Eficacia de la cafeína en la extubación de recién nacidos de menos de 32 semanas. Revisión sistemática y estudio observacional / Efficacy of caffeine in extubation of newborns under 32 weeks of age. Systematic revision and observational study

Introducción. En neonatos inmaduros que precisan intubación traqueal para recibir asistencia respiratoria o surfactante exógeno, la extubación puede no ser bien tolerada, siendo preciso reintubar. Objetivo. Evaluar la evidencia científica sobre 1) prevención y tratamiento de la apnea de la prematuridad, 2) prevención del fracaso de la extubación, y 3) registrar y valorar el uso del citrato de cafeína en una UCIN. Métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura referente al uso del citrato de cafeína en la apnea de la prematuridad. Se realizó un registro de uso de la cafeína y su indicación específica, en la unidad neonatal de nuestro hospital. Resultados. El citrato de cafeína es eficaz y seguro tanto en la profilaxis y tratamiento de la apnea de la prematuridad, como para prevenir el fracaso de la extubación, reduciendo la necesidad de reintubación en un 50%, especialmente con dosis altas (15-20 mg/kg/día). En nuestra unidad, el 85% de los neonatos de menos de 32 sem recibieron tratamiento con cafeína, y en la mitad de casos fue para prevenir el fracaso de la extubación. Conclusiones. En todos los neonatos < 30 sem, y de forma individualizada entre las 30 y 32 sem, se recomienda el uso de citrato de cafeína desde 24 horas antes y durante los 6 días siguientes a la extubación; no siendo preciso determinar de modo sistemático sus niveles sanguíneos. Se recomienda también su uso tras la intubación precoz para administrar surfactante exógeno y extubar. Es aconsejable usar simultáneamente CPAP-n (AU)

Background. Immature neonates requiring tracheal intubation for ventilator support or to receive exogenous surfactant therapy, extubation may not be we1ltolerated been reintubation often required. Methods. A systematic literature review was performed concerning the use of caffeine citrate for prematurity apnea, and more specifically,for the prevention of extubation failure. Moreover, the use of caffeine in infants of less than 32 weeks and its specific indications in our hospital neonatal unit was registered. Results. The use of caffeine is safe and effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of apnea of prematurity, as well as to prevent the extubation failure, (50% reduction), especially if high doses are used (15-20 mg/kg/d). In addition, it is not necessary to routinely measure the blood levels. The simultaneous use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP-n) is also recommended. In our unit, 85% of all infants of less than 32 weeks were treated with caffeine citrate, half of them to prevent extubation failure. Conclusions. In all premature infants below 30 week of gestation, and in some between 30 and 32 weeks, the use of caffeine citrate from 24 hours before and for the 6 days following extubation is recommended. The systematic measurement of its blood levels is not required. It is also recommended the simultaneous use of CPAP-n in these infants and in those requiring surfactant to facility their early extubation (AU)

Errores en la preparación de fármacos intravenosos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatal. Una potencial fuente de eventos adversos / Intravenous drug preparation errors in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A potential source of adverse events

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la tasa de errores en la preparación de fármacos de administración intravenosa en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatal (UCIN). Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo observacional, durante 24 días elegidos al azar. Se determinaron las concentraciones de vancomicina y tobramicina preparadas para uso intravenoso. Se definieron 2 tipos de errores: 1) error de cálculo, cuando la desviación entre la dosis prescrita por el médico y la dosis teórica administrada, según los cálculos realizados por la enfermera, era superior a un ±10%, y 2) error de precisión, cuando la desviación entre la concentración teórica y la determinada por el laboratorio era superior a un ±10%. Resultados: Se recogieron un total de 91 muestras, 52 de vancomicina y 39 de tobramicina. En un 4,6% de las muestras se detectaron errores de cálculo. La tasa de errores de precisión fue del 37,9%. Conclusiones: Aunque los errores registrados no produjeron consecuencias clínicas negativas evidentes, nuestros resultados señalan una fuente potencial de complicaciones severas. Por ello, deben mejorarse los métodos usados para la preparación de medicamentos de uso intravenoso a pie de cama (AU)

Introduction: To determine the rate of errors during preparation of intravenous drugs in a regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 24 non-consecutive working days. The vancomycin and tobramycin solutions administered were analysed to determine drug concentrations. We defined 2 types of error: 1) calculation error, when the deviation between the dose prescribed by the physician and theoretical dose administered, according to calculations performed by the nurse, was greater than ±10%, and 2) precision error, when the deviation between the theoretical concentration and that determined by the laboratory was greater than ±10%. Results: A total of 91 samples were collected, 52 of vancomycin and 39 of tobramycin. Calculation errors were detected in 4.6% of samples. Precision errors were identified in 37.9% of the total sample. Conclusions: Although the errors reported did not produce adverse clinical consequences, our findings point out a potential source of severe complications. Better methods in the preparation of intravenous medications in NICU are needed (AU)

[Intravenous drug preparation errors in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A potential source of adverse events]. / Errores en la preparación de fármacos intravenosos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatal. Una potencial fuente de eventos adversos.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the rate of errors during preparation of intravenous drugs in a regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on 24 non-consecutive working days. The vancomycin and tobramycin solutions administered were analysed to determine drug concentrations. We defined 2 types of error: 1) calculation error, when the deviation between the dose prescribed by the physician and theoretical dose administered, according to calculations performed by the nurse, was greater than ±10%, and 2) precision error, when the deviation between the theoretical concentration and that determined by the laboratory was greater than ±10%. RESULTS: A total of 91 samples were collected, 52 of vancomycin and 39 of tobramycin. Calculation errors were detected in 4.6% of samples. Precision errors were identified in 37.9% of the total sample. CONCLUSIONS: Although the errors reported did not produce adverse clinical consequences, our findings point out a potential source of severe complications. Better methods in the preparation of intravenous medications in NICU are needed.

Valoración del daño cerebral tras la administración de surfactante / Brain damage assesment after surfactant administration

Objetivo: La terapia de reemplazo de surfactante se asocia frecuentemente a fluctuaciones del flujo sanguíneo cerebral (FSC). Presentamos la administración de surfactante nebulizado para evitar las fluctuaciones del FSC. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo en muestras cerebrales (congeladas y fijadas) de corderos prematuros que recibieron surfactante instilado (SFinstil, administración clásica) o surfactante nebulizado (SFneb). Se analizaron el FSC regional, la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes, el Factor de Necrosis Tumoral (TNFα) y el número de células apoptóticas (TUNEL). También se realizó una valoración semi-cuantitativa del daño cerebral por un anátomo- patólogo. Se analizaron zonas corticales (corteza frontal y occipital), zonas internas (tálamo, estriado e hipocampo), el cerebelo y el bulbo cefalorraquídeo. Resultados: La administración de surfactante nebulizado produjo una respuesta hemodinámica cerebral diferente a la instilación intratraqueal, especialmente en las zonas internas donde a los cinco minutos el FSC registrado resultó ser significativamente superior en el grupo SFinstil. No se registraron diferencias significativas en la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes. El porcentaje de células positivas para TNFα y el número de células TUNEL positivas en las zonas internas fue significativamente superior en el grupo SFinstil (p<0.05). La valoración histológica determinó un mayor grado de necrosis neuronal (p<0.05) en el tálamo en el grupo SFinstil. Conclusión: La administración de surfactante en forma de aerosol debería tenerse en cuenta como una alternativa menos agresiva a la instilación intratraqueal (AU)

Objective: Surfactant replacement therapy has been associated with cerebral blood flow (CBF) fluctuations. We propose the administration of aerosolized surfactant to prevent those fluctuations. Methods: Brain samples (frozen and paraffin-fixed) of preterm lambs received instilled surfactant (SFinstil, common administration) or aerosolized surfactant (SFneb). Regional CBF, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the number of TNFα positive cells and the number of apoptotic cells (TUNEL) were determined. In addition, a semi-quantitative histological evaluation was performed by an expert pathologist. Cortical zones (frontal and occipital), inner zones (thalamus, striatum and hippocampus), cerebellum and the brain stem were analyzed. Results: Surfactant delivered as an aerosol produced a different cerebral hemodynamic response than surfactant instillation, especially towards the inner zones, where already five minutes after the start of the therapy the regional CBF was significantly higher in the SFinstil group. There were no differences between groups in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The percentage of TNFα positive cells and the number of TUNEL positive cells in the inner zones was significantly higher in the SFinstil group. The histological score also showed a significantly higher necrosis in the SFinstil group compared to the SFneb group. Conclusion: Surfactant delivered as an aerosol should be considered as a less harmful method of surfactant administration (AU)

Mortalidad y morbilidad de neonatos de muy bajo peso asistidos en el País Vasco y Navarra (2001-2006): estudio de base poblacional / Mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants in the Basque Country and Navarra (2001-2006): population-based study

Introducción: Este estudio describe la morbilidad y mortalidad de los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso (RNMBP) asistidos en las unidades neonatales del País Vasco y Navarra entre los años 2001-2006, y evalúa los factores que afectan a la mortalidad. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional de una cohorte de 1.318 RNMBP asistidos entre el año 2001 y 2006 en cinco hospitales del País Vasco y Navarra. Se recogieron un total de 37 variables incluidas en la base de datos de EuroNeoNet, que se refieren a factores perinatales de riesgo y protectores, características demográficas, días de ingreso, intervenciones, morbilidades y mortalidad. Resultados: Un 94% de las mujeres embarazadas recibieron cuidados prenatales y un 78,7% administración de esteroides prenatales, en ambos casos hubo un aumento significativo durante el periodo estudiado. El 42% de los embarazos fueron múltiples y en un 63% el parto fue por cesárea. La displasia broncopulmonar disminuyó de manera estadísticamente significativa de un 20 a un 15%. La incidencia de hemorragia intraventricular de grado III o IV fue de 7,5% y de leucomalacia periventricular de un 3,1%. Se diagnosticó infección vertical en un 4% de niños y sepsis o meningitis tardía en 25%, enterocolitis necrotizante en 9% y persistencia del conducto arterioso en el 14% de los niños. El tratamiento con indometacina o ibuprofeno disminuyó significativamente durante el estudio. La tasa bruta de mortalidad neonatal total, tardía y precoz se ha mantenido constante en este periodo de tiempo. La mortalidad neonatal inmediata mostró una tendencia descendente y una diferencia significativa por sexo, siendo esta mayor en los varones. Conclusión: Este estudio de base poblacional aporta información valiosa sobre variables resultado en UCIN y puede ayudar en el planteamiento de intervenciones que mejoren la calidad asistencial y disminuyan la morbilidad y mortalidad en estos neonatos de alto riesgo(AU)

Introduction: This study describes very low birth weight (VLBW) infant morbidity and mortality in Basque Country and Navarra neonatal units between the years 2001-2006, and evaluates the factors that affect the mortality. Patients and methods: A descriptive observational study of a cohort of 1,318 VLBW infants in neonatal units in five Basque Country and Navarra hospitals between 2001 and 2006. A total of 37 variables included in EuroNeoNet database were collected as regards, perinatal risk and protective factors, demographic characteristics, length of stay, interventions, morbidity and mortality. Results: A total of 94% of pregnant women received prenatal care and 78.7% antenatal steroids. In both cases there was a significant increase during the period studied. A total of 42% of pregnancies were multiple and in 63% delivery was by Caesarean section. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia statistically significantly decreased from 20% to 15%. The incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage grade III or IV was 7.5% and for periventricular leukomalacia it was 3.1%. Vertical infection was diagnosed in 4% of infants and sepsis or late meningitis in 25%, necrotizing enterocolitis in 9% and patent ductus arteriosus in 14% of the infants. The prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with indometacin or ibuprofen decreased significantly during the study. The overall rate of total, late and first day neonatal mortality was almost constant during this period of time. Nevertheless, the early neonatal mortality showed a decreasing trend and with a significant difference between sexes, being higher in males. Conclusion: This population-based study provides valuable information on clinical outcomes in NICUs, and may help in planning strategies to improve health care quality, and to reduce the morbidity and mortality in these neonates at high risk(AU)

[Mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants in the Basque Country and Navarra (2001-2006): population-based study]. / Mortalidad y morbilidad de neonatos de muy bajo peso asistidos en el País Vasco y Navarra (2001-2006): estudio de base poblacional.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes very low birth weight (VLBW) infant morbidity and mortality in Basque Country and Navarra neonatal units between the years 2001-2006, and evaluates the factors that affect the mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive observational study of a cohort of 1,318 VLBW infants in neonatal units in five Basque Country and Navarra hospitals between 2001 and 2006. A total of 37 variables included in EuroNeoNet database were collected as regards, perinatal risk and protective factors, demographic characteristics, length of stay, interventions, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 94% of pregnant women received prenatal care and 78.7% antenatal steroids. In both cases there was a significant increase during the period studied. A total of 42% of pregnancies were multiple and in 63% delivery was by Caesarean section. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia statistically significantly decreased from 20% to 15%. The incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage grade III or IV was 7.5% and for periventricular leukomalacia it was 3.1%. Vertical infection was diagnosed in 4% of infants and sepsis or late meningitis in 25%, necrotizing enterocolitis in 9% and patent ductus arteriosus in 14% of the infants. The prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with indometacin or ibuprofen decreased significantly during the study. The overall rate of total, late and first day neonatal mortality was almost constant during this period of time. Nevertheless, the early neonatal mortality showed a decreasing trend and with a significant difference between sexes, being higher in males. CONCLUSION: This population-based study provides valuable information on clinical outcomes in NICUs, and may help in planning strategies to improve health care quality, and to reduce the morbidity and mortality in these neonates at high risk.

Bronchoalveolar lavage versus bolus administration of lucinactant, a synthetic surfactant in meconium aspiration in newborn lambs.

This study was designed to study effects of lung lavage versus the classical bolus instillation with a peptide-based synthetic surfactant (lucinactant) in a model of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS). Eighteen newborn lambs received meconium and were randomized to: the experimental meconium installation (eMAS) group-lambs with eMAS kept on conventional mechanical ventilation (control); the SF-Bolus group-eMAS receiving a lucinactant bolus (30 mg/ml); or the D-SF-Lavage group-eMAS treated with dilute lucinactant bronchoalveolar lavage (10 mg/ml). Systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, blood gases, and pulmonary mechanics were recorded for 180 min. In addition, the intrapulmonary distribution of the lucinactant was determined using dye-labeled microspheres. Following meconium instillation, severe hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, and pulmonary hypertension developed, and dynamic compliance decreased (50% from baseline). After lung lavage with dilute lucinactant, gas exchange significantly improved versus bolus instillation (P < 0.05). Further, only in the lavage group did pulmonary arterial pressure return to basal values and dynamic compliance significantly increased. Both lung lavage and bolus techniques for the administration of lucinactant resulted in a non-uniform lung distribution. In conclusion, in newborn lambs with respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension induced by meconium, lung lavage with dilute lucinactant seems to be an effective and safe alternative for treatment for MAS.

Meta-analysis of passive immunoprophylaxis in paediatric patients at risk of severe RSV infection.

AIM: To review respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), passive immunoprophylaxis (PI) trials and meta-analysis (MA). METHODS: A literature review. RESULTS: Two MA of PI were found. Overall 3927 patients were randomized. PI reduces RSV hospitalization in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41, 0.82) and with acyanotic congenital heart disease (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.14, 0.62). In patients with cyanotic heart disease or premature infants without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, results are inconclusive. Passive immunoprophylaxis has a null effect in mechanical ventilation and death. CONCLUSION: Passive immunoprophylaxis reduces RSV hospitalization in a subset of patients. However, it has no effect in harder endpoints of RSV disease severity.

[Respiratory care in neonatal intensive care units. Situation in the year 2005]. / Asistencia respiratoria en las unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales en España: situación en 2005.

AIM: To learn the characteristic of the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that offer neonatal respiratory assistance in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A structured survey was developed and sent to all Spanish neonatal units to learn about the respiratory care offered in 2005. RESULTS: A total of 96 Units answered the survey, with an estimated representatively of 63%, with a range from 3 to 92%, depending on the geographical area. Level IIIc Units were in the upper range. Answer the survey 26 units type IIb (27%), 16 IIIa (17%), 40 IIIb (42%) and 14 IIIc (14%). The total number of level III NICU beds was 541 (1.2 beds per 1000 livebirths; range, 0.7-1.7). The mean number of beds per NICU was 4.1 in level IIIa Units, 2.8 in those IIIb and 14.6 in type IIIc NICUs. In level III NICUs, the bed per physician ratio was 2.4 and that of beds per registered nurse was 2.8 (2.2 in level IIIc NICUs). There were a total 13,219 admissions, 54% of those needed mechanical ventilation (36% in IIIa and 65% in level IIIc NICUs). Oxygen blenders for resuscitation at birth were available in 42% of level IIIb and IIIc NICUs. NICUs had one neonatal ventilator per bed, and 63% of units had high frequency ventilation available. All units had nasal-CPAP systems, 25% of level IIIa Units, 58% IIIb and 64% of those type IIIc had systems for nasal ventilation. All level IIIc and 93% of level IIIb NICUs were able to provide inhaled nitric oxygen therapy. Four NICUS offered ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: The mean number of NICU beds per 1000 livebirths is within the lower limits of those been recommended, and there were wide variations among different geographical areas. A 54% of those babies admitted to NICUs required mechanical ventilation. The mean number of NICU beds per registered nurse was 2.8. There was an adequate number of neonatal ventilators (one per bed) and 63% were able to provide HFV. All NICUs hand n-CPAP systems.

[Neonatal and perinatal mortality in hospitals of the Basque Country-Navarre Neonatal Study Group (GEN-VN) during the period 2000-2006]. / Evolución de la mortalidad neonatal y perinatal en los hospitales del Grupo de Estudios Neonatales Vasco-Navarro (GEN-VN) en el periodo 2000-2006.

BACKGROUND: In 2000, the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group (GEN-VN) was created with a clear objective of studying the perinatal and neonatal health outcomes in newborns. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation is to present the trends of neonatal and perinatal mortality and their causes in the hospitals of the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group from 2000 to 2006. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A descriptive study was carried out on the 157,623 births in the participating hospitals of the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group, from 2000 to 2006. During this period, of the total births, 156.904 were born alive, there were 719 foetal deaths and 363 newborns died within the first 28 days of life. Perinatal and neonatal mortality was analysed, raw and stratified by gestational age and birth weight. RESULTS: The Basque -Navarre Neonatal Study Group collects from 80.5% to 96.8% of all the births reported by the authorities. There is a decreasing trend in foetal and perinatal mortality rates from 2000 to 2006. However, neonatal mortality rates shows a stable trend when compared with the descense in the last years of the 20th century. The most frequent causes of death are respiratory, infections and the congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Collecting regional data improves the quality of neonatal and perinatal mortality studies. Very low birth weight and very low gestational age newborns require special quality of care due their high mortality (54.8% of neonatal mortality in 2006), therefore further studies are required on the impact of these newborns on neonatal mortality in our hospitals.

Asistencia respiratoria en las unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales en España: situación en 2005 / Respiratory care in neonatal intensive care units. Situation in the year 2005

Objetivo: conocer el tipo de unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN) que proporcionan asistencia respiratoria neonatal en España y sus características. Material y método: encuesta multicéntrica estructurada para conocer la actividad asistencial respiratoria prestada por las UCIN en 2005. Resultados: contestaron 96 unidades neonatales con una representatividad estimada en un 63%, con un intervalo entre el 3 y el 92%, según las áreas geográficas; las unidades IIIc se encuentran en el rango superior. Contestaron la encuesta 26 unidades tipo IIb (27%), 16 IIIa (17%), 40 IIIb (42%) y 14 IIIc (14%). Las camas totales de intensivos de nivel III fue de 541 (1,2 camas cada 1.000 recién nacidos vivos; intervalo, 0,7-1,7). La media de camas por unidad fue de 4,1 para las IIIa, 2,8 para las IIIb y 14,6 para las IIIc. En las unidades de nivel III, la relación camas/médicos fue de 2,4 camas/medico y la de camas/enfermeras 2,8 camas/enfermera (2,2 en nivel IIIc). Hubo un total de 13.219 ingresos, de los que el 54% precisó ventilación (el 36% en las IIIa y el 65% en las IIIc). La posibilidad de reanimación en el paritorio con mezcla de gases (aire y oxígeno) sólo la tiene el 42% de las IIIb y IIIc. La relación respirador/cama fue de 1/1; el 63% puede proporcionar ventilación de alta frecuencia (VAF). Todas disponen de sistemas de presión positiva continua nasal (CPAP-n). Sistemas para aplicar ventilación nasal intermitente están disponibles en el 25% de las IIIa, el 58% de las IIIb y el 64% de las IIIc. Todas las IIIc y el 93% de las IIIb pueden proporcionar oxido nítrico inhalado. Cuatro unidades disponían de ECMO. Conclusiones: la media de camas de UCIN de nivel III cada mil nacidos está en el límite bajo de lo recomendable, con notables diferencias regionales. La necesidad de ventilación mecánica fue del 54%. La relación de camas por enfermera fue de 2,8. Existe una buena dotación de respiradores (1 por cama) con alta disponibilidad de VAF (63%). Todas las unidades disponen de CPAP-n (AU)

Aim: To learn the characteristic of the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that offer neonatal respiratory assistance in Spain. Material and method: A structured survey was developed and sent to all Spanish neonatal units to learn about the respiratory care offered in 2005. Results: A total of 96 Units answered the survey, with an estimated representatively of 63%, with a range from 3 to 92%, depending on the geographical area. Level IIIc Units were in the upper range. Answer the survey 26 units type IIb (27%), 16 IIIa (17%), 40 IIIb (42%) and 14 IIIc (14%). The total number of level III NICU beds was 541 (1.2 beds per 1000 livebirths; range, 0.7–1.7). The mean number of beds per NICU was 4.1 in level IIIa Units, 2.8 in those IIIb and 14.6 in type IIIc NICUs. In level III NICUs, the bed per physician ratio was 2.4 and that of beds per registered nurse was 2.8 (2.2 in level IIIc NICUs). There were a total 13,219 admissions, 54% of those needed mechanical ventilation (36% in IIIa and 65% in level IIIc NICUs). Oxygen blenders for resuscitation at birth were available in 42% of level IIIb and IIIc NICUs. NICUs had one neonatal ventilator per bed, and 63% of units had high frequency ventilation available. All units had nasal-CPAP systems, 25% of level IIIa Units, 58% IIIb and 64% of those type IIIc had systems for nasal ventilation. All level IIIc and 93% of level IIIb NICUs were able to provide inhaled nitric oxygen therapy. Four NICUS offered ECMO. Conclusions: The mean number of NICU beds per 1000 livebirths is within the lower limits of those been recommended, and there were wide variations among different geographical areas. A 54% of those babies admitted to NICUs required mechanical ventilation. The mean number of NICU beds per registered nurse was 2.8. There was an adequate number of neonatal ventilators (one per bed) and 63% were able to provide HFV. All NICUs hand n-CPAP systems (AU)

Evolución de la mortalidad neonatal y perinatal en los hospitales del Grupo de Estudios Neonatales Vasco-Navarro (GEN-VN) en el periodo 2000–2006 / Neonatal and perinatal mortality in hospitals of the Basque Country-Navarre Neonatal Study Group (GEN-VN) during the period 2000–2006

Introducción: el Grupo de Estudios Neonatales Vasco-Navarro (GEN-VN) se creó en el año 2000 para estudiar y contribuir a mejorar los resultados de la asistencia de los recién nacidos de Navarra y el País Vasco. Objetivo: presentar la evolución de las tasas de mortalidad perinatal y neonatal de los hospitales participantes en el GEN-VN en el periodo de 2000 a 2006 y analizar sus causas. Pacientes y método: estudio descriptivo con base poblacional de los 157.623 nacimientos de los hospitales del GEN-VN en un periodo de 7 años (2000-2006). De ellos, 156.904 nacieron vivos y hubo 719 muertes fetales y 363 muertes neonatales. Se analizó la mortalidad perinatal y neonatal, bruta y específica por grupos de peso y edad gestacional. Resultados: el GEN-VN recogió entre un 80,5 y un 96,8% del total de nacimientos que declararon las administraciones de Navarra y País Vasco. Las tasas de mortalidades fetal y perinatal mostraron una tendencia decreciente, mientras que la mortalidad neonatal está estabilizada por encima del 2‰, en comparación con el descenso observado durante los últimos años del siglo xx. Las causas más frecuentes de mortalidad fueron las infecciones, la insuficiencia respiratoria y las anomalías congénitas. Conclusiones: la recogida regional de datos aumenta la calidad de los estudios de mortalidad perinatal y neonatal, al tener una base poblacional. Los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso y muy baja edad gestacional requieren una atención especializada debido a la alta mortalidad, que representa el 54,8% de la mortalidad neonatal (año 2006) (AU)

Background: In 2000, the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group (GEN-VN) was created with a clear objective of studying the perinatal and neonatal health outcomes in newborns. Objective: The aim of this investigation is to present the trends of neonatal and perinatal mortality and their causes in the hospitals of the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group from 2000 to 2006. Patients and method: A descriptive study was carried out on the 157,623 births in the participating hospitals of the Basque-Navarre Neonatal Study Group, from 2000 to 2006. During this period, of the total births, 156.904 were born alive, there were 719 foetal deaths and 363 newborns died within the first 28 days of life. Perinatal and neonatal mortality was analysed, raw and stratified by gestational age and birth weight. Results: The Basque -Navarre Neonatal Study Group collects from 80.5% to 96.8% of all the births reported by the authorities. There is a decreasing trend in foetal and perinatal mortality rates from 2000 to 2006. However, neonatal mortality rates shows a stable trend when compared with the descense in the last years of the 20th century. The most frequent causes of death are respiratory, infections and the congenital anomalies. Conclusions: Collecting regional data improves the quality of neonatal and perinatal mortality studies. Very low birth weight and very low gestational age newborns require special quality of care due their high mortality (54.8% of neonatal mortality in 2006), therefore further studies are required on the impact of these newborns on neonatal mortality in our hospitals (AU)

[EuroNeoStat: a European information system on the outcomes of care for very-low-birth-weight infants (< 1500 g)]. / EuroNeoStat: ein Europäisches Informationssystem zur erfassung der behandlungsergebnisse von sehr untergewichtigen Frühgeborenen mit einem Geburtsgewicht < 1500 g.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity rates are increasing throughout the world. Despite an overall rather small percentage of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), which is approx. 1-2 % in most countries, these infants contribute significantly to morbidity and neonatal and infant mortality rates. METHODS: EuroNeoStat was initiated as an European information system on the outcomes of VLBWI to monitor and improve the care of these infants throughout Europe. EuroNeoStat includes an initiative, called EuroNeoSafe, to promote the safety of these high risk preterm infants. Perinatal and neonatal data from VLBWI is collected without using data that identify individuals or institutions. These data is analyzed at the coordination center in Bilbao. All institutions taking care on VLBWI in Europe can participate in this network and will be able to compare their own outcome data with other institutions from the network. Information on EuroNeoStat and the current data set is available on www.euroneostat.org. CONCLUSION: Successful initiatives aiming at improving outcomes in perinatal and neonatal care require collaborative networking, an attitude of constructive criticism and thorough comparative analysis of the outcomes and incidents in the health-care process.