Autore: Giulia Vertecchi

Comparing Italian versus European strategies and technologies for respiratory care in NICU: results of a survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS) and the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)

Giulia VertecchiFeatured, PublicationsLeave a Comment on Comparing Italian versus European strategies and technologies for respiratory care in NICU: results of a survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS) and the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)

Camilla Gizzi, Flavia Petrillo, Maria Luisa Ventura, Luigi Gagliardi, Daniele Trevisanuto, Gianluca Lista, Raffaele Dellacà, Artur Beke, Giuseppe Buonocore, Antonia Charitou, Manuela Cucerea, Boris Filipović-Grčić, Nelly Georgieva Jeckova, Esin Koç, Joana Saldanha, Manuel Sanchez-Luna, Dalia Stoniene, Heili Varendi, Giulia Vertecchi, Luigi Orfeo, Fabio Mosca and Corrado Moretti

Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2025, 51:100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01936-6

Abstract

Background: Our survey aimed to compare information on respiratory care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in Italy and in the European and Mediterranean region.

Methods: Cross-sectional electronic survey. An 89-item questionnaire focusing on the current modes, devices, and strategies employed in neonatal units in the domain of respiratory care was sent to directors/heads of 528 NICUs.

Results: The response rate was 75% (397/528 units). The median number of NICU beds and the admission rate per unit/year of preterm infants < 1500 g was significantly lower in Italy compared with Europe (p < 0.001). In most Italian Delivery Rooms (DR) full resuscitation is given from 22 to 23 weeks gestational age, while 21.0% of the European units initiate from 24 weeks. Initial FiO2 is set as per American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines in 81.1% of Italian units compared to 30.9% of the European ones (p < 0.001). DR surfactant is less often given through Less- Invasive-Surfactant-Administration (LISA) in Italy (53.4% vs. 76.2% of units, p < 0.03). Volume-targeted, synchronized intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) is the preferred invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) mode to treat acute RDS across the surveyed units, however 22.9% % of Italian centers vs. 6.8% of the European ones use HFOV as first choice (p < 0.001). During HFOV, 78% of Italian NICUs set mean airway pressure (MAP) following a lung recruitment procedure compared to 41% of the centers in Europe (p < 0.001). In the NICUs, most of the non-invasive (NIV) modes used are nasal CPAP and nasal IPPV. For infants on NIV, LISA strategy is used in 25.6% of Italian vs. 60.0% of European units (p < 0.001). 70% of surveyed units use a brand caffeine. Inhaled steroids are used in 42.3% of Italian vs. 65.4% of European NICUs (p < 0.001).

38th Fetus as a Patient Congress

Giulia VertecchiFeatured, MembersLeave a Comment on 38th Fetus as a Patient Congress

Perinatal, fetal, and neonatal medicine is quickly evolving, and research continues to provide us with new insights and information that are only sometimes easy to translate into clinical practice.

We are increasingly encountering rare cases of diseases and their treatment options that require greater knowledge and experience. Along with fetal medicine, both screening and diagnostic genetic tests are developing rapidly, leaving us in a position where, on the one hand, we are unable to clearly explain the findings. On the other hand, they provide us with explanations to previously inexplicable conditions. At the same time, artificial intelligence is swiftly and uncontrollably entering our professional work and relationships with future or new parents. We will shed light on the knowledge and dilemmas we all encounter on a daily basis through lectures, your invaluable contributions, and open discussion. The workshops will help enhance the knowledge necessary for our daily work.

32nd Turkish National Neonatology Congress

Giulia VertecchiMembersLeave a Comment on 32nd Turkish National Neonatology Congress

UNEKO 32, one of Turkey’s most established subspecialty congresses, will be held on April 16-20, 2025, at the Kaya Palazzo Hotel in Antalya. This year, we are honored to welcome leading international experts—Prof. Corrado Moretti, Prof. Willem P. De Boode, Prof. Richard Sindelar, and Prof. Seetha Shankaran—who will share the latest advancements and research in neonatology, further enriching our professional knowledge. Our scientific program, hosted in three main halls, will feature diverse sessions, including 10 pre-congress courses, case presentations, interactive panels, and Pro-Con discussions. A carefully curated program for neonatal nurses will also be included. Additionally, various awards will be presented, including those for the best published article, oral and poster presentations, and research projects, along with the announcement of international scholarship winners.

International Workshop on Neonatal Care in Addis Ababa: Strengthening Newborn Health in Ethiopia

Giulia VertecchiFeatured, Seed for lifeLeave a Comment on International Workshop on Neonatal Care in Addis Ababa: Strengthening Newborn Health in Ethiopia

UENPS is proud to be a partner in the project “Strengthening Maternal and Newborn Health Services in Ethiopia”, an initiative led by Doctors with Africa CUAMM, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Pediatric Society (EPS) and the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), with the support of the Italian Cooperation and the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia.

As part of this commitment, UENPS contributed to the International Workshop on Neonatal Care, which took place in Addis Ababa from January 28 to 31, 2025. This workshop was made possible thanks to the “Survey on Neonatal Resuscitation and Respiratory Care in Ethiopia”, conducted by UENPS, which involved 42 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across Ethiopia. The survey played a crucial role in identifying key gaps in neonatal care, establishing a strong professional network, and providing essential data to guide discussions during the workshop.

The event gathered neonatologists, pediatricians, nurses, and health professionals from across Ethiopia, along with international experts, to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and develop concrete strategies for improving neonatal resuscitation and respiratory care.

As a partner in the “Strengthening Maternal and Newborn Health Services in Ethiopia” project, UENPS remains dedicated to building connections, fostering collaboration, and advancing neonatal care. We are honored to work alongside CUAMM, EPS, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the Italian Cooperation, and the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia to achieve these shared goals.

6th Forum of the Kyrgyz Association of Neonatologists and Neonatal Nurses

Giulia VertecchiMembersLeave a Comment on 6th Forum of the Kyrgyz Association of Neonatologists and Neonatal Nurses

To promote comprehensive academic and scientific cooperation, expand the opportunities of neonatal specialists, enhance the quality of perinatal and neonatal services, and advance the interests of neonatal care specialists in Central Asia, the forum participants decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the associations of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan at the conclusion of the forum.

UENPS and NeoIPC partnership: join our Survey on Infection Prevention and Control in the NICU

Giulia VertecchiFeatured, NewsLeave a Comment on UENPS and NeoIPC partnership: join our Survey on Infection Prevention and Control in the NICU

We are pleased to announce a new agreement between UENPS and the European Project NeoIPC! Together, we are organizing an important survey on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices in the NICU.

This survey is supported by the Italian Society of Neonatology, which has helped to refine the questionnaire. The focus of the survey will be on Kangaroo Care and other NICU-specific IPC practices across Europe and beyond.

The NeoIPC project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, aims to improve IPC practices in neonatal care units.

By participating in this survey, you will gain valuable insights into the practices currently in use in your unit. Once the results are published, you’ll be able to compare your data with those from other countries, helping to identify best practices that should be implemented.

To participate in the survey, fill out our form and select “Infection Prevention in the NICU”

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UENPS-surveys

If you don’t receive the questionnaire, check your spam folder or contact Giulia Vertecchi at uenps.survey@gmail.com

Follow us on our social media channels for updates!