Impact of catheterized ductal closure on renal and cerebral oximetry in premature neonates.

Percutaneous catheter-based closure is increasingly utilized in premature newborns. While near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been examined for assessment of interventional closure in surgical ligation, its application in percutaneous transcatheter closure remains unexplored. This study aims to assess cerebral and renal hemodynamic changes using NIRS during percutaneous closure compared to surgical closure in preterm infants. A prospective observational study enrolled preterm infants born at 32 weeks of gestation or less and diagnosed with hsPDA between January 2020 and December 2022. These infants received either surgical or catheter-based closure of the PDA. Cerebral and renal oxygen saturation was monitored using the INVOS 5100 device from 12 h before the intervention until 24 h after. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze time-dependent variables. Twenty-two patients were enrolled, with catheter-based closure performed in 16 cases and conventional surgery in 6 cases. Following ductal closure, a significant increase in renal and cerebral oximetry was observed alongside a decrease in renal and cerebral tissue oxygen extraction. These changes were particularly pronounced in the renal territory. No differences were detected between catheterization and surgical closure.   Conclusion: An improvement in cerebral and renal oximetry following hsPDA closure was observed. However, we did not identify differences in this pattern based on the type of interventional procedure for PDA, whether surgery or catheterization. What is Known: • The presence of a significant ductus is common in premature patients. Studies have shown that it affects cerebral and renal hemodynamics negatively, leading to decreased oximetry values in these areas. It has been reported that closure of the ductus, either pharmacologically or surgically, results in improved oximetry values. What is New: • This study assess the impact of percutaneous closure of ductus, revealing increased oximetry values in cerebral and renal territories without significant differences compared to surgical ligation. Notably, renal oximetry values showed a greater increase, underscoring the importance of multi-location monitoring.

Effect of Donated Premature Milk in the Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding is one of the strategies that has been shown to be effective in preventing severe forms of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). When mother's own milk (MOM) is not available, pasteurized donor milk (DM) is the best alternative. However, the evidence is inconclusive on the difference in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) between patients fed MOM and those fed with DM. As standard DM is usually mature pooled milk donated by mothers who have delivered their babies at term, the potential benefits of preterm milk may be lost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective, single-center study was conducted in the neonatology department of a high-complexity hospital. The study included newborns <32 weeks of gestational age born between January 2020 and December 2022. When supplemental milk was needed, non-pooled preterm pasteurized donor milk (PDM) matched for gestational age and moment of lactation was used in this study, classifying preterm infants in two groups: mainly MOM (>50% of the milk) or mainly PDM (>50% of the milk). Two groups were established: those who received >50% MOM and those who received >50% PDM. They were also classified according to the diagnosis of DBP: one group included no BPD or grade 1 BPD (noBPD/1), while the other included grade 2 or 3 BPD (BPD 2-3). The objectives of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the incidence of BPD 2-3 among patients who predominantly received PDM versus MOM. Secondly, to analyze differences in the type of human milk received and its nutritional components, as well as to study the growth in patients with or without BPD. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine patients were included in the study. A comparison of noBPD/1 versus BPD 2-3 groups between those receiving mainly MOM versus PDM showed no significant differences (19% vs. 20%, p 0.95). PDM colostrum in BPD 2-3 compared to noBPD/1 was higher in protein content (2.24 g/100 mL (SD 0.37) vs. 2.02 g/100 mL (SD 0.29) p < 0.01), although the statistical significance decreased after adjustment for gestational age and birth weight z-score (OR 3.53 (0.86-14.51)). No differences were found in the macronutrients in the mature milk of patients feeding more than 50% PDM in both study groups. Growth of BPD 2-3 showed a greater decrease in the difference in z-scores for height at birth and at discharge compared to noBPD/1 (-1.64 vs. -0.43, p 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The use of mainly MOM or PDM demonstrates a similar incidence of noBPD/1 or BPD 2-3. Non-pooled and matched by gestational age and time of lactation preterm donor milk can probably be an alternative when mother's own milk is not available, with a similar protective effect in the prevention of severe BPD.

A Survey of the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies on Neonatal Respiratory Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

(1) Background: Our survey aimed to gather information on respiratory care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in the European and Mediterranean region. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional electronic survey. An 89-item questionnaire focusing on the current modes, devices, and strategies employed in neonatal units in the domain of respiratory care was sent to directors/heads of 528 NICUs. The adherence to the "European consensus guidelines on the management of respiratory distress syndrome" was assessed for comparison. (3) Results: The response rate was 75% (397/528 units). In most Delivery Rooms (DRs), full resuscitation is given from 22 to 23 weeks gestational age. A T-piece device with facial masks or short binasal prongs are commonly used for respiratory stabilization. Initial FiO2 is set as per guidelines. Most units use heated humidified gases to prevent heat loss. SpO2 and ECG monitoring are largely performed. Surfactant in the DR is preferentially given through Intubation-Surfactant-Extubation (INSURE) or Less-Invasive-Surfactant-Administration (LISA) techniques. DR caffeine is widespread. In the NICUs, most of the non-invasive modes used are nasal CPAP and nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Volume-targeted, synchronized intermittent positive-pressure ventilation is the preferred invasive mode to treat acute respiratory distress. Pulmonary recruitment maneuvers are common approaches. During NICU stay, surfactant administration is primarily guided by FiO2 and SpO2/FiO2 ratio, and it is mostly performed through LISA or INSURE. Steroids are used to facilitate extubation and prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia. (4) Conclusions: Overall, clinical practices are in line with the 2022 European Guidelines, but there are some divergences. These data will allow stakeholders to make comparisons and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Impact on cerebral hemodynamics of the use of volume guarantee combined with high frequency oscillatory ventilation in a neonatal animal respiratory distress model.

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is an alternative to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Recently, the use of volume guarantee (VG) combined with HFOV has been suggested as a safe strategy capable of reducing the damage induced by ventilation in immature lungs. However, the possible impact of this new ventilation technique on cerebral hemodynamics is unknown. To evaluate the cerebral hemodynamics effect of HFOV combined with VG in an experimental animal model of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) due to surfactant deficiency compared with HFOV and CMV+VG (control group). Eighteen newborn piglets were randomized, before and after the induction of RDS by bronchoalveolar lavage, into 3 mechanical ventilation groups: CMV, HFOV and HFOV with VG. Changes in cerebral oxygen transport and consumption and cerebral blood flow were analyzed by non-invasive regional cerebral oxygen saturation (CrSO2), jugular venous saturation (SjO2), the calculated cerebral oxygen extraction fraction (COEF), the calculated cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) and direct measurement of carotid artery flow. To analyze the temporal evolution of these variables, a mixed-effects linear regression model was constructed. After randomization, the following statistically significant results were found in every group: a drop in carotid artery flow: at a rate of -1.7 mL/kg/min (95% CI: -2.5 to -0.81; p < 0.001), CrSO2: at a rate of -6.2% (95% CI: -7.9 to -4.4; p < 0.001) and SjO2: at a rate of -20% (95% CI: -26 to -15; p < 0.001), accompanied by an increase in COEF: at a rate of 20% (95% CI: 15 to 26; p < 0.001) and cFTOE: at a rate of 0.07 (95% CI: 0.05 to 0.08; p < 0.001) in all groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the HFOV groups. CONCLUSION: No differences were observed at cerebral hemodynamic between respiratory assistance in HFOV with and without VG, being the latter ventilatory strategy equally safe. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Preterm have a situation of fragility of cerebral perfusion wich means that any mechanical ventilation strategy can have a significant influence. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is an alternative to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Recently, the use of volume guarantee (VG) combined with HFOV has been suggested as a safe strategy capable of reducing the damage induced by ventilation in immature lungs. Several studies have compared CMV and HFOV and their effects at hemodynamic level. It is known that the use of high mean airway pressure in HFOV can cause an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance with a decrease in thoracic venous return. WHAT IS NEW: • The possible impact of VAFO + VG on cerebral hemodynamics is unknown. Due the lack of studies and the existing controversy, we have carried out this research project in an experimental animal model with the aim of evaluating the cerebral hemodynamic repercussion of the use of VG in HFOV compared to the classic strategy without VG.

External Validation of a Multivariate Model for Targeted Surfactant Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: Early targeted surfactant therapy for preterm infants is recommended but the best criteria to personalize treatment are unclear. We validate a previously published multivariate prognostic model based on gestational age (GA), lung ultrasound score (LUS), and oxygen saturation to inspire oxygen fraction ratio (SatO2/FiO2) using an independent data set. METHODS: Pragmatic, observational study in 10 Italian and Spanish NICUs, including preterm babies (250 and 336 weeks divided into 3 GA intervals) with clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome and stabilized on CPAP. LUS and SatO2/FiO2 were collected soon after stabilization. Their prognostic accuracy was evaluated on the subsequent surfactant administration by a rigorously masked physician. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five infants were included in the study. Surfactant was given to 74% infants born at 25-27 weeks, 38.5% at 28-30 weeks, and 26.5% at 31-33 weeks. The calibration curve comparing the validation and the development populations showed significant overlap with an intercept = 0.08, 95% CI (-0.34; 0.5) and a slope = 1.53, 95% CI (1.07-1.98). The validation cohort had a high predictive accuracy. Its ROC curve showed an AUC = 0.95, 95% CI (0.91-0.99) with sensitivity = 0.93, 95% CI (0.83-0.98), specificity = 0.81, 95% CI (0.73-0.88), PPV = 0.76, 95% CI (0.65-0.84), NPV = 0.95, 95% CI (0.88-0.98). LUS ≥9 demonstrated the highest sensitivity (0.91, 95% CI [0.82-0.97]) and specificity = 0.81, 95% CI (0.72-0.88) as individual predictor. LUS and SatO2/FiO2 prognostic performances varied with GA. CONCLUSION: We validated a prognostic model based on LUS and Sat/FiO2 to facilitate early, customized surfactant administration that may improve respiratory management of preterm neonates.

Lung UltrasouNd Guided surfactant therapy in preterm infants: an international multicenter randomized control trial (LUNG study).

BACKGROUND: The management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature newborns is based on different types of non-invasive respiratory support and on surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) to avoid mechanical ventilation as it may eventually result in lung damage. European guidelines currently recommend SRT only when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) exceeds 0.30. The literature describes that early SRT decreases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and mortality. Lung ultrasound score (LUS) in preterm infants affected by RDS has proven to be able to predict the need for SRT and different single-center studies have shown that LUS may increase the proportion of infants that received early SRT. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine if the use of LUS as a decision tool for SRT in preterm infants affected by RDS allows for the reduction of the incidence of BPD or death in the study group. METHODS/DESIGN: In this study, 668 spontaneously-breathing preterm infants, born at 25+0 to 29+6 weeks' gestation, in nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) will be randomized to receive SRT only when the FiO2 cut-off exceeds 0.3 (control group) or if the LUS score is higher than 8 or the FiO2 requirements exceed 0.3 (study group) (334 infants per arm). The primary outcome will be the difference in proportion of infants with BPD or death in the study group managed compared to the control group. DISCUSSION: Based on previous published studies, it seems that LUS may decrease the time to administer surfactant therapy. It is known that early surfactant administration decreases BPD and mortality. Therefore, there is rationale for hypothesizing a reduction in BPD or death in the group of patients in which the decision to administer exogenous surfactant is based on lung ultrasound scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05198375 . Registered on 20 January 2022.

Neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulfate in premature infants. Analysis after establishing an antenatal administration protocol in a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: In 2016, a protocol was developed in our hospital for the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate in pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth as a method to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study in a level IIIC hospital with the primary objective of comparing the incidence of CP before and after the implementation of this protocol. Among the secondary outcomes, we ought to highlight the incidence of cognitive deficits and necrotizing enterocolitis and the mortality in both groups. The sample consisted of preterm newborns delivered before 32 weeks of gestation in 2011-2012 (prior to the implementation of the protocol) and in 2016-2018 (after the implementation of the protocol, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection). The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of both groups were comparable. RESULTS: We collected data for a total of 523 patients, 263 and 260 in each group. As regards the primary outcome, we did not find statistically significant differences between groups. We observed a statistically significant reduction in mortality and the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis in the group of patients born in the 2016-2018 period and between 26+0 and 27+6 weeks of gestation, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the administration of magnesium sulfate to mothers at risk of preterm birth did not decrease the risk of developing CP.

Serologic evolution and follow-up to IgG antibodies of infants born to mothers with gestational COVID.

BACKGROUND: It is known that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy cross the placenta but the duration and the protective effect of these antibodies in infants is scarce. METHODS: This prospective study included mothers with SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy and their infants from April 2020 to March 2021. IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were performed on women and infants at birth and at two and six months during follow-up. Anthropometrical measures and physical and neurological examinations and a clinical history of symptoms and COVID-19 diagnosis were collected. Simple linear regression was performed to compare categorical and continuous variables. To compare the mother's and infant's antibody titers evolution, a mixed linear regression model was used. A predictive model of newborn antibody titers at birth has been established by means of simple stepwise linear regression. RESULTS: 51 mother-infant couples were included. 45 (90%) of the mothers and 44 (86.3%) of the newborns had a positive serology al birth. These antibodies were progressively decreasing and were positive in 34 (66.7%) and 7 (13.7%) of infants at 2 and 6 months, respectively. IgG titers of newborns at birth were related to mothers' titers, with a positive moderate correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.82, p < 0,001). Fetal/maternal antibodies placental transference rate was 1.3 (IQR: 0.7-2.2). The maternal IgG titers at delivery and the type of maternal infection (acute, recent, or past infection) was significantly related with infants' antibody titers at birth. No other epidemiological or clinical factors were related to antibodies titers. Neurodevelopment, psychomotor development, and growth were normal in 94.2% of infants in the third follow-up visit. No infants had a COVID-19 diagnosis during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies is high in newborns from mothers with recent or past infection at delivery, but these antibodies decrease after the first months of life. Infant's IgG titers were related to maternal IgG titers at delivery. Further studies are needed to learn about the protective role of maternal antibodies in infants.

Chylothorax in newborns after cardiac surgery: a rare complication?

The aim of this study was to analyze patients diagnosed with chylothorax after congenital heart disease surgery among a cohort of neonatal patients, comparing the evolution, complications, and prognosis after surgery of patients who were and were not diagnosed with chylothorax, and to analyze possible risk factors that may predict the appearance of chylothorax in this population. Retrospective and observational study included all neonates (less than 30 days since birth) who underwent congenital heart disease surgery in a level III neonatal intensive care department. We included infants born between January 2014 and December 2019. We excluded those infants who were born before 34 weeks of gestational age or whose birth weight was less than 1800 g. We also excluded catheter lab procedures and patent ductus arteriosus closure surgeries. Included patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they were diagnosed with chylothorax or not after surgery, and both groups were compared in terms of perinatal-obstetrical information, surgical data, and NICU course after surgery. We included 149 neonates with congenital heart disease surgery. Thirty-one patients (20.8%) developed chylothorax, and in ten patients (32.3%), it was considered large volume chylothorax. Regarding the evolution of these patients, 22 infants responded to general dietetic measures, a catheter procedure was performed in 9, and 5 of them finally required pleurodesis. Cardiopulmonary bypass, median sternotomy, and delayed sternal closure were the surgical variables associated with higher risks of chylothorax. Patients with chylothorax had a longer duration of inotropic support and mechanical ventilation and took longer to reach full enteral feeds. As complications, they had higher rates of cholestasis, catheter-related sepsis, and venous thrombosis. Although there were no differences in neonatal mortality, patients with chylothorax had a higher rate of mortality after the neonatal period. In a multiple linear regression model, thrombosis and cardiopulmonary bypass multiplied by 10.0 and 5.1, respectively, the risk of chylothorax and have an umbilical vein catheter decreases risk. CONCLUSION: We have found a high incidence of chylothorax after neonatal cardiac surgery, which prolongs the average stay and causes significant morbidity and mortality. We suggested that chylothorax could be an underestimated complication of congenital heart disease surgery during the neonatal period. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Acquired chylothorax in the neonatal period usually appears as a complication of congenital heart disease surgery, being the incidence quite variable among the different patient series (2.5-16.8%). The appearance of chylothorax as a complication of a cardiac surgery increases both mortality and morbidity in these patients, which makes it a quality improvement target in the postsurgical management of this population. WHAT IS NEW: •Most of the published studies include pediatric patients of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, and there is a lack of studies focusing on neonatal populations. The main strength of our study is that it reports, to the best of our knowledge, one of the largest series of neonatal patients receiving surgery for congenital heart disease in the first 30 days after birth. We have found a high incidence of chylothorax after cardiac surgery during the neonatal period compared to other studies. We suggested that chylothorax could be an underestimated complication of congenital heart disease surgery during this period of life.

Cost-effectiveness of a cytomegalovirus screening strategy in neonates born after 34 weeks small for gestational age.

INTRODUCTION: Infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common congenital infections, with a global prevalence of 0.3%-2.4%. In Spain, CMV screening is not performed during pregnancy, but rather in neonates with risk factors, and, in many hospitals, in those born small for gestational age (SGA). Screening is usually performed by measurement of the viral load in urine by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or head ultrasound in search of compatible features. The aim of the study was to assess the yield of the CMV PCR test in urine and head ultrasound examination in asymptomatic neonates born SGA after 34 weeks' gestation. The secondary objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an observational and retrospective study between January and December 2019 in a tertiary care hospital. It included neonates delivered after 34 weeks, SGA and without additional risk factors assessed with a CMV PCR test in urine and/or head ultrasound. RESULTS: The sample included 259 patients. It was divided in 2 groups: group 1, patients with a head circumference, weight and length below the 10th percentile (53 patients; 20.5%), and group 2, patients in whom only the weight was below the 10th percentile (206 patients; 79.5%). The incidence of late preterm birth, twin pregnancy, neonatal admission and exposure to illicit drugs during gestation was higher in group 1. A total of 186 urine PCR tests and 223 head ultrasounds were performed overall, and both tests were performed more frequently in group 1 (P=.002). There was only 1 positive CMV PCR test result in the sample (0.54%), corresponding to a patient in group 2 with no abnormal sonographic findings who remained asymptomatic throughout the follow-up. Two head ultrasound examinations yielded abnormal findings, in both cases unrelated to congenital CMV infection. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis and determined that the cumulative cost of head ultrasound examinations and urine CMV PCR tests in our sample amounted to Є17 000 for the detection of a single asymptomatic positive case. CONCLUSION: In our population, screening for congenital CMV infection in asymptomatic late preterm and term newborns whose only risk factor is SGA does not seem to be cost effective. It would be necessary to expand the sample to other populations.

Parent Perception of Child Safety following Admission to a Neonatal Unit.

OBJECTIVE: Parent partnership is a key aspect of neonatal hospital care. However, there is a lack of information regarding parents' perception of neonatal safety. This study explores parents' opinions on safety during their child's hospitalization to identify points for improvement. STUDY DESIGN: We used a questionnaire, validated by the Spanish National Healthcare Authorities, on perception of safety with respect to hospital health care. RESULTS: Thirty-seven parents of 20 newborns treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 139 parents of newborns in intermediate care (IC) participated in this study. With regard to overall perception of safety, more than 96% of parents felt "very safe" or "fairly safe." In the NICU, an area for improvement detected was to ask parents more often their opinion about the care or treatment provided to their child. In IC, three points for improvement were identified from the group of parents whose child was admitted directly to IC: the consistency of the information received, the request for consent for procedures, and the request for an opinion on their child's care and treatment. Only four parents reported that their child suffered an incident. Regarding incident management, parents were not completely satisfied with the information they received. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of parent perception of patient safety in a neonatal unit using a validated questionnaire. Our findings suggest that parents can provide valuable information on neonatal safety, which can then be used to identify areas for improvement. KEY POINTS: · There is a lack of information regarding parents' perception of neonatal safety.. · This study explores parent's opinion about safety of their child during the hospitalization.. · Our findings suggest that parents can provide valuable information to identify improvement areas..

Efficacy and Safety of Palivizumab as a Prophylaxis for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease: An Updated Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of palivizumab as a prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct from inception till November 2023. Studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of palivizumab in infants aged between 28 days and three months of age were included. We analyzed the data using Review Manager 5.4 software, with results pooled across studies and expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 10 studies were included. The effect estimates favored palivizumab over placebo regarding the hospitalization for RSV infection (RR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.65; P<0.00001) and ICU admission (RR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.81; P=0.005). On the other hand, the effect estimate showed no significant difference between palivizumab and placebo regarding all-cause mortality (RR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.42 to 1.15; P=0.16), lower respiratory tract infection (RR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.11 to 1.69; P=0.22), and need for mechanical ventilation (RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.67; P=0.48). Palivizumab can be considered a prophylaxis for RSV disease in young children as it is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in reducing RSV hospitalizations. However, further research through high-quality randomized controlled trials is required to determine its efficacy as a therapeutic agent for established RSV infections.

Lung protection strategy with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation improves respiratory outcomes at two years in preterm respiratory distress syndrome: a before and after, quality improvement study.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains one of the major challenges of extreme prematurity. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) with volume guarantee (HFOV-VG) can be used as an early-rescue ventilation to protect developing lungs. However, the studies exploring the impact of this ventilatory strategy on neonatal respiratory morbidity are very limited. This study aimed at documenting the improvement in respiratory outcomes in mechanically ventilated preterm newborns, after the implementation of a new mechanical ventilation respiratory bundle. METHODS: A prospective, quality improvement study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2018 in a third level NICU in Madrid, Spain. Infants born <32 weeks of gestation with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and requiring invasive mechanical ventilation were included. The intervention consisted of a new ventilation respiratory care bundle, with HFOV as early rescue therapy using low high-frequency tidal volumes (Vthf) and higher frequencies (15-20 Hz). Criteria for HFOV start were impaired oxygenation or ventilation on conventional ventilation, or peak inspiratory pressures >15 cmH2O. Two cohorts of mechanically ventilated patients were compared, cohort 1 (2012-2013, baseline period) and cohort 2 (2016-2018, after implementation of the new bundle). Clinical outcomes at 36 weeks and 2 years of postmenstrual age were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients were included, the median gestational age was 26 weeks (IQR 25-28) and median birth weight was 895 g (IQR 720-1160). There were no significant differences in survival between the groups, but patients with the protective ventilation strategy (cohort 2) had higher survival without BPD 2-3 (OR 2.93, 95%CI 1.41-6.05). At 2 years of postmenstrual age, patients in cohort 2 also had a higher survival free of baseline respiratory treatment and hospital respiratory admissions than the control group (adjusted OR 2.33, 95%CI 1.10-4.93, p=.03). The results did not suggest significant differences in neurologic development. CONCLUSIONS: In extreme premature related severe respiratory failure, the use of a lung protective HFOV-VG strategy was proven to be a useful quality improvement intervention in our unit, leading to better pulmonary outcomes at 36 weeks and additional improved respiratory prognosis at two years of age.

Less Invasive Surfactant Administration: A Review of Current Evidence of Clinical Outcomes With Beractant.

Evidence supporting clinical recommendations or approval for less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has primarily examined heterogeneous or small-volume (e.g., 1.25-2.5 mL/kg) animal-derived surfactant regimens. To address the evidence gap for larger-volume (e.g., 4-5 mL/kg) animal-derived surfactants, the aim of this review was to evaluate and summarize LISA literature for widely used larger-volume beractant. Surfactant treatment and the LISA technique were initially summarized. The available literature on beractant with LISA was thoroughly assessed and reviewed, including a recent systematic analysis, studies from regions where access or preferences may influence reliance on larger-volume surfactants, and investigations of short- and long-term outcomes. The available literature indicated improved short-term outcomes, including less need for mechanical ventilation, death, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and no negative long-term developmental outcomes when beractant was administered via LISA compared with older, more invasive techniques. The rates of short-term outcomes were similar to those previously observed in examinations of LISA with small-volume surfactants, including in populations reflecting very preterm infants. As uptake of LISA is expected to increase, future research directions for larger-volume surfactants include cost-effectiveness evaluations and robust examinations of repeat dosing and surfactant reflux to further inform clinical practice. This review provides a detailed assessment of the literature describing surfactant and LISA, with a focus on studies of beractant. Collectively, the available evidence supports the use of beractant with LISA based both on short-term and long-term outcomes relative to more invasive techniques and comparability of outcomes with small-volume surfactants and may be valuable in guiding clinical decision-making.

Antenatal magnesium sulphate and delayed passage of meconium: A multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: The published evidence on the association between magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and delayed passage of meconium (DPM) is contradictory. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is an association between the administration of MgSO4 to the mother and DPM in the neonate, and to analyse serum magnesium levels in neonates in relation to the cumulative dose of MgSO4 administered to the mother. POPULATION AND METHODS: Retrospective and prospective descriptive and analytical study conducted in patients delivered at or before 32 weeks of gestation in 2 tertiary care hospitals. Delayed passage of meconium was defined as failure to pass meconium within 48 h of birth and/or need for rectal stimulation on 2 or more occasions to pass stool and/or interval of at least 48 h between the first and second bowel movements. RESULTS: The study included 283 patients (204 retrospectively and 79 prospectively), of who 152 (53.7%) experienced DPM. Delayed passage of meconium was not associated with antenatal MgSO4 administration, the cumulative maternal MgSO4 dose or neonatal serum magnesium levels. Older gestational age (OR, 0.8; confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.93; P = 0.003) was an independent protective factor against DPM, while the need for advanced resuscitation (OR, 2.24; CI 1.04-4.86; P = 0.04) was a risk factor for DPM. CONCLUSION: The neonatal serum levels of magnesium reached with the doses of MgSO4 administered to mothers were not associated with DPM. Lower gestational age and the need for advanced resuscitation were predictors associated with an increased risk of DPM.

SARS-CoV2 Infection During Pregnancy Causes Persistent Immune Abnormalities in Women Without Affecting the Newborns.

SARS-CoV2 infection in pregnancy and exposed newborns is poorly known. We performed a longitudinal analysis of immune system and determined soluble cytokine levels in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV2 and in their newborns. Women with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection and their exposed uninfected newborns were recruited from Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cord cells and plasma were collected at birth and 6 months later. Immunophenotyping of natural killer (NK), monocytes and CD4/CD8 T-cells were studied in cryopreserved PBMCs and cord cells by multiparametric flow cytometry. Up to 4 soluble pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines were assessed in plasma/cord plasma by ELISA assay. SARS-CoV2-infected mothers and their newborns were compared to matched healthy non-SARS-CoV2-infected mothers and their newborns. The TNFα and IL-10 levels of infected mothers were higher at baseline than those of healthy controls. Infected mothers showed increased NK cells activation and reduced expression of maturation markers that reverted after 6 months. They also had high levels of Central Memory and low Effector Memory CD4-T cell subsets. Additionally, the increased CD4- and CD8-T cell activation (CD154 and CD38) and exhaustion (TIM3/TIGIT) levels at baseline compared to controls remained elevated after 6 months. Regarding Treg cells, the levels were lower at infected mothers at baseline but reverted after 6 months. No newborn was infected at birth. The lower levels of monocytes, NK and CD4-T cells observed at SARS-CoV2-exposed newborns compared to unexposed controls significantly increased 6 months later. In conclusion, SARS-CoV2 infection during pregnancy shows differences in immunological components that could lead newborns to future clinical implications after birth. However, SARS-CoV2 exposed 6-months-old newborns showed no immune misbalance, whereas the infected mothers maintain increased activation and exhaustion levels in T-cells after 6 months.