Implementation of a probiotic protocol to reduce rates of necrotizing enterocolitis.

OBJECTIVE: To utilize a probiotic protocol to achieve a 50% reduction in rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) ≥ Bell Stage 2 within 2 years of protocol implementation. STUDY DESIGN: Literature review guided probiotic selection and protocol design. A driver diagram identified key drivers to achieve our aim. A U chart followed monthly NEC ≥ Bell Stage 2 per 100 patient days and per monthly admissions. The process measure was protocol compliance and the balancing measure was probiotic sepsis. RESULTS: NEC ≥ Bell Stage 2 decreased from 0.14 to 0.04 per 100 patient days in infants < 33 weeks gestation or <1500 g, or a yearly rate of 7-2%. Protocol compliance was 98% and there were no cases of probiotic sepsis. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a probiotic protocol was associated with a decrease in rates of NEC.

Comparison of early postnatal prediction models for survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the PF-PCO2 equation-partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) minus partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2)-to three other tools for postnatal prediction of survival in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 203 infants with CDH from 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2018. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis was performed for survival and secondary outcomes of survival without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO) and death despite ECMO. Predictive scores were calculated to determine cutoff for PF-PCO2 score. RESULTS: The PF-PCO2 tool had the highest AUC (0.84 for survival, 0.92 for survival without ECMO, and 0.83 for death despite ECMO). PF-PCO2 best predicted survival when >-60 and survival without ECMO when >+80. There was no optimal cutoff score for death despite ECMO. CONCLUSION: The PF-PCO2 tool best predicted postnatal survival in infants with CDH.

Impact of umbilical cord milking and pasteurized donor human milk on necrotizing enterocolitis: a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious complication of prematurity. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of an umbilical cord milking protocol (UCM) and pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) on NEC rates in infants less than 30 weeks gestational age from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2016. We hypothesized an incremental decrease in NEC after each intervention. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 638 infants born less than 30 weeks gestational age. Infants were grouped into three epochs: pre-UCM/pre-PDHM (Epoch 1, n = 159), post-UCM/pre-PDHM (Epoch 2, n = 133), and post-UCM/post-PDHM (Epoch 3, n = 252). The incidence of NEC, surgical NEC, and NEC/death were compared. Logistic regression was used to determine independent significance of time epoch, gestational age, birth weight, and patent ductus arteriosus for NEC, surgical NEC, and death/NEC. RESULTS: At birth, infants in Epoch 1 were younger than Epoch 2 and 3 (26.8 weeks versus 27.3 and 27.2, respectively, P = 0.036) and smaller (910 g versus 1012 and 983, respectively, P = 0.012). Across epochs, there was a significant correlation between patent ductus arteriosus treatment and NEC rate (P < 0.001, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel). There was a significant decrease in rates of NEC, surgical NEC, and NEC/death between groups. Logistic regression showed this as significant for rates of NEC and surgical NEC between Epoch 1 and 3. Patent ductus arteriosus was a significant variable affecting the incidence of NEC, but not surgical NEC or death/NEC. CONCLUSIONS: An umbilical cord milking protocol and pasteurized donor human milk availability was associated with decreased rates of NEC and surgical NEC. This suggests an additive effect of these interventions in preventing NEC.

Intrauterine Treatment of a Fetus with Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Secondary to MYH7 Mutation.

There is no clear consensus on optimal management of fetuses affected by familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Intrauterine treatment of the condition has not been attempted in any standardized fashion. We report the case of a fetus treated by maternal propranolol during the third trimester after septal hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed on fetal echocardiogram. The pregnancy went successfully to term, and fetal septal hypertrophy was noted to improve prior to delivery.

TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms: no impact on human immune responsiveness to LPS or respiratory syncytial virus.

BACKGROUND: A broad variety of natural environmental stimuli, genotypic influences and timing all contribute to expression of protective versus maladaptive immune responses and the resulting clinical outcomes in humans. The role of commonly co-segregating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile in this process remains highly controversial. Moreover, what differential impact these polymorphisms might have in at risk populations with respiratory dysfunction, such as current asthma or a history of infantile bronchiolitis, has never been examined. Here we determine the importance of these polymorphisms in modulating LPS and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)--driven cytokine responses. We focus on both healthy children and those with clinically relevant respiratory dysfunction. METHODOLOGY: To elucidate the impact of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile on cytokine production, we assessed multiple immune parameters in over 200 pediatric subjects aged 7-9. Genotyping was followed by quantification of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses by fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells upon acute exposure to LPS or RSV. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In contrast to early reports, neither SNP influenced immune responses evoked by LPS exposure or RSV infection, as measured by the intermediate phenotype of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses to these ubiquitous agents. There is no evidence of altered sensitivity in populations with "at risk" clinical phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Genomic medicine seeks to inform clinical practice. Determination of the TLR4 Asp299Gly/Thr399Ile haplotype is of no clinical benefit in predicting the nature or intensity of cytokine production in children whether currently healthy or among specific at-risk groups characterized by prior infantile broncholitis or current asthma.