Improving the longevity of intravenous cannulas in sick neonates admitted to NICU in a tertiary care centre: a quality improvement project.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal intravenous cannulation, especially in preterms, is more challenging than in children or adults. Placement of an intravenous cannula is painful and many cannulas need frequent changing due to complications. Each attempt at cannulation creates an entry for skin flora to cause systemic bacteraemia. This study was undertaken at a level III NICU. The team attempted to prolong the existing cannula longevity to reduce the frequency of intravenous cannulation thereby reducing handling and pain. OBJECTIVES: To improve the longevity of peripherally inserted intravenous cannula in sick neonates in NICU from the current 25.7 hours to 36 hours or more, over a span of 6 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quality improvement (QI) team comprised resident doctors and staff nurses. A fishbone analysis was used to identify factors that affected the longevity of intravenous cannulas. Five WHYs technique was used to identify the cause behind early cannula removal. Both techniques identified the fixation technique used at the study centre for target intervention. Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were planned to explore different fixation techniques to improve cannula longevity. The unpaired t-test and the χ2 tests were applied to analyse statistical significance. RESULTS: We achieved significant improvement in cannula longevity from 25.7 hours to 39.6 hours just by improving the fixation technique over 6 weeks with a p=0.0006. CONCLUSIONS: The QI study was successful and is adopted for routine practice. Such initiatives would greatly impact babies in low-resource settings and in transit.

Clinical Profile of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Neonates.

Background There are conflicting data on the mother-to-child transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and few studies have described the clinical course of neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2. Objectives This study investigates the mother-to-child transmission rate and clinical profile of SARS-CoV-2-infected newborns. Methods Data on 304 newborns of 301 mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were prospectively collected and analyzed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) determined the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the placenta, umbilical cord stump, and nasopharyngeal swabs collected within 24h of birth. Clinical and laboratory data of SARS-CoV-2-infected newborns was entered in a structured proforma. Results A total of 20 neonates (6.5%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, of which 12 were positive only in the nasopharyngeal swab, four cases had the umbilical stump positive, three were positive in the placenta, and one case was positive in all the three specimens collected. Six of the 20 SARS-CoV-2-positive neonates developed severe symptoms. The SARS-CoV-2-positive symptomatic neonates required a more extended stay in hospital compared to their non-symptomatic infected counterparts. Conclusions A proportion of the babies born to SARS-CoV2-infected mothers tested positive and some of these newborns had severe symptoms.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Hospitalized Confirmed Cases of Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Among Children in Pune, India.

Background The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infection was seen to be more infectious but less severe in children than adults with reduced hospitalization rates. There is a paucity of data on hospitalized children with confirmed Omicron variant. Objective We describe demographic, epidemiologic, clinical, radiological, laboratory features and outcomes of children with confirmed Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Pune, India. Methodology Children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 - Omicron variant and were admitted between 1st December 2021 and 28th February 2022 were included in the study. Results Out of a total of 37 Covid-positive children admitted during the study period, 16 underwent genome sequencing of which 14 were confirmed to be Omicron variant and two were Delta variant. The age range was one month to 12 years and seven (50%) were male. Common presenting features were fever (n=13, 93%), cough (n=7, 50%), seizures (n=7, 50%) and coryza (n=5, 36%). Comorbidities noted were epilepsy (n=3, 21%) and one each with Thalassemia Major, suspected inborn error of metabolism (IEM), operated anorectal malformation with hypospadias, chronic suppurative otitis media with complications (mastoiditis and facial nerve palsy), neonatal cholestasis and intracranial bleed with dural venous sinus thrombosis. Malnutrition was noted in 42%, pallor in 10 cases (71%). Severe anaemia (n=10, 71%), elevated ferritin (n=6, 43%), positive C-Reactive Protein (n=4, 28%) and deranged D-dimer (n=11, 78%) were noted. The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was >3.3 in five (36%) children. Four (28%) had evidence of pneumonia on the chest radiograph. Oxygen therapy was needed in nine (64%) while two children (14%) required mechanical ventilation. There were two deaths (14%) in children with multiorgan dysfunction and refractory shock. Intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone were administered to one patient respectively (14%). The median hospital stay was 10 days (Interquartile range = 8). Conclusion Hospitalized children with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 who have underlying comorbidities may have severe presentations needing ICU care. Mortality rates are low with appropriate ICU care.

Efficacy and Safety of Wheat Grass in Thalassemic Children on Regular Blood Transfusion.

BACKGROUND: In thalassemia, mutations either in alpha or beta chain synthesis results in low hemoglobin (Hb). Wheatgrass has been used for many years for health purposes. Some reports suggest the beneficial effect of wheatgrass on transfusion requirements. Folic acid is also known to play an important role in several biochemical reactions. In some patients with thalassemia, the supplementation of folic acid is useful. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of wheatgrass in children with thalassemia receiving chronic blood transfusions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized prospective study, 69 children with thalassemia were divided into the wheatgrass group and the control group (no wheatgrass). Both groups received a regular blood transfusion and folic acid. The treatment duration was 18 months. Anthropometric parameters, number of transfusions, and amount of blood transfused were compared within and between the groups at the end of the therapy. Clinical examinations, laboratory investigations, and ultrasounds for liver and spleen span were performed at the baseline and then every six months till 18 months. Adverse effects (if any) were noted on every visit. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated before and at the end of the study using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (study group (n=45; mean age 6.35 ± 2.65 yrs); control group (n=24; 4.86 ± 2.77 yrs)) patients were enrolled, of which 12 from the study group and three from the control group did not complete the study. The difference in liver size within the wheatgrass group was significant (P <0.021) only at 18 months but not in the control group at any time point. The difference in spleen size was significant within the wheatgrass group (P<0.005) as well as the control group (P<0.001) at 18 months only. The difference in serum ferritin levels was not significant between the two groups. The increase in serum ferritin levels at the end of the study was significant in the control group when compared to the baseline (P<0.01). There was no difference in the average number of transfusions or in the blood transfusion requirement between the two groups. The difference in the QOL at the start and end was significant in the wheatgrass group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Wheatgrass appears to play a promising role in children with thalassemia receiving chronic blood transfusions.

Growth patterns among HIV-exposed infants receiving nevirapine prophylaxis in Pune, India.

BACKGROUND: India has among the highest rates of infant malnutrition. Few studies investigating the growth patterns of HIV-exposed infants in India or the impact of timing of HIV infection on growth in settings such as India exist. METHODS: We used data from the Six Week Extended Nevirapine (SWEN) trial to compare the growth patterns of HIV-infected and HIV-exposed but uninfected infants accounting for timing of HIV infection, and to identify risk factors for stunting, underweight and wasting. Growth and timing of HIV infection were assessed at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 14 weeks and 6, 9, 12 months of life. Random effects multivariable logistic regression method was used to assess factors associated with stunting, underweight and wasting. RESULTS: Among 737 HIV-exposed infants, 93 (13%) were HIV-infected by 12 months of age. Among HIV-infected and uninfected infants, baseline prevalence of stunting (48% vs. 46%), underweight (27% vs. 26%) and wasting (7% vs. 11%) was similar (p>0.29), but by 12 months stunting and underweight, but not wasting, were significantly higher in HIV-infected infants (80% vs. 56%, 52% vs. 29%, p< 0.0001; 5% vs. 6%, p=0.65, respectively). These differences rapidly manifested within 4-6 weeks of birth. Infants infected in utero had the worst growth outcomes during the follow-up period. SWEN was associated with non-significant reductions in stunting and underweight among HIV-infected infants and significantly less wasting in HIV-uninfected infants. In multivariate analysis, maternal CD4 < 250, infant HIV status, less breastfeeding, low birth weight, non-vaginal delivery, and infant gestational age were significant risk factors for underweight and stunting. CONCLUSION: Baseline stunting and underweight was high in both HIV-infected and uninfected infants; growth indices diverged early and were impacted by timing of infection and SWEN prophylaxis. Early growth monitoring of all HIV-exposed infants is an important low-cost strategy for improving health and survival outcomes of these infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00061321.