Neonatal Neurocritical Care Service Is Associated With Decreased Administration of Seizure Medication

Review of Precision Medicine and Diagnosis of Neonatal Illness

Background/Objectives: Precision medicine is a state-of-the-art medicine tactic that tailors information about people's genes, environment, and lifestyle to aid the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases to provide an overview of the currently available knowledge and applicability of precision medicine in the diagnosis of different cases admitted to the NICU, such as encephalopathies, respiratory distress syndrome of prematurity, hemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: The authors searched databases, such as PubMed and PubMed Central, for the terms neonatal "precision medicine", "personalized medicine", "genomics", and "metabolomics", all related to precision medicine in the diagnosis of neonatal illness. The related studies were collected. Results: The review highlights the diagnostic approach that serves to implement precision medicine in the NICU and provide precision diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Conclusions: In this review, we projected several diagnostic approaches that provide precision identification of health problems among sick neonates with complex illnesses in the NICU; some are noninvasive and available in ordinary healthcare settings, while others are invasive or not feasible or still in ongoing research as machine learning algorithms. Future studies are needed for the wide implementation of artificial intelligence tools in the diagnosis of neonatal illnesses.

The development of neonatal neurointensive care

Brain injury remains one of the major unsolved problems in neonatal care, with survivors at high risk of lifelong neurodisability. It is unlikely that a single intervention can ameliorate neonatal brain injury, given the complex interaction between pathological processes, developmental trajectory, genetic susceptibility, and environmental influences. However, a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to understand the root cause enables early detection, and diagnosis with enhanced clinical care offering the best chance of improving outcomes and facilitate new lines of neuroprotective treatments. Adult neurointensive care has existed as a speciality in its own right for over 20 years; however, it is only recently that large prospective studies have demonstrated the benefit of this model of care. The 'Neuro-intensive Care Nursery' model originated at the University of California San Francisco in 2008, and since then a growing number of units worldwide have adopted this approach. As well as providing consistent coordinated care for infants from a multidisciplinary team, it provides opportunities for specialist education and training in neonatal neurology, neuromonitoring, neuroimaging and nursing. This review outlines the origins of brain-oriented care of the neonate and the development of the Neuro-NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and discusses some of the challenges and opportunities in expanding this model of care.

Reducing the percentage of surviving infants with acute symptomatic seizures discharged on anti-seizure medication

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of inclusion of an anti-seizure medication (ASM) weaning protocol in a neonatal seizure pathway on the percent of infants discharged on ASMs.

STUDY DESIGN

This cohort study included surviving infants with acute symptomatic seizures treated with ASMs across three institutions. We evaluated infants in 2 epochs, pre- and post-implementation of the ASM weaning protocol. The primary outcome was discharge on ASM.

RESULTS

Of 116 included infants, the percent of infants discharged on ASMs was 69% in epoch 1 versus 34% in epoch 2 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between epochs in recurrence of seizures after discharge by 1 year of age (p = 0.125). There was an annual decrease in the percent of infants discharged on ASM across all institutions.

CONCLUSION

Inclusion of a formal ASM weaning protocol as part of an institutional seizure pathway reduced percent of infants with acute symptomatic seizures discharged on ASM.

Questions and Controversies in Neonatal Seizures

Neonatal seizures are relatively common, but their diagnosis and management remain challenging. We reviewed the scientific literature on neonatal seizures from July 1973 to November 2023. Several parameters were considered, including pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, electroencephalographic findings and treatment. Recent classification system of seizures and epilepsies in the newborn, as well as treatment recommendations of neonatal seizures, have been proposed. Nonetheless, the approach to neonatal seizures varies among clinicians and centres, including detection, investigation, treatment and follow-up of patients. There are still many issues on the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures, including the meaning or relevance of some electroencephalographic findings, the precise estimation of the seizure burden, the limited efficacy and side effects risk of antiseizure medications, and the best measures to establish the outcome.

Continuous electroencephalography in the intensive care unit: A critical review and position statement from an Australian and New Zealand perspective

Objectives

This article aims to critically review the literature on continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU) from an Australian and New Zealand perspective and provide recommendations for clinicians.

Design and review methods

A taskforce of adult and paediatric neurologists, selected by the Epilepsy Society of Australia, reviewed the literature on cEEG for seizure detection in critically ill neonates, children, and adults in the ICU. The literature on routine EEG and cEEG for other indications was not reviewed. Following an evaluation of the evidence and discussion of controversial issues, consensus was reached, and a document that highlighted important clinical, practical, and economic considerations regarding cEEG in Australia and New Zealand was drafted.

Results

This review represents a summary of the literature and consensus opinion regarding the use of cEEG in the ICU for detection of seizures, highlighting gaps in evidence, practical problems with implementation, funding shortfalls, and areas for future research.

Conclusion

While cEEG detects electrographic seizures in a significant proportion of at-risk neonates, children, and adults in the ICU, conferring poorer neurological outcomes and guiding treatment in many settings, the health economic benefits of treating such seizures remain to be proven. Presently, cEEG in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is a largely unfunded clinical resource that is subsequently reserved for the highest-impact patient groups. Wider adoption of cEEG requires further research into impact on functional and health economic outcomes, education and training of the neurology and ICU teams involved, and securement of the necessary resources and funding to support the service.

Optimal neuromonitoring techniques in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are at significant risk for adverse outcomes including death and neurodevelopmental impairment. Neuromonitoring provides critical diagnostic and prognostic information for these infants. Modalities providing continuous monitoring include continuous electroencephalography (cEEG), amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and heart rate variability. Serial bedside neuromonitoring techniques include cranial ultrasound and somatic and visual evoked potentials but may be limited by discrete time points of assessment. EEG, aEEG, and NIRS provide distinct and complementary information about cerebral function and oxygen utilization. Integrated use of these neuromonitoring modalities in addition to other potential techniques such as heart rate variability may best predict imaging outcomes and longer-term neurodevelopment. This review examines available bedside neuromonitoring techniques for the neonate with HIE in the context of therapeutic hypothermia.

Neuromonitoring in neonatal critical care part I: neonatal encephalopathy and neonates with possible seizures

The blooming of neonatal neurocritical care over the last decade reflects substantial advances in neuromonitoring and neuroprotection. The most commonly used brain monitoring tools in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG), full multichannel continuous EEG (cEEG), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). While some published guidelines address individual tools, there is no consensus on consistent, efficient, and beneficial use of these modalities in common NICU scenarios. This work reviews current evidence to assist decision making for best utilization of neuromonitoring modalities in neonates with encephalopathy or with possible seizures. Neuromonitoring approaches in extremely premature and critically ill neonates are discussed separately in the companion paper. IMPACT: Neuromonitoring techniques hold promise for improving neonatal care. For neonatal encephalopathy, aEEG can assist in screening for eligibility for therapeutic hypothermia, though should not be used to exclude otherwise eligible neonates. Continuous cEEG, aEEG and NIRS through rewarming can assist in prognostication. For neonates with possible seizures, cEEG is the gold standard for detection and diagnosis. If not available, aEEG as a screening tool is superior to clinical assessment alone. The use of seizure detection algorithms can help with timely seizures detection at the bedside.

Implementation of a Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program for Children With Status Epilepticus: Adherence to Continuous Electroencephalogram Monitoring

OBJECTIVES

To describe adherence to continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring as part of a pediatric neurocritical care (PNCC) program for status epilepticus (SE).

DESIGN

Retrospective review of pre- and postintervention cohorts.

SETTING

A pediatric referral hospital.

PATIENTS

Children admitted to the PICU for SE.

INTERVENTIONS

We restructured the care delivery model to include a pediatric neurointensive care unit (neuro-ICU) and expanded the cEEG capacity. We created a criteria-based cEEG pathway. We provided education to all providers including the nursing staff.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The main outcomes were: 1) the percentages of children meeting American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) criteria who underwent cEEG monitoring and 2) the time interval between PICU arrival and cEEG initiation. PICU admissions with the diagnosis of SE from May 2017 to December 2017 served as the baseline, which was compared with the same periods in 2018 to 2020 (PNCC era).There were 60 admissions in the pre-PNCC period (2017), 111 in 2018, 118 in 2019, and 108 in 2020. The percentages of admissions from each period that met ACNS criteria for cEEG monitoring were between 84% and 97%. In the pre-PNCC era, 22 of 52 (42%) admissions meeting ACNS criteria underwent cEEG monitoring. In the PNCC era, greater than or equal to 80% of the qualified admissions underwent cEEG monitoring (74/93 [80%] in 2018, 94/115 [82%] in 2019, and 87/101 [86%] in 2020). Compared with the pre-PNCC era, the neuro-ICU had a shorter interval between PICU arrival and cEEG initiation (216 min [141-1,444 min] vs 138 min [103-211 min]).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a PNCC program with initiatives in care delivery, allocation of resources, and education was associated with increased adherence to best care practices for the management of SE.

From Neonatal Intensive Care to Neurocritical Care: Is It Still a Mirage? The Sicilian Multicenter Project

BACKGROUND

Neonatal brain injury (NBI) can lead to a significant neurological disability or even death. After decades of intense efforts to improve neonatal intensive care and survival of critically ill newborns, the focus today is an improved long-term neurological outcome through brain-focused care. The goal of neuroprotection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the prevention of new or worsening NBI in premature and term newborns. As a result, the neonatal neurocritical care unit (NNCU) has been emerging as a model of care to decrease NBI and improve the long-term neurodevelopment in critically ill neonates.

PURPOSE

Neurocritical care (NCC) Sicilian project includes three academic sites with NICU in Sicily (Catania, Messina, and Palermo), and its primary goal is to develop neurocritical neonatal care unit (NNCU).

METHODS

In 2018, the three NICUs created a dedicated space for neonates with primary neurological diagnosis or at risk for neurological injuries-NNCU. Admission criteria for eligible patients and treatment protocols were created. Contact with parents, environmental protection, basic monitoring, brain monitoring, pharmacological therapy, and organization of the staff were protocolized.

RESULTS

Evaluation of the efforts to establish NNCU within existing NICU, current protocols, and encountered problems are shown. Implications for Practice. Our outcome confirmed the need for dedicated NNCU for neuroprotection of critically ill neonates at risk for a neurological injury. Although the literature on neonatal neurocritical care is still scarce, we see the value of such targeted approach to newborn brain protection and therefore we will continue developing our NNCU, even though there have been problems encountered. The project of building NNCU will continue to be closely monitored.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of our neonatal neurocritical model of care is far from being completed. Although it is currently limited to the Sicilian area only, the goal of this paper is to share the development of this multicenter interdisciplinary project focused on a newborn brain protection. After evaluating our outcome, we strongly believe that a combined expertise in neonatal neurology and neonatal critical care can lead to an improved neurodevelopmental outcome for critically ill neonates, from the extremely preterm to those with brain injuries.

Safety of Early Discontinuation of Antiseizure Medication After Acute Symptomatic Neonatal Seizures

Question

Is discontinuation of antiseizure medication (ASM) after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures and prior to discharge from the hospital associated with functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy at 24 months?

Findings

In this comparative effectiveness study of 303 children with neonatal seizures from 9 centers, 64% had ASM maintained at hospital discharge. No difference was found between ASM maintenance and discontinuation groups in functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy; 13% of children developed epilepsy, including more than one-third with infantile spasms.

Meaning

These results support discontinuing ASMs for most neonates with acute symptomatic seizures prior to discharge from the hospital, an approach that may represent an evidence-based change in practice for many clinicians.

Importance

Antiseizure medication (ASM) treatment duration for acute symptomatic neonatal seizures is variable. A randomized clinical trial of phenobarbital compared with placebo after resolution of acute symptomatic seizures closed early owing to low enrollment.

Objective

To assess whether ASM discontinuation after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures and before hospital discharge is associated with functional neurodevelopment or risk of epilepsy at age 24 months.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This comparative effectiveness study included 303 neonates with acute symptomatic seizures (282 with follow-up data and 270 with the primary outcome measure) from 9 US Neonatal Seizure Registry centers, born from July 2015 to March 2018. The centers all had level IV neonatal intensive care units and comprehensive pediatric epilepsy programs. Data were analyzed from June 2020 to February 2021.

Exposures

The primary exposure was duration of ASM treatment dichotomized as ASM discontinued vs ASM maintained at the time of discharge from the neonatal seizure admission. To enhance causal association, each outcome risk was adjusted for propensity to receive ASM at discharge. Propensity for ASM maintenance was defined by a logistic regression model including seizure cause, gestational age, therapeutic hypothermia, worst electroencephalogram background, days of electroencephalogram seizures, and discharge examination (all P ≤ .10 in a joint model except cause, which was included for face validity).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Functional neurodevelopment was assessed by the Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills (WIDEA-FS) at 24 months powered for propensity-adjusted noninferiority of early ASM discontinuation. Postneonatal epilepsy, a prespecified secondary outcome, was defined per International League Against Epilepsy criteria, determined by parent interview, and corroborated by medical records.

Results

Most neonates (194 of 303 [64%]) had ASM maintained at the time of hospital discharge. Among 270 children evaluated at 24 months (mean [SD], 23.8 [0.7] months; 147 [54%] were male), the WIDEA-FS score was similar for the infants whose ASMs were discontinued (101 of 270 [37%]) compared with the infants with ASMs maintained (169 of 270 [63%]) at discharge (median score, 165 [interquartile range, 150-175] vs 161 [interquartile range, 129-174]; P = .09). The propensity-adjusted average difference was 4 points (90% CI, −3 to 11 points), which met the a priori noninferiority limit of −12 points. The epilepsy risk was similar (11% vs 14%; P = .49), with a propensity-adjusted odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI, 0.7-3.4; P = .32).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this comparative effectiveness study, no difference was found in functional neurodevelopment or epilepsy at age 24 months among children whose ASM was discontinued vs maintained at hospital discharge after resolution of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures. These results support discontinuation of ASM prior to hospital discharge for most infants with acute symptomatic neonatal seizures.

Novel Therapeutics for Neonatal Seizures

Neonatal seizures are a common neurologic emergency for which therapies have not significantly changed in decades. Improvements in diagnosis and pathophysiologic understanding of the distinct features of acute symptomatic seizures and neonatal-onset epilepsies present exceptional opportunities for development of precision therapies with potential to improve outcomes. Herein, we discuss the pathophysiology of neonatal seizures and review the evidence for currently available treatment. We present emerging therapies in clinical and preclinical development for the treatment of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures. Lastly, we discuss the role of precision therapies for genetic neonatal-onset epilepsies and address barriers and goals for developing new therapies for clinical care.

Clinical manifestations of neonatal seizures

Neonatal seizures present a unique diagnostic challenge with clinical manifestations often subtle or absent to the bedside observer. Seizures can be overdiagnosed in newborns with unusual paroxysmal movements and underdiagnosed in newborns without clinical signs of seizures. Electroclinical "uncoupling" also adds to the diagnostic challenge. Reliable diagnosis requires additional tools; continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosis of neonatal seizures. Certain high-risk neonatal populations with known brain injury, such as stroke or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, are most likely to benefit from continuous EEG. Studies have shown that risk stratification for continuous EEG has positive impact on care, including rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures, which leads to reduced use of antiseizure medicines and length of hospital stay. This review describes common clinical manifestations of neonatal seizures, and clinical situations in which EEG monitoring to screen for seizures should be considered.

Why do neonates receive antiseizure medications?

BACKGROUND

Continuous conventional video-electroencephalography (cVEEG), the gold standard, is not routinely available for monitoring neonatal seizures in Australia. Therefore, seizures are monitored with clinical observation and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), which may result in under- or over-treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs). We aimed to investigate ASM usage and its relation to the "cVEEG-confirmed seizures" (cVEEG seizures) in the at-risk infants admitted to a tertiary referral neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS

The study was a part of a diagnostic study comparing cVEEG with aEEG for the detection of neonatal seizures. Thirty-six infants ≥35 weeks gestational age and at risk of seizures and admitted to NICU were recruited after informed parental consent. The infants were monitored and treated with ASMs based on clinical observation and aEEG findings. A simultaneous cVEEG, not available for clinical decision making, was recorded for 24-h and interpreted at a later date. Data regarding ASM usage and seizure burden on cVEEG were collected. Spearman's Rho coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the number of doses of ASMs administered and seizure burden on cVEEG.

RESULTS

cVEEG recordings of 35 infants were available for analysis. The gestational age of the infants ranged from 36 to 42 weeks, and the most common diagnosis was hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Twelve infants received ASMs during the 24-h study period, of which five (42%) did not have cVEEG seizures. Maximum cVEEG seizure burden was 8.3 h, and maximum number of ASMs used was three. The correlation between the number of doses of ASMs administered in an infant and the seizure burden on cVEEG was low (Spearman's Rho: 0.44; p = .148).

CONCLUSION

Treatment of neonatal seizures based on clinical observation and aEEG, without cVEEG, results in unnecessary or inadequate exposure to ASMs for many infants.

Continuous Electroencephalography Monitoring in Critically Ill Infants and Children

Continuous video electroencephalography (CEEG) monitoring of critically ill infants and children has expanded rapidly in recent years. Indications for CEEG include evaluation of patients with altered mental status, characterization of paroxysmal events, and detection of electrographic seizures, including monitoring of patients with limited neurological examination or conditions that put them at high risk for electrographic seizures (e.g., cardiac arrest or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation). Depending on the inclusion criteria and clinical characteristics of the population studied, the percentage of pediatric patients with electrographic seizures varies from 7% to 46% and with electrographic status epilepticus from 1% to 23%. There is also evidence that epileptiform and background CEEG patterns may provide important information about prognosis in certain clinical populations. Quantitative EEG techniques are emerging as a tool to enhance the value of CEEG to provide real-time bedside data for management and prognosis. Continued research is needed to understand the clinical value of seizure detection and identification of other CEEG patterns on the outcomes of critically ill infants and children.

Neonatal Neurocritical Care: Providing Brain-Focused Care for All at Risk Neonates

Neonatal neurocritical care is an evolving subsubspecialty whose goal is to implement neuroprotective care strategies, continuous bedside monitoring of neurologic function, and therapies in order to reduce the risk of neurologic injury and improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates who require intensive care. The provision of neonatal neurocritical care requires a culture change across a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in which equal importance is placed on the neurologic care and the cardiorespiratory care of a given patient. It is a multidisciplinary framework of care in which neonatologist and pediatric neurologist come together to address the unique needs of NICU patients whose brains are still developing and are vulnerable to injury. Advances in bedside brain monitoring techniques and the use of therapeutic hypothermia for Hupoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy have accelerated the development of NeuroNICUs across the United States and abroad. Neonatologists, neurologists, neurophysiologists, nurses, and other ancillary members of the team work together to develop guidelines for commonly encountered neurological conditions in the NICU. The use of these guidelines helps provide standardized care across a unit and can reduce morbidity and length of hospital stay.

Differences in patient characteristics and care practices between two trials of therapeutic hypothermia

BACKGROUND

The Induced Hypothermia (IH) and Optimizing Cooling (OC) trials for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) had similar inclusion criteria. The rate of death/moderate-severe disability differed for the subgroups treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) at 33.5 °C for 72 h (44% vs. 29%, unadjusted p = 0.03). We aimed to evaluate differences in patient characteristics and care practices between the trials.

METHODS

We compared pre/post-randomization characteristics and care practices between IH and OC.

RESULTS

There were 208 patients in the IH trial, 102 cooled, and 364 in the OC trial, 95 cooled to 33.5 °C for 72 h. In OC, neonates were less ill, fewer had severe HIE, and the majority were cooled prior to randomization. Differences between IH and OC were observed in the adjusted difference in the lowest PCO₂ (+3.08 mmHg, p = 0.005) and highest PO₂ (-82.7 mmHg, p < 0.001). In OC, compared to IH, the adjusted relative risk (RR) of exposure to anticonvulsant prior to randomization was decreased (RR 0.58, (0.40-0.85), p = 0.005) and there was increased risk of exposure during cooling to sedatives/analgesia (RR 1.86 (1.21-2.86), p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Despite similar inclusion criteria, there were differences in patient characteristics and care practices between trials. Change in care practices over time should be considered when planning future neuroprotective trials.

Combined Conventional and Amplitude-Integrated EEG Monitoring in Neonates: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Seizure monitoring via amplitude-integrated EEG is standard of care in many neonatal intensive care units; however, conventional EEG is the gold standard for seizure detection. We compared the diagnostic yield of amplitude-integrated EEG interpreted at the bedside, amplitude-integrated EEG interpreted by an expert, and conventional EEG.

METHODS

Neonates requiring seizure monitoring received amplitude-integrated EEG and conventional EEG in parallel. Clinical events and amplitude-integrated EEG were interpreted at bedside. Subsequently, amplitude-integrated EEG and conventional EEG were independently analyzed by experienced neonatology and neurology readers. Sensitivity and specificity of bedside amplitude-integrated EEG as compared to expert amplitude-integrated EEG interpretation and conventional EEG were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirteen neonates were monitored for an average duration of 33 hours (range 15-94, SD 25). Fourteen seizure-like events were detected by clinical observation, and 12 others by bedside amplitude-integrated EEG analysis. One of the clinical, and none of the bedside amplitude-integrated EEG events were confirmed as seizures on conventional EEG. Post hoc expert amplitude-integrated EEG interpretation revealed eight suspected seizures, all different from the ones detected by the bedside amplitude-integrated EEG team, of which one was confirmed via conventional EEG. Eight seizures were recorded on conventional EEG. Expert amplitude-integrated EEG interpretation had a sensitivity of 13% with 46% specificity for individual seizure detection, and a sensitivity of 50% with 46% specificity for detecting patients with seizures.

CONCLUSION

Real-world bedside amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring failed to detect all seizures evidenced via conventional EEG, while misclassifying other events as seizures. Even post hoc expert amplitude-integrated EEG interpretation provided limited sensitivity and specificity. Considering the poor sensitivity and specificity of bedside amplitude-integrated EEG interpretation, combined monitoring may provide limited clinical benefit.

The neurointensive nursery: concept, development, and insights gained

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the advent of therapeutic hypothermia for treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and improvements in neuroimaging and bedside neuromonitoring, a new era of neonatal brain-focused care has emerged in recent years. We describe the development of the first neurointensive care nursery (NICN) as a model for comanagement of neonates with identified neurologic risk factors by a multidisciplinary team constituted of neurologists, neonatologists, specialized nurses, and others with the goal of optimizing management, preventing secondary injury and maximizing long-term outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Optimizing brain metabolic environment and perfusion and preventing secondary brain injury are key to neurocritical care. This includes close management of temperature, blood pressure, oxygenation, carbon dioxide, and glucose levels. Early developmental interventions and involvement of physical and occupational therapy provide additional assessment information. Finally, long-term follow-up is essential for any neurocritical care program.

SUMMARY

The NICN model aims to optimize evidence-based care of infants at risk for neurologic injury. Results from ongoing hypothermia and neuroprotective trials are likely to yield additional treatments. New technologies, such as functional MRI, continuous neurophysiological assessment, and whole genomic approaches to rapid diagnosis may further enhance clinical protocols and neonatal precision medicine. Importantly, advances in neurocritical care improve our ability to provide comprehensive information when counseling families. Long-term follow-up data will determine if the NICN/Neuro-NICU provides enduring benefit to infants at risk for neurologic injury.

Automated EEG background analysis to identify neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia at risk for adverse outcome: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

To improve the objective assessment of continuous video-EEG (cEEG) monitoring of neonatal brain function, the aim was to relate automated derived amplitude and duration parameters of the suppressed periods in the EEG background (dynamic Interburst Interval= dIBIs) after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) to favourable or adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.

METHODS

Nineteen neonates (gestational age 36-41 weeks) with HIE underwent therapeutic hypothermia and had cEEG-monitoring. EEGs were retrospectively analyzed with a previously developed algorithm to detect the dynamic Interburst Intervals. Median duration and amplitude of the dIBIs were calculated at 1 h-intervals. Sensitivity and specificity of automated EEG background grading for favorable and adverse outcomes were assessed at 6 h-intervals.

RESULTS

Dynamic IBI values reached the best prognostic value between 18 and 24 h (AUC of 0.93). EEGs with dIBI amplitude ≥15 μV and duration <10 s had a specificity of 100% at 6-12 h for favorable outcome but decreased subsequently to 67% at 25-42 h. Suppressed EEGs with dIBI amplitude <15 μV and duration >10 s were specific for adverse outcome (89-100%) at 18-24 h (n = 10). Extremely low voltage and invariant EEG patterns were indicative of adverse outcome at all time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Automated analysis of the suppressed periods in EEG of neonates with HIE undergoing TH provides objective and early prognostic information. This objective tool can be used in a multimodal strategy for outcome assessment. Implementation of this method can facilitate clinical practice, improve risk stratification and aid therapeutic decision-making. A multicenter trial with a quantifiable outcome measure is warranted to confirm the predictive value of this method in a more heterogeneous dataset.

Introduction of Continuous Video EEG Monitoring into 2 Different NICU Models by Training Neonatal Nurses

BACKGROUND

Continuous video electroencephalographic (EEG) (cvEEG) monitoring is emerging as the standard of care for diagnosis and management of neonatal seizures. However, cvEEG is labor-intensive and the need to initiate and interpret studies on a 24-hour basis is a major limitation.

PURPOSE

This study aims at establishing consistency in monitoring of newborns admitted to 2 different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) managed by the same neurocritical care team.

METHODS

Neonatal nurses were trained to apply scalp electrodes, troubleshoot technical issues, and identify amplitude-integrated EEG abnormalities. Guidelines, checklists, and visual training modules were developed. A central network system allowed remote access to the cvEEGs by the epileptologist for timely interpretation and feedback. A cohort of 100 infants with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy before and after the training program was compared.

RESULTS

During the study period, 192 cvEEGs were obtained. The time to initiate brain monitoring decreased by 31.5 hours posttraining; this, in turn, led to an increase in electrographic seizure detection (20% before vs 34% after), decrease in seizure clinical misdiagnosis (65% before and 36% after), and reduction in antiseizure medication burden.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Training experienced NICU nurses to set up, start, and monitor cvEEGs can decrease the time to initiate cvEEGs, which may lead to better seizure diagnosis and management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further understanding of practice bundles for best supporting infants at risk and being treated for seizures needs to be evaluated for integration into practice.Video Abstract Available at https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx.

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography for seizure detection in newborn infants

The amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is a filtered and compressed EEG trend that can be used for long-term monitoring of brain function in patients of all ages. aEEG is increasingly used in neonatal intensive care units since several studies have shown its utility in high-risk newborn infants. Main indications for aEEG monitoring include early evaluation of brain function after perinatal asphyxia and seizure detection. The aEEG is usually recorded from one or two channels derived from parietal, central, or frontal leads. Although the aEEG is very useful for identifying high-risk infants and infants with seizures, the compressed trend has limitations with regards to detection of individual seizures. However, modern monitors also display the corresponding EEG (aEEG/EEG), which increases the probability of detecting single brief seizures. For improved evaluation of electrocortical brain activity the aEEG/EEG should be assessed together with repeated conventional EEGs or multi-channel EEG monitoring in a multi-disciplinary team.

Electroencephalographic monitoring for seizure identification and prognosis in term neonates

Seizures represent a manifestation of neurological disease in the neonatal period. Historically, neonatal seizures were identified by direct clinical observation. However, since most seizures are electroencephalographic (EEG)-only (subclinical, non-convulsive) and clinical manifestations may be subtle, many clinicians place increasing importance on EEG data including conventional EEG or amplitude-integrated EEG to identify seizures in neonates. Beyond seizure identification, the EEG is a robust source of information about brain function that can be useful for neurobehavioral prognostication in some neonates. This review summarizes the available data regarding EEG for neonatal seizure diagnosis and brain function assessment.

Impact of a neuro-intensive care service for newborns

BACKGROUND

Advances in treating the injured neonatal brain have given rise to neuro-intensive care services for newborns. This study assessed the impact of one such service in a cohort of newborns treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

METHODS

Our newborn neuro-intensive care service was started in November 2012. From January 2008 to October 2016, a cohort of 158 newborns was treated with therapeutic hypothermia, 29 before and 129 after the inception of the service. This study compared the outcomes of newborns treated by the service with those of newborns treated before. Multivariate regression analysis associating length-of-stay and treatment pre- or post-service was adjusted for five-minute Apgar score, time-to-target temperature, seizures, and mortality.

RESULTS

The neuro-intensive care service was also associated with a decrease in mortality (17% before service to 5.4% with the service, p = 0.03), though this association is likely multifactorial and reflects the application of therapeutic hypothermia to a wider variety of patients. However, the service was independently associated with decreased length-of-stay (mean 22 pre-service to 13 days with the service, p < 0.0005.)CONCLUSIONS:The service educated referring hospitals in recognizing therapeutic hypothermia candidates, which increased the number of treated newborns, and created a number of procedures to streamline the delivery of treatment. While the increasing number and variety of patients treated could spuriously reduce length-of-stay, length-of-stay was still significantly reduced after adjustment, providing evidence that neuro-intensive care services for newborns can improve hospital outcomes.

Mild Hypothermia Therapy for Moderate or Severe Hypoxicischemic Encephalopathy in Neonates

BACKGROUND

To study the nursing method of mild hypothermia therapy for moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates.

METHODS

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 patients were selected from Nanfang Hospital from December 2015 to October 2016 and randomly divided into the control group (n=24) and observation group (n=24). The control group received routine treatment and nursing, while the observation group received the same treatment as the control group combined with mild hypothermia treatment and nursing. The clinical effects were compared.

RESULTS

The total effective rate in the observation group was increased and mortality was decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.029 and 0.033, respectively). The 28 d neonatal behavioral neurological assessment and nursing satisfaction scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.017 and 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Mild hypothermia therapy for moderate or severe HIE in neonates is safe and effective, and the correct nursing method is important for guaranteeing proper clinical treatment.

Implementation strategies in pediatric neurocritical care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Brain-directed critical care for children is a relatively new area of subspecialization in pediatric critical care. Pediatric neurocritical care teams combine the expertise of neurology, neurosurgery, and critical care medicine. The positive impact of delivering specialized care to pediatric patients with acute neurological illness is becoming more apparent, but the optimum way to implement and sustain the delivery of this is complicated and poorly understood. We aim to provide emerging evidence supporting that effective implementation of pediatric neurocritical care pathways can improve patient survival and outcomes. We also provide an overview of the most effective strategies across the field of implementation science that can facilitate deployment of neurocritical care pathways in the pediatric ICU.

RECENT FINDINGS

Implementation strategies can broadly be grouped according to six categories: planning, educating, restructuring, financing, managing quality, and attending to the policy context. Using a combination of these strategies in the last decade, several institutions have improved patient morbidity and mortality. Although much work remains to be done, emerging evidence supports that implementation of evidence-based care pathways for critically ill children with two common neurological diagnoses - status epilepticus and traumatic brain injury - improves outcomes.

SUMMARY

Pediatric and neonatal neurocritical care programs that support evidence-based care can be effectively structured using appropriately sequenced implementation strategies to improve outcomes across a variety of patient populations and in a variety of healthcare settings.

EEG Monitoring Technique Influences the Management of Hypoxic-Ischemic Seizures in Neonates Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia

Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring techniques for neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) are evolving over time, and the specific type of EEG utilized could influence seizure diagnosis and management. We examined whether the type of EEG performed affected seizure treatment decisions (e.g., the choice and number of antiseizure drugs [ASDs]) in therapeutic hypothermia-treated neonates with HI from 2007 to 2015 in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. During this period, 3 different EEG monitoring protocols were utilized: Period 1 (2007-2009), single, brief conventional EEG (1 h duration) at a variable time during therapeutic hypothermia treatment, i.e., ordered when a seizure was suspected; Period 2 (2009-2013), single, brief conventional EEG followed by amplitude-integrated EEG for the duration of therapeutic hypothermia treatment and another brief conventional EEG after rewarming; and Period 3 (2014-2015), continuous video-EEG (cEEG) for the duration of therapeutic hypothermia treatment (72 h) plus for an additional 12 h during and after rewarming. One hundred and sixty-two newborns were included in this retrospective cohort study. As a function of the type and duration of EEG monitoring, we assessed the risk (likelihood) of receiving no ASD, at least 1 ASD, or ≥2 ASDs. We found that the risk of a neonate being prescribed an ASD was 46% less during Period 3 (cEEG) than during Period 1 (brief conventional EEG only) (95% CI 6-69%, p = 0.03). After adjusting for initial EEG and MRI results, compared with Period 1, there was a 38% lower risk of receiving an ASD during Period 2 (95% CI: 9-58%, p = 0.02) and a 67% lower risk during Period 3 (95% CI: 23-86%, p = 0.01). The risk ratio of receiving ≥2 ASDs was not significantly different across the 3 periods. In conclusion, in addition to the higher sensitivity and specificity of continuous video-EEG monitoring, fewer infants are prescribed an ASD when undergoing continuous forms of EEG monitoring (aEEG or cEEG) than those receiving conventional EEG. We recommend that use of continuous video-EEG be considered whenever possible, both to treat seizures more specifically and to avoid overtreatment.

Implementation of a Neurocritical Care Program: Improved Seizure Detection and Decreased Antiseizure Medication at Discharge in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

We report the impact of implementing continuous video electroencephalography monitoring for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy via a protocol in the context of neonatal neuro-critical care program.

METHODS

Neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy were studied retrospectively two years before and after implementing continuous video electroencephalography for 72 hours as a care protocol. Before continuous video electroencephalography, a 60-minute routine electroencephalography was performed at the discretion of the provider.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

electrographic seizure detection; secondary outcome: use of maintenance antiseizure medications, discharge antiseizure medications, and cumulative burden for each antiseizure medication defined as total mg/kg during hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 157 patients with a median gestation of 40 weeks were analyzed; 103 (66%) underwent therapeutic hypothermia. Baseline and clinical characteristics including disease severity and cooling were similar. Before continuous video-electroencephalography (n = 86), 44 (51.2%) had clinical seizures, of those 35 had available routine electroencephalography; 12 of 35 (34%) had electrographic seizures. None of the infants without clinical seizures showed electrographic seizures. After continuous video-electroencephalography (n = 71), 34 (47.9%) had clinical seizures, of those 18 (53%) had electrographic seizures; five of 37 (14%) of infants with no clinical seizures had electrographic seizures. The introduction of continuous video-electroencephalography significantly increased electrographic seizure detection (P = 0.016). Although there was no significant difference in the initiation and maintenance use of antiseizure medications after continuous video-electroencephalography, fewer infants were discharged on any antiseizure medication (P = 0.008). Also, the mean phenobarbital burden reduced (P = 0.04), without increase in other antiseizure medications use or burden.

CONCLUSION

Use of continuous video-electroencephalography as part of the neonatal neuro-critical care program was associated with improved electrographic seizure detection, decreased phenobarbital burden, and antiseizure medication use at discharge.