A randomized controlled trial of restricted versus standard fluid management in late preterm and term infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn.

BACKGROUND: Transient tachypnea of the newborn(TTNB) is the most common respiratory morbidity in late preterm and term babies and is pathophysiologically related to delayed lung fluid clearance after birth. Mimicking low physiological fluid intake in the initial period of life may accelerate the recovery from TTNB. In a randomized controlled trial, we compared the roles of restricted versus standard fluid management in babies with TTNB requiring respiratory support. METHODS: This parallel group,non-blinded, stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted in a level III neonatal unit of eastern India. Late preterm and term babies with TTNB requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were randomly allocated to standard and restricted fluid arms for the first 72 hours (hrs). Primary outcome was CPAP duration. RESULTS: In total, 100 babies were enrolled in this study with 50 babies in each arm. CPAP duration was significantly less in the restricted arm (48[42, 54] hrs vs 54[48,72] hrs, p = 0.002). However, no difference was observed in the incidence of CPAP failure between the two arms. In the subgroup analysis, the benefit of reduced CPAP duration persisted in late preterm but not in term infants. However, the effect was not significant in the late preterm babies exposed to antenatal steroid. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of restrictive fluid strategy in reducing CPAP duration in late preterm and term babies with TTNB. Late preterm babies, especially those not exposed to antenatal steroid were the most benefitted by this strategy.

[Antenatal corticosteroids and incidence of neonatal respiratory distress after elective caesarean section in late preterm and term neonates]. / Corticoides antenatales e incidencia de distrés respiratorio del recién nacido en las cesáreas programadas del pretérmino tardío y término precoz.

INTRODUCTION: Birth by elective caesarean section in late preterm and early term newborn increases the risk of respiratory distress. Administration of antenatal corticosteroids in these cases could reduce the respiratory distress and its severity. OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of antenatal corticosteroids use in elective caesarean sections in the respiratory distress of the newborn from 35+0 to 38+6 weeks of gestational age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analytical study of caesarean sections from 35+0 to 38+6 gestational age was conducted in a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to April 2017. Data were collected from medical records of pregnant women and newborns after an implementation of new protocol of betamethasone administration to these elective caesarean sections. Analysis was performed on 2newborn subgroups: preterm newborn (PTN) 35-36 gestational age and term (TN) 37-38 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 208 elective caesarean sections were performed in the study period. Corticosteroids were administered in 97 (46.6%) of cases. The percentage of respiratory distress was higher in the group of preterm newborn compared to term newborn (29% vs. 8.8%, P<.001) and in term newborn higher at a lower gestational age. Between treated with corticosteroids or not, no significant differences were found in the treated and non-treated in the development of respiratory distress (PTN 30 vs. 30%, TN 9.1 vs. 6.9%, P=.6). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences were found in this study in favour of the administration of an antenatal dose of betamethasone in the reduction of respiratory distress in the elective caesarean sections from 35+0 to 38+6 gestational age. The delay in the indication of elective caesarean sections, whenever possible, could help reduce the incidence of newborn respiratory distress.

Prophylaxis of acute respiratory infections via improving the immune system in late preterm newborns with E. coli strain Nissle 1917: a controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs), caused by the high level of immaturity of the immune system, are a major cause of morbidity in preterm newborns. The probiotic Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is well known for its immuno-modulatory properties and may therefore enhance the immune competence. Thus, EcN administration may provide a promising possibility to decrease the risk of ARIs in this vulnerable group of children. However, clinical data supporting or refuting this hypothesis are, to our knowledge, not available. Therefore, the aim of the presented pilot trial was to collect first data on the efficacy and safety of EcN treatment to prevent ARIs in late preterm newborns. METHODS: Right after birth, 62 late preterm newborns were included into an open-labeled, controlled 4-week trial with two parallel groups and a follow-up phase until the age of 1 year. All children of the treatment group received an EcN suspension orally for 3 weeks, whereas the control group was only observed. Primary efficacy variable was the number of participants with at least one ARI during the first 28 days of life. Secondary efficacy variables were the number of ARIs and the number and duration of hospitalizations caused by ARIs during the first year of life. RESULTS: The number of participants with at least one ARI during the first 28 days of life was significantly lower in the group treated with EcN compared to that in the control group. Although only of exploratory nature, analyses of secondary efficacy variables suggest that EcN treatment may also reduce the average number of ARIs, the average number of hospitalizations caused by ARIs, and the mean duration of such hospitalizations. There is also some evidence that early EcN treatment may have long-term benefits on newborns' health status. CONCLUSION: The present pilot trial provides first evidence that EcN is able to reduce the incidence of ARIs in the neonatal period of late preterm newborns. Additionally, EcN is characterized by an excellent individual biocompatibility in the absence of adverse drug reactions. Limitations of the current trial are discussed and recommendations for future confirmatory studies are made. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01540162; retrospectively registered on 16 February 2012.

Fatal Primary Capillary Leak Syndrome in a Late Preterm Newborn.

Primary capillary leak syndrome is a rare disease of unknown etiology, characterized by episodes of vascular collapse and plasma extravasation, which may lead to multiple organ failure. Primary capillary leak is extremely rare in children. The authors report a case of a late preterm newborn with fatal capillary leak syndrome of unknown etiology, manifesting as hypotension unresponsive to treatment, extravasation leading to generalised edema, disseminated intravascular coagulation and finally, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Aggressive volumotherapy and a combination of inotropes and high doses of terlipressin did not influence systemic vascular collapse and plasma extravasation. The newborn developed multiple organ failure and died on day 27 of life. Investigations performed failed to reveal any specific cause of capillary leak. This is the first report of a fatal primary capillary leak syndrome in a newborn.

Accidente vascular encefálico en recién nacidos de término y pretérmino tardíos / Brain strokes in late preterm and term newborns

Background: Brain strokes are uncommon in term and late preterm newborns. Nevertheless, they can appear and may be diagnosed when suspected. Appropriate diagnostic techniques, available nowadays, allow a better etiologic and therapeutic approach. Objective: To report late preterm and term newborns who presented an hemorrhagic or ischemic brain stroke. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical charts at the Neonatology Service of Clínica Las Condes, Santiago-Chile, between January 2001 and March 2008. Results: 0.07 percent (8/10639) of these newborns presented brain stroke; 6 hemorrhagic and 2 ischemic strokes. 2 cases were diagnosed as congenital thrombophylia. No deaths were found in this survey. Conclusions: No differences in frequency were found in relation to data reported. Seizures can be the first clinical manifestation; however, subtle forms must lead to diagnostic suspicion. Appropriate diagnostic techniques may allow an accurate diagnosis and integral therapeutic approach of these patients.

Introducción: Los Accidentes Vasculares Encefálicos (AVE) no constituyen un diagnóstico frecuente en el grupo de Recién Nacidos de término (RNT) y pretérmino tardíos (PTT). A pesar de esto, tampoco es una situación inusual y su diagnóstico dependerá en forma importante del grado de sospecha. El uso de las apropiadas técnicas diagnósticas ha permitido una mejor caracterización de estos eventos, lo que permite en ocasiones llegar a un diagnóstico etiológico con la consiguiente optimización en el manejo. Objetivo: Caracterizar el AVE en recién nacidos de término y pretérmino tardíos. Método: Análisis retrospectivo de la ficha clínica de los pacientes RNT y RNPTT con diagnóstico de AVE nacidos entre Enero del año 2001 a Marzo del año 2008 en el Servicio de Neonatología de la Clínica Las Condes, Santiago. Resultados: Se incluyeron 8 casos, lo que corresponde al 0,07 por ciento de la muestra estudiada (n= 10 639), 6 de ellos presentaron AVE hemorrágico y los 2 restantes se trataron de AVE isquémicos. En 2 casos de la serie se pesquisó trombofilia congénita. No hubo mortalidad asociada en los casos analizados. Conclusiones: La frecuencia fue similar a la de diferentes series anteriormente publicadas. La crisis convulsiva puede ser la primera manifestación clínica, pero hay otras manifestaciones clínicas más sutiles que pueden hacer sospechar el diagnóstico. El uso apropiado de las actuales técnicas diagnósticas puede llevar a un diagnóstico de certeza facilitando el manejo integral del paciente.