Background: Preterm birth is associated with increased stress of parents that might influence the parental-child interaction, thus potentially having influence on the neurobehavioral development of the preterm infants. However, little is known concerning the age dependency of parental stress after preterm birth.Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the age dependency of stress in mothers and fathers after preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission of their infant.Methods: In a prospective observational pilot study 47 mothers and 47 fathers completed the parental stress scale:NICU (PSS:NICU) questionnaire within 72 h after delivery. This questionnaire measures parental stress after preterm birth with three subscales: “Looks and Behave” of the child, “Parental Role Alteration,” and “Sights and Sounds.” Stress levels of mothers and fathers were compared and correlated to the age of mothers and fathers, respectively.Results: Parental stress experience after preterm birth tended to be higher in mothers compared to fathers. Mothers showed a significant positive correlation of the “Sights and Sounds” scale and age, whereas fathers did not show any significant age dependency of stress.Conclusion: In mothers stress level increases with increasing maternal age after preterm birth and admission of their infant to NICU, whereas fathers did not show any significant age dependency of stress.

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We describe a reliable ultrasonographic approach to visualise the AXN and ICBN anteriorly from the conventional ABPB approach as confirmed in this cadaver study.

Background: According to recommendations, non-invasive monitoring during neonatal resuscitation after birth includes heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO 2). Continuous transcutaneous monitoring of carbon dioxide partial pressure (tcpCO 2) may further offer quantitative information on neonatal respiratory status. Objective: We aimed to investigate feasibility of tcpCO 2 measurements in the delivery room during immediate neonatal transition and to compare the course of tcpCO 2 between stable term and preterm infants. Methods: Neonates without need for cardio-respiratory intervention during immediate transition after birth were enrolled in a prospective observational study. In these term and preterm neonates, we measured HR and SpO 2 by pulse oximetry on the right wrist and tcpCO 2 with the sensor applied on the left hemithorax during the first 15 min after birth. Courses of tcpCO 2 were analyzed in term and preterm neonates and groups were compared. Results: Fifty-three term (gestational age: 38.8 ± 0.9 weeks) and 13 preterm neonates (gestational age: 34.1 ± 1.5 weeks) were included. First tcpCO 2 values were achieved in both groups at minute 4 after birth, which reached a stable plateau after the equilibration phase at minute 9. Mean tcpCO 2 values 15 min after birth were 46.2 (95% CI 34.5-57.8) mmHg in term neonates and 48.5 (95%CI 43.0-54.1) mmHg in preterm neonates. Preterm and term infants did not show significant differences in the tcpCO 2 values at any time point. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that tcpCO 2 measurement is feasible during immediate neonatal transition after birth and that tcpCO 2 values were comparable in stable term and preterm neonates.

ObjectivesTo evaluate cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI) during neonatal transition in a group of healthy full-term neonates receiving either a physiological-based approach of deferred cord clamping (CC) after the onset of stable regular breathing (PBCC group) or a standard approach of time-based CC < 1 min (control group). Secondary aim was to evaluate changes in cerebral blood volume (ΔCBV), peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) in those neonates.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02763436) including vaginally delivered healthy full-term neonates. Continuous measurements of cTOI and ΔCBV using near-infrared spectroscopy, and of SpO2 and HR using pulse oximetry were performed within the first 15 min after birth. Data of each minute of the PBCC group were compared to those of the control group.ResultsA total of 71 full-term neonates (PBCC: n = 35, control: n = 36) with a mean (SD) gestational age of 40.0 (1.0) weeks and a birth weight of 3,479 (424) grams were included. Median (IQR) time of CC was 275 (197–345) seconds and 58 (35–86) seconds in the PBCC and control group, respectively (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding cTOI (p = 0.319), ΔCBV (p = 0.814), SpO2 (p = 0.322) and HR (p = 0.878) during the first 15 min after birth.ConclusionThere were no significant differences in the course of cTOI as well as ΔCBV, SpO2 and HR during the first 15 min after birth in a group of healthy full-term neonates, who received either deferred CC after the onset of stable regular breathing or standard CC < 1 min. Thus, deferring CC ≥ 1 min following a physiological-based approach offers no benefits regarding cerebral tissue oxygenation and perfusion after uncomplicated vaginal delivery compared to a time-based CC approach.