Small Premature Infants Research Articles

The outcome of PDA ligation by mini-thoracotomy in premature neonates: A single hospital experience

Background: Various thoracotomy practices have been employed for occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) which are not amenable to medical management. We report our preliminary experience of using a mini-thoracotomy approach in small premature infants and determining survival outcomes in relation to factors such as gender, birth weight, age, and type of ventilation used intraoperatively. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2012, 52 consecutive premature infants with an echocardiographic diagnosis of isolated PDA, which are not amenable to medical treatment, were included. Those with chromosomal abnormalities, major cardiac congenital anomalies aside from septal defects, and infants who did not receive mechanical ventilation in the first week of life were excluded. The median gestational age was 28 weeks and the median gestational weight at surgery was 705g. The median PDA size was 3.8mm, ranging from 1.6 to 5mm. Twenty-nine patients were given non-selective ventilation and twenty-three were anesthetized using selective right-lung ventilation using a 2-F balloon catheter for arterial embolectomy. A left lateral mini-thoracotomy was performed in all infants and PDA closure achieved by double ligation using zero silk sutures. Results: The median operative time and mean length of hospital stay were 45 minutes and 90 days, respectively. No major hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion occurred during the surgery. The survival rate until hospital discharge was 88.5%. There were no mortalities associated with the surgery itself. Six (11.5%) neonates died postoperatively because of prematurity (p-value=1.000). Pneumonia and atelectasis were among the few complications encountered post ligation. An interesting association was recognized between ventilation and surgical complications; that is neonates who underwent selective right ventilation did not experience any of the complications mentioned above in comparison to those who were put under non-selective ventilation (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Closure of PDA by double ligation via a left mini-thoracotomy in small premature infants proved to be safe and effective in providing pediatric surgeons adequate exposure within confined and delicate anatomic spaces. No mortalities or major complications were encountered.

Oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio in preterm infants on routine parenteral nutrition with conventional or fish oil containing lipid emulsions.

The benefits of intravenous (IV) fish oil (FO), as a source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, on lung growth in preterm infants, remain controversial. To evaluate if IV FO improves lung growth in small preterm infants on routine parenteral nutrition (PN). We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of preterm infants with a birth weight <1250 g who received routine PN from birth. We compared patients who received FO containing IV lipid emulsions with infants who received conventional emulsions (CNTR). The oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) to a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) ratio (SFR) at 36 weeks (W) of gestation was chosen as the primary outcome variable to assess lung growth. Four hundred and seventy-seven infants were studied: 240 received IV FO and 237 CNTR. While exposure to antenatal glucocorticoids was higher in IV FO group than in CNTR (95 vs 90%, P = .04), there were no differences in birth data, enteral and parenteral nutrition intakes, ventilator supports and drug therapies. The incidence of the most common complications of prematurity at 36 W was not different (bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 27 vs 21% in IV FO vs CNTR infants, P = .1). Weight gain from birth to 36 W was marginally, but significantly, higher (+0.5 g/kg/d, P = .03) in IV FO group vs CNTR. SFR increased from 32 W to 36 W in all study patients (P < .001). IV FO infants had significantly lower SpO2 from 33 W to 35 W (P < .001) and lower (worse) SFR at 36 W (432 ± 57 vs 444 ± 51, P = .026) compared to CNTR. Contrary to our hypothesis, the use of FO containing IV lipid emulsions for the routine PN of the preterm infant did not improve lung growth compared to the infants who received conventional IV lipid emulsions.

Correlation between severity of health status in extremely premature newborns on third day of life and clinicolaboratory indices

Aim. To detect the correlation between the severity of health status in extremely premature newborns and the changes in clinical and laboratory indices.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study included small premature newborn infants with extremely low body mass and very low-birth-weight infants with clinical picture of respiratory distress syndrome. To carry out the study, patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the health status severity index on the third day of life using NEOMOD scale. Group I enclosed infants with health status severity on the third day of life from 0 to 2 scores, group II patients with health status severity on the third day from 3 and more scores by NEOMOD scale.&#x0D; Results. The patients with more severe health status according to NEOMOD scale had lower blood erythrocyte index on the first day of life as compared to the patients with less severe health status (U = 64; р = 0.034). There was revealed a direct relationship between health status severity on the third day and health status severity on the first day (U = 56.5; р = 0.014), stab neutrophil number (U = 57; р = 0.016) and neutrophil nuclear shift index (NNSI) (U = 61; p = 0.025) on the twenty eighth day.&#x0D; Conclusions. The lower number of erythrocyte on the first day of life is interconnected with more severe health status on the third day of life. The initial severity of respiratory failure in case of respiratory distress syndrome influences the duration of infectious processes, in particular, pneumonia with high indices of infectious markers.

Hypertriglyceridemia and Intravenous Lipid Titration During Routine Parenteral Nutrition in Small Preterm Infants.

In case of hypertriglyceridemia (HiTG) during parenteral nutrition (PN), the 2018 European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines recommend an intravenous (IV) lipid titration, but its consequences in small preterm infants are largely unknown. We compared macronutrient and energy intakes, growth, diseases associated with prematurity, and neurodevelopment in small preterm infants on PN who developed (cases) or did not develop HiTG (controls, CNTR). We retrospectively reviewed data of preterm infants with a birth weight (BW) <1250 g consecutively admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (2004-2016) who received routine PN. HiTG infants were defined by at least 1 triglyceride (TG) measurement >250 mg/dL during the first 10 days of life. Patients with and without HiTG were match-paired for BW and gestational age. A total of 658 infants were analyzed and 196 (30%) had HiTG. One hundred thirty-six HiTG patients were matched with 136 CNTR. In the first 10 days of life, IV lipid, non-protein energy and total energy intakes, but not IV amino acids and carbohydrates, were significantly lower in HiTG infants. We found no differences between groups in diseases associated with prematurity. Anthropometry at 36 weeks (W), anthropometry at 2-year (Y) corrected age (CA), and neurodevelopment at 2Y CA were not different. Growth, diseases associated with prematurity, and neurodevelopment at 2Y CA in HiTG infants were similar to CNTR. This occurred despite a statistically significant albeit small reduction in IV lipid and non-protein energy intakes due to a strict TG monitoring and IV lipid titration at TG levels >250 mg/dL.

Use of percutaneous carotid artery access for performing pediatric cardiac interventions: Single-center study

Background:Carotid artery (CA) access allows a more straight route for many left heart lesions. This has previously been achieved via a surgical cut-down approach in certain pediatric cardiac interventions. However, there are little data considering CA access in pediatric cases, percutaneously.Aim:We hypothesized that there would be notable improvements in efficiency as well as overall success when using the CA for access in selected cases.Methods:Between November 2016 and January 2019, records of patients undergoing attempted percutaneous CA access under ultrasound guidance for cardiac catheterization were reviewed.Results:Thirty patients underwent 36 catheterizations; median age 17 days (range, 6 days–9 months) and median weight 3.2 kg (1.2–7.8). Procedures performed were stenting or stent redilatation of the patent ductus arteriosus in 23, stenting or angioplasty of modified Blalock–Taussig shunts in four, aortic valvuloplasty in three, angioplasty for coarctation of the aorta in four, renal angioplasty in one, and diagnostic catheterization in one case. The intended intervention was unsuccessful in two patients despite successful CA access. Follow-up imaging showed a normal carotid in 28 of 30 (94%), with mild luminal narrowing with normal Doppler velocities in two instances. No patient had clinically apparent neurological sequelae attributable to CA access.Conclusions:Our data indicate that CA access should be employed when dealing with a select group of infants requiring vertical approach for left-sided cardiac lesions. Percutaneous CA access, even in very small preterm infants, is safe and feasible with negligible vascular injury and no neurological adverse events.

An in‐line high frequency flow interrupter applied to nasal CPAP: Improved carbon dioxide clearance in a premature infant lung model

Noninvasive respiratory support continues to have high failure rates in small preterm infants. We previously demonstrated significantly improved in vitro CO2 washout by applying oscillations to a high flow nasal cannula system. To develop a high frequency flow interrupter that could be applied to commonly used nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) devices and to determine the effect of oscillations on end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2 ) levels in an infant lung model. NCPAP was applied to a premature infant lung simulator using either bubble (BCPAP) or variable-flow (VCPAP) CPAP. Supply gas was interrupted with a solenoid pinch valve. EtCO2 was measured before and during oscillation and repeated at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 Hz oscillation and CPAP pressures of 4, 6, and 8 cm H 2 O. BCPAP and VCPAP EtCO2 levels decreased with oscillation (P < .001). BCPAP EtCO2 was significantly dependent on oscillation frequency (P < .001) with decreases of 18% to 47% and maximum effect at 10 Hz. Optimum VCPAP CO2 clearance occurred at 6 Hz with reductions of 30% and 39% at 6 and 8 cm H2 O CPAP respectively. BCPAP and VCPAP mean airway pressures remained unchanged transitioning from nonoscillation to oscillation. Oscillated BCPAP and VCPAP average amplitudes were 8.3 ± 0.5 and 8.4 ± 2.3 SD cm H2 O, respectively. Power spectrum analysis of non-oscillated BCPAP showed bubbling-only dominant peaks at 10 to 12 Hz corresponding with the maximum BCPAP EtCO2 reductions. Application of high frequency oscillation to NCPAP improves CO2 clearance in a premature infant lung model. This simple modification to NCPAP delivery devices may prove to be an effective enhancement of this mode of noninvasive respiratory support.

Turkish Neonatal Society guideline on enteral feeding of the preterm infant.

Early initiation of enteral feeding with the own mother’s milk and prevention of postnatal growth failure is the target of nutrition in preterm infants. Together with total parenteral nutrition, mouth care and minimal enteral nutrition is started with colostrum in the very early hours of life in small preterm infants. Expressed mother’s milk is given via a gastric tube and gradually increased in accordance with the gestational age/birth weight and the risk factors. For infants born heavier than 1 000 grams, the aim is to reach total enteral feeding at the end of first week, and at the end of the second week for infants weighing less than 1000 grams. Supporting mothers in milk expression and kangaroo mother care, promoting non-nutritive feeding, appropriate fortification of mother’ milk, and initiating and advancing breastfeeding as soon as the infant is ready are all crucial. Donor mother milk, and as a second choice, preterm formula is advised if the mother’s milk is not available. Individualized post-discharge nutrition decisions can be taken in accordance with the actual growth at the time of discharge. The goal is optimal neurodevelopmental achievement together with the prevention of long-term metabolic problems. Late preterm infants, which constitute the majority of preterm infants, also need close nutritional attention and follow-up.

Incidence, impact and indicators of difficult intubations in the neonatal intensive care unit: a report from the National Emergency Airway Registry for Neonates

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence, indicators and clinical impact of difficult tracheal intubations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).DesignRetrospective review of prospectively collected data on intubations performed in the NICU...

Milk Curd Obstruction in Human Milk-Fed Preterm Infants

Background: Milk curd obstruction as a cause of intestinal obstruction has been known since 1959, but has nearly disappeared. However, in recent years it has experienced a revival in small premature infants. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of milk curd obstruction (lactobezoar) in preterm infants. Methods: Data of preterm infants with milk curd obstruction cared for at a large tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2012 and 2016 were retrieved from the electronic registry and paper records. Results: A total of 10 infants (2 girls, 8 boys) were identified: the median birth weight was 595 g (range 270–922), gestational age was 24.4 weeks (23.4–27.0), weight-for-gestational age percentile was 16 (0–62), and age at diagnosis was 28 days (16–64). Five infants (50%) were small for gestational age. All neonates had received fortified human milk (added protein 2.0 g/100 mL, range 0–2.8; added calcium 2,400 µmol/100 mL, range 0–6 844; added phosphate 2,400 µmol/100 mL, range 0–5,178). Seven neonates underwent surgery, and 2 infants died. Hyperechoic masses in extended bowel loops, visualised by abdominal ultrasound, and pale/acholic faeces were hallmarks of milk curd obstruction. Conclusions: In this study, milk curd obstruction occurred exclusively in infants with a birth weight < 1,000 g (2.2%) and < 28 weeks’ gestational age (2.4%). Male and small for gestational age infants appeared to be at increased risk. Paying attention to the colour of the faeces of infants at risk might help to diagnose milk curd obstruction at an early stage.

Successful Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus by Late Pharmacologic Treatment in a Small Preterm Infant

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a temporary communicative pathway that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta during fœtal life. Although usually closing on its own in the initial days of postnatal life, the persistent patency of the DA is common in preterm or low birth weight babies, and can lead to life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis and pharmacologic management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) could prevent further need for invasive surgery or transcatheter intervention. Pharmacologic treatment for PDA closure in preterm infants is achieved by cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COXi) and paracetamol. However, their effectiveness is fully demonstrated when they are used early within the first week of postnatal life. We report here the case of a severe preterm infant of 27 weeks gestation age with extremely low birth weight (995g), who had a PDA with moderate to severe shunting closed after late administration of intravenous ibuprofen. Ibuprofen was started on postnatal day 40, and the PDA got closed after a three-day course of treatment. No complication related to the treatment was reported. The DA remained closed when the infant was seen on review for echocardiography at the age of six months. Wherever cardiac surgery and transcatheter intervention are not available nor affordable, possible effectiveness of COXi even in case of late diagnosis of PDA, offers an unexpected opportunity to cure at a very cheaper cost, one of the commonest congenital heart disease.

Causes and Consequences of Sodium Imbalances in the First Week of Life in Very Low-Birthweight Infants

Abstract Background: Sodium imbalance is common in the first week of life in very low-birthweight infants (VLBWI) and may be associated with poor outcome. Objective: To determine the incidence and outcomes of both hypo- and hypernatraemia in VLBWI (500–1500 g birthweight) in the first week of life. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study evaluating sodium abnormalities in VLBWI in the first week of life. Subjects included all VLBWI born at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2013. The causes and complications associated with sodium abnormalities and their outcomes were reviewed. Results: Sodium imbalances were found in 29.1% (85/292) VLBWI. Hypernatraemia was present in 27.1% (79/292) and hyponatraemia in 2.0% (6/292). There was no difference in birthweight or gestational age between hyponatraemic and hypernatraemic VLBWI. Within the hypernatraemic VLBWI, mortality was significantly increased in much smaller and more preterm infants (p &lt; 0.001) and in infants with higher sodium levels (p &lt; 0.005). The main causes of hypernatraemia were insensible water loss through the skin (73.9% of babies born via normal vaginal delivery) and respiratory system (60% of babies were on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)). Conclusion: Hypernatraemia is common in the first week of life in VLBWI. Prevention of prematurity and measures to prevent sodium abnormalities should be implemented at birth, especially in very small preterm infants to decrease the mortality and morbidity.

Impairment of the Lipid Metabolism in Newborns in the Early Neonatal Period

The purpose of the study . To study parameters of the lipid metabolism in newborn infants to identify general patterns depending on the gestational age. Materials and methods . The course of pregnancy and its outcome was analyzed in 286 women who gave birth to 323 infants; 89 of them were born in multiple pregnancies. The infants were divided into 4 groups depending on the gestational age. Levels of cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were tested in the central venous blood immediately after birth and on the 5th day of life. Results . Hypotriglyceridemia below 0.2 mmol/l was typical for 31.3% of the newborns; a TG level within the range of 0.21—0.5 mmol/l was found in 43.3% of infants, i.e. the perinatal production of TG was decreased in 76.6% of infants. The perinatal TG production depended on the infant's gestational age: the smaller it was, the lower TG blood level was in infants at birth. At the gestational age of 25—33 weeks, the perinatal TG production was low in most newborns. The perinatal production of the lipid metabolism parameter was increased with the increase of the gestational age. The TG blood level increased rapidly at the gestational age of 37 weeks. The postnatal TG production in the blood of newborn babies had no dependence on the gestational age strating from the gestational age of 31 weeks and more. Hypercholesterolemia and lower both LDL and HDL levels were found in newborns of all groups at birth; no significant intergroup differences in concentration of C, HDL or LDL were observed (P&gt;0.01). Conclusion . The state of the lipid metabolism in the newborns in the perinatal period depends on the gestational age and the birth weight. Low TG production is typical for small premature infants with a low and extremely low birth weight due to physiological immaturity of organs and systems. The peculiarities of the prenatal morphogenesis make an adequate lipid metabolism possible by the full-term gestational age only. An abnormal course of pregnancy impairs normal triglyceride, C, LDL and HDL production. The greatest changes of the tested parameters are typical for small immature infants with a gestational age of 25—31 weeks. This age is associated with a high incidence of the respiratory distress syndrome. Deficiency of buffer bases affects the TG production at birth; the pH value and blood oxygen tension at birth affect the C level. The production of lipid metabolism parameters increases with the increase of the gestational age. There are certain individual characteristics in newborns who may have perinatal disorders of the lipid metabolism at the full-term gestational age.

The course and support of sensorimotor development in a premature infant

Prematurely born babies account for nearly 7% of all infants coming into the world, and there are more and more extremely small premature babies being born. A report covering 184 countries shows that each year, 14.9 million children are born ahead of time. Maintaining life is the fi rst task faced by the medical service. The issue regarding development and the future of these children is the next stage of interest for both doctors and a number of specialists from related fields. The aim of the study was to review literature concerning premature newborns in the fi eld of sensorimotor development within the fi rst years of life, taking into account the hazards and possible forms of early support. An attempt was made to present the current state of knowledge in the scope of recommended and used methods of conduct as well as to assess the long-term effects of undertaken interventions. A review of Polish-, English- and French-language literature was conducted, which concerned sensory motor development, introduction of early rehabilitation and support programmes for premature infants. Research papers and review works from the last 10 years included in databases (PubMed and websites of Polish medical publishing houses) were analysed. The works were searched using the following keywords: premature baby, sensorimotor development. The growing group of preemies requires adapted care. To counteract the indicated threats, a therapeutic intervention should be introduced precisely and in accordance with a child’s needs. There is a need to broaden knowledge about development in this group of children and to create a proven developmental support system that would be based on long-term research. Currently, support for babies born too early is heterogeneous, and the research carried out does not allow to design a single support model or clearly defi ned standards of conduct. premature infant, sensorimotor stimulation, rehabilitation 24 Jan. 2017; Accepted: 22 Nov. 2018

Benchmarking of Four Near Infrared Spectroscopy Devices for Long Time Use in Neonates.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) mixed tissue saturation can be calculated by measuring the oxygen saturation of oxygenated and deoxygenated erythrocytes in the tissue. Quality of the calculated value is not only dependent on the exposure of the measured values in the calculation, but also on external factors such as artifacts. Main object of this study was to determine whether and how the measurement quality of different devices varies in their long-term use in premature infants. In 54 measurements, each lasting 2 hours, 4 NIRS devices were attached in pairs on the forehead of 9 cardio-respiratory stable, spontaneous breathing premature infants. Pooled meta-analysis was used to compare the correlation between regional tissue saturation to the pulse oximetry saturation per device. The pooled random effect of all Pearson's correlation coefficients was 0.490 (CI95: 0.403-0.568) with the NIRO 200, 0.575 (CI95: 0.463-0.668) with the INVOS 5100c, 0.712 (CI95: 0.640-0.772) with the Fore-Sight and 0.638 (CI95: 0.554-0.709) with the SenSmart X- 100. In this trial, a significant correlation between the tissue saturation and pulsoxymetry saturation was observed. The tremendous variation range among the measurements showed, however, that the measurement quality can be severely affected by unrecognized artifacts, after excluding other possible causes. None of the devices had reliable artifact detection for long-term measurements in very small premature infants. Key words: Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy, premature infants, Benchmark Test, Long-term measurements.

Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in Premature Infants: The Link Between Low Fat Stores, Adiponectin Receptor Signaling and Lung Injury.

Premature infants have chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) that increases morbidity, and the youngest and the smallest premature infants are at the greatest risk. The combination of lung injury from inflammation/oxidative stress causing low functional residual capacity combined with frequent short apneas leads to CIH. Adiponectin (APN) is an adipose-derived adipokine that protects the lung from inflammation and oxidative stress. Premature and small for gestational age (SGA) infants have minimal body fat and low levels of circulating APN. To begin to understand the potential role of APN in lung protection during lung development, we characterized the developmental profile of APN and APN receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) protein and mRNA expression in the newborn rat lung at fetal day (FD) 19, and postnatal days (PD) 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Protein levels in lung homogenates were measured by western blot analyses; relative mRNA expression was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR); and serum high molecular weight (HMW) APN was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: APN protein and mRNA levels were lowest at FD19 and PD1, increased 2.2-fold at PD4, decreased at PD10, and then increased again at PD21. AdipoR1 protein and mRNA levels peaked at PD1, followed by a threefold drop by PD4, and remained low until PD21. AdipoR2 protein and mRNA levels also peaked at PD1, but remained high at PD4, followed by a 1.7-fold drop by PD10 that remained low by PD21. Serum APN levels detected by ELISA did not differ from PD4 to PD28. To date, this is the first report characterizing APN and APN receptor protein and mRNA expression in the rat lung during development. The developmental stage of the newborn rat lung models that of the premature human infant; both are in the saccular stage of lung development. In the newborn rat lung, alveolarization begins at PD4, peaks at PD10, and ends at PD21. Importantly, we found that AdipoR1 receptor protein and mRNA expression is lowest during lung alveolarization (PD4 to PD21). Thus, we speculate that low levels of AdipoR1 during lung alveolarization contributes to the increased susceptibility to developing acute lung edema and chronic lung injury such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature human infants.

Human Milk Fortifiers Do Not Meet the Current Recommendation for Nutrients in Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Use of multinutrient fortifiers is standard of care for small preterm infants fed exclusively human milk. However, adequacy of human milk fortifiers (HMFs) to meet the recommended intake for macronutrients and micronutrients is now known. Nutrient content of human milk fortified according to manufacturer's recommendations was compared at isocaloric levels for 1 human milk-based (HMF-A), 2 bovine milk protein-based (HMF-B, HMF-C), and 2 preterm infant formulas (PTF-B, PTF-C). In addition, 4 multivitamin supplements were compared. At 130 kcal/kg, intake of macronutrients was similar to the recommendation, although deficient and excess intake of micronutrient occurred with all fortifiers. Four to 9 micronutrients were absent in HMF or PTF (biotin, choline, inositol, carnitine, taurine, molybdenum, iodine, selenium, or chromium). For the remainder, HMF resulted in deficient intake for 1-13 micronutrients, occurring most frequently with HMF-A. Excess micronutrients (3-15 at <50% and 1-3 at 109%-437%) occurred with all HMF and most frequently with HMF-B and HMF-C. At 150 kcal/kg, deficient intake improved but generally remained below recommendation, while excess intake became exaggerated. PTF and multivitamin formulations do not fully compensate for the deficiencies and can result in extremely high micronutrient intake. At the recommended energy intake for very low birth weight infants, many micronutrients are absent or are present in grossly inadequate amounts, and several micronutrients are in excess. Reformulation of HMF is urgently needed since PTF or multivitamin supplement only partially corrects some deficiencies while providing some nutrients in excess.

Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation of the Brachiocephalic Vein in Neonates and Preterm Infants: A Prospective Observational Study.

Percutaneous central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is a challenging procedure in neonates, especially in preterm infants. This study aims to describe the technical success and safety profile of ultrasound (US)-guided brachiocephalic vein (BCV) cannulation in neonates. Prospective observational study. Neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in whom US-guided cannulation of the BCV was attempted were eligible. Outcomes included first attempt success rate, the overall success rate, the number of attempts, the cannulation time, immediate mechanical complications, catheter indwelling days, and late complications. A total of 40 procedures in 37 patients were included. Median weight and age at the time of cannulation were 1.85 kg (0.76-4.8) and 13 days (3-31), respectively. First attempt and overall success rates were 29 (72.5%) and 38 (95%), respectively. No major complications were observed. Catheter-associated infection rate was 2.4/1,000 catheter days. There were no difference in outcomes between low weight preterm infants (<1.5 kg) and the rest of the cohort. There was no linear relationship between weight at time of insertion and the number of puncture attempts (r = 0.250; p = 0.154) or cannulation time (r = 0.257; p = 0.142). US-guided cannulation of the BCV may be considered in acutely ill neonates, including small preterm infants, who need a large bore CVC.

The analgesic effect of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce procedural pain in preterm neonates

Painful procedures are unavoidable in the medical care of preterm babies. The unpleasant experience during the neonatal period may contribute to hyperalgesia and poor neurodevelopment outcome later. Seeking effective interventions to reduce pain are strongly indicated for these very small premature babies. The aim of this study is to investigate if instilling breast milk (BM) or dextrose water into oral cavity can reduce the procedural pain of heel stick for preterm babies. This is a prospective study; 20 premature neonates are enrolled. Each study case received heel stick 4 times. BM, 10% dextrose water (D10W), distilled water (placebo) and nothing (control group) were given one after the other in random order to the same patient before heel stick. Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) was used to assess the pain scores. The whole process consisted of 4 sections: a baseline period for 1min, intervention period for 1min, heel stick period for 20s, and recovery period for 5min. The primary outcome is to compare the PIPP scores in the 4 groups. Totally 20 babies completed this study. Median gestational age was 32 weeks 2 days (26 weeks 4 days-35 weeks 6 days) and median birth body weight was 1596g (766-2435g). The median PIPP scores and interquartile range at each time period were listed in the context. There are significant differences between BM/control group at all time periods, between BM/placebo group at 30-60s, 1-2min, and 2-3min, and between D10W/control group at 0-30s, 30-60s, 3-4min, and 4-5min. There are no significant differences between BM/D10W, D10W/placebo, and placebo/control groups at any time periods. Giving something with taste such as BM or D10W is safe and effective in reducing the procedural pain of heel stick in preterm neonates; BM is the priority.

Necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants and newborns

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common acquired disease of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in premature infants and newborns. It is defined as an ulcerative inflammation of the intestinal wall. The clinical signs of incipient NEC are often very discrete, and range from localized intestinal symptoms to generalized signs of sepsis. NEC is classified depending on its severity into disease states according to the modified Bell's Classification. Treatment of NEC ranges, depending on its severity, from a conservative therapeutic approach to surgery with resection of the affected parts of the intestine. Mortality is considerably high in extremely small preterm infants reaching up to 42% of the affected children. Measures such as breastfeeding or alternatively nutrition with pasteurized human donor milk from a milk bank, administration of probiotics, avoidance of histamine type II receptor antagonists, and restrictive antibiotic treatment should be considered early on for prevention of NEC.

Growth Failure Due to Inadequate Protein Intake Is Common Among Small Preterm Infants

Growth failure is common among premature infants and carries the risk of delayed cognitive development. Its immediate cause is almost always inadequate intake of protein. But the reason why protein intake is insufficient changes with time. In the first days of life, when nutrition is predominantly provided parenterally, hesitation to provide the necessary high intakes of amino acids for a sufficient length of time is the main cause. When feedings are provided enterally, frequent interruptions of feedings and insufficient protein fortification of human milk are the main causes. Close monitoring of growth alerts the neonatologist to impending growth failure and permits remedial action.