Does strengths of a positive direct antiglobulin test predicts the need for phototherapy and duration of phototherapy? - a single center, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Use of Direct Antiglobulin test (DAT) in management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is conflicting. OBJECTIVE: whether strength of positive DAT predicts the need for phototherapy, duration of phototherapy and need for major interventions. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on all DAT positive neonates with birth gestational age ≥32 weeks over six years (2014-2019). Data regarding blood group, DAT and clinical details were obtained from a hospital database. We also collected data on serial hemoglobin and other relevant laboratory parameters. We also collected data on infants receiving major interventions such as exchange transfusion, in-utero transfusion, immunoglobulins, and postnatal transfusion for the duration of the study period. All of these infants were electronically followed up for a period of 6 weeks. This study was approved by institutional audit authority. All the statistics were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Out of 1285 DAT tests performed, only 91 infants were positive (7%), and 78 DAT positive infants were available for analysis. There were 54 infants with DAT (1+), 15 infants with DAT (2+), 7 infants with DAT (3+) and 2 infants with DAT (4+). There was no significant statistical difference in terms of need for phototherapy, duration of phototherapy, need for major interventions and hemoglobin levels at different time points between the groups (DAT 1+ Vs DAT ≥2+; DAT ≤2+ Vs DAT >2). A Total of 10 infants received major intervention, with one infant receiving all three interventions (DAT 3+ with significant maternal antibodies), 2 additional infants (both DAT1+) received exchange transfusion, 6 additional infants received immunoglobulin (2 infants: DAT 2+; 4 infants: DAT 1+) and one additional infant (DAT 1+) with significant maternal antibodies received a postnatal transfusion. CONCLUSION: Strength of a DAT did not predict the need for phototherapy, duration of phototherapy, and the need for major hemolysis related intervention in the first 6 weeks of life.

Randomised control trial of oxygen assist module in preterm infants on high-flow nasal cannula support.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of automatic oxygen control (A-FiO2) in reducing the extremes of oxygen saturations (SpO2<80% and SpO2>98%) in preterm infants on high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) respiratory support using Vapotherm Precision Flow. DESIGN: A parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A level-III neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Preterm infants born <33 (23+0 to 32+6) weeks receiving HFNC as respiratory support. INTERVENTIONS: A-FiO2 versus manual (M-FiO2) oxygen control during the full course of HFNC support. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome of this study is percentage of time spent in extreme oxygen saturations (<80% and >98%) in preterm infants when receiving HFNC as respiratory support. Secondary outcomes were time with SpO2 between 90% and 95% plus time >95% without supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: 60 infants were randomised equally to either A-FiO2 or M-FiO2 arm. Their baseline characteristics were comparable. They spent a median of 5.3 (IQR: 2.0-8.4) and 6.5 (IQR: 2.9-13.7) days in the study, A-FiO2 and M-FiO2, respectively. The percentage of time spent in SpO2<80% (median of 0.4% (0.1%-0.8%) vs 1.6% (0.6%-2.6%), p=0.002) and >98% (median 0.2% (0.1%-0.9%) vs 1.9% (0.7%-4%), p<0.001) were significantly lower in A-FiO2 compared with M-FiO2. The difference in median percentage of time in target range between the two arms was 26% (81% (74%-93%) in A-FiO2 vs 55% (48%-72%) in M-FiO2). CONCLUSION: A-FiO2 was associated with statistically significant reduction in the percentage of time spent in extremes of saturation when compared with M-FiO2 in preterm infants receiving HFNC. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04687618.

Automatic oxygen control for reducing extremes of oxygen saturation: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the automatic oxygen control (A-Fio2) in reducing the percentage of time spent in severe hypoxaemia (Spo2 <80%) in preterm infants for the time period on invasive ventilation and/or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) delivered by AVEA ventilator. DESIGN: A parallel arm randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A level-III neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Preterm infants (<33 weeks birth gestation) who received invasive ventilation or NCPAP in the first 72 hours of age. INTERVENTIONS: A-Fio2 vs manual (M-Fio2) oxygen control. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome of the study was percentage of time spent in severe hypoxaemia (Spo2 <80%). RESULTS: 44 infants were randomised to either A-Fio2 or M-Fio2 arm and continued in the study for the period of respiratory support (invasive ventilation and/or NCPAP). The total number of study days in A-Fio2 and M-Fio2 arm were 194 and 204 days, respectively. The percentage of time spent in Spo2 <80% was significantly lower with A-Fio2 compared with M-Fio2 (median of 0.1% (IQR: 0.07-0.7) vs 0.6% (0.2-2); p=0.03). The number of prolonged episodes (>60 s) of Spo2 <80% per day was also significantly lower in A-Fio2 (0.3 (0.0-2) vs 2 (0.6-6); p=0.02). CONCLUSION: A-Fio2 was associated with statistically significant reduction in the percentage of time spent in severe hypoxaemia when compared with M-Fio2 in preterm infants receiving respiratory support. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04223258.

National survey on caffeine use in neonatal units across the United Kingdom.

AIM: To understand the variations in practice for caffeine use among neonatal units in the United Kingdom. METHODS: An online survey was sent to every neonatal unit in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: We received a response from 92 neonatal units (47%) with the proportion of response from special care, Local neonatal units, neonatal intensive care units and neonatal surgical units were 23%, 34%, 23% and 21% respectively. All the units reported the use of caffeine, and 40 units (46%) initiated caffeine within 24 h of birth. Fifty-nine units (64%) reported routine use of caffeine for pre-term infants <32 weeks. Seventy-one units (77%) reported that they continue caffeine for infants needing mechanical ventilation. Thirty-one units (34%) discontinued caffeine at 34 weeks post-menstrual age, irrespective of the respiratory support. Ten units (11%) reported discontinuation of caffeine only after weaning off all respiratory support, and 40% of units had a variable practice of discontinuing caffeine depending on the individual baby. Seventy-nine units (86%) reported they would regularly optimise caffeine dose based on weight checks. CONCLUSION: Our survey showed some variation in practice with regards to the timing of caffeine initiation, gestational age cut-off for routine caffeine prescription and discontinuation.

Reference range for cerebrospinal fluid values in neonates: 5-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) parameters (white blood cell count, protein, glucose) in the diagnosis of neonatal bacterial meningitis. OBJECTIVES: To report the reference range of CSF parameters (white blood cell count, protein, glucose) in both term and preterm infants. METHODS: This was a single center retrospective study over a period of 5 years (2015-2020). We included infants aged 0-3 months admitted to the neonatal unit and infants ≤28 days attending pediatric acute care and who underwent Lumbar Puncture. We excluded infants with evidence of CSF bacteremia, viral infection and traumatic lumbar puncture defined as CSF Red Blood Cell >500 cells/µL. Clinical, demographic, and microbiological data were collected from the hospital database. The study was approved by ethics committee. RESULTS: We identified a total of 518 CSF samples, with 232 CSF samples available for final analysis. 54% of excluded samples were traumatic. Median birth gestation and birth weight of the study cohort were 38 (IQR 35-40) weeks and 3030 (IQR 1965-3565) grams respectively. Median RBC, WBC count, protein and glucose were 15 (IQR 3-85)/µL, 3(IQR 0-8.5)/µL, 0.72 (0.53-1.06) g/L and 2.8 (2.4-3.3) mmol/L respectively. There was no difference in CSF WBC cell count between preterm and term infants. Higher CSF protein content was noted in preterm infants and infants in the first 7 days of life. Use of antibiotics prior to LP was associated with higher CSF protein. Presence of any CSF RBC (including <500 cells/µL) influenced the CSF WBC count and protein content. CONCLUSION: We have provided a reference range of CSF parameters in neonates without meningitis. CSF WBC count between preterm and term infants were similar with higher CSF protein content in preterm infants and for infants in the first seven days of life. Presence of any CSF RBC influenced CSF parameters.

Comparison of volume guarantee and volume-controlled ventilation both using closed loop inspired oxygen in preterm infants: a randomised crossover study (CLIO-VG study).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two different modes of ventilation in maintaining oxygen saturation (SpO2) in target range (90%-95%) in ventilated preterm infants cared for with automatic control of oxygen delivery (A-FiO2). DESIGN: A single-centre randomised crossover study. SETTINGS: A level III neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Preterm infants receiving mechanical ventilation and oxygen requirement >21%. INTERVENTIONS: Volume guarantee (VG) vs volume controlled ventilation (VCV) modes with automatic oxygen control (A-FiO2). OUTCOMES: The primary outcome of this study was the proportion of time spent with oxygen saturations in the target range (90%-95%) . RESULTS: Nineteen preterm infants with a median gestation age 25 weeks (IQR: 24-28) and birth weight 685 g (IQR: 595-980) were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in primary outcome of median proportion of time spent in target saturation between the two arms (72% (57-81) in VG vs 75% (58-83) in VCV; p=0.98). There was no significant difference in the secondary outcomes of time spent in SpO2 <80% (0.03% vs 0.14%; p=0.51), time spent in SpO2 >98% (0.50% vs 0.08%; p=0.54), the median FiO2 (31% vs 29%; p=0.51) or manual adjustments carried out between VG and VCV, respectively. The number of episodes of prolonged hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in time spent in target SpO2 range between VG and VCV when A-FiO2 was used as the FiO2 controller in this crossover randomised control study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03865069.

Effect of opaque wraps for pulse oximeter sensors: randomised cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking as to whether ambient light or phototherapy light could interfere with pulse oximeter performance. METHODS: In this randomised cross-over trial, we recruited neonates of gestation >24 weeks. Consented infants were randomly assigned to either pulse oximeter sensor with opaque wrap or without opaque wrap. Nellcor and Masimo sensors were applied simultaneously to different feet for 10 min of recording. Infants were crossed over to the other intervention for a further 10 min, totalling 20 min recording per infant. Primary outcome was faster acquisition of data with shielding of pulse oximeter sensor as compared with not shielding. RESULTS: A total of 96 babies were recruited. There was no difference in primary outcome of time taken to display valid data between the two groups (opaque wrap: 12.73±3.1 s vs no opaque wrap: 13.16±3.3 s, p=0.27). There was no difference in any of the secondary outcomes (percentage of valid data points, percentage of time saturation below target, and so on) between the two groups in both pulse oximeters. Masimo sensor readings displayed a higher mean oxygen saturation (mean difference of 2.85, p=0.001) and lower percentage of time saturation below 94% (mean difference of -27.8, p=0.001) than Nellcor in both groups. There was no difference in any of the outcomes in babies receiving phototherapy (n=21). CONCLUSION: In this study, shielding the pulse oximeter sensor from ambient light or phototherapy light did not yield faster data acquisition or better data quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN10302534.