VLBW Babies Research Articles

Hearing impairment in preterm very low birthweight babies detected at term by brainstem auditory evoked responses

Seventy preterm babies who were born with a birthweight <1500 g were studied with brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) at 37‐42 wk of postconceptional age. The data were compared with those of normal term neonates to determine the prevalence of hearing impairment in preterm very low birthweight (VLBW) babies when they reached term. The BAER was recorded with click stimuli at 21 s−1. Wave I and V latencies increased significantly (ANOVA p < 0.01 and 0.001). I‐V and III‐V intervals also increased significantly (p < 0.05 and 0.001). Wave V amplitude and V/I amplitude ratio did not differ significantly from those in the normal term controls. Ten of the 70 VLBW babies had a significant elevation in BAER threshold (>30 dB normal hearing level). Eleven had an increase in I‐V interval (>2.5 SD above the mean in the normal controls) and one had a decrease in V/I amplitude ratio (<0.45). These results suggest that 14% (10/70) of the VLBW babies had a peripheral hearing impairment and 17% (12/70) a central impairment. Three babies had both an increase in I‐V interval and an elevation in BAER threshold, suggesting that 4% (3/70) had both peripheral and central impairments. Thus, the total prevalence of hearing impairment was 27% (19/70). Conclusion: About one in four preterm VLBW babies has peripheral and/or central hearing impairment at term. VLBW and its associated unfavourable perinatal factors predispose the babies to hearing impairment.

Role of score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP) in predicting neonatal mortality.

To assess the validity of SNAP in predicting the outcome in terms of mortality and duration of hospital stay. The study was also undertaken to evolve the best cut-off SNAP scores for predicting mortality in different individual neonatal conditions. 295 consecutive newborn admitted to NICU during an eleven month period were evaluated with the investigations required as per the specifications of SNAP. Neonates who succumbed within 24 hours of admission and those who were shifted to the NICU for observation purposes were excluded. In general, SNAP correlated well with mortality; the sensitivity and specificity of SNAP score > 15 in predicting mortality were 63% and 95% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 72% and 92.5% respectively. Very low birth weight babies and ventilated preterm neonates had higher mortality and the best cut-off SNAP score for predicting mortality in these groups was 10. In all the other groups, SNAP score > 15 correlated well with higher mortality. By using multiple regression analysis on three variables including birth weight, gestational age and SNAP, SNAP was found to show the best correlation with mortality. On correlating SNAP with duration of hospital stay, 76.8% of the surviving neonates with SNAP < 16 stayed for < 15 days, whereas the rest stayed longer despite low SNAP. All the 9 babies with SNAP > 15 who survived stayed for > 15 days. SNAP is a measure of illness severity and correlates well with neonatal mortality. SNAP may assist the clinician in explaining the probable outcome and therapeutic intervention needed and the cost of treatment to the parents. SNAP scores > 10 in VLBW babies and > 15 in others are associated with higher mortality.

Transfusión de glóbulos rojos en recién nacidos de muy bajo peso (RNMBP) Hospital Clínico Regional de Valdivia

VLBW babies form a group at risk to receive red cell transfusions (RCT). To evaluate the incidence of RCT, factors associated with transfusional requirements, and the number of donors, the VLBW baby clinic records of 66 babies who were discharged from the Valdivia Regional Hospital Neonatology Department between june 1995 and may 1997 were studied. The following characteristics of the study group were evaluated, concomitant pathology, number of transfusions and days in hospital. The risk factors associated with higher transfusional requirements were determined using odds ratio (OR). 89.4% received 1 or more transfusions, with a mean of 4.1 + 3.9, range 1-17. Characteristics associated with a greater number of RCT were birth weight of less than 1000 g (OR 10.0), gestional age for newborn less than 29 weeks (OR 7.9) and birth weight normal birth weight babies for) (OR 5.4). Associated pathology was broncho-pneumonia (OR 46.5), haemorrhage (OR 25.0), bronchopulmonar dysplasia (OR 16.4). The patients were exposed to a similar number of transfusions and number of donors.

The measurement of carbon dioxide production in VLBW babies • 1534

The measurement of carbon dioxide production in VLBW babies • 1534

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Nosocomial Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants † 1430

As part of a quality improvement project to reduce the incidence of nosocomial sepsis in VLBW babies, we did a retrospective cohort study to identify attributable risks for nosocomial sepsis in our Intensive Care Nursery. Data were abstracted for all 48 hr age and antibiotic therapy for ≥5 days) with 70% due to coag negative staph.

Long-Term Follow Up of NICU Graduates: Social Variables, not Clinical Problems, Determine Drop-Out Rates and Access to Health Care † 1215

King Drew Medical Center is a County hospital in South Central Los Angeles, serving primarily inner city residents. After discharge from our NICU all infants are offered services through the High Risk Clinic (HRV), including well child care, developmental follow-up, referral to state agencies, and interventions by subspecialty clinics (ophthalmology, ENT, neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, surgery). An affiliated clinic (Hub) provides specific services directed to foster families. Coverage for the costs is provided by the State through Medi-Cal, CHDP, California Children Services, and other agencies. Return appointments and reminder phone calls are provided. Nonetheless, the rate of return to the clinic for follow-up is less than 50%. For very low birth weight infants (VLBW, BW ≤ 1500 grams) only 34/74 infants born in 1994 were regularly seen in 1997. When discharge diagnosis is considered, rate and modality of health care access vary. For chronic lung disease, loss of follow-up in HRC corresponded to increased use of emergency services, while patients with severe lung disease and high attendance in the HRC and Allergy clinic had lower rates of access to emergency care. For infants with neurological impairments, severity correlated with close follow up in HRC. Comparing NICU graduates of 1988 vs 1994, we also noticed that the number of admissions for VLBW babies with maternal substance abuse increased from 27% to 36%. Upon discharge, many of these babies are routed through the foster care system of the Greater Los Angeles area, as far as over 50 miles from the hospital of birth. Phone interviews showed that distance was the primary reason for not returning to the HRC. A significant number of Hispanic patients were lost to follow up because of family relocation. No further data were available for most of these patients. Conclusions: we investigated what factors appear to affect return to follow up in a specialized, comprehensive, no or low cost clinical setting. Presence of complications of prematurity was not sufficient to warrant consistent follow up under the described conditions. Population variables appear to affect return to a considerable degree. We believe that this situationm may be common to many County institutions, and carries significant implications for the welfare of a high risk infant population.

Relationship between head growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of Malaysian very low birthweight infants during the 1st year of life.

A prospective study was carried out to (i) compare head growth patterns of 103 very low birthweight (VLBW, < 1500 g) Malaysian infants and 98 normal birthweight (NBW, 2500- < 4500 g) controls during the 1st year of life; and (ii) examine the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of age and occipito-frontal head circumferences (OFC) at birth and at 1 year of age in VLBW babies. When compared with those of NBW infants at birth, mid-infancy and 1 year of age, the mean OFC ratios (observed/expected OFC at 50th percentile) of VLBW infants were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) VLBW babies had significantly lower mean OFC ratios than their appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) VLBW counterparts at birth (p < 0.001), but this difference was no longer seen at mid-infancy or at 1 year of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal late neonatal cranial ultrasound findings (odds ratio 8.5, 95% confidence interval 4.12-22.07; p < 0.001) and each additional day of oxygen therapy (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.45; p = 0.045) were significant risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disability at 1 year of age, while mean OFC ratios at birth or at 1 year of age were not. Poor postnatal head growth per se did not predict disability, but probably reflected the consequences of "brain injury" as evidenced by abnormal brain scans.

Bicarbonate kinetics and CO2 production in VLBW babies

Bicarbonate kinetics and CO2 production in VLBW babies

Calorie intake in sick versus respiratory stable very low birthweight babies.

A comparison between the calorie intake and energy source of sick versus respiratory stable very low birthweight (VLBW, less than 1500 g) babies was made to ascertain the time taken for them to achieve adequate daily calorie intake. It was an observational study of 23 consecutive VLBW babies in which sick respiratory unstable babies were defined as those who required ventilation beyond 72 h of life. Data were collected on the daily fluid and calorie intake for 30 days of life, and beyond if necessary until the babies achieved full enteral feeding and calorie intake of more than 100 kcal/kg per day. Growth parameters at the time of transfer or discharge were also analyzed. In the study, there were 14 sick VLBW and 9 respiratory stable babies with a mean birthweight of 1027 g and 1212 g, respectively. Their mean gestational age (28.7 weeks vs 31.2 weeks), mean age when calorie intake of 100 kcal/kg per day was achieved (19.8 days vs 7.0 days), mean duration of parenteral nutrition (17.1 days vs 2.7 days), mean age when enteral feeds commenced (8.9 days vs 1.7 days) and mean age when full enteral feeding was established (20.6 days vs 7.3 days) were statistically different for the two groups. For the respiratory unstable babies, parenteral nutrition provided more energy than milk until 15 days of life. The average daily energy intake of 100 kcal/kg per day was only achieved by 30 days of life in this group. In the respiratory stable group, milk provided more than 100 kcal/kg per day from 10 days of life. There were no significant differences in somatic growth with regard to bodyweight, length and head circumference for these two groups of babies at the time of transfer or discharge. The daily calorie intake of sick VLBW babies was suboptimal even with the use of parenteral nutrition. The respiratory stable babies, through enteral feeding, easily achieved the recommended daily calorie intake.

Pregnancies following high-dose cyclophosphamide with or without high- dose busulfan or total-body irradiation and bone marrow transplantation

Patients successfully treated with a marrow transplant often have concerns about fertility and pregnancy. This study was performed to determine pregnancy outcome among patients who had received high-dose chemotherapy alone or with total-body irradiation (TBI) and marrow transplantation for aplastic anemia or hematologic malignancy. Records of 1,326 postpubertal and 196 prepubertal patients currently more than 12 years of age after marrow transplant in Seattle from August 1971 to January 1992 were reviewed to determine the patients with normal gonadal function and pregnancies. Among 708 postpubertal women, 110 recovered normal ovarian function and 32 became pregnant. In addition, nine formerly prepubertal girls with normal gonadal function became pregnant. Among 618 postpubertal men, 157 recovered testicular function and partners of 33 became pregnant. An additional two formerly prepubertal men had partners who became pregnant. Forty-one female patients and partners of 35 male patients had 146 pregnancies after transplant. All 76 patients responded to a questionnaire requesting pregnancy history, outcome, infant birth weight, and congenital anomalies information for all clinically recognized pregnancies. There were 115 live births among 146 (79%) pregnancies. Spontaneous abortion terminated four of 56 (7%) pregnancies for 28 female cyclophosphamide (CY) recipients and six of 16 (37%) pregnancies for 13 TBI recipients (P = .02). Partners of 28 male CY recipients had four of 62 (6.4%) pregnancies terminate with spontaneous abortion, but there were no spontaneous abortions among eight pregnancies of five TBI recipients' partners. Preterm delivery occurred for eight of 44 (18%) and five of eight (63%) live births for 24 CY and eight TBI female recipients (P = .01). This 25% incidence among all female patient pregnancies is higher than the expected incidence of 8% to 10% (P = .0001). The 13 preterm deliveries resulted in 10 low birth weight ([LBW] 1.8 to 2.24 kg) and three very low birth weight ([VLBW] < or = 1.36 kg) infants, for an overall incidence of 25%, which is higher than the expected incidence of 6.5% for the general population (P = .0001). Twelve of the 13 premature infants survive. Congenital anomalies were seen among two of 52 (3.8%) live-born infants of female and six of 63 (9.5%) live-born infants of male patients, which is not different from the 13% of single congenital anomalies reported for the general population. These data demonstrate that clinically recognized pregnancies among women who have received a marrow transplant incorporating TBI are likely to be accompanied by an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Pregnancies among all women who received a marrow transplant are likely to be accompanied by preterm labor and delivery of LBW or VLBW babies who do not seem to be at an increased risk of congenital anomalies. However, determination of possible adverse effects of parental exposure to high-dose alkylating agents with or without TBI on children born posttransplant requires longer, additional follow-up.

Routine lumbar punctures in the newborn — are they justified?

The records of 62,107 neonates cared for at three neonatal referral units between 1979 and 1985 were analysed with regard to the number of lumbar punctures (LP) performed and the results obtained. The mean perinatal mortality rate was 9.3/1000 live births and the neonatal mortality rate was 5.9/1000. The units were comparible in this respect. Two hundred and sixty three (0.4%) babies weighed less than 1.0 kg at birth and 510 (0.8%) babies weighed 1.0-1.5 kg. A total of 1554 LPs were performed on 1084 babies, 1.7% of the whole population. Seventeen babies were diagnosed as having meningitis following CSF examination; 5 weighed less than 1.5 kg (VLBW) (incidence of meningitis 6.5/1000 births) and 12 weighed more than 1.5 kg (incidence 0.2/1000 live births). An LP was performed on 44% of VLBW babies and 1.2% of babies weighing more than 1.5 kg. In both groups approximately 1.5% of CSF samples were positive. Eight of the 17 positive results were obtained during the first 3 postnatal days. Only one VLBW baby had meningitis on the 1st day of life (1.3/1000). In view of the low incidence of meningitis and the risk factors associated with an LP it is questionable whether this procedure should be a routine investigation in the VLBW newborn.

Calcium and phosphorus balance in Very Low Birth Weight babies on Total Parenteral Nutrition

A balance study of Ca and P has been performed in 12 Very Low Birth Wt babies receiving prolonged Total Parenteral Nutrition. The mean intake of both minerals was 54.4 mg/kg/day (range 40–70). In order to avoid the formation and precipitation of CaP crystals in the solution, fructose-1,6-diphosphate was used as a source of P. 30 balance studies were performed between the seven and 63 day of life: they were always positive with a mean retention of 47.4 mg/kg/day of Ca and 48.1 mg/kg/day of P. For both minerals, 88% of the amount infused was retained: the correlation between intake and retention was linear and statistically significative (Ca:r = 0.9, p < 0.0001; P:r = 0.68, p < 0.0001). The post-natal and post-conceptional ages of the babies had no influence on Ca and P balance. The blood levels of Ca and P were poorly correlated to both intake and excretion, and were not as indicative of the mineral balance as the retention rates calculated on the basis of the 24 h urinary excretion of the minerals. A very useful test for clinical monitoring of Ca and P balance proved to be the Ca/creatinine and P/creatinine ratios measured on simple urine samples, which were strongly correlated to 24 h excretion. All infants developed radiological signs of mild osteopenia, but there was no case of acute metabolic derangement or rickets. Our data demonstrated that even in sick VLBW infants on TPN it is possible to achieve good retention rates of Ca and P, which are not different from those observed in well VLBW babies fed a ‘standard’ premature formula.

The prognosis for very low birth weight babies in the Highlands of Scotland.

One hundred and two admissions of VLBW babies to the Baby Unit at Raigmore Hospital were studied over a six-year period. The neonatal death rate was 53 per cent. Twenty three survivors weighing 1.36 kg. or less were examined at an average age of 3 years 11 months and 22 of these underwent cognitive assessment. All but one had normal or superior I.Q. assessments. Two were regarded as having significant or profound handicap. Possible reasons for the relatively low survival rate, but acceptable handicap rate are discussed.