Incidence Of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage Research Articles

Antenatal exposure to magnesium sulfate and neonatal outcomes in very low birth weight infants: a multicenter study.

To explore the association between antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), mortality and incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Retrospective, cohort study of infants <32 weeks' GA born at centers of NEOCOSUR Network between January 2015 and December 2020. Subjects were categorized as exposed vs non-exposed to antenatal MgSO4. Primary outcomes were death, incidence of severe IVH (Grade III-IV) and severe IVH/death. Secondary outcomes included relevant morbidities. 7418 VLBW infants were eligible. Antenatal MgSO4 was associated with a significantly decreased death rate after admission (aOR 0.67 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and severe IVH/ death (aOR 0.68 [95% CI, 0.50-0.93]). No significant reduction in severe IVH was observed (aOR 1.11 [95% CI, 0.72-1.71]). No differences between groups were observed in rates of morbidities. Antenatal MgSO4 was associated with a decreased death rate after admission and in severe IVH/ death.

Association of umbilical venous catheters vs peripherally inserted central catheters with death or severe intraventricular hemorrhage among preterm infants < 30 weeks: A randomized clinical trial.

Umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are routinely inserted in preterm infants for total parenteral nutrition and medications. We aimed to examine whether the rates of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or death vary among preterm infants receiving UVCs compared to PICCs. This randomized controlled trial included preterm infants < 30 weeks gestation assigned after birth to either UVC placement group or PICC group. A total of 233 preterm infants (117 infants in UVC group, 116 infants in PICC group) were randomized and collected data was available for intention-to-treat analysis. There were no differences in baseline population characteristics. Severe IVH occurred in 16 infants (13.6%) in the UVC group and 11(9.5%) in the PICC group (risk difference [RD], 4.1% [5% CI, -4 to 12.3]; P = 0.42). The incidence of death before 28 days of life did not differ significantly between groups (10 [8.5% ] in UVC vs 6 [5.1%] in PICC; RD, 3.4% [95% CI, -3.0 to 9.84]; P = 0.44). Seventeen percent (20/117) of the UVC group died or developed severe IVH compared with 12% (14/116) of the PICC group (risk difference, 5% [95% CI, -4.01 -14.06]; P = 0.36). The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was significantly higher in the UVC group infants than in the PICC group infants (7.7% vs. 1.7%); p = 0.03. The incidence of severe IVH or death did not differ significantly among preterm m infants < 30 weeks gestation subjected to UVC or PICC placement. Early inotropic support was a significant risk factor for the development of severe IVH. UVC maybe an additional risk factor for the development of NEC, but further research is required to validate this finding.

Morbidity and Mortality Trends in Preterm Infants of

Owing to advances in critical care treatment, the overall survival rate of preterm infants born at a gestational age (GA) <32 weeks has consistently improved. However, the incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has persisted, and there are few reports on in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate trends surrounding in-hospital morbidity and mortality of preterm infants with severe IVH over a 14-year period. This single-center retrospective study included 620 infants born at a GA <32 weeks, admitted between January 2007 and December 2020. After applying exclusion criteria, 596 patients were included in this study. Infants were grouped based on the most severe IVH grade documented on brain ultrasonography during their admission, with grades 3 and 4 defined as severe. We compared in-hospital mortality and clinical outcomes of preterm infants with severe IVH for two time periods : 2007-2013 (phase I) and 2014-2020 (phase II). Baseline characteristics of infants who died and survived during hospitalization were analyzed. A total of 54 infants (9.0%) were diagnosed with severe IVH over a 14-year period; overall in-hospital mortality rate was 29.6%. Late in-hospital mortality rate (>7 days after birth) for infants with severe IVH significantly improved over time, decreasing from 39.1% in phase I to 14.3% in phase II (p=0.043). A history of hypotension treated with vasoactive medication within 1 week after birth (adjusted odds ratio, 7.39; p=0.025) was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality. When comparing major morbidities of surviving infants, those in phase II were significantly more likely to have undergone surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (29.2% vs. 0.0%; p=0.027). Additionally, rates of late-onset sepsis (45.8% vs. 14.3%; p=0.049) and central nervous system infection (25.0% vs. 0.0%; p=0.049) were significantly higher in phase II survivors than in phase I survivors. In-hospital mortality in preterm infants with severe IVH decreased over the last decade, whereas major neonatal morbidities increased, particularly surgical NEC and sepsis. This study suggests the importance of multidisciplinary specialized medical and surgical neonatal intensive care in preterm infants with severe IVH.

Impact of early screening echocardiography and targeted PDA treatment on neonatal outcomes in “22-23” week and “24-26” infants

The hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is a controversial topic in neonatology, particularly among neonates at the earliest gestational ages of 22+0-23+6 weeks. There is little, to no data on the natural history or impact of the PDA in extremely preterm babies. In addition, these high-risk patients have typically been excluded from randomized clinical trials of PDA treatment. In this work, we present the impact of early hemodynamic screening (HS) of a cohort of patients born 22+0-23+6 weeks gestation who either were diagnosed with hsPDA or died in the first postnatal week as compared to a historical control (HC) cohort. We also report a comparator population of 24+0-26+6 weeks gestation. All patients in the HS epoch were evaluated between 12-18h postnatal age and treated based on disease physiology whereas the HC patients underwent echocardiography at the discretion of the clinical team. We demonstrate a two-fold reduction in the composite primary outcome of death prior to 36 weeks or severe BPD and report a lower incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (n=5, 7% vs n=27, 27%), necrotizing enterocolitis (n=1, 1% vs n=11, 11%) and first-week vasopressor use (n=7, 11% vs n=40, 39%) in the HS cohort. HS was also associated with an increase in survival free of severe morbidity from the already high rate of 50% to 73% among neonates <24 weeks gestation. We present a biophysiological rationale behind the potential modulator role of hsPDA on these outcomes and review the physiology relevant to neonates born at these extremely preterm gestations. These data highlight the need for further interrogation of the biological impact of hsPDA and impact of early echocardiography directed therapy in infants born less than 24 weeks gestation.

Effects of Ponderal Index on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidities in Extremely Premature Infants.

BackgroundTo evaluate how intrauterine stress affects extremely premature infants in terms of intrauterine growth restriction. We hypothesized that extremely premature infants with mildly-low ponderal index (MPI) would have better neonatal outcomes.MethodsWe selected 2,721 subjects of 23 to 28 weeks of gestation between 2013 and 2015 from Korean Neonatal Network database. They were divided into 4 groups based on ponderal index (PI) percentile; PI ≤ 3rd as severely-low PI (SPI, n = 82), 3rd < PI ≤ 10th as MPI (n = 190), 10th < PI ≤ 90th as adequate PI (API, n = 2,179), and PI > 90th as high PI (HPI, n = 270).ResultsThe mortality in MPI and API groups was comparable (16.3% vs. 16.9%). It was significantly lower than that in the SPI and HPI groups (30.5% and 24.9%, respectively; P = 0.001). The MPI and API groups had better neonatal morbidities compared with the SPI and/or HPI groups, while the MPI group (8.2%) showed a lower incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) than the other groups (SPI, 21.3%; API, 15.0%; HPI, 19.7%, respectively; P = 0.004). The MPI group had a trend of a bottom in neonatal mortality and morbidities in extremely premature infants.ConclusionThe MPI and API groups had lower mortality, massive pulmonary hemorrhage, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death, pulmonary hypertension and neonatal seizure rates than the SPI and/or HPI groups, while the MPI group showed a lower incidence of severe IVH than the other groups. We speculate that the lower incidence of neonatal morbidities and mortality in the MPI group indicating mild intrauterine stress might accelerate fetal maturation resulting in better outcomes in extremely premature infants.

Impact of a "Brain Protection Bundle" in Reducing Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants

Background: despite advances in perinatal care, periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) continues to remain high in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of implementing interventions during the antenatal period, stabilization after birth (golden hour management) and postnatally in the first 72 h to reduce the incidence of IVH. Objective: to compare the incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH ≥ Grade III) before and after implementation of a “brain protection bundle” in preterm infants <30 weeks GA. Study design: a pre- and post-implementation retrospective cohort study to compare the incidence of severe IVH following execution of a “brain protection bundle for the first 72 h from 2015 to 2018. Demographics, management practices at birth and in the NICU, cranial ultrasound results and short-term morbidities were compared. Results: a total of 189 and 215 infants were included in the pre- and post-implementation phase, respectively. No difference in the incidence of severe IVH (6.9% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.37) was observed on the first cranial scan performed after 72 h of age. Conclusion: the implementation of a “brain protection bundle” was not effective in reducing the incidence of severe IVH within the first 72 h of life in our centre.

Relationship between placental weight and late-onset circulatory collapse.

Late-onset circulatory collapse (LCC) is a serious complication in preterm infants and is increasing in Japan. The underlying pathophysiology is thought to be relative adrenal insufficiency and it is more likely to develop at a young gestational age (GA) and in low birthweight (BW) infants. BW to placental weight ratio (BPR) is an index of pregnancy outcomes and early neonatal morbidity. We aimed to analyze the relationship between LCC and potential predicting factors including BPR. This retrospective study included 261 singletons born before 32weeks of gestation between 2007 and 2017. Perinatal data, including the placental weight and BPR, were collected from medical records and were assessed for their relationship with LCC. Propensity score analysis was performed and matched factors were GA and BW. Sixty-seven infants (25.7%) had LCC (median GA 27.4weeks). GA and BW differed significantly between the LCC and non-LCC groups (P<0.001, respectively). The placental weight and BPR of the LCC group were significantly lower than those of the non-LCC group, while Z-score of BPR did not differ significantly between the groups. After propensity score matching, there was a significant difference in the incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grades III-IV; P=0.042), but no differences in BPR and Z-score of BPR between the groups. In the propensity score analysis matched for GA and BW, there was no significant difference in perinatal factors including BPR between the LCC and non-LCC groups, except for incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage.

Exclusive human milk diet reduces incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight infants

Compare the incidence of severe (grade III/IV) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and/or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) between two groups of ELBW infants based on diet until 34 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA): (1) Exclusive human milk (EHM)-mother's own and/or pasteurized donor human milk, human milk-derived fortifier, and oral care with colostrum/human milk vs. (2) non-EHM-bovine formula or mother's own milk with bovine-derived fortifier. Retrospective observational study of two groups of ELBW infants based on diet until 34 weeks CGA. There were n = 306 infants, 127 EHM and 179 non-EHM. Demographics and morbidities were similar except higher antenatal steroids and NEC in EHM group. The rate of severe IVH/PVL was lower in EHM compared to non-EHM group (7 vs. 18%, p < 0.006). EHM diet had an independent neuroprotective effect and was associated with decreased incidence of severe IVH/PVL, supporting the need of EHM in ELBW infants.

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.

Less invasive surfactant administration reduces incidence of severe intraventricular haemorrage in preterms with respiratory distress syndrome: a cohort study.

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has proved to safely improve morbidity in extreme preterms with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Its effect regarding intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains controversial between most recent systematic reviews. We aimed to evaluate its effect over incidence of severe IVH in this population. We compared the incidence of IVH in a prospective cohort of consecutively born preterm infants <34 weeks' gestation receiving LISA (n = 108) with a historical cohort receiving surfactant delivery via tracheal tube and managed with mechanical ventilation (n = 100). No significant differences regarding perinatal characteristics were observed between both groups. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of severe IVH in LISA group as compared with the historical group [OR = 0.054 (95% CI 0.01-0.2) p = 0.000. NNT 5]. In addition, a significant trend towards decreased mortality was also observed in the study group [OR = 0.2 (95% CI 0.04-0.9) p = 0.027, NNT 9]. Intervention group infants also showed lower oxygenation requirements during the first 72 h post surfactant administration and a reduced incidence of pneumothorax. They were less frequently intubated [31 infants (28.4%) vs. 100 [100%]; P < 0.001] and required fewer days of mechanical ventilation. However, no significant difference in bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence was observed between both groups. LISA approach effectively reduces severe IVH in very low and low birth weight (BW) preterms with RDS. In addition we observe a significant trend towards reduction in both need and duration of MV support, air leak, and overall mortality in the intervention group.

Early Cardiac and Cerebral Hemodynamics with Umbilical Cord Milking Compared with Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants Born Preterm

To evaluate changes in cerebral oxygenation, peripheral arterial oxygenation, respiratory status, and administered fraction of inspired oxygen during the first 10minutes of life in premature infants receiving umbilical cord milking compared with delayed cord clamping (DCC). Premature infants born at 230/7 to 276/7weeks of gestation were randomized to umbilical cord milking or DCC. A near infrared spectroscopy sensor, pulse oximeter, and electrocardiogram electrodes were placed. Pulse rate, cerebral tissue oxygenation, peripheral oxygen saturation, airway pressure, and fraction of inspired oxygen were collected for 10minutes in the delivery room. Longitudinal models were used to compare effects of umbilical cord milking and DCC. Fifty-six infants had cerebral oximetry and advanced monitoring at birth. There was an increased incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in infants who received umbilical cord milking compared with DCC (P=.0211). Longitudinal models suggested that peripheral oxygen saturation was higher in the umbilical cord milking group in the first 4minutes (P=.0221) and that mean airway pressures were lower in the umbilical cord milking group after the first 7minutes (P=.0072). No statistical differences were observed for fraction of inspired oxygen, cerebral tissue oxygenation, or heart rates. The data suggest that the rapid transfer of blood during umbilical cord milking may facilitate lung expansion with improved pulmonary blood flow, but may also increase cerebral blood flow, resulting in severe intraventricular hemorrhage. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03145142.

Trends in Perinatal Practices and Neonatal Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants during a 16-year Period at NEOCOSUR Centers

To describe trends in mortality, major morbidity, and perinatal care practices of very low birth weight infants born at NEOCOSUR Neonatal Network centers from January 1, 2001, through December 31,2016. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all inborn infants with a birthweight of 500-1500g and 23-35weeks of gestation. We examined data for 13 987 very low birth weight infants with a mean birth weight of 1081±281g and a gestational age of 28.8±2.9weeks. Overall mortality was 26.8% without significant changes throughout the study period. Decreases in early onset sepsis from 6.3% to 2.8% (P<.001), late onset sepsis from 21.1% to 19.5% (P=.002), retinopathy of prematurity from 21.3% to 13.8% (P<.001), and hydrocephalus from 3.8% to 2.4%(P<.001), were observed. The incidence for bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased from 17.3% to 16% (P=.043), incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage was 10.4%, necrotizing enterocolitis 11.1%, and periventricular leukomalacia 3.8%, and did not change over the study period. Administration of antenatal corticosteroids increased from 70.2% to 82.3% and cesarean delivery from 65.9% to 75.4% (P<.001). The use of conventional mechanical ventilation decreased from 67.7% to 63.9% (P<.001) and continuous positive airway pressure use increased from 41.3% to 64.3% (P<.001). Survival without major morbidity increased from 37.4% to 44.5% over the study period (P<.001). Progress in perinatal and neonatal care at network centers was associated with an improvement in survival without major morbidity of very low birth weight infants during a 16-year period. However, overall mortality remained unchanged.

Reduction of severe intraventricular hemorrhage, a tertiary single-center experience: incidence trends, associated risk factors, and hospital policy

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence, trends, maternal and neonatal risk factors of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) among infants born 24–32 weeks and/or < 1500 g, and to evaluate the impact of changing of hospital policies and unit clinical practice on the IVH incidence.Study designRetrospective chart review of preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) of 24–326 weeks and/or weight of < 1500 g born at King Abdulaziz Medical City–Riyadh (KAMC-R), Saudi Arabia, from 2016 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to determine the probability of developing severe IVH and identify associations with maternal and neonatal risk factors.ResultsAmong 640 infants, the overall incidence of severe IVH was 6.4% (41 infants), and its rate decreased significantly, from 9.4% in 2016 to 4.5% and 5% in 2017 and 2018 (p = 0.044). Multivariate analysis revealed that caesarian section delivery decreased the risk of severe IVH in GA group 24–27 weeks (p = 0.045). Furthermore use of inotropes (p = 0.0004) and surfactant (p = 0.0003) increased the risk of severe IVH. Despite increasing use of inotropes (p = 0.024), surfactant therapy (p = 0.034), and need for delivery room intubation (p = 0.015), there was a significant reduction in the incidence of severe IVH following the change in unit clinical practice and hospital policy (p = 0.007).ConclusionCesarean section was associated with decreased all grades of IVH and severe IVH, while use of inotropes was associated with increased severe IVH. The changes in hospital and unit policy were correlated with decreased IVH during the study period.

Improving incidence trends of severe intraventricular haemorrhages in preterm infants

ObjectiveTo describe the trend and risk factors for severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) among infants <32 weeks gestation.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.SettingAustralia and New Zealand.PatientsAll preterm infants <32 weeks gestation in the Australian...

Incidence and risk factors of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in very low and extremely low birth weight infants: a multi-center study

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI). Methods: The data were from "reduction of infection in Chinese neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality"study, which prospectively enrolled infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks, and were admitted within the first seven days of life in 25 tertiary neonatal intensive care units from May 2015 to April 2018. Clinical data of VLBWI and ELBWI, who had neuroimage examination during the hospitalization, were retrospectively extracted from the standard database and were secondarily-analyzed. Patients with congenital malformations were excluded. A total of 8 835 VLBWI and ELBWI were enrolled with 52.6% (4 643 cases) male, who were divided into severe IVH group and without IVH or mild IVH group. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the incidence of severe IVH. Comparison between two groups and risk factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence of severe IVH in the 8 835 infants was 7.4% (650/8 835). And the incidences of severe IVH in ELBWI and preterm infants with gestational age ≤28 weeks were 13.5% (160/1 185) and 13.1% (368/2 800), respectively. The incidences of severe IVH in preterm infants with birth weight<750 g, 750-999 g, 1 000-1 249 g, 1 250-1 499 g were 21.1% (31/147), 12.4% (129/1 038), 8.3% (246/2 966) and 5.2% (244/4 684), respectively; and were 25.2% (55/218), 12.1% (313/2 582), 5.2% (243/4 649) and 2.8% (39/1 386) in the preterm infants with gestational age<26 weeks, 26-28(+6) weeks, 29-31(+6) weeks, 32-33(+6) weeks, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gestation age (OR=0.752, 95%CI: 0.687-0.823, P=0.000) and cesarean delivery (OR=0.733, 95%CI: 0.592-0.907, P=0.004) decreased the risks of severe IVH; while Apgar score ≤3 at 5 minutes (OR=1.897, 95%CI: 1.194-3.013, P=0.007), use of invasive mechanical ventilation within the first week (OR=1.499, 95%CI: 1.207-1.862, P=0.000), use of inotropic medications within the first week (OR=2.093, 95%CI: 1.724-2.541, P=0.000) increased the risks of severe IVH. Conclusions: The incidence of severe IVH is still significantly high among VLBWI and ELBWI. Low gestation age, non-cesarean delivery, Apgar score ≤3 at 5 minutes, use of invasive mechanical ventilation and inotropic medications within the first week of life will increase the risk of severe IVH.

LB 1: Premature Infants Receiving Cord Milking or Delayed Cord Clamping: A Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Trial

Umbilical cord milking (UCM) might be an alternative to delayed cord clamping (DCC) to provide additional blood to preterm infants without delaying resuscitation. There are limited safety data with UCM in extremely premature infants. Multi-national, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial enrolled preterm infants of 23-31 weeks gestation. Infants were randomized to either UCM (4 times) or DCC (at least 60 seconds) stratified by mode of delivery and gestational age, lower gestational age (GA) strata: 23 -27 weeks and higher GA strata: 28 - 31 weeks gestation. Exclusions - major congenital anomalies, severe placental abruption, trans-placental incisions, cord prolapse, hydrops, bleeding accreta, monochorionic multiples, fetal or maternal risk for severe compromise at delivery, and families unlikely to return for 24-month neurodevelopmental testing. Contingent on local IRBs, consent was obtained either before or after delivery. The composite primary outcome included severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or death in the entire group (23-31 weeks). Severe IVH was defined as grade 3 or higher. We planned to enroll 1500 infants (750 per group) to achieve 90% power to demonstrate non-inferiority with a 1% non-inferiority margin based on a 1-sided 95% confidence interval. 474 infants were enrolled from June 2017 through August 2018. 19/238 (8%) of infants randomized to DCC died or developed severe IVH, compared to 28/236 (12%) randomized to UCM (p=0.16). There was no difference in death between the two groups. However, the incidence of severe IVH was higher in the lower GA strata in the UCM group (22% vs 4%, p=0.0007). Following an interim assessment, the DSMB recommended stopping recruitment based on the safety outcome of increased severe IVH in infants randomized to UCM in the lower GA strata. In this strata there were no differences in maternal and delivery characteristics (Table 1). The neonatal outcomes for the lower strata are presented in Table 2. In extremely premature infants, there was an increased risk of severe IVH after exposure to UCM. Centers practicing UCM should consider discontinuing this practice in infants 23-27 weeks gestation.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Pharmacotherapy for patent ductus arteriosus closure.

Even though up to 60% of premature infants less than 28 weeks gestation develop persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), there remains controversy regarding if, when, and how to close the PDA. Failure to close the PDA has been associated with significant morbidity but no cause-and-effect has been proven for short-term or long-term outcomes in modern times. Surgical closure has the advantage of eliminating the PDA, but short-term complications and long-term adverse outcomes are worrisome. Intravenous indomethacin has been the "gold standard" for pharmacologic treatment over the past 40 years with high closure rates and decreased incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and pulmonary hemorrhage with early treatment but without improvement in long-term outcomes and with risk of renal toxicity. Intravenous ibuprofen has less vasoconstrictive toxicity than indomethacin with comparable closure rates but without improvement in IVH and with hyperbilirubinemia risks. Earlier this decade, acetaminophen (paracetamol) was discovered to effectively close the PDA with good short-term safety profile. Although promising, acetaminophen treatment requires further studies regarding long-term safety as well as ideal dosing and route of administration.

Early lumbar puncture and risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight infants

BackgroundLumbar puncture (LP) is the gold standard for diagnosing meningitis; however it is unknown whether early LP (≤3days of life) is associated with increased risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. ObjectiveTo determine whether early LP in VLBW infants is associated with severe IVH. MethodsVLBW infants from a cohort of 1,158,789 infants discharged from 382 neonatal intensive care units (1997–2015) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria: infants with major congenital anomalies, outborns, died/transferred prior to day of life 3, and those who had an LP performed only after day of life 3. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between early LP and the incidence of severe IVH (IVH grades 3/4) by 28days of life for each day of life from day 0 (birth) to day 3, adjusting for clinical covariates. Results106,461 infants were included: 754 received an LP on Day-0, 640 on Day-1, 559 on Day-2 and 483 on Day-3. Severe IVH occurred in 4% (4130/104,025) of the infants in the no LP group and 9% (217/2436) of the LP group. Severe IVH was higher for infants with early LP: adjusted OR (95% confidence interval)=2.64 (1.96–3.54) on Day-0; 2.21 (1.61–3.04) on Day-1; 1.55 (1.03–2.34) on Day-2; and 2.25 (1.50–3.38) on Day-3. ConclusionsEarly LP was associated with severe IVH in VLBW infants by 28days of life. LP is either a surrogate for an unrecognized factor or is itself associated with an increased risk of IVH.

Outcomes following indomethacin prophylaxis in extremely preterm infants in an all-referral NICU.

We examined data from a contemporary cohort of extreme prematurity (EP) infants admitted to an all-referral Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to determine whether prophylactic indomethacin (PI) may continue to benefit these patients. An observational study utilizing the small baby ICU data registry that was queried for all EP infants admitted between 2005 and 2014 with documentation of PI use (671 total EP infants; 141 (21%) did not receive PI (control); 530 (79%) received PI (PI). This cohort of EP infants was born at outside hospitals and transferred to our level IV NICU with a mean age on admission of 13 days, well after the PI would have been administered. No difference existed between the control and PI groups in gestational age, birth weight, severity of illness, other in-hospital outcomes or developmental delay. PI infants had a significantly lower mortality rate (P=0.0004), lower relative risk (RR) for mortality 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37 to 0.73, P=0.0001) and lower RR of developing the combined outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98, P=0.012) when compared with the control group. Notably, there was no significant effect of PI on incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage or patent ductus arteriosus ligation. PI administration was associated with improved survival in EP infants referred to a level IV Children's Hospital NICU.

Proactive approach at the limits of viability improves the short-term outcome of neonates born after 23 weeks' gestation.

The aim of this single-center study was to identify factors that affect the short-term outcome of newborns delivered around the limits of viability. A group of 137 pregnant women who gave birth between 22+0/7 and 25+6/7 weeks of gestation was retrospectively studied. The center supports a proactive approach to infants around the limits of viability. Perinatal and neonatal characteristics were obtained and statistically evaluated. A total of 166 live-born infants were enrolled during a 6-year period; 162 (97.6%) of them were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) and 119 (73.5%) survived until discharge. The decrease in neonatal mortality was associated with an advanced gestational age (P<0.001) and a completed course of corticosteroids (P=0.002). Neonatal morbidities were common among infants of all gestational ages. The incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage significantly depended on gestational age (P<0.001) and a completed course of corticosteroids (P=0.002). Survival without severe neonatal morbidities was 39.5% and occurred mostly after 24+0/7 weeks of gestation. The short-term outcome of newborns delivered around the limits of viability is mostly affected by gestational age and antenatal corticosteroid treatment. A consistently proactive approach improves the survival of infants at the limits of viability. This is most pronounced in cases where the delivery is delayed beyond 24 completed gestational weeks.