Phenobarbital as a Sedation Strategy to Reduce Opioid and Benzodiazepine Burden in Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to describe our experience with the implementation of phenobarbital as a primary sedation strategy during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit between 2011 and 2021 comparing neonatal ECMO patients before and after the implementation of a sedation-analgesia (SA) protocol using scheduled phenobarbital as the primary sedative. Groups were compared for neonatal and ECMO characteristics, cumulative SA doses, and in-hospital outcomes. Comparison between groups was performed using Mann-Whitney test on continuous variables and chi-square on nominal variables. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included, 23 preprotocol and 19 postprotocol. Birth, pre-ECMO, and ECMO clinical characteristics were similar between groups except for a lower birth weight in the postprotocol group (p = 0.024). After standardization of phenobarbital SA protocol, there was a statistically significant reduction in median total morphine dose (31.38-17.65 mg/kg, p = 0.006) and median total midazolam dose (36.21-6.36 mg/kg, p < 0.001). There was also a reduction in median total days on morphine by 7.5 days (p = 0.026) and midazolam by 6.6 days (p = 0.003). There were no differences in ECMO duration or in-hospital outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, short-term use of phenobarbital as primary sedation strategy during neonatal ECMO was associated with reduced opioid and midazolam burden. Such reduction, however, did not affect in-hospital outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Prolonged sedation on ECMO puts infants at risk for iatrogenic withdrawal.. · Phenobarbital is a feasible sedation strategy for ECMO.. · Phenobarbital sedation strategy may mitigate risk by decreasing opioid and midazolam burden..

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for suspected neonatal genetic diagnoses with cardiorespiratory failure.

Recent data describe an increasing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonates with various clinical conditions besides primary respiratory or cardiac diagnoses. Infants with underlying genetic disorders characterized by cardiopulmonary failure pose unique management challenges. When pathognomonic dysmorphic features for common genetic diagnoses are not present, the prognosis is uncertain at best when determining ECMO candidacy. Lengthy turnaround times of genetic testing often delay definitive diagnosis during the ECMO course. Clinical management pathways to guide practice and evidence to support the use of ECMO in rare genetic conditions are lacking. The decision to initiate ECMO is daunting but may be of benefit if the subsequent genetic diagnosis is non-lethal. In lethal genetic cases warranting discontinuation of care, the time spent on ECMO may still be advantageous as a bridge to diagnosis while allowing for parental bonding with the terminally ill infant. Diagnostic confirmation may also facilitate the attainment of closure for these parents. Here, we report our experience providing ECMO to three neonates presenting with cardiorespiratory failure and later diagnosed with rare genetic syndromes. We share the challenges faced, lessons learned, and outcomes of these critically ill neonates.

Clinical Variables Associated With Grade III and IV Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) in Preterm Infants Weighing Less Than 750 Grams.

BACKGROUND: Despite innovative advances in neonatal medicine, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) continues to be a significant complication in neonatal intensive care units globally. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to discern the variables heightening the risk of severe IVH (Grade III and IV) in extremely premature infants weighing less than 750 grams. We postulated that a descending hematocrit (Hct) trend during the first week of life could serve as a predictive marker for the development of severe IVH in this vulnerable population. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study encompassed infants weighing less than 750 grams at birth, diagnosed with Grade III and/or IV IVH, and born in a tertiary center from 2009 to 2014. A group of 17 infants with severe IVH was compared with 14 gestational age-matched controls. Acid-base status, glucose, fluid goal, urine output, and nutrient (caloric and protein) intake during the first four days of life were meticulously evaluated. Statistically significant variables from baseline data were further analyzed via univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, ensuring control for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: The univariate logistic regression model delineated odds ratios (ORs) of 0.842 for day 2 average Hct (confidence interval [CI], 0.718-0.987) and 0.16 for urine output on day 3 (CI, 0.024-1.056), with the remaining six variables demonstrating no significant association. In the post-multivariable regression analysis, day 2 Hct was the only significant variable (OR, 0.731; 95% CI, 0.537-0.995; P=0.04). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis portrayed an area under the curve of 71% for the day 2 Hct variable. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that a dip in Hct on day 2 of life augments the likelihood of Grade III and IV IVH among extremely premature infants with a birth weight of less than 750 grams. This insight amplifies our understanding of risk factors associated with severe IVH development in extremely preterm infants, potentially aiding in refining preventive strategies and optimizing clinical management and treatment of these affected infants.

Use of vasopressin in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: A case series.

Treatment of neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn includes optimization of ventilatory support, use of pulmonary vasodilators, and/or inotropic support. If refractory to this management, some may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We describe a case series of 10 neonates with refractory persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn treated with vasopressin in a single tertiary center. Mean initiation time of vasopressin was at 30 h of life with a dose ranging from 10 to 85 milliunits/kg/h. Oxygenation index decreased after 12 h of vasopressin exposure (25 to 11) and mean arterial pressure improved after 1 h (45 to 58 mm Hg). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was averted in 50% of the cases with transient hyponatremia as the only notable side effect. Although our findings are exploratory and further research is needed to establish safety and efficacy, our experience suggests that vasopressin may have rescue properties in the management of refractory persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn.

Bleeding Complications in Neonates Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Controlled Hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE: Safety and efficacy data on controlled hypothermia (CH) for neonates with moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy has been extrapolated to a subgroup of these patients who also require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). However, safety data on the concomitant use of CH and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are lacking. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study of neonates ≥35 weeks' gestation with refractory PPHN who required ECMO between January 2010 and December 2020. Study groups were divided into those receiving CH/ECMO versus ECMO only. Baseline characteristics, short-term outcomes, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were compared. RESULTS: A total of 36 neonates who received ECMO for refractory PPHN were included. Of these, 44.4% (n = 16) received CH/ECMO and 55.6% (n = 20) received ECMO only. Bleeding complications were more common in CH/ECMO group 50% (n = 8) versus ECMO only 15% (n = 3, p = 0.023). T1 brain MRI severity scores were higher in CH/ECMO group versus ECMO only group, however, there were no statistical difference in T2 and diffusion-weighted image scores. Functional status and survival to discharge were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, neonates who received CH/ECMO had higher bleeding complications than ECMO only group with comparable functional status and survival at discharge. KEY POINTS: · Safety data on the concomitant use of CH and ECMO are lacking in neonates.. · In our cohort, neonates who received CH/ECMO had higher bleeding complications than ECMO only group.. · Functional status and survival to discharge were no differences between the two groups..

Severe Pulmonary Hemorrhage in a Neonate With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Sepsis Managed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) is an infrequent and potentially fatal event in term neonates. Reports of successful management of PH on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are limited, given the accentuated risk of mortality imposed by the use of heparin to prevent thrombosis on ECMO. We present a case of a term neonate with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy undergoing controlled hypothermia who developed hypoxic respiratory failure, hemodynamic instability, Enterobacter cloacae pneumonia and sepsis complicated by severe PH who required support with veno-arterial ECMO. We describe the therapeutic strategies used on veno-arterial ECMO to successfully manage this infant, including clamping the endotracheal tube, aggressive correction of coagulopathy, and use of dornase alfa, as well as elaborate on the subtle changes in ECMO parameters during the run that preceded worsening pneumonia with sepsis.

An Extremely Premature Neonate with Severe Anemia.

Spleen rupture in an extremely premature newborn is very rare event. High index of suspicion is required to make timely diagnosis and thereafter appropriate management. We present a rare case of an extremely premature, extremely low birthweight newborn who presented with severe anemia secondary to splenic rupture. It was managed conservatively without splenectomy resulting in complete resolution of symptoms. Although non-operative management of pediatric splenic injuries is now recognized as the treatment of choice, there is very little experience in premature newborns.

Double-outlet right ventricle with an intact ventricular septum: a unique stage 1 palliation.

This report describes a case of double-outlet right ventricle with intact ventricular septum diagnosed in a newborn male. The initial diagnosis was made by echocardiography. The baby underwent a hybrid procedure including pulmonary artery banding and stenting of the patent ductus arteriosus. He subsequently underwent stenting of the atrial communication. The patient was discharged at 55 days of life with the intent to perform palliative repair at a later date.