Growth phenotypes of very low birth weight infants for prediction of neonatal outcomes from a Brazilian cohort: comparison with INTERGROWTH

Abstract Objective: To assess the predictive value of selected growth phenotypes for neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants < 30 weeks and to compare them with INTERGROWTH-21st (IG21). Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) database for very low birth weight (VLBW) at 20 public tertiary-care university hospitals. Outcome: the composite neonatal morbidity and mortality (CNMM) consisted of in-hospital death, oxygen use at 36 weeks, intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4, and Bell stage 2 or 3 necrotizing enterocolitis. Selected growth phenotypes: small-for-gestational-age (SGA) defined as being < 3rd (SGA3) or 10th (SGA10) percentiles of BW, and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) as being > 97th percentile of BW. Stunting as being < 3rd percentile of the length and wasting as being < 3rd percentile of BMI. Single and multiple log-binomial regression models were fitted to estimate the relative risks of CNMM, comparing them to IG21. Results: 4,072 infants were included. The adjusted relative risks of CNMM associated with selected growth phenotypes were (BNRN/IG21): 1.45 (0.92-2.31)/1.60 (1.27-2.02) for SGA; 0.90 (0.55-1.47)/1.05 (0.55-1.99) for LGA; 1.65 (1.08-2.51)/1.58 (1.28-1.96) for stunting; and 1.48 (1.02-2.17) for wasting. Agreement between the two references was variable. The growth phenotypes had good specificity (>95%) and positive predictive value (70-90%), with poor sensitivity and low negative predictive value. Conclusion: The BNRN phenotypes at birth differed markedly from the IG21 standard and showed poor accuracy in predicting adverse neonatal outcomes.

Association of preterm birth with poor metabolic outcomes in schoolchildren

Abstract Objective: To investigate, at school age, the metabolic profile of children born preterm. Methods: A cross-sectional study of children 5 to 8 years old, born with gestational age (GA) < 34 weeks and/or weight ≤ 1,500 grams. Clinical and anthropometric data were assessed by a single trained pediatrician. Biochemical measurements were done at the organization's Central Laboratory using standard methods. Data on health conditions, eating, and daily life habits were retrieved from medical charts and through validated questionnaires. Binary logistic and linear regression models were built to identify the association between variables, weight excess, and GA. Results: Out of 60 children (53.3% female), 6.8 ± 0.7 years old, 16.6% presented excess weight, 13.3% showed increased insulin resistance markers and 36.7% had abnormal blood pressure values. Those presenting excess weight had higher waist circumferences and higher HOMA-IR than normal-weight children (OR = 1.64; CI = 1.035-2.949). Eating and daily life habits were not different among overweight and normal-weight children. The small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA, 83.3%) birth weight children did not differ regarding clinical (body weight, blood pressure) or biochemical variables (serum lipids, blood glucose, HOMA-IR). Conclusion: Schoolchildren born preterm, regardless of being AGA or SGA, were overweight, and presented increased abdominal adiposity, reduced insulin sensitivity, and altered lipid profile, justifying longitudinal follow-up regarding adverse metabolic outcomes in the future.

Nutritional management and postoperative prognosis of newborns submitted to primary surgical repair of gastroschisis / Manejo nutricional e prognóstico pós-operatório do recém-nascido submetido à correção cirúrgica primária de gastrosquise

Abstract Objective Gastroschisis is a defect of the abdominal wall, resulting in congenital evisceration and requiring neonatal intensive care, early surgical correction, and parenteral nutrition. This study evaluated newborns with gastroschisis, seeking to associate nutritional characteristics with time of hospital stay. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 49 newborns undergoing primary repair of gastroschisis between January 1995 and December 2010. The newborns’ characteristics were described with emphasis on nutritional aspects, correlating them with length of hospital stay. Results The characteristics that influenced length of hospital stay were: (1) newborn small for gestational age (SGA); (2) use of antibiotics; (3) day of life when enteral feeding was started; (4) day of life when full diet was reached. SGA infants had longer length of hospital stay (24.2%) than other newborns. The length of hospital stay was increased by 2.1% for each additional day taken to introduce enteral feeding. However, slower onset of full enteral feeding acted as a protective factor, decreasing length of stay by 3.6%. The volume of waste drained by the stomach catheter in the 24 h prior the start of enteral feeding was not associated with the timing of diet introduction or length of hospital stay. Conclusion Early start of enteral feeding and small, gradual increase of volume can shorten the use of parenteral nutrition. This management strategy contributes to reduce the incidence of infection and length of hospital stay of newborns with gastroschisis.

Resumo Objetivo A gastrosquise é uma malformação da parede abdominal que resulta em evisceração congênita e requer tratamento intensivo neonatal, correção cirúrgica precoce e nutrição parenteral. Investigaram-se neste estudo os recém-nascidos com gastrosquise e procurou-se correlacionar as suas características nutricionais com o tempo da internação hospitalar. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 49 recém-nascidos submetidos à correção primária de gastrosquise de janeiro de 1995 a dezembro de 2010. As características dos neonatos foram descritas com ênfase nos aspectos nutricionais e relacionadas com o tempo de internação hospitalar. Resultados As características que influenciaram a duração da internação foram: 1) recém-nascidos pequenos para a idade gestacional (PIG); 2) uso de antibióticos; 3) dia de vida ao iniciar a dieta enteral; 4) dia de vida ao atingir a dieta plena. Recém-nascidos PIG tiveram maior tempo de internação (24,2%) do que demais neonatos. O tempo de internação foi aumentado em 2,1% para cada dia a mais que se demorou a introduzir a dieta enteral. Entretanto, atingir mais lentamente o aporte pleno da dieta enteral agiu como fator protetor, diminuiu 3,6% no tempo de internação. O volume de resíduo drenado pelo cateter gástrico, nas últimas 24 horas antes do início da dieta enteral, não apresentou correlação com o momento da introdução da dieta nem com a duração da hospitalização. Conclusão Iniciar a dieta enteral precocemente, com aumento gradativo em pequenos volumes, pode abreviar a duração da nutrição parenteral. Esse manejo contribui para a diminuição da incidência de infecções e do tempo de hospitalização de recém-nascidos com gastrosquise.

Electromyography of muscles involved in feeding premature infants / Avaliação eletromiográfica dos músculos envolvidos na alimentação de recém-nascidos prematuros

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the electrical activity of masseter, temporal, and suprahyoid muscles in premature newborn infants during breast-feeding and cup-feeding.METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out by the electromyographic assessment of 36 preterm infants, 53% of whom were male, with mean gestational age of 32 weeks and birth weight of 1,719 g, fed via oral route, by full breast-feeding and supplementation of diet, through cup with expressed breast milk, until 15 days after hospital discharge. Children with neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, oral-motor, and/or congenital malformations were excluded. The different methods of feeding and the variables gestational age at birth, corrected gestational age, chronological age, birth weight and size, head circumference, and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were analyzed and compared by appropriate statistical analysis.RESULTS: No difference was observed between breast-feeding and cup-feeding in the analysis of the temporal and masseter muscles. However, higher activity of suprahyoid musculature was observed during cup-feeding (p=0.001). The other variables were not correlated with the electrical activity of the muscles during the different feeding methods.CONCLUSION: There may be a balance between the activity of the temporal and masseter muscles during breast-feeding and cup-feeding. There was higher activity of suprahyoid musculature during cup-feeding. This can be explained by the greater range of tongue movement, as premature infants usually perform tongue protrusion to get the milk from the cup.

OBJETIVOS: Mensurar e comparar a atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal, masseter e supra-hióideos de prematuros durante o aleitamento materno e por copo.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal observacional, realizado por meio da avaliação eletromiográfica de superfície em 36 prematuros, 53% do gênero masculino, com idade gestacional média de 32 semanas e peso médio ao nascimento de 1.719 g, em aleitamento misto, com suplementação de dieta por copo, até 15 dias após a alta hospitalar. Crianças com alterações neurológicas, síndromes genéticas, malformações craniofaciais, que utilizaram mamadeira, chupeta e/ou bico intermediário de silicone foram excluídas. A atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal, masseter e supra-hióideos foi comparada nos diferentes tipos de alimentação, entre os gêneros e entre as classificações do Apgar no 1º e 5º minuto e correlacionadas às variáveis idade gestacional ao nascimento, idade corrigida, idade cronológica, peso ao nascimento, estatura e perímetro cefálico ao nascimento.RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os métodos de alimentação avaliados quanto à atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal e masseter, no entanto verificou-se maior atividade da musculatura supra-hióidea durante a alimentação por copo (p=0,001). As demais variáveis não apresentaram correlação com a atividade elétrica dos músculos estudados durante os diferentes métodos de alimentação.CONCLUSÃO: Parece haver equilíbrio entre a atividade dos músculos temporal e masseter durante a alimentação ao seio materno e por copo. A musculatura supra-hióidea apresentou-se mais ativa no copo, o pode ser justificado pela maior amplitude de movimentação da língua, já que geralmente os RNPT realizam a protrusão da língua para obter o leite no copo.

Rim displático multicístico: atualização / Multicystic dysplatic kidney: update

Rim displásico multicistico (RDM) é a anomalia renal cística mais freqüente na infância. Tem sido detectado por meio de ultra-sonografia pré-natal com a melhoria dos equipamentos ecográficos e com a observação detalhada da anatomia fetal. Nos últimos anos, a abordagem dessa anomalia tem mudado de cirúrgica para conduta mais conservadora. Neste estudo foram revisados os principais aspectos concementes ao RDM, com ênfase no tratamento conservador e suas possíveis complicações. Independentemente do tipo de conduta adotada, se manejo conservador ou cirúrgico, é importante ressaltar que os pacientes devem ser acompanhados com ultra-sonografia e medidas de pressão arterial por tempo prolongado, tendo em vista o pouco conhecimento acumulado, até o presente momento, acerca da evolução natural do rim multicístico.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is the most common cystic anomaly diagnosed in childhood. With the improvement of the resolution of ultrasonography and detailed fetal scanning, MCKD has had its antenatal detection increased. In the last decade, the management has changed from surgical to a conservative approach. In this study, the main aspects concerning MCDK were described, emphasizing conservative management and its possible complications. Independently of the chosen management, whether conservative or surgical, it is important to point out that the patients should be followed with serial ultrasonography and blood pressure measures for a prolonged time due the incomplete knowledge of the clinical course of MCKD.

Abordagem pós-natal das anomalias do trato urinário diagnosticadas intra-útero pela ultra-sonografia: [revisão] / Posnatal approach of the urinary tract anomalies identified in prenatal diagnosis by ultra-sonography: [review]

Os avanços no diagnóstico pré-natal nas últimas duas décadas têm permitido um aperfeiçoamento no manejo das anomalias do trato urinário de estudo observacionais tem demonstrado que o manejo conservador, isto é, sem intervenção cirúrgica, é seguro e permite a preservação da função renal na maioria das anomalias do trato urinário identificadas no pré-natal. Uma abordagem adequada dos neonatos portadores de malformações do trato urinário depende da atuação conjunta de uma equipe multidisciplinar, incluindo medicinal fetal, neonatologia, radiologia, nefrologia, urologia e cirurgia pediátrica. Deve ser uma abordagem sistemática, evitando-se negligenciar possíveis graves uropatias e, ao mesmo tempo, prevenindo a realização de uma propedêutica invasiva e de alto custo, as vezes desnecessária.

The advances of prenatal diagnosis in the last two decades have allowed an improvement in the management of the urinary tract anomalies. The early diagnosis, before any clinical manifestation, has contributed to a better understanding of the natural history of the uropathies and has allowed a more conservative management, except for the cases of posterior urethral valves. Series of observational studies have demonstrated that the conservative approach, that is, the one without surgical intervention, is safe and allows the preservation of the renal function in most of the prenatally identified urinary tract anomalies. The best postnatal care of newborn carriers of urinary tract malformations depends on an integrated performance of a multidisciplinar team, including fetal medicine, neonatology, radiology, nephrology, urology and pediatric surgery. There should be a systematic approach, avoiding neglecting possible serious uropathies and, at the sametime, preventing the accomplishment of invasive and ligh cost diagnosis tests when they are unnecessary.