A Multi-Institutional Study Comparing Stoma Location in Neonates With Intestinal Perforation.

INTRODUCTION: Neonates with intestinal perforation often require laparotomy and intestinal stoma creation, with the stoma placed in either the laparotomy incision or a separate site. We aimed to investigate if stoma location is associated with risk of postoperative wound complications. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective review was performed for neonates ≤3 mo who underwent emergent laparotomy and intestinal stoma creation for intestinal perforation between January 1, 2009 and April 1, 2021. Patients were stratified by stoma location (laparotomy incision versus separate site). Outcomes included wound infection/dehiscence, stoma irritation, retraction, stricture, and prolapse. Multivariable regression identified factors associated with postoperative wound complications, controlling for gestational age, age and weight at surgery, and diagnosis. RESULTS: Overall, 79 neonates of median gestational age 28.8 wk (interquartile range [IQR]: 26.0-34.2 wk), median age 5 d (IQR: 2-11 d) and median weight 1.4 kg (IQR: 0.9-2.42 kg) had perforated bowel from necrotizing enterocolitis (40.5%), focal intestinal perforation (31.6%), or other etiologies (27.8%). Stomas were placed in the laparotomy incision for 41 (51.9%) patients and separate sites in 38 (48.1%) patients. Wound infection/dehiscence occurred in 7 (17.1%) neonates with laparotomy stomas and 5 (13.2%) neonates with separate site stomas (P = 0.63). There were no significant differences in peristomal irritation, stoma retraction, or stoma stricture between the two groups. On multivariable regression, separate site stomas were associated with increased likelihood of prolapse (odds ratio 6.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.14-37.5). CONCLUSIONS: Stoma incorporation within the laparotomy incision is not associated with wound complications. Separate site stomas may be associated with prolapse. Patient factors should be considered when planning stoma location in neonates undergoing surgery for intestinal perforation.

The association of inborn status and resource utilization among neonates who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have established that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be a cost-effective treatment in some populations, but limited data exist on which factors are associated with length of stay (LOS) and total hospital costs. This study aimed to determine if inborn (i.e., cared for in their birth hospitals) neonates who receive ECMO have different resource utilization and outcomes compared to outborn (i.e., not cared for in their birth hospitals) neonates who receive ECMO. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997-2012. Neonates (infants, <28 days) placed on ECMO were categorized as either inborn or outborn. Salient clinical characteristics were compared between groups. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with length of stay (LOS), total hospital costs, and mortality in these two patient populations. RESULTS: Of 5,152 neonates receiving ECMO, 800 were inborn and 4,352 were outborn. Inborn neonates were more frequently diagnosed with cardiac-related diagnoses (70.5% vs 62.1%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for demographics and hospital-level factors, inborn neonates had longer hospital LOS (13.2 days, 95% CI, 8.7-18.7; p < 0.001), higher total encounter costs ($62,000, 95% CI, 40,000-85,000; p < 0.001) and higher mortality (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.9-2.9; p < 0.001) compared to outborn neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Inborn neonates placed on ECMO were more frequently diagnosed with cardiac-related diseases or congenital diaphragmatic hernia, had longer LOS, higher total encounter costs, and higher mortality rates relative to their outborn counterparts, and likely represent a higher risk population. These two populations of infants may be inherently different and their differences should be further explored to inform decision making about optimal site of delivery.

Prevention and treatment of Candida infections in neonates.

Invasive Candia infections have become the third most common cause of late-onset infection among very low birth weight infants in most neonatal intensive care units. Significant risk factors include birth weight less than 1000 g, exposure to more than two antibiotics, third generation cephalosporin exposure, parenteral nutrition including lipid emulsion, central venous catheter, and abdominal surgery. The majority of neonatal Candida infections are caused by C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, although other nonalbicans species are being reported more frequently. Standard therapy has been amphotericin B; however, successful use of fluconazole as a single agent has also been reported and a small comparison trial demonstrated similar efficacy. The addition of new antifungal agents, including voriconazole and the echinocandins may further improve our ability to effectively treat these infections and possibly reduce the development of complications. Antifungal chemoprophylaxis has been studied in single-center and cohort studies, primarily using fluconazole. Although it is clear that fluconazole prophylaxis decreases the risk of fungal colonization and infection, identification of potential harm, particularly the development of or selection for resistant strains, requires further investigation with multicenter trials before widespread use is recommended outside of the clinical trial setting.