Abimael Aranha Netto

Variability on red blood cell transfusion practices among Brazilian neonatal intensive care units

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions exist; however, transfusion practices vary among centers. This study aimed to analyze transfusion practices and the impact of patients and institutional characteristics on the indications of RBC transfusions in preterm infants.

Follow-up of neonatal jaundice in term and late premature newborns

OBJECTIVES To report on the results of a project following term and near term newborn infants who were jaundiced during the neonatal period. METHODS Neonates were referred to the follow-up clinic with weight >/= 2,000 g and/or gestational age >/= 35 weeks, and jaundice at discharge was initially assessed with an Ingram icterometer or Bilicheck and, if indicated, with a Unistat bilirubinometer (Leica). These newborn infants had bilirubinemia at or above the 40th percentile on the nomogram developed by Bhutani. All infants treated with phototherapy while in hospital were reassessed by laboratory methods 24 hours after withdrawal of treatment. Patients were rehospitalized for intensive phototherapy if their level was greater than or equal to 20 mg/dL. RESULTS From a total sample of 11,259 neonates, 2,452 (21.8%) were referred to the follow-up clinic, 87.2% (2,140) of whom did return. Eighty returned neonates were readmitted. Return appointments were set for 2,452 patients, 180 (7.3%) of whom had bilirubinemia >/= 15 mg/dL at discharge. Of these 180, 151 returned for follow-up. Twenty (13.2%) were readmitted for treatment. Of the total number of readmitted patients, two newborn infants had levels >/= 25 mg/dL and none >/= 30 mg/dL. All responded rapidly to intensive phototherapy, and there was no need for exchange transfusions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the regime adopted is effective for detecting and preventing hyperbilirubinemia at risk of causing bilirubin-induced encephalopathy in term and near term newborn infants.

Acompanhamento da icterícia neonatal em recém-nascidos de termo e prematuros tardios

OBJECTIVE: To report on the results of a project following term and near term newborn infants who were jaundiced during the neonatal period. METHODS: Neonates were referred to the follow-up clinic with weight > 2,000 g and/or gestational age > 35 weeks, and jaundice at discharge was initially assessed with an Ingram icterometer or Bilicheck and, if indicated, with a Unistat bilirubinometer (Leica). These newborn infants had bilirubinemia at or above the 40th percentile on the nomogram developed by Bhutani. All infants treated with phototherapy while in hospital were reassessed by laboratory methods 24 hours after withdrawal of treatment. Patients were rehospitalized for intensive phototherapy if their level was greater than or equal to 20 mg/dL. RESULTS: From a total sample of 11,259 neonates, 2,452 (21.8%) were referred to the follow-up clinic, 87.2% (2,140) of whom did return. Eighty returned neonates were readmitted. Return appointments were set for 2,452 patients, 180 (7.3%) of whom had bilirubinemia > 15 mg/dL at discharge. Of these 180, 151 returned for follow-up. Twenty (13.2%) were readmitted for treatment. Of the total number of readmitted patients, two newborn infants had levels > 25 mg/dL and none > 30 mg/dL. All responded rapidly to intensive phototherapy, and there was no need for exchange transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the regime adopted is effective for detecting and preventing hyperbilirubinemia at risk of causing bilirubin-induced encephalopathy in term and near term newborn infants.

Velocimetria Doppler no período neonatal em recém-nascidos a termo pequenos para idade gestacional

This study aimed to evaluate the cerebral blood flow of full term small-for-gestational age newborns, using cranial ultrasound Doppler at birth. This study was performed at CAISM/UNICAMP (Tertiary Health Center for Women). Sixty term newborns were selected and divided in two groups: appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) (36 neonates) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) (24 neonates). Cranial ultrasound Doppler evaluation was performed on both groups, between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was lower in the small-for-gestational age group, in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Doppler measurements were different statistically between the groups only for values related to peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) and mean flow velocity (MFV) in the ACA. There was no significant difference for any evaluated parameters of flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). It was concluded that SGA newborns showed PSFV and MFV significantly reduced only in the ACA. Weight/gestational age, neonatal polycythemia and mean arterial blood pressure values were statistically related to MFV in the ACA. In presence of fetal suffering, mean arterial blood pressure values and smoking in the pregnancy were statistically related to MFV in the MCA.

Antenatal corticosteroid use and clinical evolution of preterm newborn infants

OBJECTIVES To describe the use of antenatal corticosteroid and clinical evolution of preterm babies. METHODS An observational prospective cohort study was carried out. All 463 pregnant women and their 514 newborn babies with gestational age ranging from 23 to 34 weeks, born at the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network units, were evaluated from August 1 to December 31, 2001. The data were obtained through maternal interview, analysis of medical records, and follow-up of the newborn infants. Data analysis was performed with the use of chi-square, t Student, Mann-Whitney, and ANOVA tests and multiple logistic regression, with level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS Treatment was directly associated with the number of prenatal visits, with maternal hypertension and with the antenatal use of tocolytic agents. Babies from treated pregnant women presented better Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minute, reduced need for intervention in the delivery room and lower SNAPPE II. They were born with higher birth weight, longer gestational age and needed less surfactant use, ventilation, and oxygenation time. After multiple logistic regression, the use of antenatal corticosteroid independently improved birth conditions, decreased ventilation time, being related to increased occurrence of neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSIONS The use of corticosteroid was associated with better prenatal care and birth conditions, better preterm evolution but higher risk of infection.Hospital Das Clinicas Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP

The LEA Grating Test in assessing detection grating acuity in normal infants less than 4 months of age.

PURPOSE To assess binocular detection grating acuity using the LEA GRATINGS test to establish age-related norms in healthy infants during their first 3 months of life. METHOD In this prospective, longitudinal study of healthy infants with clear red reflex at birth, responses to gratings were measured at 1, 2, and 3 months of age using LEA gratings at a distance of 28 cm. The results were recorded as detection grating acuity values, which were arranged in frequency tables and converted to a one-octave scale for statistical analysis. For the repeated measurements, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the detection grating acuity results between ages. RESULTS A total of 133 infants were included. The binocular responses to gratings showed development toward higher mean values and spatial frequencies, ranging from 0.55 ± 0.70 cycles per degree (cpd), or 1.74 ± 0.21 logMAR, in month 1 to 3.11 ± 0.54 cpd, or 0.98 ± 0.16 logMAR, in month 3. Repeated ANOVA indicated differences among grating acuity values in the three age groups. CONCLUSIONS The LEA GRATINGS test allowed assessment of detection grating acuity and its development in a cohort of healthy infants during their first 3 months of life.

Cerebral blood flow assessment of preterm infants during respiratory therapy with the expiratory flow increase technique

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of respiratory therapy with the expiratory flow increase technique on cerebral hemodynamics of premature newborns. Methods: This is an intervention study, which included 40 preterm infants (≤34 weeks) aged 8-15 days of life, clinically stable in ambient air or oxygen catheter use. Children with heart defects, diagnosis of brain lesion and/or those using vasoactive drugs were excluded. Ultrasonographic assessments with transcranial Doppler flowmetry were performed before, during and after the increase in expiratory flow session, which lasted 5min. Cerebral blood flow velocity and resistance and pulsatility indices in the pericallosal artery were assessed. Results: Respiratory physical therapy did not significantly alter flow velocity at the systolic peak (p=0.50), the end diastolic flow velocity (p=0.17), the mean flow velocity (p=0.07), the resistance index (p=0.41) and the pulsatility index (p=0.67) over time. Conclusions: The expiratory flow increase technique did not affect cerebral blood flow in clinically-stable preterm infants.

Uso antenatal de corticosteóide e evolução clínica de recém-nascidos pré-termo

Hospital Das Clinicas Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP