Respiratory management of extremely low birth weight infants: survey of neonatal specialists.

BACKGROUND: To investigate strategies used for the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. METHODS: A survey of neonatal specialists working in US academic institutions with fellowship training programs. RESULTS: Eighty percent (72/89) of the identified academic institutions had at least one physician who responded to the survey. Among respondents, 85% (171/201) agreed or strongly agreed to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) initially for the management of RDS, and the majority agreed or strongly agreed to use a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≥0.4 and a mean airway pressure (MAP) ≥10 cm H2O as a criteria for surfactant therapy; and 73% (146/200) sometimes or always used caffeine to prevent BPD. Only 25% (50/202) sometimes or almost always used steroids to prevent or treat BPD. Identified indications to use steroids were 3 or more extubation failures or inability to extubate beyond 8 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in treatment strategies of ELBW is common among neonatal specialists. However, the majority of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed to use early CPAP for the management of RDS, consider a FiO2 ≥0.4 and a MAP ≥10 cm H2O as criteria for surfactant therapy, and sometimes or almost always used caffeine to prevent BPD. Steroids continue to have a role in the management of BPD in infants who are difficult to extubate.

The role of surfactant and non-invasive mechanical ventilation in early management of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant replacement therapy has been used for few decades for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and has significantly improved morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Non-invasive respiratory support has recently emerged as a strategy in the early management of RDS. In this review, we discuss the different strategies of early management of RDS. DATA SOURCES: A literature search of PubMed database was conducted to review the subject. The quality of evidence of key clinical studies was graded according to a modified grading system of the international GRADE group. RESULTS: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with selective surfactant is a safe alternative to routine intubation, surfactant and mechanical ventilation in preterm infants with spontaneous breathing, and such an approach has been associated with decreased risk of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There is a risk of pneumothorax when using a high pressure of CPAP (≥8 cm of H2O), a high partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2 >75 mm of Hg), and a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 >0.6) as a threshold for intubation while on CPAP. CONCLUSION: Not all preterm infants need surfactant treatment, and non-invasive respiratory support is a safe and effective approach.

Pulmonary hypertension in extremely low birth weight infants: characteristics and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To determine the characteristics and outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of all ELBW infants admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010. RESULTS: During the study period, 450 ELBW infants were admitted. 6.4% (29/450) were diagnosed with PAH and were matched to 26 controls. The mean gestational age of infants with PAH and their controls were similar [24.5 ± 1.3 vs. 24.9 ± 1.8 weeks (P=0.26)]; however the cases were smaller at birth than were controls [640.7 ± 119.5 vs. 727.0 ± 184.5 g (P=0.04)]. The diagnosis of PAH was made at a mean postnatal age of 131.8 ± 53.7 days. Infants with PAH had a higher rate of intrauterine exposure to illicit maternal drug use [12/29 (41%) vs. 1/25 (4%); P=0.001], a longer duration of initial mechanical ventilation [74.9 ± 28.3 vs. 59.1 ± 27.8 days; P=0.04)], a higher incidence of severe BPD [23/29 (79%) vs. 13/26 (50%); P=0.02], and a greater NICU mortality rate [12/29 (41%) vs. 4/26 (15%); P=0.04]. CONCLUSION: PAH in ELBW infants is associated with maternal illicit drug use in pregnancy, longer exposure to mechanical ventilation, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and a significant increase in early mortality.

Radiation exposure in extremely low birth weight infants during their neonatal intensive care unit stay.

BACKGROUND: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW <1000 g) infants may have increased sensitivity to radiation exposure. Our objective was to estimate the radiation exposure in survivors of ELBW infants during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, medical records of all ELBW infants who had been admitted to our NICU between May 1999 and October 2009 were reviewed. The infants' total entrance skin exposure [ESE in micro-Gray (µGy)] was estimated. RESULTS: Among 450 survivors, the mean gestational age (GA) was 26.3±2.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight (BW) was 774.2±144.4 g. Infants received a median of 32 (range: 1-159) X-rays, with an estimated ESE of 1471 µGy (range: 28-9264). Total ESE was inversely proportional to GA (r=-0.34; P<0.01), and BW (r=-0.39; P=0.01) and proportional to the severity of illness [score for neonatal acute physiology-perinatal extension (SNAPPE), r=0.39; P=0.01]. In a linear regression analysis, GA, SNAPPE and necrotizing enterocolitis were associated with radiation exposure (ESE) in ELBW infants (r2=0.133; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During their NICU stay, ELBW infants were subjected to a significant number of diagnostic X-ray procedures. Our data highlight the need to closely monitor the number of X-ray procedures ordered to ELBW infants to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.