Initial lactate levels linked to oliguria in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia.

BACKGROUND: Oliguria is a sign of impaired kidney function and has been shown to be an early predictor of adverse prognoses in patients with acute kidney injury. The relationship between urine output (UOP) and early lactate levels in neonates with perinatal asphyxia (PA) has not been extensively explored. This study aimed to investigate the link between oliguria during the first 24 h of life and early lactate levels in neonates with PA. METHODS: The medical records of 293 term neonates with asphyxia from 9216 hospitalized newborns were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 cases designated as the oliguria group and 166 cases as controls. Peripheral arterial blood gas after PA and UOP within 24 h after birth were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Oliguria occurred in 43.34% of neonates with PA. The median UOP of the oliguria and control groups were 0.65 and 1.46 mL/kg/h, respectively. Elevated lactate levels after PA are an independent risk factor for oliguria in the following 24 h (p = 0.01; OR: 1.19; 95%CI: 1.04-1.35) and show a moderate discriminatory power for oliguria (AUC = 0.62). Using a cut off value of 8.15 mmol/L, the positive and negative predictive values and the specificity were 59.34%, 63.86%, and 78.30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neonates with elevated lactate levels after PA face a risk of oliguria in the following 24 h. Based on early elevated lactate levels after resuscitation, especially ≥ 8.15 mmol/L, meticulously monitoring UOP will allow this vulnerable population to receive early, tailored fluid management and medical intervention.

Incidência de crises epiléticas eletrográficas em recém nascidos internados na uti neonatal com o diagnóstico de asfixia moderada e grave: relato de série de casos / Incidence of electrographic epileptic seizures in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with a diagnosis of moderate and severe asphyxia: case series report

Introdução: A asfixia perinatal ocorre em cerca de 8-10% de todos os partos no Brasil e exige atenção na prevenção e na abordagem assistencial. Nas formas leves, a recuperação é total. As formas moderada e grave causam déficits neurológicos permanentes e alterações no desenvolvimento neurológico (48%) ou morte (27%).3 Convulsões também estão frequentemente presentes e o seu diagnóstico adequado é fundamental, tendo em vista que o quadro convulsivo por si só pode agravar a lesão cerebral. Embora a eletroencefalografia convencional (EEG) ainda represente o padrão ouro de diagnóstico, o monitoramento contínuo usando o aEEG pode ser crucial para o reconhecimento e intervenção precoces.7,8 . Objetivo: Descrever a incidência de convulsões eletrográficas captadas pelo vídeo aEEG (eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada) em uma coorte de recém-nascidos internados na UTI neonatal com diagnóstico de asfixia moderada e grave ao nascer. Método: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, do tipo séries de caso. Critérios de inclusão: Recém nascidos que experimentaram um evento hipóxico isquêmico ao nascer, no período de julho de 2017 à julho de 2020, com IG ≥ 35 semanas e com o APGAR ≤ 7 no 5º minuto de vida. A amostra foi classificada em dois grupos, imediatamente ao nascimento: graves e moderados. A monitorização pelo aEEG foi aplicada integralmente em ambos os grupos, assim como a avaliação quanto à presença ou ausência de convulsões clínicas e eletrográficas. Critérios de exclusão: Recém-nascidos com anomalias congênitas, anomalias cromossômicas e recém nascidos que tenham sido transferidos após 6h de vida. O estudo ocorreu em 3 unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal, localizadas no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: Neste período de 3 anos, foram internados 5484 recém nascidos nas unidades neonatais, sendo que 97 (1,76%) sofreram algum tipo de insulto hipóxico isquêmico no período perinatal ou neonatal imediato. Destes 97, 65 preencheram os critérios de inclusão do estudo. Excluímos do estudo 4 recém nascidos (1 por alteração genética e 3 por transferência hospitalar após 6h de vida). Foram classificados como grupo grave (N= 26 (42,6%)). Todos os outros RN foram classificados como grupo moderado (N= 35 (57,4%)). Observamos no grupo grave 1 RN (3,84%) com convulsões clínicas, 10 RN (38,46%) com convulsões eletrográficas e 1 RN (3,84%) com ambas as formas de convulsão e no grupo moderado 2 RN (5,71%) com convulsões clínicas, 8 RN (22,85%) com convulsões eletrográficas e 2 RN (5,71%) com ambas as formas de convulsão. Conclusão: Observamos grande quantidade de convulsões eletrográficas, não traduzidas clinicamente, indicando que a utilização do aEEG é fundamental para o diagnóstico rápido e preciso de convulsões em recém nascidos de alto risco.

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia occurs in about 8-10% of all births in Brazil and requires attention in prevention and care approach. In light forms, recovery is complete. The moderate and severe forms cause permanent neurological deficits and changes in neurological development (48%) or death (27%).3 Seizures are also frequently present and its proper diagnosis is essential, considering that the convulsive condition by itself can aggravate the brain damage. Although conventional electroencephalography (EEG) still represents the gold standard for diagnosis, continuous monitoring using aEEG can be crucial for early recognition and intervention.7,8 Objective: To describe the incidence of electrographic seizures captured by aEEG video (integrated amplitude electroencephalogram) in a cohort of newborns admitted to the NICU with a diagnosis of moderate and severe asphyxia at birth. Method: This is a retrospective, descriptive, case series study. Inclusion criteria: Newborns who experienced a hypoxic ischemic event at birth, from July 2017 to July 2020, with GA ≥ 35 weeks and with APGAR ≤ 7 in the 5th minute of life. The sample was classified into two groups, immediately at birth: severe and moderate. Monitoring by aEEG was fully applied to both groups, as well as the evaluation of the presence or absence of clinical and electrographic seizures. Exclusion criteria: Newborns with congenital anomalies, chromosomal anomalies and newborns who were transferred after 6h of life. The study took place in 3 neonatal intensive care units located in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Results: In this 3-year period, 5484 newborns were hospitalized in neonatal units, and 97 (1.76%) suffered some type of hypoxic-ischemic insult in the perinatal or immediate neonatal period. Of these 97, 65 met the study's inclusion criteria. We excluded 4 newborns from the study (1 due to genetic alteration and 3 due to hospital transfer after 6h of life). They were classified as a severe group (N=26 (42.6%)). All other NB were classified as a moderate group (N=35 (57.4%)). We observed in the severe group 1 NB (3.84%) with clinical seizures, 10 NB (38.46%) with electrographic seizures and 1 NB (3.84%) with both forms of seizure and in the moderate group 2 NB (5 .71%) with clinical seizures, 8 NB (22.85%) with electrographic seizures and 2 NB (5.71%) with both forms of seizure.Conclusion: We observed a large number of clinically untranslated electrographic seizures, indicating that the use of aEEG is essential for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of seizures in high-risk newborns.

Do Increased Intra-alveolar Squamous Cells at Autopsy Correlate With Acute Fetal Asphyxia?

It is a generally held concept that finding increased aspirated amniotic fluid squames at autopsy supports a diagnosis of acute fetal asphyxia, the massive aspiration of squames being an indicator of terminal gasping. To evaluate this concept, we identified autopsies on 15 third-trimester stillborns with clinical acute placental abruption (acute asphyxia); 13 also had thymic petechiae and none had severe acute thymic involution, findings also supporting acute asphyxia. Thirty third-trimester stillborns with findings supporting a subacute or chronic mode of death, including severe thymic involution and absence of thymic petechiae, comprised the comparison group. Intra-alveolar squames were scored as 0, no squames; 1+, scattered squames singly or in small groups; and 2+, squames in many alveoli, at least focally in compacted clusters. In all cases, the squames were patchily distributed, and none received a score of 0. In the abruption group, the intra-alveolar squames were scored as 1+ in 12 (80%) and as 2+ in 3 (20%) cases, while in the comparison group, the squames were scored as 1+ in 20 (67%) and 2+ in 10 (33%) cases (P = NS). There was also no difference in the quantification of intra-alveolar squames in term compared to preterm stillborns. In conclusion, quantification of intra-alveolar squames did not aid in separating an acute mode of death (acute asphyxia) from subacute or chronic modes of death.

Pharyngeal stimulus-induced reflexes are impaired in infants with perinatal asphyxia: Does maturation modify?

BACKGROUND: Development of pharyngo-esophageal protective reflexes among infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is unclear. Our aim was to distinguish these reflexes from controls and examine the maturational changes in HIE infants. METHODS: We evaluated 14 HIE infants (seven males) at 41.4±0.6 (HIE Time-1) and 46.5±0.6 (HIE Time-2) weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Seven controls (three males) were evaluated at 43.5±1.3 weeks PMA. Graded pharyngeal stimulation with liquids (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 mL in triplicate) concurrent with high-resolution manometry was used to analyze sensory-motor components of pharyngeal reflexive swallowing (PRS), upper esophageal sphincter (UES), contractile reflex (PUCR), and esophageal body characteristics. Linear mixed and generalized estimating equation models were used for comparison among groups. KEY RESULTS: Compared to controls, HIE infants (Time-1 and Time-2) exhibited decreased number of pharyngeal peaks and latency to terminal swallow. HIE Time-1 infants showed increased UES resting tone and distal latency, compared to controls and HIE Time-2. Contractile vigor was increasingly abnormal during maturation, compared to healthy controls. Threshold volumes and frequency distribution of primary responses (PRS: PUCR: None) were not significant among all groups. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Compared to controls, HIE infants display significant hypertonicity of skeletal muscle components, impairment of pharyngeal provocation-induced reflexes and smooth muscle contractile vigor, reflecting poor propagation with maturation. These mechanisms may be responsible for inadequate clearance of secretions, ascending refluxate, and oropharyngeal bolus in HIE infants.

Clinical hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy score of the Iberoamerican Society of Neonatology (Siben): A new proposal for diagnosis and management / Escore clínico de encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica da Sociedad Iberoamericana de Neonatología (Siben): uma nova proposta para seu diagnóstico e manejo perinatal

Summary Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a major complication of perinatal asphyxia, with high morbidity, mortality and neurologic sequelae as cerebral palsy, mostly in poor or developing countries. The difficulty in the diagnosis and management of newborns in these countries is astonishing, thus resulting in unreliable data on this pathology and bad outcomes regarding mortality and incidence of neurologic sequelae. The objective of this article is to present a new clinical diagnostic score to be started in the delivery room and to guide the therapeutic approach, in order to improve these results.

Resumo A encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica é a principal complicação da asfixia perinatal, com alta morbidade, mortalidade e incidência de sequelas neurológicas, como a paralisia cerebral, principalmente em países pobres e/ou em desenvolvimento. Nessas regiões, as dificuldades no diagnóstico e no manejo desses recém-nascidos é surpreendente, o que resulta em dados pouco confiáveis e em péssimos desfechos tanto no que se refere à mortalidade como à incidência de sequelas neurológicas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um novo escore para o diagnóstico clínico ser iniciado na sala de parto e uma abordagem terapêutica com o intuito de melhorar esses resultados.

A policy of routine umbilical cord blood gas analysis decreased missing samples from high-risk births.

AIM: This study compared obstetric units practicing routine or selective umbilical cord blood gas analysis, with respect to the risk of missing samples in high-risk deliveries and in infants with birth asphyxia. METHODS: This was a Swedish population-based cohort study that used register data for 155 235 deliveries of live singleton infants between 2008 and 2014. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the association between routine and selective umbilical cord blood gas sampling strategies and the risk of missing samples. RESULTS: Selective sampling increased the risk ratios when routine sampling was used as the reference, with a value of 1.0, and these were significant in high-risk deliveries and birth asphyxia. The risk ratios for selective sampling were large-for-gestational age (9.07), preterm delivery at up to 36 weeks of gestation (8.24), small-for-gestational age (7.94), two or more foetal scalp blood samples (5.96), an Apgar score of less than seven at one minute (2.36), emergency Caesarean section (1.67) and instrumental vaginal delivery (1.24). CONCLUSION: Compared with routine sampling, selective umbilical cord blood gas sampling significantly increased the risks of missing samples in high-risk deliveries and in infants with birth asphyxia.

Serum NGAL and copeptin levels as predictors of acute kidney injury in asphyxiated neonates.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common complication of perinatal asphyxia. Recent research indicates that serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker for AKI, but there are the lacks of data about its use in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 43 term neonates. Umbilical cord blood and 24 h after birth serum NGAL, copeptin, creatinine, and molality were measured in all asphyxiated and controls neonates. RESULTS: During the study period, 8 of asphyxiated nenates (18.6 %) suffered from AKI, while 35 newborns have no signs of AKI and 30 healthy infants. We did not observe any differences in creatinine and copeptin levels, as well as serum osmolality in all three investigated groups (AKI, no-AKI, and controls) in cord blood, and 24 h after birth. Serum NGAL levels in umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in the AKI group (174.3 ng/mL) compared with no-AKI (88.5 ng/mL, p = 0.01) and control groups (28.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001), and 24 h after birth (respectively, AKI 152.5 ng/mL vs no-AKI 74.9 ng/mL, p = 0.02 vs controls 39.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001). NGAL concentration showed a strong negative correlation to umbilical artery pH (Rho = -0.42, p = 0.04), base excess (Rho = -0.31, p = 0.03), and Apgar score in 1st min (Rho = -0.41, p = 0.02) and 5th min of life (Rho = -0.20, p = 0.001). ROC curve analysis demonstrated a good predictive value for NGAL levels (>140.7 ng/mL) which allows to diagnose AKI in asphyxiated patients with 88.9 % sensitivity (95 % CI 75-95 %) and 95.0 % specificity (95 % CI 76-99 %). CONCLUSION: NGAL seems to be a promising marker, even in subclinical AKI in neonates, due to its high specificity, but copeptin did not meet expectations.

Umbilical markers of perinatal hypoxia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate activin A and NGAL levels as potential early markers of perinatal hypoxia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 58 full-term newborns: 24 with perinatal hypoxia (study group) and 34 healthy controls. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from all subjects immediately after delivery for the measurement of activin A and NGAL levels. Both biomarkers were correlated with biochemical indicators od hypoxia and neonatal complications. RESULTS: Activin A levels were significantly higher in hypoxic as compared to non-hypoxic newborns (0.51 vs. 0.22pg/mL; p<0.01). NGAL levels were also higher in asphyxiated babies as compared to controls (99.1 vs. 22.3ng/mL; p<0.001). A correlation between NGAL and activin A levels was detected (R=0.54; p<0.01). NGAL concentration was also correlated with Apgar score at 5 min. and pH value, HCO3, based deficit and lactate levels. ROC curve analysis demonstrated the cutoff value of >33.9ng/ml for NGAL in prediction of perinatal asphyxia in neonates, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity 78.3%, whereas the cutoff value for activin A was 0.208ng/ml had, with a sensitivity of 93.1% and only 26.7% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Asphyxiated neonates demonstrate elevated NGAL and activin A levels as compared to controls. The correlation of NGAL with clinical and biochemical signs of neonatal hypoxia, as well as higher sensitivity and specificity for NGAL measurements, have led us to believe that NGAL could be a better marker of perinatal hypoxia than activin A.

Combination of Serum Interleukin-1ß and 6 Levels in the Diagnosis of Perinatal Asphyxia.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of death, as well as permanent neurological and developmental complications. Diagnosing in time would lead to better prognosis and applying the most proper treatment. We sought to define the predictive values of serum concentrations of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in newborns with perinatal asphyxia to see if there is a relation between the short-term neurological deficit and serum IL-1ß and IL-6 concentrations. METHODS: This was a prospective (case-control) study conducted between March 2006 and April 2013, at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mashhad, Iran. Serum IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were measured at birth in 38 consecutive uninfected neonates with perinatal asphyxia (blood pH < 7.2, low Apgar score, signs of fetal distress) and 47 randomly selected healthy newborns. The results were compared between the groups, using Chi-Square, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney tests, as well as receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves and regression models. RESULTS: Serum IL-1ß and IL-6 concentrations in the infants who developed perinatal asphyxia were significantly higher compared to values in the normal infants [16.88 vs  3.34 pg/mL for IL-1ß, (P = 0.006), and 88.15 vs 6.74 pg/ mL for IL-6, (P < 0.001) respectively]. The sensitivity and  specificity for the diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia using serum IL-6 were 80.5% and 81.6% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity using serum IL-1ß were 71% and 89.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Evaluating serum IL-6 and 1ß simultaneously, could improve the sensitivity and specificity of early diagnosis of the perinatal  asphyxia. The most appropriate indicator of perinatal asphyxia is combined measurement of interleukin 1ß and interleukin 6.

Foetal scalp blood sampling during labour for pH and lactate measurements.

Second-line methods of foetal monitoring have been developed in an attempt to reduce unnecessary interventions due to continuous cardiotocography (CTG), and to better identify foetuses that are at risk of intrapartum asphyxia. Very few studies directly compared CTG with foetal scalp blood (FBS) and CTG only. Only one randomised controlled trial (RCT) was published in the 1970s and had limited power to assess neonatal outcome. Direct and indirect comparisons conclude that FBS could reduce the number of caesarean deliveries associated with the use of continuous CTG. The main drawbacks of FBS are its invasive and discontinuous nature and the need for a sufficient volume of foetal blood for analysis, especially for pH measurement, resulting in failure rates reaching 10%. FBS for lactate measurement became popular with the design of test-strip devices, requiring <0.5 mL of foetal blood. RCTs showed similar outcomes with the use of FBS for lactates compared with pH in terms of obstetrical interventions and neonatal outcomes. In conclusion, there is some evidence that FBS reduces the need for operative deliveries. However, the evidence is limited with regard to actual standards, and large RCTs, directly comparing CTG only with CTG with FBS, are still needed.

[Correction of Acidosis in Neonatal Intensive-care Medicine: A National Survey]. / Azidose-Ausgleich in der neonatologischen Intensivmedizin: Eine nationale Umfrage.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic acidosis is a common problem of patients on neonatal intensive care units. Only little data exists in literature and there are no clinical guidelines. The aim of this national survey was to assess criteria for correction of metabolic acidosis in neonatal patients and if there were effects to be observed. METHODS: We designed an online survey and sent it to 304 German children's hospitals. 101 questionnaires were included in our study. RESULTS: The question "How often do you buffer on your ward a week?" was answered 63 times with "zero". In perinatal asphyxia newborns with gestation age over 36+0 weeks 4% of the neonatologists would frequently perform a correction of acidosis, 74.3% would do it rarely and 21.8% never. In syndrome of persistent fetal circulation 28.4% would correct acidosis frequently, 42.0% would correct it rarely and 29.5% would never correct it. In case of sepsis 8.7% would correct acidosis frequently, 70.7% would do it rarely and 20.7% would never correct it. 75.2% of the participants distinguish in buffering a premature or a mature infant. 44.4% of neonatologists saw an improvement of the clinical status of the patient after buffering. 38.3% saw different effects, 16.0% saw no changes and 1.2% saw a worsening of the clinical status. 49.4% of those questioned saw side effects after using sodium bicarbonate as a buffer. CONCLUSION: Correction of acidosis with a buffer is rarely performed on German neonatology wards. The indication of buffering depends on the clinical picture and its underlying problem. Benefits from buffering were seen, as well as side effects.

Avaliação dos níveis de resposta das emissões otoacústicas em neonatos com asfixia perinatal / Assessment of levels of otoacoustic emission response in neonates with perinatal asphyxia

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da asfixia perinatal sobre os níveis de resposta das emissões otoacústicas por estímulo transiente em lactentes. Métodos: Foi realizado, para comparação, o registro das emissões otoacústicas transientes em 154 neonatos: 54 bebês que sofreram asfixia perinatal, medida pela escala de Apgar e diagnóstico médico ao nascimento, e 100 bebês sem risco. Escores abaixo de 4 no primeiro minuto e/ou menores que 6 no quinto minuto foram considerados "Apgar baixo". A análise estatística do conjunto de dados foi efetuada utilizando-se os testes não paramétricos de Kruskal, Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Foram observados menores níveis de resposta nas emissões otoacústicas transientes para o grupo que sofreu asfixia perinatal, com valores estatisticamente significantes para as frequências de 2000, 3000 e 4000Hz na orelha direita e 2000 e 4000Hz na orelha esquerda. Conclusão: A análise das características intrínsecas do exame de emissões otoacústicas transientes mostrou baixo desempenho das células ciliadas externas em neonatos que tiveram asfixia perinatal, o que pode afetar o desenvolvimento das habilidades auditivas nessa população...

Objective: To evaluate the effects of perinatal asphyxia on the level of the response to transient otoacoustic emissions in infants. Methods: Otoacoustic emissions in 154 neonates were performed: 54 infants who suffered asphyxia at birth, measured by Apgar score and medical diagnosis, and 100 infants without risk were compared. Scores less than 4 in the first minute and/or less than 6 in the fifth minute were considered as "low Apgar". Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Kruskal, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests. Results: Lower levels of response were observed in transient otoacoustic emission in the group that suffered perinatal asphyxia, with significant values for the frequencies 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz in the right ear, and 2,000 and 4,000 Hz in the left ear. Conclusions: The analysis of the intrinsic characteristics of the otoacoustic emissions evidenced low performance of outer hair cells in neonates who had perinatal asphyxia, which may affect the development of listening skills in this population...

Umbilical cord blood NGAL concentration as an early marker of perinatal asphyxia in neonates.

INTRODUCTION: Recent reports have revealed increased concentration of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in cardiovascular diseases and after episodes of hypoxia. We hypothesized that elevated plasma NGAL levels could be a result of vascular endothelial injury due to perinatal asphyxia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three newborns with a gestational age > or = 37 weeks, of which 32 newborns were asphyxiated (study group), and 61 were healthy children (control group), were enrolled in the study Serum NGAL, lactate and creatinine concentrations, acid-base balance, neutrophil and white blood cell count were measured in the umbilical cord blood. RESULTS: Asphyxiated newborns had a significantly lower pH value (7.0 vs. 7.3, p < 0.001), lower HCO3 (15.8 mmol/L vs. 23.2 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and higher lactate concentrations (7.5 mmol/L vs. 2.3 mmol/L; p < 0.001), as compared to controls. Neutrophil count (10.3 x 109/L vs. 6.5 x 109/L; p = 0.02) and NGAL concentration (122.5 ng/mL vs. 24.3 ng/ mL p < 0.001) were elevated in asphyxiated newborns as compared to healthy children. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of NGAL in the umbilical blood can be a valuable biomarker of perinatal asphyxia in neonates.

[Regression of cystic lesions on brain MRI in a child with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with selective head cooling]. / Regresja zmian torbielowatych w obrazie MR mozgu u dziecka z noworodkowa encefalopatia niedotlenieniowo-niedokrwienna, poddanego hipotermii leczniczej.

The authors present the first case of regression of cystic lesions on brain MRI in a newborn after therapeutic hypothermia in Poland. Multicystic encephalopathy is the most severe form of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and its regression is described very rarely in the literature. Magnetic resonance imaging is an accepted, optimal method of evaluation of the brain and establishing prognosis in children with HIE. After normal pregnancy an emergency cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks gestation due to the markers of intrauterine hypoxia on CTG. The condition of the newborn was serious: 3, 5, 7, 8 points according to Apgar score in 1st, 3nd, 5th and 10th minute of life, respectively. The infant required resuscitation. The cooling procedure lasted 72 hours. The first MRI study was performed at the age of 3 weeks and revealed cavities in the frontal and parietal lobed. The Evans index was 0.33. The second MRI investigation was carried out at the age of 5 weeks. The cavitary appearance did not change, the Evans index decreased to 0.32. The child underwent third MRI at the age of 2 years 4 months. No cystic lesions were found. There were signs of gliosis in their place and focal cortical-subcortical atrophy. The Evans index was 0.28 (within the normal limits). The neuropsychological status of the child at the age of 2.5 years is normal and brain MRI reveals strikingly mild lesions as compared to cavitary injury reported at the age of 3 and 5 weeks. The presented case shows that severe hypoxic-ischemic lesions such as cavities in an infant after cooling procedure do not necessarily mean poor prognosis, as with time even such lesions may regress. Therefore, even after the MRI diagnosis of multicystic encephalopathy the prognosis should be made with care.

The absolute nucleated red blood cell (aNRBC) count at birth is not an indicator for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

OBJECTIVE: To establish the reproducibility of a published observation by Lubetzky et al. that infants affected by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) had higher absolute nucleated red blood cell (aNRBC) counts than those unaffected. The authors suggested that infants exposed to intrauterine hypoxia are at higher risk for ROP. We attempted to verify this reported relationship of ROP with the aNRBCs at birth and hypothesized that infants with ROP ≥ stage 2 have higher aNRBCs at birth. STUDY DESIGN: We report a retrospective 1:1 case matched analysis where cases had a diagnosis of grade II ROP or worse and matching infants had confirmed stage I or no ROP. Eligible infants had birth weights of 501 to 1500 g and were discharged alive from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2008. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was performed for continuous comparisons. This study was approved by two local Institutional Review Boards. RESULT: In all, 66 matched pairs were analyzed. When comparing aNRBCs there was no statistically significant relationship (w=-0.265, P=0.791) between the ROP affected group (M=4550, s.d.=7342) and the unaffected group (M=5287, s.d.=6524). CONCLUSION: We are unable to support the previously reported relationship of aNRBCs with ROP. Our population was three times larger, had higher aNRBCs and less retinopathy than previously reported. A biological principle of cause and effect or predisposition to ROP as reflected by aNRBCs should have been easier for us to demonstrate, if it existed.

Brain inflammation induced by severe asphyxia in newborn pigs and the impact of alternative resuscitation strategies on the newborn central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: We compared the current guidelines for neonatal resuscitation with alternative measures and aimed to find out whether this modulated brain inflammation. METHODS: Progressive asphyxia was induced in 94 newborn pigs until asystole. With the reference being resuscitation guidelines, 30 s of initial positive-pressure ventilation before compression (C) and ventilation (V) (C:V; 3:1) in 21% oxygen, pigs were randomized to (i) ventilation for 30, 60, or 90 s before chest compressions; (ii) C:V ratios of 3:1, 9:3, or 15:2; or (iii) 21% or 100% oxygen. Concentrations of inflammatory markers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and gene expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were measured for different interventions. RESULTS: In CSF, S100 was higher with 90 s than with 30 or 60 s of initial positive-pressure ventilation, whereas concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were higher with 30 than with 60 s. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were higher with 30 than with 60 s. No other comparison between ratios and oxygen concentrations used yielded significant results. CONCLUSION: With respect to signs of brain inflammation, newly born pigs at asystole should be ventilated for longer than 30 s before chest compressions start. C:V ratios of 9:3 and 15:2 as compared with 3:1, or air instead of pure oxygen, did not modulate inflammatory markers.

Asphyxia screening kit.

Infant asphyxia is a condition due to insufficient oxygen intake suffered by newborn babies. A 4 to 9 million occurrences of infant asphyxia are reported each year by WHO. Early diagnosis of asphyxia is important to avoid complications such as damage to the brain, organ and tissue that could lead to fatality. This is possible with the automation of screening of infant asphyxia. Here, a non-invasive Asphyxia Screening Kit is developed. It is a Graphical User Interface that automatically detects asphyxia in infants from early birth to 6 months from their cries and displays the outcome of analysis. It is built with Matlab GUI underlied with signal processing algorithms, capable of achieving a classification accuracy of 96.03%. Successful implementation of ASK will assist to screen infant asphyxia for reference to clinicians for early diagnosis. In addition, ASK also provides an interface to enter patient information and images to be integrated with existing Hospital Information Management System.

The effect of time, temperature and storage device on umbilical cord blood gas and lactate measurement: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Umbilical cord blood gas analysis has a significant and growing role in early neonatal assessment. Factors often delay analysis of cord blood allowing values to change. Consequently, this study evaluates the impact of time, temperature and method of storage on umbilical blood gas and lactate analyses. METHODS: Umbilical cord segments from 80 singleton deliveries were randomized to: cords at room temperature (CR), cords stored on ice (CI), syringes at room temperature (SR) or syringes stored on ice (SI). Analysis occurred every 15 minutes for one-hour. Mixed model analysis of variance allowing for repeated measures was utilized. RESULTS: Cord arterial pH deteriorated in CR, CI, and SI within 15 minutes (p ≤ 0.001), with SR stable until 60 minutes (p = 0.002). Arterial pCO(2) remained stable in SR and CI, increased in SI (p = 0.002; 45 minutes) and decreased in CR (p < 0.001; 45 minutes). Arterial base excess deteriorated in CR and SI (p ≤ 0.009; 15 minutes), SR (p < 0.001; 30 minutes), and CI (p < 0.001; 45 minutes). Arterial lactate levels increased within 15 minutes in all groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cord blood gas values change rapidly after delivery. Smallest changes were seen in SR group. Data suggest that analyses should be conducted as soon as possible after delivery.