Extremely Premature Infant Care

A few years ago, the survival rate for babies born at 23 weeks was 10 percent.  Thanks in large part to research efforts aimed at improving and standardizing care of extremely premature infants, more premature babies at Nationwide Children’s are thriving.  Today, the survival rate at Nationwide Children’s for babies born at 23 weeks is 63 percent. Learn about Nationwide Children’s Small Baby Guidelines.

Faculty Focused on Extremely Premature Infant Care

Basic Science/Translational:

• John Bauer, PhD
• Yusen Liu, PhD

Clinical/Translational Research:

• Leif Nelin, MD
• Edward Shepherd, MD
• Nehal Parikh, DO
• Craig Nankervis, MD
• Jenn Gonya, PhD
• Beth Martin, RN

Latest Findings in Extremely Premature Infant Care Research

Preemies Still Receive Inhaled Nitric Oxide Despite Lack of Supporting Evidence and Standards
This study found that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) practice patterns in preterm infants varied widely among institutions.  Adherence to National Institutes of Health consensus guidelines may decrease variation in iNO use.

Access an abstract of this study: Hospital Variation in Nitric Oxide Use for Premature Infants. Pediatrics. 2012 Mar 12. [Epub ahead of print]

“Small Baby” Guidelines Propose Care of Infants Born Fewer than 27 Weeks Gestation
Investigators examined whether standardizing care of extremely premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit during the first week of life would improve patient outcomes Data demonstrates that the unified approach resulted in a decrease in the length of hospitalization and improved patient outcomes.

Access an abstract of this study:  Implementation of a multidisciplinary guideline-driven approach to the care of the extremely premature infant improved hospital outcomes. Acta Paediatr. 2010 Feb;99(2):188-93.

Comparing Body-Temperature Control Methods in Resuscitation of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Extremely preterm infants are at increased risk of evaporative heat loss and are therefore at higher risk for death caused by hypothermia.  Investigators examined the effects the use of polyethylene bags to help control body temperature had on extremely low birth weight infants compared to traditional temperature control measures.  

Access an abstract of this study:  Use of polyethylene bags in extremely low birth weight infant resuscitation for the prevention of hypothermia. J Reprod Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;55(1-2):9-13.

Current Extremely Premature Infant Care Grants

Multiple Chronic Conditions in VLBW Infants: Epidemiology, NICU Care, and Outcomes, Anonymous (William Gardner)

The Comparative Effectiveness of Laparotomy versus Drain Placement in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants with Necrotizing Enterocolitis, The Ohio State University (Jonathan Slaughter)

The Neonatal Research Network grant, National Institute of Child Health and Development (Leif Nelin, MD)