Reference Ranges for Arterial Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, and Cerebral Oxygen Saturation during Immediate Postnatal Transition in Neonates Born Extremely or Very Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To define percentile charts for arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and cerebral oxygen saturation (crSO2) during the first 15 minutes after birth in neonates born very or extremely preterm and with favorable outcome. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a secondary-outcome analysis of neonates born preterm included in the Cerebral regional tissue Oxygen Saturation to Guide Oxygen Delivery in preterm neonates during immediate transition after birth III (COSGOD III) trial with visible cerebral oximetry measurements and with favorable outcome, defined as survival without cerebral injuries until term age. We excluded infants with inflammatory morbidities within the first week after birth. SpO2 was obtained by pulse oximetry, and electrocardiogram or pulse oximetry were used for measurement of HR. crSO2 was assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy. Measurements were performed during the first 15 minutes after birth. Percentile charts (10th to 90th centile) were defined for each minute. RESULTS: A total of 207 neonates born preterm with a gestational age of 29.7 (23.9-31.9) weeks and a birth weight of 1200 (378-2320) g were eligible for analyses. The 10th percentile of SpO2 at minute 2, 5, 10, and 15 was 32%, 52%, 83%, and 85%, respectively. The 10th percentile of HR at minute 2, 5, 10, and 15 was 70, 109, 126, and 134 beats/min, respectively. The 10th percentile of crSO2 at minute 2, 5, 20, and 15 was 15%, 27%, 59%, and 63%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new centile charts for SpO2, HR, and crSO2 for neonates born extremely or very preterm with favorable outcome. Implementing these centiles in guiding interventions during the stabilization process after birth might help to more accurately target oxygenation during postnatal transition period.

Cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) during immediate fetal-to-neonatal transition: a systematic qualitative review of the literature.

Cerebral monitoring during immediate fetal-to-neonatal transition is of increasing interest. The cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) is a useful parameter to gain insight in the balance between tissue oxygen delivery and consumption during this complex process. The aim of this study was to review the literature on cFTOE during the first 15 min immediately after birth. A systematic qualitative literature research was last performed on 23 November 2023 of PubMed and EMBASE with the following search terms: neonate, infant, newborn, transition, after birth, delivery room, NIRS, near-infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopy, cFTOE, cerebral fractional tissue oxygenation extraction, cerebral oxygenation, and fractional oxygen extraction. Additional published reports were identified through a manual search of references in retrieved articles and in review articles. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by predefined quality criteria. Only human studies with data of cFTOE in the first 15 min after birth were included. Accordingly, exclusion criteria were defined as no measurement of cFTOE or no measurement within the first 15 min after birth. Across all studies, a total of 3566 infants (2423 term, 1143 preterm infants) were analysed. Twenty-five studies were identified describing cFTOE within the first 15 min after birth. Four studies established reference ranges for cFTOE and another four studies focused on the effect of pre-/perinatal circumstances on cFTOE in the first 15 min after birth. Six studies investigated the course of cFTOE after transition in infants without complications. Eleven studies analysed different potentially influencing parameters on cFTOE during transition. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides a comprehensive insight on cFTOE during uncomplicated transition as well as the influence of perinatal circumstances, respiratory, haemodynamic, neurological, and laboratory parameters in preterm and term infants. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The NIRS-measured cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) is a useful parameter to estimate the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption. • During normal transition, the cFTOE decreases in the first minutes after birth and then remains at a stable plateau. WHAT IS NEW: • The cFTOE is a promising parameter that gives additional information on cerebral oxygenation and perfusion in preterm and term infants. • Several hemodynamic, metabolic, respiratory, and perinatal factors are identified, influencing the oxygen extraction of the newborn's brain after birth.

Cardiac output calculation using the Liljestrand and Zander formula: is this method applicable during immediate transition after birth? - A post hoc analysis.

The transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life is a critical period for neonates. Assessing the cardiovascular transition during this period immediately after birth is crucial but challenging. The present study compares adjusted estimated cardiac output values calculated by the Liljestrand and Zander formula (COest/adj LaZ) with non-invasively measured cardiac output values (CO-bioimpedance) during immediate transition after birth. We performed a secondary outcome analysis of a prospective observational study in preterm and term neonates. Ten and 15 min after birth, arterial blood pressure and heart rate were assessed, and CO-bioimpedance was measured using electrical bioimpedance method (Aesculon monitor, Osypka, Germany). We calculated COest/adj LaZ and compared it to CO-bioimpedance. Further, we performed a correlation analysis. Thirty-two neonates with a median (IQR) gestational age of 37.0 (32.0-39.4) weeks were included. Mean ± SD CO-bioimpedance was 0.62 ± 0.15 l/min, and COest/adj LaZ was calculated to be 0.64 ± 0.10 l/min, whereby both correlated significantly (p = 0.025, r = 0.359) with each other.  Conclusion: The present study demonstrates high comparability of COest/adj LaZ and CO-bioimpedance in neonates during immediate transition after birth, suggesting that cardiac output can be derived in a cost-effective and feasible manner if other methods are not available. What is Known: • Echocardiography is considered the gold standard for non-invasive CO evaluation, but its feasibility during the immediate transition period is limited. What is New: • Non-invasive methods such as CO-bioimpedance for cardiac output (CO) measurement and the Liljestrand and Zander (LaZ) formula for estimating CO offer promising alternatives during the immediate transition period.

Precision and normal values of cerebral blood volume in preterm neonates using time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy.

AIM: To investigate cerebral blood volume (CBV) in preterm neonates using time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy measurements of CBV using tNIRS-1 were performed in 70 preterm neonates. For measurements, a sensor was placed for a duration of 1 min, followed by four further reapplications of the sensor, overall five measurements. RESULTS: In this study, 70 preterm neonates with a mean ± SD gestational age of 33.4 ± 1.7 weeks and a birthweight of 1931 ± 398 g were included with a postnatal age of 4.7 ± 2.0 days. Altogether, 2383 CBV values were obtained with an overall mean of 1.85 ± 0.30 mL/100 g brain. A total of 95% of the measured CBV values varied in a range from -0.31 to 0.33 from the overall individual mean. Taking the deviation of the mean of each single application for each patient, this range reduced from -0.07 to 0.07. The precision of the measurement defined as within-variation in CBV was 0.24 mL/100 g brain. CONCLUSION: The overall mean CBV in stable preterm neonates was 1.85 ± 0.30 mL/100 g brain. The within-variation in CBV was 0.24 mL/100 g brain. Based on the precision obtained by our data, CBV of 1.85 ± 0.30 mL/100 g brain may be assumed as normal value for this cohort.

Physiological-based cord clamping stabilised cardiorespiratory parameters in very low birth weight infants.

AIM: We investigated the influence of physiological-based cord clamping (PBCC) on cardiorespiratory stability in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during the first 72 h of life. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised VLBW infants born at <32 + 0 weeks of gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Medical University of Graz, Austria, from December 2014 to April 2021. VLBW infants delivered with PBCC were matched by gestational age and birth weight to delayed cord clamping controls. The PBCC group was stabilised after birth with an intact cord. Routine monitoring parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS: We included 54 VLBW infants. The mean gestational ages of the PBCC group and controls were 27.4 ± 1.9 versus 27.4 ± 1.8 weeks (p = 0.87), and the mean birth weights were 912 ± 288 versus 915 ± 285 g (p = 0.96), respectively. The mean cord clamping time was 191 ± 78 s in the PBCC group. Heart rate was lower in the PBCC group during the first 3 days after birth, reaching significance by 10 h. Other monitoring parameters did not reveal any differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PBCC stabilised cardiorespiratory parameters in VLBW infants. The lower heart rate in the PBCC group suggested higher blood volume following intact cord resuscitation.

Two-year neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely preterm-born children: The Austrian Preterm Outcome Study Group.

AIM: The current study determined the neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely preterm infants at 2 years of age. METHODS: All live-born infants 23-27 weeks of gestation born between 2011 and 2020 in Austria were included in a prospective registry. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of corrected age was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development for both motor and cognitive scores, along with a neurological examination and an assessment of neurosensory function. RESULTS: 2378 out of 2905 (81.9%) live-born infants survived to 2 years of corrected age. Follow-up data were available for 1488 children (62.6%). Overall, 43.0% had no, 35.0% mild and 22.0% moderate-to-severe impairment. The percentage of children with moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment decreased with increasing gestational age and was 31.4%, 30.5%, 23.3%, 19.0% and 16.5% at 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 weeks gestational age (p < 0.001). Results did not change over the 10-year period. In multivariate analysis, neonatal complications as well as male sex were significantly associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. CONCLUSION: In this cohort study, a 22.0% rate of moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment was observed among children born extremely preterm. This national data is important for both counselling parents and guiding the allocation of health resources.

Cerebral oxygenation immediately after birth and long-term outcome in preterm neonates-a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is associated with increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Aim of this study was to evaluate whether cerebral oxygenation during fetal-to-neonatal transition period was associated with long-term outcome in very preterm neonates. METHODS: Preterm neonates ≤ 32 weeks of gestation and/or ≤ 1500 g with measurements of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crSO2) and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) within the first 15 min after birth were analysed retrospectively. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured with pulse oximetry. Long-term outcome was assessed at two years using "Bayley Scales of Infant Development" (BSID-II/III). Included preterm neonates were stratified into two groups: adverse outcome group (BSID-III ≤ 70 or testing not possible due to severe cognitive impairment or mortality) or favorable outcome group (BSID-III > 70). As the association between gestational age and long-term outcome is well known, correction for gestational age might disguise the potential association between crSO2 and neurodevelopmental impairment. Therefore, due to an explorative approach the two groups were compared without correction for gestational age. RESULTS: Forty-two preterm neonates were included: adverse outcome group n = 13; favorable outcome group n = 29. Median(IQR) gestational age and birth weight were 24.8 weeks (24.2-29.8) and 760 g (670-1054) in adverse outcome group and 30.6 weeks (28.1-32.0) (p = 0.009*) and 1250 g (972-1390) (p = 0.001*) in the favorable outcome group, respectively. crSO2 was lower (significant in 10 out of 14 min) and cFTOE higher in adverse outcome group. There were no difference in SpO2, HR and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), except for FiO2 in minute 11, with higher FiO2 in the adverse outcome group. CONCLUSION: Preterm neonates with adverse outcome had beside lower gestational age also a lower crSO2 during immediate fetal-to-neonatal transition when compared to preterm neonates with age appropriate outcome. Lower gestational age in the adverse outcome group would suggest beside lower crSO2 also lower SpO2 and HR in this group, which were however similar in both groups.

Cardiac output and regional-cerebral-oxygen-saturation in preterm neonates during immediate postnatal transition: An observational study.

AIM: To examine potential correlations between cardiac output (CO) with cerebral-regional-oxygen-saturation (crSO2 ) and cerebral-fractional-tissue-oxygen-extraction (cFTOE) during immediate foetal-to-neonatal transition in term and preterm neonates with and without respiratory support. METHODS: Post hoc analyses of secondary outcome parameters of prospective observational studies were performed. We included neonates with cerebral near-infrared-spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring and an oscillometric blood pressure measurement at minute 15 after birth. Heart rate (HR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) were monitored. CO was calculated with Liljestrand and Zander formula and correlated with crSO2 and cFTOE. RESULTS: Seventy-nine preterm neonates and 207 term neonates with NIRS measurements and calculated CO were included. In 59 preterm neonates (mean gestational age (GA): 29.4 ± 3.7 weeks) with respiratory support, CO correlated significantly positively with crSO2 and significantly negatively with cFTOE. In 20 preterm neonates (GA 34.9 ± 1.3 weeks) without respiratory support and in 207 term neonates with and without respiratory support, CO correlated neither with crSO2 nor with cFTOE. CONCLUSION: In compromised preterm neonates with lower gestational age and in need of respiratory support, CO was associated with crSO2 and cFTOE, whereas in stable preterm neonates with higher gestational age as well as in term neonates with and without respiratory support, no associations were observed.

Fetal to neonatal transition: what additional information can be provided by cerebral near infrared spectroscopy?

This narrative review focuses on the clinical use and relevance of cerebral oxygenation measured by NIRS during fetal to neonatal transition. Cerebral NIRS(cNIRS) offers the possibility of non-invasive, continuous, and objective brain monitoring in addition to the recommended routine monitoring. During the last decade, with growing interest in early and sensitive brain monitoring, many research groups worldwide have been working with cNIRS and verified the feasibility of cNIRS monitoring immediately after birth. Cerebral hypoxia during fetal to neonatal transition, defined as cerebral oxygenation values below10th percentile, seems to have an impact on neurological outcomes. Feasibility to guide clinical support using cNIRS to reduce the burden of cerebral hypoxia has been shown. It is well known that in some cases cerebral oxygenation follows different patterns than SpO2. Cerebral oxygenation does not only depend on systemic oxygenation, hemoglobin content and cerebral blood flow, but also on cardiocirculatory condition, ventilation, and metabolic parameters. Hence, measurement of cerebral oxygenation may uncover problems not detectable by standard monitoring. Therefore, applying NIRS can provide caregivers a more complete clinical overview, especially in critically ill neonates. In this review, we aim to describe the additional information which can be provided by cNIRS during fetal to neonatal transition. IMPACT: This narrative review focuses on the clinical use and relevance of cerebral oxygenation measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during fetal to neonatal transition. During the last decade, interest on brain monitoring is growing continuously as the measurement of cerebral oxygenation may uncover problems which are not detectable by routine monitoring. Therefore, it will be crucial to have additional information to get a complete overview, especially in critically ill neonates in need of medical and respiratory support. In this review, we offer additional information which can be provided by cerebral NIRS during fetal to neonatal transition.

Acid base and blood gas analysis in term neonates immediately after birth with uncomplicated neonatal transition.

BACKGROUND: Acid base and blood gas measurements provide essential information, especially in critically ill neonates. After birth, rapidly changing physiology and difficulty to obtain blood samples represent unique challenges. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to establish normal values of capillary acid base and blood gas analysis immediately after birth in term neonates after uncomplicated neonatal transition. METHOD: This is a post-hoc-analysis of ancillary outcome parameter of a prospective observational study in term neonates immediately after caesarean section. Neonates were included after immediate neonatal transition without need of medical support and a capillary blood sample was taken by a heel-stick within 15-20 minutes after birth. RESULT: One hundred thirty-two term neonates were included with mean (SD) gestational age of 38.7 ± 0.7 weeks. The blood was drawn mean (SD) 16 ± 1.7 minutes after birth. The mean (SD) values of the analyses were: pH 7.30 ± 0.04, pCO2 52.6 ± 6.4, base excess - 0.9 ± 1.7 and bicarbonate 24.8 ± 1.6. CONCLUSION: This is the first study describing acid base and blood gas analyses in term neonates immediately after birth with uncomplicated neonatal transition.

Introducing multi-modal enteral medication reduced morbidity and mortality associated with necrotising enterocolitis.

AIM: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is still a disease with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyse retrospectively whether the introduction of a multi-modal three-component enteral medication regimen resulted in a change in morbidity and mortality in neonates with NEC. METHODS: When diagnosis of NEC was established, the following multi-modal three-component enteral medication regimen was administered enterally (via nasogastric tube): an antibiotic, an antifungal agent and a probiotic. The primary outcome parameters were intestinal perforation, surgical interventions and mortality during the observational periods. RESULTS: In the study period, 2212 patients were admitted to the NICU, out of which 200 (9%) developed NEC. Significantly fewer infants died in the Intervention Group (13 of 104 infants, 13%) compared to the Control Group (38 of 96 infants, 40%) (P = .0001). No infant in the Intervention Group (0%) presented with an intestinal perforation, as compared to 15 infants (16%) within the Control Group (P = .0001). In the Control Group, 21 infants (22%) needed surgical intervention, whereas 0 (0%) infants needed this in the Intervention Group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of an enteral multi-modal three-component medication regimen resulted in a significant reduction of mortality and of need for surgical intervention in infants suffering from NEC.

[Pain management during pregnancy : An expert-based interdisciplinary consensus recommendation]. / Schmerztherapie in der Schwangerschaft : Eine expertInnenbasierte interdisziplinäre Konsensus-Empfehlung.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and pain of different origins is an unfavorable combination that presents all practitioners with special challenges. Pain negatively affects the homeostasis of humans. Patient compliance and in-depth knowledge of the fetotoxicity and teratogenicity of the substances are necessary to maintain a balance between therapy for the mother and safety of the unborn child. OBJECTIVES: Experts from various disciplines who are entrusted with the care of pregnant patients with pain have come together to develop drug and nondrug therapy concepts with the aim of providing adequate analgesia for pregnant pain patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant questions were formulated by experts and subjected to a literature search. Combined with further national and international recommendations, treatment concepts were developed and discussed in an interdisciplinary manner. Core statements were then drawn up and given recommendation grades. RESULTS: Depending on the trimester, paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, metamizole, and opioids can be administered carefully in the event of pain; special care is required with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ) in the last trimester. COX­2 inhibitors are not recommended. For neuropathic pain, amitriptyline, duloxetine, and venlafaxine are considered safe. Non-pharmacological treatment concepts are also available, namely transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS therapy), kinesio tapes, and acupuncture. Lymphatic drainage is recommended in cases of edema, if not caused by preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: A deliberated concept for pain therapy during pregnancy should be initiated with a non-pharmacological intervention and, if necessary, supplemented with pharmacological agents.

[Newborn resuscitation and support of transition of infants at birth]. / Versorgung und Reanimation des Neugeborenen nach der Geburt: Leitlinien des European Resuscitation Council 2021.

The European Resuscitation Council has produced these newborn life support guidelines, which are based on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) 2020 Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) for Neonatal Life Support. The guidelines cover the management of the term and preterm infant. The topics covered include an algorithm to aid a logical approach to resuscitation of the newborn, factors before delivery, training and education, thermal control, management of the umbilical cord after birth, initial assessment and categorisation of the newborn infant, airway and breathing and circulation support, communication with parents, considerations when withholding and discontinuing support.

Comparison of frequency-domain and continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy devices during the immediate transition.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive monitoring of cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (rcSO2) during transition is of growing interest. Different near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques have been developed to measure rcSO2. We compared rcSO2 values during the immediate transition in preterm neonates measured with frequency-domain NIRS (FD-NIRS) with those measured with continuous-wave NIRS (CW-NIRS) devices in prospective observational studies. METHODS: We compared rcSO2 values measured with an FD-NIRS device during the first 15 min after birth in neonates with a gestational age ≥ 30 weeks but < 37 weeks born at the Erasmus MC- Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with similar values measured with a CW-NIRS device in neonates born at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. Mixed models were used to adjust for repeated rcSO2 measurements, with fixed effects for time (non-linear), device, respiratory support and the interaction of device and respiratory support with time. Additionally, parameters such as total haemoglobin concentration and oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin concentrations measured by FD-NIRS were analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight FD-NIRS measurements were compared with 58 CW-NIRS measurements. The FD-NIRS rcSO2 values were consistently higher than the CW-NIRS rcSO2 values in the first 12 min, irrespective of respiratory support. After adjustment for respiratory support, the time-dependent trend in rcSO2 differed significantly between techniques (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: As cerebral saturation measured with the FD-NIRS device differed significantly from that measured with the CW-NIRS device, differences in absolute values need to be interpreted with care. Although FD-NIRS devices have technical advantages over CW-NIRS devices, FD-NIRS devices may overestimate true cerebral oxygenation and their benefits might not outweigh the usability of the more clinically viable CW-NIRS devices.

Cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygenation in stable neonates: Absent influence of cardiac function.

AIM: Cardiac function is a major factor for tissue perfusion and therefore may affect the tissue oxygen saturation. Aim was to analyse possible associations between cardiac function parameters and cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygenation in neonates on the first day after birth. METHODS: For the present study, we analysed secondary outcome parameters of a previously performed prospective single centre observational study. The prospective study was conducted at the Medical University of Graz, Austria between September 2011 and June 2013. We included preterm and term neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and in whom simultaneous near-infrared spectroscopy measurements and echocardiography were obtained on the first day after birth. Cardiac function parameters were correlated to cerebral and peripheral tissue oxygen saturation and cerebral and peripheral fractional tissue oxygen extraction at the time of echocardiography. RESULTS: A total of 60 neonates of whom 47 were preterm and 13 were term (median gestational age: 34; IQR 33-35 weeks, mean birth weight: 2276 ± 774 grams) were included. There were no statistically significant correlations between cardiac function parameters and regional tissue oxygenation parameters. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found no correlation between regional tissue oxygenation and parameters of cardiac function in cardio-circulatory stable neonates on the first day after birth.

Psychometric Properties of the General Movement Optimality Score using Rasch Measurement.

AIM: To explore the psychometric properties of the general movements optimality score (GMOS) by examining its dimensionality, rating scale functioning, and item hierarchies using Rasch measurement. METHODS: Secondary data analysis of the GMOS data for video-recording of 383 infants with uni-, multidimensional, and mixed Rasch partial credit models. Videos were scored based on the global General Movement Assessment categories, and on the amplitude, speed, spatial range, proximal and distal rotations, onset and offset, tremulous and cramped components of the upper and lower extremities (21 items), resulting in the GMOS. RESULTS: The GMOS data fits best to a unidimensional mixed Rasch model with three different classes of infants, with all but two items contributing to the infants' separation. Rating scales functioned well for 19 items. Item difficulty hierarchies varied depending on infants' class. No floor effect and no substantive gaps between item difficulty estimates were found. CONCLUSION: The GMOS has strong psychometric properties to distinguish infants with different functional motor performance and provides a quantitative measure of quality of movement. INTERPRETATION: The GMOS can be confidently used to assist with early diagnosis, grade motor performance, and provide a solid base to study individual general movement developmental trajectories.

Full oral feeding is possible before discharge even in extremely preterm infants.

AIM: This study described the steps needed to achieve full oral feeding before discharge in a group of very and extremely preterm (EPT) infants. We analysed the effects of oral feeding skills on discharge timing and on weight gain during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional observational study of 100 infants who were <32 weeks of gestation (GA) was conducted at the Division of Neonatology, Graz, Austria, from March 2014 to February 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who were <28 weeks at birth and those who were 28 weeks and over. Velocity of oral feeding skills attainment and weight gain were analysed. RESULTS: All infants successfully acquired oral feeding skills during hospitalisation. The median GA at which full oral feeding skills were reached was 37 + 1 weeks in EPT and 34 + 5 weeks in very preterm infants. More immature neonates showed worse feeding performances and lower weight increments during oral feeding steps. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the role of GA in the development of oral feeding skills in the most premature babies. It also raises the question of whether expected daily weight gain should be targeted according to GA.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Associated Hospitalizations in Infants of 33 to 42 Weeks' Gestation: Does Gestational Age Matter?

BACKGROUND: To evaluate rates and characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations (RSV-H) in infants of 33 to 42 weeks of gestational age (GA). PATIENTS: All infants with a history of neonatal hospitalization and a GA of 33 to 42 weeks born between 2005 and 2015 and follow-up at least over one RSV season (first year of life). Infants with congenital heart disease and other congenital anomalies were excluded. METHODS: Retrospective single-center cohort STROBE compliant study. Data were collected regarding demographic data and re-hospitalization characteristics due to respiratory illness and due to RSV infection; and data were compared between moderate-late preterm, near term, term, and post term infants, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 81.656 live born infants were registered in our catchment area with gestational age from 33 to 42 weeks during the study period; and 2188 of 2356 preterm infants and 1004 of 1168 term infants with history of neonatal hospitalization were included for analysis. Rehospitalizations due to respiratory illness occurred in 301 preterm (13.8%) and 136 term (13.5%) infants for 381 and 183 times, respectively. In total 84 of 3192 infants (2.6%) were tested RSV positive, 61 of 2188 preterm (2.8%) and 23 of 1004 term (2.3%). Preterm infants without history of neonatal hospitalization had a RSV hospitalization (RSV-H) rate of 1.7% (61/3488) and term infants of 1.3% (967/74.644) that were significantly lower compared to study infants (p=0.004 and 0.002, respectively). Moderate and late preterm (2.8%), near term (3.1%) and post term (3.5%) infants had significantly higher RSV-H rates compared to term infants (1.2%). Risk factors for RSV-H in preterm infants included discharge during RSV season (4.2 vs. 2.0%, p=0.017) and presence of older siblings (4.2 vs. 2.1%, p=0.023), in term infants presence of older siblings (p=0.019). The course of RSV disease did not differ between groups. DISCUSSION: Interestingly, we did not observe decreasing RSV-H rates with increasing GA. Term infants represented the group with lowest RSV-H rates. Neonatal hospitalization was a risk factor for RSV-H for both preterm and term infants. Near term infants do more resemble the late preterm than term infants regarding RSV-H rates. CONCLUSION: We found comparable higher RSV-H rates in all groups compared to term infants without differences in the course of disease and identified neonatal hospitalization as an independent risk factor.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: Outcome up to preschool age, in a single center of Austria.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent chronic lung disease in infancy and is associated with neonatal comorbidity and impairment in pulmonary and neurodevelopmental (ND) long-term outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study to compare a cohort of very preterm infants (gestational age [GA], 24+0 -28+6 weeks) with BPD (n = 44), with a cohort of GA-matched preterm infants without BPD (n = 44) with regard to neonatal morbidity, incidence of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), ND outcome and growth to 2 years' corrected age (CA) and preschool age. RESULTS: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (incidence, 11.3%) was associated with a higher rate of neonatal pneumonia (26% vs 7%, P = 0.001), longer total duration of mechanical ventilation (mean days, 21 vs 13, P < 0.001), and a higher rate of pulmonary hypertension (20.5% vs 0%, P = 0.002) and of severe retinopathy of prematurity (13.6% vs 0%, P = 0.026). Incidence of LRTI was significantly higher in the BPD infants (50% vs 26%, P = 0.025). ND outcome did not differ between the two groups. Growth at neonatal intensive care unit discharge was similar. In the BPD cohort, rate of weight < 10th percentile was higher at 2 years' CA (52% vs 30%, P = 0.041) and rate of head circumference < 10th percentile was higher at preschool age (59% vs 27%, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Neonatal respiratory morbidity was significantly higher in the BPD cohort, but long-term ND outcome did not differ. Infants with BPD had poorer growth.