The impact of premature rupture of membrane on neonatal outcomes in infants born at 34 weeks gestation or later.

BACKGROUND: Premature rupture of membranes (PROMs) is a known risk for adverse neonatal outcomes, often leading to neonatal hospitalization due to suspected perinatal infection or other issues. This study assesses PROM's clinical impact on neonatal outcomes in infants born at 34 weeks of gestation or later. METHODS: We studied hospitalized neonates born between December 2018 and November 2019, with gestational ages of 34 weeks or more and PROM diagnosis. We extracted patient data from clinical records, including demographics, maternal history, medical profiles, and neonatal outcomes. Neonates were categorized based on symptoms, PROM duration, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, and respiratory support. Data underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS: Of 275 neonates, the average PROM duration was 7.9 ± 8.1 hours, with 247 cases (89.8%) showing symptoms. Among them, 34 (12.4%) had PROM lasting over 18 hours, 48 (17.5%) were born prematurely, and 79 (28.7%) required intensive care. Symptomatic neonates had significantly higher rates of needing intensive care, respiratory support, prolonged antibiotics, and extended hospitalization ( p < 0.05). NICU stays (≥3 days) were significantly associated with prematurity (odds ratio [OR] = 5.49; 95% CI, 2.39-12.60) and an initial pH level <7.25 (OR = 3.35; 95% CI, 1.46-7.68). Extended respiratory support (≥3 days) was significantly correlated with tocolysis ≥7 days (OR = 13.20; 95% CI, 3.94-44.20), Apgar score <7 at 1 minute after birth (OR = 4.28; 95% CI, 1.67-10.97), and inadequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.04-5.23). CONCLUSION: Neonates born at or after 34 weeks of gestation with PROM should undergo vigilant monitoring if early symptoms (<24 hours) manifest. Risk factors for requiring NICU care or extended respiratory support (≥3 days) include prematurity, low initial pH (<7.25), prolonged tocolysis requirement (≥7 days), an Apgar score below 7 at 1 minute, and inadequate IAP.

Factors associated with postoperative respiratory conditions and critical outcomes on pediatric liver transplantation: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an established therapeutic option for pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD). The postoperative respiratory conditions of OLT recipients may be associated with subsequent clinical outcomes including length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aimed to characterize the postoperative respiratory conditions, associated factors, and outcomes after pediatric OLT. METHODS: Clinical data of children receiving OLT from July 2014 to July 2020 were retrospectively collected. Postoperative respiratory conditions were defined as time to extubation, significant pleural effusion, and initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Logistic and multiple regressions were applied to analyze the associations among clinical factors, postoperative respiratory conditions, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with median age of 1.4-year-old (range: 25 days to 12 years old) were analyzed. Mortality within 28 days was 4.5% and median LOS in the PICU was 18 days. Of 22 patients, 11 patients (50.0%) were extubated over 24 hours after surgery, and 8 patients (36.4%) required drainage for pleural effusions. Longer LOS in the PICU were noted in patients extubated over 24 hours (p = 0.008), complicated with significant pleural effusions (p = 0.02) after surgery, and having low initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 (<300 mmHg) (p = 0.001). Among clinical factors, massive intraoperative blood transfusion (>40 mL/kg) was significantly associated with prolonged intubations, significant pleural effusions, low initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2, and prolonged LOS in the PICU (>14 days). The initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 significantly depended on age, disease severity (PELD score), and whether the patient received massive intraoperative blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients of OLT with poor postoperative respiratory conditions including low initial PaO2/FiO2 ratio, extubation over 24 hours or significant pleural effusions have longer LOS in the PICU, and the requirement of massive intraoperative transfusion was a risk factor for both poor postoperative respiratory conditions and prolonged LOS in the PICU.

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia associated with insulin antibodies caused by exogenous insulin analog.

Insulin antibodies (IA) associated with exogenous insulin administration seldom caused hypoglycemia and had different characteristics from insulin autoantibodies (IAA) found in insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS), which was first described by Dr Hirata in 1970. The characteristic of IAS is the presence of insulin-binding autoantibodies and related fasting or late postprandial hypoglycemia. Here, we report a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus under insulin glargine and insulin aspart treatment who developed recurrent spontaneous post-absorptive hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with the cause probably being insulin antibodies induced by exogenous injected insulin. Examinations of serial sera disclosed a high titre of insulin antibodies (33%, normal <5%), high insulin concentration (111.9 IU/mL) and undetectable C-peptide when hypoglycemia occurred. An oral glucose tolerance test revealed persistent high serum levels of total insulin and undetectable C-peptide. Image studies of the pancreas were unremarkable, which excluded the diagnosis of insulinoma. The patient does not take any of the medications containing sulfhydryl compounds, which had been reported to cause IAS. After administering oral prednisolone for 3 weeks, hypoglycemic episodes markedly improved, and he was discharged smoothly. LEARNING POINTS: Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) or IAS-like situation should be one of the differential diagnosis in patients with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.Although less reported, insulin antibodies (IA) caused by exogenous insulin analog should be considered as the cause of hypoglycemia.Patients with suspected insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) should be screened for drugs related to autoimmunity to endogenous insulin.