Very prematurely born infants wheezing at follow-up: lung function and risk factors

Objectives

To determine whether abnormalities of lung volume and/or airway function were associated with wheeze at follow‐up in infants born very prematurely and to identify risk factors for wheeze.

Design

Lung function data obtained at 1 year of age were collated from two cohorts of infants recruited into the UKOS and an RSV study, respectively.

Setting

Infant pulmonary function laboratory.

Patients

111 infants (mean gestational age 26.3 (SD 1.6) weeks).

Interventions

Lung function measurements at 1 year of age corrected for gestational age at birth. Diary cards and respiratory questionnaires were completed to document wheeze.

Main outcome measures

Functional residual capacity (FRC_pleth and FRC_He), airways resistance (R_aw), FRC_He:FRC_pleth and tidal breathing parameters (T_PTEF:T_E).

Results

The 60 infants who wheezed at follow‐up had significantly lower mean FRC_He, FRC_He:FRC_pleth and T_PTEF:T_E, but higher mean R_aw than the 51 without wheeze. Regression analysis demonstrated that gestational age, length at assessment, family history of atopy and a low FRC_He:FRC_pleth were significantly associated with wheeze.

Conclusions

Wheeze at follow‐up in very prematurely born infants is associated with gas trapping, suggesting abnormalities of the small airways.     

潮气呼吸肺功能在反复喘息婴幼儿中的应用及临床意义

目的探讨不同类型反复喘息婴幼儿潮气呼吸肺功能的变化及临床意义。方法选取2013年10月至2014年2月收治的3岁以下反复喘息患儿80例,根据哮喘预测指数分为阳性组和阴性组,分别在入院时(急性期)、出院时(缓解期)和出院后1周(恢复期)测定其潮气呼吸肺功能,比较两组喘息患儿的达峰时间比(TPTEF/TE)和达峰容积比(VPEF/VE);并与20例健康儿童对照比较。结果从急性期、缓解期至恢复期,阳性组和阴性组的TPTEF/TE和VPEF/VE均呈上升趋势,不同时期之间的差异均有统计学意义(P均=0.000)。急性期时,TPTEF/TE和VPEF/VE在阳性组和阴性组间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);到缓解期时,阴性组的TPTEF/TE和VPEF/VE均已高于阳性组,但低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);恢复期时,阴性组和对照组间TPTEF/TE、VPEF/VE的差异无统计学意义(P0.05),且均高于阳性组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论哮喘预测指数阳性婴幼儿的肺功能损害比哮喘预测指数阴性患儿持续时间长;运用潮气呼吸肺功能为反复喘息婴幼儿预测哮喘提供客观的临床指标。     

Environmental risk factors for allergy and socioeconomic status in a birth cohort (BAMSE)

Associations between parental educational level and possible risk factors for atopic disease during the first months of life were explored in a cohort of 4089 neonate children born 1994–96 in Stockholm, Sweden. Reports concerning a number of life style factors during pregnancy and after the baby was born were obtained by questionnaire. There was a strong negative association between duration of education and maternal smoking during pregnancy, parental smoking after the baby was born and keeping of cat and dog (p‐trend < 0.001), respectively. For example, smoking during pregnancy was reported by 6.7% (95% CI 5.5–7.9) of mothers with college or university degree and by 22.2% (95% CI 20.1–24.5) of those with the shortest education. Indicators of dampness and poor ventilation were also more common in homes of those with the shortest education. The results show that the educational level has an influence on risk factors for development of atopic disease in childhood and indicates a need of deeper understanding of life style in different socioeconomic groups. The data also indicate that various possible confounding factors need to be thoroughly investigated when analysing studies of risk factors for allergic disease in childhood.     

Perinatal morbidity and mortality in small-for-dates babies: The relative importance of some maternal factors

Data on 538 mothers and their small-for-dates babies were analysed to ascertain whether any specific maternal factors were associated with increased perinatal risks. There were 34 deaths; 21 (62%) of these babies had major congenital abnormalities. Among the survivors perinatal morbidity was also markedly increased when the baby was abnormal. No direct associations were found between abnormal babies and any maternal factors. Few differences were found in the incidence of mortality and morbidity factors according to maternal height, weight, weight gain in pregnancy, social class and smoking habits. There was a significantly higher death rate when the mother was pre-eclamptic, and the incidence of seven other morbidity factors was also increased. The only adverse effects of maternal hypertension without pre-eclampsia was a higher instrumental delivery rate, and more of these babies were tube-fed. There were significantly more perinatal deaths among multiparous women whose previous babies had been of average birthweight. This was due to an excess of congenitally abnormal babies in this group. Only 35% small-for-dates babies escaped any perinatal problems.     

Elevated cord blood IgE is associated with recurrent wheeze and atopy at 7 yrs in a high risk cohort

There is considerable interest in identifying children at high risk for developing atopic diseases for primary prevention. This study evaluates risk factors for detectable cord blood IgE and assesses CB‐IgE in predicting asthma and other IgE‐mediated allergic diseases in children at high risk because of family history. Cord blood was obtained as part of a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of an intervention program in the primary prevention of IgE‐mediated allergic diseases. CB‐IgE was measured and the degree to which this was associated with perinatal risk factors was assessed. The cohort was then evaluated for atopic disorders at 7 yrs of age to assess the predictive value of CB‐IgE. Fifty‐five (19.3%) of infants had detectable CB‐IgE (≥0.5 kU/l). Maternal atopy and birth in winter months were risk factors associated with detectable CB‐IgE. CB‐IgE was found to be significantly associated with allergic sensitization (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.11, 4.41) and recurrent wheeze at 7 yrs (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.09, 5.76) but not with other outcomes. CB‐IgE may be a useful measure for identifying children at high risk of atopic diseases for the purpose of primary prevention.     

Perinatal risk factors in neonatal infections

Perinatal risk factors were studied among 50 cases of neonatal septicemia and 200 matched normal neonates during one year period. The consanguinity among parents, birth order and sex of the baby did not increase the risk for developing septicemia. There was significant increase in the risk for septicemia when the duration of labour was more than 24 hours (P<0.01), time interval between rupture of membrane and delivery of baby was more than 12 hours (P < 0.001), liquor was meconium stained or foul smelling (P<0.001) and delivery was operative (P<0.01), The neonatal factors identified with risk for septicemia were preterm delivery (P<0.01), low birth weight (P<0.01), birth asphyxia (P < 0.001) assisted ventilation (P < 0.001) and intravenous alimentation (P<0.02). Identification of high risk pregnancies and appropriate management can minimize many of the above risk factors which in turn will reduce the occurrence of neonatal sepsis.     

Outcomes and risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates

Background:Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates has been associated with high mortality and poor outcome.This study aimed to compare the incidence,risk factors,and outcomes of VAP and nonVAP conditions in neonates.Methods:We performed a prospective cohort study in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Thailand from January 2014 to December 2014.All neonatal patients who were ventilated more than 48 hours were enrolled.Results:There were 128 enrolled patients.The median (inter quartile range) gestational age and birthweight were 35 (30.2,37.8) weeks and 2380 (1323.8,3020.0) g.There were 17 VAP patients (19 episodes) and 111 non-VAP ones.The VAP rate was 13.3％ or 10.1 per 1000 ventilator days.According to the multivariate analysis,a birthweight less than 750 g [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=10.75,95％ confidence interval (CI)=2.35-49.16;P=0.002] and sedative medication use (aOR=4.00,95％ CI=1.23-12.50;P=0.021)were independent risk factors for VAP.Compared with the non-VAP group,the median difference in the VAP group yielded a significantly longer duration of NICU stay (18 days,P=0.001),total length of hospital stay (16 days,P=0.002) and higher hospital costs ($5113,P=0.001).The inhospital mortality rate in the VAP and non-VAP groups was 17.6％ and 15.3％ (P=0.73),respectively.Conclusions:A neonatal birthweight less than 750 g and sedative medication use were independent risk factors for VAP.Our VAP patients experienced a longer duration of both NICU and hospital stay,and incurred higher hospitalization costs.     

Risk factors for reduced lung function in Australian Aboriginal children

AIM: To determine the influence of perinatal and childhood exposures on lung function in a cohort of Australian Aboriginal children. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 547 Northern Territory Aboriginal children, aged 8-14 years, belonging to a birth cohort. Assessment included physical examination and spirometry as well as retrospective review of centralised hospital records. The effect of select perinatal and childhood exposures on lung function outcomes (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 s (FEF25-75)) adjusted for age, sex, height and other measures of size was examined using multiple regression. RESULTS: Non-urban residence (FEV1 -5% (95% confidence interval, CI 0.91-0.99), FVC -9% (95% CI 0.87-0.95)), current cough (FEV1 -6% (95% CI 0.91-0.97), FVC -4% (95% CI 0.93-0.97), FEF25-75 -8% (95% CI 0.86-0.98)) and hospitalisations for respiratory disease (FEV1 -10% (95% CI 0.86-0.95), FEF25-75 -12% (95% CI 0.70-0.87)) all had significant negative effects on adjusted lung function measures. Children with a non-Aboriginal ancestor had significantly better lung function. No perinatal exposure other than neonatal lung disease had any significant effect on adjusted lung function. CONCLUSIONS: For Northern Territory Aboriginal children factors related to the childhood environment are more important than perinatal factors in determining childhood lung function.     

Wheezing in early life and asthma at school age: Predictors of symptom persistence

Early childhood wheezing is associated with asthma later in life. However, the high spontaneous recovery rate and the lack of firm predictors for persistence of wheezing complicates the development of evidence-based guidelines for long-term management of wheezy infants and toddlers. Our aim was to define variables that could be used to identify wheezy individuals younger than 3 years of age who would continue to be symptomatic at school age. The method used was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 2027 randomly chosen, 6–13-year-old school children. Altogether 1829 (90%) questionnaires were returned. Emergency medical care had been sought for 186 (10.2%) children for wheezing during the first 3 years of life, and only 17.2% of these children had received similar emergency treatment during the 12 months preceding the survey. The total proportion of children with current asthma at school age was 11.4%. A logistic regression analysis indicated that for the early wheezers, a family history of asthma, an itchy rash or food allergy, and exposure to tobacco smoke at home before the age of 3 years, were all independently associated with symptom persistence until school age. Among all wheezy children younger than 3 years, those who have a history of food allergy, itchy rash, asthma occurrence in a sibling or parent, or are exposed to tobacco smoke during the first years of life are at highest risk for symptom persistence until school age.     

再发川崎病的临床特点及相关危险因素分析

目的探讨川崎病(KD)再发的临床特点及相关危险因素。方法回顾分析2010-2018年间收治的再发性KD患儿的临床特点及危险因素。结果研究期间共收治2 112例初发KD患儿,其中35例再发,再发率1.66%。35例再发KD患儿首次发病后KD再发的中位时间为13.5(4～69)月。与初发患儿相比,再发患儿的发热时间缩短,四肢硬肿比例较低,C反应蛋白升高,血清钾降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。35例再发KD患儿中,11例初发时有冠状动脉病变(CAL),8例在再发时亦出现CAL。Logistic回归分析显示,支原体感染和CD19~+CD23~+淋巴细胞亚群比例升高是KD再发的独立危险因素(P0.05)。以再发风险评分绘制ROC曲线,曲线下面积为0.84(95%CI:0.76～0.91),最佳临界值为1.24时,其敏感性和特异性分别为0.83和0.70。结论 KD发生后至少应随访2年,支原体感染和CD19~+CD23~+淋巴细胞亚群升高可作为KD再发的预测指标。初发KD发生CAL者再发时更易发生CAL。     

Risk factors for low birthweight in Japanese infants

The purpose of our study was to identify risk factors for low birthweight (LBW; birthweight < 2500 g) in Japanese infants. The data was collected from questionnaires completed by the parents of 23 132 infants who underwent a standardized well baby check-up for 1-month-old infants, conducted by the Fukuoka City Medical Association from 1987 to 1995. The following eight factors and their second-order interaction terms were examined as potential risk factors for LBW: maternal age at delivery, history of live-born LBW infant, history of abortion in previous pregnancies, maternal smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, prenatal training and live birth order. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the following three factors and one interaction term significantly contributed to LBW: history of live born LBW infant, maternal smoking, live birth order and the interaction between maternal smoking and live birth order. The smoker-related risk for LBW was quite different in each of the three groups stratified by live birth order. Efforts should be made, for example, to increase the accessibility of early, high-quality prenatal care for the high-risk groups with previous LBW babies and to implement smoking intervention, ranging from specific medical procedures to broad-scale public health and health-related educational programs in schools.     

Incidence and risk factors of parenteral nutrition‐associated liver disease in newborn infants

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of parenteral nutrition‐associated liver disease (PNALD) in neonates. Methods: A 1 year prospective cohort study was carried out at the neonatal intensive care unit and sick neonatal wards, Chiang Mai University Hospital. Newborns >1000 g, receiving >7 days of parenteral nutrition (PN), were enrolled. Liver function tests were done by the end of first, second, and fourth week, and then every 4 weeks until the PN was discontinued and the jaundice resolved. The diagnosis of PNALD relied on a history of PN, direct bilirubin >2 mg/dL, and exclusion of other causes of neonatal cholestasis. Selected patient factors and PN compositions were analyzed to determine the risks for development of PNALD. Results: A total of 24 infants with a mean gestational age and birthweight of 32.5 weeks and 1840 g were enrolled. Eight of the 24 developed PNALD. Compared to those without PNALD, gastrointestinal surgery, duration of enteral starvation, duration of PN, maximum PN caloric intake, and maximum carbohydrate intake were significantly associated with the development of liver disease. Despite the lack of statistical significance, there was a trend towards cholestasis in patients with sepsis. Elevation of direct bilirubin was the earliest biochemical change, observed in the first week after PN, followed by increased transaminases. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal surgery, duration of enteral starvation, duration of PN, maximum caloric and carbohydrate intake in PN were significant risks of PNALD in newborn infants.     

Interactions between maternal smoking and other prenatal risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Abstract In numerous investigations, maternal smoking increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the present study we investigated whether prenatal risk factors for SIDS modify the effect of maternal smoking on SIDS mortality. We analysed data from a population-based cohort study (222 cases, 260,604 infants at risk) within the Westphalian Perinatal Inquiry in Germany between 1990 and 1994. In the stratified analysis, smoking was classified into non-smoking, moderate (1–10 cigarettes/d) and heavy smoking (> 10 cigarettes/d). Multiplicative interactions between smoking and other prenatal risk factors were assessed in a logistic regression model. The relative risk (RR) for maternal smoking was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.7-5.4) for moderate and 7.2 (5.3, 9.7) for heavy smokers. Previous established risk factors for SIDS, such as preterm birth, low birthweight, and number of prenatal visits did not increase the risk of SIDS among non-smokers, but became important risk factors among smokers. In preterm infants (< 37 weeks) of heavy smokers, the RR was 19.6 (10.4, 36.8) compared to term infants of non-smokers. Low birthweight infants (< 2500 g) of heavy smokers had a RR of 16.3 (8.4, 31.2) compared to normal weighted infants of non-smokers. Adjustment for occupational status did not change the crude estimates. The RR of < 6 prenatal visits in the heavy smoking subgroup was 14.8 (7.2, 29.6) compared to > 9 prenatal visits in the nonsmoking strata. Heavy smoking potentiates other prenatal risk factors for SIDS suggesting an increased susceptibility towards the adverse effects of tobacco smoke in utero. In infants born to non-smoking mothers, prenatal risk factors are absent and postnatal factors may be of major importance.     

Perinatal risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip

AIMS—To identify perinatal risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and define the risk for each factor.METHODS—In this case control study, using logistic regression analysis, all 1127 cases of isolated DDH live born in South Australia in 1986-93 and notified to the South Australian Birth Defects Register were included; controls comprised 150 130 live births in South Australia during the same period without any notified congenital abnormalities.RESULTS—Breech presentation, oligohydramnios, female sex and primiparity were confirmed as risk factors for DDH. Significant findings were an increased risk for vaginal delivery over caesarean section for breech presentation (as well as an increased risk for emergency section over elective section), high birthweight (?4000 g), postmaturity and older maternal age; multiple births and preterm births had a reduced risk. There was no increased risk for caesarean section in the absence of breech presentation. For breech presentation, the risk of DDH was estimated to be at least 2.7% for girls and 0.8% for boys; a combination of factors increased the risk.CONCLUSIONS—It is suggested that the risk factors identified be used as indications for repeat screening at 6 weeks of age and whenever possible in infancy. Other indications are family history and associated abnormalities.