Acute Care of At-Risk Newborns(ACoRN)

The Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN) program trains health care providers to stabilize that most challenging and enigmatic of medical patients: the unwell newborn.

Early assessment, intervention, and management of at-risk or unstable infants can be critical for their survival and long-term health. Clinical care standards and educational programs to address these requirements are needed. ­The ACoRN program provides a unique, prioritized, and systematic approach to newborn stabilization for health care professionals with any degree of experience. ACoRN-trained providers learn to gather information, prioritize, intervene appropriately, and deliver high-quality care to at-risk and unwell newborns in any setting.

Because research and practice have advanced dramatically in recent years, the need for a new ACoRN text, the program's centrepiece, became essential. Hence the development of this new edition, which reflects current guidelines and evidence-based best practices.

ACoRN teaches the concepts and skills required to stabilize unwell newborns through system-based algorithms ('Sequences'), each with its own chapter:

- Respiratory
- Fluid and Glucose
- Cardiovascular
- Jaundice
- Neurology
- Thermoregulation
- Surgical Conditions
- Infection

Each chapter includes educational objectives, key concepts, learning points, and at least one case scenario with questions and answers to reinforce content and learnings. Chapters describing newborn transition, the ACoRN process, supportive care, and safe transport round out the systems-based core.

This book is written for any health professional who may be required to participate in the stabilization of sick or preterm babies within their scope of practice.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Transition
Chapter 2. The ACoRN Process
Chapter 3. Respiratory
Chapter 4. Cardiovascular
Chapter 5. Neurology
Chapter 6. Surgical Conditions
Chapter 7. Fluid and Glucose
Chapter 8. Jaundice
Chapter 9. Thermoregulation
Chapter 10. Infection
Chapter 11. Transport
Chapter 12. Support
Appendix A: Procedures
Appendix B: Interpretation of Investigations
Appendix C: Medications

Jill E. Boulton, Medical Director, Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Network, Interior Health Authority, BC; NICU, Kelowna General Hospital, Edited by Kevin Coughlin, Neonatal Co-Director of Perinatal Outreach; Associate Professor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Edited by Debra O'Flaherty, Coordinator, Neonatal Outreach, Perinatal Services B.C., and Edited by Alfonso Solimano, Neonatal Outreach, Perinatal Services BC; Medical Director, Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia; B.C. RSV Program

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has worked to improve the health of children and youth since 1922. Backed by the expertise of more than 3,000 paediatricians, the CPS makes sure that parents and professionals have the best possible information about child and youth health and well-being. The CPS is also involved in advocacy, research and education for health care providers.