Birth weight independently affects morbidity and mortality of extremely preterm neonates.

BACKGROUND: Neonates born between 24 + 0 and 27 + 6 gestational weeks, widely known as extremely preterm neonates, present a category characterized by increased neonatal mortality and morbidity. Main objective of the present study is to analyze the effect of various epidemiological and pregnancy-related parameters on unfavorable neonatal mortality and morbidity outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed enrolling cases delivered during 2003 - 2008 in our department. Cases of neonatal death as well as pathological Apgar score (≤ 4 in the first and ≤ 7 in the fifth minute of life), need for emergency resuscitation, respiratory disease syndrome (RDS), neonatal asphyxia, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and neonatal death were recorded for neonates of our analysis. A multivariate regression model was used to correlate these outcomes with gestational week at delivery, maternal age, parity, kind of gestation (singleton or multiple), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), birth weight (BW), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), mode of delivery (vaginal delivery or cesarean section) and antenatal use of corticosteroids. RESULTS: Out of 5,070 pregnancies delivered, 57 extremely preterm neonates were born (1.1%). Mean BW was 780.35 ± 176.0, RDS was observed in 93.0% (n = 53), resuscitation was needed in 54.4% (n = 31) while overall mortality rate was 52.6% (n = 30). BW was independently associated with neonatal death (P = 0.004), pathological Apgar score in the first (P = 0.05) and fifth minute of life (P = 0.04) as well as neonatal sepsis (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: BW at delivery is independently affecting neonatal mortality and morbidity parameters in extremely preterm neonates.

Successful management of a small infant with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon using vincristine: a case report.

Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP) is characterized by profound thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and consumptive coagulopathy in the presence of an enlarging vascular lesion. The syndrome usually develops in infancy and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. We report a case of successful management of refractory KMP in a very small infant with the use of vincristine. A female neonate was born with a giant haemangioma on the right thigh and soon presented with coagulopathy and severe thrombocytopenia due to rapid enlargement of the lesion. The condition proved refractory to steroids and propranolol, and the baby was on supportive therapy with daily administration of red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate. Treatment failure and the risk of serious bleeding led to the decision of starting vincristine on the 45th day of life. During the first week of therapy, haematological parameters improved rapidly, and on the second week, the infant had no need for blood products. By the third week of treatment, platelet count and fibrinogen levels had normalized, and the tumour size was dramatically reduced. The infant completed therapy without experiencing any side-effects and had no relapse during the two years that followed. Vincristine proved to be safe, effective and well tolerated in the treatment of this young baby with severe form of KMP. The report, also, highlights the need for considering vincristine early in the management of KMP, especially in cases of rapidly expanding haemangiomas that raise the suspicion of possible malignant lesions (kaposiform haemangioendothelioma/tufted angiomas).

Postoperative chylous ascites in a neonate treated successfully with octreotide: bile sludge and cholestasis.

We report a case of postoperative chylous ascites after surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a full-term neonate. Treatment with subcutaneously administered octreotide resulted in rapid resolution of chylous effusion. Octreotide treatment had transient side effects, with bile sludge and cholestasis.