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ABSTRACT: To develop a set of quality indicators for the neurodevelopmental follow-up care of very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) children.
We reviewed the scientific literature on predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes for VLBW children and the clinical practice guidelines relevant to their care after hospital discharge. An expert panel with members nominated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Vermont Oxford Network, and the California Children's Service was convened. We used a modified Delphi method to evaluate and select the quality-of-care indicators.
The panel recommended a total of 70 indicators in 5 postdischarge follow-up areas: general care; physical health; vision, hearing, speech, and language; developmental and behavioral assessment; and psychosocial issues. Of these, 58 (83%) indicators were in preventive care, 5 (7%) were in acute care, and 7 (10%) were in chronic care.
The quality indicators cover follow-up care for VLBW infants with various medical conditions. Given the elevated rates of long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities and the potential impact of poor health care, this new set of indicators provides an opportunity to assess and monitor the quality of follow-up care with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of care for this high-risk population.
PEDIATRICS 06/2006; 117(6):2080-92. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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Raul A Cortes,
Roberta L Keller,
Tiffany Townsend,
Michael R Harrison,
Diana L Farmer,
Hanmin Lee,
Robert E Piecuch, Carol H Leonard,
Maria Hetherton,
Robin Bisgaard,
Kerilyn K Nobuhara
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ABSTRACT: Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) was developed in an attempt to enhance prenatal lung growth and improve survival in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial in 24 fetuses with severe left CDH (liver herniated into the thorax and low lung-to-head ratio) to compare survival after endoscopic fetal TO vs standard perinatal care (control) and prospectively followed up the 16 survivors (9 control, 7 TO) to compare neurodevelopmental, respiratory, surgical, growth, and nutritional outcomes.
At 1 and 2 years old, subjects underwent evaluation consisting of medical and neurological history and physical, developmental testing, nutritional assessment, oxygen saturation and pulmonary function testing, chest radiograph, and echocardiogram. Growth and developmental measures were corrected for prematurity. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney rank sum test, Fisher's Exact test, and logistic and linear regression.
Infants with TO were significantly more premature at birth (control vs TO, 37.4 +/- 1.0 vs 31.1 +/- 1.7 weeks; P < .01). Growth failure ( z score for weight <2 SDs below mean) was severe in both groups at 1 year of age (control vs TO, 56% vs 86%; P = .31). There was considerable catch-up growth by age 2 years (growth failure: control vs TO, 22% vs 33%; P = .19). There were no differences in other growth parameters. There were also no differences in neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 and 2 years. Supplemental oxygen at hospital discharge was a significant predictor of worse neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 and 2 years old (P = .05 and P = .02, respectively). Hearing loss requiring amplification has been diagnosed in 44% of the group (control vs TO, 44% vs 43%; P = 1.0).
In this group of infants with severe CDH, there were no differences in outcome at 2 years old despite significant prematurity in the TO group. Oxygen supplementation at hospital discharge identified the most vulnerable group with respect to neurodevelopmental outcome, but all infants had significant growth failure, and hearing impairment is a substantial problem in this population. Severe CDH carries significant risk of chronic morbidity.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery 01/2005; 40(1):36-45; discussion 45-6. · 1.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of infants who underwent cardiac surgery and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, and to examine variables that predict death or disability in these patients.
We studied all infants who had congenital heart disease and were supported postoperatively with ECMO from 1990 to 2001 at our institution (n = 53). Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to obtain clinical variables. Neurologic and age-appropriate developmental examinations occurred at ages 1, 1.5, 2.5, and 4.5 years. Median age at follow-up was 55 months (9-101). Cognitive outcome was defined as suspect when scores were between 1 and 2 SD below the mean for age and abnormal when scores were >2 SD below mean for age. Neuromotor outcome was defined as suspect when the patient manifested clumsiness, tremor, or mild tone and reflex changes without functional limitations, and abnormal when there were functional limitations.
In-hospital survival was 17 (32%) of 53. Of survivors, 14 (88%) of 16 are living and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Of the 53 patients, 7 survived completely intact (13%). Seven (50%) of 14 patients had a normal cognitive outcome, 3 (21%) had a suspect cognitive outcome, and 4 (29%) were abnormal. Ten (72%) of 14 patients had a normal neuromotor outcome, 1 (7%) patient had a suspect neuromotor outcome, and 3 (21%) were abnormal. No survivor with an aortic cross-clamp time >40 minutes had a normal cognitive outcome. Nonsurvivors were more likely than survivors to have had cardiac arrest as an indication for ECMO (31% vs 6%), to have had a longer aortic cross-clamp time (mean 73 minutes vs 32 minutes), and to have required continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (78% vs 35%). The age and weight at cannulation, gender, cardiac diagnosis, interval from surgery to ECMO, cardiopulmonary bypass time, diagnosis of sepsis or mediastinitis, and duration of ECMO were not significantly associated with survival.
Although mortality was 68% in infants who had congenital heart disease and were treated with ECMO postoperatively, of those who survive to hospital discharge, 75% have a normal neuromotor outcome and 50% have a normal cognitive outcome. These high rates of mortality and disability suggest that increased attention be paid to neuroprotection in these complex disorders.
PEDIATRICS 06/2003; 111(6 Pt 1):e671-5. · 4.47 Impact Factor
