Preterm ETs Are Significantly Reduced Compared with Adults and Partially Reduced Compared with Term Infants.

The release of DNA by cells during extracellular trap (ET) formation is a defense function of neutrophils and monocytes. Neutrophil ET (NET) formation in term infants is reduced compared to adults. Objective: The aim was to quantify NET and monocyte ET (MET) release and the respective key enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in preterm infants. In this prospective explorative study, ET induction was stimulated by N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in the cord blood of preterm infants (n = 55, 23-36 weeks) compared to term infants and adults. METs were quantified by microscopy, and NETs by microscopy and flow cytometry. We also determined the MPO levels within NETs and the intracellular concentrations of NE and MPO in neutrophils. The percentage of neutrophils releasing ET was significantly reduced for preterm infants compared to adults for all stimulants, and with a 68% further reduction for PMA compared to term infants (p = 0.0141). The NET area was not reduced except for when fMLP was administered. The amount of MPO in NET-producing cells was reduced in preterm infants compared to term infants. For preterm infants, but not term infants, the percentage of monocytes releasing ETs was significantly reduced compared to healthy adults for LTA and LPS stimulation. Conclusion: In preterm infants, ETs are measurable parts of the innate immune system, but are released in a reduced percentage of cells compared to adults.

Identification of growth patterns of preterm and small-for-gestational age children from birth to 4 years - do they catch up?

Background A legitimate indication for growth hormone (GH) therapy in children born too light or short at birth [small-for-gestational age (SGA)] exists in Germany and the European Union only if special criteria are met. Methods We conducted a longitudinal, multi-centered study on full-term appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA, n=1496) and pre-term born SGA (n=173) and full-term SGA children (n=891) in Germany from 2006 to 2010. We analyzed height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference. Results Pre-term or full-term born SGA children were shorter, lighter and had a lower BMI from birth until 3 years of age than full-term AGA children. The growth velocity of the analyzed anthropometric measurements was significantly higher in pre-term and full-term SGA children exclusively in the first 2 years of life than in AGA children. The criteria for GH treatment were fulfilled by 12.1% of pre-term SGA children compared to only 1.3% of full-term SGA children. Conclusion For children that do not catch up growth within the first 2 years of life, an earlier start of GH treatment should be considered, because a catch-up growth later than 2 years of life does not exist. Pre-term SGA-born children more frequently fulfill the criteria for GH treatment than full-term SGA children.

Birth risks according to maternal height and weight - an analysis of the German Perinatal Survey.

Objective To investigate the variability in the prevalences of selected birth risks in women of different heights and weights. Methods Data from the German Perinatal Survey of 1998-2000 were analyzed: 503,468 cases contributed to our analysis of the prevalences of selected birth risks specified according to maternal weight groups, 502,562 cases contributed to our analysis according to maternal height groups and 43,928 cases contributed to our analysis of birth risks in women with a body mass index (BMI) of 21-23 kg/m2 but different heights and weights. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results Some birth risks varied substantially by maternal height in women with a "normal" BMI of 21-23 kg/m2: the prevalence of post-term birth increased from 8.7% in women with a height of 150 cm to 13.5% in 185 cm tall women, the prevalence of preterm birth decreased from 5.9% (150 cm tall women) to 3.1% (185 cm tall women), a pathologic cardiotocography (CTG) or poor fetal heart sounds on auscultation occurred in 19.4% of the 150 cm tall women but only in 9.2% of 185 cm tall women and cephalopelvic disproportion decreased from 12.3% (150 cm tall women) to 1.2% (185 cm tall women). Analyses of women in different body height and weight groups (without restriction of BMI) likewise showed differences in the prevalences of some birth risks. Conclusion Birth risks may vary by height and weight in women with the same, "normal" BMI. BMI should not be the only way by which the impact of maternal height and weight is assessed with regard to perinatal outcomes such as birth risks.

Somatic development at birth as influenced by maternal characteristics - an analysis of the German Perinatal Survey.

We investigated the effects of maternal age, body weight, body height, weight gain during pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, previous live births and being a single mother on somatic development at birth. We analysed data from the German Perinatal Survey for the years 1998-2000 from eight German federal states. We had available data on 508,926 singleton pregnancies and neonates in total; for 508,893 of which we could classify the neonates as small, appropriate or large for gestational age (SGA, AGA or LGA) based on the 10th and 90th birth weight percentiles. Multivariable regression analyses found statistically significant effects of a clinically relevant magnitude for smoking during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) 2.9 for SGA births for women smoking >10 cigarettes per day], maternal height (OR 1.4 for SGA births for women <162 cm; OR 1.4 for LGA births for women >172 cm), maternal weight (OR 1.5 for SGA births for women <59 kg; OR 1.9 for LGA births for women >69 kg), weight gain during pregnancy (OR 1.9 for SGA births for women with a weight gain <8 kg; OR 2.0 for LGA births for women with a weight gain >18 kg) and previous live births (OR 2.1 for LGA births for women with one or more previous live births). Maternal age and being a single mother also had significant effects but their magnitude was small. Our analysis confirms the clinically relevant effects of smoking, maternal anthropometric measures and weight gain during pregnancy on neonatal somatic development.

The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) as respiratory support in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in Germany - A nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC)1 is a technique of oxygen supply, initially being used as a potentially less-invasive alternative to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP)2 for premature infants/neonates, which nowadays crosses the border of neonatal care. HFNC builds up a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)3 but lacks the opportunity for continuous monitoring. Therefore, pressure-depending complications are a risk. Our goal was to evaluate the current use of HFNC in Germany regarding indications, techniques of application and complications experienced. STUDYDESIGN: We used a questionnaire sent to 226 pediatric clinics. RESULTS: We received responses from 67 pediatric clinics (29.6%). HFNC was applied in the age group of 8 to 14 years in 42% and between 14 and 18 years in 33% of the clinics. 54% of the clinics have been using HFNC for more than 3 years. Applied flow rates varied strongly among the clinics. 70% of the clinics use HFNC outside of the established indications (alternative to nCPAP for premature infants and neonates, bronchiolitis) for pneumonia, support after extubation and non-adherence to nCPAP. Severe complications such as pneumothorax have been seen by 17,9% of the clinics. CONCLUSION: We reported for the first time a nationwide overview about the expanded use of HFNC in pediatric clinics. Our results emphasize the fact that, even though HFNC is widely accepted as a non-invasive procedure there is still a potential of severe side effects. Therefore the use of HFNC should be monitored continuously and closely within an intensive or intermediate care unit.