Criteria for Using INSURE in Management of Premature Babies with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is defined as acute respiratory distress caused by surfactant deficiency that disturbs gas exchange in preterm infants. It is one of the most common neonatal problems and has been considered to be the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm babies. AIM: In this study, different variables were studied to predict factors for INSURE failure that might help in choosing infants for this procedure early. METHODS: Sixty three (63) patients were enrolled in this study as they met the inclusion criteria. All neonates were intubated briefly less than 2 hours, given natural surfactant in the dose of 3 ml/kg. As soon as it was appropriate and the neonate was stable in the form of normal heart rate and oxygenation, extubation was done and the baby connected to NCPAP at a pressure of 6 cmH2O. INSURE failure was considered if the patient needed mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours while INSURE success was considered if we were able to wean the patient from CPAP or if the patient didn't need mechanical ventilation in the first 72 hours after surfactant administration. The indications for mechanical ventilation after INSURE procedure were respiratory distress with desaturation (02 sat less than 90%), recurrent apnea, Pco2 more than 60 mmHg. RESULTS: Since INSURE procedure is being largely applied in the neonatal intensive care units, it is important to determine the candidate neonate for this procedure with the minimum failure rate. Although the sample of our study is small, but we can suggest that neonate with gestational age less than 28, birth weight less than 1000 gm, umbilical PH of less than 7, low Apgar score and anemic patients are at high risk for INSURE failure. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of PDA and IVH is essential to avoid INSURE method in these patients.

Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content During the First Month of Life in Critically Ill Very Low Birth Weight Neonates Differs From Term Infants, Children, and Adults.

BACKGROUND: Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He)-an established indicator of iron status in children and adults-was determined in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Longitudinal retrospective RET-He data in 26 VLBW neonates during the first month of age were compared with: (a) concurrent complete blood counts (CBCs), including hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, reticulocyte count, and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), and erythropoietin (EPO) levels; (b) clinical variables; and (c) RET-He data from the literature for term infants, children, and adults. RESULTS: RET-He within 24 hr following birth was 31.8 ± 1.1 pg (mean ± SEM). This was followed by an abrupt, significant decline to 28.3 ± 1.1 pg at 2-4 days, and to steady state levels of 28.4 ± 0.5 pg thereafter. The changes in RET-He were mirrored by changes in plasma EPO, reticulocyte count, and IRF, but not Hb. Steady state RET-He values after 4 days were significantly lower than RET-He values for term infants, children, and adults (31.6 ± 0.11, 32.0 ± 0.12, and 33.0 ± 0.13 pg, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although RET-He values in VLBW infant were lower than term infants, children, and adults, the significance and mechanism(s) responsible are unknown. The present VLBW infant data are relevant to investigations assessing hemoglobinization following treatment with recombinant human EPO (r-HuEPO) and/or iron.