Safety of Skin-to-Skin Contact with Umbilical Venous Catheter in Preterm Infants: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: For many health care providers, an umbilical venous catheter (UVC) may be a contraindication for skin-to-skin contact (SSC). Our aim was to compare the frequency of adverse events between preterm infants who were on SSC with UVC and those who remained in an incubator. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study in newborns less than 35 weeks gestation. UVC-related adverse events were compared between neonates who performed SSC and those who did not. The incidence of catheter-related displacement, leak, loss, hemorrhage, malfunction, and bloodstream infection was studied. RESULTS: From 226 patients, 171 performed SSC with UVC. Their first contact was earlier than in those who remained in an incubator (SSC-UVC, 29 hours [interquartile range (IQR): 21-53] vs. no SSC-UVC, 132 hours [IQR: 96-188]; p < 0.001). Both groups were similar in gestational age (SSC-UVC, 30 weeks vs. no SSC-UVC, 30.3 weeks; p = 0.331) and birth weight (SSC-UVC, 1,285 g vs. no SSC-UVC, 1,355 g; p = 0.2). Studied complications were not more frequent in patients who performed SSC. In fact, although it was not statistically significant, a lower overall incidence of adverse events (SSC-UVC, 13.5% vs. no SSC-UVC, 20%; p = 0.237) and catheter-related bloodstream infection (SSC-UVC, 4.7% vs. no SSC-UVC, 10.9%; p = 0.111) was observed in this group. CONCLUSION: SSC with a UVC is a safe procedure and there are no more complications in newborns who perform SSC compared to those who remain in the incubator. Due to its demonstrated benefits, SSC should be promoted in premature newborns regardless of the presence of a UVC. KEY POINTS: · SSC in preterm infants with UVCs is safe.. · Early SSC does not increase UVC-related bloodstream infection.. · Early SSC should be promoted in stable patients regardless of the presence of a UVC..

Neonates with a prenatal diagnosis of hydrops fetalis: A 10-year experience in a tertiary care center.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrops fetalis (HF) is a rare condition with a high mortality. This study analysed the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of antenatally diagnosed HF according to its aetiology and the possibility of intrauterine treatment (IUT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review of the health records of 164 pregnant women with a prenatal diagnosis of HF in a tertiary care centre between 2011-2021. We analysed prenatal interventions, clinical findings, aetiologies and obstetric and live-born infant outcomes. RESULTS: An invasive prenatal study had been performed in 79.3% cases. The most common aetiologies were genetic disorders (31%), TORCH and parvovirus B19 infections (9.7%) and structural heart diseases (9.1%). Intrauterine treatment was performed in 25.6%, and 74.4% of pregnancies were terminated. Pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of genetic or chromosomal disorders had higher rates of elective termination compared to other aetiologies (P < .01). Among all pregnancies, only 25.6% resulted in live births (LBs), most of them preterm. Perinatal and 1-year survival rates were higher in the group that received IUT (P < .001). Among the LBs, structural heart diseases had the worst survival rates, while the aetiology with the best outcomes was tachyarrhythmia. Survival at 1 year of life among those born alive was 70%, but 58.6% of these infants had significant morbidity at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in the management of FH, the poor obstetric prognosis, perinatal mortality and morbidity of survivors is still significant. These data are important for the purpose of counselling families when HF is diagnosed antenatally.

How to assess early-onset neonatal sepsis? Comparison of three detection strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) can cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially if it is not detected early. Given the decrease in its incidence in the past few decades, it is important to find a balance between reducing the use of diagnostic tests and continuing to detect affected patients. We compared 3 detection strategies in patients with risk factors (RFs) for infection: laboratory screening (S1), the Neonatal Sepsis Risk Calculator (S2) and clinical observation (S3). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study in neonates born at 34 weeks of gestation or later and with RFs or symptoms compatible with EONS. We analysed outcomes in our unit with the use of laboratory screening (S1) and compared them with the other two strategies (S2 and S3) to contemplate whether to modify our protocol. RESULTS: The study included 754 patients, and the most frequent RFs were prolonged rupture of membranes (35.5%) and maternal colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae (38.5%). Strategies S2 and S3 would decrease the performance of laboratory tests (S1, 56.8% of patients; S2, 9.9%; S3, 22.4%; P < 0.01), hospital admissions (S1, 11%; S2, 6.9%; S3, 7.9%; P < 0.01) and the use of antibiotherapy (S1, 8.6%; S2, 6.7%; S3, 6.4%; P < 0.01). Sepsis was diagnosed in 13 patients, and it would have been detected with S2 and S3 except in 1 patient who had asymptomatic bacteriemia by Enterococcus faecalis. No patient with mild and self-limited symptoms in whom antibiotherapy was not started received a diagnosis of sepsis later on. CONCLUSION: Close clinical observation seems to be a safe option and could reduce the use of diagnostic tests, hospital admission and unnecessary antibiotherapy. The watchful waiting approach in patients with mild and self-limiting symptoms in the first hours post birth does not appear to be associated with failure to identify sepsis.

Safety of tocilizumab in COVID-19 pregnant women and their newborn: A retrospective study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor inhibitor agent which has been proposed as a candidate to stop the inflammatory phase of infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, safety data of tocilizumab in pregnant women and their newborn are scarce. We aimed to describe maternal and neonatal safety outcomes associated with tocilizumab treatment in pregnant women with severe COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of severe COVID-19 pregnant women, treated with tocilizumab in two Spanish hospitals between 1 March and 31 April 2020. Demographics, medical history, clinical and radiologic findings, treatment information and laboratory data of mothers and their newborns were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 12 pregnant women were identified to have received tocilizumab during pregnancy in the two hospitals. Median gestational age at admission was 27.7 weeks (interquartile range, 18.0-36.4). Most of them received lopinavir/ritonavir, azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine, two patients received corticosteroids and one received interferon beta 1B. All 12 pregnancies resulted in live births. Somatometric values were normal for all newborns, and evolution at 14 and 28 days was favourable for all of them. Hepatotoxicity was observed in 2 patients, which improved or resolved at discharge. Cytomegalovirus reactivation was detected in another patient who had also received corticosteroids for 15 days, causing a congenital infection in her newborn. Both hepatotoxicity and viral reactivation adverse events were classified as possibly related to tocilizumab administration according to Naranjo's causality algorithm. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: It does not appear that tocilizumab has detrimental effects for the mother and newborn. Close monitoring of infections should be considered, especially if other immunosuppressive agents are used.

Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19: Data From the Spanish Society of Neonatology Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To describe neonatal and maternal characteristics of the largest prospective cohort of newborns from mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the data of which were prospectively collected from the nationwide registry of the Spanish Society of Neonatology. METHODS: Between March 8, 2020, and May 26, 2020, the data of 503 neonates born to 497 mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy or at the time of delivery were collected by 79 hospitals throughout Spain. RESULTS: Maternal symptoms were similar to that of the general population, with 5% of severe forms. In 45.8% of asymptomatic women at the time of delivery, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was detected because of recommendations established in Spain to perform COVID-19 screening in all women admitted to the hospital for labor. The rate of preterm deliveries was 15.7% and of cesarean deliveries, 33%. The most common diagnostic test was detection of viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs at a median age of 3 hours after delivery (1-12 hours). Almost one-half of neonates were left skin-to-skin after delivery, and delayed clamping of umbilical cords was performed in 43% of neonates. Also, 62.3% of asymptomatic neonates were managed with rooming-in. Maternal milk was received by 76.5% of neonates, 204 of them as exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates that there is no need for separation of mothers from neonates, allowing delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin contact along with maintenance of breastfeeding in a high percentage of newborns from mothers with COVID-19.

Neonatal Infection Due to SARS-CoV-2: An Epidemiological Study in Spain.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to increase worldwide. Although some data from pediatric series are available, more evidence is required, especially in neonates, a group with specific characteristics that deserve special attention. This study aimed to describe general and clinical characteristics, management, and treatment of postnatal-acquired (community and nosocomial/hospital-acquired) COVID-19 neonatal cases in Spain. Methods: This was a national prospective epidemiological study that included cases from a National Registry supported by the Spanish Society of Neonatology. Neonates with postnatal SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. General data and infection-related information (mode and source of transmission, age at diagnosis, clinical manifestations, need for hospitalization, admission unit, treatment administered, and complementary studies performed, hospital stay associated with the infection) were collected. Results: A total of 40 cases, 26 community-acquired and 14 nosocomial were registered. Ten were preterm newborns (2 community-acquired and 8 nosocomial COVID-19 cases). Mothers (in both groups) and healthcare workers (in nosocomial cases) were the main source of infection. Hospital admission was required in 22 community-acquired cases [18 admitted to the neonatal intermediate care unit (NIMCU) and 4 to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)]. Among nosocomial COVID-19 cases (n = 14), previously admitted for other reasons, 4 were admitted to the NIMCU and 10 to the NICU. Ten asymptomatic patients were registered (5 in each group). In the remaining cases, clinical manifestations were generally mild in both groups, including upper respiratory airways infection, febrile syndrome or acute gastroenteritis with good overall health. In both groups, most severe cases occurred in preterm neonates or neonates with concomitant pathologies. Most of the cases did not require respiratory support. Hydroxychloroquine was administered to 4 patients in the community-acquired group and to 2 patients in the nosocomial group. Follow-up after hospital discharge was performed in most patients. Conclusions: This is the largest series of COVID-19 neonatal cases in Spain published to date. Although clinical manifestations were generally mild, prevention, treatment, and management in this group are essential.

Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis in a Preterm Infant.

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is rare in premature infants. It requires combined medical and surgical strategies. Liposomal amphotericin B is recommended as first-line therapy, but salvage regimens with others antifungal agents, such as voriconazole, have been reported. Voriconazole's pharmacodynamics is unknown in this population. We report a case of severe toxicity to voriconazole in a preterm patient with primary cutaneous aspergillosis.