Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • State of the Art
  • Published:

State-of-the-Art

Integrating neurocritical care approaches into neonatology: should all infants be treated equitably?

Abstract

To improve the neurologic outcomes for infants with brain injury, neonatal providers are increasingly implementing neurocritical care approaches into clinical practice. Term infants with brain injury have been principal beneficiaries of neurologically-integrated care models to date, as evidenced by the widespread adoption of therapeutic hypothermia protocols for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Innovative therapeutic and diagnostic support for very low birth weight infants with brain injury has lagged behind. Given that concern for significant future neurodevelopmental impairment can lead to decisions to withdraw life supportive care at any gestational age, providing families with accurate prognostic information is essential for all infants. Current variable application of multidisciplinary neurocritical care approaches to infants at different gestational ages may be ethically problematic and reflect distinct perceptions of brain injury for infants born extremely premature.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Rincon F, Mayer SA . Neurocritical care: a distinct discipline? Curr Opin Crit Care 2007; 13 (2): 115–121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. LaRovere KL, Graham RJ, Tasker RC . Pediatric neurocritical care: a neurology consultation model and implication for education and training. Pediatr Neurol 2013; 48 (3): 206–211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Glass HC, Bonifacio SL, Peloquin S, Shimotake T, Sehring S, Sun Y et al. Neurocritical care for neonates. Neurocrit Care 2010; 12 (3): 421–429.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Mulkey SB, Swearingen CJ . Advancing neurologic care in the neonatal intensive care unit with a neonatal neurologist. J Child Neurol 2014; 29 (1): 31–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Johnston MV, Fatemi A, Wilson MA, Northington F . Treatment advances in neonatal neuroprotection and neurointensive care. Lancet Neurol 2011; 10 (4): 372–382.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Bonifacio SL, Glass HC, Peloquin S, Ferriero DM . A new neurological focus in neonatal intensive care. Nat Rev Neurol 2011; 7 (9): 485–494.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Glass HC, Kan J, Bonifacio SL, Ferriero DM . Neonatal seizures: treatment practices among term and preterm infants. Pediatr Neurol 2012; 46 (2): 111–115.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Verhagen AA, Dorscheidt JH, Engels B, Hubben JH, Sauer PJ . End-of-life decisions in Dutch neonatal intensive care units. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009; 163 (10): 895–901.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lawn JE, Cousens S, Zupan J . 4 million neonatal deaths: when? where? why? Lancet 2005; 365 (9462): 891–900.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kurinczuk JJ, White-Koning M, Badawi N . Epidemiology of neonatal encephalopathy and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Early Hum Dev 2010; 86 (6): 329–338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wachtel EV, Hendricks-Muñoz KD . Current management of the infant who presents with neonatal encephalopathy. Cur Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2011; 41 (5): 132–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Tagin MA, Woolcott CG, Vincer MJ, Whyte RK, Stinson DA . Hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012; 166 (6): 558–566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mohamed MA, Aly H . Male gender is associated with intraventricular hemorrhage. Pediatrics 2010; 125 (2): e333–e339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. National Center for Health Statistics, final natality data. Retrieved November 20th 2012 from www.marchofdimes.com/peristats.

  15. Verhagen AA, Janvier A, Leuthner SR, Andrews B, Lagatta J, Bos AF et al. Categorizing neonatal deaths: a cross-cultural study in the United States, Canada, and The Netherlands. J Pediatr 2010; 156 (1): 33–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Coulter DL . Neurologic uncertainty in newborn intensive care. N Engl J Med 1987; 316 (14): 840–844.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Shevell MI, Majnemer A, Miller SP . Neonatal neurologic prognostication: the asphyxiated term newborn. Pediatr Neurol 1999; 21 (5): 776–784.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Allan WC, Sobel DB . Neonatal intensive care neurology. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2004; 11 (2): 119–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sarnat HB, Sarnat MS . Neonatal encephalopathy following fetal distress. A clinical and electroencephalographic study. Arch Neurol 1976; 33 (10): 696–705.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Levene MI, Sands C, Grindulis H, Moore JR . Comparison of two methods of predicting outcome in perinatal asphyxia. Lancet 1986; 1 (8472): 67–69.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Shalak LF, Laptook AR, Velaphi SC, Perlman JM . Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography coupled with an early neurologic examination enhances prediction of term infants at risk for persistent encephalopathy. Pediatrics 2003; 111 (2): 351–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hellstrom-Westas L, Rosen I, Svenningsen NW . Predictive value of early continuous amplitude integrated EEG recordings on outcome after severe birth asphyxia in full term infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1995; 72 (1): F34–F38.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Thoresen M, Hellstrom-Westas L, Liu X, de Vries LS . Effect of hypothermia on amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram in infants with asphyxia. Pediatrics 2010; 126 (1): e131–e139.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Cseko AJ, Bango M, Lakatos P, Kardasi J, Pusztai L, Szabo M . Accuracy of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome in asphyxiated infants receiving hypothermia treatment. Acta Paediatr 2013; 102 (7): 707–711.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Pin TW, Eldridge B, Galea MP . A review of developmental outcomes of term infants with post-asphyxia neonatal encephalopathy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2009; 13 (3): 224–234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Shankaran S, Pappas A, McDonald SA, Vohr BR, Hintz SR, Yolton K et al. Childhood outcomes after hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy. N Engl J Med 2012; 366 (22): 2085–2092.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Wilkinson D . The window of opportunity for treatment withdrawal. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2011; 165 (3): 211–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jacobs SE, Berg M, Hunt R, Tarnow-Mordi WO, Inder TE, Davis PG . Cooling for newborns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013; 1: CD003311.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ment LR, Bada HS, Barnes P, Grant PE, Hirtz D, Papile LA et al. Practice parameter: neuroimaging of the neonate: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology 2002; 58 (12): 1726–1738.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Shankaran S . Therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2012; 14: 608–619.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Zanelli SA, Naylor M, Dobbins N, Quigg M, Goodkin HP, Matsumoto JA et al. Implementation of a 'Hypothermia for HIE' program: 2-year experience in a single NICU. J Perinatol 2008; 28 (3): 171–175.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Papile LA, Baley JE, Benitz W, Cummings J, Carlo WA, Eichenwald E et alNewborn CoFa. Hypothermia and neonatal encephalopathy. Pediatrics 2014; 133 (6): 1146–1150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Nguyen The Tich S, d'Allest AM, Touzery de Villepin A, de Belliscize J, Walls-Esquivel E, Salefranque F et al. Pathological patterns in neonatal EEG before 30 weeks of gestational age. Neurophysio Clin 2007; 37 (3): 177–221.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ballabh P . Intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants: mechanism of disease. Pediatr Res 2010; 67 (1): 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Patrizi S, Holmes GL, Orzalesi M, Allemand F . Neonatal seizures: characteristics of EEG ictal activity in preterm and fullterm infants. Brain Dev 2003; 25 (6): 427–437.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Okumura A, Hayakawa F, Kato T, Itomi K, Maruyama K, Kubota T et al. Ictal electroencephalographic findings of neonatal seizures in preterm infants. Brain Dev 2008; 30 (4): 261–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Volpe JJ . Neurology of the Newborn, 5th edn. Saunders, 2008 p 211–212.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Scher MS, Aso K, Beggarly ME, Hamid MY, Steppe DA, Painter MJ . Electrographic seizures in preterm and full-term neonates: clinical correlates, associated brain lesions, and risk for neurologic sequelae. Pediatrics 1993; 91 (1): 128–134.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Vesoulis ZA, Inder TE, Woodward LJ, Buse B, Vavasseur C, Mathur AM . Early electrographic seizures, brain injury, and neurodevelopmental risk in the very preterm infant. Pediatr Res 2014; 75 (4): 564–569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Routine screening cranial ultrasound examinations for the prediction of long term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. Paediatr Child Health 2001; 6 (1): 39–52.

  41. Papile LA, Burstein J, Burstein R, Koffler H . Incidence and evolution of subependymal and intraventricular hemorrhage: a study of infants with birth weights less than 1,500 gm. J Pediatr 1978; 92 (4): 529–534.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Maitre NL, Marshall DD, Price WA, Slaughter JC, O'Shea TM, Maxfield C et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with unilateral or bilateral periventricular hemorrhagic infarction. Pediatrics 2009; 124 (6): e1153–e1160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Merhar SL, Tabangin ME, Meinzen-Derr J, Schibler KR . Grade and laterality of intraventricular haemorrhage to predict 18-22 month neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birthweight infants. Acta Paediatr 2012; 101 (4): 414–418.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Ancel PY, Livinec F, Larroque B, Marret S, Arnaud C, Pierrat V et al. Cerebral palsy among very preterm children in relation to gestational age and neonatal ultrasound abnormalities: the EPIPAGE cohort study. Pediatrics 2006; 117 (3): 828–835.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Laptook AR, O'Shea TM, Shankaran S, Bhaskar B . Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes among extremely low birth weight infants with a normal head ultrasound: prevalence and antecedents. Pediatrics 2005; 115 (3): 673–680.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Broitman E, Ambalavanan N, Higgins RD, Vohr BR, Das A, Bhaskar B et al. Clinical data predict neurodevelopmental outcome better than head ultrasound in extremely low birth weight infants. J Pediatr 2007; 151 (5): 500–505.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Nongena P, Ederies A, Azzopardi DV, Edwards AD . Confidence in the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome by cranial ultrasound and MRI in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2010; 95 (6): F388–F390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Glass HC, Bonifacio SL, Sullivan J, Rogers E, Ferriero DM, Goldstein R et al. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound injury in preterm infants with seizures. J Child Neurol 2009; 24 (9): 1105–1111.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Plaisier A, Raets MM, Ecury-Goossen GM, Govaert P, Feijen-Roon M, Reiss IK et al. Serial cranial ultrasonography or early MRI for detecting preterm brain injury? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2015; 100: F293–F300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kwon SH, Vasung L, Ment LR, Huppi PS . The role of neuroimaging in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm neonates. Clin Perinatol 2014; 41 (1): 257–283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Benavente-Fernandez I, Lubian-Lopez PS, Zuazo-Ojeda MA, Jimenez-Gomez G, Lechuga-Sancho AM . Safety of magnetic resonance imaging in preterm infants. Acta Paediatr 2010; 99 (6): 850–853.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Tocchio S, Kline-Fath B, Kanal E, Schmithorst VJ, Panigrahy A . MRI evaluation and safety in the developing brain. Semin Perinatol 2015; 39 (2): 73–104.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Le Bihannic A, Beauvais K, Busnel A, de Barace C, Furby A . Prognostic value of EEG in very premature newborns. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2012; 97 (2): F106–F109.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Olischar M, Waldhor T, Berger A, Fuiko R, Weninger M, Klebermass-Schrehof K . Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in male newborns <30 weeks' of gestation and unfavourable neurodevelopmental outcome at three years is less mature when compared to females. Acta Paediatr 2013; 102 (10): e443–e448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Natalucci G, Leuchter RH, Bucher HU, Latal B, Koller B, Huppi PS et al. Functional brain maturation assessed during early life correlates with anatomical brain maturation at term-equivalent age in preterm infants. Pediatr Res 2013; 74 (1): 68–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Wikstrom S, Pupp IH, Rosen I, Norman E, Fellman V, Ley D et al. Early single-channel aEEG/EEG predicts outcome in very preterm infants. Acta Paediatr 2012; 101 (7): 719–726.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Selton D, Andre M, Debruille C, Deforge H, Hascoet JM . Cognitive outcome at 5 years in very premature children without severe early cerebral abnormalities. Relationships with EEG at 6 weeks after birth. Neurophysiol Clin 2013; 43 (5–6): 289–297.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Pappas A, Kendrick DE, Shankaran S, Stoll BJ, Bell EF, Laptook AR et al. Chorioamnionitis and early childhood outcomes among extremely low-gestational-age neonates. JAMA Peds 2014; 168 (2): 137–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Soraisham AS, Trevenen C, Wood S, Singhal N, Sauve R . Histological chorioamnionitis and neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. J Perinatol 2013; 33 (1): 70–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Salas AA, Faye-Petersen OM, Sims B, Peralta-Carcelen M, Reilly SD, McGwin G Jr et al. Histological characteristics of the fetal inflammatory response associated with neurodevelopmental impairment and death in extremely preterm infants. J Pediatr 2013; 163 3 (652-657): e651–e652.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Schlapbach LJ, Aebischer M, Adams M, Natalucci G, Bonhoeffer J, Latzin P et al. Impact of sepsis on neurodevelopmental outcome in a Swiss National Cohort of extremely premature infants. Pediatrics 2011; 128 (2): e348–e357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Mitha A, Foix-L'Helias L, Arnaud C, Marret S, Vieux R, Aujard Y et al. Neonatal infection and 5-year neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants. Pediatrics 2013; 132 (2): e372–e380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Strunk T, Inder T, Wang X, Burgner D, Mallard C, Levy O . Infection-induced inflammation and cerebral injury in preterm infants. Lancet Infect Dis 2014; 14 (8): 751–762.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Mann PC, Woodrum DE, Wilfond BS . Fuzzy images: ethical implications of using routine neuroimaging in premature neonates to predict neurologic outcomes. J Pediatr 2013; 163 (2): 587–592.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. De Leeuw R, Cuttini M, Nadai M, Berbik I, Hansen G, Kucinskas A et al. Treatment choices for extremely preterm infants: an international perspective. J Pediatr 2000; 137 (5): 608–616.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Orfali K . Parental role in medical decision-making: fact or fiction? A comparative study of ethical dilemmas in French and American neonatal intensive care units. Soc Sci Med 2004; 58 (10): 2009–2022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Norup M . Treatment of extremely premature newborns: a survey of attitudes among Danish physicians. Acta Paediatr 1998; 87 (8): 896–902.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Wall SN, Partridge JC . Death in the intensive care nursery: physician practice of withdrawing and withholding life support. Pediatrics 1997; 99 (1): 64–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Brouwer A, Groenendaal F, van Haastert IL, Rademaker K, Hanlo P, de Vries L . Neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhage and therapy for post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation. J Pediatr 2008; 152 (5): 648–654.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Singh J, Lantos J, Meadow W . End-of-life after birth: death and dying in a neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatrics 2004; 114 (6): 1620–1626.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Howell EM, Richardson D, Ginsburg P, Foot B . Deregionalization of neonatal intensive care in urban areas. Am J Public Health 2002; 92 (1): 119–124.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Van Reempts P, Gortner L, Milligan D, Cuttini M, Petrou S, Agostino R et al. Characteristics of neonatal units that care for very preterm infants in Europe: results from the MOSAIC study. Pediatrics 2007; 120 (4): e815–e825.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Phibbs CS, Baker LC, Caughey AB, Danielsen B, Schmitt SK, Phibbs RH . Level and volume of neonatal intensive care and mortality in very-low-birth-weight infants. N Engl J Med 2007; 356 (21): 2165–2175.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Rhoden NK . Treating baby doe: the ethics of uncertainty. Hastings Cent Rep 1986; 16 (4): 34–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Cummings CL, Mercurio MR . Ethics of emerging technologies and their transition to accepted practice: intestinal transplant for short bowel syndrome. J Perinatol 2012; 32 (10): 752–756.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. El-Dib M, Massaro AN, Glass P, Aly H . Neurodevelopmental assessment of the newborn: an opportunity for prediction of outcome. Brain Dev 2011; 33 (2): 95–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Gooding JS, Cooper LG, Blaine AI, Franck LS, Howse JL, Berns SD . Family support and family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit: origins, advances, impact. Sem Perinatol 2011; 35 (1): 20–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Levick J, Quinn M, Vennema C . NICU parent-to-parent partnerships: a comprehensive approach. Neonatal Netw 2014; 33 (2): 66–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Caplan JP, Epstein LA, Stern TA . Consultants' conflicts: a case discussion of differences and their resolution. Psychosomatics 2008; 49 (1): 8–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Verhagen AA, de Vos M, Dorscheidt JH, Engels B, Hubben JH, Sauer PJ . Conflicts about end-of-life decisions in NICUs in the Netherlands. Pediatrics 2009; 124 (1): e112–e119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. von Gunten CF, Ferris FD, Emanuel LL . The patient-physician relationship. Ensuring competency in end-of-life care: communication and relational skills. JAMA 2000; 284 (23): 3051–3057.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Eichenwald EC . Neuroimaging of extremely preterm infants: perils of prediction. Pediatrics 2015; 135 (1): e176–e177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Janvier A, Bauer KL, Lantos JD . Are newborns morally different from older children? Theor Med Bioeth 2007; 28 (5): 413–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Lantos JD . Justifiable and unjustifiable ageism. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012; 166 (6): 580–581.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Edward J. Novotny, Jr., MD, for his helpful comments regarding the manuscript. No funding was secured for this study. We have no financial relationships to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P C Mann.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mann, P., Gospe, S., Steinman, K. et al. Integrating neurocritical care approaches into neonatology: should all infants be treated equitably?. J Perinatol 35, 977–981 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.95

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.95

Search

Quick links