Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: automatic lung and liver MRI segmentation with nnU-Net, reproducibility of pyradiomics features, and a machine learning application for the classification of liver herniation.

Prenatal assessment of lung size and liver position is essential to stratify congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) fetuses in risk categories, guiding counseling, and patient management. Manual segmentation on fetal MRI provides a quantitative estimation of total lung volume and liver herniation. However, it is time-consuming and operator-dependent. In this study, we utilized a publicly available deep learning (DL) segmentation system (nnU-Net) to automatically contour CDH-affected fetal lungs and liver on MRI sections. Concordance between automatic and manual segmentation was assessed by calculating the Jaccard coefficient. Pyradiomics standard features were then extracted from both manually and automatically segmented regions. The reproducibility of features between the two groups was evaluated through the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). We finally tested the reliability of the automatic-segmentation approach by building a ML classifier system for the prediction of liver herniation based on support vector machines (SVM) and trained on shape features computed both in the manual and nnU-Net-segmented organs. We compared the area under the classifier receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the two cases. Pyradiomics features calculated in the manual ROIs were partly reproducible by the same features calculated in nnU-Net segmented ROIs and, when used in the ML procedure, to predict liver herniation (both AUC around 0.85).          Conclusion: Our results suggest that automatic MRI segmentation is feasible, with good reproducibility of pyradiomics features, and that a ML system for liver herniation prediction offers good reliability.          Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04609163?term=NCT04609163&draw=2&rank=1 ; Clinical Trial Identification no. NCT04609163. What is Known: • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for prenatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) assessment. It enables the quantification of the total lung volume and the extent of liver herniation, which are essential for stratifying the severity of CDH, guiding counseling, and patient management. • The manual segmentation of MRI scans is a time-consuming process that is heavily reliant upon the skill set of the operator. What is New: • MRI lung and liver automatic segmentation using the deep learning nnU-Net system is feasible, with good Jaccard coefficient values and satisfactory reproducibility of pyradiomics features compared to manual results. • A feasible ML system for predicting liver herniation could improve prenatal assessments and CDH patient management.

Dose-dependent impact of human milk feeding on tidal breathing flow-volume loop parameters across the first 2 years of life in extremely low-birth-weight infants: a cohort study.

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that higher consumption of human milk (HM) in preterm infants with birth weight (BW) <1000 g is associated with improved lung function in a dose-dependent manner over the first 2 years of corrected age (CA). This retrospective study at an academic medical center included infants with BW <1000g. They had lung function assessment by the tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) follow-up visits at 0-3-, 3-6-, 6-12-, 12-18-, and 18-24-month CA. One hundred eighty infants were included in the study with a mean (SD) gestational age 26.5 (1.90) weeks and BW 772.4 (147.0) g, 50% were female, and 60% developed BPD. 62.8% of infants received HM during the NICU stay. According to a general linear model (including GA, being small for GA (SGA), sex, human milk percentage, sepsis, and BPD), on average, each week of GA resulted in a higher tPTEF/tE of 1.24 (p = 0.039) and being SGA in a lower tPTEF/tE of 5.75 (p = 0.013) at 0-3-month CA. A higher percentage of human milk out of the total enteral intake was associated with better tPTEF/tE z-scores at 0-3 months (p = 0.004) and 18-24 months of CA (p = 0.041). BPD diagnosis was associated with a relevantly worse tPTEF/tE z-score at 6-12 months of CA (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Preterm infants with higher consumption of HM had significantly less airway obstruction across the first 2 years, suggesting that human milk may contribute in a dose-dependent manner to improve lung function in early childhood in former preterm infants born ELBW. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Human milk feeding reduces the risk of prematurity-related morbidities, including necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, lower respiratory tract infections, and BPD. Both exclusive and partial human milk feeding appear to be associated with a lower risk of BPD in preterm infants. WHAT IS NEW: • This cohort study of 180 preterm infants with birth weight < 1000 g found that exposure to human milk during hospitalization improves airway obstruction markers tPTEF/tE z-score over the first 2 years of corrected age in a dose-dependent manner.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has largely increased our knowledge and predictive accuracy of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in the fetus. Thanks to its technical advantages, better anatomical definition, and superiority in fetal lung volume estimation, fetal MRI has been demonstrated to be superior to 2D and 3D ultrasound alone in CDH diagnosis and outcome prediction. This is of crucial importance for prenatal counseling, risk stratification, and decision-making approach. Furthermore, several quantitative and qualitative parameters can be evaluated simultaneously, which have been associated with survival, postnatal course severity, and long-term morbidity. CONCLUSION: Fetal MRI will further strengthen its role in the near future, but it is necessary to reach a consensus on indications, methodology, and data interpretation. In addition, it is required data integration from different imaging modalities and clinical courses, especially for predicting postnatal pulmonary hypertension. This would lead to a comprehensive prognostic assessment. WHAT IS KNOWN: • MRI plays a key role in evaluating the fetal lung in patients with CDH. • Prognostic assessment of CDH is challenging, and advanced imaging is crucial for a complete prenatal assessment and counseling. WHAT IS NEW: • Fetal MRI has strengthened its role over ultrasound due to its technical advantages, better anatomical definition, superior fetal lung volume estimation, and outcome prediction. • Imaging and clinical data integration is the most desirable strategy and may provide new MRI applications and future research opportunities.

Fetal MRI mediastinal shift angle and respiratory and cardiovascular pharmacological support in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the mediastinal shift caused by the herniated organs negatively affects lung development. Assessment of the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mediastinal shift angle (MSA) was shown to have an inverse correlation with the total fetal lung volume (TFLV), being associated with neonatal survival. However, a possible association with postnatal morbidity has never been investigated. We hypothesize that the degree of the mediastinal shift could be associated with higher respiratory and cardiocirculatory impairment, requiring intensive treatments and extended hospitalization in survivors. We retrospectively consider a cohort of isolated, left-sided CDH, for whom we calculated the MSA and the observed/expected (O/E) TFLV at fetal MRI. We performed a data collection regarding inotropic or vasoactive support, treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay. General linear models were performed. The MSA and O/E TFLV were inversely correlated (Pearson's coefficient - 0.65, p < 0.001), and deceased patients showed higher MSA values then survivors (p = 0.011). Among survivors, an increase in MSA was associated with longer pharmacological treatments (dobutamine: p = 0.016; dopamine: p = 0.049; hydrocortisone: p = 0.003; nitric oxide: p = 0.002; sildenafil: p = 0.039; milrinone: p = 0.039; oxygen: p = 0.066), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), with an increasing trend in the length of hospitalization (p = 0.089).Conclusion: The MSA indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia and is associated with a higher neonatal intensity of cares. However, further studies are needed to consolidate the results.Trial registration: The study is an exploratory post hoc analysis of the registered NeoAPACHE protocol at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04396028. What is Known: • In congenital diaphragmatic hernia, the lung size, liver position, and defect side are the most common prenatal prognostic parameters used in clinical practice for morbidity and mortality prediction. • Lung hypoplasia, strictly associated with lung size, is estimated by observed/expected lung to head ratio and observed/expected total fetal lung volume with prenatal ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. What is New: • A new, faster, more straightforward, and less operator-dependent tool to assess CDH severity could be the mediastinal shift angle calculation with fetal magnetic resonance imaging. • Postnatal clinical severity, considered as a postnatal cardiovascular and respiratory impairment that indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia, is associated with an increased mediastinal shift angle calculation.

Tidal Breathing Measurements in Former Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, in infants born preterm with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the trajectory of tidal breathing flow-volume (TBFV) parameters in the first 2 years of life; the association between TBFV parameters and perinatal risk factors; and the predictive value of TBFV parameters for rehospitalizations due to respiratory infections and wheeze. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed TBFV measurements performed at 0-6, 6-12, and 12-24 months of corrected age in 97 infants <32 weeks of gestation and <1500 g. We assessed the association between TBFV parameters and perinatal risk-factors using linear regressions and the predictive capacity for subsequent respiratory morbidity using logistic regressions. We used the area under the curve and likelihood ratio test (LRT) to compare nested models. RESULTS: Time to peak tidal expiratory flow/expiratory time ratio (tPTEF/tE) was lower than normal for the first 2 years of corrected age. Longer duration of oxygen supplementation, intubation, and respiratory support were associated with reduced tPTEF/tE at all time points. For each z-score increase in tPTEF/tE, the OR for rehospitalizations decreased by 0.70. tPTEF/tE added significantly to BPD classifications alone in predicting rehospitalizations (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.81 vs 0.76, P value for LRT = .0012), and wheeze (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.76 vs 0.71, P value for LRT <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Infants born preterm, with and without BPD, display persistent airway obstruction during the first 2 years of life. tPTEF/tE may identify infants at greater risk of severe respiratory morbidity.

Oscillatory mechanics at birth for identifying infants requiring surfactant: a prospective, observational trial.

BACKGROUND: Current criteria for surfactant administration assume that hypoxia is a direct marker of lung-volume de-recruitment. We first introduced an early, non-invasive assessment of lung mechanics by the Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) and evaluated its role in predicting the need for surfactant therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether lung reactance (Xrs) assessment by FOT within 2 h of birth identifies infants who would need surfactant within 24 h; to eventually determine Xrs performance and a cut-off value for early detection of infants requiring surfactant. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational, non-randomized study in our tertiary NICU in Milan. Eligible infants were born between 27+0 and 34+6 weeks' gestation, presenting respiratory distress after birth. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: endotracheal intubation at birth, major malformations participation in other interventional trials, parental consent denied. We assessed Xrs during nasal CPAP at 5 cmH2O at 10 Hz within 2 h of life, recording flow and pressure tracing through a Fabian Ventilator for off-line analysis. Clinicians were blinded to FOT results. RESULTS: We enrolled 61 infants, with a median [IQR] gestational age of 31.9 [30.3; 32.9] weeks and birth weight 1490 [1230; 1816] g; 2 infants were excluded from the analysis for set-up malfunctioning. 14/59 infants received surfactant within 24 h. Xrs predicted surfactant need with a cut-off - 33.4 cmH2O*s/L and AUC-ROC = 0.86 (0.76-0.96), with sensitivity 0.85 and specificity 0.83. An Xrs cut-off value of - 23.3 cmH2O*s/L identified infants needing surfactant or respiratory support > 28 days with AUC-ROC = 0.89 (0.81-0.97), sensitivity 0.86 and specificity 0.77. Interestingly, 12 infants with Xrs < - 23.3 cmH2O*s/L (i.e. de-recruited lungs) did not receive surfactant and subsequently required prolonged respiratory support. CONCLUSION: Xrs assessed within 2 h of life predicts surfactant need and respiratory support duration in preterm infants. The possible role of Xrs in improving the individualization of respiratory management in preterm infants deserves further investigation.

Heart-rate agreement between ECG and a new, wireless device during early skin-to-skin contact.

AIM: To assess the agreement of heart rate (HR) between the new device - a fabric jacket for neonates, with integrated sensors detecting ECG signals and a Bluetooth connection to a computer (ComfTech, HOWDY) - and the clinical reference, ECG, during the skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the first 2 h after birth, for the potential use of early detection of Sudden and Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (SUPC). METHODS: We enrolled newborns ≥35+0  weeks of gestation, with Apgar score >8 at 5 min in a prospective, observational study in the delivery room, excluding infants with need for resuscitation, clinical instability or major malformations. We assessed HR within 20 min after birth by both devices simultaneously: the index test ComfTech HOWDY and the standard ECG (Vita Guard VG 3100, Getemed). We compared HR between the two methods at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min by the Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: We included 60 infants. The mean difference between the methods was -1.3 bpm, 95%LoA -12.4 to 9.7 bpm. Spearman rank correlation coefficient ρ = -0.06. CONCLUSION: ComfTech HOWDY presents reliable agreement with the ECG and might assist in identifying infants at risk for SUPC.

Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion in Fetuses with Severe Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Three-Year Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report on our experience in the prenatal treatment of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) by fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO). METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014, FETO was performed at our center in 21 cases of CDH considered to be severe based on sonographic measurement of observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E LHR) and side of the defect. We reported pre- and postoperative ultrasound findings, procedure-related complications, pregnancy outcome and survival at 1-3 years of age. RESULTS: The median gestational age (GA) at balloon insertion was 28.1 weeks (range 26.0-31.1) and the median GA at delivery 34.7 weeks (range 31.6-39.0); delivery before 32 and 34 weeks occurred in 2 (9.5%) and 7 (33.3%) cases, respectively. Postnatal survival at 1-3 years of age in the 17 cases with isolated unilateral CDH was 47.1%. The percentage difference between pre-balloon removal O/E LHR and pre-FETO O/E LHR was significantly higher in survivors compared to neonates who died (40.8 vs. 21.2%, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, FETO was associated with an infant survival of 47% in cases with isolated unilateral severe CDH. The post-FETO increase in O/E LHR was higher in fetuses that survived compared to those who died.

Selective Bronchial Occlusion for Treatment of a Bronchopleural Fistula in an Extremely Preterm Infant.

Neonatal pulmonary air leak commonly occurs as a complication of mechanical ventilation in infants with underlying hyaline membrane disease. They can commonly be managed conservatively or with the application of a chest drain, but some severe cases pose a significant challenge in finding an alternative therapeutic solution. Selective bronchial occlusion represents an unconventional rescue therapy for treating bronchopleural fistula resistant to the standard therapy. A 27-week gestation preterm infant ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome developed tension right-sided pneumothorax. Conventional modalities of treatment were tried and were unsuccessful. Intermittent selective bronchial occlusion with a Fogarty's catheter and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation resulted in considerable improvement in the infant's clinical condition and radiographic findings.

NeoAPACHE II. Relationship Between Radiographic Pulmonary Area and Pulmonary Hypertension, Mortality, and Hernia Recurrence in Newborns With CDH.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare disease with high mortality and morbidity due to pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between radiographic lung area and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) on the first day of life, mortality, and hernia recurrence during the first year of life in infants with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). A retrospective data collection was performed on 77 CDH newborns. Echocardiographic sPAP value, deaths, and recurrence cases were recorded. Lung area was calculated by tracing the lung's perimeter, excluding mediastinal structures, and herniated organs, on the preoperative chest X-ray performed within 24 h after birth. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. Deceased infants showed lower areas and higher sPAP values. One square centimeter of rising in the total, ipsilateral, and contralateral area was associated with a 22, 43, and 24% reduction in mortality risk. sPAP values showed a decreasing trend after birth, with a maximum of 1.84 mmHg reduction per unitary increment in the ipsilateral area at birth. Recurrence patients showed lower areas, with recurrence risk decreasing by 14 and 29% per unit increment of the total and ipsilateral area. In CDH patients, low lung area at birth reflects impaired lung development and defect size, being associated with increased sPAP values, mortality, and recurrence risk. Clinical Trial Registration: The manuscript is an exploratory secondary analysis of the trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT04396028.

Effect of human milk and other neonatal variables on lung function at three months corrected age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of human milk and different neonatal variables on tidal breathing flow-volume loop (TBFVL) parameters within three months' corrected age (CA) in infants born ≤32 wks or weighing <1500 g. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 121 infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks or birth weight (BW) <1500 gr who had lung function assessment within three months' CA by TBFVL analysis between June 2009 and April 2018. We investigated the impact of GA, gender, being Small for GA (SGA), sepsis, days of mechanical ventilation (MV) and human milk feeding (HMF) on later respiratory function, both in the entire group and according to BW ( ≤1000 g and >1000 g). RESULTS: The mean(SD) z-score for tidal volume (Vt) and time to peak expiratory flow to expiratory time (tPTEF/tE) were respectively -4.3 (2.5) and -0.8 (2.0) for the overall population with no significant differences between infants <1000 g or ≥1000 g. The mean(SD) Vt standardized for body weight was 6.2(2.0) ml/kg. Being female was associated with better Vt/Kg, whereas longer MV or being born SGA were associated with worst tPTEF/tE. For infants with BW < 1000 gr, tPTEF/tE was positively associated with HMF. CONCLUSION: An early TBFVL assessment within three months' CA already reveals lung function alteration in preterm infants. Being female is associated with better Vt/Kg, while longer duration of MV or being born SGA negatively affect tPTEF/tE. The positive association between HMF and better tPTEF/tE in infants with BW <1000 g has emerged, which deserves further investigation.

A maChine and deep Learning Approach to predict pulmoNary hyperteNsIon in newbornS with congenital diaphragmatic Hernia (CLANNISH): Protocol for a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Outcome predictions of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) still have some limitations in the prenatal estimate of postnatal pulmonary hypertension (PH). We propose applying Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) approaches to fetuses and newborns with CDH to develop forecasting models in prenatal epoch, based on the integrated analysis of clinical data, to provide neonatal PH as the first outcome and, possibly: favorable response to fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO), need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), survival to ECMO, and death. Moreover, we plan to produce a (semi)automatic fetus lung segmentation system in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which will be useful during project implementation but will also be an important tool itself to standardize lung volume measures for CDH fetuses. METHODS AND ANALYTICS: Patients with isolated CDH from singleton pregnancies will be enrolled, whose prenatal checks were performed at the Fetal Surgery Unit of the Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (Milan, Italy) from the 30th week of gestation. A retrospective data collection of clinical and radiological variables from newborns' and mothers' clinical records will be performed for eligible patients born between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2020. The native sequences from fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be collected. Data from different sources will be integrated and analyzed using ML and DL, and forecasting algorithms will be developed for each outcome. Methods of data augmentation and dimensionality reduction (feature selection and extraction) will be employed to increase sample size and avoid overfitting. A software system for automatic fetal lung volume segmentation in MRI based on the DL 3D U-NET approach will also be developed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This retrospective study received approval from the local ethics committee (Milan Area 2, Italy). The development of predictive models in CDH outcomes will provide a key contribution in disease prediction, early targeted interventions, and personalized management, with an overall improvement in care quality, resource allocation, healthcare, and family savings. Our findings will be validated in a future prospective multicenter cohort study. REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04609163.

Changes in respiratory mechanics at birth in preterm infants: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure lung mechanics at birth by the forced oscillation technique (FOT) for assessment of the initial degree of lung aeration and the short-term aeration changes after applying different respiratory support strategies. METHODS: Eighteen preterm infants (gestational age = 29-36 week) were randomized to receive either continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at 5 cmH2 O only or combined with a sustained inflation (SI; 15 seconds at 25 cmH2 O after 5 seconds of CPAP) at birth. We assessed the respiratory system reactance at 5 Hz (X5; increases with lung volume recruitment at a given distending pressure) at 2, 40, and 150 seconds after initiation of CPAP. k-Means clustering of the initial X5 value (X5,i ) stratified newborn into either infants with lower (lowerX5,i ; X5 < -280 cmH2 O*s/L) and higher (higherX5,i ; X5 > -240 cmH2 O*s/L) initial degree of lung volume recruitment. RESULTS: Initial values were highly heterogeneous. In the LowerX5,i group, X5 increased with time, with SI-patients showing significantly higher values at 150 seconds than the non-SI group (X5 = -89 ± 27 cmH2 O vs -274 ± 58 cmH2 O). In the higherX5,i group, X5 did not improve with time, regardless of the respiratory strategy, suggesting a lack of lung recruitment. Moreover, 75% of infants receiving SI in the higherX5,i group experienced a transient loss of aeration after the maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm newborns present initially with highly heterogeneous lung aeration at birth that significantly impacts the effectiveness of the subsequent lung volume recruitment strategy. FOT may represent a valuable tool for individualizing a respiratory resuscitation at birth as it is noninvasive and may be applied simultaneously to respiratory support.

The NeoAPACHE Study Protocol I: Assessment of the Radiographic Pulmonary Area and Long-Term Respiratory Function in Newborns With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the radiographic lung area is correlated with functional residual capacity (FRC) and represents an alternative method to estimate lung hypoplasia. In a cohort of newborn CDH survivors, we retrospectively evaluated the relationship between radiographic lung area measured on the 1st day of life and long-term respiratory function. As a secondary analysis, we compared radiographic lung areas and respiratory function between patients undergoing fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) and patients managed expectantly (non-FETO). Total, ipsilateral, and contralateral radiographic areas were obtained by tracing lung perimeter as delineated by the diaphragm and rib cage, excluding mediastinal structures and herniated organs. Tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (RR), and their Z-Scores when compared to the norm were collected from pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed at 12 ± 6 months of age. Linear regression analyses using the absolute Z-Score values for each parameter were performed. In CDH survivors, an increase in total and ipsilateral lung area measured at birth was related to a reduction in the absolute Z-Score for VT in PFTs (p = 0.046 and p = 0.023, respectively), indicating a trend toward an improvement in pulmonary volumes and VT normalization. Radiographic lung areas were not significantly different between FETO and non-FETO patients, suggesting a volumetric lung increase due to prenatal intervention. However, the mean Z-Score value for RR was significantly higher in the FETO group (p < 0.001), probably due to impaired diaphragmatic motility in the most severe cases. Further analyses are necessary to better characterize the role of the radiographic pulmonary area in the prognostic evaluation of respiratory function in patients with CDH. Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04396028.

Protein Intakes during Weaning from Parenteral Nutrition Drive Growth Gain and Body Composition in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants.

Weaning from parenteral to enteral nutrition is a critical period to maintain an adequate growth in very low birth weight preterm infants (VLBWI). We evaluated the actual daily nutritional intakes during the transition phase (TP) in VLBWI with adequate and inadequate weight growth velocity (GV ≥ 15 vs. GV < 15 g/kg/day). Fat-free mass (FFM) at term-corrected age (TCA) was compared between groups. Based on actual nutritional intakes of infants with adequate growth, we defined a standardized parenteral nutrition bag (SPB) for the TP. One hundred and six VLBWI were categorized as group 1 (G1): [GV < 15 (n = 56)] and group 2 (G2): [GV ≥ 15 (n = 50)]. The TP was divided into two periods: main parenteral nutritional intakes period (parenteral nutritional intakes >50%) (M-PNI) and main enteral nutritional intakes period (enteral nutritional intakes >50%) (M-ENI). Anthropometric measurements were assessed at discharge and TCA, FFM deposition at TCA. During M-PNI, G2 showed higher enteral protein intake compared to G1 (p = 0.05). During M-ENI, G2 showed higher parenteral protein (p = 0.01) and energy intakes (p < 0.001). A gradual reduction in SPB volume, together with progressive increase in enteral volume, allowed nutritional intakes similar to those of G2. At TCA, G2 had higher FFM compared to G1 (p = 0.04). The reasoned use of SPB could guarantee an adequate protein administration, allowing an adequate growth and higher FFM deposition.

[Respiratory failure in "late preterm" infants: a retrospective cohort study]. / Insufficienza respiratoria nei neonati "late preterm": uno studio retrospettivo di coorte.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of the respiratory failure in late preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis in years 2006-2007 in late preterm infants (GA 34(+0)-36(+6) weeks) with respiratory failure, admitted at a tertiary level NICU. RESULT: Data from 1011 late preterm infants, which accounted for 7% of all deliveries and 65% of preterm births were analyzed; 29% (292/1011) required intensive care and 13% (136/1011) presented respiratory failure (16% of all ventilated infants in the period). In late preterms with respiratory failure 23% (32/136) were treated with prenatal steroids 46% (62/136) with non -invasive ventilation (nasal continuous positive airways pressure = nCPAP) while 41% (56/136) were intubated and received exogenous surfactant. Mean days of ventilation were 5.3 +/- 6.5 (0.5-55); 3.7% (5/136) developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as oxygen-dependency at 36 postconceptional age and mortality was 1.5% (2/136). CONCLUSION: Respiratory failure incidence and characteristics in late preterms suggest their peculiarity and relevance in neonatal intensive care.

A Single-Center Experience with Very Low Birth Weight Infants and Focal Intestinal Perforation: Comparison of Primary Anastomosis versus Stoma Opening.

INTRODUCTION: We present a single-center experience with very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with focal intestinal perforation (FIP), comparing the results of primary anastomosis (PA) and stoma opening (SO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of VLBW infants with FIP who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the procedure performed: limited bowel resection and PA or SO. Patients with gastric perforation or patients who underwent clip and drop were excluded. Information regarding birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), weight at surgery (WS), number of abdominal reoperations, duration of parenteral nutrition (PN), and demise was recorded. RESULTS: In this study, 40 patients were included: 22 in PA group and 18 in SO group. BW was 865 g in PA and 778 in SO (p-value: 0.2). GA was 26.1 weeks in PA and 25.6 in SO (p-value: 0.3). WS was 1,014 g in PA and 842 in SO (p-value: 0.09). Duration of surgery was 115 minutes in PA and 122 in SO (p-value: 0.67). Five patients (23%) belonging to PA group developed complications and required SO. Five patients (23%) demised in PA group and six (33%) in SO (p-value: 0.2). Seventeen abdominal reoperations were performed in PA group and 22 in SO group (p-value: 0.08). CONCLUSION: Both procedures appear to be safe. When possible, PA should be performed as it reduces the number of abdominal reinterventions.

Nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and CO2 removal: A randomized controlled crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare short-term application of nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). WORKING HYPOTHESIS: nHFOV improves CO2 removal with respect to nCPAP in preterm infants needing noninvasive respiratory support and persistent oxygen supply after the first 72 h of life. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter non-blinded prospective randomized crossover study. PATIENT SELECTION: Thirty premature infants from eight tertiary neonatal intensive care units, of mean ± SD 26.4 ± 1.8 weeks of gestational age and 921 ± 177 g of birth weight. METHODOLOGY: Infants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive a starting treatment mode of either nCPAP or nHFOV delivered by the ventilator CNO (Medin, Germany), using short binasal prongs of appropriate size. A crossover design with four 1-h treatment periods was used, such that each infant received both treatments twice. The primary outcome was the mean transcutaneous partial pressure of CO2 (TcCO2 ) value during the 2-h cumulative period of nHFOV compared with the 2-h cumulative period of nCPAP. RESULTS: Significantly lower TcCO2 values were observed during nHFOV compared with nCPAP: 47.5 ± 7.6 versus 49.9 ± 7.2 mmHg, respectively, P = 0.0007. A different TcCO2 behavior was found according to the random sequence: in patients starting on nCPAP, TcCO2 significantly decreased from 50.0 ± 8.0 to 46.6 ± 7.5 mmHg during nHFOV (P = 0.001). In patients starting on nHFOV, TcCO2 slightly increased from 48.5 ± 7.8 to 49.9 ± 6.7 mmHg during nCPAP (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: nHFOV delivered through nasal prongs is more effective than nCPAP in improving the elimination of CO2 .

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: are risk factors the same in preterm and term infants?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) incidence and risk factors at different gestational age. METHODS: We considered data from 321 327 infants born in Lombardy, a Northern Italian Region. We computed multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for RDS by dividing infants in early- and moderate-preterm, late-preterm and term infants. RESULTS: Low-birth weight is the main risk factor for RDS, with higher odds ratio in term births. The risk was higher in infants delivered by cesarean section and in male, for all gestational age. Pathological course of pregnancy resulted in increased risk only in late-preterm and term infants. Maternal age and multiple birth were not associated with increased risk in any group. Babies born at term after assisted conception were at higher risk of RDS. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests as some risk factors do not influence RDS incidence in the same way at different gestational age.