Quality Initiative to Reduce Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

BACKGROUND: We report a statewide quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction among very low birth weight infants cared for in Tennessee NICUs. METHODS: The cohort consisted of infants born appropriate for gestational age between May 2016 and December 2018 from 9 NICUs across Tennessee. The infants were 23 to 32 weeks gestation and 500 to 1499 g birth weight. The process measures were the hours of life (HOL) when parenteral protein and intravenous lipid emulsion were initiated, the number of days to first enteral feeding, and attainment of full enteral caloric intake (110–130 kcal/kg per day). The primary outcome was extrauterine growth restriction, defined as weight <10th percentile for weight at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Statistical process control charts and the Shewhart control rules were used to find special cause variation. RESULTS: Although special cause variation was not indicated in the primary outcome measure, it was indicated for the reduction in specific process measures: HOL when parenteral protein was initiated, HOL when intravenous lipid emulsion was initiated, and the number of days to attainment of full enteral caloric intake (among the hospitals considered regional perinatal centers). CONCLUSIONS: A statewide quality improvement initiative led to earlier initiation of parenteral and enteral nutrition and improved awareness of the importance of postnatal nutrition.

Study protocol for reducing disparity in receipt of mother’s own milk in very low birth weight infants (ReDiMOM): a randomized trial to improve adherence to sustained maternal breast pump use

Background Black very low birth weight (VLBW; < 1500 g birth weight) and very preterm (VP, < 32 weeks gestational age, inclusive of extremely preterm, < 28 weeks gestational age) infants are significantly less likely than other VLBW and VP infants to receive mother’s own milk (MOM) through to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The costs associated with adhering to pumping maternal breast milk are borne by mothers and contribute to this disparity. This randomized controlled trial tests the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an intervention to offset maternal costs associated with pumping. Methods This randomized control trial will enroll 284 mothers and their VP infants to test an intervention (NICU acquires MOM) developed to facilitate maternal adherence to breast pump use by offsetting maternal costs that serve as barriers to sustaining MOM feedings and the receipt of MOM at NICU discharge. Compared to current standard of care (mother provides MOM), the intervention bundle includes three components: a) free hospital-grade electric breast pump, b) pickup of MOM, and c) payment for opportunity costs. The primary outcome is infant receipt of MOM at the time of NICU discharge, and secondary outcomes include infant receipt of any MOM during the NICU hospitalization, duration of MOM feedings (days), and cumulative dose of MOM feedings (total mL/kg of MOM) received by the infant during the NICU hospitalization; maternal duration of MOM pumping (days) and volume of MOM pumped (mLs); and total cost of NICU care. Additionally, we will compare the cost of the NICU acquiring MOM versus NICU acquiring donor human milk if MOM is not available and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention (NICU acquires MOM) versus standard of care (mother provides MOM). Discussion This trial will determine the effectiveness of an economic intervention that transfers the costs of feeding VLBWand VP infants from mothers to the NICU to address the disparity in the receipt of MOM feedings at NICU discharge by Black infants. The cost-effectiveness analysis will provide data that inform the adoption and scalability of this intervention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04540575, registered September 7, 2020.

Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Nationwide Survey

Ultrasound guided percutaneous vascular access (USG-PVA) is recommended by international practice guidelines but information regarding its use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is lacking. Our objective was to assess neonatologist’s perceptions and current implementation of USG-PVA in Spain. This was a nationwide online survey. The survey was composed of 37 questions divided in 4 domains: 1) neonatologist’s background, 2) NICU characteristics, 3) personal perspectives about USG-PVA and clinical experience in USG-PVA. One hundred and eighty survey responses from 59 NICUs (62% of Spanish NICUs) were analyzed. Most neonatologist (81%) perceive that competence in USG-PVA is indispensable or very useful in clinical practice. However, 64 (35.5%) have never used USG-PVA in real patients. Among neonatologists with some experience in USG-PVA most perform less than 5 procedures per year (59% in venous access and 80% in arterial access) and a 38% and 60% have never used USG for venous and arterial access respectively in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Spanish neonatologists report that residents/fellows training in USG-PVA is absent (52.2%) or unstructured (32%) in their units. The lack of adequate training is identified by a 60% of neonatologists as the most important barrier for implementation of USG-PVA and 87% would recommend that future neonatologists receive formal training. In conclusion, Spanish neonatologists perceive that USG-PVA is important in clinical practice but, currently these techniques are largely underused. Our results indicate that specific training in USG-PVA should be implemented in the NICU.

Hypothermia and neonatal morbimortality in very low birth weight preterm infants

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the prevalence of hypothermia in the delivery room, at admission, and 2 to 3 hours after admission in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), factors associated and possible relationship with morbidity and mortality in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). Methods: Cross-sectional study with data collection based on a retrospective review of medical records and including infants born in 2016 and 2017, with birth weights <1500g, and gestational ages <34 weeks. Data about VLBW preterm infants, maternal data and temperature in the delivery room were analyzed. Hypothermia was considered when axillary temperature <36°C. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test or G test, canonical and Spearman correlation, and logistic regression were used. Results: 149 newborns (NB) were included in the study. The prevalence of hypothermia in delivery room, at admission to the NICU and 2 to 3 hours after admission was 25.8%, 41.5% and 40.2%, respectively. The temperature of NBs was directly proportional to gestational age (p<0.010), birth weight (p<0.010), and Apgar score (p<0.050). There was an inverse association with hypothermia in the delivery room and cesarean delivery (OR 0.25; p=0.016). Conclusions: Hypothermia was a prevalent problem in the studied population. The neonatal temperature was directly proportional to gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score. Hypothermia was associated with maternal factors, such as cesarean delivery. It is necessary to implement and improve strategies for its prevention.

Nutritional Factors Associated with Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Newborns

Background: Delayed onset of minimal enteral nutrition compromises the immune response of preterm infants, increasing the risk of colonization and clinical complications (e.g., late-onset sepsis). This study aimed to analyze associations between late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight infants (<1500 g) and days of parenteral nutrition, days to reach full enteral nutrition, and maternal and nutritional factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with very low birth weight infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a reference maternity hospital of high-risk deliveries. Data regarding days of parenteral nutrition, days to reach full enteral nutrition, fasting days, extrauterine growth restriction, and NICU length of stay were extracted from online medical records. Late-onset sepsis was diagnosed (clinical or laboratory) after 48 h of life. Chi-squared, Mann–Whitney tests, and binary logistic regression were applied. Results: A total of 97 preterm infants were included. Of those, 75 presented late-onset sepsis with clinical (n = 40) or laboratory (n = 35) diagnosis. Maternal urinary tract infection, prolonged parenteral nutrition (>14 days), and extrauterine growth restriction presented 4.24-fold, 4.86-fold, and 4.90-fold higher chance of late-onset sepsis, respectively. Conclusion: Very low birth weight infants with late-onset sepsis had prolonged parenteral nutrition and took longer to reach full enteral nutrition. They also presented a higher prevalence of extrauterine growth restriction than infants without late-onset sepsis.

Efficacy of prophylactic tranexamic acid administration in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in placenta previa cesarean section: an interventional study

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage accounts for the major part of the mortality as well as morbidity like severe anemia, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay and infection. Aim and objectives of the study were to determine the efficacy and safety of prophylactic tranexamic acid and intravenous tranexamic acid in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in women undergoing caesarean section for placenta previa.Methods: Seventy women with placenta previa over 1 year, randomized into 2 groups: group 1 (n=35): Women who received 10 IU oxytocin intravenous infusion after placental delivery and group 2 (n=35): Women who received 1 gm (10 ml) tranexamic acid IV before skin incision plus 10 IU oxytocin intravenous infusion after placental delivery.Results: The mean age was similar in 2 groups i.e., 26.34±4.78 years in group 1 and 27.31±5.62 years in group 2. Most women in the present study presented with type IV placenta previa i.e., 34.3% in group 1 and 48.6% in group 2. Mean pre-operative hemoglobin was 9.57±1.54 g/dl in group 1 and 9.59±1.35 g/dl in group 2. Intra-operative mean blood loss was 729.31±172.45 ml in intravenous oxytocin group and 464.86±28.00 ml in intravenous tranexamic acid group. A total of 74.3% women in group 1 and 20% women in group 2 developed postpartum hemorrhage. Mean post-operative hemoglobin was 8.04±1.34 g/dl in group 1 and 8.85±1.26 g/dl in group 2. In group 1, 5.7% neonates were born with very low birth weight and while none in group 2. 51.4% neonates in group 1 and 45.7% in group 2 had low birth weight.Conclusions: It is concluded that tranexamic acid used prophylactically intravenously before skin incision in patients undergoing cesarean section for placenta previa significantly reduces intra-operative blood loss.

A quality improvement intervention to improve lactation in mothers of hospitalized extreme preterm and very low birth weight infants in the first 2 weeks of life at a tertiary hospital in South India

Objectives: Early establishment of human milk (HM) feeding significantly decreases neonatal morbidity. There are barriers in establishing and maintaining lactation in mothers of hospitalized extreme preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, particularly during the first 2 weeks of life. Infant feeding policy modification was done to improve lactation as a quality initiative project and the effect of this modification was studied. Material and Methods: This study was done at SRIHER by analyzing retrospective data from the period before infant feeding policy modification (April 1, 2017–June 30, 2017) and prospective data from post-policy modification (July 1, 2017–December 31, 2017). All extreme preterm babies and VLBW babies both inborn and outborn were included in the study. The policy was approved by the institutional quality control cell. Fishbone analysis and “why” question pattern were implemented to identify pitfalls in establishing and maintaining lactation in mothers of extreme preterm and VLBW mothers. Prior antenatal counseling (for inborn deliveries), immediate postnatal assessment, constant surveillance, internal audits, and regular interprofessional team meets were done to carry out the implementation of the quality control program. Results: Daily milk output improved after intervention from baseline value in the pre-policy modification group to nearly 3 times after policy modification. The total duration of the requirement of parenteral nutrition decreased from 11 days to 7 days and time to reach birth weight decreased from 17 days to 11 days after quality improvement initiative. Conclusion: A simple quality improvement initiative was able to achieve increased lactation in mothers of extreme preterm and VLBW neonates.

Extended Interval Aminoglycoside Treatment for Klebsiella Pneumoniae Endocarditis in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate

Infective endocarditis (IE) in neonates is associated with high mortality and incidence has been increasing over the past two decades. The majority of very low birth weight infants will be treated with at least one nephrotoxic medication during their hospital course. Over one-quarter of very low birth weight neonates exposed to gentamicin may develop acute kidney injury (AKI); this is particularly worrisome as AKI is an independent factor associated with increased neonatal mortality and increased length of stay. AKI during periods of neonatal nephrogenesis, which continues until 34–36 weeks postmenstrual age, may also have serious effects on the long-term nephron development which subsequently puts infants at risk of chronic kidney disease. Extended interval (EI) aminoglycoside (AMG) dosing has been used for decades in adult populations and has proven to reduce AKI while being at least as effective as traditional dosing, although there is limited published research for using an EI AMG in endocarditis in adults or pediatric patients. We describe an extremely low birth weight neonate, born preterm at 24 weeks gestation treated for Klebsiella pneumoniae IE that required AMG therapy who also had concurrent AKI. We utilized EI AMG combination therapy for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae endocarditis with good outcome and encourage others to report their experiences to improve our knowledge of EI AMG in this population.