Development and validation of a risk prediction model for low Apgar scores in extremely premature infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To establish a risk prediction model for the occurrence of low 1 min Apgar scores in extremely premature infants (EPIs).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2021, EPIs delivered at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed and randomly assigned into training set group and validation set group in a 7∶3 ratio. 17 clinical indicators were selected as predictive variables and low Apgar scores after birth as outcome variables. Lasso regression and multi-factor logistic regression were used within the training set group to select the final predictors for the final model, and the calibration, distinguishability and clinical decision making curves of the final model were evaluated in the validation set group.Results:A total of 169 EPIs were enrolled, including 117 in the training set group and 52 in the validation set group. 4 indicators including gender, fetal distress, assisted conception and delivery time were selected as the final predictors in the final model. Both the training set group and the validation set group had good calibration curves. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.731, the sensitivity was 72.2%, the specificity was 60.5% and the AUC of the external validation curve was 0.704. The clinical decision making curve showed that the model had a greater benefit in predicting the occurrence of low Apgar score in EPIs within the threshold of 2% to 75%.Conclusions:The clinical prediction model established in this study has good distinguishability, calibration and clinical accessibility and can be used as a reference tool to predict low Apgar scores in EPIs.

Early death, morbidity and pharmacotherapy in extremely premature and very premature in neonatal intensive care units / Morte precoce, morbidade e farmacoterapia em prematuros extremos e muito prematuros em unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the evolution of extremely preterm and very preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units, regarding the use of ventilatory support, morbidities, medication use, death, survival and viability. Methods: a non-concurrent cohort study, with 163 very premature and extreme newborns hospitalized in three neonatal intensive care units, during 2016 and 2017. A descriptive analysis of the data obtained from the medical records was performed. The outcomes studied were the use of ventilatory support, morbidities, medication use, death and causes of death. A survival curve was constructed and a viability limit was defined. Results: in the study, 28.2% were extreme and 71.8% were very premature. In this order of subgroups, the need for mechanical ventilation was higher for the extremes (65.2% and 41.0%) and the main diagnosis was early sepsis (78.6% and 82.6). Off-label (60.5% and 47.9%) and off-license (25.3% and 29.0%) medications were used. Most deaths (57.8%) occurred between the extremes, mainly due to septic shock. Survival was lower for the lowest gestational ages and the limit of viability was between 26 and 27 weeks. Conclusions: the main morbidities were from the respiratory system, with high use of off-label and unlicensed medications. Extremes had a greater demand for intensive care in addition to needing more drugs and progressing more to death.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a evolução dos prematuros extremos e muito prematuros internados em unidades de terapia intensiva neonatais, quanto ao uso de suporte ventilatório e de medicamentos, óbito, sobrevida e viabilidade. Métodos: estudo de coorte não concorrente, com 163 recém-nascidos muito prematuros e extremos internados em três unidades de terapia intensiva neonatais, durante 2016 e 2017. Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados obtidos dos prontuários. Os desfechos estudados foram o uso de suporte ventilatório, morbidades, uso de medicamentos, óbito e causas de óbito. Foi construída curva de sobrevivência e delimitado um limite de viabilidade. Resultados: no estudo, 28,2% eram extremos e 71,8% muito prematuros. Nessa ordem de subgrupos, a necessidade de ventilação mecânica foi maior para os extremos (65,2% e 41,0%) e o principal diagnóstico foi sepse precoce (78,6% e 82,6).Medicamentos off-label (60,5% e 47,9%) e sem-licença (25,3% e 29,0%) foramutilizados. A maioria dos óbitos (57,8%) ocorreu entre os extremos, principalmente por choque séptico. A sobrevivência foi menor para as menores idades gestacionais e o limite de viabilidade ficou entre 26 e 27 semanas. Conclusões: as principais morbidades foram do sistema respiratório, com alto uso de medicamentos off-label e sem licença. Extremos tiveram maior demanda de cuidados intensivos além de necessitarem de mais medicamentos e evoluírem mais ao óbito.

Administración de surfactante profiláctico por vía orofaríngea previo al pinzamiento de cordón umbilical en el recién nacido de muy bajo peso en la maternidad del Hospital Universitario / Prophylactic oropharyngeal surfactant administration before cord clamping in very low birth weight newborns at the University Children Hospital Maternity Department / Administração de surfactante profilático por via orofaríngea antes do clampeamento do cordão umbilical em recém-nascidos de baixo peso extremo na Maternidade do Hospital Pediátrico Universitário

Resumen: En la era de la búsqueda de estrategias ventilatorias mínimamente invasivas, la administración profiláctica de surfactante con técnicas sencillas, que no requieren elevada destreza y que pueden ser realizadas en ámbitos de baja complejidad, deben ser investigadas para potencialmente disminuir la morbilidad y mortalidad del pretérmino. Se reporta el uso de surfactante en la orofaringe de cuatro recién nacidos de muy bajo peso (promedio de peso de 1.236 g y 28 semanas de edad gestacional), y concomitante colocación de presión positiva continua por pieza nasal antes de la primera inspiración extrauterina manteniendo el cordón intacto. No se registraron efectos adversos y la aspiración gástrica posterior demostró que el surfactante fue inspirado a los pulmones del recién nacido. La administración de surfactante orofaríngeo es una técnica innovadora, segura, factible y reproducible. A la vez que minimizamos los riesgos de posible iatrogenia por la técnica utilizada, facilitamos una transición cardiovascular más estable, manteniendo la circulación fetoplacentaria.

Summary: In the era of minimally invasive ventilatory procedures, the prophylactic administration of surfactant using simple techniques that can be performed in low complexity settings, should be researched as a tool to potentially reduce preterm morbidity and mortality. We report the use of oropharyngeal surfactant in 4 very low birth weight newborns (average birth weight 1236g and 28 weeks of gestational age) and of continuous positive airway pressure before the first intrauterine inspiration and keeping an intact umbilical cord. No adverse effects happened, and the aspiration of gastric residual confirmed that surfactant had reached the lungs. The administration of oropharyngeal surfactant is an innovative, safe, feasible and reproducible technique. It minimizes the risks of possible iatrogenesis due to the technique used, and it also facilitates a more stable cardiovascular transition, maintaining the fetus' placental circulation.

Resumo: Na era da procura de técnicas ventilatórias minimamente invasivas, a administração profilática de surfactante utilizando técnicas simples, que não requerem muita destreza e que pode ser realizada em contextos de baixa complexidade, deve ser pesquisada para reduzir potencialmente a morbidade e mortalidade dos pré-termos. Reportamos o uso de surfactante na orofaringe em 4 recém-nascidos com baixo peso ao nascimento (peso médio de 1,236 g e 28 semanas de idade gestacional), e colocação concomitante de pressão positiva contínua por adaptador nasal, antes da primeira inspiração extrauterina e mantendo o cordão umbilical intacto. Não houve efeitos adversos e o aspirado gástrico subsequente mostrou que o surfactante foi inspirado e observado nos pulmões dos recém-nascidos. O surfactante de administração orofaríngea é uma técnica inovadora, segura, viável e reprodutível. Minimiza os riscos iatrogênicos eventuais devido à técnica utilizada, à vez que proporciona uma transição cardiovascular mais estável porque mantém a circulação da placenta fetal.

Developmental status and prospect of artificial placenta / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Extremely premature infants (EPI),especially those under 25 weeks of gestational age,are difficult to manage clinically and have high mortality and disability rates.It is difficult to solve the bottleneck problem fundamentally in the treatment of EPI.Artificial placenta is a fascinating alternative therapy for neonatal lung failure and is expected to maintain the normal development of EPI after delivery.This article briefly introduces the research history,current situation,difficulties to be overcome and future prospects of artificial placenta.

Clinical characteristics of extremely premature infants at low risk for early-onset sepsis / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore and analyze the clinical characteristics of extremely premature infants at low risk for early-onset sepsis (EOS) , so as to avoid overuse of antibiotics. Method The clinical data of extremely premature infants hospitalized from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017 were collected. Extremely premature infants born from mothers without premature rupture of membranes and without maternal clinical manifestations of chorioamnionitis during pregnancy were classified assigned into the low-risk group, and those who did not meet the low-risk conditions were regarded assigned intoas the control group. EOS was diagnosed according to the results of blood culture within 72 hours after birth. The clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of extremely premature infants between the two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 245 extremely preterm infants were enrolled, including 153 (62.4％) in low-risk group. Compared with the control group, mothers in low-risk group had higher rates of gestational diabetes and hypertension, higher rates of antenatal hormone use and lower rates of antenatal antibiotics use; furthermore, neonates in low-risk group had lower rates of Apgar score ＜ 5, higher rates of pulmonary surfactant use, respiratory support and mechanical ventilation, and lower risk of death and incidence of early-onset sepsis. The differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05) . Among In extremely premature infants whose having survival time＞ 24 hours, compared with control group, infants in low-risk group had higher incidences of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, intracranial hemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and lower incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage than control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05) . In low-risk group, the risks of death, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage and bronchopulmonary hemorrhage in long-term antibiotic group were higher than the short-term antibiotic group. Conclusion Early identification of extremely preterm infants at low risk of early-onset sepsis in extremely preterm infants is of clinical significance in reducing early empirical use of antibiotics therapy.

Developmental status and prospect of artificial placenta / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Extremely premature infants(EPI), especially those under 25 weeks of gestational age, are difficult to manage clinically and have high mortality and disability rates.It is difficult to solve the bottleneck problem fundamentally in the treatment of EPI.Artificial placenta is a fascinating alternative therapy for neonatal lung failure and is expected to maintain the normal development of EPI after delivery.This article briefly introduces the research history, current situation, difficulties to be overcome and future prospects of artificial placenta.

Initiation of resuscitation in the delivery room for extremely preterm infants: a profile of neonatal resuscitation instructors

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to examine the decisions of pediatricians who teach neonatal resuscitation in Brazil, particularly those who start resuscitation in the delivery room for newborns born at 23-26 gestational weeks. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study that used electronic questionnaires (Dec/11-Sep/13) sent to instructors of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics. The primary outcome was the gestational age at which the respondent said that he/she would initiate positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room. Latent class analysis was used to identify the major profiles of these instructors, and logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with belonging to one of the derived classes. RESULTS: Of 685 instructors, 82% agreed to participate. Two latent classes were identified: ‘pro-resuscitation’ (instructors with a high probability of performing ventilation on infants born at 23-26 weeks) and ‘pro-limitation’ (instructors with a high probability of starting ventilation only for infants born at 25-26 weeks). In the multivariate model, compared with the ‘pro-limitation’ class, ‘pro-resuscitation’ pediatricians were more likely to be board-certified neonatologists and less likely to base their decision on the probability of the infant’s death or on moral/religious considerations. CONCLUSION: The pediatricians in the most aggressive group were more likely to be specialists in neonatology and to use less subjective criteria to make delivery room decisions.

Outcome and influencing factors of 103 cases of extremely premature infant and extremely low birth weight infants / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To summarize the causes,related factors and outcome of extremely premature infants and extremely low birth weight infants.Methods One hundred and three cases of extremely premature infants and extremely low birth weight infants were admired to First Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University between January 2009 and December 2015.The study was performed to analyze the clinical data of the 103 cases,included history of pregnancy,birth situation,treatment and prognosis.Results In these 103 cases,67 infants survived,36 infants died.The survival rate was 65.0％ (67/103).The extremely premature infants and extremely low birth weight infants were mainly associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension,infection,premature rupture of membranes.Factors that could affect the outcome of these cases included gestational age,sex,birth weight,pulmonary hemorrhage,bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis(P ＜0.05).The survival infants with long-term hospitalization often complicated with anemia.The top four causes of the death mostly were pulmonary hemorrhage,pneumonia,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,and necrotizing enterocolitis.Conclusion In order to reduce the incidence of extremely premature infants and extremely low birth weight infants,improve the survival rate and infants quality of life,we should monitor the high-risk pregnant women closely during pregnancy period,prevent and treat all kinds of complications and prevent the occurrence of nosocomial infection.

Multiple Intussusceptions in an Extremely Premature Infant / 대한주산의학회잡지

Intussusception in premature infants is very rare. Here, we report a case of multiple intussusceptions in an extremely preterm infant, born at 23+1 weeks gestation, who underwent an explolaparotomy, for bowel perforation and misdiagnosed necrotizing enterocolitis, at 20 days of life. To our knowledge, this is the most prematurely born baby that has survived with multiple intussusceptions.