Parental perceptions of neonatal therapeutic hypothermia; emotional and healing experiences

Cooling and physiology during parent cuddling infants with neonatal encephalopathy in usual care: CoolCuddle-2 study

AIM

CoolCuddle, enabling parents to cuddle their babies with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) during therapeutic hypothermia and intensive care (TH), was developed in research settings. To determine the impact of implementing CoolCuddle in usual care in six diverse neonatal intensive care units on the cooling process and intensive care.

METHODS

This vital sign cohort study embedded within the CoolCuddle implementation study enrolled 36 infants receiving TH for NE. Nurses received training on CoolCuddle and a standard operating procedure using an instruction video. After consenting, parents experienced up to 2 h of CoolCuddle with 30 min of pre- and post-cuddle observation. We used multilevel, clustered linear modelling to assess the physiological stability in temperature, cardio-respiratory and neurophysiology across the CoolCuddle.

RESULTS

In 60 CoolCuddles over 93.12 h, respiratory parameters, heart rate or neurological function did not vary between the epochs (p > 0.05). During cuddle, sleep-wake cycling on amplitude-integrated EEG increased (p = 0.008) and there was weak evidence of lower pain scores (p = 0.08). No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Implementing CoolCuddle with support in usual practice maintained physiological stability and did not significantly affect the cooling process or intensive care, and may improve infant comfort. Ongoing monitoring of adverse effects when implementing CoolCuddle is recommended.

Physiological and behavioral stability of newborns on therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy during parental holding

BACKGROUND

Physical separation contributes to parental trauma and poor bonding in the context of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Parental holding (PH) may improve parents' experience. We aim to determine the physiological and behavioral stability of the newborn held by the parents during TH.

METHODS

Observational, prospective, single-center study which included 30 newborns with mean gestational age of 39 (1.8) weeks and mean birth weight 3165 (508) g, with HIE treated by TH, whom parents wanted to hold. All infants were mechanically ventilated and received sedation-analgesia. Main outcome was change in body temperature (> 34°C or < 33 °C) during PH. Secondary outcomes were change in vital signs and behavior (comfort/pain scores) during PH. Parental and nurses' opinions were assessed by a self-reporting questionnaire with a 10-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

We found no significant changes in temperature, other vital signs or in infants' COMFORT-B score during parental holding. Responses to self-reporting questionnaires completed by parents and nurses showed a high level of overall effectiveness and satisfaction with PH.

CONCLUSION

Parents holding newborns undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was safe for the newborn without causing discomfort. It was also beneficial for the parents and supported by the healthcare team.

IMPACT

Parents holding newborns undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy was feasible without causing discomfort. It was also beneficial for the parents and supported by the healthcare team. Infants' temperature or other vital signs did not change during parental holding, which was found very satisfactory by parents and healthcare givers, showing that parental holding is feasible. This study promotes further dissemination of parental holding, which may limit the detrimental effect of physical separation for parents of newborns undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

Six weeks that changed the preterm infant brain: lessons learned from the Family Nurture Intervention randomized controlled trials

Aim

We review extensive results from two randomized controlled trials conducted over 9 years, comparing standard care (SC) in level-4 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) with SC plus Family Nurture Intervention (FNI).

Methods

FNI included ~six weeks of facilitated mother-infant interactions aimed at achieving mother-infant 'autonomic emotional connection', a novel construct that describes the emotional mother-baby relationship at the level of the autonomic nervous system.

Results and conclusion

Thus far, 18 peer-reviewed publications documented significant positive short-and long-term effects of FNI on infant neurobehavioral functioning, developmental trajectories and both mother and child autonomic health through five years. The observed profound effects of FNI on central and autonomic nervous system function following a relatively short intervention support a novel autonomic theory of emotions. We discuss the theoretical and clinical advances that grew out of the trials and speculate on how FNI changes the mother-infant relationship from 'dysregulation' to autonomic emotional co-regulation. We review new constructs and tools that can be used to view and measure the mother-infant autonomic emotional relationship. We present a simple blueprint to improve preterm birth outcomes. Finally, we discuss the significance of our findings and possible impact on the future of preterm infant care worldwide.

Clinician Stakeholder Experience With Telemedicine Consults to Assess Neonatal Encephalopathy in a Rural State

BACKGROUND

Serial neonatal encephalopathy (NE) examinations are difficult to perform in rural community hospitals as on-site experts are not readily available. We implemented a synchronous, acute care model of teleconsultation-the Maine Neonatal Encephalopathy Teleconsultation program (Maine NET)-to provide remote, joint assessment of NE by pediatric neurology and neonatology at nine community hospitals and one tertiary care center. We performed a qualitative study to interview clinicians about their experience of this program.

METHODS

From April 2018 to October 2022, we employed a semistructured interview format with 16 clinicians representing all participating hospitals. We utilized deductive analysis to assign a set of predefined codes to the transcribed interviews.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis supported the anticipated benefits of Maine NET, demonstrating that clinicians felt resource utilization, collaborative decision making, communication, and continuity of care were improved. Clinicians overwhelmingly supported the program: "This program has truly saved babies' lives and future function. I have not met any parents through this journey, who aren't incredibly grateful for the care that is provided" and emphasized the benefit of collaboration between all care team members. Teleconsultation was felt to be "more than adequate to [assess] NE." Connectivity issues were cited as a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Maine NET has positively impacted care delivery for newborns with clinical concerns for NE. Additionally, the program has improved resource allocation, collaborative decision making, communication, and equity of care. Addressing technological challenges will be vital to the success and sustainability of the planned Maine NET expansion.

Communicating with Parents About Therapeutic Hypothermia and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Integrating a Palliative Care Approach into Practice

Parents of newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can face communication challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit. Both specialty palliative care and primary palliative care trained clinicians can assist parents as they navigate traumatic experiences and uncertain prognoses. Using evidence-based frameworks, the authors provide samples of how to communicate with parents and promote parent well-being across the care trajectory. The authors demonstrate how to involve parents in a shared decision-making process and give special consideration to the complexities of hospital discharge and the transition home. Sustained investment to guide the development of effective communication skills is crucial to support families of infants with HIE.

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.

Parental presence, participation, and engagement in paediatric hospital care: A conceptual delineation

AIM

To delineate between the concepts of parental presence, participation, and engagement in paediatric hospital care.

DESIGN

The concepts' uses in the literature were analysed to determine attributes, influences, and relationships.

METHODS

Delineations of each concept are established and conceptual definitions are proposed following Morses' methods.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (PubMed); CINAHL, PsycINFO, Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCOhost); Embase, Scopus (Elsevier); Google Scholar. Search dates October 2021, February 2023.

RESULTS

Multinational publications dated 1991-2023 revealed these concepts represent a range of parental behaviours, beliefs, and actions, which are not always perceptible to nurses, but which are important in family-integrated care delivery. Parental presence is the state of a parent being physically and/or emotionally with their child. Parental participation reflects parents' performing caregiving activities with or without nurses. Parental engagement is a parents' state of emotional involvement in their child's health and the ways they act on their child's behalf.

CONCLUSION

These concepts' manifestations are important to parental role attainment but may be inadequately understood and considered by healthcare providers.

IMPLICATIONS

Nurses have influence over parents' parental presence, participation, and engagement in their child's care but need support from healthcare institutions to ensure equitable family-integrated care delivery.

IMPACT

Problem: Lack of clear definition among these concepts results in incomplete and at times inequitable family-integrated care delivery.

FINDINGS

Parental presence is an antecedent to parental participation, and parental presence and participation are elements of parental engagement. The concepts interact to influence one another.

IMPACT

Hospitalized children, their families, nurses, and researchers will benefit through a better understanding of the concepts' attributes, interactions, and implications for enhanced family-integrated care delivery.

Parent Experience of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Hypothermia: A Call for Trauma Informed Care

OBJECTIVE

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We surveyed parents of infants treated with TH about their experiences of communication and parental involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

A 29-question anonymous survey was posted on a parent support (web site: https://www.hopeforhie.org ) and sent to members via e-mail. Responses from open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 165 respondents completed the survey and 108 (66%) infants were treated with TH. 79 (48%) respondents were dissatisfied/neutral regarding the quality of communication in the NICU, whereas 127 (77%) were satisfied/greatly satisfied with the quality of parental involvement in the NICU. Six themes were identified as follows: (1) setting for communication: parents preferred face to face meetings with clinicians; (2) content and clarity of language: parents valued clear language (use of layman's terms) and being explicitly told the medical diagnosis of HIE; (3) immediate and longitudinal emotional support: parents required support from clinicians to process the trauma of the birth experience and hypothermia treatment; (4) clinician time and scheduling: parents valued the ability to join rounds and other major conversations about infant care; (5) valuing the parent role: parents desired being actively involved in rounds, care times, and decision-making; (6) physical presence and touch: parents valued being physically present and touching their baby; this presence was limited by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related restrictions.

CONCLUSION

We highlight stakeholder views on parent involvement and parent-clinician communication in the NICU and note significant overlap with principles of trauma informed care: safety (physical and psychological), trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, and voice and choice. We propose that a greater understanding and implementation of these principles may allow the medical team to more effectively communicate with and involve parents in the care of infants with HIE in the NICU.

KEY POINTS

· Parents of infants with HIE experience trauma both from the birth and the hypothermia treatment.. · Transparent communication and encouraging parental involvement can ameliorate this trauma..

Parents' Experiences of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study is to assess parental experiences of therapeutic hypothermia for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with the goal of improving local clinical practice guidelines and fostering family-integrated care in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cross-sectional study included neonates and their parents registered in the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register between 2011 and 2021. Based on a literature review, an anonymous survey of parents of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was developed and conducted using an online survey tool. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey results.

RESULTS

The overall response rate to this survey was 64% (46/72). Sufficient information about hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was reported by 78% (36/46) of parents and sufficient information about the process of therapeutic hypothermia by 87% (40/46) of parents. The majority of parents indicated the need for, and at least a satisfactory perception of, professional (91%; 42/46) and emotional (87%; 40/46) support. Parents identified fostering family involvement and regular family communication that focuses on family integrated care as areas for improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still an unmet need for multidisciplinary teams to provide professional, empathetic, high quality, and family-integrated care to families with a neonate receiving therapeutic hypothermia for moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Hypothermia Treatment

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important clinical entity because it is associated with death and long-term disability, including cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, seizures, and neurosensory deficits. Over the past 40 years, there has been an intensive search to identify therapies to improve the prognosis of neonates with HIE. Hypothermia treatment represents the culmination of laboratory investigations including small and large animal studies, followed by pilot human studies, and, finally, randomized controlled trials to establish efficacy and safety. Clinical trials have demonstrated that hypothermia treatment reduces mortality and improves early childhood outcome among survivors. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a multi-system disease process that requires intensive medical support for brain monitoring and monitoring of non-central nervous system organ dysfunction. Treatment must be conducted in a level III or IV neonatal intensive care unit with infrastructure for an integrated approach to care for critically ill neonates. Hypothermia treatment is the first and currently the only therapy to improve outcomes for neonates with HIE and indicates that HIE is modifiable. However, outcomes likely can be improved further. Hypothermia treatment has accelerated investigation of other therapies to combine with hypothermia. It has also stimulated a more intensive approach to brain monitoring, which allows earlier intervention for complications. Finally, HIE and hypothermia treatment negatively influences the psychological state of affected families, and there is growing recognition of the importance of trauma-informed principles to guide medical professionals.

Evolution of swallowing and feeding abilities of neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy during hospitalisation: A case series

PURPOSE

To describe the evolution of swallowing and feeding abilities of neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) during hospitalisation.

METHOD

A longitudinal cohort study was used. Twenty-nine participants (median age 39.0 weeks [IQR = 2.0 weeks]) with mild (n = 7), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 3) HIE were included. Clinical swallowing and feeding assessments were conducted at introduction of oral feeds and at discharge using the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS). Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) supplemented the NFAS before discharge.

RESULT

Approximately two thirds of participants showed symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) during initial NFAS and VFSS. Significantly fewer OPD symptoms occurred at discharge NFAS (p = 0.004). Endurance during non-nutritive sucking (p < 0.001) and nutritive sucking (p < 0.001) significantly improved. Nine participants (31.0%) demonstrated penetration or aspiration. Most aspiration events were silent (60%). Instrumental assessment identified pharyngeal phase dysphagia more effectively than bedside evaluation. High proportions of participants displayed OPD symptoms regardless of HIE severity. The correlation between OPD severity and the length of hospitalisation (p = 0.052) was not significant.

CONCLUSION

All grades of HIE should be considered for early intervention by speech-language pathologists before discharge. Findings may be valuable to neonatal feeding teams.

Torn between two worlds: parental experiences of neonatal follow-up for infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in India-a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of a neonatal follow-up programme, as perceived by parents of infants born with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

DESIGN

This study applied a qualitative study design using interpretative phenomenological analysis. It included focus group discussions, face-to-face in-depth interviews and telephonic interviews. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

SETTING

Neonatal follow-up clinic of a tertiary hospital in South India. The study was conducted between March and December 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Five fathers and eight mothers of infants with HIE.

RESULTS

Parents of children with HIE are torn between two worlds-an atmosphere of support and one of criticism. Three main themes were identified: (1) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay: distressful versus reassuring experiences; (2) parenthood: supportive versus unsupportive environments; and (3) neonatal follow-up: adherence versus non-adherence.

CONCLUSION

Parents of children with HIE experience sociocultural barriers in the NICU, after discharge and during the follow-up period. These lead to a complex array of emotional and physical consequences that affect parenting and follow-up care.

Pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia

BACKGROUND

Newborn infants affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) undergo therapeutic hypothermia. As this treatment seems to be associated with pain, and intensive and invasive care is needed, pharmacological interventions are often used. Moreover, painful procedures in the newborn period can affect pain responses later in life, impair brain development, and possibly have a long-term negative impact on neurodevelopment and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Primary outcomes were analgesia and sedation, and all-cause mortality to discharge.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and the trial register ISRCTN in August 2021. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles to identify additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCT), quasi-RCTs and cluster-randomized trials comparing drugs used for the management of pain or sedation, or both, during therapeutic hypothermia: any opioids (e.g. morphine, fentanyl), alpha-2 agonists (e.g. clonidine, dexmedetomidine), N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (e.g. ketamine), other analgesics (e.g. paracetamol), and sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines such as midazolam) versus another drug, placebo, no intervention, or non-pharmacological interventions.  Primary outcomes were analgesia and sedation, and all-cause mortality to discharge.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies identified by the search strategy for inclusion. We planned to use the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. We planned to assess the methodological quality of included trials using Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (EPOC) criteria (assessing randomization, blinding, loss to follow-up, and handling of outcome data). We planned to evaluate treatment effects using a fixed-effect model with risk ratio (RR) for categorical data and mean, standard deviation (SD), and mean difference (MD) for continuous data.  MAIN RESULTS: We did not find any completed studies for inclusion. Amongst the four excluded studies, topiramate and atropine were used in two and one trial, respectively; one study used dexmedetomidine and was initially reported in 2019 to be a randomized trial. However, it was an observational study (correction in 2021). We identified one ongoing study comparing dexmedetomidine to morphine.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no studies that met our inclusion criteria and hence there is no evidence to recommend or refute the use of pharmacological interventions for pain and sedation management in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

Core outcomes in neonatal encephalopathy: a qualitative study with parents

OBJECTIVE

To identify the outcomes considered important to parents or caregivers of infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy or birth asphyxia in high-income and low- to middle-income countries (LMiCs), as part of the outcome-identification process in developing a core outcome set (COS) for the treatment of neonatal encephalopathy.

DESIGN

A qualitative study involving 25 semistructured interviews with parents or other family members (caregivers) of infants who were diagnosed with, and treated for, neonatal encephalopathy, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy or birth asphyxia.

SETTING

Interviews were conducted in high-income countries (HiCs) (n=11) by Zoom video conferencing software and in LMiCs (n=14) by phone or face to face.

FINDINGS

Parents identified 54 outcomes overall, which mapped to 16 outcome domains. The domains identified were neurological outcomes, respiratory outcomes, gastrointestinal outcomes, cardiovascular outcomes, motor development, cognitive development, development (psychosocial), development (special senses), cognitive development, development (speech and social), other organ outcomes, survival/living outcomes, long-term disability, hospitalisation, parent-reported outcomes and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insight into the outcomes that parents of infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy have identified as the most important, to be considered in the process of developing a COS for the treatment of neonatal encephalopathy. We also provide description of the processes employed to ensure the inclusion of participants from LMiCs as well as HiCs.

Adherence to hypothermia guidelines in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

INTRODUCTION

We do not have population data in Spain on the application of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). The objective was to examine adherence to management standards during TH of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHOD

Multicenter observational cohort study from the beginning of TH (year 2010) in 5 hospitals in a Spanish region, until year 2019.

RESULTS

133 patients were recruited, 72% diagnosed with moderate HIE and the rest of them with severe HIE. In 84% of infants, passive hypothermia was started at birth. Active TH was started at a median age of 5 h of life (IQR 3.3; 6.3), although the central targeted temperature (33-34 °C) was reached at a median age of 3.5 h (IQR 1; 6). Those born extramural, initiated active TH 3.3 h on average later than those born intramural, but without differences in the age at which the targeted temperature was reached. Sedoanalgesia was used in 97%. 100% were monitored with amplitude-integrated EEG and 59% with cerebral oxymetry. MRI was performed in 94% with moderate HIE vs. 65% with severe; P < .001. Neuron-specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 42%. The average duration of rewarming was median 10 h (IQR 8; 12), with no differences depending on the degree of HIE (P = .57).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of TH successfully met the standards. However, aspects of care that could be improved were detected. Auditing newborn care with HIE is crucial to achieving programs with a high quality of care in each region.

Psychiatric Symptoms, Posttraumatic Growth, and Life Satisfaction Among Parents of Seriously Ill Infants: A Prospective Case-Controlled Study

We evaluated psychiatric symptoms, posttraumatic growth, and life satisfaction among the parents (n = 34) of newborns (n = 17) requiring therapeutic hypothermia or urgent surgery (interest group). Our control group included 60 parents of healthy newborns (n = 30). The first surveys were completed soon after diagnosis or delivery and the follow-up surveys 1 year later (participation rate 88% in the interest group and 70% in the control group). General stress was common in both groups but was more prevalent in the interest group as were depressive symptoms, too. Anxiety was more common in the interest group, although it showed a decrease from the baseline in both groups. Life satisfaction had an inverse correlation with all measures of psychiatric symptoms, and it was lower in the interest group in the early stage, but similar at 12 months due to the slight decline in the control group. Mothers in the interest group had more anxiety and depressive symptoms than fathers in the early stage. Mothers had more traumatic distress than fathers at both time points. Half of the parents experienced substantial posttraumatic growth at 12 months. In conclusion, the serious illness of an infant substantially affects the well-being of the parents in the early stages of illness and one year after the illness.

'Opportunity to bond and a sense of normality': Parent and staff views of cuddling babies undergoing therapeutic hypothermia in neonatal intensive care: 'CoolCuddle'

Background

Currently, parents whose sick babies are undergoing three days of cooling therapy for hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are not permitted to cuddle their cooled babies, due to concerns of warming the baby or dislodging breathing tubes or vascular catheters. Parents want to stay and care for their cooled babies and have reported that bonding is adversely affected when they are not permitted to hold them.

Design and Participants

Qualitative interviews with 21 parents of cooled babies in NICU (11 mothers and 10 fathers) and 10 neonatal staff (4 consultants and 6 nurses) explored their views and experiences of an intervention to enable parents to cuddle their cooled babies (CoolCuddle). Thematic analysis methods were used to develop the themes and compare them between parents and staff.

Results

Five themes were produced. Three themes were comparable between parents and staff: Closeness, a sense of normality and reassurance and support. An additional parent theme reflected their mixed feelings about initial participation as they were apprehensive, but felt that it was an amazing opportunity. Parents and staff described the closeness between parents and babies as important for bonding and breastfeeding. Fathers particularly appreciated the opportunity to hold and bond with their infants. Parents valued the reassurance and support received from staff, and the cuddles helped them feel more normal and more like a family at a very stressful time. In a final staff theme, they discussed the skills, number of staff and training needed to undertake CoolCuddle in NICU.

Conclusions

Parents cuddling their babies during cooling therapy enhanced parent–infant bonding and family‐centred care in NICU and was positively received. Adverse perinatal mental health, impaired mother–infant bonding and their effects on the establishment of breastfeeding may be ameliorated by introducing CoolCuddle.

Patient Contribution

Our parent advisors contributed to the interview topic guides and endorsed the themes from the analysis.

Telemedicine Consultation to Assess Neonatal Encephalopathy in Rural Community Hospitals and Tertiary Care Centers

INTRODUCTION

Teleconsultation is used in tertiary care hospitals to evaluate neonatal encephalopathy. Neonates born in community hospitals, however, often experience delayed evaluation due to transport to the tertiary care center. We studied teleconsultations in community hospitals to decrease this disparity.

METHODS

Prospective observational study in 9 community hospitals and 1 neonatal intensive care unit. Inclusion criteria: gestational age greater than or equal to 35 weeks and one of the following: umbilical cord pH less than or equal to 7.2, 5-minute Apgar less than 7, prolonged respiratory support, perinatal event, or abnormal neurological exam. We performed synchronized, unscheduled telemedicine consults with the main outcome of time to teleconsultation.

RESULTS

From April 2018 to September 2020, we performed 53 teleconsultations: 34 (64%) in community hospitals and 19 (36%) in the tertiary care center. Teleconsultations occurred at a median of 98 minutes (IQR, 76-127) in community hospitals versus 68 minutes (IQR, 43-91) in the tertiary care center (p = .004). Nine (26%) neonates born in a community hospital remained with their parents and were not transferred to the tertiary care center for further assessment.

DISCUSSION

Neonates born in rural community hospitals have slightly later teleconsultations than neonates born in the tertiary care center. Telemedicine use reduced this disparity from nearly 5 hours in our prior study to 98 minutes in this study by permitting evaluation of neonates in community hospitals without transporting them to the tertiary care center.

CONCLUSIONS

Teleconsultations to evaluate neonatal encephalopathy are a feasible, accessible, and reliable way to bring expert-level care into rural community hospitals.

Counseling parents of premature neonates on neuroimaging findings

While medical advancements have led to improved survival of extremely premature infants, children remain at risk for brain injury and neurodevelopmental impairment. Brain imaging can offer insight into an infant's acute and long-term outcome; however, counseling parents about the results and implications of brain imaging remains challenging. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature and describe the challenges associated with counseling families of premature infants on neuroimaging findings. We propose a framework to guide clinicians in counseling parents about brain imaging results, informed by best practices in other disciplines: (FIGURE): 1) Formulate a plan 2) Identify parental needs and values 3) Give information 4) Acknowledge Uncertainty 5) Recognize and Respond to emotions 6) Discuss Expectations and Establish follow-up.

[Adherence to hypothermia guidelines in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy]

INTRODUCTION

We do not have population data in Spain on the application of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). The objective was to examine adherence to management standards during TH of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHOD

Multicenter observational cohort study from the beginning of TH (year 2010) in 5 hospitals in a Spanish region, until year 2019.

RESULTS

133 patients were recruited, 72% diagnosed with moderate HIE and the rest of them with severe HIE. In 84% of infants, passive hypothermia was started at birth. Active TH was started at a median age of 5hours of life (IQR: 3.3-6.3), although the central targeted temperature (33-34°C) was reached at a median age of 3.5hours (IQR: 1-6). Those born extramural, initiated active TH 3.3hours on average later than those born intramural, but without differences in the age at which the targeted temperature was reached. Sedoanalgesia was used in 97%. The 100% were monitored with amplitude-integrated EEG and 59% with cerebral oxymetry. MRI was performed in 94% with moderate HIE vs. 65% with severe; P<.001. Neuron-specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 42%. The average duration of rewarming was median 10hours (IQR: 8-12), with no differences depending on the degree of HIE (P=.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of TH successfully met the standards. However, aspects of care that could be improved were detected. Auditing newborn care with HIE is crucial to achieving programs with a high quality of care in each region.