Apparent diffusion coefficient values of the white matter in magnetic resonance imaging of the neonatal brain may help predict outcome in congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: White matter change is a well-known abnormality in congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, but grading remains challenging and clinical relevance unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if quantitative measurement of white matter apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neonatal brain can predict outcome in cCMV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, single-center observational study, including patients with cCMV who had a neonatal brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging, was performed between 2007 and 2020. Regions of interest were systematically placed in the white matter on the ADC maps. Two pediatric radiologists independently scored additional brain abnormalities. Outcome measures were neonatal hearing and cognitive and motor development. Statistical analysis included simple and penalized elastic net regression. RESULTS: Neonatal brain MRI was evaluated in 255 patients (median age 21 days, 25-75 percentiles: 14-28 days, 121 male). Gyral abnormalities were noted in nine patients (3.5%), ventriculomegaly in 24 (9.4%), and subependymal cysts in 58 (22.7%). General white matter ADC was significantly higher in patients with neonatal hearing loss and cognitive and motor impairment (P< 0.05). For neonatal hearing loss, simple logistic regression using only general white matter was the best prediction model, with a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC)=0.76. For cognitive impairment, interacting elastic net regression, including other brain abnormalities and frontoparietal white matter ADC, performed best, with AUC=0.89. For motor impairment, interacting elastic net regression, including other brain abnormalities and deep anterior frontal white matter performed best, with AUC=0.73. CONCLUSION: Neonatal white matter ADC was significantly higher in patients with clinical impairments. Quantitative ADC measurement may be a useful tool for predicting clinical outcome in cCMV.

On optimal timing of antenatal corticosteroids: time to reformulate the question.

Administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for accelerating foetal lung maturation in threatened preterm birth is one of the cornerstones of prevention of neonatal mortality and morbidity. To identify the optimal timing of ACS administration, most studies have compared subgroups based on treatment-to-delivery intervals. Such subgroup analysis of the first placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial indicated that a one to seven day interval between ACS administration and birth resulted in the lowest rates of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. This efficacy window was largely confirmed by a series of subgroup analyses of subsequent trials and observational studies and strongly influenced obstetric management. However, these subgroup analyses suffer from a methodological flaw that often seems to be overlooked and potentially has important consequences for drawing valid conclusions. In this commentary, we point out that studies comparing treatment outcomes between subgroups that are retrospectively identified at birth (i.e. after randomisation) may not only be plagued by post-randomisation confounding bias but, more importantly, may not adequately inform decision making before birth, when the projected duration of the interval is still unknown. We suggest two more formal interpretations of these subgroup analyses, using a counterfactual framework for causal inference, and demonstrate that each of these interpretations can be linked to a different hypothetical trial. However, given the infeasibility of these trials, we argue that none of these rescue interpretations are helpful for clinical decision making. As a result, guidelines based on these subgroup analyses may have led to suboptimal clinical practice. As an alternative to these flawed subgroup analyses, we suggest a more principled approach that clearly formulates the question about optimal timing of ACS treatment in terms of the protocol of a future randomised study. Even if this 'target trial' would never be conducted, its protocol may still provide important guidance to avoid repeating common design flaws when conducting observational 'real world' studies using statistical methods for causal inference.

Neonatal magnesium levels are safe after maternal MgSO4 administration: a comparison between unexposed preterm neonates and neonates exposed for fetal neuroprotection or maternal eclampsia prevention-a cohort study.

To objective of this study was to compare neonatal magnesemia in the first 15 days of neonatal life between three groups: a control group not exposed to MgSO4, a neuroprotection group, and an eclampsia prevention group, and to explore its associations with child outcomes. A retrospective single-centre cohort study was performed in a tertiary care setting. Infants admitted at the neonatal intensive care unit born between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation, regardless of etiology of preterm birth, were included. The mean outcome measure was neonatal magnesemia (mmol/L). Linear mixed regression of neonatal magnesemia on exposure group and day of life was done. Generalised estimating equation models of child outcomes on neonatal magnesemia according to exposure group and day of life were made. The analyses showed that in neonatal magnesemia is significantly higher in the preeclampsia group compared to the control and neuroprotection groups. On the day of birth, this is irrespective of maternal magnesemia (preeclampsia vs control groups), and the maternal total dose or duration of MgSO4 administration (preeclampsia vs neuroprotection group). No differences were found in short-term composite outcome between the three groups. CONCLUSION: We found mean differences in neonatal magnesemia between children not exposed to MgSO4 antenatally, children exposed for fetal neuroprotection, and children exposed for maternal eclampsia prevention. A 4-g loading and 1-g/h maintenance doses, for fetal neuroprotection and eclampsia prevention, appear to be safe on the short term for the neonate. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Magnesium sulphate is a valuable medicine in obstetrics. The main indications are prevention of eclampsia and fetal neuroprotection. The most used dosage is a 4- or 6-g loading dose and a 1- or 2-g per h maintenance dose. It reduces neuromotor disabilities in extreme-to-moderate preterm born children. WHAT IS NEW: • Maternal concentrations are supraphysiological and the maternal total dose can be high. Concentrations in neonates appear to remain in safe ranges. A dosage of 4-g loading and 1 g/h seems safe for the preterm neonate on the short term.

Cranial ultrasound and MRI: complementary or not in the diagnostic assessment of children with congenital CMV infection?

Whether or not cranial ultrasound (crUS) and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have both a place in the assessment of children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) remains a topic of discussion between research groups. Literature suggests that MRI is indicated only in children with abnormal crUS.In Flanders, Belgium, combined crUS and MRI was performed on 639 children with cCMV, referred for diagnostic assessment. Cranial US was classified as abnormal in the presence of striatal vasculopathy, calcifications, cysts, cystic germinolysis, and/or ventriculomegaly. MRI findings were classified as abnormal in the presence of gyration disorders, cerebellar abnormalities, ventriculomegaly, cysts, or pathologic white matter lesions.One in five children (93/480) with normal crUS showed abnormal findings on MRI. Of them, 85 (91.4%) were classified as symptomatic. In 37 of those 93 children (39.8%), classification as severely symptomatic was made based on MRI lesions alone. MRI and crUS proved to be complementary in the assessment of CNS involvement in children with cCMV. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the importance of this finding with respect to outcome and benefit of therapy in this particular subgroup of patients with cCMV infection.Conclusion: Our findings support an enhanced role of MRI in the diagnosis of CNS involvement in children with cCMV infection. The ideal assessment should include both imaging techniques, as the strengths of each test compensate for the other's weaknesses. What is Known: • Congenital CMV infection involves the central nervous system with direct injury to and possible disruption of brain development. • Experts suggest that MRI is indicated only in children with abnormal crUS. What is New: • In almost 20% of our children with a normal cranial ultrasound, abnormalities were detected on MRI. • Our results suggest that performing both MRI and cranial US is important to obtain a complete assessment of central nervous system involvement in children with cCMV.

Relevance of the antenatal corticosteroids-to-delivery interval in the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome through the eyes of causal inference: a review and target trial.

PURPOSE: To critically analyse the literature on the antenatal corticosteroids (ACS)-to-birth interval from a causal point of view and to present a solution to the problem of bias caused by post hoc analysis. METHODS: Due to the post hoc nature of the ACS-to-birth interval, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of ACS versus placebo is not able to examine the importance of the interval. When an RCT is not feasible, for whatsoever reason, a target trial can be set up and an attempt can be made to answer the causal question of interest using observational data. An attempt was made to set up a target trial which could enable to examine the causal effect of the ACS-to-birth interval on neonatal outcomes. An analysis of current literature on the ACS-to-birth interval was done. RESULTS: The majority of studies aimed to examine the causal effect of the interval, but their study design only permitted to find associations between the interval and neonatal outcomes. Barriers for setting up a target trial are highlighted. CONCLUSION: Evidence on the superiority of any ACS-to-birth interval is lacking and the question can only be addressed causally and become clinically relevant if baseline randomisation to ACS-to-birth intervals is made possible.

Brain MRI findings in newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection: results from a large cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spectrum and frequency of abnormalities on brain MRI in a large cohort of live newborns with congenital CMV (cCMV) infection. METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed consent for neonatal MRI and data collection were obtained. Between January 2010 and January 2018, brain MRI was performed in 196 live newborns diagnosed with cCMV. Images were independently reviewed by 2 pediatric radiologists, blinded to clinical data. RESULTS: cCMV infection was clinically symptomatic in 26/191 newborns (13.6%). Brain MRI showed abnormalities in 76/196 patients (38.8%). MRI was abnormal in 20/26 clinically symptomatic patients (76.9%): 76.9% showed white matter lesions, 61.5% subependymal cysts, 46.2% ventriculomegaly, 26.9% ventricular adhesions, 26.9% gyral abnormalities, 24.0% calcifications, 15.4% cerebellar anomalies. MRI was abnormal in 55/165 (33.3%) clinically asymptomatic patients: 30.9% had white matter lesions, 15.8% subependymal cysts, 4.2% ventriculomegaly, 2.4% ventricular adhesions, 1.2% gyral abnormalities, 0.6% calcifications, none had cerebellar anomalies. Concomitant brain lesions were seen in all patients with gyral abnormalities, cerebellar anomalies, and calcifications and nearly all patients with subependymal cysts and ventriculomegaly. In all but 4 patients with other detected brain lesions, white matter abnormalities were simultaneously present. In 33/74 patients (45.2%), white matter lesions were seen as a sole abnormality. CONCLUSION: White matter lesions were the most common detected abnormality on brain MRI in newborns with congenital CMV. Since brain abnormalities were seen in more than 30% of clinically asymptomatic and 75% of clinically symptomatic newborns, MRI should be advised in all newborns diagnosed with cCMV. KEY POINTS: • Neonatal brain MRI showed abnormalities in more than 30% of clinically asymptomatic and 75% of symptomatic newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. • White matter lesions were by far the most common detected abnormality, followed by subependymal cysts and ventricular dilatation. • Lesions in cCMV were often multiple, with many patients showing concomitant lesions.

Congenital CMV-Associated Hearing Loss: Can Brain Imaging Predict Hearing Outcome?

OBJECTIVES: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading cause of nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss in childhood and is also associated with CNS abnormalities. The main objective is to investigate the prognostic value of neonatal cranial ultrasound (cUS) and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) in predicting long-term hearing outcome in a large cohort of cCMV-infected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. DESIGN: Data were prospectively collected from a multicentre Flemish registry of children with cCMV infection born between 2007 and 2016. Neonatal cUS and cMRI scans were examined for lesions related to cCMV infection. Audiometric results at different time points were analyzed. The imaging and audiometric results were linked and diagnostic values of cUS and cMRI were calculated for the different hearing outcomes. RESULTS: We were able to include 411 cCMV patients, of whom 40% was considered symptomatic at birth. Cranial ultrasound abnormalities associated with cCMV infection were found in 76 children (22.2% of the cUS scans), whereas cMRI revealed abnormalities in 74 patients (26.9% of the cMRI scans). A significant relation could be found between the presence of cUS or cMRI abnormalities and hearing loss at baseline and last follow-up. Cranial ultrasound and cMRI findings were not significantly correlated with the development of delayed-onset hearing loss. Specificity and sensitivity of an abnormal cUS to predict hearing loss at final follow-up were 84% and 43%, respectively compared with 78% and 39% for cMRI. Normal cUS and cMRI findings have a negative predictive value of 91% and 92%, respectively, for the development of delayed-onset hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroimaging evidence of CNS involvement in the neonatal period is associated with the presence of hearing loss in children with a cCMV infection. Imaging abnormalities are not predictive for the development of delayed-onset hearing loss.

Obstetrical characteristics and neonatal outcome according to aetiology of preterm birth: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Preterm birth (PTB) can be categorised according to aetiology into: spontaneous preterm labour (SPL), preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), and iatrogenic (iatro) PTB. Outcomes could differ between these groups, which could be of interest in counselling. We aimed to explore differences between aetiologic groups of PTB in maternal demographics, obstetrical characteristics and management, and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This is a cohort study (2012-2018) in Ghent University Hospital, Belgium, of deliveries from 24 + 0 to 33 + 6 weeks. We compared perinatal demographics, management, and outcomes between the aetiologic types of PTB. Point and interval estimates for differences between aetiologic types were estimated using a Generalised Estimating Equations approach to handle clustering due to multiple gestations. RESULTS: 813 mothers and 987 neonates were included. Prevalences of different aetiologic types of PTB were similar. Maternal BMI was higher in the iatrogenic group (iatro-SPL: + 1.92 kg/m2, 95% CI 1.02, 2.83; iatro-PPROM: + 2.06 kg/m2, 95% CI 1.15, 2.96). There was an inversed sex ratio (0.82, 95% CI 0.65, 1.03), more growth restriction (iatro-SPL: + 22.60%, 95% CI 17.08, 28.13; iatro-PPROM: + 24.64%, 95% CI 19.44, 29.83), and a higher caesarean section rate in the iatrogenic group (iatro-SPL: + 57.23%, 95% CI 50.32, 64.13, iatro-PPROM: + 56.79%, 95% CI 50.20, 63.38) and more patients received at least one complete course of antenatal corticosteroids (iatro-SPL: + 17.60%, 95% CI 10.60, 24.60, iatro-PPROM: + 10.73%, 95% CI 4.52, 16.94). In all types of PTB, adverse neonatal outcomes had a low prevalence, except for respiratory distress syndrome. A composite of adverse neonatal outcome was more prevalent in the SPL- compared to the PPROM group, and there was less intraventricular haemorrhage in the iatrogenic group. CONCLUSION: Additional to gestational age at birth, the aetiology of PTB is associated with neonatal outcome. More data are needed to enable individualised management and counselling in case of threatened PTB. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03405116.

Dose rationale and pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in mechanically ventilated new-borns: impact of design optimisation.

PURPOSE: There is a need for alternative analgosedatives such as dexmedetomidine in neonates. Given the ethical and practical difficulties, protocol design for clinical trials in neonates should be carefully considered before implementation. Our objective was to identify a protocol design suitable for subsequent evaluation of the dosing requirements for dexmedetomidine in mechanically ventilated neonates. METHODS: A published paediatric pharmacokinetic model was used to derive the dosing regimen for dexmedetomidine in a first-in-neonate study. Optimality criteria were applied to optimise the blood sampling schedule. The impact of sampling schedule optimisation on model parameter estimation was assessed by simulation and re-estimation procedures for different simulation scenarios. The optimised schedule was then implemented in a neonatal pilot study. RESULTS: Parameter estimates were more precise and similarly accurate in the optimised scenarios, as compared to empirical sampling (normalised root mean square error: 1673.1% vs. 13,229.4% and relative error: 46.4% vs. 9.1%). Most importantly, protocol deviations from the optimal design still allowed reasonable parameter estimation. Data analysis from the pilot group (n = 6) confirmed the adequacy of the optimised trial protocol. Dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics in term neonates was scaled using allometry and maturation, but results showed a 20% higher clearance in this population compared to initial estimates obtained by extrapolation from a slightly older paediatric population. Clearance for a typical neonate, with a post-menstrual age (PMA) of 40 weeks and weight 3.4 kg, was 2.92 L/h. Extension of the study with 11 additional subjects showed a further increased clearance in pre-term subjects with lower PMA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of optimal design in conjunction with simulation scenarios improved the accuracy and precision of the estimates of the parameters of interest, taking into account protocol deviations, which are often unavoidable in this event-prone population.

Continuous infusion vs. intermittent flushing of peripheral cannulas in neonates using a needleless connector: a prospective cohort study.

Objective To compare the duration of patency of peripheral intravenous cannulas between continuous infusion and intermittent flushing, while using a needleless intravenous connector in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This is a prospective cohort study, including neonates admitted to the NICU who needed a peripheral intravenous cannula for intermittent administration of intravenous medication. In the first period, neonates received continuous peripheral infusion with NaCl 0.9% at 0.2 mL/h. In the second period, cannulas were flushed with NaCl 0.9% (0.5 mL before and 0.3 mL after the administration of intravenous medication). Results A total of 113 neonates (210 cannulas) were included in the study, 55 received continuous peripheral infusion and 58 received intermittent flushing. Intermittent flushing resulted in a significantly longer duration of cannula patency compared to continuous infusion (geometric mean 47.1 vs. 35.4 h, P=0.041). The incidence of extravasation was higher with continuous infusion (68.9% vs. 43.2%; P=0.001), while occlusion was more common with intermittent flushing (28.4% vs. 6.6%; P=0.002). Conclusions Intermittent flushing of peripheral cannulas (using needleless intravenous connectors) results in longer cannula patency compared to continuous infusion, in neonates requiring only intermittent administration of medication.

Hearing in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Results of a Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate hearing outcome, to characterize the nature of symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection and associated hearing loss, and to compare results with data from previous studies. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicenter registry was set up in 2007. Six centers participated in the development of a standardized protocol for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Data were gathered in an online registry. Children (n = 379) with a documented cCMV infection and at least 2 separate audiologic evaluations were included. Audiometric results from a multicenter cohort study of children with cCMV infection with longitudinal observation were examined. RESULTS: Results from 123 children with a symptomatic and 256 children with an asymptomatic cCMV infection were analyzed. In the group with symptomatic cCMV, 63% had hearing loss, compared with 8% in the group with asymptomatic cCMV. Delayed-onset hearing loss occurred in 10.6% of symptomatic cCMV and in 7.8% of asymptomatic cCMV. In the group with symptomatic cCMV, 29.3% of children used some kind of hearing amplification; 1.6% in the group with asymptomatic cCMV used hearing amplification. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic and asymptomatic cCMV infections are a major cause of hearing loss in childhood. Reliable estimates of the long-term outcome of cCMV infection are mandatory to increase vigilance, especially among pregnant women and to draw attention to preventive measures, vaccine development, and prenatal and postnatal therapy. Universal screening of newborns for cCMV infection should be initiated and combined with longitudinal audiometric follow-up.

The effect of late-onset sepsis on mortality across different gestational ages in a neonatal intensive care unit: A historical study.

OBJECTIVES: Late-onset sepsis is a frequent complication in neonatal intensive care units. This study aims to understand the effect of late-onset sepsis on mortality in hospitalised neonatal patients across different gestational ages. DESIGN: This is a single-centre, historical cohort study including neonates admitted to hospital during a 10-year period (2002 - 2011). Neonates were stratified by gestational age: extremely preterm (<28 weeks), very preterm (28 to 32 weeks), late preterm (33 to 36 weeks), full term (>37 weeks). SETTING: Tertiary NICU in Ghent, Belgium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logistic regression analysis was used to assess adjusted relationships between late-onset sepsis and mortality, reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 4928 neonates were included, of which 2071 were term (42.0%), 1425 were late preterm (28.9%), 1165 very preterm (23.6%) and 264 were extremely preterm neonates (5.4%). 40 neonates developed late-onset sepsis (8.2 episodes/1000 patient days). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 5.4%. Late-onset sepsis was an independent risk factor for mortality in the total cohort (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.46-3.96). However, when gestational age groups were considered separately, late-onset sepsis was associated with mortality in very preterm neonates (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.03-5.84) and in the late preterm neonates (OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 1.41-10.87), but not in other neonates. Comorbidities burdening neonatal hospital survival include acute lung disease, brain damage, periventricular leukomalacia, surgery, and broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Late-onset sepsis is an independent risk factor for mortality in very preterm and late preterm neonates. Understanding how late-onset sepsis among other factors impact mortality enables a patient and family-centred approach to nursing care including the anticipation of realistic milestones. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Late-onset sepsis is especially detrimental to preterm neonates and this could be taken into consideration by nurses when communicating with families in the perinatal period.

Implications of isolated white matter abnormalities on neonatal MRI in congenital CMV infection: a prospective single-centre study.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the clinical implications of isolated white matter abnormalities on neonatal brain MRI in congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). DESIGN: Prospective, observational. PATIENTS/INTERVENTIONS: Two paediatric radiologists, blinded to clinical data, independently scored the white matter in 286 newborns with congenital CMV. After assessing interobserver variability, mean score was used to categorise white matter (normal, doubtful or abnormal). Patients with other brain abnormalities were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hearing and neuromotor evaluation. RESULTS: Cohen's weighted kappa was 0.79 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.84). White matter was normal in 121 patients, doubtful in 62, abnormal in 28. Median clinical follow-up was 12.0 months (IQR 12.0-27.7 months). Neonatal hearing loss occurred in 4/27 patients (14.8%) with abnormal, 1/118 patients (0.8%) with normal and 1/62 patients (1.6%) with doubtful white matter (p<0.01). Impaired cognitive development was seen in 3/27 patients (11.1%) with abnormal, 3/114 patients (2.6%) with normal and 1/59 patients (1.7%) with doubtful white matter (p=0.104). Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was below P75 in 21/26 patients (80.8%) with abnormal, 73/114 patients (64.0%) with normal and 36/57 patients (63.2%) with doubtful white matter (p=0.231). In a subgroup of patients with minimal clinical follow-up of 18 months, AIMS score was below P75 in 10/13 patients (76.9%) with abnormal, 13/34 patients (38.2%) with normal and 7/20 patients (35.0%) with doubtful white matter (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal white matter was associated with neonatal hearing loss and mild, lower motor scores. A tendency towards impaired cognitive development was seen. Patients with doubtful white matter did not show worse clinical outcome.

Association of antenatal magnesium sulfate with reduced late-onset sepsis in extreme preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal intensive care has changed extensively over the last decades resulting in improved survival of extreme preterm infants. However, improved survival is associated with prolonged hospitalization, mechanical ventilation and use of invasive devices, which are all predisposing factors for LOS. LOS is known to increase short- and long-term morbidities resulting in impaired neurodevelopmental outcome. Besides treatment with antibiotics and supportive care, there is an unmet need for adjunctive therapies to prevent neonatal sepsis and hereby improve outcome. METHODS: In a retrospective single-center design, we explored underlying pre-, peri- and postnatal factors in extreme preterm infants with and without LOS to potentially identify future strategies in the prevention of LOS in these infants. RESULTS: Associations formerly published could be confirmed, such as lower birth weight, longer duration of respiratory support, parenteral nutrition and NICU stay and a higher incidence of almost all neonatal morbidities. A new interesting finding was the fact that infants with LOS received more antenatal magnesium sulfate (p = 0.002). After nearest neighbor matching based on birth weight, gestational age, gender and multiplicity increased duration of parenteral nutrition and NICU stay, the incidence of PVL remained significantly different between the two groups (LOS/no LOS), but also the association between antenatal magnesium sulfate administration and less LOS held true (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In this study, extreme preterm infants receiving antenatal magnesium sulfate developed less LOS. Whether this is merely an associative factor reflecting illness severity or an interesting link for new preventive strategies for LOS, should be further explored.

Preterm birth during the COVID-19 pandemic: more, less, or just the same?

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its mitigation measures have been associated with changes in preterm birth (PTB) incidences. The objective of this paper is to summarize and comment on the literature on COVID-19 and PTB and to compare PTB incidence between 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020 (COVID-19) in three Belgian tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: A non-systematic review on COVID-19 and PTB was performed, and literature was summarized in a table. Preterm birth rates at Ghent University Hospital, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, and University Hospital Leuven in 2019 and 2020 were compared. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare PTB rates between 2019 and 2020, and Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to compare pregnancy duration. The mean outcome measure was PTB incidence in 2020 (COVID-19) compared with PTB incidence in 2019 (pre-COVID-19). RESULTS: Some (parts of) countries report decreases in PTB rates, others report no differences in incidence, and a minority of countries report an increased incidence of PTB. Almost all studies only consider live-births. In three tertiary care hospitals in Flanders, there were no differences in PTB rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: The impact of the (mitigation measures during the) COVID-19 pandemic on PTB incidence is unclear and difficult to explore. To enable a correct interpretation, all conceptions before and during the pandemic should be taken into consideration, as well as all births, still or alive.

Trends in neonatal morbidity and mortality for very low birthweight infants: a 20-year single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in mortality and morbidity rates of very low birth weight infants as well as their pre-, peri- and postnatal characteristics over a period of 20 years' time. METHODS: Retrospective study in all very low birth weight infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Hospitals Ghent from 1 January 2000, to 31 December 2020. Mortality was the primary outcome variable with major morbidities being co-primary outcome variables. Pre-, peri- and postnatal characteristics are secondary outcome variables. We compared pre-, peri- and postnatal characteristics, as well as major morbidities between different groups with comparable rates of mortality. RESULTS: We included a total of 2037 very low birth weight infants and divided them in 3 epochs based on stepwise reductions in mortality in 2008 and 2013: 2000-2007 (n = 718), 2008-2012 (n = 506) and 2013-2020 (n = 813). Mortality decreased significantly over the years in all gestational ages, but predominantly in those with the youngest gestational age. Changes in obstetric and neonatal care were observed over time. Most significant changes were the increased use of antenatal corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate and surfactant. Intraventricular hemorrhage grade III/IV decreased significantly in all gestational ages. Significant increase in retinopathy of prematurity was observed. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks and discharge home with oxygen is increasing in the total group. In those born below 26 weeks a slight increase in all major morbidities was observed especially of patent ductus arteriosus and retinopathy of prematurity. Increase of all other major morbidities seems to stabilize in epoch 3. The number of infants surviving without any major morbidity increases to almost 1/2 in all very low birth weight infants and to 1/10 in those born 24-25 weeks gestation. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the real-life experience showed that survival in very low birth weight infants significantly increased over time. Evolution of major morbidities will have to be carefully watched in the future.

Implementation and results of bedside hearing screening with automated auditory brainstem response in the neonatal intensive care unit.

AIM: To evaluate implementation and results of neonatal hearing screening with automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) by bedside nurses in a single-centre neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Retrospective review of charts of 2074 newborns admitted over a 4-year period. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred and 24 newborns (88%) were screened. A 'pass' result was obtained in 1761 patients (96.5%). From 63 infants with 'refer', 40 were tested with auditory brainstem response: in 28 hearing loss was confirmed. Three hundred and nine neonates were screened before postmenstrual age (PMA) of 34 weeks: 78% successfully passed the first test. Sixty-seven infants with 'refer' at the first test before PMA of 34 weeks were re-evaluated: 48 had normal hearing tests, 24 of whom still younger than 34 weeks. For 12 of 19 infants with 'refer' before 34 weeks, follow-up was available: in 7 hearing loss was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Neonatal hearing screening with AABR can be easily performed by the bedside nurse in the NICU even in premature babies before 34 weeks PMA. A 'pass' result can be obtained in almost 80% of them; a 'refer' result at that age, however, must be interpreted cautiously, as false 'refer' occurred in 5/12 of these infants.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection registry in flanders: opportunities and pitfalls.

In 2007, a prospective multicentre registry was set up to collect data on incidence and outcome of children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Flanders. A consensus was reached about management and follow up of cytomegalovirus-infected children. With this registration, we aimed at gathering information on congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Flanders and evaluating the consensus on management and therapy. Children with proven congenital cytomegalovirus infection were eligible for registration in the database. Information on prenatal and neonatal management, therapy and follow up until 6 years was obtained. Between 2007 and 2017, 686 children were registered. Data on the prenatal and neonatal characteristics in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection are reported.Conclusion: In this article, we report on our experience of conducting a registry for cCMV in Flanders. Eleven years of collecting data on CMV in a multicenter setting have shown us some pitfalls and opportunities. We address some of the problems and aim at improving our data gathering. We encourage other groups to share their data. Better knowledge of the burden of the disease will be important to guide future management strategies.