scholarly journals Procalcitonin is a Prognosis Biomarker in Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Ruetsch ◽  
Simon Barreault ◽  
Nolwenn Le Sache ◽  
Pierre Tissieres
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Sepsis Diagnosis

Abstract Background. Neonatal sepsis contributes substantially to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a recognized biomarker for the diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS), however, little is known about the prognosis value of PCT in LONS. This study aims at assessing PCT value as a prognosis biomarker in preterm infants with LONS. Methods. Retrospective single center observational cohort. All premature infants (less than 32 weeks of gestational age) with LONS admitted in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.Discussion. Among the 59 preterm infants included in the analysis, 48 survived (81.4%, 48/59). Deceased patients had a significantly lower gestational age (p=0,025) and weight (p= 0,016) at the time of LONS diagnosis. Although PCT values were not different between both groups at the time of LONS diagnosis, it was more elevated during the first 24 hours in deceased patients (p=0,041). Accuracy of PCT for LONS prognosis ranged from 0.70 to 0.82 of area under the curve on reciever operating characteristics curves. Optimal PCT cut-off values at LONS diagnosis was 8,92 µg/L (Youden’s J index 0.53), 15.75 µg/L for PCT values during the first 24 hours (J index 0.56), and 6.74 µg/L between 24 and 48 hours after diagnosis (J index 0.54). The estimated survival probability at day 60 was above 95% for patient with a PCT value at sepsis diagnosis under 8,9 µg/L and less than 45% if higher (p<0.0001). Conclusion. A PCT value > 8.92 µg/L obtained at LONS diagnosis suspicion seems to be a good prognosis biomarker.

Can Endocan Predict Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis?

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (03) ◽  
pp. 096-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuneyt Tayman ◽  
Nilufer Okur ◽  
Utku Serkant ◽  
Ufuk Cakir ◽  
Halit Halil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Sepsis Group ◽  
Suspected Sepsis ◽  
Sepsis Diagnosis ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective Endocan, a proteoglycan secreted by endothelial cells, plays a role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Endocan is an effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of sepsis in adult patients. We evaluate the utility of endocan as a new biomarker in the recognition of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants. Methods This study included preterm infants at gestational age ≤ 32 weeks diagnosed with LOS. Sepsis was diagnosed in the presence of three or more clinical findings plus significant elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) or interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. Blood samples were obtained to determine leukocyte count, CRP, IL-6, and endocan levels immediately after the sepsis diagnosis and on the 3rd and 7th day after diagnosis. Results A total of 102 preterm infants, 52 with LOS (21 proven, 31 suspected sepsis) and 50 controls, were included in the study. Mean leukocyte count, serum CRP, IL-6, and endocan levels were significantly higher in the LOS group compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001) at enrolment. Serial measurements showed no significant difference in CRP and IL-6 levels between the proven and suspected sepsis groups, while endocan levels were significantly higher at enrolment and on day 7 in the proven sepsis group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.01, respectively). The endocan levels of preterm infants who died were significantly higher at all time points (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion Endocan is an effective, reliable, and promising new biomarker for detecting LOS in preterm infants.

scholarly journals Association of inflammatory biomarkers with subsequent clinical course in suspected late onset sepsis in preterm neonates

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Şerife Kurul ◽  
Sinno H. P. Simons ◽  
Christian R. B. Ramakers ◽  
Yolanda B. De Rijke ◽  
René F. Kornelisse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Inotropic Support ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Sepsis Severity ◽  
Suspected Sepsis

Abstract Background Sepsis is a major health issue in preterm infants. Biomarkers are used to diagnose and monitor patients with sepsis, but C-reactive protein (CRP) is proven not predictive at onset of late onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of interleukin-6(IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT) and CRP with subsequent sepsis severity and mortality in preterm infants suspected of late onset neonatal sepsis. Methods The study was conducted at the Erasmus University Medical Center–Sophia Children’s Hospital Rotterdam. Patient data from January 2018 until October 2019 were reviewed for all preterm neonates born with a gestational age below 32 weeks with signs and symptoms suggestive of systemic infection, in whom blood was taken for blood culture and for inflammatory biomarkers determinations. Plasma IL-6 and PCT were assessed next to CRP at the moment of suspicion. We assessed the association with 7-day mortality and sepsis severity (neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) score, need for inotropic support, invasive ventilation and thrombocytopenia). Results A total of 480 suspected late onset neonatal sepsis episodes in 208 preterm neonates (gestational age < 32 weeks) were retrospectively analyzed, of which 143 episodes were classified as sepsis (29.8%), with 56 (11.7%) cases of culture negative, 63 (13.1%) cases of gram-positive and 24(5.0%) cases of gram-negative sepsis. A total of 24 (5.0%) sepsis episodes resulted in death within 7 days after suspicion of LONS. Both IL-6 (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.28; 95% CI 1.64–3.16; p < 0.001) and PCT (aHR: 2.91; 95% CI 1.70–5.00; p < 0.001) levels were associated with 7-day mortality; however, CRP levels were not significantly correlated with 7-day mortality (aHR: 1.16; 95% CI (0.68–2.00; p = 0.56). Log IL-6, log PCT and log CRP levels were all significantly correlated with the need for inotropic support. Conclusions Our findings show that serum IL-6 and PCT levels at moment of suspected late onset neonatal sepsis offer valuable information about sepsis severity and mortality risk in infants born below 32 weeks of gestation. The discriminative value was superior to that of CRP. Determining these biomarkers in suspected sepsis may help identify patients with imminent severe sepsis, who may require more intensive monitoring and therapy.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease in Preterm Neonates

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmy Kok-Foo Lee ◽  
Loh Teng Hern Tan ◽  
Amutha Ramadas ◽  
Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib ◽  
Learn-Han Lee
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Gut Bacteria ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Very Preterm Infants ◽  
Very Preterm ◽  
Microbial Invasion

The mortality rate of very preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g is as high as 15%. The survivors till discharge have a high incidence of significant morbidity, which includes necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS). More than 25% of preterm births are associated with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity. The preterm gut microbiome subsequently undergoes an early disruption before achieving bacterial maturation. It is postulated that bacterial gut colonisation at birth and postnatal intestinal dysbacteriosis precede the development of NEC and LONS in very preterm infants. In fact, bacterial colonization patterns in preterm infants greatly differ from term infants due to maternal chorioamnionitis, gestational age, delivery method, feeding type, antibiotic exposure and the environment factor in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this regard, this review provides an overview on the gut bacteria in preterm neonates’ meconium and stool. More than 50% of preterm meconium contains bacteria and the proportion increases with lower gestational age. Researchers revealed that the gut bacterial diversity is reduced in preterm infants at risk for LONS and NEC. Nevertheless, the association between gut dysbacteriosis and NEC is inconclusive with regards to relative bacteria abundance and between-sample beta diversity indices. With most studies show a disruption of the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes preceding the NEC. Hence, this review sheds light on whether gut bacteria at birth either alone or in combination with postnatal gut dysbacteriosis are associated with mortality and the morbidity of LONS and NEC in very preterm infants.

scholarly journals Look Who’s Talking: Host and Pathogen Drivers of Staphylococcus epidermidis Virulence in Neonatal Sepsis

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Isabella A. Joubert ◽  
Michael Otto ◽  
Tobias Strunk ◽  
Andrew J. Currie
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Bacterial Invasion ◽  
High Resource ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Neonatal Icu

Preterm infants are at increased risk for invasive neonatal bacterial infections. S. epidermidis, a ubiquitous skin commensal, is a major cause of late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in high-resource settings. The vulnerability of preterm infants to serious bacterial infections is commonly attributed to their distinct and developing immune system. While developmentally immature immune defences play a large role in facilitating bacterial invasion, this fails to explain why only a subset of infants develop infections with low-virulence organisms when exposed to similar risk factors in the neonatal ICU. Experimental research has explored potential virulence mechanisms contributing to the pathogenic shift of commensal S. epidermidis strains. Furthermore, comparative genomics studies have yielded insights into the emergence and spread of nosocomial S. epidermidis strains, and their genetic and functional characteristics implicated in invasive disease in neonates. These studies have highlighted the multifactorial nature of S. epidermidis traits relating to pathogenicity and commensalism. In this review, we discuss the known host and pathogen drivers of S. epidermidis virulence in neonatal sepsis and provide future perspectives to close the gap in our understanding of S. epidermidis as a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals The Risk Factors of Bacterial Meningitis in Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 1224-1228
Author(s):  
Ni Made Reditya Noviyani ◽  
I Made Kardana ◽  
Dewi Sutriani Mahalini ◽  
Ida Bagus Gede Suparyatha ◽  
Ketut Ariawati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Comprehensive Management

BACKGROUND: Neonatal bacterial meningitis has a significant contribution on neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is the most common complication of late-onset neonatal sepsis. An understanding of the risk factors for bacterial meningitis in late-onset neonatal sepsis is required to provide comprehensive management. AIM: To identify the risk factors of bacterial meningitis in late-onset neonatal sepsis. METHODS: This is an analytical study with a case–control design, conducted in May 2019-February 2021, involving neonates aged 4–28 days who suffered from late-onset neonatal sepsis in Level II and III Neonatal Care Unit, Sanglah General Hospital Denpasar. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age of subjects with neonatal bacterial meningitis was 13 days and the majority of them were male (51.9%). The risk factor of bacterial meningitis in late-onset neonatal sepsis was gestational age <37 weeks with odds ratio 4.22 (95% confidence interval 1.28–13.86, p = 0.01). There was no significant association of birth weight <2500 g, neonatal asphyxia, and invasive procedure on neonatal bacterial meningitis. CONCLUSION: Gestational age <37 weeks is a risk factor for bacterial meningitis in late-onset neonatal sepsis.

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.

Prolonged empiric antibiotics and time to full enteral feed in preterm infants less than 29 weeks of gestational age

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
M.R. Alturk ◽  
H. Salama ◽  
H. Al Rifai ◽  
M. Al Qubaisi ◽  
S. Alobaidly
Keyword(s):  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Late Onset Sepsis ◽  
Empiric Antibiotic ◽  
Antibiotic Courses

BACKGROUND: Early empiric antibiotic exposure appears to negatively influence feeding tolerance in preterm infants. However, the effect of prolonged antibiotic treatment is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate whether prolonged antibiotics impact the time to full enteral feed in infants less than 29 weeks of gestational age with negative blood cultures. METHODS: Retrospective data for infants less than 29 weeks gestation age were retrieved from the PEARL-Peristat perinatal registry in Qatar. Exclusion criteria were major congenital anomalies, conditions requiring surgery in the first 10 days of life, positive blood cultures in the first 48 hours of life, and death within the first week of life. Antibiotic courses were categorized as prolonged if continued more than 48 hours. The primary outcome was the duration of total parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: Of 199 study infants, 185 (92.9%) underwent antibiotic treatment for >  48 hours despite negative blood cultures. The median duration of parenteral nutrition was not significantly different between the prolonged and short antibiotic groups (25 and 22 days, respectively; p = 0.139). Infants with prolonged antibiotic courses experienced non-significantly higher levels of necrotizing enterocolitis (7.1% and 18.4%, respectively), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (28.6% and 45.4%, respectively), and retinopathy of prematurity (14.3% and 38.4%, respectively). There were no differences in the late-onset sepsis rate (78.6% and 82.1%, respectively) and the in-hospital death rate (7.1% and 7.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged antibiotic treatment in infants less than 29 weeks gestation with negative blood cultures has no significant impact on the time to full enteral feed.

67 Are NICUs too busy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e47-e48
Author(s):  
Marc Beltempo ◽  
Robert Platt ◽  
Anne-Sophie Julien ◽  
Regis Blais ◽  
Bertelle Valerie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Neurological Injury ◽  
Very Preterm Infants ◽  
Very Preterm

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background In a health care system with limited resources, hospital organizational factors such as unit occupancy and nurse-to-patient ratios may contribute to patient outcomes. Objectives We aimed to assess the association of NICU occupancy and nurse staffing with outcomes of very preterm infants born &lt; 33 weeks gestational age (GA). Design/Methods This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of infants born 23-32 weeks GA without major congenital anomaly, admitted within 2 days after birth to one of four Level 3 NICUs in Quebec, Canada (2015-2018). For each 8 h shift, data on unit occupancy were obtained from a central provincial database (SiteNeo) and linked to the hospital nursing hours database (Logibec). Unit occupancy rates and nursing provision ratios (nursing hours/recommended nursing hours based on patient dependency categories) were pooled for the first shift, 24 h, and 7 days of admission for each infant. Patient data were obtained from the Canadian Neonatal Network database. Primary outcome was mortality and/or morbidity (severe neurological injury, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and late-onset sepsis, severe retinopathy of prematurity). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for association of exposure with outcomes were estimated using generalized linear mixed models with a random effect for center, while adjusting for confounders (gestational age, small for gestational age, sex, outborn, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology version 2, mode of delivery, and the other organizational variables). Results Among 1870 infants included in analyses, 796 (43%) had mortality/morbidity. Median occupancy was 89% (IQR 82-94) and median nursing provision was 1.13 (IQR 0.97-1.37). Overall higher NICU occupancy on shift of admission, first 24 h, and 7 days were associated with higher odds of mortality/morbidity (Figure 1) but nursing provision was not (Figure 2). Subgroup analysis by GA (&lt; 29 and 29-32 weeks) yielded similar results (not shown). Generalized linear mixed model analyses showed that a 5% reduction in occupancy in the first 24 h of admission was associated with a 6% reduction in mortality/morbidity. Conclusion NICU occupancy is associated with mortality/morbidity among very preterm infants and may reflect lack of adequate resources in periods of high activity. Interventions aimed at reducing occupancy and maintaining adequate resources need to be considered as strategies to improve patient outcomes.

scholarly journals Comparison of neonatal outcomes of small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age preterm infants born at 28–36 weeks of gestation: a multicentre study in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000740
Author(s):  
Netsanet Workneh Gidi ◽  
Robert L Goldenberg ◽  
Assaye K Nigussie ◽  
Elizabeth McClure ◽  
Amha Mekasha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
P Value ◽  
Prolonged Hospitalisation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Appropriate For Gestational Age

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess morbidity and mortality pattern of small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants in comparison to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants of similar gestational age.MethodWe compared neonatal outcomes of 1336, 1:1 matched, singleton SGA and AGA preterm infants based on their gestational age using data from the study ‘Causes of Illness and Death of Preterm Infants in Ethiopia (SIP)’. Data were analysed using SPSS V.23. ORs and 95% CIs and χ2 tests were done, p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultThe majority of the infants (1194, 89%) were moderate to late preterm (32–36 weeks of gestation), 763 (57%) were females. Male preterm infants had higher risk of being SGA than female infants (p<0.001). SGA infants had increased risk of hypoglycaemic (OR and 95% CI 1.6 (1.2 to 2.0), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) 2.3 (1.2 to 4.1), polycythaemia 3.0 (1.6 to 5.4), late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) 3.6 (1.1 to 10.9)) and prolonged hospitalisation 2.9 (2.0 to 4.2). The rates of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), apnoea and mortality were similar in the SGA and AGA groups.ConclusionNeonatal complications such as hypoglycaemic, NEC, LOS, polycythaemia and prolonged hospitalisation are more common in SGA infants, while rates of RDS and mortality are similar in SGA and AGA groups. Early recognition of SGA status, high index of suspicion and screening for complications associated and timely intervention to prevent complications need due consideration.

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