Orthopedic postoperative infection profile and antibiotic sensitivity of 2038 patients across 24 countries - Call for region and institution specific surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Purpose: Improper utilization of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis frequently leads to increased risks of morbidity and mortality.This study aims to understand the common causative organism of postoperative orthopedic infection and document the surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol across various institutions in to order to strengthen surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis practice and provide higher-quality surgical care. Methods: This multicentric multinational retrospective study, includes 24 countries from five different regions (Asia Pacific, South Eastern Africa, Western Africa, Latin America, and Middle East). Patients who developed orthopedic surgical site infection between January 2021 and December 2022 were included. Demographic details, bacterial profile of surgical site infection, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern were documented. Results: 2038 patients from 24 countries were included. Among them 69.7 % were male patients and 64.1 % were between 20 and 60 years. 70.3 % patients underwent trauma surgery and instrumentation was used in 93.5 %. Ceftriaxone was the most common preferred in 53.4 %. Early SSI was seen in 55.2 % and deep SSI in 59.7 %. Western Africa (76 %) and Asia-Pacific (52.8 %) reported a higher number of gram-negative infections whereas gram-positive organisms were predominant in other regions. Most common gram positive organism was Staphylococcus aureus (35 %) and gram-negative was Klebsiella (17.2 %). Majority of the organisms showed variable sensitivity to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusion: Our study strongly proves that every institution has to analyse their surgical site infection microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity of the organisms and plan their surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis accordingly. This will help to decrease the rate of surgical site infection, prevent the emergence of multidrug resistance and reduce the economic burden of treatment.

Comparison of Point-of-Care versus Central Laboratory Testing of Electrolytes, Hemoglobin, and Bilirubin in Neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Electrolyte, hemoglobin, and bilirubin values are routinely reported with point-of-care (POC) testing for blood gases. Results are rapidly available and require a small blood volume. Yet, these results are underutilized due to noted discrepancies between central laboratory (CL) and POC testing. The study aimed to determine the correlation between POC and CL measurement of electrolytes, hemoglobin, and bilirubin in neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Electrolyte, hemoglobin, and bilirubin results obtained from capillary blood over a 4-month period were analyzed. Each CL value was matched with a POC value from the same sample or another sample less than 1-hour apart. Agreement was determined by measuring the mean difference (MD) between paired samples with 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and Lin's concordance correlation (LCC). RESULTS: There were 355-paired sodium/potassium, 139 paired hemoglobin, and 197 paired bilirubin values analyzed. POC sodium values were lower (133.5 ± 5.8 mmol/L) than CL (140.2 ± 5.8 mmol/L), p <0.00001 with poor agreement (LCC = 0.49; MD = 6.7; 95% LOA: -13.6 to 0.14). POC potassium values were lower (4.6 ± 0.98 mmol/L) than CL (4.98 ± 1.24mEq/L), p < 0.0001, but with better concordance and agreement. (LCC = 0.6; MD = 0.4; 95% LOA: -2.3 to 1.4). There were no differences in hemoglobin between POC (14.3 ± 3.2 g/dL) and CL (14.4 ± 3.1 g/dL), p = 0.2 with good LCC (0.93) and in bilirubin values between POC (6.0 ± 3.2 mg/dL) and CL (5.8 ± 3.0 mg/dL), MD = 0.18, and p = 0.07. CONCLUSION: POC Sodium values are lower than CL. POC potassium levels are also lower, but the differences may not be clinically important while hemoglobin and bilirubin levels are similar between POC and CL. As POC potassium, hemoglobin, and bilirubin levels closely reflect CL values, these results can be relied upon to make clinical judgments in neonates. KEY POINTS: · Electrolyte, hemoglobin, and bilirubin are available as POC.. · POC sodium and potassium values are lower than CL results.. · Hemoglobin and bilirubin values are similar between POC and CL..

Respiratory and Hemodynamic Changes in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy during and after Whole-Body Hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the degree to which whole-body hypothermia (WBH) impacts hemodynamic and respiratory status during hypothermia and the subsequent rewarming period in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study reviewing the medical records of infants treated with WBH. Data including oxygenation index (OI), ventilator efficiency index (VEI), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), blood lactate level, heart rate (HR), and mean blood pressure (MBP) were collected from defined time points from the beginning, middle, and end of WBH and then every 2 hours from the beginning of rewarming for 14 hours thereafter. The analysis included 65 infants. Data were analyzed using a piecewise linear regression with a mixed-effect model. RESULTS: HR decreased during WBH and significantly increased during rewarming. Lactate level, OI, VEI, FiO2, and MBP all decreased during WBH but showed no significant change during and after rewarming. CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in metabolic demand as measured by oxygen requirement, OI, HR, and MBP during WBH, but only HR increased during rewarming, with no significant change in the other parameters. Some of this effect may be explained by improvement in the respiratory condition over time.

Premature Infants Conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technology: An Analysis of Infant Morbidity, Compared with Infants Conceived Naturally.

OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates the morbidity of infants born via assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared with matched naturally conceived infants. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of maternal and infant data among inborn infants conceived via ART and matched control infants born at 30 to 34 weeks' gestational age (GA) between 2006 and 2012. Data were analyzed using paired t-test or Wilcoxo-Mann-Whitney test for continuous and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. p-Value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULT: Of 120 study infants, 60 were conceived via ART and 60 naturally. Control infants were matched for GA, gender, race, and multiple gestations. ART infants required more respiratory support and took longer to reach full feeds compared with control infants. CONCLUSION: Infants born via ART are physiologically more immature with more intensive care needs than naturally conceived infants of similar gestation, potentially increasing health care costs. This immaturity should be considered when planning early delivery in these pregnancies.

Effect of reading to preterm infants on measures of cardiorespiratory stability in the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of parental bedside reading (PR) on cardio-respiratory (CR) stability of preterm infants. METHODS/STUDY DESIGN: Prospective examination of the impact of PR on CR stability in preterm NICU infants. CR data from 3 time points: pre-reading (3 and 1 h before reading), during PR, and post-reading (1 h after reading) were compared. RESULTS: Eighteen infants born at 23-31wks gestation, and 8 to 56 days old, were enrolled. Episodes of oxygen desaturation to <85% were fewer during PR as compared to the pre-reading periods and were fewer with live and maternal PR. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants showed fewer desaturation events less than 85% during PR than prior to reading exposure. This effect persisted up to 1 h after reading exposure. Desaturation events were fewer with live and maternal PR. Voice exposure can be an important way for parents to participate in the care of their preterm infants.

Intrauterine Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Presenting as a Zosteriform Eruption in a Newborn.

There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with the transmission of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from pregnant women to their fetus or newborn. Although most commonly transmitted in the peripartum period, in rare cases HSV can lead to intrauterine infection. Cutaneous lesions are the most common manifestation of intrauterine HSV, and have a wide spectrum of presentation. We present a rare case of intrauterine HSV-2 infection presenting with a zosteriform eruption mimicking congenital varicella syndrome in a newborn.

Pilot study of dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) therapy for acquired ventilator-associated infection in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of adjunctive treatment with dornase alfa in preterm patients with ventilator-associated pulmonary infection (VAPI) compared to standard care. WORKING HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that therapy with dornase alfa will be safe and well tolerated in the preterm population with no worsening of symptoms, oxygen requirement, or need for respiratory support. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded, pilot study comparing adjunctive treatment with dornase alfa to sham therapy. In addition to standard care, infants were randomized to receive dornase alfa 2.5 mg nebulized via endotracheal tube (ETT) every 12 hr for 7 days or sham therapy. ETT secretion gram stain and culture and chest X-ray (CXR) findings were evaluated. Respiratory support data were downloaded from the ventilator. RESULTS: Fourteen infants developed VAPI between 2012 and 2014; 11 enrolled in the study. Six received dornase alfa and five received sham therapy. Average gestational age at birth was 25 weeks and age at study entry was 31 days. There were no differences in demographics, ETT white blood cell count (WBC), CXR, or mean airway pressure (MAP) between the two groups. There was a trend towards decreased oxygen requirement (FiO2) in the treatment group that did not reach statistical significance. No side effects were observed in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with dornase alfa is safe and treated infants had some improvement in FiO2 requirement but no improvement in MAP. A larger randomized trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017; 52:787-791. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Improving the Quality of Radiographs in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Utilizing Educational Interventions.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop an educational tool to improve the radiograph quality, sustain this improvement overtime, and reduce the number of repeat radiographs. STUDY DESIGN: A three phase quality control study was conducted at a tertiary care NICU. A retrospective data collection (phase1) revealed suboptimal radiograph quality and led to an educational intervention and development of X-ray preparation checklist (primary intervention), followed by a prospective data collection for 4 months (phase 2). At the end of phase 2, interim analysis revealed a gradual decline in radiograph quality, which prompted a more comprehensive educational session with constructive feedback to the NICU staff (secondary intervention), followed by another data collection for 6 months (phase 3). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the quality of radiographs obtained after primary educational intervention (phase 2) compared with phase 1 (p < 0.001). During interim analysis after phase 2, radiograph quality declined but still remained significantly better than phase 1. Secondary intervention resulted in significant improvement in radiograph quality to > 95% in all domains of image quality. No radiographs were repeated in phase 3, compared with 5.8% (16/277) in phase 1. CONCLUSION: A structured, collaborated educational intervention successfully improves the radiograph quality and decreases the need for repeat radiographs and radiation exposure in the neonates.

Tidal Volume Requirement in Mechanically Ventilated Infants with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that increased physiologic dead space and functional residual capacity seen in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) results in higher tidal volume (VT) requirement to achieve adequate ventilation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of infants with MAS admitted to our hospital from 2000 to 2010 managed with conventional ventilation. Demographics, ventilator settings, VT, respiratory rate (RR), and blood gas values were recorded. Minute ventilation (MV) was calculated as RR × VT. Only VT values with corresponding partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Paco 2) between 35 and 60 mm Hg were included. Mean VT/kg and MV/kg were calculated for each patient. Forty infants ventilated for lung disease other than MAS or pulmonary hypoplasia served as controls. RESULTS: Birth weights of the 28 MAS patients and 40 control infants were similar (3,330 ± 500 g and 3,300 ± 640 g). Two patients in each group required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Infants with MAS required 26% higher VT and 42% higher MV compared with controls to maintain equal Paco 2. CONCLUSION: Infants with MAS require larger VT and higher total MV to achieve similar alveolar ventilation, consistent with pathophysiology of MAS. Our findings provide the first reference data to guide selection of VT in infants with MAS.

Tidal volume in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia supported with conventional mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the hypothesis that the tidal volume (VT) required for maintaining eucapnia in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is not reduced to the same degree as their lung mass. STUDY DESIGN: Records of infants with CDH admitted to our hospital from 1997 to 2009 managed with conventional ventilation were reviewed. Demographics, ventilator settings, observed VT, respiratory rate (RR), and blood gas values pre- and postsurgery were recorded. Minute ventilation (MV) was calculated as a product of RR × VT. Only VT values with corresponding Paco 2 between 35 and 60 mm Hg were included. Mean VT/kg and MV/kg were calculated for each patient. Forty term/late preterm infants ventilated for lung disease other than CDH or pulmonary hypoplasia served as controls. RESULTS: Birth weights of the 19 patients with CDH and 40 control infants were similar (3,360 ± 480 g and 3,300 ± 640 g). Mean gestational age was 38.5 ± 2 and 37.4 ± 1.5 week, p = 0.02. Infants with CDH required similar VT and MV as controls to maintain equal Paco 2. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with CDH require similar VT to clear their CO2 production compared with infants of similar size without pulmonary hypoplasia. These are the first reference values to guide selection of VT in infants with CDH.

Volume guarantee ventilation during surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

BACKGROUND: Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with adverse outcomes. Surgical exposure requires retraction of the lung, resulting in decreased aeration and compliance. Optimal respiratory support for PDA surgery is unknown. Experience with volume guarantee (VG) ventilation at our institution led us to hypothesize that surgery would be better tolerated with automatic adjustment of pressure by VG to maintain tidal volume (VT) during retraction. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe ventilator support, VT, and oxygenation of infants supported with VG during PDA surgery. DESIGN/METHODS: Ventilator variables, oxygen saturation, and heart rate were recorded during PDA surgery in a convenience sample of infants during PDA closure on VG. Pressure limit increased 11% and set VT was 26% lower during lung retraction. Fentanyl and pancuronium/vecuronium were used for anesthesia/muscle relaxation. Longitudinal data were analyzed by analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: Seven infants, 25.4 ± 1.5 weeks and 723 ± 141 g, underwent closure of PDA on VG at a mean age 29.9 days. No air leak, bradycardia, or death occurred. Target VT was maintained with a modest increase in inflation pressure. Oxygenation remained adequate. CONCLUSIONS: VG avoided hypoxemia and maintained adequate VT with only a modest increase in peak inflation pressure and thus may be a useful mode during PDA surgery.

Effective ventilation at conventional rates with tidal volume below instrumental dead space: a bench study.

OBJECTIVE: The authors previously showed that 48% of infants <800 g were ventilated with tidal volume (VT) < dead space (DS) using volume guarantee (VG) ventilation. Here, The authors sought to confirm those findings under the rigorous conditions of a bench study. DESIGN AND METHODS: The authors measured the time to wash out CO2 from a 45-ml test lung using end-tidal CO(2) monitor (ETCO(2)). The test lung was filled with 100% CO(2), then ventilated using VG at VT ranging from DS+2 ml to DS-1.5 ml. With ventilation, ETCO(2) declined exponentially as CO(2) was washed out, the rate being proportional to VT - effective instrumental DS. The time from initiation of ventilation to threshold of accurate detection was determined in triplicate. RESULTS: Halving the theoretical 'alveolar ventilation' (DS+2 ml to DS+1 ml) only increased the elimination time by 26%, not the 100%, as predicted by conventional physiology. CO(2) washout was less efficient, but still occurred even at VT=DS and VT=DS-1.5 ml. Halving the theoretical 'alveolar ventilation' by decreasing respiratory rate from 80 to 40 breaths/min only increased elimination time by 35%, not 100%, as predicted by conventional physiology. Twenty minutes of continuous positive airway pressure prior to ventilation did not alter the elimination time, verifying that CO(2) did not diffuse or leak out of the test lung. Size of the endotracheal tube (ETT; 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 mm) flow rate (4, 6 and 10 l/min) and inspiratory time (0.25 vs 0.35 s) did not affect the results. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to conventional physiology, effective CO(2) elimination appears to be possible with VT

The impact of instrumental dead-space in volume-targeted ventilation of the extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant.

BACKGROUND: Volume-targeted ventilation is increasingly used in neonatal ventilation to reduce the risk of volutrauma and inadvertent hyperventilation. However, normative data for appropriate tidal volume (V(T)) settings are lacking, especially in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in whom the added dead space (DS) of the flow sensor may be important. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of instrumental dead-space (IDS) on ventilation and to obtain normative data for initial V(T) associated with normocapnia in ELBW infants ventilated with volume guarantee (VG) ventilation. DESIGN/METHODS: Set and measured V(T), respiratory rate (RR) and arterial blood gas values (ABG) were extracted from charts of babies <800 g born between January 2003 and August 2005, who were ventilated with VG. Data were collected at the time of each ABG during the 1st 48 hr of life. Theoretical alveolar minute ventilation (AMV) was calculated as (V(T) - DS) x RR. IDS was measured by filling with water a 2.5 mm endotracheal tube cut to 10 cm with attached hub of the inline suction catheter and flow sensor. We added 0.5 mL/kg to this value to account for distal tracheal/mainstem bronchi DS (anatomical dead space). Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: The measured IDS was 2.7 mL. Mean combined DS (instrumental + anatomical) was 3.01 mL. There were 344 paired observations of V(T) and ABG with PaCO(2) in the normocapnic range in 38 infants (mean birth weight 625 g +/- 115 g SD, range 400-790 g) during the study period. The mean pH was 7.30 +/- 0.06 (SD), mean PaCO(2) 43.4 +/- 5.4 Torr. The mean target V(T) was 3.11 +/- 0.64 mL and the measured V(T) was 3.17 +/- 0.73 mL. Despite normocapnia, 47% of the V(T) were equal to or less than estimated DS. Mean theoretical AMV was only 8.7 mL/kg/min. The V(T)/kg needed for normocapnia was inversely related to weight (r = -0.70, P < 0.01), indicating some effect of the fixed IDS. Mean V(T)/kg of infants <500 g was 5.9 +/- 0.3 mL, compared to 4.7 +/- 0.5 mL for those >700 g (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Effective alveolar ventilation occurs with V(T) at or below calculated DS. This can be explained by the fact that at the high flow rates seen in these tiny infants who have extremely short inspiratory times, fresh gas penetrates through the dead space gas, rather than pushing it ahead. Therefore there is no need to forego synchronized and volume targeted ventilation because of dead space concerns. In infants <800 g, initial V(T) of 5-6 mL/kg was associated with normocapnia when using assist/control or pressure support ventilation.

Volume guarantee ventilation.

Recognition that volume, not pressure, is the key factor in ventilator-induced lung injury and the association of hypocarbia with neonatal brain injury demonstrate the importance of better control delivered tidal volume. New microprocessor-based ventilator modalities combine advantages of pressure-limited ventilation with the ability to deliver a more consistent tidal volume. This article discusses automatic weaning of peak inspiratory pressure in response to changing lung compliance and respiratory effort. More consistent tidal volume, fewer excessively large breaths, lower peak pressure, less hypocapnia, shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower levels of inflammatory cytokines have been documented in short-term clinical trials. It remains to be seen if these short-term benefits ultimately lead to a reduced incidence of chronic lung disease.

Antenatal magnesium treatment and neonatal illness severity as measured by the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP).

OBJECTIVE: . To determine if antepartum administration of magnesium sulfate affects the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP). METHODS: We reviewed a database of consecutive preterm admissions to our neonatal intensive care unit over a 12-month period. Information on delivery indication, magnesium sulfate use, betamethasone administration, neonatal SNAP scores, neonatal serum magnesium levels, and other data was collected. Data was analyzed by Chi-square, Student t-test, and multiple linear regression with P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: During the study period, 221 cases fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. Multiple regression revealed a significant association between antepartum magnesium use and improved SNAP scores after controlling for gestational age, glucocorticoid use, chorioamnionitis, and birthweight (SNAP score reduction = -2.25 +/- 0.78, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Antepartum administration of magnesium sulfate results in a significant improvement in the neonatal SNAP score. These results suggest that antepartum magnesium sulfate may be protective, or at least not detrimental to the newborn infant.

Effect of volume guarantee combined with assist/control vs synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of combining assist/control with volume-guarantee (AC+VG) vs synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with VG (SIMV+VG) on tidal volume (V(T)), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), mean airway pressure (MAP), respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and minute volume (MV) in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 12 infants were randomized to receive AC+VG, followed by SIMV+VG, or the opposite sequence for four alternating 2-hour periods. RESULTS: Airway pressure of machine breaths was higher during SIMV. MV and V(Te) were similar, but more variable during synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. The V(Te) of unsupported breaths during SIMV was lower than machine breaths of SIMV and AC. There was more tachycardia and tachypnea with a lower and more variable SpO(2) during SIMV. CONCLUSIONS: SIMV+VG is associated with higher work of breathing indicated by tachycardia, tachypnea and lower SpO(2) compared to AC+VG. VG appears to be more effective when combined with AC than with SIMV.

Volume guarantee: stability of tidal volume and incidence of hypocarbia.

Excessive tidal volume (V(T)) can lead to lung injury, hypocarbia, and neurologic damage. Volume guarantee (VG) uses exhaled V(T) as the control variable to reduce the risk of volutrauma and more closely control PaCO(2). Our objective was to test the hypothesis that VG combined with assist/control (A/C) will maintain PaCO(2) and V(T) within target range more consistently than assist/control alone during the first 72 hr of life in ventilated preterm infants. Eligible infants were randomly assigned to A/C + VG or A/C alone. Data were recorded directly from the pressure and volume module of the Draeger Babylog 8000+ ventilator. Arterial blood gases were obtained every 2-6 hr, as clinically indicated. In A/C, inspiratory pressure was adjusted to achieve a V(T) of 4-6 ml/kg. In VG, the target V(T) was 5 ml/kg. Subsequent adjustments were made by the clinical team in response to arterial blood gas measurements (ABG). Proportion of breaths and PaCO(2) values outside the target range were compared by chi(2), and continuous variables by t-test. There were no differences in demographic or baseline ventilator variables between the 18 infants in the two groups. For 1,805/11,950 breaths (15.1%), V(T) was > target with A/C + VG, vs. 2,503/9,853 (25.4%) with A/C (P < 0.001). V(T) was < target for 21.7% of breaths with A/C + VG, vs. 35.7% with A/C (P < 0.001). Twenty percent of PaCO(2) values were < target, with A/C + VG vs. 36.3% with A/C, P < 0.05. The proportion of PaCO(2) values > target was similar in the two groups. Oxygenation and mean pH were not different. No complications related to mechanical ventilation were observed. In conclusion, VG significantly reduced hypocarbia and excessively large V(T). This suggests the potential to reduce pulmonary and neurologic complications of mechanical ventilation. Larger studies are needed to establish safety and demonstrate such benefits.