Growth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants Born < 26 Weeks Gestation before and after Implementation of a Nutrition-Care Bundle.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the impact of a nutrition-care bundle on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of micro-preterm infants born in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by two years corrected age. METHODS: A nutrition-care bundle emphasizing the prompt initiation of parenteral nutrition at birth, initiation of enteral feeds within 6 h after birth, and early addition of human milk fortifiers was implemented in 2015 for infants born < 26 weeks gestation. This before-and-after study evaluated growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants born between 2012-2013 (before-nutrition-bundle, BNB) and 2016-2017 (after-nutrition-bundle, ANB). RESULTS: A total of 145 infants were included in the study. Infants in the ANB group (n = 73) were smaller (birthweight and gestational age), and there were more male infants and multiples included compared to the BNB group (n = 72). Enteral feeds and fortifiers started earlier in the ANB group. Growth velocity and weight z-score changes were similar in both groups during NICU stay and post-discharge. Systemic steroid use, but not cohort, was linked to lower Bayley scores across all domains. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a nutrition-care bundle was not consistently associated with improved weight gain and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the micro-preterm infant population, possibly due to ongoing high-quality nutritional care by the clinical team.

Impact of macronutrients intake on glycemic homeostasis of preterm infants: evidence from continuous glucose monitoring.

Nutritional intake could influence the blood glucose profile during early life of preterm infants. We investigated the impact of macronutrient intake on glycemic homeostasis using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). We analyzed macronutrient intake in infants born ≤ 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and/or with birth weight ≤ 1500 g. CGM was started within 48 h of birth and maintained for 5 days. Mild and severe hypoglycemia were defined as sensor glucose (SG) < 72 mg/dL and <47 mg/dL, respectively, while mild and severe hyperglycemia were SG > 144 mg/dL and >180 mg/dL. Data from 30 participants were included (age 29.9 weeks (29.1; 31.2), birthweight 1230.5 g (1040.0; 1458.6)). A reduced time in mild hypoglycemia was associated to higher amino acids intake (p = 0.011) while increased exposure to hyperglycemia was observed in the presence of higher lipids intake (p = 0.031). The birthweight was the strongest predictor of neonatal glucose profile with an inverse relationship between the time spent in hyperglycemia and birthweight (p = 0.007).  Conclusions: Macronutrient intakes influence neonatal glucose profile as described by continuous glucose monitoring. CGM might contribute to adjust nutritional intakes in preterm infants. What is Known: • Parenteral nutrition may affect glucose profile during the first days of life of preterm infants. What is New: • Continuous glucose monitoring describes the relationship between daily parenteral nutrient intakes and time spent in hypo and hyperglycemic ranges.

Glucose variability increases during minimally invasive procedures in very preterm infants.

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of neonatal procedures on glucose variability in very preterm infants. Preterm infants (≤ 32 weeks gestation and/or birthweight ≤ 1500 g) were started on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on day 2 of birth and monitored for 5 days. Minimally invasive (heel stick, venipunctures) and non-invasive (nappy change, parental presence) procedures were recorded. CGM data were analyzed 30 min before and after each procedure. The primary outcome was the coefficient of glucose variation (CV = SD/mean) before and after the procedure; SD and median glucose were also evaluated. We analyzed 496 procedures in 22 neonates (GA 30.5 weeks [29-31]; birthweight 1300 g [950-1476]). Median glucose did not change before and after each procedure, while CV and SD increased after heel prick (p = 0.017 and 0.030), venipuncture (p = 0.010 and 0.030), and nappy change (p < 0.001 and < 0.001), in the absence of a difference during parental presence. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures increase glucose variability in the absence of changes of mean glucose. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Minimally invasive procedures - including nappy change - may increase neonatal stress in preterm infants. WHAT IS NEW: • Continuous glucose monitoring provides a quantitative measure of neonatal stress during neonatal care procedures demonstrating an increase of glucose variability.

Neonatal lymphocyte subpopulations analysis and maternal preterm premature rupture of membranes: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) causes preterm delivery, and increases maternal T-cell response against the fetus. Fetal inflammatory response prompts maturation of the newborn's immunocompetent cells, and could be associated with unfavorable neonatal outcome. The aims were (1) to examine the effects of pPROM on the newborn's and mother's immune system and (2) to assess the predictive value of immune system changes in neonatal morbidity. METHODS: Mother-newborn pairs (18 mothers and 23 newborns) who experienced pPROM and controls (11 mothers and 14 newborns), were enrolled. Maternal and neonatal whole blood samples underwent flow cytometry to measure lymphocyte subpopulations. RESULTS: pPROM-newborns had fewer naïve CD4 T-cells, and more memory CD4 T-cells than control newborns. The effect was the same for increasing pPROM latency times before delivery. Gestational age and birth weight influenced maturation of the newborns' lymphocyte subpopulations and white blood cells, notably cytotoxic T-cells, regulatory T-cells, T-helper cells (absolute count), and CD4/CD8 ratio. Among morbidities, fewer naïve CD8 T-cells were found in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (p=0.0009), and more T-helper cells in early onset sepsis (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: pPROM prompts maturation of the newborn's T-cell immune system secondary to antigenic stimulation, which correlates with pPROM latency. Maternal immunity to inflammatory conditions is associated with a decrease in non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxic cells.

Intra-tracheal surfactant/budesonide versus surfactant alone: Comparison of two consecutive cohorts of extremely preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of intra-tracheal (IT) surfactant/budesonide (SB) with that of surfactant alone (S) in reducing the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), we included extremely preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in our tertiary neonatal level of care unit (Padua, Italy). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of two cohorts of extremely preterm VLBW neonates (<28+0 gestation weeks, birth weight [BW] < 1500 g) born in two consequent epochs (2017-2018/2018-2019) were compared. The SB group received surfactant (200 mg/kg 1st dose) and budesonide (0.25 mg/kg), while the S group received surfactant alone. RESULTS: Among 68 neonates with RDS Grades III-IV, FiO2 ≥ 0.3 within 12 h of life, 18 were included in each group after matching for perinatal, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. IT SB did not affect the rate of BPD (Vermont Oxford Network, Jensen's, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development BPD Workshop 2018 definitions), death, BPD, or death at 36 weeks PMA. Hypotension requiring inotropic support within the first 5 days was lower in those receiving the combined treatment (p = .03). The SB group had fewer admissions to pediatric ward due to respiratory causes up to 12 months of corrected age (p = .03). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this retrospective study suggest that in extremely preterm VLBW infants, IT SB for severe RDS did not affect the incidence of BPD, death, and BPD or death at 36 weeks PMA, compared to surfactant alone. The combined therapy proved to be safe in this population. Further studies are warranted to explore the role of early IT steroids on respiratory morbidity in preterm infants.

Time needed to intubate and suction a manikin prior to instituting positive pressure ventilation: a simulation trial.

Tracheal suctioning in non-vigorous newborn delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is supposed to delay initiation of positive pressure ventilation (PPV), but the magnitude of such delay is unknown. To compare the time of PPV initiation when performing immediate laryngoscopy with intubation and suctioning vs. performing immediate PPV without intubation in a manikin model. Randomized controlled crossover (AB/BA) trial comparing PPV initiation with or without endotracheal suctioning in a manikin model of non-vigorous neonates born through MSAF. Participants were 20 neonatologists and 20 pediatric residents trained in advanced airway management. Timing of PPV initiation was longer with vs. without endotracheal suctioning in both pediatric residents (mean difference 13 s, 95% confidence interval 8 to 18 s; p < 0.0001) and neonatologists (mean difference 12 s, 95% confidence interval 8 to 16 s; p < 0.0001). The difference in timing of PPV initiation was similar between pediatric residents and neonatologists (mean difference - 1 s, 95% confidence interval - 7 to 6 s; p = 0.85).Conclusions: Performing immediate laryngoscopy with intubation and suctioning was associated with longer-but not clinically relevant-time of initiation of PPV compared with immediate PPV without intubation in a manikin model. While suggesting negligible delay in starting PPV, further studies in a clinical setting are warranted.Registration: clinicaltrial.gov NCT04076189. What is Known: • Management of the non-vigorous newborn delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid remains still controversial. • Tracheal suctioning in non-vigorous newborn delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid is supposed to delay initiation of positive pressure ventilation, but the magnitude of such delay is unknown. What is New: • Performing immediate ventilation without intubation was associated with shorter-but not clinically relevant-time of initiation of ventilation compared to immediate laryngoscopy with intubation and suctioning in a manikin model. • Further studies in a clinical setting are warranted.

Time Perception during Neonatal Resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of time perception during a simulated complex neonatal resuscitation. STUDY DESIGN: Participants in 5 neonatal resuscitation program courses were directly involved in a complex simulation scenario. They were asked to assume the role of team leader, assistant 1, or assistant 2. At the end of the scenario, each participant completed a questionnaire on perceived time intervals for key resuscitation interventions. During the scenario, actual times were documented by an external observer and video recorded for later review. In addition, participants were asked to evaluate their self-perceived level of stress and preparation. RESULTS: Health care providers (68 physicians and 40 nurses) were involved in 36 scenarios. Perceived time intervals for the initiation of key resuscitation interventions were shorter than the actual time intervals, regardless of the participant's role in the scenario. Self-assessed levels of stress and preparation did not influence time perception. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers underestimate the passage of time, irrespective of their role in a simulated complex neonatal resuscitation. Participant's self-assessed levels of stress and preparation were not related to the accuracy of their time perception. These findings highlight the importance of assigning a dedicated individual to document interventions and the passage of time during a neonatal resuscitation.