Effects of Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate on the Gut Function of Preterm (<32 weeks) Very Low Birth Weight Neonates: Experience from a Tertiary Institute in South India.

OBJECTIVE: Antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is found to have various adverse effects in newborn, but the effect on preterm gut is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of antenatal MgSO4 on preterm gut function by assessing the clinical outcomes and mesenteric blood flow. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study on all preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates born at a tertiary care center in South India from November 2016 to August 2017. Neonates with antenatal magnesium (Mg) exposure were compared with those with no exposure for various neonatal outcome variables like time to reach full feeds, feed intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and other preterm complications, serial serum Mg levels and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) Doppler velocity measurements at two time points (24-48 h and 4-5 days after birth). RESULTS: Out of 84 neonates, 56 neonates were exposed to antenatal Mg with a median cumulative maternal dose of 28 g and the rest 28 neonates had no exposure. The mean time to reach full feeds was the same in both groups (10.5 days). Feed intolerance episodes were similar in the first week of life between the exposed and unexposed groups (48.2% vs. 46.4%; p = 0.88). Univariate analysis revealed no difference between groups concerning rates of NEC (p = 0.17) or mortality (p = 0.39). There was no significant difference in SMA Doppler parameters and hypermagnesemia between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our study found no significant impact on postnatal feed tolerance and mesenteric blood flow among preterm VLBW neonates with antenatal MgSO4 exposure.

Etiology, clinical profile and outcome of neonatal pneumothorax in tertiary care center in South India: 13 years experience.

BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a medical emergency and is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in newborns. It may lead to acute respiratory failure, systemic hypoperfusion, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and death. There is a paucity of data from developing countries about the epidemiology of pneumothorax. OBJECTIVE: This descriptive study was planned to study the clinical and epidemiological profile of hospitalized neonates with pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospactive study neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2016 were reviewed.Relevant statistical analyses were done. RESULTS: There were 144,166 live births and 189 inborn cases of pneumothorax; hence, the incidence was 1.3 per 1000 live births. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 2:1. 50.1% of affected neonates were preterm, mean gestational age being 35.2 ± 3.9 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2238 ± 794 g. Overall median age at diagnosis was 21 h (IQR: 4-48 h), longer in preterm neonates compared to term. Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) was the most common underlying pulmonary disorder. Pneumothorax was drained in 89.2% of tension and only 16.3% of nontension pneumothoraces. Approximately 20% of the neonates were treated with needle aspiration alone and about 24% were treated conservatively. Mortality rate among neonates with pneumothorax was 21.6%. Statistically significant risk factors for mortality were very low birth weight (VLBW) (OR: 2.47, 1.31-4.68), tension pneumothorax (OR: 2.79, 1.05-7.4), and pulmonary hypoplasia (OR: 7.5, 2.8-20.2). Multiple attempts of needle drainage were needed in 2.5% of the cases. The neonates, both term and preterm, requiring drainage had longer duration of hospital stay when compared to those without requirement of drainage. CONCLUSION: We propose a trial of needle aspiration prior to ICD insertion and intubation which will prevent the complications related to intubation.

Bilateral congenital eventration of diaphragm: keep in mind, the other side.

Eventration of diaphragm is an uncommon disorder in which diaphragmatic muscle is replaced by fibroelastic tissue, either partially or completely. Bilateral eventration is even rarer. We present a case of bilateral eventration of diaphragm in newborn with a fibroelastic sac on left side and diaphragmatic eventration with good muscular lips on right side. The right-sided diaphragmatic eventration was not evident initially, but manifested after surgical repair of the left-sided eventration.

A rare cause of early neonatal cyanosis: absent right pulmonary artery.

Unilateral absent right pulmonary artery is a rare developmental anomaly that usually presents in late childhood and adolescence as recurrent respiratory tract infections, dyspnoea and haemoptysis. We report a case of a 2-day-old baby with respiratory distress and differential cyanosis. Echocardiogram showed pulmonary hypertension with absent right pulmonary artery. The findings were confirmed by CT angiogram. The baby improved with pulmonary vasodilators and antifailure medications.