The Neuroprotective Efficacy of Postnatal Magnesium Sulfate in Term or Near-Term Infants With Moderate-to-Severe Birth Asphyxia.

Background In Pakistan, the neonatal mortality rate is 41 per 1,000 live births and birth asphyxia is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether postnatal magnesium sulfate therapy can improve short- and long-term neurological outcomes in term or near-term neonates with moderate-to-severe birth asphyxia. Methodology This prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Lahore. A total of 62 neonates (31 in each group) were randomized to receive either three doses of magnesium sulfate infusion at 250 mg/kg per dose, 24 hours apart (treatment group), or three doses of injection 10% distilled water infusion at 3 mL/kg, 24 hours apart (placebo group). Both groups received similar supportive care. The neurodevelopmental assessment was done at six months of age using the ShaMaq Developmental Inventory. Results Demographic data such as gestational age, mean weight, age at presentation, gender, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade, mode of delivery, and the presence of seizures at presentation were comparable between both groups. In the magnesium sulfate group, statistically significant results were seen in terms of early seizure control (p = 0.001), early initiation of feed (p = 0.002), and shorter duration of hospital stay (p = 0.003). Moreover, the magnesium sulfate group had lower mortality compared to the control group, though it was not statistically significant (p = 0.390). There was no significant difference in terms of cranial ultrasound findings between the two groups (p = 0.783) at the time of discharge. Regarding the neurodevelopmental delay, there was no significant difference between the magnesium sulfate and control groups (p = 0.535). Conclusions Postnatal magnesium sulfate treatment improves short-term neurologic outcomes at discharge in term or near-term neonates with moderate-to-severe perinatal asphyxia. However, no difference was noted in the neurodevelopmental outcome at six months.

Impact of intermittent kangaroo mother care on weight gain of neonate in nicu: Randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of intermittent kangaroo mother care on weight-gain of neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Neonatology, the Children Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from March to October, 2018, and recruited newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The subjects were randomised into case and control groups. Intermittent kangaroo mother care was given in the case group for seven days. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 153 neonates, 140(91.5%) were included; 70(50%) in each group. The most common reason for admission was bronchopneumonia 49(35%). In the case group, average weight gain was 10.22±1.65 grams/kg/day compared to 7.87±1.71 in the control group (p=0.0001). The average length of stay in the case group was significantly low compared to the control group (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis determined the effect of kangaroo mother care therapy as effective (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent kangaroo mother care was found to be effective for improving weight-gain in neonates in addition to the conventional treatment.

Correlation Of Severity Of Metabolic Acidosis At Admission And Outcome In Asphyxiated Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Blood gases can provide information about the perinatal, natal and postnatal condition of newborn. Severity of metabolic acidosis has deleterious effect on the outcome of babies. When the cord blood gases are not available the arterial blood gases are used for interpreting the status of newborn. The purpose of study was to determine the relationship between severity of metabolic acidosis at admission with the stage of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and its outcome in asphyxiated neonates. METHODS: This was descriptive cross-sectional study of 384 neonates born at ≥35 weeks to <42 weeks from June to December 2018, admitted in Neonatology department of the Children's hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Lahore within first 6 hours of birth. The neonates with history of delayed cry at birth and arterial pH ≤7.30 and base deficit ≥10 were included in the study. The pH and base deficit of babies was analyzed in relation to the stage of HIE, duration of stay and death or discharge of the babies using SPSS-20. The p-value was calculated using chi-square test. RESULTS: Total of 470 neonates were eligible. Eighty-four neonates were excluded. Finally, 384 neonates were included and analyzed for the outcome variables. With severe metabolic acidosis pH <7.01, all the babies developed HIEII/III. Majority (82.1%) of the babies expired and 27.9% had prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing severity of metabolic acidosis at admission increases the likelihood of adverse outcome in asphyxiated neonates.

Pulse oximetry as a screening tool for critical congenital heart defects in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of pulse oximetry as a screening tool for critical congenital heart defects in newborns. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the neonatology department of the Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to June 2016, and comprised neonates aged up to 07 days. Babies with a prenatal diagnosis of heart defects and those whose parents refused to give consent were excluded. Oxygen saturation of enrolled patients was measured in right index finger (pre-ductal) and in the left big toe (post-ductal) subsequently. Echocardiography was done on all the enrolled babies to confirm the diagnosis. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 145 babies initially enrolled, 138(95.2%) were included. The overall mean age of the babies was 2.17±1.62 days (range: <24 hours-07 days) whereas the mean birth weight was 2.95±0.47kg (range: <2.5->4kg). Babies with pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation measurement difference of >3% showed a detection rate of 16(45.7%) for critical congenital heart defects. Sensitivity and specificity of this screening test was calculated to be 76.19% and 83.76%, respectively, while positive and negative predictive values were 45.71% and 95.15%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry was an effective screening tool for the detection of critical congenital heart defects in newborns.

Reasons Of Self-Discharge From Nursery Of A Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Patients who leave against medical advice (LAMA) from a health facility is a recognized problem. In neonatology practice this issue is particularly sensitive as repercussions can be severe. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the decision of parents to self-discharge their babies against medical advice. METHODS: This descriptive case series was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, of the Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore from January to June 2015. A total of 240 patients who self-discharged/were included. RESULTS: There were (59.6%) males and (40.4%) females with a male to female ratio of 2:1.5. Term babies constituted (67.9%), spontaneous vaginal deliveries (59.1%) and (55.8%) were delivered at hospitals. Seventy seven new-borns (32.2%) had birth asphyxia followed by neonatal sepsis (27.9%). Sixty four (64.5%) self-discharged within first week of admission. More babies were signed LAMA at week end (32.1%). Likewise (53.1%) babies were self- discharged during the night shift. Highest rate of LAMA was seen in parents belonging to low socioeconomic class (72.1%). Ninety eight parents (40.8%) had no formal education while well-educated parents were found to be 35 (14.6%). The commonest reason for selfdischarge was "perceived poor clinical outcome" (36.7%) by parents. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors were implicated in self-discharges from neonatology unit. Commonest reasons cited by parents were perception of poor clinical outcome and family pressures. Other contributory factors were male gender; those delivered vaginally, diagnosis of birth asphyxia, first week of life, at weekends and night hours. Low socioeconomic class and education of parents was also a major causative factor.

Detrimental Complications Of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome And Their Impact On Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is respiratory distress in an infant born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) whose signs cannot be otherwise explained. MAS is associated with different complications. Many studies have been conducted in developed world to find the outcome associated with MAS but data from developing countries is lacking. Present study was conducted to determine the impact of chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension (PHN) and air leak on outcome of new-borns with MAS. METHODS: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care Neonatology unit. The babies diagnosed with MAS were included in the study. All patients were monitored for development of complications. Outcome in terms of mortality was recorded. Outcome was compared by chisquare test and p-value <0.05 is considered significant. RESULTS: Seventy two babies were included in the study. Mean gestation was 37±0.56 weeks and birth weight was 2.87±0.49 kg. Male to female ratio was 1.57:1 and mean age of admission was 9.59±5.27 hours. Chemical pneumonitis, PHN and chemical pneumonitis with PHN were observed in 23.6%, 20.8% and 26.4% neonates respectively. Mortality rate was 19.44%. The mortality was highest in babies having chemical pneumonitis with PHN (p-value=0.013) followed by chemical pneumonitis group (p-value=0.02) and PHN group (p-value=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: About three fourth babies with MAS developed one or more complications. Mortality is significantly increases with the development of complications so as more the complications more is the mortality.

A child with Roberts syndrome.

Roberts syndrome is a genetically determined rare birth defect causing, skeletal deformities, particularly symmetrical limb reduction and craniofacial anomalies. For any child with limb and craniofacial bony malformations, this syndrome should be considered in the differentials. Although this syndrome represents only a small proportion of the total number of individuals with limb deficiency, it is important to be identified in order to give accurate genetic counselling including recurrence risk in siblings and possible prenatal diagnosis. This is the case report of a 22 days old male infant who presented with defective development of all four extremities and craniofacial abnormalities. The overall clinical and radiological features were suggestive of Roberts syndrome.