Cherise Brackett, Stephanie Diggs, Lisa Letzkus, Angela Gummadi, Colm P Travers, Rachel Benz, Zachary Vesoulis, Amanda Duncan, Rakesh Sahni, N Ambalavanan, Karen Fairchild, Pavel Chernyavskiy, Brynne Sullivan
{"title":"Maternal neighborhood deprivation and its association with early childhood neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely preterm infants.","authors":"Cherise Brackett, Stephanie Diggs, Lisa Letzkus, Angela Gummadi, Colm P Travers, Rachel Benz, Zachary Vesoulis, Amanda Duncan, Rakesh Sahni, N Ambalavanan, Karen Fairchild, Pavel Chernyavskiy, Brynne Sullivan","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02898-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41372-026-02898-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluate whether maternal Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at age 2 in extremely preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Retrospective cohort study of infants <29 weeks' gestation at four NICUs spanning multiple US regions. We analyzed the relationship between ADI and NDI, defined as no/mild, moderate, or severe based on the lowest component score on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development exam, using a Bayesian ordinal cumulative logit hurdle model. Adjustments included sex, birthweight, maternal race/ethnicity, outborn, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and late-onset sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1278 infants studied, 275 underwent a Bayley exam. Lower birthweight, male sex, and inborn status were associated with undergoing a Bayley exam. Higher ADI, lower birthweight, male sex, and late-onset sepsis were linked to more severe NDI. ADI was independently associated with NDI risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Maternal deprivation measured by ADI was associated with NDI risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuval Dadon, Francis B. Mimouni, Iris Arad, Joseph Mendlovic
{"title":"Magnesium therapy in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: a scoping review","authors":"Yuval Dadon, Francis B. Mimouni, Iris Arad, Joseph Mendlovic","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02893-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41372-026-02893-6","url":null,"abstract":"To map evidence on magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) therapy for PPHN, focusing on efficacy, safety, mechanisms, and knowledge gaps. Scoping review following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, and CENTRAL were searched without date restrictions. Thirteen publications were included: 11 primary clinical reports, including three randomized trials, and two evidence syntheses. The primary reports included 253 neonates but differed in populations, severity, comparators, and outcomes. Intravenous MgSO₄ usually comprised a 200 mg/kg loading dose followed by continuous infusion. Small, mostly uncontrolled studies reported improved oxygenation but could not establish efficacy. Comparative studies showed slower or less consistent responses than inhaled nitric oxide or sildenafil. Adverse effects included hypotension, bradycardia, and increased inotropic requirements; long-term safety data were limited. Evidence remains insufficient to support routine MgSO₄ use for PPHN.","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":"46 10","pages":"1894-1901"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicole Stephenson, Susan K Lynch, Lane F Donnelly, William Stoudemire
{"title":"Creation & implementation of discharge guidelines for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.","authors":"Nicole Stephenson, Susan K Lynch, Lane F Donnelly, William Stoudemire","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02725-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02725-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Complex patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are managed by neonatologists during the hospitalization, then care shifts to outpatient specialists, including pediatric pulmonologists, following discharge. During this transition, variable care among the medical team can lead to inconsistent care and adverse outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Through the development of BPD Discharge Guidelines and a \"SAFER\" Discharge Score, this project introduced a comprehensive approach to discharge planning in order to standardize care, ensure a smooth transition home, and improve the reliability of discharge planning. The \"SAFER\" Discharge Score consists of five criteria: pulmonology consultation during the admission (S - See patient), provision of an action plan with emergency contact information (A - Action Plan), scheduling of pulmonology follow up prior to discharge (F - Follow Up), caregiver education for oxygen equipment (E - Education), and a repeat chest radiograph prior to discharge (R - Radiograph).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our statistical analysis showed a significant process change, with an improvement in the mean discharge score from 3.0 to 3.9 from January 2021 to December 2022. We also observed a reduction in time to outpatient pulmonology follow up, decreasing from an average of 42.7 days following NICU discharge to 25.1 days (post-intervention).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study demonstrates that a standardized discharge framework can improve consistency and reliability of discharge planning for infants with BPD requiring respiratory support.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148891916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natalie Bishara, Timothy M Bahr, Anne Woodbury, Robert D Christensen, Robin K Ohls
{"title":"Assessment of iron sufficiency in premature infants treated with darbepoetin using conventional and novel erythrocyte metrics.","authors":"Natalie Bishara, Timothy M Bahr, Anne Woodbury, Robert D Christensen, Robin K Ohls","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02889-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02889-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Randomized trials demonstrate that administering darbepoetin to extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates increases hematocrits and reduces or eliminates transfusions. However, further studies are needed regarding maintaining adequate iron during darbepoetin therapy.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>We analyzed datasets from the Neonatal Research Network Darbe Trial and Intermountain Health to assess iron sufficiency during darbepoetin treatment. We tracked traditional markers of erythropoiesis (reticulocytes and RET-He), and novel markers of iron-limited erythropoiesis (Micro-R and HYPO-He).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the placebo recipients, RET-He fell over the first week (33.6 ± 0.5 pg to 27.4 ± 0.2 pg, p < 0.001). Darbepoetin recipients fell further (p < 0.0001). We identified a reciprocal relationship between rising reticulocytes and falling RET-He. The majority (83%) of darbepoetin recipients with a RET-He <25 pg had Micro-R and HYPO-He measurements indicating iron-sufficiency.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Traditional and novel red cell markers together may better inform iron sufficiency during accelerated erythropoiesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148887784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bailey B Zeiler, Timothy M Bahr, Kelly Doyle, Erick Henry, Lindsey C Carlson, Patricia Davenport, Martha C Sola-Visner, Robin K Ohls, Robert D Christensen
{"title":"Redefining neonatal thrombocytopenia: an evidence-based approach, improved by the refineR algorithm.","authors":"Bailey B Zeiler, Timothy M Bahr, Kelly Doyle, Erick Henry, Lindsey C Carlson, Patricia Davenport, Martha C Sola-Visner, Robin K Ohls, Robert D Christensen","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02888-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02888-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>A common definition of neonatal thrombocytopenia is a platelet count <150,000/µL. The international hematologic consensus designation of cytopenia is a blood count <2.5th percentile lower reference interval for an appropriate comparison population. We hypothesized that a new reference interval modeling algorithm, refineR, would generate more accurate platelet reference intervals and, therefore, more accurate and evidence-based definitions of neonatal thrombocytopenia.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>We utilized refineR to analyze platelet counts from large clinical databases to generate new neonatal platelet reference intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>With 155,062 neonatal platelet counts, we created reference intervals for the day of birth and over the first 30 days. These included a lower (2.5th percentile) reference interval at birth for neonates ≥34 weeks of 119,600 platelets/µL (95% CI, 117,700 to 135,300/µL) and for neonates <34 weeks of 103,000 platelets/µL (98,700 to 105,600).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Platelet counts of neonates at birth in the range of 120,000-150,000/µL are normal.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148864924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Observed pre-intervention and non-intervention ventricular growth trajectories in neonates with severe intraventricular hemorrhage and post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation.","authors":"Garrett Gianneschi, Michael Lance Christian, Hira Arif, Navina Magesh Kumar, Onajovwe Fofah","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02887-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02887-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilation (PHVD) after severe intraventricular hemorrhage (SIVH) remains incompletely characterized.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To quantify ventricular expansion after SIVH and explore associations with bilateral hemorrhage burden and mortality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively reviewed 43 neonates with SIVH-associated PHVD cared for in a single NICU from 2010 to 2025. Serial cranial ultrasounds were measured for ventricular index (VI) and anterior horn width (AHW). Post-intervention measurements were censored. An exploratory bilateral hemorrhage-burden score summed maximum right and left IVH grades.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>VI and AHW increased significantly with PMA, each at 0.105 mm/day. High composite IVH score (7-8) was associated with faster VI and AHW expansion than low score (3-6), and with higher mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ventricular enlargement progressed approximately linearly during observed pre-intervention/non-intervention follow-up. Bilateral hemorrhage-burden scoring may improve risk stratification, but findings are exploratory.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas Hegyi, Natasha Cordero, Amrryn Halari, Anna Petrova
{"title":"Bilirubin kinetics in preterm infants","authors":"Thomas Hegyi, Natasha Cordero, Amrryn Halari, Anna Petrova","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02886-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41372-026-02886-5","url":null,"abstract":"Preterm infants are vulnerable to bilirubin neurotoxicity. We evaluated whether time-stratified transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and kinetic indices improve the prediction of the risk of phototherapy and escalation. In a cohort of preterm infants, only pre-phototherapy TcB values were analyzed. TcB values were grouped by postnatal age (≤24 h, 25–48 h, 49–72 h, ≥73 h), and sequential measurements were used to calculate bilirubin increase rates (RBIa, RBIb) and absolute percent change (APC%). Infants requiring phototherapy had higher TcB levels within 72 h, particularly at ≤24 h and 25–48 h. Independent predictors included TcB (OR 2.11), gestational age (OR 0.37), and postnatal age (OR 0.30; AUC 0.827). Treated infants showed faster bilirubin accumulation, and early RBIa correlated with peak TcB (r = 0.334). APC% independently predicted proximity to the escalation threshold. Time-standardized TcB measurements and dynamic kinetic indices may facilitate earlier identification of preterm infants at increased risk for phototherapy and warrant prospective validation.","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":"46 9","pages":"1747-1753"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-026-02886-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rita Dadiz, Louis P Halamek, Julie E Riccio, Daniel Chiou, Michelle Olech Smith, Len Y Tanaka, Debra L Weiner, Theodora A Stavroudis
{"title":"Analysis of neonatal resuscitation debriefings: mixed-methods results from a multicenter pilot study.","authors":"Rita Dadiz, Louis P Halamek, Julie E Riccio, Daniel Chiou, Michelle Olech Smith, Len Y Tanaka, Debra L Weiner, Theodora A Stavroudis","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02874-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-026-02874-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and action plans discussed during clinical event debriefing (CED) following neonatal resuscitation and the feasibility of conducting CED with a standardized framework.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>In a multicenter mixed-methods pilot study, teams conducted CED from December 2022 to February 2023. We used descriptive statistics to analyze CED characteristics and qualitative content analysis to code debriefing points and identify themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Teams conducted 24 CEDs, of which >70% occurred within 1 h of resuscitation and lasted ≤10 min. Teams identified 40 strengths, 44 weaknesses, and 28 action plans in clinical care, communication and teamwork, and equipment and supplies. Most debriefing points focused on behavioral skills rather than technical performance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Behavioral skills were prominent in post-resuscitation CEDs. Standardized implementation of the CED framework and shared data collection across institutions may facilitate targeted training and inform quality improvement strategies in neonatal resuscitation in a national CED program.</p>","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148840555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hyperbilirubinemia in premature infants <35 weeks’ gestation: A chronologic age format for graphing consensus-based recommendations","authors":"Robert L. Stavis, Jack D. Guida","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02855-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41372-026-02855-y","url":null,"abstract":"At the request of the AAP, consensus-based recommendations for managing hyperbilirubinemia in infants < 35 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) were published in 2012. Subsequently, a PMA-based graphical format of these recommendations was popularized as Premie BiliRecs, providing decision support for infants ≥ 27 weeks’ PMA and ≥ 48 h old. Chronologic age-based guidelines based on gestational age (GA) at birth were derived from the consensus-based recommendations and modified with integration of the AAP hyperbilirubinemia guidelines and extension of decision support for a minimum of 14 days. These guidelines were implemented in an electronic medical record. The modified consensus guidelines provide support from birth for all infants < 35 weeks’ GA and address limitations of the current graphical tools. An interactive tool illustrating these guidelines is available at https://bilirubin-guidelines.net . (Contact your institutional IT department if access to the website is blocked). These modified consensus guidelines expand decision support for infants < 35 weeks’ GA with a format harmonized with the AAP graphs.","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":"46 9","pages":"1740-1746"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148818778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha Fisher, Brian Pavilonis, Homero Harari, Nadine Lahage, Arpit Gupta, Daniel Aguilar, Suzanne McDermott
{"title":"Prenatal occupational exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds and birthweight: findings from a pilot study using meconium as a biological matrix","authors":"Samantha Fisher, Brian Pavilonis, Homero Harari, Nadine Lahage, Arpit Gupta, Daniel Aguilar, Suzanne McDermott","doi":"10.1038/s41372-026-02884-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41372-026-02884-7","url":null,"abstract":"To evaluate prenatal exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) using meconium analysis and assess associations with newborn birthweight. We analyzed meconium from 74 mother-infant dyads in two New York City public hospitals for 20 QACs using UPLC-MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified exposure patterns, and logistic regression assessed associations between PCA scores and birthweight at or below the 25th percentile, adjusting for maternal education and other factors. QACs were detected in over 99% of samples; C14-BAC was most prevalent. PCA revealed four components; PC1. represented the cumulative QACs burden. Higher PC1 scores were associated with increased odds of reduced birthweight (adjusted OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.02–1.58). Lower maternal education was also associated with decreased birthweight. Teachers had the highest PC1 scores, suggesting occupational exposure. Prenatal QACs exposure is widespread and may be linked to reduced birthweight. Occupational settings may contribute significantly to exposure, and disinfection practices should be reevaluated.","PeriodicalId":16690,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Perinatology","volume":"46 10","pages":"1874-1880"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148813319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}