Compliance With Central Line Maintenance Bundle and Infection Rates

BACKGROUND

Reliable bundle performance is the mainstay of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) prevention despite an unclear relationship between bundle reliability and outcomes. Our primary objective was to evaluate the correlation between reported bundle compliance and CLABSI rate in the Solutions for Patient Safety network. The secondary objective was to identify which hospital and process factors impact this correlation.

METHODS

We examined data on bundle compliance and monthly CLABSI rates from January 11 to December 21 in 159 hospitals. The correlation (adjusting for temporal trend) between CLABSI rates and bundle compliance was done at the network level. Negative binomial regression was done to detect the impact of hospital type, central line audit rate, and adoption of a comprehensive safety culture program on the association between bundle compliance and CLABSI rates.

RESULTS

During the study, hospitals reported 27 196 CLABSI on 20 274 565 line days (1.34 CLABSI/1000 line days). Out of 2 460 133 observed bundle opportunities, 2 085 700 (84%) were compliant. There was a negative correlation between the monthly bundle reliability and monthly CLABSI rate (-0.35, P <.001). After adjusting for the temporal trend, the partial correlation was -0.25 (P = .004). On negative binomial regression, significant positive interaction was only noted for the hospital type, with Hospital Within Hospital (but not freestanding children's hospitals) revealing a significant association between compliance ≥95% and lower CLABSI rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to best practice guidelines is associated with a reduction in CLABSI rate. Hospital-level factors (hospitals within hospitals vs freestanding), but not process-related (central line audit rate and safety culture training), impact this association.

A Multicenter Collaborative to Improve Postoperative Pain Management in the NICU

OBJECTIVES

This quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease unrelieved postoperative pain and improve family satisfaction with pain management.

METHODS

NICUs within the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium that care for infants with complex surgical problems participated in this collaborative. Each of these centers formed multidisciplinary teams to develop aims, interventions, and measurement strategies to test in multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Centers were encouraged to adopt evidence-based interventions from the Clinical Practice Recommendations, which included pain assessment tools, pain score documentation, nonpharmacologic treatment measures, pain management guidelines, communication of a pain treatment plan, routine discussion of pain scores during team rounds, and parental involvement in pain management. Teams submitted data on a minimum of 10 surgeries per month, spanning from January to July 2019 (baseline), August 2019 to June 2021 (improvement work period), and July 2021 to December 2021 (sustain period).

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with unrelieved pain in the 24-hour postoperative period decreased by 35% from 19.5% to 12.6%. Family satisfaction with pain management measured on a 3-point Likert scale with positive responses ≥2 increased from 93% to 96%. Compliance with appropriate pain assessment and numeric documentation of postoperative pain scores according to local NICU policy increased from 53% to 66%. The balancing measure of the percentage of patients with any consecutive sedation scores showed a decrease from 20.8% at baseline to 13.3%. All improvements were maintained during the sustain period.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardization of pain management and workflow in the postoperative period across disciplines can improve pain control in infants.

Improving safe sleep practices in an urban inpatient newborn nursery and neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To improve safe sleep compliance in a newborn nursery (NN) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to >80% in 1 year.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective quality improvement study of infants admitted to a NN and NICU. Interventions were targeted at parent education, staff education, and system processes.

RESULTS

Compliance with safe sleep improved to >80% in both units. Tracking of process measures revealed NICU parents received safe sleep education 98-100% of the time. No change was observed in the balancing measures. Transfers from the NN to the NICU for temperature instability did not increase. Parent satisfaction with discharge preparedness did not change (98.2% prior to and 99.6% after).

CONCLUSION

We achieved improved compliance with safe sleep practices in our NN and NICU through education of staff and parents and improved system processes. We believe this will translate to improved safe sleep practices used by parents at home.

Use of inhaled nitric oxide in preterm vs term/near-term neonates with pulmonary hypertension: results of the PaTTerN registry study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in preterm (PT) vs term/near-term (TNT) neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in an observational registry (PaTTerN).

STUDY DESIGN

Non-inferiority study comparing PT neonates of GA ≥ 27 to <34 weeks vs TNT neonates of GA ≥ 34 to ≤40 weeks with HRF associated with PH, who received iNO for 24-96 h during the first 0-7 days after birth. Primary endpoint: Achieving ≥25% decrease in oxygenation index/surrogate oxygenation index during iNO treatment.

RESULTS

Of 140 neonates (PT, n = 55; TNT, n = 85), the primary endpoint was achieved in 50 (90.9%) PT vs 75 (88.2%) TNT neonates (difference [95% CI]: 0.027 [-0.033, 0.087]); PT neonates achieved non-inferiority interval, and the study was stopped early based on prespecified criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of iNO for improving oxygenation in PT neonates with HRF associated with PH is at least as effective as in TNT neonates.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

#NCT03132428, registered April 27, 2017.

Simulation-Based System Analysis: Testing Preparedness for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation in Pediatric COVID-19 Patients

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus Disease-2019 presents risk to both patients and medical teams. Staff-intensive, complex procedures such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may increase chances of exposure and spread. This investigation aimed to rapidly deploy an in situ Simulation-based Clinical Systems Testing (SbCST) framework to identify Latent Safety Threats (LSTs) related to ECMO/eCPR initiation during a pandemic.

METHODS

The adapted SbCST framework tested systems related to ECMO/eCPR initiation in the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Systems were evaluated in six domains (Resources, Processes/Systems, Facilities, Clinical Performance, Infection Control, and Communication). We conducted three high-fidelity simulations with members from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit General Surgery, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Cardiovascular Surgery (CV), and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit General Surgery teams. Content experts evaluated systems issues during simulation, and LSTs were identified during debriefing. Data were analyzed for frequency of LSTs and trends in process gaps.

RESULTS

Sixty-six LSTs were identified across three scenarios. Resource issues comprised the largest category (26%), followed by Process/System issues (24%), Infection Control issues (24%), Communication issues (17%), and Facility and Clinical Performance issues (5% each). LSTs informed new team strategies such as the use of a "door/PPE monitor" and "inside/outside" team configuration.

CONCLUSIONS

The adapted SbCST framework identified multiple LSTs related to ECMO/eCPR cannulation and infection control guidelines in the setting of Coronavirus Disease-2019. Through SbCSTs, we developed guidelines to conserve PPE and develop optimal workflows to reduce patient/staff exposure in a high-risk procedure. This project may guide other hospitals to adapt SbCSTs strategies to test/adjust rapidly changing guidelines.

STEPP IN: A Multicenter Quality Improvement Collaborative Standardizing Postoperative Handoffs

OBJECTIVE

To reduce care failures by 30% through implementation of standardized communication processes for postoperative handoff in NICU patients undergoing surgery over 12 months and sustained over 6 months.

METHODS

Nineteen Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium centers collaborated in a quality improvement initiative to reduce postoperative care failures in a surgical neonatal setting by decreasing respiratory care failures and all other communication failures. Evidence-based clinical practice recommendations and a collaborative framework supported local teams' implementation of standardized postoperative handoff communication. Process measures included compliance with center-defined handoff staff presence, use of center-defined handoff tool, and the proportion of handoffs with interruptions. Participant handoff satisfaction was the balancing measure. Baseline data were collected for 8 months, followed by a 12-month action phase and 7-month sustain phase.

RESULTS

On average, 181 postoperative handoffs per month were monitored across sites, and 320 respondents per month assessed the handoff process. Communication failures specific to respiratory care decreased by 73.2% (8.2% to 4.6% and with a second special cause signal to 2.2%). All other communication care failures decreased by 49.4% (17% to 8.6%). Eighty-four percent of participants reported high satisfaction. Compliance with use of the handoff tool and required staff attendance increased whereas interruptions decreased over the project time line.

CONCLUSIONS

Team engagement within a quality improvement framework had a positive impact on the perioperative handoff process for high-risk surgical neonates. We improved care as demonstrated by a decrease in postoperative care failures while maintaining high provider satisfaction.

Improving Outpatient Provider Communication for High-Risk Discharges From the Hospitalist Service

BACKGROUND

Patients are at risk for adverse events during inpatient-to-outpatient transitions of care. Previous improvement work has been targeted at this care transition, but gaps in discharge communication still exist. We aimed to increase documentation of 2-way communication between hospitalists and primary care providers (PCPs) for high-risk discharges from pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) services from 7% to 60% within 30 months.

METHODS

A3 improvement methodology was used. A list of high-risk discharge communication criteria was developed through engagement of PCPs and hospitalists. A driver diagram guided interventions. The outcome measure was documentation of successful 2-way communication with the PCP. Any documented 2-way discharge communication attempt was the process measure. Via a survey, hospitalist satisfaction with the discharge communication expectation served as the balancing measure. All patients discharged from PHM services meeting ≥1 high-risk criterion were included. Statistical process control charts were used to assess changes over time.

RESULTS

There were 3241 high-risk discharges (442 baseline: November 2017 to January 2018; 2799 intervention and sustain: February 2018 to June 2020). The outcome measure displayed iterative special cause variation from a mean baseline of 7% to peak of 39% but regressed and was sustained at 27%. The process measure displayed iterative special cause variation from a 13% baseline mean to a 64% peak, with regression to 41%. The balancing measure worsened from baseline of 5% dissatisfaction to 13%. Interventions temporally related to special cause improvements were education, division-level performance feedback, standardization of documentation, and offloading the task of communication coordination from hospitalists to support staff.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement methodology resulted in modestly sustained improvements in PCP communication for high-risk discharges from the PHM services.

Predictive Models of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

OBJECTIVES

To develop predictive models for death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) from data readily available at the time of NICU admission ("early") or discharge ("cumulative").

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort analysis, we used data from the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium Database (2010-2016). Infants born at ≥35 weeks' gestation and treated with therapeutic hypothermia for HIE at 11 participating sites were included; infants without Bayley Scales of Infant Development scores documented after 11 months of age were excluded. The primary outcome was death or NDI. Multivariable models were generated with 80% of the cohort; validation was performed in the remaining 20%.

RESULTS

The primary outcome occurred in 242 of 486 infants; 180 died and 62 infants surviving to follow-up had NDI. HIE severity, epinephrine administration in the delivery room, and respiratory support and fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.21 at admission were significant in the early model. Severity of EEG findings was combined with HIE severity for the cumulative model, and additional significant variables included the use of steroids for blood pressure management and significant brain injury on MRI. Discovery models revealed areas under the curve of 0.852 for the early model and of 0.861 for the cumulative model, and both models performed well in the validation cohort (goodness-of-fit χ²: P = .24 and .06, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing reliable predictive models will enable clinicians to more accurately evaluate HIE severity and may allow for more targeted early therapies for those at highest risk of death or NDI.

STEPP IN: Working Together to Keep Infants Warm in the Perioperative Period

OBJECTIVES

Reduce postoperative hypothermia by up to 50% over a 12-month period in children's hospital NICUs and identify specific clinical practices that impact success.

METHODS

Literature review, expert opinion, and benchmarking were used to develop clinical practice recommendations for maintaining perioperative euthermia that included the following: established euthermia before transport to the operating room (OR), standardized practice for maintaining euthermia on transport to and from the OR, and standardized practice to prevent intraoperative heat loss. Process measures were focused on maintaining euthermia during these time points. The outcome measure was the proportion of patients with postoperative hypothermia (temperature ≤36°C within 30 minutes of a return to the NICU or at the completion of a procedure in the NICU). Balancing measures were the proportion of patients with postoperative temperature >38°C or the presence of thermal burns. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify key practices that improved outcome.

RESULTS

Postoperative hypothermia decreased by 48%, from a baseline of 20.3% (January 2011 to September 2013) to 10.5% by June 2015. Strategies associated with decreased hypothermia include >90% compliance with patient euthermia (36.1-37.9°C) at times of OR arrival (odds ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.79; P < .001) and OR departure (odds ratio: 0.0.73; 95% CI: 0.56-0.95; P = .017) and prewarming the OR ambient temperature to >74°F (odds ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.999; P = .05). Hyperthermia increased from a baseline of 1.1% to 2.2% during the project. No thermal burns were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing postoperative hypothermia is possible. Key practices include prewarming the OR and compliance with strategies to maintain euthermia at select time points throughout the perioperative period.

Current trends in neonatal ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving therapy for patients with respiratory and cardiac failure refractory to maximal medical management. The extracorporeal life support organization registry is the largest available resource for describing the population and outcomes of patients treated with this therapy. The use of ECMO for neonatal patients is decreasing in proportion to the total annual ECMO runs most likely due to advancements in medical management. Although the overall survival for neonatal ECMO has decreased, this is likely a reflection of the increasingly complex neonatal patients treated with this therapy. Although many patient and mechanical complications are decreasing over time, there remains a high percentage of morbidities and risks associated with ECMO. Continued refinements in management strategies are important to improving overall patient outcomes.

The impact of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist mode on respiratory severity score and energy expenditure in infants: a randomized crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

Examine respiratory severity scores (RSS) (mean airway pressure × fraction of inspired oxygen) and resting energy expenditure (REE) on neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) compared with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure controlled and supported breath (SIMV (PC)PS).

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized, crossover trial in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Twenty-four patients were ventilated with NAVA or SIMV (PC) PS for 12 h and then crossed over to the alternative mode for 12 h. The primary outcome (RSS) and additional secondary respiratory outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

RSS and measured REE were not different between modes. On NAVA, peak inspiratory pressures were lower (17.8 vs 19.9 cmH₂O (P<0.05)) without higher oxygen requirements. Respiratory rates were higher on NAVA (52 vs 39 (P<0.05)), estimated work of breathing (WOB) (0.01 vs 0.04 J l^-1 (P<0.05)) was improved.

CONCLUSION

NAVA mode can be safe without increase in RSS or REE. Although respiratory rates were higher, this was offset by lower peak inspiratory pressures and WOB during NAVA.

Sustaining SLUG Bug CLABSI Reduction: Does Sterile Tubing Change Technique Really Work?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the ability to sustain and further reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in NICUs participating in a multicenter CLABSI reduction collaborative and to assess the impact of the sterile tubing change (TC) technique as an important component in CLABSI reduction.

METHODS

A multi-institutional quality improvement collaborative lowered CLABSI rates in level IV NICUs over a 12-month period. During the 19-month sustain phase, centers were encouraged to monitor and report compliance measures but were only required to report the primary outcome measure of the CLABSI rate. Four participating centers adopted the sterile TC technique during the sustain phase as part of a local Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle.

RESULTS

The average aggregate baseline NICU CLABSI rate of 1.076 CLABSIs per 1000 line days was sustained for 19 months across 17 level IV NICUs from January 2013 to July 2014. Four centers transitioning from the clean to the sterile TC technique during the sustain phase had a 64% decrease in CLABSI rates from the baseline (1.59 CLABSIs per 1000 line days to 0.57 CLABSIs per 1000 line days).

CONCLUSIONS

Sustaining low CLABSI rates in a multicenter collaborative is feasible with team engagement and ongoing collaboration. With these results, we further demonstrate the positive impact of the sterile TC technique in CLABSI reduction efforts.

Short-term weight gain velocity in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

BACKGROUND

Appropriate post-natal growth remains a mainstay of therapeutic goals for infants with CDH, with the hypothesis that optimizing linear growth will improve survival through functional improvements in pulmonary hypoplasia. However, descriptions of growth and the effect on survival are limited in affected infants.

OBJECTIVE

Describe in-hospital weight gain related to survival among infants with CDH.

DESIGN/METHODS

Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database (CHND) identified infants with CDH born ≥34weeks' gestation (2010-14). Exclusion criteria were: admission age>7days, death/discharge age<14days, or surgical CDH repair prior to admission. Weight gain velocity (WGV: g/kg/day) was calculated using an established exponential approximation and the cohort stratified by Q1: <25%ile, Q2-3: 25-75%ile, and Q4: >75%ile. Descriptive measures and unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analyses describe the implications of WGV on mortality/discharge.

RESULTS

In 630 eligible infants, median WGV was 4.6g/kg/day. After stratification by WGV [Q1: (n=156; <3.1g/kg/day); Q2-3 (n=316; 3.1-5.9g/kg/day), and Q4 (n=158, >5.9g/kg/day)] infants in Q1 had shortest median length of stay, less time on TPN and intervention for gastro-esophageal reflux relative to the other WGV strata (p<0.01 for all). Unadjusted survival estimates revealed that Q1 [hazard ratio (HR)=9.5, 95% CI: 5.7, 15.8] and Q4 [HR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.7, 5.1, p<0.001 for both] WGV were strongly associated with NICU mortality relative to Q2-3 WGV.

CONCLUSION

Variable WGV is evident in infants with CDH. Highest and lowest WGV appear to be related to adverse outcomes. Efforts are needed to develop nutritional strategies targeting optimal growth.

Orchestrated Testing

Health care quality improvement collaboratives implement care bundles to target critical parts of a complex system to improve a specific health outcome. The quantitative impact of each component of the care bundle is often unknown. Orchestrated testing (OT) is an application of planned experimentation that allows simultaneous examination of multiple practices (bundle elements) to determine which intervention or combination of interventions affects the outcome. The purpose of this article is to describe the process needed to design and implement OT methodology for improvement collaboratives. Examples from a multicenter collaborative to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections highlight the practical application of this approach. The key components for implementation of OT are the following: (1) define current practice and evidence, (2) develop a factorial matrix and calculate power, (3) formulate structure for engagement, (4) analyze results, and (5) replicate findings.

SLUG Bug: Quality Improvement With Orchestrated Testing Leads to NICU CLABSI Reduction

OBJECTIVE

Reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates 15% over 12 months in children's hospital NICUs. Use orchestrated testing as an approach to identify important CLABSI prevention practices.

METHODS

Literature review, expert opinion, and benchmarking were used to develop clinical practice recommendations for central line care. Four existing CLABSI prevention strategies (tubing change technique, hub care monitoring, central venous catheter access limitation, and central venous catheter removal monitoring) were identified for study. We compared the change in CLABSI rates from baseline throughout the study period in 17 participating centers. Using orchestrated testing, centers were then placed into 1 of 8 test groups to identify which prevention practices had the greatest impact on CLABSI reduction.

RESULTS

CLABSI rates decreased by 19.28% from 1.333 to 1.076 per 1000 line-days. Six of the 8 test groups and 14 of the 17 centers had decreased infection rates; 16 of the 17 centers achieved >75% compliance with process measures. Hub scrub compliance monitoring, when used in combination with sterile tubing change, decreased CLABSI rates by 1.25 per 1000 line-days.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter improvement collaborative achieved a decrease in CLABSI rates. Orchestrated testing identified infection prevention practices that contribute to reductions in infection rates. Sterile tubing change in combination with hub scrub compliance monitoring should be considered in CLABSI reduction efforts.

Short-term outcomes and medical and surgical interventions in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to characterize medical and surgical therapies and short-term outcomes in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of CDH infants admitted to 27 children's hospitals submitting data to Children's Hospital Neonatal Database (CHND) from 2010 to 2013, stratified by gestational age, birth weight, and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 572 infants were identified, 508 (89%) born ≥ 34 weeks' gestation and ≥ 2 kg. More mature infants had higher APGAR scores, shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, and were more likely to receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Overall, mortality for the cohort was 29%, with mortality lower in infants born ≥ 34 weeks' gestation and ≥ 2 kg (26 vs. 50%, p < 0.01). Nonsurvivors were more likely to receive treatment with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), vasopressors, pulmonary vasodilators, and ECMO, and to have associated major congenital anomalies than survivors. In hospital morbidity and complications were relatively uncommon among survivors.

CONCLUSION

Infants with CDH have a high risk of morbidity and mortality, and for preterm infants with CDH those risks are amplified. Patterns of respiratory and circulatory support appeared to be different for survivors. In addition to established data registries, this consortium of regional neonatal intensive care units provides a new collaborative effort to describe short-term outcomes for infants referred with CDH.

Short-term outcomes after perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: a report from the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium HIE focus group

OBJECTIVE

To characterize infants affected with perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who were referred to regional neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and their related short-term outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a descriptive study evaluating the data collected prospectively in the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database, comprised of 27 regional NICUs within their associated children's hospitals. A consecutive sample of 945 referred infants born ⩾36 weeks' gestation with perinatal HIE in the first 3 days of life over approximately 3 years (2010-July 2013) were included. Maternal and infant characteristics are described. Short-term outcomes were evaluated including medical comorbidities, mortality and status of survivors at discharge.

RESULT

High relative frequencies of maternal predisposing conditions, cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries were observed. Low Apgar scores, profound metabolic acidosis, extensive resuscitation in the delivery room, clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) seizures, abnormal EEG background and brain imaging directly correlated with the severity of HIE. Therapeutic hypothermia was provided to 85% of infants, 15% of whom were classified as having mild HIE. Electrographic seizures were observed in 26% of the infants. Rates of complications and morbidities were similar to those reported in prior clinical trials and overall mortality was 15%.

CONCLUSION

Within this large contemporary cohort of newborns with perinatal HIE, the application of therapeutic hypothermia and associated neurodiagnostic studies appear to have expanded relative to reported clinical trials. Although seizure incidence and mortality were lower compared with those reported in the trials, it is unclear whether this represented improved outcomes or therapeutic drift with the treatment of milder disease.

High surgical burden for infants with severe chronic lung disease (sCLD)

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Infants with severe chronic lung disease (sCLD) may require surgical procedures to manage their medical problems; however, the scope of these interventions is undefined. The purpose of this study was to characterize the frequency, type, and timing of operative interventions performed in hospitalized infants with sCLD.

METHODS

The Children's Hospital Neonatal Database was used to identify infants with sCLD from 24 children's hospital's NICUs hospitalized over a recent 16-month period.

RESULTS

556 infants were diagnosed with sCLD; less than 3% of infants had operations prior to referral and 30% were referred for surgical evaluation. In contrast, 71% of all sCLD infants received ≥1 surgical procedure during the CHND NICU hospitalization, with a mean of 3 operations performed per infant. Gastrostomy insertion (24%), fundoplication (11%), herniorrhaphy (13%), and tracheostomy placement (12%) were the most commonly performed operations. The timing of gastrostomy (PMA 48±10 wk) and tracheostomy (PMA 47±7 wk) insertions varied, and for infants who received both devices, only 33% were inserted concurrently (13/40 infants).

CONCLUSIONS

A striking majority of infants with sCLD received multiple surgical procedures during hospitalizations at participating NICUs. Further work regarding the timing, coordination, perioperative complications, and clinical outcomes for these infants is warranted.

The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database: an overview of patient complexity, outcomes and variation in care

The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium is a multicenter collaboration of leaders from 27 regional neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) who partnered with the Children's Hospital Association to develop the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database (CHND), launched in 2010. The purpose of this report is to provide a first summary of the population of infants cared for in these NICUs, including representative diagnoses and short-term outcomes, as well as to characterize the participating NICUs and institutions. During the first 2 1/2 years of data collection, 40910 infants were eligible. Few were born inside these hospitals (2.8%) and the median gestational age at birth was 36 weeks. Surgical intervention (32%) was common; however, mortality (5.6%) was infrequent. Initial queries into diagnosis-specific inter-center variation in care practices and short-term outcomes, including length of stay, showed striking differences. The CHND provides a contemporary, national benchmark of short-term outcomes for infants with uncommon neonatal illnesses. These data will be valuable in counseling families and for conducting observational studies, clinical trials and collaborative quality improvement initiatives.

Predicting death or tracheostomy placement in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the risk of death or tracheostomy placement (D/T) in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) born < 32 weeks' gestation referred to regional neonatal intensive care units.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in infants born < 32 weeks' gestation with sBPD in 2010-2011, using the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database. sBPD was defined as the need for FiO2 ⩾ 0.3, nasal cannula support >2 l min(-1) or positive pressure at 36 weeks' post menstrual age. The primary outcome was D/T before discharge. Predictors associated with D/T in bivariable analyses (P < 0.2) were used to develop a multivariable logistic regression equation using 80% of the cohort. This equation was validated in the remaining 20% of infants.

RESULT

Of 793 eligible patients, the mean gestational age was 26 weeks' and the median age at referral was 6.4 weeks. D/T occurred in 20% of infants. Multivariable analysis showed that later gestational age at birth, later age at referral along with pulmonary management as the primary reason for referral, mechanical ventilation at the time of referral, clinically diagnosed pulmonary hypertension, systemic corticosteroids after referral and occurrence of a bloodstream infection after referral were each associated with D/T. The model performed well with validation (area under curve 0.86, goodness-of-fit χ(2), P = 0.66).

CONCLUSION

Seven clinical variables predicted D/T in this large, contemporary cohort with sBPD. These results can be used to inform clinicians who counsel families of affected infants and to assist in the design of future prospective trials.

Postnatal weight gain in preterm infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVES

To characterize postnatal growth failure (PGF), defined as weight < 10th percentile for postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm (≤ 27 weeks' gestation) infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) at specified time points during hospitalization, and to compare these in subgroups of infants who died/underwent tracheostomy and others.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of data from the multicenter Children's Hospital Neonatal Database (CHND).

RESULTS

Our cohort (n = 375) had a mean ± standard deviation gestation of 25 ± 1.2 weeks and birth weight of 744 ± 196 g. At birth, 20% of infants were small for gestational age (SGA); age at referral to the CHND neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was 46 ± 50 days. PGF rates at admission and at 36, 40, 44, and 48 weeks' PMA were 33, 53, 67, 66, and 79% of infants, respectively. Tube feedings were administered to > 70% and parenteral nutrition to a third of infants between 36 and 44 weeks' PMA. At discharge, 34% of infants required tube feedings and 50% had PGF. A significantly greater (38 versus 17%) proportion of infants who died/underwent tracheostomy (n = 69) were SGA, compared with those who did not (n = 306; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with sBPD commonly had progressive PGF during their NICU hospitalization. Fetal growth restriction may be a marker of adverse outcomes in this population.

Therapeutic interventions and short-term outcomes for infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia born at <32 weeks' gestation

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the treatments and short-term outcomes in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) referred to regional neonatal intensive care units.

STUDY DESIGN

Infants born <32 weeks' gestation with sBPD were identified using the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database. Descriptive outcomes are reported.

RESULT

A total of 867 patients were eligible. On average, infants were born at 26 weeks' gestation and referred 43 days after birth. Infants frequently experienced lung injury (pneumonia: 24.1%; air leak: 9%) and received systemic corticosteroids (61%) and mechanical ventilation (median duration 37 days). Although 91% survived to discharge, the mean post-menstrual age was 47 weeks. Ongoing care such as supplemental oxygen (66%) and tracheostomy (5%) were frequently needed.

CONCLUSION

Referred infants with sBPD sustain multiple insults to lung function and development. Because affected infants have no proven, safe or efficacious therapy and endure an exceptional burden of care even after referral, urgent work is required to observe and improve their outcomes.

Perinatal outcome and later implications of intrauterine growth restriction

This chapter reviews outcomes for children who have intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) or small-for-gestation-age (SGA) status at birth. Such infants are at risk for increased perinatal mortality, birth adaptation complications, including perinatal acidosis, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, coagulation abnormalities, and selected immunologic deficiencies. IUGR infants also appear to be at great risk for complications of prematurity, including chronic lung disease and necrotizing enterocolitis. Childhood implications for IUGR include an increased risk for short stature, cognitive delays with decreased academic achievement, and a small but significant increased risk of neurologic disorders, including cerebral palsy. Low socioeconomic status is correlated with the occurrence of IUGR and is significantly related to long-term disabilities. Morbidities associated with preterm delivery appear to be additive to those associated with fetal growth restriction so IUGR, preterm infants may be at great risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcome.

Enigma of maternal race and infant birth weight: a population-based study of US-born Black and Caribbean-born Black women

The authors used 1985-1990 Illinois' vital records to determine the low birth weight components of infants delivered to US-born Black women, Caribbean-born Black women, and US-born White women. The moderately low birth weight rate (1,500-2,499 g) was 10% for infants with US-born Black mothers (n = 67,357) and 6% for infants with Caribbean-born mothers (n = 2,265) compared with 4% for infants with US-born White mothers (n = 34,124); the relative risk equaled 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5, 2.8) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.4, 2.0), respectively. The very low birth weight rate (<1,500 g) was 2.6% for infants delivered to US-born Black women and 2.4% for infants to Caribbean-born women compared with 0.7% for infants to US-born White women; the relative risk equaled 3.6 (95% CI: 3.1, 4.1) and 3.3 (95% CI: 2.5, 4.4), respectively. Among the lowest risk mothers, the relative risk of moderately low birth weight for infants with US-born Black mothers and Caribbean-born mothers (compared with US-born White mothers) was 2.7 (95% CI: 2.1, 3.4) and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.4, 3.1), respectively; the relative risk of very low birth weight for infants with US-born Black mothers and Caribbean-born mothers was 6.7 (95% CI: 3.8, 12) and 4.2 (95% CI: 1.0, 18), respectively. The authors conclude that Caribbean-born women and US-born Black women have disparate moderate rates but equivalent very low birth weight rates.