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To determine differences in the duration and level of resuscitation between infants that achieve a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpOInfants 32 weeks GA were analyzed. Pulse rate, SpOTwo hundred and eighty-four infants were analyzed of which 100 had SpOInfants32 weeks GA that do not achieve a peripheral arterial saturation of 80% by 5 min of life experience more death or severe IVH. This association is amongst the strongest seen of any predictor of morbidity in the delivery room.

Background Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an important cause of sepsis in premature infants and is associated with a high risk of death and neurodevelopmental impairment. Prevention of IC has become a major focus in very low birth weight infants, with fluconazole increasingly used as prophylaxis. Methods We identified all randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating fluconazole prophylaxis in premature infants conducted in the United States. We obtained patient-level data from the study investigators and performed an aggregated analysis. The occurrence of each endpoint in infants who received prophylaxis with fluconazole vs placebo was compared. Endpoints evaluated were IC or death, IC, death, Candida colonization, and fluconazole resistance among tested isolates. Safety endpoints evaluated included clinical and laboratory parameters. Results Fluconazole prophylaxis reduced the odds of IC or death, IC, and Candida colonization during the drug exposure period compared with infants given placebo: odds ratios of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI], .30-.78), 0.20 (95% CI, .08-.51), and 0.28 (95% CI, .18-.41), respectively. The incidence of clinical and laboratory adverse events was similar for infants who received fluconazole compared with placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of tested isolates that were resistant to fluconazole between the fluconazole and placebo groups. Conclusions Fluconazole prophylaxis is effective and safe in reducing IC and Candida colonization in premature infants, and has no impact on resistance.

Objectives To identify variables associated with successful elective extubation, and to determine neonatal morbidities associated with extubation failure in extremely preterm neonates. Study design This study was a secondary analysis of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network's Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Oxygenation Randomized Trial that included extremely preterm infants born at 240/7 to 276/7 weeks' gestation. Patients were randomized either to a permissive ventilatory strategy (continuous positive airway pressure group) or intubation followed by early surfactant (surfactant group). There were prespecified intubation and extubation criteria. Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 5 days of extubation. Results Of 1316 infants in the trial, 1071 were eligible; 926 infants had data available on extubation status; 538 were successful and 388 failed extubation. The rate of successful extubation was 50% (188/374) in the continuous positive airway pressure group and 63% (350/552) in the surfactant group. Successful extubation was associated with higher 5-minute Apgar score, and pH prior to extubation, lower peak fraction of inspired oxygen within the first 24 hours of age and prior to extubation, lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide prior to extubation, and non-small for gestational age status after adjustment for the randomization group assignment. Infants who failed extubation had higher adjusted rates of mortality (OR 2.89), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR 3.06), and death/ bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR 3.27). Conclusions Higher 5-minute Apgar score, and pH prior to extubation, lower peak fraction of inspired oxygen within first 24 hours of age, lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide and fraction of inspired oxygen prior to extubation, and nonsmall for gestational age status were associated with successful extubation. Failed extubation was associated with significantly higher likelihood of mortality and morbidities. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT00233324 .

To test the hypothesis that preterm infants randomized to a low vs high O(2) saturation target range have a higher incidence of intermittent hypoxemia.A subcohort of 115 preterm infants with high resolution pulse oximetry enrolled in the Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Oxygenation Randomized Trial were randomized to low (85%-89%) or high (91%-95%) O(2) saturation target ranges. Oxygen saturation was monitored until 36 weeks postmenstrual age or until the infant was breathing room air without respiratory support for ≥72 hours.The low target O(2) saturation group had a higher rate of intermittent hypoxemia (≤80% for ≥10 seconds and ≤3 minutes) prior to 12 days and beyond 57 days of life (P.05). The duration shortened (P.0001) and the severity increased (P.0001) with increasing postnatal age with no differences between target saturation groups. The higher rate of intermittent hypoxemia events in the low target group was associated with a time interval between events of1 minute.A low O(2) saturation target was associated with an increased rate of intermittent hypoxemia events that was dependent on postnatal age. The duration and severity of events was comparable between target groups. Further investigation is needed to assess the role of intermittent hypoxemia and their timing on neonatal morbidity.

Six neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that are members of the Vermont Oxford National Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Collaborative for Neonatology collaborated to reduce infection rates. There were 7 centers in the original focus group, but 1 center left the collaborative after 1 year. The objective of this study was to develop strategies to decrease nosocomial infection rates in NICUs.The process included a comprehensive literature review, internal practice analyses, benchmark studies, and development of practical experience through rapid-cycle changes, subsequent analysis, and feedback. This process led to 3 summary statements on potentially better practices in handwashing, approach to nosocomial sepsis evaluations, and central venous catheter management.These statements provide a basis for an evidence-based approach to lowering neonatal intensive care unit nosocomial infection rates.The 2-year process also led to changes in the culture and habits of the institutions involved, which should in turn have long-term effects on other aspects of quality improvement.