Comparison of dwell time and complications between peripheral venous catheters and midline catheters in infants weighing ≥ 1500 g at birth.

BACKGROUND: Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often require infusion therapy immediately after admission. In such cases, the catheter must be selected according to the condition of the neonate. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) in terms of dwell time, number of catheter replacements required, and complication rate with that of a midline catheter (MC) in neonates weighing ≥1500 g and requiring care in a NICU. METHODS: The study had a retrospective observational design and included neonates with a birthweight of ≥1500 g who were admitted to a level III NICU between April 2019 and May 2021 and received infusion therapy via a PVC or MC. Patient, maternal, and infusion-related data were collected from the medical records. The outcomes were compared between the PVC and MC groups according to type of catheter used. RESULTS: Univariate analyses of the infusion-related data demonstrated that neonates in the MC group (n = 52) had significantly longer dwell times, required fewer catheter replacements, and had a greater probability of completing therapy with less risk of extravasation than those in the PVC group (n = 54). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that the MC has advantages over the PVC, including a longer dwell time, fewer catheter replacements, and less risk of extravasation in newborns with a birthweight of ≥1500 g.

Small for Gestational Age Affects Outcomes on Singletons and Inborn Births in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Japanese Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of extremely preterm small for gestational age (SGA) infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively assessed 434 SGA and 1,716 AGA infants born at 22 to 27 weeks of gestational age (GA) and examined their outcomes on singletons and inborn births between 2003 and 2012. Infants were followed-up for 3 years, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared. Fisher's exact and Student's t-tests were used for independent sample comparison. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of intraventricular hemorrhage ≥ grade 3 was significantly lower (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11 - 0.72), and the prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks of GA and the need for home oxygen therapy were significantly higher (aOR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.66 - 2.91 and aOR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.75-3.47, respectively) in SGA infants than in AGA infants. SGA infants born at 24 to 25 weeks of GA had a significantly higher prevalence of developmental quotient (DQ) < 70 (aOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.08 - 2.77). Those born at 26 to 27 weeks of GA showed a significantly higher prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and visual impairment (aOR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.22 - 4.40 and aOR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.21 - 5.61, respectively). CONCLUSION: In SGA infants, birth at 24 to 25 weeks of GA is an independent risk factor for DQ < 70, and birth at 26 to 27 weeks of GA is an independent risk factor for CP and visual impairment. However, we did not consider nutritional and developmental factors, and a longer follow-up would help assess neurodevelopmental outcomes. KEY POINTS: · SGA is a risk factor for poor outcomes.. · In SGA infants, birth at 25 to 26 weeks is a risk factor for low a DQ.. · In SGA infants, birth at 26 to 27 weeks is a risk factor for CP..

Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Preterm Infants After Extubation.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to compare the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) against those of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) after extubation in preterm infants. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, noninferiority trial was conducted in 6 tertiary NICUs. Infants born at <34 weeks who needed noninvasive ventilation after extubation were enrolled. We randomly assigned infants to an HFNC group when HFNC was used or to an NCPAP/NIPPV group when NCPAP or NIPPV was used. The primary outcome was treatment failure within 7 days after extubation. We then examined clinical aspects of treatment failure with HFNC use. RESULTS: In total, 176 and 196 infants were assigned to the HFNC and NCPAP/NIPPV groups, respectively. The HFNC group showed a significantly higher rate of treatment failure than that of the NCPAP/NIPPV group, with treatment failure occurring in 54 infants (31%) compared with 31 infants (16%) in the NCPAP/NIPPV group (risk difference, 14.9 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 6.2-23.2). Histologic chorioamnionitis (P = .02), treated patent ductus arteriosus (P = .001), and corrected gestational age at the start of treatment (P = .007) were factors independently related to treatment failure with HFNC use. CONCLUSIONS: We found HFNC revealed a significantly higher rate of treatment failure than NCPAP or NIPPV after extubation in preterm infants. The independent factors associated with treatment failure with HFNC use were histologic chorioamnionitis, treated patent ductus arteriosus, and a younger corrected gestational age at the start of treatment.

Determinants of excessive weight loss in breastfed full-term newborns at a baby-friendly hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Excessive weight loss in newborns is associated with neonatal complications such as jaundice and dehydration, which cause renal failure, thrombosis, hypovolemic shock, and seizures. The identification of the risk factors for excessive weight loss will help to discover preventive measures. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with excessive weight loss, defined as weight loss of ≥10%, in breastfed full-term newborns in Japan. METHODS: The present retrospective study, which was performed in a tertiary perinatal center accredited as a Baby-Friendly Hospital, included neonates who were born alive with a gestational age of ≥37 weeks. Cases of multiple births, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), referral to another facility, or exclusive formula feeding were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between maternal or neonatal characteristics and excessive weight loss. RESULTS: We studied 399 newborns, of whom 164 (41%) had excessive weight loss. According to the adjusted multiple regression analysis, the factors associated with excessive weight loss were an older maternal age, primiparity, and antepartum Caesarean section, with adjusted odds ratios (95% Confidence Intervals [CIs]) of 1.07 (1.02, 1.11), 2.72 (1.69, 4.38), and 2.00 (1.09, 3.65), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of infants born to older mothers, primiparous mothers, or infants delivered by antepartum Cesarean section is recommended, and earlier supplementation with artificial milk may be considered.

A neonatal case of coxsackievirus B3 vertical infection with symptoms of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation that most commonly affects infants. We report the case of a term female neonate with HLH associated with coxsackievirus B3 Infection. Her mother was hospitalized due to high fever 4 days before the delivery. The patient was delivered by vaginal delivery after the induction of labor. She was admitted to the neonatal care unit due to continuous high fever and poor sucking on her 4th day of life. She developed apnea on her 5th day of life. Laboratory findings on the patient's 7th day of life indicated severe thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction, coagulation abnormality and hyperferritinemia. Coxsackievirus B3 was isolated from all cultured specimens by the PCR method. She received intravenous transfusion of platelets and immunoglobulin. Her platelet count gradually increased to the normal range by her 14th day of life and she was discharged without any sequelae on her 25th day of life. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of neonatal HLH associated with a vertical transmission of coxsackievirus B3. Coxsackievirus is an important virus that can cause HLH in neonates. An early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial.

Trends in the neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants from 2003-2012: a retrospective cohort study in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the trends in mortality and the prevalence of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm Japanese infants. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective multicenter cohort of 30,793 preterm infants born at a gestational age ≤32 weeks, between 2003 and 2012, in the Neonatal Research Network, Japan, was evaluated in the primary analysis. Finally, 13,661 infants were followed-up until 3 years of age and evaluated for neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy (CP), home oxygen therapy (HOT) use, and visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk-adjusted trends in mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. RESULTS: The trends in overall mortality (adjusted odds ratio, (AOR): 0.92; 95% confidence interval, (CI): 0.89-0.94), the prevalence of CP (AOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98), HOT use (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.93), and visual (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.81-0.87) and hearing impairments (AOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63-0.97) showed a significant downward trend, while cognitive impairment showed no significant changes (AOR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.05). Intravenous hyperalimentation was significantly correlated with visual impairment (AOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.91). Early establishment of enteral feeding was associated with improved long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality was improved, and this did not lead to increased risks for abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Nutritional support might improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in extremely preterm infants: a Japanese cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in extremely preterm infants and its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age. DESIGN: A retrospective multicentre cohort study. SETTINGS: 202 tertiary perinatal centres registered in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ). PATIENTS: Infants born at <28 weeks of gestational age (GA), between 2003 and 2012, were extracted from tertiary perinatal centres participating in NRNJ. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic characteristics, morbidity, interventions and mortality were compared for infants with and without PPHN. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of PPHN on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes (the prevalence rate of cerebral palsy, need for home oxygen therapy, and visual, hearing and cognitive impairment) at 3 years of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPHN among the 12 954 extremely preterm infants enrolled was 8.1% (95% CI 7.7% to 8.6%), with the trend increasing annually, and a higher proportion as GA decreased: 18.5% (range, 15.2% to 22.4%) for infants born at 22 weeks compared with 4.4% (range, 3.8% to 5.2%) for those born at 27 weeks. Clinical chorioamnionitis and premature rupture of membranes were associated with PPHN. On multivariate analysis of the data from 5923 infants followed up for 3 years, PPHN was a significant independent risk factor for visual impairment (adjusted OR, 1.42, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.97). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PPHN in extremely preterm infants has been increasing over the past decade in Japan. Clinicians should be aware of visual impairments as a neurodevelopmental abnormality among infants with PPHN.

Differences in mortality and morbidity according to gestational ages and birth weights in infants with trisomy 18.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of gestational age and birth weight on outcomes of the infants. Medical records of 36 infants with trisomy 18 admitted to Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital from 1991 to 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. We compared clinical characteristics between term infants (n = 15) and preterm infants (n = 21). There were one very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) term infant (5%) and 12 VLBW preterm infants (80%). Although there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and provided management between the two groups, none of the preterm infants achieved survival to discharge. On the other hand, 6 of 21 term infants (29%) achieved survival to discharge (P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for comparisons between the VLBW infants and non-VLBW infants. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that shorter gestational age had a more negative impact than lower birth weight to survival to discharge in infants with trisomy 18. In both preterm and term groups, the infants who died before 30 days commonly died of respiratory failure or apnea. Whereas, the infants who survived more than 30 days mostly died of heart failure.