Impact of ethnicity and extreme prematurity on infant pulmonary function.

The impact of birth before 27 completed weeks of gestation on infant pulmonary function (PF) was explored in a multi-ethnic population in comparison to more mature preterm controls (PTC) and healthy fullterm infants. Plethysmographic lung volume (FRCpleth ) and forced expired volume (FEV0.5 ) were obtained at ∼12 months post-term age in 52 extremely preterm (EP) infants (median [range] gestational age [GA]: 26 [23-27] weeks; 40% White mothers; 79% with BPD), 41 PTC (GA:35 [30-36] weeks; 37% White mothers) and 95 fullterm infants (GA:40 [37-42] weeks; 86% White mothers). Using reference equations based on identical equipment and techniques, results were expressed as z-scores to adjust for age, sex and body size. FEV0.5 was significantly lower in EP infants when compared with PTC (mean difference [95% CI]: -1.02[-1.60; -0.44] z-scores, P < 0.001), as was forced vital capacity (FVC) but there were no significant differences in FRCpleth or FEV0.5 /FVC ratio. FEV0.5 , FVC, and FEV0.5 /FVC were significantly lower in both preterm groups when compared with fullterm controls. On multivariable analyses of the combined preterm dataset: FEV0.5 at ∼1 year was 0.11 [0.05; 0.17] z-scores higher/week GA, and 1.28 (0.49; 2.08) z-scores lower in EP infants with prior BPD. Among non-white preterm infants, FEV0.5 was 0.70 (0.17; 1.24) z-scores lower, with similar reductions in FVC, such that there were no ethnic differences in FEV0.5 /FVC. Similar ethnic differences were observed among fullterm infants. These results confirm the negative impact of preterm birth on subsequent lung development, especially following a diagnosis of BPD, and emphasize the importance of taking ethnic background into account when interpreting results during infancy as in older subjects.

Neurological and developmental outcome in extremely preterm children born in England in 1995 and 2006: the EPICure studies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcomes at age 3 years in babies born before 27 completed weeks' gestation in 2006, and to evaluate changes in outcome since 1995 for babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation. DESIGN: Prospective national cohort studies, EPICure and EPICure 2. SETTING: Hospital and home based evaluations, England. PARTICIPANTS: 1031 surviving babies born in 2006 before 27 completed weeks' gestation. Outcomes for 584 babies born at 22-25 weeks' gestation were compared with those of 260 surviving babies of the same gestational age born in 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival to age 3 years, impairment (2008 consensus definitions), and developmental scores. Multiple imputation was used to account for the high proportion of missing data in the 2006 cohort. RESULTS: Of the 576 babies evaluated after birth in 2006, 13.4% (n=77) were categorised as having severe impairment and 11.8% (n=68) moderate impairment. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment was significantly associated with length of gestation, with greater impairment as gestational age decreased: 45% at 22-23 weeks, 30% at 24 weeks, 25% at 25 weeks, and 20% at 26 weeks (P<0.001). Cerebral palsy was present in 83 (14%) survivors. Mean developmental quotients were lower than those of the general population (normal values 100 (SD 15)) and showed a direct relation with gestational age: 80 (SD 21) at 22-23 weeks, 87 (19) at 24 weeks, 88 (19) at 25 weeks, and 91 (18) at 26 weeks. These results did not differ significantly after imputation. Comparing imputed outcomes between the 2006 and 1995 cohorts, the proportion of survivors born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation with severe disability, using 1995 definitions, was 18% (95% confidence interval 14% to 24%) in 1995 and 19% (14% to 23%) in 2006. Fewer survivors had shunted hydrocephalus or seizures. Survival of babies admitted for neonatal care increased from 39% (35% to 43%) in 1995 to 52% (49% to 55%) in 2006, an increase of 13% (8% to 18%), and survival without disability increased from 23% (20% to 26%) in 1995 to 34% (31% to 37%) in 2006, an increase of 11% (6% to 16%). CONCLUSION: Survival and impairment in early childhood are both closely related to gestational age for babies born at less than 27 weeks' gestation. Using multiple imputation to account for the high proportion of missing values, a higher proportion of babies admitted for neonatal care now survive without disability, particularly those born at gestational ages 24 and 25 weeks.

Short term outcomes after extreme preterm birth in England: comparison of two birth cohorts in 1995 and 2006 (the EPICure studies).

OBJECTIVE: To determine survival and neonatal morbidity for babies born between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation in England during 2006, and to evaluate changes in outcome since 1995 for babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation. DESIGN: Prospective national cohort studies. SETTING: Maternity and neonatal units in England. PARTICIPANTS: 3133 births between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation in 2006; 666 admissions to neonatal units in 1995 and 1115 in 2006 of babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival to discharge from hospital, pregnancy and delivery outcomes, infant morbidity until discharge. RESULTS: In 2006, survival of live born babies was 2% (n=3) for those born at 22 weeks' gestation, 19% (n=66) at 23 weeks, 40% (n=178) at 24 weeks, 66% (n=346) at 25 weeks, and 77% (n=448) at 26 weeks (P<0.001). At discharge from hospital, 68% (n=705) of survivors had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (receiving supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age), 13% (n=135) had evidence of serious abnormality on cerebral ultrasonography, and 16% (n=166) had laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. For babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation from March to December, the number of admissions for neonatal care increased by 44%, from 666 in 1995 to 959 in 2006. By 2006 adherence to evidence based practice associated with improved outcome had significantly increased. Survival increased from 40% to 53% (P<0.001) overall and at each week of gestation: by 9.5% (confidence interval -0.1% to 19%) at 23 weeks, 12% (4% to 20%) at 24 weeks, and 16% (9% to 23%) at 25 weeks. The proportions of babies surviving in 2006 with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, major cerebral scan abnormality, or weight and/or head circumference <-2 SD were similar to those in 1995, but the proportion treated for retinopathy of prematurity had increased from 13% to 22% (P=0.006). Predictors of mortality and morbidity were similar in both cohorts. CONCLUSION: Survival of babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation has increased since 1995 but the pattern of major neonatal morbidity and the proportion of survivors affected are unchanged. These observations reflect an important increase in the number of preterm survivors at risk of later health problems.

Lung function is abnormal in 3-month-old infants with cystic fibrosis diagnosed by newborn screening.

BACKGROUND: Long-term benefits of newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) have been established with respect to nutritional status, but effects on pulmonary health remain unclear. HYPOTHESIS: With early diagnosis and commencement of standardised treatment, lung function at ∼3 months of age is normal in NBS infants with CF. METHODS: Lung clearance index (LCI) and functional residual capacity (FRC) using multiple breath washout (MBW), plethysmographic (pleth) FRC and forced expirations from raised lung volumes were measured in 71 infants with CF (participants in the London CF Collaboration) and 54 contemporaneous healthy controls age ∼3 months. RESULTS: Compared with controls, and after adjustment for body size and age, LCI, FRC(MBW) and FRC(pleth) were significantly higher in infants with CF (mean difference (95% CI): 0.5 (0.1 to 0.9), p=0.02; 0.4 (0.1 to 0.7), p=0.02 and 0.9 (0.4 to 1.3), p<0.001, z-scores, respectively), while forced expiratory volume (FEV(0.5)) and flows (FEF(25-75)) were significantly lower (-0.9 (-1.3 to -0.6), p<0.001 and -0.7 (-1.1 to -0.2), p=0.004, z-scores, respectively). 21% (15/70) of infants with CF had an elevated LCI (>1.96 z-scores) and 25% (17/68) an abnormally low FEV(0.5) (below -1.96 z-scores). While only eight infants with CF had abnormalities of LCI and FEV(0.5), using both techniques identified abnormalities in 35% (24/68). Hyperinflation (FRC(pleth) >1.96 z-scores) was identified in 18% (10/56) of infants with CF and was significantly correlated with diminished FEF(25-75) (r=-0.43, p<0.001) but not with LCI or FEV(0.5). CONCLUSION: Despite early diagnosis of CF by NBS and protocol-driven treatment in specialist centres, abnormal lung function, with increased ventilation inhomogeneity and hyperinflation and diminished airway function, is evident in many infants with CF diagnosed through NBS by 3 months of age.

The cobweb sign: percutaneous silastic long line tip placement in tributaries of superficial veins.

We report a method for preventing misplacement of percutaneous silastic catheters in superficial vein tributary or venous plexus. Catheters inserted less than the length calculated by surface anatomy measurement due to resistance were studied in three patients. Contrast X-rays (Omnipaque, Nycomed Imaging AS, Oslo, Norway) of the catheters was performed to confirm the catheter tip placement position. On initial assessment, the catheter tip placement was thought to be satisfactory and infusion of TPN commenced. Following signs of extravasation, re-examination of the contrast X-rays demonstrated that multiple thin rays of omnipaque could be traced in different directions like a cobweb. In the third infant, we recognised the "cobweb" sign and prospectively withdrew the catheter tip 2 cm. Repeat contrast X-ray confirmed that the catheter tip was in a major superficial vein, infusion continued without further complication. We conclude that when the "cobweb" sign is noticed then the catheter should be removed or withdrawn 2 to 3 cm and repeat contrast X-ray performed..

Development of lung function in early life: influence of birth weight in infants of nonsmokers.

This study aimed to compare lung growth and development during the first year of life in healthy term infants of low or appropriate birth weight for gestation. Paired measurements of forced expiratory volume in 0.4 second, FVC, and forced expiratory flow when 75% of FVC has been exhaled were obtained, using the raised volume technique, at about 7 weeks and 9 months of age in 80 infants (32 low and 48 appropriate birth weight for gestation) of white, nonsmoking mothers. Forced flows and volumes increased with growth. Longitudinal trends in results were compared between the two groups, using random effects modeling and adjusted for potential confounding factors. After adjustment for sex, age, and length, forced expiratory volume was significantly reduced by an average (95% confidence interval) of 9% (2 to 16%) in low birth weight compared with appropriate birth weight for gestation infants throughout the first year of life, with a similar trend in forced expiratory flow (8% [-2 to 17%]) and FVC (4% [-3 to 11%]). These findings suggest that lung function is reduced in low birth weight for gestation infants born to nonsmoking white mothers and that this is independent of somatic growth during infancy.