[Therapeutic advances in neonatology]. / Actualités thérapeutiques en néonatologie.

In this article, we will review major therapeutic advances in neonatology over the past ten years. We will discuss the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate, the interest of hypothermia in the context of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, the benefits and modalities of placental transfusion, less invasive techniques for ventilation and administration of the surfactant, possibilities to fortify breast milk and the concept of developmental care. These therapeutic advances are sometimes based on new therapeutics, sometimes on new concepts and, sometimes, on new less invasive techniques. They have made it possible to optimize the care of premature babies but also of term newborns.

Dans cet article, nous allons passer en revue les grandes avancées thérapeutiques dans le domaine de la néonatologie au cours des dix dernières années. Nous traiterons de l'administration anténatale du sulfate de magnésium, de l'intérêt de l'hypothermie contrôlée dans le cadre de l'encéphalopathie d'origine hypoxo-ischémique, des bénéfices et modalités de la transfusion placentaire, des techniques moins invasives pour la ventilation et pour l'administration du surfactant, de la fortification du lait maternel et du concept de soins de développement. Ces avancées thérapeutiques reposent tantôt sur des nouveautés thérapeutiques, tantôt sur de nouveaux concepts et, parfois, sur de nouvelles techniques moins invasives. Elles ont permis d'optimiser la prise en charge des prématurés, mais aussi des nouveau-nés à terme.

Assessment of human milk composition using mid-infrared analyzers requires calibration adjustment.

OBJECTIVE: Nutrient composition of human milk (HM) is highly variable. Targeted HM fortification has been proposed to address these variations and reduce the cumulative nutritional deficit in preterm infants. Near-infrared analysis is used to measure the protein and fat content in HM; however, the reliability of this technique has not been evaluated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of two generations of HM analyzers (HMA1 and HMA2) in estimating protein and lipid contents. STUDY DESIGN: Reproducibility was assessed by analyzing in duplicate 146 and 128 HM samples with HMA1 and HMA2 (Miris), respectively. To evaluate the accuracy, lipid and protein concentrations were assessed in 31 and 39 samples using HMA1 or HMA2, respectively. Values were compared with measurements obtained using reference methods and correction equations were calculated. After applying the correction equations on 12 HM samples, the performance of the two devices were compared and the equation was validated according to the reference methods. RESULTS: The coefficients of variation for protein and lipid assessments were below 3% for both HMA1 and HMA2. Protein concentrations were significantly underestimated by HMA2 (-0.53±0.23 g dl-1). Lipid content was significantly overestimated by both devices, but the error was greater with HMA1 (0.76±0.48 g dl-1) than with HMA2 (0.36±0.33 g dl-1). Correction equations were specific for each generation of HMA. Finally, after correction, both instruments provided similar and accurate results. CONCLUSION: HMAs require calibration adjustment before their use in clinical practice, to avoid inappropriate HM fortification.

[CA, P, AND MG POSTNATAL METABOLISM AND REQUIREMENTS IN PARENTERAL AND ENTERAL NUTRITION OF PREMATURE INFANTS]. / CA, P ET MG : MÉTABOLISME POSTNATAL ET BESOINS NUTRITIONNELS CHEZ LE PRÉMATURE EN ALIMENTATION PARENTÉRALE OU ENTÉRALE.

During the last trimester of gestation, transplacental mineral transfer and fetal mineral accretion is particularly high: 2.3-3.2 mmol/kg/day (90-130 mg/kg/d) of calcium, 2.4-2.7 mmol/kg/d (65-75 mg/kg/day) of phosphorus and 0.12-0.20 mmol/kg/d (2.9-4.8 mg/kg/day) of magnesium. After birth, there is a dramatic change in bone mineral metabolism from a maximal bone deposition during fetal life to a postnatal bone turnover stimulation improving bone structure and resistance. This physiological change could partly reduce the mineral requirements, as minerals available from the remodeling activities could be recycled for bone mineralization. In addition, recent studies in preterm infants, suggest that the use of early more "aggressive" nutritional support, providing high aminoacid intakes from the first day of life, may induce a "refeeding like syndrome" suggesting that early phosphorus and electrolytes supplies are also necessary. The aim of the present paper is to review the mineral metabolism of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants during the first weeks of life at the light of the more recent studies and to revise the nutritional recommendations for mineral parenteral and enteral intakes in VLBW infants.

Prematurity and bone health.

Recent advances in neonatal care significantly increases survival rate in preterm and particularly in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW infants) and nutrition is becoming one of the most challenging issue to improve short and long term health and developmental outcomes. Nutrition is also relevant for bone development and mineralization reducing the risk of osteopenia and metabolic bone disease (MBD). Osteopenia of prematurity is a multifactorial disease including predominantly nutritional but also biomechanical and environmental factors. At birth, the fetal active mineral transfer is interrupted and the preterm becomes related to the parenteral and enteral mineral supplies. On the other hand, physiological adaptation of bone to extra uterine life leads to an increase in bone resorption. This process occurring earlier in preterm than in term infants can be accompanied by an increased risk of bone fragility and fractures. Early provision of highly bioavailable mineral supplies, correction of vitamin D deficiency and the screening of serum phosphorus concentration combined to urinary mineral excretion appears to be helpful for the prevention of MBD. When available, DEXA is more sensitive than ultrasound for quantifying osteopenia in VLBW infants at the time of discharge. Catch-up of mineralization is rapidly observed during the post term period and osteopenia of prematurity seems to be a self-resolving disease although the potential long-term consequences on the attainment of peak bone mass remains uncertain.

[Advantages of individualized fortification of human milk for preterm infants]. / Intérêt de la supplémentation du lait maternel << à la carte>>.

Despite the benefits of human milk fortification, nutrients of human milk are not sufficient to cover the greater needs of very low birth weight and to ensure a growth similar to that of premature infants fed with preterm formula. These differences could be related to the variation in the macronutrient composition of expressed breast milk with lower protein and energy content. Unfortunately there is unusually no information on macronutrients composition prior human milk fortification. With such data, it would be possible to individualize the fortification. In order to use adjustable fortification of human milk, we have assessed a rapid and simple method using full spectrum infrared laser technology (Milkoscan) to analyze human milk composition. We describe the variation in concentration of protein, lipid and energy in the human milk received in our neonatal unit. Then we evaluate the benefit of adjustable fortification of human milk compared with standard fortification. After standard fortification the variability of protein and lipid remains with a risk of protein deficiency or excess and a risk of energy deficiency. After adjustable human milk fortification based on human milk analysis using Milkoscan, we observe a more stable protein content and a lower amount of added fortifier decreasing the risk of hyperosmolarity. Furthermore, the energy content is higher following of the fat human milk adjusted content. Up to now, our preliminary results suggest that individualized fortification of human milk improves growth rate in preterm infants (21 g/kg/d) to a level close to formula fed infants.

[Respiratory syncytial immunoprophylaxis with palivizumab]. / Prévention de l'infection respiratoire à VRS par immunoglobulines monoclonales spécifiques (palivizumab, Synagis).

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a serious pathogen causing significant morbidity, especially in premature infants and infants with chronic lung disease or significant congenital heart disease. There is no specific treatment for RSV infection and the therapy is essentially supportive. Therefore, prophylaxis is the best strategy against RSV disease. Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (palivizumab) provides protection against severe RSV infection and significantly reduces hospitalizations in high-risk childrens. However, palizumab is an expensive drug and its use should be reserved for children at the highest risk of severe RSV disease.

[Management of acute bronchiolitis in newborns]. / Prise en charge de la bronchiolite aiguë du nourrisson.

Acute bronchiolitis is a common condition of viral origin with attention of treating hypoxia and maintaining hydration. Medications are often ineffective, although widely used in our countries. If the spontaneous cure is the rule, the persistence of a respiratory symptomatology (cough or wheezing) during several weeks is not exceptional.

[Evaluation of the bacteriologic quality of breast milk in a neonatology service in Belgium]. / Evaluation de la qualité bactériologique du lait maternel dans un service de néonatologie.

Many studies demonstrated that human milk is the recommended source of enteral nutrition in preterm infants providing several benefits with regards to feeding tolerance, immunity and cognitive development However, neurological immaturity and associated clinical conditions prevent them from suckling effectively. Therefore, mother's milk must be expressed, stored and transported to the neonatal unit and could be contaminated. The microbiological quality of human milk was evaluated on each donation to the neonatal intensive care unit of the University of Liege, Belgium from November 1, 2003 to January 31, 2005. In all, 5842 samples from 176 mothers were included in the study. Samples were classified according to the exclusive presence of coagulase negative Staphylococcus and their number (less or more than 104 germs per ml) or to contamination with pathogens. More than 50% of analyzed milks had to be pasteurized (46%; >104 coagulase negative Staphylococcus per ml) or to be discarded (7% pathogen contamination). The incidence of pasteurisation tends to increase during the summer, suggesting a seasonal influence. Maternal profiles were established longitudinally. Among the 60 mothers whose at least one sample had pathogen contamination, 27% had a contamination occurring only during a few days, but 73% had more than 50% of their samples discarded. This study suggest the need to promote the use and the financial support of intrahospital human milk bank units to support the safe use of raw and pasteurised human milk in preterm infants.

Incidence, perinatal risk factors, visual outcome and management of threshold retinopathy.

The incidence of threshold retinopathy, clinical characteristics and risk factors to develop threshold retinopathy are described in a group of preterm infants admitted between 1996 and 2000 in a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. A subset of these infants (n = 31) developed threshold retinopathy (ROP). Incidence of threshold ROP in survivors with a birth weight below 1500 g is 6.4%. Pre-, peri- and postnatal characteristics of these infants are described and compared with matched controls of the same gestational age (GA) and admitted in the same unit in an attempt to focus on relevant risk factors of threshold ROP. We also report on visual outcome data in infants who developed threshold retinopathy. Finally, we describe our experience with perioperative management in this cohort.

Discotic mesogens with potential electron carrier properties.

A new family of discotic liquid crystals, potentially electron carriers, has been synthesised, some members of which exhibit a particularly rich thermotropic behaviour.