Use of neonatal lung ultrasound in European neonatal units: a survey by the European Society of Paediatric Research.

OBJECTIVE: Regarding the use of lung ultrasound (LU) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Europe, to assess how widely it is used, for what indications and how its implementation might be improved. DESIGN AND INTERVENTION: International online survey. RESULTS: Replies were received from 560 NICUs in 24 countries between January and May 2023. LU uptake varied considerably (20%-98% of NICUs) between countries. In 428 units (76%), LU was used for clinical indications, while 34 units (6%) only used it for research purposes. One-third of units had <2 years of experience, and only 71 units (13%) had >5 years of experience. LU was mainly performed by neonatologists. LU was most frequently used to diagnose respiratory diseases (68%), to evaluate an infant experiencing acute clinical deterioration (53%) and to guide surfactant treatment (39%). The main pathologies diagnosed by LU were pleural effusion, pneumothorax, transient tachypnoea of the newborn and respiratory distress syndrome. The main barriers for implementation were lack of experience with technical aspects and/or image interpretation. Most units indicated that specific courses and an international guideline on neonatal LU could promote uptake of this technique. CONCLUSIONS: Although LU has been adopted in neonatal care in most European countries, the uptake is highly variable. The main indications are diagnosis of lung disease, evaluation of acute clinical deterioration and guidance of surfactant. Implementation may be improved by developing courses and publishing an international guideline.

[FUNCTIONAL ECHO IN PRETERM INFANTS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE].

INTRODUCTION: The use of point of care ultrasound to assess cardiovascular function performed by a neonatologist who is not a cardiologist, is gaining interest in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Clinical signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and capillary refill time provide limited insight into the adequacy of systemic blood flow and organ perfusion. Functional echocardiography (echo) enables real time evaluation of cardiac performance, identifying the nature of cardiovascular compromise, guiding therapeutic decisions and monitoring response to treatment. Application of functional echo in the NICU includes assessment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), pulmonary hypertension, shock and placement of umbilical catheters. There is evidence implicating that functional echo alters neonatal treatment and may improve outcome. Functional echo does not aim to replace the detailed structural assessments provided by consultative services of pediatric cardiologists. Close collaboration with pediatric cardiology is essential. In the past two years there is an increasing awareness for using functional echocardiography by neonatologists in Israel. Three conferences and an educational workshop were held in Israel with world renowned lecturers. Protocols defining how the exam should be performed were prepared, and agreement was reached with pediatric cardiologists on how to implement the use of functional echo by neonatologists, with the intention to create a distinct group of neonatologists with knowledge and skills in functional echo and a profound understanding of cardiac and respiratory physiology and hemodynamics.

Newborn gender as a predictor of neonatal outcome in mixed gender twins born with very low birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Most studies have revealed that the incidence of morbidity and mortality of preterm male infants is greater than that of preterm female infants. Recently, conflicting outcomes have been reported regarding mixed-gender twins. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between gender and outcome in newborn twins of different gender. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of mixed-gender twins weighing < 1500 g that were born at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) between the years 1995 and 2016 (158 newborns). The incidence of morbidity and mortality until discharge from the hospital were evaluated while looking at gender differences. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in neonatal mortality or morbidity between females and males from different-gender twins. Even after considering confounding variables (gestational age, birth weight & birth order) in linear and logistic regression models, no significant differences were found between the genders. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that there are no significant differences in neonatal mortality or morbidity among different-gender twins. Our results support the need for further studies.

Nasal Fibrolipomatous Hamartoma, an Idiosyncratic Connective Tissue Malformation in an Infant.

We describe a congenital mass in the nasopharynx of an infant presenting with dyspnea and feeding difficulties. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated 2 separate polypoid nasal cavity masses that were endoscopically resected. Histologically, both lesions were composed of mature adipose tissue with broad fibrous bands and several foci of brown fat. PLAG-1 and HMGA-2 were negative by immunostains. The best diagnosis was a fibrolipomatous hamartoma.

Pilot study of a new mathematical algorithm for early detection of late-onset sepsis in very low-birth-weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of late onset sepsis (LOS) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants relies mainly on clinical suspicion, whereas prognosis depends on early initiation of antibiotic treatment. RALIS is a mathematical algorithm for early detection of LOS incorporating six vital signs measured every 2 hours. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to study RALIS ability to detect LOS before clinical suspicion. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 118 VLBW preterm infants (gestational age < 33 weeks, birth weight < 1,500 g) were enrolled in a prospective multicentered study. Vital signs were recorded prospectively up to day 21 of life in a blinded manner, with no effect on standard care. The primary end point was comparison of the rates and timing of detection of LOS between RALIS and clinical/culture evidence of LOS. RESULTS: Of the 2,174 monitoring days, RALIS indicated sepsis in 590 days, and LOS was positively diagnosed in 229 days. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were 74.6, 80.7, 38.8, and 95.1%, respectively. RALIS provided an indication for sepsis 3 days on the average before clinical suspicion. CONCLUSION: RALIS has a promising potential as an easy to implement noninvasive early indicator of LOS, especially for ruling out LOS in VLBW high-risk infants.

Pharmacokinetics of oral ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Oral ibuprofen has been shown to be associated with excellent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure rates and a favourable safety profile, but limited data exist regarding its pharmacokinetics in preterm infants. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters of oral ibuprofen in preterm infants. METHODS: Plasma ibuprofen levels were determined at various time points, and pharmacokinetic profiles were calculated after a single dose of 10 mg/kg of oral ibuprofen. The rate of ductal closure, adverse effects and patients' clinical course were recorded. RESULTS: The authors studied 13 preterm infants (mean gestational age±SD 27.8±2.4 weeks, mean birth weight 1052±443 g). PDA closure was obtained in all patients after a single dose. Ibuprofen levels were detectable 1 h after administration, peaked after 8 h and remained in a relative plateau until 24 h postadministration. Area under the curve (AUC)0→24 was higher than levels reported with intravenous treatment. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of ibuprofen in very preterm infants is associated with excellent absorption and a high AUC0→24, and may be an alternative to intravenous administration.

Is neonatal risk from vasa previa preventable? The 20-year experience from a single medical center.

BACKGROUND: Vasa previa is a rare condition associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality that may be diagnosed prenatally using transvaginal sonography. The aim of this study was to assess the prenatal detection of vasa previa and its subsequent impact on neonatal outcomes in two 10-year periods (1988-1997 versus 1998-2007). METHOD: Retrospective review of all cases of vasa previa. Data on obstetrical history, modes of conception, sonographic scans, delivery mode, and neonatal outcome were retrieved and recorded. RESULT: There were 19 pregnancies (21 neonates) with confirmed vasa previa (overall incidence of 1.7/10,000 deliveries). Vasa previa were diagnosed prenatally in 10 (52.6%) cases. In cases without prenatal diagnosis, there was a higher proportion of neonates with 1' Apgar score < or = 5 and cord blood pH <7 compared with cases diagnosed prenatally (66.7% versus 10%, p < or = 0.05, and 33.3% versus 0%, p < 0.05, respectively). The prenatal detection rate of vasa previa increased from 25 to 60% between the 2 time periods (p > 0.05), whereas perinatal mortality and 1' Apgar scores < or = 5 decreased from 25 to 0% and from 50 to 33.3% (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prenatal sonographic screening using targeted scans for vasa previa in women at risk or as part of routine mid-gestation scanning may significantly impact its obstetric manifestations.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by bone and soft-tissue tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Primary bone and soft-tissue tumors occur rarely in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of a large cohort of pregnant patients with these rare tumors. METHODS: Pregnant women diagnosed with bone or soft-tissue tumors during pregnancy or within 3 months after delivery were identified retrospectively for the years 1983-2003 in the University Health Network database, University of Toronto. Relevant maternal and neonatal data were collected on a standardized data form. RESULTS: In more than 60,000 deliveries during the study period, 17 patients were identified. Gestational age at diagnosis ranged from 11 weeks to 2 months postpartum. Eight cases involved the lower extremity and 6 involved the upper extremity. Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and giant-cell tumors were the most common histological types. Metastases occurred in 7 cases. Nine cases were treated surgically during the course of pregnancy. The majority of patients were delivered at term. Chemotherapy was deferred until the postpartum period. One patient elected for early termination of pregnancy. Three patients were delivered before 37 weeks of gestation to proceed with therapy. One neonate delivered at 34 weeks developed respiratory distress syndrome and required intubation. Three patients died, all as the result of metastatic disease. There were no perinatal or infant deaths. CONCLUSION: Most cases of soft-tissue and bone tumors during pregnancy can be successfully managed with surgery during gestation. Therapies with fetal toxicity were more likely to be deferred to the postpartum period.

Glutathione, glutathione-dependent enzymes and antioxidant status in erythrocytes from children treated with high-dose paracetamol.

AIM: To investigate glutathione and antioxidant status changes in erythrocytes from febrile children receiving repeated supratherapeutic paracetamol doses. METHODS: Fifty-one children aged 2 months to 10 years participated in the study. Three groups were studied: group 1 (n = 24) included afebrile children who did not receive paracetamol; and groups 2 (n = 13) and 3 (n = 14) included children who had fever above 38.5 degrees C for more than 72 h. Patients in group 2 received paracetamol at a dose of 50 +/- 15 (30-75) mg kg(-1) day(-1) and those in group 3 received paracetamol above the recommended therapeutic dose, ie 107 28 (80-180) mg kg(-1) day(-1). A blood sample was taken for the measurement of liver transaminases, gammaglutamil transferase (GGT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidant status. RESULTS: Aspartate aminotransferase activity in group 3 was higher than in the other groups (P = 0.027). GSH, SOD and antioxidant status were significantly lower in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2 (mean differences: for GSH 3.41 micromol gHb(-1), 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10-4.72, and 2.15 micromol gHb(-1), 95% CI 0.65-3.65, respectively; for SOD 856 U min(-1) gHb(-1), 95% CI 397-1316, and 556 U min(-1) gHb(-1), 95% CI 30-1082, respectively; and for antioxidant status 0.83 mmol l(-1) plasma, 95% CI 0.30-1.36, and 0.63 mmol l(-1) plasma, 95% CI 0.02-1.24, respectively). GR activity was significantly lower in groups 3 and 2 in comparison with group 1 (mean differences 3.44 U min(-1) gHb(-1), 95% CI 0.63-6.25, and 5.64 U min(-1) gHb(-1), 95% CI 2.90-8.38, respectively). Using multiple regression analysis, paracetamol dose was found to be the only independent variable affecting GR, GST and SOD activities (P = 0.007, 0.003 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In febrile children, treatment with repeated supratherapeutic doses of paracetamol is associated with reduced antioxidant status and erythrocyte glutathione concentrations. These significant changes may indicate an increased risk for hepatotoxicity and liver damage.

Colonization rate of bacteria in the throat of healthy infants.

OBJECTIVE: the human throat is a major ecological site for various bacteria that can reach neighbouring sterile sites and cause mild infections or invasive diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the carriage rate of several potential pathogens in the throat of healthy children under the age of 2 years. METHODS: cultures were taken from the tonsils of 1000 healthy infants aged 1-24 months attending well-baby clinics, who had not received antibiotic therapy during the preceding 14 days. RESULTS: one hundred and ninety-eight (19.8%) cultures were positive. Thirteen (1.3%) cultures were positive for beta-haemolytic Streptococcus group A, 23 (2.3%) for Streptococcus pneumoniae. In 28 (2.8%) and 24 (2.4%) cultures, respectively, Haemophilus influenzae Type b and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae were recovered. The commonest bacterium found was Staphylococcus aureus (99 positive cultures). Eleven children carried two species of bacteria and from one 6-month-old child three species were isolated concurrently. CONCLUSIONS: it is concluded that children younger than 2 years of age can be carriers of several types of pathogenic bacteria. In contrast to many other studies, in this study beta-haemolytic Streptococcus group A was isolated from the tonsils of children younger than 1 year of age.