Pathways to emotional closeness in neonatal units - a cross-national qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Research shows evidence for the importance of physical and emotional closeness for the infant, the parent and the infant-parent dyad. Less is known about how, when and why parents experience emotional closeness to their infants in a neonatal unit (NU), which was the aim of this study. METHODS: A qualitative study using a salutogenic approach to focus on positive health and wellbeing was undertaken in three NUs: one in Sweden, England and Finland. An 'emotional closeness' form was devised, which asked parents to describe moments/situations when, how and why they had felt emotionally close to their infant. Data for 23 parents of preterm infants were analyzed using thematic networks analysis. RESULTS: A global theme of 'pathways for emotional closeness' emerged from the data set. This concept related to how emotional, physical, cognitive and social influences led to feelings of emotional closeness between parents and their infants. The five underpinning organising themes relate to the: Embodied recognition through the power of physical closeness; Reassurance of, and contributing to, infant wellness; Understanding the present and the past; Feeling engaged in the day to day and Spending time and bonding as a family. CONCLUSION: These findings generate important insights into why, how and when parents feel emotionally close. This knowledge contributes to an increased awareness of how to support parents of premature infants to form positive and loving relationships with their infants. Health care staff should create a climate where parents' emotions and their emotional journey are individually supported.

Perceptions of European medical staff on the facilitators and barriers to physical closeness between parents and infants in neonatal units

AIM: Studies have provided insights into factors that may facilitate or inhibit parent-infant closeness in neonatal units, but none have specifically focused on the perspectives of senior neonatal staff. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of consultant neonatologists and senior nurses in five European countries with regard to these issues. METHODS: Six small group discussions and three one-to-one interviews were conducted with 16 consultant neonatologists and senior nurses representing nine neonatal units from Estonia, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden. The interviews explored facilitators and barriers to parent-infant closeness and implications for policy and practice and thematic analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: Participants highlighted how a humanising care agenda that enabled parent-infant closeness was an aspiration, but pointed out that neonatal units were at different stages in achieving this. The facilitators and barriers to physical closeness included socio-economic factors, cultural norms, the designs of neonatal units, resource issues, leadership, staff attitudes and practices and relationships between staff and parents. CONCLUSION: Various factors affected parent-infant closeness in neonatal units in European countries. There needs to be the political motivation, appropriate policy planning, legislation and resource allocation to increase measures that support closeness agendas in neonatal units. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Phenobarbital reduces EEG amplitude and propagation of neonatal seizures but does not alter performance of automated seizure detection

Objective: Phenobarbital increases electroclinical uncoupling and our preliminary observations suggest it may also affect electrographic seizure morphology. This may alter the performance of a novel seizure detection algorithm (SDA) developed by our group. The objectives of this study were to compare the morphology of seizures before and after phenobarbital administration in neonates and to determine the effect of any changes on automated seizure detection rates. Methods: The EEGs of 18 term neonates with seizures both pre- and post-phenobarbital (524 seizures) administration were studied. Ten features of seizures were manually quantified and summary measures for each neonate were statistically compared between pre- and post-phenobarbital seizures. SDA seizure detection rates were also compared. Results: Post-phenobarbital seizures showed significantly lower amplitude (p < 0.001) and involved fewer EEG channels at the peak of seizure (p < 0.05). No other features or SDA detection rates showed a statistical difference. Conclusion: These findings show that phenobarbital reduces both the amplitude and propagation of seizures which may help to explain electroclinical uncoupling of seizures. The seizure detection rate of the algorithm was unaffected by these changes. Significance: The results suggest that users should not need to adjust the SDA sensitivity threshold after phenobarbital administration.

Global, regional, national, and selected subnational levels of stillbirths, neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality, 1980–2015 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Diagnostico precoz de la inmunodeficiencia severa combinada: es un candidato a incluir en los programas de cribado neonatal?

Inmunodeficiencia Combinada Severa (SCID): Se caracteriza por una ausencia o muy baja concentración de células T funcionales, en muchos casos combinada con una deficiencia cuantitativa de células B y/o NK.

G181(P) Evaluation of a new e-health intervention in neonatal care : perspectives of parents and health professionals.

Aim This paper will report findings from the first phase of an evaluation of a new e-health intervention designed to allow mothers to ‘see’ their baby in neonatal care (NNU) when they are not able to be with them. The intervention, MyLittleOne, involves a web-camera being placed over the incubator in NNU, which transmits a real-time video wirelessly to a coupled tablet device at the mother’s bedside. Guided by the MRC Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Healthcare Interventions (MRC, 2008), the aim was to explore parent and professional views of the technology and make recommendations for its future development, use and evaluation. Methods A qualitative approach was adopted, guided by a critical realist perspective (McEvoy and Richards, 2003). The study took place in a Level 3 NNU in Scotland. Participants were recruited purposively and included parents (n = 33) and a range of health professionals working in neonatal and postnatal care (n = 21). The data were collected during semi-structured individual, paired and small group interviews and were analysed thematically using NVivo v10. Results The majority of parents and professionals spoke positively about MyLittleOne. Perceptions were that: use of the technology assisted bonding and responsiveness; it promoted the recovery process following birth; and, for mothers who wished to breast-feed, being able to see their baby on the tablet device encouraged the ‘let-down’ reflex. An additional benefit was that siblings and others who may not be able to visit the NNU were able to see the baby. In contrast, for a small number of mothers, viewing their baby remotely appeared to increase their levels of anxiety. Switching off the camera during a medical procedure and back on after the procedure was completed was found to be problematic, at times and in different ways, for both parents and professionals. Conclusions Findings from this preliminary evaluation will guide future developments of the technology, including its use in family homes following the mother’s discharge. The findings will also inform the design of a feasibility study and subsequent RCT to assess the impact of MyLittleOne on a range of psychological indicators of postnatal adjustment.

Anthropometric indicators of nutritional status and growth in very low birth-weight premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit

Background: Anthropometric indicators are difficult to interpret in very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants, including both appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Therefore, the purpose was to describe the anthropometric indicators of growth and nutritional status in VLBW premature infants AGA and SGA, hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study design: The descriptive and prospective study design included 114 preterm infants, adequate for gestational age/small for gestational age hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Head, thigh, mid upper arm circumference, skin-fold measurements and weight/age, length/ age, and weight/length indices were obtained. Correlations were made among the anthropometric indices, and a multivariate regression analysis with weight/age as dependent variable was performed. Results: Weight/age in AGA premature infants had high number of significant anthropometric correlations. The SGA premature infants had few and weak correlations. The regression analysis showed that anthropometric indices better explain changes in the weight/age index in adequate for gestational age premature infants. Conclusion: Weight/age in the VLBW/AGA premature infants could reflect growth, nutritional status and energy stored as fat, but in the VLBW/SGA premature infants, thigh circumference and mid arm circumference would be better indicators just of nutritional status.

KANGAROO CARE: MATERNAL PERCEPTION OF THE EXPERIENCE IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Objective: To investigate the maternal perception of the experience in the first phase of the Kangaroo Mother Care Method in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods: Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, conducted in the period from August to October 2014, with 10 mothers of newborn preterm (NP) infants, who were admitted to the Maternity School Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC) in Fortaleza, Brazil, and had received skin-to-skin contact through the Kangaroo Care Method during hospitalization in the NICU. Data was collected by semi-structured interview, directed by guiding questions. Content analysis was used for processing the data, being established four categories: “The bond and the attachment”, “Maternal competence”, “The fear of losing the baby” and “The importance of the multidisciplinary team”. Results: The Kangaroo Care Method is a safe and pleasurable practice for mothers and relatives, in addition to providing social and psychoaffective benefits, found in the imagery of the method institutionalization and in the mothers’ experience when properly supported. The meanings of the maternal feelings of apprehension as a result of the first physical contact with the hospitalized child can be evidenced. Regarding the evaluation of its clinical practice, this method has provided better development of the newborn infant and a reduction in hospital stay. Conclusion: The study shows relevance, since the evidence of the maternal perception of this method supports its establishment as a mandatory practice in maternity hospitals, in view of the benefits to the mother and the neonate.

Mortalidad neonatal en los hospitales Vicente Corral Moscoso y José Carrasco Arteaga, en el año 2008

Se realizo un estudio retrospectivo, cuyo universo fueron todas las historias clínicas que registraron a neonatos durante el año 2008, en el servicio de Neonatología de estas instituciones, y como muestra las historias clínicas que registraron a neonatos fallecidos durante ese periodo. Las investigadoras procedimos a recolectar los datos, en un formulario previamente validado, cuya información se ingresó en el programa estadístico Microsoft Office Excel, versión 2007; y el programa SPSS 15.0, versión evaluación, para realizar la tabulación, el análisis y graficación correspondiente. Las medidas estadísticas utilizadas fueron: número de casos (n), porcentaje (%) y chi cuadrado (x2). Resultados: en el Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso según características maternas: 60.3% tuvo entre 19 a 30 años de edad. El 35.8% ha estudiado hasta la primaria completa. El 69.8% perteneció a la zona urbana. El 46.3% fueron multíparas. El 45% de las gestantes no tuvo enfermedad. El 53.4% de los neonatos fueron femeninos. Según características neonatales: El 72.4% de los fallecidos tenían menos de 7 días de edad. El 86.2% tenía peso menor que 2500gr y talla menor a 47cm. El 67.2% tuvo un perímetro cefálico menor que 33cm. El 46.6% tuvo un APGAR al 1 de moderado y a los 5 el 44.8% fue normal. El 55.2% tuvieron como diagnostico de fallecimiento insuficiencia respiratoria. La asociación entre peso del neonato y diagnostico de fallecimiento si es significativo (P menor que 0.005) En el Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga, según características maternas: el 80% tuvo entre 19 a 30 años de edad, el 66.7% ha estudiado hasta la secundaria completa, el 86.7% perteneció a la zona urbana, el 66.7% fueron multíparas, el 53.4% de las gestantes no tuvo enfermedad. Según características neonatales: el 66% fueron masculinos, el 60% fallecidos tenían menos de 7 días de edad, el 80% tenía peso menor que 2500gr, el 86.7% con talla menor a 47cm, el 60% tuvo un perímetro cefálico inferior a 33cm, el 46.7% tuvo un APGAR 1 de moderado y a los 5 el 40% fue moderado. El 46.7% tuvieron como diagnostico de fallecimiento, insuficiencia respiratoria. Conclusiones: pese a la gratuidad de la atención prenatal, parto postparto y al aumento de la cobertura, aún existe un alto índice de mortalidad neonatal, que pertenecen principalmente a zonas urbanas y que eran multigestas

Prevalencia de infecciones del sitio quirúrgico y profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria en procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos espinales en pacientes entre la edad neonatal y los 5 años, Enero – Diciembre de 2014, Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamín Bloom

En la cirugía neuroquirúrgica los datos sobre profilaxis antibiótica no son claros ya que no cuentan a su favor con estudios que avalen o rechacen su uso. Es por esto mismo que surge la necesidad de indagar en la prevalencia de infecciones del sitio quirúrgico y la profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria en procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos espinales en pacientes entre la edad neonatal y los 5 años de edad. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal, haciendo revisión sistemática de los expedientes clínicos de los pacientes que ingresaron en el año 2014 que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: Se estudió una población muestral correspondiente a 76 pacientes, en los que se evidencia que la mayoría de cirugías practicadas durante el periodo estudiado fue de manera electiva; sin embargo una cantidad significativa de cirugías (38%) fue sometida de emergencia, lo que predispone a infecciones y alargamiento del esquema antibiótico. El 89% de los esquemas de antibióticos fueron utilizados como tratamiento terapéutico relacionado principalmente con mielo-meningoceles y únicamente el 11% de todos los pacientes estudiados recibió profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria pura. El 83% de los casos no se relacionó con infección de sitio quirúrgico y un 17% si lo presentó. El 86% de los casos estuvo relacionado con el uso de dos antimicrobianos de forma terapéutica y un 14% se relacionó con el uso de un solo antimicrobiano como profilaxis. Evidenciándose así, que no hay un esquema terapéutico especifico definido; y paradójicamente se evidencia una mayor prevalencia de infecciones de sitio quirúrgico con biterapia; puesto a que el 85% de los casos que desarrollaron infección de sitio quirúrgico tenían esquema de biterapia antimicrobiana y un 15% tenía esquema de monoterapia antimicrobiana. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes estudiados fueron intervenidos de manera electiva (62%); sin embargo, el 38% fue sometido a cirugía de emergencias; lo que conlleva al uso de un esquema terapéutico de tratamiento antibiótico en lugar de uno profiláctico.

Is facility based neonatal care in low resource setting keeping pace? A glance at Uganda’s National Referral Hospital.

Objectives: To identify reasons for neonatal admission and death with the aim of determining areas needing improvement. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted on records for neonates admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) from 1st November 2013 to 31st January 2014. Final diagnosis was generated after analyzing sequence of clinical course by 2 paediatricians. Results: A total of 1192 neonates were admitted. Majority 83.3% were in-born. Main reasons for admissions were prematurity (37.7%) and low APGAR (27.9%).Overall mortality was 22.1% (Out-born 33.6%; in born 19.8%). Half (52%) of these deaths occurred in the first 24 hours of admission. Major contributors to mortality were prematurity with hypothermia and respiratory distress (33.7%) followed by birth asphyxia with HIE grade III (24.6%) and presumed sepsis (8.7%). Majority of stable at risk neonates 318/330 (i.e. low APGAR or prematurity without comorbidity) survived. Factors independently associated with death included gestational age <30 weeks (p 0.002), birth weight <1500g (p 0.007) and a 5 minute APGAR score of < 7 (p 0.001). Neither place of birth nor delayed and after hour admissions were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion and recommendations: Mortality rate in SCBU is high. Prematurity and its complications were major contributors to mortality. The management of hypothermia and respiratory distress needs scaling up. A step down unit for monitoring stable at risk neonates is needed in order to decongest SCBU.

Does prenatal diagnosis modify neonatal treatment and early outcome of children with esophageal atresia?

International audience

Prevalencia de artritis séptica neonatal en un hospital universitario

Introducción: La artritis séptica neonatal es un padecimiento poco común que se ha relacionado con recién nacidos internados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatal, cuyo principal factor de riesgo es el uso previo de catéter central. Objetivo: establecer la prevalencia de la artritis séptica neonatal en nuestro Hospital. Material y método: estudio observacional descriptivo de prevalencia. Se incluyeron todos los recién nacidos con diagnostico de artritis séptica neonatal internados un la unidad de cuidados intermedios e intensivos neonatal del Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio González del año 2003 al 2007. Se revisaron los expedientes y se registraron variables generales, factores de riesgo, bacteriología y mortalidad. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 26 casos de artritis séptica neonatal durante el periodo de tiempo estudiado, solo 20 casos lograron criterios de inclusión: la prevalencia fue de 1.2 casos por cada 1,000 nacidos. La edad gestacional fue 39.2 ± 1.3 semanas, con peso 3193 ± 709 g. El factor de riesgo que se presento con mas frecuencia fue el antecedente de uso previo de catéter en 75% de los casos. Se aisló microorganismo en 80% de los casos, los bacterias grampositivas se aislaron en 80% de los casos; el Staphylococcus aureus fue el microorganismo aislado predominantemente en 75% de los casos. La presentación poliarticular fue en 40% de los casos. La mortalidad fue de 0%. Conclusiones: La prevalencia fue menor a lo reportado en la literatura. Los microorganismos grampositivos continúan siendo los microorganismos predominantes en la artritis séptica neonatal. La mortalidad es baja.

Relación de la seroconversión positiva a neospora caninum con problemas reproductivos y mortalidad neonatal en vacas holstein

La neosporosis bovina es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por el protozoo Neospora caninum (NC). Se considera una de las principales causas de aborto en la especie bovina, especialmente en el ganado lechero y está relacionada con pérdidas productivas y trastornos de la fertilidad. Su prevalencia es variable alrededor del mundo así como su comportamiento epidemiológico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relación entre la seropositividad producto de la transmisión horizontal y distintos problemas reproductivos identificados en vacas Holstein de la sierra sur del Ecuador.