ABSTRACT
Anti-VEGF drugs like ranibizumab can be used to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by halting the formation of abnormal blood vessels, or lasers can be used to burn the edges of the retina where these vessels are present. The objective is to compare the efficacy for ROP between ranibizumab and laser therapy. Material and methods: Electronic searches will be carried out in medical databases with key words and controlled vocabulary terms. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) will be assessed. The primary outcome will be the full ROP regression. Two reviewers will extract the data using predefined forms and, to assess the quality of the study, we will use RoB 2.0, the tool for randomized controlled trials developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. We used a combination of the inverse-variance approach and random-effects models for the meta-analysis. Results: The eyes of 182 preterm infants who had ranibizumab treatment were assessed in a total of 364 eyes, and 135 infants received laser therapy. The follow-up period was between 6 and 24 months. Ranibizumab was not associated with greater regression of ROP compared to laser therapy in preterm infants (RR: 1.09, CI 95%: 0.95-1.24; p: 0.22). Also, ranibizumab was not associated with recurrence of ROP compared to laser therapy in preterm infants (RR: 3.77, CI 95%: 0.55-25.81; p: 0.22). Conclusions: The efficacy of ranibizumab compared to laser is very uncertain in terms of ROP regression and decreased ROP recurrence in preterm infants. Systematic Review Registration: identifier PROSPERO (CRD42022324150).
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), particularly in preterm sepsis, is a potentially fatal issue. Evaluation of mean platelet volume (MPV) as an EONS predictor was the goal. Methods: Four databases were used to conduct a systematic evaluation of cohort and case−control studies. Up till the end of October 2022, 137 articles were found utilizing the search method. Following the review, 12 studies were included. Leukocytes, MPV, platelets, gender, birth weight, gestational age, mortality, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were all taken into account while analyzing the prediction of EONS. Inverse-variance methodology and the random-effects model were used. Using GRADE, the evidence's quality was evaluated. Results: Neonatal patients with sepsis had significantly higher MPV levels than do neonates without sepsis (MD 1.26; 95% CI 0.89−1.63; p < 0.001). An increased MPV during the first 24 h postpartum was associated with high CRP values and high risk of neonatal mortality. In the investigations, the MPV cutoff for sepsis patients was 9.95 (SD 0.843). Overall certainty of the evidence was very low. Conclusions: The increased MPV during the first 24 h postpartum may be predictive of EONS and mortality. Future studies are warranted.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be more beneficial compared to endotracheal intubation (ETI). We evaluated the efficacy of CPAP in neonates with MAS. METHODS: Four engines were used to search randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We used relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to assess the effect on dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. In addition, we used the Paule-Mandel (PM) random effects model due to the anticipated lack of events. RESULTS: Three RCTs were included (n = 432). No significant difference was found in mortality (RR = 0.82; 95%CI = 0.54-1.25; I2 = 71%; p = 0.36), need for ventilation (RR = 0.49; 95%CI = 0.15-1.56; I2 = 71%; p = 0.57), and incidence of pneumothorax (RR = 1.24; 95%CI = 0.30-5.12; I2 = 0%; p = 0.77) in the CPAP group compared to the ETI group. Regarding secondary outcomes, compared to the ETI group, no significant differences were found in APGAR at one minute (MD = -1.01; 95%CI -2.97 to 0.94; I2 = 98%; p = 0.31), APGAR at 5 min (MD = -1.00; 95%CI = -2.96 to 0.95; I2 = 99%; p = 0.32), days of hospitalization (MD = -0.52; 95%CI = -1.46 to 0.42; I2 = 94%; p = 0.28), and cord pH (MD = 0.003; 95%CI = -0.01 to 0.02; I2 = 0%; p = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MAS, there is no significant effect of CPAP use compared to ETI on primary, specifically on mortality, need for ventilation, the incidence of pneumothorax, and secondary outcomes.
