Neonatal Resuscitation Practices in Portuguese Delivery Rooms: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Data from previous studies have demonstrated inconsistency between current evidence and delivery room resuscitation practices in developed countries. The primary aim of this study was to assess the quality of newborn healthcare and resuscitation practices in Portuguese delivery rooms, comparing current practices with the 2021 European Resuscitation Council guidelines. The secondary aim was to compare the consistency of practices between tertiary and non-tertiary centers across Portugal. METHODS: An 87-question survey concerning neonatal care was sent to all physicians registered with the Portuguese Neonatal Society via email. In order to compare practices between centers, participants were divided into two groups: Group A (level III and level IIb centers) and Group B (level IIa and I centers). A descriptive analysis of variables was performed in order to compare the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 130 physicians responded to the survey. Group A included 91 (70%) and Group B 39 (30%) respondents. More than 80% of participants reported the presence of a healthcare professional with basic newborn resuscitation training in all deliveries, essential equipment in the delivery room, such as a resuscitator with a light and heat source, a pulse oximeter, and an O2 blender, and performing delayed cord clamping for all neonates born without complications. Less than 60% reported performing team briefing before deliveries, the presence of electrocardiogram sensors, end-tidal CO2 detector, and continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room, and monitoring the neonate's temperature. Major differences between groups were found regarding staff attending deliveries, education, equipment, thermal control, umbilical cord management, vital signs monitoring, prophylactic surfactant administration, and the neonate's transportation out of the delivery room. CONCLUSION: Overall, adherence to neonatal resuscitation international guidelines was high among Portuguese physicians. However, differences between guidelines and current practices, as well as between centers with different levels of care, were identified. Areas for improvement include team briefing, ethics, education, available equipment in delivery rooms, temperature control, and airway management. The authors emphasize the importance of continuous education to ensure compliance with the most recent guidelines and ultimately improve neonatal health outcomes.

Neonatal Renal Failure Following Intrauterine Exposure to an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in the normal development of the fetal kidney. Late pregnancy blockage of the RAAS, through in-utero exposure to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers, is associated with poor fetal outcomes, including oligohydramnios, renal tubular dysplasia, postnatal anuric renal failure, and hypotension. The present case describes a 39-year-old primigravida that was referred to the emergency department, at 37 weeks, for the evaluation of intrauterine growth restriction and suspected coarctation of the aorta (CoA). She was medicated with enalapril since the 35th week of gestation. She delivered a male infant, weighing 2,110 g, with no apparent malformations. CoA was excluded. During his first day of life, the patient developed anuria, acute renal failure, and hypotension, requiring ionotropic support. Renal ultrasound appeared normal. Diuresis was reinitiated at 48 hours of life after continued supportive measures. Kidney function tests progressively normalized. Additional investigations revealed a low concentration of angiotensin-converting enzyme. The patient is currently 12 months old and has had a favorable evolution. This case highlights the fact that even brief exposure to enalapril in the third trimester may cause RAAS blocker fetopathy. As long-term sequelae of ACEI-exposed infants are poorly described, close follow-up of renal complications is essential. Physicians should be aware of the deleterious effects of RAAS blockers in pregnancy.

Perinatal management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a level III University Hospital.

Over the past 4 months, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has spread all over the world. The lack of understanding of this pandemic epidemiological characteristics, clinical implications and long term consequences have raised concern among healthcare workers. Pregnant women and newborns are a particularly worrisome population since data referring to real infection impact in these patients are scarce and management controversial. We report on the perinatal management of the first consecutive ten mother-infant dyads of SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated pregnancy. All mothers were included in newborn management planning prior to delivery and decided on separation from their newborns; nine decided on postponing breastfeeding until SARS-CoV-2 negativity while maintaining lactation stimulation. No evidence of vertical transmission was found (all NP swab and bronchial secretions SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR were negative). No newborn developed clinical evidence of infection. In the face of current scientific uncertainty, decisions of perinatal management, such as mother-infant separation and breastfeeding, must involve parents in a process of shared decision making.

Nephrotoxicity in Neonates.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is classified based on prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal causes. In the newborn, AKI can occur after an insult during the prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal period. AKI is usually an underrecognized condition and its true incidence is unknown. AKI may result from the administration of a number of different nephrotoxic medications, which are often used concurrently in critically ill neonates, exponentially increasing the risk of renal injury. Drug toxicity may also compromise the formation and development of nephrons, and this is particularly important in preterm infants, who have incomplete nephrogenesis. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different medications used in neonates, especially for the most immature infant, and the use of most medications in this population is off label. Strategies to prevent AKI include the avoidance of hypotension, hypovolemia, fluid imbalances, hypoxia, and sepsis as well as judicious use of nephrotoxic medications. Treatment strategies aim to maintain fluids and electrolytic and acid-base homeostasis, along with an adequate nutritional status. Neonates are especially prone to long-term sequelae of AKI and benefit from long-term follow-up. This review summarizes the most relevant aspects of nephrotoxicity in neonates and describes the prevention, treatment, and follow-up of AKI in neonates.

Respiratory Care for the Ventilated Neonate.

Invasive ventilation is often necessary for the treatment of newborn infants with respiratory insufficiency. The neonatal patient has unique physiological characteristics such as small airway caliber, few collateral airways, compliant chest wall, poor airway stability, and low functional residual capacity. Pathologies affecting the newborn's lung are also different from many others observed later in life. Several different ventilation modes and strategies are available to optimize mechanical ventilation and to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. Important aspects to be considered in ventilating neonates include the use of correct sized endotracheal tube to minimize airway resistance and work of breathing, positioning of the patient, the nursing care, respiratory kinesiotherapy, sedation and analgesia, and infection prevention, namely, the ventilator-associated pneumonia and nosocomial infection, as well as prevention and treatment of complications such as air leaks and pulmonary hemorrhage. Aspects of ventilation in patients under ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and in palliative care are of increasing interest nowadays. Online pulmonary mechanics and function testing as well as capnography are becoming more commonly used. Echocardiography is now a routine in most neonatal units. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an attractive tool potentially helping in preventing intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia. Lung ultrasound is an emerging tool of diagnosis and can be of added value in helping monitoring the ventilated neonate. The aim of this scientific literature review is to address relevant aspects concerning the respiratory care and monitoring of the invasively ventilated newborn in order to help physicians to optimize the efficacy of care.

Complications of central lines in neonates admitted to a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors for central line related complications in neonates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of infants who underwent central line (CL) placement, from 1 July 2014 to 31 June 2016, was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Centro Hospitalar de São João. Infants hospitalized more than 2 d and CLs placed for more than 24 h were included. Patients' demographic characteristics, hospital data, and information on CLs were collected. Indwelling complications were compared between infant groups and types of CL inserted. RESULTS: A total of 400 CLs were inserted in 240 infants with a CL utilization ratio of 0.64. Overall CL complication rate was 29.6 per 1000 catheter days. Of all complications, central line-associated bloodstream infection had the highest incidence (12.4 per 1000 catheter days). Infiltration was the most reported mechanical complication. Non-umbilical catheters showed a significantly higher incidence of complications than umbilical ones. Low gestational age, low birth weight, prolonged catheter stay, long duration of total parenteral nutrition, and peripherally inserted central catheter placement were associated with a higher risk of indwelling complication. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of measures to prevent catheter-related complications must be a priority in care of vulnerable neonates.

Neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathies are rare diseases of the heart muscle, of multiple causes, that manifest with various structural and functional phenotypes but are invariably associated with cardiac dysfunction. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the commonest cardiomyopathy in children, and the majority present before one year of age. Its etiology may be acquired or genetic. Myocarditis is an important cause and is responsible for the majority of acquired cases. Inherited (familial) forms of dilated cardiomyopathy may occur in 25-50% of patients. Echocardiographic and tissue Doppler studies are the basis for diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in most patients. Marked dilatation of the left ventricle with global hypokinesis is the hallmark of the disease. This review will cover the classification, epidemiology and management of newborns with dilated cardiomyopathy. In particular, a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the genetic study of dilated cardiomyopathy and of detailed echocardiographic assessment of these patients will be presented.

Vascular access in neonates.

The aim of this review was to provide updated and recent literature on vascular access in neonates in order to help neonatologists in their clinical practice, using as data sources textbooks, recent published articles from Pubmed, Cochrane reviews and web guidelines.

Pertussis in the newborn: certainties and uncertainties in 2014.

Bordetella pertussis infection remains a serious potential health risk to infants, specially in those too young to be vaccinated. Over the recent years, numerous sources highlighted a widespread resurgence, making it, again, a challenging disease. Globally, pertussis is ranked among the 10 leading causes of childhood mortality. This review summarizes the most recent literature and will address the most important aspects that pediatricians and neonatologists must be familiar with, when treating a newborns pertussis infection.

Severe pertussis in newborns and young vulnerable infants.

A retrospective chart review of 18 nonvaccinated newborns and infants admitted to 6 intensive care units in the north of Portugal between 2007 and 2012 revealed a high rate of admissions in 2012 along with significant rates of severe pulmonary hypertension and mortality. Hyperleukocytosis was significantly associated with a more severe clinical picture and mortality.

Neonatal hepatobiliar disease.

Liver disease in the neonate is a rare but serious cause of morbidity and mortality. In this review the authors describe and discuss the causes of liver and bile ducts diseases in the newborn, according to the results of their experience in a previous study.

Respiratory outcomes and atopy in school-age children who were preterm at birth, with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pulmonary function and the prevalence of atopy in school-age children who were very low birth weight as infants and to compare those who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia to those who did not. METHOD: We studied 85 (39 male and 46 female) at a mean age of 84 (range, 62 to 107) months who were very low birth weight infants. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was defined as oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age. We excluded 8 patients (4 for cerebral palsy and 4 for no collaboration). Detailed perinatal and clinical data were collected. Lung function was evaluated using conventional spirometry. Atopy (assessed by the allergy skin-prick test) was considered when at least one positive skin test occurred in a panel of the most common environmental allergens in the local region. Comparisons between the bronchopulmonary dysplasia and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney, x2 and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: We compared the bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 13) and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 64) groups. Atopy was observed in 4 (30.8%) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients and in 17 (26.6%) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 0.742). Two (15.4%) patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had a family history of atopy vs. 17 (26.6%) in the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (p = 0.5). Lung function tests showed airway obstruction in 2 (15.4%) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients and in 10 (15.6%) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 1.0). Four (33.3%) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients had small airway obstruction vs. 14 (22.2%) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 0.466). CONCLUSION: Our data showed no significant differences in lung function between bronchopulmonary dysplasia and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients at school age and no evidence of an association between atopy and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

[Blueberry muffin baby. A rare presentation of congenital cytomegalovirus infection]. / Blueberry muffin baby. A presentação rara de infecção congénita por citomegalovírus.

The 'blueberry muffin baby' designation was used to describe the cutaneous manifestations of congenital rubella. The differential diagnosis includes other TORCH infections, blood dyscrasias, neoplasms, or vascular disorders. We present a case of a newborn admitted at birth for presenting disseminated violaceous cutaneous nodules. Pregnancy was full term and without infectious complications, with prenatal diagnosis of restrictive intrauterine growth, hydramnios and suspected esophageal atresia. Maternal serology with no evidence of infection. The newborn blood study showed thrombocytopenia, direct hyperbilirubinemia, elevated transaminases and coagulopathy. During hospitalization he showed progressive hepatosplenomegaly. Skin biopsy showed extramedullary erythropoiesis. Myelogram revealed absence of megakaryocytic line precursors. The molecular analysis for cytomegalovirus in peripheral blood and bone marrow was positive. Cerebral ultrasound examination revealed bilateral calcifications and periventricular hyperechogenicity. The placental anatomopathological exam showed features suggestive of cytomegalovirus infection. On the fifth day of life was initiated ganciclovir. This case presentation is intended to emphasize that although it is a rare manifestation, congenital cytomegalovirus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of 'blueberry muffin baby'.

Respiratory outcomes and atopy in school-age children who were preterm at birth, with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE: To assess pulmonary function and the prevalence of atopy in school-age children who were very low birth weight as infants and to compare those who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia to those who did not. METHOD: We studied 85 (39 male and 46 female) at a mean age of 84 (range, 62 to 107) months who were very low birth weight infants. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was defined as oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age. We excluded 8 patients (4 for cerebral palsy and 4 for no collaboration). Detailed perinatal and clinical data were collected. Lung function was evaluated using conventional spirometry. Atopy (assessed by the allergy skin-prick test) was considered when at least one positive skin test occurred in a panel of the most common environmental allergens in the local region. Comparisons between the bronchopulmonary dysplasia and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney, x2 and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: We compared the bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 13) and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 64) groups. Atopy was observed in 4 (30.8 percent) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients and in 17 (26.6 percent) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 0.742). Two (15.4 percent) patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had a family history of atopy vs. 17 (26.6 percent) in the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (p = 0.5). Lung function tests showed airway obstruction in 2 (15.4 percent) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients and in 10 (15.6 percent) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 1.0). Four (33.3 percent) of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients had small airway obstruction vs. 14 (22.2 percent) of the no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients (p = 0.466). CONCLUSION: Our data showed no significant differences in lung function between bronchopulmonary dysplasia and no bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients at school age and no evidence of an association between atopy and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Disorders of the neonatal liver and bile ducts.

INTRODUCTION: Liver and biliary tract disorders in the neonate are relatively rare and often complex. AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of neonatal liver and biliary tract disorders, main causes, clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical, imagiological, laboratory, pathological and autopsy data concerning all newborns with liver and biliary tract disorder admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of five tertiary medical centers from the north of Portugal, between 1997 and 2006, were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: 77 neonates (incidence 0.5% - 77/14505 admissions); 44M/33F; gestational age 34 weeks (25-41); preterm 50 (65%); birthweight 1980 g (570-4130), < 1500 g 29 (38%). Several causes were identified and classified as infectious, metabolic, anatomic/structural, neoplastic, vascular, traumatic, immune, genetic and idiopathic. Clinical signs appeared between days 1 and 61 of life. Jaundice was the most frequent clinical sign (92%). Cholestasis occurred in 67 (87%) patients. Duration of hospital stay was 35 days (5-146); 18 patients (23%) were deceased. Autopsy study was diagnostic in 8 cases (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial and intrauterine infection were the most common causes of liver and biliary tract disease. Several other rare causes represented an important challenge in diagnosis and treatment, and some were fatal. Awareness of the spectrum of liver and bile duct disorders in the neonate and recognition of the key clinical features are essential to optimize outcome.

Gastroschisis: preterm or term delivery?

AIM: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association between prematurity and the time to achieve full enteral feeding in newborns with gastroschisis. The second objective was to analyze the associations between length of hospital stay and time to achieve full enteral feeding with mode of delivery, birth weight and surgical procedure. METHODS: The medical records of newborns with gastroschisis treated between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed. Two groups were considered: those delivered before 37 weeks (group A) and those delivered after 37 weeks (group B). The variables of gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight, time to achieve full enteral feeding, length of hospital stay and surgical approach were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were studied. In Group A, there were 14 patients with a mean birth weight (BW) of 2300 g (range=1680-3000) and a mean gestational age (GA) of 36 weeks (range=34-36). In group B, there were 24 patients with a mean BW of 2700 g (range=1500-3550) and a mean GA of 38 weeks (range=37-39). The mean time to achieve full enteral feeding was 30.1+/-6.7 days in group A and 17.0+/-2.5 days in group B (p=0.09) with an OR of 0.82 and a 95% CI of 0.20-3.23 after adjustment for sepsis and BW. No statistical difference was found between low BW (<2500 g), mode of delivery and number of days to achieve full enteral feeding (p=0.34 and p=0.13, respectively). Patients with BW over 2500 g had fewer days in the hospital (22.9+/-3.1 vs. 35.7+/-5.7 days; p=0.06). CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not support the idea of anticipating the delivery of fetuses with gastroschisis in order to achieve full enteral feeding earlier.

Gastroschisis: preterm or term delivery?

AIM: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association between prematurity and the time to achieve full enteral feeding in newborns with gastroschisis. The second objective was to analyze the associations between length of hospital stay and time to achieve full enteral feeding with mode of delivery, birth weight and surgical procedure. METHODS: The medical records of newborns with gastroschisis treated between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed. Two groups were considered: those delivered before 37 weeks (group A) and those delivered after 37 weeks (group B). The variables of gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight, time to achieve full enteral feeding, length of hospital stay and surgical approach were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were studied. In Group A, there were 14 patients with a mean birth weight (BW) of 2300 g (range=1680-3000) and a mean gestational age (GA) of 36 weeks (range=34-36). In group B, there were 24 patients with a mean BW of 2700 g (range=1500-3550) and a mean GA of 38 weeks (range=37-39). The mean time to achieve full enteral feeding was 30.1±6.7 days in group A and 17.0±2.5 days in group B (p=0.09) with an OR of 0.82 and a 95 percent CI of 0.20-3.23 after adjustment for sepsis and BW. No statistical difference was found between low BW (<2500 g), mode of delivery and number of days to achieve full enteral feeding (p=0.34 and p=0.13, respectively). Patients with BW over 2500 g had fewer days in the hospital (22.9±3.1 vs. 35.7±5.7 days; p=0.06). CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not support the idea of anticipating the delivery of fetuses with gastroschisis in order to achieve full enteral feeding earlier.

Pediatric parapneumonic pleural effusions: experience in a university central hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusions can complicate pneumonias in children and adolescents and are usually associated with a long hospital stay and increased morbidity. AIMS: To characterise a population of patients with parapneumonic pleural effusion and to establish possible prognostic factors on admission based on clinical, imaging and analytical data. To correlate treatment options with the outcome. METHODS: Case review of patients under 18 years old with parapneumonic pleural effusion, admitted between July 1997 - June 2004 (7 years). RESULTS: 118 patients were included, 60% male, with mean age 7 years. The incidence of pleural effusion increased throughout the period of the study. The admissions occurred predominantly in autumn and winter. On admission 60% of patients had respiratory distress and 39% chest pain. In 40% loculations were found on admission and were associated with longer hospital stay, longer course of antibiotic therapy and more frequent need for surgery. Thoracentesis was performed in 72% of patients (mean pH pleural fluid 7.24). The aetiologic agent was identified in 17% of cases: Streptococcus pneumoniae (five), Staphylococcus aureus (four) and Streptococcus pyogenes (four). In our study, 52% of patients underwent pleural drainage and 18% surgery. Median length of hospital stay was 15 days with mean 16.4 days (2 - 51). DISCUSSION: Factors associated with worse prognosis were respiratory distress, loculations, empyema, low pH in pleural fluid, glucose or proteins in pleural fluid, high lactic dehydrogenase level in pleural fluid and high serum C-reactive protein. Pleural drainage and/or surgery can shorten hospital stay and improve outcome. CONCLUSION: Complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions are managed successfully in centres with experience in the different types of procedure that might be necessary.

Pertussis with severe pulmonary hypertension in a newborn with good outcome - case report.

In spite of the availability and widespread use of vaccines, pertussis is far from controlled. Newborns and infants too young to be fully vaccinated, born from mothers with low antibody titers to Bordetella pertussis, are highly susceptible to infection and at risk of severe disease and death. Pertussis associated with pulmonary hypertension in the newborn is often fatal. The authors report a clinical case of severe pertussis -induced respiratory failure associated to severe pulmonary hypertension in a neonate successfully treated with sildenafil and inhaled nitric oxide.