SNAPPE II: ANALYSIS OF ACCURACY AND DETERMINATION OF THE CUTOFF POINT AS A DEATH PREDICTOR IN A BRAZILIAN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the accuracy of the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II) as a death predictor, to determine the cutoff point for mortality, and to analyze the association of independent variables with death. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal, hospital-based study on newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first time from November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. Newborns with less than 12 hours of length of stay at the NICU, out-of-hospital births, major congenital malformations, and inter-hospital transfer were excluded. Variables were grouped according to hierarchical framework, related to maternal characteristics (distal level), prenatal and childbirth care (intermediate level), and birth conditions (proximal level). Descriptive analyses of SNAPPE II score ranges, Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC curve) to define the cutoff point for mortality, and bivariate analysis by the Wald test and multiple logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: After selection, the sample consisted of 247 newborns. In this study, the SNAPPE II cutoff point for mortality was 27, with sensitivity of 84.1% and specificity of 82.4%. 61% of those with a score ≥27 died. Multiple logistic regression showed an association between death and proximal-level variables: sepsis (Odds Ratio [OR] 10.68; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.82-40.48; p<0.001); SNAPPE II ≥27 (OR 5.85; 95%CI 1.90-18.05; p=0.002); birth weight 750-999 g (OR 4.15; 95%CI 1.06-16.14; p=0.040); and nonuse of surfactant (OR 0.159; 95%CI 0.04-0.53; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal mortality was directly proportional to increase in SNAPPE II. Score≥27 increased the odds of dying by six times compared with neonates with lower scores. The proximal variables related to health conditions and neonatal care were associated with death.

Delays in obstetric care increase the risk of neonatal near-miss morbidity events and death: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between delays in obstetric care and neonatal near-miss mortality events and death in a public maternity referral center. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 142 neonates, meeting the near-miss criteria of 5-min Apgar < 7, weight < 1500 g, gestational age < 32 weeks, and use of mechanical ventilation or congenital malformation, as well as 284 controls (without the near-miss criteria), at a ratio of 1:2. After follow-up, the following outcomes were reclassified: survival of the neonatal period without the near-miss criteria (true "controls"), "near-miss," and "neonatal death." Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal care, and pregnancy resolution were evaluated. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used. Simple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between the three delay factors with near-miss outcomes and/or neonatal death. The variables that had maintained values of p < 0.05 were subjected to multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Comparisons revealed the following associations: for controls and near-miss events, delayed access to health services due to a lack of specialized services (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-5.1) and inappropriate conduct with the patient (OR, 12.1; 95% CI, 1.3-108.7); for controls and death, absent or inadequate prenatal care (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.6-7.1) and delayed access to health services due to a lack of specialized services (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6); and for near-miss events and death, absent or inadequate prenatal care (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0-5.0). Logistic regression for the combined outcome (near-miss plus neonatal deaths) revealed absent or inadequate prenatal care (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8), lack of specialized services (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7-4.5), and improper conduct with the patient (OR, 10.6; 95% CI, 1.2-91.8). CONCLUSIONS: The delays in obstetric care associated with the presence of near-miss and/or neonatal death included absent or inadequate prenatal care, delayed access to health services due to a lack of specialized services, and inappropriate conduct with the patient.

Snappe ii: analysis of accuracy and determination of the cutoff point as a death predictor in a brazilian neonatal intensive care unit / Snappe ii: análise da acurácia e determinação do ponto de corte como preditor de óbito em uma unidade de terapia inensiva neonatal brasileira

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the accuracy of the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II) as a death predictor, to determine the cutoff point for mortality, and to analyze the association of independent variables with death. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, hospital-based study on newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first time from November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. Newborns with less than 12 hours of length of stay at the NICU, out-of-hospital births, major congenital malformations, and inter-hospital transfer were excluded. Variables were grouped according to hierarchical framework, related to maternal characteristics (distal level), prenatal and childbirth care (intermediate level), and birth conditions (proximal level). Descriptive analyses of SNAPPE II score ranges, Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC curve) to define the cutoff point for mortality, and bivariate analysis by the Wald test and multiple logistic regression were conducted. Results: After selection, the sample consisted of 247 newborns. In this study, the SNAPPE II cutoff point for mortality was 27, with sensitivity of 84.1% and specificity of 82.4%. 61% of those with a score ≥27 died. Multiple logistic regression showed an association between death and proximal-level variables: sepsis (Odds Ratio [OR] 10.68; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.82-40.48; p<0.001); SNAPPE II ≥27 (OR 5.85; 95%CI 1.90-18.05; p=0.002); birth weight 750-999 g (OR 4.15; 95%CI 1.06-16.14; p=0.040); and nonuse of surfactant (OR 0.159; 95%CI 0.04-0.53; p=0.003). Conclusions: Neonatal mortality was directly proportional to increase in SNAPPE II. Score≥27 increased the odds of dying by six times compared with neonates with lower scores. The proximal variables related to health conditions and neonatal care were associated with death.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a acurácia do Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II) como preditor de óbito, determinar o ponto de corte para mortalidade e analisar a associação das variáveis independentes com óbito. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, longitudinal, de base hospitalar com recém-nascidos admitidos pela primeira vez na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) entre 1° de novembro de 2016 e 30 de abril de 2017. Foram excluídos recém-nascidos com permanência menor que 12 horas na UTIN, nascimento extra-hospitalar, malformações congênitas maiores e transferência inter-hospitalar. As variáveis foram agrupadas sob determinação hierarquizada, relacionadas a características maternas (nível distal), assistência ao pré-natal e parto (nível intermediário) e condições do nascimento (nível proximal). Foram conduzidas análises descritivas dos graus de pontuação do SNAPPE II, Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (curva ROC) para definição do ponto de corte para mortalidade e análise bivariada pelo teste de Wald e regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Após seleção, a amostra constituiu-se de 247 recém-nascidos. Neste estudo, o ponto de corte do SNAPPE II para mortalidade foi 27, com sensibilidade de 84,1% e especificidade de 82,4%. Evoluíram a óbito 61% daqueles com pontuação ≥27. A regressão logística múltipla mostrou associação entre óbito e variáveis de nível proximal: sepse (Odds Ratio [OR] 10,68; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 2,82-40,48; p<0,001); pontuação ≥27 (OR 5,85; IC95% 1,90-18,05; p=0,002); peso ao nascer entre 750 e 999 g (OR 4,15; IC95% 1,06-16,14; p=0,040); e não uso de surfactante (OR 0,159; IC95% 0,04-0,53; p=0,003). Conclusões: A mortalidade neonatal foi diretamente proporcional ao aumento do SNAPPE II. Escore≥27 aumentou seis vezes a chance de óbito em relação aos neonatos com escore inferior. As variáveis proximais relacionadas às condições de saúde e da atenção neonatal associaram-se ao óbito.

Presumed Zika virus-related congenital brain malformations: the spectrum of CT and MRI findings in fetuses and newborns.

OBJECTIVE: The new epidemic of Zika virus infection raises grave concerns, especially with the increasingly-recognized link between emerging cases of microcephaly and this infectious disease. Besides small cranial dimensions, there are striking morphologic anomalies in the fetal brain. Key anomalies include cortical developmental malformations and a peculiar distribution of pathologic calcifications. These potentially indicate a new pattern of congenital central nervous system infection. METHODS: Eight women underwent fetal MRI. Four infants also underwent postnatal CT. Five of the women underwent amniocentesis. RESULTS: All neonates were born with microcephaly. On fetal MRI, ventriculomegaly, marked reduction of white matter thickness, severe sylvian fissure simplification, abnormal sulcation, and diffuse volumetric loss of cerebellar hemispheres were consistently seen. On postnatal CT, diffuse subcortical and basal ganglia calcifications were observed. The Zika virus was detected in two amniocenteses by polymerase chain reaction assays. CONCLUSION: We hope to assist the medical community in recognizing the spectrum of encephalic changes related to congenital Zika virus infection.

Presumed Zika virus-related congenital brain malformations: the spectrum of CT and MRI findings in fetuses and newborns / Malformações congênitas do encéfalo presumivelmente relacionadas ao Zika vírus: espectro de achados de RM e TC em fetos e neonatos

ABSTRACT The new epidemic of Zika virus infection raises grave concerns, especially with the increasingly-recognized link between emerging cases of microcephaly and this infectious disease. Besides small cranial dimensions, there are striking morphologic anomalies in the fetal brain. Key anomalies include cortical developmental malformations and a peculiar distribution of pathologic calcifications. These potentially indicate a new pattern of congenital central nervous system infection. Methods: Eight women underwent fetal MRI. Four infants also underwent postnatal CT. Five of the women underwent amniocentesis. Results: All neonates were born with microcephaly. On fetal MRI, ventriculomegaly, marked reduction of white matter thickness, severe sylvian fissure simplification, abnormal sulcation, and diffuse volumetric loss of cerebellar hemispheres were consistently seen. On postnatal CT, diffuse subcortical and basal ganglia calcifications were observed. The Zika virus was detected in two amniocenteses by polymerase chain reaction assays. Conclusion: We hope to assist the medical community in recognizing the spectrum of encephalic changes related to congenital Zika virus infection.

RESUMO Os novos casos epidêmicos de infecção pelo vírus Zika suscitam grande preocupação, sobretudo com o crescente reconhecimento da ligação entre casos emergentes de microcefalia e esta doença infecciosa. Além da cabeça de pequenas dimensões, existem profundas alterações morfológicas no encéfalo fetal. Anomalias mais típicas incluem malformações do desenvolvimento cortical e uma distribuição peculiar de calcificações patológicas. Estes dados potencialmente indicam um novo padrão de infecção congênita do sistema nervoso central. Métodos: Oito mulheres foram submetidas a RM fetal. Quatro crianças também realizaram TC pós-natal. Cinco mulheres foram submetidas a amniocentese. Resultados: Todos os neonatos nasceram com microcefalia. Na RM fetal, ventriculomegalia, acentuada redução da espessura da substância branca, acentuada simplificação da fissura sylviana, sulcação anormal e redução volumétrica difusa dos hemisférios cerebelares foram constantes. Na TC pós-natal, calcificações difusas subcorticais e nos núcleos da base foram observadas. O vírus Zika foi detectado por PCR em duas amniocenteses. Conclusão: Esperamos dar suporte à comunidade médica em reconhecer este padrão de imagem potencialmente específico.

Mortality in the first 24h of very low birth weight preterm infants in the northeast of Brazil / Mortalidade com 24 horas de vida de recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso da região nordeste do Brasil

To evaluate factors associated with neonatal death within 24 hours after birth in very low birth weight preterm newborns. Methods: Prospective cohort of live births with gestational age of 230/7–316/7 weeks, birth weight of 500–1499g without malformations, in 19 public maternity hospitals in nine capitals in northeastern Brazil from July to December 2007. The 19 hospitals were assessed in relation to physical resources, equipment, human resources and aiming at quality in care initiatives. Hospital, maternal and neonatal characteristics, neonatal morbidity, neonatal procedures and interventions were compared between preterm newborns that died or survived up to 24 hours of life. The variables associated with death within 24 hours after birth were determined by logistic regression. Results: Of the 627 newborns enrolled in the study, 179 (29%) died within 168 hours after birth, of which 59 (33%) up to 24 hours and 97 (54%) up to 48 hours after birth. The variables associated with death <24h were: weight <1000g (2.94; 1.32–6.53), 5th minute Apgar <7 (7.17; 3.46–14.88), male gender (2.99; 1.39–6.47). A better hospital structure was a protective factor for early neonatal death (odds ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.17–0.71). Conclusions: The high neonatal mortality on the first day of life in capital cities of Northeast Brazil is associated with biological variables such as weight and gender of the newborn, as well as low vitality at birth and a worse infrastructure of the hospital where the birth occurred.

Avaliar os fatores associados ao óbito neonatal até 24 horas após o nascimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva dos nascidos vivos com idade gestacional de 230/7-316/7 semanas, peso ao nascer de 500-1.499g sem malformações em 19 maternidades públicas de nove capitais na Região Nordeste do Brasil de julho a dezembro de 2007. Os 19 hospitais foram avaliados com relação aos recursos físicos, equipamentos, recursos humanos e iniciativas de busca de qualidade no atendimento. As características hospitalares, maternas e neonatais, a morbidade neonatal, os procedimentos e as intervenções neonatais foram comparados entre os recém-nascidos pré-termo que morreram ou sobreviveram até 24 horas. As variáveis associadas ao óbito até 24 horas após o nascimento foram determinadas por regressão logística. Resultados: Dos 627 recém-nascidos incluídos no estudo, 179 (29%) morreram até 168 horas de vida, dos quais 59 (33%) até 24 horas e 97 (54%) até 48 horas. As variáveis associadas ao óbito <24h foram: peso <1.000g (2,94; 1,32-6,53), Apgar 5° minuto <7 (7,17; 3,46-14,88), sexo masculino (2,99; 1,39-6,47). A melhor estrutura hospitalar foi fator de proteção para o óbito neonatal precoce (Odds Ratio 0,34; Intervalo de Confiança 95% 0,17-0,71). Conclusões: A elevada mortalidade neonatal no primeiro dia de vida nas capitais do Nordeste brasileiro associa-se a variáveis biológicas, como o peso e o sexo do recém-nascido, assim como à baixa vitalidade ao nascer e à pior infraestrutura do hospital no qual o parto ocorreu.

[Mortality in the first 24h of very low birth weight preterm infants in the Northeast of Brazil]. / Mortalidade com 24 horas de vida de recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso da Região Nordeste do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with neonatal death within 24 hours after birth in very low birth weight preterm newborns. METHODS: Prospective cohort of live births with gestational age of 23(0/7)-31(6/7) weeks, birth weight of 500-1499g without malformations, in 19 public maternity hospitals in nine capitals in northeastern Brazil from July to December 2007. The 19 hospitals were assessed in relation to physical resources, equipment, human resources and aiming at quality in care initiatives. Hospital, maternal and neonatal characteristics, neonatal morbidity, neonatal procedures and interventions were compared between preterm newborns that died or survived up to 24 hours of life. The variables associated with death within 24 hours after birth were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 627 newborns enrolled in the study, 179 (29%) died within 168 hours after birth, of which 59 (33%) up to 24 hours and 97 (54%) up to 48 hours after birth. The variables associated with death <24h were: weight <1000g (2.94; 1.32-6.53), 5(th) minute Apgar <7 (7.17; 3.46-14.88), male gender (2.99; 1.39-6.47). A better hospital structure was a protective factor for early neonatal death (odds ratio: 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The high neonatal mortality on the first day of life in capital cities of Northeast Brazil is associated with biological variables such as weight and gender of the newborn, as well as low vitality at birth and a worse infrastructure of the hospital where the birth occurred.

Perinatal factors associated with early neonatal deaths in very low birth weight preterm infants in Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the prevalence of prematurity has increased in recent years and it is a major cause of death in the neonatal period. Therefore, this study aims at assessing perinatal factors associated with early neonatal deaths in very low birth weight preterm infants born in a region of Brazil with low Human Development Index. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of inborns with gestational age 23(0/7)-31(6/7) weeks and birthweight 500-1499 g without malformations in 19 public reference hospitals of the state capitals of Brazil's Northeast Region. Perinatal variables associated with early neonatal death were determined by Cox regression analysis. RESULT: Among 627 neonates, 179 (29%) died with 0-6 days after birth. Early death was associated to: absence of antenatal steroids (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.11-2.27), multiple gestation (1.95; 1.28-3.00), male sex (2.01; 1.40-2.86), 5th minute Apgar <7 (2.93; 2.03-4.21), birthweight <1000 g (2.58; 1.70-3.88), gestational age <28 weeks (2.07; 1.42-3.02), use of surfactant (1.65; 1.04-2.59), and non-use of a pain scale (1.89; 1.24-2.89). CONCLUSION: Biological variables and factors related to the quality of perinatal care were associated with the high chance of early death of preterm infants born in reference hospitals of Northeast Brazil.