When should pediatrician reach the delivery room?

Indian Journal of Pediatrics -     

Iron Stores in Low and Normal Birth Weight Infants at Birth and in Early Infancy

Serum ferritin levels of low birth weight (LBW; BW?<?2,500 g) and normal birth weight (NBW; BW?≥?2,500 g) infants were evaluated at birth and at 3 mo using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. At birth, levels were 318.6 (31.0–829.5) ng/mL in LBW (n?=?217) and 366.2 (122.4–858.5) ng/mL in NBW infants (n?=?116; p?<?0.01), with 1.4 % of LBW and none of the NBW infants having levels <12 ng/mL (p?=?0.20). At follow up, levels were 66.9 (4.5–567.7) ng/mL in LBW (n?=?126) and 126.2 (6.8–553.7) ng/mL in NBW infants (n?=?76; p?=?0.27), with 11.9 % of LBW and 11.8 % of NBW infants having levels <12 ng/mL (p?=?0.80).     

Birth asphyxia and neurodevelopmental outcome

Thirty six neonates with severe birth asphyxia (Apgar score less than or equal to 3 at 1 min), 32 with moderate birth asphyxia (Apgar score 4 to 6 at 1 min) and 35 controls (Apgar score greater than or equal to 7 at 1 min) matched for weight and gestation were followed up prospectively for neurodevelopmental outcome. Fetal distress occurred more frequently in babies with severe birth asphyxia when compared to controls (p less than 0.05). Six neonates with severe birth asphyxia had abnormal neurological signs such as delayed sucking, hypo or hypertonia, apneic spell or seizures. Of these, only two had delayed developmental milestones (Developmental Quotient less than 70) and features of cerebral palsy. Both of these babies developed seizures during first 24 hours, did not suck and required gavage feeding. The study highlights the fact that a vast majority of survivors of birth asphyxia enjoy good quality of life thus emphasizing the need for vigorous management of asphyxiated babies at birth.     

Cesarean section for suspected fetal distress, continuous fetal heart monitoring and decision to delivery time

Objective  To find out the efficacy of continuous fetal heart monitoring by analyzing the cases of cesarean section for nonreassuring fetal heart in labor, detected by cardiotocography (CTG) and correlating these cases with perinatal outcome. To evaluate whether a 30 minute decision to delivery (D-D) interval for emergency cesarean section influences perinatal outcome. Methods  This was a prospective observational study of 217 patients who underwent cesarean section at ≥ 36 weeks for non-reassuring fetal heart in labor detected by CTG. The maternal demographic profile, specific types of abnormal fetal heart rate tracing and the decision to delivery time interval were noted. The adverse immediate neonatal outcomes in terms of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, umbilical cord tH <7.10, neonates requiring immediate ventilation and NICU admissions were recorded. The correlation between non-reassuring fetal heart, decision to delivery interval and neonatal outcome were analyzed. Results  Out of 3148 patients delivered at ≥ 36 weeks, 217 (6.8%) patients underwent cesarean section during labor primarily for non-reassuring fetal heart. The most common fetal heart abnormality was persistent bradycardia in 106 (48.8%) cases followed by late deceleration in 38 (17.5%) cases and decreased beat to beat variability in 17 (7.8%) cases. In 33 (15.2%) babies the 5 minutes Apgar score was <7 out of which 13 (5.9%) babies had cord tH <7.10. Thirty three (15.2%) babies required NICU admission for suspected birth asphyxia. Rest 184 (84.7%) neonates were born healthy and cared for by mother. Regarding decision to delivery interval of ≤30 minutes versus >30 minutes, there was no significant difference in the incidence of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, cord pH <7.10 and new born babies requiring immediate ventilation. But the need for admission to NICU in the group of D-D interval ≤ 30 minutes was significantly higher compared to the other group where D-D interval was >30 minutes. Conclusion  Non-reassuring fetal heart rate detected by CTG did not correlate well with adverse neonatal outcome. There was no significant difference in immediate adverse neonatal outcome whether the D-D time interval was ≤ 30 minutes or >30 minutes; contrary to this, NICU admission for suspected birth asphyxia in ≤ 30 minutes group was significantly higher.     

Cling wrap, an innovative intervention for temperature maintenance and reduction of insensible water loss in very low-birthweight babies nursed under radiant warmers: a randomized, controlled trial

AIM: The value of polythene film ('cling wrap') to improve thermal control and reduce postnatal weight loss in preterm, very low-birthweight babies was investigated. METHODS: Consecutively born babies with birthweights between 750 and 1500 g were stratified by birthweight (<1250 g, 1251-1500 g) and randomised either to the cling wrap (CW) or no cling wrap (NCW) group. The baby bassinette of the RW was covered with cling wrap up to the level of the neck in the CW group for the 1st 7 days. The primary outcome variables were the incidence of hypothermia (axillary temperature < or = 36 degrees C) after initial stabilisation during the first 7 days and cumulative weight loss (percentage of birthweight) at 48 hours of age. RESULTS: Of 51 babies, 26 were randomised to the CW and 25 to the NCW group. None of the babies in the CW group developed hypothermia in the 1st 7 days but 36% in the NCW group (p = 0.001) did. Babies who were hypothermic on admission took less time to reach normal temperature in the CW group. Cumulative weight loss in the 1st 48 hours was 5.0 + 5.6% in the CW group and 8.6 + 7.0% in the NCW group (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Use of CW might be a simple method of maintaining temperature in very low-birthweight babies in developing countries.     

Continuous positive airway pressure - a gentler approach to ventilation

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has become a useful modality in management of respiratory distress, especially in preterm babies. Main indications for use of CPAP are respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and apnea of prematurity. It decreases the need of invasive and costly mechanical ventilation. This review details the physiological effects of CPAP, its methods of delivery, and its need in a country like India. It also describes the guidelines for initiating and weaning CPAP. The review concludes that use of CPAP in respiratory distress syndrome is associated with lower rates of failed treatment, decreased incidence of chronic lung disease and lower overall mortality, specially in infants with birth weight above 1500 grams. Early use of CPAP is more beneficial, Surfactant and CPAP act in conjunction for babies with RDS. CPAP is a low-cost, simple and noninvasive option for a country like India, where most places lack facilities of mechanical ventilation. Systematic reviews, randomized and quasi-randomized trials by searching MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library formed the basis of this update.     

Effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF) and other fortifying agents on the osmolality of preterm breast milk

This study was conducted to test the effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF), low birth weight (LBW) formula and coconut oil, initially and upon subsequent storage, on the osmolality of preterm breast milk. Milk samples (n = 48) were collected from mothers (n = 25) delivered at 34 pounds weeks and fortified with HMF (Lactodex-HMF), LBW formula (Lactodex-LBW) and edible coconut oil. Osmolality was measured before and after fortification and after 6 hours,.The gestation and birth weight (median) was 31 (range 29-32) weeks and 1198 (range 716-1478) grams. The median (range) postnatal age at testing was 15 days (range 3-60 days). There was a significant increase in osmolality of breast milk (302.3 +/- l.82) after addition of HMF (392.9 +/- 3.01) and LBW formula (390.5 +/- 2.4). There was no change in osmolality with addition of coconut oil (304 +/- 1.6). There was no further change in the osmolality after 6 hours of storage at 4 degrees C.