Carrie A. Phillipi

Depression drug treatment outcomes in pregnancy and the postpartum period: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative benefits and harms in both mother and child of antidepressant treatment for depression in pregnant or postpartum women. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov (inception to July 2013), manufacturers, and reference lists. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected studies of pregnant women with depression comparing antidepressants with each other, placebo or no treatment, or nondrug treatments. Studies making comparisons among women taking antidepressants for any reason and those not taking antidepressants (depression status unknown) were used to fill gaps in the evidence. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Dual study data extraction and quality assessment were used. Six randomized controlled trials and 15 observational studies provided evidence. Low-strength evidence suggested neonates of pregnant women with depression taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors had higher risk of respiratory distress than did neonates of untreated women (13.9% compared with 7.8%; P<.001) but no difference in risk of neonatal convulsions (0.14% compared with 0.11%; P=.64) or preterm birth (17% compared with 10%; P=.07). Indirect evidence from studies of pregnant women receiving antidepressants for mixed or unreported reasons compared with pregnant women not taking antidepressants (depression status unknown) suggested future research should focus on congenital anomalies and autism spectrum and attention deficit disorders in the child. In postpartum depression, low-strength evidence suggested symptom response was not improved when sertraline was added to psychotherapy or when cognitive–behavioral therapy was added to paroxetine. Evidence was insufficient for other outcomes, including depression symptoms, functional capacity, breastfeeding, and infant and child development. A serious limitation is the lack of study populations of exclusively depressed pregnant and postpartum women. CONCLUSION: Evidence about the comparative benefits and harms of pharmacologic treatment of depression in pregnant and postpartum women was largely inadequate to allow informed decisions about treatment. Considering the prevalence of depression, filling this gap is essential.

Variation in sepsis evaluation across a national network of nurseries

Variation exists in risk assessment of early onset sepsis that impacts the level of medical intervention and frequency of mother-infant separation among well-appearing term newborns. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The extent to which clinicians use currently available guidelines for early-onset sepsis (EOS) screening has not been described. The Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns network represents 97 nurseries in 34 states across the United States. The objective of this study was to describe EOS risk management strategies across a national sample of newborn nurseries. METHODS: A Web-based survey was sent to each Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns network nursery site representative. Nineteen questions addressed specific practices for assessing and managing well-appearing term newborns identified at risk for EOS. RESULTS: Responses were received from 81 (83%) of 97 nurseries located in 33 states. Obstetric diagnosis of chorioamnionitis was the most common factor used to identify risk for EOS (79 of 81). Among well-appearing term infants with concern for maternal chorioamnionitis, 51 of 79 sites used American Academy of Pediatrics or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to inform clinical care; 11 used a published sepsis risk calculator; and 2 used clinical observation alone. Complete blood cell count (94.8%) and C-reactive protein (36.4%) were the most common laboratory tests obtained and influenced duration of empirical antibiotics at 13% of the sites. Some degree of mother–infant separation was required for EOS evaluation at 95% of centers, and separation for the entire duration of antibiotic therapy was required in 40% of the sites. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variation exists in newborn EOS risk assessment, affecting the definition of risk, the level of medical intervention, and ultimately mother–infant separation. Identification of the optimal approach to EOS risk assessment and standardized implementation of such an approach could affect care of a large proportion of newborns.

Pacifier Restriction and Exclusive Breastfeeding

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that removing pacifiers from routine distribution in our mother-baby unit (MBU) would be associated with greater breastfeeding initiation or exclusivity during the birth hospitalization. METHODS: We retrospectively compared exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding plus supplemental formula feeding, and exclusive formula feeding rates for 2249 infants admitted to the MBU at our university teaching hospital during the 5 months before and 8 months after restriction of routine pacifier distribution. Formula supplementation, if not medically indicated, was discouraged per standard practice, but access to formula was not restricted. RESULTS: Of the 2249 infants, 79% were exclusively breastfed from July through November 2010, when pacifiers were routinely distributed. During the 8-month period after pacifier restriction, this proportion decreased significantly to 68% (P < .001). A corresponding increase from 18% to 28% was observed in the number of breastfed infants receiving supplemental formula feeds in the same period (P < .001). During the study period, the proportion of exclusively formula-fed infants increased from 1.8% to 3.4% (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Restricting pacifier distribution during the newborn hospitalization without also restricting access to formula was associated with decreased exclusive breastfeeding, increased supplemental formula feeding, and increased exclusive formula feeding. Because high-quality, prospective medical literature addressing pacifier use and breastfeeding does not conclusively show an adverse relationship in women who are motivated to breastfeed, more studies are needed to help determine what effect, if any, pacifiers have on breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity in the immediate newborn period.

Are Pediatricians Complicit in Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive a single dose of intramuscular vitamin K to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding. How should the clinician respond when parents decline vitamin K? Although vitamin K deficiency bleeding can have devastating sequelae, they are uncommon; therefore, parents are generally allowed to decline vitamin K after counseling is provided. When parents ask for a vitamin K preparation of unproven effectiveness, should the clinician honor that request? To address these questions, we present a case of a healthy newborn whose parents declined intramuscular vitamin K and requested an oral preparation. Two general pediatricians discuss the medical and ethical issues these situations pose, and the parents describe their experience.

Potential—and Potential Pitfalls—of Screening Newborns for Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Before discharge from a newborn nursery, most US infants undergo screening for a diverse list of medical conditions. This article considers the issues around screening newborns for congenital heart disease.

Care of the Well Newborn

The birth of an infant is one of the most memorable experiences a family shares. Pediatric health care professionals are privileged to participate in this experience and recognize it as a time to promote the health of the newborn and family. Ideally, a well-designed care system would be replete with comprehensive supports during the prenatal period, birth, and transition to home. Opportunities exist to improve the care we deliver with universal screening of all pregnant women; coordinated assessments of family health, including mental health; and access to coordinated supports and services for mother and infant. If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, it is estimated the United States would save billions of dollars per year and prevent more than 900 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants. All infants, whether breastfed or formula fed, should receive 400 IU supplemental vitamin D. Influenza and TdaP vaccination of postpartum mothers and other caregivers helps cocoon the vulnerable infant from influenza and pertussis until he or she can be fully vaccinated. When children reach the highest weight or length allowed by the manufacturer of their infant-only seat, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible seat. It is best for children to ride rear-facing as long as possible to the highest weight and height allowed by the manufacturer of their convertible seat.

Using a Wellness Program to Promote a Culture of Breastfeeding in the Workplace Oregon Health & Science University’s Experience

In the United States, many women stop breastfeeding within the first month that they return to work. Working mothers experience challenges in maintaining milk supply and finding the time and space to express breast milk or feed their babies in workplace settings. Changing attitudes and culture within the workplace may be accomplished in conjunction with ensuring compliance with state and federal laws regarding breastfeeding to improve breastfeeding rates after return to work. Employee wellness programs can be 1 avenue to promote breastfeeding and human milk donation as healthy behaviors.

Resident Notes in an Electronic Health Record: A Mixed-Methods Study Using a Standardized Intervention With Qualitative Analysis.

Adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has forced a transition in medical documentation, yet little is known about clinician documentation in the EHR. This study compares electronic inpatient progress notes written by residents pre- and post introduction of standardized note templates and investigates resident perceptions of EHR documentation. A total of 454 resident progress notes pre– and 610 notes post–template introduction were identified. Note length was 263 characters shorter (P = .004) and mean end time was 73 minutes later (P < .0001) with new template implementation. In subanalysis of 100 notes, the assessment and plan section was 46 words shorter with the new template (P < .01). Among survey respondents, 89% liked the new note templates, 78% stated the new templates facilitated note completion. The resident focus group revealed ambivalence toward the EHR’s contribution to note writing. Note templates resulted in shorter notes. Residents appreciate electronic note templates but are unsure if the EHR supports note writing overall.

Factors Associated With Refusal of Intramuscular Vitamin K in Normal Newborns

The frequency of IM vitamin K administration refusal in a national network of well newborn units in the United States was 0.6%. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Refusal of intramuscular (IM) vitamin K administration by parents is an emerging problem. Our objective was to assess the frequency of and factors associated with refusal of IM vitamin K administration in well newborns in the United States. METHODS: We determined the number of newborns admitted to well newborn units whose parents refused IM vitamin K administration in the Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns network and, in a nested patient-control study, identified factors associated with refusal of IM vitamin K administration by using a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 102 878 newborns from 35 Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns sites, parents of 638 (0.6%) refused IM vitamin K administration. Frequency of refusal at individual sites varied from 0% to 2.3%. Exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1–5.5), non-Hispanic white race and/or ethnicity (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.4), female sex (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.3), gestational age (aOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4), and mother’s age (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.08) were significantly associated with refusal of IM vitamin K administration. Refusal of the administration of both ocular prophylaxis and hepatitis B vaccine was also strongly associated with refusal of IM vitamin K administration (aOR = 88.7; 95% CI: 50.4–151.9). CONCLUSIONS: Refusal of IM vitamin K by parents of newborns is a significant problem. Interventions to minimize risks to these newborns are needed.

Implementation of the sepsis risk score for chorioamnionitis-exposed newborns

Background:To prevent early onset sepsis (EOS), ~10% of neonates receive antibiotics based on CDC recommendations regarding chorioamnionitis exposure. A sepsis risk score (SRS) predicts EOS and spares unnecessary evaluation and treatment.Local problem:Chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates utilize significant resources.Methods:An SRS algorithm was implemented to decrease resource utilization in chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates ≥35 weeks’. Outcome measures included antibiotic exposure, time in NICU, laboratory evaluations, and length of stay (LOS). Balancing measures were missed cases of EOS and readmissions. Data were assessed using run charts.Interventions:Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were utilized to process map, implement and reinforce the algorithm.Results:A number of 356 patients met inclusion criteria. After algorithm implementation, antibiotic exposure reduced from 95 to 9%, laboratory evaluation from 96 to 22%, NICU observation from 73 to 10%. LOS remained unchanged. No missed cases of EOS, nor sepsis readmissions.Conclusions:Algorithm implementation decreased antibiotic and resource utilization without missing cases of EOS.