Antenatal Steroid Administration Research Articles

Risks factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pre-term infants

Abstract Introduction Pre-term delivery is one of the leading causes of foetal and perinatal mortality. However, perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal death in preterm deliveries have not been well studied. Objective To analyse foetal mortality and perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pregnancies of less than 32 weeks gestational age. Material and methods The study included all preterm deliveries between 22 and 31 +1 weeks gestational age (WGA), born in a tertiary-referral hospital, over a period of 7 years (2008–2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality (foetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities were excluded). Results During the study period, the overall foetal mortality was 63.1% (106/168) (≥22 weeks of gestation) and occurred in pregnancies of less than 32 WGA. A total of 882 deliveries between 22 and 31 + 6 weeks of gestation were included for analysis. The rate of foetal mortality was 11.3% (100/882). The rate of intra-partum foetal death was 2.6% (23/882), with 78.2% (18/23) of these cases occurring in hospitalised pregnancies. It was found that Assisted Reproductive Techniques, abnormal foetal ultrasound, no administration of antenatal steroids, lower gestational age, and small for gestational age, were independent risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality. Conclusion This study showed that there is a significant percentage intra-partum foetal mortality in infants between 22 and 31 + 6 WGA. The analysis of intrapartum mortality and risk factors associated with this mortality is of clinical and epidemiological interest to optimise perinatal care and improve survival of preterm infants.

Factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto en recién nacidos pretérmino

IntroductionPre-term delivery is one of the leading causes of foetal and perinatal mortality. However, perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal death in preterm deliveries have not been well studied. ObjectiveTo analyse foetal mortality and perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pregnancies of less than 32 weeks gestational age. Material and methodsThe study included all preterm deliveries between 22 and 31 +1 weeks gestational age (WGA), born in a tertiary-referral hospital, over a period of 7 years (2008-2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality (foetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities were excluded). ResultsDuring the study period, the overall foetal mortality was 63.1% (106/168) (≥22 weeks of gestation) occurred in pregnancies of less than 32 WGA. A total of 882 deliveries between 22 and 31+6 weeks of gestation were included for analysis. The rate of foetal mortality was 11.3% (100/882). The rate of intra-partum foetal death was 2.6% (23/882), with 78.2% (18/23) of these cases occurring in hospitalised pregnancies. It was found that Assisted Reproductive Techniques, abnormal foetal ultrasound, no administration of antenatal steroids, lower gestational age, and small for gestational age, were independent risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality. ConclusionThis study showed that there is a significant percentage intra-partum foetal mortality in infants between 22 and 31+6 WGA. The analysis of intrapartum mortality and risk factors associated with this mortality is of clinical and epidemiological interest to optimise perinatal care and improve survival of preterm infants.

Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Perinatal approach

ABSTRACT Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial vasoproliferative retinal disorder in the premature infant exposed to high oxygen therapy. Retinopathy of prematurity is a major contributor to childhood blindness. Whereas ROP in high-income countries is decreasing, it is increasing in the low and middle-income countries, such as India. On the other hand, ROP is also a preventable disease. So far, preventive programs have focused on pediatric, neonatal, and nursing practices: Minimizing exposure to oxygen of premature babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in respiratory distress (RDS) and early detection of ROP and treatment by the ophthalmologists. Prematurity is the major risk factor for ROP. Decreasing the risk of prematurity requires a perinatal approach. Evidence shows that good antenatal care, managing preterm labor, and administration of antenatal steroids decrease respiratory complication and the need for oxygen therapy in the premature infants. There is also a need for decreasing the elective cesarean sections (ECS) which add to iatrogenic preterm births and associated respiratory complications. New research shows that inflammatory factors that lead to premature labor also make the premature retinal vessels susceptible to developing ROP. These scientific findings lay ground for a stronger perinatal approach to prevent ROP in future. This article attempts to highlight the perinatal approach to prevent ROP. How to cite this article Vidyasagar D. Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Perinatal Approach. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(2):185-188.

Prediction of Time to Delivery Week-by-Week in Women with a Triplet Pregnancy.

Objective Some clinicians advise prophylactic administration of antenatal steroids for fetal lung maturation in women with a triplet pregnancy. However, the effect of corticosteroids is limited to 10 to 14 days after administration. The aim of this study was to assess the natural course of triplet pregnancies to allow a better anticipation for administration of corticosteroids. Study Design We collected data on all triplet pregnancies in the Netherlands from 1999 to 2007 from the Netherlands Perinatal Registration. We calculated time to delivery, the risk of delivery in 2-week intervals at different gestational ages, and the time frame between hospital admission and delivery of the first child. Results Median gestational age at delivery of 494 women with a triplet pregnancy was 33+4 weeks (interquartile range of 31-35+1 weeks). Twenty-one women (4.3%) delivered between 22 and 24 weeks and 146 women (29.6%) delivered before 32 weeks. At a gestational age of 24 weeks, the chance to deliver within the next week was 0.6%. For 26, 28, 30, 31, and 32 weeks, these risks were 2.4, 2.5, 8.1, 7, and 16.7%, respectively. Conclusion Before 32 weeks of gestation, prophylactic administration of steroids is not indicated as the risk to deliver within 7 days is < 10%.

Periviable birth: Interim update

Approximately 0.5% of all births occur before the third trimester of pregnancy, and these very early deliveries result in the majority of neonatal deaths and more than 40% of infant deaths. A recent executive summary of proceedings from a joint workshop defined periviable birth as delivery occurring from 20 0/7 weeks to 25 6/7 weeks of gestation. When delivery is anticipated near the limit of viability, families and health care teams are faced with complex and ethically challenging decisions. Multiple factors have been found to be associated with short-term and long-term outcomes of periviable births in addition to gestational age at birth. These include, but are not limited to, nonmodifiable factors (eg, fetal sex, weight, plurality), potentially modifiable antepartum and intrapartum factors (eg, location of delivery, intent to intervene by cesarean delivery or induction for delivery, administration of antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate), and postnatal management (eg, starting or withholding and continuing or withdrawing intensive care after birth). Antepartum and intrapartum management options vary depending upon the specific circumstances but may include short-term tocolytic therapy for preterm labor to allow time for administration of antenatal steroids, antibiotics to prolong latency after preterm premature rupture of membranes or for intrapartum group B streptococci prophylaxis, and delivery, including cesarean delivery, for concern regarding fetal well-being or fetal malpresentation. Whenever possible, periviable births for which maternal or neonatal intervention is planned should occur in centers that offer expertise in maternal and neonatal care and the needed infrastructure, including intensive care units, to support such services. This document describes newborn outcomes after periviable birth, provides current evidence and recommendations regarding interventions in this setting, and provides an outline for family counseling with the goal of incorporating informed patient preferences. Its intent is to provide support and guidance regarding decisions, including declining and accepting interventions and therapies, based on individual circumstances and patient values.

Impact of antenatal steroids on intraventricular hemorrhage in very-low-birth weight infants.

ObjectiveTo determine the association between antenatal steroids administration and intraventricular hemorrhage rates.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative during 2007-2013 for infants ≤ 32 weeks gestational age. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated the effect of antenatal steroids on intraventricular hemorrhage, stratified by gestational age.ResultsIn 25,979 very low birth weight infants, antenatal steroid use was associated with a reduction in incidence of any grade of intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.45, 0.58) and a reduction in incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.57, 0.67). This association was seen across gestational ages ranging from 22 to 29 weeks.ConclusionsWhile current guidelines recommend coverage for preterm birth at 24 to 34 weeks gestation, our results suggest that treatment with antenatal steroids may be beneficial even before 24 weeks of gestational age.

The Impact of Type, Dosage and Time of Prenatal Steroid Administration on Neonatal Outcome

Background: In 1972, Liggins and Howie demonstrated that antenatal steroid administration reduced the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and perinatal mortality in neonates. Since the publication of these findings, perinatal and long-term results of steroid therapy have been evaluated in numerous studies. The aim of the study was to compare the impact of prenatal steroid dosage on perinatal outcomes in neonates and in mothers. Summary: Although the results of the studies are ambiguous, one should consider the potential benefits of dexamethasone in cases of risk of preterm delivery due to abnormalities in fetal health assessments. Dexamethasone may also lead to better results when preterm neonates are burdened with cardiovascular defects or diseases. The opposite holds true for abnormal flows within UA or fetal MCA, i.e., one should consider whether betamethasone is the appropriate drug of choice. Steroid treatment after 34 weeks of gestation is not beneficial. Administration of the full course of steroid treatment (24 mg) in lower single doses is probably more favorable for the mother. On the other hand, a shorter time interval between the doses may allow more women in preterm birth to receive the full course of steroids. Further studies are required to answer these questions, and better methods for predicting preterm birth should be determined.

ACOG Obstetric Care Consensus No. 3 Summary: Periviable Birth.

Approximately 0.5% of all births occur before the third trimester of pregnancy, and these very early deliveries result in the majority of neonatal deaths and more than 40% of infant deaths. A recent executive summary of proceedings from a joint workshop defined periviable birth as delivery occurring from 20 0/7 weeks to 25 6/7 weeks of gestation. When delivery is anticipated near the limit of viability, families and health care teams are faced with complex and ethically challenging decisions. Multiple factors have been found to be associated with short-term and long-term outcomes of periviable births in addition to gestational age at birth. These include, but are not limited to, nonmodifiable factors (eg, fetal sex, weight, plurality), potentially modifiable antepartum and intrapartum factors (eg, location of delivery, intent to intervene by cesarean delivery or induction for delivery, administration of antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate), and postnatal management (eg, starting or withholding and continuing or withdrawing intensive care after birth). Antepartum and intrapartum management options vary depending upon the specific circumstances but may include short-term tocolytic therapy for preterm labor to allow time for administration of antenatal steroids, antibiotics to prolong latency after preterm premature rupture of membranes or for intrapartum group B streptococci prophylaxis, and delivery, including cesarean delivery, for concern regarding fetal well-being or fetal malpresentation. Whenever possible, periviable births for which maternal or neonatal intervention is planned should occur in centers that offer expertise in maternal and neonatal care and the needed infrastructure, including intensive care units, to support such services. This document describes newborn outcomes after periviable birth, provides current evidence and recommendations regarding interventions in this setting, and provides an outline for family counseling with the goal of incorporating informed patient preferences. Its intent is to provide support and guidance regarding decisions, including declining and accepting interventions and therapies, based on individual circumstances and patient values.

#3: Periviable birth

Approximately 0.5% of all births occur before the third trimester of pregnancy, and these very early deliveries result in the majority of neonatal deaths and more than 40% of infant deaths. A recent executive summary of proceedings from a joint workshop defined periviable birth as delivery occurring from 20 0/7 weeks to 25 6/7 weeks of gestation. When delivery is anticipated near the limit of viability, families and health care teams are faced with complex and ethically challenging decisions. Multiple factors have been found to be associated with short-term and long-term outcomes of periviable births in addition to gestational age at birth. These include, but are not limited to, nonmodifiable factors (eg, fetal sex, weight, plurality), potentially modifiable antepartum and intrapartum factors (eg, location of delivery, intent to intervene by cesarean delivery or induction for delivery, administration of antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate), and postnatal management (eg, starting or withholding and continuing or withdrawing intensive care after birth). Antepartum and intrapartum management options vary depending upon the specific circumstances but may include short-term tocolytic therapy for preterm labor to allow time for administration of antenatal steroids, antibiotics to prolong latency after preterm premature rupture of membranes or for intrapartum group B streptococci prophylaxis, and delivery, including cesarean delivery, for concern regarding fetal well-being or fetal malpresentation. Whenever possible, periviable births for which maternal or neonatal intervention is planned should occur in centers that offer expertise in maternal and neonatal care and the needed infrastructure, including intensive care units, to support such services. This document describes newborn outcomes after periviable birth, provides current evidence and recommendations regarding interventions in this setting, and provides an outline for family counseling with the goal of incorporating informed patient preferences. Its intent is to provide support and guidance regarding decisions, including declining and accepting interventions and therapies, based on individual circumstances and patient values.

Outcomes of Preterm Neonates Transferred Between Tertiary Perinatal Centers.

To verify if preterm neonates transferred between tertiary referral centers have worse outcomes than matched untransferred infants. Cohort study with a historically matched control group. Two tertiary-level neonatal ICUs. Seventy-five neonates per group. Transfer between tertiary-level neonatal ICUs carried out by a fully equipped transportation team. We measured in-hospital mortality, frequency of intraventricular hemorrhage greater than 2nd grade, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis greater than or equal to grade 2, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, composite outcomes (in-hospital mortality/bronchopulmonary dysplasia, in-hospital mortality/intraventricular hemorrhage > 2nd grade, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia/periventricular leukomalacia/intraventricular hemorrhage > 2nd grade), length of neonatal ICU stay, weight at discharge, and time spent on ventilatory support. Seventy-five similar (except for antenatal steroids administration) neonates were enrolled in each cohort. Cohorts did not differ in mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than 2nd grade, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis greater than or equal to grade 2, any composite outcomes, neonatal ICU stay, weight at discharge, and duration of respiratory support. Results were unchanged adjusting for antenatal steroids. Neonatal transfer between tertiary-level centers does not impact on clinical outcomes, if performed under optimal conditions.

Changing Survival Rate of Infants Born Before 26 Gestational Weeks: Single-centre study.

This study aimed to evaluate the changing survival rate and morbidities among infants born before 26 gestational weeks at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. This retrospective study assessed the mortality and morbidities of all premature infants born alive at 23-26 gestational weeks at SQUH between June 2006 and May 2013. Infants referred to SQUH within 72 hours of birth during this period were also included. Electronic records were reviewed for gestational age, gender, birth weight, maternal age, mode and place of delivery, antenatal steroid administration, morbidity and outcome. The survival rate was calculated and findings were then compared with those of a previous study conducted in the same hospital from 1991 to 1998. Rates of major morbidities were also calculated. A total of 81 infants between 23-26 gestational weeks were admitted to the neonatal unit during the study period. Of these, 58.0% were male and 42.0% were female. Median gestational age was 25 weeks and mean birth weight was 770 ± 150 g. Of the 81 infants, 49 survived. The overall survival rate was 60.5% compared to 41% reported in the previous study. Respiratory distress syndrome (100.0%), retinopathy of prematurity (51.9%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (34.6%), intraventricular haemorrhage (30.9%) and patent ductus arteriosus (28.4%) were the most common morbidities. The overall survival rate of infants between 23-26 gestational weeks during the study period had significantly improved in comparison to that found at the same hospital from 1991 to 1998. There is a need for the long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up of premature infants.

Periviable Birth

This is an executive summary of a workshop on the management and counseling issues of women anticipated to deliver at a periviable gestation (broadly defined as 20 0/7 through 25 6/7 weeks of gestation), and the treatment options for the newborn. Upon review of the available literature, the workshop panel noted that the rates of neonatal survival and neurodevelopmental disabilities among the survivors vary greatly across the periviable gestations and are significantly influenced by the obstetric and neonatal management practices (for example, antenatal steroid, tocolytic agents and antibiotic administration; cesarean birth; and local protocols for perinatal care, neonatal resuscitation and intensive care support). These are, in turn, influenced by the variations in local and regional definitions of limits of viability. Because of the complexities in making difficult management decisions, obstetric and neonatal teams should confer prior to meeting with the family, when feasible. Family counseling should be coordinated with the goal of creating mutual trust, respect and understanding, and should incorporate evidence-based counseling methods. Since clinical circumstances can change rapidly with increasing gestational age, counseling should include discussion of the benefits and risks of various maternal and neonatal interventions at the time of counseling. There should be a plan for follow-up counseling as clinical circumstances evolve. The panel proposed a research agenda and recommended developing educational curricula on the care and counseling of families facing the birth of a periviable infant.

Outcomes for extremely premature infants.

Premature birth is a significant cause of infant and child morbidity and mortality. In the United States, the premature birth rate, which had steadily increased during the 1990s and early 2000s, has decreased annually for 7 years and is now approximately 11.39%. Human viability, defined as gestational age at which the chance of survival is 50%, is currently approximately 23 to 24 weeks in developed countries. Infant girls, on average, have better outcomes than infant boys. A relatively uncomplicated course in the intensive care nursery for an extremely premature infant results in a discharge date close to the prenatal estimated date of confinement. Despite technological advances and efforts of child health experts during the last generation, the extremely premature infant (less than 28 weeks gestation) and extremely low birth weight infant (<1000 g) remain at high risk for death and disability with 30% to 50% mortality and, in survivors, at least 20% to 50% risk of morbidity. The introduction of continuous positive airway pressure, mechanical ventilation, and exogenous surfactant increased survival and spurred the development of neonatal intensive care in the 1970s through the early 1990s. Routine administration of antenatal steroids during premature labor improved neonatal mortality and morbidity in the late 1990s. The recognition that chronic postnatal administration of steroids to infants should be avoided may have improved outcomes in the early 2000s. Evidence from recent trials attempting to define the appropriate target for oxygen saturation in preterm infants suggests arterial oxygen saturation between 91% and 95% (compared with 85%-89%) avoids excess mortality; however, final analyses of data from these trials have not been published, so definitive recommendations are still pending. The development of neonatal neurocritical intensive care units may improve neurocognitive outcomes in this high-risk group. Long-term follow-up to detect and address developmental, learning, behavioral, and social problems is critical for children born at these early gestational ages.The striking similarities in response to extreme prematurity in the lung and brain imply that agents and techniques that benefit one organ are likely to also benefit the other. Finally, because therapy and supportive care continue to change, the outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants are ever evolving. Efforts to minimize injury, preserve growth, and identify interventions focused on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways are now being evaluated. Thus, treating and preventing long-term deficits must be developed in the context of a "moving target."

Current insights in brain protection for the sick newborn infant

This paper presents an overview of the modern antenatal and postnatal strategies in brain protection for both preterm and term born infants. It is known, that the two most common causes of neonatal brain injury are prematurity and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in the term born infant. Approximately one in nine babies is born before term. Nowadays these preterm born infants more often survive the neonatal period due to developments in treatment options in the last decades. They are however at a high risk for developing brain damage and neurodevelopmental impairment later in life. Approximately 40 % of survivors develop long-term intellectual or physical impairment, including cerebral palsy (CP). Term born infants born after perinatal asphyxia may also survive with a variety of neurocognitive disorders due to brain damage as a result from the hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Untreated, the sequelae of moderate to severe HIE includes a 60 to 65 % risk of mental retardation, CP, hydrocephalus, seizures, or death. The main goal in neonatal care for these surviving but vulnerable infants is to preserve brain function and prevent further brain damage, in order to improve neurocognitive outcome and the subsequent quality of life. In preterm brain protection antenatal strategies besides educating and supporting pregnant women regarding life style and healthy food intake, centralization of care for extreme preterm born infants, fetal monitoring in high risk pregnancies, administration of antenatal steroids for lung maturity, the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate administration to mothers just before preterm delivery are of great importance. In the postnatal strategies setting optimal oxygen saturation, the avoidance of prolonged artificial mechanical ventilation, hypoglycemia, hypocapnia electrolytic imbalances, hyperbilirubinemia, blood pressure shifts, stress and pain, inflammation, necrotizing enterocolitis as well as adequate feeding strongly predict neurocognitive outcome. In the term asphyxiated infants the brain experiences a cascade of problems occurring after energy failure which in fact are the basis of neuroprotective strategies. These strategies consist of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-excitatoxic and anti-apoptotic agents, and in the future possibly neurogenetic approaches, including stem cell therapy. In antenatal strategies prevention of asphyxia starts at promoting a healthy pregnancy and of an early recognition of fetal, placental or perinatal risk factors for hypoxia. Recent experimental trials have shown a possible beneficial effect of antenatal administration of the anti-oxidative agent allopurinol in a HIE. In postnatal strategies two methods to achieve therapeutic hypothermia were evaluated in newborn infants with HIE: whole body cooling and selective head cooling with mild systemic hypothermia with the conclusion: hypothermia should be instituted in term infants with moderate-to-severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy if identified before six hours of age. Monitoring of brain activity by means of amplitude integrated electroencephalography to identify infants with HIE is promising. Potential agents with either anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-excitatoxic or anti-apoptotic capacities are currently being investigated in various phases of research.

PO-0757 Perinatal Factors In The Development Of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

<h3>Background and aims</h3> Aetiology of BPD is multifactorial with prenatal and postnatal factors being involved. First, we aimed to evaluate the association between chorioamnionitis and BPD. Secondly, the effect of other perinatal factors on the risk of developing BPD were analysed. <h3>Methods</h3> Retrospective analysis of all infants with GA &lt;32 weeks or BW &lt;1500 g. admitted into our hospital between 2002–2010. 120 patients who died before 36 weeks of PMA were excluded. <h3>Results</h3> The average GA was: 29,7 ± 3 s; 217/432 (50%) had any type of chorioamnionitis (histological or clínical); 75/432 (17.4%) met diagnostic criteria for BPD at 36 weeks. Univariate analysis: lower GA, any type of chorioamnionitis, DAP and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) were associated with an increased risk of DBP (p &lt; 0.05). Multivariate analysis: administration of antenatal steroids or chorioamnionitis did not independently modify the risk of BPD. But adding both, the effect became statistically significant protective for BPD (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.79). Days in MV is the only factor that independently increased the risk of BPD. Neither a lower GA nor the presence of PDA had significantance; but, the risk of BPD was higher in the presence of PDA and MV together: every day in MV increased the risk of BPD (OR 1.130, 95% CI1.001- 1.27). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Chorioamnionitis in coexistence with antenatal corticosteroids decreases the risk of BPD. Mechanical ventilation is the main risk factor for BPD. In the presenceof DAP, ventilation increases the risk of BPD.

Antenatal steroids at 37 weeks, does it reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity? A randomized trial

Objective: To assess the effect of prophylactic corticosteroids administration at 37 weeks before term elective cesarean section (CS) in reducing neonatal respiratory morbidity and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This randomized trial was conducted focusing on women subjected to term elective CS. Women who were eligible for the study were divided into two groups. At 37 weeks' gestation; study group received two intramuscular doses of 12 mg dexamethasone 24 h apart, while the control group given the usual care without steroids. Outcome measures were adverse neonatal respiratory outcomes (respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)) and rates of admission to NICU. Results: Neonates in the treatment group had lower overall incidence of respiratory distress morbidity 7.9% versus 23% when compared to the control group. The main morbidity was TTN (7% in study versus 19.6% in control group). There was significantly lower incidence of both mild and moderate degrees of respiratory distress in the study group (7 and 0.9%, respectively) compared to 17 and 5.3% in the control group. The most significant benefit of steroid administration was noted in those babies 37–37+6 weeks. Conclusion: Antenatal administration of steroids at 37 weeks appears to be beneficial in reducing neonatal respiratory morbidity in women undergoing elective term CS.

Severe Leukemoid Reaction in a Preterm Infant With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

Leukemoid reaction, defined as a total leukocyte count of >50,000/mm, is most commonly related to antenatal administration of steroids, infections, and transient myeloproliferative disorder of Down syndrome in newborns. Atypical presentations of viral infections can be a diagnostic challenge in the newborn period. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes a multisystem disease, and symptomatic infants generally present with intrauterine growth restriction, hepatosplenomegaly, cholestasis, rash, thrombocytopenia, and microcephaly. We present a case of a preterm infant with severe myeloid leukemoid reaction (leukocyte count >100,000/mm) at birth who was diagnosed with congenital CMV infection on the basis of CMV polymerase chain reaction results after the appearance of cholestasis, blueberry muffin rash, and hepatosplenomegaly.

My tribute to Mary ellen avery.

My tribute to Mary ellen avery.

Periviable birth: executive summary of a Joint Workshop by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

This is an executive summary of a workshop on the management and counseling issues of women anticipated to deliver at a periviable gestation (broadly defined as 20 0/7 through 25 6/7 weeks of gestation), and the treatment options for the newborn. Upon review of the available literature, the workshop panel noted that the rates of neonatal survival and neurodevelopmental disabilities among the survivors vary greatly across the periviable gestations and are significantly influenced by the obstetric and neonatal management practices (for example, antenatal steroid, tocolytic agents and antibiotic administration; cesarean birth; and local protocols for perinatal care, neonatal resuscitation and intensive care support). These are, in turn, influenced by the variations in local and regional definitions of limits of viability. Because of the complexities in making difficult management decisions, obstetric and neonatal teams should confer prior to meeting with the family, when feasible. Family counseling should be coordinated with the goal of creating mutual trust, respect and understanding, and should incorporate evidence-based counseling methods. Since clinical circumstances can change rapidly with increasing gestational age, counseling should include discussion of the benefits and risks of various maternal and neonatal interventions at the time of counseling. There should be a plan for follow-up counseling as clinical circumstances evolve. The panel proposed a research agenda and recommended developing educational curricula on the care and counseling of families facing the birth of a periviable infant.

Review of the Antenatal and Postnatal Use of Steroids

Antenatal and postnatal corticosteroids play an extremely important role in the management of premature infants. The antenatal administration of steroids has been universally implemented. They have not only been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), but also have an impact on the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and possibly retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by reducing the need for supplemental oxygen due to improved lung function. The postnatal use of dexamethasone in ventilated infants has been adopted with caution, as there have been several reports of long-term neurodevelopmental complications with this therapy. Hence, changes in dosage and indications and the search for alternative therapies has emerged. Hydrocortisone appears to be a good alternative, with reassuring long-term evaluations thus far.