Ten-year Single Center Experience With Colistin Therapy in NICU.

BACKGROUND: Colistin, a cationic polypeptide antibiotic of the polymyxin class has come back into use due to its potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria and the lack of new antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to assess the critically ill infants treated with colistin in our neonatal intensive care unit and to identify predisposing factors for the emergence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following colistin treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study that included infants with proven or suspected nosocomial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit of a University Hospital between January 2012 and March 2022. Over the same time period, the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of patients who received antibiotic combination with colistin were compared to patients who received antibiotic combination without colistin. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were in the colistin group (ColG) and 77 patients were in the control group. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study groups were similar. In the ColG compared to the control group, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesia and AKI were all more prevalent (P < 0.05). The most important finding in our study was the higher incidence of AKI and mortality in ColG, as well as the increasing nephrotoxic effect of other medications when used in conjunction with colistin. CONCLUSION: During colistin therapy, newborn infants must be closely monitored for AKI. Clinicians should be aware of an increased incidence of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesia, AKI and its consequences in infants given colistin. As awareness increases, harmful effects will decrease.

The effect of drip versus intermittent feeding on splanchnic oxygenation in preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction: a prospective randomized trial.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of drip versus intermittent feeding on splanchnic oxygenation in preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction. The second objective was to assess the relationship between fetal splanchnic circulation parameters and splanchnic oxygenation during the first week of life. A single-center, prospective, randomized study with 51 fetuses/infants was conducted. Fetal Doppler measurements including umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were recorded in IUGR fetuses. After preterm delivery, the infants were randomly assigned to one of two feeding modalities: drip (3-h continuous) or intermittent (bolus in 10 min). Continuous regional splanchnic saturation (rSO2S) monitoring was carried out during the first week of life, simultaneously with continuous oxygen arterial saturation (SaO2) monitoring, and the infants' fractional oxygen extractions (FOE) were calculated. These parameters were evaluated as means on a daily basis for the first week of life, as well as pre-prandial and post-prandial measurements on the seventh day. Fetal Doppler flow velocimetry disturbances were present in 72.5% of the study cohort. The drip (26 infants) and intermittent (25 infants) groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the prevalence of feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis. During the first week of life, there was no difference in daily mean rSO2S and FOE values between the drip and intermittent groups, whereas unfed infants had mostly lower rSO2S values. Pre-prandial and post-prandial rSO2S values remained stable in both groups. Also, no association was detected between fetal splanchnic circulation parameters and neonatal splanchnic oxygenation. RSO2S values were strongly correlated to gestational age and birth weight. During the whole week, except for the first 2 days, infants with umbilical catheters had significantly lower rSO2S values than infants without.  Conclusion: Our data suggest that the key factor in splanchnic oxygenation is feeding, not the feeding modality. In addition, the umbilical vein catheter had a negative impact on splanchnic oxygenation.  Clinical Trial Registration: The Effect of Neonatal Feeding Modalities on Splanchnic Oxygenation, NCT05513495,  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results cond=&term=NCT05513495&cntry=TR&state=&city=&dist= . Retrospectively registered, date of registration: August 2022. What is Known: • It is known that preterm infants with IUGR are at increased risk of hypoxic-ischemic intestinal damage and impaired splanchnic oxygenation. What is New: • The key factor in splanchnic oxygenation of preterm infants with IUGR is feeding, not the feeding modality (drip or intermittent). • In addition, the umbilical vein catheter had a negative impact on splanchnic oxygenation.

Assessment of foetal ventriculomegaly from prenatal to early postnatal period: a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early neonatal outcomes of cases with foetal ventriculomegaly (VM) and to investigate the aetiological and prognostic factors according to the degree of VM in a single tertiary referring centre. The medical records of 87 foetuses diagnosed with VM (≥10 mm) within 6 years were evaluated. Postnatal evaluation and early neonatal prognosis were determined in 39 cases divided into two groups as mild (10-15 mm, 30 cases) and severe (>15 mm, 9 cases) according to the ventricular size. The mean gestational age at which foetal VM was detected was 22 + 3 weeks. In terms of severity, severe cases of VM were more frequent in terminated pregnancies. There was no difference in gestational age, birth weight, fifth minute Apgar scores, or cord blood gases between mild and severe cases at delivery. Isolated VM was detected in 63% of mild and 22% of severe cases. In severe cases, the need for intensive care and surgery was higher than in mild cases. Antenatal VM regressed in 50% of mild cases and 22% of severe cases. Increasing knowledge about neonatal prognosis, the factors involved in aetiology, and the degree of VM will guide the management of foetal VM.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known in this subject? Some cases of foetal VM resolve spontaneously, and postnatal ultrasonography can detect normal ventricle sizes. While 74.6% of isolated VM cases show spontaneous regression, this rate is 52.1% in nonisolated cases. The gestational week at the time of diagnosis, the degree and cause of VM, intrauterine progression and the presence of any genetic, infectious, cerebral, or extracerebral disorders all influence the prognosis.What do the results of this study add? Antenatal VM regressed in 50% of mild cases and 22% of severe cases. In severe cases, the need for intensive care and surgery was higher than in mild cases. The higher frequency of accompanying cerebral findings in severe cases was striking.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The current study revealed that isolated VM with ventricular diameter less than 15 mm, after excluding out chromosomal abnormalities and prenatal infections, and no prior history of VM, has a favourable neonatal prognosis in terms of mortality and morbidity. In cases of foetal VM, increased knowledge of neonatal prognosis will guide pregnancy care and postnatal follow-up planning. Prospective multicentre studies on the neonatal period are required to bridge the gap between foetal VM and long-term consequences.

The relationship of foetal superior mesenteric artery blood flow and the time to first meconium passage in newborns with late-onset foetal growth restriction.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the foetal superior mesenteric artery (SMA) Doppler and the time to first meconium passage (FMP) in foetuses with late-onset foetal growth restriction. This single-centre, prospective, observational, cohort study included 57 patients with late-onset FGR. The newborn infants were divided into two groups: preterm (36.8%) and term (63.2%). The time to FMP of the infants was compared to the foetal SMA parameters obtained within a week before delivery. The median time to FMP was similar between two groups (p = .31). The SMA pulsatility index (PI) was higher in the preterm group (p < .01). There was no correlation between foetal SMA PI or resistance index and time to FMP. In late-onset FGR infants, our study found no association between SMA Doppler measurements and time to FMP. However, a significant difference was detected in SMA PI between preterm and term infants. Impact StatementWhat is already known in this subject? Foetal growth restriction (FGR) can affect splanchnic circulation of the foetus and this alteration can be associated with some disorders including necrotising enterocolitis.What do the results of this study add? Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) Doppler indices are not associated with first meconium passage in neonates with late-onset foetal growth restriction. The pulsatility index of SMA is significantly higher in foetuses delivered before term.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further research should be conducted to investigate the relationship between foetal SMA Doppler indices and neonatal gastrointestinal morbidities in foetuses with early onset FGR with Doppler anomalies. These studies can shed light from the prenatal to the postnatal period, allowing clinicians to predict potential problems and take precautions.

Questioning the adequacy of standardized vitamin D supplementation protocol in very low birth weight infants: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm infants are at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency (VDD). We aimed to assess the adequacy of standardized vitamin D supplementation protocol in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Additionally, vitamin D status of mother/infant couples and the associations between vitamin D status at birth and morbidities of the infants were investigated. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective cohort study blood samples were collected from 55 mothers just before delivery and from their infants at birth and on the 30th day of life (DOL) for 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) measurements. Vitamin D was initiated in dose of 160 IU/kg by parenteral nutrition on the first DOL and oral vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) was administered when enteral feedings reached 50% of total intake or on the 15th DOL. RESULTS: The median 25OHD levels of the infants were 16.12 (9.14-20.50) in cord blood and 36.32 (31.10-44.44) in venous blood on the 30th DOL (p<0.01). In 98% of the VLBW infants 25OHD reached sufficient levels on the 30th DOL. None of the mothers had sufficient vitamin D levels (25OHD >30 ng/mL). Maternal 25OHD levels were correlated with the 25OHD levels of the infants in cord blood (r=0.665, p<0.001). There was a significant difference in mean cord 25OHD levels between winter (13.65 ± 5.69 ng/mL) and summer seasons (19.58 ± 11.67 ng/mL) (p=0.021). No association was found between neonatal morbidity and vitamin D status. CONCLUSIONS: The results clearly show that by utilizing the current supplementation protocol, the majority of VLBW infants with deficient/insufficient serum 25OHD levels reached sufficient levels on the 30th DOL. Furthermore, vitamin D levels in mother/infant couples were found to be highly correlated.

Isolated congenital diaphragm hernia associated with homozygous SLIT3 gene variant in dizygous twins.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a serious life-threatening birth defect characterized by abnormal development in the muscular or tendinous portion of the diaphragm during embryogenesis. Despite its high incidence, the etiology of CDH hasn't been fully understood. Genetic factors are important in pathogenesis; however, few single genes have been definitively implicated in human CDH. SLIT1, SLIT2, and SLIT3 (slit guidance ligand) are three human homologs of the drosophila Slit gene. They interact with roundabout (Robo) homolog receptors to affect cell migration, adhesion, cell motility, and angiogenesis and play important roles in cell signaling pathways including the guidance of axons. In this report, we presented dizygous twin babies with CDH related to the SLIT3 gene variant. Previous studies showed that Slit3 null mice had congenital diaphragmatic hernias on or near the ventral midline portion of the central tendon. This is the first report of homozygous SLIT3 variant associated with CDH in humans.

Prone versus supine position for regional cerebral tissue oxygenation in preterm neonates receiving noninvasive ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: The prone position was found to improve oxygenation and pulmonary functions in neonates receiving respiratory support. However, how this improvement changes brain tissue oxygenation has not been studied. We aimed to investigate how prone position effects regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) and cerebral fractional oxygen extraction (FOE) in preterm neonates during noninvasive ventilation (NIV). METHODS: Preterm neonates < 37 weeks gestational age (GA) stable on NIV were enrolled. NIV was defined as nasal continues positive airway pressure or intermittent positive pressure ventilation via binasal prongs. Near infrared spectroscopy was used to measure rScO2. Monitoring was started when the infant was lying supine for at least 1 h and continued at the same body position at least for 1 h. Later the infant was changed to prone position and monitored for additional 3 h. Arterial oxygen saturation (SO2) was also continuously monitored and FOE was calculated from rScO2 and SO2. RESULTS: Mean GA and birth weight of the cohort (n = 32) were 30.63 ± 3.09 weeks and 1459 ± 581 g, respectively. There were 14 females and 18 males. Both SO2 (95 ± 2.2% versus 96.2 ± 1.9%, p = .001) and rScO2 (79.2 ± 3.4% versus 82.1 ± 3.2%, p < .001) were higher in prone position compared to supine position. Cerebral FOE (16.6 ± 0.8% versus 14.7 ± 0.8%, p < .001) and respiratory rate (57.3 ± 5.5 versus 55.6 ± 9.2, p = .003) were lower in prone position. CONCLUSION: In preterm newborns, receiving nasal NIV for mild to moderate respiratory distress, arterial and cerebral oxygenations were better in prone position.

A Case of Congenital Hepatoblastoma Coexisting with Pulmonary Hypertension.

Hepatoblastoma (HBL) is the most frequently detected malignant tumor of the liver in childhood. HBLs detected antenatally or up to 3 months after birth are considered congenital HBLs. We report a five-day-old female infant in whom a hepatic mass was detected at 20 weeks' gestation. At birth (36 weeks), the hepatic mass measured 12x6 cm, and she had respiratory distress. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) was detected on echocardiographic evaluation. Despite dual medical therapy, her PHT did not improve. Histologically, the biopsy demonstrated a mixed epithelial-mesenchymal HBL with predominance of fetal morphology in the epithelial component. Chemotherapy was initiated on postnatal day 15; however, the baby died of respiratory failure on postnatal day 23. Conclusion: HBL is an embryonal tumor which can develop early in the intrauterine period. Although the mechanism is not known, it may cause PHT which would affect the prognosis negatively.

Maternal and fetal tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report questioning clinical approach.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disease with multisystem involvement. CASE: Here, a mother and infant couple was presented with maternal and fetal TSC including demonstrative clinical findings and genetic analysis. The interesting point of this case report is that maternal and fetal TSC was identified after the mother gave birth to a child with a cardiac rhabdomyoma. The genetic analysis revealed a novel mutation which was the same in both the mother and her infant. CONCLUSION: We would like to bring to the attention of clinicians this entity and to emphasize that maternal and fetal TSC can adversely affect maternal and fetal health, and deserves close follow up. Our recommendation is that if cardiac rhabdomyoma/cortical tuber/renal angiomyolipoma are present in prenatal ultrasonography, the parents should be evaluated for TSC.

Employing a Nutrition Nurse in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Improved Nutrition and Growth Outcomes in Preterm Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition nurses are clinical nurse specialists with knowledge and experience in nutrition support. We aimed to investigate the nutrition and growth outcomes after employment of a nutrition nurse in our level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including preterm neonates < 34 weeks and < 2000 g were conducted. Nutrition and growth outcomes of infants in pre-nutrition-nurse and post-nutrition-nurse periods were compared. Primary outcome was presence of postnatal growth retardation (PGR) at term-equivalent age (body weight < 10 percentile at 40 weeks postmenstrual age). RESULTS: Infants in pre-nutrition-nurse (n = 38) and post-nutrition-nurse (n = 40) periods were similar with regard to gestational age, birth weight, gender, and perinatal characteristics. The initiation of parenteral nutrition after admission to NICU (30.8 ± 24.1 vs 6.7 ± 7.6 hours, P < 0,001) and attainment of full enteral feedings (27.3 ±18.1 vs 18.7 ± 11.3 days, P = 0.034) were earlier in post-nutrition-nurse period. First feeds were more commonly started with breast milk (29% vs 75%, P < 0.001); breastfeeding was more common at discharge (79% vs 95%, P = 0.045) and longer in duration (6.1 ± 7.3 vs 8.4 ± 6.3 months, P = 0.008) in post-nutrition-nurse period. Primary outcome PGR at term-equivalent age was lower in post-nutrition-nurse period (57.9% vs 27.5%, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Employing a nutrition nurse improved quality of nutrition support, increased breastfeeding, and decreased PGR in preterm neonates. Further prospective evaluation of outcomes in the presence of a nutrition nurse is needed to generalize these findings to other NICUs.