Intra-breath oscillometry for the evaluation of lung function in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: To assess respiratory system impedance (Zrs) and spirometric parameters in children and adolescents with and without a history of preterm birth. METHODS: We evaluated a sample of 51 subjects between 11 and 14 years of age: 35 who had a history of preterm birth (preterm group) and 16 who had been born at term (full-term group). Lung function was measured by spirometry, spectral oscillometry, and intra-breath oscillometry. RESULTS: Neither spirometry nor spectral oscillometry revealed any statistically significant differences between the preterm and full-term groups. However, intra-breath oscillometry demonstrated significant differences between the two groups in terms of the change in resistance, reactance at end-inspiration, and the change in reactance (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that abnormalities in Zrs persist in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth and that intra-breath oscillometry is more sensitive than is spectral oscillometry. Larger studies are needed in order to validate these findings and to explore the impact that birth weight and gestational age at birth have on Zrs later in life.

Meconium microbiome and its relation to neonatal growth and head circumference catch-up in preterm infants.

The purpose was identify an association between meconium microbiome, extra-uterine growth restriction, and head circumference catch-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study with preterm infants born <33 weeks gestational age (GA), admitted at Neonatal Unit and attending the Follow-Up Preterm Program of a tertiary hospital. Excluded out born infants; presence of congenital malformations or genetic syndromes; congenital infections; HIV-positive mothers; and newborns whose parents or legal guardians did not authorize participation. Approved by the institution's ethics committee. Conducted 16S rRNA sequencing using PGM Ion Torrent meconium samples for microbiota analysis. RESULTS: Included 63 newborns, GA 30±2.3 weeks, mean weight 1375.80±462.6 grams, 68.3% adequate weight for GA at birth. Polynucleobacter (p = 0.0163), Gp1 (p = 0.018), and Prevotella (p = 0.038) appeared in greater abundance in meconium of preterm infants with adequate birth weight for GA. Thirty (47.6%) children reached head circumference catch-up before 6 months CA and 33 (52.4%) after 6 months CA. Salmonella (p<0.001), Flavobacterium (p = 0.026), and Burkholderia (p = 0.026) were found to be more abundant in meconium in the group of newborns who achieved catch-up prior to 6th month CA. CONCLUSION: Meconium microbiome abundance was related to adequacy of weight for GA. Meconium microbiome differs between children who achieve head circumference catch-up by the 6th month of corrected age or after this period.

Defining microbial biomarkers for risk of preterm labor.

Preterm birth remains the main contributor to early childhood mortality. The vaginal environment, including microbiota composition, might contribute to the risk of preterm delivery. Alterations in the vaginal microbial community structure might represent a risk factor for preterm birth. Here, we aimed to (a) investigate the association between preterm birth and the vaginal microbial community and (b) identify microbial biomarkers for risk of preterm birth. Microbial DNA was isolated from vaginal swabs in a cohort of 69 women enrolled at hospital admission for their delivery. Microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. While no differences in microbial diversity measures appeared associated with the spontaneous preterm and full-term outcomes, the microbial composition was distinct for these groups. Differential abundance analysis showed Lactobacillus species to be associated with full-term birth whereas an unknown Prevotella species was more abundant in the spontaneous preterm group. Although we studied a very miscegenated population from Brazil, our findings were similar to evidence pointed by other studies in different countries. The role of Lactobacillus species as a protector in the vaginal microbiome is demonstrated to be also a protector of spontaneous preterm outcome whereas the presence of pathogenic species, such as Prevotella spp., is endorsed as a factor of risk for spontaneous preterm delivery.

Therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: magnetic resonance imaging findings and neurological outcomes in a Brazilian cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the neurodevelopment outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and identify the neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with neurological outcome in a middle-income country. STUDY DESIGN: All infants born after 35 completed weeks' gestation with signs of moderate to severe encephalopathy and evidence of perinatal asphyxia before 6 hours of life were submitted to whole-body hypothermia and were imaged at 18 ± 8.4 days of life (range 7-33 days) after birth. Surviving infants had the neurodevelopment outcome assessed at 12 to 18 months of age by trained professional masked to MRI findings. RESULTS: Forty-eight infants included, MRI scans were obtained from 34 infants; 14 (29.1%) patients died during hospitalization before MRI was performed. Nine (64.3%) of 14 patients were classified as severe encephalopathy presented Posterior Limb Internal Capsule (PLIC) sign at the MRI, 10 (71.4%) thalamus and basal ganglia (TBG) lesion, 9 (64.3%) white matter (WM) lesion, and 7 (50.0%) cortical lesion. Severe encephalopathy was associated with the motor delay at 12-18 months by Bayley III, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores (p = .020, p = .048, p = .033, respectively), but not for the cognitive (p = .167) or language skills (p = .309). Lower BSID-III motor, cognitive, and language composite scores were associated with PLIC sign (p = .047; p = .006 and p = .003, respectively). TBG lesion (p = .051) and cortical lesion (p = .030) were associated with lower language composite score. Motor delay by AIMS and the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI were observed (p < .001; p = .002; p = .001 and p = .027, respectively); as well as higher GMFCS score were associated with the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI (p < .001; p = .001; p = .001, and p = .011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Brain MRI in neonates with HIE after therapeutic hypothermia is a valuable tool for diagnosis of encephalopathy cerebral abnormalities and is an early predictor of outcome in infants treated with whole body hypothermia for HIE in the Brazilian experience.

Intra-breath oscillometry for the evaluation of lung function in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth / Oscilometria intra-breath para avaliação da função pulmonar em crianças e adolescentes com história de prematuridade

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess respiratory system impedance (Zrs) and spirometric parameters in children and adolescents with and without a history of preterm birth. Methods: We evaluated a sample of 51 subjects between 11 and 14 years of age: 35 who had a history of preterm birth (preterm group) and 16 who had been born at term (full-term group). Lung function was measured by spirometry, spectral oscillometry, and intra-breath oscillometry. Results: Neither spirometry nor spectral oscillometry revealed any statistically significant differences between the preterm and full-term groups. However, intra-breath oscillometry demonstrated significant differences between the two groups in terms of the change in resistance, reactance at end-inspiration, and the change in reactance (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that abnormalities in Zrs persist in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth and that intra-breath oscillometry is more sensitive than is spectral oscillometry. Larger studies are needed in order to validate these findings and to explore the impact that birth weight and gestational age at birth have on Zrs later in life.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a impedância do sistema respiratório (Zsr) e parâmetros espirométricos em crianças e adolescentes com e sem história de prematuridade. Métodos: Foi analisada uma amostra de 51 indivíduos entre 11 e 14 anos de idade: 35 com história de prematuridade (grupo pré-termo) e 16 nascidos a termo (grupo a termo). A função pulmonar foi medida por meio de espirometria, oscilometria espectral e oscilometria intra-breath. Resultados: A espirometria e a oscilometria espectral não revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos pré-termo e a termo. No entanto, a oscilometria intra-breath demonstrou diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos quanto à alteração da resistência, à reatância ao final da inspiração e à alteração da reatância (p < 0,05 para todas). Conclusões: Nossos achados sugerem que as anormalidades na Zsr persistem em crianças e adolescentes com história de prematuridade e que a oscilometria intra-breath é mais sensível do que a oscilometria espectral. São necessários estudos maiores para validar esses achados e para explorar o impacto do peso e idade gestacional ao nascer na Zsr mais tarde na vida.

Comparison of two dose regimens of ibuprofen for the closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen at high (20-10-10mg/kg/dose) and low doses (10-5-5mg/kg/dose) the closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborns. METHODS: A cohort study with historical control of newborns that received high- and low-dose intravenous ibuprofen, from 2010 to 2013 in a neonatal intensive care unit, for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, documented by echocardiography. Secondary outcomes included the number of ibuprofen cycles, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, changes in renal function, and death. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients received three doses of ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus, with 33 receiving high-dose and 44 low-dose therapy. The ductus closed after the first cycle in 25 (56.8%) low-dose patients and in 17 (51.5%) high-dose patients (p>0.99). Sixteen patients received a second cycle of ibuprofen, and the ductus closed in 50% after low-dose and in 60% after high-dose therapy (p>0.99). Seven patients required surgery for ductus closure, 13.6% in the low-dose group and 3% in the high-dose group (p=0.22). Thirty-nine patients developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 50% in the low-dose group and 51.5% in the high-dose group (p>0.99). Twenty-two (50%) low-dose patients died vs. 15 (45.5%) high-dose patients (p=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in closure of the ductus arteriosus or occurrence of adverse effects between the two dose regimens.

Comparison of two dose regimens of ibuprofen for the closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborns / Comparação de dois esquemas posológicos de ibuprofeno para o fechamento do canal arterial em recém-nascidos pré-termo

Abstract Objective: To compare the efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen at high (20-10-10 mg/kg/dose) and low doses (10-5-5 mg/kg/dose) the closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborns. Methods: A cohort study with historical control of newborns that received high- and low-dose intravenous ibuprofen, from 2010 to 2013 in a neonatal intensive care unit, for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, documented by echocardiography. Secondary outcomes included the number of ibuprofen cycles, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, changes in renal function, and death. Results: Seventy-seven patients received three doses of ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus, with 33 receiving high-dose and 44 low-dose therapy. The ductus closed after the first cycle in 25 (56.8%) low-dose patients and in 17 (51.5%) high-dose patients (p > 0.99). Sixteen patients received a second cycle of ibuprofen, and the ductus closed in 50% after low-dose and in 60% after high-dose therapy (p > 0.99). Seven patients required surgery for ductus closure, 13.6% in the low-dose group and 3% in the high-dose group (p = 0.22). Thirty-nine patients developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, 50% in the low-dose group and 51.5% in the high-dose group (p > 0.99). Twenty-two (50%) low-dose patients died vs. 15 (45.5%) high-dose patients (p = 0.86). Conclusions: There was no difference in closure of the ductus arteriosus or occurrence of adverse effects between the two dose regimens.

Resumo Objetivo: Comparar a eficácia do ibuprofeno endovenoso em doses altas (20, 10 e 10 mg/kg/dose) e em doses baixas (10, 5 e 5 mg/kg/dose) para o fechamento do canal arterial em recém-nascidos pré-termo. Métodos: Estudo de coorte com controle histórico que pesquisou recém-nascidos que receberam ibuprofeno endovenoso, de 2010 a 2013, na unidade de internação neonatal, em doses altas e baixas para o fechamento do canal arterial, documentado por ecocardiograma. Como desfechos secundários foram avaliados o número de ciclos de ibuprofeno feitos, a incidência de displasia broncopulmonar, enterocolite necrosante, alteração de função renal e óbito. Resultados: Receberam três doses de ibuprofeno para tratamento do canal arterial 77 pacientes, 33 dose alta e 44 dose baixa; 25 (56,8%) dos que receberam dose baixa fecharam o canal após o 1° ciclo e 17 (51,5%) fecharam após receberem dose alta (p > 0,99); 16 pacientes receberam o 2° ciclo e 50% fecharam o canal após uso de dose baixa e 60% após o uso de dose alta (p > 0.99); sete pacientes foram à cirurgia para fechamento do canal, 13,6% do grupo que recebeu dose baixa e 3% dose alta (p = 0,22); 39 pacientes desenvolveram displasia broncopulmonar, 50% do grupo de dose baixa e 51,5% do grupo de dose alta (p > 0,99); 22 (50%) dos pacientes do grupo dose baixa evoluíram a óbito versus 15 (45,5%) dos pacientes do grupo de dose alta (p = 0,86). Conclusão: Não encontramos diferença em relação ao fechamento do canal arterial, assim como ocorrência de efeitos adversos, quando comparamos os dois esquemas posológicos.

Linfadenopatia axilar com tumor primário desconhecido / Axillary lymphadenopathy with unknown primary neoplasms

Os autores apresentam o relato de caso de uma paciente de 52 anos com linfadenopatia axilar com tumor primário desconhecido. Essa forma de apresentaçao de câncer de mama, sem evidência clínica ou mamográfica da lesao é rara, perfazendo ao redor de 1 por cento dos casos. Enfatiza-se a necessidade de uma minuciosa investigaçao clínica e laboratorial com o intuito de descartar outras neoplasias que podem apresentar-se com massa axilar palpável. Sao discutidos também, os métodos diagnósticos e a conduta a ser adotada nesta caso.