospital and efficiency diagnosing proven bloodstream infection.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 326 845 live births in 2017, with a 69% sample of all California births involving 121 California hospitals with a NICU, of which 116 routinely served inborn neonates. Exposure included intravenous or intramuscular antibiotic administered anywhere in the hospital during inpatient stay associated with maternal delivery.

Association of Use of the Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator With Reduction in Antibiotic Therapy and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: The neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) calculator is a clinical risk stratification tool increasingly used to guide the use of empirical antibiotics for newborns. Evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the EOS calculator is essential to inform clinicians considering implementation.

Objective: To assess the association between management of neonatal EOS guided by the neonatal EOS calculator (compared with conventional management strategies) and reduction in antibiotic therapy for newborns.