Early human development
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Early human development · Sep 2014
ReviewEvidence for CCHD screening and its practical application using pulse oximetry.
Pulse oximetry screening is a highly specific, moderately sensitive test for detecting critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) that meets the criteria for universal screening. The possibility of using pulse oximetry as a screening test was first investigated over 10 years ago and since then data from more than 370,000 screened babies have now been published. There is significant heterogeneity in published screening protocols but almost all demonstrate that the addition of pulse oximetry screening reduces the 'diagnostic gap' - i.e. those babies with CCHD who are missed by existing screening methods and discharged from hospital before the diagnosis has been established. This review considers the available evidence and assesses the practical options for the introduction of pulse oximetry screening.
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Early human development · Sep 2014
The effects of skin-to-skin care on the diaphragmatic electrical activity in preterm infants.
Skin-to-skin care (SSC) is widely used in neonatal intensive care units due to its positive effects on infant physiology and parent-infant interaction. ⋯ SSC is safe and it is not associated with increased neural activity of the diaphragm. On the contrary, low EAdi minimum values were registered reflecting more complete diaphragmatic de-activation between respiratory cycles.
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Early human development · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyLung ultrasound findings in meconium aspiration syndrome.
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a rare and life-threatening neonatal lung injury induced by meconium in the lung and airways. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a quick, easy and cheap imaging technique that is increasingly being used in critical care settings, also for newborns. In this paper we describe ultrasound findings in MAS. ⋯ LUS images corresponded well with X-ray findings. In conclusion, we provide the first formal description of LUS findings in neonates with MAS. LUS is a useful and promising tool in the diagnosis and management of MAS, providing real-time bedside imaging, with the additional potential benefit of limiting radiation exposure in sick neonates.
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Early human development · Sep 2014
Time outside targeted oxygen saturation range and retinopathy of prematurity.
To better understand the impact of hypoxia and hyperoxia on neonatal morbidity and mortality, we examined the number of hypoxia and hyperoxia events as well as percentage of time spent outside oxygen saturation targets in relationship to threshold retinopathy of prematurity (tROP) and mortality in preterm infants. ⋯ Information such as the duration and number of hypoxia and hyperoxia events, as well as total time outside the targeted saturation range, could be factored into assessing clinical interventions and research studies in the prevention, treatment and evaluation of neonatal outcomes.