Gastrointestinal perforations in newborns with high mortality: A series of 18 cases

Gastrointestinal perforations (GIP) in newborns are serious neonatal conditions that have significant morbidity and mortality, especially in resource constrained setups. This study was done to describe our experience of GIP in neonates and identify the factors leading to high mortality in our setup. We collected 18 cases with GIP in neonates. The average age was 5.7 days (range, 1-7 days). The sex ratio was 0.64. The average time to treatment was 3.3 days (range, 1-10 days). The etiology of GIP was perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (13 patients), spontaneous gastric perforation (2 patients), perforated ileal atresia (1 patient), ileal perforation complicating a strangulated inguinoscrotal hernia (1 patient), and peritonitis after colostomy (1 patient). Mortality was 77.8% (n=14), among which 9 newborns (64.3%) died preoperatively. Prematurity, management delay, and lack of a neonatal intensive care unit were the main poor prognostic factors. Mortality from GIP is still high in our context due to several factors, especially prematurity, management delay, and lack of a neonatal intensive care unit.

Download Full-text

Neonatal Gastric Perforation: 14-Year Experience from a Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1733780 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rishika P. Sakaria ◽

Parul G. Zaveri

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Gastric Perforation ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Abdominal Distension ◽

Neonatal Gastric Perforation

Objective Neonatal gastric perforations (NGPs) are rare and account for 7 to 12% of all gastrointestinal perforations in the neonatal period. The etiology and prognostic factors associated with NGP remain unclear. The aim of this study is to review the cases of NGP in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the past 14 years and describe the risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes associated with it. Study Design A retrospective chart review of neonates with gastric perforation admitted to the NICU between June 2006 and December 2020 was performed. Data regarding their antenatal and neonatal characteristics, laboratory and radiological results, intra-operative findings, hospital course, and outcomes were recorded. Results We identified 350 patients with gastrointestinal perforation at our center during the study period of which 14 (4%; nine males and five females) patients were diagnosed with NGP during surgery. A total of 71% neonates were born preterm (range: 24–39 weeks, median: 34 weeks). Two neonates (14%) were SGA. Only one neonate received cardiopulmonary resuscitation at birth. In all neonates, except two, perforation occurred within the first 10 days of life (median: 4 days, range: 1–22 days). In total, 79% infants received feeds prior to perforation. Ten neonates had a feeding tube, and one neonate had a gastrostomy tube placed prior to perforation. Abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum were present in all neonates. Majority of the babies had metabolic acidosis (64%) and elevated C-reactive protein (79%). Most (86%) neonates received surgical intervention within 12 hours. Overall survival in our study was 93%. Conclusion NGP is a rare entity seen mostly in preterm infants within the first 10 days of life. Clinical presentation is similar to perforation anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract and definite diagnosis requires exploratory laparotomy. With prompt recognition and surgical intervention, the overall mortality related to neonatal gastric perforation is low. Key Points

Download Full-text

Non albicans Candidemia: an emerging menace in neonatal intensive care unit

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20180531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 436

Author(s):

Chandrashekar G. Shettigar ◽

Sanchita Shettigar

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

High Mortality ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Antifungal Susceptibility ◽

Resistant Organism ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility

Background: Candidemia has become an increasingly major problem in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In this study we evaluated the epidemiology of Candidemia in neonates who were admitted to NICU and their in vitro susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs.Methods: This was a retrospective study of candidemia in NICU from October 2014 to September 2017. The isolates were identified as per standard mycological techniques and antifungal susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method.Results: Out of 563 blood culture analyzed, 54(9.59%) culture yielded Candida in their blood. The non albicans Candida (NAC) species were the predominant organism for candidemia in neonates, accounting for 35 (64.81%) and the remaining 19 (35.18%) isolates were of C. albicans. Among the NAC species, the maximum isolates were of C. krusei (31.48%) followed by C. glabrata (22.22%). Non albican Candida were more resistant to azole group of antifungal, especially commonly used antifungal like fluconazole (51.43%). Among NAC species, C. glabrata was most resistant and C. tropicalis was least resistant organism. Prematurity <34 weeks, very low birth weight (<1500gm), prolonged use of broad spectrum antibiotic therapy, prolonged use of central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition, prolonged NICU stays and concomitant bacterial sepsis were significantly associated with Candida infection in blood stream. NAC species were also associated with high mortality rate.Conclusions: Increased incidences of candidemia along with emergence of NAC species have become an important health care issue. Therefore, knowledge of local epidemiological data on candidemia is essential which will guide on therapeutic decision making.

Download Full-text

The Psychosocial Aspects of Feeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Beyond

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1507-1515

Author(s):

Lauren L. Madhoun ◽

Robert Dempster

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Oral Feeding ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Primary Role ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

The Family

Purpose Feeding challenges are common for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While sufficient oral feeding is typically a goal during NICU admission, this can be a long and complicated process for both the infant and the family. Many of the stressors related to feeding persist long after hospital discharge, which results in the parents taking the primary role of navigating the infant's course to ensure continued feeding success. This is in addition to dealing with the psychological impact of having a child requiring increased medical attention and the need to continue to fulfill the demands at home. In this clinical focus article, we examine 3 main areas that impact psychosocial stress among parents with infants in the NICU and following discharge: parenting, feeding, and supports. Implications for speech-language pathologists working with these infants and their families are discussed. A case example is also included to describe the treatment course of an infant and her parents in the NICU and after graduation to demonstrate these points further. Conclusion Speech-language pathologists working with infants in the NICU and following hospital discharge must realize the family context and psychosocial considerations that impact feeding progression. Understanding these factors may improve parental engagement to more effectively tailor treatment approaches to meet the needs of the child and family.

Download Full-text