Improved respiratory parameters with skin-to-skin contact in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia on NIV-NAVA.

AIM: To determine if skin-to-skin contact (SSC) improved respiratory parameters in premature infants with evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on non-invasive neutrally adjusted ventilator assist (NIV-NAVA). METHODS: Premature infants (<32 weeks gestational age) with BPD on NIV-NAVA were studied. Continuous readings from the Edi catheter (modified nasogastric feeding tube inserted for NAVA ventilation) were compared: pre-SSC (baby in incubator) and end-SSC (just before end of SSC). RESULTS: Sixty-five episodes of SSC were recorded in 12 premature infants with median gestational age at birth of 24.4 (23.1-27.0) weeks and birth weight of 642 (530-960) grams. Peak Edi (uV) in end-SSC 11.5 (2.7-38.7) was significantly lower compared to pre-SSC 15.8 (4.0-36.6), p < 0.001. P mean (cmH2 O) was significantly lower in end-SSC 9.7 (7.3-15.4) compared to pre-SSC 10.3 (7.5-15.5), p = 0.008. Respiratory rate (breaths/min) was significantly lower in end-SSC 52.9 (31.1-78.1) compared to pre-SSC 53.4 (35.1-74.1), p = 0.031. There was no significant difference in inspired oxygen requirement or time on back-up mode in end-SSC 40.0 (22.1-56.1) and 5.9 (0.0-56.0) compared to pre-SSC 39.0 (26.0-56.1) and 5.1 (0.0-29.3), p = 0.556 and p = 0.853 respectively. CONCLUSION: SSC improved respiratory parameters in premature infants with evolving or established BPD on NIV-NAVA.

Pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

AIM: To describe clinical characteristics of pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with moderate to severe BPD (MSBPD) in premature infants born ≤32 weeks gestation. METHODS: This was a single centre retrospective cohort study, with reanalysis of echocardiographic studies for PH of infants born ≤32 weeks gestation with MSBPD admitted to a tertiary surgical neonatal service. RESULTS: In total, 268 babies with MSBPD were included in the study. Incidence of BPD-associated PH (BPD-PH) was 12.6% (34), of which 41% infants were observed to have severe PH. On multivariate analysis, need for positive pressure respiratory support at 36 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) was independently associated with PH (p = 0.001; 95% CI 2-13.5) Presence of PH and severity of PH were associated with increased mortality. Of babies with MSBPD-PH, 32% died before discharge from the neonatal unit. CONCLUSION: Babies with MSBPD and PH are more likely to die before discharge from the neonatal unit. Need for positive pressure respiratory support at 36 weeks PMA is independently associated with PH. Babies with MSBPD with less than severe PH are also associated with increased mortality when compared to babies with MSBPD with no PH.

Comparison of Outcomes of Less Invasive Surfactant Administration in Prematurely Born Infants in the Delivery Suite and the Neonatal Unit.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare outcomes of infants who received less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) in the delivery suite (LISA-DS) with those who received LISA on the neonatal unit (LISA-NNU). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was undertaken of all infants who received LISA in a single center. Clinical outcomes included admission temperature, the need for intubation, durations of invasive and noninvasive ventilation, length of hospital stay and the incidences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and requirement for home oxygen were compared between the two groups as were complications of the procedure. RESULTS: The 54 LISA-DS infants had similar gestational ages and birth weights to the 26 LISA-NNU infants (p = 0.732, 0.928, respectively). There were no significant differences between the admission temperatures (median [range]: 36.8 [36-38.7] vs. 36.8°C [36.4-37.7]; p = 0.451) or need for intubation in less than 72 hours of birth (28 vs. 23%, p = 0.656). The durations of invasive ventilation (median: 2 [0-65] vs. 1 [0-35] days; p = 0.188) and noninvasive ventilation (median: 37 [24-81] vs. 37 [3-225] days; p = 0.188) and the incidences of BPD (p = 0.818), IVH (p = 0.106), ROP (p = 0.526), and home oxygen requirement (p = 0.764) were similar. The percentage of successful first attempts with LISA (63 vs. 70%, p = 0.816) or associated with hypoxia episodes (32 vs. 42%, p = 0.194) did not differ significantly by site of administration. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of LISA performed on the DS were similar to those of LISA performed on the NNU. KEY POINTS: · Prematurely born infants who received LISA in the DS had comparable clinical outcomes to infants who received LISA on NNU.. · No significant differences in admission temperature was noticed in infants who received LISA, in DS versus NNU..

Repeatability of PDA diameter measurements on echocardiography.

Diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is used as a marker of haemodynamic significance. We aimed to assess the intra- and inter-observer variability in PDA diameter in babies born at ≤ 30 weeks' gestation. TTEs for 56 infants were performed by a single neonatologist. Cineloops were stored without measurement annotations. PDAs were measured on 2-dimensional (2D) and Colour Doppler. A second, blinded neonatologist repeated measurements on the same cineloops. The scanning neonatologist repeated measurements at a later date, blinded to original measurements. Inter-observer results showed repeatability coefficients of 1.57 (2D) and 2.18 (Colour), and repeatability index of 73% (2D) and 91% (Colour). Intra-observer results showed repeatability coefficients of 0.99 (2D) and 1.32 (Colour), and repeatability index of 43% (2D) and 49% (Colour).Conclusion: There is significant inter- and intra-observer variability in measurements of PDA diameter, even on the same cineloops. We advise caution when using diameter alone as a marker of haemodynamic significance, and recommend using multiple parameters to determine haemodynamic significance of PDA. What is Known: • PDA is associated with numerous comorbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage and mortality. • PDA diameter is commonly measured on transthoracic echocardiography and used as a marker of haemodynamic significance. • A previous, smaller study has shown there may be poor repeatability of PDA diameter measurements in serial echocardiograms. What is New: • There is significant inter-observer variability in 2D and Colour Doppler measurements of PDA internal diameter on TTE in preterm infants. • There is moderate intra-observer correlation of repeated measurements on the same imaging in both 2D and Colour Doppler imaging.

Improved nutritional outcomes with neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in premature infants: a single tertiary neonatal unit's experience.

During neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA)/non-invasive (NIV) NAVA, a modified nasogastric feeding tube with electrodes, monitors the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi). The Edi waveform determines the delivered pressure from the ventilator. Infant breathing is in synchrony with the ventilator and therefore is more comfortable with less work of breathing. Our aim was to determine if infants on NAVA had improved nutritional outcomes compared to infants managed on conventional respiratory support. A retrospective study was undertaken. Infants on NAVA were matched with two conventionally ventilated controls by gestational age, birth weight, sex, antenatal steroid exposure, and whether inborn or transferred ex utero. NAVA/NIV-NAVA was delivered by the SERVO-n® Maquet Getinge group ventilator. Conventional ventilation included pressure and volume control ventilation, and non-invasive ventilation included nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation, triggered biphasic positive airway pressure, continuous positive airway pressure and heated humidified high flow oxygen. The measured outcome was discharge weight z scores. Eighteen "NAVA" infants with median gestational age (GA) of 25.3 (23.6-27.1) weeks and birth weight (BW) of 765 (580-1060) grams were compared with 36 controls with GA 25.2 (23.4-28) weeks (p = 0.727) and BW 743 (560-1050) grams (p = 0.727). There was no significant difference in the rates of postnatal steroids (61% versus 36% p = 0.093), necrotising enterocolitis (22% versus 11% p = 0.279) in the NAVA/NIV NAVA compared to the control group. There were slightly more infants who were breastfed at discharge in the NAVA/NIV NAVA group compared to controls: breast feeds (77.8% versus 58.3%), formula feeds (11.1% versus 30.6%), and mixed feeds (11.1% versus 11.1%), but this difference was not significant (p = 0.275). There was no significant difference in the birth z scores 0.235 (-1.56 to 1.71) versus -0.05 (-1.51 to -1.02) (p = 0.248) between the groups. However, the discharge z score was significantly in favour of the NAVA/NIV-NAVA group: -1.22 (-2.66 to -0.12) versus -2.17 (-3.79 to -0.24) in the control group (p = 0.033).Conclusion: The combination of NAVA/NIV-NAVA compared to conventional invasive and non-invasive modes may contribute to improved nutritional outcomes in premature infants.

Impact of a Care Bundle on Cost Saving for Noninvasive Respiratory Support for Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Neonates often receive noninvasive respiratory support via continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HHFNC). The decision to change from one mode to the other, however, is not evidence based, hence not standardized and does not consider cost implications. PURPOSE: To assess the introduction of a care bundle for the medical and nursing staff in a tertiary medical and surgical neonatal center with regard to any financial savings or adverse outcomes. METHODS: An education package and written guidelines were used to increase the awareness of the durations for which CPAP and HHFNC Vapotherm (VT) circuits could be used and the costs of the circuits. RESULTS: This resulted in a cost saving of £17,000 ($22,254) for the year without adverse outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Introduction of a care bundle involving an education package and written guidelines to increase the awareness of the durations that circuits could be used and the costs of CPAP and HHFNC circuits among the medical and nursing staff can lead to cost savings when incorporated into clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Strategies, particularly during weaning, which involve changing from one form of noninvasive respiratory support to another, need a greater evidence base. Future research should include awareness of the duration different circuits could be used and the cost implications of changes between modes and hence circuits.

Sildenafil in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Friend or Foe?

INTRODUCTION: Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor used to treat pulmonary hypertension, although its efficiency remains disputed in the neonatal population. We aimed to assess the clinical use of this drug in extremely premature infants diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension associated to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of 18 patients born at ≤ 32 weeks gestational age with pulmonary hypertension complicating moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which was diagnosed on echocardiography at 36 weeks corrected gestational age. Median corrected gestational age at starting sildenafil was 48 weeks (range 32-60). In 4 cases there was a period of > 2 weeks between the evidence of moderate-severe pulmonary hypertension and starting sildenafil. In all other cases it was started as soon as the diagnosis was suspected or confirmed. RESULTS: All infants tolerated the use of sildenafil. However, 5 babies (26.31%) died despite ongoing intensive care, and 5 babies (26.31%) died after having care redirected due to severe chronic lung disease (1 due to co-existing neurological abnormality), with on overall mortality of this study of 52.62%. Eight babies (42.1%) survived: 5 continued on sildenafil until hospital discharge, 1 continued on transfer to the paediatric intensive care unit and 2 stopped while inpatients. Upon follow up to 2 years of age, out of the 5 patients who continued upon hospital discharge, 4 stopped at 6, 7, 12 and 18 months respectively, with 1 child being lost to follow up. Two patients (10.52%) restarted sildenafil use later in childhood. Echocardiographic evidence of improvement was noted in 58% (11 cases), with no improvement in 6 cases (32%) and incorrect original diagnosis in 1 case (5%). One infant died less than a week from the initiation of treatment. CONCLUSION: sildenafil use showed no clinical improvement of pulmonary hypertension complicating moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely premature infants.

Do more mature preterm babies with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis predominantly develop the colonic disease?

Background: The primary aim was to scrutinize our hypothesis: "Do more mature preterm (MMP) babies with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) predominantly develop the colonic disease and are different in their response and behaviour in comparison to exceedingly preterm (EP) babies?" Secondary outcomes were to define time taken in developing NEC, time from diagnosis to laparotomy, requirement of parenteral nutrition (PN), and ventilatory support. Methods: We defined MMP babies as ≥30 weeks of gestation and EP babies as ≤29 weeks+6 days of gestation. Inclusion criteria were all babies <37 weeks with NEC requiring surgery (called surgical NEC group). Data were collected retrospectively and analyzed using QuickCalcs. Results: Of the total, 41% (97/234) of babies underwent laparotomy between 2010 and 2019. Totally, 81% were EP and 19% were MMP babies. Pure colonic involvement was seen in 9% of EP babies in comparison to 56% in the MMP babies (p=0.0001). Involvement of only the small bowel was seen in two-thirds of EP babies in comparison to only one-third in MMP babies (p=0.01). EP cohort required PN for 82 days (median) in comparison to 17 days (median) in the MMP cohort (p=0.001). Ventilation requirement in the EP group versus the MMP group was 24 vs 9 days (median), respectively (p=0.0006). Conclusions: MMP babies predominantly developed colonic disease, whereas EP babies predominantly developed small bowel disease. EP babies required a longer duration of PN and ventilation support. This study opens a new area of research to differentiate pathogenesis and maturation patterns of the small and large bowels in babies with NEC.

Less Invasive Surfactant Administration in Very Prematurely Born Infants.

Background Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is the preferred mode of surfactant administration for spontaneously breathing preterm babies supported by noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether LISA on the neonatal unit or in the delivery suite was associated with reduced rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or the need for intubation, or lower durations of invasive ventilation and length of hospital stay (LOS). Methods A historical comparison was undertaken. Each "LISA" infant was matched with two infants (controls) who did not receive LISA. Results The 25 LISA infants had similar gestational ages and birth weights to the 50 controls (28 [25.6-31.7] weeks vs. 28.5 [25.4-31.9] weeks, p = 0.732; 1,120 (580-1,810) g vs. 1,070 [540-1,869] g, p = 0.928), respectively. LISA infants had lower requirement for intubation (52 vs. 90%, p < 0.001), shorter duration of invasive ventilation (median 1 [0-35] days vs. 6 [0-62] days p = 0.001) and a lower incidence of BPD (36 vs. 64%, p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in duration of NIV (median 26 [3-225] vs. 23 [2-85] days, p = 0.831) or the total LOS (median 76 [24-259] vs. 85 [27-221], p = 0.238). Conclusion LISA on the neonatal unit or the delivery suite was associated with a lower BPD incidence, need for intubation, and duration of invasive ventilation.

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist in Very Prematurely Born Infants with Evolving/Established Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Background During neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA)/noninvasive (NIV) NAVA, a modified nasogastric feeding tube with electrodes monitors the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi). The Edi waveform determines the delivered pressure from the ventilator. Objective Our objective was to determine whether NAVA/NIV-NAVA has advantages in infants with evolving/established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods Each infant who received NAVA/NIV-NAVA and conventional invasive and NIV was matched with two historical controls. Eighteen NAVA/NIV-NAVA infants' median gestational age, 25.3 (23.6-28.1) weeks, was compared with 36 historical controls' median gestational age 25.2 (23.1-29.1) weeks. Results Infants on NAVA/NIV-NAVA had lower extubation failure rates (median: 0 [0-2] vs. 1 [0-6] p = 0.002), shorter durations of invasive ventilation (median: 30.5, [1-90] vs. 40.5 [11-199] days, p = 0.046), and total duration of invasive and NIV to the point of discharge to the local hospital (median: 80 [57-140] vs. 103.5 [60-246] days, p = 0.026). The overall length of stay (LOS) was lower in NAVA/NIVNAVA group (111.5 [78-183] vs. 140 [82-266] days, p = 0.019). There were no significant differences in BPD (17/18 [94%] vs. 32/36 [89%] p = 0.511) or home oxygen rates (14/18 [78%] vs. 23/36 [64%] p = 0.305). Conclusion The combination of NAVA/NIV-NAVA compared with conventional invasive and NIV modes may be advantageous for preterm infants with evolving/established BPD.