Randomized, multicenter trial of conventional ventilation versus high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for the early management of respiratory failure in term or near-term infants in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) compared to conventional ventilation (CV) for the treatment of respiratory failure in term and near-term infants in Colombia. STUDY DESIGN: Eligible infants with moderate to severe respiratory failure were randomized to early treatment with CV or HFOV. Ventilator management and general patient care were standardized. The main outcome was neonatal death or pulmonary air leak. RESULTS: A total of 119 infants were enrolled (55 in the HFOV group; 64 in the CV group) during the study period. Six infants in the HFOV group (11%) and two infants in the CV group (3%) developed the primary outcome (RR: 3.6, 95% CI: 0.8-16.9). Five infants in the HFOV group (9%) and one infant in the CV (2%) died before 28 days of life (RR: 5.9 CI: 0.7-48.2). Secondary outcomes were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: HFOV may not be superior to CV as an early treatment for respiratory failure in this age group. Standardization of ventilator management and general patient care may have a greater impact on the outcome in Colombia than mode of ventilation.

Risk factors for nosocomial infections in selected neonatal intensive care units in Colombia, South America.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify risk factors for nosocomial infections among infants admitted into eight neonatal intensive care units in Colombia. Knowledge of modifiable risk factors could be used to guide the design of interventions to prevent the problem. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected prospectively from eight neonatal units. Nosocomial infection was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 hours of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Associations were expressed as odds ratios. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: From a total of 1504 eligible infants, 80 were treated for 127 episodes of nosocomial infection. Logistic regression analysis identified the combined exposure to postnatal steroids and H2-blockers, and use of oral gastric tubes for enteral nutrition as risk factors significantly associated with nosocomial infection. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infections in Colombian neonatal intensive care units were associated with modifiable risk factors including use of postnatal steroids and H2-blockers.

Epidemiology of nosocomial infections in selected neonatal intensive care units in Colombia, South America.

OBJECTIVE: The epidemiology of nosocomial infections (NI) in neonatal intensive care units in developing countries has been poorly studied. We conducted a prospective study in selected neonatal units in Colombia, SA, to describe the incidence rate, causative organisms, and interinstitutional differences. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected prospectively from February 20 to August 30, 2001 from eight neonatal units. NI was defined as culture-proven infection diagnosed after 72 h of hospitalization, resulting in treatment with antibiotics for >3 days. Linear regression models were used to describe associations between institutional variables and NI rates. RESULTS: A total of 1504 infants were hospitalized for more than 72 h, and therefore, at risk for NI. Of all, 127 infections were reported among 80 patients (5.3%). The incidence density rate was 6.2 per 1000 patient-days. Bloodstream infections accounted for 78% of NIs. Gram-negative organisms predominated over gram-positive organisms (55 vs 38%) and were prevalent in infants < or =2000 g (54%). The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (12%). CONCLUSION: Gram-negative organisms predominate in Colombia among infants <2000 g. The emergence of gram-negative organisms and their associated risk factors requires further study.

Perfusion pediatrica / Pediatric perfusion

La incidencia de enfermedad cardíaca congénita es de 8 por ciento por cada 1000 nacidos vivos. El 90 por ciento son CIV, CÍA, Ductus, estenosis pulmonar y coartación aórtica. En algunos es indispensable el uso de la Circulación Extracorpórea para su corrección quirúrgica (1). En la Clínica San Rafael, 159 pacientes han sido intervenidos entre enero de 1996 y octubre de 2000, 83 niños y 76 niñas, en edades entre los 9 días y los 17 años, con una media de 6 años. Los tipos de corrección fueron: cierre de ductus arteriosos persistente, cierre de comunicaciones inter-auriculares (CIA), cierre de comunicaciones inter-ventriculares (CIV), coartación aórtica, fístula sistémico pulmonar, Fallot, cambio válvula mitral, cambio válvula aórtica, plastia válvula aórtica, plastia válvula tricúspide, plastia válvula pulmonar, canal aurículo-ventricular, doble salida de ventrículo derecho, transposición de grandes vasos, drenaje venoso anómalo, tumor del ventrículo izquierdo. En todos los pacientes se aplicó el protocolo establecido en nuestra Institución, siendo el perfusionista quien seleccionó el oxigenador, el circuito, las cánulas, el hemoconcentrador pediátrico y la purga. La experiencia adquirida en la Clínica San Rafael ha permitido realizar intervenciones de cardiopatías complejas con buenos resultados. La Técnica de Perfusión, es muy importante en el resultado de la intervención, haciendo que ésta sea segura y fiable