Comparison of UVC with PICC Line for Reducing Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections in Preterm Neonates with Birth Weight < 1250g: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) with the use of umbilical venous catheters (UVC) or peripherally inserted central cathethers (PICC) as primary vascular access in preterm neonates.

Method: This was an open-label, two parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial which included hospitalized neonates with birth weight <1250g who required a central venous access on day 1 of life. The neonates were randomized to either UVC or PICC groups and evaluated for the incidence of CLABSI.

Safety of bubble nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) versus bubble nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preterm infants with respiratory distress.

Objective: Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is an effective therapy for infants in respiratory distress. We here report the safety of a novel, low-cost, non-electric bubble NIPPV device in comparison with bubble NCPAP.

Study Design: At Paramitha Children's Hospital (Hyderabad, India), preterm (n = 60) neonates with moderate respiratory distress were pragmatically allocated to bubble NCPAP (5-8 cm HO) or bubble NIPPV (P 8-12 cm HO/P 5-8 cm HO) based on staff and equipment availability.

Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound in determining invasive ventilation needs in neonates on non-invasive ventilation: An observational study from a tertiary NICU in India.

Effective management of neonatal respiratory distress requires timely recognition of when to transition from non-invasive to invasive ventilation. Although the lung ultrasound score (LUS) is useful in evaluating disease severity and predicting the need for surfactants, its efficacy in identifying neonates requiring invasive ventilation has only been explored in a few studies. This study aims to assess the accuracy of LUS in determining the need for invasive ventilation in neonates on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support.

Trends in long term growth outcome: comparison of two birth cohorts (year 2007-08 and year 2015-16).

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants comprise between 4% and 8% of live-births and about one-third of deaths during the neonatal period. The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the long-term growth outcomes of VLBW infants among two different birth cohorts: Cohort 2007-08 (cohort 1) and cohort 2015-16 (cohort 2), in a cross-sectional observational study. The neonatal and perinatal data of cohort 1 was collected from available trial data and the same data from cohort 2 was collected from patient case files and patient history.

A Survey of Less Invasive Surfactant Administration Usage in India.

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has evolved as an alternative method for surfactant administration. An anonymous web-based survey of 22 questions was designed and sent to 127 neonatologists in India. Seventy-seven (61%) responses were returned from 22 states across India.

Comparison of STOPS and SNAPPE-II in Predicting Neonatal Survival at Hospital Discharge: A Prospective, Multicentric, Observational Study.

Objective: To compare SNAPPE-II and STOPS admission severity scores in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a gestational age of ≥ 33 wk.

Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, observational study, the sickness scoring was done on all the neonates at 12 h after admission to the NICUs. The scoring systems were compared by the area under the curve (AUC) on the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.

Care Practices of Indian Pediatricians for the Screening and Diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Pediatricians play a key role in identifying neonates with hip instability or at risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH); however, the clinical practices related to screening and further management in India are unknown. A web-based survey was circulated to members of the National Neonatology Forum of India (NNFI). Of the 231 eligible responses, about 92% were from an urban setup.

Feeding in Preterm Neonates With Antenatal Doppler Abnormalities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we attempted to determine the most appropriate feed initiation and advancement practices in preterm neonates with antenatal Doppler abnormalities.

Methods: We included randomized controlled trials comparing different feed initiation and advancement practices in neonates with antenatal Doppler abnormalities. The databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched on February 25, 2022.

Comparison of Fenton, INTERGROWTH-21, and Population-Based Growth Charts in Predicting Outcomes of Very Preterm Small-for-Gestational-Age Neonates.

Growth chart aids in management by identifying at-risk neonates with abnormal growth. In this retrospective analysis of 1067 neonates of 26-31 wk gestational age, the utility of 3 growth charts (local population-based, Fenton-2013, and INTERGROWTH-21) was studied in identifying very preterm neonates at risk of developing complications secondary to intrauterine growth retardation (hypoglycemia, mortality, and BPD at 36 wk). The proportion of neonates classified as small for gestational age was 9% (n = 96) with Fernandez chart, 16.

Comparison of CRIB-II with SNAPPE-II for predicting survival and morbidities before hospital discharge in neonates with gestation ≤ 32 weeks: a prospective multicentric observational study.

Unlabelled: Various studies validated and compared Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology with Perinatal extension-II (SNAPPE-II) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies-II (CRIB-II) admission sickness severity scores for predicting survival, but very few studies compared them for predicting the morbidities in preterm infants. In this multicenter prospective observational study, SNAPPE-II and CRIB-II newborn illness severity scores were compared for predicting mortality and morbidities in infants with gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks. Major morbidities were classified as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, abnormal cranial ultrasound (presence of intraventricular hemorrhage grade III or more or periventricular leukomalacia grade II to IV), and retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment.

Outcomes of Very Preterm Neonates Born by Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART): A Propensity Score Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To compare outcomes of preterm neonates born through assisted reproduction techniques (ART) and non-ART conception.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included very preterm neonates (26 weeks to 31 weeks) admitted to our neonatal unit over a six year period from 2014 to 2019. The primary outcome was composite adverse outcome of mortality or any of the major morbidities i.

RAM cannula with Cannulaide versus Hudson prongs for delivery of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants: an RCT.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is the standard non-invasive respiratory support for newborns with respiratory distress. Nasal injury is a common problem with the interfaces used. To compare the incidence and severity of nasal injury in neonates with respiratory distress and supported on nCPAP with Hudson prong or RAM cannula with Cannulaide, a semipermeable membrane.

Predictors of Mortality in Neonatal Pneumonia: An INCLEN Childhood Pneumonia Study.

Background: Neonatal pneumonia contributes significantly to mortality due to pneumonia in the under-five age group, but the predictors of mortality are largely unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and microbiological characteristics and other risk factors that predict mortality in neonates admitted with pneumonia in tertiary care centres.

Study Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Quantification of gaze reaction time in infants with Pediatric Perimeter.

Purpose: We quantified the eye/head (gaze) reaction time in infants to establish a normative database for the Pediatric Perimeter device. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that gaze reaction time will reduce with age.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Enablers and barriers for enteral feeding with mother`s own milk in preterm very low birth weight infants in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: The management of lactation in preterm mothers is a real challenge for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care, providers. The study aimed to evaluate the enablers and barriers for enteral feeding with mothers` own milk (MOM) in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a tertiary care neonatal unit.

Methods: This prospective observational study took place at a tertiary level NICU of a high-risk obstetric unit in a private hospital.

Propensity-Matched Comparison of Very Preterm Small- and Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Neonates.

Objective: Comparison of mortality and major morbidities between very preterm (< 32 wk gestational age) small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of neonates born between 26-31 wk gestational age from January 2015 to December 2019 was done in level-3 neonatal intensive care unit of a high-risk perinatal center in South India.

Results: Of the 1,178 very preterm neonates born in the study period, 909 were eligible for inclusion.