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Objective: To describe the current practices in invasive patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure (surgical ligation or transcatheter occlusion) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and changes in patient characteristics and outcomes from 2016 to 2021 among US children's hospitals., Study Design: We evaluated a retrospective cohort of VLBW infants (birth weight 400-1499 g and gestational age 22-31 weeks) who had invasive PDA closure within 6 months of age from 2016 to 2021 in children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System. Changes in patient characteristics and outcomes over time were evaluated using generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models., Results: 2418 VLBW infants (1182 surgical ligation; 1236 transcatheter occlusion) from 42 hospitals were included. The proportion of infants receiving transcatheter occlusion increased from 17.2% in 2016 to 84.4% in 2021 (P < .001). In 2021, 28/42 (67%) hospitals had performed transcatheter occlusion in > 80% of their VLBW infants needing invasive PDA closure, compared with only 2/42 (5%) in 2016. Although median postmenstrual age (PMA) at PDA closure did not change for the overall cohort, PMA at transcatheter occlusion decreased from 38 weeks in 2016 to 31 weeks by 2020, P < .001. Among those infants not intubated prior to PDA closure, extubation within 3 days postprocedure increased over time (yearly adjusted odds ratios of 1.26 [1.08-1.48]). Length of stay and mortality did not change over time., Conclusion: We report rapid adoption of transcatheter occlusion for PDA among VLBW infants in US children's hospitals over time. Transcatheter occlusions were performed at younger PMA over time., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest D.M. is a consultant for Abbott, Edwards, and Medtronic. J.L.S. receives supplemental grant funding from Abbott for the NHLBI-sponsored PIVOTAL trial (UH3HL161338). The other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe longer term outcomes for infants <6 kg undergoing percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)., Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of infants <6 kg who underwent isolated percutaneous closure of the PDA at a single, tertiary center (2003-2017). Cardiopulmonary outcomes and device-related complications (eg, left pulmonary artery obstruction) were examined for differences across weight thresholds (very low weight, <3 kg; low weight, 3-<6 kg). We assessed composite measures of respiratory status during and beyond the initial hospitalization using linear mixed effects models., Results: In this cohort of lower weight infants, 92 of 106 percutaneous occlusion procedures were successful. Median age and weight at procedure were 3.0 months (range, 0.5-11.1 months) and 3.7 kg (range, 1.4-5.9 kg), respectively. Among infants with pulmonary artery obstruction on initial postprocedural echocardiograms (n = 20 [22%]), obstruction persisted through hospital discharge in 3 infants. No measured variables were associated with device-related complications. Rates of oxygenation failure (28% vs 8%; P < .01) and decreased left ventricular systolic function (29% vs 5%; P < .01) were higher among very low weight than low weight infants. Pulmonary scores decreased (indicating improved respiratory status) following percutaneous PDA closure., Conclusions: Percutaneous PDA occlusion among lower weight infants is associated with potential longer term improvements in respiratory health. Risks of device-related complications and adverse cardiopulmonary outcomes, particularly among very low weight infants, underscore the need for continued device modification. Before widespread use, clinical trials comparing percutaneous occlusion vs alternative treatments are needed., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To test the hypothesis that oral feeding at first neonatal intensive care unit discharge is associated with less neurodevelopmental impairment and better feeding milestones compared with discharge with a gastrostomy tube (G-tube)., Study Design: We studied outcomes for a retrospective cohort of 194 neonates <37 weeks' gestation referred for evaluation and management of feeding difficulties between July 2006 and July 2012. Discharge milestones, length of hospitalization, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition scores at 18-24 months were examined. χ 2 , Mann-Whitney U, or t tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used., Results: A total of 60% (n = 117) of infants were discharged on oral feedings; of these, 96% remained oral-fed at 1 year. The remaining 40% (n = 77) were discharged on G-tube feedings; of these, 31 (40%) remained G-tube dependent, 17 (22%) became oral-fed, and 29 (38%) were on oral and G-tube feedings at 1 year. Infants discharged on a G-tube had lower cognitive (P <.01), communication (P = .03), and motor (P <.01) composite scores. The presence of a G-tube, younger gestation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or intraventricular hemorrhage was associated significantly with neurodevelopmental delay., Conclusions: For infants referred for feeding concerns, G-tube evaluations, and feeding management, the majority did not require a G-tube. Full oral feeding at first neonatal intensive care unit discharge was associated with superior feeding milestones and less long-term neurodevelopmental impairment, relative to full or partial G-tube feeding. Evaluation and feeding management before and after G-tube placement may improve long-term feeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine treatment frequency and duration of histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)/proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use among infants hospitalized within US children's hospital neonatal intensive care units and evaluate diagnoses/demographic factors associated with use., Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of neonatal intensive care unit infants admitted to 43 US children's hospitals within the Pediatric Health Information System database between January 2006 and March 2013 to determine H2RA/PPI treatment frequency, timing/duration of treatment, factors associated with use, percent of infants remaining on treatment at discharge, and interhospital prescribing variation. We used a modified Poisson regression to calculate the adjusted probability of infants ever receiving H2RAs/PPIs in relation to diagnosis, gestation, and sex., Results: Of the 122 002 infants evaluated, 23.8% (n = 28 989) ever received an H2RA or PPI; 19.0% received H2RAs (n = 23 187), and 10.5% (n = 12 823) received PPIs. Extremely preterm infants and term infants were the most likely to receive H2RA and PPI treatment. Infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (relative risk [RR] = 3.13) and congenital heart disease (RR = 2.41) had the highest H2RA/PPI treatment probabilities followed by those with an ear, nose, and throat diagnosis (RR = 2.34; P < .05). The majority of treated infants remained treated at discharge., Conclusions: Despite limited evidence and increasing safety concerns, H2RAs/PPIs are frequently prescribed to extremely preterm neonates and those with congenital anomalies and continued through discharge. Our findings support the need for innovative studies to examine the comparative effectiveness and safety of H2RA/PPIs vs no treatment in these high-risk neonatal populations., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)