Monthly Archives: July 2012

A toxic placebo

One very frequently used agent in the NICU is metoclopramide, prescribed almost exclusively for gastro-esophgeal reflux, (occasionally in an attempt to improve feeding tolerance). Let us assume for a moment that a baby does have clinical signs which are due to reflux, that … Continue reading

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Reducing transfusions in the NICU

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this, but it is sort of obvious, it just takes someone to think about it and then do it. We need to reduce blood draws in preterm infants, the blood we take … Continue reading

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Outcomes of GBS meningitis; as good as 24 week premies.

As several of you may know, I am co-author, with Annie Janvier, of a series of articles examining how our prejudices about the worth of individuals affect decision making in the critically ill. In some of those articles we compare … Continue reading

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Does the way we feed babies affect Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

There is a widespread feeling that the method of introduction and advancement of feeds affects the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis (known as NEC). Multiple observational studies have been published that seem to support this fear. However when we search for randomized controlled trials comparing feeding practices … Continue reading

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