A Multi-Center Educational Research Regarding Breastfeeding for Pediatrics Residents in Korea

Purpose@#Pediatricians have a significant responsibility to educate mothers about the importance of breastfeeding. However, there have been minimal efforts in the courses of resident training in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in knowledge and attitude before and after a 4-week breastfeeding educational intervention among multicenter residents. @*Methods@#Prospective interventional educational research was designed for residents at eight training hospitals in Korea. Institutional reviews were obtained in each hospital. The education curriculum consisted of 14 courses regarding breastfeeding theory and practice. These materials were used to teach pediatric residents for 4 weeks. Knowledge-based tests were administered before the course, and re-tests were administered after the course using different test items of similar levels. Test scores and survey responses were compared before and after the intervention. @*Results@#A total of 73 residents (1st year 20, 2nd year 23, 3rd year 16, and 4th year residents 14) from eight training hospitals completed the intervention. Their average age was 30.3±2.9 years, 17 (23.3%) were male, 22 (30.1%) were married, and eight had more than one child of their own. The mean pre-test score was 61.8±13.4 and the mean post-test score was 78.3±7.5 (P<0.001). The inter-grade difference in the score was significant in the pre-test (P=0.005), but not significant in the post-test (P=0.155). There were more responses of obtaining confidence after the intervention (P<0.001). @*Conclusion@#In our study, pediatric residents showed improvement in their knowledge and confidence level after 4 weeks of the breastfeeding curriculum. This will provide a basis for future policymaking in the training of pediatric residents regarding breastfeeding in Korea.

Survey on current preparedness of neonatal resuscitation in delivery rooms in Korea

Purpose@#We aimed to survey current status of preparedness for neonatal resuscitation in delivery rooms in Korea. @*Methods@#We analyzed data regarding preparedness for the resuscitation in terms of personnel, equipment, and education using a questionnaire, which was developed by the Korean Association of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. From August 2020 through January 2021, the questionnaires were sent to hospitals affiliated with the Korean Association of Maternity Hospitals or the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) operated by the Korean Society of Neonatology. As per the affiliated society, the hospitals were grouped as the maternity hospitals or the KNN hospitals. The questionnaires were delivered in 3 steps: mailout, electronic mail, and phone calls. @*Results@#Response rate was 21.3% (115 of 541) and 65.3% (49 of 75) in the maternity and KNN hospitals, respectively. The maternity hospitals showed a higher mean number of delivery and fewer pediatricians. In the KNN hospitals, pediatricians played a leading role during the resuscitation, but in the maternity hospitals, their role as a leader was less conspicuous. The KNN hospitals were better equipped with masks of variable sizes, oxygen blender, T-piece resuscitator, and electrocardiographic monitor (all Ps < 0.001). In the maternity hospitals, the preparedness of oxygen blender or T-piece resuscitator was positively associated with the number of pediatricians (P = 0.005). Although bag-mask ventilation was mostly feasible in both groups, endotracheal intubation was less feasible in the maternity hospitals (P = 0.007). The annual participation in resuscitation training for providers was higher in the KNN hospitals (P < 0.001). In the maternity hospitals, the annual participation was positively associated with the numbers of deliveries, obstetricians, and pediatricians. @*Conclusion@#This preliminary survey indicates the need for further improvement in preparing in personnel, equipment, and education, particularly in maternity hospitals.

Survival and Morbidities in Infants with Birth Weight Less than 500 g:a Nationwide Cohort Study

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the survival and morbidities of infants in the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) with birth weight (BW) < 500 g. @*Methods@#The demographic and clinical data of 208 live-born infants with a BW < 500 g at a gestational age of ≥ 22 weeks who were treated in the neonatal intensive care units of the KNN between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. @*Results@#The survival rate of the infants was 28%, with a median gestational age and BW of 24 3/7 weeks (range, 22 0/7 –33 6/7 ) and 440 g (range, 220–499), respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that survival to discharge was associated with longer gestation, higher BW, female sex, singleton gestation, use of any antenatal corticosteroids, and higher Apgar scores at 5 minutes. The overall survival rates were significantly different between the BW categories of < 400 g and 400–499 g. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of any morbidity between the BW groups.Half of the deaths of infants with BW < 500 g occurred within a week of life, mainly due to cardiopulmonary and neurologic causes. The major causes of death in infants after 1 week of age were infection and gastrointestinal disease. Among the surviving infants, 79% had moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 21% underwent surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus, 12% had severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III–IV), 38% had sepsis, 9% had necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ≥ 2), and 47% underwent laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. The median length of hospital stay was 132 days (range, 69–291), and 53% required assistive devices at discharge. @*Conclusion@#Despite recent advances in neonatal intensive care, the survival and morbidity rates of infants with BW < 500 g need further improvement.

Targeting Risk Factors for the Control of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Single Tertiary Center Experience

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of targeting risk factors for the control of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) among high-risk infants in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). @*Methods@#Infants admitted to the NICU and diagnosed with CLABSI from January to December 2013 were eligible for inclusion to the study. The CLABSI group (n=47) was matched in a 1:2 ratio to the control group (n=94) based on gestational age, birth weight, and Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II. Risk factors for CLABSI were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model, and analysis of the effect of these risk factors targeting infection control was performed. @*Results@#The risk factors associated with CLABSI were prolonged central line dwell days (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.028; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011 to 1.045; P=0.001), use of a silicone catheter (adjusted HR, 5.895; 95% CI, 1.893 to 18.355; P=0.002), surgical treatment (adjusted HR, 3.793; 95% CI, 1.467 to 9.805; P=0.006), and less probiotic supplementation (adjusted HR, 0.254; 95% CI, 0.068 to 0.949; P=0.042). By targeting these risk factors with a quality improvement initiative, the mean CLABSI incidence rate per 1,000 catheter-days decreased from 6.6 to 3.1 (P=0.004). @*Conclusion@#Targeting risk factors for infection control significantly reduced the rate of CLABSI among high-risk infants in the NICU.

Targeting Risk Factors for the Control of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Single Tertiary Center Experience

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of targeting risk factors for the control of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) among high-risk infants in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). @*Methods@#Infants admitted to the NICU and diagnosed with CLABSI from January to December 2013 were eligible for inclusion to the study. The CLABSI group (n=47) was matched in a 1:2 ratio to the control group (n=94) based on gestational age, birth weight, and Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II. Risk factors for CLABSI were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model, and analysis of the effect of these risk factors targeting infection control was performed. @*Results@#The risk factors associated with CLABSI were prolonged central line dwell days (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.028; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011 to 1.045; P=0.001), use of a silicone catheter (adjusted HR, 5.895; 95% CI, 1.893 to 18.355; P=0.002), surgical treatment (adjusted HR, 3.793; 95% CI, 1.467 to 9.805; P=0.006), and less probiotic supplementation (adjusted HR, 0.254; 95% CI, 0.068 to 0.949; P=0.042). By targeting these risk factors with a quality improvement initiative, the mean CLABSI incidence rate per 1,000 catheter-days decreased from 6.6 to 3.1 (P=0.004). @*Conclusion@#Targeting risk factors for infection control significantly reduced the rate of CLABSI among high-risk infants in the NICU.

Survival and Morbidities in Infants with Birth Weight Less than 500 g:a Nationwide Cohort Study

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the survival and morbidities of infants in the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) with birth weight (BW) < 500 g. @*Methods@#The demographic and clinical data of 208 live-born infants with a BW < 500 g at a gestational age of ≥ 22 weeks who were treated in the neonatal intensive care units of the KNN between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. @*Results@#The survival rate of the infants was 28%, with a median gestational age and BW of 24 3/7 weeks (range, 22 0/7 –33 6/7 ) and 440 g (range, 220–499), respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that survival to discharge was associated with longer gestation, higher BW, female sex, singleton gestation, use of any antenatal corticosteroids, and higher Apgar scores at 5 minutes. The overall survival rates were significantly different between the BW categories of < 400 g and 400–499 g. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of any morbidity between the BW groups.Half of the deaths of infants with BW < 500 g occurred within a week of life, mainly due to cardiopulmonary and neurologic causes. The major causes of death in infants after 1 week of age were infection and gastrointestinal disease. Among the surviving infants, 79% had moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 21% underwent surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus, 12% had severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III–IV), 38% had sepsis, 9% had necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ≥ 2), and 47% underwent laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. The median length of hospital stay was 132 days (range, 69–291), and 53% required assistive devices at discharge. @*Conclusion@#Despite recent advances in neonatal intensive care, the survival and morbidity rates of infants with BW < 500 g need further improvement.

Campomelic Dysplasia with Sex Reversal Harboring a Novel Frameshift Mutation

Campomelic dysplasia (CD) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal dysplasia that also affects several other organ systems. CD is caused by a SOX9 mutation. We here report a case of CD with a 46, XY karyotype and female external genitalia. This child was born with a weight of 3.12 kg after 37 weeks of gestation. She exhibited a number of characteristic features including a small thoracic cage, bowing of both femurs, clubbed feet, hypoplastic scapula, 11 pairs of ribs, a bell-shaped narrow thorax, micrognathia, macroglossia, a cleft palate, a flattened nasal bridge, and low set ears. She experienced additional distress because of the presence of a tracheal ring and because she had tracheomalacia. CD was diagnosed through nucleotide sequence analysis. A frameshift mutation, c.235delC (p.Gln79Argfs*31), was identified in the SOX9 gene that has not previously been reported.

A Novel COL4A1 Mutation in a Neonate with Intrauterine Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Porencephaly

Collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) plays an important role in construction of the basement membranes of all human tissues, especially vessels. Mutations in COL4A1 lead to various multisystemic dysfunctions, including hereditary porencephaly, hemorrhagic stroke, hemiplegia, cerebral small vessel disease, and nephropathy. In this study, we describe a neonatal case featuring a novel de novo COL4A1 mutation, manifesting as fetal intraventricular hemorrhage and porencephaly. This patient is one of the youngest to have been diagnosed with the most severe phenotype. Our experience may assist clinicians in the diagnosis and management of this extremely rare genetic condition.

Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide and Clinical Outcome in Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Early Pulmonary Hypertension

Purpose@#To determine the efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with early pulmonary hypertension (PH). @*Methods@#We reviewed the medical records of 22 preterm infants who were born 20% and/or oxygenation index (OI) >20% from the baseline values at 1 hour after beginning iNO therapy. Cardiorespiratory support indices including OI, oxygen saturation index, and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) were serially obtained for 96 hours following iNO therapy. @*Results@#The mean gestational age of the patients was 26.1±2.0 weeks and the mean birth weight was 842±298 g. The mean OI at the start of iNO was 63.8±61.0. Impro vement in oxygenation indicated by prompt decrease in FiO 2 and OI from the base line values were observed 1 hour after beginning iNO therapy and lasted up to 96 hours. After iNO therapy, VIS increased until 24 hours and decreased thereafter. At 1 hour after iNO, 16 patients (73%) were classified as responders and six (27%) as nonresponders. Compared with nonresponders, responders did not demonstrate the beneficial effect of iNO in terms of short-term survival and neonatal complications.The 1-year mortality rate did not differ between responders (56%) and nonresponders (67%). @*Conclusion@#Although iNO treatment immediately improved oxygenation in most VLBW infants with early severe PH, the long-term mortality rate was high. A largescale study is needed to determine whether the initial response to iNO can predict patients’ survival.

Morbidity and Mortality of Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Background and Objectives@#This study aimed to provide morbidity and mortality information on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with congenital heart disease (CHD-VLBWs). @*Methods@#The study used a 10-year cohort of VLBW infants from a single institution. CHD was classified according to International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, Clinical Modification. Mortality and neonatal outcomes were assessed by comparing the CHD-VLBWs with gestational age- and birth weight-matched controls. @*Results@#The prevalence of CHD-VLBWs was 7.5% (79/1,050), mean gestational age was 31.1±3.2 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1,126.2±268.3 g; 50.6% of the infants were small for the gestational age. The CHD-VLBWs more commonly had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and the longer they were exposed to oxygen, the more frequently they developed BPD. Those with cyanotic heart disease developed severe BPD more frequently. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurred frequently in the CHD-VLBWs and was not associated with their feeding patterns. CHD-VLBWs had a higher mortality rate; prematurity-related diseases were the leading cause of death before surgery, while heart-related problems were the leading cause of death after surgery. We found no significant difference in mortality from prematurity-related disease between the CHD-VLBWs and controls. In the subgroup analysis of CHD, the cyanotic CHD group had a higher incidence of BPD and higher mortality rate than the acyanotic CHD group. @*Conclusions@#CHD-VLBWs showed higher BPD, NEC, and mortality rates than those without CHD. There was also a higher incidence of BPD and mortality in VLBW infants with cyanotic CHD than in those with acyanotic CHD.

Campomelic Dysplasia with Sex Reversal Harboring a Novel Frameshift Mutation

Campomelic dysplasia (CD) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal dysplasia that also affects several other organ systems. CD is caused by a SOX9 mutation. We here report a case of CD with a 46, XY karyotype and female external genitalia. This child was born with a weight of 3.12 kg after 37 weeks of gestation. She exhibited a number of characteristic features including a small thoracic cage, bowing of both femurs, clubbed feet, hypoplastic scapula, 11 pairs of ribs, a bell-shaped narrow thorax, micrognathia, macroglossia, a cleft palate, a flattened nasal bridge, and low set ears. She experienced additional distress because of the presence of a tracheal ring and because she had tracheomalacia. CD was diagnosed through nucleotide sequence analysis. A frameshift mutation, c.235delC (p.Gln79Argfs*31), was identified in the SOX9 gene that has not previously been reported.

Validity of the Korean Developmental Screening Test for very-low-birth-weight infants / 소아과

PURPOSE: The importance of the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants has been emphasized as their mortality rate has markedly improved. This study aimed to assess the validity of the Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST), a developmental screening tool approved by the Korean Society of Pediatrics, for the timely diagnosis of neurodevelopmental delay in VLBW infants. METHODS: Subjects included VLBW infants enrolled in the Korean Neonatal Network database between January 2012 and December 2014. The collected data were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) in the K-DST compared to those in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II for VLBW infants. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were enrolled. Their mean gestational age and mean birth weight were 27.5±2.8 weeks and 980.5±272.1 g, respectively. The frequency of failed psychomotor developmental index (PDI) <85 was similar to that in at least one domain of K-DST <1 standard deviation. Failure in more than one K-DST domain compared with a mental developmental index (MDI) <85 showed a sensitivity and NPV of 73.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Failure in more than one K-DST domain compared with PDI <85 showed a sensitivity and NPV of 60.3% and 71.6%, respectively. Each K-DST domain had a stronger correlation with predicting a failing MDI <85 than a failing PDI <85 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: K-DST could be a useful screening tool for predicting mental developmental delay in VLBW infants and referring them for neurodevelopmental assessments.

National Registry Data from Korean Neonatal Network: Two-Year Outcomes of Korean Very Low Birth Weight Infants Born in 2013–2014

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to observe long-term outcomes of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) born between 2013 and 2014 in Korea, especially focusing on neurodevelopmental outcomes. METHODS: The data were collected from Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) registry from 43 and 54 participating units in 2013 and 2014, respectively. A standardized electronic case report form containing 30 items related to long-term follow up was used after data validation. RESULTS: Of 2,660 VLBWI, the mean gestational age and birth weight were 291/7 ± 26/7 weeks and 1,093 ± 268 g in 2013 and 292/7 ± 26/7 weeks and 1,125 ± 261 g in 2014, respectively. The post-discharge mortality rate was 1.2%–1.5%. Weight < 50th percentile was 46.5% in 2013 and 66.1% in 2014. The overall prevalence of cerebral palsy among the follow up infants was 6.2% in 2013 and 6.6% in 2014. The Bayley Scales of Infant Developmental Outcomes version II showed 14%–25% of infants had developmental delay and 3%–8% of infants in Bayley version III. For the Korean developmental screening test for infants and children, the area “Further evaluation needed” was 5%–12%. Blindness in both eyes was reported to be 0.2%–0.3%. For hearing impairment, 0.8%–1.9% showed bilateral hearing loss. Almost 50% were readmitted to hospital with respiratory illness as a leading cause. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of long-term outcomes was not largely different among the VLBWI born between 2013 and 2014. This study is the first large national data study of long-term outcomes.

Case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung associated with congenital pulmonary airway malformation in a neonate / 소아과

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), previously known as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, is a rare developmental lung abnormality associated with rhabdomyosarcoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma, and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung. We report an unusual case of a 10-day-old male newborn with a left lower lobe pulmonary cyst who underwent lobectomy, which revealed type II CPAM complicated by multifocal mucinous adenocarcinoma. KRAS sequencing revealed a somatic mutation in Codon12 (GGT → GAT), suggesting the development of a mucinous adenocarcinoma in the background of mucinous metaplasia. Mucinous adenocarcinoma is the most common lung tumor associated with CPAM, but it generally occurs in older children and adults. Further, all cases in the literature are of type I CPAM. This case in a neonate indicates that malignant transformation can occur very early in type II CPAM.

Chronic Placental Inflammation as a Risk Factor of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity

BACKGROUND: Chronic placental inflammation (CPI) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases in premature infants, whereas retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major complication primarily affecting preterm and very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. This study aims to investigate the association between CPI and ROP in VLBW infants. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of clinical records of VLBW infants born between 2013 and 2016. Placental pathology findings including CPI cases were analyzed using logistic regression to study infants’ morbidities and other clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 402 infants with a mean (standard deviation) gestational age of 28.5 (2.8) weeks and birth weight of 1,027.2 (304.4) g were included. The incidence of ROP was 24.1%. CPI was found in 90 infants (22.4%), among which 28.9% (26 of 90) developed ROP, and 21.1% (19 of 90) underwent laser photocoagulation. Lower gestational age, lower birth weight, longer duration of oxygen supply, and presence of CPI were associated with the development of ROP. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of oxygen supply, and other overlapping placental pathology, CPI was associated with the odds for type 1 ROP that required laser photocoagulation (adjusted odds ratio, 2.739; 95% confidence interval, 1.112 to 6.749; p = .029). CONCLUSIONS: CPI was associated with severe ROP requiring treatment with laser photocoagulation in VLBW infants.

The Impact of Introduction of Fetoscopic Laser Surgery on Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

PURPOSE: Fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) is considered an optimal therapeutic strategy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). We aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of TTTS patients since the introduction of FLS. METHODS: A retrospective study of TTTS patients born between January 2005 and December 2015 was conducted. Mortality and morbidity were compared in the FLS and non-FLS groups. The FLS group was divided into selective FLS and Solomon technique group, and subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 70 pregnancies diagnosed with TTTS during the study period, FLS was performed for 35 (50%). Survival of at least one infant at discharge was achieved in 100% (35/35) of pregnancies in the FLS group and 91.4% (32/35) in the non-FLS group (P=0.028). Subgroup analysis revealed that the Solomon technique group had a higher dual survival rate than the selective FLS group (81.3% vs. 57.9%, P=0.036). Neonatal mortality was significantly lower in the FLS group than in the non-FLS group (1.7% vs. 16.4%, P=0.005). Severe intraventricular hemorrhage more than grade 3 was less frequent in the FLS group than in the non-FLS group (0% vs. 18.2%, P= 0.001). The FLS group showed smaller inter-twin differences in birth weight (24.4% vs. 33.7%, P= 0.032) and lower incidence of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (0% vs. 43.8%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Since the introduction of FLS, the survival rate of TTTS patients has improved. The Solomon technique resulted in better dual survival rates than selective FLS.

Phenotypic Variability of a Terminal 7q Deletion/8q Duplication in Korean Siblings

No abstract available.

Uric Acid as a Predictor of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: To determine whether serum uric acid levels in the first 7 days of life can predict development of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Asan Medical Center between January 2009 and December 2012 were selected for chart review. Infants were divided into groups with and without severe IVH (grade> or =3). To determine whether uric acid is a predictor of severe IVH, uric acid levels on the first day (within 24 hours of birth), peak uric acid levels (during the first 7 days for infants without severe IVH, prior to IVH documentation by cranial sonogram for infants with severe IVH, and trend in uric acid levels were analyzed for both groups. Various antenatal and postnatal factors were compared between the groups, and risk factors associated with severe IVH were identified. RESULTS: A total of 397 VLBW infants were included, with mean birth weight of 1,075+/-292 g and a mean gestational age of 29.6+/-3.3 weeks. Higher levels of uric acid on day 1, higher peak levels, and rising uric acid levels were all found to be associated with the development of severe IVH on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that rising uric acid levels predicted subsequent development of severe IVH. Other factors associated with development of severe IVH included higher sodium, higher potassium, higher PaCO2, higher lactic acid, and lower PaO2. CONCLUSION: Careful attention to uric acid levels, which are easily measured, may be useful in predicting subsequent development of severe IVH among VLBW infants.

Early Sodium and Fluid Intake and Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

Hypernatremic dehydration is an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage. A possible association of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) with hypernatremia and/or high sodium intake has been suggested in preterm infants. To investigate the associations of early fluid and sodium intake or serum sodium concentrations with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, we reviewed the medical records of 169 inborn ELBW infants. Daily fluid and sodium intake, urine output, weight loss and serum sodium concentration during the first 4 days of life were obtained. Patients were divided into the severe IVH (grade 3/4) and the control (no or grade 1/2 IVH) group. The maximum serum sodium concentration and the incidence of hypernatremia did not differ between the two groups. Related to the fluid balance and sodium intake, the risk for severe IVH was strongly associated with total fluid and sodium intake during the initial four days of life. With respect to the fluids other than transfusion, severe IVH can be discriminated only by sodium intake but not by fluid intake. Large randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the causal relationship between the early sodium intake and severe IVH in ELBW infants.

Early Sodium and Fluid Intake and Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

Hypernatremic dehydration is an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage. A possible association of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) with hypernatremia and/or high sodium intake has been suggested in preterm infants. To investigate the associations of early fluid and sodium intake or serum sodium concentrations with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, we reviewed the medical records of 169 inborn ELBW infants. Daily fluid and sodium intake, urine output, weight loss and serum sodium concentration during the first 4 days of life were obtained. Patients were divided into the severe IVH (grade 3/4) and the control (no or grade 1/2 IVH) group. The maximum serum sodium concentration and the incidence of hypernatremia did not differ between the two groups. Related to the fluid balance and sodium intake, the risk for severe IVH was strongly associated with total fluid and sodium intake during the initial four days of life. With respect to the fluids other than transfusion, severe IVH can be discriminated only by sodium intake but not by fluid intake. Large randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the causal relationship between the early sodium intake and severe IVH in ELBW infants.