Association of Atrial Septal Defects and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants

The Journal of Pediatrics November 2018

Access article on PubMed.

Kumar KR, Clark DA, Kim E, Perry JD, Wright K, Thomas SA, Thompson EJ, Greenberg RG, Smith PB, Benjamin DK, Laughon MM, Clark RH, Hornik CP

This study evaluated the association between the presence of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and the odds of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. The presence of an ASD was associated with an increased odds of BPD in this cohort. Future trials should consider ASD as a potentially modifiable risk factor in this vulnerable population.

Predictors of Prolonged Breast Milk Provision to Very Low Birth Weight Infants

The Journal of Pediatrics November 2018

Access article on PubMed.

Romaine A, Clark RH, Davis B, Hendershot K, Kite V, Laughon M, Updike I, Miranda ML, Meier PP, Patel AL, Smith PB, Cotton CM, Benjamin DK Jr, Greenberg RG

This study identified factors associated with prolonged maternal breast milk (BM) provision in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Results suggest that maternal-infant demographic and clinical factors and household neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics were associated with provision of maternal BM at 30 postnatal days to VLBW infants. Identification of these factors allows providers to anticipate mothers’ needs and develop tailored interventions designed to improve rates of prolonged maternal BM provision and infant outcomes.

Association between Furosemide Exposure and Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Hospitalized Infants of Very Low Birth Weight

The Journal of Pediatrics August 2018

Access article on PubMed.

Thompson EJ, Greenberg RG, Kumar K, Laughon M, Smith PB, Clark RH, Crowell A, Shaw L, Harrison L, Scales G, Bell N, Hornik CP

This study evaluated the association between furosemide exposure and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a large, contemporary cohort of hospitalized infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). Furosemide exposure was not associated with increased odds of PDA treatment in hospitalized infants of VLBW. Further studies are needed to characterize the efficacy and safety of furosemide in premature infants.

Association between early echocardiography, therapy for patent ductus arteriosus, and outcomes in very low birth weight infants

Cardiology in the Young November 2017

Access article on PubMed.

Lee JH, Greenberg RG, Quek BH, Clark RH, Laughon MM, Smith PB, Hornik CP

In very low birth weight infants, persistence of a patent ductus arteriosus results in morbidity and mortality. Therapies to close the ductus are effective, but clinical outcomes may depend on the accuracy of diagnosis and the timing of administration. The objective of the present study was to characterise the association between early echocardiography, therapy for patent ductus arteriosus, and outcomes in very low birth weight infants.

Late-onset Sepsis in Extremely Premature Infants: 2000-2011

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal August 2017

Access article on PubMed.

Greenberg RG, Kandefer S, Do BT, Smith PB, Stoll BJ, Walsh MC, Bell EF, Carlo WA, Laptook AR, Sánchez PJ, Shankaran S, Van Meurs KP, Ball MB, Hale EC, Newman NS, Das A, Higgins RD, Cotton CM, for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health

Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is an important cause of death and neurodevelopmental impairment in premature infants. The purpose of this study was to assess overall incidence of LOS, distribution of LOS-causative organisms and center variation in incidence of LOS for extremely premature infants over time.

In-hospital outcomes of premature infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Journal of Perinatology July 2017

Access article on PubMed.

Jackson W, Hornik CP, Messina J, Guglielmo K, Watwe A, Delancy G, Valdez A, MacAuthur T, Peter-Wohl S, Smith PB, Clark R, Laughon MM

This study characterized in-hospital outcomes of premature infants diagnosed with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A majority of infants diagnosed with severe BPD were discharged home by 44 weeks of postmenstrual age. These results may inform discussions with families regarding the expected hospital course of infants diagnosed with severe BPD.

Respiratory Support for Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Dexamethasone

The Journal of Pediatrics • April 2017

Access article on PubMed.

Virkud YV, Hornik CP, Benjamin DK, Laughon MM, Clark RH, Greenberg RG, Smith PB.

To assess how neonatal intensive care units followed the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for use of dexamethasone in preterm infants by evaluating respiratory support at the time of dexamethasone administration. This is an observational study of infants discharged from one of 290 neonatal intensive care units from 2003 to 2010. The cohort included very low birth weight (<1500 g birth weight) infants born at ≤32 weeks gestational age. The main outcome was respiratory support at time of exposure to dexamethasone.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Fluconazole in Premature Infants with Birth Weights Less than 750 Grams

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy • August 2016

Access article on PubMed.

Momper JD, Capparelli EV, Wade KC, Kantak A, Dhanireddy R, Cummings JJ, Nedrelow JH, Hudak ML, Mundakel GT, Natarajan G, Gao J, Laughon M, Smith PB, Benjamin DK Jr.

Fluconazole is an effective agent for prophylaxis of invasive candidiasis in premature infants. The objective of this study was to characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) and dosing requirements of fluconazole in infants with birth weights of <750 g. As part of a randomized clinical trial, infants born at <750 g birth weight received intravenous (i.v.) or oral fluconazole at 6 mg/kg of body weight twice weekly.

Adverse Events After Routine Immunization of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

JAMA Pediatrics August 2016

Access article on PubMed.

DeMeo SD, Raman SR, Hornik CP, Wilson CC, Clark R, Smith PB
Immunization of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with adverse events including fever and apnea/bradycardia in the immediate post-immunization period. This presents a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians, leading to the potential for immunization delay and sepsis evaluations. The goal of this study is to compare the incidence of sepsis evaluations, need for increased respiratory support, intubation, seizures, and death among immunized ELBW infants in the 3 days pre- and post-immunization.

Safety of histamine-2 receptor blockers in hospitalized VLBW infants

Early Human Development • August 2016

Access article on PubMed.

Romaine A, Ye D, Ao Z, Fang F, Johnson O, Blake T, Benjamin DK Jr, Cotten CM, Testoni D, Clark RH, Chu VH, Smith PB, Hornik CP; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act – Pediatric Trials Network.

Histamine-2 receptor (H2) blockers are often used in very low birth weight infants despite lack of population specific efficacy and safety data. We sought to describe safety and temporal trends in histamine-2 receptor (H2) blocker use in hospitalized very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.