Respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants: possible impact of surfactant application techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Prematurity is one of the most important issues in perinatology. The most frequent postnatal pathology connected with prematurity is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) caused by surfactant deficiency due to lung immaturity. RDS is one of the most frequent causes of mortality and morbidity with short- and long-term consequences. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of individual surfactant supply techniques in the treatment of respiratory disorders in premature infants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from the year 2009 to 2013, there were 198 very premature infants that received surfactant included to this retrospective study. They were divided into three groups based on the surfactant application method: Premature newborns with substitute ventilation, with supply of surfactant through a traditional endotracheal tube - Average gestational age 26.6 weeks; Mean birth weight 911 g; Average Apgar score 4 in 1st minute, 6 in 5th minute. Premature newborns with exogenous surfactant supplementation - InSure method - Average gestational age 28.3 weeks; Average birth weight 1117 g; Mean Apgar score 6 in 1st minute, 7 in 5th minute. Premature newborns with exogenous surfactant supplementation - Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) method - Mean gestational age 29.9 weeks; Average birth weight 1444 g; Average Apgar score 7 in 1st minute, 8 in 5th minute. RESULTS: Noninvasive methods of respiratory support and minimally invasive surfactant administration (MISA) significantly reduced the incidence of severe RDS, compared to the traditional method. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive methods of respiratory support and MISA like LISA and InSure methods were safe and effective in the treatment of RDS.

[Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery]. / Poród droga pochwowa po cieciu cesarskim.

Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery has recently become a significant problem in obstetrics. The purpose of this paper was to present current expert knowledge about vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC), taking into account advantages and disadvantages mentioned in literature.

Surfactant administration without intubation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome--our experiences.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant replacement therapy is crucial in the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Classic strategies of surfactant administration required intubation. To reduce the need of intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV), we applied surfactant via a thin endotracheal catheter without intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared 26 preterm infants threatened by RDS treated with surfactant via a thin endotracheal catheter without intubation (studied group - SG) with a retrospective group of preterm infants managed on MV with early surfactant treatment using INtubation SURfactant Extubation (INSURE) method (control group - CG). Study had an approval from the ethics committee (RNN/6/14/KE). RESULTS: In the SG, 26 preterm infants were treated with one dose of surfactant (Curosurf®) administered via endotracheal catheter without intubation while receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP)/SiPAP (Infant Flow). After surfactant administration, significantly less patients in SG required intubation and MV (19.2%) versus 65% necessity of second intubation in the CG. The median of time of MV in SG was 5 d versus 3.5 d in CG. Median time spent on nCPAP was 5.5 d versus 4.0 d in CG. The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the SG was 53.9%, including 50% with ≥ IVH II versus 36.7% (30% ≥ IVH II) in CG. The incidence of other complications of prematurity in the SG, such as necrotizing enterocolitis was 11.5% versus 23.3% in CG, the hemodynamically important patent ductus arteriosus was observed in 53.9% in SG versus 45% in CG. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia level in SG was significantly lower (15.4%) than in CG (40%), and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in SG was also lower (3.9%) versus 11.7% in MV group. CONCLUSION: Surfactant application via a thin endotracheal catheter without intubation seems to be a beneficial therapy for preterm infants with slight and mild degree of RDS. This new method of surfactant application was associated with a lower prevalence of intubation and MV and better pulmonary outcome than implementation of traditional surfactant therapy (INSURE) and MV. Prospective randomized controlled trial is required.

Assessment of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and interleukin-18 count in the serum of IUGR newborns.

AIM: Aim of this study was to assess concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the serum of newborns with diagnosed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in comparison to concentrations in serum of newborns with weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA). MATERIALS: Research was conducted at the Lodz Medical University Clinic of Neonatology during 2010-2011. Surveyed group consisted of 50 hypotrophic full-term infants of single pregnancies (average weight: 2329 ± 287 g); control group, enclosing 50 infants AGA (average weight: 3544 ± 2161 g). Both groups received average Apgar score of 9 points. Concentrations of analysed cytokines were marked between 4-6 hours after birth. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to determine interleukins concentrations. Study was prospective. Statistics on the data were conducted with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Significance level: p < 0.05. RESULTS: Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 were elevated in the IUGR group in a statistically significant manner in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: An elevated level of IL-6 and IL-18 in the IUGR group, comparing to control group, signifies the existence of inflammation in the process of developing IUGR, therefore, screening tests estimating levels of interleukins as IL-6 and IL-18 might be clinically useful in predicting the occurrence of IUGR and help preventing it.