Research Themes
Current Projects
Research activities 2023
Composite Neonatal Adverse Outcome Indicator for Preterm Infants – A Population-Based Study in Canada
Manopunya S, Beltempo M, YE XY, Shah P.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherche Mère-Enfant 2022. Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2022
Abstract presented at the 8th Annual Child Health and Human Development Program Research Day. Montreal, QC, Canada. November 2022
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Maternal Characteristics and Regional Organizational Factors Associated with Outborn Delivery of Infants <32 Weeks
Manopunya S, Patel S, Piedboeuf B, Drolet C, Lapointe A, Bizgu V, Massé E, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherche Mère-Enfant 2022. Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2022
Abstract presented at the 8th Annual Child Health and Human Development Program Research Day. Montreal, QC, Canada. November 2022
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Healthcare Providers’ Perception of High Unit Activity and its Impact on Patient Care for Extremely Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quebec Survey Study
Guo ATR, Jabbour E, Remmer E, Claveau M, Lapointe A, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherche Mère-Enfant 2022. Montréal, Québec, Canada. October 2022
Abstract presented at the 8th Annual Child Health and Human Development Program Research Day. Montreal, QC, Canada. November 2022 (best poster award)
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting 2023. Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Abstract presented at the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2023. Montebello, QC, Canada. May 2023
Managerial Perception of High Unit Activity and Its Impact on Patient Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Canadian Survey Study
Herman C, Jabbour E, Piedboeuf B, Masse E, Bizgu V, Shah P, Ting J, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the 6th Provincial Mother and Child Research Conference. Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2022
Abstract presented at the 8th Annual Child Health and Human Development Program Research Day. Montreal, QC, Canada. November 2022
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting 2023. Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Abstract presented at the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2023. Montebello, QC, Canada. May 2023
Organizational Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Fazio M, Jabbour E, Bertelle V, Lapointe A, Lacroix G, Gravel S, Cabot M, Piedboeuf B, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherche Mère-Enfant 2022. Montréal, Québec, Canada. October 2022
Abstract presented at the 8th Annual Child Health and Human Development Program Research Day. Montreal, QC, Canada. November 2022
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting 2023. Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Abstract presented at the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2023. Montebello, QC, Canada. May 2023
Association of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in First 3 Days After Birth and Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants – A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
Pirwani S, Shah P, Platt R, Piedboeuf B, Drolet C, Woojin Yoon E, Bizgu V, Bodani J, Bertelle V, Masse E, Lapointe A, Simpson D, Afifi J, McMillan D, Shivananda S, Abou Mehrem A, Lodha A, Mukerji A, Seshia M, Hudson JA, Ng E, Redpath S, Lemyre B, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting 2023. Washington, DC, USA. April 2023
Abstract presented at the Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2023. Montebello, QC, Canada. May 2023
Past Projects
Research activities 2021
Perinatal and Neonatal Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Preterm Infants Born <29 Weeks’ Gestation
Busque AA, Patel S, Jabbour E, Couture E, Garfinkle J, Khairy M, Claveau M, Beltempo M.
Preterm infants born <29 weeks’ gestational age (GA) are at a high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most neonatal follow-up studies focus on their 18-month development, which excludes evaluation for ASD since it is typically diagnosed at >2 years of age. We aimed to assess the incidence of and risk factors for ASD among preterm infants born <29 weeks’ GA.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020
Abstract presented at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021
Abstract presented at the Canadian Paediatric Society Conference. Virtual. June 2021
Published in Pediatrics and Child Health
Timing and Frequency of Screening Cranial Ultrasounds to Identify Severe Neurological Injury Among Very Preterm Infants
Patel S, Martel-Bucci A, Wintermark P, Shalish W, Claveau M, Beltempo M.
Universal head ultrasound (HUS) screening for severe neurological injury (SNI) injury is recommended for infants born <32 weeks’ gestational age (GA). However, targeted screening may be more appropriate. The objective of the study is to develop a risk-stratified HUS screening protocol for infants born <32 weeks’ to accurately identify SNI while minimizing resource use.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020 (Best presentation award)
Abstract presented at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021 (IHDCYH Award, Best Poster)
Abstract presented at the Canadian Paediatric Society Conference. Virtual. June 2021
Published in the Journal of Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Organizational risk factors and clinical impacts of unplanned extubations among infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
LeBlanc G, Jabbour E, Patel S, Olivier F, Zeid M, Kazansteva O, Beltempo M.
Organizational factors in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) may contribute to adverse events, such as unplanned extubations (UPE). UPE may contribute to lung injury and risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) among preterm infants. We aimed to assess the association between daily nursing overtime and UPEs in the NICU population and evaluate the association between UPE and BPD among infants born <29 weeks’ gestational age (GA)/
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020. (Best presentation award)
Abstract presented at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. Virtual. May 2021
Abstract presented at the Canadian Paediatric Society Conference. Virtual. June 2021
Published in the Journal of Pediatrics
Impact of Sequential Implementation of a Standardized Feeding Protocol and Donor Breastmilk on Necrotizing Enterocolitis Among Preterm Infants Born <31 Weeks Gestation
Li Ching Ng L, Patel S, Paquette K, Filion-Ouellet E, Plourde H, Besner ME, Beltempo M.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality among preterm infants born <31 weeks. Nutritional interventions such as a standardized feeding protocol (SFP) and donor breastmilk (DBM) are recommended to reduce NEC. We hypothesized that a combined SFP and DBM will decrease mortality and/or NEC.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020
Abstract submitted at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021
Validation of the Canadian Neonatal Network Costing Algorithm for Asphyxiated Infants Treated with Therapeutic Hypothermia in a Quebec Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Basfar W, Jabbour E, Wintermark P, Patel S, Pechlivanoglou P, Rios JD, Shah P, Beltempo M.
Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the recommended treatment for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Accurate costing algorithms are essential to evaluate cost-effective interventions and identify cost drivers. We aimed to validate the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) costing algorithm for HIE infants, treated with TH against costs obtained from hospital-based finance software (CPSS) and identify clinical factors associated with higher resource use.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020
Abstract submitted at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021
Abstract submitted at the Canadian Pediatric Society Meeting. Virtual. June 2021
The Association of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Design Change and Move with Neonatal Outcomes – A Multicenter Study
Attari Z, Patel S, Saeed S, Drolet C, Bizgu V, Charbonneau L, Lapointe A, Masse E, Platt R, Piedboeuf B, Beltempo M.
Preterm infants are at high risk of mortality/morbidity, and single-family room (SFR) NICUs compared to multi-patient open bay areas (OBAs) have been suggested to improve outcomes. In Quebec, between 2015 and 2016, two NICUs did not move, two NICUs moved from an OBA to a SFR design and one moved from OBA to OBA. Our aim was to investigate the association between NICU design change with mortality/morbidity among preterm infants.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020 (Best presentation award)
Abstract submitted at the 8th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. February 2021
Research activities 2022
Validation of a Costing Algorithm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Identification of Cost Drivers for Neonates
Jabbour E, Patel S, Rios JD, Pechlivanoglou P, Shah P, Beltempo M.
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) account for over 35% of pediatric in-hospital clinical costs, thus implying that a better understanding of care expenditures within these units is the first step for improving efficiency of care. The Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) Algorithm is the first to provide case-specific costs based on resource usage among preterm infants born <37 weeks but has not yet been validated for other populations in the NICU
Abstract presented at the Canadian Pediatric Society Meeting. Virtual. June 2021
Abstract presented at the Congrès Mère Enfant Québec. November 2021 (best presentation award)
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting 2022. Denver, CO, USA. April 2022
Abstract presented at the 9th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. May 2022
The Association Between BMI Trajectories and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Among Preterm Infants Born at Less Than 30 Weeks of Gestational Age
Li Ching Ng L, Patel S, Plourde H, Besner ME, Lapointe A, Bizgu V, Sant’Anna G, Beltempo M.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease of the lungs in neonates which impacts their metabolism and therefore their growth. We compared growth patterns for infants with and without BPD. The results identified that infants with BPD were smaller at birth, but gained weight at a greater rate than their linear growth by week 36 gestational age.
Abstract presented at the Congrès provincial de la recherché mère-enfant, Montreal, QC, Canada. October 2020
Abstract presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. April 2022
Abstract presented at the 9th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. May 2022
Published in Pediatric Research
Association of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Resources with Outcomes Among Very Preterm Infants
Soullane S, Shah P, Lodha A, Shivananda S, Redpath S, Seshia M, Simpson CD, Pechlivanoglou P, Piedboeuf B, Ye XY, Beltempo M.
Abstract presented at the 9th Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Research Meeting. Virtual. May 2022