Lack of effects of oral probiotics on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm very low birth weight (PVLBW) infants treated with oral probiotics for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective follow-up study was performed in a cohort of PVLBW infants enrolled in a single center with a masked randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of oral probiotics in preventing NEC. Growth measures included weight, length, and head circumference. Neurologic and sensory performance was evaluated with standard techniques. Psychometric parameters were measured used the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II). The studies were performed at 3 years corrected age. The primary outcome was death or neurodevelopmental impairment. RESULTS: Of the 367 subjects enrolled in trial, 301 (89.9%) were evaluated (153 in the probiotics group and 148 in the control group). There were no significant differences in growth or in any of the neurodevelopmental and sensory outcomes between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral probiotics given to PVLBW infants at 1 week after birth to reduce the incidence of NEC did not affect growth and neurodevelopmental and sensory outcomes at 3 years corrected age.

Therapeutic strategy of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants.

The ductus arteriosus is likely to close without treatment in most infants born at gestational age (GA) > 28 weeks (73%), and those with birth weight > 1000 g (94%). However, the rates of spontaneous ductal closure among less mature or smaller infants with respiratory distress syndrome are not known. Extremely preterm infants born at GA < 28 weeks are associated with a high risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or pulmonary hemorrhage, which usually occur within 72 h after birth and affect mortality and long-term neurological development. These serious hemorrhagic complications may be closely related to hemodynamic changes caused by a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hs-PDA). While prophylactic indomethacin has been shown to reduce the rates of PDA, PDA ligation, severe IVH and early pulmonary hemorrhage, the available evidence does not support its prophylactic use in preterm infants. Symptomatic or late treatment is associated with lower success rate, and increased complications of a hs-PDA. The issue of "to treat or not to treat a PDA" is controversial. Considering the relationship between the effectiveness and timing of pharmacological treatment, early targeted treatment may be an alternative approach for the early identification of a hs-PDA in specific high-risk patient population, especially infants <26 weeks GA who are at the highest risk of severe IVH or pulmonary hemorrhage. Serial echocardiographic studies can be used to select patients who are candidates for early targeted medical treatment of hs-PDA. Surgical ligation of PDA, and transcatheter closure if proven to be safe, can be used as back-up therapy for patients who fail medical treatment and continue to have cardiopulmonary compromise.

Association of preterm birth and small for gestational age with metabolic outcomes in children and adolescents: A population-based cohort study from Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have identified preterm birth and/or small for gestational age (SGA) as risk factors for features of the metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis, occurring later in life, with controversial results. We conducted this population-based cohort study to investigate metabolic outcomes in those with former preterm birth and/or SGA status in Taiwan. METHODS: Data were obtained from Taiwan's universal National Health Insurance Research Database. From 1996 to 2004, 37,119 preterm infants, 3386 SGA infants, and 162,020 matched controls were included. We investigated the risk of the metabolic disease, including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, which had been recorded by the end of 2008. RESULTS: The preterm and SGA cohort, combined into one, had a significantly increased risk of developing metabolic disorders when compared with the comparison cohort (HR = 2.46, 95% CI = 2.02-3.01). We observed that children with former preterm and SGA status in Taiwan had a higher risk of developing hypertension (HR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.58-6.67), Type 1 diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.05-3.07), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (HR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.98-3.14), and hyperlipidemia (HR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.29-3.52). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the risk of metabolic disease in those with preterm birth and/or SGA. Further studies with a longer duration of follow-up are required to confirm if there is a tendency for the metabolic syndrome to develop in this study cohort.

Intrauterine inflammation, infection, or both (Triple I): A new concept for chorioamnionitis.

Chorioamnionitis is a common cause of preterm birth and may cause adverse neonatal outcomes, including neurodevelopmental sequelae. Chorioamnionitis has been marked to a heterogeneous setting of conditions characterized by infection or inflammation or both, followed by a great variety in clinical practice for mothers and their newborns. Recently, a descriptive term: "intrauterine inflammation or infection or both" abbreviated as "Triple I" has been proposed by a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development expert panel to replace the term chorioamnionitis. It is particularly important to recognize that an isolated maternal fever does not automatically equate to chorioamnionitis. This article will review the current literature on chorioamnionitis, and introduce the concept of Triple I, as well as recommendations for assessment and management of pregnant women and their newborns with a diagnosis of Triple I.

Nosocomial infection in a neonatal intensive care unit: a prospective study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: We performed a prospective analysis to determine the prevalence of nosocomial infection and associated risk factors in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on underlying diagnoses, therapeutic interventions/treatments, infections, and outcomes at 9 am every day from November 2004 through October 2005. Prevalence of nosocomial infection and infection site definitions were according to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: Among 528 infants enrolled, 60 (11.4%) had 97 nosocomial infections. The survival rate was 92%. The prevalence of nosocomial infections was 17.5%: bloodstream infection, 4.7%, clinical sepsis, 6.3%, pneumonia, 5.1%, urinary tract infections (UTIs), 0.7%, surgical site infection, 0.7%. Intervention-associated infection rate: central intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infection, 13.7%, TPN-associated bloodstream infection, 15.8%, ventilator-associated pneumonia, 18.6%, surgical site infection 13.7%, urinary catheter-associated UTI, 17.3%. Cut-off values of onset of central intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia were 6 days and 10 days after intervention, respectively. Patients with a birth weight <1000 g (relative risk, 11.8, 95% confidence interval, 7.66-18.18; P < .001) were at the greatest risk for nosocomial infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the high prevalence of nosocomial infections in NICU patients, and the urgent need for a national surveillance and more effective prevention interventions.

Ulinastatin alone does not reduce caspase 3-mediated apoptosis in protease-positive Aeromonas hydrophilia-induced sepsis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin, a protease inhibitor, on survival and apoptosis in protease-positive Aeromonas hydrophilia (PPAH)-induced sepsis. METHODS: Thirty mice were randomly allocated to receive intraperitoneal injection of either phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (control mice, n = 10) or PPAH (PPAH mice, n = 20). After 30 minutes, control mice received an additional intraperitoneal PBS injection, 10 PPAH mice received intraperitoneal PBS injection (non-treated PPAH mice), and the remaining 10 PPAH mice received an intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin (ulinastatin-treated PPAH mice). RESULTS: Survival at 24 hours was 100% in control mice, and 35% (p < 0.05) in PPAH mice; the survival rate in non-treated and ulinastatin-treated PPAH mice were 30% and 40% (p > 0.05), respectively. The thymus weight (mg) decreased significantly in PPAH mice (51.1 +/- 14.9) compared to control mice (69.7 +/- 14.4; p < 0.001); there was no difference between ulinastatin-treated (52 +/- 13.9; p > 0.05) and non-treated PPAH mice (50.4 +/- 16). The thymus gland cell count reduced significantly in PPAH mice (8.1 +/- 4.7 x 10(7)) compared to control mice (12.8 +/- 6.6 x 10(7); p < 0.01), and immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the reduced cells were mostly CD4+ CD8+, in contrast to the increase in CD4+ CD8- cells. There was no difference in cell count between ulinastatin-treated (8.7 +/- 4.9 x 10(7)) and non-treated PPAH mice (7.4 +/- 4.6 x 10(7); p > 0.05). Caspase 3-mediated apoptosis was not detectable in control mice in contrast to the pronounced manifestation in PPAH mice. CONCLUSION: PPAH-induced sepsis has a high mortality that is related to lymphocyte apoptosis. Ulinastatin alone does not significantly reduce caspase 3-mediated lymphocyte apoptosis.

Possible effect of probiotics and breast milk in short bowel syndrome: report of one case.

Primary volvulus means idiopathic volvulus without predisposing factor and is rare in children. The etiology is unknown. The incidence is relatively higher in neonates. The most common symptoms are abdominal distension and bilious vomiting. Our patient was a preterm baby at age of 89 days. Acute onset of abdominal distension and sepsis-like symptoms were noted. After operation, no anatomical anomaly was noted. Probable primary midgut volvulus was diagnosed. Early diagnosis of primary volvulus of the small intestine is difficult. Operation should be performed as soon as possible in a neonate with quick progression toward unstable hemodynamics and acidosis with ileus. Postoperative short bowel syndrome was noted. There are often sepsis, enterocolitis, and poor body weight gain noted among short bowel patients. With breast milk feeding and probiotics usage, there were few complications of short bowel syndrome noted in our patient. The duration for establishing intestinal adaptation was shorter than for other patients. The patient's body weight, body length and development caught up gradually within 18 months.

Protective and anti-inflammatory effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, Xia-Bai-San, by modulating lung local cytokine in a murine model of acute lung injury.

We investigated the effects of Xia-Bai-San (XBS) on acute lung inflammation induced by LPS in vivo. Mice were challenged with intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (100 microg) 30 min before administering XBS (1 mg/kg oral administration). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained after 4 and 24 h to measure proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), chemokines (KC, MCP-1 and MIP-2), total cell counts, nitric oxide production, and proteins. The results indicated that XBS down-regulated the LPS-induced expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, KC, MIP-2, and MCP-1. Furthermore, it also enhanced the production of IL-10, which had increased 24 h after LPS challenge. In addition, total leukocyte counts, nitric oxide production, iNOS expression, and BALF's proteins had significantly decreased 24 h after LPS challenge. XBS was also believes to have reduced the acute inflammation by attenuating the activation of NF-kappaB. In conclusion, XBS seem to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation by stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in lung. These results suggest that XBS could be a useful adjunct in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Vein of Galen aneurysm complicated with pulmonary hypertension: report of one newborn case.

The vein of Galen aneurysm is a rarely seen congenital intracranial vascular malformation with abnormal aneurysmal dilation of the vein of Galen in neonatal stage. We report a full- term female newborn presented with intractable heart failure, pulmonary artery hypertension, and respiratory distress soon after birth, in whom persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn was suspected initially. Further study by ultrasound revealed turbulent blood flow in the cerebral vascular lesion in the region of vein of Galen; therefore, secondary pulmonary artery hypertension complicated with 'steal' phenomenon was impressed. With the advancement of diagnostic technique, ultrasound provides a rapid and noninvasive method for diagnosing the condition.

Circulatory Management Focusing on Preventing Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants.

The goal of modern neonatal care of extremely preterm infants is to reduce mortality and long-term neurological impairments. Preterm infants frequently experience cerebral intraventricular or pulmonary hemorrhage, which usually occurs within 72 hours after birth and can lead to long-term neurological sequelae and mortality. These serious hemorrhagic complications are closely related to perinatal hemodynamic changes, including an increase in the afterload on the left ventricle of the heart after the infant is separated from the placenta, and an increased preload from a left-to-right shunt caused by a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The left ventricle of a preterm myocardium has limited ability to respond to such an increase in afterload and preload, and this can result in cardiac dysfunction and hemodynamic deterioration. We suggest that delayed umbilical cord clamping or umbilical cord milking to maintain optimal blood pressure and systemic blood flow (SBF), careful assessment to keep the afterload at an acceptable level, and a strategy of early targeted treatment of significant PDA to improve perfusion during this critical time period may reduce or prevent these serious complications in preterm infants.

Efficacy of Medical Treatment for Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common disease in infancy. Pyloromyotomy is universally considered the treatment for IHPS; however, oral or intravenous atropine has been reappraised for the treatment of IHPS in the past 20 years. We investigated the efficacy of atropine in the medical management of IHPS by using meta-analysis and investigated the sonographic changes of the pyloric canal, as well as the efficacy and adverse effects of atropine. METHODS: Information was retrieved from PubMed, Ovid, and MEDLINE. The efficacy and adverse effects of atropine treatment for IHPS were reviewed using the standard process of meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eleven articles were obtained. Five reports showed that 77 of 110 (70%) infants who were administered oral atropine benefitted by the induced remission of IHPS. Six reports showed that 288 of 345 (83.5%) patients who were treated initially with intravenous atropine then changed to oral atropine showed beneficial effects and had no serious side effects. Time to pyloric muscle normalization ranged from 5 weeks to 15 months. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that atropine is a possible alternative treatment for IHPS, particularly in infants with major concurrent disease, and is safe without obvious side effects.

Clonal dissemination of invasive and colonizing clonal complex 1 of serotype VI group B Streptococcus in central Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical presentation, serotype distribution and genetic correlation of group B streptococcus (GBS) diseases. Since serotype VI prevalence far exceeded that reported in prior studies, genetic relationship of isolates was further analyzed. METHODS: GBS isolates obtaining from patients with invasive diseases and pregnant women with colonization between June 2007 and December 2010 were analyzed. All isolates were tested for serotypes by multiplex PCR assay and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Serotype VI isolates were further analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS: A total of 134 GBS isolates were recovered from blood of 126 patients with invasive disease (94.0%) and anogenital swabs of 8 pregnant women (6.0%). Most common serotype was Ib (21.6%), followed by V (20.1%), VI (18.7%), III (15.7%), II (11.9 %), Ia (11.2%), and IX (0.7%). Serotype VI was also the leading type in infants with early onset disease (EOD; 3/8, 37.5%) and colonizing pregnant women (3/8, 37.5%). PFGE distinguished 33 pulsotypes, reflecting genetic diversity among GBS isolates. Among 25 serotype VI isolates tested, 14 were ST-1, seven were ST-679, three were ST-678, one was ST-681, and distributed into four PFGE pulsotypes. ST-678, ST-679, and ST-681 were novel sequence types; ST-678 and ST-679 are single-locus variants of ST-1 that belongs to clonal complex (CC) 1. CONCLUSION: CC1 dissemination of serotype VI GBS thus emerges as an important invasive pathogen in infants and nonpregnant adults in central Taiwan. Serotype prevalence of GBS must be continuously monitored geographically to guide prevention strategy of GBS vaccines.

Epidemiologic trends in nosocomial bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit.

The primary goal of this study was to analyze the epidemiologic features of nosocomial bloodstream infection (NBSI) in a neonatal intensive care unit over a 7-year period. All neonatal patients with NBSI treated from January 1997 to December 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. 232 NBSI episodes were diagnosed in 208 patients. The average NBSI patient-day rates were 4.69 and 2.59 per 1000 patient-days in 1997-1999 and 2000-2003, respectively. The average NBSI rates were 5.00 and 1.50 per 1000 patient days in neonates <1500 g and > or =1500 g, respectively. The proportion of Gram-positive organisms increased from 24% in 1997-2001 to 41% in 2002-2003, whereas the proportion of Gram-negative isolates decreased from 65% in 1997-2001 to 47% in 2002-2003. The implementation of measures for the prevention of nosocomial infection was associated with the reduction of NBSI rates. Low birth weight was demonstrated to be a significant risk factor for NBSI. The fact that Gram-positive organisms were isolated in increasing frequency may impact on the appropriate selection of empiric antimicrobial therapy for NBSI in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Interleukin-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of premature infants at risk of chronic lung disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Persistence of neutrophils in the tracheal fluid of premature infants is associated with chronic lung disease (CLD). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. This study investigated whether IL-8 is increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of premature infants with different types of CLD. METHODS: Forty two very low birth weight infants who required mechanical ventilation were recruited. Twenty eight of these infants developed CLD and 14 infants recovered without developing CLD. Four additional infants receiving mechanical ventilation for non-respiratory reasons were also enrolled as controls. CLD was defined as requirement for supplemental oxygen at 28 days of age and chest radiograph showing characteristic appearance. CLD was further classified into 3 subtypes: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), Wilson-Mikity syndrome (WMS) and chronic pulmonary insufficiency of prematurity (CPIP). RESULTS: IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased in the CLD group by 8 days of age compared to those who did not develop CLD (p < 0.05). For infants without CLD, IL-8 increased from 963 pg/mL on day 1 after delivery to 1463 pg/mL on day 4, and decreased to 1,000 pg/mL on day 8. For infants with BPD, IL-8 increased from 925 pg/mL on day 1 after delivery to 2,650 pg/mL on day 8, and then gradually decreased to 1,500 pg/mL on day 28. Infants with WMS had significantly higher IL-8 from the first day after delivery (4,567 pg/mL) than infants with BPD or CPIP and this difference persisted to age 28 days (2475 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Persistent inflammation could be a major contributory factor in the development of CLD. The different patterns of response to inflammation in different types of CLD may have implications for the design of appropriate strategies to prevent and treat CLD.

System-based strategy for the management of meconium aspiration syndrome: 198 consecutive cases observations.

To evaluate whether the system-based strategy for management of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) could reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of MAS in our institute, a prospective consecutive clinical observation was conducted. System-based strategy including appropriately trained the relevant medical staff to familiar with neonatal resuscitation program, early surfactant replacement or lavage following with high-frequency ventilator (HFV) and/or inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Outcome measurements were the morbidity and mortality rates of MAS. All infants of MAS in the study period were included except cases of congenital malformations or cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). Oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) were applied as clinically indicated. Surfactant was used as replacement or lavage therapy for MAS infants whose oxygen index (OI) exceeded 20 or value for AaDO2 exceeded 400 within 6 hours of age. High-frequency oscillator ventilation (HFO) was applied for infants of MAS that demonstrated intractable respiratory failure with conventional mechanical ventilation and 100% oxygen. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) was used with IMV or HFO for infants of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) when it was unresponsive to conventional therapy. Dexamethasone was prescribed in infants of severe hypotension that did not respond to dopamine and epinephrine. A series of 198 consecutive infants of MAS born in this hospital during 9 years were analyzed. There was no mortality. Fourteen infants developed PPHN, 11 had pneumothorax, 1 had pulmonary hemorrhage, 2 had neurologic sequelae because of severe asphyxia, and 2 developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Our results indicated that appropriately trained relevant medical staff with neonatal resuscitation program to avoid complicated MAS and early surfactant replacement or lavage following with HFO and/or iNO could reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of MAS even without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

No association between TAP1 DpnII polymorphism and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The possibility that a family history of asthma may have a role in susceptibility to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had been raised in several reports, and there was evidence of a strong association between transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1) polymorphism and asthma in Taiwanese population. To test whether TAP polymorphism has a role in the BPD, we investigated the association between TAP1 polymorphism and BPD by analyzing the results of genotype distribution. The study included 224 ventilated preterm infants (<30 weeks) who had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and needed intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) during Jan. 1999 to July 2003. The typing of TAP1 polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis. The demography between two groups of these ventilated preterm infants was not different. We observed no significant differences in genotype distribution or allele frequency of the TAPI polymorphisms between BPD and their respective control infants. There was also no significant difference in genotype distribution of the TAP1 polymorphism with duration of IMV. Therefor, we conclude that TAP1 polymorphism is not a useful marker for predicting the susceptibility or severity to BPD for Taiwanese.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection among neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit at a medical center in central Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) infection in neonates. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for mortality in neonates with MDRAB infection. METHODS: This retrospective case-series study was conducted at the Children's Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. All patients hospitalized between January 2010 and December 2013 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with MDRAB infections were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 67 isolates from 59 neonatal patients were positive for MDRAB. Of the 67 isolates, 38 were from blood (56.72%), 16 from sputum (23.88%), seven from pus (10.45%), three from ascites (4.48%), two from cerebrospinal fluid (2.99%), and one from pleural fluid (1.49%). There were five episodes of MDRAB clusters consisting of 28 cases during the study period. The mortality rate due to MDRAB sepsis was 20.34% (12/59). The statistically significant risk factors for mortality due to MDRAB infection were being infected with MDRAB within 7 days of admission to the NICU, use of umbilical vein catheters, absolute neutrophil count < 1500/mm(3), platelet count < 100,000/mm(3), and a delay in initiating adequate antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: MDRAB infection is responsible for a high mortality rate among neonates in the NICU, especially in those who have neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Infection control and appropriateness of the initial antimicrobial agent with colistin play an important role in reducing mortality.

Neonatal outcomes of extremely preterm infants from taiwan: comparison with Canada, Japan, and the USA.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the current trend in survival rates and morbidity for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in five Medical Training Centers of Prematurity for the Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan (PBFT), with the outcomes from the USA, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (NICHD NRN), the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN), and the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ). METHODS: The survival rates of VLBW infants according to gestational age (GA) and major morbidities were compared between networks (Taiwan, USA, Canada, and Japan). Taiwanese data for VLBW infants of GA ≤28 weeks between 2007 and 2012 were obtained from the "PBFT Annual Conferences of Premature Care" reports defining survival rate as neonates that survived to the time of discharge. Major morbidities included severe neurological injury (Grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and patent ductus arteriosus. RESULTS: The survival rates of VLBW infants of GA ≤28 weeks from the PBFT (Taiwan), NICHD NRN (USA), CNN (Canada), and NRNJ (Japan) were 77% (1323/1718), 72% (6859/9575), 82% (2353/2872), and 89% (4489/5069), respectively. The annual survival rates in Taiwan from 2007 to 2012 were 72%, 76%, 76%, 74%, 77%, and 78%, respectively. When GA from ≤23 weeks to 28 weeks was assessed in Taiwan, the survival rates of VLBW infants according to each week were 22%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 88%, and 92%, respectively. The survival rate, especially at lower GAs, was highest in the NRNJ (Japan). The major difference between Taiwan and Japan was attributed to the lower survival rates at lower GA (≤26 weeks) in Taiwan. Japan had the lowest rates of major morbidities among the four countries. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of VLBW infants has improved over the past 6 years in Taiwan. It is higher than the USA, but lower than Canada and Japan. However, the results from Taiwan are from five Medical Training Centers for the PBFT rather than from a population-based study. It is crucial to have a nationwide neonatal research network to develop new practical approaches for VLBW infants in Taiwan.