In-hospital outcomes in preterm and small-for-gestational-age newborns: a cohort study

ABSTRACT Objective To compare in-hospital outcomes between small-for-gestational-age and appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm neonates who needed intensive care. Methods A retrospective cohort study with preterm newborns, from January to December 2017. The results are presented as median, frequency, and odds ratio. Numerical variables were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test. We considered p<0.05 as significant. Results Out of 129 preterm newborns included, 20.9% were small-for-gestational-age. Median gestational age was 31 2/7 weeks, birthweight was 1,450g, and length of hospital stay was 39 days. Preterm small-for-gestational-age newborns presented a higher chance of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio of 3.23; p=0.02), retinopathy of prematurity (odds ratio of 2.78 p=0.02), patent ductus arteriosus (odds ratio of 2.50; p=0.04) and a lower chance of presumptive early-onset sepsis (odds ratio of 0.37; p=0.03). Conclusion Preterm small-for-gestational-age neonates were associated with peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and patent ductus arteriosus. This emphasizes the need of special care for these neonates.

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics in preterm infants

OBJETIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the kinetic disposition of vancomycin in preterm infants with emphasis on the apparent volume of distribution, biological half-life, and total body clearance as well as whether their variations cause significant modification of the trough plasma concentration of the drug, depending on the postconceptional age (PCA) and the postnatal age (PNA). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-five selected patients were distributed into 2 groups which differed significantly in terms of mean PCA (31.2-32.3 weeks in group 1, n = 13; 33.5-34.1 weeks in group 2, n = 12: CI95 percent, P < .001) and PNA (group 1, 12.0-18.5 days; group 2, 18.0-34.0 days, CI95 percent, P < .05). The parents were informed and signed a written consent for participation of the infants in the protocol that had been previously approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital. RESULTS: Apparent volume of distribution was significantly increased in group 1 compared with patients of group 2 (0.85 vs. 0.56 L/kg, respectively; P = .01,). Additionally multiple linear regression revealed a good linear correlation (r = 0.85) of trough plasma concentration of vancomycin with the apparent volume of distribution and also with the biological half-life in patients of group 1, while a good correlation (r = 0.91) was obtained for the trough plasma concentration with total body clearance in infants of group 2. The influence of these kinetic parameters on the trough concentration of vancomycin in preterm infants seems to vary according to PCA and PNA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the trough plasma concentration of vancomycin depends on the pharmacokinetics, and multiple linear correlation indicates that it varies according to the postconceptional and postnatal age of preterm infants.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a farmacocinética da vancomicina em neonatos pretermo, considerando a idade pós-conceptual e também a idade pós-natal para determinar se as alterações no volume aparente de distribuição, meia-vida biológica e depuração plasmática causam variação significativa no vale plasmático da vancomicina. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Os vinte e cinco pacientes selecionados foram distribuídos em dois grupos, que diferiram significativamente em termos de idade pós-conceptualgrupo 1, n=13: 31,2-32,3 semanas; grupo 2, n=12: 33,5-34,1 semanas, IC95 por cento, p<0,0001) e idade pós-natalgrupo 1: 12,0-18,5 dias; grupo 2: 18,0-34,0 dias, p<0,05). Todos os responsáveis foram informados sobre os detalhes do estudo e assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. O protocolo foi submetido e aprovado previamente pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do hospital. RESULTADO: O volume aparente de distribuição se mostrou significativamente aumentado no grupo 1 comparado aos pacientes do grupo 2 0,85 vs 0,56 L/kg, p=0,01). Adicionalmente, o teste de regressão linear múltipla mostrou boa correlação linear: 0,85) da concentração plasmática de vale com o volume aparente de distribuição, e também com a meia-vida biológica nos pacientes do grupo 1. Nas crianças do grupo 2 evidenciou-se boa correlação(r: 0,91) entre o vale e a depuração plasmática. A influência desses parâmetros farmacocinéticos sobre o vale nos prematuros parece variar de acordo com a idade pós-conceptual e a idade pós-natal. CONCLUSÃO: Concluindo, a concentração de vale para a vancomicina depende da farmacocinética e a correlação múltipla varia de acordo com a idade pós-conceptual e a idade pós-natal dos recém-nascidos pré-termos.

Farmacocinética da vancomicina em recém-nascidos pré-termo / Vancomycin pharmacokinetics in preterm infants

Avaliou-se a influência dos parâmetros farmacocinéticos da vancomicina sobre a variação da sua concentração plasmática no vale em dois grupos de recém-nascidos pré-termo estatisticamente diferentes quanto à idade pós-conceptual (grupo 1: 32 semanas; grupo 2: 34 semanas) e pós-natal (grupo 1: 15.3 dias; grupo 2: 26 dias). A meia-vida e o volume aparente de distribuição, respectivamente, não apresentaram correlação (p 0,05) com a concentração plasmática de vancomicina no grupo 1 e no grupo 2. Através de regressão linear múltipla, no grupo 1, percebeu-se maior influência do volume aparente de distribuição e também da meia-vida (r = 0,85). No grupo 2, predominou o clearance total de vancomicina (r= 0,90). Concluiu-se que essa influência varia de acordo com a idade pós-conceptual e pós-natal dos recém-nascidos pré-termo/The influence of vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters on the variation of its trough concentration was evaluated in two groups of preterm infants which were statistically diferent in terms of mean postconceptional age (group 1: 32 weeks; group 2: 34 weeks) and postnatal age (group 1: 15.3 days; group 2: 26 days). The half-life and apparent volume of distribution, respectively, did not present correlation (p 0.05) with the vancomycin serum concentration in group 1 and in group 2. Using multiple linear regression, a stronger influence of the apparent volume of distribution and also of the half-life (r= 0.85) was found in group 1. There was predominant influence of the vancomycin body clearance (r= 0.90) in group 2. In conclusion, that influence varies in accordance with the postconceptional and postnatal ages of preterm infants...

Vancomycin monitoring in term newborns: comparison of peak and trough serum concentrations determined by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence polarization immunoassay

INTRODUCTION: Peak and trough serum concentrations of vancomycin were determined in term newborn infants with confirmed or suspected Staphylococcus sp sepsis by high performance liquid chromatography and flourescence polarization immunoassay. OBJECTIVE: To statistically compare the results of the high performance liquid chromatography and flourescence polarization immunoassay techniques for measuring serum vancomycin concentrations. METHODS: Eighteen peak and 20 trough serum samples were assayed for vancomycin concentrations using high performance liquid chromatography and flourescence polarization immunoassay from October 1995 to October 1997. RESULTS: The linear correlation coefficients for high performance liquid chromatography and flourescence polarization immunoassay were 0.27 (peak, P = 0.110) and 0.26 (trough, P = 0.1045) respectively, which were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There was wide variation in serum vancomycin concentrations determined by high performance liquid chromatography as compared with those determined by flourescence polarization immunoassay. There was no recognizable pattern in the variability; in an apparently random fashion, the high performance liquid chromatography measurement was sometimes substantially higher than the flourescence polarization immunoassay measurement, and at other times it was substantially lower

Monitoring the treatment of sepsis with vancomycin in term newborn infants

A prospective study was conducted to determine if standardized vancomycin doses could produce adequate serum concentrations in 25 term newborn infants with sepsis. Purpose: The therapeutic response of neonatal sepsis by Staphylococcus sp. treated with vancomycin was evaluated through serum concentrations of vancomycin, serum bactericidal titers (SBT), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). METHOD: Vancomycin serum concentrations were determined by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay technique , SBT by the macro-broth dilution method, and MIC by diffusion test in agar . RESULTS: Thirteen newborn infants (59.1 percent) had adequate peak vancomycin serum concentrations (20--40 mg/mL) and one had peak concentration with potential ototoxicity risk (>40 æg/mL). Only 48 percent had adequate trough concentrations (5--10 mg/mL), and seven (28 percent) had a potential nephrotoxicity risk (>10 æg/mL). There was no significant agreement regarding normality for peak and trough vancomycin method (McNemar test : p = 0.7905). Peak serum vancomycin concentrations were compared with the clinical evaluation (good or bad clinical evolution) of the infants, with no significant difference found (U=51.5; p=0.1947). There was also no significant difference between the patients' trough concentrations and good or bad clinical evolution (U = 77.0; p=0.1710). All Staphylococcus isolates were sensitive to vancomycin according to the MIC. Half of the patients with adequate trough SBT (1/8), also had adequate trough vancomycin concentrations and satisfactory clinical evolution. CONCLUSIONS: Recommended vancomycin schedules for term newborn infants with neonatal sepsis should be based on the weight and postconceptual age only to start antimicrobial therapy. There is no ideal pattern of vancomycin dosing; vancomycin dosages must be individualized. SBT interpretation should be made in conjunction with the patient's clinical presentation and vancomycin serum concentrations. Those laboratory and clinical data favor elucidation of the probable cause of patient's bad evolution, which would facilitate drug adjustment and reduce the risk of toxicity or failing to achieve therapeutic doses

Morbidade em adolescente: experiência do Centro de Saúde Escola da Faculdade de Medicina do ABC

Os autores elaboram um levantamento de 592 fichas de matrícula de pacientes entre 12 e 18 anos de idade, que foram atendidos no período de janeiro de 1990 a dezembro de 1991, no Serviço de Adolescentes do Centro de Saúde Escola da Faculdade de Medicina da Fundaçäo do ABC (SACSEFMFUABC), coletando o número do registro, sexo, idade e diagnóstico clínico realizado na matrícula, com o intuito de determinar qual o perfil dos adolescentes atendidos nestes dois anos, no serviço em questäo

Tumores benignos cervicais na infância / Cervical benign tumors in childhood

Os autores comentam os tumores cervicais benignos mais freqüêntes na infância, salientando o diagnóstico e as principais formas de tratamento