Use of real-time ultrasound for locating tip position in neonates undergoing peripherally inserted central catheter insertion: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Securing long-term venous access is an essential part of sick newborn care. The malposition of central line tip leads to several complications. There is a need for an easily available bedside investigating tool to diagnose these malpositions. This study was done to compare the effectiveness of real-time ultrasound (RTUS) with X-ray in identifying the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line tip. METHODS: This pilot observational study was conducted in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care hospital in India, from June 2012 to June 2013. A total of 33 PICC lines in 31 infants were included in the study. After insertion of PICC line, X-ray and RTUS were done to locate the tip of the PICC line. RESULTS: In this study, PICC line tip could be identified by bedside RTUS in 94 per cent of line insertions. Standard X-ray identified the tip in all cases. RTUS has been shown to have good diagnostic utility in comparison with X-ray with sensitivity and specificity being 96.55 and 100 per cent, respectively. In our study, majority of malpositions were identified and manipulated by RTUS, thus second X-rays were avoided. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The result of this pilot study shows that RTUS may be a reliable and safe bedside tool for determining the tip of PICC lines. However, studies with large sample size need to be done to confirm these findings.

The effect of kangaroo ward care in comparison with "intermediate intensive care" on the growth velocity in preterm infant with birth weight <1100 g: randomized control trial.

UNLABELLED: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) reduces neonatal mortality, neonatal sepsis and improves growth outcome in preterm infants. In this study, we compared the efficacy of "baby care in kangaroo ward (KWC)" with "baby care in intermediate intensive care (IIC)" in stable preterm infants (birth weight <1100 g) for improving the growth velocity till term corrected age. One hundred and forty-one infants were randomized to KWC (n = 71) or IIC (n = 70) once the infant reached a weight of 1150 g. Infants in the KWC group were shifted to the KWC immediately after randomization and those in the IIC group were given care in the IIC till they attained a weight of 1250 g and then shifted to the KWC. The average weight gains as well as weight, length, and head circumference at term corrected age were comparable in both the groups. There was significant reduction in IIC stay post randomization and increase in weight gain before discharge in the KWC group. There was a significant increase in incidence of apnea in the IIC group. CONCLUSION: Early KWC is equally efficacious as IIC in improving the growth outcomes of stable preterm (birth weight <1100 g) infants at term gestational age. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registry of India CTRI/2014/05/004625 WHAT IS KNOWN: • Kangaroo mother care (KMC) reduces neonatal mortality, neonatal sepsis and improves growth outcome in VLBW infants. What is new: • Baby care by mother can be given safely in kangaroo ward from a weight of 1150 g in stable preterm infants without any adverse effects.

Effect of second trimester and third trimester weight gain on immediate outcomes in neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes: a retrospective observational study from India.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of second trimester and third trimester rate of weight gain on immediate outcomes in neonates born to mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).Method and material: This retrospective observational study enrolled 593 eligible mothers. The records of all pregnant women booked before 24 weeks and screened for diabetes were eligible if they were diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) anytime during pregnancy. All the necessary maternal and neonatal details were collected from hospital database. The rate of weight gain was calculated at 18-24 weeks, 28-30 weeks, and that before delivery. The enrolled women were categorized into: poor weight gain, normal weight gain, and increased weight.Results and discussion: The mean birth weight, length, and head circumference of neonates were significantly lower in women who had poor rate of weight gain in comparison with normal weight gain group. The mean prepregnancy BMI was significantly high in women with increased rate of weight gain when compared to normal weight gain women in second and third trimester. Regression analysis done to evaluate the independent effect of weight gain on C section and neonatal complications, showed that the independent predictors for cesarean section were previous cesarean section or 12.5 (95% CI 6.7-23) and conception by assisted reproductive technologies or 1.75 (95% CI 1.01-4.3), and the neonatal complications were influenced by birth weight or 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.2) and weight gain during second trimester or 1.26 (95% CI 1-1.6).Conclusion: In women with GDM, reduced weight gain during pregnancy is associated with small for gestational age neonates. Caesarean section is predicted by previous C-section, and mode of conception whereas neonatal complications were predicted by birth weight and maternal weight gain during second trimester.

To compare growth outcomes and cost-effectiveness of "Kangaroo ward care" with "intermediate intensive care" in stable extremely low birth weight infants: randomized control trial.

AIMS: To compare growth outcome and cost-effectiveness of "Kangaroo ward care" (KWC) with "Intermediate intensive care" (IIC) in stable extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is secondary analysis of the study and we analyzed 62 ELBW infants, 33 were randomized to KWC and 29 to IIC once the infant reached a weight of 1150 g. Infants in the KWC group were shifted to the Kangaroo ward immediately after randomization and in the IIC group received IIC care till they attain a weight of 1250 g before shifting to Kangaroo ward. RESULTS: The gain in weight (g/day), length (cm/week), and head circumference (cm/week) were comparable between the two groups. The mean weight, length, and head circumference were comparable at term gestational age. The infants in KWC group were shifted five days earlier to Kangaroo ward when compared to IIC group. The cost-effective analysis using "top-down" and "bottom-up" accounting method showed that there was significant reduction of hospital and parents expenditure in KWC group (p < 0.001) with approximate saving of 452 USD for each patient in the KWC group. CONCLUSION: Early shifting of ELBW infants for KWC is very efficacious and cost-effective intervention when compared to IIC. (CTRI/2014/05/004625).

Bacteriological profile and clinical predictors of ESBL neonatal sepsis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Bacteriologic profile and risk factors for ESBL sepsis in newborns admitted to a Level III NICU. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study that enrolled newborns admitted to NICU with perinatal risk factors or clinical signs of sepsis and positive blood culture from January 2013 to August 2014. Blood cultures were done by BACTEC and ESBL production was evaluated from double-disc synergy method. Maternal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors were recorded from the case records and computerized information base. Mothers received cephalosporins for PPROM but its use was restricted in newborns for both probable and culture-positive sepsis. RESULTS: Among the infants with sepsis 24% had early-onset sepsis. The incidence of ESBL of early-onset Gram-negative sepsis (EOGNS) was 44.7% (n = 17 of 38) and it was 65% in late-onset Gram-negative sepsis (n = 84 of 129). The predominant ESBL-producing microbe responsible for neonatal sepsis was Klebsiella sp. Among newborns with EOGNS, the risk factors for the production of ESBL were preterm PROM (p = 0.004) and maternal exposure to antibiotics (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: ESBL Gram-negative sepsis is a substantial problem in neonatal infections. Maternal exposure to cephalosporins and maternal PPROM are important risk factors for ESBL Gram-negative EOS.

A case of hydrometrocolpos and polydactyly.

Neonatal hydrometrocolpos (HMC) is a rare Mullerian duct anomaly with an incidence of 0.006%. It occurs due to blockage of the vagina with accumulation of mucus secretions proximal to the obstacle. These secretions are secondary to intrauterine and postnatal stimulation of uterine and cervical glands by maternal estrogens. A triad of congenital HMC, polydactyly, and cardiac anomalies are the cardinal features of McKusick-Kaufman syndrome, which is also known as hydrometrocolpos-polydactyly syndrome. Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a well-known combination of hypogonadism, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, renal dysplasia, retinal degeneration, and mental impairment. In this case report, we describe a neonate with HMC, polydactyly, and hydronephrosis.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy in a non-tertiary neonatal unit: reduced need for up-transfers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for up-transfer after starting of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) services in a Level II special newborn care unit (SNCU). METHODS: Five hundred fifty infants admitted to Level II SNCU, 252 infants during one year prior to introduction of n-CPAP (retrospective data from case records and electronic data base) and 298 infants during one year after introduction of n-CPAP services (prospective data in predefined case reporting form) were evaluated in this before and after intervention trial. The primary outcome was proportion of infants needing up-transfers from Level II SNCU for any indication. RESULTS: Baseline demographic data like birth weight, gestation and other perinatal factors were similar between the two epochs. Among the infants admitted to Level II SNCU, up-transfer for any reason was significantly higher in the pre-CPAP epoch compared with CPAP epoch (n = 93, 36 % vs. n = 74, 24.8 %, p = 0.002, OR 0.56, 95 % CI 0.38 to 0.83). However parent desired up-transfers were similar between the two epochs (n = 9, 3 % vs. n = 16, 5 %, p = 0.40). Introduction of n-CPAP treatment modality reduced up-transfers in subgroups of very low birth weight infants (VLBW) (n = 20, 74 % vs. n = 15, 37 %, p = 0.003) and also in preterm infants (n = 50, 54 % vs. n = 34, 32 %, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of n-CPAP services in a non-tertiary care neonatal unit, significantly reduced the need for up-transfers, especially in VLBW and preterm infants.

Use of lactoferrin in the newborn: where do we stand?

Sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cause significant morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Their ill effects persist in spite of appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy. Lactoferrin as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of sepsis or NEC in the newborn may improve the clinical outcomes by enhancing the host defense and modulating the inflammatory response. This review focuses on the various aspects of lactoferrin use in the newborn.