Effect of the Target Range on Arterial Oxygen Saturation Stability in Extremely Premature Infants.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of targeting arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the high (93-95%) versus the low portion (90-92%) of the recommended range of 90-95% on oxygenation stability in extremely premature infants. METHODS: Premature infants of ≤28 weeks of gestational age who received a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) > 0.21 after day 14 were eligible. FiO2 was adjusted by a dedicated investigator to keep SpO2 between 90-92% and 93-95% for 2 h each in random sequence. Episodes of intermittent hypoxemia (IH) were defined as SpO2 <90% for ≥10 s; severe IH episodes were defined as SpO2 <80% for ≥10 s. Hyperoxemia was defined as SpO2 >95% or >98%. RESULTS: Eighteen premature infants were enrolled. Their (mean ± SD) GA was 26 ± 1.5 w. Seven infants were on mechanical ventilation, 4 infants on nasal ventilation, and 7 infants on nasal cannula. They were on a mean FiO2 0.38 ± 0.12 at study entry. Episodes of IH and severe IH were more frequent during the low compared to the high target (36.6 [27.0-41.3] vs. 16.0 [7.8-19.0], p < 0.001; 8.4 ± 9.3 vs. 3.2 ± 4.3, p = 0.002). The proportions of time with SpO2 >95% and >98% were greater with the high target (13.9 ± 11 vs. 34.1 ± 15.4%, p < 0.001; 0.9 [0-5.7] vs. 3.4 [0.5-16.1]%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In this group of extremely premature infants, targeting SpO2 at the lower portion of the recommended range resulted in more frequent episodes of IH. However, targeting the higher SpO2 range led to more hyperoxemia. This trade-off warrants further investigation.

Efficacy of late postnatal dexamethasone on weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation in extreme premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term respiratory effects of PND in a cohort of ventilator-dependent premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical data from 106 infants 23-28 weeks gestation who received PND for weaning from MV during 2011-2017 were evaluated. PND was started at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/d tapered over 5-7 d. Treatment success was defined as extubated and free from MV on d14 after start of treatment. RESULT: Treatment was successful in 83 (78%) infants. Demographics and age of treatment did not differ between groups. In the failure group, a higher proportion were on HFOV and FiO2 ≥ 0.50 before treatment, compared to the successful group. CONCLUSION: In most infants, PND resulted in successful weaning from MV. Reduced need for oxygen in infants not extubated may be beneficial, but it is unknown if this offsets the risks. The long-term effects PND in ventilator dependent infants need to be evaluated.

Association Between Neonatal Seizures and Social-Emotional Development and Adaptive Behavior in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants.

AIM: To evaluate social-emotional development and adaptive behavioral outcomes in a cohort of extremely low birth weight infants with a confirmed diagnosis of neonatal seizures. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants weighing ≤1000 g at birth, with a diagnosis of neonatal seizures, evaluated between 21 and 31 months of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Bayley-III) in a longitudinal neurodevelopmental follow-up program. Seizures were diagnosed using continuous video electroencephalography interpreted by a pediatric neurologist. RESULTS: Nineteen infants meeting criteria were included and were matched with 38 control subjects, without clinical signs of seizures, and similar baseline characteristics. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly lower social-emotional development (-14.8 points; P = .05) and adaptive behavior scores (-10.8 points; P < .01) on the Bayley III in children with seizures compared to controls without clinical signs of seizure.Interpretation: Seizures are associated with impaired adaptive behavior and social-emotional development in this cohort of extremely low birth weight infants. These results highlight the negative association between neonatal seizures and functional development.

Lack of response to treatment with levetiracetam in extreme preterm infants with seizures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of monotherapy with levetiracetam (LEV) in achieving seizure cessation in a retrospective cohort of extreme preterm infants with seizures. STUDY DESIGN: Charts of infants with a diagnosis of neonatal seizures admitted to the NICU between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Seizures were diagnosed using continuous video electroencephalography. All infants were initially started on LEV and reached a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Other ASMs were added to LEV if seizures continued after 2 days. Data on additional clinical variables were collected for each infant. RESULT: Sixty-one infants born <28 weeks of gestation met inclusion criteria. Seventy-four percent of patients did not respond to LEV monotherapy and required additional medications. CONCLUSIONS: LEV monotherapy stopped seizures in only a small portion of cases.

The Impact of Late Onset Arterial Hypotension on Respiratory Outcome in Extremely Premature Infants.

BACKGROUND: In extremely premature infants, arterial hypotension in the first days after birth has been associated with an increased risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Some infants present with hypotension at a later postnatal age, but the relationship between late onset hypotension (LOH) and BPD has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between LOH and BPD and to identify pre- and postnatal factors associated with LOH. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from a cohort of 23-28 weeks gestational age (GA) infants born during years 2005-2015 and alive at day 28 were analyzed. LOH was defined as the receipt of vasopressor treatment during days 8-28. BPD was defined as need for oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Late mortality was defined as death after day 28. RESULTS: Of 1,058 infants in the cohort, 90 (9%) had LOH during days 8-28. Infants with LOH had a higher incidence of BPD than normotensive infants (55 vs. 21%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis (LRA) showed that LOH was associated with an increased risk for BPD (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.10-3.17). LOH was also associated with an increased risk for late mortality. LRA showed the risk for LOH increased with lower GA, sepsis and patent ductus arteriosus during days 8-28. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of extremely premature infants, LOH was associated with an increased the risk for BPD. This association could be secondary to underlying factors that predispose to LOH and BPD or to the deleterious effects of LOH or its treatments on the lung. Further investigation is needed to assess causality.

Topiramate for Seizures in Preterm Infants and the Development of Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Neonatal seizures represent a significant health burden on the term and preterm neonatal population and are linked to poor long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Currently, there are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved antiepileptic drugs for neonates, and authors of the medical literature have yet to reach a consensus on the most adequate approach to neonatal seizures. Topiramate is readily used in the adult and older pediatric population for the management of migraines and partial-onset seizures. Topiramate continues to gain favor among pediatric neurologists who often recommend this medication as a third-line treatment of neonatal seizures. We report our recent experience with 4 preterm neonates, born between 2015 and 2017, who developed radiographic signs of necrotizing enterocolitis after receiving topiramate for seizures. Each was given oral topiramate for the treatment of electrographic and clinical seizures and developed the subsequent diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis, with abdominal distention, hemoccult-positive stools, and radiographic signs of intestinal distention and pneumatosis. More research regarding the risk factors of topiramate use in premature infants is needed.

Pediatric neuroendocrine carcinoid tumors: Management, pathology, and imaging findings in a pediatric referral center.

BACKGROUND: While neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors are increasingly recognized in the adult population, they are often not suspected in children. PROCEDURE: Retrospective review of all well-differentiated neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors was performed based on pathology reports from a quaternary pediatric medical center between January 2003 and June 2016. Clinical presentations, treatment approaches, imaging findings, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 45 cases of pathology-proven carcinoid tumor were reported with an average age of 14.1 years (range: 7-21 years, SD: 2.8 years). Of these cases, 80% (36) were appendiceal, 11% (5) bronchial, 2% (1) colonic, 2% (1) gastric, 2% (1) enteric, and 2% (1) testicular. Metastases were observed in one (3%) appendiceal, one (100%) enteric, and two (40%) bronchial cases. No recurrence was demonstrated in any appendiceal carcinoid cases. Recurrence was seen in one of three extra-appendiceal gastrointestinal tumors. Tumor site and size significantly correlated with metastases and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to recent epidemiological investigations in adults, appendiceal carcinoid tumors remain the most common site for pediatric carcinoid tumors. Appendiceal carcinoid tumors exhibited benign clinical courses without recurrence during short-term follow-up. Extra-appendiceal gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors exhibited much more aggressive behavior with greater metastases and recurrence. Bronchial carcinoid tumors demonstrated good clinical response to resection even in cases with mediastinal lymph node involvement. While increased use of urine 5-HIAA levels and somatostatin receptor-specific imaging might improve detection and guide management of extra-appendiceal carcinoid tumors, longer-term follow-up is needed.

Incorrect umbilical vein catheterization is associated with severe periventricular hemorrhages and mortality in extremely premature newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between umbilical vein catheter (UVC) placement and death in extremely premature newborns (<29 weeks gestation). STUDY DESIGN: Utilizing a retrospective, case-control study design, results for newborns that received UVC placements and died were compared with those who received UVC placements and survived (n = 719) by univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULT: Death rate was 30% in infants with low lines versus 16% in those without (p = 0.012). High UVC tip placement significantly and independently increased severe periventricular hemorrhages (p = 0.014). Severe periventricular hemorrhage increased death rates by 3-fold independent of gestational age (p <  0.001). Proper line placement significantly reduced severe periventricular hemorrhage by 2.5-fold independent of gestational age (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: In extremely premature newborns, incorrect UVC placement is significantly associated with death through its relation to severe periventricular hemorrhage.