Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Research Articles

Elevated supine midline head position for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in VLBW and ELBW infants: a retrospective multicenter study.

To evaluate the impact of elevated supine midline head position on intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. We reviewed data from four Level III/IV units. Two of these units (mid-line group) cared for infants in midline position and the other two (routine care group) provided routine care. We compared incidence of any and severe IVH in two groups using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Of 2201 VLBW infants, 1041 were extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW). Odds of any IVH were not different either for VLBW or ELBW infants. Odds of severe IVH were higher for VLBW infants in mid-line group (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.007-2.02; p value 0.046) but not for ELBW infants (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.4; p value 0.73). The incidence of any IVH was similar in the two groups but the incidence of severe IVH was higher in VLBW infants in mid-line group.

Prophylactic efficacy of enteral antifungal administration of miconazole for intestinal perforation, especially for necrotizing enterocolitis: a historical cohort study at a single institution.

Despite improvements in neonatal intensive care, the outcomes of extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with surgical diseases remain to be improved. We started administering enteral miconazole (MCZ) to ELBWIs from 2002 to prevent fungal infection. Since then, the incidence of intestinal perforation has significantly decreased. We investigated this prophylactic effect of MCZ against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and focal intestinal perforation (FIP) and explored a new prophylactic concept against intestinal perforation. We designed a historical cohort study to evaluate the effect of MCZ for intestinal perforation in ELBWIs who underwent treatment in our neonatal intensive-care unit between January 1998 and December 2005. We divided these cases into two groups: the Pre-MCZ group and the Post-MCZ group. We compared the morbidity, clinical outcomes and pathological features of NEC and FIP. The rate of intestinal perforation with NEC was significantly reduced after the introduction of MCZ (p = 0.007, odds ratio; 3.782, 95% confidence interval; 1.368-12.08). The pathological findings of NEC specimens showed that the accumulation of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced in the Post-MCZ group when compared with the Pre-MCZ group (p < 0.05). The efficacy of the enteral administration of MCZ on intestinal perforation with NEC highlights a new prophylactic concept in the clinical management of ELBWIs.

Unprecedented reduction in births of very low birthweight (VLBW) and extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants during the COVID-19 lockdown in Ireland: a ‘natural experiment’ allowing analysis of data from the prior two decades

BackgroundAetiology of births involving very low birthweight (VLBW) and extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants is heterogeneous and preventive strategies remain elusive. Socioenvironmental measures implemented as Ireland’s response to the SARS-CoV-2...

43 Pulmonary Artery dopplers for early prediction of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in Extremely Low Birth Weight babies (ELBW): A forgotten tale

Abstract Introduction/Background BPD is a chronic lung disease that affects ELBW babies and contributes significantly to their morbidity and mortality. The early abnormal vasoreactivity observed in babies at risk of BPD increases the pulmonary vascular resistance and can be assessed non-invasively using Time to Peak Velocity: Right Ventricular Ejection Time ratio (TPV: RVET) that is calculated from pulmonary artery doppler waveform. We postulate that screening for this condition early may be useful to predict BPD in this cohort, which may provide prognostic information as well as early clinical management of the ELBW at risk of developing BPD and therefore can potentially present a window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Objectives 1. To determine utility of TPV/RVET ratio in predicting the risk for BPD in ELBW babies in a tertiary center. 2. To determine utility of TPV/RVET(c) ratio in predicting the risk for BPD in ELBW babies in a tertiary center. Design/Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of ELBW babies &amp;lt;29 weeks admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Stollery Children Hospital (SCH) over a 4 year time period and had early echocardiograms performed between 7-21 days of life. These babies were further identified to have BPD or no BPD at 36 weeks CGA. TPV/RVET ratios were measured by two reviewers from pulmonary artery doppler waveforms and were corrected for heart rate. The predictive ability of TPV/RVET and TPV/RVET(c) for subsequent development of BPD were analyzed using ROC curve. Inter observer agreement was evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to derive a model that can be used in the 2nd to 3rd weeks of life, to predict the subsequent development of BPD at 36 weeks CGA. Infants with congenital heart disease (other than PDA, persistent foramen ovale/atrial septal defect and Ventricular Septal Defects), congenital lung malformations, multiple congenital anomalies and chromosomal anomalies were excluded. Results Out of 589 ELBW babies &amp;lt;29 weeks admitted to SCH NICU, 207 infants were eligible with early echocardiograms done at a mean age of 12.6 days (SD 4.1). One-hundred-and-twenty-five babies (60.4%) were found to have BPD. Babies with BPD were of lower gestational age (25.6 Vs 26.4, p-0.0001), sicker at birth (SNAPPE II 42.3 Vs 33.2, p-0.0024), had higher incidence of PDA needing surgical ligation (18.4% Vs 4.9%, p-0.005) and had spent more days on mechanical ventilation (39.8 Vs 12.5, p&amp;lt;0.0001) than those without BPD. Both TPV, TPV/RVET and its corrected ratios were significantly lower in ELBW babies with BPD compared to non-BPD babies (p&amp;lt;0.0001). The TPV/RVET ratio (cut off 0.34) and TPV/RVET(c) (cut off 0.54) had Sensitivities [76.8% (95%CI 68.4-83.9) and 72% (95%CI 63.3-79.7)], Specificities [85.4% (95%CI 75.8- 92.2) and 84.1% (95%CI 74.4-91.3)], Positive Predictive Values [88.9% (95%CI 81.4-94.1) and 87.4% (95%CI 79.4-93.1)], Negative Predictive values [70.7% (95%CI 60.7- 79) and 66.3% (95%CI 56.4-75.3)] and ROC area [0.811 (95% CI 0.757-0.864) and 0.781 (95% CI 0.725-0.837)] respectively. Multi variant logistic regression analysis showed Odds Ratio(OR) for having BPD at TPV/RVET cut off 0.34 and TPV/RVET(c) cut off 0.54 to be 19.9(95%CI 8.19-48.34) and 16.3(95% 6.78-39.33) respectively and the OR increased by 1.07(95%CI 1.05-1.09) and 1.08(95% CI 1.05-1.10) with every additional days of mechanical ventilation respectively. TPV/RVET ratio had 92.75% inter-observer agreement with kappa 0.83. Conclusion TPV/RVET and its corrected ratio are good and reliable early screening tools for subsequent development of BPD in ELBW babies with substantial inter-observer agreement. Two variable model namely TPV/RVET&amp;lt;0.34 and mechanical ventilation or TPV/RVET(c) &amp;lt;0.54 and mechanical ventilation can be used in the 2nd to 3rd week of life to predict subsequent development of BPD at 36 weeks CGA in ELBW babies.

Analysis of neurodevelopmental outcomes of preadolescents born with extremely low weight revealed impairments in multiple developmental domains despite absence of cognitive impairment.

Background and aimsChildren with extremely low‐birth weight (ELBW) have a high risk for cognitive, motor, and attention impairments and learning disabilities. Longitudinal follow‐up studies to a later age are needed in order to increase understanding of the changes in neurodevelopmental trajectories in targeting timely intervention. The aims of this study were to investigate cognitive and motor outcomes, attention‐deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) behaviour, school performance, and overall outcomes in a national cohort of ELBW children at preadolescence, and minor neuromotor impairments in a subpopulation of these children and to compare the results with those of full‐term controls. The additional aim was to report the overall outcome in all ELBW infants born at 22 to 26 gestational weeks.MethodsThis longitudinal prospective national cohort study included all surviving ELBW (birth weight <1000 g) children born in Finland in 1996 to 1997. No children were excluded from the study. Perinatal, neonatal, and follow‐up data up to the age of 5 years of these children were registered in the national birth register. According to birth register, the study population included all infants born at the age under 27 gestational weeks. At 11 years of age general cognitive ability was tested with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, ADHD behavior evaluated with a report from each child's own teacher (ADHD Rating Scale IV), and school performance with a parental questionnaire. An ELBW subpopulation consisting of a cohort representative children from the two university hospitals from two regions (n = 63) and the age‐matched full‐term born controls born in Helsinki university hospital (n = 30) underwent Movement Assessment Battery for Children and Touwen neurological examination comprising developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and minor neurological dysfunction (MND), respectively.ResultsOf 206 ELBW survivors 122 (73% of eligible) children and 30 (100%) full‐term control children participated in assessments. ELBW children had lower full‐scale intellectual quotient than controls (t‐test, 90 vs 112, P < .001), elevated teacher‐ reported inattention scores (median = 4.0 vs 1.0, P = .021, r = .20) and needed more educational support (47% vs 17%, OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6‐12.4, P = .02). In the subpopulation, the incidences of DCD were 30% in ELBW and 7% in control children (P = .012, OR 6.0 CI 1.3‐27.9), and complex MND 12.5% and 0%, (P = .052; RR 1.1 95% CI 1.04‐1.25), respectively. Of survivors born in 24 to 26 gestational weeks, 29% had normal outcome.ConclusionAs the majority of the extremely preterm born children had some problems, long‐term follow‐up is warranted to identify those with special needs and to design individual multidisciplinary support programs.

Delivery-based criteria for empiric antibiotic administration among preterm infants.

Objective:Determine impact of using delivery criteria to initiate antibiotics among very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.Design:Single site cohort study from 01/01/2009 to 01/31/2020. After 04/2017, infants delivered by Cesarean section, without labor or membrane rupture were categorized as low-risk for early-onset infection and managed without empiric antibiotics. We determined effect of this guideline by pre-post, and interrupted time series analyses.Result:After 04/2017, antibiotic initiation ≤3 days decreased among low-risk VLBW (62% vs. 13%, p<0.001) and low-risk ELBW (88% vs. 21%, p<0.001) infants. In time series analysis, guideline was associated with decreased initiation among low-risk ELBW infants. In contrast, low-risk VLBW infants demonstrated decreased antibiotic initiation throughout study period. Incidence of confirmed infection, death or transfer ≤7 days age was unchanged.Conclusion:Delivery criteria may be used to optimize early antibiotic initiation among preterm infants without short-term increase in adverse outcomes.

Risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation in very low birth weight infants: a multicenter study

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted based on Shandong Neonatal Network (SNN). The clinical data of the VLBWI (n=1 051), who were admitted to 27 neonatal intensive care units from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, were collected and analyzed. According to the weight at discharge or 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, all the enrolled VLBWI were assigned into EUGR group and non-EUGR group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to detect the risk factors for EUGR in preterm small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA infants. Results: A total of 1 051 VLBWI were enrolled, with 51.7% (543/1 051) male. The incidence of EUGR in the whole group was 60.7% (638/1 051), and were 78.3% (90/115) and 46.9% (53/113) in extremely low birth weight infant (ELBWI) and extremely preterm infants (EPI), respectively. The incidence of EUGR in SGA and non-SGA infants were 87.6% (190/217) and 53.7% (448/834), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that, withholding feeds (OR=1.531, 1.237, 95%CI: 1.180-1.987, 1.132-1.353, both P<0.01) and time to achieve full enteral feeding (OR=1.090, 1.023, 95%CI: 1.017-1.167, 1.002-1.045, P=0.014, 0.034) were independent risk factors of EUGR in both SGA and non-SGA infants. For SGA infants, cesarean delivery was an independent risk factor for EUGR (OR=8.147, 95%CI: 2.127-31.212, P=0.002); while for non-SGA infants, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (OR=2.572, 95%CI: 1.496-4.421, P=0.001) and the duration of invasive ventilation (OR=1.050, 95%CI: 1.009 - 1.092, P=0.016) were independent risk factors of EUGR. Besides, moderate and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR=2.241, 95%CI: 1.173-4.281, P=0.015), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR=5.633, 95%CI: 1.333-23.796, P=0.019) and retinopathy of prematurity (OR=2.219, 95%CI: 1.268-3.885, P=0.005) were associated with EUGR. Conclusions: The incidence of weight-defined EUGR is high in VLBWI, especially in preterm SGA infants. Avoiding delaying feeds after birth and achieving full enteral feeding early may reduce the incidence of EUGR.

Perinatal quality improvement bundle to decrease hypothermia in extremely low birthweight infants with birth weight less than 1000 g: single-center experience over 6 years

Normothermia (36.5°C–37. 5°C) at the time of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants (birth weight <1000 g) is associated with decreased morbidity...

Efficacy and safety of intraventricular fibrinolytic therapy for post-intraventricular hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in extreme low birth weight infants: a preliminary clinical study.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of our unique therapy for treating post-intraventricular hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PIVHH) in low birth weight infants (LBWls) through an early stage fibrinolytic therapeutic strategy involving urokinase (UK) injection into the lateral ventricle, called the "Ventricular Lavage (VL) therapy." Overall, 43 consecutive infants with PIVHH were included. Most were extremely LBWIs (n = 39). Other cases included very LBWIs (n = 2) and full-term infants (n = 2). VL therapy involved continuous external ventricular drainage (EVD) management using a very fine catheter and intermittent slow injection of 6000IU of UK every 3-6h to actively dissolve hematomas. Early EVD management (within 3weeks of IVH onset) was performed in 25 infants, with combination VL therapy in 21 infants. Five initiated late EVD management (≥ 3weeks after IVH onset); the remaining 13 were treated conservatively for several weeks, delaying surgical intervention. Eighteen of 21 (86%) infants who received VL therapy did not require permanent shunt surgery. There were no serious complications, including the absence of secondary hemorrhage and infection. Two-thirds of the infants treated in the late stages required permanent shunt, and various shunt-related complications frequently occurred. A good outcome occurred in 13/17 infants in the early treatment group, despite most subjects having an IVH grade IV, and in 6/15 in the late treatment group. Permanent shunt surgery needs were dramatically reduced following early VL therapy, and functional outcomes were favorable. VL therapy might be a promising strategy that could lead to the development of new treatments for PIVHH.

Neonatal Refeeding Syndrome and Clinical Outcome in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Babies: Secondary Cohort Analysis From the ProVIDe Trial.

BackgroundRefeeding syndrome (RS) following preterm birth has been linked to high intravenous (IV) protein intake in the presence of low electrolyte supply. In extremely low‐birth‐weight (ELBW) babies, we aimed to determine the incidence of RS and associations with birth characteristics and clinical outcomes.MethodProspective cohort study of ELBW ProVIDe Trial participants in 6 New Zealand neonatal intensive care units. RS was defined as serum phosphate < 1.4 mmol.L−1 and total calcium > 2.8 mmol.L−1. Relationships between RS and other factors were explored using 2‐sample tests and logistic regression adjusted for sex, gestation, and birth‐weight z‐score.ResultsOf 338 babies (mean [SD] birth‐weight, 780 (134) g, gestational age, 25.9 [1.7] weeks), 68 (20%) had RS. Mortality was greater in babies with RS (32% vs 11%; P < .0001). More small‐ than appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age babies developed RS (22% vs 8%; P = .001). Growth from birth to 36 weeks’ corrected age was not different between babies who did and did not have RS. In logistic regression, the odds of RS decreased by 70% for each 1 mmol per kg−1.d−1 IV phosphate intake (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; CI, 0.1–0.6; P = .002) and increased by 80% for each 1 g.kg−1.d−1 IV protein intake (OR, 1.8; CI, 1.3–2.7; P = .002).ConclusionsNeonatal RS is common in this cohort of ELBW babies and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Optimizing phosphate and calcium intakes in IV nutrition solutions may reduce RS and its consequences.

Prematurity at less than 24 weeks of gestation is a risk for prolonged hyperglycemia in extremely low-birth weight infants.

Hyperglycemia in extremely low-birth weight infants (ELBWIs) is frequently observed during the acute perinatal phase, (i.e., first 1-2 weeks postnatal period); however it can occasionally persists for >2 weeks, extending to the post-acute phase. Since such prolonged hyperglycemia (PH) is not typical for ELBWIs, the aim of the present study was to further understand the clinical details of PH. Twenty-five hyperglycemic ELBWIs born before 28 weeks of gestation from 2015 to 2018 were included in the study. Based on the duration of hyperglycemia, we separated the subjects into two groups: non-prolonged hyperglycemia (NPH) who achieved remission within ≤2 weeks [n = 18, median 3.0 (range, 2.0-4.0) days], and PH, whose hyperglycemia persisted for >2 weeks [n = 7, median 50.0 (range, 33.5-66.0) days]. Compared to the NPH group, glucose metabolism of the PH group was more deteriorate. The peak blood glucose level was significantly higher in the PH group [PH: median 472 mg/dL, NPH: median 275 mg/dL, p < 0.001], and a higher proportion of subjects in the PH group required insulin therapy [PH: 100% (7/7) vs. NPH: 22% (4/22)]. Multivariate analysis revealed that among perinatal factors, prematurity was the only independent risk factor for PH (glucocorticoid therapy: p = 0.884, gestational age: p = 0.006), with a cutoff of 23W4D determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Our data revealed distinctive clinical features of PH, suggesting a type different from the previously reported hyperglycemia in ELBWIs. Specifically, extreme prematurity, less than 24 weeks of gestation, is a risk for PH, and aggressive interventions, such as insulin would be required.

Recent changes in candidemia trends in a tertiary hospital (2011–2018)

BackgroundThe epidemiology of candidemia has changed over the last decades and varies widely among geographic areas. AimsWe examined in children (aged 0–14) with candidemia the trends in the incidence rate of this infection, as well as the clinical characteristics of the patients, in order to optimize the prognosis and the control measures of this serious disease. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of candidemia in the period 2011–2018 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), pediatric ICU (PICU) and pediatric wards of a tertiary hospital, was conducted. The clinical course, Candida species isolated, antifungal susceptibility, outcome and incidence rates were analyzed and compared. ResultsWe diagnosed 68 episodes of candidemia in 62 children, 48% occurred in the NICU, 31% in the PICU and 21% in pediatric wards. Candida albicans was the most frequent species isolated in NICU infants (53%), and Candida parapsilosis predominated among PICU patients (59%) and pediatric wards (50%). One third of NICU infants had invasive candidiasis (IC), most of them having extremely low birth weight (ELBW) (35%). All isolates were susceptible to the antifungal administered. Over time, the incidence of candidemia decreased in the PICU (from 2.2 to 0.3 episodes/1000 patient-days, OR=0.6; 95%CI 0.5–0.8), whereas in the NICU and in the wards remained stable. Mortality occurred mostly in NICU patients (26%), predominated in ELBW infants and did not change over time. ConclusionsThe higher incidence and mortality of candidemia and IC observed in preterm infants requires a continuous evaluation of practices and diagnostic methods which will allow improving the prognosis of this most vulnerable population.

Resuscitation Opportunities for Fellows of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Vermont Oxford Network.

Neonatal-perinatal medicine (NPM) fellowship programs must provide adequate delivery room (DR) experience to ensure that physicians can independently provide neonatal resuscitation to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The availability of learning opportunities is unknown. The number of VLBW (≤1500 g) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) (<1000 g) deliveries, uses of continuous positive airway pressure, intubation, chest compressions, and epinephrine over 3 years at accredited civilian NPM fellowship program delivery hospitals were determined from the Vermont Oxford Network from 2012 to 2017. Using Poisson distributions, we estimated the expected probabilities of fellows experiencing a given number of cases over 3 years at each program. Of the 94 NPM fellowships, 86 programs with 115 delivery hospitals and 62 699 VLBW deliveries (28 703 ELBW) were included. During a 3-year fellowship, the mean number of deliveries per fellow ranged from 14 to 214 (median: 60) for VLBWs and 7 to 107 (median: 27) for ELBWs. One-half of fellows were expected to see ≤23 ELBW deliveries and 52 VLBW deliveries, 24 instances of continuous positive airway pressure, 23 intubations, 2 instances of chest compressions, and 1 treatment with epinephrine. The number of opportunities available to fellows for managing VLBW and ELBW infants in the DR is highly variable among programs. Fellows' exposure to key, high-risk DR procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation is low at all programs. Fellowship programs should track fellow exposure to neonatal resuscitations in the DR and integrate supplemental learning opportunities. Given the low numbers, the number of new and existing NPM programs should be considered.

신생아집중치료실 간호사의 시뮬레이션 기반 초극소저체중출생아 간호교육 프로그램 개발을 위한 요구도 조사

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the current status and needs of nursing education for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in Korea, and to obtain preliminary information to develop a simulation-based educational program on nursing care for nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICUs). Method: Descriptive survey design was adopted in developing an ELBW infant nursing education program. Data were collected from 71 NICU nurses using a questionnaire survey. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) (version 23) for windows was used to analyze the frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation of the collected data. Results: Seventy-one nurses working in the NICU reported that majority of them (76.1%) had experience in ELBW infants’ nursing education. The following were highly recommended for simulated training by NICU nurses: nursing intervention immediately after birth in ELBW infants (69.0%), NICU‘ initial admission nursing (66.2%), and frequency response coping nursing (57.7%). Conclusion: The study revealed that there is a considerable need for the ELBW infants nursing education program. The results of this survey will ultimately provide a basis for developing simulation-based ELBW infants nursing training programs for NICU nurses.

Neonatal Umbilical Arterial Catheter Removal Is Accompanied by a Marked Decline in Phlebotomy Blood Loss

Background: Umbilical arterial catheters (UACs) are frequently used in critically ill neonates. UAC are convenient, reliable, and allow for caregiver convenience in performing painless arterial blood sampling. We hypothesized that UAC removal in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates will result in significantly less phlebotomy blood loss (PBL) after correcting for severity of illness. Study Design and Methods: PBL was measured at a single center in 99 ELBW infants who survived to day 28. Individual infant’s paired daily PBL for the two 24-h periods before and after UAC removal were compared using the paired t test. Daily PBL up to 7 days before and 7 days after UAC removal were compared using a logistic regression with mixed model analysis for repeated measures. Cumulative 28-day phlebotomy loss was evaluated by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: PBL 24 h before and after UAC removal were 1.7 mL (95% CI 1.5–1.9) and 0.9 mL (95% CI 0.8–1.0; p < 0.0001), respectively. Cumulative 28-day PBL increased by 2.2 mL (±0.7) per day that a UAC was present with or without correction for severity of illness (p < 0.001). Conclusion: UAC removal is independently associated with a marked decline in PBL. We speculate the ease and convenience of UAC blood sampling lead to more frequent blood testing and greater PBL.

Study of prevelance of retinopathy of prematurity in tertiary care hospital

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder seen in preterm babies. ROP is a potentially preventable cause of irreversible total blindness in premature infants. Recent advancements in neonatal care have led to an increase in the survival of low birth weight infants, resulting in a rise of ROP incidence. Globally, ROP is estimated to affect more than 50,000 infants annually. In India, every year, 500 children are estimated to become blind from ROP. If left untreated it can be a third epidemic which can be prevented by appropriate screening.To find the prevalence of ROP To identify the risk factors for ROP.Reterospective study analysis was done for 2.5 years at tertiary care hospital where after taking permission from institutional ethical committee 293 babies were enrolled in this study who were referred from paediatrician as per the standard guidelines of “Rashtriya Bal swasthya karyakram”. All babies were dilated with combination drops of Tropicamide 0.8%w/v and Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5%w/v. All the high risk term babies and preterm babies(&amp;#60;32 weeks) and &amp;#60;2 kg weight were examined 4 weeks postpartum and babies with &amp;#60;=28 weeks were examined at 2 weeks postpartum by Viteroretinal surgeon till the retina matures. Grading was done by following International classification of ROP. All babies retina were examined up to Ora Serrata, Collected data were analysed by Chi-square test.Among 293 babies Prevalence of ROP identified was 32%. 93 babies were very low birth weight (31.7%)(&amp;#60;1.0 kg BW), 35 babies were low birth weight (46%)(1 to 2.5 kg BW) as per the standard guidelines of World Health Organization for birth weight. ROP was found in 52 out of 93 very low birth weight babies(55%) and 40 out of 135 low birth weight babies(29%). P value was less than 0.0001 which was statistically significant. ROP was found in 80 Out of 157 pre term babies (50%). Logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of birth weight and gestational age.ROP occurs mostly in extreme low birth weight and preterm infants. In middle-income-countries like India, high rates of premature birth, and increasing resuscitation of premature infants, often with suboptimal standards of care, have resulted in a third epidemic of ROP. It is essential to screen premature babies and babies with low birth weight. Awareness regarding ROP screening is a key factor for it’s prevention.

Low caloric intake and high fluid intake during the first week of life are associated with the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely low birth weight infants.

To study whether there is an association between nutritional intake during the first week of life and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. In a retrospective cohort study, medical records of all ELBW infants admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2010-2017) were reviewed for infants' demographics, clinical characteristics, nutritional intake during their first week of life, and BPD risk factors. During the study period 226 infants were identified of whom 67% (151/226) had moderate-severe BPD and the rest served as controls. Overall infants with moderate-severe BPD were younger, smaller, and spent more time on mechanical ventilation than their controls [(mean±standard deviation) 24.7±1.7 vs. 26.8±2.0 weeks gestational age (p < 0.001); 678±154 vs. 837±129 grams (p < 0.001); and 37.9±23.6 vs. 13.7±15.3 days (p < 0.001) respectively]. During the first week of life, the average caloric, carbohydrate, protein and lipid intakes were significantly lower, and the average fluid intake was significantly higher in the moderate-severe BPD than the control group. After adjustment for confounders, fluid intake, and days on mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with moderate-severe BPD with an odds ratio [OR (95% confidence interval)] of 1.03 (1.01-1.04), and 1.05 (1.03-1.07) respectively. Daily caloric intake was associated with an increased risk for moderate-severe BPD [OR: 0.94 (0.91-0.97)]. Low caloric intake, and high fluid intake during the first week of life are associated with the severity of BPD in ELBW infants.

Impact of inhaled corticosteroids on the neurodevelopmental outcomes in chronically ventilated extremely low birth weight preterm infants

Few studies have assessed the long-term impact of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in preterm infants. This study evaluated the neurodevelopmental outcomes of chronically ventilated extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm infants exposed to ICS. The medical records of ELBW preterm infants admitted to two tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units from 2008 to 2014 were reviewed. Infants intubated for more than 28 days were included. The neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared at 24 months corrected age, between those with ICS exposure (inhaled group, IH) and those without it (non-inhaled group, NIH), by using the Bayley-Scale-of-Infant-and-Toddler Development-III (BSID-III). Out of the 115 infants included, 64 had an ICS exposure. The incidence of the morbidities at the time of discharge, was comparable between the two groups, except for the duration of oxygen and mechanical ventilation dependence (IH 124.8±40.3 days vs. NIH: 101.0±28.6 days, p<0.001 and IH 60.0±25.8 days vs. NIH: 42.3±14.2 days, p<0.001, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis at 24 months corrected age revealed no significant differences in the BSID-III scores and in the incidence of cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental impairment. The late ICS exposure was not associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at 24 months corrected age in chronically ventilated ELBW infants; however, it did not reduce the duration of their dependence on oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

Acute kidney injury and peritoneal dialysis in extremely low birth weight newborns.

In 12.5-56% of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants treated in newborn units, acute kidney injury (AKI) develops. Some of these infants may need renal replacement therapy for several reasons including hyperkalemia, hypovolemia and resistant acidosis. All ELBW infants who were followed in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2017 and who lived longer than 48 hours were assessed. Patients were followed for AKI and peritoneal dialysis (PD). AKI developed in 25 of 201 ELBW infants. PD was administered to nine patients. PD was initiated at a median of 11 days (2-22 days) for all patients due to hyperkalemia which did not respond to medical treatment. Three of the nine infants who received PD died while dialysis was ongoing. The remaining six patients completed PD successfully. In these patients, the serum potassium value returned to normal in three days, and dialysis was continued for a median of 93 hours (40-172 hours). Dialysis leakage occurred in two patients, and hyperglycemia developed in two patients. On average, diuresis started at the 25th hour (8-40th hour). In the renal failure treatment of ELBW infants, PD is the only option which can be used for many units. It was found that in ELBW infants, who had wider peritoneal surface when compared to their body weight, biochemical values recovered rapidly with PD, and diuresis started a short while later in most patients.

Fluconazole prophylaxis against invasive candidiasis in very low and extremely low birth weight preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundEvidence shows that fluconazole prophylaxis is an effective treatment against invasive fungal infections in preterm neonates, however, the most efficient schedule of fluconazole prophylaxis for the colonization and mortality of invasive candidiasis (IC) is unknown.PurposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficiency of different prophylactic fluconazole schedules in controlling IC colonization, infection, and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases using the keywords “candida,” “invasive candidiasis,” “IC,” “fluconazole prophylaxis,” “preterm infants,” “very low birth weight infants,” “VLBW,” “extremely low birth weight,” and “ELBW.”ResultsMortality was significantly decreased in a meta-analysis of studies using different fluconazole prophylaxis regimens. The meta-analysis also indicated a significant decrease in the incidence of IC-associated mortality in ELBW infants using the same fluconazole prophylaxis schedules.ConclusionFuture studies should explore the effectiveness of other different fluconazole prophylaxis schedules on IC colonization, infection, and mortality.