Prematuridad tardía: recomendaciones para el seguimiento a largo plazo / Late preterm newborn: follow-up recommendations

La tasa de prematuridad global, según laOrganización Mundial de la Salud (OMS),muestra un aumento progresivo; su principal componente es el grupo de prematuros tardíos. Este grupo de pacientes suele tener buen peso al nacer, lo que hace que no se perciba muchas veces el riesgo de presentar un espectro de morbilidades del desarrollo, conductuales einmadurez de diferentes órganos y sistemasque impactan en la evolución a corto y largo plazo y aumentan la morbimortalidad. A su vez, tienen un efecto sustancial en los servicios de atención médica. El objetivo de esta publicación es discutir algunosaspectos relacionados con la salud de este grupo de pacientes y sugerir su seguimiento con un enfoque holístico e interdisciplinario.

The WHO states that prematurity rates have increased mainly due to late preterm births. Since these babies are usually born with appropriate weight for their gestational age, their risk for morbidities such as neurodevelopmental delays, behavioral problems and organ systems immaturity are overlooked. Further, these clinical findings have an impact on short and long term outcomes (i.e., morbidities, mortality, and higher healthcare costs). The aim of this publication is to discuss topics related to late-preterm newborns' health, including a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to follow up care.

[Late preterm newborn: follow-up recommendations]. / Prematuridad tardía: recomendaciones para el seguimiento a largo plazo.

The WHO states that prematurity rates have increased mainly due to late preterm births. Since these babies are usually born with appropriate weight for their gestational age, their risk for morbidities such as neurodevelopmental delays, behavioral problems and organ systems immaturity are overlooked. Further, these clinical findings have an impact on short and long term outcomes (i.e., morbidities, mortality, and higher healthcare costs). The aim of this publication is to discuss topics related to late-preterm newborns' health, including a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to follow up care.

La tasa de prematuridad global, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), muestra un aumento progresivo; su principal componente es el grupo de prematuros tardíos. Este grupo de pacientes suele tener buen peso al nacer, lo que hace que no se perciba muchas veces el riesgo de presentar un espectro de morbilidades del desarrollo, conductuales e inmadurez de diferentes órganos y sistemas que impactan en la evolución a corto y largo plazo y aumentan la morbimortalidad. A su vez, tienen un efecto sustancial en los servicios de atención médica. El objetivo de esta publicación es discutir algunos aspectos relacionados con la salud de este grupo de pacientes y sugerir su seguimiento con un enfoque holístico e interdisciplinario.

The Argentina Premature Asthma and Respiratory Team (APART): objectives, design, and recruitment results of a prospective cohort study of viruses and wheezing in very low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and wheezing account for a substantial disease burden around the world. Very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 grams) infants are at an increased risk for the development of severe acute respiratory illness (ARI) and recurrent wheeze/asthma. The role of respiratory viruses in asthma predisposition in premature infants is not well understood. Preliminary evidence suggests that infection with human rhinovirus (RV) early in life may contribute to greater burden of asthma later in life. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of premature VLBW infants from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was enrolled year-round during a three-year period in the neonatal intensive care unit and followed during every ARI and with monthly well visits during the first year of life. Longitudinal follow-up up until age five years is ongoing. RESULTS: This report describes the objectives, design, and recruitment results of this prospective cohort. Two hundred and five patients were enrolled from August 2011 through January 2014, and follow-up is ongoing. A total of 319 ARI episodes were observed from August 2011 to July 2014, and 910 well visits occurred during this time period. CONCLUSIONS: The Argentina Premature Asthma and Respiratory Team (APART) is a unique cohort consisting of over 200 patients and over 1200 specimens who have been and will continue to be followed intensively from NICU discharge to capture baseline risk factors and every ARI, with interceding well visits during the first year of life, as well as longitudinal follow-up to age 5 years for asthma and atopy outcomes.

Accesibilidad a una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales de alta complejidad en la Argentina / Access to a iII level neonatal intensive care unit in Argentina

Introducción. En la Argentina no existen datos acerca de cuántos recién nacidos (RN) que requieren ser internados en una unidad de mayor complejidad, lo hacen en tiempo y forma, ni cuáles la evolución de los que no acceden. Objetivo. Analizar las características de los RN que requieren ser internados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) y describirla evolución de aquellos que no acceden. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo, observacional y longitudinal. Se incluyeron los RN que solicitaron internación en la UCIN del Hospital Garrahan durante once meses; se registró cada solicitud y se realizó el seguimiento telefónico de los RN rechazados. Se analizó mediante análisis bivariado y multivariado. Resultados. Solicitaron internación 1197 RN; 75% con cuadro clínico grave; las patologías cardíacas, quirúrgicas y respiratorias fueron las más frecuentes. Se aceptaron 637 RN (53%). La procedencia del interior del país (OR 2, IC95%: 1,4-2,8), la retinopatía del prematuro (OR 40, IC95%: 14-85) y la enfermedad quirúrgica (OR 1,99, IC95%: 1,4-2,7) fueron factores independientes que aumentaron la posibilidad de acceso; ésta disminuyó en los meses de invierno (OR 0,56, IC95%: 0,40-0,77). Fallecieron 56 RN, 47 de ellos no pudieron acceder a ningún centro de mayor complejidad a pesar de presentar patologías pasibles de tratamiento. Conclusión. Estos datos señalan la importancia de acordar estrategias regionales que permitan el empleo eficiente de los recursos instalados y el acceso oportuno de los RN graves a centros de mayor complejidad.

Introduction. In Argentina information does not exist about how many newborns (NB) who need to be hospitalized in a third level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) actually accede, not even about the evolution of those who cannot accede. Objective. To analize the characteristics of NB that required to be hospitalized in a NICU andthe evolution of those who do not accede. Methods. Longitudinal, prospective and observational study. There were included NB that requiredhospitalization in the NICU of the Hospital Garrahan during eleven months. Every request was registered and phone calls were made to know the evolution of rejected NB. The accessibility was analyzed by bivariated and multivariated tests. Results. 1197 NB were included in the study; 75%with severe clinical condition, being of higher frequency the cardiac, respiratory and surgical pathologies; 637 NB (53%) were accepted. The NBfrom other provinces (OR 2, IC95% 1.4-2.8), retinophaty of the premature (OR 40, IC95% 14-85) and surgical disease (OR 1.99, IC95% 1.4-2.7) wereindependent factors that increased the possibilities to access; it decreased during the winter (OR 0.56, IC95% 0.40-0.77); 56 NB died; 47 could not have access to a third level NICU in spite of presenting pathologies sensitive of treatment. Conclusion. This information shows the fact that is of high importance to define regional strategies that allow the efficient administration of existing health resources and the opportune access of seriously ill NB patients to reference centers.

Accesibilidad a una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales de alta complejidad en la Argentina / Access to a iII level neonatal intensive care unit in Argentina

Introducción. En la Argentina no existen datos acerca de cuántos recién nacidos (RN) que requieren ser internados en una unidad de mayor complejidad, lo hacen en tiempo y forma, ni cuáles la evolución de los que no acceden. Objetivo. Analizar las características de los RN que requieren ser internados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) y describirla evolución de aquellos que no acceden. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo, observacional y longitudinal. Se incluyeron los RN que solicitaron internación en la UCIN del Hospital Garrahan durante once meses; se registró cada solicitud y se realizó el seguimiento telefónico de los RN rechazados. Se analizó mediante análisis bivariado y multivariado. Resultados. Solicitaron internación 1197 RN; 75% con cuadro clínico grave; las patologías cardíacas, quirúrgicas y respiratorias fueron las más frecuentes. Se aceptaron 637 RN (53%). La procedencia del interior del país (OR 2, IC95%: 1,4-2,8), la retinopatía del prematuro (OR 40, IC95%: 14-85) y la enfermedad quirúrgica (OR 1,99, IC95%: 1,4-2,7) fueron factores independientes que aumentaron la posibilidad de acceso; ésta disminuyó en los meses de invierno (OR 0,56, IC95%: 0,40-0,77). Fallecieron 56 RN, 47 de ellos no pudieron acceder a ningún centro de mayor complejidad a pesar de presentar patologías pasibles de tratamiento. Conclusión. Estos datos señalan la importancia de acordar estrategias regionales que permitan el empleo eficiente de los recursos instalados y el acceso oportuno de los RN graves a centros de mayor complejidad.(AU)

Introduction. In Argentina information does not exist about how many newborns (NB) who need to be hospitalized in a third level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) actually accede, not even about the evolution of those who cannot accede. Objective. To analize the characteristics of NB that required to be hospitalized in a NICU andthe evolution of those who do not accede. Methods. Longitudinal, prospective and observational study. There were included NB that requiredhospitalization in the NICU of the Hospital Garrahan during eleven months. Every request was registered and phone calls were made to know the evolution of rejected NB. The accessibility was analyzed by bivariated and multivariated tests. Results. 1197 NB were included in the study; 75%with severe clinical condition, being of higher frequency the cardiac, respiratory and surgical pathologies; 637 NB (53%) were accepted. The NBfrom other provinces (OR 2, IC95% 1.4-2.8), retinophaty of the premature (OR 40, IC95% 14-85) and surgical disease (OR 1.99, IC95% 1.4-2.7) wereindependent factors that increased the possibilities to access; it decreased during the winter (OR 0.56, IC95% 0.40-0.77); 56 NB died; 47 could not have access to a third level NICU in spite of presenting pathologies sensitive of treatment. Conclusion. This information shows the fact that is of high importance to define regional strategies that allow the efficient administration of existing health resources and the opportune access of seriously ill NB patients to reference centers.(AU)

[Access to a III level neonatal intensive care unit in Argentina]. / Accesibilidad a una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales de alta complejidad en la Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: In Argentina information does not exist about how many newborns (NB) who need to be hospitalized in a third level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) actually accede, not even about the evolution of those who cannot accede. OBJECTIVE: To analize the characteristics of NB that required to be hospitalized in a NICU and the evolution of those who do not accede. METHODS: Longitudinal, prospective and observational study. There were included NB that required hospitalization in the NICU of the Hospital Garrahan during eleven months. Every request was registered and phone calls were made to know the evolution of rejected NB. The accessibility was analyzed by bivariated and multivariated tests. RESULTS: 1197 NB were included in the study; 75% with severe clinical condition, being of higher frequency the cardiac, respiratory and surgical pathologies; 637 NB (53%) were accepted. The NB from other provinces (OR 2, IC95% 1.4-2.8), retinophaty of the premature (OR 40, IC95% 14-85) and surgical disease (OR 1.99, IC95% 1.4-2.7) were independent factors that increased the possibilities to access; it decreased during the winter (OR 0.56, IC95% 0.40-0.77); 56 NB died; 47 could not have access to a third level NICU in spite of presenting pathologies sensitive of treatment. CONCLUSION: This information shows the fact that is of high importance to define regional strategies that allow the efficient administration of existing health resources and the opportune access of seriously ill NB patients to reference centers.

[Impact of a respiratory disease prevention program in high-risk preterm infants: a prospective, multicentric study]. / Impacto de un programa de prevención de infecciones respiratorias en lactantes prematuros de alto riesgo: estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico.

UNLABELLED: Respiratory tract infections (RTI), especially those caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), are of central concern in high-risk preterm infant care. Prevention programs including new and costly interventions should be evaluated in terms of effectiveness and impact. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate feasibility and results of a National Health Ministry pilot program for severe RTI prevention in high-risk infants. METHODS: Seven high-risk follow-up clinics from the public healthcare system were selected for a prospective, multicentric study. Between May and September 2007, a pilot program comprising healthcare team training, parental education, RSV passive immunoprophylaxis, RTI patient care end results evaluation was implemented. Indicators were used to evaluate feasibility; effectiveness was estimated comparing study results with two historical controls. RESULTS: 183 infants were incorporated, 5 were lost and 1 died from cardiac disease. A RTI management guideline was elaborated among participating centers; parents assisted to educational workshops; palivizumab was given to participating infants up to three doses. RTI hospital admission rate for the study group was 20% (7% RSV-related), compared to 42% (26% RSV-related) and 37% (29% RSV-related) in control groups (p< 0.0001 and p= 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Program implementation was feasible and readily accepted by healthcare teams. RTI hospital admissions rates, in general and RSV-related, were significatively lower than local previous studies.

Impacto de un programa de prevención de infecciones respiratorias en lactantes prematuros de alto riesgo: estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico / Impact of a respiratory disease prevention program in high-risk preterm infants: a prospective, multicentric study

Las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA), especialmente por virus sincicial respiratorio (VSR), constituyen un problema central en lactantes de alto riesgo. Los programas de prevención que incluyan tecnologías nuevas y costosas deben ser evaluados en términos de efectividad e impacto. Objetivos. Evaluar factibilidad y resultados de un programa piloto del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación para disminuir las IRA graves en lactantesprematuros. Métodos. Mediante un diseño prospectivo y multicéntrico se seleccionaron 7 consultorios de seguimiento de alto riesgo de instituciones públicas. El programa se desarrolló entre mayo y septiembre de 2007 y comprendió: capacitacióndel equipo de salud, educación a los padres, inmunoprofilaxis pasiva para VSR, atención de los pacientes con IRA y evaluación de resultados. La factibilidad se evaluó con indicadores y la efectividad comparando las tasas de internación por IRA con 2 cohortes históricas. Resultados. Se incorporaron 183 niños, 5 desertaron y 1 falleció por cardiopatía. Se elaboró entre los centros participantes un consenso sobre atención del prematuro con IRA; todos los padres participaron en talleres de educación; se administró palivizumab a todos los pacientes hasta un total de 3 dosis. La tasa de internación por IRA fue de 20% (7% por VSR) contra 42% (26% por VSR) y 37% (29% por VSR) en cada cohorte testigo (p< 0,0001 y p= 0,02 respectivamente). Conclusiones. El programa fue factible y aceptado favorablemente por los equipos de salud participantes. Las tasas de internación por IRA en general y por VSR en particular fueron significativamente inferiores a las de estudios locales previos.

Respiratory tract infections (RTI), specially those caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are of central concern in high-risk preterm infant care. Prevention programs including new and costly interventions should be evaluated in terms of efectivity and impact. Objectives. To evaluate feasibility and results of a National Health Ministry pilot program for severe RTI prevention in high-risk infants. Methods. Seven high-risk follow-up clinics from the public healthcare system were selected for a prospective, multicentric study. Between May and September 2007, a pilot program comprising healthcare team training, parental education, RSV pasive immunoprophylaxis, RTI patient care end results evaluation was implemented. Indicators were used to evaluate feasibility; efectivity was estimated comparing study results withtwo historical controls. Results. 183 infants were incorporated, 5 were lost and 1 died from cardiac disease. A RTI management guideline was elaborated among participating centers; parents assisted to educational workshops; palivizumab was given to participatinginfants up to three doses. RTI hospital admission rate for the study group was 20% (7% RSV-related), compared to 42% (26% RSV-related) and 37% (29% RSV-related) in control groups(p< 0.0001 and p= 0.02, respectively).Conclusions. Program implementation was feasible and readily accepted by healthcare teams. RTI hospital admissions rates, in general and RSV-related, were significatively lower than local previous studies.

Impacto de un programa de prevención de infecciones respiratorias en lactantes prematuros de alto riesgo: estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico / Impact of a respiratory disease prevention program in high-risk preterm infants: a prospective, multicentric study

Las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA), especialmente por virus sincicial respiratorio (VSR), constituyen un problema central en lactantes de alto riesgo. Los programas de prevención que incluyan tecnologías nuevas y costosas deben ser evaluados en términos de efectividad e impacto. Objetivos. Evaluar factibilidad y resultados de un programa piloto del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación para disminuir las IRA graves en lactantesprematuros. Métodos. Mediante un diseño prospectivo y multicéntrico se seleccionaron 7 consultorios de seguimiento de alto riesgo de instituciones públicas. El programa se desarrolló entre mayo y septiembre de 2007 y comprendió: capacitacióndel equipo de salud, educación a los padres, inmunoprofilaxis pasiva para VSR, atención de los pacientes con IRA y evaluación de resultados. La factibilidad se evaluó con indicadores y la efectividad comparando las tasas de internación por IRA con 2 cohortes históricas. Resultados. Se incorporaron 183 niños, 5 desertaron y 1 falleció por cardiopatía. Se elaboró entre los centros participantes un consenso sobre atención del prematuro con IRA; todos los padres participaron en talleres de educación; se administró palivizumab a todos los pacientes hasta un total de 3 dosis. La tasa de internación por IRA fue de 20% (7% por VSR) contra 42% (26% por VSR) y 37% (29% por VSR) en cada cohorte testigo (p< 0,0001 y p= 0,02 respectivamente). Conclusiones. El programa fue factible y aceptado favorablemente por los equipos de salud participantes. Las tasas de internación por IRA en general y por VSR en particular fueron significativamente inferiores a las de estudios locales previos.(AU)

Respiratory tract infections (RTI), specially those caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are of central concern in high-risk preterm infant care. Prevention programs including new and costly interventions should be evaluated in terms of efectivity and impact. Objectives. To evaluate feasibility and results of a National Health Ministry pilot program for severe RTI prevention in high-risk infants. Methods. Seven high-risk follow-up clinics from the public healthcare system were selected for a prospective, multicentric study. Between May and September 2007, a pilot program comprising healthcare team training, parental education, RSV pasive immunoprophylaxis, RTI patient care end results evaluation was implemented. Indicators were used to evaluate feasibility; efectivity was estimated comparing study results withtwo historical controls. Results. 183 infants were incorporated, 5 were lost and 1 died from cardiac disease. A RTI management guideline was elaborated among participating centers; parents assisted to educational workshops; palivizumab was given to participatinginfants up to three doses. RTI hospital admission rate for the study group was 20% (7% RSV-related), compared to 42% (26% RSV-related) and 37% (29% RSV-related) in control groups(p< 0.0001 and p= 0.02, respectively).Conclusions. Program implementation was feasible and readily accepted by healthcare teams. RTI hospital admissions rates, in general and RSV-related, were significatively lower than local previous studies.(AU)