High quality studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of topical anaesthetics such as amethocaine and EMLA for needle-related pain in newborn term or preterm infants are required. These studies should aim to determine efficacy of these topical anaesthetics and on homogenous groups of infants for gestational age. While there was no methaemoglobinaemia in the studies that reported methaemoglobin, the efficacy and safety of EMLA, especially in very preterm infants, and for repeated application, need to be further evaluated in future studies.

Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) for preterm neonates after extubation
Authors' Conclusions:

Implications for practice
NIPPV reduces the incidence of extubation failure and the need for re-intubation within 48 hours to one week more effectively than NCPAP; however, it has no effect on chronic lung disease nor on mortality. Synchronisation may be important in delivering effective NIPPV. The device used to deliver NIPPV may be important; however, data are insufficient to support strong conclusions. NIPPV does not appear to be associated with increased gastrointestinal side effects.
Implications for research
Large trials should establish the impact of synchronisation of NIPPV on safety and efficacy of the technique and should compare the efficacy of bilevel devices versus a ventilator for providing NIPPV.

Intravenous midazolam infusion for sedation of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors' Conclusions: Data are insufficient to promote the use of intravenous midazolam infusion as a sedative for neonates undergoing intensive care. This review raises concerns about the safety of midazolam in neonates. Further research on the effectiveness and safety of midazolam in neonates is needed.

Systemic corticosteroid regimens for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Authors' Conclusions: Despite the fact that some studies reported a modulating effect of treatment regimens in favor of higher-dosage regimens on the incidence of BPD and neurodevelopmental impairment, recommendations on the optimal type of corticosteroid, the optimal dosage, or the optimal timing of initiation for the prevention of BPD in preterm infants cannot be made based on current level of evidence. A well-designed large RCT is urgently needed to establish the optimal systemic postnatal corticosteroid dosage regimen.

Cromolyn sodium for the prevention of chronic lung disease in preterm infants
Authors' Conclusions: There is currently no evidence from randomised trials that cromolyn sodium has a role in the prevention of CLD. Cromolyn sodium cannot be recommended for the prevention of CLD in preterm infants.

Body positioning for spontaneously breathing preterm infants with apnoea
Authors' Conclusions: We found insufficient evidence to determine effects of body positioning on apnoea, bradycardia and oxygen saturation in preterm infants. No new studies have been conducted since the original review was published. Large, multi-centre studies are warranted to provide conclusive evidence, but it may be plausible to conclude that positioning of spontaneously breathing preterm infants has no effect on their cardiorespiratory parameters.

Nitric oxide for respiratory failure in infants born at or near term
Authors' conclusions: Inhaled nitric oxide is effective at an initial concentration of 20 ppm for term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure who do not have a diaphragmatic hernia.

Early administration of inhaled corticosteroids for preventing chronic lung disease in very low birth weight preterm neonates
Authors' conclusions: Based on this updated review, there is increasing evidence from the trials reviewed that early administration of inhaled steroids to VLBW neonates is effective in reducing the incidence of death or CLD at 36 weeks' PMA among either all randomised infants or among survivors. Even though there is statistical significance, the clinical relevance is of question as the upper CI limit for the outcome of death or CLD at 36 weeks' PMA is infinity. The long-term follow-up results of the Bassler 2015 study may affect the conclusions of this review. Further studies are needed to identify the risk/benefit ratio of different delivery techniques and dosing schedules for the administration of these medications. Studies need to address both the short- and long-term benefits and adverse effects of inhaled steroids with particular attention to neurodevelopmental outcome

Inhaled nitric oxide for respiratory failure in preterm infants
Authors' conclusions: iNO does not appear to be effective as rescue therapy for the very ill preterm infant. Early routine use of iNO in preterm infants with respiratory disease does not prevent serious brain injury or improve survival without BPD. Later use of iNO to prevent BPD could be effective, but current 95% confidence intervals include no effect; the effect size is likely small (RR 0.92) and requires further study.

Topic: Neonatal hypoglycemia
Neonatal hypoglycemia in preterm infants may not be associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment or poor academic achievement (Pediatrics 2016 Dec)

Topic: Prevention of group B streptococcal infection in the newborn
Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) Fetus and Newborn Committee guideline on management of term infants at increased risk for early onset bacterial sepsis (CPS 2017 Jan 13)

Topic: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia
Intermittent phototherapy with 12-hour on/off cycles may reduce duration of phototherapy compared to continuous phototherapy in neonates > 34 weeks gestational age with moderate hyperbilirubinemia (Eur J Pediatr 2015 Feb)

Topic: Initial newborn assessment
CCS/CPCA position statement on pulse oximetry screening in newborns to enhance detection of critical congenital heart disease (Can J Cardiol 2017 Feb)