Delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Infants with restricted growth for age are frequently exposed to insufficient placental circulation and are more likely to develop postnatal complications. Delayed cord clamping at birth for these infants requires further exploration. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the short-term neonatal outcomes of delayed cord clamping with that of early cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants and to explore whether the effects of delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants are different from that in non-small for gestational age preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a national retrospective cohort study, including infants born at <33 weeks' gestation and admitted to the Canadian Neonatal Network units between January 2015 and December 2017. Small for gestational age infants (birthweight of <10th percentile for gestational age and sex) who received delayed cord clamping ≥30 seconds were compared with those who received early cord clamping. In addition, non-small for gestational age infants who received delayed cord clamping were compared with those who received early cord clamping. The main study outcomes included composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity, neonatal morbidity rate, mortality rate, peak serum bilirubin, and number of blood transfusions. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models with a generalized estimation equation approach were used to account for the clustering of infants within centers. RESULTS: Overall, 9722 infants met the inclusion criteria. Of those infants, 1027 (10.6%) were small for gestational age. The median (interquartile range) gestational age was 31 weeks (range, 28-32 weeks). After adjusting for potential confounders, delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age infants was associated with a reduction in the composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.86) compared with early cord clamping. There was no difference between the 2 groups in peak serum bilirubin. Many associated benefits of delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age infants were similar to those in non-small for gestational age infants. CONCLUSION: Delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants was associated with decreased odds of mortality or major morbidity. Many of the benefits of delayed cord clamping in the small for gestational age preterm infants were similar to those identified in the non-small for gestational age preterm infants.

Ascites as first presentation of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection in a neonate.

Infection is a common complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, and ascites is one of the rare manifestations of shunt infection. We report a neonate in whom shunt infection is presented only by ascites. The causative organism, coagulase negative staphylococci, was detected only in the cerebrospinal fluid although peritoneal fluid analysis was consistent with infection. Our patient shows the importance of considering shunt infection when unexplained ascites is the first and only manifestation in neonates with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

Role of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in neonates with cardiovascular compromise.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) represent conditions with increased risk of abnormal neurologic outcome. The role of aEEG in disorders where cerebral perfusion/oxygenation is affected by cardiac or pulmonary disease is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to characterize amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) traces in nonasphyxiated neonates with cardiorespiratory compromise secondary to PPHN or CHD. DESIGN/METHODS: Three hundred sixty-three aEEG records (June 2004-November 2006) were reviewed to identify neonates with a diagnosis of isolated CHD or PPHN. Clinical course, critical interventions, and neurodiagnostic investigation data were collected. The aEEG traces were reviewed by a single blinded expert and classified according to background activity (normal, moderate, or severely abnormal) and presence of seizures. The frequency of abnormal aEEG in both groups and its relationship to recognized markers of abnormal neurologic outcome (electrophysiology [EP] testing and neuroimaging [ultrasound (USS), computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging] was studied. RESULTS: Thirty neonates (PPHN [n = 20], CHD [n = 10]) were reviewed at a mean gestation of 39.2 +/- 1.1 weeks and weight of 3,375 +/- 565 g. Neonates with PPHN had lower Apgar scores at 1-minute (P = .02) and were significantly more likely to require inotropic support (P < .001), inhaled nitric oxide (P = .001), or surfactant (P = .01). An abnormal aEEG was found in 15 (50%) babies, but rates did not differ between CHD (n = 6) and PPHN (n = 9). The rates of abnormal composite neurologic outcome (2/3 of abnormal EP, neuroimaging, or neurologic examination) were significantly higher in neonates with abnormal aEEG. An abnormal magnetic resonance imaging was seen in 4 of 5 neonates with abnormal aEEG. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of abnormal aEEG is high in sick neonates with PPHN or complex CHD. Prospective evaluation of the relationship between aEEG recordings in these disorders and acute cardiorespiratory physiology, comprehensive neuroimaging, and long-term patient outcomes is needed.