Lessons Learned at the Epicenter of Brazil's Congenital Zika Epidemic: Evidence From 87 Confirmed Cases.

Congenital Zika virus infection has stimulated great international concern. A prospective case series of 87 infants with laboratory-confirmed congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) at the epicenter of the Brazilian Zika epidemic in Pernambuco state is presented. Mothers were interviewed for symptoms of possible Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy, and fetal ultrasounds were obtained. Infant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were tested for ZIKV-specific antibodies, and sera were screened for other congenital infections. Neuroimaging and ophthalmologic evaluations were also performed. Sixty-six mothers (76%) reported symptoms of ZIKV infection during gestation. Fetal ultrasounds were available from 90% of the mothers, and all demonstrated brain structural abnormalities. All of the CSF samples tested positive for ZIKV immunoglobulin M. The majority of infants (89%) were term; the mean birth weight was 2577 ± 260 g, and the mean head circumference was 28.1 ± 1.8 cm. Severe microcephaly, defined as head circumference 3 SD below the mean for sex and gestational age, was found in 72 (82%) infants. All infants had an abnormal neurological exam, and 18 (20.7%) had arthrogryposis. The main abnormalities detected in computed tomography scans were calcifications (99%), followed by ventricular enlargement (94%), cortical hypogyration (81%), and less commonly, cerebellar hypoplasia (52%). Unilateral diaphragm paralysis was identified in 3 infants. Maternal young age, term infant, small for gestational age, and the presence of ophthalmologic abnormalities were significantly associated with a smaller head circumference Z score. Our findings, based on laboratory-confirmed ZIKV infection, add valuable evidence for the understanding of CZS.

Early Empiric Antibiotic Use Is Associated With Delayed Feeding Tolerance in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Analysis.

The causative factors of neonatal feeding intolerance are poorly understood, but potentially related to clinical practices such as empiric antibiotic usage. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether early empiric antibiotic exposure negatively affects preterm infants' enteral feeding tolerance. Data from infants without risk factors for sepsis, 500 to 1499 g birth weight and 24 to 34 weeks gestational age were analyzed. The primary outcomes were the empiric antibiotic exposure effects on the infants' total parenteral nutrition usage duration and prevalence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Among the 901 infants included, 67 were exposed to early empiric antibiotic. A 50% increase in parenteral nutrition usage duration and a 4-fold greater prevalence of NEC was seen in the early empiric antibiotic-exposed neonates, when compared with control infants (P < 0.01). Early empiric antibiotic exposure appears to negatively influence preterm infant feeding tolerance and possibly contributes to NEC.

Factors associated with red blood cell transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants in Brazilian neonatal units.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units frequently receive red blood cells (RBC) transfusions due to the anemia of prematurity. A number of variables related to gestational age, severity of illness and transfusion practices adopted in the neonatal unit where the neonate was born may contribute to the prescription of RBC transfusions. This study aimed to analyse the frequency and factors associated with RBC transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 4283 preterm infants (gestational age: 29.9 ± 2.9 weeks; birth weight: 1084 ± 275 g) carried out at 16 university hospitals in Brazil between January 2009 and December 2011 was analysed. Factors associated with RBC transfusions were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2208 (51.6%) infants received RBC transfusions (variation per neonatal unit: 34.1% to 66.4%). RBC transfusions were significantly associated with gestational age (OR: -1.098; 95%CI: -1.12 to -1.04), SNAPPE II score (1.01; 1.00-1.02), apnea (1.69; 1.34-2.14), pulmonary hemorrhage (2.65; 1.74-4.031), need for oxygen at 28 days of life (1.56; 1.17-2.08), clinical sepsis (3.22; 2.55-4.05), necrotising enterocolitis (3.80; 2.26-6.41), grades III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (1.64; 1.05-2.58), mechanical ventilation (2.27; 1.74-2.97), use of umbilical catheter (1.86; 1.35-2.57), parenteral nutrition (2.06; 1.27-3.33), >60 days of hospitalization (5.29; 4.02-6.95) and the neonatal unit where the neonate was born. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of RBC transfusions varied among neonatal intensive care units. Even after adjusting for adverse health conditions and therapeutic interventions, the neonatal unit continued to influence transfusion practices in very-low birth-weight infants.

Death or survival with major morbidity in VLBW infants born at Brazilian neonatal research network centers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze unfavorable outcomes at hospital discharge of preterm infants born at Brazilian public university centers. METHODS: Prospective cohort of 2646 inborn infants with gestational age 23-33 weeks and birth weight 400-1499 g, without malformations, born at 20 centers in 2012-2013. Unfavorable outcome was defined as in-hospital death or survival at hospital discharge with ≥1 major morbidities: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 corrected weeks, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grades 3-4, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) or surgically treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). RESULTS: Among 2646 infants, 1390 (53%) either died or survived with major morbidities: 793 (30%) died; 497 (19%) had BPD; 358 (13%) had IVH 3-4 or PVL; and 84 (3%) had ROP. Logistic regression adjusted by center showed association of unfavorable outcome with: antenatal steroids (OR 0.70; 95%CI 0.55-0.88), C-section (0.72; 0.58-0.90), gestational age <30 (4.00; 3.16-5.07), being male (1.44; 1.19-1.75), small for gestational age (2.19; 1.72-2.78), 5th-min Apgar <7 (3.89; 2.88-5.26), temperature at NICU admission <36.0 °C (1.42; 1.15-1.76), respiratory distress syndrome (3.87; 2.99-5.01), proven late sepsis (1.33; 1.05-1.69), necrotizing enterocolitis (3.10; 2.09-4.60) and patent ductus arteriosus (1.69; 1.37-2.09). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the VLBW infants born at public university level 3 Brazilian hospitals either die or survive with major morbidities.

[Adverse events in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit]. / Eventos adversos em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal.

This was a prospective, observational study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit to determine the incidence of adverse events. A specific trigger tool instrument was used, based on the one from Vermont-Oxford Network. A total of 218 neonates were followed and AEs were detected in 183 (84%) of them, with a rate of 2,6 AE/patient. Thermoregulation disorders (29%), disorders of glycemic control (17,1%) and nosocomial infections (13,5%) were the most frequent. Some AE were associated with birth weight (p<0.05). The accidental extubations and nosocomial infections were associated with hospital days. The incidence of AEs is high, especially among neonates with very low birth weight. Best practices regarding preventive strategies are necessary to improve quality of health care for these infants.

Eventos adversos em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal / Adverse events in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit / Eventos adversos en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales

Estudo observacional, prospectivo, para determinar a incidência de eventos adversos (EAs) em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). Utilizou-se um "instrumento" específico, adaptado do modelo americano utilizado pela Rede Vermont-Oxford. Dos 218 recém-nascidos, 183 (84%) apresentaram EAs, correspondendo a 2,6 EA/paciente. Distúrbios da termorregulação (29%), distúrbios da glicemia (17,1%) e Infecção Relacionada à Assistência à Saúde (IRAS) de origem hospitalar (13,5%) foram os mais frequentes. Alguns EAs apresentaram associação com peso de nascimento (p < 0,05). O percentual de IRAS e a extubação não programada foi diretamente proporcional ao tempo de internamento. A incidência de EAs em UTIN é elevada entre os recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso. A qualidade da assistência torna-se primordial na elaboração das estratégias preventivas.

This was a prospective, observational study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit to determine the incidence of adverse events. A specific trigger tool instrument was used, based on the one from Vermont-Oxford Network. A total of 218 neonates were followed and AEs were detected in 183 (84%) of them, with a rate of 2,6 AE/patient. Thermoregulation disorders (29%), disorders of glycemic control (17,1%) and nosocomial infections (13,5%) were the most frequent. Some AE were associated with birth weight (p<0.05). The accidental extubations and nosocomial infections were associated with hospital days. The incidence of AEs is high, especially among neonates with very low birth weight. Best practices regarding preventive strategies are necessary to improve quality of health care for these infants.

Estudio observacional, prospectivo para determinar la incidencia de eventos adversos (EAs) en la Unidad Neonatal de Cuidados Intensivos (UNCI). Fue utilizado un instrumento específico adaptado del modelo americano Vermont-Oxford. De los 218 recién nacidos, el 84% presentaron EA, lo que corresponde a 2,6 EA / paciente. Trastornos de la termorregulación (29%), trastornos de la glicemia (17,1%) e infección relacionada con el cuidado de la salud (IRCS) nosocomiales (13,5%) fueron los más frecuentes. Algunos presentaron asociación con el peso al nacer (p<0,05). El porcentaje de IRCS y la extubación no programada fue directamente proporcional a la duración de la estancia hospitalaria. La incidencia de EAs en la UNCI es alta entre los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso al nacer. La calidad de la asistencia es fundamental en el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención.

Morbidade neonatal em recem-nascidos de maes com diabetes gestacional / Neonatal morbidity in neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a incidencia da morbidade neonatal em recem-nascidos de maes com diabetes gestacional, tanto nas gestacoes controladas como nas nao controladas, em relacao aos recem-nascidos de maes nao diabeticas. Este estudo foi realizado...

Morbidadi neonatal em recém-nascidos de mäes com diabetes gestacional / Neonatal morbidity in newborns from pregnant woman with gestacional diabestes mellitus

Foram acompanhadas 103 gestantes com diabetes gestacional e seus respectivos recém-nascidos e 113 gestantes nÝo diabéticas e seus recém-nascidos, na Maternidade do instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco, centro de referência para gestaçÝo de alto risco, durante o período de julho de 1993 à outubro de 1994. Os objetivos foram caracterizar algumas características clínicas das gestantes com diabetes gestacional, tanto no grupo controlado como no nÝo controlado, como também, verificar a incidência da morbidade neonatal apresentada por recém-nascidos produtos destas gestaçSes em relaçÝo à recém-nascidos produtos de gestaçÝo nÝo diabéticas. A morbidade neonatal estudada foi prematuridade, recém-nascido grande para a idade gestacional, hipoglicemia, hipocalcemia, policitemia, hiperbilirrubinemia, hipoxia perinatal e doenças respiratórias. No grupo de gestantes diabéticas foram encontradas algumas características que as diferem das gestantes nÝo diabetícas. Elas tendiam a ter maior idade cronológica, maior número de gestaçÝo, início do pré-natal mais tardio e maior frequencia de doença hipertensiva específica da gestaçÝo. Entre as gestantes diabéticas, 60,5 por cento tiveram o diagnóstico de diabetes gestacional antes da 32ª semana de gestaçÝo, porém a grande maioria,75 por cento, iniciaram o tratamento após este período. Estes percentuais foram proporcionalmente maiores no grupo de diabetes gestacional nÝo controlado quando comparado com o grupo controlado. apesar da morbidade neonatal no grupo de diabetes gestacional ter sido percentualmente maior que o grupo de controle, nÝo houve diferença estatisticamente significativa, a nÝo ser por doenças respiratórias. Quando comparado os dois grupos de diabetes gestacional, o grupo controlado apresentou menor morbidade neonatal que o nÝo controlado, exceto pela policitemia e doenças respiratórias. Todos os recém-nascidos pré-termo e todos os qua apresentaram hipocalcemia no grupo de diabetes gestacional, estavam no grupo nÝo controlado e este achado foi estatisticamente significativo. A maioria dos casos de hipoglicemia nos filhos de mÝes diabéticas foram assintomáticos (70por cento) e precose (85,5por cento). A morbidade neonatal encontrada em recém-nascidos de mÝes diabéticas em nosso estudo, foi semelhante a de outros Serviços de referencia para o diabetes gestacional