A survey on criteria for intubation in moderate to late preterm infants with respiratory distress.

BACKGROUND: Majority of preterm infants do well with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the sole respiratory management; but some require endotracheal intubation and surfactant administration. While intubation is needed predominantly in extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks); some of the more mature preterm infants also require it. Currently, there are no clear guidelines regarding indications for endotracheal intubation in such infants. AIMS: To understand the current practice regarding "criteria for intubation" in moderate to late preterm infants with respiratory distress. METHODS: A survey of neonatologists in Australia New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) was conducted between April and June 2019. RESULTS: At least one neonatologist each from 29 of the 30 tertiary ANZNN Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) responded to the survey. In total, 118/200 (59%) neonatologists responded. The most common criteria for intubation were CPAP = 8 cmH2 O (61%), pH < 7.2 (55%), pCO2 > 70 mmHg (48%), FiO2 > 40% (40%), chest retractions (48%), more than two episodes of apnea requiring intervention (54%), and chest X-ray (CXR) showing moderate-severe hyaline membrane disease (HMD, 49%). CONCLUSION: While there were variations in practice, nearly 50% of the neonatologists shared a common threshold with regards to the CPAP level, FiO2 , blood gas parameters, and clinical and radiological findings. The results of this survey will help in designing future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this subject.

Co-initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy, peritoneal dialysis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonatal life-threatening hyaline membrane disease: A case report.

RATIONALE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a well-known technique to provide cardio-pulmonary support. Although continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is frequently indicated, the need for faster fluid removal as the primary indication for ECMO is uncommon. Experiences on concomitant applications of ECMO, peritoneal dialysis (PD) and CRRT in neonates are relatively limited. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a 2-day-old male neonate with life-threatening hyaline membrane disease (HMD), accompained by severe systemic fluid retention, sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome. DIAGNOSIS: Hyaline membrane disease (HMD), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, capillary leakage syndrome, and abdominal compartment syndrome. INTERVENTION: Veno-arterial ECMO, CRRT, and PD were synchronously initiated for the sake of faster fluid removal possible. OUTCOMES: The infant was successfully weaned from ECMO circuit and fluid overload was greatly improved four days after extracorporeal life support (ECLS), without major complications. LESSONS: Initiation of CRRT and PD during ECMO therapy is effective and safe to release fluid overload in neonates, and severe complications are absent. When a neonate requires dialysis of urgency, ECMO offers assured vascular access to hemodialysis, allowing faster fluid removal.

Morbilidad y mortalidad por enfermedad de la membrana hialina en el Hospital General Docente Dr Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo 2016-2018 / Morbidade e mortalidade por doença da membrana hialina no Hospital Geral Dr Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo 2016-2018 / Morbidity and mortality due to hyaline membrane disease at the Dr Agostinho Neto General Teaching Hospital, Guantanamo 2016-2018

Introducción: la enfermedad de la membrana hialina es un problema de salud en la etapa neonatal. Objetivo: caracterizar a los recién nacidos ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales del Hospital General Docente Dr Agostinho Neto por enfermedad de la membrana hialina durante los años 2016-2018. Método: se hizo un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo y longitudinal de 163 recién nacidos que ingresaron en la unidad. Resultados: el 16,4 por ciento de los neonatos ingresados en dicha unidad tenía esta enfermedad y la letalidad fue de 11,0 por ciento. La mayor proporción de éstos eran varones (55,8 por ciento), tenían entre 31,0 y 33,6 semanas de edad gestacional al nacer (28,2 por ciento), pesaron entre 1500,9 y 1999,9 g (27,0 por ciento), tuvieron un Apgar a los 5 minutos de nacidos entre 8 y 10 puntos (58,9 por ciento) y estuvieron en la unidad de 7 a 14 días (40,4 por ciento). El 93,3 por ciento se trató con fármacos inductores de maduración pulmonar y 100,0 por ciento con surfactante y ventilación mecánica convencional (100,0 por ciento). El 84,7 por ciento presentó complicaciones y el 55,6 por ciento falleció por hemorragia intracraneal (55,6 por ciento). Fue común que las madres tuvieran edad entre 19 y 35 años (76,6 por ciento), fueran cesareadas (65,0 por ciento) y presentaron complicaciones relacionadas con el embarazo (82,2 por ciento). Conclusión: la letalidad fue superior en la medida que disminuye la edad gestacional y el peso al nacer, en los que no fueron tratados con fármacos inductores de maduración pulmonar y que presentaron meningoencefalitis(AU)

Introduction: hyaline membrane disease is a health problem in the neonatal stage. Objective: to characterize the newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the General Teaching Hospital Dr Agostinho Neto " due to hyaline membrane disease during the years 2016-2018. Method: an observational, descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study of 163 newborns who entered the unit was made. Results: 16.4per cent of the infants admitted to this unit had this disease and the lethality was 11.0per cent. The largest proportion of these were male (55.8per cent), were between 31.0 and 33.6 weeks of gestational age at birth (28.2per cent), weighed between 1500.9 and 1999.9 g (27.0 per cent), had an Apgar after 5 minutes of birth between 8 and 10 points (58.9per cent) and were in the unit for 7 to 14 days (40.4per cent). 93.3per cent were treated with pulmonary maturation inducing drugs and 100.0per cent with surfactant and conventional mechanical ventilation (100.0per cent). 84.7per cent presented complications and 55.6per cent died from intracranial hemorrhage (55.6per cent). It was common for mothers to be between 19 and 35 years old (76.6per cent), to be ceased (65.0per cent) and had pregnancy-related complications (82.2per cent). Conclusion: lethality was higher as the gestational age and birth weight decreased, in those who were not treated with pulmonary maturation inducing drugs and who presented meningoencephalitis(AU)

Introdução: a doença da membrana hialina é um problema de saúde no estágio neonatal. Objetivo: caracterizar os recém-nascidos internados na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal do Hospital Geral de Ensino Dr Agostinho Neto por doença da membrana hialina durante os anos de 2016 a 2018. Método: estudo observacional, descritivo, prospectivo e longitudinal de 163 recém-nascidos que ingressaram na unidade. Resultados: 16,4 por cento dos lactentes internados nessa unidade apresentavam essa doença e a letalidade era de 11,0 por cento. A maior proporção deles era do sexo masculino (55,8 por cento), tinha entre 31,0 e 33,6 semanas de idade gestacional ao nascer (28,2 por cento), pesava entre 1500,9 e 1999,9 g (27,0 por cento), apresentou Apgar após 5 minutos de nascimento entre 8 e 10 pontos (58,9 por cento) e permaneceu na unidade por 7 a 14 dias (40,4 por cento). 93,3 por cento foram tratados com fármacos indutores de maturação pulmonar e 100,0 por cento com surfactante e ventilação mecânica convencional (100,0 por cento). 84,7 por cento apresentaram complicações e 55,6 por cento morreram de hemorragia intracraniana (55,6 por cento). Era comum as mães ter entre 19 e 35 anos (76,6 por cento), cessar (65,0 por cento) e apresentar complicações relacionadas à gravidez (82,2 por cento). Conclusão: a letalidade foi maior com a diminuição da idade gestacional e do peso ao nascer naqueles que não foram tratados com fármacos indutores da maturação pulmonar e que apresentaram meningoencefalite(AU)

Hyaline membrane disease (HMD): an historical and Oslerian perspective.

Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) offers an illustration of a disease discovered during the lifetime of William Osler and effectively treated in the twentieth century-the perspective that suggests that there was a straightforward progressive identification of the disease process, a discovery of the underlying biochemical agent responsible for the pathophysiology, and the pharmacological refinement of that agent to be used to treat the disease is illusory. By reviewing the timeline from the earliest pathological description of what was to be later termed HMD to the discovery of surfactant and its impact on infant mortality, this narrative will demonstrate how various random historical events served to affect the progress of developing a treatment for HMD; how the marked reduction in deaths due to HMD may have set the stage for unrealistic expectations; and how the humanities have warned us of the potential for excessive optimism in our understanding of nature.

Enfermedad de la membrana hialina en el Hospital Ginecobstétrico Mariana Grajales / Hyaline membrane disease at Mariana Grajales Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de cuatro años sobre las complicaciones y la supervivencia de los recién nacidos con enfermedad de la membrana hialina, atendidos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales del Hospital Ginecobstétrico Mariana Grajales; se estudiaron 49 recién nacidos que desarrollaron la enfermedad; el 63,2 por ciento nacieron con menos de 1 500 gramos y menos de 30 semanas; esta última variable, el sexo masculino, la rotura prematura de membranas y la preclampsia fueron los factores de mayor influencia. El 89,8 por ciento de los pacientes fueron tratados con surfactante y soporte ventilatorio invasivo. Aunque se presentaron complicaciones, como el conducto arterioso permeable, la sepsis y la hemorragia intraventricular, la mayoría de los pacientes sobrevivieron. La mortalidad continuó elevada en el grupo de niños en los que el surfactante se aplicó tardíamente. Se recomienda su empleo de manera precoz, para disminuir las complicaciones y mejorar el pronóstico(AU)

Comparison of morbidity and mortality of very low birth weight infants in a Central Hospital in Johannesburg between 2006/2007 and 2013.

BACKGROUND: Health protocols need to be guided by current data on survival and benefits of interventions within the local context. Periodic clinical audits are required to inform and update health care protocols. This study aimed to review morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in 2013 compared with similar data from 2006/2007. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients' records from a neonatal computer database for 562 VLBW infants. These neonates weighed between 500 and 1500 g at birth, and were admitted within 48 hours after birth between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. Patients' characteristics, complications of prematurity, and therapeutic interventions were compared with 2006/2007 data. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed to establish significant associations of various factors with survival to discharge for 2013. RESULTS: Survival in 2013 was similar to that in 2006/2007 (73.4% vs 70.2%, p = 0.27). However, survival in neonates who weighed 750-900 g significantly improved from 20.4% in 2006/2007 to 52.4% in 2013 (p = 0.001). The use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) increased from 20.3% to 62.9% and surfactant use increased from 19.2% to 65.5% between the two time periods (both p < 0.001). Antenatal care attendance improved from 54.4% to 70.6% (p = 0.001) and late onset sepsis (>72 hours after birth) increased from 12.5% to 19% (p = 0.006) between the two time periods. Other variables remained unchanged between 2006/2007 and 2013. The main determinants of survival to discharge in 2013 were birth weight (odds ratio 1.005, 95% confidence interval 1.003-1.0007, resuscitation at birth (2.673, 1.375-5.197), NCPAP (0.247, 0.109-0.560), necrotising enterocolitis (4.555, 1.659-12.51), and mode of delivery, including normal vaginal delivery (0.456, 0.231-0.903) and vaginal breech (0.069, 0.013-0.364). CONCLUSIONS: There was a marked improvement in the survival of neonates weighing between 750 and 900 g at birth, most likely due to provision of surfactant and NCPAP. Provision of NCPAP, prevention of necrotising enterocolitis, and control of infection need to be prioritised in VLBW infants to improve their outcome.

[Nasal CPAP versus mechanical ventilation in 28 to 32-week preterm infants with early surfactant administration]. / Presión positiva continua en la vía aérea comparada con la respiración mecánica asistida en prematuros de 28 a 32 semanas de gestación con administración precoz de surfactante pulmonar.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is useful in low birth weight infants with respiratory distress, but it is not known if it is a better alternative to mechanical ventilation after early pulmonary surfactant administration. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of adverse events in 28 to 32-week newborns with respiratory distress managed with mechanical ventilation or CPAP after early surfactant administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 176 newborns were treated with CPAP and 147 with mechanical ventilation, all with Apgar scores >3 at five minutes and without apnea. RESULTS: The incidence of CPAP failure was 6.5% (95% CI: 11.3-22.8%); 29 patients died: 7 with CPAP (4.0%) and 22 with mechanical ventilation (15.0%, p<0.001). The relative risk of dying with CPAP versus mechanical ventilation was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12-0.61), but after adjusting for confounding factors, CPAP use did not imply a higher risk of dying (RR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.29-1.24). Mechanical ventilation fatality rate was 5.70 (95% CI: 3.75-8.66) deaths/1,000 days-patient, while with CPAP it was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.65-2.88, p<0.001). Chronic lung disease incidence was lower with CPAP than with mechanical ventilation (RR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.54-0.96), as were intracranial hemorrhage (RR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.09-0.84) and sepsis (RR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.52-0.86), and it was similar for air leaks (RR=2.51; 95% CI: 0.83-7.61) and necrotizing enterocolitis (RR=1.68, 95% CI: 0.59-4.81). CONCLUSION: CPAP exposure of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome is protective against chronic lung disease, intraventricular hemorrhage and sepsis compared to mechanical ventilation. No differences were observed regarding air leak syndrome or death.

Presión positiva continua en la vía aérea comparada con la respiración mecánica asistida en prematuros de 28 a 32 semanas de gestación con administración precoz de surfactante pulmonar / Nasal CPAP versus mechanical ventilation in 28 to 32-week preterm infants with early surfactant administration

Introducción. La presión positiva continua en la vía aérea ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure , CPAP) es útil en prematuros de 28 a 32 semanas de gestación con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria, pero no se ha precisado si es mejor que la respiración mecánica asistida después de la administración precoz de surfactante pulmonar. Objetivo. Comparar la incidencia de eventos adversos en prematuros de 28 a 32 semanas de gestación con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria atendidos con surfactante y respiración mecánica asistida o CPAP de burbuja. Materiales y métodos. Se atendieron 147 neonatos con respiración mecánica asistida y 176 con CPAP, ninguno de los cuales presentaba asfixia perinatal o apnea. Resultados. La incidencia de fracaso de la CPAP fue de 6,5 % (IC 95% 11,3-22,8 %). Fallecieron 29 pacientes, 7 de los cuales habían recibido CPAP (4,0 %) y, 22, respiración mecánica asistida (15,0 %; p<0,001). El riesgo relativo (RR) de morir de quienes recibieron CPAP, comparado con el de quienes recibieron respiración mecánica asistida, fue de 0,27 (IC 95% 0,12-0,61), pero, al ajustar por los factores de confusión, el uso de CPAP no implicó mayor riesgo de morir (RR=0,60; IC 95% 0,29-1,24). La letalidad con respiración mecánica asistida fue de 5,70 (IC 95% 3,75-8,66) muertes por 1.000 días-paciente, mientras que con CPAP fue de 1,37 (IC 95% 0,65-2,88; p<0,001). La incidencia de neumopatía crónica fue menor con CPAP (RR=0,71, IC 95% 0,54-0,96), al igual que la de hemorragia cerebral (RR=0,28; IC 95% 0,09-0,84) y la de sepsis (RR=0,67; IC 95% 0,52-0,86), pero fue similar en cuanto a escapes de aire (RR=2,51; IC 95% 0,83-7,61) y enterocolitis necrosante (RR=1,68; IC 95% 0,59-4,81). Conclusión. La incidencia de neumopatía crónica, hemorragia ventricular y sepsis es menor con el uso de CPAP.

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is useful in low birth weight infants with respiratory distress, but it is not known if it is a better alternative to mechanical ventilation after early pulmonary surfactant administration. Objective: To compare the incidence of adverse events in 28 to 32-week newborns with respiratory distress managed with mechanical ventilation or CPAP after early surfactant administration. Materials and methods: In total, 176 newborns were treated with CPAP and 147 with mechanical ventilation, all with Apgar scores >3 at five minutes and without apnea. Results: The incidence of CPAP failure was 6.5% (95% CI: 11.3-22.8%); 29 patients died: 7 with CPAP (4.0%) and 22 with mechanical ventilation (15.0%, p<0.001). The relative risk of dying with CPAP versus mechanical ventilation was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12-0.61), but after adjusting for confounding factors, CPAP use did not imply a higher risk of dying (RR=0.60; 95% CI: 0.29-1.24). Mechanical ventilation fatality rate was 5.70 (95% CI: 3.75-8.66) deaths/1,000 days-patient, while with CPAP it was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.65-2.88, p<0.001). Chronic lung disease incidence was lower with CPAP than with mechanical ventilation (RR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.54-0.96), as were intracranial hemorrhage (RR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.09-0.84) and sepsis (RR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.52-0.86), and it was similar for air leaks (RR=2.51; 95% CI: 0.83-7.61) and necrotizing enterocolitis (RR=1.68, 95% CI: 0.59-4.81). Conclusion: CPAP exposure of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome is protective against chronic lung disease, intraventricular hemorrhage and sepsis compared to mechanical ventilation. No differences were observed regarding air leak syndrome or death.

Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad de membrana hialina, atendidos en el Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión año 2012 / Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with hyaline membrane disease, attended at the National Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrion 2012

OBJETIVOS: Determinar las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad de membrana hialina del Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión en el año 2012. METODOLOGIA: Estudio Observacional, de tipo descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal. Se trabajó con un total de 83 recién nacidos que fueron atendidos en los servicios de consultorios de neonatología que acuden al Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión durante el periodo Enero a Diciembre 2012. Se estimaron las frecuencias absolutas y relativas para las variables cualitativas y medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión para las variables cuantitativas. Se aplicó la prueba estadística chi-cuadrado con un nivel de significancia del 5 por ciento. Para las gráficas de los resultados, se emplearán gráficas de barras y circulares. RESULTADOS: La edad materna promedio fue 26.7±7.6 años, la mayoría entre edades de 15-25 años (48.2 por ciento). El 91.6 por ciento pertenecieron al Callao. Al respecto de los datos obstétricos el 83.1 por ciento no tuvo control prenatal, siendo el número de controles prenatales promedio de 3.9±2.2 veces, el 27.7 por ciento de los recién nacidos nació por parto eutócico y el 72.3 por ciento parto distócico. La presentación del RN más predominante fue Cefálica (78.3 por ciento). El médico Residente atendió la mayor cantidad de partos (86.7 por ciento), el 45.8 por ciento de los RN tuvo edad gestacional entre 29-32 semanas. Los principales factores maternos son la infección de tracto urinario 24.1 por ciento, el parto pretérmino (21.7 por ciento) y el embarazo gemelar (15.7 por ciento). La talla del recién nacido promedio fue 38.4±4.9 cm, el puntaje del Apgar promedio al minuto fue 6.4±2.2 y el peso de ingreso promedio del recién nacido fue 1433±624 gr. El 92.8 por ciento de los recién nacidos tuvo un adecuado peso para la edad gestacional y el 4.8 por ciento fue pequeño para la edad gestacional. El 50.6 por ciento de los recién nacidos tuvo...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with Hyaline Membrane Disease at National Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrion in 2012. METHODOLOGY: Observational study, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective. We worked with a total of 83 newborns that were treated in the neonatal clinic services attending at Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrion National during the period January to December 2012. We estimated absolute and relative frequencies and measures of central tendency and dispersion. We applied the chi-square statistical test with a significance level of 5 per cent. For the graphs of the results, bar charts are used or circular, depending on the variables to correlate. RESULTS: The average maternal age was 26.7±7.6 years, the majority between the ages of 15-25 years (48.2 per cent). The 91.6 per cent belonged to Callao. Regard to obstetric the 83.1 per cent was not data antenatal; the number of antenatal average of 3.9±2.2 times, 27.7 per cent of infants born by vaginal delivery and 72.3 per cent dystocia. The most predominant presentation was cephalic RN (78.3 per cent). The resident physician attended births as many (86.7 per cent), 45.8 per cent of babies had gestational age between 29-32 weeks. The main factors are maternal urinary tract infection (24.1 per cent), preterm delivery (21.7 per cent) and twin pregnancies (15.7 per cent). The average newborn size was 38.4±4.9 cm, the mean Apgar score at minute was 6.4±2.2 and the weight of newborn average income was 1433±624 gr. The 92.8 per cent of infants had a weight appropriate for gestational age and 4.8 per cent were small for gestational age. The 50.6 per cent of infants had a moderate degree of prematurity and 25.3 per cent severe degree of prematurity. The 34.9 per cent of newborns were found between the ranges of 1500 to 2499 gr, and 19.3 per cent between ranges 1000-1249 gr. The 61.4 per cent of newborns were male and 38.6 per cent female...

[Clinical evaluation of the effects of morphine in mechanical ventilation of neonates].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of morphine infusion analgesia on behavioural and neuroendocrine stress response and short term outcome in ventilated neonates. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted between August 2010 and April 2011 at the neonatal intensive care unit of Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. A total of 46 ventilated preterm infants (≥ 32 weeks) and term infants were divided into 2 groups at random. Twenty-two infants in test group received a loading dose (100 µg/kg) of morphine (> 1 h) followed by a continuous infusion [10 µg/(kg·h)] for (70.05 ± 29.05) h, and 24 infants in control group received 5% glucose with the same infusion rate. (1) The ventilatory parameters [respiratory rate (R), frequence (f), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)], mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) before treatment, at 30 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h after treatment between two groups were compared. (2) Pain was measured by two assessment tools [neonatal pain, agitation and sedation scale (N-PASS) and COMFORT scale] at the same periods. (3) The ventilation duration, the time from withdrawal to extubation, the total oxygen-inhaled time, the side effects and the clinical outcomes [e.g., pulmonary hemorrhage, air leak, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)] between two groups were compared. RESULTS: (1) There were no significant differences in the different ventilatory parameters before and after treatment between two groups at different periods (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the average blood pressure of two groups at different periods, but the heart rate reduced at 24 - 48 h after treatment in test group with significant difference as compared to control group (t = -2.152 and -2.513, P < 0.05). (2) The N-PASS score and COMFORT score in test group were lower than that in control group at different time points 2 h after treatment (P < 0.05), especially 12 h after treatment (P < 0.01). (3) There were no significant differences in the ventilation duration, the time from withdrawal to extubation and the total oxygen time between two groups, and also in side effects, the incidence of IVH, white matter damage and the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion of morphine could relieve pain in ventilated neonates, reduce the stress response and promote the human-machine coordination, but the medication did not show any effects on neurobehavioral development and short term outcome.

High frequency oscillatory ventilation versus synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation in preterm neonates with hyaline membrane disease: a randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) in preterm neonates with hyaline membrane disease requiring ventilation. The ventilation strategy in both the groups included achieving optimal lung recruitment and targeted blood gases. 49 patients received HFOV and 61 SIMV. The baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups. HFOV group demonstrated better early oxygenation, enabled reduction in oxygenation index (OI) within 24 h of ventilation (difference in mean OI at 1, 6, and 24 h of ventilation: P=0.004 in HFOV, and 0.271 in SIMV group). Duration of hospital stay was shorter in HFOV group (P=0.003). The complication rate and survival were similar in two groups.

Neonatal revolution - the introduction of PEEP.

Fifty years ago, a baby born at 24-26 weeks was not considered viable. It was a tragedy for the mother having carried it for so long. I witnessed such an event as a student. The scourge of premature deliveries was the lack of surfactant in many tiny babies. In general, if a premature infant with hyaline membrane disease, as it was called respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), could not maintain a pO(2) above 60 mmHg in 100% oxygen, it was not expected to survive. In late 1969, two babies with suspected RDS came to ICU and were treated by the author with the buffer (tris hydroxyl amino methane, [THAM] which reduced both metabolic and respiratory acidosis and did not contain sodium) and an isoprenaline infusion (ß(1) stimulant and pulmonary vasodilator). The X-ray appearances of RDS disappeared. Unfortunately, one died of portal vein thrombosis because the drugs were administered by umbilical catheter, which were commonly used at the time. The other one recovered but the physicians then said the diagnosis must have been wrong!

Incidencia y evolución de membrana hialina en menores de 35 semanas según crecimiento intrauterino / Incidence and evolution of hyaline membrane in newborns under 35 weeks of gestational age according intrauterine growth

Introduction: It is thought that intrauterine growth restriction induces respiratory maturation. The information varies if the studies consider analysis based on birth weight or gestational age. Objective: The goal of this study is to compare the incidence and evolution of hyaline membrane disease (HMD) between small and adequate premature babies under 35 weeks of gestational age (< 35 wGA) based on data in the literature. Patients and Methods: Two databases were created and analyzed: a) 2 022 newborns < 35 wGA admitted to the Service, whose incidence of HMD was calculated, and b) 733 newborns < 35 wGA with HMD and treated with surfactant, to describe the evolution. Results: Analysis of GA group shows a higher incidence of HMD (35.2 percent) among small for GA, and less (29.1 percent) among those who are not small for GA (p: 0.026). If a subset is formed for the newborns < 1 500 g in birth weight, those small for gestational age have a lower incidence (47.5 percent) than those adequate for GA (60.7 percent). Logistic regression analysis for discharge with oxygen of newborns with HMD shows association with lower z score for birth weight, corticosteroid use and oxygen dependence at 36 weeks. Conclusions: Preterm newborns small for GA show a higher incidence of HMD and oxygen dependence when comparing for GA.

Introducción: Tradicionalmente se ha considerado que la restricción de crecimiento intrauterina produce maduración respiratoria, pero la información es diferente según si los estudios consideran el análisis por grupos de peso de nacimiento o edad gestacional. Objetivo: El objetivo de este análisis fue comparar la incidencia y evolución de membrana hialina, de los prematuros menores de 35 semanas de edad gestacional según fueran pequeños o no para edad gestacional. Pacientes y Método: Se analizaron dos bases de datos: 2 022 menores de 35 semanas hospitalizados en el Servicio para determinar incidencia de membrana hialina y 733 menores de 35 semanas tratados con surfactante con diagnóstico de membrana hialina para comparar evolución de ésta. Resultados: El análisis por grupos de edad gestacional muestra una incidencia de membrana hialina mayor, de 35,2 por ciento, en los pequeños para la edad gestacional, y de 29,1 por ciento en los no pequeños (p: 0,026). Si se analiza sólo menores de 1 500 gramos de peso de nacimiento, el grupo pequeño tiene una incidencia menor, de 47,5 por ciento, y los no pequeños de 60,7 por ciento. El análisis de regresión logística para alta con oxígeno de los que tuvieron membrana hialina, muestra asociación con menor puntaje z de peso de nacimiento, uso de corticoides y dependencia de oxígeno a las 36 semanas. Conclusiones: El recién nacido pretérmino pequeño para edad gestacional tiene mayor incidencia de membrana hialina y evoluciona con mayor dependencia de oxígeno al comparar por edad gestacional.