Systematic application of SICA-PED protocol for central venous catheterization in neonates: A prospective clinical study on 104 cases.

BACKGROUND: Catheterization of central vessels can be associated with early and late, potentially fatal complications. A proactive approach is imperative to reduce the frequency and magnitude of adverse events. Recently, the GAVeCeLT has proposed a protocol called SICA-PED (i.e. Safe Insertion of Central Access in Pediatric patients) and includes seven evidence-based strategies. METHODS: Through a single-center prospective observational study, the authors wanted to consolidate the efficacy and safety of these protocol in newborns. In a series of 104 newborns, the seven steps of the protocol were applied (1) pre-procedural ultrasound study of the RaCeVA veins, (2) correct aseptic technique, (3) ultrasound-guided venipuncture, (4) intraprocedural localization of the tip of the catheter with TTE (ECHO TIP) and (iECG) intracavitary electrocardiogram, (5) reasoned choice of the implant exit site with the RAVESTO Tunneling technique, (6) anchoring without stitches, and (7) exit point protection with the use of glue and transparent semipermeable membrane. The authors have included a further precaution in point (6) the subcutaneous anchoring system has added the counter-fixation of the catheter wings that we will call 6Plus Point. RESULTS: All infants requiring implantation of elective us-guided central venous access were enrolled in the study. None of the 104 implanted central venous catheters experienced early complications (accidental arterial puncture, PNX, primary malposition); rare late complications such as ecchymosis, CRBSI, exit site infection or dislodgement were observed, No catheter-related thrombotic phenomena were observed. The CRBSI catheter-related infection rate was 2.47 × 1000 days catheter cases. CONCLUSION: The results of this prospective study strengthen the feasibility and efficacy of the SICA-Ped Protocol. Demonstrating that the systematic application of the evidence-based seven-step implantation strategy increases the success rate, minimizes early and late complications, which result in increased patient safety.

Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia in neonatal encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Although hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia represent the most common metabolic problem in neonates, there is still uncertainty regarding the effects of glucose homoeostasis on the neurological outcomes of infants with neonatal encephalopathy (NE). OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate the association between neonatal hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia with adverse outcome in children who suffered from NE. STUDY SELECTION: We searched Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify studies which reported prespecified outcomes and compared infants with NE who had been exposed to neonatal hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia with infants not exposed. DATA ANALYSIS: We assessed the risk of bias (ROBINS-I), quality of evidence (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)) for each of the studies. RevMan was used for meta-analysis (inverse variance, fixed effects). MAIN OUTCOME: Death or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age or later. RESULTS: 82 studies were screened, 28 reviewed in full and 12 included. Children who were exposed to neonatal hypoglycaemia had higher odds of neurodevelopmental impairment or death (6 studies, 685 infants; 40.6% vs 25.4%; OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.46 to 3.25; p=0.0001). Neonatal exposure to hyperglycaemia was associated with death or neurodisability at 18 months or later (7 studies, 807 infants; 46.1% vs 28.0%; OR=3.07, 95% CI 2.17 to 4.35; p<0.00001). These findings were confirmed in the subgroup analysis, which included only the infants who underwent therapeutic hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that neonatal hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia may be associated with the neurodevelopmental outcome later on in infants with NE. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to optimise the metabolic management of these high-risk infants. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022368870.

Neonatal alloimmune neutropenia: diagnosis and management of 31 Italian patients.

BACKGROUND: In neonates, antibody-mediated destruction of neutrophils may occur as a consequence of auto- or isoimmune disorders. There are few studies on this topic, and particularly on neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and molecular/serological findings of 83 neutropenic infants referred to our Reference Laboratory for diagnostic evaluation of NAN, from 2008 to 2021. We also genotyped 260 Italian healthy subjects for the four principal human neutrophil antigens (HNA). RESULTS: The diagnosis of NAN was confirmed in 31 cases. The other 52 cases were autoimmune neutropenia (n=21), neutropenia caused by maternal neutrophil autoantibodies (n=8), neutropenia of non-immune origin (n=17), and cases in which a diagnosis could not be reached (n=6). The median age at neutropenia onset and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were significantly lower in NAN than in non-NAN cases (1 vs 30 days, p<0.005; 330 vs 580/µL, p=0.003, respectively). About 74% of NAN cases developed neutropenia within the first week of life and laboratory investigations were required within 2 weeks. In five patients the neutropenia was discovered at the end of the first month of life and they were referred to our laboratory 1-2 months later when neutropenia had already resolved. Infections were seen in 19% of NAN cases. The median time to resolution of NAN was 31 days. About 50% of NAN cases were due to alloantibodies against HNA-1b, the most frequent allele of HNA-1 in the Italian population (allele frequency 0.63). In five cases of NAN the mothers had an HNA-1 null phenotype, a frequency higher than that observed in our Italian cohort. DISCUSSION: NAN should be considered by clinicians in infants with neutropenia onset within 5-7 days of life, even though there can be other reasons for a low ANC. If neutropenia is detected later, benign neutropenia seems more likely, although persistence of maternal alloantibodies cannot be ruled out.

Bloodstream Infection Due to a VIM-Metallo-ß-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Treated with Cefiderocol in a Preterm Newborn.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of certain multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), especially Gram-negative bacteria, is dramatically increasing in patient care settings, including pediatric and neonatal units. However, most of the new drugs available for the treatment of MDROs have not yet been studied in children and newborns. CASE REPORT: We report the clinical case of a preterm neonate, born at 31 weeks gestation + 1 day of age by emergency Cesarean Section (CS), with a bloodstream infection (BSI) due to a Verona integron-borne metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. We successfully treated the infection with cefiderocol in an off-label regimen at the following dose: loading dose 60 mg/kg and then 40 mg/kg every 8 h in extended infusion for 9 days. The baby showed a quick clinical and biochemical improvement and tolerated well the treatment. Follow-up blood cultures at 48 h after the start of cefiderocol were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens are of increasing concern in neonatal settings. More studies in this unique population are necessary to better describe the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of the new drugs against MDROs, such as cefiderocol, and to define a proper effective dose.

Magnetic Resonance Biomarkers and Neurological Outcome of Infants with Mild Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy Who Progress to Moderate Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing concern that infants with mild hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) may develop seizures and progress to moderate HIE beyond the therapeutic window for cooling. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers and neurological outcomes in infants with mild HIE and seizures within 24 h after birth. METHODS: This study shows an observational cohort study on 366 (near)-term infants with mild HIE and normal amplitude-integrated electroencephalography background. RESULTS: Forty-one infants showed progression (11.2%); 29/41 (70.7%) were cooled. Infants with progression showed cerebral metabolite perturbations and higher white matter injury scores compared to those without in both cooled and non-cooled groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.02). Abnormal outcomes were seen in 5/12 (42%) non-cooled and 7/29 (24%) cooled infants with progression (p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Early biomarkers are needed to identify infants with mild HIE at risk of progression. Mild HIE infants with progression showed a higher incidence of brain injury and abnormal outcomes.