Effectiveness of reaching and maintaining therapeutic hypothermia target temperature using low-cost devices in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) using servo-controlled cooling devices has proved to be a safe and effective method to reduce mortality and sequelae in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, such cooling devices can be expensive and have limited availability in low- and middle-income countries. To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of low-cost cooling devices (ice packs) to reach and maintain the target temperature in newborns with moderate or severe HIE. Descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study, including newborns with gestational age ≥35 weeks, weight ≥1800 g, with diagnosis of moderate or severe HIE, submitted to whole body hypothermia using ice packs for 72 hr. Data was obtained from medical records and databases. The thermal curves of each patient, time spent at the target temperature and rewarming time were evaluated. Complications directly related to therapeutic hypothermia, evolution, and early outcomes before hospital discharge were analyzed. Seventy-one newborns met the criteria for TH, and 61 completed the entire cooling period and were included in the final analysis. The average time to reach the target temperature was 1.50 ± 1.3 hr. The mean temperature during the cooling period was 33.5°C (±0.62). 82.32% of the measurements were within the target temperature range (from 33 to 34°C). The following adverse events were observed during TH: pulmonary hypertension 11.3%, arrhythmia 4.2%, and coagulopathy 26.7%. Whole body hypothermia using low-cost devices proved to be an effective method in the absence of availability of servo-controlled devices, representing a plausible option in restricted resource settings.

Joint attention abilities in Brazilian preterm and full-term infants.

Joint attention abilities of preterm and full-term Brazilian infants were assessed at 12- and 18-months, age corrected for prematurity. Results showed that preterm infants displayed significantly lower levels of correct responses to others' bids for joint attention at both time-points, compared to full-term infants. Both groups improved their responding to joint attention from 12 to 18 months of age. Contrastingly, prematurity did not impact infants' initiating joint attention behaviors, which remained stable over time for both groups. Findings were discussed in terms of the specific mental processes involved in distinct behavioural dimensions of joint attention.

Auditory processing abilities in prematurely born children.

Aim To compare the performance in temporal auditory ordering and resolution tests and the latency and amplitude in the records of middle latency auditory evoked potential and P3 of prematurely born children with the performance of full-term children undergoing the same assessment protocol. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-two children, aged 8 to 10 years, participated in the study and were divided into two groups: study group: 16 prematurely born children, and control group: 36 born full-term, at low risk for developmental alteration and without scholastic or hearing difficulties. OUTCOME MEASURES: All subjects underwent ordering tests (Frequency and duration pattern tests) and temporal auditory resolution tests (Gaps in noise test) and had their middle-latency auditory evoked potential and P3 recorded by using an Intelligent Hearing System unit. RESULTS: Prematurely born children had worse performance in the temporal ordering and resolution tests as compared with children born full-term. With regard to middle-latency auditory evoked potential and P3, prematurely born children had higher mean values of latencies and poorer morphology, a statistical significance was evidenced for P3 in the right ear. CONCLUSIONS: A prematurity effect was found in the temporal auditory processing measurements and in the P3.

Painful procedures and analgesia in the NICU: what has changed in the medical perception and practice in a ten-year period? / Procedimentos dolorosos e analgesia em UTI Neonatal: o que mudou na opinião e na prática profissional em dez anos?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of analgesia versus neonatologists' perception regarding analgesic use in painful procedures in the years 2001, 2006, and 2011. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of all newborns admitted to four university neonatal intensive care units during one month in 2001, 2006, and 2011. The frequency of analgesic prescription for painful procedures was evaluated. Of the 202 neonatologists, 188 answered a questionnaire giving their opinion on the intensity of pain during lumbar puncture, tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and postoperative period using a 10-cm visual analogic scale (VAS; pain >3 cm). RESULTS: For lumbar puncture, 12% (2001), 43% (2006), and 36% (2011) were performed using analgesia. Among the neonatologists, 40-50% reported VAS >3 for lumbar puncture in all study periods. For intubation, 30% received analgesia in the study periods, and 35% (2001), 55% (2006), and 73% (2011) of the neonatologists reported VAS >3 and would prescribe analgesia for this procedure. As for mechanical ventilation, 45% (2001), 64% (2006), and 48% (2011) of patient-days were under analgesia; 56% (2001), 57% (2006), and 26% (2011) of neonatologists reported VAS >3 and said they would use analgesia during mechanical ventilation. For the first three post-operative days, 37% (2001), 78% (2006), and 89% (2011) of the patients received analgesia and more than 90% of neonatologists reported VAS >3 for major surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in the medical perception of neonatal pain and in analgesic use during painful procedures, the gap between clinical practice and neonatologist perception of analgesia need did not change during the ten-year period.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Confrontar o uso de analgesia versus a percepção de neonatologistas quanto ao emprego de analgésicos para procedimentos dolorosos em 2001, 2006 e 2011. MÉTODOS: Coorte prospectiva de todos recém-nascidos internados em quatro unidades universitárias. Avaliou-se a frequência do emprego de analgésicos para procedimentos dolorosos por um mês dos anos de estudo. Dos 202 neonatologistas atuantes nas unidades nos três períodos, 188 assinalaram em escala analógica visual de 10 cm (dor >3 cm) a intensidade da dor sentida pelo recém-nascido na punção lombar, intubação traqueal, ventilação mecânica e no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Para punção lombar, 12%, 43% e 36% foram feitas com analgesia em 2001, 2006 e 2011 e 40-50% dos neonatologistas referiam indicar analgésicos na punção lombar nos três períodos. Na intubação, 30% foram feitas sob analgesia nos três períodos e 35% (2001), 55% (2006) e 73% (2011) dos médicos diziam indicar analgésicos. Quanto à ventilação mecânica, 45-64% dos ventilados-dia estavam sob analgesia nos três períodos e 56% (2001), 57% (2006) e 26% (2011) dos neonatologistas diziam usar analgésicos. Dos pacientes-dia nos três primeiros dias de pós-operatório, 37% (2001), 78% (2006) e 89% (2011) receberam alguma dose de analgésico. Mais de 90% dos médicos referiam usar analgesia para essa situação. CONCLUSÕES: Entre 2001 e 2011, ocorreu aumento no uso de analgésicos para procedimentos dolorosos nas unidades neonatais e uma percepção mais acentuada por parte dos médicos de que o recém-nascido sente dor, mas o lapso entre a prática clínica e a percepção médica quanto à presença de dor persistiu.

Painful procedures and analgesia in the NICU: what has changed in the medical perception and practice in a ten-year period?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of analgesia versus neonatologists' perception regarding analgesic use in painful procedures in the years 2001, 2006, and 2011. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of all newborns admitted to four university neonatal intensive care units during one month in 2001, 2006, and 2011. The frequency of analgesic prescription for painful procedures was evaluated. Of the 202 neonatologists, 188 answered a questionnaire giving their opinion on the intensity of pain during lumbar puncture, tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and postoperative period using a 10-cm visual analogic scale (VAS; pain >3cm). RESULTS: For lumbar puncture, 12% (2001), 43% (2006), and 36% (2011) were performed using analgesia. Among the neonatologists, 40-50% reported VAS >3 for lumbar puncture in all study periods. For intubation, 30% received analgesia in the study periods, and 35% (2001), 55% (2006), and 73% (2011) of the neonatologists reported VAS >3 and would prescribe analgesia for this procedure. As for mechanical ventilation, 45% (2001), 64% (2006), and 48% (2011) of patient-days were under analgesia; 56% (2001), 57% (2006), and 26% (2011) of neonatologists reported VAS >3 and said they would use analgesia during mechanical ventilation. For the first three post-operative days, 37% (2001), 78% (2006), and 89% (2011) of the patients received analgesia and more than 90% of neonatologists reported VAS >3 for major surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in the medical perception of neonatal pain and in analgesic use during painful procedures, the gap between clinical practice and neonatologist perception of analgesia need did not change during the ten-year period.

Neuroprotective body hypothermia among newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: three-year experience in a tertiary university hospital. A retrospective observational study / Hipotermia corpórea neuroprotetora em recém-nascidos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica: três anos de experiência em hospital universitário terciário. Um estudo observacional retrospectivo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that therapeutic hypothermia decreases neurological sequelae and death. Our aim was therefore to report on a three-year experience of therapeutic hypothermia among asphyxiated newborns.DESIGN AND SETTING:Retrospective study, conducted in a university hospital.METHODS:Thirty-five patients with perinatal asphyxia undergoing body cooling between May 2009 and November 2012 were evaluated.RESULTS:Thirty-nine infants fulfilled the hypothermia protocol criteria. Four newborns were removed from study due to refractory septic shock, non-maintenance of temperature and severe coagulopathy. The median Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were 2 and 5. The main complication was infection, diagnosed in seven mothers (20%) and 14 newborns (40%). Convulsions occurred in 15 infants (43%). Thirty-one patients (88.6%) required mechanical ventilation and 14 of them (45%) were extubated within 24 hours. The duration of mechanical ventilation among the others was 7.7 days. The cooling protocol was started 1.8 hours after birth. All patients showed elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase, creatine phosphokinase- MB and lactate dehydrogenase. There was no severe arrhythmia; one newborn (2.9%) presented controlled coagulopathy. Four patients (11.4%) presented controlled hypotension. Twenty-nine patients (82.9%) underwent cerebral ultrasonography and 10 of them (34.5%) presented white matter hyper-echogenicity. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 33 infants (94.3%) and 11 of them (33.3%) presented hypoxic-ischemic changes. The hospital stay was 23 days. All newborns were discharged. Two patients (5.8%) needed gastrostomy.CONCLUSION:Hypothermia as therapy for asphyxiated newborns was shown to be safe.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:A encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica neonatal apresenta alta morbi-mortalidade. Estudos com hipotermia comprovam diminuição de sequelas neurológicas e morte. Nosso objetivo foi então relatar experiência de três anos da hipotermia terapêutica em recém-nascidos (RN) asfixiados.TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:Estudo restrospectivo, conduzido em hospital universitário.MÉTODOS:Trinta e cinco pacientes com asfixia perinatal submetidos a resfriamento corporal entre maio de 2009 e novembro de 2012 foram avaliados.RESULTADOS:Trinta e nove RN preencheram os critérios do protocolo de hipotermia. Quatro RN foram excluídos devido a choque séptico refratário, não manutenção da temperatura e coagulopatia grave. A mediana do Apgar de 1 e 5 minutos foi de 2 e 5. A maior complicação foi infecção, diagnosticada em sete mães (20%) e 14 RN (40%). Convulsão ocorreu em 15 RN (43%). 31 pacientes (88,6%) necessitaram da ventilação mecânica e 14 (45%) foram extubados em 24 horas. O tempo de ventilação mecânica dos demais foi de 7,7 dias. O início do resfriamento ocorreu com 1,8 horas de vida. Todos os pacientes apresentaram níveis elevados de creatinofosfoquinase, creatinofosfoquinase-MB e desidrogenase lática. Não se observou arritmia grave; um RN (2,9%) apresentou coagulopatia controlada. Quatro pacientes (11,4%) tiveram hipotensão controlada. Realizou-se ultrassonografia cerebral em 29 pacientes (82,9%), 10 (34,5%) com hiperecogenicidade da substância branca. 33 RN (94,3%) fizeram ressonância magnética cerebral, 11 (33,3%) com alterações hipóxico-isquêmicas. O tempo de internação foi de 23 dias e todos receberam alta. Dois pacientes (5,8%) necessitaram de gastrostomia.CONCLUSÃO:A hipotermia como terapêutica para RN asfixiados demonstrou ser segura.

Neuroprotective body hypothermia among newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: three-year experience in a tertiary university hospital. A retrospective observational study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that therapeutic hypothermia decreases neurological sequelae and death. Our aim was therefore to report on a three-year experience of therapeutic hypothermia among asphyxiated newborns. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study, conducted in a university hospital. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with perinatal asphyxia undergoing body cooling between May 2009 and November 2012 were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-nine infants fulfilled the hypothermia protocol criteria. Four newborns were removed from study due to refractory septic shock, non-maintenance of temperature and severe coagulopathy. The median Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were 2 and 5. The main complication was infection, diagnosed in seven mothers (20%) and 14 newborns (40%). Convulsions occurred in 15 infants (43%). Thirty-one patients (88.6%) required mechanical ventilation and 14 of them (45%) were extubated within 24 hours. The duration of mechanical ventilation among the others was 7.7 days. The cooling protocol was started 1.8 hours after birth. All patients showed elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase, creatine phosphokinase- MB and lactate dehydrogenase. There was no severe arrhythmia; one newborn (2.9%) presented controlled coagulopathy. Four patients (11.4%) presented controlled hypotension. Twenty-nine patients (82.9%) underwent cerebral ultrasonography and 10 of them (34.5%) presented white matter hyper-echogenicity. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 33 infants (94.3%) and 11 of them (33.3%) presented hypoxic-ischemic changes. The hospital stay was 23 days. All newborns were discharged. Two patients (5.8%) needed gastrostomy. CONCLUSION: Hypothermia as therapy for asphyxiated newborns was shown to be safe.

O recém-nascido de muito baixo peso / The newborn very low birth weight

A Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo, através do seu Departamento de Neonatologia, tem imenso orgulho em colocar à disposição dos pediatras brasileiros e, especificamente, dos neonatologistas, esta obra, que aborda de forma completa e extensiva o recém-nascido de muito baixo peso. Seus capítulos cobrem praticamente todo o curso destas crianças, do nascimento à alta, passando pelo ambiente físico, o suporte nutricional, as intercorrências mais freqüentes, metabólicas ou infecciosas, e a evolução em curto e longo prazos.

O Recém-nascido de muito baixo peso / The newborn very low birth weight

A Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo, através do seu Departamento de Neonatologia, tem imenso orgulho em colocar à disposição dos pediatras brasileiros e, especificamente, dos neonatologistas, esta obra, que aborda de forma completa e extensiva o recém-nascido de muito baixo peso. Seus capítulos cobrem praticamente todo o curso destas crianças, do nascimento à alta, passando pelo ambiente físico, o suporte nutricional, as intercorrências mais freqüentes, metabólicas ou infecciosas, e a evolução em curto e longo prazos