ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that an initial fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 30% during resuscitation of preterm infants results in less oxidative stress and is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with an FiO2 of 65%. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants of gestational age <32 weeks (n = 193) were randomized to start resuscitation with either 30% oxygen (low-oxygen group) or 65% oxygen (high-oxygen group), after which the FiO2 was adjusted based on oxygen saturation values. The primary outcome was bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) assessed at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Secondary outcomes included major neonatal illnesses and markers of oxidative stress. RESULTS: The median gestational age of included infants was 28(6)/7 weeks (IQR, 26(5)/7-30(3)/7 weeks). The incidence of BPD was not significantly different between the low-oxygen and high-oxygen groups (24% vs. 17%; P = .15). The FiO2 in both groups was adjusted to a mean of 40% by 7 minutes in the low-oxygen group and by 11 minutes in the high-oxygen group. No differences in markers of oxidative stress were noted between groups. CONCLUSION: Initial supplementation of preterm infants with 30% oxygen during the fetal-to-neonatal transition is as safe as 65% oxygen, with no differences in oxidative stress markers or BPD.
Subject(s)
Infant, Premature , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods , Oxygen/therapeutic use , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/therapy , Resuscitation/methods , Double-Blind Method , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gestational Age , Hospital Mortality/trends , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Intensive Care, Neonatal/methods , Male , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/adverse effects , Pregnancy , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/diagnosis , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/mortality , Risk Assessment , Severity of Illness Index , Survival Rate , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of early parenteral lipid and high-dose amino acid (AA) administration from birth onwards in very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight <1500 g) infants. STUDY DESIGN: VLBW infants (n = 144; birth weight 862 ± 218 g; gestational age 27.4 ± 2.2 weeks) were randomized to receive 2.4 g of AA kg(-1) · d(-1) (control group), or 2.4 g AA kg(-1) · d(-1) plus 2-3 g lipids kg(-1) · d(-1) (AA + lipid group), or 3.6 g AA kg(-1) · d(-1) plus 2-3 g lipids kg(-1) · d(-1) (high AA + lipid group) from birth onwards. The primary outcome was nitrogen balance. The secondary outcomes were biochemical variables, urea rate of appearance, growth rates, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: The nitrogen balance on day 2 was significantly greater in both intervention groups compared with the control group. Greater amounts of AA administration did not further improve nitrogen balance compared with standard AA dose plus lipids and was associated with high plasma urea concentrations and high rates of urea appearance. No differences in other biochemical variables, growth, or clinical outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In VLBW infants, the administration of parenteral AA combined with lipids from birth onwards improved conditions for anabolism and growth, as shown by improved nitrogen balance. Greater levels of AA administration did not further improve the nitrogen balance but led to increased AA oxidation. Early lipid initiation and high-dose AA were well tolerated.