Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

A Systematic Review of Reports of Quality Improvement for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
We present a systematic review of QI for BPD in preterm infants. We identified 22 reports from single centers and seven from collaborative efforts published over the past two decades. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 29, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: H. Healy, L.E.E. Croonen, W. Onland, A.H. van Kaam, M. Gupta Source Type: research

Early developmental screening and intervention for high-risk neonates - from research to clinical benefits
With advances in neonatal care there has been an increase in survival rates for infants born very preterm and/or with complex needs, such as those who require major surgery, who may not have survived decades ago. Despite advances in survival, these infants remain at high-risk for a range of neurodevelopmental delays and/or impairments including motor, cognitive and emotional/behavioural challenges. Research has improved our ability to identify which infants are at high-risk of developmental delay and/or impairments, and there is mounting evidence that early interventions can improve outcomes of these infants. (Source: Semi...
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 28, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Alicia Jane Spittle, Peter John Anderson, Sarah Jane Tapawan, Lex William Doyle, Jeanie Ling Yoong Cheong Source Type: research

Facilitating quality improvement through routinely recorded clinical information
In this chapter, I discuss how quality improvement activities can be facilitated using routinely available clinical data. I begin by providing a definition of quality improvement and quality healthcare, and identifying what I consider key components and their information requirements. I suggest that quality improvement can be made simpler, more efficient and less labour and resource intensive by focussing on outcomes. Finally, I provide pointers for developing resources of routinely available clinical information. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 28, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Neena Modi Source Type: research

Cesarean Delivery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of Quality of Care Metrics and Targets for Improvement
Improving quality of care in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a global priority, specifically around maternal and newborn care, where mortality and morbidity remain unacceptably high. Cesarean delivery is the most common procedure in women, thus evaluating quality around the provision of intervention provides insight into overall quality of care around childbirth. In this review we provide an overview on the quality of care around cesarean delivery using the six domains of quality proposed by the Institute of Medicine: equity, effectiveness, efficiency, safety, timeliness and patient-centered care. (Source: Semin...
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 26, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Adeline A. Boatin, Joseph Ngonzi, Gabriel Ganyaglo, Magatte Mbaye, Blair J. Wylie, Khady Diouf Source Type: research

Closing the Evidence to Practice Gap in Neonatal Transfusion Medicine
Significant resources are directed towards world-class research projects, but the findings are not necessarily translated into better healthcare outcomes, either at all or in a sustained way. There is a clear need to dedicate further resources to understanding how to promote the uptake of evidence and effectively change neonatal transfusion practice to improve outcomes. Approaching blood transfusion behaviour change more systematically, and working across disciplines and involving families, holds the potential to increase the rate of uptake of emerging evidence in clinical practice. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 23, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Amy Keir, Erin Grace, Simon Stanworth Source Type: research

Using rising tides to lift all boats: Equity-focused quality improvement as a tool to reduce neonatal health disparities
This article reviews disparities in perinatal and neonatal care, the impact of QI on health disparities, and the concept of “Equity-Focused Quality Improvement” (EF-QI). (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 21, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Vicky Reichman, Sandhya S. Brachio, Chinonyerem R. Madu, Diana Montoya-Williams, Michelle-Marie Pe ña Source Type: research

When to say no to inhaled nitric oxide in neonates?
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) was approved for use in critically ill term and near-term neonates (>34 weeks gestational age) in 1999 for hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) with evidence of pulmonary hypertension. In 2011 and 2014, the National Institutes of Health and American Academy of Pediatrics respectively recommended against the use of iNO in preterm infants (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 21, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Praveen Chandrasekharan, Satyan Lakshminrusimha, Steven H. Abman Source Type: research

Inter-center variability in neonatal outcomes of preterm infants: A longitudinal evaluation of 298 neonatal units in 11 countries
Collaboration and cooperation of clinicians and neonatal units at regional, national, and international levels are key features of many networks or systems that aim to improve neonatal outcomes. Network performance is typically assessed by comparing individual, unit-level outcomes. In this paper, we provide insight into another dimension, i.e., inter-center outcome variation in 10 national/regional neonatal collaborations from 11 high-income countries. We illustrate the use of coefficients of variation for evaluation of mortality and a composite outcome of mortality, severe neurological injury, treated retinopathy of prema...
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 20, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Kei Lui, Maximo Vento, Neena Modi, Satoshi Kusuda, Liisa Lehtonen, Stellan H åkansson, Franca Rusconi, Dirk Bassler, Brian Reichman, Jie Yang, Prakesh S. Shah, International Network for Evaluating Outcomes of Neonates (iNeo) Investigators and Collaborato Source Type: research

Optimizing Practice Guidelines through Incorporating Patient and Family Values and Preferences
Neonatal care largely follows clinical practice guidelines and position statements developed locally by respective institutions as well as by national and international organizations. One might expect that adoption of clinical guidelines based on best available research evidence would make neonatal care practices mostly uniform. However, wide variation in clinical practice is still noted in neonatal care. Neonatal clinical guidelines are developed almost exclusively by healthcare professionals, with little or no input from families of the infants being cared for. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 17, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Souvik Mitra, Jon Dorling, Bradley C. Johnston Source Type: research

The Unfinished Work of Neonatal Very Low Birthweight Infants Quality Improvement: Improving Outcomes at a Continental Level in South America
Neonatal mortality rate varies between 4.2 and 18.6 per thousand by country in South America. There is little information regarding the outcomes of very low birth weight infants in the region and mortality rates are extremely variable ranging from 6% to over 50%. This group may represent up to 50-70% of the neonatal mortality and approximately 25-30% of infant mortality. Some initiatives, like the NEOCOSUR Network, have systematically collected and analyzed epidemiological information on VLBW infants ’ outcomes in the region. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - January 12, 2021 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: J.L. Tapia, A. Toso, C. Vaz Ferreira, J. Fabres, G. Musante, G. Mariani, T.I. Herrera, I. D ’Apremont Source Type: research

Editorial Board
(Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - December 1, 2020 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Source Type: research

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Metabolism of Caffeine in Newborns
The plasma elimination half-life of caffeine in the newborn is approximately 100 hours. Caffeine is rapidly absorbed with complete bioavailability following oral dosing. Switching between parenteral and oral administration requires no dose adjustments. Caffeine has wide interindividual pharmacodynamic variability and a wide therapeutic index in preterm newborns. Thresholds of measurable efficacy on respiratory drive have been documented at plasma levels around 2 mg/L. At these low levels, caffeine competitively inhibits adenosine receptors (A1 and A2A). (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - November 25, 2020 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: J.V. Aranda, Kay D. Beharry Source Type: research

Is caffeine available and affordable in low and middle-income countries? A survey in sub-Saharan Africa
Caffeine is the preferred pharmacologic treatment for apnea of prematurity. Little is known about the availability and affordability of caffeine in the low and middle-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We conducted an online survey in 2020 of newborn physicians in SSA to determine their access to caffeine. Of 90 invited participants, 55 responded (61%). They worked in 13 SSA countries and 48 hospitals. Caffeine was used in 6 countries. In 5 of these countries, the price of caffeine was reported and ranged from US $1.73 in Ghana to US $73.63 in Kenya per 3 mL vial. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - November 23, 2020 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Osayame Ekhaguere, Adejumoke Idowu Ayede, M.B.B.S.,M.P.H. Chinyere V. Ezeaka Source Type: research

Caffeine editorial
Barbara Schmidt was the principal investigator of the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity (CAP) Trial and the Chair of the international CAP trial Steering Committee. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - November 22, 2020 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Barbara Schmidt Source Type: research

Cost-Effectiveness and Pricing of Caffeine
In a formal economic evaluation ancillary to the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity trial, caffeine was shown to reduce costs while simultaneously improving clinical outcomes. Although these results still apply, the current price of caffeine is substantially higher than when it was introduced. Such pharmaceutical price growth contributes substantially to medical costs and inflation. In this review, the examples of caffeine and surfactant show how prices are determined for the neonatology formulary. (Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - November 13, 2020 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: John A.F. Zupancic Source Type: research