Outcomes of preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosus: A retrospective review from a tertiary care hospital.

The management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm neonates remains controversial. A retrospective review was conducted to determine the outcomes in preterm neonates with PDA. Data of neonates admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016 were retrieved from patient records. Of the 208 neonates included in the study, 143 (68.7%) received no treatment, while 65 (31.2%) underwent pharmacotherapy and/or surgical ligation for PDA closure. PDA closure was spontaneous in 109 (52.4%) neonates. The mean ±SD gestational age (GA) of neonates with spontaneous ductal closure was greater as compared to those who required some form of treatment [33±3.3 vs 29.7±3.1weeks, p=0.001]. Apnoea (OR:4.47; 95% CI:1.21-16.44), sepsis (OR:3.81; 95% CI:1.33-10.87), pulmonary haemorrhage (OR:4.88; 95% CI:1.24-19.19), and lower APGAR (OR:0.69; 95% CI:0.54-0.90) were associated with higher odds of mortality in our cohort. Our findings demonstrate that PDA resolves spontaneously in most preterm neonates and provide evidence that conservative treatment is not associated with mortality.

Impact of a standardised parenteral nutrition protocol: a quality improvement experience from a NICU of a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition societies recommend using standardised parenteral nutrition (SPN) solutions. We designed evidence-based SPN formulations for neonates admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and evaluated their outcomes. DESIGN: This was a quality improvement initiative. Data were collected retrospectively before and after the intervention. SETTING: A tertiary-care level 3 NICU at the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan. PATIENTS: All NICU patients who received individualised PN (IPN) from December 2016 to August 2017 and SPN from October 2017 to June 2018. INTERVENTIONS: A team of neonatologists and nutrition pharmacists collaborated to design two evidence-based SPN solutions for preterm neonates admitted to the NICU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We recorded mean weight gain velocity from days 7 to 14 of life. The other outcomes were change in weight expressed as z-scores, metabolic abnormalities, PN-associated liver disease (PNALD), length of NICU stay and episodes of sepsis during hospital stay. RESULTS: Neonates on SPN had greater rate of change in weight compared with IPN (ß=13.40, 95% CI: 12.02 to 14.79) and a smaller decrease in z-scores (p<0.001). Neonates in the SPN group had fewer hyperglycemic episodes (IPN: 37.5%, SPN: 6.2%) (p<0.001), electrolyte abnormalities (IPN: 56.3%, SPN: 21%) (p<0.001), PNALD (IPN: 52.5%, SPN: 18.5%) (p<0.001) and sepsis (IPN: 26%, SPN: 20%) (p<0.05). The median length of stay in NICU was 14.0 (IQR 12.0-21.0) for the IPN and 8.0 (IQR 5.0-13.0) days for the SPN group. CONCLUSIONS: We found that SPN was associated with shorter NICU stay and greater weight gain. In-house preparation of SPN can be used to address the nutritional needs in resource-limited settings where commercially prepared SPN is not available.

Clinical Profile and Predictors of Mortality in Neonates Born With Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis: Experience From a Lower-Middle-Income Country.

Introduction Hydrops fetalis (HF) is a life-threatening condition in which a fetus has an abnormal collection of fluid in the tissue around the lungs, heart, abdomen, or under the skin. Based on its pathophysiology, it is classified into immune and non-immune types. With the widespread use of anti-D immunoglobulin, non-immune HF has become more common, with an incidence of one in 1,700-3,000 live births. A multitude of fetal diseases with various causes can lead to non-immune HF. Due to the recent advances in prenatal diagnostic and therapeutic interventions together with improved neonatal intensive care, the diagnosis and subsequent management of HF have been refined. However, HF is still associated with a high mortality rate. A recent assessment of the literature found that there is a lack of data on prognostic variables in neonates with HF from low- and middle-income countries. In light of this, we sought to establish the etiologic causes, predictors of mortality, and eventual fate of newborns born non-immune HF at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during the 10-year period spanning January 2009-December 2019 in this retrospective analysis. Methodology For this study, we collected data from the computerized database and patient record files at the hospital on all infants with non-immune HF. Demographic data, postnatal interventions, clinical and laboratory findings, outcomes, and the results of comparison between HF patients who died and those who survived were analyzed. Results The incidence of non-immune HF at our hospital was 0.62/1,000 live births during the period under study, with 33 newborn babies diagnosed with non-immune HF from a total of 53,033 live-born deliveries. An etiologic factor was discovered in 17 (51.5%) neonates with non-immune HF while 16 (48.4%) were classified as those with unidentified etiology. The most common causes were cardiovascular and genetic syndromes, which resulted in 100% mortality. The overall mortality rate was 67%. The need for mechanical ventilation, surfactant therapy, and prolonged hospitalization were identified as independent risk factors of mortality. Conclusion Our study proves that the need for mechanical ventilation [moderate to severe hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF)] and prolonged hospitalization are strong predictors of poor outcomes in neonates with non-immune HF. Therefore, severe hydrops causing significant mortality can be anticipated based on the patients' respiratory status and the need for escalated oxygen support.

A Pre-Post Intervention-Based Study Investigating the Impact of Standardized Parenteral Nutrition at Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction Conventionally, various parenteral nutrition (PN) components are individually administered considering an individual neonate's requirements. More recently, standardized PN (SPN) formulations have been initiated for preterm neonates, which may benefit from the enhanced nutrient supply, less administration and prescription errors, reduced risk of infectious disease, and cost-effectiveness. Methodology A multicentered, pre-post intervention-based study was conducted at tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Karachi, Pakistan. Post-graduate residents of neonatology and pediatrics working in NICUs were included in the study, and their perspective was attained regarding PN formulation and a prescription for time consumption, ease, calculation errors, and general feedback. Independent T-test was applied to assess the statistical difference between the pre-and post-implementation of PN formulation for total time required for PN calculation, whereas for the rest of the quantitative variables Mann-Whitney U test was computed. Results The total time required to do the entire writing process, calculating and ordering PN, was 17.1±6.9 whereas significantly (p-value of <0.0001) reduced to 10.5±5.7 after implementing SPN prescriptions. Calculation errors were reduced from 32% to 12%, and writing errors were also decreased from 35% to 8% when the standardized parenteral nutritional formulation was applied. Conclusion Our findings show that implementing standardized prescriptions in the NICU has improved medication safety, with the most consistent benefit by reducing medication errors and time management. The SPN prescriptions save time for post-graduate residents, physicians, and pharmacists by eliminating previously required repetitive activities and calculations.

SNAPPE II Score as a Predictor of Neonatal Mortality in NICU at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

Introduction The concept of illness severity scoring has been around for long and is currently being utilized in many neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Scoring systems that help to quantify mortality risks on the basis of clinical conditions not only help in estimating prognosis, but also help clinicians in making decisions particularly in situations presenting with dilemmas. This study aims to determine SNAPPE-II (Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinatal Extension) score as a predictor of neonatal mortality in NICU at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methodology It was a longitudinal cohort study. The study was conducted at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan. All neonates were included who were born in AKUH and who needed respiratory support in NICU. Results A total of 333 newborns were enrolled for this study. Out of those 30 (9.1%) neonates expired while 298 (90.9%) survived. Area Under the Receiver operative curve was calculated to obtain the SNAPPE-II score's diagnostic discrimination ability. Area under the curve (AUC) was 80.2±4.6% which corresponds to a moderate diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of neonatal mortality. The 95% CI for this was between 71.1-89.2%. SNAPPE-II category III (>40) was found to be the strongest predictor of mortality, with a sensitivity of 40% and a specificity of 98.7%. Conclusion The SNAPPE-II scoring system, we conclude, might be a valuable technique for predicting newborn death in resource-constrained NICUs.

An Asian multicenter retrospective study on persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: incidence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

Objectives: To explore the incidence, etiologies, diagnostic methods, treatment options and outcomes in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and to identify mortality risk factors in a study from six Asian countries.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with documented PPHN from seven centers in six Asian countries (Japan, Kuwait, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand) between 1 January, 2014 and 31 December, 2016, was performed.Results: A total of 369 PPHN infants were identified. The incidence of PPHN ranged from 1.2 to 4.6 per 1000 live births. The all-cause mortality rate was 20.6% (76 of 369). Meconium aspiration syndrome was the primary cause of PPHN (24.1%). In most cases (84.8%) echocardiography was used to establish the diagnosis of PPHN. Sildenafil was the most commonly used pulmonary vasodilator (51.2%). Multivariate multiple regression analysis indicated gestational age <34 weeks (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.27; 95% CI 1.56-6.74), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)/lung hypoplasia (LH) (adjusted OR = 6.13 (95% CI 2.28-16.42)), treatment with high frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) with or without inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) (adjusted OR = 3.11 (95% CI 1.52-6.34)), and inotropic agents (adjusted OR = 9.43 (95% CI 2.71-32.83)) were independently associated with increased risk of death.Conclusions: The incidence of PPHN in the current study was higher than in western settings. Birth weight, gestational age, CDH/LH, HFOV/iNO, and inotropic agents were significant mortality risk factors.

Frequency and Early Complications of Late Preterm Infants: A Descriptive Analysis from Two Secondary-care Hospitals of Karachi.

Introduction Globally, prematurity accounts for 12.7% of all live births while late preterm accounts for around three-fourth (73%) of these premature births. In Pakistan, the prevalence of prematurity is approximately 18.89%. Late preterm infants often have weight and size similar to some term infants, but they are still metabolically and physiologically immature. Hence, these infants, as compared to term infants, are at a higher risk of developing medical complications, which results in higher morbidity and mortality during the birth hospitalization. We aim to determine the frequency of early complications in late preterm infants during their stay at Aga Khan Secondary-care Hospitals, Karachi. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted via the nonprobability sampling technique from March 22, 2016, to March 22, 2017, at secondary-care hospitals of The Aga Khan University Hospital; The Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karimabad, and The Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Garden. All late-preterm infants, i.e. those born between the 340/7 through 366/7 weeks gestation were included in this study and observed for 72 hours after birth for early complications, including hypothermia, sepsis, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, and hyperbilirubinemia. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS Version 19.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US) and frequency and percentages were calculated. Results Throughout the period of study, a total of 1696 infants were born in secondary-care hospitals, of which 86.67% (n=1470) were term and 13.3% (n=226) were preterm. Late preterm infants constituted 95.5% (n=217) of preterm births and 12.7% of all newborns delivered at study sites. Among them, respiratory distress was diagnosed in 23.5%, hyperbilirubinemia in 17.5%, hypoglycemia in 13.8%, sepsis in 9.2%, and hypothermia in 6%. Conclusion Late preterm neonates form the major subgroup of preterm infants delivered at secondary-care hospitals. They have a significant risk of morbidity and birth hospitalizations. We propose that late preterm infants, regardless of their physical dimensions, be given medical attention similar to all preterms.