Circulating adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels in healthy preterm infants: Positive correlation with weight gain and total-cholesterol levels

Background

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (a-FABP) has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Preterm infants are at risk for the later development of insulin resistance, and, possibly, other components of metabolic syndrome.

Aim

To determine circulating levels of a-FABP in preterm infants and examine possible associations of a-FABP with metabolic indices (serum lipids, glucose, and insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), levels of leptin and adiponectin, anthropometric parameters and weight gain.

Study design

Prospective cohort study.

Subjects

55 healthy preterm (mean [SD] gestational age 32.8 [1.8] weeks) and 23 fullterm infants (reference group).

Outcome measures

Serum a-FABP, lipids, glucose, insulin, leptin and adiponectin levels at 31.9 [10.4] days of life.

Results

Serum a-FABP levels did not differ significantly between preterm and fullterm infants. A-FABP levels correlated positively with total-cholesterol [total-C] in both preterm and fullterm infants (β = 0.33; p = 0.01 and β = 0.33; p = 0.04, respectively). In addition to total-C, weight gain correlated independently with a-FABP levels in preterm infants (β = 0.36, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

An association between a-FABP levels and indices of insulin resistance was not present in infants studied. As the development of insulin resistance in children born prematurely is possibly associated with weight gain in early postnatal life, follow-up of our study population is necessary to demonstrate whether a-FABP levels, shown to correlate with weight gain in preterm infants, are a predictive marker for the later development of insulin resistance in these infants.     

Oxidative stress after antenatal betamethasone: Acute downregulation of glutathione peroxidase-3

Background

Human and experimental data show that antenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) temporarily reduces fetal well-being and impairs the fetal response to hypoxemia.

Aims

We tested the hypothesis that antenatal betamethasone provokes transient oxidative stress, which may be triggered directly by the GC or indirectly by metabolic signals such as increased glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations.

Study design

Prospective (single center, 18 months) cohort study in newborns < 34 weeks gestational age at birth.

Methods

We studied 105 newborns and measured oxidative damage to lipids [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and proteins (protein carbonyls), as well as glutathione peroxidase-3 (GPx3), an important antioxidant enzyme, in umbilical vein (UV) plasma. In addition, we measured umbilical artery and UV blood gases, and metabolic indices (plasma glucose, FFA and insulin) in UV.

Results

MDA but not protein carbonyl concentrations was inversely related to time elapsed since the first or last betamethasone administration (p = 0.006); MDA remained elevated by 69-96% for at least 72 h after the last betamethasone. By contrast, GPx3 concentrations were repressed in newborns who received betamethasone ≤ 24 h before birth. GPx3 and MDA concentrations were correlated (r = − 0.38, p < 0.001). Labor, GA, sex, size at birth, blood gases or metabolic indices did not explain the effects of betamethasone on MDA and GPx3.

Conclusions

Antenatal GC elicit a rapid suppression of the GPx3 antioxidant defense system which may contribute to a longer-lasting but also transient rise in lipid oxidative damage.     

Placental pathology is associated with illness severity in preterm infants in the first twenty-four hours after birth

Background

Placental pathology is associated with long-term neurological morbidity. Little is known about the association of placental pathology and illness severity directly after birth in preterm infants.

Objective

To determine the association between placental pathology and illness severity in preterm infants during the first 24 h after birth.

Study design

Placentas of 40 preterm infants, born after singleton pregnancies (gestational age 25.4-31.7 weeks, birth weight 560-2250 g) were assessed for histopathology. Illness severity was measured using the Score of Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE). A high SNAPPE reflects high illness severity.

Results

Examination of the 40 placentas revealed: pathology consistent with maternal vascular underperfusion (MVU) (n = 24), ascending intrauterine infection (AIUI) (n = 17), villitis of unknown aetiology (VUE) (n = 6), foetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) (n = 6), elevated nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) (n = 6), and chronic deciduitis (n = 10). SNAPPE ranged from 1 to 53 (median 10). Infants with elevated NRBCs had a higher SNAPPE than infants without elevated NRBCs (median 30 vs. 10, p = 0.014). The same was found for the presence of FTV (median 30 vs. 10, p = 0.019). No relation existed between SNAPPE and the other placental pathologies.

Conclusions

Elevated NRBCs and FTV were associated with higher illness severity during the first 24 h after birth in preterm infants. Ascending intrauterine infection was not associated with high illness severity.     

Infant head circumference growth is saltatory and coupled to length growth

Background

Rapid growth rates of head circumference and body size during infancy have been reported to predict developmental pathologies that emerge during childhood.

Aims

This study investigated whether growth in head circumference was concordant with growth in body length.

Subjects

Forty infants (16 males) were followed between the ages of 2 days and 21 months for durations ranging from 4 to 21 months (2616 measurements).

Study design

Longitudinal anthropometric measurements were assessed weekly (n = 12), semi-weekly (n = 24) and daily (n = 4) during home visits. Individual head circumference growth was investigated for the presence of saltatory patterns. Coincident analysis tested the null hypothesis that head growth was randomly coupled to length growth.

Results

Head circumference growth during infancy is saltatory (p < 0.05), characterized by median increments of 0.20 cm (95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.30 cm) in 24-h, separated by intervals of no growth ranging from 1 to 21 days. Daily assessments identified that head growth saltations were coupled to length growth saltations within a median time frame of 2 days (interquartile 0-4, range 1-8 days). Assessed at semi-weekly and weekly intervals, an average 82% (SD 0.13) of head growth saltations was non-randomly concordant with length growth (p ≤ 0.006).

Conclusions

Normal infant head circumference grows by intermittent, episodic saltations that are temporally coupled to growth in total body length by a process of integrated physiology that remains to be described.     

Behavioural problems at the age of eleven years in preterm-born children with or without fetal brain sparing: A prospective cohort study

Background

In severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to placental insufficiency a haemodynamic adaptation occurs, resulting in preferential blood flow to the fetal brain (brain sparing). With Doppler ultrasound an increased ratio between the umbilical and the cerebral artery pulsatility index (U/C ratio) can be demonstrated. IUGR is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcome.

Objective

Evaluation of the effect of fetal brain sparing on behavioural problems at eleven years in premature born children.

Methods

Prospective cohort study in premature children born in 1989, with a gestational age of 26 0/7 to 33 0/7 weeks. An U/C ratio > 0.72 was defined as brain sparing. Behavioural problems were assessed with the parent-reported Child Behaviour Check List (CBCL) and the Teacher's Report Form (TRF). T scores > 60 for total problem score and subscales of internalizing and externalizing behaviour, were considered abnormal.

Results

Ninety-eight of the 116 survivors were assessed, of which 31 with antenatally established fetal brain sparing. According to the CBCL-total problem score 23.3% of the premature born babies in the brain sparing group had behavioural problems compared with 22.8% of those without brain sparing. According to the TRF-total problem score the percentages were 21.4% and 20.0%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis failed to show a significant association of U/C ratio with behavioural problems. In this model oxygen dependency at 28 days, IQ < 85 at five years, cranial ultrasound abnormalities, fetal growth ratio < 0.80, Apgar scores < 7 after 5 min and birth weight < p10 contributed significantly.

Conclusion

In this cohort brain sparing itself has no significant association with behavioural problems at eleven years.     

Skin conductance measurements as pain assessment in newborn infants born at 22-27 weeks gestational age at different postnatal age

Background

To assess pain or stress in newborn infants submitted to intensive care is important but difficult, as different observational pain scales are not always reliable in premature infants. As an indicator of pain, skin conductance (SC) measurements have detected increased sweating in newborn infants > 28 gestational age (GA) submitted to heel lancing.

Objective

To measure SC during heel lancing and routine care in newborn infants, born at 22 to 27 GA, with special relation to postnatal age (PNA).

Methods

In six infants < 28 + 0 GA and 4 infants ≥ 28 + 0 GA spontaneous SC activity and behavioural state (Neonatal Pain Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS)) was measured before, during and after each intervention. Measurements were repeated in each patient at different PNA.

Results

Baseline SC prior to intervention took longer time to stabilise and was higher in < 28 than in ≥ 28 + 0 PNA. The combination of heel lancing and squeezing gave an increased SC in < 28 PNA, whereas heel lancing alone gave the same SC response in ≥ 28 + 0 PNA. A possibly continued immature response in SC measurements was not observed. Oral glucose admission prior to heel lancing increased SC. Routine care did not give any changes in SC. Except during orogastric tube placement no signs of discomfort or pain could be detected by the neonatal pain, agitation and sedation scale (N-PASS) in < 28 PNA.

Conclusion

Changes in SC could be detected in infants at < 28 + 0 PNA and related to the combination of heel lancing and squeezing. A maturational development of the SC was observed in infants born < 28 GA. SC seems to be able to differentiate between pain and discomfort.     

Socioeconomic status, anthropometric status, and psychomotor development of Kenyan children from resource-limited settings: a path-analytic study

Background

Sub-optimal physical growth has been suggested as a key pathway between the effect of environmental risk and developmental outcome.

Aim

To determine if anthropometric status mediates the relation between socioeconomic status and psychomotor development of young children in resource-limited settings.

Study design

A cross-sectional study design was used.

Subjects

A total of 204 (105 girls) children from two resource-limited communities in the Coast Province, Kenya. The mean age of these children was 29 months (SD = 3.43; range: 24-35 months).

Outcome measure

Psychomotor functioning was assessed using a locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory.

Results

A significant association was found between anthropometric status (as measured by weight-for-age, height-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference, and head circumference) and psychomotor functioning and also between socioeconomic status and anthropometric status; no direct effects were found between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome. The models showed that weight, height and to a lesser extent mid-upper arm circumference mediate the relation between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome, while head circumference did not show the same effect.

Conclusion

Among children under 3 years living in poverty, anthropometric status shows a clear association with psychomotor development while socioeconomic status may only have an indirect association.     

Myocardial function in offspring 5-8years after pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Introduction

Preeclampsia and diabetic pregnancies share pathophysiological features suggested to influence epigenetic changes during foetal life with importance for later development and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Aim

Our objective was to study the myocardium in offspring after pregnancy complications.

Methods

Forty-five children (age 5-8 years) delivered from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (n = 25), diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 8) or gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 12) were included. Fifteen children from uneventful pregnancies served as controls. Myocardial functions of right and left ventricle were examined by conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Results

No major differences were found in the myocardial function between offspring of pregnancy complications and control group. However, the preeclampsia group had smaller hearts, increased heart rate and increased late diastolic velocity (A′-wave) at mitral valve attachments shown by both pulsed wave and colour TDI compared to the control and diabetic groups together (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

Children born after preeclampsia may show effects of a negative impact on the heart already at the age of 5 to 8 years. The numbers of examined children were, however, limited.     

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months of corrected age associated with prenatal risk factors

Background

Very premature infants occasionally have neurodevelopmental disabilities. However, there have been quite limited data on prenatal risk factors associated with their neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Aim

To clarify the relationship between prenatal risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes of very premature infants.

Study design

The study design is a retrospective review.

Subjects

One hundred seventy Japanese women with a singleton pregnancy and their infants whose birth weight being less than 1500 g were included. We classified those infants into 118 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 52 small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Outcome measures

Infants' neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of corrected age were evaluated by the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001 (KSPD). We analyzed and compared the infants' outcomes and prenatal risk factors between two groups.

Results

Mortality and rate of infants unevaluable by KSPD because of severe impairment were not significantly different between those groups. However, the developmental quotient score of the cognitive-adaptive area in SGA infants born between 25 and 31 weeks of gestation was significantly lower than that in AGA infants randomly selected as gestation-matched controls. More advanced gestational age and heavier birth weight protected against adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in both groups. Moreover, male infants were related to the excess risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the SGA group.

Conclusion

In view of the neurodevelopment of the infants, it seems that the most efficient obstetric strategy for improving prognosis of premature infants should be targeted to prolong the pregnancy period as long as the reassuring fetal status and maternal stable health condition are being confirmed.     

Family functioning, burden and parenting stress 2 years after very preterm birth

Background

Examining rates of difficulties in family functioning following very preterm birth has been a relatively neglected area of research.

Aims

To examine family functioning, burden and parenting stress in families with very preterm compared with term born children, and investigate influences of parental mental health problems and child neurodevelopmental disability on family outcomes in families with preterm children.

Study design

Participants were 184 very preterm and 71 term children and their parents. Parents completed the Family Assessment Device, Parenting Stress Index and Impact on Family questionnaires when their children were 2 years old (corrected for prematurity). Parental mental health and social risk information were also collected. Children were assessed for neurodevelopmental disability.

Results

Families with very preterm children reported poorer family functioning (p = .03) compared with families with term born children, with less evidence for differences between families with very preterm and term born children in parenting stress and family burden. Within very preterm families, parental mental health problems were associated with higher levels of parenting stress (p = .001), and parents of children with a neurodevelopmental disability were more likely to report higher family burden (p = .04).

Conclusions

For families with very preterm children, parental mental health symptoms and child neurodevelopmental disability may identify families at risk of greater stress and burden who may benefit from additional support.     

Parental body size and early weight and height growth velocities in their offspring

Background

Whereas weight or height at a given age are the results of the cumulative growth experience, growth velocities allows the study of factors affecting growth at given ages.

Aim

To study the relationships between parental height and body mass index (BMI) and offspring's height and weight growth during infancy and childhood.

Study design

From the FLVSII population-based study, 235 parent-child trios belonging to 162 families examined in 1999.

Outcome measures

From medical records and previous FLVS examinations, child's height and weight history were reconstructed. Weight and height growth velocities from birth to seven years were estimated from a modelling of individual growth curve and correlated with parent's body size in 1999.

Results

Ponderal index and length at birth were significantly associated with maternal but not paternal BMI and height. In the first six months, height growth velocity was significantly associated with maternal stature (at three months: 0.12 ± 0.05 and 0.02 ± 0.05 cm/month for a 10 cm difference in maternal and paternal height respectively) and weight growth velocity with paternal BMI (at three months: 5.7 ± 2.8 and 1.9 ± 2.3 g/month for a difference of 1 kg/m² in paternal and maternal BMI respectively). Between two and five years, height growth velocity was more significantly associated with paternal height whereas weight growth velocity was more closely associated with maternal BMI.

Conclusions

Early childhood growth is characterised by alternate periods associated specifically with maternal or paternal BMI and height. This novel finding should trigger the search for specific genetic, epigenetic or environmentally shared factors from the mothers and fathers.     

Placental aetiologies of foetal growth restriction: Clinical and pathological differences

Background

Placental morphology and pregnancy outcome differ between normal pregnancies and those with foetal growth restriction (FGR). Most reports do not differentiate among different placental injury patterns related to foetal growth restriction.

Aims

To evaluate placental and perinatal findings in growth restricted pregnancies based on three placental injury patterns: maternal and foetal blood supply abnormalities, and villitis of unknown aetiology, compared to those of preeclampsia (PE) and normal pregnancies.

Study design

Retrospective review.

Subjects

65 growth restricted newborns and their placentas.

Outcome measures

Comparison of the clinical perinatal characteristics and outcomes, placental pathology and the number of syncytiocapillary membranes in the terminal villi, of the 65 FGR cases with 13 pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE), and 25 uncomplicated pregnancies as controls, at 34-40 weeks gestation.

Results

The most common injury patterns of FGR placentas were maternal underperfusion (66%) (group 1), foetal blood supply abnormality (17%) (group 2), and villitis of unknown aetiology (17%) (group 3). The rate of induced labours was the highest in group 1 but the rate of operative deliveries due to suspected foetal asphyxia was the highest in group 2 (p < 0.05). In the FGR cases, inverse relationship was found between birth weight and the number of syncytiocapillary membranes (r = − 0.31, p < .05) in the maternal underperfusion FGR cases (group 1) only.

Conclusions

The different injury patterns in placentas of FGR patients may be correlated to different clinical outcomes. Placental examination in FGR pregnancies can provide a specific pathophysiologic explanation that may recur in subsequent pregnancies and lead to changes in follow-up and management.     

Neurodevelopmental outcome over time of preterm born children ≤750 g at birth

Background

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at risk of cognitive impairment and follow-up is therefore of major importance. The age at which their neurodevelopmental outcome (NDO) can reliably be predicted differs in the literature.

Aims

To describe NDO at 2, 3.5 and 5.5 years in an ELBW cohort. To examine the value of NDO at 2 years corrected age (CA) for prediction of NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years.

Study design

A retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study.

Subjects

101 children with a BW ≤ 750 g, born between 1996 and 2005, who survived NICU admission and were included in a follow-up program.

Outcome measures

NDO, measured with different tests for general development and intelligence, depending on age of assessment and classified as normal (Z-score ≥ − 1), mildly delayed (− 2 ≤ Z-score < − 1) or severely delayed (Z-score < − 2).

Results

At 2, 3.5 and 5.5 years 74.3, 82.2 and 76.2% had a normal NDO. A normal NDO at 2 years CA predicted a normal NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years in 92% and 84% respectively. Of the children with a mildly or severely delayed NDO at 2 years CA the majority showed an improved NDO at 3.5 (69.2%) and 5.5 years (65.4%) respectively.

Conclusions

The majority of the children with a BW ≤ 750 g had a normal NDO at all ages. A normal NDO at 2 years CA is a good predictor for normal outcome at 3.5 and 5.5 years, whereas a delayed NDO at 2 years CA is subject to change with the majority of the children showing a better NDO at 3.5 and 5.5 years.     

Patterns in sleep-wakefulness in three-month old infants exposed to methadone or buprenorphine

Background

Infants exposed to opioides in-utero frequently demonstrate withdrawal symptoms in the neonatal period and have difficulties with state regulation.

Aim

This study examines sleep-wakefulness-distress patterns as indicators of regulatory mechanisms at 3 months of age.

Participants

A national infant cohort (N = 35) born to women in high-dose maintenance treatment during pregnancy and a comparison group (N = 36) of low-risk infants born in the same period.

Outcome measures

Distributions and frequencies of sleep, wakefulness and distress measured in hours and episodes on sleep charts recorded by the mothers in the two groups.

Results

Women in maintenance treatment were monitored closely during pregnancy to avoid illicit drug use and to be prepared for motherhood. They were also offered residential treatment before pregnancy and after the child was born. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in any of the 10 measures reflecting diurnal and nocturnal rhythmicity at 3 months despite of neonatal abstinence syndrome in 47% of the exposed infants and significant differences in infant characteristics with respect to birth weight, gestational age and maternal characteristics.

Conclusions

Follow-up procedures combining drug monitoring and counseling during pregnancy and in the first months after birth enhance the development of state regulation in terms of sleep-wakefulness patterns.     

Pre-pregnancy iron reserves, iron supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight

Background

Early iron supplementation in women with sufficient reserves could provoke iron excess resulting in haemoconcentration and low infant birth weight (IBW).

Aim

To clarify the influence of early iron supplementation on maternal iron status and the IBW, taking into account pre-pregnancy iron deposits.

Study design

Longitudinal, prospective study.

Subjects

Healthy women volunteers (n = 82) intending to become pregnant.

Outcome measures

Women were grouped as a function of their pre-pregnancy (low or present) iron stores (serum ferritin (SF) < or ≥ 20 μg/L) and time of commencement of iron supplementation during pregnancy; “early” (< 20 weeks) or “late” (≥ 20 weeks). Obstetric and clinical history, smoking habit, dietary intake and iron biochemical parameters were obtained at pre-pregnancy as well as at 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Haemoglobin, MCV, SF and transferrin saturation (TS) were measured.

Results

Overall, 36% of the women had low iron stores at pre-pregnancy. The mean early supplementation with iron was 140.7 mg/d and the mean of late supplementation was 99.01 mg/d. Early supplementation improves the biochemical status of the mother and does not provoke a significant increase in haemoconcentration relative to late supplementation independently of the pre-pregnancy iron levels.Supplemental iron had a positive effect on birth weight among women with pre-pregnancy low iron stores (β = 4.37; SE = 1.8; p = 0.038) and did not affect birth weight among women with present iron stores (β = − 0.008; SE = 3.03; p = 0.998).

Conclusion

Early iron supplementation with doses ~ 100 mg/d improves the biochemical status of the mother independently of her pre-pregnancy iron status. Supplementation with iron improves newborn birth weight in those women who start pregnancy with iron deficiency, and makes no significant difference to those women who are not iron deficient.     

Massage therapy improves neurodevelopment outcome at two years corrected age for very low birth weight infants

Background

Long term effects of massage therapy in very preterm newborns infants are still to be described. Few studies evaluated neurodevelopment just at six months, and included late preterm infants.

Objective

To study the effect of massage therapy on neurodevelopment of very low birth weight infants at two years corrected age.

Study design

Newborns with birth weight between ≥ 750 and ≤ 1500 g and gestational age ≤ 32 weeks were randomly assigned to massage therapy by mothers plus skin-to-skin care (Intervention Group) or just skin-to-skin care (Control Group) during their hospital stay. Growth and neurodevelopment outcome were evaluated at 2 years corrected age.

Results

We followed 73 newborns (35 in Intervention Group, and 38 in Control Group). Both groups were similar in neonatal data. Growth at 2 years corrected age was similar in both groups. Intervention Group had borderline higher Psychomotor Development Index and significantly higher Mental Development Index scores than Control Group.

Conclusions

We suggest that massage therapy by mothers combined to skin-to-skin care during neonatal hospital stay improves neurodevelopment outcome at 2 years corrected age.     

Sepsis-associated electroencephalographic changes in extremely low gestational age neonates

Background

Sepsis in premature infants is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. No previous studies have assessed acute changes in brain function during sepsis that might precede these adverse outcomes.

Methods

We performed amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monthly, from 28 weeks until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, on 108 premature infants born before 28 weeks of gestation. Additional aEEG recordings were performed during infants' first episode of sepsis. Two independent readers who were blinded to the infant's gestational age at birth and chronologic age, as well as to whether the infant had sepsis, evaluated aEEG recordings for the presence of burst suppression and assigned a maturation score.

Results

Burst supression was found in 22% of aEEG recordings from infants without sepsis and 57% of recordings from infants with sepsis at the time of the recording (odds ratio = 4.2; 95% confidence limits = 2.4, 7.2; p < 0.001). After adjustment for postmenstrual age at the time of the recording, the association between sepsis and burst suppression persisted (odds ratio = 2.4; 95% confidence limits = 1.2, 4.8; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found in the rate of increase in aEEG maturation score between infants with sepsis and those without.

Conclusion

Sepsis is associated with acute electroencephalographic changes, as indicated by burst supression, but not with a decreased rate of brain wave maturation.     

Fetal general movements and brain sonography in a population at risk for preterm birth

Background

General movements (GMs) assessed three months post term are related to brain injury and neurological outcome.

Aims

To study GMs in fetuses and their predictive value for echogenicity changes in the fetal brain.

Study design

Prospective study of fetal GMs (classified as normal or abnormal) and echogenicity changes in the periventricular, basal ganglia/thalami area, and ventricular system (classified as absent, mild or moderate).

Subjects

121 fetuses from pregnancies affected by hypertensive disorders and/or preterm labour, at risk for preterm birth (26-34 weeks gestational age).

Outcome measures

Prevalence of abnormal GMs, GM parameters (amplitude, speed and complexity), and moderate echogenicity changes in the fetal brain (periventricular ≥ IB, intraventricular grade II/III, and basal ganglia/thalamus locally increased). Predictive values of GMs for clinical parameters and moderate echogenicity changes.

Results

GMs were abnormal in 58%, with amplitude affected in 96%, and speed and complexity in 59%. Abnormal GMs correlated with oligohydramnios (p = 0.002) and hypertensive disorders (p = 0.015). Echogenicity changes of the brain were absent, mild and moderate in 27%, 39% and 31%, respectively. The sensitivity of GMs for moderate echogenicity changes in the three areas combined was 0.65, and the periventricular area 0.85, specificity both 0.44, negative predictive values 0.73 and 0.96 respectively.

Conclusions

Qualitative abnormal GMs are frequent in fetuses of compromised pregnancies, and correlate with hypertensive disorders and oligohydramnios. The amplitude of GMs was most frequently affected. Abnormal GMs relate to moderate echogenicity changes especially in the periventricular area of the fetal brain, while normal GMs predict absence of moderate echogenicity changes.     

No short-term benefits of antenatal corticosteroid treatment in severely preterm growth restricted fetuses: A case-control study

Background

Antenatal corticosteroid administration to premature, growth restricted fetuses may not be beneficial and even have adverse effects on neonatal outcome.

Aims

To determine if preterm growth restricted fetuses benefit from antenatal corticosteroids.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

All singleton pregnancies with growth restricted fetuses delivered at our department before 34 weeks' gestation or weighing less than 1500 g, between January 2001 and December 2005, were retrospectively reviewed. Neonatal outcome was compared between growth restricted fetuses (defined as abnormal flow patterns in umbilical and middle cerebral arteries) that received antenatal CST (CST group) and those who did not receive antenatal CST (no CST group). The administration of CST appeared to be quasi randomized.

Results

A total of 88 pregnancies fulfilled the inclusion criteria (CST group, n = 54; no CST group, n = 34). The incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in the CST and no CST group was 42% (22/54) and 50% (17/34), respectively (p = 0.44). Neonatal mortality in the CST and no CST group was 9% (5/54) and 12% (4/34), respectively (p = 0.73). The prevalence of adverse neonatal outcome (neonatal mortality, major neonatal morbidity or severe cerebral lesions) in the CST and no CST group was 28% (15/54) versus 24% (8/34), (p = 0.62).

Conclusions

Administration of CST to growth restricted preterm fetuses does not appear to be beneficial with respect to short term neonatal outcome.     

Echocardiography predicts closure of patent ductus arteriosus in response to ibuprofen in infants less than 28 week gestational age

Background

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent problem in preterm infants, and its incidence is inversely correlated with gestational age. The efficacy of medical treatment decreases with decreasing gestational age (GA), and failure rates as well as ductus ligation rates of 40% have been reported in < 28 week GA newborns. The aim of this study was to determine whether echocardiographic parameters can predict response to ibuprofen treatment of PDA.

Study design

In a longitudinal study, 29 infants born < 28 week GA were screened for a significant PDA (left atrial to aortic root ratio > 1.4, anterior cerebral artery resistance index > 0.8, and oxygen requirement > 35%) at 24-72 h of life and, if a PDA was found, treated with 10-5-5 mg/kg ibuprofen intravenously every 24 h. Ductal parameters were monitored by serial echocardiography. Infant neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 24 month corrected age.

Results

All 15 infants with significant PDA responded to the ibuprofen loading dose indicated by reduced PDA diameters or increased PDA maximum flow velocities (PDA V_max), and 7 patients showed an ongoing response resulting in a closed PDA after the 1st cycle (47%). Of the 8 non-responders, 7 received a 2nd cycle with 2 further responders (29%). All non-responders to the 2nd course had a PDA V_max ≤ 180 cm/s and increasing ductal diameters after the 3rd ibuprofen dose of the 1st course.

Conclusion

Maximum flow velocity and diameter of the PDA at the end of the 1st cycle discriminate between responders and non-responders to further ibuprofen treatment.