Comparison of volume guarantee and volume-controlled ventilation both using closed loop inspired oxygen in preterm infants: a randomised crossover study (CLIO-VG study).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two different modes of ventilation in maintaining oxygen saturation (SpO2) in target range (90%-95%) in ventilated preterm infants cared for with automatic control of oxygen delivery (A-FiO2). DESIGN: A single-centre randomised crossover study. SETTINGS: A level III neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Preterm infants receiving mechanical ventilation and oxygen requirement >21%. INTERVENTIONS: Volume guarantee (VG) vs volume controlled ventilation (VCV) modes with automatic oxygen control (A-FiO2). OUTCOMES: The primary outcome of this study was the proportion of time spent with oxygen saturations in the target range (90%-95%) . RESULTS: Nineteen preterm infants with a median gestation age 25 weeks (IQR: 24-28) and birth weight 685 g (IQR: 595-980) were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in primary outcome of median proportion of time spent in target saturation between the two arms (72% (57-81) in VG vs 75% (58-83) in VCV; p=0.98). There was no significant difference in the secondary outcomes of time spent in SpO2 <80% (0.03% vs 0.14%; p=0.51), time spent in SpO2 >98% (0.50% vs 0.08%; p=0.54), the median FiO2 (31% vs 29%; p=0.51) or manual adjustments carried out between VG and VCV, respectively. The number of episodes of prolonged hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in time spent in target SpO2 range between VG and VCV when A-FiO2 was used as the FiO2 controller in this crossover randomised control study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03865069.

Preterm children with suspected cerebral palsy at 19 months corrected age in the Canadian neonatal follow-up network.

BACKGROUND: The ability to definitively diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) at 18-24 months is unknown. AIMS: To describe very preterm children who, at 19 months, have suspected CP defined as neither having a definitive diagnosis of CP nor no CP and compare them with children with and without CP. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Longitudinal national cohort study of births <29 weeks' gestation with linked Canadian Neonatal Network and Canadian Neonatal Follow-up Network data with 19 month assessments and 3-year questionnaires (Ages and Stages-3 and Health Status Classification System-Preschool). CP, no CP and suspected CP groups, classified at 19 months, were compared using chi square and ANOVA. RESULTS: Of 3086 survivors, 2280 had complete 19-month corrected age (CA) and 1261 had 3-year CA data. Suspected CP (3.6%), CP (6.4%) and no CP (90%) groups differed (p < 0.05) in birth weight, gestational age, complications of prematurity and NICU length of stay. Children with suspected CP had Bayley-III motor, cognitive and language composite scores at 18 months midway between CP and no CP, had the lowest sensory impairment rates and highest hospital readmission rates. At 3 years, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, communication and social skill abilities differed: abnormal outcomes were intermediate for children with suspected CP (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CP incidence varied from 6.4% to 10% with exclusion or inclusion of children with suspected CP. Children with suspected CP have characteristics mostly midway between those with and without CP and developmental concerns persist to 3 years and require surveillance beyond 19 months.

Outcomes of infants with a birthweight less than or equal to 500 g in Northern England: 15 years experience.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate mortality and short-term neonatal morbidity of babies born ≤500 g cared for in the Northern Neonatal Network over a 15-year period. METHOD: Using regional databases, we identified all live-born babies ≥22 weeks gestation and ≤500 g, in North East England and North Cumbria from 1998 to 2012. We quantified major neonatal morbidities and survival to one year. RESULTS: We identified 104 live-born babies ≥22 weeks gestation and ≤500 g (birth prevalence 0.22/1000), of which 49 were admitted for intensive care. Overall one-year survival was 11%, but survival for those receiving intensive care was 22%. There was significant short-term neonatal morbidity in survivors, in particular retinopathy of prematurity and chronic lung disease. CONCLUSION: Survival of babies born weighing ≤500 g in this cohort remains poor despite advances in neonatal care, with considerable short-term neonatal morbidity in survivors. This could be due to a combination of attitudes and a rather conservative approach towards resuscitation and intensive care, and the intrinsic nature of these tiny babies.

Preterm birth and subsequent insulin sensitivity: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of preterm birth is increasing worldwide. Evidence suggests that in later life these children are at increased risk of 'metabolic syndrome', which is itself associated with reduced insulin sensitivity (IS). We carried out a systematic review to examine whether preterm birth is associated with later changes in IS and whether a difference exists between those born small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA). METHODS: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance to structure our review with a priori data extraction criteria to answer the questions posed and then carried out our literature search. Only papers which included preterm infants in their study population and specifically assessed IS were included. Findings are reported by age group to enable change over the life course to be examined, even though the studies were mostly cross-sectional, observation studies. RESULTS: We identified and reviewed 26 suitable publications representing 20 separate cohorts, of which 16 had a term control group. The heterogeneity of the methods used to measure IS precluded meta-analysis. In infancy and early childhood there is a measurable association between IS and preterm birth. In later childhood and adulthood the strength of this association reduces, and current body composition becomes the variable most strongly associated with IS. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between preterm birth and IS throughout the life course, but the data are conflicting and associations are likely to be affected by the heterogeneity of each study population and multiple confounding factors that may change over time. While the optimal nutritional strategy for preterm infants remains to be determined, standard public health guidance to avoid obesogenic lifestyle factors remains equally important to individuals born preterm.