Predictive monitoring in neonates

Premature infants are physiologically immature and are particularly vulnerable to systemic illnesses. Instability of vital signs related to immaturity of organ systems are common but may also represent early manifestations of serious illness. While vital signs are frequently or continuously monitored in critically unwell neonates, changes in these parameters are subtle in the early phase of illness such as sepsis and difficult to interpret using traditional neonatal monitoring tools. Recent advances in identifying trends and patterns of vital signs in the pre-clinical phase of the illness, particularly in the field of heart rate characteristics monitoring has opened up the potential to improve outcomes through rapid and timely investigations and early intervention. This article reviews the current evidence in predictive monitoring of neonates and discusses potential clinical implications.     

新生儿营养与儿童早期发展

儿童早期发展是从受精卵到8岁儿童体格、心理和社会能力的生长和发育,其发展过程受到遗传、环境等多方面影响。其中,新生儿的优质营养是儿童早期发展的重要物质基础,新生儿期的母乳喂养、新生儿疾病的筛查、早产儿和低出生体重儿的合理喂养都是促进儿童早期发展的关键之一。本文将从新生儿营养的角度,全面总结其对儿童早期发展的作用,为更好地优化母婴营养,促进儿童早期发展提供新的方向与参考。     

Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing Simulations of Ceftazidime in Chinese Neonates

An accurate dosage determination is required in neonates when antibiotics are used. The adult data cannot be simply extrapolated to the pediatric population due to significant individual differences. We aimed to identify factors impacting ceftazidime exposure in neonates and to provide drug dosing guidance to clinicians. Forty-three neonates aged less than 60 days with proven or suspected infections were enrolled in this study. After intravenous administration, blood samples were collected, and plasma ceftazidime concentration was determined using a HPLC method. Pharmacokinetic data were fitted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model approach. One-compartmental model could nicely characterize the ceftazidime in vivo behavior. The covariate test found that the postmenstrual age (day) was strongly associated with systemic drug clearance (L/h), and the effect of body weight (kg) was identified as the covariate on distribution volume (L). Compared with the base model, the addition of covariates improved the goodness-of-fit of the final model. Model validation (bootstrap, visual predictive check, and prediction-corrected visual predictive check) suggested a robust and reliable pharmacokinetic model was developed. Personalized dosage regimens were provided based on model simulations. The intravenous dose should be adjusted according to postmenstrual age, body weight, and minimum inhibitory concentration.     

Two‐Year Neurodevelopment and Growth Outcomes for Preterm Neonates Who Received Low‐Dose Intravenous Soybean Oil

Background: In some studies, the dose of intravenous soybean oil (SO) has been associated with a decreased incidence of intestinal failure–associated liver disease. The effect of lipid sparing on neurodevelopment (ND) and growth remains unknown. This study investigated the impact of SO dose on ND and growth over the first 2 years of age in preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: This is a single‐site prospective follow‐up study. Neonates with a gestational age ≤29 weeks were randomized to low‐dose (LOW) or standard‐dose (CON) SO. Bayley Scales of Infant Development III and anthropometric measurements were collected at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months corrected gestational age. Results: Subjects were premature, with a mean (±SD) gestational age of 28 ± 1 and 27 ± 1 weeks (P = .3) for LOW and CON, respectively. Thirty subjects completed follow‐up (LOW = 15, CON = 15). There were no differences for ND and growth outcomes when LOW was compared with CON, with the exception of a higher 12‐month follow‐up cognitive scaled score in the LOW group (P = .02). Conclusion: A reduced SO dose did not adversely affect ND or growth in this cohort of preterm neonates. However, larger studies are needed to determine the long‐term safety of SO dose reduction before this strategy can be adopted.