Neonatal infections in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of neonatal deaths in Asia but data remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the causative organisms and antibiotic resistance in neonatal care units in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of neonatal sepsis defined as positive culture of a single potentially pathogenic organism from blood or cerebrospinal fluid differentiated into early-onset sepsis (EOS) occurring <3 days of birth and late-onset sepsis (LOS) ≥3 days after birth. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 963 episodes of neonatal sepsis. The incidence of EOS was 0.62 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.82) per 1000 live births or 4.91 (95% CI 4.22 to 5.68) per 1000 admissions while the incidence of LOS was 5.00 (95% CI 4.51 to 5.53) per 1000 live births or 21.22 (95% CI 19.79 to 22.77) per 1000 admissions. The incidence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) sepsis was low but remained the most common single pathogen for EOS among inborn babies. Klebsiella spp. was the most common Gram-negative organism causing most deaths. The case-fatality was 7.0% (95% CI 3.9% to 12.0%) for EOS and 16.0% (95% CI 13.7% to 19.0%) for LOS, and was significantly different between participating units after adjusting for potential confounders. Of all Gram-negative organisms, 47%, 37% and 32% were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, gentamicin or both, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of EOS in Asian settings is similar to that in industrialised countries with low incidence of GBS sepsis. The important features of neonatal sepsis in Asia are the burden of Klebsiella spp. and high level of antibiotic resistance. These should be addressed while developing measures to reduce neonatal mortality due to infection.

Fluid recovery during lung lavage in meconium aspiration syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Lung lavage using two aliquots of 15 mL/kg of dilute surfactant was performed in 30 ventilated infants with severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Mean recovery of instilled lavage fluid was 46%, with greater fluid return associated with lower mean airway pressure at 24 h and a shorter duration of respiratory support. CONCLUSION: Recovery of instilled lavage fluid is paramount in effective lung lavage in MAS and must be afforded priority in the lavage technique.

The management of acute diarrhea in children in developed and developing areas: from evidence base to clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Acute diarrhea remains a major problem in children and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and costs. While vaccination against rotavirus could reduce the burden of the disease, the persistent impact of intestinal infections requires effective treatment in adjunct to oral rehydration solutions, to reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea. Several therapeutic options have been proposed for acute diarrhea, but proof of efficacy is available for few of them, including zinc, diosmectite, selected probiotics and racecadotril. However, at present there is no universal drug, and therapeutic efficacy has only been shown for selected drugs in selected settings, such as: outpatients/inpatients, developed/developing countries and viral/bacterial etiology. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review reports the opinions of experts from different countries of the world who have discussed strategies to improve the management of diarrhea. EXPERT OPINION: More data are needed to optimize the management of diarrhea and highlight the research priorities at a global level; such priorities include improved recommendations on oral rehydration solution composition, and the reevaluation of therapeutic options in the light of new trials. Therapeutic strategies need to be assessed in different settings, and pharmacoeconomic analyses based on country-specific data are needed. Transfer to clinical practice should result from the implementation of guidelines tailored at a local level, with an eye on costs.

Randomized controlled trial of lung lavage with dilute surfactant for meconium aspiration syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether lung lavage with surfactant changes the duration of mechanical respiratory support or other outcomes in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized controlled trial that enrolled ventilated infants with MAS. Infants randomized to lavage received two 15-mL/kg aliquots of dilute bovine surfactant instilled into, and recovered from, the lung. Control subjects received standard care, which in both groups included high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide, and, where available, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). RESULTS: Sixty-six infants were randomized, with one ineligible infant excluded from analysis. Median duration of respiratory support was similar in infants who underwent lavage and control subjects (5.5 versus 6.0 days, P = .77). Requirement for high frequency ventilation and nitric oxide did not differ between the groups. Fewer infants who underwent lavage died or required ECMO: 10% (3/30) compared with 31% (11/35) in the control group (odds ratio, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.060-0.97). Lavage transiently reduced oxygen saturation without substantial heart rate or blood pressure alterations. Mean airway pressure was more rapidly weaned in the lavage group after randomization. CONCLUSION: Lung lavage with dilute surfactant does not alter duration of respiratory support, but may reduce mortality, especially in units not offering ECMO.

Two outbreaks of Burkholderia cepacia nosocomial infection in a neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia septicaemia occurred in our neonatal unit over a 9-week period in 2001, affecting 23 babies and two died. A second outbreak lasting 8 days occurred a year later, affecting five babies. SETTING: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kuala Terengganu Hospital. AIM: To review the patient characteristics and the risk factors for septicaemia in the first outbreak. METHODS: Retrospective review of records and in the first outbreak a case-control analysis with 23 matched controls for risk factors for septicaemia. RESULTS: In the first outbreak, median birthweight was 1670 g (range 860-3760) and median gestational age was 32 weeks (range 27-41). There were 32 episodes of septicaemia, and five and two patients had two and three episodes, respectively. The mortality rate was 6.3% per septicaemic episode. Multiple logistic regression showed the presence of a prior long line was associated with first septicaemic episode (OR 7.07, 95% CI 1.37-36.47 with P = 0.019) but not prior assisted ventilation. The organism was isolated from the water of an oxygen humidifier in the delivery room, three ventilator water traps and one humidifier water trap in the neonatal unit. In the second outbreak, six episodes of septicaemia occurred in five neonates with median birthweight 2060 g and median gestational age 32.5 weeks. The organism was isolated from two ventilator water traps. CONCLUSION: These two outbreaks of Burkholderia cepacia subsided with general infection control measures. The sources of these two outbreaks were not identified.