Background: Although men have a higher risk of developing a mental disorder during the perinatal period, few studies have focused on new fathers' mental health screening. This study compares anxiety and depression symptoms between fathers with newborn infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and fathers of healthy full-term infants, assessing the impact of stress caused by the NICU.. Methods: A longitudinal and prospective study with control (n=33) and study groups (n=51) was designed. The dependent variables assessed were post-natal depression and anxiety-state while the social and demographic information, health background and the parental stress in the neonatal unit were the independent variables. The fathers were assessed twice during the first month after birth. Results: Significant differences in the EPDS scores were found between both groups in the first assessment (p=.006) but not in the second assessment (p=.60). Significant differences in STAI scores were found between the groups for both assessments (p=.003 and p=.002). The stress caused by the infant's appearance and behavior was predictive of depression and anxiety in the study group. Limitations: The sample was collected at one hospital, immigrants were underrepresented, and no prenatal assessment of paternal mental health is available. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the hospitalization of newborn infants increases the risk of developing anxiety or depression disorder in fathers. Health providers should be aware of the emotional changes in men shortly after childbirth and include them in the screening of and support for mental health disorders.

In very-preterm small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, long-term postnatal growth is confused with extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). We aimed to document EUGR in SGA infants and in non-SGA infants (“true-EUGR”) and its relationship with fetal, maternal, and neonatal etiological factors. Four hundred seventy-nine very-preterm infants (< 32 weeks) born between 2003 and 2014 and attending the follow-up clinic were included. INTERGROWTH-21st preterm postnatal growth standards in conjunction with WHO Child Growth Standards were used to judge the postnatal growth patterns. EUGR was defined as weight < 10th percentile according to the sex at 36–34 weeks postmenstrual age, usually at discharge. Catch-up was evaluated at 2–2.5 years. Low-weight-for-age (wasting), low-length-for-age (stunting), and low-head-circumference-for-age were diagnosed if the z-scores were below − 2 SD. Logistic regression analysis estimated the association between the risk factors and EUGR, according to the SGA status at birth. Overall, EUGR occurred in 51% at 36–34 postmenstrual weeks and 21% at 2–2.5 years. However, among 411 non-SGA infants, “true-EUGR” rates were 43% and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: By 2–2.5 years of age, a “true-EUGR” of 15% can be expected and only the head circumference normalizes in SGA infants. Low birth weight, hyaline membrane disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and male sex were associated with “true-EUGR.”

Multiple pregnancy increases the risk of a range of adverse perinatal outcomes, including breastfeeding failure. However, studies on predictive factors of breastfeeding duration in preterm twin infants have a conflicting result. The purpose of this observational study was to compare feeding practices, at hospital discharge, of twin and singleton very low birth weight infants. The study is part of a prospective survey of a national Spanish cohort of very low birth weight infants (SEN1500) that includes 62 neonatal units. The study population comprised all infants registered in the network from 2002 to 2013. They were grouped into singletons and multiples. The explanatory variables were first analyzed using univariate models; subsequently, significant variables were analyzed simultaneously in a multiple stepwise backward model. During the twelve-year period, 32,770 very low birth weight infants were included in the database, of which 26.957 were discharged alive and included in this analysis. Nine thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight neonates were multiples, and 17,199 were singletons. At discharge, 31% of singleton infants were being exclusively breastfed, 43% were bottle-fed, and 26% were fed a combination of both. In comparison, at discharge, only 24% of multiple infants were exclusively breastfed, 43% were bottle-fed, and 33% were fed a combination of both (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, twin pregnancy had a statistically significant, but small effect, on cessation of breastfeeding before discharge (OR 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19). Risks of early in-hospital breastfeeding cessation were also independently associated with multiple mother-infant stress factors, such as sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis, intubation, and use of inotropes. Instead, antibiotic treatment at delivery, In vitro fertilization and prenatal steroids were associated with a decreased risk for shorter in-hospital breastfeeding duration. Multiple pregnancy, even in the absence of pathological conditions associated to very low birth weight twin infants, may be an impeding factor for in-hospital breastfeeding.

Background There is evidence that delivery room resuscitation of very preterm infants often deviates from internationally recommended guidelines. There were no published data in Spain regarding the quality of neonatal resuscitation. Therefore, we decided to evaluate resuscitation team adherence to neonatal resuscitation guidelines after birth in very preterm infants. Methods We conducted an observational study. We video recorded resuscitations of preterm infants < 32 weeks’ gestational age and evaluated every step during resuscitation according to a score-sheet specifically designed for this purpose, following Carbine’s method, where higher scores indicated that more intense resuscitation maneuvers were required. We divided the score achieved by the total possible points per patient to obtain the percentage of adherence to the algorithm. We also compared resuscitations performed by staff neonatologists to those performed by pediatricians on-call. We compared percentages of adherence to the algorithm with the Chi-square test for large groups and Fisher’s exact test for smaller groups. We compared assigned Apgar scores with those given after analyzing the recordings and described them by their median and interquartile range. We measured the interrater agreement between Apgar scores with Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Linear and logarithmic regressions were drawn to characterize the pattern of algorithm adherence. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.20. A p -value < 0.05 was considered significant. Our Hospital Ethics Committee approved this project, and we obtained parental written consent beforehand. Results Sixteen percent of our resuscitations followed the algorithm. The number of mistakes per resuscitation was low. Global adherence to the algorithm was 80.9%. Ventilation and surfactant administration were performed best, whereas preparation and initial steps were done with worse adherence to the algorithm. Intubation required, on average, 2.2 attempts; success on the first attempt happened in 33.3% of cases. Only 12.5% of intubations were achieved within the allotted 30 s. Many errors were attributable to timing. Resuscitations led by pediatricians on-call were performed as correctly as those by staff neonatologists. Conclusions Resuscitation often deviates from the internationally recognized algorithm. Perfectly performed resuscitations are infrequent, although global adherence to the algorithm is high. Neonatologists and pediatricians need intubation training.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of perinatal inflammation on neurodevelopmental outcome of premature infants. Study design: From a retrospective cohort study of women with preterm labor with intact membranes or preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) with an amniocentesis to rule out intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC), we evaluated neurodevelopmental outcome of their infants born between 24.0 and 34.0 weeks gestation. Women with clinical chorioamnionitis at admission were excluded. Neurodevelopmental outcome was screened with the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)-3. We analyzed the relationship between an altered ASQ-3 and antenatal, intra-partum and post-partum factors related to perinatal inflammation. Result: Among 98 infants evaluated, 22% had an abnormal score. Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 levels and early-onset sepsis (EOS) were independent factors of an altered ASQ-3 with delivery Conclusions: In premature infants, the presence of IAI, delivery <26.0 weeks and EOS were found to be independent factors of an altered ASQ-3.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of anxiety-reducing techniques including music therapy, sophrology, and creative visualization in pregnant women with a fetus diagnosed as small for gestational age and improved fetal and neonatal weight. This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonrandomized clinical trial design. We compared 2 groups of pregnant women with a fetus diagnosed as small for gestational age with no abnormalities on Doppler studies. The control group (n = 93) received standard care, and the intervention group (n = 65), in addition to standard care, underwent a program of 6 sessions led by a midwife or nurse who taught anxiety-reduction techniques. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) including trait and state subscales were completed by both groups at the start of the study, and only the STAI-State subscale was completed again at the end of the study. Comparisons between the 2 groups regarding fetal weight and centile and maternal STAI scores were performed using the t test and the χ test. There were no significant differences in the STAI-Trait scores between the 2 groups. There were statistically significant differences in the intervention group's STAI-State score percentiles between the start and the end of the study, being lower at the end of the study (P < .001). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in fetal weight trajectory on the basis of fetal weight: the intervention group had a larger weight gain (P < .005). The program designed to reduce anxiety in pregnant women was effective at reducing anxiety in the women in the intervention group, leading to a favorable fetal weight trajectory in this group.

Abstract Background: Previous studies comparing the neonatal outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) multiples and singletons have suggested a worse outcome for multiples at gestational ages on the limits of viability. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the neonatal mortality and morbidity of VLBW multiples compared to singletons. Methods: This is a retrospective study including all infants registered in the Spanish network for infants under 1500 g (SEN1500), over a 12-year period (from 2002 to 2013). Mortality and major morbidities were compared between singletons and multiples. Results: About 32,770 infants were included: 21,123 singletons (64.5%) and 11,647 multiples (35.5%), with a mean gestational age of 29.5 weeks (22–38), and mean birth weight of 1115 g (340–1500). When adjusted by other perinatal factors, multiple pregnancy has a significantly higher risk of mortality than singleton pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) 1.15; IC 95% 1.05–1.26, p = .002), but not a higher risk of major morbidity or composite adverse outcome. In the subgroup of infants born before 26 weeks, multiples showed a higher risk of mortality (63.9% versus 51%, OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.47–1.96) and a higher risk of composite adverse outcome (88.9% versus 81.5%, OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.28–2.24). Conclusions: In preterm infants born with less than 1500 g, multiple pregnancy is a prognostic factor that can slightly increase mortality. Extremely preterm infants born before 26 weeks have a greater risk of mortality and major morbidity if they come from a multiple pregnancy.

Objective To compare the degree of anxiety in two groups of women carrying fetuses diagnosed with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR): one group attended exclusively by specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, and the other also attended by a midwife trained in relaxation techniques; and to identify the most prevalent feelings in women on being informed of the diagnosis. Material and Method Multi-method study: quantitative (quasi-experimental design) and qualitative (phenomenological). Participants were pregnant adult women carrying a fetus diagnosed with IUGR, without psychiatric disorders or language difficulties. The control group included women who followed the gestation control protocol in place at the high-risk unit. Women in the experimental group, in addition to standard controls, had three visits with the midwife, during which the midwife explained anxiety control techniques to them in detail. Both groups performed the same test to evaluate anxiety (STAI), at the beginning and at the end of their participation. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the women in the experimental group. Results Women who had contact with the midwife in addition to the standard care had lower scores on the STAI scale (indicating lower anxiety levels) than women who received care only from maternal-fetal medicine specialists. The interviews revealed the most prevalent feelings to be: a) feelings regarding themselves, b) feelings regarding the staff and hospital, and c) feelings regarding coping. Conclusions Offering relaxation techniques to pregnant mothers at risk (with IUGR) reduces their level of anxiety.

Objective: To determine the epidemiology of congenital and acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in preterm infants and to analyze the efficacy of breast milk freezing in decreasing the vertical transmission rate of CMV.Study design: During 2013 and 2014, preterm newborns who weighed <= 1500 g and were admitted to 22 Spanish neonatal units were included and screened for CMV infection according to the Spanish Neonatology Society recommendations. Each hospital treated the breast milk according to its own protocols.Results: Among the 1236 preterm neonates included, 10 had a congenital infection (0.8%) and 49 had an acquired infection (4.0%) (82% demonstrated positive PCR-CMV in breast milk). The neonates who received only frozen milk presented less frequently with acquired infection (1.2%) than those fed fresh milk (5.5%) (RR = 0.22; 95% CI 0.05-0.90; P = 0.017). The newborns who received bank milk followed by frozen or fresh breast milk more frequently had an acquired infection (2.1% or 2.2%, respectively) than those fed only frozen breast milk.Conclusions: The incidence of congenital CMV infection in our sample is low, as described in the literature. To reduce acquired CMV infection, freezing breast milk might be an advisable procedure for preterm neonates born from seropositive mothers, either from the beginning of lactation or after a period of bank milk administration.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether signs of placental underperfusion (PUP), defined as any maternal and/or fetal vascular pathology, confer an increased risk of neonatal morbidity in late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses with normal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler indices.MethodsA cohort of 126 SGA singleton fetuses with normal UA Doppler indices that were delivered after 34 weeks' gestation was studied. For each case, the placenta was evaluated histologically for signs of PUP using a hierarchical and standardized classification system. Neonatal morbidity was assessed according to the score calculated from the morbidity assessment index for newborns (MAIN), a validated outcome scale. The independent association between PUP and neonatal morbidity was evaluated using multivariable median regression analysis.ResultsIn 84 (66.7%) placentae, 97 placental histological findings that qualified as signs of PUP were observed. These PUP cases had a significantly higher incidence of emergency Cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal status (44.1% vs 21.4%, respectively; P=0.013) and neonatal metabolic acidosis at birth (33.3% vs 14.3%, respectively; P=0.023), than did those without PUP. The median MAIN score differed significantly between those with PUP and those without (89 vs 0, respectively; P=0.025). This difference remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders. The proportion of cases with scores indicative of mild to severe morbidity was also significantly higher in the PUP group (31% vs 14.3%, respectively; P=0.043).ConclusionIn late-onset SGA fetuses with normal UA Doppler indices, signs of PUP imply a higher neonatal morbidity. These findings allow the phenotypic profiling of fetal growth restriction among the general population of late-onset SGA. Copyright (c) 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

La atención del trabajo de parto en el agua como alternativa al parto tradicional es una práctica que se ha incrementado en muchos países. Se ha constatado que esta modalidad de parto es un método eficaz para disminuir el dolor y acortar el tiempo de dilatación. La American Academy of Pediatrics y The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists han publicado un informe clínico en el cual señalan los potenciales beneficios maternos durante la primera parte del parto pero ponen en entredicho la realización de esta técnica durante el expulsivo y el nacimiento del recién nacido. En este informe, la Sociedad Española de Neonatología y la Sociedad Española de Obstetricia y Ginecología analizan la evidencia científica disponible en la actualidad sobre la realización del parto bajo agua y el impacto que puede tener esta práctica en la madre y sobre todo en la salud del recién nacido.

The increasing number of preterm babies in recent years has raised interest in studying the consequences of prematurity as a risk factor. In the present paper, 30 preterm babies (at 40 weeks of gestational age (GA)) were assessed using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and the results were compared with those of a control group of 28 full term babies. Moreover, the influence of weight, sex and GA was analyzed considering the Brazelton results in the preterm group.The preterm group showed significantly lower scores than the control group for 9 of the 28 behavioral items in the Scale and for 2 of the 5 clusters. However, preterm babies performed better in habituation to disturbing stimuli (light and sound) during sleep. In relation to the influence of sex, premature girls performed better in the Social-Interactive cluster.The preterm group has lower neurobehavioral conditions than the full term group, probably due to the abrupt interruption of their intrauterine maturation. In contrast, they showed a better ability of habituation, maybe as a consequence of a learning effect due to earlier additional extrauterine exposition.

Aim: This study evaluated the impact of an exclusive human milk diet to nourish extremely low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.Materials and Methods: This multicenter pre-post retrospective study included all inborn infants <1,000 g admitted to four Level IV neonatal intensive care units either before or after implementing a donor human milk policy. The feeding protocol was unchanged in both periods. Collected data included maternal/infant demographics, infant clinical data, and enteral intake as mother's own milk, donor milk, and formula.Results: Two hundred one infants were enrolled. Infant growth and other clinical outcomes were similar in both groups. Exposure to mother's own milk at discharge was not different. Median time in oxygen and duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly higher among formula-fed infants (63 versus 192 hours [p=0.046] and 24 versus 60 hours [p=0.016], respectively).Conclusions: Our results add evidence supporting the safety of donor milk. This study also found an association between exposure to formula in preterm infants and the requirement for respiratory support, a finding that warrants further investigation.

Immersion in water during labour and delivery as an alternative to traditional delivery is a practice that has increased in many countries. This technique is effective in reducing pain and duration of labour. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have published a clinical report which indicates the potential maternal benefits during the first stage of labour but questions the performance of this technique during delivery and birth of the newborn. In this report, the Spanish Society of Neonatology and the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyse the current scientific evidence on water immersion delivery, and the impact this practice could have on the mother and especially on the wellbeing of the newborn. (C) 2014 Asociacion Espanola de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.