Mortality in out-of-hospital premature births.

AIM: To determine whether the mortality for out-of-hospital (OOH) premature births was higher than for in-hospital premature births and identify additional risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A historical cohort study of a consecutive series of live-born, OOH, births of 24-35 weeks gestation cared for by two Transport Teams working in and around Paris, France 1994-2005. Matching with in-hospital births was according to gestational age, antenatal steroid use, the mode of delivery and nearest year of birth. RESULTS: Eighty-five OOH premature births were identified, of whom 83 met inclusion criteria, and 132 matching in-hospital premature births were selected. There was 18% mortality in the OOH group compared with 8% for the in-hospital group [p = 0.04, OR 2.9, (CI 95% 1.0-8.4)]. Variables significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the OOH birth were HIV infection, lower maternal age and endo-tracheal intubation, lack of medical follow-up during pregnancy, low temperature and low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality was more than twice as high in out-of-hospital deliveries than for in-hospital matched controls. Hypothermia was an important associated risk factor. Measures such as oxygen administration to maintain an appropriate saturation for gestational age, the provision of polyethylene plastic wraps and skin-to-skin contact are recommended.

Gastrografin for uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstruction in children.

PURPOSE: The risk of bowel injury during surgery for small bowel obstruction (SBO) has generated interest in conservative treatment modalities. Few data are available on conservative Gastrografin treatment for SBO in children. METHODS: We prospectively included patients with uncomplicated adhesive SBO managed at a pediatric center between March 2009 and September 2010. Patients who were unimproved after 48 h of conservative treatment received 50-100 ml of Gastrografin. If Gastrografin was seen in the cecum on the abdominal radiograph 4-6 h later, feeding was initiated and the patient was discharged on the same day. Each patient was matched to 2 controls on the number of previous SBO episodes. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay (>3 days), and the secondary outcome was time from admission to first feed (>2 days). Both were compared in the two groups using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The 8 patients admitted for SBO were matched to 16 controls. Gastrografin administration was associated with significantly lower risks of staying in the hospital longer than 3 days (P < 0.10) and waiting more than 2 days before the first feed. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that Gastrografin may be useful for managing adhesive SBO in children.