Neonatal Antibiotic Treatment Can Affect Stool Pattern and Oral Tolerance in Preterm Infants.

Preterm neonates are at high risk of infectious and inflammatory diseases which require antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics influence neonatal gut microbiome development, and intestinal dysbiosis has been associated with delayed gastrointestinal transit. Neonates who take less time to pass meconium have a better tolerance to enteral feeding. We analyzed the effect of neonatal antibiotic treatment on the stool pattern and oral tolerance in 106 preterm infants < 33 weeks gestational age. Neonates were classified in 3 groups according to neonatal antibiotic (ABT) treatment days: no antibiotics, 3−7 d ABT, and ≥8 d ABT. Preterm infants from the ≥8 d ABT group took longer to pass meconium and to start green and yellow stools, took longer to reach 100 and 150 mL/kg/day, and reached reduced volumes in enteral feeds at day of life 14 and 28 than infants from no ABT and 3−7 d ABT groups. Multiple linear regression models showed that neonatal antibiotic treatment, birth weight, invasive mechanical ventilation, surfactant, enteral feeding start day, neonatal parenteral nutrition, and neonatal fasting days are associated with the stool pattern and oral tolerance in preterm infants.

Evolución clínica y gasométrica en recién nacidos pretérmino en ventilación por volumen / Clinical and gasometric evolution in preterm newborns with volume ventilation

Resumen Antecedentes: La ventilación mecánica continúa siendo una herramienta esencial en el cuidado de los recién nacidos prematuros. Hay evidencia de que la ventilación limitada por volumen (VLV) tiene ventajas sobre ventilación limitada por presión (VLP). Objetivo: Determinar la evolución clínica y gasométrica en los recién nacidos pretérmino en VLV en comparación con VLP. Material y métodos: Fue una investigación observacional y analítica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, donde se incluyeron 80 recién nacidos ≤ 32 semanas de gestación y ≤ 1,000 g al nacimiento divididos en dos grupos. Resultados: Se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa en días de ventilación, favoreciendo a VLV (p = 0.002); en las variables hipoxemia e hipocarbia, que son directamente afectadas por el modo ventilatorio, se encontró menor grado de afectación en VLV pero sin diferencia estadística. Se encontró en el grupo de pacientes con VLV menor acidosis respiratoria (p = 0.05) y menor requerimiento de fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FIO2) (p = 0.04). Conclusión: Al igual que la literatura, nuestros resultados comprueban beneficios como disminución de días de ventilación, disminución de acidosis y necesidades menores de FIO2 con el uso de VLV.

Abstract Background: Mechanical ventilation continues to be an essential tool in the care of premature newborns, there is evidence that volume-limited ventilation (VLV) has advantages over pressure-limited ventilation (VLP). Objective: To determine the clinical and gasometric evolution in newborns I preterm VLV compared to VLP. Material and methods: It was an observational and analytical research in a neonatal intensive care unit, where 80 newborns were included ≤ 32 weeks of gestation and ≤ 1000 grams at birth divided into two groups. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed in ventilation days, favouring VLV (p=0.002); in hypoxemia and hypocarbia variables, which are directly affected by ventilatory mode, lower degree of affection was found in VLV but without statistical difference. It was found in the group of patients with VLV lower respiratory acidosis (p=0.05), and lower FIO2 requirements (p=0.04). Conclusion: Like literature, our results prove benefits such as decreased ventilation days, decreased acidosis and lower needs of FIO2 with the use of VLV.

VNFns vs. CPAPn como métodos de extubación y rescate en recién nacidos con dificultad respiratoria / VNFns vs. CPAPn as methods of extubation and rescue in newborns with respiratory distress

Resumen Introducción: La ventilación nasofaríngea no sincronizada (VNFns) y la presión positiva continua de la vía área nasal (CPAPn) son métodos de asistencia ventilatoria no invasiva. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia de los dos métodos como estrategia de extubación y rescate. Material y métodos: Pacientes que hubiesen estado en alguna de ambas estrategias del 2008 al 2012, categorizándolos como extubación o rescate y midiendo el éxito o fracaso. Resultados: El éxito como estrategia de extubación fue del 83.3% para la VNFns contra el 68.7% de la CPAPn (OR: 2.26). Hubo diferencia para VNFns, en relación con los días de hospitalización, con una media de 38.6 contra 65.4 días (p = 0.0001). En cuanto a la displasia broncopulmonar, hubo disminución de riesgo (OR: 0.64; p = 0.01) para la VNFns. Hubo mayor número de complicaciones para la CPAPn, lesión de la columnela, neumomediastino, neumotórax y sangrado nasal. En la VNFns se presentó con mayor frecuencia la hipocarbia. Conclusión: La VNFns mostró ser una estrategia efectiva y segura, en comparación con la CPAPn.

Abstract Background: Non-synchronized nasopharyngeal ventilation (VNFns) and continuous positive pressure of the nasal airway (CPAPn) are methods of non-invasive ventilatory support. Objective: To compare the efficacy of the two methods as an extubation and rescue strategy. Material and methods: Patients who had been in one of both strategies from 2008 to 2012, categorizing them as extubation or rescue and measuring success or failure. Results: Success as an extubation strategy was 83.3% for VNFns against 68.7% for CPAPn (OR: 2.26). There was a difference for VNFns, in relation to hospitalization days, with a mean of 38.6 versus 65.4 days (p = 0.0001). Regarding bronchopulmonary dysplasia, there was a decreased risk (OR: 0.64; p = 0.01) for VNFns. There was a higher number of complications for CPAPn, columella injury, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and nasal bleeding. Hypocarbia was more frequent in VNFns. Conclusion: VNFns was shown to be an effective and safe strategy, compared to CPAPn.

Estimating Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis Based on Feeding Practices.

(1) Background: The relationship between enteral nutrition and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among premature neonates is still unclear. The present work was designed to assess the relationship between NEC and feeding strategies compared to control infants. (2) Methods: A retrospective case-control study of premature infants (<35 weeks' gestation) with or without NEC that examined feeding practices and clinical characteristics at birth and 3, 7, and 14-day hospitalization, with a longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis. (3) Results: A total of 100 newborns with NEC diagnosis and 92 neonates without the disease with similar demographic and clinical characteristics were included. The median day of NEC diagnosis was 15 days (Interquartile Range (IQR) 5-25 days). A significantly higher number of neonates that were fasting on days 7 and 14 developed NEC (p < 0.05). In the longitudinal analysis, generalized linear and mixed models were fit to evaluate NEC association with feeding strategies and showed that exclusive mother's own milk (MM) and fortified human milk (FHM) across time were significantly less likely associated with NEC (p < 0.001) and that enteral fasting was positively related with NEC. In the cross-sectional analysis, a binary logistic regression model was fit and predicted 80.7% of NEC cases. MM was also found to correlate with a reduced risk for NEC (OR 0.148, 95% CI 0.044-0.05, p = 0.02), and in particular, on day 14, several factors were related to a decreased odd for NEC, including birth weight, antenatal steroids, and the use of FHM (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: MM and FHM were associated with less NEC compared to fasting on days 7 and 14. Feeding practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) should promote exclusive MM across the two-week critical period as a potential guideline to improve NEC outcome.

Multiparameter flow cytometry analysis of leukocyte markers for diagnosis in preterm neonatal sepsis.

PURPOSE: Neonatal sepsis is an important public health concern worldwide due to its immediate lethality and long-term morbidity rates, Clinical evaluation and laboratory analyses are indispensable for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. However, assessing multiple biomarkers in neonates is difficult due to limited blood availability. The aim is to investigate if the neonatal sepsis in preterm could be identified by multiparameter analysis with flow cytometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of activation-related molecules was evaluated by flow cytometry in newborn with or without risk factors for sepsis. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that several markers could be useful for sepsis diagnosis, such as CD45RA, CD45RO, or CD71 on T cells; HLA-DR on NKT or classic monocytes, and TREM-1 on non-classic monocytes or neutrophils. However, ROC analysis shows that the expression of CD45RO on T lymphocytes is the only useful biomarker for diagnosis of neonatal late-onset sepsis. Also, decision tree analyses showed that CD45RO plus CD27 could help differentiate the preterm septic neonates from those with risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a complementary and practical strategy for biomarker assessment in neonatal sepsis.

Retinopathy of prematurity, frequency and risk factors in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the principal cause of blindness during childhood. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency of ROP and risk factors associated with ROP in a cohort of very low birth weight infants. Methods: A cases (ROP) and controls (no ROP) study of infants less than 1500 g was conducted. Perinatal and neonatal variables were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, χ2 test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used. Results: For the study, 282 neonates were included: 152 (53.9%) with ROP and 130 (46.1%) without ROP. The most frequent stages observed were stage 1 and 2, with 139 (91.4%) patients, and stages 3 to 5, with only 13 patients (8.5%). In those neonates with ROP compared with neonates without ROP, the birth weight was less (902.7 vs. 1037.9 g) and the difference was significant (p < 0.0001). Also, the difference with gestational age (28.2 vs. 29.6; p < 0.0001), total ventilation days (32.8 vs. 16.1; p < 0.00001) and total oxygen days (87.7 vs. 62.6; p < 0.0001) was significant in neonates with ROP and neonates without the disease. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and late onset sepsis were significant with patients with ROP. Conclusions: The frequency of ROP reported here is higher than the reported in Mexican population, with less cases of severe ROP. The neonatal surveillance in babies with less birth weight and gestational age is important to decrease the incidence of ROP.

Introducción: La retinopatía del prematuro (ROP) es una de las principales causas de ceguera infantil. La inmadurez y la exposición a oxígeno son algunos factores de riesgo. El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar la frecuencia y los factores de riesgo de ROP en una cohorte de recién nacidos menores de 1,500 g. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos (con ROP) y controles (sin ROP) de recién nacidos menores de 1,500 g. Se analizaron variables prenatales y neonatales, y para su comparación se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas t de Student, χ2 y U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Se analizaron 282 recién nacidos: 152 (53.9%) con ROP y 130 (46.1%) sin ROP. La mayor frecuencia se encontró en los estadios 1 y 2, con 139 pacientes (91.4%), seguidos de los estadios 3 a 5, con 13 pacientes (8.5%). En los pacientes con ROP, el peso al nacer fue menor (902.7 vs. 1037.9 g; p < 0.0001), así como la edad gestacional (28.2 vs. 29.6 semanas de gestación; p < 0.0001). Los días de ventilación (32.8 vs. 16.1; p < 0.00001) y los días de oxígeno requerido durante la estancia hospitalaria (87.7 vs. 62.6; p < 0.0001) fueron mayores en los pacientes con ROP. La displasia broncopulmonar, la hemorragia intraventricular y la sepsis tardía fueron comorbilidades significativas para el desarrollo de ROP. Conclusiones: En este estudio, la frecuencia de ROP fue mayor que la reportada en la población mexicana, con una baja proporción de formas graves. La vigilancia estrecha del manejo de los neonatos con menor peso y menos edad gestacional es fundamental para lograr disminuir esta enfermedad.

Análisis de la frecuencia y factores de riesgo asociados a la retinopatía del prematuro en neonatos de muy bajo peso al nacer / Retinopathy of prematurity, frequency and risk factors in very low birth weight infants

Resumen Introducción: La retinopatía del prematuro (ROP) es una de las principales causas de ceguera infantil. La inmadurez y la exposición a oxígeno son algunos factores de riesgo. El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar la frecuencia y los factores de riesgo de ROP en una cohorte de recién nacidos menores de 1,500 g. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos (con ROP) y controles (sin ROP) de recién nacidos menores de 1,500 g. Se analizaron variables prenatales y neonatales, y para su comparación se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas t de Student, χ2 y U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Se analizaron 282 recién nacidos: 152 (53.9%) con ROP y 130 (46.1%) sin ROP. La mayor frecuencia se encontró en los estadios 1 y 2, con 139 pacientes (91.4%), seguidos de los estadios 3 a 5, con 13 pacientes (8.5%). En los pacientes con ROP, el peso al nacer fue menor (902.7 vs. 1037.9 g; p < 0.0001), así como la edad gestacional (28.2 vs. 29.6 semanas de gestación; p < 0.0001). Los días de ventilación (32.8 vs. 16.1; p < 0.00001) y los días de oxígeno requerido durante la estancia hospitalaria (87.7 vs. 62.6; p < 0.0001) fueron mayores en los pacientes con ROP. La displasia broncopulmonar, la hemorragia intraventricular y la sepsis tardía fueron comorbilidades significativas para el desarrollo de ROP. Conclusiones: En este estudio, la frecuencia de ROP fue mayor que la reportada en la población mexicana, con una baja proporción de formas graves. La vigilancia estrecha del manejo de los neonatos con menor peso y menos edad gestacional es fundamental para lograr disminuir esta enfermedad.

Abstract Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the principal cause of blindness during childhood. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency of ROP and risk factors associated with ROP in a cohort of very low birth weight infants. Methods: A cases (ROP) and controls (no ROP) study of infants less than 1500 g was conducted. Perinatal and neonatal variables were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, χ2 test, Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney’s U-test were used. Results: For the study, 282 neonates were included: 152 (53.9%) with ROP and 130 (46.1%) without ROP. The most frequent stages observed were stage 1 and 2, with 139 (91.4%) patients, and stages 3 to 5, with only 13 patients (8.5%). In those neonates with ROP compared with neonates without ROP, the birth weight was less (902.7 vs. 1037.9 g) and the difference was significant (p < 0.0001). Also, the difference with gestational age (28.2 vs. 29.6; p < 0.0001), total ventilation days (32.8 vs. 16.1; p < 0.00001) and total oxygen days (87.7 vs. 62.6; p < 0.0001) was significant in neonates with ROP and neonates without the disease. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and late onset sepsis were significant with patients with ROP. Conclusions: The frequency of ROP reported here is higher than the reported in Mexican population, with less cases of severe ROP. The neonatal surveillance in babies with less birth weight and gestational age is important to decrease the incidence of ROP.

Estimation of Neonatal Intestinal Perforation Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Machine Learning Reveals New Key Factors.

Intestinal perforation (IP) associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of mortality in premature neonates; with major nutritional and neurodevelopmental sequelae. Since predicting which neonates will develop perforation is still challenging; clinicians might benefit considerably with an early diagnosis tool and the identification of critical factors. The aim of this study was to forecast IP related to NEC and to investigate the predictive quality of variables; based on a machine learning-based technique. The Back-propagation neural network was used to train and test the models with a dataset constructed from medical records of the NICU; with birth and hospitalization maternal and neonatal clinical; feeding and laboratory parameters; as input variables. The outcome of the models was diagnosis: (1) IP associated with NEC; (2) NEC or (3) control (neither IP nor NEC). Models accurately estimated IP with good performances; the regression coefficients between the experimental and predicted data were R² > 0.97. Critical variables for IP prediction were identified: neonatal platelets and neutrophils; orotracheal intubation; birth weight; sex; arterial blood gas parameters (pCO2 and HCO3); gestational age; use of fortifier; patent ductus arteriosus; maternal age and maternal morbidity. These models may allow quality improvement in medical practice.

Giant left ventricular rhabdomyoma treated successfully with everolimus: case report and review of literature.

IntroductionIntracardiac rhabdomyomas can cause severe ventricular dysfunction and outflow tract obstruction.Case reportA term newborn infant with antenatal diagnosis of giant left ventricle rhabdomyoma presented with cardiac failure and duct-dependent systemic circulation after birth. She was treated successfully with everolimus, showing decrease in tumour size and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction.DiscussionTumour regression rate was 0.32 cm2/day and improved to 0.80 cm2/day with the use of everolimus. Herein we report a newborn with inoperable giant left ventricular cardiac rhabdomyoma and significant regression of the tumour. To our knowledge, this is the largest left ventricular rhabdomyoma reported. A review of the literature was undertaken for comparison. CONCLUSION: Everolimus has proven to be efficacious in size reduction of cardiac rhabdomyomas in cases when surgical resection is not possible.

Evaluating the quality of the processes of care and clinical outcomes of premature newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: To develop quality of care (QoC) indicators, evaluate the quality of the processes of care (QPC) and clinical outcomes, and analyze the association between the QPC and severe clinical outcomes of preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). DESIGN: Mixed methods approach: (1) development of QoC indicators via modified RAND/UCLA method; (2) cross-sectional study of QoC evaluation and (3) multiple logistic regression analysis to ascertain the association between the QPC and severe clinical outcomes. SETTING: Two NICUs belonged to the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Mexico City. PARTICIPANTS: About 489 preterm neonates (<37 weeks of gestation) without severe congenital anomalies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The QoC indicators; ≥60% of recommended QPC and severe clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The QoC included 10 QPC indicators across four domains: respiratory, nutrition and metabolism, infectious diseases, and screening, and five outcome indicators. The lower QPC indicators were for the nutrition and metabolism domain (17.8% started enteral feeding with human milk, and 20.7% received sodium bicarbonate appropriately). The higher QPC indicator was for the screening domain (97.6% of neonates <30 weeks gestation underwent early (≤14 days) transfontanelar ultrasound). The mean recommended QPC that neonates received was 47.5%. Only 26.6% of neonates received ≥60% of recommended QPC. About 60.7% of neonates developed severe clinical outcomes including mortality and healthcare-related major morbidity. Receiving ≥60% of recommended QPC was associated with a decrease of nearly half of odds of severe clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the QoC in NICUs is essential to address modifiable gaps in quality.

Puntas nasales versus cámara cefálica: en el retiro de fase II de ventilación (CPAPN o VNF), en recién nacidos prematuros en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales / Nasal prongs versus oxygen hood: success or failure to retire phase II of ventilation (NCPAP o NPV), in premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objetivo: Comparar la utilidad de las puntas nasales versus cámara cefálica como método de fase I de ventilación, posterior al retiro de la presión continua de la vía aérea nasal o ventilación nasofaríngea, fase II de ventilación, en recién nacidos prematuros menores de 37 semanas de edad gestacional. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio comparativo, prospectivo, longitudinal y analítico de dos cohortes de recién nacidos pretérmino, en retiro de la fase II de ventilación y que requirieron oxígeno suplementario, el cual se administró por puntas nasales o cámara cefálica. Se incluyeron pacientes estables por clínica y gasometría, se evaluó la presencia de apnea, deterioro clínico y el mantenimiento o necesidad de regreso a la fase II de ventilación. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó χ² para las variables cualitativas y t de Student para variables cuantitativas. Se obtuvieron riesgos relativos. Resultados: Se compararon 33 pacientes en puntas nasales y 34 en cámara cefálica; no existió diferencia estadística en relación al sexo, peso, edad gestacional, modo de ventilación de fase II, ni patologías que indicaran el uso de ventilación. No hubo diferencias en la saturación de O2, eventos de hiperoxigenación, eventos de apnea, parámetros gasométricos, presión arterial, temperatura y frecuencia cardiaca a las 48 y 72 horas de evaluación. Los efectos adversos fueron más frecuentes en el grupo de puntas nasales, 48.5 versus 11.8% para cámara cefálica (p = 0.003). Los niños con puntas nasales tuvieron un éxito del 84.8% de permanecer en la fase I, en comparación con el 58.8% de los niños en cámara cefálica (RR 0.36 con IC 95% 0.14 a 0.9). Conclusiones: Se encontró una proporción menor de fracaso en el retiro de la presión continua de la vía aérea nasal o ventilación nasofaríngea (fase II de ventilación) con el uso de puntas nasales en comparación a la cámara cefálica, pero la primera modalidad de ventilación tuvo un número mayor de complicaciones.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of nasal prongs versus oxygen hood as respiratory support after the retirement of nasal continuous airway pressure or nasopharyngeal ventilation (respiratory support phase II), in newborn < 37 weeks of gestation. Materials and methods: We performed a comparative, prospective, longitudinal and analytical study of preterm babies during the retirement of the second phase of the respiratory support that required supplementary oxygen by nasal prongs or oxygen hood. Patients included were clinically stables with normal blood gases. They were under observation to detect apneas or clinical deterioration of the respiratory status to evaluate the need to return to phase II of respiratory support. Quantitative variables were compared using t Student test and the qualitative ones with χ² test. Relative risks were calculated. Results: We compared 33 newborns in nasal prongs versus 34 in oxygen hood. There were not statistical differences among sex, weight, gestational age, strategy of phase II respiratory support or the respiratory diagnosis. There were no clinical differences in the oxygen saturation, events of hyper oxygenation, events of apnea, blood gases concentrations, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate at 48 and 72 hours pf evaluation. Nasal lesions were predominant in the group of nasal prongs 48.5 versus 11.8% with the oxygen hood (p = 0.003). Nasal prongs success to be on phase I of respiratory support was 84.8 versus 58.8% in the oxygen hood (RR 0.36, IC 95% 0.14 to 0.9). Conclusions: Nasal prongs was more effective to avoid failure in the retirement of the phase II of respiratory support, but they were associated with an increment in the frequency of nasal lesions.

Control térmico en el recién nacido pretérmino / Thermal control in preterm newborn

La historia del control térmico neonatal data de finales del siglo XIX con la observación de Pierre Budin en el Hospital de Maternidad de París; Budin reportó una disminución en la mortalidad del 66 al 38% en recién nacidos con peso ≤ 2,000 gramos, posterior a la introducción de medidas de control térmico. Con el número creciente de prematuros de muy bajo peso que se atienden hoy en día en las Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal es esencial que pediatras, neonatólogos y todo el personal involucrado en la atención entiendan la transición y la adaptación fisiológica que estos niños deben hacer, con la finalidad de proporcionarles un ambiente térmico óptimo con la tecnología que está disponible en la actualidad. La revisión concluye con la evaluación de la información disponible en estudios clínicos, mediante niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación de acuerdo al sistema GRADE.

The history of neonatal thermal control dates from the late XIX century, with the observation of Pierre Budin in Paris Maternity Hospital, reporting a decrease in mortality from 66 to 38% in infants weighing ≤ 2,000 grams, after the introduction of thermal control measures. With the growing number of very low birth weight infants who are seen today in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units, it is essential that pediatricians, neonatologists and all staff involved in the care, understand the transition and physiological adaptation children should do, with the aim of providing a optimal thermal environment thermal environment with currently available technology. The review concludes with an evaluation of available information on clinical studies, using levels of evidence and grades of recommendation, according to the GRADE system.

Enfermedad pulmonar neonatal crónica y velocidad de crecimiento en neonatos con muy bajo peso al nacimiento / Chronic pulmonary neonatal disease and growth rates in very low-birth weight infants

Introducción. Determinar la velocidad de crecimiento (VMC), ganancia de peso respecto al nacimiento (GNAC), y ganancia de peso respecto al examen previo (GEP) en neonatos con enfermedad neonatal pulmonar crónica. Material y métodos. Se analizaron los indicadores en 34 neonatos prematuros con peso menor de 1 500 g durante 9 semanas. Se incluyó en el grupo A (n=17) neonatos con antecedentes de ventilación mecánica de por lo menos 72 horas y diagnóstico de enfermedad neonatal pulmonar crónica (EPNC). El grupo B (n=17) con los mismos criterios de ingreso, sin EPNC. Tratados con fórmula de 24 calorías, diuréticos, broncodilatadores y oxigenoterapia. Se realizó sesgo y kurtosis por indicador y t de Student, determinando cambios. Resultados. La distribución de la VMC en la segunda semana fue de 33.8 y 57.0 g, la tercera de 24.7 y 55.0 g, en la quinta de 86.5 y de 140.7 g para los grupos A y B respectivamente, con significancia estadística. La expresión porcentual de GEP en la segunda semana fue de 4.0 y 7.5 por ciento, la tercera de 3.2 y 6.5 por ciento, y la quinta de 7.9 y 13.5 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Se describe el crecimiento, desde etapas tempranas de la enfermedad y su influencia en períodos especialmente críticos como los primeros meses de la vida.