American journal of perinatology
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The role of the neonatal nurse is vital for the successful implementation of developmental care and the provision of an optimal neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment. The goal was to identify nurses' perceived barriers to implementation or improving developmental care in their NICUs. Nursing perceptions related to barriers for implementing developmental care were assessed using a 12-point questionnaire during two New York City Neonatal Nursing regional conferences. ⋯ Use of simple light and sound measures may enhance perception of providing an optimal NICU environment. Neonatal nurses perceived barriers to care are often attributed to neonatal staff nursing and physician colleagues. This perception is decreased considerably in those NICUs in which multidisciplinary team meetings or champions are used to address the needs of caregivers by providing developmental care strategies.
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Clinical Trial
High-frequency jet ventilation improves gas exchange in extremely immature infants with evolving chronic lung disease.
Extremely preterm infants often develop chronic lung disease (CLD) characterized by heterogeneous aeration; poorly supported, floppy airways; and air trapping. High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) with high end-expiratory pressure (optimal lung volume strategy [OLVS]) may improve airway patency, lead to better gas distribution, improve gas exchange, and facilitate extubation. In a pilot trial, this study sought to explore the effect of HFJV on oxygenation, ventilation, and ease of extubation in preterm infants with evolving CLD and refractory respiratory failure (RRF). ⋯ Both remained significantly lower until successful extubation ( P < 0.02). Compared with conventional ventilation or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, HFJV used with OLVS appears to improve gas exchange and may facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) in extremely immature infants with evolving CLD. These encouraging pilot data need to be confirmed in a larger clinical trial.
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This study describes a high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) protocol for term and near-term infants with acute respiratory failure (ARF) and reports results of its prospective application. Neonates, with gestational age >or= 34 weeks, were managed with HFOV, if required, on conventional ventilation (CV), a fraction of inspired oxygen (F IO(2)) 0.5, and a mean airway pressure > 10 cm H (2)O to maintain adequate oxygenation or a peak inspiratory pressure > 24 cm H (2)O to maintain tidal volume between 5 and 7 mL/kg of body weight. Seventy-seven infants (gestational age, 37 +/- 2,3 weeks), received HFOV after a mean duration of CV of 7.5 +/- 9.7 hours. ⋯ Early rescue intervention with HFOV is an effective protocol for term and near-term infants with ARF. Failure to improve P AO(2) - Pa O(2) rapidly on HFOV is associated with HFOV failure. Randomized controlled trials are needed to identify benefits of HFOV versus conventional modes of mechanical ventilation.
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This study examines the relationship between episiotomy and the occurrence of shoulder dystocia among noninstrumental vaginal deliveries. Analysis of data from a retrospective database was used to study noninstrumental vaginal deliveries in New Jersey during the years 1996 to 2001. The episiotomy group and nonepisiotomy group were analyzed separately using univariate and multivariate analysis. ⋯ There was a gradual decrease in the use of episiotomy from 37.30 to 26.03% without a corresponding increase in the rate of dystocia. Among noninstrumental deliveries, the rate of shoulder dystocia is higher in the episiotomy group. Decrease in the use of episiotomy has not resulted in an increase in the occurrence of dystocia.
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Severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and mechanical ventilation may affect the endogenous cortisol secretion in preterm infants. The aim of this study was to compare the serum cortisol concentrations of a relatively large and mature group of preterm infants with RDS who are ventilated or nonventilated and control preterm infants without RDS. Infants (group I) of comparable gestational ages without RDS served as controls. ⋯ The cortisol levels on day 3 of life were not significantly different in infants with poor outcome compared with infants with better outcome. Severity of RDS and mechanical ventilation were related to serum cortisol levels of preterm infants. Our study suggests that large and mature preterm infants who are ventilated and/or more severely ill release more cortisol than those less severely ill.