¿Mejora la administración de helio mediante cánula nasal de bajo flujo la dificultad respiratoria en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda por virus respiratorio sincitial? Estudio aleatorizado controlado / Does heliox administered by low-flow nasal cannula improve respiratory distress in infants with respiratory syncytial virus acute bronchiolitis? A randomized controlled trial

OBJETIVOS: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar si el uso de heliox (79:21) administrado vía cánula nasal de bajo flujo mejora el trabajo respiratorio en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda causada por virus respiratorio sincitial. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo aleatorizado controlado. Todos los pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión se asignaron al azar a tratamiento con heliox (79:21) o con aire, administrados mediante cánula nasal a razón de 2 L/min durante un período ininterrumpido de 24 h. Se realizaron medidas basales, a las 2 h de iniciar el tratamiento y al completarse las 24 h. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 104 pacientes en el estudio. No se observaron diferencias significativas en la puntuación de la M-WCAS entre los dos grupos a las 2 h (4,3 vs. 4,1; p = 0,78) o al completarse las 24 h (4,2 vs. 4,3; p = 0,89). No hubo diferencias en las proporciones de participantes que progresaron a ventilación mecánica, CPAP-n u oxigenoterapia administrada mediante cánula nasal (RR: 1,0, 0,86 y 0,89; p = 1,0, 0,77 y 0,73). No hubo una reducción significativa en la duración de tratamiento, de 2,42 días en el grupo tratado con heliox y de 2,79 días en el grupo tratado con aire (p = 0,65). Tampoco hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos bajo estudio en la saturación de oxígeno, PaO2 o PaCO2 a las 2 y a las 24 h de tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros datos no mostraron ningún efecto beneficioso del heliox a una concentración de 79:21 administrado vía cánula nasal de bajo flujo en cuanto a la mejoría de la dificultad respiratoria en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda por VRS

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the use of heliox (79:21) delivered through a low flow nasal cannula would improve respiratory distress in infants with acute bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus. METHODS: We have conducted a prospective randomized controlled study. All patients fulfilled inclusion criteria were randomized to either heliox (79:21) or air via NC at 2 L/min for a continuous 24 hours. Measurements were taken at baseline, after 2hours and at the end of the 24hours. RESULTS: We have included 104 patients into our study. The MCA-S did not show any significant difference between the two groups after 2hours 4.3 vs. 4.1 (P =.78), or at 24hours after 4.2 vs. 4.3 (P =.89). No difference was found in the proportion of participants progressed to MV, n-CPAP or oxygen via nasal cannula (RR 1.0, 0.86 and 0.89) (P= 1.0, .77 and .73). There was no notable reduction in length of treatment in Heliox group 2.42 days vs. 2.79 days in air group P =.65. The in oxygen saturation, PaO2, and PaCO2 did not to have any statistical difference between the two studied groups after 2 hours and 24 hours of treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data showed absence of any beneficial effect of heliox in a concentration (79:21) delivered through low flow nasal cannula in terms of respiratory distress improvement in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis

[Does heliox administered by low-flow nasal cannula improve respiratory distress in infants with respiratory syncytial virus acute bronchiolitis? A randomized controlled trial]. / ¿Mejora la administración de helio mediante cánula nasal de bajo flujo la dificultad respiratoria en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda por virus respiratorio sincitial? Estudio aleatorizado controlado.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the use of heliox (79:21) delivered through a low flow nasal cannula would improve respiratory distress in infants with acute bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus. METHODS: We have conducted a prospective randomized controlled study. All patients fulfilled inclusion criteria were randomized to either heliox (79:21) or air via NC at 2 L/min for a continuous 24hours. Measurements were taken at baseline, after 2hours and at the end of the 24hours. RESULTS: We have included 104 patients into our study. The MCA-S did not show any significant difference between the two groups after 2hours 4.3 vs. 4.1 (P =.78), or at 24hours after 4.2 vs. 4.3 (P =.89). No difference was found in the proportion of participants progressed to MV, n-CPAP or oxygen via nasal cannula (RR 1.0, 0.86 and 0.89) (P= 1.0, .77 and .73). There was no notable reduction in length of treatment in Heliox group 2.42 days vs. 2.79 days in air group P =.65. The in oxygen saturation, PaO2, and PaCO2 did not to have any statistical difference between the two studied groups after 2hours and 24hours of treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data showed absence of any beneficial effect of heliox in a concentration (79:21) delivered through low flow nasal cannula in terms of respiratory distress improvement in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis.

Identifying Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: Acinetobacter baumannii is a causative pathogen of various healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and is particularly prevalent in high-risk hospital settings. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with HAIs caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: This prospective study was performed between January 2013 and June 2014 among NICU patients at the Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt. Neonates who developed HAIs due to CRAB were assigned to a case group, while those infected with carbapenem-sensitive A. baumannii (CSAB) were assigned to a control group. RESULTS: Among the 124 neonates who developed A. baumannii-caused HAIs during the study period, 91 (73.4%) were caused by CRAB and 33 (26.6%) were caused by CSAB. Prematurity, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), a previous stay in another hospital, prolonged NICU stay, the presence of invasive devices, previous exposure to carbapenems or aminoglycosides and prolonged antibiotic therapy before infection were significantly associated with CRAB-caused HAIs. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prematurity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 25.3; P <0.01), mechanical ventilation (aOR = 18.9; P <0.01) and the previous use of carbapenems (aOR = 124.7; P <0.01) or aminoglycosides (aOR = 22.6; P = 0.04) to be independent risk factors for CRAB infections. CONCLUSION: Various risk factors were significantly associated with CRAB-caused HAIs among the studied NICU patients.

Presepsin as a predictor of early onset neonatal sepsis in the umbilical cord blood of premature infants with premature rupture of membranes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether presepsin level in umbilical cord blood can be used as a predictor of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in preterm labor with premature rupture of membranes (PROM), allowing rational use of antibiotics. METHODS: All preterm infants between 24 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation born to pregnant women with PROM were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were obtained from clamped umbilical cords after delivery of the neonate and prior to the delivery of the placenta for C-reactive protein and presepsin measurement. A diagnosis or suspicion of EONS was based on clinical symptoms or laboratory results in the absence of positive blood culture. RESULTS: A total of 288 women were included in the study and delivered at 31 + 4 weeks (range, 25-36 + 5 weeks). Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was identified in 62 women (81.6%) with EONS and in 31 (14.6%) without (P = 0.004). The prevalence of EONS was 26.4% (76/288). Median umbilical cord presepsin was significantly higher in neonates with EONS than in those without: 2,231 pg/mL (range, 1,442-3,988 pg/mL) versus 275 pg/mL (range, 116-326 pg/mL; P < 0.000). On logistic regression analysis the only independent predictor of EONS was umbilical cord blood presepsin (OR, 12.6; 95% CI: 2.5-28.1, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical cord blood presepsin is a predictor for EONS in preterm infants with PROM and may help to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Heliox delivered by high flow nasal cannula improves oxygenation in infants with respiratory syncytial virus acute bronchiolitis / Heliox administrado por cânula nasal de alto fluxo melhora a oxigenação em crianças com bronquiolite aguda por vírus sincicial respiratório

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis that use of heliox would result in improvement of gas exchange when used with high flow nasal cannula in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis. Methods: All patients that met the inclusion criteria were randomized to either heliox (70:30) or air-oxygen mixture 30% via high flow nasal cannula at 8 L/min for a continuous 24 h. Measurements were taken at baseline, after 2 h, and at the end of the 24 h. Results: This prospective study included 48 patients. After 2 h of treatment with heliox, the oxygen saturation and PaO2 significantly improved when compared with the air-oxygen group, 98.3% vs. 92.9%, 62.0 mmHg vs. 43.6 mmHg (p = 0.04 and 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly higher in the heliox group when compared with the air-oxygen group, 206.7 vs. 145.3. Nevertheless, CO2 showed better elimination when heliox was used, without significance. MWCA score dropped significantly in the heliox group, 2.2 points vs. 4.0 points in air-oxygen (p = 0.04), 2 h after starting the therapy. Conclusion: Transient improvement of oxygenation in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis during the initial phase of the therapy is associated with heliox when provided with HFNC, may provide a precious time for other therapeutic agents to work or for the disease to resolve naturally, avoiding other aggressive interventions.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a hipótese de que o uso da mistura heliox resultaria em melhoria da troca gasosa quando usado com cânula nasal de alto fluxo em crianças com bronquiolite aguda por VSR. Métodos: Todos os pacientes que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão foram randomizados para receber a mistura heliox (70:30) ou a mistura ar/oxigênio a 30% por meio da cânula nasal de alto fluxo a 8 L/min por 24 horas contínuas. As medições foram feitas no início, depois de duas horas e ao fim de 24 horas. Resultados: Fizemos um estudo prospectivo em que foram incluídos 48 pacientes. Após duas horas de tratamento com a mistura heliox, a saturação de oxigênio e a PaO2 apresentaram melhoria significativa em comparação com o grupo da mistura ar/oxigênio: 98,3% em comparação com 92,9%, 62,0 mmHg em comparação com 43,6 mmHg (p = 0,04 e 0,01), respectivamente. Além disso, a relação PaO2/FiO2 era significativamente mais alta no grupo da mistura heliox do que no grupo da mistura ar/oxigênio, 2.067 em comparação com 1.453. Contudo, o CO2 apresentou melhor eliminação quando a mistura heliox foi usada, sem relevância. O Escore MWCA caiu significativamente no grupo da mistura heliox, 2,2 pontos em comparação com 4,0 pontos da mistura ar/oxigênio (p = 0,04) duas horas após o início da terapia. Conclusão: A breve melhoria da oxigenação em crianças com bronquiolite aguda por VSR na fase inicial da terapia está associada à mistura heliox quando administrada pela CNAF e poderá fornecer um tempo precioso para outros agentes terapêuticos funcionarem ou para a própria doença se curar naturalmente e evitar outras intervenções agressivas.

Heliox delivered by high flow nasal cannula improves oxygenation in infants with respiratory syncytial virus acute bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis that use of heliox would result in improvement of gas exchange when used with high flow nasal cannula in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis. METHODS: All patients that met the inclusion criteria were randomized to either heliox (70:30) or air-oxygen mixture 30% via high flow nasal cannula at 8L/min for a continuous 24h. Measurements were taken at baseline, after 2h, and at the end of the 24h. RESULTS: This prospective study included 48 patients. After 2h of treatment with heliox, the oxygen saturation and PaO2 significantly improved when compared with the air-oxygen group, 98.3% vs. 92.9%, 62.0mmHg vs. 43.6mmHg (p=0.04 and 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly higher in the heliox group when compared with the air-oxygen group, 206.7 vs. 145.3. Nevertheless, CO2 showed better elimination when heliox was used, without significance. MWCA score dropped significantly in the heliox group, 2.2 points vs. 4.0 points in air-oxygen (p=0.04), 2h after starting the therapy. CONCLUSION: Transient improvement of oxygenation in infants with RSV acute bronchiolitis during the initial phase of the therapy is associated with heliox when provided with HFNC, may provide a precious time for other therapeutic agents to work or for the disease to resolve naturally, avoiding other aggressive interventions.

Myocardial performance in asphyxiated full-term infants assessed by Doppler tissue imaging.

The aim of this study was to assess myocardial performance of full-term infants with perinatal asphyxia using Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and to correlate it with serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations. Twenty-five asphyxiated and 20 nonasphyxiated term infants were investigated. Serum cTnT concentrations were measured between 12 and 24 h of life. Conventional two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and DTI were done during the first 72 h of life. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) Tei indexes were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates (mean +/- SD: 0.45 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.05, P < 0.001 and 0.51 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.04, P < 0.001, respectively). Mitral and tricuspid systolic (Sm) velocities were significantly lower in asphyxiated neonates (mean +/- SD: 5.06 +/- 0.89 vs. 6.89 +/- 0.94 cm/s, P < 0.001 and 5.78 +/- 0.58 vs. 6.69 +/- 0.87 cm/s, P < 0.001, respectively). cTnT concentrations were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates [median (range): 0.17 (0.05-0.23) vs. 0.03 (0-0.07) microg/l, P < 0.001)], and they correlated positively with the LV Tei index (r = 0.67, P < 0.001) and the RV Tei index (r = 0.68, P < 0.001) and negatively with the mitral systolic (Sm) velocity (r = -0.68, P < 0.001) and tricuspid systolic (Sm) velocity (r = -0.41, P = 0.01). A higher cTnT was a significant predictor of mortality, whereas fractional shortening (FS) and DTI measurements did not show any significant predictive value. The DTI technique appears to be more sensitive than conventional echocardiography in the early detection of myocardial dysfunction induced by perinatal asphyxia in full-term infants.

Antenatal and postnatal risk factors for neonatal hypertension and infant follow-up.

Neonatal hypertension is an uncommon but important complication of intensive care management. The aims of this study were to identify in neonates with hypertension: antenatal and postnatal risk factors; aldosterone and renin levels; and report on outcome in early infancy. The study involved a retrospective review of neonates diagnosed with systemic hypertension from January 2001 to December 2005. Demographic data, risk factors, laboratory investigation, and follow-up data at 3-6 months of age were collected. Of the 2,572 newborn infants included, 34 (1.3%) had neonatal hypertension. Gestational age and birth weight and length were significantly lower in infants with hypertension. The median postnatal age at diagnosis of systemic hypertension was 5.0 days. Antenatal steroid administration, maternal hypertension, umbilical arterial catheter, postnatal acute renal failure, patent ductus arteriosus, indomethacin treatment and chronic lung disease were associated with the development of neonatal hypertension [odds ratios (OR) 8.7, 3.8, 10.0, 51.8, 5.9, 5.7 and 7.7, respectively]. Elevated aldosterone and renin levels occurred in 60% and 33% but had normalised in the majority by 6 months of age. The majority of infants do not require treatment for hypertension by 6 months of age.