Part C early intervention utilization in preterm infants: Opportunity for referral from a NICU follow-up clinic

Families as partners in neonatal neuro-critical care programs

Parents of neonates with neurologic conditions face a specific breadth of emotional, logistical, and social challenges, including difficulties coping with prognostic uncertainty, the need to make complex medical decisions, and navigating new hopes and fears. These challenges place parents in a vulnerable position and at risk of developing mental health issues, which can interfere with bonding and caring for their neonate, as well as compromise their neonate's long-term neurodevelopment. To optimize neurologic and developmental outcomes, emerging neonatal neuro-critical care (NNCC) programs must concurrently attend to the unique needs of the developing newborn brain and of his/her parents. This can only be accomplished by embracing a family-centered care environment-one which prioritizes effective parent-clinician communication, longitudinal parent support, and parents as equitable partners in clinical care. NNCC programs offer a multifaceted approach to critical care for neonates at-risk for neurodevelopmental impairments, integrating expertise in neonatology and neurology. This review highlights evidence-based strategies to guide NNCC programs in developing a family-partnered approach to care, including primary staffing models; staff communication, implicit bias, and cultural competency trainings; comprehensive and tailored caregiver training; single-family rooms; flexible visitation policies; colocalized neonatal and maternal care; uniform mental health screenings; follow-up care referrals; and connections to peer support. IMPACT: Parents of neonates with neurologic conditions are at high-risk for experiencing mental health issues, which can adversely impact the parent-neonate relationship and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of their neonates. While guidelines to promote families as partners in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have been developed, no protocols integrate the unique needs of parents in neonatal neurologic populations. A holistic approach that makes families true partners in the care of their neonate with a neurologic condition in the NICU has the potential to improve mental and physical well-being for both parents and neonates.

Using Telemedicine to Overcome Barriers to Neurodevelopmental Care from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to School Entry

Dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) follow-up programs are recommended for ongoing surveillance for infants at high-risk for future neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). Systemic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial barriers remain for referrals and the continued neurodevelopmental follow-up of high-risk infants. Telemedicine can help overcome these barriers. Telemedicine allows standardization of evaluations, increased referral rates, and reduced time to follow-up as well as increased therapy engagement. Telemedicine can expand neurodevelopmental surveillance and support all NICU graduates, facilitating the early identification of NDI. However, with the recent expansion of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, new barriers related to access and technological support have arisen.

Factors associated with the follow-up of high risk infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to identify factors associated with compliance to follow-up (FU) appointments among infants following their discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study reviewed 657 infants (birth weight <1500 g or gestational age [GA] <32 weeks), born between 2011 and 2015. A total of 525 eligible infants were classified into two groups: the compliant group (n = 360), who attended clinics from 18 to 24 months, and the non-compliant group (n = 165), who were lost to FU before 18 months.

RESULTS

The non-compliant group was more likely to have higher usage rate of assisted reproductive technology (p = 0.023), GA (p < 0.001), weight (p < 0.001), height (p < 0.001), and head circumference (p < 0.001) at birth. The sibling number was higher in the non-compliant group (p = 0.011). Moreover, the non-compliant group demonstrated higher Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min (p = 0.002 and p = 0.031, respectively). The compliant group was more likely to live in metropolitan or larger cities with a borderline significance (p = 0.056). Furthermore, the non-compliant group was less likely to suffer from respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (p = 0.002), retinopathy of prematurity (p = 0.007), necrotizing enterocolitis (p = 0.019), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p < 0.001). Moreover, it demonstrated lower postmenstrual age at discharge (p = 0.005) and a shorter length of stay in the NICU (p < 0.001). The compliance with FU appointment varied with the assigned doctor (p < 0.001). The multivariate regression analysis mentioned that the birth weight (OR = 0.903), residence in metropolitan or larger cities (OR = 1.495), and an experience of magnetic resonance imaging (OR = 1.920) were associated with compliance. The compliance to FU appointments was different according to the assigned doctor at admission (OR = 0.357).

CONCLUSION

The birth weight, residence in metropolitan or larger cities, an experience of MRI, and the assigned doctors were associated with compliance to FU at a corrected age of 18-24 months.

Affording autism an early brain development re-definition

The national priority to advance early detection and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not reduced the late age of ASD diagnosis in the US over several consecutive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance cohorts, with traditionally under-served populations accessing diagnosis later still. In this review, we explore a potential perceptual barrier to this enterprise which views ASD in terms that are contradicted by current science, and which may have its origins in the current definition of the condition and in its historical associations. To address this perceptual barrier, we propose a re-definition of ASD in early brain development terms, with a view to revisit the world of opportunities afforded by current science to optimize children's outcomes despite the risks that they are born with. This view is presented here to counter outdated notions that potentially devastating disability is determined the moment a child is born, and that these burdens are inevitable, with opportunities for improvement being constrained to only alleviation of symptoms or limited improvements in adaptive skills. The impetus for this piece is the concern that such views of complex neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ASD, can become self-fulfilling science and policy, in ways that are diametrically opposed to what we currently know, and are learning every day, of how genetic risk becomes, or not, instantiated as lifetime disabilities.

Beyond the First Wave: Consequences of COVID-19 on High-Risk Infants and Families

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting care for high-risk newborns in ways that will likely be sustained beyond the initial pandemic response. These novel challenges present an urgent imperative to understand how COVID-19 impacts parent, family, and infant outcomes. We highlight three areas that warrant targeted attention: (1) inpatient care: visitation policies, developmental care, and communication practices; (2) outpatient care: high-risk infant follow-up and early intervention programs; and (3) parent psychosocial distress: mental health, social support, and financial toxicity. Changes to care delivery in these areas provide an opportunity to identify and implement novel strategies to provide family-centered care during COVID-19 and beyond. KEY POINTS: · The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing care delivery for high-risk newborns and their families.. · Rapid changes to care delivery are likely to be sustained beyond the initial pandemic response.. · We have an urgent imperative to understand how COVID-19 impacts infant, parent, and family outcomes..

Early neurobehavior at 30 weeks postmenstrual age is related to outcome at term equivalent age

AIMS

To determine 1) the relationship between infant medical factors and early neurobehavior, and 2) the relationship between early neurobehavior at 30 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and neurobehavior at term equivalent age.

STUDY DESIGN

In this prospective longitudinal study, 88 very preterm infants born ≤30 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA) had neurobehavioral assessments at 30 weeks PMA using the Premie-Neuro and at term equivalent age using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) and Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Evaluation (HNNE).

RESULTS

Lower Premie-Neuro scores at 30 weeks PMA were related to being more immature at birth (p = 0.01; β = 3.87); the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA; p < 0.01; β = -16.50) and cerebral injury (p < 0.01; β = -20.46); and prolonged exposure to oxygen therapy (p < 0.01; β = -0.01), endotracheal intubation (p < 0.01; β = -0.23), and total parenteral nutrition (p < 0.01; β = -0.35). After controlling for EGA, PDA, and number of days of endotracheal intubation, lower Premie-Neuro scores at 30 weeks PMA were independently related to lower total HNNE scores at term (p < 0.01; β = 0.12) and worse outcome on the NNNS with poorer quality of movement (p < 0.01; β = 0.02) and more stress (p < 0.01; ß = -0.004), asymmetry (p = 0.01; β = -0.04), excitability (p < 0.01; β = -0.05) and suboptimal reflexes (p < 0.01; ß = -0.06).

CONCLUSION

Medical factors were associated with early neurobehavioral performance at 30 weeks PMA. Early neurobehavior at 30 weeks PMA was a good marker of adverse neurobehavior at NICU discharge.

Improving the Discharge Process for Opioid-Exposed Neonates

OBJECTIVES

Opioid-exposed neonates (OENs) are a population at risk for postdischarge complications. Our objective was to improve completion of a discharge bundle to connect patients with outpatient resources to mitigate postdischarge risks.

METHODS

Team Hope, a hospital-wide initiative to improve the care of OENs, examined the completion of a discharge bundle from September 2017 through February 2019. A complete discharge bundle was defined as referral to a primary care physician, referral to early intervention services, referral to in-home nursing assessment and educational services, referral to the development clinic if diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome, and referral to the gastroenterology or infectious disease clinic if exposed to hepatitis C virus. After obtaining baseline data, simple interventions were employed as education of providers, social workers, and case management; reminder notes in the electronic health record; and biweekly reminders to resident physicians. A statistical process control chart was used to analyze our primary measure, with special cause variation resulting in a shift indicated by 8 consecutive points above or below the mean line.

RESULTS

One hundred nineteen OENs were examined with an initial discharge bundle completion of 2.6% preimplementation. Referral to early intervention services and the development clinic were the least successfully completed elements before intervention implementation. After the development of the discharge bundle in July 2018, special cause variation was achieved, resulting in a mean-line shift with 60.3% now having a complete bundle for 83 OENs.

CONCLUSIONS

We implemented a standardized discharge bundle that improved our discharge processes for OENs.

Early Intervention Referral Outcomes for Children at Increased Risk of Experiencing Developmental Delays

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal was to examine outcomes of Part C early intervention (EI) referrals from a high-risk infant follow-up program and factors associated with success. A secondary aim was to determine how many referred children not evaluated by EI would have likely qualified by either automatically meeting state eligibility criteria with a condition associated with "high-probability" for developmental delays or having test scores evidencing developmental delays.

METHODS

Participants included 77 children referred directly to EI from a high-risk infant follow-up program. Scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III, basic demographics, and medical variables were extracted from electronic medical records. Information regarding referral outcomes was gathered via follow-up phone calls to EI programs several months after referral.

RESULTS

Results indicate 62% of EI referrals resulted in evaluation, with 69% of those evaluated being found eligible for services. Overall, 34% of referrals resulted in EI enrollment. Of those who were not evaluated, 71% were likely to have qualified based on state eligibility criteria. Follow-up phone call results indicated the majority of families not evaluated (64%) were never successfully contacted by the EI program.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from the present study illustrate the extent of challenges in connecting families with needed EI services and indicate an opportunity for improvement in EI referral processes to increase enrollment for eligible children. Improved communication between referral sources and service providers could support enrollment with detailed documentation of prior testing and explicit reasons for referral. Follow-up calls to confirm receipt of referral may also be necessary.

Timing of Referral to Early Intervention Services in Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

This study is a secondary analysis of an observational prospective case series of 50 infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia that describes patient factors associated with the time between initial hospital discharge and referral to early intervention (EI) services. It also evaluates associations between (1) timing of EI referral and reception of EI services and (2) early referral to EI and developmental outcomes at 18 to 36 months corrected age. The results demonstrated that a referral from a neonatologist versus a pediatrician was associated with fewer days between discharge and EI referral. Earlier EI referrals were associated with a shorter time to intake evaluation and service initiation. The Bayley-III (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition) scores at 24 months corrected age (n = 28) were not associated with timing of EI referral. In conclusion, an early referral to EI promoted earlier evaluation and initiation of EI services and should be standard for high-risk infants.

Factors Associated with Successful First High-Risk Infant Clinic Visit for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in California

OBJECTIVES

To determine rates of at least 1 high-risk infant follow-up (HRIF) visit by 12 months corrected age, and factors associated with successful first visit among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a statewide population-based setting.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the linked California Perinatal Quality of Care Collaborative and California Perinatal Quality of Care Collaborative-California Children's Services HRIF databases. Multivariable logistic regression examined independent associations of maternal, sociodemographic, neonatal clinical, and HRIF program factors with a successful first HRIF visit among VLBW infants born in 2010-2011.

RESULTS

Among 6512 VLBW children referred to HRIF, 4938 (76%) attended a first visit. Higher odds for first HRIF visit attendance was associated with older maternal age (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.27-1.72; 30-39 vs 20-29 years), lower birth weight (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.69-2.65; ≤750 g vs 1251-1499 g), private insurance (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.19-2.31), a history of severe intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.12-2.30), 2 parents as primary caregivers (OR, 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.36), and higher HRIF program volume (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.88-3.66; second vs lowest quartile); and lower odds with maternal race African American or black (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.54-0.78), and greater distance to HRIF program (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57-0.83). Rates varied substantially across HRIF programs, which remained after risk adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based California VLBW cohort, maternal, sociodemographic, and home- and program-level disparities were associated with HRIF non-attendance. These findings underscore the need to identify challenges in access and resource risk factors during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, provide enhanced education about the benefits of HRIF, and create comprehensive neonatal intensive care unit-to-home transition approaches.

NICU human milk dose and health care use after NICU discharge in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between human milk (HM) dose and health care utilization at one and 2 years of life in very low birth weight (birth weight < 1500 g; VLBW) infants.

STUDY DESIGN

This study included 345 VLBW infants enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study (2008-2012) who completed a neonatal high-risk follow-up clinic visit. Subsequent health care utilization included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, pediatric subspecialists, and specialized therapies.

RESULTS

Each 10 mL/kg/day increase in HM in the first 14 days of life was associated with 0.26 fewer hospitalizations (p = 0.04) at 1 year and 0.21 fewer pediatric subspecialist types (p = 0.04) and 0.20 fewer specialized therapy types (p = 0.04) at 2 years.

CONCLUSION

HM dose in early life for VLBW infants was an independent predictor of the number of hospitalizations at 1 year and types of pediatric subspecialists and specialized therapies at 2 years of life.

The predictors for the non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight infants in the Korean neonatal network

The critical need to emphasize preterm infant follow-up after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge assures early identification of and intervention for neurodevelopmental disability. The aims of this study were to observe the follow-up rates in high-risk follow-up clinics, and analyze factors associated with non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The data was prospectively collected for 3063 VLBW infants between January 2013 and December 2014 from 57 Korean neonatal network (KNN) centers at a corrected age of 18–24 months. Correlations among demographic data, clinical variables, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) volume (divided into 4 quartiles) with the occurrence of non-compliance were analyzed. The overall follow-up rate at the corrected age of 18–24 month was 65.4%. The follow-up rates were inversely related to birth weight and gestational age. Apgar score, hospital stay, maternal age, and maternal education were significantly different between the compliance and non-compliance groups. The follow-up rate was higher for mothers with chorioamnionitis, abnormal amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancy, and in vitro fertilization. Infants with respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus ligation, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity were more common in the compliance group. Follow-up rates showed significant differences according to NICU volume. Using multivariate logistic regression, high birth weight, low NICU volume, siblings, foreign maternal nationality and high 5 min APGAR scores were significant independent factors associated with the non-compliance of VLBW infants for follow-up at 18–24 months of age. This is the first nation-wide analysis of follow-up for VLBW infants in Korea. Understanding factors associated with failure of compliance could help improve the long-term follow-up rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes through early intervention.