Am J Perinatol 2023; 40(08): 883-892
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1732417
Original Article

Survey of Quaternary Neonatal Management of Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus

1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
,
Ulrike Mietzsch
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
,
3   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Narendra Dereddy
4   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, AdventHealth for Children, Orlando, Florida
,
Katerina Ducis
5   Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
,
Nathalie El Ters
6   Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
,
Gregory G. Heuer
7   Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Elizabeth Sewell
8   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
,
John Flibotte
9   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
on behalf of the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) Neurosurgery Focus Group › Author Affiliations

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to determine clinical care practices for infants at risk for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) across level IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Study Design Cross-sectional survey that addressed center-specific surveillance, neurosurgical intervention, and follow-up practices within the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium.

Results We had a 59% (20/34 sites) response rate, with 10 sites having at least two participants. Respondents included neonatologists (53%) and neurosurgeons (35%). Most participants stated having a standard guideline for PHH (79%). Despite this, 42% of respondents perceive inconsistencies in management. Eight same-center pairs of neonatologists and neurosurgeons were used to determine response agreement. Half of these pairs disagreed on nearly all aspects of care. The greatest agreement pertained to a willingness to adopt a consensus-based protocol.

Conclusion Practice variation in the management of infants at risk of PHH in level IV NICUs exists despite the perception that a common practice is available and used.

Key Points

  • Practice variation exists despite the perception that common practices are available/used for PHH.

  • Our survey had same-center pairs of neonatologist and neurosurgeons to determine response agreement.

  • The greatest agreement pertained to a willingness to adopt a consensus-based protocol.

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 02 April 2021

Accepted: 14 June 2021

Article published online:
22 July 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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