Adolfo Valls i Soler / No disponible

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Anales de Pediatría: ayer, hoy y mañana / Anales de Pediatría: The past, the present and the future

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Episodio aparentemente letal neonatal durante el «piel con piel». Tratamiento con hipotermia / Severe apparent life-threatening event during “skin-to-skin”: Treatment with hypothermia

El contacto «piel con piel» del recién nacido a término sano con su madre en el posparto inmediato es práctica estándar en las maternidades españolas, mostrando efectos beneficiosos sobre la frecuencia y la duración de la lactancia materna y sobre el vínculo madre-hijo. Los episodios aparentemente letales en el periodo neonatal (EALN) y la muerte súbita neonatal son eventos infrecuentes pero bien conocidos que suponen una elevada morbimortalidad neurológica en neonatos sanos. Recientemente, se han identificado los factores de riesgo asociados, apareciendo la mayoría durante las primeras horas de vida en el «piel con piel». La hipotermia reduce la mortalidad y la morbilidad neurológica de los recién nacidos con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica con antecedentes de asfixia perinatal. Los recién nacidos con EALN podrían beneficiarse también de esta terapéutica. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con un EALN durante el «piel con piel», con encefalopatía secundaria al evento hipóxico-isquémico, que recibió tratamiento con hipotermia (AU)

‘Skin-to-skin’ in healthy newborn infants is currently routine practice in Spanish maternity wards. This practice has shown benefits in increasing the duration of breast-feedingand maternal bonding behaviour with no significant adverse events. Early sudden deaths and severe apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) during the first 24 hours of life are infrequent, but well recognised. Risk factors during ‘skin to skin’ have been established. These events can lead to high neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hypothermia is now the standard of care for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and has shown to reduce mortality and neurological morbidity in children with hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. Although there are no clinical trials that evaluate hypothermia after a severe ALTE, neonates who suffer it should be considered for this treatment. We present a case of a healthy newborn who had an ALTE during skin-to-skin with his mother and was treated with hypothermia (AU)

[Severe apparent life-threatening event during "skin-to-skin": treatment with hypothermia]. / Episodio aparentemente letal neonatal durante el «piel con piel¼. Tratamiento con hipotermia.

'Skin-to-skin' in healthy newborn infants is currently routine practice in Spanish maternity wards. This practice has shown benefits in increasing the duration of breast-feeding and maternal bonding behaviour with no significant adverse events. Early sudden deaths and severe apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) during the first 24 hours of life are infrequent, but well recognised. Risk factors during 'skin to skin' have been established. These events can lead to high neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hypothermia is now the standard of care for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and has shown to reduce mortality and neurological morbidity in children with hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. Although there are no clinical trials that evaluate hypothermia after a severe ALTE, neonates who suffer it should be considered for this treatment. We present a case of a healthy newborn who had an ALTE during skin-to-skin with his mother and was treated with hypothermia.

Neuroprotección con hipotermia en el recién nacido con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica. Guía de estándares para su aplicación clínica / Neuroprotection with hypothermia in the newborn with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. standard guidelines for its clinical application

La estandarización de la hipotermia como tratamiento de la encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica perinatal se apoya en la evidencia científica actual. El documento que se presenta a continuación ha sido realizado por los autores a petición de la Sociedad Española de Neonatología y pretende ser una «guía de estándares» para su aplicación clínica. Se discuten los interrogantes que pueden surgir al pasar del estricto marco de los ensayos clínicos a la práctica clínica cotidiana: reconocimiento precoz de la encefalopatía clínica, criterios de inclusión y exclusión, hipotermia durante el transporte, modalidades de hipotermia (cerebral selectiva o sistémica) y efectos secundarios del tratamiento. El tratamiento con hipotermia ha cambiado el pronóstico de los niños con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica y nuestras decisiones de esfuerzo terapéutico. En este sentido, es de especial relevancia conocer el cambio del valor predictivo de la exploración clínica y de la electroencefalografía en los niños tratados con hipotermia. Para mejorar la eficacia de este tratamiento neuroprotector, es necesaria una mejor identificación de los pacientes con daño cerebral potencialmente reversible. Nuevos biomarcadores de daño cerebral facilitarán esta tarea. Todo niño tratado con hipotermia debe ser incluido en un programa de seguimiento para evaluar su neurodesarrollo (AU)

Standardisation of hypothermia as a treatment for perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is supported by current scientific evidence. The following document was prepared by the authors on request of the Spanish Society of Neonatology and is intended to be a guide for the proper implementation of this therapy. We discuss the difficulties that may arise when moving from the strict framework of clinical trials to clinical daily care: early recognition of clinical encephalopathy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, hypothermia during transport, type of hypothermia (selective head or systemic cooling) and side effects of therapy. The availability of hypothermia therapy has changed the prognosis of children with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and our choices of therapeutic support. In this sense, it is especially important to be aware of the changes in the predictive value of the neurological examination and the electroencephalographic recording in cooled infants. In order to improve neuroprotection with hypothermia we need earlier recognition of to recognise earlier the infants that may benefit from cooling. Biomarkers of brain injury could help us in the selection of these patients. Every single infant treated with hypothermia must be included in a follow up program in order to assess neurodevelopmental outcome (AU)

[Neuroprotection with hypothermia in the newborn with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Standard guidelines for its clinical application]. / Neuroprotección con hipotermia en el recién nacido con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica. Guía de estándares para su aplicación clínica.

Standardisation of hypothermia as a treatment for perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is supported by current scientific evidence. The following document was prepared by the authors on request of the Spanish Society of Neonatology and is intended to be a guide for the proper implementation of this therapy. We discuss the difficulties that may arise when moving from the strict framework of clinical trials to clinical daily care: early recognition of clinical encephalopathy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, hypothermia during transport, type of hypothermia (selective head or systemic cooling) and side effects of therapy. The availability of hypothermia therapy has changed the prognosis of children with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and our choices of therapeutic support. In this sense, it is especially important to be aware of the changes in the predictive value of the neurological examination and the electroencephalographic recording in cooled infants. In order to improve neuroprotection with hypothermia we need earlier recognition of to recognise earlier the infants that may benefit from cooling. Biomarkers of brain injury could help us in the selection of these patients. Every single infant treated with hypothermia must be included in a follow up program in order to assess neurodevelopmental outcome.

Impacto de las técnicas de reproducción asistida en la salud del recién nacido / Assisted reproduction techniques and the health of the newborn

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[First SIBEN clinical consensus: diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patent ductus arteriosus in premature newborns]. / Primer consenso clínico de SIBEN: enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico del ductus arterioso permeable en recién nacidos pretérmino.

OBJECTIVE: To report the process and results of the first neonatal clinical consensus of the Ibero-American region. DESIGN AND METHODS: Two recognized experts in the field (Clyman and Van Overmeire) and 45 neonatologists from 23 countries were invited for active participation and collaboration. We developed 46 questions of clinical-physiological relevance in all aspects of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Guidelines for consensus process, literature search and future preparation of educational material and authorship were developed, reviewed and agreed by all. Participants from different countries were distributed in groups, and assigned to interact and work together to answer 3-5 questions, reviewing all global literature and local factors. Answers and summaries were received, collated and reviewed by 2 coordinators and the 2 experts. Participants and experts met in Granada, Spain for 4.5 h (lectures by experts, presentations by groups, discussion, all literature available). RESULTS: 31 neonatologists from 16 countries agreed to participate. Presentations by each group and general discussion were used to develop a consensus regarding: general management, availability of drugs (indomethacin vs. ibuprofen), costs, indications for echo/surgery, etc. Many steps were learnt by all present in a collaborative forum. CONCLUSIONS: This first consensus group of Ibero-American neonatologists SIBEN led to active and collaborative participation of neonatologists of 16 countries, improved education of all participants and ended with consensus development on clinical approaches to PDA. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for clinical care reached by consensus. Additionally, it will serve as a useful foundation for future SIBEN Consensus on other topics and it could become valuable as a model to decrease disparity in care and improve outcomes in this and other regions.

Anales de Pediatría y el inicio de procedimientos para su inclusión en las revistas del Journal Citation Reports / Anales de Pediatría and the beginning of procedures to include the journal in Journal Citation Reports

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[Impact of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on extremely low birth weight infants]. / Impacto de la reanimación cardiopulmonar avanzada en recién nacidos pretérmino de extremado bajo peso.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants who undergo Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the delivery room present poorer survival and greater short-term neurological and general morbidity than those who do not. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort of 150 ELBW infants born at our hospital between 2000 and 2004, those who needed CPR and those who did not were compared for mortality and short-term general and neurological morbidity. Infants with major birth defects, suspicion of genetic disease and those without a proactive perinatal attitude in the delivery room were excluded. CPR was defined as the administration of chest compressions and/or epinephrine in the delivery room. RESULTS: 150 infants were included, with gestational ages of 23-27 weeks (mean 25.6+/-1.2), birth weight of 425-995 grams (mean 745.2+/-132). Delivery room CPR was given to 32 infants (21.4%). No differences in perinatal characteristics were found except for lower pH and Apgar score and a higher SNAPPE score in infants who underwent CPR. Survival at discharge was similar (62.5% vs 76.3% for those without CPR). Infants who received CPR needed more surfactant, oxygen and higher median airway pressure than infants who did not. Air leaks and coagulopathy were more frequent in CPR infants (p<0.01). Prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy was similar in the two groups. No statistical differences between ELBW infants who needed CPR and those who did not were found in prevalence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (62.5% vs 52.5%), IVH III (31.2% vs 17.7%), periventricular haemorrhagic infarction (PHI) (18.7% vs 11%) or cystic periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) (15.6% vs 11%). However, in a combined analysis of neurological morbidity (IVH III and/or PVL and/or PHI), significant differences between the two groups were found (46.7% vs 21.6%; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: This study does not support poorer survival or significant non-neurological morbidity during the neonatal period in ELBW infants who receive CPR. Although the prevalence of individual neurological problems was similar in the two groups, CPR was associated with a clear increase in general neurological morbidity, with a three-times greater risk of brain damage.

Impacto de la reanimación cardiopulmonar avanzada en recién nacidos pretérmino de extremado bajo peso / Impact of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on extremely low birth weight infants

Objetivos Examinar si los recién nacidos de extremado bajo peso (RNEBP) que reciben reanimación cardiopulmonar avanzada (RCPA) en la sala de partos presentan peor supervivencia y mayor morbilidad neurológica y global a corto plazo que aquellos que no la recibieron. Métodos En una cohorte retrospectiva de 150 RNEBP, nacidos en nuestro hospital entre los años 2000 y 2004, se comparó mortalidad y morbilidad global y neurológica a corto plazo entre aquellos que precisaron RCPA y los que no. Se excluyeron los nacidos con malformaciones y aquéllos con limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico en la sala de partos. Resultados Incluimos 150 niños, edad gestacional 23-27 semanas (25,6 ± 1,2), peso 425-995 g (745,2 ± 132). Recibieron RCPA en la sala de partos 32 (21,4 %). Las características perinatales fueron similares, excepto pH y puntuación de Apgar inferiores, y puntuaciones mayores en la escala de Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE) en los niños con RCPA. La supervivencia al alta fue similar (62,5 % frente a 76,3 % en aquellos sin RCPA). Los pacientes con RCPA necesitaron más surfactante, oxígeno y presión media en la vía aérea. Neumotórax y coagulopatía fueron más frecuentes en los niños con RCPA (p < 0,01). La frecuencia de displasia broncopulmonar, enterocolitis necrosante y retinopatía fueron similares en ambos grupos. La prevalencia de hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) grado III (31,2 % frente a 17,7 %), infarto periventricular hemorrágico (IPH) (18,7 % frente a 11 %), leucomalacia periventricular (LPV) (15,6 % frente a 11 %), no difirió entre los RNEBP que precisaron RCPA y los que no. Sin embargo, el análisis combinado de morbilidad neurológica (HIV grado III y/o LPV y/o IPH) mostró diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (46,7 % frente a 21,6 %; p = 0,01). Conclusión La RCPA en RNEBP no parece implicar un aumento de la mortalidad neonatal ni de la morbilidad significativa no neurológica. Aunque la prevalencia individual de problemas neurológicos fue similar entre ambos grupos, la RCPA conllevó un claro aumento de la morbilidad global neurológica, incrementando tres veces el riesgo de lesión del SNC

Objective To examine whether extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants who undergo Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the delivery room present poorer survival and greater short-term neurological and general morbidity than those who do not. Methods In a retrospective cohort of 150 ELBW infants born at our hospital between 2000 and 2004, those who needed CPR and those who did not were compared for mortality and short-term general and neurological morbidity. Infants with major birth defects, suspicion of genetic disease and those without a proactive perinatal attitude in the delivery room were excluded. CPR was defined as the administration of chest compressions and/or epinephrine in the delivery room. Results 150 infants were included, with gestational ages of 23-27 weeks (mean 25.6 ± 1.2), birth weight of 425-995 grams (mean 745.2 ± 132). Delivery room CPR was given to 32 infants (21.4 %). No differences in perinatal characteristics were found except for lower pH and Apgar score and a higher SNAPPE score in infants who underwent CPR. Survival at discharge was similar (62.5 % vs 76.3 % for those without CPR). Infants who received CPR needed more surfactant, oxygen and higher median airway pressure than infants who did not. Air leaks and coagulopathy were more frequent in CPR infants (p < 0.01). Prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy was similar in the two groups. No statistical differences between ELBW infants who needed CPR and those who did not were found in prevalence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (62.5 % vs 52.5 %), IVH III (31.2 % vs 17.7 %), periventricular haemorrhagic infarction (PHI) (18.7 % vs 11 %) or cystic periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) (15.6 % vs 11 %). However, in a combined analysis of neurological morbidity (IVH III and/or PVL and/or PHI), significant differences between the two groups were found (46.7 % vs 21.6 %; p = 0.01). Conclusion This study does not support poorer survival or significant non-neurological morbidity during the neonatal period in ELBW infants who receive CPR. Although the prevalence of individual neurological problems was similar in the two groups, CPR was associated with a clear increase in general neurological morbidity, with a three-times greater risk of brain damage

Cerebrospinal fluid leucocyte counts in healthy neonates.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count of normal term neonates, and compare the CSF WBC profile of normal and symptomatic infants without infection of the central nervous system (CNS). METHOD: Neonates were included if (a) they were at risk of congenital Toxoplasma infection and had undergone a lumbar puncture to assess CNS involvement, and (b) serial specific serum IgG and IgM determinations had ruled out congenital infection. According to neonatal chart reviews, 30 consecutive patients without CNS infection were classified as normal (absolutely asymptomatic) or symptomatic (any kind of symptoms). RESULTS: CSF WBC count was higher in 11 symptomatic (7/mm(3), 0-30/mm(3)) than in 19 normal (1/mm(3), 0-5/mm(3)) neonates (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Normal neonatal CSF contains up to 5 WBCs/mm(3). Mild pleocytosis can be found in symptomatic infants without CNS infection.

Niveles de hemoglobina en varones fumadores / Haemoglobin levels in smoking men

Debido a la importancia de la hemoglobina como indicador nutricional, así como su papel en la oxigenación de los tejidos, fue realizado este estudio con el objetivo de observar la existencia o no de alteraciones en los niveles de hemoglobina de individuos fumadores donantes de sangre, de tal manera que dichas alteraciones causadas por el cigarrillo sean consideradas, al evaluar el estado de salud de un individuo fumador, así como en el diagnóstico de las patologías asociadas. Fueron seleccionados 121 varones, aparentemente sanos, fumadores y no fumadores, entre 20 y 60 años de edad, donantes de cinco bancos de sangre de Asunción, Paraguay. Los niveles promedios de hemoglobina en fumadores fueron 150 ± 8 g/L y en los no fumadores 148 ± 9 g/L, no siendo la diferencia significativa (p>0.05); sin embargo dentro del grupo de fumadores, la diferencia fue significativamente mayor en aquellos que fumaban de 11 a 20 cigarrillos /día (152 ± 9 g/L) que en aquellos que fumaban de 1 a 10 cigarrillos /día (148 ± 7 g/L) (p<0.05). Por lo tanto, el nivel medio de hemoglobina se incrementa con el número de cigarrillos consumidos por día. El coeficiente de correlación hallado fue de 0,38 con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Debemos seguir investigando, en nuestra población, la influencia del cigarrillo sobre los parámetros hematológicos, y el efecto que producen dichas alteraciones en el estado de salud de los fumadores.

Due to the important role haemoglobin plays as nutritional marker and in tissue oxygenation, this study was carried out to determine if there are alterations in haemoglobin levels of smoking blood donors. In this way, these alterations caused by cigarettes should be considered when the health status of smoking men is evaluated, as well as in the diagnosis of associated pathologies. One hundred and twenty one male individuals were selected for this study. They were apparently healthy, smoking and non­smoking men, between 20 and 60 years old, blood donors from five blood banks in Asunción, Paraguay. The mean haemoglobin level in smokers was 150 ± 8 g/L and in non­smokers 148 ± 9 g/L. The difference was not significant (p>0.05) but the difference was statistically greater in individuals smoking 11 to 20 cigarettes /day (152 ± 9 g/L) than in those who smoked 1 to 10 cigarettes /day (148 ± 7 g/L) (p<0.05). Thus, the mean value of haemoglobin increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The correlation coefficient was 0.38 with a confidence interval of 95%. Further studies about the influence of cigarettes, the haematological parameters and the effect produced by alterations on the health status of smokers are necessary in this population.

Postnatal adaptation of brain circulation in preterm infants.

Global and regional postnatal cerebral circulatory changes in stable preterm infants were studied, and their relation to brain injury was assessed. Thirty-five preterm infants were studied on the first and second days of age. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) (mL/hg per min) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) (mL/hg) were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. The cerebral blood flow velocity (cm/second) (peak systolic, diastolic flow, mean flow) and resistance index (RI) were determined in the internal carotid, anterior cerebral, and striate arteries by color Doppler flow imaging. Serial cerebral ultrasound studies were performed to detect changes in brain parenchymal echogenicity or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); the maximum severity of these findings was considered. CBF and cerebral blood flow velocity increased significantly with time, and such changes were independent of mean blood pressure, PO(2), PCO(2), hematocrit, or glycemia. In contrast, CBV and RI remained unchanged. According to the results of sonograms, no differences were found in postnatal CBF and cerebral blood flow velocity changes, regardless of whether patients had or did not have parenchymal lesions or IVH. However, higher CBV values were found on the second day in infants with IVH compared with infants without IVH. Early coupling of CBF and metabolic demands is independent of blood pressure. Improved venous return, instead of vasodilation, could be important in this adaptation.

[Non-invasive monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics in the newborn]. / Monitorización no invasiva de la hemodinámica cerebral en el recién nacido.

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: The regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a determinant factor amongst the mechanisms involved in the development of neonatal brain lesions. Therefore it has been the main objective of many investigators in recent decades, seeking reliable techniques for measurement of cerebral haemodynamic parameters. However, the use of different techniques to assess brain haemodynamics has been limited by various factors including: harmlessness of the technique, its ease of use and accuracy of measurement. In this paper we aim to show how, using these techniques, together with sufficient understanding of neonatal pathophysiology, we can obtain better understanding of antenatal and perinatal factors responsible for cerebral damage, and the effect of this lesion on development. Besides using these findings to prevent specific disorders, we will obtain the advantage of an appropriate medical and neurosurgical treatment, with lower risk of neurological sequelae.