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Mishra U, August D, Walker K, Jani PR, Tracy M. Thermoregulation, incubator humidity, and skincare practices in appropriate for gestational age ultra-low birth weight infants: need for more evidence. World J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s12519-024-00818-x. [PMID: 38864998 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-024-00818-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although not universal, active care is being offered to infants weighing < 500 g at birth, referred to as ultra-low birth weight (ULBW) infants appropriate for gestational age. These infants have the greatest risk of dying or developing major morbidities. ULBW infants face challenges related to fluid and heat loss as well as skin injury in the initial days of life from extreme anatomical and physiological immaturity of the skin. Although there is an emerging literature on the outcomes of ULBW infants, there is a paucity of evidence to inform practice guidelines for delivering optimal care to this cohort of infants. DATA SOURCES A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using the PubMed and Embase databases. Searched keywords included "thermoregulation or body temperature regulation", "incubator humidity", "skin care", "infant, extremely low birth weight" and "ultra-low birth weight infants". RESULTS Evidences for thermoregulation, incubator humidity, and skincare practices are available for preterm infants weighing < 1500 g at birth but not specifically for ULBW infants. Studies on thermoregulation, incubator humidity, or skincare practices had a small sample size and did not include a sub-group analysis for ULBW infants. Current practice recommendations in ULBW infants are adopted from research in very and/or extremely low birth weight infants. CONCLUSIONS This narrative review focuses on challenges in thermoregulation, incubator humidity, and skincare practices in ULBW infants, highlights current research gaps and suggests potential developments for informing practices for improving health outcomes in ULBW infants. Video abstract (MP4 1,49,115 kb).
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh Mishra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neonatology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Deanne August
- Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen Walker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Newborn Care, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Pranav R Jani
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Neonatology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Mark Tracy
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neonatology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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[A cross-sectional survey of delivery room transitional care management for very/extremely preterm infants in 24 hospitals in Shenzhen City]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2024; 26:250-257. [PMID: 38557376 PMCID: PMC10986374 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2308017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the current status of delivery room transitional care management for very/extremely preterm infants in Shenzhen City. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2022, involving 24 tertiary hospitals participating in the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network. The survey assessed the implementation of transitional care management in the delivery room, including prenatal preparation, delivery room resuscitation, and post-resuscitation management in the neonatal intensive care unit. Very/extremely preterm infants were divided into four groups based on gestational age: <26 weeks, 26-28+6 weeks, 29-30+6 weeks, and 31-31+6 weeks. Descriptive analysis was performed on the results. RESULTS A total of 140 very/extremely preterm infants were included, with 10 cases in the <26 weeks group, 45 cases in the 26-28+6 weeks group, 49 cases in the 29-30+6 weeks group, and 36 cases in the 31-31+6 weeks group. Among these infants, 99 (70.7%) received prenatal counseling, predominantly provided by obstetricians (79.8%). The main personnel involved in resuscitation during delivery were midwives (96.4%) and neonatal resident physicians (62.1%). Delayed cord clamping was performed in 52 cases (37.1%), with an average delay time of (45±17) seconds. Postnatal radiant warmer was used in 137 cases (97.9%) for thermoregulation. Positive pressure ventilation was required in 110 cases (78.6%), with 67 cases (60.9%) using T-piece resuscitators and 42 cases (38.2%) using a blended oxygen device. Blood oxygen saturation was monitored during resuscitation in 119 cases (85.0%). The median time from initiating transitional care measures to closing the incubator door was 87 minutes. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of delivery room transitional care management for very/extremely preterm infants in the hospitals participating in the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network shows varying degrees of deviation from the corresponding expert consensus in China. It is necessary to bridge the gap through continuous quality improvement and multicenter collaboration to improve the quality of the transitional care management and outcomes in very/extremely preterm infants.
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Gounaris AK, Sokou R. Nutrition and Growth of Preterm Neonates during Hospitalization: Impact on Childhood Outcomes. Nutrients 2024; 16:218. [PMID: 38257111 PMCID: PMC10819760 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Special Issue has been completed with the publication of 13 review and research articles [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios K. Gounaris
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Larissa, 413 34 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Rozeta Sokou
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nikea General Hospital “Agios Panteleimon”, 184 54 Piraeus, Greece
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De Proost L, de Boer A, Reiss IKM, Steegers EAP, Verhagen AAE, Hogeveen M, Geurtzen R, Verweij EJJ. Adults born prematurely prefer a periviability guideline that considers multiple prognostic factors beyond gestational age. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:1926-1935. [PMID: 37272253 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the study was to explore the perspectives of adults born prematurely on guidelines for management at extreme premature birth and personalisation at the limit of viability. METHODS We conducted four 2-h online focus group interviews in the Netherlands. RESULTS Twenty-three participants born prematurely were included in this study, ranging in age from 19 to 56 years and representing a variety of health outcomes. Participants shared their perspectives on different types of guidelines for managing extremely premature birth. They agreed that a guideline was necessary to prevent arbitrary treatment decisions and to avoid physician bias. All participants favoured a guideline that is based upon multiple prognostic factors beyond gestational age. They emphasised the importance of discretion, regardless of the type of guideline used. Discussions centred mainly on the heterogeneity of value judgements about outcomes after extreme premature birth. Participants defined personalisation as 'not just looking at numbers and statistics'. They associated personalisation mainly with information provision and decision-making. Participants stressed the importance of involving families in decision-making and taking their care needs seriously. CONCLUSION Adults born prematurely prefer a periviability guideline that considers multiple prognostic factors and allows for discretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Proost
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neonatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics, Leids University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A de Boer
- Department of Obstetrics, Leids University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud UMC, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I K M Reiss
- Department of Neonatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E A P Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A A E Verhagen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Hogeveen
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud UMC, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R Geurtzen
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud UMC, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E J Joanne Verweij
- Department of Obstetrics, Leids University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Bansal S, Kaushal M, Nimbalkar S, Bhat S. Resuscitation in the “Periviable” Period—Commentary of Opposing Views. JOURNAL OF NEONATOLOGY 2023; 37:264-269. [DOI: 10.1177/09732179231173775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The periviable period is defined as delivery between 20 0/7 weeks and 25 6/7 weeks of gestation. It has long been considered a “gray area,” as there are still no clear guidelines on initial resuscitation and subsequent treatment of the newborn. This lack of guidance compounds the uncertainty in decision-making in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources. The decision to treat or not has far-reaching economic, social, cultural, and sometimes even religious implications for the parents and family. This review explores the perspectives of parents, caregivers, and policymakers in detail to utilize the existing evidence better. We present arguments for and against resuscitation in the periviable period, discussing concerns surrounding neurodevelopmental outcomes, cost, parental concerns, nonuniformity of evidence, and ethical considerations. A large survival gap exists between developed and developing countries, and the infrastructure and clinical care network in low- and middle-income country are not strong enough to provide adequate support for these infants and their families. Antenatal factors, socioeconomic and cultural issues, center capacity, and resuscitation capacity of birthing centers should be considered when making decisions. The neonatologists are expected to be impartial, provide information, and not advise based on their beliefs and outlook; while preserving the autonomy of parents. The only way forward is for parents and caregivers to work together to develop a logical and ethical approach that can be accepted as national and institutional policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satvik Bansal
- Gaja Raja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Monica Kaushal
- Department Neonatology, Emirates Specialty Hospital, Dubai Health Care City, Dubai, UAE
- Irani Hospital, Dubai, UAE
| | - Somashekhar Nimbalkar
- Department of Neonatology, Pramukhswami Medical College, Bhaikaka University, Karasmad, Gujarat, India
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Kornhauser Cerar L, Lucovnik M. Ethical Dilemmas in Neonatal Care at the Limit of Viability. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10050784. [PMID: 37238331 DOI: 10.3390/children10050784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Advances in neonatal care have pushed the limit of viability to incrementally lower gestations over the last decades. However, surviving extremely premature neonates are prone to long-term neurodevelopmental handicaps. This makes ethics a crucial dimension of periviable birth management. At 22 weeks, survival ranges from 1 to 15%, and profound disabilities in survivors are common. Consequently, there is no beneficence-based obligation to offer any aggressive perinatal management. At 23 weeks, survival ranges from 8 to 54%, and survival without severe handicap ranges from 7 to 23%. If fetal indication for cesarean delivery appears, the procedure may be offered when neonatal resuscitation is planned. At a gestational age ≥24 weeks, up to 51% neonates are expected to survive the neonatal period. Survival without profound neurologic disability ranges from 12 to 38%. Beneficence-based obligation to intervene is reasonable at these gestations. Nevertheless, autonomy of parents should also be respected, and parental consent should be sought prior to any intervention. Optimal counselling of parents involves harmonized cooperation of obstetric and neonatal care providers. Every fetus/neonate and every pregnant woman are different and have the right to be considered individually when treatment decisions are being made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilijana Kornhauser Cerar
- Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Zaloska 11, 1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Lucovnik
- Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Zaloska 11, 1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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