Growth restriction increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, death, and sepsis in twins of 30 weeks or less of gestation. / Restricción de crecimiento aumenta el riesgo de displasia broncopulmonar, muerte y sepsis en gemelos de 30 o menos semanas de gestación.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors influence the risk of morbidity and mortality of premature infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The comparison of twins with different intrauterine growth allows evaluating the effect of the restriction, excluding maternal factors and prenatal mana gement. Our objective was to assess the effect of IUGR on acute and chronic morbidity, and mortality of extreme preterm twins. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twins weighing less than 1500 grams and gesta tion equal to or less than 30 weeks, of the Neocosur Network. Separate analyses were performed on concordant twin pairs, and on mild and severe discordant twins, evaluating the effect of IUGR on morbidity and mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed in order to establish the impact of this effect. RESULTS: 459 twin pairs, 227 concordant twins, 110 of mild discordance, and 122 of severe discordance. Among the concordant ones, there was only a difference in oxygen uptake at 36 weeks. In those of mild discordance, the smaller twin presented a lower frequency of hyaline membrane disease and required fewer doses of surfactant, but had a higher risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death. In severe discordant twins, the smaller one presented higher mortality, sepsis, use and permanence in mechanical ventilation, despite the lower frequency of hyaline membrane disease. In multiple regression analysis, the combined risk of BPD or death was higher in the smaller twin and of severe discordance. CONCLUSION: In discordant twins, the acute respiratory pathology was more frequent in the larger one, although the risk of BPD or death was higher in the one with IUGR.

[Evaluation of quantitative cultures of endotracheal aspirates for pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis: analytic, prospective study]. / Uso de cultivo cuantitativo de aspirado endotraqueal para el diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en pediatría: estudio prospectivo, analítico.

INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is dificult to diagnose because of the absence of a gold standard. AIM: To evaluate the use of quantitative cultures of endotracheal aspirates for diagnosis of pediatric VAP and to obtain acceptable sensitivity and specificity cutoff points. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, analytic study which included patients under 15 years, who were connected to mechanical ventilation at Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna's intensive care units. They were classified as cases or controls according to NNIS criteria. RESULTS: During a period of 21 months we recruited a total of 43 patients with a mean age of 16 months. We obtained endotracheal aspirated samples to perform quantitative cultures. Most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (34.5%) and non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (24.1%). We obtained a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 70%, PPV of 82%, and NPV of 79% for samples greater than 10(6) CFU. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative culture of endotracheal aspirates is a reliable method for diagnosing pediatric VAP when the value is greater than 10 CFU.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Nonsynchronized Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation versus Nasal CPAP after Extubation of VLBW Infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is a useful method of respiratory support after extubation. However, some infants fail despite CPAP use and require reintubation. Some evidence suggests that synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) may decrease extubation failure in preterm infants. Nonsynchronized NIPPV (NS-NIPPV) is being widely used in preterm infants without conclusive evidence of its benefits and side effects. Our aim was to evaluate whether NS-NIPPV decreases extubation failure compared with NCPAP in ventilated very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODS: Randomized controlled trial of ventilated VLBWI being extubated for the first time. Before extubation, infants were randomized to receive NCPAP or NS-NIPPV. Primary outcome was the need for reintubation within 72 h. RESULTS: 220 infants were included. The mean ± SD birth weight was 1,027 ± 256 g and gestational age 27.8 ± 1.9 weeks. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Extubation failure was 32.4% for NCPAP versus 32.1% for NS-NIPPV, p = 0.98. The frequency of deaths, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, air leaks, necrotizing enterocolitis and duration of respiratory support did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of VLBWI, NS-NIPPV did not decrease extubation failure after RDS compared with NCPAP.

Increasing Immunization Rates in Infants with Severe Chronic Lung Disease: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

OBJECTIVES: Immunizations provide important protection from serious childhood illnesses. Infant chronic lung disease (CLD) is a serious complication of prematurity and predisposes premature infants to respiratory morbidity, rehospitalization, and mortality. This high-risk group is especially vulnerable to infections, such as invasive pneumococcal disease, influenza, and bronchiolitis. Our purpose for this project was to increase 2-, 4-, and 6-month immunization rates in eligible infants with CLD in the NICU by 30% through December 2016. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team developed weekly targeted rounds to identify eligible patients with outstanding immunizations. Exclusion criteria included the following: (1) a fraction of inspired oxygen requirement of >80%, (2) pulmonary hypertensive crisis, (3) positive blood culture results or if within 48 hours of a sepsis evaluation, (4) if within 5 days of a surgical or interventional procedure, (5) receiving steroid treatment (not including a physiologic hydrocortisone dose for adrenal insufficiency), (6) a CLD team consensus of contraindication, and (7) parental refusal. RESULTS: The project managed 60 patients from March 2016 to December 2016. Immunization of eligible patients increased from 44% to 75% and was sustained for the next 6 months. The average number of days from admission to immunization record review decreased from 71 days at baseline to 27 days. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of (1) an in-hospital immunization record review, (2) an e-mail reminder, (3) a weekly multidisciplinary eligibility discussion, and (4) an updated rounding tool was successful in increasing and sustaining immunization rates in this population of infants with CLD. The multidisciplinary CLD meeting was a novel opportunity to discuss immunization eligibility and safety monitoring.

Restricción de crecimiento aumenta el riesgo de displasia broncopulmonar, muerte y sepsis en gemelos de 30 o menos semanas de gestación / Growth restriction increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, death, and sepsis in twins of 30 weeks or less of gestation

INTRODUCCIÓN: Múltiples factores influyen en el riesgo de morbimortalidad del prematuro con restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU). La comparación de gemelos con crecimiento intrauterino discordante permite evaluar su efecto, excluyendo factores maternos y manejo prenatal. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de la RCIU sobre la morbilidad aguda, crónica y mortalidad, en parejas de recién nacidos gemelares prematuros extremos. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Gemelos menores de 1500 g y 30 semanas de gestación, de la Red Neocosur. Se realizaron análisis separados de pares de gemelos concordantes, discordantes leves y severos, evaluando el efecto de la RCIU sobre morbi-mortalidad. Se realizó análisis multivariado para establecer magnitud del efecto. RESULTADOS: 459 pares de gemelos, 227 concordantes, 110 discordantes leves y 122 severos. Entre los concordantes solo hubo diferencia en uso de oxígeno a las 36 semanas. En discordantes leves, el menor tuvo menos enfermedad de membrana hialina y requirió menos dosis de surfactante, pero tuvo un mayor riesgo de Displasia broncopulmonar (DBP) o muerte. En discordantes severos, el menor presentó mayor mortalidad, sepsis, utilización y permanencia en ventilación mecánica, pese a menor frecuencia de enfermedad de membrana hialina. En regresión múltiple, el riesgo combinado de DBP o muerte fue mayor en gemelo menor y discordante severo. CONCLUSIÓN: En gemelos discordantes, la patología respiratoria aguda fue más frecuente en el gemelo mayor, aunque el riesgo de DBP o muerte fue mayor en el gemelo con RCIU.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors influence the risk of morbidity and mortality of premature infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The comparison of twins with different intrauterine growth allows evaluating the effect of the restriction, excluding maternal factors and prenatal mana gement. Our objective was to assess the effect of IUGR on acute and chronic morbidity, and mortality of extreme preterm twins. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twins weighing less than 1500 grams and gesta tion equal to or less than 30 weeks, of the Neocosur Network. Separate analyses were performed on concordant twin pairs, and on mild and severe discordant twins, evaluating the effect of IUGR on morbidity and mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed in order to establish the impact of this effect. RESULTS: 459 twin pairs, 227 concordant twins, 110 of mild discordance, and 122 of severe discordance. Among the concordant ones, there was only a difference in oxygen uptake at 36 weeks. In those of mild discordance, the smaller twin presented a lower frequency of hyaline membrane disease and required fewer doses of surfactant, but had a higher risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death. In severe discordant twins, the smaller one presented higher mortality, sepsis, use and permanence in mechanical ventilation, despite the lower frequency of hyaline membrane disease. In multiple regression analysis, the combined risk of BPD or death was higher in the smaller twin and of severe discordance. CONCLUSION: In discordant twins, the acute respiratory pathology was more frequent in the larger one, although the risk of BPD or death was higher in the one with IUGR.

[Cyanoacrylate pulmonary embolism after embolization of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation. Report of one case]. / Embolía pulmonar por cianoacrilato pos embolización de malformación arteriovenosa cerebral. Caso clínico.

Arterial embolization with cyanoacrylate is commonly used for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. We report the case of a 40 years old man who four days after an embolization with cyanoacrylate, begins with cough, bloody sputum, and right hemithorax pleuritic pain. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed with chest X ray, CT scan and scyntigraphy. The patient received anticoagulation, with adequate response. The most common complications of cerebral embolization are related to central nervous system and pulmonary embolism is exceptional. Considering the high number of embolization procedures done nowadays, this complication must be borne in mind.

Embolia pulmonar por cianoacrilato pos embolización de malformación arteriovenosa cerebral: caso clínico / Cyanoacrylate pulmonary embolism after embolization of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation: report of one case

Arterial embolization with cyanoacrylate is commonly used for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. We report the case of a 40 years old man who four days after an embolization with cyanoacrylate, begins with cough, bloody sputum, and right hemithorax pleuritic pain. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed with chest X ray, CT scan and scyntigraphy. The patient received anticoagulation, with adequate response. The most common complications of cerebral embolization are related to central nervous system and pulmonary embolism is exceptional. Considering the high number of embolization procedures done nowadays, this complication must be borne in mind.

Medición del pH de 24 horas: alternativas para la colocación del electrodo de pH / 24-hour pH monitoring: alternatives to placement pH electrode

Introducción: Johnson y DeMeester¹ estandarizaron la peachimetría de 24 horas, colocando el electrodo de pH 5 cm sobre el límite superior esfínter esofágico inferior (EEI). Como métodos alternativos para ubicar el electrodo se propone reemplazar el EEI manométrico por la línea z endoscópica, y el salto de pH que se produce al retirar el electrodo desde el estómago. En el presente estudio comparamos estos tres métodos de localización del límite superior del EEI. Material y método. El estudio prospectivo se efectuó en 20 mujeres y 7 varones con una edad promedio de 49,8 (22-77) años. Todos los pacientes se sometieron a una endoscopía digestiva alta manometría estándar. El salto pH se determinó introduciendo la sonda de pH al estómago y efectuando el retiro de 1 en 1 cm. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente calculando la línea de regresión y el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Resultados. En un caso la manometría no permitió localizar el EEI: la línea z no fue pesquisable en 3 oportunidades y el cambio de pH no se observó en 3 pacientes. El salto de pH se localizó en promedio 4,2 cm y la línea z 0,9 cm más distal que límite superior de EEI. La línea de regresión permite apreciar una ausencia de correlación entre el esfínter manométrico y el peachimétrico y una correlación estadísticamente significativa positiva entre el esfínter manométrico y la línea z (r = 0,88 con una significación estadística < 0,01). Conclusiones. Este estudio confirma la falta de correlación entre EEI manométrico y el del salto de pH lo que hace desaconsejable el uso de este último método para el posicionamiento del electrodo de pH en el esófago distal. Cuando no se disponga de manometría el electrodo puede ubicarse 6 cm sobre la línea z endoscópica.