Objective:To analyze the current status of red blood cell transfusion in very preterm infants (VPI) (gestational age at birth <32 weeks) from Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) in 2022.Methods:This cross-sectional study was based on the CHNN VPI cohort. It included 6 985 VPI admitted to CHNN 89 participating centers within 24 hours after birth in 2022. VPI with major congenital anomalies or those transferred to non-CHNN centers for treatment or discharged against medical advice were excluded. VPI were categorized based on whether they received red blood cell transfusions, their gestational age at birth, the type of respiratory support received during transfusion, and whether the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels exceeded the thresholds. General characteristics, red blood cell transfusion rates, number of transfusions, timing of the first transfusion, and pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels were compared among different groups. The incidence of adverse outcomes between the group of VPI who received transfusions above the threshold and those who received transfusions below the threshold were compared. Comparison among different groups was conducted using χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and so on. Trends by gestational age at birth were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage tests and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results:Among the 6 985 VPI, 3 865 cases(55.3%) were male, with a gestational age at birth of 30.0 (28.6, 31.0) weeks and a birth weight of (1 302±321) g. Overall, 3 617 cases (51.8%) received red blood cell transfusion, while 3 368 cases (48.2%) did not. The red blood cell transfusion rate was 51.8% (3 617/6 985), with rates of 77.7% (893/1 150) for those born before 28 weeks gestational age and 46.7% (2 724/5 835) for those born between 28 and 31 weeks gestational age. A total of 9 616 times red blood cell transfusions were administered to 3 617 VPI, with 632 times missing pre-transfusion hemoglobin data, and 8 984 times included in the analysis. Of the red blood cell transfusions, 25.6% (2 459/9 616) were administered when invasive respiratory support was required, 51.3% (4 934/9 616) were receiving non-invasive respiratory support, while 23.1% (2 223/9, 616) were given when no respiratory support was needed. Compared to the non-transfusion group, the red blood cell transfusion group had a higher rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension in mothers, lower rates of born via cesarean section and mother′s antenatal steroid administration, smaller gestational age, lower birth weight, a higher proportion of small-for-gestational-age, multiple births, and proportions of Apgar score at the 5 th minute after birth ≤3 (all P<0.05). They were also less likely to be female, born in hospital or undergo delayed cord clamping (all P<0.01). Additionally, higher transport risk index of physiologic stability score at admission were observed in the red blood cell transfusion group ( P<0.001). The number of red blood cell transfusion was 2 (1, 3) times, with the first transfusion occurring at an age of 18 (8, 29) days, and a pre-transfusion hemoglobin level of 97 (86, 109) g/L. For VPI ≤7 days of age, the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels for invasive respiratory support, non-invasive respiratory support, or no respiratory support, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups ( H=5.59, P=0.061). For VPI aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days, the levels with statistically differences between groups (both P<0.01). Red blood cell transfusions above recommended thresholds were observed in all respiratory support categories at different stages of life, with the highest prevalence in infants aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days who did not require respiratory support, at 90.1% (264/273) and 91.1%(1 578/1 732), respectively. The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was higher in the above-threshold group ( χ2=10.59, P=0.001), and the duration of hospital stay was longer in the above-threshold group ( Z=4.67, P<0.001) compared to the below-threshold group. Conclusions:In 2022, the red blood cell transfusion rate was relatively high among VPI from CHNN. Pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels frequently exceeded recommended transfusion thresholds.

Objective:To describe the current status and trends in the outcomes and care practices of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks′ gestation age from the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 2019 to 2021.Methods:This cross-sectional study used data from the CHNN cohort of very preterm infants. All 963 extremely preterm infants with gestational age between 22-25 weeks who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the CHNN from 2019 to 2021 were included. Infants admitted after 24 hours of life or transferred to non-CHNN hospitals were excluded. Perinatal care practices, survival rates, incidences of major morbidities, and NICU treatments were described according to different gestational age groups and admission years. Comparison among gestational age groups was conducted using χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Trends by year were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results:Of the 963 extremely preterm infants enrolled, 588 extremely preterm infants (61.1%) were male. The gestational age was 25.0 (24.4, 25.6) weeks, with 29 extremely preterm infants (3.0%), 88 extremely preterm infants (9.1%), 264 extremely preterm infants (27.4%), and 582 extremely preterm infants (60.4%) at 22, 23, 24, and 25 weeks of gestation age, respectively. The birth weight was 770 (680, 840) g. From 2019 to 2021, the number of extremely preterm infants increased each year (285, 312, and 366 extremely preterm infants, respectively). Antenatal steroids and magnesium sulfate were administered to 67.7% (615/908) and 51.1% (453/886) mothers of extremely preterm infants. In the delivery room, 20.8% (200/963) and 69.5% (669/963) extremely preterm infants received noninvasive positive end-expiratory pressure support and endotracheal intubation. Delayed cord clamping and cord milking were performed in 19.0% (149/784) and 30.4% (241/794) extremely preterm infants. From 2019 to 2021, there were significant increases in the usage of antenatal steroids, antenatal magnesium sulfate, and delivery room noninvasive positive-end expiratory pressure support (all P<0.05). Overall, 349 extremely preterm infants (36.2%) did not receive complete care, 392 extremely preterm infants (40.7%) received complete care and survived to discharge, and 222 extremely preterm infants (23.1%) received complete care but died in hospital. The survival rates for extremely preterm infants at 22, 23, 24 and 25 weeks of gestation age were 10.3% (3/29), 23.9% (21/88), 33.0% (87/264) and 48.3% (281/582), respectively. From 2019 to 2021, there were no statistically significant trends in complete care, survival, and mortality rates (all P>0.05). Only 11.5% (45/392) extremely preterm infants survived without major morbidities. Moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (67.3% (264/392)) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (61.5% (241/392)) were the most common morbidities among survivors. The incidences of severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis were 15.3% (60/392), 5.9% (23/392) and 19.1% (75/392), respectively. Overall, 83.7% (328/392) survivors received invasive ventilation during hospitalization, with a duration of 22 (10, 42) days. The hospital stay for survivors was 97 (86, 116) days. Conclusions:With the increasing number of extremely preterm infants at 22-25 weeks′ gestation admitted to CHNN NICU, the survival rate remained low, especially the rate of survival without major morbidities. Further quality improvement initiatives are needed to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based care practices.

Objective:To investigate the current status, trends, and differences among institutions in the application of delivery room continuous positive airway pressure (DRCPAP) for very preterm infants treated in the institutions in the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN). Also, to explore the impact of DRCPAP on the outcomes of very preterm infants in China.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Based on the CHNN very preterm infant cohort, very preterm infants (gestational ages ranging from 25 weeks +0 to 31 weeks +6) born in-hospital and treated in 79 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) participating in the CHNN from 2019 to 2021 were included. The usage rates of DRCPAP in different hospitals, as well as gestational ages and years, were described. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) or t-test. A multivariate logistic regression model was established to explore the correlation between DRCPAP and clinical outcomes. Results:(1) A total of 18 048 very preterm infants were included. Among them, 3 666 (20.3%) received DRCPAP, and 14 382 (79.7%) did not. (2) The usage rate of DRCPAP for very preterm infants among different institutions is from 0.0% to 94.5%. Fourteen institutions did not use DRCPAP, and 55 institutions had a usage rate below 30%. The usage rate of DRCPAP in very preterm infants increased annually, from 13.8% (818/5 916) in 2019 to 26.0% (1 583/6 097) in 2021 ( χ2trend=122.00, P<0.001). (3) The DRCPAP group had higher rates of maternal assisted reproductive technology pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, a full course of antenatal corticosteroids, gestational diabetes, fetal distress, antenatal magnesium sulfate use, and cesarean delivery compared to the non-DRCPAP group [20.3% (744/3 665) vs. 17.6% (2 529/14 369), χ2=14.45; 23.0% (695/3 021) vs. 16.4% (1 956/11 926), χ2=72.57; 57.1% (2 090/3 660) vs. 54.3% (7 766/14 302), χ2=9.55; 23.0% (844/3 669) vs. 20.7% (2 969/14 342), χ2=9.77; 8.7% (319/3 666) vs. 7.0% (1 006/14 371), χ2=12.51; 87.1% (3 186/3 657) vs. 82.0% (11 736/14 312), χ2=81.38; 63.5% (2 327/3 664) vs. 60.7% (8 722/14 369), χ2=9.59; all P<0.05]. While the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the proportion of infants not using antenatal corticosteroids were lower in the non-DRCPAP group [17.1% (626/3 660) vs. 22.6% (3 183/14 084), χ2=44.70; 14.2% (520/3 661) vs. 19.7% (2 814/14 284), χ2=57.34; all P<0.05]. The DRCPAP group had lower birth weight and gestational age, higher 1 min and 5 min Apgar scores, and lower neonatal transport stabilization index scores [(1 308±314) g vs. (1 325±315) g, t=2.90; (29.5±1.7) weeks vs. (29.7±1.6) weeks, t=3.96; (7.9±1.8) scores vs. (7.6±1.9) scores, t=－9.80; (9.0±1.1) scores vs. (8.7±1.3) scores, t=－13.01; (11.0±9.4) scores vs. (13.1±9.8) scores, t=11.31; all P<0.05]. The incidence of early-onset sepsis was higher in the DRCPAP group than in the non-DRCPAP group [1.8% (68/3 578) vs. 1.3% (193/14 296), adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.417 (1.028-1.955)], while the rates of tracheal intubation within 72 hours, PS use, invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality, admission hypothermia, grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ intracranial hemorrhage, and stage≥3 ROP were all lower in the DRCPAP group compared to the non-DRCPAP group [22.6% (830/3 666) vs. 36.9% (5 310/14 374), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.499 (0.448-0.555); 53.1% (1 947/3 666) vs. 58.3% (8 388/14 377), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.764 (0.697-0.836); 30.1% (1 104/3 662) vs. 43.9% (6 307/14 366), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.539 (0.487-0.595); 7.4% (274/3 666) vs. 10.6% (1 526/14 342), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.709 (0.601-0.836); 57.5% (2 103/3 657) vs. 66.5% (9 501/14 287), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.722 (0.661-0.788); 3.0% (101/3 366) vs. 5.9% (763/12 932)], adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.525 (0.412-0.669); 2.2% (65/2 954) vs. 3.3% (367/11 121), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.692 (0.505-0.947); all P<0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of BPD at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks, patent ductus arteriosus ligation, spontaneous intestinal perforation, and pneumothorax. Conclusions:Domestically, the application of DRCPAP might be related to a decrease in the demand for invasive ventilation, the use of surfactants, and mortality, but it might not reduce the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks. In recent years, the use of DRCPAP in very premature infants in China has increased, but the overall usage rate is still low, and there are significant differences between units, requiring continuous quality improvement.

Objective:To investigate the current status, trends, and differences among institutions in the application of delivery room continuous positive airway pressure (DRCPAP) for very preterm infants treated in the institutions in the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN). Also, to explore the impact of DRCPAP on the outcomes of very preterm infants in China.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Based on the CHNN very preterm infant cohort, very preterm infants (gestational ages ranging from 25 weeks +0 to 31 weeks +6) born in-hospital and treated in 79 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) participating in the CHNN from 2019 to 2021 were included. The usage rates of DRCPAP in different hospitals, as well as gestational ages and years, were described. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) or t-test. A multivariate logistic regression model was established to explore the correlation between DRCPAP and clinical outcomes. Results:(1) A total of 18 048 very preterm infants were included. Among them, 3 666 (20.3%) received DRCPAP, and 14 382 (79.7%) did not. (2) The usage rate of DRCPAP for very preterm infants among different institutions is from 0.0% to 94.5%. Fourteen institutions did not use DRCPAP, and 55 institutions had a usage rate below 30%. The usage rate of DRCPAP in very preterm infants increased annually, from 13.8% (818/5 916) in 2019 to 26.0% (1 583/6 097) in 2021 ( χ2trend=122.00, P<0.001). (3) The DRCPAP group had higher rates of maternal assisted reproductive technology pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, a full course of antenatal corticosteroids, gestational diabetes, fetal distress, antenatal magnesium sulfate use, and cesarean delivery compared to the non-DRCPAP group [20.3% (744/3 665) vs. 17.6% (2 529/14 369), χ2=14.45; 23.0% (695/3 021) vs. 16.4% (1 956/11 926), χ2=72.57; 57.1% (2 090/3 660) vs. 54.3% (7 766/14 302), χ2=9.55; 23.0% (844/3 669) vs. 20.7% (2 969/14 342), χ2=9.77; 8.7% (319/3 666) vs. 7.0% (1 006/14 371), χ2=12.51; 87.1% (3 186/3 657) vs. 82.0% (11 736/14 312), χ2=81.38; 63.5% (2 327/3 664) vs. 60.7% (8 722/14 369), χ2=9.59; all P<0.05]. While the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the proportion of infants not using antenatal corticosteroids were lower in the non-DRCPAP group [17.1% (626/3 660) vs. 22.6% (3 183/14 084), χ2=44.70; 14.2% (520/3 661) vs. 19.7% (2 814/14 284), χ2=57.34; all P<0.05]. The DRCPAP group had lower birth weight and gestational age, higher 1 min and 5 min Apgar scores, and lower neonatal transport stabilization index scores [(1 308±314) g vs. (1 325±315) g, t=2.90; (29.5±1.7) weeks vs. (29.7±1.6) weeks, t=3.96; (7.9±1.8) scores vs. (7.6±1.9) scores, t=－9.80; (9.0±1.1) scores vs. (8.7±1.3) scores, t=－13.01; (11.0±9.4) scores vs. (13.1±9.8) scores, t=11.31; all P<0.05]. The incidence of early-onset sepsis was higher in the DRCPAP group than in the non-DRCPAP group [1.8% (68/3 578) vs. 1.3% (193/14 296), adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.417 (1.028-1.955)], while the rates of tracheal intubation within 72 hours, PS use, invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality, admission hypothermia, grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ intracranial hemorrhage, and stage≥3 ROP were all lower in the DRCPAP group compared to the non-DRCPAP group [22.6% (830/3 666) vs. 36.9% (5 310/14 374), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.499 (0.448-0.555); 53.1% (1 947/3 666) vs. 58.3% (8 388/14 377), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.764 (0.697-0.836); 30.1% (1 104/3 662) vs. 43.9% (6 307/14 366), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.539 (0.487-0.595); 7.4% (274/3 666) vs. 10.6% (1 526/14 342), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.709 (0.601-0.836); 57.5% (2 103/3 657) vs. 66.5% (9 501/14 287), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.722 (0.661-0.788); 3.0% (101/3 366) vs. 5.9% (763/12 932)], adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.525 (0.412-0.669); 2.2% (65/2 954) vs. 3.3% (367/11 121), adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.692 (0.505-0.947); all P<0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of BPD at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks, patent ductus arteriosus ligation, spontaneous intestinal perforation, and pneumothorax. Conclusions:Domestically, the application of DRCPAP might be related to a decrease in the demand for invasive ventilation, the use of surfactants, and mortality, but it might not reduce the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks. In recent years, the use of DRCPAP in very premature infants in China has increased, but the overall usage rate is still low, and there are significant differences between units, requiring continuous quality improvement.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) can significantly improve the outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to describe the ACS use rates among preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and to explore perinatal factors associated with ACS use, using the largest contemporary cohort of very preterm infants in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled all infants born at 24 +0 to 31 +6 weeks and admitted to 57 NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network from January 1st, 2019 to December 30th, 2019. The ACS administration was defined as at least one dose of dexamethasone and betamethasone given before delivery. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the association between perinatal factors and ACS usage. RESULTS: A total of 7828 infants were enrolled, among which 6103 (78.0%) infants received ACS. ACS use rates increased with increasing gestational age (GA), from 177/259 (68.3%) at 24 to 25 weeks' gestation to 3120/3960 (78.8%) at 30 to 31 weeks' gestation. Among infants exposed to ACS, 2999 of 6103 (49.1%) infants received a single complete course, and 33.4% (2039/6103) infants received a partial course. ACS use rates varied from 30.2% to 100% among different hospitals. Multivariate regression showed that increasing GA, born in hospital (inborn), increasing maternal age, maternal hypertension and premature rupture of membranes were associated with higher likelihood to receive ACS. CONCLUSIONS The use rate of ACS remained low for infants at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation admitted to Chinese NICUs, with fewer infants receiving a complete course. The use rates varied significantly among different hospitals. Efforts are urgently needed to propose improvement measures and thus improve the usage of ACS.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use*

Objective: To comprehensively assess the current status of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in very preterm infants (VPI) and its associated factors in Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Methods: In this cohort study, 6 179 preterm infants born at <32 weeks' gestation were included, who were admitted to 57 hospitals in the China Neonatal Network in 2019 and hospitalized for ≥7 days. EUGR was evaluated by a cross-sectional definition (weight at discharge<10^th percentile for postmenstrual age), a longitudinal definition (decline in weight Z score>1 from birth to discharge), and weight growth velocity. The comparison between infants with and without EUGR was conducted by t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ² test as appropriate. Multivariable Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between EUGR with different definitions and maternal and neonatal factors, clinical practices, and neonatal morbidities. Results: A total of 6 179 VPI were enrolled in the study, with a gestational age of (29.8±1.5) weeks and birth weight of (1 365±304) g; 56.2% (3 474) of them were male. Among them, 48.4% (2 992 VPI) were cross-sectional EUGR and 74.9% (4 628 VPI) were longitudinal EUGR. Z score of weight was (0.13±0.78) at birth and decrease to (-1.35±0.99) at discharge. The weight growth velocity was 10.13 (8.42, 11.66) g/(kg·d). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that among the influential factors that could be intervened after birth, late attainment of full enteral feeds (OR_adjust=1.01, 95%CI 1.01-1.02, P<0.001; OR_adjust=1.01, 95%CI 1.01-1.02, P<0.001), necrotizing enterocolitis≥Ⅱstage (OR_adjust=2.64, 95%CI 1.60-4.35, P<0.001; OR_adjust=1.62, 95%CI 1.10-2.40, P<0.001) and patent ductus arteriosus (OR_adjust=1.94, 95%CI 1.50-2.51, P<0.001; OR_adjust=1.63, 95%CI 1.29-2.06, P<0.001) were all associated with increased risks of both cross-sectional and longitudinal EUGR. In addition, late initiation of enteral feeds (OR_adjust=1.06, 95%CI 1.02-1.09, P=0.020) and respiratory distress syndrome (OR_adjust=1.45, 95%CI 1.24-1.69, P<0.001) were all associated with cross-sectional EUGR. Breast milk feeding (OR_adjust=1.33, 95%CI 1.05-1.68, P<0.001) was associated with a higher risk of longitudinal EUGR. Conclusions: The incidence of EUGR in VPI in China is high. Some modifiable risk factors provide priorities to improve postnatal growth for VPI. Nutritional management of VPI and the efforts to decrease the incidence of complications are still the focus of clinical management in China.
Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Cohort Studies ; East Asian People ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal

Objective: To describe the current status and trends in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) among very preterm infants (VPI) admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 2019 to 2021, and to compare the differences in PDA treatment among these units. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on the CHNN VPI cohort, all of 22 525 VPI (gestational age<32 weeks) admitted to 79 tertiary NICU within 3 days of age from 2019 to 2021 were included. The overall PDA treatment rates were calculated, as well as the rates of infants with different gestational ages (≤26, 27-28, 29-31 weeks), and pharmacological and surgical treatments were described. PDA was defined as those diagnosed by echocardiography during hospitalization. The PDA treatment rate was defined as the number of VPI who had received medication treatment and (or) surgical ligation of PDA divided by the number of all VPI. Logistic regression was used to investigate the changes in PDA treatment rates over the 3 years and the differences between gestational age groups. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to compute the standardized ratio (SR) of PDA treatment across different units, to compare the rates after adjusting for population characteristics. Results: A total of 22 525 VPI were included in the study, with a gestational age of 30.0 (28.6, 31.0) weeks and birth weight of 1 310 (1 100, 1 540) g; 56.0% (12 615) of them were male. PDA was diagnosed by echocardiography in 49.7% (11 186/22 525) of all VPI, and the overall PDA treatment rate was 16.8% (3 795/22 525). Of 3 762 VPI who received medication treatment, the main first-line medication used was ibuprofen (93.4% (3 515/3 762)) and the postnatal day of first medication treatment was 6 (4, 10) days of age; 59.3% (2 231/3 762) of the VPI had been weaned from invasive respiratory support during the first medication treatment, and 82.2% (3 092/3 762) of the infants received only one course of medication treatment. A total of 143 VPI underwent surgery, which was conducted on 32 (22, 46) days of age. Over the 3 years from 2019 to 2021, there was no significant change in the PDA treatment rate in these VPI (P=0.650). The PDA treatment rate decreased with increasing gestational age (P<0.001). The PDA treatment rates for VPI with gestational age ≤26, 27-28, and 29-31 weeks were 39.6% (688/1 737), 25.9% (1 319/5 098), and 11.4% (1 788/15 690), respectively. There were 61 units having a total number of VPI≥100 cases, and their rates of PDA treatment were 0 (0/116)-47.4% (376/793). After adjusting for population characteristics, the range of standardized ratios for PDA treatment in the 61 units was 0 (95%CI 0-0.3) to 3.4 (95%CI 3.1-3.8). Conclusions: From 2019 to 2021, compared to the peers in developed countries, VPI in CHNN NICU had a different PDA treatment rate; specifically, the VPI with small birth gestational age had a lower treatment rate, while the VPI with large birth gestational age had a higher rate. There are significant differences in PDA treatment rates among different units.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent/drug therapy* ; Infant, Premature ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Ibuprofen/therapeutic use* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/therapy*

The Chinese Neonatal Network(CHNN) was established in 2018 with the mission of establishing a national collaboration platform, conducting high-quality and collaborative research, and ultimately improving the quality of neonatal-perinatal care and health in China.At present, 112 hospitals across the country have joined CHNN.CHNN has established a national standardized cohort of very premature infants/very low birth weight infants with >10 000 enrollments each year, has been leading data-driven collaborative quality improvement initiatives, conducting multicenter clinical studies, and performing multi-level training programs.Guided by the principles of collaboration and sharing, data-driven, continuous improvement, and international integration, CHNN has become an important platform for clinical and research collaboration in neonatal medicine in China.

Objective:To analyze the accuracy of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray in the diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary disease.Methods:We prospectively collected newborns that needed chest X-ray examination to diagnose pulmonary disease from twelve neonatal intensive care units across the country between June 2019 and April 2020.Each newborn was examined by lung ultrasound within two hours after chest X-ray examination.All chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images were independently read by a radiologist and a sonographer.When there was a disagreement, a panel of two experienced physicians made a final diagnosis based on the clinical history, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images.Results:A total of 1 100 newborns were enrolled in our study.The diagnostic agreement between chest X-ray and lung ultrasound(Cohen′s kappa coefficient=0.347) was fair.Lung ultrasound(area under the curve=0.778; 95% CI 0.753-0.803) performed significantly better than chest X-ray(area under the curve=0.513; 95% CI 0.483-0.543) in the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn( P<0.001). The accuracy of lung ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and neonatal pulmonary atelectasis was similar to that of chest X-ray. Conclusion:Lung ultrasound, as a low-cost, simple and radiation-free auxiliary examination method, has a diagnostic accuracy close to or even better than that of chest X-ray, which may replace chest X-ray in the diagnosis of some neonatal lung diseases.It should be noted that both chest X-ray and lung ultrasound can only be used as auxiliary means for the diagnosis of lung diseases, and it is necessary to combine imaging with the clinical history and presentation.

Real-world evidence has become the basis for approval and regulation of drugs and medical devices. Real-world study has played a more and more important role with the continuous updating and iteration of medical technologies. The diseases and their underlying mechanisms in the neonatal period, the early stage of life, are significantly different from other stages of life and early high-quality clinical management has a profound impact on the long-term outcomes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide robust evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment through real-world study. This paper explores the access to high-quality medical care in the neonatal period based on the application, challenges, and thinking of the China Neonatal Network (CHNN) in the real world and the integration of the China Neonatal Genome Project and other multi-omics data.