Extended Interval Aminoglycoside Treatment for Klebsiella Pneumoniae Endocarditis in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate

Infective endocarditis (IE) in neonates is associated with high mortality and incidence has been increasing over the past two decades. The majority of very low birth weight infants will be treated with at least one nephrotoxic medication during their hospital course. Over one-quarter of very low birth weight neonates exposed to gentamicin may develop acute kidney injury (AKI); this is particularly worrisome as AKI is an independent factor associated with increased neonatal mortality and increased length of stay. AKI during periods of neonatal nephrogenesis, which continues until 34–36 weeks postmenstrual age, may also have serious effects on the long-term nephron development which subsequently puts infants at risk of chronic kidney disease. Extended interval (EI) aminoglycoside (AMG) dosing has been used for decades in adult populations and has proven to reduce AKI while being at least as effective as traditional dosing, although there is limited published research for using an EI AMG in endocarditis in adults or pediatric patients. We describe an extremely low birth weight neonate, born preterm at 24 weeks gestation treated for Klebsiella pneumoniae IE that required AMG therapy who also had concurrent AKI. We utilized EI AMG combination therapy for treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae endocarditis with good outcome and encourage others to report their experiences to improve our knowledge of EI AMG in this population.

Preterm neonate delivered to COVID-19 positive mother on ECMO support

Despite ongoing research and recent discoveries, there remains a paucity of data regarding COVID-19 and its implications for pregnant women, particularly its effects on the developing fetus. To date, there are a limited number of articles available regarding the utility of Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for cardio-respiratory support of pregnant women during the perinatal period. Additionally, there are only a few case reports detailing the delivery management of a baby born to a mother on ECMO support. Here, we report a case of a premature, low birth weight neonate delivered by a 32-year-old woman while on ECMO due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from COVID-19 infection.

Upper pouch oesophageal duplication cyst- A rare association with Tracheoesophageal fistula: A case report

Background: Oesophageal atresia (OA) has associated anomalies in 50 to 70 % of cases. The usual associations include cardiac, gastrointestinal, anorectal, renal, vertebral, or skeletal anomalies. Oesophageal duplication cyst as an association in OA is extremely rare. Despite the related embryogenesis of these two anomalies, there are very few cases reported. Case Presentation: We present a low-birth-weight neonate with Type C Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) with an associated oesophageal duplication cyst. Conclusion: Upper pouch oesophageal duplication with TEF is very rare and this is the fourth case managed concomitantly at primary surgery in English literature available.

Successful primary repair of oesophageal atresia and distal tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a 525 g neonate, the smallest reported in literature

Advances in neonatal intensive care have meant improved survival of the extremely low birth weight neonate. We report the successful primary repair of a preterm neonate born with an oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula with a birth weight of just 525 g, on day 1 of life, the smallest survivor so far reported in the literature, now followed up for 5 years.

Spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation in a very preterm neonate

Gastric perforation in neonates is a rare, serious and life-threatening problem. The precise aetiology is obscure in most cases. By virtue of its high mortality rate, it requires prompt recognition and surgical intervention. We report a case of gastric rupture in a very preterm/very low birth weight neonate with antenatal reversal of flow in umblical artery.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula Complicated by Iatrogenic Gastric Perforation in a Low Birth Weight Neonate

Type-III tracheoesophageal fistula is the commonest type of fistula where upper pouch is blind and distal oesophageal pouch communicates with trachea. In this condition, gastric distension is a common manifestation which can be worsened by positive pressure ventilation. Pulmonary pathology may necessitate ventilation with high peak airway pressures which may rarely lead to gastric perforation with serious consequences. We are reporting such a case of gastric perforation during ventilatory management for fistula repair which needed surgical repair. Keywords: Airway management; esophageal atresia; gastric perforation; tracheo-oesophageal fistula.