Correction: Lack of association between hypothyroxinemia of prematurity and transient thyroid abnormalities with adverse long term neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222018.]

Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy in Singapore General Hospital: Two Patient Case Series and Review of Literature

Neonatal encephalopathy affects 2–5/1000 live births and hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the major cause 1 . Therapeutic hypothermia reduces brain injury and improves the neurodevelopmental outcome. We are sharing our local experience in therapeutic hypothermia in the form of a case series of two patients. Our incidence of moderate to severe HIE is 0.6/1000 live births. Both patients were cooled for 72 hours. The challenges faced were mainly in the time taken for achieving the target temperature and the time needed for re-warming, which varied from one to six hours and 4–24 hours, respectively. Complications like hyponatremia, hypokalemia, sinus bradycardia and thrombocytopenia were noted. Amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) remained abnormal post cooling for both babies. Clinical markers, aEEG and MRI head findings combine to prognosticate well for the neurodevelopmental outcomes. We need to be familiar with the protocol for timely implementation of cooling, whichever the cooling method. Concentrating these high-risk cases in selected tertiary centres capable of instituting cooling as well as long-term follow-up will ensure better outcomes

An Asian multicenter retrospective study on persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: Incidence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome

Objectives: To explore the incidence, etiologies, diagnostic methods, treatment options and outcomes in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and to identify mortality risk factors in a study from six Asian countries.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with documented PPHN from seven centers in six Asian countries (Japan, Kuwait, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand) between 1 January, 2014 and 31 December, 2016, was performed.Results: A total of 369 PPHN infants were identified. The incidence of PPHN ranged from 1.2–4.6 per 1000 live births. The all-cause mortality rate was 20.6% (76 of 369). Meconium aspiration syndrome was the primary cause of PPHN (24.1%). In most cases (84.8%) echocardiography was used to establish the diagnosis of PPHN. Sildenafil was the most commonly used pulmonary vasodilator (51.2%). Multivariate multiple regression analysis indicated gestational age \u3c 34 weeks (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.27; 95% CI 1.56–6.74), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)/lung hypoplasia (LH) (adjusted OR = 6.13 (95% CI 2.28–16.42)), treatment with high frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) with or without inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) (adjusted OR = 3.10 (95% CI 1.52–6.34)), and inotropic agents (adjusted OR = 9.43 (95% CI 2.71–32.83)) were independently associated with increased risk of death.Conclusions: The incidence of PPHN in the current study was higher than in western settings. Birth weight, gestational age, CDH/LH, HFOV/iNO, and inotropic agents were significant mortality risk factors

Singapore Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines 2016

10.11622/smedj.2017066SINGAPORE MEDICAL JOURNAL587391-40

Guidance for the clinical management of infants born to mothers with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Singapore.

10.11622/smedj.2021045SINGAPORE MEDICAL JOURNA

Use of web-based game in neonatal resuscitation - is it effective?

Background: Knowledge and skills decline within months post simulation-based training in neonatal resuscitation. To empower ‘Millennial’ learners to take control of their own learning, a single-player, unguided web-based Neonatal Resuscitation Game was designed. The present study investigates the effectiveness of the game on retention of resuscitation knowledge and skills. Methods: The study evaluated 162 healthcare professionals who attended simulation-based training in neonatal resuscitation. Following standard simulation-based training, participants were assigned to either a gaming group (Gamers) with access to the web-based Neonatal Resuscitation Game or a control group (Controls) with no access to the game. Although Gamers were given access, game utilization was completely voluntary and at will. Some Gamers chose to utilize the web-based game (Players) and others did not (Non-players). Knowledge and skills in neonatal resuscitation were assessed upon completion of training and 6 months post-training using a multiple-choice question test and a manikin-based skills test. Changes in scores were compared statistically between Gamers vs Controls, Players vs Controls, and Players vs Controls + Non-players using two-sample t-tests. Results: At the final assessment, declines in knowledge scores were seen in all groups. Mean change from baseline in knowledge and skill performance scores at 6 months, adjusted for baseline skill performance and MCQ test scores, did not differ significantly between Players vs Controls and Players vs Controls + Non-players. Conclusion: The web-based game in its current format may not be effective in facilitating retention of knowledge and technical skills in neonatal resuscitation.Published versio