{"title":"Overuse of reflux medications in Neonates.","authors":"Kevin Ratnasamy, Shikib Mostamand","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The diagnosis, management and differentiating of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and pathologic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants remains a clinical challenge. There is significant clinical and economic burden attributed to GERD in the NICU leading to longer length of stays, higher financial costs, and overuse of medications.</p><p><strong>Current clinical practice: </strong>Current guidelines promote reduced reliance on acid suppression medication with shorter empiric trials (4 to 8 weeks) for the treatment of GERD, not attributing respiratory or laryngeal symptoms to GER due to a lack of diagnostic evidence, and a recommendation for trial of hydrolyzed formula before initiation of acid suppression. Few studies are demonstrating overall decrease use in all classes of medication for GERD, however, use of medications in infants remains high.</p><p><strong>Diagnostic challenges and drivers of overuse: </strong>Diagnostic challenges remain in pediatrics including interchangeable use of GER and GERD amongst clinicians, non-specific symptoms attributed to GERD, and lack of gold-standard diagnostic testing. Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (pH/MII) probes allow for an objective assessment of reflux episodes, reflux content, acidity, distance of reflux column or bolus direction, and symptom correlation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>For any infant with a suspicion of GERD, priority should be made to take a thoughtful and complete history and physical exam, review of growth charts, and not only reviewing charted intake and output but observing feeding and episodes of reflux. A stepwise approach emphasizing non-pharmacological care, shared decision-making, and institutional-level stewardship remains essential to providing high-value care.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275634","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}
Ellen M Murrin, Scott A Sullivan, George Larry Maxwell, Antonio F Saad
{"title":"Transformative trials in cesarean delivery: Antibiotic prophylaxis, tranexamic acid, and uterine closure.","authors":"Ellen M Murrin, Scott A Sullivan, George Larry Maxwell, Antonio F Saad","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cesarean delivery (CD), performed in nearly one in three U.S. births, is the most common surgical procedure. As utilization has increased, advances in surgical technique and perioperative management, guided by landmark trials, have refined the procedure and improved outcomes. Some of the most significant trials have focused on antibiotic prophylaxis, prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, and standardization of surgical techniques. For example, pre-incision prophylactic cefazolin has reduced the risk of postoperative infectious morbidity up to 60% compared to administration at the time of cord clamping. Additionally, the introduction of TXA to the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage has been shown to reduce maternal mortality related to hemorrhage. Future research should prioritize continuing reduction of maternal morbidity as CD still incurs increased risk of infectious and bleeding morbidity. Another important focus in the era of increased CD rates is research into the optimal closure of the hysterotomy. Identification of patients at risk of uterine rupture in future pregnancies can improve the safety of trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC); further investigation into how hysterotomy closure may contribute to the development of placenta accreta spectrum can significantly decrease maternal morbidity from an increasingly common and life-threatening placental disorder.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152145"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275692","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":"The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in the Neonate.","authors":"Maheen Hassan, Hayat Mousa","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152161","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152161"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258914","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}
Leeann Pavlek, Debra Armbruster, Cecilie Halling, Kaitlyn Hipp, Maria Jebbia, Susan Lopata, Matthew Rysavy, Rebecca Saliga, Sheria Wilson, Claire Beaullieu
{"title":"Transforming preterm care: The power of small baby guidelines in enhancing outcomes.","authors":"Leeann Pavlek, Debra Armbruster, Cecilie Halling, Kaitlyn Hipp, Maria Jebbia, Susan Lopata, Matthew Rysavy, Rebecca Saliga, Sheria Wilson, Claire Beaullieu","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As survival rates of extremely preterm (EPT) infants continue to improve, focus has shifted to reduce morbidity and complications in these vulnerable patients. Management of EPT infants presents significant clinical, logistical, and sometimes ethical challenges. Outcomes across centers are highly variable and strongly influenced by the care provided in the early neonatal period. Standardized guidelines, based on published literature and center-specific experiences, play an important role in improving outcomes for EPT infants. Multidisciplinary guidelines provide a framework for clinical management and support a consistent care approach. Guidelines can improve care throughout the entire neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) course, beginning prior to delivery during antenatal counseling, delivery room management, golden hour, and throughout the NICU stay as infants' needs evolve based on physiologic changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152155"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252657","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":"Medical and surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in the neonate.","authors":"Suzanna Hirsch","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in neonates, and a wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to reflux in this age group, including regurgitation, fussiness, and respiratory symptoms. Though the natural history of GERD is one of resolution in most infants, treatment may be needed when symptoms are particularly bothersome or associated with concerning medical complications. An array of management options exists for neonatal GERD, including both medical and surgical treatments. The goal of this review is to present an overview of nonpharmacologic, pharmacologic, and surgical GERD treatments and to review the available evidence on these treatments with a focus on research completed in the neonatal population.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152159"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207500","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}
Joanna Parga-Belinkie, Benjamin Courchia, Daphna Yasova Barbeau
{"title":"Using media to transform education and public health messaging in the neonatal intensive care unit.","authors":"Joanna Parga-Belinkie, Benjamin Courchia, Daphna Yasova Barbeau","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this era of rapid digital transformation, media has become an essential tool for education, communication, collaboration, and advocacy in neonatal-perinatal care. This article explores the evolving media ecosystem within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), highlighting how healthcare professionals are using traditional media, video content, blogs, podcasts, and social media to connect with one another, share the latest research, educate peers and families, improve clinical practice, and amplify public health messaging. Drawing on diverse examples and expert commentary, the authors argue that strategic engagement in media enhances family-centered care, bridges the gap between research and bedside application, and fosters a connected, informed, and empowered neonatal community. The article presents a framework for assessing media engagement and invites clinicians to consider how media integration can shape their professional identity and expand their impact beyond their units.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182246","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":"Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and neonatal gastroesophageal reflux: Association, causation, or neither?","authors":"Erik A Jensen","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is among the most common and serious complications of prematurity. The pathobiology of BPD and BPD associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (BPD-PH) is multifactorial and not yet fully defined. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a physiologic process that occurs in most preterm infants and is typically benign, has been proposed as a potential contributor to the development or worsening of BPD and BPD-PH. Infants who develop BPD compared to those who do not are more frequently diagnosed with symptomatic GER and undergo therapeutic interventions to treat GER. However, current evidence does not support a direct causal relationship between GER and the onset or progression of BPD or BPD-PH in preterm infants. While GER may contribute to respiratory morbidity in individual cases, population-level data do not implicate it as a major driver of BPD pathogenesis. Moreover, the limited available data from clinical trials and observational studies does not consistently demonstrate improved outcomes in patients with BPD who are treated for GER. This narrative review summarizes the current literature evaluating the relationship between GER, BPD, and BPD-PH.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178282","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":"Adjunctive technologies to electronic fetal monitoring: Promise, pitfalls, and lessons learned.","authors":"Rebecca Horgan, George Saade","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite widespread use, electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) has not demonstrably reduced perinatal morbidity or mortality, and likely contributed to the rise in cesarean delivery. To improve its utility, a number of adjunctive approaches have been introduced over the past three decades, including fetal pulse oximetry, ST segment analysis (STAN), and maternal oxygen supplementation. Each intervention was supported by strong physiologic rationale, yet none achieved widespread clinical adoption due to inconsistent evidence of benefit and, in some cases, potential harm. This review critically evaluates landmark studies on EFM adjuncts, highlights the limitations that have impeded progress, and outlines emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence and multimodal surveillance. The persistent challenges in intrapartum fetal assessment underscore the need for high-quality evidence, rigorous implementation strategies, and a patient-centered reframing of EFM goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152157"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145178341","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}
Catherine Demers, Thuy Mai Luu, Stephanie Glegg, Jehier Afifi, Rebecca Pearce, Émilie Thivierge, Annie Janvier
{"title":"Measuring family-important outcomes in large neonatal networks: where we are and where we need to go.","authors":"Catherine Demers, Thuy Mai Luu, Stephanie Glegg, Jehier Afifi, Rebecca Pearce, Émilie Thivierge, Annie Janvier","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neonatal follow-up programs are critical in monitoring the long-term outcomes of infants born preterm. The current focus is on neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). However, such deficit-based outcomes often exclude parental perspectives, failing to capture what matters the most to families: function and quality of life over diagnoses. This paper explores the integration of new family-important outcomes (FIO) measures into neonatal follow-up using patient-reported outcome measures. FIO measures are patient-completed questionnaires that assess a range of health outcomes such as health status, functional ability, and quality of life. We discuss the importance and ethical imperative of integrating FIO measures into neonatal follow-up programs to better align care with family priorities and challenges in bringing practice changes. We propose using an implementation science approach to successfully embed FIO measures into practice and research, enhancing the relevance, equity, and quality of neonatal follow-up care.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152149"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150782","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}
Eugenia K Pallotto, Michelle-Marie Peña, C Briana Bertoni, Beverly S Brozanski, Laurel B Moyer, Anthony Piazza
{"title":"Quality improvement collaboratives: A neonatal perspective.","authors":"Eugenia K Pallotto, Michelle-Marie Peña, C Briana Bertoni, Beverly S Brozanski, Laurel B Moyer, Anthony Piazza","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Quality improvement collaborative (QIC) networks have been instrumental in improving care and outcomes across various populations, demonstrating a consistent track record of success, particularly within neonatal intensive care units on both national and international levels. Successful networks require many structural factors to be in place at both the collaborative and local level. Engagement and investment in QICs promote equitable care by decreasing variation and driving practice improvements. This review provides an overview of the historical context and a successful methodology in neonatology.</p>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":" ","pages":"152152"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150810","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}