Complete blood count and C-reactive protein to predict positive blood culture among neonates using machine learning algorithms

Abstract Purpose: The authors aimed to develop a Machine-Learning (ML) algorithm that can predict positive blood culture in the neonatal intensive care unit, using complete blood count and C-reactive protein values. Methods: The study was based on patients' electronic health records at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in São Paulo, Brazil. All blood cultures that had paired complete blood count and C-reactive protein measurements taken at the same time were included. To evaluate the machine learning model's performance, the authors used accuracy, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC), recall, precision, and F1-score. Results: The dataset included 1181 blood cultures with paired complete blood count plus c-reactive protein and 1911 blood cultures with paired complete blood count only. The f1-score ranged from 0.14 to 0.43, recall ranged from 0.08 to 0.59, precision ranged from 0.29 to 1.00, and accuracy ranged from 0.688 to 0.864. Conclusion: Complete blood count parameters and C-reactive protein levels cannot be used in ML models to predict bacteremia in newborns.

Factors associated with cholestasis in newborns with gastroschisis / Fatores associados à colestase em recém-nascidos com gastrosquise

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the incidence and to analyze risk factors associated with cholestasis in neonates with gastroschisis. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary single center analyzing 181 newborns with gastroschisis between 2009 and 2020. The following risk factors associated with cholestasis were analyzed: gestational age, birth weight, type of gastroschisis, silo closure or immediate closure, days of parenteral nutrition, type of lipid emulsion, days of fasting, days to reach a full diet, days with central venous catheter, presence of infections, and outcomes. Results: Among the 176 patients evaluated, 41 (23.3%) evolved with cholestasis. In the univariate analysis, low birth weight (p=0.023), prematurity (p<0.001), lipid emulsion with medium-chain triglycerides and long-chain triglycerides (p=0.001) and death (p<0.001) were associated with cholestasis. In the multivariate analysis, patients who received lipid emulsion with fish oil instead of medium chain triglycerides/long chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) emulsion had a lower risk of cholestasis. Conclusions: Our study shows that lipid emulsion with fish oil is associated with a lower risk of cholestasis in neonates with gastroschisis. However, this is a retrospective study and a prospective study should be performed to confirm the results.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a incidência e os fatores de risco associados à colestase em recém-nascidos com gastrosquise. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo em um único centro terciário, que analisou 181 recém-nascidos com gastrosquise entre 2009 e 2020. Foram examinados os seguintes fatores de risco associados à colestase: idade gestacional, peso ao nascer, tipo de gastrosquise, fechamento com silo ou fechamento imediato, dias de uso nutrição parenteral, tipo de emulsão lipídica, dias de jejum, dias para atingir a dieta completa, dias com cateter venoso central, presença de infecções e desfechos. Resultados: Dos 176 pacientes avaliados, 41 (23,3%) evoluíram com colestase. Baixo peso ao nascer (p=0,023), prematuridade (p<0,001), emulsão lipídica com triglicerídeos de cadeia média e triglicerídeos de cadeia longa (p=0,001) e óbito (p<0,001) foram associados à colestase. Na análise multivariada, os pacientes que receberam emulsão lipídica com óleo de peixe em vez da emulsão diária de triglicérides de cadeia média/triglicérides de cadeia longa (MCT/LCT) apresentaram menor risco de colestase. Conclusões: Nosso estudo mostra que a emulsão lipídica com óleo de peixe está associada a menor risco de colestase em neonatos com gastrosquise, porém este é um estudo retrospectivo, e um estudo prospectivo deve ser realizado para confirmar os resultados.

Gastroschisis and late-onset neonatal sepsis in a tertiary referral center in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Objectives: To analyze late-onset sepsis and to describe the etiological agents in newborns with gastroschisis. Methods: A retrospective cohort, including newborns with gastroschisis whose admissions occurred in the period between January 2012 to December 2018 in a tertiary referral center. Maternal and newborn characteristics, surgical procedures and evolution in hospitalization were verified. A bivariate analysis was performed with patients with proven late-onset neonatal sepsis and according to the simple or complex gastroschisis category, the prevalent microorganisms in positive cultures were identified, statistical tests were carried out and the significance level adopted was p < 0,05. Results are presented in proportions, averages and standard deviation or medians. The level of significance adopted was p < 0.05. Results: 101 newborns were analyzed, 45 (44.5%) were confirmed late-onset sepsis. The median birth weight was 2285+498 grams, and the gestational age was 35.9 +1.74weeks. The incidence of complex gastroschisis was 17.8%, the hospitalization time was 48.2+29.67 days and mortality was 9.9%. The newborns were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: late-onset sepsis (44.6%), and Group 2: no late-onset sepsis. The presence of complex gastroschisis was a factor associated with infection (p < 0.009). Fasting time (p < 0.001), parenteral nutrition time (p < 0.001), time to achieve full diet (p < 0.001), and hospitalization stay (p < 0.001) were higher in group 2. Gram-positive were the most frequent (51.1%), followed by Gram-negative (20%), and fungi (4.4%). Conclusions: Newborns with gastroschisis have a higher risk of evolving with late-onset sepsis, despite this study did not calculate the risk of sepsis statistically, and the main germs detected by cultures were gram-positive bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus epidermidis.