Outcomes for high risk New Zealand newborn infants in 1998-1999: a population based,national study

OBJECTIVE: To determine short term morbidity and mortality outcomes, provision of care, and treatments for a national cohort of high risk infants born in 1998-1999 and admitted to New Zealand neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). SETTING: All level III (six) and level II (13) NICUs in New Zealand. METHODS: Prospective audit by the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) of all infants defined as "high risk" (born at < 32 weeks gestation or < 1500 g birth weight, or received assisted ventilation for four hours or more, or had major surgery). Data were collected from birth until discharge home or death. RESULTS: There were 3368 high risk infants (3.0% of all live births), comprising 1241 (37%) < 32 weeks gestation, 1084 (32%) < 1500 g, 3156 (94%) who received assisted ventilation, and 243 (7%) who received major surgery (categories overlap). Most infants (87%) received some care in tertiary hospitals, and 13% were cared for entirely in non-tertiary hospitals. Survival was 91% for infants < 32 weeks gestation, 97% for infants > or = 32 weeks gestation who received assisted ventilation, and 92% for infants > or = 32 weeks gestation who had major surgery. The proportion of very preterm infants who survived free of early major morbidity was 11%, 28%, 53%, 81%, and 90% for infants born at < 24, 24-25, 26-27, 28-29, and 30-31 weeks gestation respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These unique population based national data provide contemporary information on the care and early morbidity and mortality outcomes for all high risk infants, whether cared for in hospitals with level III or level II NICUs.     

Rising incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scottish children, 1984-93. The Scottish Study Group for the Care of Young Diabetics

OBJECTIVES: To calculate the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scottish children aged less than 15 years between 1984 and 1993; to examine changes in incidence; and to calculate the prevalence of diabetes at the end of this period. DESIGN: Three data sources were used to construct the Scottish Study Group for the Care of Young Diabetics register: active reporting of all new cases; reports from the Scottish Morbidity Register 1; and local registers. SUBJECTS: All children resident in Scotland diagnosed with primary insulin dependent diabetes mellitus when less than 15 years of age between 1984 and 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Annual incidence and prevalence rate for Scotland; time trend in incidence over the 10 years; differences in incidence between the three different age groups; and completeness of the register. RESULTS: The average annual incidence for Scotland was 23.9/100,000 children. The prevalence rate was 1.5/1000 in 1993. A total of 2326 cases was identified from the three sources. Capture-recapture analysis suggests a case ascertainment of 98.6%. The annual incidence rates increased at a rate of 2% each year (rate ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.03). The incidence was higher in boys than girls (rate ratio = 1.08, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.18), and the incidence rates increased with age: 15.3/100,000/year for age 0-4 years, 24.4/ 100,000/year for age 5-9 years, and 31.9/ 100,000/year for age 10-14 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scotland is increasing and the prevalence is relatively high. These findings have important implications for health service resource allocation. The Scottish Study Group for the Care of Young Diabetics' register provides a base for monitoring and research.     

Intrapartum antibiotics and early onset neonatal sepsis caused by group B Streptococcus and by other organisms in Australia. Australasian Study Group for Neonatal Infections.

OBJECTIVE: Early onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) infection, the major neonatal infection in industrialized countries, can be prevented by intrapartum antibiotics, but population studies are lacking. This study aimed to determine the incidence of early onset infections caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS) and other organisms in Australia and to assess intrapartum antibiotic use. DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective surveillance of neonatal infections in Australian neonatal units from 1991 to 1997. Early onset infection defined as clinical sepsis in first 48 h after birth, with positive cultures of blood or cerebrospinal fluid or positive urine GBS antigen detection. RESULTS: The incidence of EOGBS sepsis fell from 2.0 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval, 1.4, 2.5) in 1991 to 1993, to 1.3 (1.2, 1.4) in 1993 to 1995, to 0.5 (0.4, 0.7) in 1995 to 1997 (P < 0.0001). The incidence in Aboriginal babies was 5.2 (1.8, 8.6) in 1991 to 1993, 5.1 (3.0, 7.2) in 1993 to 1995 and 1.8 (1.1, 2.5) in 1995 to 1997 (P < 0.05). The incidence of early onset infections caused by organisms other than GBS also fell, from 1.2 per 1000 live births (0.8, 1.7) in 1991 to 1993, to 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) in 1993 to 1995 and 0.5 (0.3, 0.7) in 1995 to 1997 (P < 0.0001). In 1991, 3 of 9 study hospitals had a formal policy on intrapartum antibiotic use, whereas in 1997 all 11 hospitals had a formal policy (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A steady fall in EOGBS infections in Australia from 1991 to 1997 has been associated with increasing use of intrapartum antibiotics. Increased antibiotic use is probably causal in the fall in GBS, because the incidence of early onset infections caused by other organisms has also fallen.     

Perinatal risk factors for major intraventricular haemorrhage in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network, 1995-97

BACKGROUND: In 1995, large differences were identified in rates of grade 3-4 intraventricular/periventricular haemorrhage (major IVH) among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Aims: To develop a predictive model for major IVH in order to allow risk adjustment for the variation in rates of major IVH among NICUs. METHODS: Rates of IVH were determined in 5712 infants of 24-30 weeks gestation born from 1995 to 1997. Significant antenatal and perinatal variables for major IVH in 1995 and 1996 were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. A predictive model was developed and then validated on 1997 data. RESULTS: Rates of all grades of IVH fell from 1995 to 1997 (30.4 to 24.3%) but wide interunit variation remained. Seven antenatal and perinatal characteristics had significant association with major IVH: fetal distress, intrauterine growth restriction (protective), antenatal corticosteroids (protective), gestational age, 1 minute Apgar <4, male gender, and transfer after birth. A predictive model based on the last five of these variables was developed using data from 1995 and 1996 which gave an area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.76. This model was then validated on the 1997 dataset where an identical ROC curve resulted. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal and perinatal factors are important in the pathogenesis of major IVH. The predictive model developed from these factors can be used to adjust for confounders in interunit outcome comparison.     

Severe aplastic anaemia in the Nordic countries: a population based study of incidence,presentation, course,and outcome.

PURPOSE: Incidence data for severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) in children are scanty and vary. Few population based studies have been reported. A retrospective and prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence and course of SAA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All children with a diagnosis of SAA in the Nordic countries from 1982 through 1993 were registered and have been followed up since 1987. RESULTS: A total of 101 children were diagnosed with SAA. The mean annual child population was 4.31 million. A constant incidence of 1.95/million children/year was found: 2.4 for boys and 1.5 for girls. A non-significant increase of cases occurred from November to March. Possible aetiological agents were noted in 29%. The actuarial survival was 79% after one year and 68% after five years without significant difference between boys and girls. CONCLUSION: The incidence of SAA in the Nordic countries remains stable with a preponderance among boys. SAA has still a high initial mortality and a risk of late deaths.     

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immune globulin intravenous therapy for RSV lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children at high risk for severe RSV infections: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin Study Group

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of high-titer intravenous respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin (RSVIG) in the treatment of children at high risk for severe RSV infection who were hospitalized with proven RSV. METHODS: Infants and young children younger than 2 years with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or prematurity (<32 weeks' gestational age), hospitalized with a history of lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) of less than 4 days, were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized in a blinded fashion to receive either 1500 mg/kg RSVIG or placebo in equal volumes. They were evaluated daily for safety and respiratory scores and for RSV nasal shedding. RESULTS: One hundred seven high-risk children were randomized--54 in the RSVIG group and 53 in the placebo group. Of these children, 51 in each group were considered evaluable. Children with pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, or prematurity were equally distributed between the two treatment groups. However, two important differences were found in baseline variables between the two groups: there were more patients in the placebo group who had histories of previous LRI and there was a trend toward more severe disease at study entry in the RSVIG group. This was manifested by a higher entry respiratory score in the RSVIG group than in the placebo group (3.4 +/- 0.2 vs 3.1 +/- .01). A higher proportion of children in the RSVIG group (47%) than in the placebo group (28%) required intensive care at entry and mechanical ventilation at study entry (31% RSVIG-treated vs 18% placebo-treated patients). No significant difference was found between groups in the mean unadjusted duration of hospitalization (RSVIG group, 9.10 +/- 1.18 days; control group, 8.17 +/- 1.08 days). When the mean was adjusted for entry respiratory score, likewise, no difference was observed between each group (8.41 +/- 0.97 vs 8.89 +/- .99 days). The lack of efficacy observed in the study primary endpoint was observed in all diagnostic groups. No differences between the RSVIG and placebo groups were observed in the following secondary endpoints: duration of intensive care unit stay, duration of intensive care unit stay for RSV, mechanical ventilation, or supplemental oxygen. No significant differences in adverse events were reported in the RSVIG group (16 children) when compared with the control group (10 children). CONCLUSION: RSVIG treatment was safe but not efficacious in the treatment of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital heart disease, or premature gestation who were hospitalized with RSV LRI.     

Omeprazole for treatment of chronic erosive esophagitis in children: a multicenter study of efficacy, safety, tolerability and dose requirements. International Pediatric Omeprazole Study Group

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of omeprazole in children and to determine the doses required to heal chronic, severe esophagitis. STUDY DESIGN: Open multicenter study in children aged 1 to 16 years with erosive reflux esophagitis. The healing dose of omeprazole used was that with which the duration of acid reflux was <6% of a 24-hour intraesophageal pH study. Follow-up endoscopy was performed after 3 months of treatment with the healing dose. RESULTS: At entry, two thirds of 57 patients who completed the study had esophagitis grade 3 or 4 (scale 0-4); some 50% had neurologic impairment or repaired esophageal atresia. Of the 57 patients, 54 healed; 3 did not heal and left the study, and 3 healed with a second course. Doses required for healing were 0.7 to 3.5 mg/kg/d: 0.7 mg/kg/d in 44% of patients and 1.4 mg/kg/d in another 28%. Healing dose correlated with grade of esophagitis but not with age or underlying disease. Reflux symptoms improved dramatically in almost all of the 57 patients, including the unhealed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole is well tolerated, highly effective, and safe for treatment of erosive esophagitis and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in children, including children in whom antireflux surgery or other medical therapy has failed. On a per-kilogram basis, the doses of omeprazole required to heal erosive esophagitis are much greater than those required for adults.     

Functional assessment of CD2, CD3 and CD28 on the surface of peripheral blood T-cells from infants at low versus high genetic risk for atopy

Recent studies from several laboratories suggest that the rate of postnatal maturation of T-cell function(s) associated with in vitro activation may be slower in children at high genetic risk for atopy (HR), compared to their normal (low risk; LR) counterparts. The present study compared the in vitro activity of the function-associated surface molecules CD2, CD3 and CD28 in panels of 27 HR and 13 LR infants, with a reference panel of 10 adults, employing assay systems involving T-cell stimulation with MoAbs against these molecules. The response maxima induced by saturating levels of the MoAbs were equivalent in all 3 groups, but T-cells from the HR infants required 10–50 fold higher levels of anti-CD3 stimulation to attain their maximum response, relative to adults (p = 0.02); T-cells from LR infants were also less responsive to anti-CD3 than adults, but these differences were smaller and did not attain statistical significance. It is suggested that these differences are attributable to varying proportions of competent T-memory cells (which respond to low levels of anti-CD3) in PBL from these populations, the postnatal accumulation of which proceeds slowest in the HR group.     

Seasonality of birth in children (0-14 years) and young adults (0-29 years) with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Sardinia differs from that in the general population. The Sardinian Collaborative Group for Epidemiology of IDDM.

A cohort of 1,118 children (0-14 years) and 810 adolescents and young adults (15-29 years) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosed in Sardinia between 1989 and 1998 were analyzed for seasonality of month of birth, and compared to the pattern registered in 314,084 live births. Patients with DM of both age groups had a statistically significant different seasonality pattern from the general population, revealing an increased birth rate during the summer months, a mirror image of the seasonality of onset of disease.     

Clinical characteristics and the prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma - a report from the Study Group for Pediatric Solid Malignant Tumors in the Kyushu Area, Japan.

AIM: There have been no nationwide group studies for patients with rhabdomyosarcoma in Japan. This study aims to assess the actual state of treatments and their outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1982 to 1996, 79 rhabdomyosarcomas were registered by the Study Group for Pediatric Solid Malignant Tumors in the Kyushu Area. The prognostic factors and treatments were assessed based on the 5-year survival rate. The staging was done according to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) Clinical Grouping Classification. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate for all patients was 39.1 %. The survival rates for each factor were as follows, according to 1) group; 77.8 % for Group I, 51.9 % for Group II, 33.7 % for Group III, and 20.2 % for Group IV; 2) primary site: 56.3 % for the head and neck, 43.8 % for the parameningeal region, 12.5 % for the extremity, 58.3 % for the genitourinary region, and 30.5 % for the others; 3) histology: 35.8 % for the embryonal type, 36.8 % for the alveolar type. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the outcome of this study was poor. To improve outcomes, a new nationwide group study for rhabdomyosarcoma, which we belong to, has just started in Japan.     

ICMR Task Force National Collaborative Study on Identification of High Risk Families, Mothers and Outcome of their Off-springs with particular reference to the problem of maternal nutrition, low birth weight, perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality in rural and urban slum communities. Summary, conclusions and recommendations.

The objectives was to assess the determinants of and rates of abortion, stillbirth, and infant mortality for a cohort of pregnant women from slums in New Delhi, Calcutta, and Madras, India and rural slums in Hyderabad, Varanasi, and Chandigarh, India in 1981. The relationship of low birthweight (LBW) and high risk pregnancies to social, environmental, nutritional, cultural, and biological factors was of interest. The results showed variation both between and within urban and rural areas. Rural pregnancy outcome showed fewer LBWs and perinatal and neonatal mortality. Perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates were consistent with prior findings. There was a demonstrated need for prenatal care and referral due to the 10-12% with a poor obstetric history and the significant number with anemia, bleeding, hypertension, toxemia, and urinary tract infections during this pregnancy. Many women were malnourished (body weight 40 kg, height 145 cm, and midarm circumference of 22.5 cm. These women can be identified as high risk. Other risk factors identified were women with disadvantageous personal habits: smoking, alcohol use, tobacco chewing, and working. 10-25% of pregnancies were not registered even though the prenatal clinic was accessible and outreach was provided. 20% completed the recommended number of prenatal visits. 75-85% visited at least once and sometimes more often. Screening for high risk must be done at the 1st visit. Women had strong feelings about the preference for a Dai during delivery and for place of delivery. Poor training of health workers was reflected in the lack of adequate sanitation during the birthing process. Neonatal units were lacking and primary care absent. 10-14% of births were preterm of which 50% occurred at 36 weeks. Multiple regression identified risk factors for fetal and neonatal mortality and LBW as maternal age, preterm birth, maternal anemia, previous preterm or LBW, birth interval, and previous fetal and neonatal mortality. Recommendations are for improving sanitation, hygiene, and water supplies, promoting community awareness of the adverse effects of early marriage and close birth spacing, improving the delivery of health care, allocating health resources based on morality rates, using an intersectoral approach for dealing with the complex social and personal habits adversely affecting childbearing and 7 other suggestions. Existing services and their use are inadequate.     

Recommended clinical evaluation of infants with an apparent life-threatening event. Consensus document of the European Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Death, 2003

Infants with an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) should not be treated nor monitored without a detailed medical evaluation, as different medical causes may be responsible for the initial clinical presentation. Standard and specific evaluation procedures are listed to help identify a cause for the ALTE. The most frequent problems associated with an ALTE are digestive (about 50%), neurological (30%), respiratory (20%), cardiovascular (5%), metabolic and endocrine (under 5%), or diverse other problems, including child abuse. Up to 50% of ALTEs remain unexplained. The finding of medical or surgical anomalies leads to specific treatments. Surveillance programmes with the use of home monitoring devices may be undertaken, preferably with cardiorespiratory monitors, and when possible, with event monitors, although no currently available home monitoring device is free of false alarms or offers complete protection. Long-term follow-up programmes of infants with an apparent life-threatening event contribute to adapt medical attitudes to the childs needs and to confirm the medical diagnosis. Conclusion: a systematic diagnostic evaluation, together with a comprehensive treatment programme, increases survival and quality of life for most affected infants.Abbreviations ALTE apparent life-threatening event - SIDS sudden infant death syndrome For the European Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Death (ESPID). Members of the ESPID who contributed to the present consensus statement: Bentele K, Belhadi B, Blair P, Byard RW, Cosmi EV, Fleming PJ, Franco P, Grogaard J, Groswasser J, Huber J, Hurgoiv V, Irgens LM, Jorch G, Jura J, Kaczmorski M, Katz-Salamon M, Kelmanson I, Kerbl R, Kiechl-Kohlendorfer U, Krous HF, Kurz R, LHoir M, Mallet E, Milerad J, Naulaers G, Neubauer D, Perk Y, Piumelli R, Poets CF, Rambaud C, Rognum OR, Sawaguchi T, Schlaud M, Shatz A, Sperl W, Stöllinger O, Stoltenburg-Didinger G, Sutter M, Tonkin S, Van Reempts P, Wasilewska J, Wilske J, Zotter H.Specialists at large who contributed to the present consensus statement: Adamson R, Brooke H, Devlieger H, Follett F, Gaultier C, Gingras J, Gozal D, Harper R, Hessel L, Hunt C, Horne RSC, Jenik A, Keens T, Lahorgue M, Marcus C, Rivarola MR, Sebastiani P, Scaillet S, Thach B, Togari H, Vecchierini MF, Willinger M.