scholarly journals Early High-dose Caffeine Improves Respiratory Outcomes in Preterm Infants

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 501
Author(s):  
Vineet Lamba ◽  
Oscar Winners ◽  
Prem Fort

The objective of the study is to determine if early high-dose caffeine (HD) therapy is associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), or decreased need for mechanical ventilation. We conducted a single center, retrospective cohort study of 273 infants less than 32 weeks gestational age (GA). Infants receiving early HD (10 mg/kg/day maintenance) caffeine citrate started within 24 h of life were compared with those receiving LD (6 mg/kg/day) with variable timing of initiation using linear and logistic regression models. The infants in the early HD group had 91.4 (95% confidence interval (CI): −166.6, −16.1; p = 0.018) less hours of mechanical ventilation up to 36 weeks PMA or discharge as compared with the LD group. Moreover, infants in the HD group had 0.37 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.97; p = 0.042) times lower odds of developing moderate/severe BPD compared with the LD group. Infants receiving early HD caffeine had improved respiratory outcomes with no increase in measured comorbidities. Large prospective studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes of using high-dose caffeine prophylaxis for preterm infants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 365-374
Author(s):  
Sara E. Rostas ◽  
Christopher McPherson

Caffeine is one of the most commonly utilized medications in the NICU. In preterm infants, short-term and long-term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental benefits of therapy are well documented in the literature. While robust evidence supports the use of standard doses of caffeine for apnea of prematurity or to facilitate successful extubation, much remains unknown regarding the boundaries of efficacy and safety for this common therapeutic agent. Escalating dosing regimens seem to provide additional benefit in select infants, but grave toxicity has also been documented with early utilization of high-dose caffeine. Conflicting data exist surrounding the ideal timing of initiation of therapy. Even the widely adhered to discontinuation point has been challenged by data supporting continued use. Until robust data definitively support change, practice should align with current evidence defining clear, safe, and efficacious dosing and timing of caffeine therapy.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3054-3054
Author(s):  
Vincent G. Pluimakers ◽  
Jenneke E. Van Atteveld ◽  
Demi T.C. de Winter ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Rutger A.J. Nievelstein ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Overweight is a common problem in the general population, but occurs more frequently among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and is regarded as a late adverse effect. However, risk factors are not fully elucidated and it is often disguised in CCS because they can have normal weight but high fat percentage (fat%) on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, gold standard). We aimed to assess overweight prevalence in a nationwide survivor cohort, to clarify risk factors and to identify which measurement method captures overweight best. METHODS The prevalence of overweight and obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 and ≥30 kg/m 2) was assessed in the Dutch nationwide cohort of adult CCS treated between 1963 and 2002. Risk factors for overweight were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. In addition, overweight prevalence was calculated according to fat%, waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR) and waist/height ratio (WHtR). The validity of BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR for characterizing obesity, compared to fat% (expressed as false-negative percentage and in logistic regression models to identify treatment-related risk factors for disguised overweight) was studied. RESULTS A total of 2,338 (51.2% male) survivors (54.7% hematologic malignancies) participated, with mean age 35.5 (±9.3) years and 28.3 (±8.4) years follow-up. In men and women respectively, overweight prevalence was 45.9% and 43.8%, for obesity this was 11.2% and 15.5%. Risk factors for overweight included overweight at cancer diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.43, p<0.001), cranial radiotherapy (CRT, aOR 3.27, p<0.001) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) (unadjusted OR 2.28, p<0.001, after adjustment the effect partially disappeared, aOR 1.60, p=0.072). Previous treatment with corticosteroids was not associated with overweight. Using BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR, similar overweight prevalence was observed. However, this was 58.4% in men and even 83.7% in women when measured with DXA. Disguised overweight was more frequent after treatment with abdominal radiotherapy, high dose anthracyclines and stem cell transplantation (SCT) (aOR up to 3.37). CONCLUSIONS Overweight occurs in almost half of all long-term CCS, and risk factors include overweight at cancer diagnosis, CRT and potentially GHD. DXA identified overweight in an additional 25% of survivors. In CCS treated with abdominal irradiation, anthracyclines and SCT, overweight is more often missed with conventional methods. Hence, in these risk groups DXA needs serious consideration in surveillance, to enable early intervention and prevent complications of overweight including diabetes and atherosclerotic disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Author(s):  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Leonard Ngarka ◽  
Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi ◽  
Leonard N. Nfor ◽  
Michel K. Mengnjo ◽  
...  

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Hanne Lademann ◽  
Karl Abshagen ◽  
Anna Janning ◽  
Jan Däbritz ◽  
Dirk Olbertz

Therapeutic hypothermia (THT) is the recommended treatment for neuroprotection in (near) term newborns that experience perinatal asphyxia with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The benefit of THT in preterm newborns is unknown. This pilot study aims to investigate long-term outcomes of late preterm asphyctic infants with and without THT compared to term infants. The single-center, retrospective analysis examined medical charts of infants with perinatal asphyxia born between 2008 and 2015. Long-term outcome was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2 at the age of (corrected) 24 months. Term (n = 31) and preterm (n = 8) infants with THT showed no differences regarding their long-term outcomes of psychomotor development (Psychomotor Developmental Index 101 ± 16 vs. 105 ± 11, p = 0.570), whereas preterm infants had a better mental outcome (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 93 ± 18, p = 0.048). Preterm infants with and without (n = 69) THT showed a similar mental and psychomotor development (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 96 ± 20, p = 0.527; Psychomotor Developmental Index 105 ± 11 vs. 105 ± 15, p = 0.927). The study highlights the importance of studying THT in asphyctic preterm infants. However, this study shows limitations and should not be used as a basis for decision-making in the clinical context. Results of a multicenter trial of THT for preterm infants (ID No.: CN-01540535) have to be awaited.


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