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Background: Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in normal postnatal transition. Our aims were to determine whether adding inhaled NO (iNO) decreases supplemental oxygen exposure in preterm infants requiring positive pressure ventilation (PPV) during resuscitation and to study iNO effects on heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and need for intubation during the first 20 min of life., Methods: This was a pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Infants 25 0/7-31 6/7 weeks' gestational age requiring PPV with supplemental oxygen during resuscitation were enrolled. PPV was initiated with either oxygen (FiO 2 -0.30) + iNO at 20 ppm (iNO group) or oxygen (FiO 2 -0.30) + nitrogen (placebo group). Oxygen was titrated targeting defined SpO 2 per current guidelines. After 10 min, iNO/nitrogen was weaned stepwise per protocol and terminated at 17 min., Results: Twenty-eight infants were studied (14 per group). The mean gestational age in both groups was similar. Cumulative FiO 2 and rate of exposure to high FiO 2 (>0.60) were significantly lower in the iNO group. There were no differences in HR, SpO 2 , and need for intubation., Conclusions: Administration of iNO as an adjunct during neonatal resuscitation is feasible without side effects. It diminishes exposure to high levels of supplemental oxygen.

Objective: To evaluate vitamin D inadequacy among extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW, <1000 g) infants and the association between circulating vitamin D concentrations and perinatal-neonatal outcomes., Study Design: Prospective cohort study of ELBW infants in the neonatal ICU. Blood was collected within the first 3 days after birth after obtaining informed consent. Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (25(OH)D) were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy and classified as vitamin D deficient, insufficient, or adequate ( < 20, 20-30, or > 30 ng/mL, respectively). Associations between 25(OH)D and perinatal-neonatal outcomes were determined by multivariable regression, adjusted for covariates that differ in the bivariate analysis., Results: Of the 60 ELBW infants enrolled, 13 (22%) were vitamin D deficient, 15 (25%) were insufficient, and 32 (53%) were adequate. 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with fetal growth restriction and prolonged rupture of the membranes., Conclusions: Vitamin D inadequacy was frequent among ELBW infants. Circulating vitamin D concentrations were significantly associated with perinatal outcomes in this contemporary cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of implemented protocol changes on delivery room interventions and very low birth weight (VLBW) health outcomes., Study Design: Retrospective study comparing birth characteristics, interventions and health outcomes of VLBW infants born in a tertiary care center before (calendar years 2008 to 2009) and after (calendar years 2012 to 2013) implementing new protocols using Chi-square analyses., Result: Four hundred and nine were born before and 303 after changes were implemented. Postimplementation infants had more use of antenatal steroids (P=0.02), gestational age ⩽24 weeks (P=0.03) and birth weights between 501 and 750 g (P=0.04) and less oxygen administration (P=0.002), face mask ventilation (P=0.0001), surfactant use (P=0.0001), chest compressions (P=0.0001), intubation (P=0.002), epinephrine use (P=0.011), hypothermia (P=0.0001) and discharges home on supplemental oxygen (P=0.05)., Conclusion: Changes creating a new delivery team, adopting new delivery practice guidelines and updating delivery room equipment resulted in positive outcomes for delivery room practices and patient outcomes.