Online First
May 16, 2022
- Original researchClinical outcomes of preterm infants while using automated controllers during standard care: comparison of cohorts with different automated titration strategies
This study compared the outcomes of matched cohorts of preterm infants who were treated using 2 different automated oxygen controllers. Differences in morbidity were observed. The data suggest that it cannot be assumed that different automated controllers will produce similar results and that randomised controlled trials will be necessary to refine their use appropriately.
May 12, 2022
- Original researchComparison of regional versus global growth charts for the classification of small-for-gestational age neonates
This prospective study from India explores the short terms outcomes (up to 28 days) in small for gestation age babies as identified by regional vs global growth charts.
May 11, 2022
- Original researchEffects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on perinatal activity in Yorkshire and the Humber region during 2020: an interrupted time series analysis
This interrupted time series analyses identified decreased rates of antenatal transfers for threatened extreme preterm delivery decreased rates of admission to neonatal intensive care for babies born extremely preterm and increased stillbirth rates during the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
- Original researchVestibular and balance dysfunction in children with congenital CMV: a systematic review
This systematic literature review found congenital infection with cytomegalovirus (cCMV) to be associated with vestibular dysfunction in both symptomatic and asymptomatic children, with and without hearing loss. This highlights the importance of audiovestibular assessments when following-up children with cCMV.
May 09, 2022
- Original researchEffect of antibiotics in the first week of life on faecal microbiota development
Study of the effect of antibiotics in the first week of life on fecal microbiota up to 2.5 years of age. Differences identified up to one year of age in babies who received antibiotics when compared with controls.
- Original researchShort-term pulmonary and systemic effects of hydrocortisone initiated 7–14 days after birth in ventilated very preterm infants: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
This paper reports measures of pulmonary wellbeing during the 7 days after starting treatment in 372 infants enrolled in the SToP-BPD trial of early hydrocortisone in preterm infants. Although the trial did not show a significant difference in BPD at 36 weeks, hydrocortisone treatment was associated with improved measures of pulmonary wellbeing after starting treatment and earlier extubation.
May 03, 2022
- Original researchReduced health-related quality of life in children born extremely preterm in 2006 compared with 1995: the EPICure Studies
Parent-reported health-related quality of life information was obtained for children born <26 weeks gestation in England at 11 years in two birth cohorts (1995 and 2006). Mean utility scores were significantly lower for 2006 vs. 1995 cohorts, while control groups were similar.
May 02, 2022
- Original researchSingle versus continuous sustained inflations during chest compressions and physiological-based cord clamping in asystolic lambs
In this study of resuscitation from asystole in newborn lambs there was no advantage to the use of continual sustained inflations as part of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategy. Some haemodynamic measures were improved when CPR was provided with the umbilical cord intact in comparison with CPR after cord clamping.
- Original researchSocial inequalities in access to care at birth and neonatal mortality: an observational study
This manuscript examines all live births in France from 2012 - 2014 to assess the association between socioeconomic status and delivery of preterm infants in the appropriate level of maternity and neonatal care. The authors found such an association, as well as a higher risk of neonatal mortality.
April 27, 2022
- Original researchCerebral perfusion and neurological examination characterise neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: a prospective cohort study
This prospective cohort study found that 30 infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome had higher global cerebral blood flow and more neurological exam abnormalities than 31 unexposed controls. Follow-up to determine these infants’ neurodevelopmental courses is required.
April 20, 2022
- Original researchComparison of neonatal morbidity and mortality between single-room and open-bay care: a retrospective cohort study
In this retrospective cohort study of the outcomes of infants born <32 week's gestation, moving from a traditional open bay neonatal unit to a new single-room unit was not associated with significant improvements in morbidity or mortality.
April 15, 2022
- Original researchAvailability of active therapeutic hypothermia at birth for neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a UK population study from 2011 to 2018
Retrospective study of availability of therapeutic hypothermia in UK units between 2001 -2018 showing increased availability but still gaps for some babies.
April 11, 2022
- Original researchTrends in the use of non-invasive respiratory support for term infants in tertiary neonatal units in Australia and New Zealand
This manuscript reports the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in term infants in Australia from 2010 - 2018. The use of NIV increased on average 9% per year. There was an associated increase in the rate of pneumothorax and surfactant use over the same period.
April 08, 2022
- Original researchSIDS is associated with prenatal drug use: a meta-analysis and systematic review of 4 238 685 infants
This meta-analyses of 4,238,685 children from high-income countries found that while prenatal exposure to any drugs of dependency increased SIDS risk this was greatest for infants prenatally exposed to opioids and methadone. Further research to examine associations in low- and middle-income countries is needed.
April 06, 2022
- ReviewRespiratory function monitoring to improve the outcomes following neonatal resuscitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of a respiratory function monitor versus clinical assessment of tidal volume delivery in neonatal resuscitation, with the primary outcome of death before discharge. 3 RCTs enrolling 443 infants were identified. No differences in death, or morbidity were identified, with a call for more research.
March 31, 2022
March 14, 2022
March 10, 2022
- Original researchTime to positivity of blood cultures in neonatal late-onset bacteraemia
In a large retrospective cohort study, most blood cultures drawn after 72 hours for suspected bacteremia and not coagulase negative staphylococcus, were reported positive by 36 hours.
March 07, 2022
- Original researchSaliva cortisol diurnal variation and stress responses in term and preterm infants
Results from salivary cortisol concentrations of infants at 4 months of age suggests that extremely preterm birth disrupts the normative development of the HPA axis in infancy, with patterns of cortisol secretion resembling those seen after childhood adversity.
March 02, 2022
- Original researchTwo-year neurodevelopmental outcome in children born extremely preterm: the EPI-DAF study
In a Dutch national cohort of infants born 24+0 to 26+6/7 weeks gestation born after changes to guidelines supporting active treatment at 24+0 weeks, the majority did not have neurodevelopmental impairment at 2-year follow up as defined in this study.
March 01, 2022
- Original researchPreterm infant circulating sex steroid levels are not altered by transfusion with adult male plasma: a retrospective multicentre cohort study
Sex hormones delivered via plasma transfusions from adult male donors to very preterm infants do not alter the circulating plasma concentrations in the infant, irrespective of gender.
February 28, 2022
February 25, 2022
- Original researchPredictors of anastomotic strictures following œsophageal atresia repair
Large study of all babies born with oesophageal atresia in France over an 8 year period with follow up to 1 year. Anastomotic stricture identified in 23% of cases with independent risk factors identified including one (delayed anastomosis) previously unreported.
February 21, 2022
February 16, 2022
- Images in neonatal medicineLong QT syndrome presenting as fetal bradycardia and 2:1 atrioventricular block in a preterm infant
February 09, 2022
- Original researchPreliminary study of automated oxygen titration at birth for preterm infants
Before-after trial of using automated oxygen control in the delivery room, showing similar results as with manual control (70 vs. 60%) for %time in target, and significantly less time spent in potential hyperoxaemia.
February 08, 2022
- Short reportHaemodynamic changes with varying chest compression rates in asphyxiated piglets
In this paper, the authors found that incremental increases in the rate of chest compressions up to 180/min improved cardiac output in asphyxiated piglets receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation with sustained inflations.
January 31, 2022
- Original researchLung volume distribution in preterm infants on non-invasive high-frequency ventilation
Randomized crossover trial comparing electrical impedance tomography (EIT) data between nHFOV with nCPAP, showing increased and more homogenous lung aeration with nHFOV compared to nCPAP
January 28, 2022
- Original researchSevere neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia: lessons learnt from a national perinatal audit
National audit in Holland shows substandard care factors contribute to severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy
January 25, 2022
- Images in neonatal medicineLong bone radiographic abnormalities of congenital syphilis in a preterm infant
- ReviewManipulating the neonatal gut microbiome: current understanding and future perspectives
This review summarises current understanding regarding how modern birth influence neonatal gut microbiome development together with potential methods of microbiome engineering that might encourage the development of a microbiome that promote long term health.
- Original researchMRI-based brain volumes of preterm infants at term: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Reference data for MRI determined brain volumes at term equivalent age in preterm infants
January 21, 2022
January 20, 2022
- Original researchAssociations of body composition with regional brain volumes and white matter microstructure in very preterm infants
This prospective observational study looks at the associations between body composition and brain development among very preterm infants at term equivalent age.
December 24, 2021
- ReviewNeonatal and fetal therapy of congenital diaphragmatic hernia-related pulmonary hypertension
This review looks at the current clinically available neonatal and fetal therapies targeting congenital diaphragmatic hernia and the associated pulmonary hypertension, and considers the most promising experimental treatments and future research.
December 23, 2021
- Short reportImplementing two-stage consent pathway in neonatal trials
Short report from a team of UK neonatal triallists highlighting the 2 stage consent process that is being used as part of the ongoing FEED1 trial
December 20, 2021
- Original researchGlobal incidence proportion of intraventricular haemorrhage of prematurity: a meta-analysis of studies published 2010–2020
This meta-analysis of studies reporting rates of IVH identified 38 studies (87,993 infants) reporting any IVH and 49 studies (328,562 infants) reporting severe IVH. There was substantial variability between studies, largely explained by differences in GA of enrolled infants.
December 16, 2021
- Original researchOutcome of non-cooled asphyxiated infants with under-recognised or delayed-onset encephalopathy
In a retrospective cohort study, all infants with perinatal asphyxia and early seizure onset who did not receive therapeutic hypothermia had MRI abnormalities and half died or had poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
December 15, 2021
- Images in neonatal medicineUnusual skin and eyelid changes in a neonate with pseudohypoaldosteronism
December 03, 2021
- Original researchEffects of tactile stimulation on spontaneous breathing during face mask ventilation
Secondary data analysis suggesting that neonates have more spontaneous breaths after birth following cutaneous stimulation.
December 02, 2021
- Original researchEffect of prophylactic dextrose gel on the neonatal gut microbiome
This observational study nested in an RCT of oral dextrose gel vs placebo to prevent hypoglycaemia in term infants, explores whether dextrose gel has an impact on the neonatal gut microbiome.