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Objective:To observe the effect of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From January 2016 to January 2020, 639 preterm infants who were hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and underwent fundus screening at a gestational age ≤32 weeks were included in the study. There were 366 males and 273 females. Gestational age at birth were (28.3±1.4) weeks; birth weight were (1 153.8±228.8) g. Severe ROP was detected in 60 cases (9.4%, 60/639); 120 were ART recipients, and 519 were naturally conceived, and were divided into the ART group and the control group accordingly. The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus ( χ2=21.675), pulmonary surfactant application ( χ2=13.558), and twin births (yes) ( χ2=145.568) in mothers of the children examined in both groups were significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference were statistically significant in all cases ( P<0.001). Comparison of quantitative data between groups was performed by t-test, and comparison of count data was performed by χ2 test; logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of ART on the incidence of ROP. Results:Of the 60 cases of severe ROP, 18 (15.0%, 18/120) and 42 (8.1%, 42/519) cases were in the ART group and control group, respectively. The incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.680, P=0.024). Compared with the control group, the incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group for gestational age at birth <28 weeks and birth weight <1 000 g, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=10.116, 3.785; P=0.002, 0.037). Logistic regression analysis showed that ART was a non-independent risk factor for the occurrence of ROP ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Assisted reproductive technology may have a certain influence on the occurrence of ROP, which is not an independent factor.
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Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level in early life and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A clinical retrospective study. From January 2020 to December 2022, a total of 303 premature infants, who underwent fundus screening in Children's Hospital of Henan Province were included. There were 219 males and 84 females, with the average gestational age of (30.36±1.52) weeks and the average birth weight of (1 368.43±171.37) g. Early life was defined as 14 days after birth. According to the screening results, patients were divided into ROP group and no ROP group (control group). The results of red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration of the two groups were compared and observed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth. The measurement data were compared by t-test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test. The risk factors of ROP were analyzed by logistic regression. The correlation between red blood cell count as well as hemoglobin concentration in early life and ROP was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results:Among the 303 premature infants screened, a total of 101 preterm infants were included in the ROP group, with the average gestational age of (30.39±1.48) weeks. And a total of 202 preterm infants were included in the control group, with the average gestational age of (30.35±1.55) weeks. There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex composition ratio ( χ2=0.296) and gestational age ( t=0.251) ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in birth weight ( t=-2.024), blood transfusion times ( U=-4.957), invasive mechanical ventilation duration ( U=-2.215) and continuous positive airway pressure ventilation time ( U=-5.224) between the two groups ( P<0.05). The incidence of periventricular leukomalacia ( χ2=5.069), bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( χ2=9.794) and sepsis ( χ2=8.041) were significantly different ( P<0.05). The average hemoglobin level of patients in the ROP group on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth were lower than those in the control group ( t=-3.813, -2.753, -2.847; P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low frequency of blood transfusion [odds ratio ( OR)=1.241, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.016-1.517] and short duration of continuous positive airway pressure ( OR=1.128, 95% CI 1.031-1.234) were protective factors for ROP. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the abnormal threshold values of hematocrit and hemoglobin were the highest on the 14th day after birth, which were 115.5 g/L and 36.25% respectively. The sensitivities were 88.1% and 83.2%, respectively. Conclusion:Red blood cell count and hemoglobin level in early life of preterm infants may have a certain correlation with the occurrence and development of ROP.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bloodstream infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in preterm infants, and to provide basis for early clinical diagnosis and infection control. Methods:The clinical data of infants with CRKP bloodstream infection admitted to the Preterm Infants Ward of Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for death in preterm infants caused by CRKP bloodstream infection were explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the clinical value of each factor on evaluating prognosis. The area under curves (AUC) of each factor in different ROC curve were compared by Delong′s test.Results:A total of 96 preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection were included, including 70 in the survival group and 26 in the death group. The first onset symptoms of CRKP bloodstream infection in preterm infants were persistent tachycardia (heart rate>180 per minute) (69 cases, 71.9%), fever (61 cases, 63.5%), and apnea (59 cases, 61.5%). There were 88(91.7%) cases of infection combined with septic shock, and 91(94.8%) cases required vasoactive drug support. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) within 48 hours of onset (odds ratio ( OR)=1.058, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.022 to 1.095, P=0.001), concurrent purulent meningitis ( OR=8.029, 95% CI 1.344 to 47.972, P=0.022), and concurrent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) ( OR=10.881, 95% CI 1.566 to 75.580, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for death in preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection. The ROC curve showed that the AUCs for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with NEC and purulent meningitis were 0.784 and 0.711, respectively. The AUC for evaluating the prognosis of preterm infants with a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset was 0.840, and the AUC for combining the three factors was 0.931. Compared with NEC and purulent meningitis, the AUC for combining factors was higher, the differences were statistically significant ( P=0.002, P<0.001). Conclusions:Preterm infants with CRKP bloodstream infection who have a maximum VIS ≥52.5 points within 48 hours of onset, with NEC and purulent meningitis have a higher risk of death.
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This article reported a male patient with neonatal onset mental retardation autosomal dominant 35 (MRD35). The boy presented with repeated convulsions, hypotonia, enlarged head circumference, congenital muscular torticollis and feeding difficulties in the neonatal period. Dynamic electroencephalogram showed paroxysmal epileptic discharges in the left central-temporal region. High-throughput whole-exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous mutation of c.139G>A (p.Glu47Lys) in the PPP2R5D gene, which was a de novo mutation not inherited from his parents. The child had significant developmental delay at the age of one year. MRD35 lacks typical clinical manifestations and requires whole-exome sequencing for definitive diagnosis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for MRD35 and symptomatic treatments, including rehabilitation training, language training and seizure control, are mostly adopted.
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The Chinese Neonatal Network(CHNN) was established in 2018 with the mission of establishing a national collaboration platform, conducting high-quality and collaborative research, and ultimately improving the quality of neonatal-perinatal care and health in China.At present, 112 hospitals across the country have joined CHNN.CHNN has established a national standardized cohort of very premature infants/very low birth weight infants with >10 000 enrollments each year, has been leading data-driven collaborative quality improvement initiatives, conducting multicenter clinical studies, and performing multi-level training programs.Guided by the principles of collaboration and sharing, data-driven, continuous improvement, and international integration, CHNN has become an important platform for clinical and research collaboration in neonatal medicine in China.
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Objective:To analyze the accuracy of lung ultrasound and chest X-ray in the diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary disease.Methods:We prospectively collected newborns that needed chest X-ray examination to diagnose pulmonary disease from twelve neonatal intensive care units across the country between June 2019 and April 2020.Each newborn was examined by lung ultrasound within two hours after chest X-ray examination.All chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images were independently read by a radiologist and a sonographer.When there was a disagreement, a panel of two experienced physicians made a final diagnosis based on the clinical history, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound images.Results:A total of 1 100 newborns were enrolled in our study.The diagnostic agreement between chest X-ray and lung ultrasound(Cohen′s kappa coefficient=0.347) was fair.Lung ultrasound(area under the curve=0.778; 95% CI 0.753-0.803) performed significantly better than chest X-ray(area under the curve=0.513; 95% CI 0.483-0.543) in the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn( P<0.001). The accuracy of lung ultrasound in diagnosing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and neonatal pulmonary atelectasis was similar to that of chest X-ray. Conclusion:Lung ultrasound, as a low-cost, simple and radiation-free auxiliary examination method, has a diagnostic accuracy close to or even better than that of chest X-ray, which may replace chest X-ray in the diagnosis of some neonatal lung diseases.It should be noted that both chest X-ray and lung ultrasound can only be used as auxiliary means for the diagnosis of lung diseases, and it is necessary to combine imaging with the clinical history and presentation.
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Vitamin AD is an essential nutrient in human, which can maintain the normal function of vision, immune system, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal epithelium and nervous system.Preterm infants are prone to vitamin AD deficiency due to low prenatal storage, low food intake, high energy metabolism, et al.Studies have shown that early supplementation of vitamin AD can promote the growth and development of preterm infants.This paper summarizes recent advances of vitamin AD supplementation in the improvement of retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, brain injury and metabolic bone diseases of prematurity.The result has showed that vitamin AD supplementation within 1 week after birth could improve the occurrence of complications in preterm infants, which could provide new ideas and methods for reducing the major complications of preterm infants.
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Objective:To study the clinical characteristics, pathogens, treatments and prognosis of neonatal osteomyelitis.Methods:From May 2015 to October 2019, infants admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with neonatal osteomyelitis were retrospectively studied. Clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, treatments and prognosis were analyzed.Results:A total of 56 cases with neonatal osteomyelitis were included, including 39 males and 17 females. The time of onset was 1~28 d after birth, with 66.1% during 14~28 d. 62.5% (35/56) patients were hospitalized because of limited limb movement and crying during passive motion. Femur was involved in 57.1% (32/56) patients and 76.8% (43/56) had two or more bones involvement. All patients had local symptoms, including local swelling (94.6%), local tenderness (94.6%) and increased skin temperature (83.9%). 40 patients (71.4%) had increased white blood cell count (WBC) and 28 (50.0%) showed increased C-reactive protein (CRP). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen in blood cultures (25.0%) and in local pus cultures (40.9%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in bone marrow cultures (33.3%).11 patients (19.6%) were treated conservatively using antibiotics and 45 patients (80.4%) required surgical treatments. 48 patients were followed up. 45 had good prognosis, 1 patient had malposition, 1 patient had disparity of the legs(the affected side was longer) and 1 patient had genu valgum.Conclusions:The early manifestations of neonatal osteomyelitis are nonspecific. For neonates with suspected osteomyelitis, early laboratory and imaging examinations are recommended. Early diagnosis and timely treatment may help reduce sequelae.
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This article reported a case of neonatal-onset autoinflammation with infantile enterocolitis (AIFEC) caused by NLRC4 gene mutation. The boy developed the disease in the neonatal period, presenting with recurrent fever, rash, hepatosplenomegaly and enterocolitis. Laboratory tests showed some indicators including ferritin and C-reactive protein were elevated. His condition was complicated by macrophage activation syndrome and anti-infective treatment was ineffective. High-throughput whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous mutation of c.1021G>C (p.Val341Leu) in the NLRC4 gene and AIFEC was confirmed. AIFEC is a rare disease with no effective treatment at present, which can be developed in the neonatal period and diagnosed by whole exome sequencing.
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Objective:To analyse the pathogenic bacteria distribution and clinical characteristics of late-onset sepsis (LOS) among premature infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks in Henan Province.Methods:The clinical data of 6 590 premature infants admitted to 17 medical institutions in Henan Province from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The gestational age of infants was less than 34 weeks and was admitted to the neonatal ward within 7 days after birth. SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results:Among 6 590 premature infants LOS developed in 751 cases (11.40%), of whom the diagnosis was confirmed in 276 cases (36.75%) and 475 cases (63.25%) were diagnosed clinically. The fatality rate related to LOS was 13.58%. There were significant differences in the incidence of LOS and infection-related mortality among infants with different gestational ages and body weights ( χ2=388.894 and 13.572, χ2=472.282 and 9.257, P<0.05 or <0.01). Among 276 children with confirmed LOS, 286 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated. Gram-negative bacteria were most prevalent (178 strains), accounting for 62.24% of all infections, followed by fungi (58 strains, 20.28%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was most frequently detected Gram-negative bacteria (117 strains, 40.91%), among which 32.48% (38/117) was carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The proportion of diagnosed sepsis, the proportion of catheterization, and the infection-related mortality of infants with LOS in tertiary hospitals were all higher than those in secondary hospitals ( χ2=6.212, 5.313 and 4.435, all P<0.05). The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in secondary hospitals was lower than that in tertiary hospitals ( χ2=19.216, P<0.05). The time of antibacterial drug use before infection in specialized hospitals was longer than that in general hospitals ( χ2=3.276, P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of LOS among preterm infants in Henan Province is high, which was mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The clinical characteristics of LOS caused by different pathogens and in different health institutions are different, the prevention and control strategy should be developed accordingly to reduce the incidence LOS of preterm premature infants.