A comparison of 7-day versus 10-day course of low-dose dexamethasone for chronically ventilated preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the effect of two different dexamethasone regimens on respiratory outcomes of ventilator-dependent preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of ventilated preterm infants <29 weeks gestational age treated with either 7-day or 10-day dexamethasone course. Primary outcome was days to successful extubation. Other outcomes included rate of successful extubation and need for repeat steroid therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-nine infants were identified; 32 (54%) received 7 days of dexamethasone and 27 (46%) received 10 days of dexamethasone. Both groups had comparable baseline demographics and clinical characteristics. Mean time to successful extubation was similar between the two groups (5.1±2.7 days in 7-day group and 6.0±3.7 days in 10-day group, P=0.42). Successful extubation by end of treatment (56% versus 67%, P=0.44) and need for repeat steroid therapy (47% versus 33%, P=0.43) were also similar. CONCLUSION: 7-day and 10-day course of dexamethasone have comparable efficacy in facilitating extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm infants.

Intravitreal ganciclovir for neonatal cytomegalovirus-associated retinitis: a case report.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major cause of birth defects and childhood disorders in the United States. Retinitis occurs in 25% of infants with severely symptomatic congenital CMV and in ∼1% of asymptomatic infants. Intravitreal ganciclovir is recommended in adults with CMV retinitis (CMVR) refractory or noncompliant to intravenous therapy. No literature is available discussing the use of intravitreal ganciclovir for CMVR in neonates. We report a term neonate who received intravenous and intravitreal ganciclovir for treatment of CMVR. Three doses of intravitreal ganciclovir (2 mg per dose in each eye) were administered. Intravitreal injections of ganciclovir appeared to be well tolerated and improvement of the retinitis was appreciated. Intravitreal ganciclovir is an effective treatment of CMVR in adult acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. We report one case of intravitreal ganciclovir in a term neonate with promising results.