Cardiac Troponin-T as a Marker of Myocardial Dysfunction in Term Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia

Objectives

To describe the diagnostic test properties of Cardiac Troponin-T (cTnT) in predicting myocardial dysfunction in asphyxiated term neonates by taking echocardiography as the gold standard and to establish the optimum cut-off values of cTnT for myocardial dysfunction, shock, severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and mortality by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Methods

This was a prospective study based on diagnostic test evaluation. The study included 120 term asphyxiated neonates in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Southern India from June 2011 through June 2015. All the neonates were clinically evaluated. Venous blood was taken at 4 h of life for cTnT estimation. Echocardiography was done within 24 h of birth.

Results

The mean cTnT level of asphyxiated term neonates was 0.207±0.289 ng/ml (mean ± SD). Asphyxiated neonates with myocardial dysfunction had higher cTnT levels (0.277±0.231) as compared to those without myocardial dysfunction (0.061±0.036, p?=?0.0001). Using ROC curve, the cut-off cTnT values for myocardial dysfunction was 0.1145 ng/ml with sensitivity 92.4% and specificity 94.1%. Cardiac Troponin-T levels were significantly higher among asphyxiated neonates with shock (0.378±0.348, p?=?0.0001) and the levels also correlated positively with increasing grades of HIE. The cut-off cTnT value for mortality was 0.2505 ng/ml with sensitivity 83.9% and specificity 96.6%.

Conclusions

In asphyxiated term neonates, early cTnT elevation is a marker for predicting myocardial dysfunction and elevated cTnT levels had high sensitivity and specificity. There was significant relation with increasing cTnT values and increasing grades of HIE.

     

Acute kidney injury in a single neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey

Background

Although advances in perinatal medicine have increased the survival rates of critically ill neonates, acute kidney injury (AKI) is still one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care units. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AKI and analyze demographic data and risk factors associated with the mortality or morbidity.

Methods

Of 1992 neonates hospitalized between January 2009 and January 2011, 168 with AKI were reviewed in the study. The diagnosis of AKI was based on plasma creatinine level >1.5 mg/dL, which persists for more than 24 hours or increases more than 0.3 mg/dL per day after the first 48 hours of birth while showing normal maternal renal function.

Results

The prevalence of AKI was 8.4%. The common cause of AKI was respiratory distress syndrome, followed by sepsis, asphyxia, dehydration, congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, congenital heart disease, and medication. The prevalence of AKI in neonates with birth weight lower than 1500 g was about three-fold higher than in those with birth weight higher than 1500 g (P<0.05). Pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm prolonged rupture of membranes, and administration of antenatal corticosteroid were associated with increased risk of AKI (P<0.05). Umbilical vein catheterization, mechanical ventilation and ibuprofen therapy for patent ductus arteriosus closure were found to be associated with AKI (P<0.05). The overall mortality rate was 23.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed that birth weight less than 1500 g, mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, anuria, and dialysis were the risk factors for the mortality of infants with AKI.

Conclusions

Prenatal factors and medical devices were significantly associated with AKI. Early detection of risk factors can reduce the mortality of AKI patients.     

Effect of Birth Asphyxia on P Wave Dispersion

Objectives

To evaluate the cardiac conduction system using P wave dispersion on electrocardiogram and its relationship with the short term mortality and development of arrhythmia in asphyxiated neonates.

Methods

Thirty term babies with evidence of asphyxia and without any congenital abnormalities were consecutively evaluated as cases. They were compared with thirty healthy term babies without asphyxia. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiography was obtained from all the patients and the controls, and P wave dispersion was calculated according to its definition as the difference between P maximum duration and P minimum duration in 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Results

A statically significant difference of P wave dispersion was observed between the patients and the control group (0.027?±?0.011 mm/s and 0.016?±?0.006 mm/s, respectively; P value?=?0.0001). The P wave dispersion had a statistically significant correlation with the grade of asphyxia (P?=?0.004, r?=?0.62), the P wave dispersion had no statistically significant correlation with Apgar scores, short term arrhythmia, and troponin I level in asphyxiated neonates (P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

The P wave dispersion increased in asphyxiated neonates and correlated with grade of asphyxia; however, the increased P wave dispersion was not correlated with the short term mortality, arrhythmia and troponin I level of the asphyxiated neonates.     

Measurement of the Urinary Lactate/Creatinine Ratio for Early Diagnosis of the Hypoxic–Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborns

Objective

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of permanent neurological disabilities. Perinatal asphyxia may induce neonatal mortality after birth or neurological impairment among survivors. There are no reliable methods for identifying infants at risk for this disorder.

Methods

We measured the ratio of lactate/creatinine (L/C) in urine by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy within 6 and 24 hours after birth in 50 normal infants and 50 infants with asphyxia who developed hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. The study was performed from September 2006 to May 2007. For statistical analysis, the SPSS software was used. Group comparisons were performed with chi-square and t-test(1, 5).

Findings

L/C ratio was 3.3±2 among asphyxiated neonates in the first six hours after birth which was 11 folds greater than in normal neonates (0.3±0.08, P=0.0001). This ratio decreased to 1.5±0.55 for asphyxiated cases in the first 24 hours after birth, which was 5 folds greater than in control group (P=0.0001). Asphyxiated neonates were subdivided into Group A with mild asphyxia and L/C ratio 2.5±0.5; Group B with moderate asphyxia and L/C ratio 4.2±1.5; and Group C with severe asphyxia and L/C ratio 3.4±3.3. The severity of asphyxia correlated with the greater L/C ratio among our cases and was significant (P=0.0007). The sensitivity and specificity of L/C ratio in cut off point of 0.48, was 96.1% and 100% respectively.

Conclusion

Measurement of the urinary L/C ratio soon after birth maybe a promising tool to identify asphyxiated neonates and also to predict the severity of asphyxia.     

Cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone level — interpretation in light of perinatal factors

Objectives

To study the influence of perinatal factors on cord blood TSH (CB TSH) levels.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary care private hospital.

Methods

CB TSH levels were measured in 952 live-born infants using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The effect of perinatal factors on the CB TSH levels was analyzed statistically.

Results

The median CB-TSH was 8.75 microIU/mL (IQR = 6.475–12.82) with 11.5% neonates having values more than 20. CB TSH was significantly raised in first order neonates (P <0.01) and in babies delivered by assisted vaginal delivery and normal delivery (P <0.01). Neonates who had fetal distress or nonprogress of labour had significantly higher CB TSH than those who were delivered by elective caesarean section. Requirement of resuscitation beyond the initial steps and low Apgar scores at 1 minute also resulted in significantly raised CB TSH (both P <0.01). Maternal hypothyroidism, maternal hypertension and neonates’ weight appropriateness for gestation, gestational age and birth weight did not have significant effect.

Conclusions

The incidence of high cord blood TSH (>20 microU/mL) is 11.45%. On multivariate analysis, requirement of resuscitation, mode of delivery and fetal distress as indication for LSCS were significant factors affecting CB TSH values. Hence, these values need to be interpreted in light of perinatal factors.     

Heart Rate Variability in Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Objective

To evaluate the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods

Twenty-two newborns (14 boys, 8 girls) with moderate or severe HIE and 24 term neonates with similar gestational and postnatal age for control were included in this study. Normalized low and high frequency components of HRV and their ratio were evaluated for 24-h in newborns with HIE and control subjects.

Results

The newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy had significantly lower normalized low frequency (LFn) and low frequency (LF) / high frequency (HF) values and higher normalized high frequency (HFn) values when compared with the control babies. In addition, when the cases with severe HIE are compared with those of moderate HIE, decreased LFn, LF/HF values and also increased HFn values were present in the severe cases.

Conclusions

HIE is associated with reduced sympathetic nervous system activity, and increased parasympathetic nervous system activity and these activities also correlate with the severity of the disease.     

"Random" gentamicin concentrations do not predict trough levels in neonates receiving once daily fixed dose regimens

Background

It has recently been suggested that serum procalcitonin (PCT) is of value in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, with varying results. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to assess the usefulness of PCT as a marker of neonatal sepsis of nosocomial origin.

Methods

One hundred infants aged between 4 and 28 days of life admitted to the Neonatology Services of 13 acute-care teaching hospitals in Spain over 1-year with clinical suspicion of neonatal sepsis of nosocomial origin were included in the study. Serum PCT concentrations were determined by a specific immunoluminometric assay. The reliability of PCT for the diagnosis of nosocomial neonatal sepsis at the time of suspicion of infection and at 12–24 h and 36–48 h after the onset of symptoms was calculated by receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The Youden's index (sensitivity + specificity - 1) was used for determination of optimal cutoff values of the diagnostic tests in the different postnatal periods. Sensitivity, specificity, and the likelihood ratio of a positive and negative result with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results

The diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis was confirmed in 61 neonates. Serum PCT concentrations were significantly higher at initial suspicion and at 12–24 h and 36–48 h after the onset of symptoms in neonates with confirmed sepsis than in neonates with clinically suspected but not confirmed sepsis. Optimal PCT thresholds according to ROC curves were 0.59 ng/mL at the time of suspicion of sepsis (sensitivity 81.4%, specificity 80.6%); 1.34 ng/mL within 12–24 h of birth (sensitivity 73.7%, specificity 80.6%), and 0.69 ng/mL within 36–48 h of birth (sensitivity 86.5%, specificity 72.7%).

Conclusion

Serum PCT concentrations showed a moderate diagnostic reliability for the detection of nosocomial neonatal sepsis from the time of suspicion of infection. PCT is not sufficiently reliable to be the sole marker of sepsis, but would be useful as part of a full sepsis evaluation.     

Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a predictor of the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

Background

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease mostly occurring in preterm infants. The pathogenesis of BPD involves early inflammation and remodeling of the premature lung.

Aim

To search for the novel predictive marker of BPD development, we studied serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), an innate immune mediator, in preterm infants.

Methods

Serum NGAL concentrations at birth were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The reference levels were determined in 52 infants having no anomalies or inherited diseases. The levels and clinical variables were assessed in association with BPD.

Results

Geometric means (95%CI) of serum NGAL levels at birth of infants having no underlying diseases were 32.4 (22.1–47.5), 58.6 (47.9–71.8), and 126.2 (99.0–168.7) ng/mL for < 31, 31–36 and > 36 gestational weeks (GW), respectively (p < 0.001). These levels positively correlated with neutrophil (p < 0.0001) or monocyte counts (p < 0.0001). The median NGAL levels (307.8 ng/mL) and neutrophil counts (4141/μL) at birth of 16 preterm infants (< 31 GW) who developed BPD were higher than those (42.9 ng/mL and 1357/μL) of 20 infants (< 31 GW) who did not (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.012), respectively. In multivariable analysis for 36 infants born less than 31 GW, higher NGAL levels (≥ 82 ng/mL) but not neutrophil counts at birth had a significant association with developing BPD (gestational-age adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 37.45 [3.08–455.49], p < 0.01).

Conclusions

High serum levels of NGAL at birth could be an early sensitive marker for BPD in preterm infants, because their levels were physiologically low.     

Glycerin suppository for promoting feeding tolerance in preterm very low birthweight neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To compare the efficacy of glycerin suppository versus no suppository in preterm very-low-birthweight neonates for improving feeding tolerance.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Level III neonatal unit from Mumbai, India.

Participants

50 very-low-birthweight (birth weight between 1000 to 1500 grams) preterm (gestational age between 28 to 32 weeks) neonates randomized to glycerine suppository (n=25) or no intervention (n=26).

Intervention

Glycerin suppository (1g) once a day from day-2 to day-14 of life or no suppository, along with intermittent oral feeds and standardized care.

Primary outcome

Time required to achieve full enteral feeds (180 mL/kg/d).

Results

Baseline characteristics of neonates like gestational age, birth-weight, gender and age at the time of introduction of feeds were comparable in both groups. The mean (SD) duration to reach full enteral feed was 11.90 (3.1) days in glycerin suppository group and was not significantly different (P=0.58) from control group, [11.33 (3.57) days]. Glycerin suppository group regained birth weight 2 days earlier than control group but this difference was not significant (P=0.16). There was no significant difference in duration of hospital stay or occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis amongst the two study groups.

Conclusion

Once daily application of glycerin suppository does not accelerate the achievement of full feeds in preterm very-low-birthweight neonates.     

Sunlight exposure and vitamin D status in breastfed infants

Objective

To correlate the sunlight exposure in first 6 months to vitamin D status at 6 months of age in predominantly breastfed infants; and to quantify the sunlight exposure required to achieve serum 25(OH)D level >20 ng/mL, by 6 months of age

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Tertiary-care hospital predominantly catering to urban poor population in Delhi.

Participants

132 healthy infants, delivered at term, and predominantly breastfed were enrolled at 6-8 weeks of age. Of these, 100 infants were available for final evaluation at 6 months of age (mean (SD) follow-up: 126 (17) days).

Methods

Baseline maternal vitamin D (serum 25(OH)D) levels were obtained at enrolment. The mothers were asked to maintain a daily record of duration of sunlight exposure, timing of exposure, and body surface area exposed, for the infant, on a pre-designed proforma, till the child was 6 months of age. Infant’s serum 25(OH)D was measured at 6 months of age.

Main outcome measures

Cumulative Sun Index was calculated as a composite measure of overall duration/time/body surface area exposed to sunlight; and correlated with the infant serum 25(OH)D after adjusting for baseline maternal serum 25(OH)D levels, season of exposure, and skin color of the infant. Sun index for exposure in morning (before 10 am) and afternoon (10 am-3 pm) were also correlated to vitamin D status.

Results

Of 100 mother-infant pairs completing the study, 90 mothers had vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D <12 ng/mL). The median duration of exposure of infants to sunlight was 17 min per week, on 6% of body surface area. Vitamin D levels of 67 (67%) infants at 6 months were less than 12 ng/mL and another 23% had insufficient levels (12-20 ng/mL). Cumulative sun index correlated positively to infant’s serum 25(OH)D level at 6 months of age (r= 0.461, P<0.001). Increment in afternoon sun index by 1 unit increased the serum 25(OH)D level by 1.07 ng/mL (95% CI 0.37, 1.78; P= 0.003). A minimum 30 minute weekly afternoon sunlight exposure, between 10 am and 3 pm, over 40% body area (infant clothed in diapers, in prone position) for at least 16 weeks, was estimated requirement to achieve sufficient vitamin D levels (>20 ng/mL) by 6 months of age.

Conclusions

There is a significant positive correlation between afternoon sunlight exposure and infant’s vitamin D levels, independent of maternal vitamin D status. Randomized controlled trials are suggested to explore the effectiveness of this simple intervention to prevent or treat vitamin D deficiency in children.

     

Rasburicase for acute kidney injury

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) continues to have significant mortality and morbidity and the search is on for any novel therapeutic intervention.

Case characteristics

Two cases of AKI with elevated SUA (serum uric acid).

Intervention

Rasburicase.

Outcome

In Case 1 (late preterm male with AKI) rasburicase resulted in a significant reduction of SUA along with improvement in renal parameters. In Case 2 (6 yrs old boy with multi organ failure), rasburicase failed to provide any significant benefit despite fall in SUA.Message: The effect of rasburicase in AKI needs to be studied.     

Evaluation of Renal Function in Term Babies with Perinatal Asphyxia

Objective

To study the renal function in term newborns with perinatal asphyxia including urinary excretion of β₂ microglobulin (β₂M).

Methods

This case control study included 50 term newborn babies with perinatal asphyxia and 50 normal babies as matched controls. In all cases, asphyxia grading (using Apgar score) and Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) staging (Sarnat and Sarnat) were done. Blood and urinary parameters (including β₂M) for renal function were done in all and Fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and Renal failure index (RFI) were calculated. The renal parameters were compared within subgroups as well as controls using analysis of variance test and the independent samples t test.

Results

Acute kidney Injury (AKI) was noted in 56 % of cases (24 % prerenal and 32 % intrinsic type). All 9 babies who died had AKI. Serum parameters like urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium had better correlation with the renal function as compared to urine parameters. All individual urine parameters except β₂M showed wide variations. FENa, RFI and urinary β₂M increased with increasing severity of asphyxia and HIE staging.

Conclusion

AKI is common in term babies with perinatal asphyxia. FENa and RFI are useful parameters for assessing the renal function and urinary β₂M is a good biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of acute tubular injury in term babies with perinatal asphyxia.     

Effect of carbamazepine therapy on homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in children with epilepsy

Objectives

To compare the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid before and after 6 months of carbamazepine therapy and to correlate them with carbamazepine level at 6 months.

Design

Prospective comparative study.

Setting

Tertiary care centre in North India.

Participants

51 children (2–12 years of age) presenting with motor partial seizures.

Intervention

Carbamazepine (10–20 mg/μ/day) for 6 months.

Main outcome measure

Change in serum homocysteine, B₁₂, folic acid level.

Methods

Fasting venous samples were collected before carbamazepine therapy and after six months. Homocysteine was analyzed using homocysteine enzyme immunoassay. Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid were estimated using electrochemiluminesence technique. Carbamazepine levels were measured at 6 months.

Results

Of the 51 children, 36 (males-21), were followed up and their data analyzed. Mean homocysteine level was 11.51±3.95 μmol/L at recruitment and 11.77±6.65 μmol/L at six months (P=0.785). At recruitment 6(16%) children had homocysteine level above 15 μmol/L which increased to 10(27%) at 6 months. Mean vitamin B₁₂ at recruitment was 292.1±111.2 pg/mL and 297.8±82.9 pg/mL at 6 months (P=0.764). Mean folic acid at recruitment was 9.98±3.45 ng/mL and 10.66±3.97 ng/mL at 6 months (P=0.358). There was no correlation between carbamazepine levels with homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid (P>0.05). There was no effect of age, sex or dietary pattern on homocysteine levels.

Conclusion

Hence 6 months of carbamazepine therapy did not cause significant change in serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid.     

Correlation of cardiac troponin T levels with inotrope requirement,hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,and survival in asphyxiated neonates

BACKGROUNDCardiac involvement in neonates with perinatal asphyxia not only complicates perinatal management but also contributes to increased mortality. AIMTo assess cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels in asphyxiated neonates and their correlation with echocardiography findings, inotrope requirement, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) stages, and mortality.METHODScTnT levels, echocardiographic findings, the requirement of inotropes, HIE stages, and outcome were studied in neonates of gestational age ≥ 34 wk with perinatal asphyxia.RESULTSAmong 57 neonates with perinatal asphyxia, male gender, cesarean section, forceps/vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery and late preterm included 33 (57.9%), 23 (40.4%), 3 (5.3%), and 12 (21.1%) respectively. The mean gestational age was 38.4 wk (1.6 wk). HIE stages I, II, and III were observed in 7 (12.3%), 37 (64.9%), and 9 (15.8%) neonates respectively. 26 (45.6%) neonates had echocardiographic changes and 19 (33.3%) required inotropes. cTnT levels were elevated in 41 (71.9%) neonates [median (IQR); 0.285 (0.211-0.422) ng/mL]. The Median cTnT level showed an increasing trend with increasing changes in echocardiography (P = 0.002). Two neonates with mitral regurgitation and global hypokinesia had the highest cTnT levels (1.99 and 0.651 ng/mL). Of 31 neonates with normal echocardiography, 18 (58.06%) showed elevated cTnT. cTnT levels were significantly higher in those who required inotropic support than those who did not (P = 0.007). Neonates with HIE stage III had significantly higher cTnT levels compared to those with HIE stage I/II (P = 0.013). Survivors had lower median cTnT levels [0.210 (0.122-0.316) ng/mL] than who succumbed [0.597 (0.356-1.146) ng/mL].CONCLUSIONcTnT levels suggestive of cardiac involvement were observed in 71.9% of asphyxiated neonates. cTnT levels correlated with echocardiography findings, inotrope requirement, HIE stages, and mortality.     

Apparent diffusion coefficient histogram analysis of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging is a valuable tool in the assessment of the neonatal brain, and changes in diffusion are seen in normal development as well as in pathological states such as hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Various methods of quantitative assessment of diffusion values have been reported. Global ischemic injury occurring during the time of rapid developmental changes in brain myelination can complicate the imaging diagnosis of neonatal HIE.

Objective

To compare a quantitative method of histographic analysis of brain apparent coefficient (ADC) maps to the qualitative interpretation of routine brain MR imaging studies. We correlate changes in diffusion values with gestational age in radiographically normal neonates, and we investigate the sensitivity of the method as a quantitative measure of hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy.

Materials and methods

We reviewed all brain MRI studies from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at our university medical center over a 4-year period to identify cases that were radiographically normal (23 cases) and those with diffuse, global hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (12 cases). We histographically displayed ADC values of a single brain slice at the level of the basal ganglia and correlated peak (s-sD_av) and lowest histogram values (s-sD_lowest) with gestational age.

Results

Normative s-sD_av values correlated significantly with gestational age and declined linearly through the neonatal period (r ²?=?0.477, P?<?0.01). Six of 12 cases of known HIE demonstrated significantly lower s-sD_av and s-sD_lowest ADC values than were reflected in the normative distribution; several cases of HIE fell within a 95% confidence interval for normative studies, and one case demonstrated higher-than-normal s-sD_av.

Conclusion

Single-slice histographic display of ADC values is a rapid and clinically feasible method of quantitative analysis of diffusion. In this study normative values derived from consecutive neonates without radiographic evidence of ischemic injury are correlated with gestational age, declining linearly throughout the perinatal period. This method does identify cases of HIE, though the overall sensitivity of the method is low.     

Early magnetic resonance detection of cortical necrosis and acute network injury associated with neonatal and infantile cerebral infarction

Background

Knowledge of MRI findings in pediatric cerebral infarction is limited.

Objective

To determine whether cortical necrosis and network injury appear in the acute phase in post-stroke children and to identify anatomical location of acute network injury and the ages at which these phenomena are seen.

Materials and methods

Images from 12 children (age range: 0–9 years; neonates [<1 month], n=5; infants [1 month–12 months], n=3; others [≥1 year], n=4) with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) cortical infarction were retrospectively analyzed. Cortical necrosis was defined as hyperintense cortical lesions on T1-weighted imaging that lacked evidence of hemorrhage. Acute network injury was defined as hyperintense lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging that were not in the MCA territory and had fiber connections with the affected cerebral cortex. MRI was performed within the first week after disease onset.

Results

Cortical necrosis was only found in three neonates. Acute network injury was seen in the corticospinal tract (CST), thalamus and corpus callosum. Acute network injury along the CST was found in five neonates and one 7-month-old infant. Acute network injury was evident in the thalamus of four neonates and two infants (ages 4 and 7 months) and in the corpus callosum of five neonates and two infants (ages 4 and 7 months). The entire thalamus was involved in three children when infarction of MCA was complete.

Conclusion

In acute MCA cortical infarction, MRI findings indicating cortical necrosis or acute network injury was frequently found in neonates and early infants. Response to injury in a developing brain may be faster than that in a mature one.     

Serum Hsp70 Antigen: Early Diagnosis Marker in Perinatal Asphyxia

Background:

Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of mortality and permanent neurological and developmental deficit. Early and accurate diagnosis would help to establish the likely prognosis and may also help in determining the most appropriate treatment. Studies in experimental animal models suggest that a protein called Hsp70 may be a good and potentially useful marker of cellular stress that may be clinically useful in determining the presence of neonatal asphyxia.

Objectives:

Regarding the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of asphyxia, we conducted this study, which is the first investigation of the comparison of the serum Hsp70 antigen level between asphyxiated and healthy infants.

Patients and Methods:

In this observational study, the serum concentrations of Hsp70 antigen were compared between neonates suffering from perinatal asphyxia (n = 50) and normal neonates (n = 51). The inclusion criteria for the cases were neonates who had reached term and had at least two clinical criteria of asphyxia. Exclusion criteria were babies with gestational age < 37 weeks, infants with congenital abnormalities or positive blood culture. Exclusion criteria in this group were the requirement to hospital stay during first week of the life or babies whose mothers had difficulties during pregnancy or delivery. Term neonates without major anomalies who had asphyxia during delivery were enrolled in the first six hours after delivery, and control group consisted of healthy term neonates without problems and normal delivery process in the first week of life. The cord blood was taken during labor to measure Hsp70 antigen level by using an in-house ELISA (The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

Results:

The median values of serum anti Hsp70 titers were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates compared with non-asphyxiated neonates (0.36 [0.04 - 1.14] vs 0.24 [0.01 - 0.63]). At cutoff point = 0.3125 ng/mL, sensitivity was 58% and specificity 76% based on ROC curve.

Conclusions:

A significant difference between the serum concentrations of Hsp70 of the control and patient group was observed in this study. It is inferred serum concentrations of Hsp70 antigen may be a useful marker for the early diagnosis of that prenatal hypoxia.     

Improved outcomes of transported neonates in Beijing: the impact of strategic changes in perinatal and regional neonatal transport network services

Background

Infants born outside perinatal centers may have compromised outcomes due to the transfer speed and efficiency to an appropriate tertiary center. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of regional coordinated changes in perinatal supports and retrieval services on the outcome of transported neonates in Beijing, China.

Methods

Information about transported newborns between phase 1 (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006) and phase 2 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009) was collected. The strategic changes during phase 2 included standardized neonatal transport procedures, skilled attendants, a perinatal consulting service, and preferential admission of transported neonates to the intensive care unit of the tertiary care center. Data from phase 2 (after-strategic changes) were compared with those of phase 1 (the period of pre-strategic changes) after a 12-month washout period, especially regarding the reduction in mortality and selected morbidity.

Results

There was a large increase in the number of transported infants in phase 2 compared with phase 1 (2797 vs. 567 patients). The average monthly rate of increase of transported infants was 383.3% (from 24 infants per month to 116 infants per month). The mortality rate of transported neonates reduced significantly from phase 1 to phase 2 (5.11% vs. 2.82%; P=0.005), particularly for preterm infants (8.47% vs. 4.34%; P=0.006). In addition, transported neonates during phase 2 had significantly decreased morbidities.

Conclusions

Regional coordinated strategies optimizing the perinatal services and transport of outborn sick and preterm infants to tertiary care centers improved survival outcomes considerably. These findings have vital implications for health outcomes and resource planning.     

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and serum cystatin C measurements for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury in children admitted to PICU

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill children with significant mortality and morbidity. Serum creatinine is an insensitive and late biomarker compared to newly proposed AKI biomarkers.

Methods

Prospective study in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over three months to compare between serum cystatin-C (s-Cys-C) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) as AKI biomarkers at multiple time points with pediatric risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage renal disease (pRIFLE) classification in diagnosing AKI.

Results

Forty children were recruited. Of these 40 children, 22 developed AKI according to pRIFLE criteria. There was no significant difference between AKI and non-AKI in age (P = 0.29). Post cardiac surgery, renal insult was the main cause of AKI (27.3%). There was a twofold increased risk of incident AKI in those patients with high baseline uNGAL at PICU admission and almost a fourfold increased risk in patients with high baseline s-Cys-C at PICU admission. uNGAL levels were highly predictive of AKI during the follow-up period [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–0.92]. The cutoff point with the highest correctly classified proportion was 223 ng/mL (≥ 12 centiles) which correctly predict 80.0% patients with AKI, with a corresponding sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 89.9%. AUC for s-Cys-C was 0.86 (95% CI 0.75–0.97), and the highest correctly classified proportion was 1009 µg/L (≥ 13 centiles); 75% of patients with AKI, with a corresponding sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 88.9%.

Conclusion

uNGAL and s-Cys-C predicts AKI early in critically ill children.