Prevalence and characteristics of smoking cigarette and narghile among Syrian refugee parents in Ontario, Canada.

This study aimed to explore the prevalence and associated sociodemographic, migration, and health-related factors of smoking cigarettes and narghile among Syrian refugee parents resettled in Ontario, Canada since 2015. A total of 540 Syrian refugee parents, with at least one child less than 18 years of age, were interviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the independent relationship between each of the associated sociodemographic, migration, and health-related factors and smoking cigarettes and narghile. The overall prevalence of smoking was 43% (cigarette = 22%, narghile = 25.6%). The average number of cigarettes smoked per day was 15.4 (SD = 10.1). With regard to smoking narghile, 18.2% of the sample smoked daily, while 35.5% and 52.9% smoked at least once weekly and occasionally, respectively. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that more fathers were at increased odds of smoking cigarettes than mothers OR (95% CI) = 6.6 (3.7-11.9), while no such difference was found for narghile smokers OR (95% CI) = 1.5 (0.9-2.6). Results showed that smoking cigarettes was associated with lower education levels and being Muslim, whereas smoking narghile was associated with younger age and alcohol use. Poor perceived mental health was significant/approached significance for both types of smoking. Greater understanding of smoking patterns of resettled refugees is needed to direct healthcare providers to offer targeted interventions for those who are most at risk.

Characteristics of Self-Rated Oral Health among Syrian Refugee Parents in Ontario.

Background: Canada has been hosting Syrian refugees since early 2015. Almost half of the Syrian refugee population lives in Ontario, with dental health being at the top of the list of important immediate needs. The objective of the study was to evaluate self-rated oral health and its associated factors among Syrian refugee parents residing in Ontario. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where 540 Syrian refugee parents, residing in Ontario and with at least one child less than 18 years of age, were interviewed. Information about self-rated oral health was collected based on the question "In general, how would you rate the health of your teeth and mouth?" with answers ranging from 1 representing "excellent" and 5 representing "very poor." Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the independent relationship between each of the sociodemographic-, migration-, health-, dental-related factors, and self-rated oral health. Results: The overall prevalence of poor and very poor self-rated oral health was 43.5%. The results showed that the presence of dental health insurance, private sponsorship, improved physical and mental health, and regular visits to the dentist were factors related to improved oral health. Discussion. To achieve better oral health outcomes among refugee populations, including Syrian refugees, efforts should be focused on improving dental care and dental insurance for vulnerable populations.

Stillbirths: Contribution of preterm birth and size-for-gestational age for 125.4 million total births from nationwide records in 13 countries, 2000-2020.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of preterm birth and size-for-gestational age in stillbirths using six 'newborn types'. DESIGN: Population-based multi-country analyses. SETTING: Births collected through routine data systems in 13 countries. SAMPLE: 125 419 255 total births from 22+0 to 44+6 weeks' gestation identified from 2000 to 2020. METHODS: We included 635 107 stillbirths from 22+0 weeks' gestation from 13 countries. We classified all births, including stillbirths, into six 'newborn types' based on gestational age information (preterm, PT, <37+0 weeks versus term, T, ≥37+0 weeks) and size-for-gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (AGA, 10th-90th centiles) or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to the international newborn size for gestational age and sex INTERGROWTH-21st standards. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of stillbirths, stillbirth rates and rate ratios according to six newborn types. RESULTS: 635 107 (0.5%) of the 125 419 255 total births resulted in stillbirth after 22+0 weeks. Most stillbirths (74.3%) were preterm. Around 21.2% were SGA types (PT + SGA [16.2%], PT + AGA [48.3%], T + SGA [5.0%]) and 14.1% were LGA types (PT + LGA [9.9%], T + LGA [4.2%]). The median rate ratio (RR) for stillbirth was highest in PT + SGA babies (RR 81.1, interquartile range [IQR], 68.8-118.8) followed by PT + AGA (RR 25.0, IQR, 20.0-34.3), PT + LGA (RR 25.9, IQR, 13.8-28.7) and T + SGA (RR 5.6, IQR, 5.1-6.0) compared with T + AGA. Stillbirth rate ratios were similar for T + LGA versus T + AGA (RR 0.7, IQR, 0.7-1.1). At the population level, 25% of stillbirths were attributable to small-for-gestational-age. CONCLUSIONS: In these high-quality data from high/middle income countries, almost three-quarters of stillbirths were born preterm and a fifth small-for-gestational age, with the highest stillbirth rates associated with the coexistence of preterm and SGA. Further analyses are needed to better understand patterns of gestation-specific risk in these populations, as well as patterns in lower-income contexts, especially those with higher rates of intrapartum stillbirth and SGA.

Neonatal mortality risk of large-for-gestational-age and macrosomic live births in 15 countries, including 115.6 million nationwide linked records, 2000-2020.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the prevalence and neonatal mortality associated with large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia among 115.6 million live births in 15 countries, between 2000 and 2020. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country study. SETTING: National healthcare systems. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: We used individual-level data identified for the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We calculated the prevalence and relative risk (RR) of neonatal mortality among live births born at term + LGA (>90th centile, and also >95th and >97th centiles when the data were available) versus term + appropriate for gestational age (AGA, 10th-90th centiles) and macrosomic (≥4000, ≥4500 and ≥5000 g, regardless of gestational age) versus 2500-3999 g. INTERGROWTH 21st served as the reference population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and neonatal mortality risks. RESULTS: Large for gestational age was common (median prevalence 18.2%; interquartile range, IQR, 13.5%-22.0%), and overall was associated with a lower neonatal mortality risk compared with AGA (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77-0.89). Around one in ten babies were ≥4000 g (median prevalence 9.6% (IQR 6.4%-13.3%), with 1.2% (IQR 0.7%-2.0%) ≥4500 g and with 0.2% (IQR 0.1%-0.2%) ≥5000 g). Overall, macrosomia of ≥4000 g was not associated with increased neonatal mortality risk (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.94); however, a higher risk was observed for birthweights of ≥4500 g (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.11) and ≥5000 g (RR 4.54, 95% CI 2.58-7.99), compared with birthweights of 2500-3999 g, with the highest risk observed in the first 7 days of life. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, birthweight of ≥4500 g was the most useful marker for early mortality risk in big babies and could be used to guide clinical management decisions.

A Quality improvement initiative to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in a low-and-middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Premature and sick neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are in need of central lines placing them at high risk of contracting a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). CLABSI extends length of stay to 10-14 days post negative cultures and increases morbidity, use of multiple antibiotics, mortality and hospital cost. To reduce CLABSI rate at the American University of Beirut Medical Center NICU, the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network developed a quality improvement project to reduce CLABSI rate by 50% over a 1-year period and to sustain reduced CLABSI rate. METHODS: Central line insertion and maintenance bundles were implemented for all infants admitted to the NICU necessitating central lines placement. Bundles included hand washing, wearing protective material and sterile drapes during central lines insertion and maintenance. RESULTS: CLABSI rate decreased by 76% from 4.82 (6 infections; 1244 catheter days) to 1.09 (2 infection; 1830 catheter days) per 1000 CL days after 1 year. Following the bundles' success in reducing CLABSI rate, they were incorporated permanently to NICU standard procedure and bundle checklists were added to the medical sheets. CLABSI rate was maintained at 1.15 per 1000 CL days during the second year. It then decreased to 0.66 per 1000 CL days in the third year before reaching zero in the fourth year. In total, zero CLABSI rate was sustained for 23 consecutive months. CONCLUSION: Reducing CLABSI rate is necessary to improving newborn quality of care and outcome. Our bundles were successful in drastically reducing and sustaining a low CLABSI rate. It was even successful in achieving a zero CLABSI unit for 2 years.

Neonatal mortality risk for vulnerable newborn types in 15 countries using 125.5 million nationwide birth outcome records, 2000-2020.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neonatal mortality associated with six novel vulnerable newborn types in 125.5 million live births across 15 countries, 2000-2020. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country study. SETTING: National data systems in 15 middle- and high-income countries. METHODS: We used individual-level data sets identified for the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We examined the contribution to neonatal mortality of six newborn types combining gestational age (preterm [PT] versus term [T]) and size-for-gestational age (small [SGA], <10th centile, appropriate [AGA], 10th-90th centile or large [LGA], >90th centile) according to INTERGROWTH-21st newborn standards. Newborn babies with PT or SGA were defined as small and T + LGA was considered as large. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and population attributable risks (PAR%) for the six newborn types. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality of six newborn types. RESULTS: Of 125.5 million live births analysed, risk ratios were highest among PT + SGA (median 67.2, interquartile range [IQR] 45.6-73.9), PT + AGA (median 34.3, IQR 23.9-37.5) and PT + LGA (median 28.3, IQR 18.4-32.3). At the population level, PT + AGA was the greatest contributor to newborn mortality (median PAR% 53.7, IQR 44.5-54.9). Mortality risk was highest among newborns born before 28 weeks (median RR 279.5, IQR 234.2-388.5) compared with babies born between 37 and 42 completed weeks or with a birthweight less than 1000 g (median RR 282.8, IQR 194.7-342.8) compared with those between 2500 g and 4000 g as a reference group. CONCLUSION: Preterm newborn types were the most vulnerable, and associated with the highest mortality, particularly with co-existence of preterm and SGA. As PT + AGA is more prevalent, it is responsible for the greatest burden of neonatal deaths at population level.

Vulnerable newborn types: Analysis of population-based registries for 165 million births in 23 countries, 2000-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 165 million live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country analysis. SETTING: National data systems in 23 middle- and high-income countries. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: Country teams with high-quality data were invited to be part of the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We classified live births by six newborn types based on gestational age information (preterm <37 weeks versus term ≥37 weeks) and size for gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (10th-90th centiles), or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. We considered small newborn types of any combination of preterm or SGA, and term + LGA was considered large. Time trends were analysed using 3-year moving averages for small and large types. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of six newborn types. RESULTS: We analysed 165 017 419 live births and the median prevalence of small types was 11.7% - highest in Malaysia (26%) and Qatar (15.7%). Overall, 18.1% of newborns were large (term + LGA) and was highest in Estonia 28.8% and Denmark 25.9%. Time trends of small and large infants were relatively stable in most countries. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of newborn types varies across the 23 middle- and high-income countries. Small newborn types were highest in west Asian countries and large types were highest in Europe. To better understand the global patterns of these novel newborn types, more information is needed, especially from low- and middle-income countries.

Tamponade and massive pleural effusions secondary to peripherally inserted central catheter in neonates-A complication to be aware of.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are frequently used in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to assist premature and critically ill neonates. Massive pleural effusions, pericardial effusions, and cardiac tamponade secondary to PICC are extremely uncommon but have potentially fatal consequences. Objective: This study investigates the incidence of tamponade, large pleural, and pericardial effusions secondary to peripherally inserted central catheters in a neonatal intensive care unit at a tertiary care center over a 10-year period. It explores possible etiologies behind such complications and suggests preventative measures. Study design: Retrospective analysis of neonates who were admitted to the NICU at the AUBMC between January 2010 and January 2020, and who required insertion of PICC. Neonates who developed tamponade, large pleural, or pericardial effusions secondary to PICC insertion were investigated. Results: Four neonates developed significant life-threatening effusions. Urgent pericardiocentesis and chest tube placement were required in two and one patients, respectively. No fatalities were encountered. Conclusion: The abrupt onset of hemodynamic instability without an obvious cause in any neonate with PICC in situ should raise suspicion of pleural or pericardial effusions. Timely diagnosis through bedside ultrasound, and prompt aggressive intervention are critical.

Global resilience and new strategies needed for antimicrobial stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Resilience is having the ability to respond to adversity proactively and resourcefully. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's profound impact on antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) requires clinicians to call on their own resilience to manage the demands of the pandemic and the disruption of ASP activities. This article provides examples of ASP resilience from pharmacists and physicians from seven countries with different resources and approaches to ASP-The United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, Lebanon, South Africa, and Colombia. The lessons learned pertain to providing ASP clinical services in the context of a global pandemic, developing new ASP paradigms in the face of COVID-19, leveraging technology to extend the reach of ASP, and conducting international collaborative ASP research remotely. This article serves as an example of how resilience and global collaboration is sustaining our ASPs by sharing new "how to" do antimicrobial stewardship practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CFTR mutational screening by next-generation sequencing reveals novel variants and a high carrier rate in a Middle Eastern population.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-limiting autosomal recessive disease in western countries with an incidence of 1:2500 in United States and 1:1000 in some European countries. Similar incidences were noted for the Middle East with variations from 1 in 2560 to 1 in 15,876 according to the degree of consanguinity. This is a preliminary systematic study that aims to assess the incidence and carrier rate of cystic fibrosis in the Middle Eastern Lebanese population; known for a high frequency of consanguinity. One hundred thirteen DNA samples were collected from neonatal blood cards obtained from newborns to healthy unrelated families with no previous history of Cystic fibrosis. Screening for Cystic Fibrosis-causing pathogenic variants was performed using next generation sequencing, and 17 different single nucleotide variants were detected, including six pathogenic and likely pathogenic. 5.5%-7% newborns were found to be carriers of a variant strongly suggestive of pathogenicity and comparable to published literature worldwide. This pilot analysis highlights the challenging interpretation of CFTR variants in a country underrepresented by large ethnic population analyses, and stresses the importance of premarital screening programs for Cystic fibrosis.

Successful establishment and five-year sustainability of a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program in a low middle-income country.

Introduction: Antibiotic use varies substantially among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) without any appreciable impact on outcomes. An increased use of antimicrobials has been reported in low-middle income countries. This raises the concern for potential overuse of antibiotics in a fragile patient population, thus increasing the rates of multidrug resistant organisms and affecting the developing microbiome. The presence of a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program can aid with the judicious use of antibiotics in the neonatal population and thus decrease the overuse of such medications. Methods: In this quality improvement project, we established and implemented a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program with the aim of reducing antimicrobial use in the neonatal intensive care units within a year of starting. Several interventions using a multidisciplinary approach included implementing standard algorithms, direct audit and feedback, and automated hard stops. Results: These series of interventions led to a 35% decrease in antimicrobial usage in the first 3 months and further decrease was seen with a median of 63% decline for a total of 5 years after project implementation. The use of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin, decreased by 63% and 79%, respectively. There was no evidence that this change in practice affected or jeopardized patient outcomes. Additionally, it showed sustainability and resilience despite the many challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic, political and financial unrest, and healthcare sector collapse. Discussion: This model-based and multidisciplinary low-cost approach can lead to marked improvement affecting neonatal outcomes and can be replicated in other similar centers.

Timing of term elective cesarean section and adverse neonatal outcomes: A multi-center retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rate of cesarean section (CS), including elective CS has globally increased. Studies have found that term elective CS before 39 weeks of gestation is associated with increased risk of adverse respiratory outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of elective CS and examine the association between timing of elective term CS and adverse neonatal outcomes in a large population of Lebanese women. METHODS: A Multi-Center Study was conducted using data from the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network database. Simple and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between timing of term elective CS and adverse neonatal outcomes. Some of the neonatal adverse outcomes we examined included respiratory distress syndrome, admission to the NICU, and a composite of respiratory outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 28,997 low risk mothers who delivered through primary and repeat elective CS were included in the study. Uncomplicated elective planned term CS constituted 25% of all CS deliveries in Lebanon. Primary and repeat CS at 37 weeks of gestation increased the odds of most of the studied adverse neonatal outcomes. There were few associations between CS and adverse neonatal outcomes at 38 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Term primary and repeat cesarean delivery prior to 39 weeks of gestation is associated with respiratory and other adverse neonatal outcomes. Delaying birth 1-2 weeks till 39 weeks of gestation can prevent 64-77% of adverse respiratory outcomes.

Prenatal exposure to criteria air pollutants and associations with congenital anomalies: A Lebanese national study.

Maternal exposure to air pollution has been associated with a higher birth defect (BD) risk. Previous studies suffer from inaccurate exposure assessment methods, confounding individual-level variations, and classical analytical modelling. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal exposure to criteria air pollutants and BD risk. A total of 553 cases and 10,214 controls were identified from private and public databases. Two subgroups were then formed: one for a matched case-control design, and another for Feature Selection (FS) analysis. Exposure assessment was based on the mean air pollutant-specific levels in the mother's residential area during the specific BD gestational time window of risk (GTWR) and other time intervals. Multivariate regression models outcomes consistently showed a significant protective effect for folic acid intake and highlighted parental consanguinity as a strong BD risk factor. After adjusting for these putative risk factors and other covariates, results show that maternal exposure to PM2.5 during the first trimester is significantly associated with a higher overall BD risk (OR:1.05, 95%CI:1.01-1.09), and with a higher risk of genitourinary defects (GUD) (OR:1.06, 95%CI:1.01-1.11) and neural tube defects (NTD) (OR:1.10, 95%CI:1.03-1.17) during specific GTWRs. Maternal exposure to NO2 during GTWR exhibited a significant protective effect for NTD (OR:0.94, 95%CI:0.90-0.99), while all other examined associations were not statistically significant. Additionally, maternal exposure to SO2 during GTWR showed a significant association with a higher GUD risk (OR:1.17, 95%CI:1.08-1.26). When limiting selection to designated monitor coverage radiuses, PM2.5 maintained significance with BD risk and showed a significant gene-environment interaction for GUD (p = 0.018), while NO2 protective effect expanded to other subtypes. On the other hand, FS analysis confirmed maternal exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 as important features for GUD, CHD, and NTD. Our findings, set the basis for building a novel BD risk prediction model.

Establishing a High-Quality Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program in a Developing Country: Lessons Learned.

Background: Developing countries are profoundly affected by the burden of congenital heart disease (CHD) because of limited resources, poverty, cost, and inefficient governance. The outcome of pediatric cardiac surgery in developing countries is suboptimal, and the availability of sustainable programs is minimal. Aim: This study describes the establishment of a high quality in-situ pediatric cardiac surgery program in Lebanon, a limited resource country. Methods: We enrolled all patients operated for CHD at the Children's Heart Center at the American University of Beirut between January 2014 and December 2018. Financial information was obtained. We established a partnership between the state, private University hospital, and philanthropic organizations to support the program. Results: In 5 years, 856 consecutive patients underwent 993 surgical procedures. Neonates and infants constituted 22.5 and 22.6% of our cohort, respectively. Most patients (82.6%) underwent one cardiac procedure. Our results were similar to those of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) harvest and to the expected mortalities in RACHS-1 scores with an overall mortality of 2.8%. The government (Public) covered 43% of the hospital bill, the Philanthropic organizations covered 30%, and the Private hospital provided a 25% discount. The parents' out-of-pocket contribution included another 2%. The average cost per patient, including neonates, was $19,800. Conclusion: High standard pediatric cardiac surgery programs can be achieved in limited-resource countries, with outcome measures comparable to developed countries. We established a viable financial model through a tripartite partnership between Public, Private, and Philanthropy (3P system) to provide high caliber care to children with CHD.

A test of the epidemiological paradox in a context of forced migration: low birthweight among Syrian newborns in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Studies on immigrants revealed an epidemiological paradox whereby low-socioeconomic status (SES) immigrant mothers exhibit favourable birth outcomes compared with native-born mothers. We tested the epidemiological paradox in a context of forced migration, comparing associations of low birthweight (LBW) and maternal SES between Syrian and Lebanese newborns in Lebanon. METHODS: We used data from the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN) of 31 Lebanese hospitals, including 45 442 Lebanese and 4910 Syrian neonates born 2011-13. We assessed associations between LBW and maternal SES for both groups. Logistic regression models examined interactions between maternal origin and SES. RESULTS: Syrian births increased exponentially between 2011 and 2013, along with the group's forced migration into Lebanon. Although Syrian mothers are more socioeconomically disadvantaged compared with Lebanese mothers, Syrian LBW (6.2%) was only marginally higher than Lebanese LBW (5.6%; P = 0.059). Only 20-24-years-old Syrian women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.70 (1.22-2.36)] and those with ≥ university education [OR = 2.02 (0.98-4.16)] exhibited higher odds of delivering an LBW baby compared with Lebanese women of the same age and education. CONCLUSIONS: The findings do not provide strong evidence for the epidemiological paradox in a forced migration context. However, the relatively advantageous LBW profile among Syrian neonates, despite their mothers' low SES and exposure to acute and chronic psychological stress, points to protective mechanisms. One of these mechanisms may be a collective response by the displaced population to improve neonatal outcomes as a way of recovering from loss and death.

Children born to mothers in their 20s and fathers in their 40s: Evidence for an increased low birth weight and Cesarean Section deliveries in Lebanon.

PURPOSE: Much less is known about the effect of advanced paternal age (APA) (≥40 years) than advanced maternal age on neonatal morbidity. More specifically, the correlation with low birth weight remains inconsistent. This study aims to determine whether APA among mothers aged 20-29 years is associated with a higher risk of low birth weight and other neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Data from 2004 to 2008 database of the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network were used. Fifteen thousand two hundred eighteen live birth singleton pregnancies by primigravida mothers aged 20-29 years were analyzed. Study variables include paternal age (years), C-section delivery (yes/no), low birth weight (<2500 g), and preterm births (<37 weeks of gestation). Regressions were generated controlling for birth defects, consanguinity, maternal education, prenatal care, gender, and maternal smoking. RESULTS: Adjusted odds of Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Cesarean Section Deliveries (CSD) were significantly higher in infants of APA fathers compared to those of fathers aged 30-35 years [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.5 (1.1, 2.3) and 1.4 (1.1, 1.7), respectively]. Paternal ages of 35-39 years compared to less than 30 years were associated with higher odds of CSD [adjusted odds ratio = 1.4 (1.2, 1.5)]. APA was not associated with preterm birth after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the association between APA and increased risk for LBW and CSD.

Higher Incidence Rates of Hypothyroidism and Late TSH Rise in Preterm Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants at a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preterm newborns with a very low birth weight (VLBW) of < 1,500 g have an atypical form of hypothyroidism with a delayed rise in TSH, necessitating a second newborn screening specimen collection. The aims of this study were to survey the compliance with second newborn screening to detect delayed TSH rise in VLBW preterm infants at a tertiary care center, and to determine the rate of atypical hypothyroidism. METHODS: Retrospective review of the records of 104 preterm VLBW infants. Late TSH rise was defined as an increase in TSH concentration after 14 days of age in the presence of a normal initial screen. RESULTS: The compliance rate was 92% for the second screening. High rates of hypothyroidism (16.3%) and of late TSH rise (4.8%) were detected. Patients with hypothyroidism had a significantly lower birth weight (p = 0.01) and longer hospital stay (p = 0.004). Patients with late versus those with early TSH rise had a significantly lower mean birth weight (851 ± 302 vs. 1,191 ± 121 g, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The rates of early and late TSH rise in this VLBW population were higher than those in the literature and could be due to the use of povidone-iodine disinfectants. The yield of a second TSH screening in this study was high indicating the need for vigilance in screening VLBW preterm infants.