Retinopathy of prematurity and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and abnormal brain development share similar risk factors and mechanisms. There has been contrasting evidence on the association of ROP with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objective: We analysed the association between ROP at levels of severity and treatment with all neurodevelopmental outcomes until adolescence. Data source: We followed PRISMA guidelines and searched Medline and Embase between 1 August 1990 and 31 March 2022. Study selection and participants: Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials and observational studies on preterm infants (<37 weeks) with ROP [type 1 or severe ROP, type 2 or milder ROP, laser or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treated] were included. Data extraction and synthesis: We included studies on ROP and any neurocognitive or neuropsychiatric outcomes. Outcomes: The primary outcomes were as follows: cognitive composite scores evaluated between the ages of 18 and 48 months by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) or equivalent; neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI; moderate to severe NDI or severe NDI), cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment; and neuropsychiatric or behavioural problems. The secondary outcomes were as follows: motor and language composite scores evaluated between the ages of 18 and 48 months by BSID or equivalent; motor/language impairment; and moderate/severe NDI as defined by the authors. Results: In preterm infants, "any ROP" was associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment or intellectual disability [n = 83,506; odds ratio (OR): 2.56; 95% CI: 1.40-4.69; p = 0.002], cerebral palsy (n = 3,706; OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.72-2.96; p < 0.001), behavioural problems (n = 81,439; OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.03-5.83; p = 0.04), or NDI as defined by authors (n = 1,930; OR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.61-9.12; p = 0.002). Type 1 or severe ROP increased the risk of cerebral palsy (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.23-3.88; p = 0.07), cognitive impairment or intellectual disability (n = 5,167; OR: 3.56; 95% CI: 2.6-4.86; p < 0.001), and behavioural problems (n = 5,500; OR: 2.76; 95% CI: 2.11-3.60; p < 0.001) more than type 2 ROP at 18-24 months. Infants treated with anti-VEGF had higher odds of moderate cognitive impairment than the laser surgery group if adjusted data (gestational age, sex severe intraventricular haemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, surgical necrotising enterocolitis, and maternal education) were analysed [adjusted OR (aOR): 1.93; 95% CI: 1.23-3.03; p = 0.04], but not for cerebral palsy (aOR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.65-2.56; p = 0.45). All outcomes were adjudged with a "very low" certainty of evidence. Conclusion and relevance: Infants with "any ROP" had higher risks of cognitive impairment or intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and behavioural problems. Anti-VEGF treatment increased the risk of moderate cognitive impairment. These results support the association of ROP and anti-VEGF treatment with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022326009.

A study comparing short-term outcome in preterm infants of ≤30 weeks gestation between a tertiary neonatal care unit in Bangalore, India and one in London, UK.

BACKGROUND: Large numbers of preterm infants are born in middle-income countries and neonatal care is improving in these countries. Few studies have compared clinical outcome in preterm infants in a tertiary neonatal unit in a middle-income country with one in a high-income country. OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term outcome in preterm infants of ≤30 weeks gestation admitted to a tertiary neonatal unit in Bengaluru, India and in London, UK. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using anonymised data from electronic patient records. Preterm infants born at ≤30 weeks gestation admitted to neonatal units in Bengaluru (n = 294) and London (n = 740) over a 5-year period (January 2011 to December 2015) were compared. RESULTS: Fewer mothers in the Bengaluru centre received antenatal steroids (37% vs 73%, p < 0.001). The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment (12.9% vs 7.7%, NS), treated patent ductus arteriosus (32.3% vs 10.7%, NS) and blood culture-positive sepsis (32.4% vs 1.7%, p < 0.001) was higher in infants in the Indian centre. Overall survival was 83% vs 87.2% (NS) in the Bengaluru and the London cohorts, respectively. Survival of infants born at ≤28 weeks gestation was lower in Bengaluru than in London [24 weeks: 33.0% vs 79.3% (NS); 25 weeks: 50.0% vs 78.9%, p = 0.02; 26 weeks: 45.2% vs 86.5%, p < 0.01; 27 weeks: 79.3% vs 91.3% (NS); 28 weeks 82.5% vs 94.1%, p = 0.03]. CONCLUSION: The survival of infants ≤28 weeks gestation was significantly lower in the Bengaluru centre. Increasing the provision of antenatal corticosteroids may improve the outcome in these infants. ABBREVIATIONS: BPD: bronchopulmonary dysplasia; CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure; EPR: electronic patient records; HIC: high-income countries; HDU: high dependency unit; hsPDA: haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus; IVH: intraventricular haemorrhage; ITU: Intensive Care Unit, IUGR: intrauterine growth restriction; LAMA: leaving against medical advice; LMIC: low- and middle-income countries; NICU: neonatal intensive care unit; NNFI: National Neonatal Forum of India; NS: not significant; NTS: neonatal transfer service; NNAP: National Neonatal Audit Programme; NHM: National Health Mission; NMR: neonatal mortality rate; NEC: necrotising enterocolitis; NS: not significant; PDA: patent ductus arteriosus; ROP: retinopathy of prematurity; SCBU: special care baby unit; VLBW: very low birthweight; WHO: World Health Organization.

Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia as a Cause of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in a term or late preterm has varied etiology. CASE CHARACTERISTICS: A late preterm neonate operated for esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula was complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension and unable to be weaned off from respiratory support. OUTCOME: The neonate expired by 15 weeks of life; diagnosis was made on postmortem lung biopsy. MESSAGE: Alveolarcapillary dysplasia should be considered in a neonate with idiopathic refractory PPHN, if associated with anomalies.

Perinatal neuroblastoma: a hidden bullet in the chest.

A neonate with antenatally diagnosed intrathoracic mass by ultrasound scan was delivered uneventfully at 35 weeks gestation by caesarean section due to pre-eclampsia and fluctuating hypertension in the mother. The intrathoracic mass was echogenic and the diagnosis was inconclusive. At 12 h of life the baby deteriorated acutely, in terms of increased oxygen requirement, ventilatory care, heart rate fluctuation, hypotension requiring inotropic support and died despite intensive care support. The parents were counselled that an autopsy would be invaluable in providing a diagnosis given the antenatal finding of an intrathoracic mass. The final diagnosis of neuroblastoma was performed at postmortem.