Ultrasonic evaluation of neonatal subependymal-intraventricular hemorrhage and its complications

This study demonstrates the value of neurosonography in the evaluation of subependymal—intraventricular hemorrhage (SEH-IVH) and its major complications in the premature infant. Real time sector scans were performed on 150 premature neonates within first 24 hours of life (mean, 10 hrs), and then at 48, 72, and 96 hours and thereafter at weekly intervals. The incidence of SEH-IVH was 22% (n=33). Twenty seven of the 33 infants had small hemorrhages (Grade I & II), 4 infants sustained Grade III hemorrhage and 2 infants had Grade IV hemorrhage. All hemorrhages occurred in the first 96 hours of life; 50% being diagnosed with the first scan. Larger grades of hemorrhages were generally symptomatic while majority of patients with small hemorrhages had no associated symptoms. The infants especially at risk were those less than 32 weeks'gestation (odds ratio, 29 fold) and/or birth-weight <1200 gms (odds ratio, 6 fold). Three infants developed post hemorrhagic ventriculomegaly which subsided spontaneously in two of them by the age of 4 weeks. One infant progressed to post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The mortality in the study group was 11.3% (n=17) and correlated to the severity of hemorrhage (39% vs 3.4%; hemorrhagic vs non hemorrhagic group, p<0.001). At least one screening sonogram is essential within first 4 days of life to diagnose SEH-IVH, which may be otherwise clinically silent. Once the hemorrhage is diagnosed, followup evaluations may be done at weekly intervals to detect post-hemorrhagic ventriculomegaly.     

Physician end-of-life decision-making in newborns in a less developed health care setting: insight in considerations and implementation

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of the decisions to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging treatment are based on the newborn's predicted poor quality of life. All previous studies on end-of-life decisions were done in countries with adequate support for disabled neonatal intensive care units (NICU) survivors. Data on quality-of-life considerations in countries with developing health care are not available yet. AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the considerations of physicians taking end-of-life decisions in sick newborns and how those decisions are carried out in practice in a less developed health care setting. METHOD: Thirty-two deaths over 18 months in a neonatal unit were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four deaths (75%) were attributable to withholding or withdrawing of treatment. In 7 of these cases (29%), the decisions were based on quality-of-life considerations, mostly predicted suffering and expected hospital dependency. For the majority of paediatricians, end-of-life decision making was not influenced by legal or economic considerations or by considerations regarding availability of supportive care after discharge. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that physician end-of-life decision making in this unit in a less developed health care setting is found to be similar to that in developed health care settings and is independent of availability of supportive care after discharge for infants with disabilities.     

Serratia: a problem in a neonatal nursery

We have noted an increased incidence of Serratia species isolates in our Special Care Nursery recently and have reviewed our experience over the 7 year period from 1976 to 1982. Fifty newborn infants had strains of Serratia isolated, 30 of which were found in 1982. Two strains of Serratia species were isolated: Serratia marcescens in 46 newborn infants and Serratia liquefaciens in six, with both types being found in two infants. All isolates were sensitive initially to gentamicin, kanamycin sulphate, chloramphenicol and co-trimoxazole. However, resistance was documented subsequently to each of these antibiotics. Only 64% of isolates only were sensitive initially to ampicillin; 27% subsequently developed resistance Recent isolates were sensitive to cefotaxime sodium.
Twenty-nine infants (58%) were colonized, and 1.6 (32%) had minor infections such as conjunctivitis. However in five infants (10%) life threatening illness occurred. Of the five infants with serious infection two had meningitis and three were septicaemtc; one infant died. In both infants with meningitis difficulty was experienced in eradicating the organism and porencephaly developed in both.     

Alternative female kangaroo care for procedural pain in preterm neonates: a pilot study

Aim: To determine the feasibility and effect size of kangaroo care (KC) for pain from heel lance in preterm neonates provided by either the infant’s mother (MKC) or an unrelated alternate female (AFKC). Methods: Using a randomized crossover design, preterm neonates (n = 18) between 28 and 37 weeks gestational age within 10 days of life from two university‐affiliated level III NICU’s undergoing routine heel lance were assigned to receive KC 30 min before and during the procedure from either their mother (MKC) or an unrelated woman. In the second heel lance procedure at least 24 h later but within 10 days, the infants were crossed over to the other condition. Results: There was a 48% participation rate, with only 40 of 82 eligible cases having maternal consent. The main reason for refusal was discomfort with another woman providing kangaroo care. The effect sizes on the pain scores (PIPP) were small, ranging from .23 to .43 across the first 2 min of procedure. Conclusion: The difference between nonrelated females and the mother in decreasing pain response is small, although not negligible. Given the high refusal rate, nonrelated females are a less desirable alternative to mothers than fathers.     

The logistics of withdrawing life-sustaining medical treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit

Withdrawal of life sustaining medical treatments is a common mode of death in the neonatal intensive care unit. Shared decision making and communication are crucial steps prior to, during and after a withdrawal of life sustaining medical treatments. Discussion should include the steps to occur during the withdrawal. Physicians should recommend appropriate withdrawal steps based on family goals. Stepwise approach should be taken only if a family requests. Care should continue for the family and staff after the withdrawal and the infant's death.     

Antenatal counselling for parents facing an extremely preterm birth: limitations of the medical evidence

When physicians are asked for a consult for women in premature labour, they face a complex set of challenges. Policy statements recommend that women be given detailed information about the risks of various outcomes, including death, long-term disability and various specific neonatal problems. Both personal narratives and studies suggest that parents also base their decisions on factors other than the probabilistic facts about expected outcomes. Statistics are difficult to understand at any time. Rational decision-making may be difficult when taking life-and-death decisions. Furthermore, the role of emotions is not discussed in peri-viability guidelines. CONCLUSION: We argue against trying to tell parents every fact that we think might be relevant to their decision. This may be overwhelming for many parents. Instead, doctors should try to discern, on a case-by-case basis, what particular parents want and need. Information and delivery of information should be personalized. Unfortunately, evidence in this area is limited.     

Fetal and neonatal origins of altered brain development

Abnormal development of the brain during fetal life is now thought to contribute to the aetiology of many neurological disorders that manifest throughout life. Many factors are likely to underlie such abnormal development including genetic makeup and an adverse intrauterine environment. This review will focus on prenatal hypoxic/ischaemic injury, inflammatory/infective insults and preterm birth. A range of experimental models have been used to characterize lesions formed in response to these insults and to determine mechanisms of damage resulting from such events. Relatively brief periods of fetal hypoxia result in neuronal death (cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex), white matter damage and reduced growth of neural processes. These effects are more profound at mid than late gestation. Chronic mild placental insufficiency can result in fetal growth restriction and deficits in neural connectivity and myelination. Exposure of the preterm fetus to inflammatory agents causes brain damage particularly in the white matter and this is exacerbated by hypoxia. Premature birth without potentiating factors can result in subtle neuropathologies including cerebral white matter gliosis, hippocampal sclerosis and subarachnoid haemorrhage; the extent of the damage appears to be related to the regimen of ventilatory support. These studies show that the timing, severity and nature of specific insults are critical in determining the pattern of injury and thus the extent to which neurological function will be affected postnatally. Defining the causes, patterns and mechanisms of brain injury is crucial if we are to develop rational neuroprotective strategies to reduce the burden of altered brain growth and poor functional and behavioural outcomes.     

Facilitation of neonatal nasotracheal intubation with premedication: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To determine if premedication reduces the time and number of attempts by junior medical staff to achieve nasotracheal intubation in neonates. The experimental design was a non-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial. The setting was a perinatal centre in a university teaching hospital. METHODS: Twenty infants (within the ranges of 25-40 weeks gestation, 650-3660 g and 1 h to 81 days of age) requiring semi-urgent intubation were randomized to either premedication with morphine, atropine and suxamethonium, or to awake intubation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to prior intubation experience of the staff or infant weight or gestation. The intubation procedure, including intervening events, to completion was significantly faster in premedicated infants (median 60 s vs 595 s; P = 0.002) who were intubated at a younger postnatal age. It took twice as many attempts to intubate a conscious infant (median 2 vs 1; P = 0.010). There was a greater decrease in heart rate from the baseline in the unpremedicated group (mean 68 b.p.m. vs 29 b.p.m.; P = 0.017), but decreases in oxygen saturation were not different. Blood was observed in the oral and nasal passages after intubation in five of the awake infants and in one of the premedicated infants. CONCLUSIONS: The use of premedication reduces the total time and number of attempts taken to achieve successful nasotracheal intubation of neonates by junior medical staff under supervision.     

Feasibility and efficacy of gentamicin for treating neonatal sepsis in community-based settings: a systematic review

Background

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal deaths in developing countries. The current recommended in-hospital treatment is parenteral ampicillin (or penicillin) and gentamicin in young infants for 10- 14 days; however, very few could access and afford. The current review is to evaluate the feasibility of gentamicin in community based settings.

Methods

Both observational and randomized controlled trials were included. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Central Trial Register of India were searched until September 2013. We assessed the risk of bias by Cochrane Collaboration’s "risk of bias" tool.

Results

Two observational studies indicated feasibility ensuring coverage of population, decrease in case fatality rate in the group treated by community health workers. In an RCT, no significant difference was observed in the treatment failure rates [odds ratio (OR)=0.88], and the mortality in the first and second week (OR=1.53; OR=2.24) between gentamicin and ceftriaxone groups. Within the gentamicin group, the combination of penicillin and gentamicin showed a lower rate of treatment failure (OR=0.44) and mortality at second week of life (OR=0.17) as compared to the combination of gentamicin and oral cotrimoxazole.

Conclusion

Gentamicin for the treatment of neonatal sepsis is both feasible and effective in community-based settings and can be used as an alternative to the hospitalbased care in resource compromised settings. But there was less evidence in the management of neonatal sepsis in hospitals as was seen in this review in which we included only one RCT and three observational studies.

     

An EXTrauterine environment for neonatal development: EXTENDING fetal physiology beyond the womb

Extreme prematurity is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, and remains an unsolved clinical challenge. The development of an artificial womb, an extrauterine system recreating the intrauterine environment, would support ongoing growth and organ maturation of the extreme preterm fetus and would have the potential to substantially improve survival and reduce morbidity. Previous efforts toward the development of such a system have demonstrated the ability to maintain the isolated fetus for short periods of support, but have failed to achieve the long-term stability required for clinical application. Here we describe our initial experiments demonstrating the stable support of fetal lambs developmentally equivalent to the extreme premature infant for up to four weeks with stable hemodynamics, growth, and development. The achievement of long-term physiologic support of the fetus in an extrauterine system has the potential to fundamentally change the management and clinical outcome of the extreme premature infant.     

Impact of structured programs on breastfeeding initiation rates in preterm neonates in a socioeconomically deprived area in France: A 10-year population-based study

Structured programs have a positive impact on breastfeeding (BF) but have rarely been evaluated for preterm neonates, frequently combining prematurity and socioeconomic deprivation as risk factors of a low BF rate. We aimed to assess BF initiation rates in very preterm (< 33 weeks’ gestational age), moderately preterm (33–36 weeks), and term neonates from 2002 to 2011 in a French administrative district characterized by socioeconomic deprivation. Structured activities to promote and support BF have been implemented in this area since 2002; they all started in neonatal units. This retrospective population-based study analyzed 302,102 first health certificates. Overall, the BF initiation rate significantly increased, from 52.9% [95% CI: (52.3; 53.4)] in 2002 to 61.0% [95% CI: (60.4; 61.6)] in 2011. In 2002, BF initiation rates did not differ between groups, but in 2011, it was higher for very preterm than for term and moderately preterm neonates [74.7% (69.7; 79.6)] vs. 60.9% (60.3; 61.5) and 59.9% (57.6; 62.2), respectively, both P < 0.001. In 2011, however, no difference was observed between moderately preterm children and term-born children (P = 0.40). The 2.2% yearly increase observed in very preterm neonates significantly differed from the 0.9% yearly increase in the French general population (P < 0.001).

Energy expenditure in very low birth weight newborns: a comparison between small and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age

Aims: To compare resting energy expenditure (REE) in small‐ and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age very low birth weight newborns after reaching corrected at‐term age. Methods: Observational study that included all clinically stable very low birth weight newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The newborns were classified as small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA). Resting energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry when the newborns reached at‐term age. Results: A total of 51 newborns, of which 23 were SGA and 28 AGA, were included. There was no statistically significant difference in REE between the two groups, although the observed levels were higher than the reference values. Conclusion: There is no statistical difference in resting expenditure energy between SGA and AGA infants when they reached term. The higher energy expenditure found in both groups may be explained by other factors related to prematurity and its complications and requires further investigation.     

口腔运动干预改善早产儿脑功能发育的随机对照研究

目的 探讨口腔运动干预(oral motor intervention,OMI)对早产儿脑功能发育的影响.方法 采用分层随机分组方法,将112例早产儿按胎龄分为小胎龄(30～31+6周)及大胎龄(32～33+6周)两层,再随机分为对照组(分别23、22例)和干预组(分别24、23例).对照组予以常规治疗,干预组在此基础...     

Human torovirus: a new virus associated with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

AIM: Toroviruses have been associated with gastroenteritis in both animals and humans. The aim of this study was to examine the fecal excretion of torovirus in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). METHODS: We reviewed all infants with NEC admitted to our tertiary care NICU over a 5-y period who had stool specimens sent for microbial culture and virology. Infants in the NICU during the same period with diagnoses other than NEC served as controls. RESULTS: Forty-four infants with NEC stages I-III were identified, and pathogenic organisms were identified in 27 (61%). Toroviruses were identified in stool cultures in 48% of patients with NEC, and 17% of the non-NEC controls (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in illness severity or mortality between the torovirus-positive and -negative infants with NEC. CONCLUSION: Torovirus should be added to the list of infectious agents associated with NEC in newborn infants. The exact role torovirus plays in the etiology and progression of NEC warrants further investigation.