Association between admission temperature and mortality and major morbidity in very low birth weight neonates - single center prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypothermia is a common problem especially in preterm neonates and has been associated with increased neonatal mortality and morbidities. The objective of our study was to look into the distribution of admission temperature among VLBW neonates getting admitted to the NICU, association of admission temperatures to selected neonatal morbidities/mortality, and to evaluate for modifiable factors contributing to hypothermia. METHODS: Infants with birth weight between 500 and 1499 g and gestation ≥ 25 weeks without major congenital malformations delivered between October 2017 and March 2020 who were admitted directly from the delivery room to the NICU were included in the study. Data were collected prospectively on perinatal/birth characteristics to look for their association with admission hypothermia, and to look into the association of admission temperature with selected neonatal morbidities/mortality. RESULTS: There were a total of 538 neonates with the mean birth weight of 1206 ± 271 g included in the study. Mean admission temperature was 35.8 ± 1.3 °C. Low delivery room temperature was the most important contributor to admission hypothermia. Also, 3.3% of neonates were hyperthermic at admission to NICU, all of them having been delivered to mothers with intrapartum pyrexia. On adjusted analysis, we found that low admission temperature significantly increased therisk of adverse composite neonatal outcomes with admission temperature < 34.5 °C having 42% increased risk of the adverse outcome when compared to normothermic neonates. CONCLUSION: Admission hypothermia remains a common problem in preterm neonates which is significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcome.

Enablers and barriers for enteral feeding with mother`s own milk in preterm very low birth weight infants in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: The management of lactation in preterm mothers is a real challenge for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care, providers. The study aimed to evaluate the enablers and barriers for enteral feeding with mothers` own milk (MOM) in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a tertiary care neonatal unit. METHODS: This prospective observational study took place at a tertiary level NICU of a high-risk obstetric unit in a private hospital. All VLBW infants and mothers were incorporated into the study. Data on enablers and barriers were gathered from mother-baby dyads at the time of birth, at the end of the 7th day, and then weekly till the discharge of the baby from the unit. RESULTS: We studied 87 mother-baby dyads. Mean (SD) maternal age, gestation age and birth weight were 29.3 (4.7) years, 30.8 (2.0) weeks, and 1196 (196) grams respectively. We categorized our data into 2 groups based on outcome estimates done during the entire hospital stay or pre-discharge (48 hours before the discharge). On comparison of perinatal and post-natal factors, the enablers were maternal dwelling from the rural locality, number of milk expression son day 1 after the birth, number of night expressions in the first week postnatally, and MOM volume till day 3, day 7, and 2 weeks postnatally. The enablers of MOM in the pre-discharge group were the number of expressions in the first 3 days, the number of night expressions in week 1, mother`s visit, and the number of maternal visits on day 1 to NICU and MOM volume expressed from day 1 until the second week after birth. The main barriers for MOM (48 hours pre-discharge) were extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and intrauterine growth-restricted infants (IUGR). CONCLUSIONS: ELBW infants and IUGR infants are susceptible to low MOM feeding. The total of milk expressions in the first 3 days, number of night expressions in the first week, maternal visits on day 1 and the average MOM amount in the first 2 weeks are enablers for MOM feeding.

Plethysmography variability index (PVI) changes in preterm neonates with shock-an observational study.

Shock is an acute state of circulatory dysfunction. The diagnosis of shock is complex in neonates. The relative sensitivity of current clinical or laboratory findings for detecting shock is largely unknown, especially for preterm neonates. For preload assessment, inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility can be a useful bedside echocardiography parameter. plethysmography variability index (PVI) is a marker of fluid responsive shock in adults and children, but not well defined in neonates. In this prospective observational study, we evaluated the changes in PVI in preterm neonates with shock. Among the 37 infants enrolled in the study, the mean blood pressure (MAP) was 45 (± 4 mm of Hg) and none of infants had hypotension. The mean pulse pressure was 28 mm of Hg, the mean PVI was 28% (±5), the mean arterial blood gas pH was 7.20 (±0.07), and the mean base deficit was 9.9 (±2.53) at the onset of shock. Thirty (96.77%) of the 31 infants with resolution of shock showed decrease in PVI with an average decrease of 11% (±5).Conclusion: Significant proportion of neonates show an increase in PVI at the onset of shock. What is Known: • Plethysmography Variability Index (PVI) is commonly used as a marker of volume status in paediatric population. • Changes in PVI may guide in giving volume boluses in patients with shock. What is New: • This study provides information of changes in PVI in preterm neonates with shock. • PVI may become a valuable tool to be used at bedside in preterm infants with shock.

Echocardiographic assessment of hemodynamic changes in preterm neonates with shock: a prospective pragmatic cohort study.

Shock is a state of circulatory dysfunction and its diagnosis is complex in neonates. Hemodynamic assessment using echocardiography has potential to guide better management regimes in neonates with shock. Objective of this study is to analyze changes in the echocardiographic parameters in preterm neonates with shock at presentation and after resolution. In this prospective pragmatic Cohort study, eligible neonates with shock were monitored for changes in echocardiographic parameters at onset of shock and after resolution of shock. Paired data analysis was done for observed changes in the parameters. Based on initial clinical parameters and echocardiographic parameters, infants were assigned into different types of shock. Data of 37 infants were analyzed for baseline clinical and echocardiographic parameters, and data of 31 infants were analyzed for the changes in the observed parameters after shock resolution. Statistically significant changes were observed in inferior vena cava collapsibility index (ICI), left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV), isovolemic ventricular relaxation time (IVRT), left and right ventricular stroke volume, and ejection fraction (EF). There was no agreement between clinical and echocardiographic definitions of shock.Conclusion: We noticed shock has overlapping pathophysiologic features. Our study highlights the importance of baseline documentation of echocardiographic parameters of all infants who are at risk of shock and repeat echocardiography at onset of shock to observe the changes in ICI, LVEDV, IVRT, stroke volume, and EF. This would guide pathophysiological management of shock in neonates. What is Known: • In neonates pathophysiology of shock is overlapping. • Echocardiography can help in better understanding and management of shock. What is New: • Study gives median changes in major echocardiographic parameters in neonatal shock. • These changes can guide for selection of volume and inotropes in management.

Predictors of length of hospital stay among preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: Data from a multicentre collaborative network from India (INNC: Indian National Neonatal Collaborative).

AIM: Prediction of length of stay (LOS) among preterm neonates is important for counselling of parents and for assessing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) census and economic burden. The aim of this study is to evaluate perinatal and postnatal factors that influence LOS in preterm infants (25-33 weeks of gestation) admitted to participating NICUs of Indian National Neonatal Collaborative (INNC). METHODS: From the INNC database, the data which were prospectively entered using uniformed pre-defined criteria were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 3095 infants were included from 12 centres. Every week decrease in gestation increased LOS by 9 days. The median LOS for infants with gestational age of 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 weeks were 86, 70, 62, 52, 40, 30, 23, 16 and 10 days, respectively. On multivariate analysis, abnormal antenatal umbilical artery doppler, severe small for gestational age (SGA), requirement of resuscitation, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), seizures, sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), major malformations and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) increased LOS by 5.4 (3.5-7.4), 21.6 (19-23.9), 4.7 (3.3-6.1), 3 (1.7-4.3), 15.2 (8.5-22.1), 11.2 (9.1-13.2), 9.8 (5.2-14.4), 8.8 (4.4-13.3) and 5.6 (0.5-10.7) days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from lower gestation and birth weight, abnormal antenatal umbilical artery doppler, severe SGA, resuscitation need, major malformations, RDS, seizures, sepsis, NEC and BPD influenced LOS in preterm infants. In comparison with other networks or data from developed countries, LOS in our network was comparatively less for similar gestational age infants.

Quality improvement initiative to improve mother's own milk usage till hospital discharge in very low birth weight infants from a tertiary care NICU.

IMPORTANCE: Mother's own milk (MOM) for premature infants is a complete nutrition. It is an ideal issue for a quality improvement (QI) initiative. OBJECTIVE: To increase the proportionate usage of MOM as enteral feeds. METHODS: A QI study conducted in Tertiary care NICU involving all eligible very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and mother dyads. The proportionate usages of MOM as enteral feeds were the main outcomes. EXPOSURE: Education, milk expression, and mother-infant interaction formed the key drivers. RESULTS: We studied 282 mother infant dyads during the QI period. The proportionate usage of MOM as the enteral feed increased from 55% (±34) at baseline to 80% (±27) during the intervention and to 88% (±16) in sustenance phase. CONCLUSIONS: A QI initiative resulted in 60% relative improvement in proportionate usage of MOM as enteral feeds in VLBW infants during hospital stay.

The impact of a quality improvement project to reduce admission hypothermia on mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants.

This prospective observational study was aimed to analyze the impact of a quality improvement project to reduce admission hypothermia on composite outcome of neonatal mortality and major morbidities. Infants with birth weight between 500 and 1499 g and gestation ≥ 25 weeks without major congenital malformations delivered between January 2018 and January 2020 who were admitted directly from delivery room to NICU were included in the study. Study period was divided in three phases including pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention phase. There were a total of 368 VLBW infants included in the study. Mean admission temperature of neonates was 35.3 ± 0.6 °C, 36.0 ± 0.8 °C, and 36.4 ± 0.4 °C during pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention phase, respectively. Absolute incidence of composite outcome was 31%, 20%, and 13.2% during pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention phase, respectively. Risk of adverse composite outcome was significantly lower in post-intervention period as compared to pre-intervention period (aRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.92). Nosocomial sepsis and need for invasive ventilation was also significantly less in post-intervention period as compared to pre-intervention period.Conclusion: Implementation of thermoregulatory interventions best suited to local settings help in significant reduction of neonatal hypothermia, which in turn can help to improve neonatal outcomes. What is known: • Admission hypothermia is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. • Implementation of quality improvement projects help reducing hypothermia incidence. What is new: • Implementation of quality improvement project to reduce admission hypothermia resulted in reduction in incidence of adverse composite neonatal outcome. • Also implementation of quality improvement project led to reduction in incidence of nosocomial sepsis and need of invasive ventilation.

Accuracy of Bilistick (a Point-of-Care Device) to Detect Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis and appropriate management of neonatal jaundice is crucial in avoiding severe hyperbilirubinemia and brain injury. A low-cost, minimally invasive, point-of-care (PoC) tool for total bilirubin (TB) estimation which can be useful across all ranges of bilirubin values and all settings is the need of the hour. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of Bilistick system, a PoC device, for measurement of TB in comparison with estimation by spectrophotometry. DESIGN/METHODS: In this cross-sectional clinical study, in infants who required TB estimation, blood samples in 25-µl sample transfer pipettes were collected at the same time from venous blood obtained for laboratory bilirubin estimation. The accuracy of Bilistick in estimating TB within ±2 mg/dl of bilirubin estimation by spectrophotometry was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Among the enrolled infants, 198 infants were eligible for study analysis with the mean gestation of 36 ± 2.3 weeks and the mean birth weight of 2368 ± 623 g. The median age at enrollment was 68.5 h (interquartile range: 48-92). Bilistick was accurate only in 54.5% infants in measuring TB within ±2 mg/dl difference of TB measured by spectrophotometry. There was a moderate degree of correlation between the two methods (r = 0.457; 95% CI: 0.339-0.561, p value < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 0.5 mg/dl (SD ± 4.4) with limits of agreement between -8.2 and +9.1 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Bilistick as a PoC device is not accurate to estimate TB within the clinically acceptable difference (±2 mg/dl) of TB estimation by spectrophotometry and needs further improvement to make it more accurate.

Comparison of delivered distending pressures in the oropharynx in preterm infant on bubble CPAP and on three different nasal interfaces.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered by three different CPAP delivery interfaces (RAM cannula system, Hudson prongs, and nasal mask) in preterm neonates with respiratory distress. METHODS: Preterm neonates with gestation between 28 weeks and 34 weeks and birth weight more than or equal to 1000 g and requiring nasal CPAP for respiratory distress were eligible for the study. During the study period, consecutive infants requiring CPAP were started on Hudson prongs or RAM cannula or nasal mask in that order. We measured the mean oropharyngeal pressure, which approximates the applied CPAP level. Oropharyngeal pressures in the recruited neonates were measured between 24 and 48 hours of postnatal age, when stable and in sleep or quiet awake state. Comparison of the delivered oropharyngeal pressures when on three different nasal interfaces at the same set flow rate and at set CPAP of 5 cm or 6 cm of H2 O was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Data was analyzed from 30 neonates in each group. We found that measured oropharyngeal pressures were less than set CPAP level in all three studied interfaces. Maximum drop in oropharyngeal pressure was observed with use of RAM cannula with measured oropharyngeal pressures being 1.1 and 1.2 cm H2 O less than set CPAP of 5 and 6 cm H2 O respectively. Pharyngeal pressure best correlated to set CPAP level with the use of nasal mask. CONCLUSION: None of the nasal interfaces delivered oropharyngeal pressure equivalent to the set CPAP. However, nasal mask delivered oropharyngeal pressure best matched to the set CPAP.

Effect of colostrum given within the 12 hours after birth on feeding outcome, morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight infants: a prospective cohort study.

The current study aims to compare the feeding outcome, morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who received early colostrum (<12 hours of life) and those who did not. All VLBW infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were eligible for the study. Eligible infants were enrolled after obtaining written informed consent from either of the parents. Newborns who received colostrum within the first 12 hours after birth formed the study cohort and all others the control cohort. Both cohorts were followed till discharge from NICU. During the study period, 205 VLBW infants were admitted in NICU of whom 171 (83%) infants were enrolled in the study. Both study groups were comparable for mean birth weight, mean gestation and male sex. The proportion of infants with abnormal Doppler was significantly higher in the control group. All outcomes were adjusted for antenatal Doppler abnormalities. The primary outcome of time to reach full feeds in the study population was 6.90 ± 4.4 days as compared to 9.80 ± 4.86 days in the control group with a significant weighted mean difference of -2.4 (-0.8 to -3.9) days. Duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) days and mortality were all lower in the study cohort. Risk of sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis was similar in the both groups. Enteral colostrum within first 12 hours of birth in VLBW infants reduces the time to reach full feeds, TPN days and mortality.