Hypothyroxinemia in sick term neonates and its risk factors in an extramural neonatal intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Objective: Thyroid functions in the sick newborns may be altered in the first week of life. Transient hypothyroxinemia has been reported in these babies, which could be due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis or to acute illness. We conducted this study to estimate the incidence of hypothyroxinemia and determine its risk factors in sick term newborns. Materials and methods: We analyzed free T4 (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in sick term neonates (≤7 days of life) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. FT4 and TSH levels were estimated in the first week of life in all the enrolled neonates (N = 98) and then repeated at 14-21 days of life in 46 babies. Risk analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and numerical data was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and t-test. Results: Hypothyroxinemia was seen in 10 (10.2%) of the admitted term babies. Male gender, vaginal delivery, presence of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and need for mechanical ventilation (>24 hours) were identified as risk factors. There was a significant negative linear correlation between FT4 level in the first week of life and duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: Hypothyroxinemia is common in sick term neonates.

Length-chest circumference index of 13776 cases normal term newborn in different gestational ages / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To obtain the length-chest circumference index of normal term newborns in different gestational age. Methods By cross-sectional time cluster sampling fact-ifnding investigation method, the anthropometric data on 16388 newborns from 2013 to 2015 were measured, including birth weight, length, crown-rump length, head circumference, and chest circumference, to develop normal full-term infants height chest circumference index (BCI) in different gestational age. Results Anthropometric data of 13776 normal term infants were available at the end of the study. The BCI, Ververck Index (VI), Elisma index (EI) were increasing with the gestational age at newborn. BCI, VI, EI in male is less than those of female with signiifcant difference (P<0.05). There were some differences of newborn’s BCI, VI and EI in 2015 than those in 2005. Conclusion Com-pared to ten years ago, chest fullness increased with gestational age at different gestational ages in normal full-term infants, and the chest fullness in male is less than that in female.

The burden of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in Malaysian neonatal intensive care units

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aimed to determine the incidence of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and predictors of HIE mortality in Malaysian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a retrospective study of data from 37 NICUs in the Malaysian National Neonatal Registry in 2012. All newborns with gestational age ≥ 36 weeks, without major congenital malformations and fulfilling the criteria of HIE were included.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 285,454 live births in these hospitals. HIE was reported in 919 newborns and 768 of them were inborn, with a HIE incidence of 2.59 per 1,000 live births/hospital (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03, 3.14). A total of 144 (15.7%) affected newborns died. Logistic regression analysis showed that the significant predictors of death were: chest compression at birth (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.27, 95% CI 1.27, 4.05; p = 0.003), being outborn (adjusted OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.36, 5.13; p = 0.004), meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (adjusted OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.05, 4.47; p = 0.038), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (adjusted OR 4.39, 95% CI 1.85, 10.43; p = 0.001), sepsis (adjusted OR 4.46, 95% CI 1.38, 14.40; p = 0.013), pneumothorax (adjusted OR 4.77, 95% CI 1.76, 12.95; p = 0.002) and severe HIE (adjusted OR 42.41, 95% CI 18.55, 96.96; p < 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The incidence of HIE in Malaysian NICUs was similar to that reported in developed countries. Affected newborns with severe grade of HIE, chest compression at birth, MAS, PPHN, sepsis or pneumothorax, and those who were outborn were more likely to die before discharge.</p>

Weight-adjusted neonatal 17OH-progesterone cutoff levels improve the efficiency of newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia / Determinação de pontos de corte para 17OH-progesterona de acordo com o peso ao nascimento melhora a eficiência da triagem neonatal da hiperplasia adrenal congênita

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate weight-adjusted strategy for levels of neonatal-17OHP in order to improve newborn screening (NBS) efficiency. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples collected between 2-7 days of age from 67,640 newborns were evaluated. When N17OHP levels were > 20 ng/mL, and a second sample was requested. We retrospectively analyzed neonatal-17OHP levels measured by Auto DELFIA- B024-112 assay, grouped according to birth-weight: G1: < 1,500 g, G2: 1,501-2,000 g, G3: 2,000-2,500 g and G4: > 2,500 g. 17OHP cutoff values were determined for each group using the 97.5th, 99th, 99.5th and 99.8th percentiles. RESULTS: 0.5 percent of newborns presented false-positive results using the cutoff level > 20 ng/mL for all groups. Neonates of low birthweight made up 69 percent of this group. Seven full-term newborns presented congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and, except for one of them, 17OHP levels were > 120 ng/mL. Only the 99.8th percentile presented higher predictive positive value (2 percent), and lower rate of false-positives in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest the use of 99.8th percentile obtained by weight-adjusted N17OHP values of healthy newborns to reduce the rate of false-positive results in NBS.

OBJETIVO: Avaliamos retrospectivamente os valores da 17OHP ajustados para o peso ao nascimento para melhorar a eficiência da triagem neonatal. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: 67.640 recém-nascidos com amostras coletadas entre 2-7 dias de vida. Uma segunda amostra foi solicitada na presença de testes com valores da 17OHP > 20 ng/mL. 17OHP dosada pelo método DELFIA- B024-112 e correlacionada com o peso ao nascimento: G1 < 1.500 g, G2 1.501-2.000 g, G3 2.000-2.500 g e G4 > 2.500 g. Pontos de corte da 17OHP foram determinados para cada grupo usando os percentis 97,5th, 99th, 99,5th e 99,8th. RESULTADOS: Falso-positivos ocorreram em 5 por cento dos resultados com o ponto de corte > 20 ng/mL, dos quais 69 por cento eram prematuros. Sete recém-nascidos apresentaram deficiência da 21-hidroxilase e, exceto em um, os valores da 17OHP foram > 120 ng/mL. Somente o valor da 17OHP do 99,8th apresentou maior valor preditivo positivo (2 por cento) e menor índice de falso-positivos. CONCLUSÕES: Sugerimos o valor da 17OHP do 99,8th ajustado para o peso ao nascimento para se reduzir a taxa de resultados falso-positivos da triagem neonatal.

Avaliação do estado comportamental durante o sono em recém-nascidos / Behavioral assessment of sleep state in newborns

INTRODUÇÃO: A identificação dos estados comportamentais é um fator determinante na avaliação clínica e neurofisiológica de neonatos e apresenta-se como indicador importante do desenvolvimento normal e anormal do sistema nervoso central. As variáveis fisiológicas importantes na avaliação comportamental são: freqüência cardíaca, freqüência respiratória, presença de movimentos oculares rápidos, eletromiograma (EMG), eletroencefalograma (EEG). As variáveis comportamentais são abertura e fechamento dos olhos, movimentos corporais e choro. MÉTODOS: Neste artigo, foi feita uma revisão da literatura no período de 1970-2008 utilizando os unitermos: estado comportamental e recém-nascidos, sono e recém-nascidos e, EEG e comportamento. Utilizou-se os banco de dados Medline, Scielo e Web of Science. Esta revisão foi desenvolvida no período de agosto a novembro de 2008. CONCLUSÕES: A sistematização dos achados do comportamento em recém-nascidos associado à organização bioelétrica e grafoelementos permite identificar precocemente o comprometimento encefálico e prognóstico de recém-nascidos de risco e de muito baixo peso. Na literatura existem controvérsias em relação à padronização e sistematização dos estados comportamentais de crianças prematuras, diferente do que ocorre em neonatos a termo onde estes aspectos já estão definidos.

INTRODUCTION: The identification of behavioral states is a determining factor in the clinical and neurophysiological evaluation of neonates and presents itself as an important indicator of normal and abnormal development of the central nervous system. The physiological variables that are important in behavioral assessment are: heart rate, respiratory frequency, presence of rapid eye movements, electromyogram, electroencephalogram and behavioral variables (opening and closing of the eyes, body movements, crying). METHODS: In this article, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature in the period of 1970- 2008 where a search was conducted involving the terms, behavioral states and newborns/sleep and newborns/EEG and behavior. We used the database Medline, Scielo and Web of Science. This review was done in the period between August and November 2008. CONCLUSIONS: The systematization of the findings of behavior in newborns associated with the bioelectric and graphic element organization permit the early identification of brain impairment and prognosis of newborns at risk with low birth weight. In literature there are still controversies regarding standardization and systematization of behavioral states of premature children, in term children this has been already defined.

Changes in the birth weight of full term newborns in Korean population over the past 5 years / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study is to identify the changes in the birth weight of full term newborns in the Korean population over the past 5 years and to delineate their relating factors. METHODS: We used the dynamic statistics of the population from the Korea National Statistical Office which represents the current trend of social stratification. We analyzed birth records over a five-year period & studied the changes in the birth weight of full term newborns by year, gender, gestational age & Seoul or non-Seoul areas from 2002 to 2006. RESULTS: The mean birth weights of newborns in the 37~40 weeks range were 3,312 g and 3,210 g for male & female infants, respectively & decreased by 62 g and 49 g over the past five years. The birth weight in full term newborns decreased from 3,299 g to 3,243 g in total and there was no difference in the changes of birth weigh for each year, both sexes, each gestational age & capital or non-capital areas. CONCLUSION: The birth weight of full term newborns in Korea has decreased over the past five years, showing that there are no big differences between genders, gestational ages, and Seoul or non-Seoul areas. We need to study more prospectively the demographic variables which cause the trend if the mean birth weight continues to decrease.