Tag Archives: Randomized Controlled Trials

EPO, re-introducing confusion

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Keith Barrington

I thought that routine erythropoietin (EPO) treatment of preterm infants had been thrown out of the window. It is well known that EPO levels are low in preterms after birth, which is part of the multifactorial pathophysiology of anaemia of … Continue reading →

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We can stop routine suctioning at birth!

Posted on 17 June 2013 by Keith Barrington

I never understood why it was thought to be so important, (indeed by some essential) to stick some sort of suctioning device into the babies mouth, usually right back to the posterior pharyngeal wall, and suck out amniotic fluid. It … Continue reading →

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Probiotic Fungi too?

Posted on 4 June 2013 by Keith Barrington

It seems that probiotic fungi, specifically Saccharomyces boulardii probably don’t prevent NEC. There is one previous study Costalos et al which showed no difference in NEC, but some benefits on secondary outcomes (it was very underpowered for NEC, 87 babies … Continue reading →

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Probiotics work in Practice

Posted on 19 May 2013 by Keith Barrington

For anyone who was at the latest PAS meeting, you probably heard about the presentation of Proprems. This is the latest RCT of probiotics, from Australia and New Zealand, using ABCDophilus, which is interestingly manufactured in New Jersey. The authors … Continue reading →

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SUPPORT: even better than originally thought

Posted on 14 May 2013 by Keith Barrington

Public Citizen are at it again, repeating and expanding their idiotic criticisms of the SUPPORT trial. And stating that the trial was ‘even worse than originally thought’. They are now focusing on the ‘problem’ that the NICUs used ‘intentionally inaccurate’ … Continue reading →

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Does NIDCAP work?

Posted on 13 May 2013 by Keith Barrington

I guess that depends on what you mean ‘work’.  Does developmentally sensitive care lead to more responsive, humane, and less disturbing care, improving the environment for our preterm infants, I think the answer is clearly yes. If you mean does … Continue reading →

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How much oxygen?

Posted on 9 May 2013 by Keith Barrington

At the PAS meeting in Washington DC, that has just finished, the COT trial results were presented, as well as the short term outcomes of the BOOST trials. These are a series of clinical trials which have compared higher saturations … Continue reading →

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Music has charms to soothe a savage breast

Posted on 1 May 2013 by Keith Barrington

William Congreve, The Mourning Bride, 1697: (from Act 1 Scene 1) Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak. I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d, And, as with living Souls, have … Continue reading →

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More support for SUPPORT

Posted on 25 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

A new editorial in the PNEJM from 2 PhD ethicists. I specify that as they are not neonatologists, nor pediatricians nor yet medical researchers, and have no conflict of interest of any kind as far as I can see. Yet … Continue reading →

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Even more SUPPORTive

Posted on 20 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

Another devastating critique of the OHRP ruling regarding the SUPPORT trial is now available. John Lantos, a world leader in pediatric bioethics (and a good friend) has an article  which seems to be open access: ‘OHRP and Public Citizen Are … Continue reading →

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