Clinical-haematological changes and predictors of severity in acute food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome reactions at oral food challenge: a multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Oral food challenge (OFC) is the gold standard for diagnosis of acute Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). No diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers are available, and OFC assessment criteria are not validated. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical-haematological changes and predictors of severity of FPIES reactions at OFC. METHODS: Observational multicentre prospective study. Children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with acute FPIES were recruited at follow-up OFC in 12 tertiary centres in Spain and Italy. OFC Outcomes (as positive/negative/inconclusive and mild/moderate/severe) were assessed based on published '2017 FPIES Consensus' criteria. Clinical characteristics were recorded, and full blood count was done at baseline, reaction onset and 4 hours later. Regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of severe reactions at OFC. RESULTS: 81 children had positive OFC (mild in 11% (9/81), moderate in 61% (49/81), severe in 28% (23/81)). Increase in neutrophils and reduction in eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes was observed (P-value<0.05). OFC was inconclusive in 19 cases despite objective signs or neutrophilia. Regression analysis showed a 2-day OFC protocol where only 25% of an age-appropriate portion is given on day 1 (not gender, age, culprit food, cumulative dose and previous reaction severity) was associated with reduced odds of severe reaction compared to giving multiple doses in a single day. CONCLUSION: Distinct haematological changes may help support FPIES diagnosis. Current OFC assessment criteria may not capture the broad spectrum of acute FPIES presentations. This 2-day protocol may associate a reduced risk of severe reactions. Future work should aim to develop safer OFC and non-OFC diagnostics for FPIES.

Corticoides antenatales y prevención del distrés respiratorio del recién nacido prematuro: utilidad de la terapia de rescate / Ante-natal corticosteroids and prevention of respiratory distress in the premature newborn: Usefulness of rescue treatment

Aunque se conoce la efectividad de la corticoterapia materna para la maduración pulmonar fetal en prematuros, no hay seguridad acerca del tiempo en que el tratamiento continúa siendo efectivo. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo y longitudinal, para relacionar el tiempo transcurrido desde la administración de glucocorticoides maternos, y la necesidad o no de surfactante, y a partir de qué punto se debería considerar la repetición de las dosis de corticoides maternos. Se incluyeron 91 prematuros de ≤32 semanas y/o ≤1.500g (límite 34+6 semanas) cuyas madres habían recibido una pauta completa de corticoides. En los pacientes de 27-34+6 semanas, comprobamos que a mayor tiempo transcurrido entre el parto y la administración de corticoides, mayor probabilidad de necesitar tratamiento con surfactante (p=0,027). La curva ROC calculada determinó un punto de corte de 8 días a partir del cual debería valorarse el repetir la dosis de corticoide

The effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation in pre-term infants is well known, but there is uncertainty about the time that the treatment remains effective. A descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted to determine whether the need for surfactant administration was determined by the time-lapse between corticosteroids administration and delivery, and when repeating the doses of maternal corticosteroids should be considered. A total of 91 premature infants ≤32 weeks and/or ≤1,500 g (limit 34+6 weeks) whose mothers had received a complete course of corticosteroids were included. In patients at 27-34+6 weeks, we found that the longer the time elapsed between delivery and administration of corticosteroids, most likely were the babies to require treatment with surfactant (P=.027). The resulting ROC curve determined an 8-days cut-off after which repeating a dose of corticosteroids should be assessed

[Ante-natal corticosteroids and prevention of respiratory distress in the premature newborn: usefulness of rescue treatment]. / Corticoides antenatales y prevención del distrés respiratorio del recién nacido prematuro: utilidad de la terapia de rescate.

The effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation in pre-term infants is well known, but there is uncertainty about the time that the treatment remains effective. A descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted to determine whether the need for surfactant administration was determined by the time-lapse between corticosteroids administration and delivery, and when repeating the doses of maternal corticosteroids should be considered. A total of 91 premature infants ≤32 weeks and/or ≤1,500 g (limit 34+6 weeks) whose mothers had received a complete course of corticosteroids were included. In patients at 27-34+6 weeks, we found that the longer the time elapsed between delivery and administration of corticosteroids, most likely were the babies to require treatment with surfactant (P=.027). The resulting ROC curve determined an 8-days cut-off after which repeating a dose of corticosteroids should be assessed.