Longitudinal study on catch-up growth in preterm infants with small for gestational age at corrected ages 0-24 months / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To understand the growth and development status and differences between small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants during corrected ages 0-24 months, and to provide a basis for early health interventions for preterm infants.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted, selecting 824 preterm infants who received regular health care at the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2019 to July 2022, including 144 SGA and 680 AGA infants. The growth data of SGA and AGA groups at birth and corrected ages 0-24 months were analyzed and compared.@*RESULTS@#The SGA group had significantly lower weight and length than the AGA group at corrected ages 0-18 months (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two groups at corrected age 24 months (P>0.05). At corrected age 24 months, 85% (34/40) of SGA and 79% (74/94) of AGA preterm infants achieved catch-up growth. Stratified analysis by gestational age showed that there were significant differences in weight and length at corrected ages 0-9 months between the SGA subgroup with gestational age <34 weeks and the AGA subgroups with gestational age <34 weeks and 34 weeks (P<0.05). In addition, the weight and length of the SGA subgroup with gestational age 34 weeks showed significant differences compared to the AGA subgroups with gestational age <34 weeks and 34 weeks at corrected ages 0-18 months and corrected ages 0-12 months, respectively (P<0.05). Catch-up growth for SGA infants with gestational age <34 weeks and 34 weeks mainly occurred at corrected ages 0-12 months and corrected ages 0-18 months, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#SGA infants exhibit delayed early-life physical growth compared to AGA infants, but can achieve a higher proportion of catch-up growth by corrected age 24 months than AGA infants. Catch-up growth can be achieved earlier in SGA infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks compared to those with 34 weeks.

Management of lung diseases under ultrasound monitoring: potential to make bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants as an avoidable disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Despite significant progress in the understanding of its etiology, mechanisms, prevention, and treatment, the prognosis remains poor. BPD not only has a high mortality rate but also causes persistent respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular impairments in survivors. The author's team has successfully prevented the occurrence of BPD by managing neonatal lung diseases under lung ultrasound monitoring for nearly 7 years, opening up a new approach in BPD prevention. This article provides a brief overview of the approach, aiming to facilitate further research and provide more scientifically sound management strategies to prevent or minimize the occurrence of BPD.

Elaboración e implementación de un protocolo para la Hora Dorada de recién nacidos prematuros utilizando ciencia de la implementación / Elaboration and implementation of a protocol for the Golden Hour of premature newborns using an Implementation Science lens / Elaboração e implementação de protocolo para Hora Ouro do recém-nascido prematuro utilizando ciência da implementação

Objetivo: describir el proceso de diseño e implementación de un protocolo de atención para la primera hora de vida del recién nacido prematuro. Método: investigación participativa, que utilizó el marco de la ciencia de la implementación y los dominios del Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Estudio realizado en un hospital escuela del sureste de Brasil, con la participación del equipo multidisciplinario y de los gestores. El estudio se organizó en seis etapas, mediante del ciclo de mejora continua (Plan, Do, Check, Act): diagnóstico situacional; elaboración del protocolo; capacitaciones; implementación del protocolo; relevamiento de barreras y facilitadores; seguimiento y revisión del protocolo. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva y análisis de contenido. Resultados: el primer protocolo de la Hora Dorada de la institución fue organizado por el equipo multidisciplinario a partir de un enfoque colectivo y dialógico. El protocolo priorizó la estabilidad cardiorrespiratoria, la prevención de hipotermia, hipoglucemia e infección. Después de cuatro meses de capacitación e implementación, el protocolo fue evaluado como una intervención de calidad, necesaria para el servicio, de bajo costo y de poca complejidad. La principal sugerencia de mejora fue realizar actividades educativas frecuentes. Conclusión: la implementación generó cambios e inició un proceso de mejora de la calidad de la atención neonatal, es necesario que la capacitación sea continua para lograr mayor adherencia y mejores resultados.

Objective: describe the process of designing and implementing a care protocol for the first hour of life of premature newborns. Method: a participatory research study using an implementation science framework, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was employed to determine drivers and facilitators of implementation success of the Golden Hour protocol for newborns at a large university hospital in southeastern Brazil. A multi-professional team, including first line providers and managers participated in six stages of quality improvement: situational diagnosis; protocol elaboration; training protocol implementation; barrier and facilitator assessment; and protocol monitoring and review. Qualitative and monitoring data collected across these six stages were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: the institution's Golden Hour protocol was organized by the multi-professional team based on a collective and dialogical approach. The protocol prioritized the infant's cardiopulmonary stability, as well as prevention of hypothermia, hypoglycemia and infection. After four months of implementation, the care team was evaluated the protocol as a good quality intervention, necessary for the service, low-cost and not very complex. One suggested improvement recommended was to carry out refresher training to address staff turnover. Conclusion: implementation of the Golden Hour protocol introduced an appropriate and feasible neonatal care quality improvement process, which requires periodic refresher training to ensure greater adherence and better neonatal results.

Objetivo: descrever o processo de elaboração e implementação de protocolo assistencial para a primeira hora de vida do recém-nascido prematuro. Método: pesquisa participativa, que utilizou referencial da ciência da implementação e os domínios do Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Estudo realizado em hospital universitário no sudeste do Brasil, com participação da equipe multiprofissional e gestores. O estudo foi organizado em seis etapas, por meio do ciclo de melhoria contínua (Plan, Do, Check, Act): diagnóstico situacional; elaboração do protocolo; treinamentos; implementação do protocolo; levantamento de barreiras e facilitadores; monitoramento e revisão do protocolo. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e análise de conteúdo. Resultados: o primeiro protocolo Hora Ouro da instituição foi organizado pela equipe multiprofissional a partir de uma abordagem coletiva e dialógica. O protocolo priorizou a estabilidade cardiorrespiratória, prevenção de hipotermia, de hipoglicemia e de infecção. Após treinamento e implementação por quatro meses, o protocolo foi avaliado como uma intervenção de qualidade, necessária ao serviço, de baixo custo e pouco complexa. A principal sugestão de melhoria foi realizar ações educativas frequentes. Conclusão: a implementação provocou mudanças e iniciou um processo de melhoria da qualidade da assistência neonatal, sendo necessária a manutenção dos treinamentos para maior adesão e melhores resultados.

Demographics and Clinical Patterns of Retinopathy of Prematurity at the University of Teaching Hospitals, Women and Newborn Hospital

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of the developing retina of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. It is an important cause of childhood blindness and is listed as one of the causes of avoidable blindness in the vision 2020 - “The Right to Sight” Programme.ROP is more prevalent in highly developed countries where neonatal services’ availability, access and outcomes are good. The survival rates of Very low Birth Weight (VLBW) infant and low gestational age (GA) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Women and Newborn Hospital (WNH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has improved.Aims: To estimate the prevalence of ROP at UTH, WNH, NICU.Study Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study.Place and Duration: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Women and Newborn hospital at the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, Zambia between November 2021 to April 2022.Methodology: We included 110 (54.5% males and 45.5% females) infants either born at <32 weeks GA or weighed <1500g. Dilated fundus examinations were done at 4 to 6 weeks chronological age or 31 to 33 weeks GA. Medical records were reviewed to identify associated factors.Results: Mean gestational age at birth was 30.6±2 weeks ranging from 27 to 34 weeks, mean birth weight was 1422.7±334.3 g ranging from 900g to 2200 g, mean Apgar score at 1 minute was 7±1.3, at 5 minutes the mean was 7.8±0.9, and at 10 minutes the mean was 8.4±0.7. Twenty-six (23.6%) were products of multiple gestations. Hyaline membrane disease was observed in 14 (12.7%), neonatal sepsis in 48 (43.6%), necrotising enterocolitis in 6 (5.5%), patent ductus arteriosus in one (0.9%), and hyperglycaemia in 56 (50.9%) cases.Conclusion: Our study found no participant with retinopathy of prematurity at UTH NICU. Further, the study could not make associations between suggested risk factors to the development of ROP. However, being a novel study on this topic in the country, it highlights the importance of setting up screening protocols and their attendant equipment in Special Care Baby Units at UTH and improving neonatal care services.

Clinical significance of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients for late preterm and full-term infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical significance of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients (P A-aO 2) for late preterm and full-term infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods:From January 2020 to June 2022, infants (gestational age ≥34 weeks) diagnosed with ARDS were admitted to the Neonatology Department of our hospital. The infants were assigned into the invasive group and the non-invasive group according to the ventilation mode. The infants with the same gestational age and diagnosed with neonatal wet lung were assigned into the control group. P A-aO 2 levels within 1 h after birth were compared among the three groups. The correlation of P A-aO 2 with ARDS, ventilation mode and duration were studied. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the predictive value of P A-aO 2 within 1 h after birth for ARDS and the need of invasive ventilation. Results:A total of 36 cases were enrolled in the invasive group, 19 cases in the non-invasive group and 50 cases in the control group. Within 1 h after birth, P A-aO 2 in the invasive group was significantly higher than the non-invasive group and the control group ( P<0.05), and the non-invasive group higher than the control group ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that P A-aO 2 within 1 h after birth in the invasive group was positively correlated with the duration of invasive ventilation and total mechanical ventilation ( r=0.601, P<0.001; r=0.504, P=0.002); P A-aO 2 before successful withdrawal of invasive ventilation was not correlated with subsequent non-invasive ventilation duration; and no correlation existed between P A-aO 2 within 1 h after birth and the duration of non-invasive ventilation in the non-invasive group. The area under the ROC curve for P A-aO 2 within 1 h after birth to predict ARDS was 0.875, with a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 72.0% at a cutoff value of 50.0 mmHg. The area under the ROC curve for predicting the need for invasive ventilation in infants with ARDS was 0.851, with a sensitivity of 80.0% at a cutoff value of 73.3 mmHg and a specificity of 75.0%. Conclusions:Late preterm and full-term infants have a higher risk of ARDS at P A-aO 2>50.0 mmHg within 1 h after birth. Infants with ARDS are more likely to require invasive ventilation if P A-aO 2>73.3 mmHg. The higher the level of P A-aO 2, the longer the duration of invasive ventilation and total duration of mechanical ventilation.

Risk factors of hypoglycemia in late preterm infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the risk factors of hypoglycemia in late preterm infants.Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, late premature infants admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively studied. The infants with hypoglycemia were assigned into the hypoglycemia group and infants with same gestational age and normoglycemia were assigned into the control group in a 1∶1 ratio. The perinatal and maternal data of the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of hypoglycemia in late premature infants.Results:A total of 366 cases each were included in the hypoglycemia group and the control group. No significant difference existed in birth weight between the two groups ( P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that antenatal corticosteroid ( OR=1.567, 95% CI 1.127-2.180), cesarean section ( OR=2.013, 95% CI 1.376-2.944), twin birth ( OR=2.241, 95% CI 1.479-3.396) and infant of a diabetic mother ( OR=1.635, 95% CI 1.131-2.365) were the risk factors of hypoglycemia in late preterm infants ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Antenatal corticosteroid, cesarean section, twin birth and infant of a diabetic mother are independent risk factors for hypoglycemia in late preterm infants.

The survival, complications and prognosis of the extremely preterm infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To study the complications and prognosis of extremely premature infants(EPIs) with gestational age (GA) <28 w.Methods:From January 2016 to December 2020, EPIs with GA <28 w admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively studied. Clinical data of the infants and their mothers during pregnancy were reviewed. According to the prognosis, the infants were assigned into the survival group, the death group and the withdrawal group. According to GA, the infants were assigned into <26 w goup, 26~26 +6 w group, ≥27 w group. According to birth weight (BW), the infants were assigned in to ≤750 g group, 750~999 g group and ≥1 000 g group. SPSS 26.0 was used for data analysis. Results:A total of 265 EPIs were included, 122 (46.0%) in the survival group, 47 (17.7%) in the death group and 96 (36.2%) in the withdrawal group. GA and BW of the survival group were significantly higher than the death group and the withdrawal group ( P<0.05). The incidences of tracheal intubation (92.2%) and pulmonary hemorrhage (42.2%) in the death group were the highest among the three groups. The survival group had the highest application of prenatal glucocorticoids (80.3%) and pulmonary surfactants (99.2%) ( P<0.05). In the survival group, the top 3 common complications were bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (68.0%), pulmonary infections (65.6%) and neonatal sepsis (34.4%). The survival rate increased with GA and BW. Conclusions:The survival rate of EPIs is closely correlated with GA and BW. EPIs with pulmonary hemorrhage and tracheal intubation have poor prognosis. Prenatal glucocorticoids and pulmonary surfactant may improve clinical outcome. BPD and pulmonary infections are common complications of surviving EPIs.

The effects of quality improvement program on the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effects of quality improvement (QI) program on the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants (VPIs) [gestational age (GA)<32 weeks].Methods:From July to December 2017,VPIs admitted to the Department of Neonatology of Yancheng Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital were retrospectively enrolled and were assigned into pre-quality improvement program group (Pre-QI group).From July to December 2018, VPIs were assigned into post-quality improvement program group (Post-QI group). QI program included delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC), early postnatal nasal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (nCPAP) and minimally invasive pulmonary surfactant therapy (MIST). The clinical data and prognostic indicators of the two groups of VPIs and their mothers were compared. Independent sample t-test or continuity-adjusted Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) and Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 204 VPIs were enrolled, including 96 cases in Pre-QI group and 108 cases in Post-QI group. 1 min Apgar score and hematocrit on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Post-QI group were significantly higher than the Pre-QI group( P<0.05). The incidence of delivery room resuscitation, endotracheal intubation at birth and endotracheal intubation in NICU in the Post-QI group were significantly lower than the Pre-QI group( P<0.05). The application of pulmonary surfactant and mechanical ventilation, the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and BPD in the Post-QI group were lower than the Pre-QI group ( P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, Logistic regression analysis showed that DCC ( aOR=0.261,95% CI 0.091~0.718, P=0.023), nCPAP ( aOR=0.284,95% CI 0.123~0.667, P=0.015), MIST ( aOR=0.276,95% CI 0.114~0.627, P=0.011) were protective factors of BPD, and MV ( aOR=2.023,95% CI 1.048~3.918, P=0.036) was risk factor of BPD. Conclusions:The QI program consisting of DCC, early nCPAP and MIST for VPIs can reduce the incidence of BPD.

Predictive value of serum thrombospondin-1 and transforming growth factor-β1 levels in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To study the early predictive values of serum thrombospondin-1(TSP-1)and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in preterm infants.Methods:From September 2020 to April 2022, preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks and ≥28 weeks as well as birth weight<1 500 g admitted to neonatal intensive care unit within 2 hours after birth were enrolled in the study.The dynamic changes of serum TSP-1 and TGF-β1 levels in preterm infants were observed on 1st, 7th, 14th, and 28th day after birth.Preterm infants were divided into BPD group and non-BPD group according to the diagnostic criteria of BPD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve and area under curve(AUC)was used to analyze the predictive value of serum TSP-1 and TGF-β1 for preterm infants with BPD.Results:According to the diagnostic criteria of BPD, 38 cases were in the BPD group and 52 cases in the non-BPD group.There was no significant difference in gestational age, birth weight and gender between the two groups( P>0.05). The levels of TSP-1 and TGF-β1 in the serum of BPD group were gradually increased, which were significantly higher than those of non-BPD group on the 1st, 7th, 14th, and 28th day( P<0.001). ROC results showed that AUC of TSP-1, TGF-β1 and their combination for predicting BPD were 0.889(95% CI 0.819~0.959), 0.826(95% CI 0.743~0.910), and 0.923(95% CI 0.870~0.976), respectively.The sensitivity were 86.80%, 86.70%, 89.50%, and the specificity were 86.50%, 73.10%, 80.80%, respectively.Cutoff values of TSP-1 and TGF-β1 for predicting BPD were 44.50 μg/L and 6.13 μg/L, respectively. Conclusion:Combined detection of serum TSP-1 and TGF-β1 on the first day after birth has an early predictive value for BPD in preterm infants.

Research progress on probiotics and short-term clinical outcomes in extremely premature infants / 中国小儿急救医学

The extremely premature infants have different degrees of immature organ development, abnormal intestinal flora establishment and low immune function, and are prone to necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis and other complications.Probiotics can improve intestinal flora, and regulate cell metabolic activity and immune function.Probiotics can be used to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis, and late-onset sepsis and so on.However, the possible harm of probiotics to extremely premature infants should not be ignored.This review summarized the effects of probiotics on extremely premature infants.

Test of Infant Motor Performance in the developmental assessment of preterm infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To assess the characteristics and correlation of motor development in preterm infants of different gestational weeks by using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) method, and to develop better individualized early interventions based on TIMP test results.Methods:A prospective study involving 43 full-term healthy infants and 77 preterm followed up in 3201 Hospital from June 2019 to July 2021 was conducted.Preterm infants were divided into the early preterm group (39 cases) and late preterm group (38 cases) according to their gestational age at birth.TIMP assessment was performed at the gestational age of 40 weeks and the corrected age of 16 weeks after birth.Similarly, the full-term healthy infants were assessed by TIMP at the postnatal age of 16 weeks.The differences between groups were investigated using ANOVA or Mann- Whitney rank sum test.Correlations were analyzed by the Pearson correlation method. Results:There were no significant difference in TIMP scores between early and late preterm infants at the gestational age of 40 weeks [(65.74±6.52) scores vs.(66.96±8.51) scores] and the corrected age of 16 weeks [(101±10) scores vs.(104±8) scores] (all P>0.05). TIMP scores in the full-term healthy group at the corrected age of 16 weeks [(108±10) scores] differed significantly from those of early and late preterm infants ( P<0.05). Compared with full-term infants, early and late preterm infants had lower TIMP scores in observation, supine position, and supine turning (all P<0.05), but a higher TIMP score in standing position ( P<0.05). For both early and late preterm infants, TIMP scores at the gestational age of 40 weeks were significantly positively correlated with those at the corrected age of 16 weeks ( r=0.565, 0.302, all P<0.01). Conclusions:There were significant differences in motor development between preterm infants of different gestational ages and term infants, which had guiding significance for early intervention.English version TIMP could play a positive role in promoting individualized follow-up and early intervention of preterm infants in China.

Association between early parenteral nutrition and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the relationship between early parenteral nutrient intake and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks who could not receive enteral nutrition within one week after birth.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted on preterm infants born between October 2017 and August 2022 with gestational age less than 32 weeks who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Children's Hospital of Soochow University within 24 hours after birth and relied solely on parenteral nutrition within the first week of life. The study population included 79 infants with BPD and 73 infants without BPD. Clinical data during hospitalization were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The proportions of infants with weight loss of more than 10% after birth, extrauterine growth retardation, and parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in the BPD group were higher than in the non-BPD group (P<0.05). The time to regain birth weight, time to achieve full enteral feeding, and corrected gestational age at discharge were longer in the BPD group than in the non-BPD group. The Z-scores of physical growth at corrected gestational age of 36 weeks were lower in the BPD group than in the non-BPD group (P<0.05). The BPD group had a higher fluid intake and a lower calories intake in the first week than the non-BPD group (P<0.05). The starting dose and total amount of amino acids, glucose, and lipids in the first week were lower in the BPD group than in the non-BPD group (P<0.05). The BPD group had a higher glucose-to-lipid ratio on the third day and higher energy-to-nitrogen and glucose-to-lipid ratios on the seventh day after birth than the non-BPD group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Preterm infants with BPD had lower intake of amino acids and lipids and a lower proportion of calories provided by amino acids and lipids in the first week of life, which suggests an association between early parenteral nutrition intake and the development of BPD.

Efficacy of noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation versus nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation as post-extubation respiratory support in preterm infants: a Meta analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) versus nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) as post-extubation respiratory support in preterm infants.@*METHODS@#China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles on NHFOV and NIPPV as post-extubation respiratory support in preterm infants published up to August 31, 2022. RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 17.0 software were used for a Meta analysis to compare related indices between the NHFOV and NIPPV groups, including reintubation rate within 72 hours after extubation, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) at 6-24 hours after switch to noninvasive assisted ventilation, and the incidence rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), air leak, nasal damage, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).@*RESULTS@#A total of 9 randomized controlled trials were included. The Meta analysis showed that compared with the NIPPV group, the NHFOV group had significantly lower reintubation rate within 72 hours after extubation (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.52-0.88, P=0.003) and PCO2 at 6-24 hours after switch to noninvasive assisted ventilation (MD=-4.12, 95%CI: -6.12 to -2.13, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence rates of complications such as BPD, air leak, nasal damage, PVL, IVH, and ROP (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compared with NIPPV, NHFOV can effectively remove CO2 and reduce the risk of reintubation, without increasing the incidence of complications such as BPD, air leak, nasal damage, PVL, and IVH, and therefore, it can be used as a sequential respiratory support mode for preterm infants after extubation.

Changes and significance of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and their related factors in bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the changes and significance of type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-25 (IL-25), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in peripheral blood of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).@*METHODS@#A total of 76 preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a length of hospital stay of ≥14 days who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from September 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled. According to the diagnostic criteria for BPD, they were divided into a BPD group with 30 infants and a non-BPD group with 46 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of the percentage of ILC2 and the levels of IL-33, IL-25, TSLP, IL-5, and IL-13 in peripheral blood on days 1, 7, and 14 after birth.@*RESULTS@#The BPD group had significantly lower birth weight and gestational age than the non-BPD group (P<0.05). On days 7 and 14 after birth, the BPD group had significantly higher levels of ILC2, IL-33, TSLP, and IL-5 than the non-BPD group (P<0.05), and these indices had an area under the curve of >0.7 in predicting the devolpment of BPD (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight, peripheral blood IL-33, TSLP and IL-5 on days 7 and 14 after birth were closely related to the devolpment of BPD (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early innate immune activation and upregulated expression of related factors may be observed in preterm infants with BPD. ILC2, IL-33, TSLP, and IL-5 may be used as biological indicators for early diagnosis of BPD.

Blood metabolites in preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity based on tandem mass spectrometry: a preliminary study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by analyzing the differences in blood metabolites based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and metabolomics.@*METHODS@#Dried blood spots were collected from 21 infants with ROP (ROP group) and 21 infants without ROP (non-ROP group) who were hospitalized in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2013 to December 2016. LC-MS/MS was used to measure the metabolites, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis was used to search for differentially expressed metabolites and biomarkers.@*RESULTS@#There was a significant difference in blood metabolic profiles between the ROP and non-ROP groups. The pattern recognition analysis, Score-plot, and weight analysis obtained 10 amino acids with a relatively large difference. Further statistical analysis showed that the ROP group had significant increases in blood levels of glutamic acid, leucine, aspartic acid, ornithine, and glycine compared with the non-ROP group (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that glutamic acid and ornithine had the highest value in diagnosing ROP.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Blood metabolites in preterm infants with ROP are different from those without ROP. Glutamic acid and ornithine are the metabolic markers for diagnosing ROP. LC-MS/MS combined with metabolomics analysis has a potential application value in the early identification and diagnosis of ROP.

Influence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia on cerebral blood flow in preterm infants: a prospective study based on arterial spin labeling / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate local cerebral blood perfusion in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) values of arterial spin labeling (ASL).@*METHODS@#A prospective study was conducted on 90 preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g who were born in the Department of Obstetrics and admitted to the Department of Neonatology in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to June 2022. All of the infants underwent cranial MRI and ASL at the corrected gestational age of 35-40 weeks. According to the presence or absence of BPD, they were divided into a BPD group with 45 infants and a non-BPD group with 45 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of the CBF values of the same regions of interest (frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, thalamus, and basal ganglia) on ASL image.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the non-BPD group, the BPD group had a significantly lower 1-minute Apgar score, a significantly longer duration of assisted ventilation, and a significantly higher incidence rate of fetal distress (P<0.05). After control for the confounding factors such as corrected age and age at the time of cranial MRI by multiple linear regression analysis, compared with the non-BPD group, the BPD group still had higher CBF values of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, basal ganglia, and thalamus at both sides (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#BPD can increase cerebral blood perfusion in preterm infants, which might be associated with hypoxia and a long duration of assisted ventilation in the early stage.

Physical growth and neurodevelopment of preterm infants at the corrected age of 18-24 months / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the levels of physical growth and neurodevelopment in preterm infants at the corrected age of 18-24 months.@*METHODS@#The physical growth data and neurodevelopment data of 484 preterm infants at corrected age of 18-24 months were prospectively collected by a post-discharge follow-up system for preterm infants. The infants were regularly followed up in Shenzhen Bao'an Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from April 2018 to December 2021. The neurodevelopment was evaluated by the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016. A total of 219 full-term infants served as controls. The infants were divided into groups (extremely preterm, very preterm, moderate late preterm, and full-term) based on gestational age, and the groups were compared in the levels of physical growth and neurodevelopment.@*RESULTS@#Except that the moderate preterm group had a higher length-for-age Z-score than the full-term group (P=0.038), there was no significant difference in physical growth indicators between the preterm groups and the full-term group (P>0.05). Each preterm group had a significantly lower total developmental quotient (DQ) than the full-term group (P<0.05). Except for the social behavior domain, the DQ of other domains in the extremely preterm and very preterm groups was significantly lower than that in the full-term group (P<0.05). The <32 weeks preterm group had a significantly higher incidence rate of global developmental delay than the full-term group (16.7% vs 6.4%, P=0.012), and the incidence rate of global developmental delay tended to increase with the reduction in gestational age (P=0.026).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Preterm infants can catch up with full-term infants in terms of physical growth at the corrected age of 18-24 months, but with a lower neurodevelopmental level than full-term infants. Neurodevelopment monitoring and early intervention should be taken seriously for preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks.

Alterations in the intestinal microbiota of preterm infants with neurodevelopmental impairments: a prospective cohort study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the difference in intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and those without NDI.@*METHODS@#In this prospective cohort study, the preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from September 1, 2019 to September 30, 2021 were enrolled as subjects. According to the assessment results of Gesell Developmental Scale at the corrected gestational age of 1.5-2 years, they were divided into two groups: normal (n=115) and NDI (n=100). Fecal samples were collected one day before discharge, one day before introducing solid food, and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the composition of intestinal microbiota between groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher Shannon diversity index at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). The principal coordinate analysis showed a significant difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota between the two groups one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher abundance of Bifidobacterium in the intestine at all three time points, a significantly higher abundance of Enterococcus one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year, and a significantly lower abundance of Akkermansia one day before introducing solid food (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are significant differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with NDI and those without NDI. This study enriches the data on the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants with NDI and provides reference for the microbiota therapy and intervention for NDI in preterm infants.

Value of the combined use of aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and total bile acid for predicting parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the value of the combined use of aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and total bile acid (TBA) for predicting parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on medical data of 270 preterm infants born at <34 weeks of gestation who received parenteral nutrition (PN) during hospitalization in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from January 2019 to September 2022, including 128 infants with PNAC and 142 infants without PNAC. The medical data between the two groups were compared, and predictive factors for the development of PNAC were explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of APRI alone, TBA alone, and the combination of both for predicting PNAC.@*RESULTS@#TBA levels in the PNAC group after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of PN were higher than those in the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). APRI in the PNAC group after 2 and 3 weeks of PN was higher than that in the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated APRI and TBA after 2 weeks of PN were predictive factors for PNAC in preterm infants (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for predicting PNAC by combining APRI and TBA after 2 weeks of PN were 0.703, 0.803, and 0.806, respectively. The AUC for predicting PNAC by combining APRI and TBA was higher than that of APRI or TBA alone (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#After 2 weeks of PN, the value of combining APRI and TBA for predicting PNAC is high in preterm infants with gestational age <34 weeks.

Research hotspots in post-discharge follow-up management of preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

Preterm infants, especially those born extremely or very prematurely, are at high risk for growth retardation and neurodevelopmental disorders. Regular follow-up after discharge, early intervention, and timely catch-up growth are important guarantees for improving the quality of life of preterm infants and improving the quality of the population. This article provides an overview of the research hotspots in follow-up management of preterm infants after discharge over the past two years, including follow-up modes, nutritional metabolism and body composition follow-up, growth pattern follow-up, neurodevelopmental follow-up, early intervention, etc., in order to provide clinical guidance and research ideas for domestic peers.