Peak Serum Bilirubin Levels Research Articles

Association between adverse outcomes of hepatitis A and acetaminophen use: A population-based cohort study.

Acetaminophen (APAP) may cause acute liver injury with therapeutic doses in high-risk conditions such as chronic alcohol consumption or malnutrition. In acute hepatitis A (AHA), however, the safety of APAP has not been fully established. This study examined the potential association between APAP use and clinical outcomes of AHA in a nationwide and hospital-based cohort. Adult patients with AHA were identified from claims data of South Korean national healthcare insurance between 2008 and 2016 (n=43,500). Logistic regression models were used to compare the risk of adverse outcomes (renal replacement therapy, hepatic encephalopathy and/or brain edema, mechanical ventilation, and liver transplantation) in patients exposed to APAP against control and patients exposed to NSAIDs. A propensity score (PS)-matched hospital-based AHA cohort (n=146) was assessed for biochemical profiles after exposure to APAP or NSAIDs. AHA patients were exposed to APAP or NSAIDs in 26.4% and 11.5% of cases, respectively. Compared to NSAID treatment, APAP exposure was associated with a higher incidence of hospitalization (98.8% vs. 92.4%; p<0.0001). APAP exposure was independently associated with increased adverse outcomes (odds ratio [OR]=5.66, p<0.0001 against control; OR =1.67, p=0.0015 against NSAIDs). PS-matched hospital cohort showed higher peak serum bilirubin levels (7.0vs. 5.3mg/dL; p=0.03) and a longer time to recovery of jaundice after APAP use than with NSAID use. APAP exposure was associated with increased adverse outcomes in a nationwide AHA cohort.

Novel radiological technique to recognize acute liver failure caused by yellow phosphorous containing rodenticides.

Yellow phosphorous rodenticide (YPR) poisoning is the commonest cause for acute liver failure (ALF) in southern and western India. Due to medicolegal issues, history of YPR ingestion may not be available. As early recognition of YPR poisoning is important and there are no specific biochemical assays, other early predictors to identify this entity is necessary. We evaluated the diagnostic role of plain computed tomography (CT) in identifying YPR-induced ALF. All patients admitted to the liver unit with a diagnosis of ALF underwent a plain CT scan abdomen. Demographic details, clinical history, laboratory parameters, liver attenuation index (LAI) calculated on CT scan, treatment details, need for liver transplantation and clinical outcome were analyzed. Parameters for YPR-induced ALF (ALF-YPR) and other causes (ALF-OTH) were compared. Ability of LAI to distinguish ALF-YPR and ALF-OTH was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Twenty-four patients (15 female [62.5%]) were included in the study. Thirteen patients (54%) had YPR poisoning, while the rest formed the ALF-OTH group (11,46%). ALF-YPR patients had higher transaminase levels, lower peak serum bilirubin levels. ALF-YPR livers had significantly lower LAI as compared to ALF-OTH (- 30 vs. - 8, p = 0.001). On ROC curve analysis, an LAI greater than - 18 ruled out YPR as the cause for ALF with 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity. On regression analysis, LAI was the only independent factor predicting ALF-YPR (odds ratio - 0.86, [0.76, 0.96] p = 0.008). Our data shows that LAI on plain abdominal CT scan can be used to quickly recognize ALF-YPR in unclear cases so that necessary treatment protocol can be activated, or patient transfer arranged. Our analysis shows that an LAI greater than - 18 can reliably rule out YPR ingestion as the cause for ALF.

Comparison of Efficacy of Prophylactic versus Therapeutic Phototherapy in Preterm Neonates

Background: Jaundice neonatorum may predisposes preterm to develop bilirubin induced neurologic dysfunction even at lower total serum bilirubin level than term infant. Prophylactic phototherapy helps to maintain a lower serum bilirubin level may reduce the need for exchange transfusion in order to prevent kernicterus. Objective: To compare the efficacy of prophylactic versus therapeutic phototherapy among preterm neonates in reducing the frequency of exchange transfusion. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Settings: Neonatal Unit of Pediatrics department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore-Pakistan. Duration: September 2018 to June 2019. Methodology: Two hundred preterm admitted in neonatal unit were enrolled and divided into 2 groups (A and B) using random numbers. Prophylactic phototherapy was initiated in Group A neonates within first 6 hours of life while it was applied when the serum bilirubin has reached to a pre-specified level in Group B. Daily total serum bilirubin level (also direct and indirect) was measured. Efficacy was measured in terms of preventing exchange transfusion. Data was entered and analyzed with SPSS version 21. Chi square was applied to compare efficacy between two groups with p ˂ 0.05 as significant. Results: Mean gestational age was 35.4 0.9 weeks in group A and 35.6 0.7 weeks in group B. There were 54% males and 46% females in group A while 51% males and 49% females in group B. The peak mean serum bilirubin level was observed on 3rd and 4th days in groups A and B respectively. Jaundiced neonates who received exchange transfusion in group A and B were 3% and 8% respectively (p=0.1209). Prophylactic phototherapy found efficacious in 97% preterm although, they received it for longer duration (147 34.25 vs 98 27.10 hours) (p 0.00001). Conclusion: Neonates received prophylactic phototherapy required less exchange transfusions compared to therapeutic group.

A Comparison of Strategies for Managing the Umbilical Cord at Birth in Preterm Infants

To evaluate the rates of practice, and the associations between different cord management strategies at birth (delayed cord clamping [DCC], umbilical cord milking [UCM], and early cord clamping [ECC]) and mortality or major morbidity, rates of blood transfusion, and peak serum bilirubin in a large national cohort of very preterm infants. We retrospectively studied preterm infants <33weeks of gestation admitted to the Canadian Neonatal Network between January 2015 and December 2017. Patients who received ECC (<30seconds), UCM, or DCC (≥30seconds) were compared. Multiple generalized linear/quantile logistic regression models were used. Of 12 749 admitted infants, 9729 were included; 4916 (50.5%) received ECC, 394 (4.1%) UCM, and 4419 (45.4%) DCC. After adjustment for potential confounders identified between groups in univariate analyses, the odds of mortality or major morbidity were higher in the ECC group when compared with UCM group (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.35). Mortality and intraventricular hemorrhage were associated with ECC as compared with DCC (aOR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.22-2.1] and aOR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.19-1.41], respectively). The odds of severe intraventricular hemorrhage were higher with UCM compared with DCC (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.05-1.81). Rates of blood transfusion were higher with ECC compared with UCM and DCC (aOR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.31-2.14] and aOR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.35-2.09], respectively), although peak serum bilirubin levels were not significantly different. Both DCC and UCM were associated with better short-term outcomes than ECC; however, the odds of severe intraventricular hemorrhage were higher with UCM compared with DCC.

Cycled Phototherapy Dose-Finding Study for Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Cycled (intermittent) phototherapy (PT) might adequately control peak total serum bilirubin (TSB) level and avoid mortality associated with usual care (continuous PT) among extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants (401-1000 g). To identify a cycled PT regimen that substantially reduces PT exposure, with an increase in mean peak TSB level lower than 1.5 mg/dL in ELBW infants. This dose-finding randomized clinical trial of cycled PT vs continuous PT among 305 ELBW infants in 6 US newborn intensive care units was conducted from March 12, 2014, to November 14, 2018. Two cycled PT regimens (≥15 min/h and ≥30 min/h) were provided using a simple, commercially available timer to titrate PT minutes per hour against TSB level. The comparator arm was usual care (continuous PT). Mean peak TSB level and total PT hours through day 14 in all 6 centers and predischarge brainstem auditory-evoked response wave V latency in 1 center. Mortality and major morbidities were secondary outcomes despite limited power. Consent was requested for 452 eligible infants and obtained for 305 (all enrolled) (mean [SD] birth weight, 749 [152] g; gestational age, 25.7 [1.9] weeks; 81 infants [27%] were multiple births; 137 infants [45%] were male; 112 [37%] were black infants; and 107 [35%] were Hispanic infants). Clinical and demographic characteristics of the groups were similar at baseline. After a preplanned interim analysis of 100 infants, the regimen of 30 min/h or more was discontinued, and the study proceeded with 2 arms. Comparing 128 infants receiving PT of 15 min/h or more with 128 infants receiving continuous PT among those surviving to 14 days, mean peak TSB levels were 7.1 vs 6.4 mg/dL (adjusted difference, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4-1.1 mg/dL) and mean total PT hours were 34 vs 72 (adjusted difference, -39; 95% CI, -45 to -32). Wave V latency adjusted for postmenstrual age was similar in 37 infants receiving 15 min/h or more of PT and 33 infants receiving continuous PT: 7.42 vs 7.32 milliseconds (difference, 0.10; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.30 millisecond). The relative risk for death was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.40-1.54), with a risk difference of -4.5% (95% CI, -10.9 to 2.0). Morbidities did not differ between groups. Cycled PT can substantially reduce total PT with little increase in peak TSB level. A large, randomized trial is needed to assess whether cycled PT would increase survival and survival without impairment in small, preterm infants. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01944696.

The relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and the promoter region and first exon of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms in Vietnamese newborns.

To investigate the relationship between unexplained indirect hyperbilirubinemia of Vietnamese newborns and the polymorphism of the promoter TATA box and exon 1 of bilirubin uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) gene. A total of 149 neonates were divided into the hyperbilirubinemia group (n = 99) and control group (n = 50). The gene polymorphisms of UGT1A1 gene in the two groups were detected by PCR and direct sequencing, which revealed the relationship between UGT1A1 polymorphism with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia of neonates. The types of UGT1A1 polymorphism in the hyperbilirubinemia group and the peak total serum bilirubin (PSB) levels with different genotypes were observed. (1) (TA)7 insertion mutation, 211G>A, 189C>T, 190G>A, 378C>T and 686C>A were detected. (2) The allele frequency of 211G>A allele mutation was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). (3) Logistic regression analysis showed that homozygosity and heterozygosity of 211G>A were both significantly associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. (4) In the hyperbilirubinemia group, the peak total serum bilirubin level of 211G>A homozygous neonates was higher than that of the wild-type neonates (p < 0.05). We noted that there was an association between neonates with unexplained indirect hyperbilirubinemia in Vietnam and the polymorphism of UGT1A1c.211G>A. In addition, the homozygous 211G>A polymorphism was related to the degree of hyperbilirubinemia. Our article provided data on UGT1A1 polymorphism distribution in the Vietnamese population, which have not been reported yet. Our findings revealed that mutations in UGT1A1 gene are risk factors for unexplained hyperbilirubinemia in Vietnamese neonates. Our article will strengthen the cognition of neonatal jaundice at the genetic level in the pediatric field in Vietnam.

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 6 months of age in full-term healthy newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) is an important cause of preventable brain damage among infants. Neurodevelopmental assessment and Brainstem-Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) may help in the early identification and management of neurodevelopmental sequelae. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find the association between neonatal peak serum bilirubin levels and the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 months in term infants with NNH and to assess the changes in BERA of these neonates. Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. All healthy, full-term, appropriate-for-date neonates, admitted from December 2014 to June 2015 with hyperbilirubinemia and serum bilirubin >12 mg/dL, were included in the study and were followed up till 6 months of age. The neurodevelopmental assessment was done using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II and BERA was done at an average age of 69 ± 6 days. Results: A total of 77 newborns were enrolled, and 73 completed the study. Of these 77 neonates, 40 (51.65%) had abnormal BERA results, whereas 3 (3.9%) had neurodevelopmental abnormalities. BERA and neurodevelopmental abnormalities were associated with a mean serum bilirubin of 22.58 mg/dL and 31.33 mg/dL, respectively. The cutoff value of serum bilirubin was 16.3 mg/dL and 23.8 mg/dL, respectively, to detect BERA and neurodevelopmental abnormalities, respectively. All patients (11) who received exchange transfusion had BERA abnormalities, and 3/11 (27.3%) had neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The association of ABO incompatibility was significant (P

Profiling of UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*60, UGT1A1*93, and UGT1A1*28 Polymorphisms in Indonesian Neonates With Hyperbilirubinemia Using Multiplex PCR Sequencing.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene have been studied as an important factor in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) severity. Specific ethnicities, including Asians, have certain SNPs that appear more frequently than others.Aim: To identify the most common SNPs in Indonesian neonates and their association with the severity of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: Eighty-eight inborn and outborn jaundiced infants from three different hospitals (Bengkulu, Jakarta, Biak Papua) across Indonesia were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and their peak total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels assessed. SNP variant analyses of the TATAA box, promoter, and exon 1 regions of UGT1A1 gene from 78 of the 88 infants were carried out using the SNaPshotR Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) System followed by DNA sequencing.Results: We detected SNP variants UGT1A1*28, UGT1A1*60, UGT1A1*93, and UGT1A1*6 in our population. Mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) was 14.59 ± 5.57 mg/dL. Bivariate analyses using delivery location, gestational age, birth weight, mother's age, and ethnicity were shown to be associated with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinemia (p < 0.05). None of the four SNPs appeared to be associated with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinemia. In multivariate analysis, however, only the “other ethnic group” (e.g., Chinese, Bengkulu, Papua, Bima) category showed an association with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinemia, with an odds ratio of 6.49 (95% CI 1.01–41.67; p < 0.05).Conclusions: We found that the UGT1A1*60 is the most common SNP detected in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia in the Indonesian population. Interestingly, in Indonesia, UGT1A1 polymorphisms do not appear to be associated with differences in the severity of hyperbilirubinemia.

Learning from claims: hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus

We examined claims made against the National Health Service (NHS) involving neonatal jaundice in order to determine whether there were lessons that could be learnt from common themes.This was a...

Study of hematological indices in neonates admitted with non-obstructive jaundice and its outcome in a tertiary care hospital

Background: To study non-obstructive causes and laboratory profile of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Design: prospective study.Methods: Selection of cases were done from routine cases reporting to newborn unit in the department of paediatrics, with clinical evidence of jaundice in neonates. Blood group of the mother and baby, Serum bilirubin estimation, Complete blood count with peripheral smear examination, Reticulocyte count, Direct coomb’s test and C-reactive protein of the baby were done.Results: Study includes 89 cases of newborn admitted in our tertiary care institute. Out of 89 neonates, 52 (58.42%) were male while 37 (41.57%) were females. Total number of Pre-term babies was 35 (39.32%). Neonates having low birth weight were 30 (33.7%) and very low birth were 10 (11.23%). Physiological jaundice constituted majority cases. Septicemia was the commonest cause of pathological jaundice and ABO incompatibility is second commonest cause of pathological jaundice. Pre-term and low birth weight babies were having higher levels of serum total bilirubin but the difference was not significant (P &gt;0.05). The rise in serum bilirubin level was found to be more in pathological jaundice as compare to physiological jaundice. Difference was significant statistically with p value of &lt;0.05.Conclusions: Most of the cases were having physiological jaundice although septicemia and ABO-Rh incompatibility were not exceptional. Peak serum bilirubin levels were found to be more among the pathological jaundice. Also, prematurity and low birth weight were having higher levels of serum bilirubin. Special care must be given to them in order to avoid future complications of hyperbilirubinemia.

Dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion in liver transplants donated after circulatory death.

BackgroundExperimental studies have suggested that end‐ischaemic dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (DHOPE) may restore hepatocellular energy status and reduce reperfusion injury in donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver grafts. The aim of this prospective case–control study was to assess the safety and feasibility of DHOPE in DCD liver transplantation.MethodsIn consecutive DCD liver transplantations, liver grafts were treated with end‐ischaemic DHOPE. Outcome was compared with that in a control group of DCD liver transplantations without DHOPE, matched for donor age, donor warm ischaemia time, and recipient Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. All patients were followed for 1 year.ResultsTen transplantations involving liver grafts treated with DHOPE were compared with 20 control procedures. There were no technical problems. All 6‐month and 1‐year graft and patient survival rates were 100 per cent in the DHOPE group. Six‐month graft survival and 1‐year graft and patient survival rates in the control group were 80, 67 and 85 per cent respectively. During DHOPE, median (i.q.r.) hepatic adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) content increased 11‐fold, from 6 (3–10) to 66 (42–87) µmol per g protein (P = 0·005). All DHOPE‐preserved livers showed excellent early function. At 1 week after transplantation peak serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin levels were twofold lower in the DHOPE group than in the control group (ALT: median 966 versus 1858 units/l respectively, P = 0·006; bilirubin: median 1·0 (i.q.r. 0·7–1·4) versus 2·6 (0·9–5·1) mg/dl, P = 0·044). None of the ten DHOPE‐preserved livers required retransplantation for non‐anastomotic biliary stricture, compared with five of 20 in the control group (P = 0·140).ConclusionThis clinical study of end‐ischaemic DHOPE in DCD liver transplantation suggests that the technique restores hepatic ATP, reduces reperfusion injury, and is safe and feasible. RCTs with larger numbers of patients are warranted to assess the efficacy in reducing post‐transplant biliary complications.

Integration of Child-Pugh score with future liver remnant yields improved prediction of liver dysfunction risk for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatic resection.

Assessment of hepatic functional reserve is important to enable the selection of appropriate treatment methods and safe hepatic resection in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, an evaluation was made of the clinical value of combining the Child-Pugh score (CPS) with the standardized future liver remnant (sFLR) measurement to predict postoperative liver dysfunction (PLD). A total of 61 HBV-related HCC patients undergoing liver volumetry prior to hepatectomy were enrolled in the study. The sFLR was calculated as the ratio of FLR volume to standardized liver volume. PLD was defined as a prothrombin time of >18 sec or a peak serum bilirubin level of >51.3 µmol/l for 7 days after surgery. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors associated with PLD. The correlation between PLD and the combination of sFLR and CPS was analyzed. In total, 18 out of 61 patients developed PLD (29.5%), with a significantly higher PLD incidence for a CPS of 6 than a CPS of 5 (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a prothrombin time of <13.3 sec and an sFLR of <0.55 were independent risk factors for PLD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the cut-off values of sFLR and sFLR/CPS for predicting PLD were 54.5% and 0.0916, respectively, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.820 and 0.860, respectively. The combination of CPS and sFLR appears to yield improved prediction of the occurrence of PLD compared with either CPS or sFLR alone.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Glycerin Suppositories During Phototherapy in Premature Neonates

ObjectiveTo determine if glycerin suppositories were effective in reducing total duration of phototherapy in premature neonates. We hypothesized that glycerin suppositories would have no effect on phototherapy duration or total serum bilirubin levels. DesignProspective randomized controlled double-blinded trial. SettingLevel IV NICU. ParticipantsNeonates born between 30 weeks, 0 days and 34 weeks, 6 days gestational age who developed physiologic hyperbilirubinemia needing phototherapy. MethodsNeonates were randomized to the no-suppository group or to the suppository group. Neonates were randomized to receive glycerin suppositories every 8 hours while under phototherapy or to a sham group. The primary outcome was total hours of phototherapy. Secondary outcomes included peak total serum bilirubin levels, time from start to discontinuation of phototherapy, rate of decline in bilirubin levels, repeat episodes of phototherapy, and number of stools while the neonates received phototherapy. ResultsA total of 39 neonates were assigned to the no-suppository group and 40 to the suppository group. Withholding suppositories was not inferior to providing suppositories. The total hours of phototherapy were not longer (i.e., noninferior) among neonates not provided suppositories (61 ± 53 hours) than among those given suppositories (72 ± 49 hours). There were no differences in peak bilirubin levels, rate of bilirubin decline, or repeat episodes of phototherapy. ConclusionRoutine use of glycerin suppositories among preterm neonates who receive phototherapy does not affect bilirubin levels or phototherapy duration.

Two-hourly versus 3-hourly feeding for very low birthweight infants: a randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo determine whether feeding with 2-hourly or 3-hourly feeding interval reduces the time to achieve full enteral feeding and to compare their outcome in very low birthweight preterm infants.DesignParallel-group randomised...

Prophylactic Versus Therapeutic Phototherapy in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: Preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at great risk of hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin-associated brain damage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of prophylactic versus therapeutic phototherapy in VLBW infants. Patients and Methods: Fifty VLBW infants were randomly assigned to receive either phototherapy from the first day of life regardless of their serum bilirubin level for up to five days (prophylactic group) or phototherapy when their bilirubin level reached half the exchange transfusion level (therapeutic group). All data, including gestational age, gender, birth weight, serum bilirubin level on the first day, peak serum bilirubin concentration, the age at which the peak serum bilirubin level was reached, duration of phototherapy, and the number of exchange transfusions, were studied and analyzed. Results: The mean bilirubin level on the first day in both groups exhibited no significant difference. The peak serum bilirubin was 7.7 ± 1.4 and 8.5 ± 2.1 mg/dL in the prophylactic and therapeutic group, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the age at which the peak serum bilirubin levels were reached in both groups (2.4 ± 1.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1 days in the prophylactic and the therapeutic group, respectively). The mean duration of phototherapy in the prophylactic group was 84 ± 43 hours, while for the therapeutic group it was 72 ± 39 hours, and hence the difference was not significant. The need for an exchange transfusion was lower in the prophylactic group compared to the therapeutic group (33% vs. 7%), although the difference was not statistically meaningful (P < 0.112). Conclusions: According to our study, phototherapy should not be used as prophylactic therapy for all VLBW infants, but rather it should be individualized in order to maintain low bilirubin levels.

Risk Factors Related to Severe Outcome in RhD Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn

Objective: To determine the major risk factors related to exchange transfusion in pregnancies afflicted with RhD hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Methods: A cohort study of 124 infants born with this disease between April 2006 and June 2009 at the FernandesFigueira Institute. Data on maternal history, prenatal care, delivery and neonatal parameters were subjected to univariate analysis to determine their relationship to severe disease outcome, represented by the need for exchange transfusion. Significant variables were subjected to multivariate and multi level analysis. Results: Diverse simulations were performed in the model to choose the most representative ones. As final result, intrauterine transfusion (RR: 2,54 [1,644,00]), jaundice (RR: 2,77 [1,76-4,39]), peak serum bilirubin levels during hospitalization (RR: 1,16 [1,11-1,22]), were the variables found to establish an independent and statistically significant relationship with severe outcome. Conclusion: Recognition of risk factors for exchange transfusion in pregnancies afflicted with RhD HDFN is possible and necessary regarding newborn care following delivery.

Placental transfusion strategies in very preterm neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the effects of interventions promoting placental transfusion at delivery (delayed cord clamping or umbilical cord milking) compared with early cord clamping on outcomes among premature neonates of less than 32 weeks of gestation. A systematic search was conducted of PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases (January 1965 to December 2013) for articles relating to placental transfusion strategies in very preterm neonates. Literature searches returned 369 articles with 82 considered in full. We only included data from studies with an average gestational age of less than 32 weeks of gestation enrolled in randomized trials of enhanced placental-fetal transfusion interventions (delayed cord clamping or umbilical cord milking) compared with early cord clamping. We identified 12 eligible studies describing a total of 531 neonates with an average gestation of 28 weeks. Benefits of greater placental transfusion were decreased mortality (eight studies, risk ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19-0.95, 3.4% compared with 9.3%, P=.04), lower incidence of blood transfusions (six studies, risk ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.92, 49.3% compared with 66%, P<.01), and lower incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (nine studies, risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.91, 16.7% compared with 27.3%, P=.01). There was a weighted mean difference of -1.14 blood transfusions (six studies, 95% CI -2.01-0.27, P<.01) and a 3.24-mmHg increase in blood pressure at 4 hours of life (four studies, 95% CI 1.76-4.72, P<.01). No differences were observed between the groups across all available safety measures (5-minute Apgar scores, admission temperature, incidence of delivery room intubation, peak serum bilirubin levels). Results of this meta-analysis suggest that enhanced placental transfusion (delayed umbilical cord clamping or umbilical cord milking) at birth provides better neonatal outcomes than does early cord clamping, most notably reductions in overall mortality, lower risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, and decreased blood transfusion incidence. The optimal umbilical cord clamping practice among neonates requiring immediate resuscitation remains uncertain.

Correlation of antituberculosis drug-related liver injury and liver function monitoring: A 12-year experience of the Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation

Antituberculosis drug-related liver injury (ATLI) is the most prevalent hepatotoxicity in many countries. Whether monitoring liver tests is beneficial to prevent this potentially grave adverse drug reaction (ADR) is open to debate. The Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation (TDRF) was established by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration to collect severe cases of ADR and carry out drug injury relief tasks. Our intention was to explore the role of monitoring liver tests in the susceptibility and severity of ATLI from the database of this foundation. All cases of suspected ATLI collected by the TDRF from 1999 to 2012 were reviewed. The basic demographic data, clinical course, and laboratory data of these patients were analyzed. A total of 57 cases with severe ATLI were verified and enrolled into this study. There was a high mortality (71.9%) in this cohort. Twenty-four cases (42.1%) were chronic viral hepatitis B carriers, who had higher baseline serum aminotransferase level than noncarriers. The patients without monitoring liver tests had higher peak serum alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin levels, and mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 8.87; 95% confidence interval = 1.32–59.41; p = 0.024) than those with monitoring liver tests. In conclusion, patients with severe ATLI whose records were collected by the TDRF have a high mortality. Patients without follow-up monitoring liver tests had more severe liver injuries and higher mortality than those with monitoring live tests. To alleviate this potentially grave ADR, checking of liver biochemical tests prior to antituberculosis treatment and periodic monitoring of these tests thereafter are highly suggested.

Autologous Intestinal Reconstructive Surgery to Reduce Bowel Dilatation Improves Intestinal Adaptation in Children With Short Bowel Syndrome

Intestinal failure (IF) is a common consequence of neonatal small bowel pathology. In our experience, bowel dilatation is often responsible for the IF state in patients who fail to adapt despite adequate residual bowel length. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of surgery to reduce bowel dilatation, and thus favour PN independence, for these children. Data were collected prospectively for all of the patients referred to our unit for a 7-year period (2004-2011). Eight patients (2 congenital atresia, 2 gastroschisis with atresia, 1 simple gastroschisis, 3 necrotising enterocolitis) with gut dilatation who failed adaptation despite a bowel length >40 cm were identified. Preoperatively, all patients were totally dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN). Patients were managed by longitudinal intestinal lengthening and tailoring (n = 3), serial transverse enteroplasty (n = 2), or tapering enteroplasty (n = 3). Median age at time of surgery was 273 days (103-1059). Mean gut length increased from 51 (35-75) to 73 cm (45-120) following surgery (P = 0.02). Incidence of sepsis (P = 0.01) and peak serum bilirubin levels (P = 0.005) were reduced postoperatively. PN was discontinued after a median of 110 days (35-537) for 7 patients; 1 patient remains on PN 497 days after surgery. These data indicate that reconstructive surgery to reduce bowel diameter may be an effective technique for treating IF in patients with short bowel syndrome, without sacrificing intestinal length. We suggest that this technique may reduce the need for bowel transplantation in this group of patients.

The Outcomes of Patients with Severe Hyperbilirubinemia Following Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Prolonged hyperbilirubinemia (HB) following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can be a risk factor for early graft loss and mortality. However, some recipients who present with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia do recover and maintain a good liver function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia following LDLT and to identify predictors of the outcomes in patients with post-transplant hyperbilirubinemia. A total of 107 consecutive adults who underwent LDLT in Nagasaki University Hospital were investigated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative peak serum bilirubin level (HB group: ≥ 30 mg/dl; non-HB group: <30 mg/dl). These two groups of patients and the prognosis of patients in the HB group were analyzed using several parameters. Seventeen patients (15.9 %) presented with hyperbilirubinemia, and their overall survival was significantly worse than patients in the non-HB group (n = 90). Donor age was significantly higher in the HB group (P < 0.05). Of the 17 patients in the HB group, nine survived. The postoperative serum prothrombin level at the time when the serum bilirubin level was >30 mg/dl was significantly higher in surviving patients (P < 0.01). The use of a partial liver graft from an aged donor is a significant risk factor for severe hyperbilirubinemia and a poorer outcome. However, those patients who maintain their liver synthetic function while suffering from hyperbilirubinemia may recover from hyperbilirubinemia and eventually achieve good liver function, thus resulting in a favorable survival.