Trainees Page Archive

State of the Art in Conventional Mechanical Ventilation

Despite a shift to noninvasive respiratory support, mechanical ventilation remains an essential tool in the care of critically ill neonates. This review examines the special challenges of ventilating the extremvely low birth weight infants that now constitute an increasing proportion of ventilated infants, attempts to provide a simple functional classification of ventilator modes, and addresses the key aspects of synchronized ventilation modes.

Review by Martin Keszler, MD »

Medical Progress: The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

This superb review by Hannah C. Kinney, MD and Bradley T. Thach, MD in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the major advances in our understanding of SIDS. Of great concern to neonatologists, it gives us a lesson in understanding key concepts in the control of breathing in infancy. We also recommend visiting the CDC's MMWR site for an update on PRAMS and smoking before, during and after pregnancy as we have a long way to go to improve pregnancy outcomes, including the risk for SIDS, in this regard.

Full text of article »
Update on PRAMS from the CDC »

Understanding Intestinal Vulnerability to Perforation in the
Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

Our feature article this month is a recent review by Phillip Gordon published in Pediatric Research (Pediatr Res 65:138-144, February 2009) that provides a thorough overview of the perinatal risk factors and pathobiology of spontaneous intestinal perforation in ELBW infants. An excellent introduction to this vexing clinical entity, this review article raises many areas ripe for future clinical and laboratory-based research.

Full text of article »

PDAs in Infants: To Close or Not to Close?

In preterm neonates with a patient ductus arteriosus (PDA), the standard of care has been to attempt to close the defect. Yet some experts have asked whether we need to treat PDA in most preemies. If we are to resolve the condition, there are various methods and protocols for treatment and even prevention; how do outcomes for PDA closure vary by treament strategy? Dr. Darshak Sanghavi, chief of pediatric cardiology and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, lays out the important points of discussion on PDA closure with host, Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Listen to podcast »

New AAP Immunization Web Site

The AAP is pleased to announce the creation of a new, comprehensive online resource for pediatricians and families that addresses the topic of immunizations. This new site replaces the Childhood Immunization Support Program Web site and contains information about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety information, and tools and resources to help pediatricians effectively and efficiently administer immunizations in their offices.

Access through the AAP Web site »

Fellows' Preconference Opened NCE 2008

Today's trainees are the future of Neonatal-Perinatal medicine and Section members are thoroughly committed to fostering the education and career development of trainees and young neonatologists. In an effort to evaluate how the Section can better meet the needs of trainees and young neonatologists and to begin to tailor Section educational venues to meet the needs of individuals in early career, the Section sponsored a fellows' preconference on October 10, 2008, just prior to the keynote address and poster session.

Learn more about the NCE fellows' preconference »

Surgeon General's Conference Outlines Agenda
to Prevent Preterm Birth

Experts convened by the National Institutes of Health for the Office of the Surgeon General met in June and released an agenda for activities in the public and private sectors to reduce the nation's rate of preterm birth. The agenda calls for a national system to better understand the occurence of preterm birth and a national education program to help women reduce their chances of giving birth prematurely. The agenda also calls for improved methods for estimating the age of the fetus, and studies to identify biomarkers which would signal the beginning of preterm labor.

Learn more »

NICHD Workshops Address Two Important Neonatal Issues:
Hypoglycemia & Hospital-Acquired Infection

NICHD Neonatal Hypoglycemia Workshop

Recognizing the common occurrence of neonatal hypoglycemia and the potential for insufficient glucose supply to injure the developing brain, as well as a need to support research to fill the missing gaps in knowledge about neonatal hypoglycemia and its clinical implications, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) convened a workshop, held September 8-9, 2008. A diverse group of experts participated.

NICHD Neonatal Hospital-Acquired Infection Workshop

Hospital-acquired or nosocomial infection occurs at high rates in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and often leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Up to 50% of extremely low birth weight infants develop infection in the NICU. This conference, held August 7-8, 2008, reviewed the existing information with respect to antenatal, perinatal and neonatal management including short term and long term morbidity and mortality for infants with hospital acquired infections. Approximately 20 invited investigators, including international experts, assisted in exploring this important agenda.

Learn more about these NICHD workshops »

Strategic Plan Launch!

The Section on Perinatal Pediatrics strategic plan emphasizes the Section's commitment to advocacy and value to members. The plan identifies four new areas of focus for the Section in the next 5 years and proposes some initial steps. The strategic domains include: education, global health, leadership and quality. Click below to learn more about the initiation of this plan and the first steps underway.

Learn more about the Section Strategic Plan »

Read the Strategic Plan Progress Report, October 2008 »

Read the results of the Member Survey »