Atención del parto en el agua. Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología y de la Sección de Medicina Perinatal de la Sociedad Española de Obstetricia y Ginecología / Underwater delivery. Consensus of the Spanish Neonatology Society and the Perinatal Section of the Spanish Obstetrics and Gynecology Society

La atención del trabajo de parto en el agua como alternativa al parto tradicional es una práctica que se ha incrementado en muchos países. Se ha constatado que esta modalidad de parto es un método eficaz para disminuir el dolor y acortar el tiempo de dilatación. La American Academy of Pediatrics y The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists han publicado un informe clínico en el cual señalan los potenciales beneficios maternos durante la primera parte del parto pero ponen en entredicho la realización de esta técnica durante el expulsivo y el nacimiento del recién nacido. En este informe, la Sociedad Española de Neonatología y la Sociedad Española de Obstetricia y Ginecología analizan la evidencia científica disponible en la actualidad sobre la realización del parto bajo agua y el impacto que puede tener esta práctica en la madre y sobre todo en la salud del recién nacido

Immersion in water during labor and delivery as an alternative to traditional delivery is a practice that has increased in many countries. This technique is effective in reducinge pain and duration of labor. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have published a clinical report which indicates the potential maternal benefits during the first stage of labor but, questions the performance ofthis technique during delivery and birth of the newborn. In this report, the Spanish Society of Neonatology and the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyze the current scientific evidence on water immersion delivery, and the impact this practice could have in the mother and especially in the wellbeing of newborn

[Underwater delivery. Consensus of the Spanish Neonatology Society and the Perinatal Section of the Spanish Obstetrics and Gynecology Society]. / Atención del parto en el agua. Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología y de la Sección de Medicina Perinatal de la Sociedad Española de Obstetricia y Ginecología.

Immersion in water during labor and delivery as an alternative to traditional delivery is a practice that has increased in many countries. This technique is effective in reducing pain and duration of labor. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have published a clinical report which indicates the potential maternal benefits during the first stage of labor but, questions the performance of this technique during delivery and birth of the newborn. In this report, the Spanish Society of Neonatology and the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyze the current scientific evidence on water immersion delivery, and the impact this practice could have in the mother and especially in the wellbeing of newborn.

Displasia broncopulmonar: definiciones y clasificación / Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: definitions and classifications

La displasia broncopulmonar sigue siendo la secuela más frecuente relacionada con los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso al nacer y especialmente con aquellos con pesos extremadamente bajos. Pese a los avances en la prevención y los cuidados de la insuficiencia respiratoria asociada a la prematuridad, no ha ocurrido un descenso en su incidencia en esta población, aunque sí hemos asistido en los últimos años a un cambio en su expresión clínica y en su gravedad. Existen, sin embargo, diferencias aún importantes entre los distintos centros en cuanto a la frecuencia de su presentación, probablemente debido a la aplicación de un diagnóstico clínico no homogéneo. En este artículo, la Comisión de Estándares de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología quiere revisar los criterios diagnósticos de la displasia broncopulmonar para reducir, en la medida de lo posible, la variabilidad intercentro de la misma (AU)

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common sequelae related to very low birth weight infants, mostly with those of extremely low birth weight. Even with advances in prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome associated with prematurity, there is still no decrease in the incidence in this population, although a change in its clinical expression and severity has been observed. There are, however, differences in its frequency between health centres, probably due to a non-homogeneously used clinical definition. In this article, the Committee of Standards of the Spanish Society of Neonatology wishes to review the current diagnosis criteria of bronchopulmonary dysplasia to reduce, as much as possible, these intercentre differences (AU)

Recomendaciones sobre transporte neonatal / Recommendations for neonatal transport

Las gestaciones que conllevan algún riesgo materno y/o fetal no siempre son diagnosticadas en un centro especializado en la atención neonatal, por lo que el transporte posnatal es una parte esencial dentro de la estructura de los servicios sanitarios perinatales. El objetivo del transporte neonatal es trasladar al recién nacido a un centro especializado que disponga de la infraestructura y la experiencia necesarias para su asesoramiento y tratamiento. El transporte ideal del recién nacido es el que se realiza in utero. Desafortunadamente, no todos los problemas pueden detectarse a tiempo para el traslado materno y hasta un 30-50% de ellos pueden presentarse durante el parto o en el periodo neonatal inmediato. Por ello es necesario disponer de conocimientos y medios para la reanimación y la estabilización del recién nacido en el momento del parto y de un sistema de transporte neonatal especializado que permita trasladar a los pacientes con el mismo nivel de cuidados que recibiría en el hospital receptor sin que suponga en ningún caso un deterioro de su salud o un riesgo elevado para ella. La Sociedad Española de Neonatología, a través de su Comisión de Estándares, ha querido revisar y actualizar en este documento las recomendaciones para el transporte intraútero, las indicaciones para el traslado neonatal, la organización y la logística necesarias para realizarlo (personal, comunicación, documentación, medio de transporte y equipamiento), la estabilización previa al mismo, el manejo durante el traslado y el ingreso en el hospital receptor (AU)

During pregnancy, it is not always possible to identify maternal or foetal risk factors. Infants requiring specialised medical care are not always born in centres providing intensive care and will need to be transferred to a referral centre where intensive care can be provided. Therefore Neonatal Transport needs to be considered as part of the organisation of perinatal health care. The aim of Neonatal Transport is to transfer a newborn infant requiring intensive care to a centre where specialised resources and experience can be provided for the appropriate assessment and continuing treatment of a sick newborn infant. Intrauterine transfer is the ideal mode of transport when the birth of an infant with risk factors is diagnosed. Unfortunately, not all problems can be detected in advance with enough time to safely transfer a pregnant woman. Around 30- 50% of risk factors will be diagnosed during labour or soon after birth. Therefore, it is important to have the knowledge and resources to resuscitate and stabilise a newborn infant, as well as a specialised neonatal transport system. With this specialised transport it is possible to transfer newly born infants with the same level of care that they would receive if they had been born in a referral hospital, without increasing their risks or affecting the wellbeing of the newborn. The Standards Committee of the Spanish Society of Neonatology reviewed and updated recommendations for intrauterine transport and indications for neonatal transfer. They also reviewed organisational and logistic factors involved with performing neonatal transport. The Committee review included the type of personnel who should be involved; communication between referral and receiving hospitals; documentation; mode of transport; equipment to stabilise newly born infants; management during transfer, and admission at the referral hospital (AU)

Cribado de la infección por citomegalovirus en recién nacidos de muy bajo peso / Screening for cytomegalovirus infection in very low birth weight infants

Introducción: El citomegalovirus (CMV) es el principal agente causante de infecciones de transmisión vertical, congénitas o adquiridas. El objetivo es conocer la relevancia clínica de dicha infección en prematuros extremos. Pacientes y método: Se incluye a los prematuros de edad gestacional ≤ 31 semanas y peso de nacimiento ≤ 1.500 g atendidos entre marzo del 2006 y diciembre del 2010, a los que se aplicó el protocolo de cribado de la infección por CMV. Se determinó la serología para CMV a sus madres. Cuando la serología era positiva, se congelaba la leche a –20 °C durante 72 h a partir de los 7 días. A las 5 semanas se determinaba el ADN para CMV en orina. Si era positivo se investigaba ADN-CMV en leche materna y en la muestra de sangre seca del cribado metabólico. Resultados: Se estudió a 342 prematuros extremos con 53 (15,5%) infecciones: 8 (2,3%) congénitas, 35 (10,2%) adquiridas y 10 (2,9%) en las que no se pudo precisar su tipo. Una IgM+ en la madre se halló en 2 infecciones congénitas y 2 adquiridas. Los neonatos con citomegalovirosis congénita presentaron un menor peso de nacimiento, más retraso de crecimiento intrauterino, trombopenia, transfusiones de plaquetas, sepsis precoz (incluyendo las clínicas) y alteraciones en la ecografía cerebral. Entre los que presentaron una infección adquirida fueron más frecuentes las sepsis tardías. Conclusiones: Las infecciones por CMV, tanto congénitas como adquiridas, son frecuentes en los prematuros extremos y el protocolo presentado permite diagnosticarlas y probablemente prevenir algunas formas adquiridas al seleccionar a las pacientes a quienes congelar la leche (AU)

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital and acquired vertically transmitted viral infection in humans. The aim of the study is to determine the clinical relevance of this infection in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in our area. Patients and method: Preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 31 weeks) with a birth weight ≤ 1500 g treated between March 2006 and December 2010 were included. They underwent the screening protocol for diagnosing CMV infection. CMV serology was performed on the mothers. When it was positive, their breast milk was frozen at –20 °C for 72 hours from the 7th day of birth. At 5 weeks, the urine of the newborn was tested for CMV-DNA. In case of a positive result, CMV-DNA was performed in breast milk and in the dry blood sample from metabolic screening. Results: A total of 342 preterm infants were studied, with 53 (15.5%) infected by CMV: 8 (2.3%) with congenital infection, 35 (10.2%) with acquired infection, and 10 (2.9%) in which it was impossible to determine precisely. IgM-CMV + in the mother was found in two congenital infections and two acquired infections. Newborns affected by congenital CMV infection showed a lower birth weight, more intrauterine growth restriction, thrombopenia, need for platelet transfusions, early sepsis (including clinical sepsis), and cerebral ultrasound anomalies. Late sepsis was more frequent in cases of acquired CMV infection. Conclusions: Congenital or acquired CMV infections are frequent in VLBW infants, and our protocol enables them to be diagnosed and probably prevents some acquired CMV infections by selecting which patients should freeze the breast milk (AU)

Niveles asistenciales y recomendaciones de mínimos para la atención neonatal / Health care levels and minimum recommendations for neonatal care

En el año 2004 fue elaborado por el Comité de Estándares y la Junta Directiva de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología (SEN) un primer documento sobre niveles asistenciales y recomendaciones de mínimos para la atención neonatal, a partir del cual se pudo definir el nivel asistencial de cada centro en nuestro país, así como los requerimientos técnico-sanitarios según niveles. La presente revisión pretende tener en cuenta los cambios experimentados en la asistencia neonatal en los últimos años y optimizar la localización de recursos. Las unidades que proporcionan asistencia a los recién nacidos deben estar organizadas dentro de un sistema de regionalización de los cuidados perinatales. Las características funcionales de cada nivel asistencial deben ser definidas de forma uniforme y clara, y esto incluye requerimientos de equipamiento, instalaciones, personal, servicios de apoyo, formación y organización de servicios (incluyendo el transporte) necesarios para cubrir las prestaciones de cada nivel de cuidados (AU)

A policy statement on the levels of care and minimum recommendations for neonatal healthcare was first proposed by the Standards Committee and the Board of the Spanish Society of Neonatology in 2004. This allowed us to define the level of care of each center in our country, as well as the health and technical requirements by levels of care to be defined. This review takes into account changes in neonatal care in the last few years and to optimize the location of resources. Facilities that provide care for newborn infants should be organized within a regionalized system of perinatal care. The functional capabilities of each level of care should be defined clearly and uniformly, including requirements for equipment, facilities, personnel, ancillary services, training, and the organization of services (including transport) needed to cover each level of care (AU)

[Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: definitions and classifications]. / Displasia broncopulmonar: definiciones y clasificación.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common sequelae related to very low birth weight infants, mostly with those of extremely low birth weight. Even with advances in prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome associated with prematurity, there is still no decrease in the incidence in this population, although a change in its clinical expression and severity has been observed. There are, however, differences in its frequency between health centres, probably due to a non-homogeneously used clinical definition. In this article, the Committee of Standards of the Spanish Society of Neonatology wishes to review the current diagnosis criteria of bronchopulmonary dysplasia to reduce, as much as possible, these inter-centre differences.

[Recommendations for neonatal transport]. / Recomendaciones sobre transporte neonatal.

During pregnancy, it is not always possible to identify maternal or foetal risk factors. Infants requiring specialised medical care are not always born in centres providing intensive care and will need to be transferred to a referral centre where intensive care can be provided. Therefore Neonatal Transport needs to be considered as part of the organisation of perinatal health care. The aim of Neonatal Transport is to transfer a newborn infant requiring intensive care to a centre where specialised resources and experience can be provided for the appropriate assessment and continuing treatment of a sick newborn infant. Intrauterine transfer is the ideal mode of transport when the birth of an infant with risk factors is diagnosed. Unfortunately, not all problems can be detected in advance with enough time to safely transfer a pregnant woman. Around 30- 50% of risk factors will be diagnosed during labour or soon after birth. Therefore, it is important to have the knowledge and resources to resuscitate and stabilise a newborn infant, as well as a specialised neonatal transport system. With this specialised transport it is possible to transfer newly born infants with the same level of care that they would receive if they had been born in a referral hospital, without increasing their risks or affecting the wellbeing of the newborn. The Standards Committee of the Spanish Society of Neonatology reviewed and updated recommendations for intrauterine transport and indications for neonatal transfer. They also reviewed organisational and logistic factors involved with performing neonatal transport. The Committee review included the type of personnel who should be involved; communication between referral and receiving hospitals; documentation; mode of transport; equipment to stabilise newly born infants; management during transfer, and admission at the referral hospital.

[Screening for cytomegalovirus infection in very low birth weight infants]. / Cribado de la infección por citomegalovirus en recién nacidos de muy bajo peso.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital and acquired vertically transmitted viral infection in humans. The aim of the study is to determine the clinical relevance of this infection in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in our area. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 31 weeks) with a birth weight ≤ 1500g treated between March 2006 and December 2010 were included. They underwent the screening protocol for diagnosing CMV infection. CMV serology was performed on the mothers. When it was positive, their breast milk was frozen at -20°C for 72hours from the 7th day of birth. At 5 weeks, the urine of the newborn was tested for CMV-DNA. In case of a positive result, CMV-DNA was performed in breast milk and in the dry blood sample from metabolic screening. RESULTS: A total of 342 preterm infants were studied, with 53 (15.5%) infected by CMV: 8 (2.3%) with congenital infection, 35 (10.2%) with acquired infection, and 10 (2.9%) in which it was impossible to determine precisely. IgM-CMV+in the mother was found in two congenital infections and two acquired infections. Newborns affected by congenital CMV infection showed a lower birth weight, more intrauterine growth restriction, thrombopenia, need for platelet transfusions, early sepsis (including clinical sepsis), and cerebral ultrasound anomalies. Late sepsis was more frequent in cases of acquired CMV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital or acquired CMV infections are frequent in VLBW infants, and our protocol enables them to be diagnosed and probably prevents some acquired CMV infections by selecting which patients should freeze the breast milk.

[Health care levels and minimum recommendations for neonatal care]. / Niveles asistenciales y recomendaciones de mínimos para la atención neonatal.

A policy statement on the levels of care and minimum recommendations for neonatal healthcare was first proposed by the Standards Committee and the Board of the Spanish Society of Neonatology in 2004. This allowed us to define the level of care of each center in our country, as well as the health and technical requirements by levels of care to be defined. This review takes into account changes in neonatal care in the last few years and to optimize the location of resources. Facilities that provide care for newborn infants should be organized within a regionalized system of perinatal care. The functional capabilities of each level of care should be defined clearly and uniformly, including requirements for equipment, facilities, personnel, ancillary services, training, and the organization of services (including transport) needed to cover each level of care.

Retinopatía de la prematuridad. Recomendaciones para la prevención, el cribado y el tratamiento / Retinopathy of prematurity. Prevention, screening and treatment guidelines

En todos los hospitales españoles se realiza el cribado para la retinopatía de la prematuridad (ROP), pero existe poca concordancia en los criterios utilizados para el cribado y en otros aspectos relacionados con su práctica. Nuestro objetivo es publicar las recomendaciones de prevención, cribado, tratamiento y seguimiento de la ROP en España. Nosotros revisamos las estrategias preventivas y las recomendaciones para el cribado, la exploración y el tratamiento de la ROP así como la organización de los servicios para llevarla a cabo. Se tuvo en cuenta la bibliografía más reciente sobre la base de la evidencia científica, y se tomaron como referencia las guías publicadas por la Academia Americana de Pediatría en el año 2006 y las recomendaciones editadas por el Royal College of Ophthalmologists (Reino Unido) en el año 2007. Las estrategias preventivas recomendadas se basan en una buena práctica neonatal. Los estándares en cuanto al cribado se establecen mediante el peso al nacer (≤1.500g), la edad gestacional (≤32 semanas) y el curso clínico neonatal inestable. La oftalmoscopia indirecta es la técnica estándar para la exploración y la laserterapia es el tratamiento de elección (AU)

ROP screening is carried out at all the Spanish hospitals, but there is little agreement on the criteria used for its screening and other aspects related to its practice. Our aim is to report on recommendations for prevention, screening, treatment and follow-up of the retinopathy of prematurity in Spain. Prevention strategies and recommendations for screening, exploration and treatment of ROP, as well as of the organisation of the services to carry out it are reviewed. The most recent bibliography on the basis of the scientific evidence is considered, taking as reference, the guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2006 and the recommendations updated in 2007 in the United Kingdom. The recommended prevention strategies are based on the best neonatal practice. The standards, as far as the screening is concerned, are established by birth weight (≤1,500g), gestational age (≤32 weeks) and unstable neonatal clinical course. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is the standard technique for exploration and laser therapy the treatment of choice (AU)

[Retinopathy of prematurity. Prevention, screening and treatment guidelines]. / Retinopatía de la prematuridad. Recomendaciones para la prevención, el cribado y el tratamiento.

ROP screening is carried out at all the Spanish hospitals, but there is little agreement on the criteria used for its screening and other aspects related to its practice. Our aim is to report on recommendations for prevention, screening, treatment and follow-up of the retinopathy of prematurity in Spain. Prevention strategies and recommendations for screening, exploration and treatment of ROP, as well as of the organisation of the services to carry out it are reviewed. The most recent bibliography on the basis of the scientific evidence is considered, taking as reference, the guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2006 and the recommendations updated in 2007 in the United Kingdom. The recommended prevention strategies are based on the best neonatal practice. The standards, as far as the screening is concerned, are established by birth weight (< or =1,500 g), gestational age (< or =32 weeks) and unstable neonatal clinical course. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is the standard technique for exploration and laser therapy the treatment of choice.

Recomendaciones para el cuidado y atención del recién nacido sano en el parto y en las primeras horas después del nacimiento / Recommendations for the care of the healthy normal newborn at delivery and during the first postnatal hours

La estandarización de los cuidados del recién nacido (RN) desde el nacimiento y en las primeras horas de la vida posnatal son parte de los objetivos de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología. El objetivo de estas recomendaciones es aplicar la mejor evidencia científica a los procedimientos en el cuidado del RN desde el nacimiento y en los primeros momentos de la vida posnatal. Se quieren contrastar ciertas prácticas y rutinas para ajustarlas al conocimiento y la evidencia médica actuales y así mejorar la calidad asistencial y la seguridad del RN. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed (MeSH) de las palabras clave: Recién nacido a término; Recién nacido; Oftalmia neonatal; Enfermedad hemorrágica del recién nacido; Ictericia neonatal; Cribado neonatal; Diagnóstico precoz. Se han revisado los conceptos de RN sano, cuidados en el momento inmediato al nacimiento, prácticas en el paritorio, profilaxis de la oftalmia neonatal y de la enfermedad hemorrágica por defecto de la vitamina K, cuidados del cordón umbilical, cribado neonatal y alta hospitalaria. Se han actualizado los estándares en el cuidado y en la atención del RN en el parto y las primeras horas de vida, se han hecho recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia médica y en la opinión del Comité de Estándares de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología (AU)

Standardised normal newborn care at delivery and during the first hours of life is one of the objectives of the Spanish National Society of Neonatology. The object of this review is to apply the best evidence possible to the procedures of the care of the newborn from delivery and during the first moments after delivery; as well as standards and routines in care to improve quality and the safety of the newborn. A PubMed (MeSH) review using the key words: term newborn; prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum; haemorrhagic disease of the newborn; neonatal jaundice; neonatal screening and hospital discharge. Concepts of regular care of the healthy newborn at delivery; normal practices in the delivery room; prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum; prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding; care of the umbilical cord; newborn screening and hospital discharge are reviewed. The standard of care of the newborn at delivery and during the first hours of life have been updated; recommendations based on evidence and on experts of the standard committee of the spanish society of neonatology are done (AU)

Attempt to normalize simulated exhaled nitric oxide according to ventilatory settings.

BACKGROUND: Simulated exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) depends on ventilatory settings used in different experimental conditions. OBJECTIVES: To normalize the simulated minute exhaled nitric oxide according to different ventilatory settings. WORKING HYPOTHESIS: Different ventilatory settings influence the concentrations of exhaled nitric oxide and these results can be normalized. METHODOLOGY AND STUDY DESIGN: We used a rubber lung model (50 ml) with an orifice through which a 3 mm endotracheal tube was introduced. The NO, which simulated that of endogenous production, was delivered through the base of the lung using a unidirectional rotameter and obtaining a concentration of around 25 ppb. The sample of gas was recorded through a 6 F arterial catheter introduced into the endotracheal tube to its tip. The ventilator used was a Babylog 8000. Air delivered was compressed and filtered and had an NO content of under 0.3 ppb. The NO level assessed was the plateau value given by the software of the Sievers NOA apparatus. Each experiment involved sampling during 1 min, three times. Normalization was done using a multiple cubic regression formula. RESULTS: An increase in respiratory frequency or in peak of inspiratory pressure were accompanied by a decrease in eNO (ppb). Minute volume was adjusted for the percentage of leakage given by the ventilator. Normalization was obtained analyzing 518 respirations with different ventilatory settings. The coefficient of variation fell from 15.5% to 0.27%. Validation of the normalization formula was performed in other three groups (320, 372, and 372 respirations) with different simulated NO concentrations (25, 16, and 50 ppb), resulting in reduction of the coefficient of variation from 42.7% to 9.3%, from 42.3% to 10.6% and from 45.2% to 9.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of simulated minute eNO according to ventilatory settings is possible using the equipment and experimental set-up reported. Extrapolation to patients is not possible without constraints.

[Long-term cognitive dysfunctions in preterm subjects with intraventricular haemorrhage]. / Disfunciones cognitivas a largo plazo en sujetos prematuros con hemorragia intraventricular.

INTRODUCTION: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the neonatal period has been associated to developmental impairment or delay in preterm born children and adolescents. To our knowledge there is no study in literature which describes the effects of neonatal IVH in preterm subjects on different specific cognitive functions in adolescent samples. AIM. To explore general as well as specific cognitive performance in preterm adolescents with neonatal IVH, through a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen preterm born adolescents with IVH in the newborn period and thirty matched controls were recruited for neuropsychological testing. The intelligence quotient, learning, memory, visuospatial and visuoperceptive abilities, and frontal functions were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for full and performance intelligence quotient, as well as for several specific cognitive functions. After controlling for full intelligence quotient, and compared with preterm adolescents without IVH, differences remained significant for verbal learning and verbal memory. Subjects with IVH grades III-IV scored significantly lower than those with IVH grades I-II in verbal learning, everyday memory and visuoconstructive and visuospatial abilities. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that long-term difficulties are evident for general cognitive performance as well as for specific cognitive abilities in preterm subjects with IVH in the newborn period. These data could explain the academic problems shown by these individuals and may suggest concrete intervention programs to minimize the effects of such deficits.

Disfunciones cognitivas a largo plazo en sujetos prematuros con hemorragia intraventricular / Long-term cognitive dysfunctions in preterm subjects with intraventricular haemorrhage

Introducción. La hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) se ha asociado a un déficit o retraso en el desarrollo cognitivo en niños y adolescentes con antecedentes de prematuridad. Sin embargo, no existe un estudio detallado sobre el rendimiento cognitivo específico de estos sujetos en la etapa adolescente. Objetivo. Explorar el rendimiento cognitivo general y específico de adolescentes que nacieron prematuros con HIV diagnosticada en el período neonatal, mediante una evaluación neuropsicológica exhaustiva que abarque diversos dominios cognitivos. Sujetos y métodos. Las funciones cognitivas de 16 sujetoscon antecedentes de prematuridad y HIV neonatal se compararon con las de 30 sujetos control. Se evaluó el cociente de inteligencia, el aprendizaje, la memoria, las habilidades visuoespaciales y visuoconstructivas, y las funciones frontales. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias significativas en el cociente de inteligencia total y manipulativo, así como en diversas variables cognitivas específicas. Tras controlar por el cociente de inteligencia total, y comparar con los prematuros sin HIV, se mantuvieron las diferencias en aprendizaje verbal y memoria verbal. Los sujetos con HIV grados III-IV rendían significativamentepeor en aprendizaje verbal, memoria de la vida cotidiana y habilidades visuoespaciales y visuoconstructivas respecto a los sujetos con HIV grados I-II. Conclusiones. Los adolescentes con antecedentes de prematuridad y HIV neonatal presentan disfunciones en el rendimiento cognitivo general, así como específico, que podrían explicar los problemas de rendimientoacadémico frecuentemente descritos en esta población

Introduction. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the neonatal period has been associated to developmentalimpairment or delay in preterm born children and adolescents. To our knowledge there is no study in literature which describes the effects of neonatal IVH in preterm subjects on different specific cognitive functions in adolescent samples. Aim. To explore general as well as specific cognitive performance in preterm adolescents with neonatal IVH, through a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Subjects and methods. Sixteen preterm born adolescents with IVH in the newborn period and thirty matched controls were recruited for neuropsychological testing. The intelligence quotient, learning, memory, visuospatialand visuoperceptive abilities, and frontal functions were evaluated. Results. Significant differences were observed forfull and performance intelligence quotient, as well as for several specific cognitive functions. After controlling for full intelligence quotient, and compared with preterm adolescents without IVH, differences remained significant for verbal learning and verbal memory. Subjects with IVH grades III-IV scored significantly lower than those with IVH grades I-II inverbal learning, everyday memory and visuoconstructive and visuospatial abilities. Conclusions. The present study suggests that long-term difficulties are evident for general cognitive performance as well as for specific cognitive abilities in preterm subjects with IVH in the newborn period. These data could explain the academic problems shown by these individuals and may suggest concrete intervention programs to minimize the effects of such deficits

[Long-term cognitive dysfunctions related to prematurity]. / Disfunciones cognitivas a largo plazo relacionadas con la prematuridad.

INTRODUCTION: Little is understood about the effects of prematurity on long-term cognitive functioning. No detailed studies have been carried out in a Spanish population to investigate the cognitive performance of adolescents who were born preterm. AIMS: To utilise the Wechsler intelligence scales to examine the performance of a broad sample of adolescents who were born preterm, to describe the clinical significance of this performance and to analyse the discriminatory powers of the different subtests. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The intelligence quotients of 62 preterm subjects and 62 controls were evaluated by administering the full Wechsler intelligence scales. A number of specific neuropsychological functions were also assessed. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the overall, verbal and manipulative intelligence quotients, as well as in most of the subtests, although less than 30% of the preterm subjects displayed any alterations in their performance. The subtests that were most sensitive to the poor performance of the preterm subjects were vocabulary, coding and picture arrangement. The significant differences in learning, memory, cognitive flexibility and verbal fluency were not upheld on controlling for general cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with a history of prematurity as a group offer low performance on the Wechsler intelligence scale, although most of them achieve scores within the range of what can be considered to be normal. The different subtests that make up this scale do not exhibit the same degree of sensitivity when evaluating the possible difficulties preterm adolescents have in cognitive performance.

Disfunciones cognitivas a largo plazo relacionadas con la prematuridad / Long-term cognitive dysfunctions related to prematurity

Introducción. Los efectos de la prematuridad sobre el funcionamiento cognitivo a largo plazo son poco conocidos. En población española no existe un estudio detallado del rendimiento cognitivo de los adolescentes nacidos prematuros. Objetivo. Explorar el rendimiento en las escalas de inteligencia de Wechsler en una amplia muestra de adolescentes con antecedentes de prematuridad, describir la significación clínica de este rendimiento y analizar la capacidad discriminativa de los distintos subtests. Pacientes y métodos. Se evaluó el coeficiente de inteligencia de 62 sujetos pretérmino y 62 controles a través de la administración completa de las escalas de inteligencia Wechsler. Además, se evaluaron diversas funciones neuropsicológicas específicas. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias significativas en los cocientes de inteligencia total, verbal y manipulativo, así como en la mayoría de subtests, aunque menos del 30% de los sujetos prematuros presentaron un rendimiento alterado. Los subtests más sensibles al bajo rendimiento de los prematuros fueron: vocabulario, claves e historietas. Las diferencias significativas en aprendizaje, memoria, flexibilidad cognitiva y fluidez verbal, no se mantuvieron al controlar por el rendimiento cognitivo general. Conclusiones. Los adolescentes con antecedentes de prematuridad como grupo presentan un bajo rendimiento en la escala de inteligencia de Wechsler, aunque la mayoría de ellos obtienen puntuaciones dentro del intervalo de la normalidad. Los distintos subtests que componen esta escala no presentan el mismo grado de sensibilidad al evaluar las posibles dificultades de rendimiento cognitivo de los adolescentes pretérmino

Introduction. Little is understood about the effects of prematurity on long-term cognitive functioning. No detailed studies have been carried out in a Spanish population to investigate the cognitive performance of adolescents who were born preterm. Aims. To utilise the Wechsler intelligence scales to examine the performance of a broad sample of adolescents who were born preterm, to describe the clinical significance of this performance and to analyse the discriminatory powers of the different subtests. Subjects and methods. The intelligence quotients of 62 preterm subjects and 62 controls were evaluated by administering the full Wechsler intelligence scales. A number of specific neuropsychological functions were also assessed. Results. Significant differences were observed in the overall, verbal and manipulative intelligence quotients, as well as in most of the subtests, although less than 30% of the preterm subjects displayed any alterations in their performance. The subtests that were most sensitive to the poor performance of the preterm subjects were vocabulary, coding and picture arrangement. The significant differences in learning, memory, cognitive flexibility and verbal fluency were not upheld on controlling for general cognitive performance. Conclusions. Adolescents with a history of prematurity as a group offer low performance on the Wechsler intelligence scale, although most of them achieve scores within the range of what can be considered to be normal. The different subtests that make up this scale do not exhibit the same degree of sensitivity when evaluating the possible difficulties preterm adolescents have in cognitive performance

Behavioral gender differences in the neonatal period according to the Brazelton scale.

The aim of the present study was to analyze gender differences in neonatal behavior. A sample of 188 healthy full-term newborns (88 boys and 100 girls) was assessed. The behavioral evaluations were performed using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), when the infants were between 48 and 80 hours old. Girls had higher scores than boys in 4 out of the 34 behavioral items of the NBAS. These are the following: Orientation Animate Auditory (t=2.486; P=0.014), Alertness (t=2.546; P=0.012), Quality of Alertness (t=3.091; P=0.002), and State Regulation (t=2,343; P=0.020). Boys had higher scores in the Irritability item (t=-2.186; P=0.030). We have analyzed also the possible effects of the medication during delivery because mothers of boys were more likely to have used this medication but no differences have been found among the mentioned items. These results appear to confirm that similarities between boys and girls are much more the norm than differences related to gender, but even though they are quite subtle, differences do exist in the way newborn infants react and behave in the neonatal period.

[A neuropsychological study of triplets with a history of prematurity]. / Estudio neuropsicologico de trillizas con antecedentes de prematuridad.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Prematurity has often been associated with a general intellectual deficit and with different structural brain disorders which can be revealed by volumetric measurements performed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In turn, perinatal asphyxia, even when it is not accompanied by neurological disorders, is related to a deficit in specific neuropsychological functions. CASE REPORT: This study describes the case of three 13 year old female triplets, with a history of extreme prematurity and perinatal asphyxia, the long term effects of which are evaluated in terms of cognitive performance. We studied their performance in the neuropsychological functions of intelligence, memory, and visual perceptual, visual constructive, visual spatial and frontal functions. In two of the subjects, structural MRI and volumetric analysis of the hippocampuses were performed. In all the subjects, intelligence was found to be above average, the most notable result being the superior score in case 1. Verbal learning and the long term retention of verbal material were altered in case 3, where there was also a smaller hippocampal volume. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of a multiple birth, we have seen that extreme prematurity, accompanied by non severe perinatal asphyxia without hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, can exert very diverse effects on neurocognitive development. It can be normal, and even superior, or show a deficit in some skill. In our case, the functions that were most liable to suffer these antecedents are long term memory and verbal learning. This disorder is accompanied by bilateral involvement of the hippocampus, which can be observed using MRI.