Trends in Perinatal Practices and Neonatal Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants during a 16-year Period at NEOCOSUR Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in mortality, major morbidity, and perinatal care practices of very low birth weight infants born at NEOCOSUR Neonatal Network centers from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2016. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all inborn infants with a birthweight of 500-1500 g and 23-35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: We examined data for 13 987 very low birth weight infants with a mean birth weight of 1081 ± 281 g and a gestational age of 28.8 ± 2.9 weeks. Overall mortality was 26.8% without significant changes throughout the study period. Decreases in early onset sepsis from 6.3% to 2.8% (P <.001), late onset sepsis from 21.1% to 19.5% (P = .002), retinopathy of prematurity from 21.3% to 13.8% (P <.001), and hydrocephalus from 3.8% to 2.4% (P <.001), were observed. The incidence for bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased from 17.3% to 16% (P = .043), incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage was 10.4%, necrotizing enterocolitis 11.1%, and periventricular leukomalacia 3.8%, and did not change over the study period. Administration of antenatal corticosteroids increased from 70.2% to 82.3% and cesarean delivery from 65.9% to 75.4% (P <.001). The use of conventional mechanical ventilation decreased from 67.7% to 63.9% (P <.001) and continuous positive airway pressure use increased from 41.3% to 64.3% (P <.001). Survival without major morbidity increased from 37.4% to 44.5% over the study period (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Progress in perinatal and neonatal care at network centers was associated with an improvement in survival without major morbidity of very low birth weight infants during a 16-year period. However, overall mortality remained unchanged.

Hipotermia terapéutica: programa para prevención del daño neurológico de la encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica en Buenos Aires / THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA: A MODEL TO PREVENT NEUROLOGIC DAMAGE BY ISCHEMIC HIPOXIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Introducción: La hipotermia terapéutica (HT) es el estándar de cuidado para la encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica (EHI). El servicio de neonatología implemento el programa de HT en el marco de la red perinatal de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (RPCABA). Objetivos: Describir la implementación del programa de hipotermia en RPCABA. Reportar la mortalidad, complicaciones y efectos adversos asociados al tratamiento. Métodos: La implementación del programa se realizó en etapas: 1) 2009- 2010 Capacitación y entrenamiento en el uso del equipamiento. 2) 2010 hasta la actualidad: Tratamiento y seguimiento para los pacientes con EHI moderada o grave. Resultados: Hasta Marzo de 2017, 65 neonatos recibieron HT (7 con hipotermia corporal total y los 58 restantes hipotermia activa selectiva), 49 paciente fueron clasificados según la Escala Sarnat & Sarnat como EHI moderada y 16 como EHI grave. Conclusiones: Fue factible implementar el programa en nuestra unidad, auditarlo para mejorarlo y sostenerlo en el tiempo. El sistema de traslado pudo responder ante la activación del "código de hipotermia", cumpliendo tiempos, sosteniendo el tratamiento y el monitoreo adecuado. Creemos necesario mejorar la identificación de neonatos con diagnóstico de EHI en RPCABA. Se necesita nueva capacitación para evitar el subdiagnóstico de esta patología en los centros de nivel 2

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is nowadays the gold standard of care for the treatment of hypoxic- ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in developed countries. The term encephalopathy refers to a diffuse disturbance of brain function, resulting in behavioral changes, altered consciousness or seizures. The brain is particularly vulnerable to even brief interruptions of blood flow or oxygen supply. If the brain´s oxygen supply is insufficient, consciousness is lost rapidly. If oxygenation is restored immediately, consciousness returns without sequelae. However, if oxygen deprivation lasts longer than 1 or 2 minutes, signs of an encephalopathy may persists for hours or permanently. Total ischemic anoxia lasting longer than about 4 minutes usually results in severe irreversible brain damage. The aim of the present report was to describe the implementation of the hypothermia program in a model for the perinatal system at the City of Buenos Aires, with the equipment Cool Cap® for selective hypothermia, and the equipment CFM Olympic 6000® and CFM OMB from Medix® by Natus®, these two to monitoreate the cerebral function. The results obtained are referred, with special consideration to mortality, complications and adverse effects associated with the treatment.

Implementation in Buenos Aires City of a program to prevent neurological damage caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Therapeutic hypothermia.

Therapeutic hypothermia is the standard of care for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This treatment was implemented at a regional level by the perinatal network of the City of Buenos Aires. The following are the objectives of this article: 1. To describe the implementation of the network's hypothermia treatment program; 2. To report treatment-associated complications, adverse events and mortality. The program was implemented in stages: 1) 2009-2010. Training and instruction on how to use the equipment. 2) 20102014. Treatment and follow-up of patients with moderate or severe HIE. Up to October 2014, 27 newborn infants received hypothermia treatment with moderate (n= 15) and severe (n= 12) HIE. None of the patients died during treatment. Three newborn infants were lost to follow-up. Among the 16 survivors older than one year old, three have severe neurological disability. Program implementation was plausible. It is imperative to train health care providers on how to identify patients with HIE.

Mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight newborn infants assisted in Buenos Aires public hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: The Neonatal Network of Public Hospitals in the city of Buenos Aires closely monitors the progress of newborn infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g (very low birth weight, VLBW) because it largely contributes to neonatal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morbidity and mortality of VLBW infants and determine their riskadjusted mortality using the score of the South American Neonatal Network (Red Neonatal de los países del Conosur de América, NEOCOSUR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Live infants born in the network hospitals with a birth weight of 500-1499 g between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. Data was recorded prospectively using a standardized methodology. Mortality, morbidity and risk-adjusted mortality rates according to the NEOCOSUR score were estimated. Results. There were 92,698 infants born during the study period. Of them, 1.26% weighed less than 1500 g at birth. Only 40.4% of these received a full course of antenatal corticosteroids. A total of 62.7% of these developed respiratory distress syndrome, 5.4% enterocolitis, 10.1% intracranial hemorrhage, and 13.4% severe retinopathy. Early sepsis was observed in 5.6%, and late sepsis in 9.6%. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was present in 10.7% of the cases. Neonatal mortality was 29.2%, and the adjusted mortality with no major malformations was 25.4%. Survival of infants with a birth weight of =750 g and a gestational age of =26 weeks was 50%. The observed/expected mortality ratio was 1.04, with a large variability. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of VLBW infants who received antenatal corticosteroids was low. The incidence of sepsis and the rate of infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity are high. The risk-adjusted mortality is higher than expected.

Morbimortalidad de recién nacidos con menos de 1500 gramos asistidos en hospitales públicos de la ciudad de Buenos Aires / Mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight newborn infants assisted in Buenos Aires public hospitals

Introducción. La red neonatal de los hospitales públicos porteños desarrolla una estrecha vigilancia de la evolución de los neonatos con menos de 1500 g (RNMBPN), pues contribuyen en gran medida a la morbimortalidad neonatal. Objetivo. Analizar la morbimortalidad de los RNMBPN y determinar la mortalidad ajustada por riesgo utilizando el puntaje de la Red Neonatal de los países del cono sur de América (NEOCOSUR). Material y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los recién nacidos vivos en hospitales de la red con peso de 500-1500 g desde 2008 a 2010. Los datos se registraron prospectivamente con metodología estandarizada. Se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad, morbilidad y la mortalidad ajustada por riesgo según puntaje de NEOCOSUR. Resultados. En el período del estudio nacieron 92 698 niños de los cuales 1,26% pesó menos de 1500 g. Sólo 40,4% recibió corticoides antenatales completos. Un 62,7% desarrolló síndrome de difcultad respiratoria, 5,4% enterocolitis, 10,1% hemorragia endocraneana y 13,4% retinopatía grave. La sepsis precoz fue del 5,6%, la tardía de 9,6%. Un 10,7% presentó displasia broncopulmonar. La mortalidad neonatal fue del 29,2% y la ajustada sin malformados graves, 25,4%. La supervivencia de niños con peso =750 g y edad gestacional =26 semanas fue de 50%. El cociente mortalidad observada/esperada fue de 1,04, con gran variabilidad. Conclusiones. El porcentaje de RNMBP que recibió corticoides antenatales es bajo. La incidencia de sepsis y la proporción de niños con ROP grave son elevadas. La mortalidad ajustada por riesgo es superior a la esperada.

Introduction. The Neonatal Network of Public Hospitals in the city of Buenos Aires closely monitors the progress of newborn infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g (very low birth weight, VLBW) because it largely contributes to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective. To analyze the morbidity and mortality of VLBW infants and determine their riskadjusted mortality using the score of the South American Neonatal Network (Red Neonatal de los países del Conosur de América, NEOCOSUR). Material and Methods. Live infants born in the network hospitals with a birth weight of 500-1499 g between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. Data was recorded prospectively using a standardized methodology. Mortality, morbidity and risk-adjusted mortality rates according to the NEOCOSUR score were estimated. Results. There were 92,698 infants born during the study period. Of them, 1.26% weighed less than 1500 g at birth. Only 40.4% of these received a full course of antenatal corticosteroids. A total of 62.7% of these developed respiratory distress syndrome, 5.4% enterocolitis, 10.1% intracranial hemorrhage, and 13.4% severe retinopathy. Early sepsis was observed in 5.6%, and late sepsis in 9.6%. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was present in 10.7% of the cases. Neonatal mortality was 29.2%, and the adjusted mortality with no major malformations was 25.4%. Survival of infants with a birth weight of =750 g and a gestational age of =26 weeks was 50%. The observed/expected mortality ratio was 1.04, with a large variability. Conclusions. The percentage of VLBW infants who received antenatal corticosteroids was low. The incidence of sepsis and the rate of infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity are high. The risk-adjusted mortality is higher than expected.

Morbimortalidad de recién nacidos con menos de 1500 gramos asistidos en hospitales públicos de la ciudad de Buenos Aires / Mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight newborn infants assisted in Buenos Aires public hospitals

Introducción. La red neonatal de los hospitales públicos porteños desarrolla una estrecha vigilancia de la evolución de los neonatos con menos de 1500 g (RNMBPN), pues contribuyen en gran medida a la morbimortalidad neonatal. Objetivo. Analizar la morbimortalidad de los RNMBPN y determinar la mortalidad ajustada por riesgo utilizando el puntaje de la Red Neonatal de los países del cono sur de América (NEOCOSUR). Material y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los recién nacidos vivos en hospitales de la red con peso de 500-1500 g desde 2008 a 2010. Los datos se registraron prospectivamente con metodología estandarizada. Se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad, morbilidad y la mortalidad ajustada por riesgo según puntaje de NEOCOSUR. Resultados. En el período del estudio nacieron 92 698 niños de los cuales 1,26% pesó menos de 1500 g. Sólo 40,4% recibió corticoides antenatales completos. Un 62,7% desarrolló síndrome de difcultad respiratoria, 5,4% enterocolitis, 10,1% hemorragia endocraneana y 13,4% retinopatía grave. La sepsis precoz fue del 5,6%, la tardía de 9,6%. Un 10,7% presentó displasia broncopulmonar. La mortalidad neonatal fue del 29,2% y la ajustada sin malformados graves, 25,4%. La supervivencia de niños con peso =750 g y edad gestacional =26 semanas fue de 50%. El cociente mortalidad observada/esperada fue de 1,04, con gran variabilidad. Conclusiones. El porcentaje de RNMBP que recibió corticoides antenatales es bajo. La incidencia de sepsis y la proporción de niños con ROP grave son elevadas. La mortalidad ajustada por riesgo es superior a la esperada.(AU)

Introduction. The Neonatal Network of Public Hospitals in the city of Buenos Aires closely monitors the progress of newborn infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g (very low birth weight, VLBW) because it largely contributes to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective. To analyze the morbidity and mortality of VLBW infants and determine their riskadjusted mortality using the score of the South American Neonatal Network (Red Neonatal de los países del Conosur de América, NEOCOSUR). Material and Methods. Live infants born in the network hospitals with a birth weight of 500-1499 g between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. Data was recorded prospectively using a standardized methodology. Mortality, morbidity and risk-adjusted mortality rates according to the NEOCOSUR score were estimated. Results. There were 92,698 infants born during the study period. Of them, 1.26% weighed less than 1500 g at birth. Only 40.4% of these received a full course of antenatal corticosteroids. A total of 62.7% of these developed respiratory distress syndrome, 5.4% enterocolitis, 10.1% intracranial hemorrhage, and 13.4% severe retinopathy. Early sepsis was observed in 5.6%, and late sepsis in 9.6%. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was present in 10.7% of the cases. Neonatal mortality was 29.2%, and the adjusted mortality with no major malformations was 25.4%. Survival of infants with a birth weight of =750 g and a gestational age of =26 weeks was 50%. The observed/expected mortality ratio was 1.04, with a large variability. Conclusions. The percentage of VLBW infants who received antenatal corticosteroids was low. The incidence of sepsis and the rate of infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity are high. The risk-adjusted mortality is higher than expected.(AU)

Asistencia respiratoria en recién nacidos / Artificial respiration in newborn infants

El presente trabajo es la descripción de la evolución presentada por 243 Recién nacidos que durante un período de 30 meses consecutivos requieron terapia respiratoria. Ingresaron 103 en P.P.C. y 140 en A.R.M., con una tasa de mortalidad global del 24.6% (9.7% en P.P.C. y 35.7% en A.R.M.). No hubo diferencias en la sobrevida de pacientes nacidos en el Hospital versus derivados. La mortalidad fue mayor en RN que necesitaron A.R.M. y presentaron el antecedente de severa depresión al nacer (apgar de 3 o menor al minuto de vida), o ingresaron en dicha técnica con un pH menor de 7.10 o una paCO2 mayor de 80 mm Hg. Las complicaciones observadas en A.R.M. fueron: pulmonares (en especial extubación espontánea) 34.2%, neumotórax 19.2%, ductus arterioso persistente 15.7% e infección intrahospitalaria 6.6 por ciento. Se realiza una auditoría de la aplicación de las normas del servicio concluyendo que en la asistencia de 30 RN hubo fallas potencialmente evitables

Asistencia respiratoria en recién nacidos / Artificial respiration in newborn infants

El presente trabajo es la descripción de la evolución presentada por 243 Recién nacidos que durante un período de 30 meses consecutivos requieron terapia respiratoria. Ingresaron 103 en P.P.C. y 140 en A.R.M., con una tasa de mortalidad global del 24.6% (9.7% en P.P.C. y 35.7% en A.R.M.). No hubo diferencias en la sobrevida de pacientes nacidos en el Hospital versus derivados. La mortalidad fue mayor en RN que necesitaron A.R.M. y presentaron el antecedente de severa depresión al nacer (apgar de 3 o menor al minuto de vida), o ingresaron en dicha técnica con un pH menor de 7.10 o una paCO2 mayor de 80 mm Hg. Las complicaciones observadas en A.R.M. fueron: pulmonares (en especial extubación espontánea) 34.2%, neumotórax 19.2%, ductus arterioso persistente 15.7% e infección intrahospitalaria 6.6 por ciento. Se realiza una auditoría de la aplicación de las normas del servicio concluyendo que en la asistencia de 30 RN hubo fallas potencialmente evitables (AU)