Impact of antenatal corticosteroid exposure on thymus size in premature infants.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of corticosteroids on the thymic index (TI) and the thymus/weight index (TWI) in infants exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS). METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between August 2014 and October 2018. A thymus ultrasound was performed to assess thymus size on the second day of life. Thymus size was assessed as TI and TWI. RESULTS: In total, 167 neonates (≤34 weeks gestation)  constituted the study population, including 94 ACS-exposed infants and 73 untreated infants. The treatment group exhibited significantly lower birth weight and significantly shorter birth length than the ACS (-) group. Therefore, TI was smaller in the treatment group than in the untreated group (6.96 ± 4.05 cm3 vs. 5.64 ± 3.39 cm3). The TWI was 3.69 ± 1.8 cm3/kg in the ACS (-) group versus 3.32 ± 1.56 cm3/kg in the ACS (+) group. The median anteroposterior diameter of the right lobe was 1.33 cm (range, 0.45-2.40) in the ACS (-) group compared to 1.15 cm (range, 0.47-2.40) in the ACS (+) group. The median anteroposterior diameter of the left lobe was 1.40 cm (range, 0.43-2.20) in the ACS (-) group and 1.19 cm (range, 0.32-2.36) in the ACS (+) group. The median largest sagittal area was 2.64 cm2 (range, 0.5-5.46) in the ACS (-) group versus 2.20 cm2 (range, 0.55-5.90) in the ACS (+) group. CONCLUSION: We found that TWI was not significantly changed by ACS exposure in premature infants.

Favorable outcomes in the treatment of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVES: To report the results of intravitreal ranibizumab injection as primary therapy in aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity, the process of the disease, and the additive treatments performed. METHODS: This retrospective case review included 15 eyes of 8 premature babies with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity who were initially treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection. The documented data were gestational age, birth weight, gender, postmenstrual age at intravitreal ranibizumab injection, zone of retinopathy of prematurity, reactivation time of disease, iris neovascularization, retinal hemorrhage, anatomical outcome, and additional treatment. RESULTS: Median gestational age at birth was 26 (range, 23-27) weeks, birth weight was 730 (range, 550-970) g, and postconceptional age at aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity diagnosis and intravitreal ranibizumab injection was 35 (range, 33-35) weeks. Intravitreal ranibizumab injection was performed as primary treatment. Two eyes necessitated a second intravitreal ranibizumab injection. The reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity was 5 (range, 3-7) weeks after intravitreal ranibizumab injection. Recurrence of the disease in Zone II was treated with laser photocoagulation. A favorable outcome was obtained in all eyes (100%). CONCLUSION: Aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity is a serious, rapidly progressing form of retinopathy of prematurity that requires quick and proper management. This study indicates that primary treatment with ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation on recurrence provide favorable anatomical outcomes.

Determination of tissue hypoxia by physicochemical approach in premature anemia.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common problem in premature infants and its most rapid and effective therapy is erythrocyte transfusion. However, owing to inherent risks of transfusion in this population, transfusions should be administered only when adequate oxygen delivery to tissues is impaired. The aim of this study was to determine tissue acid levels using Stewart method in an attempt to evaluate the tissue oxygenation level and thereby the accuracy of transfusion timing. METHODS: This study included 47 infants delivered at gestational age below 34 weeks who required erythrocyte transfusion for premature anemia. Strong ion gap (SIG), unmeasurable anions (UMA), tissue acid levels (TA), and Cl/Na ratios were calculated before and after transfusion. RESULTS: The mean birth weight and gestational age of the study population were 1210 ± 365 g and 29.2 ± 2.7 weeks, respectively. Tissue acid levels were increased (TA ≥ 4) and tissue hypoxia developed in 10 (16.6%) of 60 erythrocyte transfusions administered according to the restrictive transfusion approach. The patients were divided into two groups according to tissue acid levels as low (<4) and high (≥4) tissue acid groups. The group with tissue hypoxia (TA ≥ 4) had significantly higher UMA levels but a significantly lower Cl/Na ratio; and UMA levels decreased and Cl/Na ratio increased after transfusion in this group. Tissue hypoxia secondary to anemia was shown to be improved by erythrocyte transfusion. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the determination of the level of tissue hypoxia by the Stewart approach may be an alternative to restrictive transfusion guidelines for timing of transfusion in premature anemia. It also showed that a low Cl/Na ratio can be used as a simple marker of tissue hypoxia.

Association of Serum Albumin Level and Mortality in Premature Infants.

BACKGROUND: Hypoalbuminemia has been proven to be a powerful predictor of mortality in adult patients. However, prognostic value of serum albumin in neonates is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between serum albumin level within the first day of life and outcome in preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS: The study was conducted prospectively in Baskent University Hospital between October 2008 and November 2009. Patients were divided by gestational age into two groups as below or of 28 weeks and above 28 weeks. Then serum albumin percentile groups were established within each gestational age group and were defined as <25, 25-75, and >75 percentile groups by combining percentile groups between the two gestational age groups. Three serum albumin percentile groups were compared regarding neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 199 infants with mean birth weight of 1,272 ± 390 g and mean gestational age of 29.2 ± 2.2 weeks were admitted to the study. The mean serum albumin level was 30.6 ± 4.7 g/l for all patients. The mean serum albumin levels were 25.5 ± 3.8, 30.1 ± 2.7, and 35.3 ± 3.7 g/l for <25, 25-75, and >75 percentile groups, respectively. Prevalence of infants with respiratory distress syndrome and prevalence of infants with sepsis and mortality were significantly higher in <25 percentile group. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum albumin <25 percentile and birth weight were independent predictive variables of mortality. Albumin concentrations lower than 27.2 g/l was associated with mortality, with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 86%. CONCLUSION: Low serum albumin level within the first day of life is an independent predictor of mortality in preterm infants.

Is umbilical cord milking always an advantage?

OBJECTIVE: The role of cord milking as an alternative to delayed cord clamping is an area that requires more research. Purpose of this clinical trial was to investigate the impact of umbilical cord milking on the absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) and the neutropenia frequency of preterm infants. METHODS: Fifty-eight pregnant women were randomly assigned to one of the umbilical cord milking and control groups. A total of 54 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks) were enrolled into the study. The umbilical cords of 25 infants were clamped immediately after birth, and in 29 infants, umbilical cord milking was performed first. RESULTS: The ANCs were statistically significantly lower in the cord milking group compared with the control group on days 1, 3 and 7. The frequency of neutropenia was higher in the cord milking group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: In our study, ANCs were lower in the cord milking group and the frequency of neutropenia was higher. Umbilical cord milking plays a role on the ANCs of preterm infants.

An aggressive parenteral nutrition protocol improves growth in preterm infants.

The objective of this study was to compare postnatal growth and clinical outcomes of preterm infants after an adjustment in amino acid and lipid administration practice. The study was conducted retrospectively in preterm infants with a birth weight < 1250 g for the periods January-June 2007 and June-November 2010. In 2007, amino acid solution was initiated at 2 g/kg/ day on the first day of life and advanced 1 g/kg/day to a maximum of 3 g/kg/day; lipid solution was initiated at 1 g/kg/day on the first day of life and advanced 0.5 g/kg/day to a maximum of 2 g/kg/day (low-dose parenteral nutrition group). In 2010, amino acid solution was initiated at 3 g/kg/day on the first day of life and advanced 1 g/kg/day to a maximum of 4 g/kg/ day; lipid solution was initiated at 1 g/kg/day on the first day of life and advanced 1 g/kg/day to a maximum of 3 g/kg/day (high-dose parenteral nutrition group). Patient characteristics were similar in the two groups. Infants in the high-dose parenteral nutrition group showed a significant reduction in the time needed to regain birth weight and a significant reduction in the maximum weight loss. Weight, length and head circumference at discharge were significantly higher in the high-dose parenteral nutrition group. The mean duration of parenteral nutrition, mean number of days to reach full enteral feeding and incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were significantly lower in the high-dose parenteral nutrition group. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the groups. In conclusion, a more aggressive parenteral nutrition protocol for preterm infants resulted in a more rapid increase in weight, length and head circumference, and decreased incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus presenting in a very low birth weight infant successfully managed with lyophilized sublingual desmopressin.

Neonatal central diabetes insipidus (DI) is an extremely rare disorder that can cause severe morbidity and mortality. We have reported a very low birth weight infant with idiopathic central DI presenting in the first month of life who was successfully treated with sublingual desmopressin therapy. In this report, we emphasize that central DI should be kept in mind in an infant with unexplained hypernatremia and polyuria. Timely diagnosis and treatment with lyophilized desmopressin may prevent severe morbidity and mortality.

Upper Airway Obstruction in a Newborn with Vallecular Cyst.

Vallecular cyst is a rare cause of stridor in neonates, which may present as a life threatening airway obstruction. Here, we report a preterm infant with a congenital vallecular cyst who presented with stridor and respiratory distress that developed immediately after birth. She was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization.

Epidermoid Cyst of Orbit in a Newborn.

A 3-day-old male newborn presented with a severe proptosis of the left eye leading to exposure keratopathy. He underwent debulking of the cyst and biopsy of the tumour and received the pathological diagnosis of epidermoid cyst of orbit. Clinicopathological features of this rare disease are discussed.

"Shunt index" can be used to predict clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature neonates in early post-natal life.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation, fractional oxygen extraction, and the shunt index, which were calculated in the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS: Twenty-seven preterm infants were included in this study and were divided into two groups according to patent ductus arteriosus. Among them, 11 (41%) infants had haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus and 16 (59%) did not have significant patent ductus arteriosus. Synchronous arterial and venous blood gases were measured during the first post-natal hours after the insertion of umbilical catheters. The differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation, inferior body fractional oxygen extraction, and the shunt index were calculated. Echocardiography was performed before the 72nd hour of life in a selected group of patients who had haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. Ibuprofen treatment was administered to patients with patent ductus arteriosus. Echocardiography was performed on the 72nd hour of life in preterm infants without any clinical suspicion of patent ductus arteriosus. RESULTS: The early measured differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation and inferior body fractional oxygen extraction were found to be lower and the shunt index was found to be higher in the haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus group than in the group without haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. CONCLUSION: We found that the shunt index, calculated in the first hours of life as ≥63%, predicted haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 82% in preterm newborns.

Hepatic laceration as a life-threatening complication of umbilical venous catheterization.

Umbilical venous catheterization is an intravenous infusion route for maintenance fluids, medications, blood products, and parenteral nutrition in preterm neonates. However, this procedure may be associated with several complications, such as infection, thrombosis, vessel perforation, and cardiac and hepatic injuries. Hepatic laceration is a rare but life-threatening complication of umbilical venous catheterization that is a result of direct injury through the liver parenchyma. Here, we present a preterm newborn with hepatic laceration as a rare and serious complication of umbilical venous catheterization.

Comparison of UK and US screening criteria for detection of retinopathy of prematurity in a developing nation.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and appropriateness of differing guidelines in developed nations for screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a single nursery in a large urban city in southern Turkey. METHODS: The records of 260 premature infants born ≤34 weeks in a single tertiary unit were retrospectively reviewed for ROP risk factors and diagnosis. Applicability of UK and US criteria were assessed by the use of receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: ROP of any stage was present in 60 infants (23%); ROP requiring treatment was seen in 30 (11.5%). Univariate analysis showed a significant relationship among the following factors: gestational age, birth weight, total duration of supplemental oxygen, duration of mechanical ventilation, respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, and intraventricular hemorrhage (p < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed gestational age (p = 0.039), birth weight (p = 0.05), respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.05), and anemia (p = 0.004) as independent predictors of ROP requiring treatment. Area under curve for gestational age alone for diagnosing stage 2 or greater ROP was 0.824 ± 0.03 (p = 0.0001) and for birth weight alone was 0.808 ± 0.03 (p = 0.0001). UK screening criteria detected all stage 2 and greater ROP; US screening criteria missed 2 infants with stage 2 ROP but detected all treatment-requiring disease. Adoption of these screening criteria would have reduced unnecessary examinations by either 21% (UK) or 37% (US). CONCLUSIONS: UK and US criteria improved the detection accuracy for ROP requiring treatment in Turkey and should be studied for other developing nations.

Use of balloon-expandable metallic stent in a premature infant with congenital tracheobronchial stenosis.

A congenital tracheobronchial stenosis is a rare obstructive lesion of the airway characterized by intrinsic narrowing of a segment of the trachea and bronchi. In this report, we present the smallest premature infant with a congenital tracheobronchial stenosis who has been successfully treated with balloon dilatation and placement of a balloon-expandable metallic stent.

PHACES syndrome with small, late-onset hemangiomas.

Although hemangiomas are the hallmark of the PHACES syndrome, they may be nonexistent at birth and may not develop until later in early infancy. We report an infant who presented initially with cardiac defect, sternal nonunion, supraumbilical raphé, and congenital hypothyroidism without any hemangioma, and who subsequently developed facial hemangiomas at 2 months of age. We noted that there is a possibility that hemangiomas may subsequently develop later in early infancy and congenital hypothyroidism may be associated with the PHACES syndrome.