Prematurity and postnatal alterations in intermittent hypoxaemia

2021 ◽  
pp. fetalneonatal-2020-320961
Author(s):  
Juliann M Di Fiore ◽  
Vidhi Shah ◽  
Abhijit Patwardhan ◽  
Abdus Sattar ◽  
Shengxuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
Moderately Preterm ◽  
Early Postnatal Life

Intermittent hypoxaemia (IH) events are well described in extremely preterm infants, but the occurrence of IH patterns in more mature preterm infants remains unclear. The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of gestational age on early postnatal patterns of IH in extremely (<28 weeks), very (28–<32 weeks) and moderately (32–<34 weeks) preterm infants. As expected, extremely preterm infants had a significantly higher frequency of IH events of longer durations and greater time with hypoxaemia versus very and moderately preterm infants. In addition, the postnatal decrease in IH duration was comparable in the very and moderately preterm infants. This progression of IH events should assist clinicians and families in managing expectations for resolution of IH events during early postnatal life.

scholarly journals Risk Factors Associated with Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very and Extremely Preterm Infants

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Claudia Ioana Borțea ◽  
Florina Stoica ◽  
Marioara Boia ◽  
Emil Radu Iacob ◽  
Mihai Dinu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
Surfactant Administration ◽  
Stage 1

Background and Objectives: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of blindness in preterm infants. We studied the relationship between different perinatal characteristics, i.e., sex; gestational age (GA); birth weight (BW); C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations; ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and surfactant administration; and the incidence of Stage 1–3 ROP. Materials and Methods: This study included 247 preterm infants with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks that were successfully screened for ROP. Univariate and multivariate binary analyses were performed to find the most significant risk factors for ROP (Stage 1–3), while multivariate multinomial analysis was used to find the most significant risk factors for specific ROP stages, i.e., Stage 1, 2, and 3. Results: The incidence of ROP (Stage 1–3) was 66.40% (164 infants), while that of Stage 1, 2, and 3 ROP was 15.38% (38 infants), 27.53% (68 infants), and 23.48% (58 infants), respectively. Following univariate analysis, multiple perinatal characteristics, i.e., GA; BW; and ventilation, CPAP, and surfactant administration, were found to be statistically significant risk factors for ROP (p < 0.001). However, in a multivariate model using the same characteristics, only BW and ventilation were significant ROP predictors (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Multivariate multinomial analysis revealed that BW was only significantly correlated with Stage 2 and 3 ROP (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), while ventilation was only significantly correlated with Stage 2 ROP (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicate that GA; BW; and the use of ventilation, CPAP, and surfactant were all significant risk factors for ROP (Stage 1–3), but only BW and ventilation were significantly correlated with ROP and specific stages of the disease, namely Stage 2 and 3 ROP and Stage 2 ROP, respectively, in multivariate models.

scholarly journals Regional variation in cost of neonatal intensive care for extremely preterm infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaph Rolnitsky ◽  
David Urbach ◽  
Sharon Unger ◽  
Chaim M. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Program Cost ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants

Abstract Background Regional variation in cost of neonatal intensive care for extremely preterm infant is not documented. We sought to evaluate regional variation that may lead to benchmarking and cost saving. Methods An analysis of a Canadian national costing data from the payor perspective. We included all liveborn 23–28-week preterm infants in 2011–2015. We calculated variation in costs between provinces using non-parametric tests and a generalized linear model to evaluate cost variation after adjustment for gestational age, survival, and length of stay. Results We analysed 6932 infant records. The median total cost for all infants was $66,668 (Inter-Quartile Range (IQR): $4920–$125,551). Medians for the regions varied more than two-fold and ranged from $48,144 in Ontario to $122,526 in Saskatchewan. Median cost for infants who survived the first 3 days of life was $91,000 (IQR: $56,500–$188,757). Median daily cost for all infants was $1940 (IQR: $1518–$2619). Regional variation was significant after adjusting for survival more than 3 days, length of stay, gestational age, and year (pseudo-R2 = 0.9, p < 0.01). Applying the model on the second lowest-cost region to the rest of the regions resulted in a total savings of $71,768,361(95%CI: $65,527,634–$81,129,451) over the 5-year period ($14,353,672 annually), or over 11% savings for the total program cost of $643,837,303 over the study period. Conclusion Costs of neonatal intensive care are high. There is large regional variation that persists after adjustment for length of stay and survival. Our results can be used for benchmarking and as a target for focused cost optimization, savings, and investment in healthcare.

Decision-making at the border of viability: determining the best interests of extremely preterm infants

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 773-779
Author(s):  
Eric Vogelstein
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
To Receive

This paper proposes and employs a framework for determining whether life-saving treatment at birth is in the best interests of extremely preterm infants, given uncertainty about the outcome of such a choice. It argues that given relevant data and plausible assumptions about the well-being of babies with various outcomes, it is typically in the best interests of even the youngest preterm infants—those born at 22 weeks gestational age—to receive life-saving treatment at birth.

scholarly journals Reference values for N-terminal Pro-brain natriuretic peptide in premature infants during their first weeks of life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes-Sophie Fritz ◽  
Titus Keller ◽  
Angela Kribs ◽  
Christoph Hünseler
Keyword(s):  
Brain Natriuretic Peptide ◽  
Natriuretic Peptide ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants

Abstract The aim of our study was to observe the temporal distribution of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in premature infants of ≤ 31 weeks of gestational age (GA) during the first weeks of life. NT-proBNP values of 118 preterm infants born ≤ 31 weeks GA were determined during the first week of life, after 4 ± 1 weeks of life, and at a corrected GA of 36 ± 2 weeks. Infants were divided into two groups: those without relevant complications and those with complications related to prematurity. NT-proBNP values of infants without complications define our exploratory reference values. The Median NT-proBNP level of these infants was 1896 ng/l (n = 27, interquartile range (IQR): 1277–5200) during the first week of life, 463 ng/l (n = 26, IQR: 364–704) at 4 ± 1 weeks of life, and 824 ng/l (n = 33, IQR: 714–1233) at a corrected GA of 36 ± 2 weeks. Infants born < 28 + 0 weeks GA had significantly higher NT-proBNP values (n = 9, median: 5200, IQR: 1750–8972) than infants born ≥ 28 + 0–31 weeks GA (n = 18, median: 1528, IQR: 838–3052; p = 0.017). Growth restriction or PDA status could not account for the difference in NT-proBNP values between GA groups. Conclusions: The results of our observational and cross-sectional study describe exploratory reference values for NT-proBNP levels in preterm infants of ≤ 31 weeks GA according to postnatal age. NT-proBNP levels during the first week of life are high and widely distributed in preterm infants and decrease subsequently to reach a distinctly lower and stable plateau at around 1 month of life. Our results suggest an influence of GA on NT-proBNP values in the first week of life. What is Known:• Several complications related to prematurity, e.g., hemodynamically significant PDA, pulmonary hypertension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity, have been associated with a temporary rise in NT-proBNP values in preterm infants during their first weeks of life.What is New:• This observational study provides reference values for NT-proBNP levels of very and extremely preterm infants during their first weeks of life.• In premature infants without complications, NT-proBNP values during their first week of life depend on gestational age at birth.

Admission Systolic Blood Pressure and Outcomes in Preterm Infants of ≤ 26 Weeks' Gestation

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 1271-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyu Lyu ◽  
Xiang Ye ◽  
Tetsuya Isayama ◽  
Ruben Alvaro ◽  
Chuks Nwaesei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Early Mortality ◽  
Composite Outcome ◽  
Severe Brain Injury ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
The Relationship

Objective To examine the relationship between admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) and adverse neonatal outcomes. Specifically, we aimed to identify the optimal SBP that is associated with the lowest rates of adverse outcomes in extremely preterm infants of ≤ 26 weeks' gestation. Methods In this retrospective study, inborn neonates born at ≤ 26 weeks' gestational age and admitted to tertiary neonatal units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network between 2003 and 2009 were included. The primary outcome was early mortality (≤ 7 days). Secondary outcomes included severe brain injury, late mortality, and a composite outcome defined as early mortality or severe brain injury. Nonlinear multivariable logistic regression models examined the relationship between admission SBP and outcomes. Results Admission SBP demonstrated a U-shaped relationship with early mortality, severe brain injury, and composite outcome after adjustment for confounders (p < 0.01). The lowest risks of early mortality, severe brain injury, and composite outcome occurred at admission SBPs of 51, 55, and 54 mm Hg, respectively. Conclusion In extremely preterm infants of ≤ 26 weeks' gestational age, the relationship between admission SBP, and early mortality and severe brain injury was “U-shaped.” The optimal admission SBP associated with lowest rates of adverse outcome was between 51 and 55 mm Hg.

scholarly journals Validation of WINROP algorithm as a screening tool for retinopathy of prematurity in a northern Spanish cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Fernández-Ramón
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Spanish Cohort

Introduction: WINROP (Weight, Insulin-like growth factor 1, Neonatal Retinopathy of Prematurity) is a computer-based ROP risk which correlate postnatal weight gain with the developed of treatment-requiring ROP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the WINROP algorithm to detect severe (Type 1 or Type 2) ROP in a Spanish cohort of infants. Methods: Birth weight, gestational age, and weekly weight measurements of preterm infants (>23 and <32 weeks gestation) born between 2015 and 2017 were retrospectively collected and entered in WINROP algorithm. Infants were classified according alarm activation and compared with ROP screening outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated. Results: A total of 109 infants were included. The mean gestational age was 29.37 ± 2.26 weeks and mean birth weight was 1178 ± 320 g. Alarm occurred in 47.7 % (52/109) of neonates, with a mean time from birth to alarm of 1.9 ± 1.4 weeks. WINROP had a sensitivity of 100% (CI 95%, 59-100), a specificity of 55.9% (CI 95%, 45.7-65.7), a positive predictive value of 13.5% (CI 95%, 11.1-16.2) and a negative predictive value of 100% (CI 95%, 93.7-100) for predicting severe ROP. Conclusion: The WINROP algorithm has proven to be a useful tool in the detection of severe ROP in our cohort. Nevertheless, in extremely preterm infants (GA <28 weeks) the results should be taken with caution and an optimization of WINROP can be necessary to improve its utility in other populations.

Increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with routine administration of Infloran™ in extremely preterm infants

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 683-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Escribano ◽  
C. Zozaya ◽  
R. Madero ◽  
L. Sánchez ◽  
J. van Goudoever ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Antenatal Steroids ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants ◽  
Routine Administration ◽  
Probiotic Product

We aimed to evaluate the isolation of strains contained in the Infloran™ probiotic preparation in blood cultures and its efficacy in reducing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in extremely preterm infants. Routine use of probiotics was implemented in 2008. Infants born at <28 weeks gestational age were prospectively followed and compared with historical controls (HC) born between 2005 and 2008. Data on sepsis due to any of the two probiotic strains contained in Infloran and rates of LOS and NEC were analysed. A total of 516 infants were included. During the probiotic period (PC), none of the strains included in the administered probiotic product were isolated from blood cultures. Probiotic administration was associated with an increase in NEC stage II or higher (HC 10/170 [5.9%]; PC 46/346 [13.3%]; P=0.010). Surgical NEC was 12.1% in PC (42/346) versus 5.9% (10/170) in HC (P=0.029). Adjusting for confounders (sex, gestational age, antenatal steroids and human milk) did not change those trends (P=0.019). Overall, clinical LOS and the incidence of staphylococcal sepsis were lower in PC (172/342, 50.3, and 37%, respectively) compared with HC (102/169, 60.3 and 50.9%, respectively) (P=0.038 and P=0.003, respectively). No episodes of sepsis attributable to the probiotic product were recorded. The period of probiotic administration was associated with an increased incidence of NEC after adjusting for neonatal factors, but also with a reduction in the LOS rate.

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