Hallvard Reigstad

Early Death, Morbidity, and Need of Treatment Among Extremely Premature Infants

Objective. To determine outcomes, in terms of perinatal and early death, need for treatment, and morbidity at the time of discharge home, among extremely preterm infants. Design. A prospective observational study of all infants with a gestational age (GA) of 22 to 27 completed weeks or a birth weight of 500 to 999 g who were born in Norway in 1999 and 2000. Results. Of 636 births, 174 infants (27%) were stillborn or died in the delivery room, 86 (14%) died in the NICU, and 376 (59%) were discharged from the hospital. The risk of being registered as stillborn or not being resuscitated increased with decreasing GA below 25 weeks. The survival rates for all births and for infants admitted to a NICU were, respectively, 0% for <23 weeks, 16% and 39% for 23 weeks, 44% and 60% for 24 weeks, 66% and 80% for 25 weeks, 72% and 84% for 26 weeks, 82% and 93% for 27 weeks, and 69% and 90% for >27 weeks. For the survivors, days of mechanical ventilation decreased from a median of 37 days to 3 days and the proportion in need of oxygen at 36 weeks’ postconceptional age decreased from 67% to 26% at 23 and 27 weeks’ GA, respectively. At 40 weeks’ postconceptional age, the respective figures were 11% and 6%. The proportion with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment decreased from 33% for GA of 23 weeks to 0% for >25 weeks. Periventricular hemorrhage of more than grade 2 occurred for 6% of the survivors and significant periventricular leukomalacia occurred for 5%, with no significant association with GA. The proportion of survivors without severe neurosensory or pulmonary morbidity increased from 44% for 23 weeks’ to 86% for 27 weeks’ GA. Apart from ROP, the morbidity rate was not associated with GA. Conclusions. The survival rate was high and the morbidity rate at discharge home was low in the present study, compared with previous population-based studies. With the exception of ROP, the morbidity rates among the survivors were not higher at the lowest GAs, possibly because withholding treatment was considered more acceptable for the most immature infants. The need for intensive care increased markedly for survivors with the lowest GAs.

Late-Onset Septicemia in a Norwegian National Cohort of Extremely Premature Infants Receiving Very Early Full Human Milk Feeding

Objectives. To investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for late-onset septicemia (LOS) in a national cohort of extremely premature infants who received very early full human milk feeding. Methods. A prospective study of all infants born in Norway in 1999 and 2000 with gestational age of <28 weeks or birth weight of <1000 g was performed. Extensive clinical information, including data on feeding practices and episodes of septicemia, was collected on predefined forms. LOS was defined as growth of bacteria or fungi in blood cultures in conjunction with clinical symptoms consistent with systemic infection occurring after day 6 of life. Cox regression models, including models allowing for time-dependent covariates, were applied in the analysis of LOS. Results. Of 464 eligible infants, 462 (99.6%) were enrolled and 405 (87.7%) survived until day 7. LOS was diagnosed for 80 (19.7%). The predominant pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by Candida spp. Case fatality rates associated with septicemia were 10% in general and 43% for Candida spp septicemia. Necrotizing enterocolitis or bowel perforation was diagnosed for 19 infants (4%). Enteral feeding with human milk was initiated within the third day for 98% of patients, and 92% were receiving full enteral feeding (FEF) with human milk within the third week. Both high Clinical Risk Index for Babies scores and an umbilical venous catheter in situ at 7 days of age significantly predicted LOS. However, the overall most influential risk factor for LOS was the number of days without establishment of FEF with human milk, with an adjusted relative risk of 3.7 (2.0–6.9) for LOS if FEF was not established within the second week of life. Conclusions. The incidence and case fatality rate of septicemia for this cohort of extremely preterm infants were lower than values in comparable studies. The main difference, compared with other studies, was the feeding practice, and the data suggest that very early FEF with human milk significantly reduces the risk of LOS among extremely premature infants.

Septicemia in the first week of life in a Norwegian national cohort of extremely premature infants.

Objectives. To investigate the incidence, causes, predictors, and outcomes of septicemia in the first week of life in a national cohort of extremely premature infants. Methods. A prospective study of survival of all infants with gestational age of <28 weeks or birth weight of <1000 g who were born in Norway in 1999–2000 was performed. Data on the maternal prenatal history, delivery, and neonatal course, including detailed information on episodes of microbiologically verified septicemia, were collected on predefined forms. Septicemia was reported in 2 groups, ie, episodes diagnosed on the day of delivery (ie, very early-onset septicemia [VEOS]) and episodes diagnosed from day 2 to day 7 of life (ie, early-onset septicemia [EOS]). Logistic regression models were used for the selection of variables for predictor analysis in each group. Results. Of 462 included infants, VEOS occurred for 15 (32.5 per 1000 population) and EOS for 15 (35.5 per 1000 population). The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli in VEOS (n = 9) and staphylococci (coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus) (n = 15) in EOS. Case fatality rates were 40% and 13%, respectively. Independent predictive factors for VEOS were clinical chorioamnionitis (odds ratio [OR]: 10.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.3-33.4) and high maternal age (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.3), whereas not receiving systemic antibiotic therapy within 2 days of age (OR: 13.6; 95% CI: 3.7–50.2) and receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) support at 24 hours of age (OR: 9.8; 95% CI: 2.5–38.4) independently predicted septicemia after the first day of life. Conclusions. Whereas vertically transmitted septicemia was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria, with predictors being exclusively of maternal origin, EOS was dominated by typically nosocomial flora, with n-CPAP treatment at 24 hours of age being a powerful predictor. Early n-CPAP treatment, as opposed to mechanical ventilation, as a powerful predictor of septicemia in the early neonatal period, even with adjustment for early systemic antibiotic treatment, is a new observation among extremely premature infants that warrants additional study.

Evaluation of a protocol for selecting fetuses in breech presentation for vaginal delivery or cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to evaluate, with respect to obstetric intervention and neonatal outcome, a protocol for selecting fetuses in breech presentation for vaginal delivery or cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN A clinical follow-up study was performed between 1984 and 1992 of all term singleton deliveries in breech presentation. Each case selected for vaginal delivery had a matched control in vertex presentation. RESULTS A total of 1212 infants presented as breech. Vaginal delivery increased from 45% to 57% (p = 0.004), and cesarean section for failure of vaginal delivery declined from 21% to 6% (p < 0.00001). None, however, died or had long-term sequelae because of a complicated or failed vaginal breech delivery. A total of 8.8% of those delivered vaginally in breech versus 5.0% of those in vertex presentation were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (p = 0.009). Among those with vaginal delivery, 2.5% in breech presentation were given the clinical diagnosis of birth asphyxia versus none in the vertex position (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Breech presentation at term may be selected for vaginal delivery if properly managed.

Neonatal mortality and morbidity in extremely preterm small for gestational age infants: a population based study

Aim: To assess if growth restricted (small for gestational age, SGA) extremely preterm infants have excess neonatal mortality and morbidity. Methods: This was a cohort study of all infants born alive at 22–27 weeks’ post menstrual age in Norway during 1999–2000. Outcomes were compared between those who were SGA, defined as a birth weight less than the fifth percentile for post menstrual age, and those who had weights at or above the fifth percentile. Results: Of 365 infants with a post menstrual age of <28 weeks, 31 (8%) were SGA. Among infants with a post menstrual age of <28 weeks, only chronic lung disease was associated with SGA status (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). SGA infants with a post menstrual age of 26–27 weeks had excess neonatal mortality (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 11), chronic lung disease and a significantly higher mean number of days (age) before tolerating full enteral nutrition. SGA infants with a post menstrual age of 22–25 weeks had an excess risk of necrotising enterocolitis. Conclusion: Extremely preterm SGA infants had excess neonatal mortality and morbidity in terms of necrotising enterocolitis and chronic lung disease.

Immediate Treatment Versus Sonographic Surveillance for Mild Hip Dysplasia in Newborns

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a blinded, randomized, controlled trial to examine whether mildly dysplastic but stable or instable hips would benefit from early treatment, as compared with watchful waiting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 128 newborns with mild hip dysplasia (sonographic inclination angle [α angle] of 43°–49°) and stable or instable but not dislocatable hips were randomly assigned to receive either 6 weeks of abduction treatment (immediate-treatment group) or follow-up alone (active-sonographic-surveillance group). The main outcome measurement was the acetabular inclination angle, measured by radiograph, at 1 year of age. RESULTS: Both groups included 64 newborns, and there was no loss to follow-up. With the exception of a small but statistically significant excess of girls in the active-sonographic-surveillance group, there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The mean inclination angle at 12 months was 24.2° for both groups (difference: 0.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.8 to 0.9]), and all children had improved and were without treatment. The mean α angle was 59.7° in the treatment group and 57.1° in the active-surveillance group for a difference of 2.6° evaluated after 1.5 and 3 months (95% CI: 1.8 to 3.4; P < .001). At 1.5 months of age, the hips had improved in all treated children but not in 5 children under active surveillance (P = .06). Among the sonographic-surveillance group, 47% received treatment after the initial surveillance period of 1.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Active-sonographic-surveillance halved the number of children requiring treatment, did not increase the duration of treatment, and yielded similar results at 1-year follow-up. Given a reported prevalence of 1.3% for mildly dysplastic but stable hips, a strategy of active surveillance would reduce the overall treatment rate by 0.6%. Our results may have important implications for families as well as for health care costs.

Ganciclovir therapy of congenital cytomegalovirus disease

A newborn with cytomegalovirus disease with cerebral involvement was treated with ganciclovir for 21 days. The treatment resulted in only temporary cessation of virus shedding in the urine and probably had no ameliorating effect on the long‐term clinical outcome.

Preterm elective caesarean section and early enteral feeding in gastroschisis

Aims:  To evaluate the effect of elective caesarean section (CS) before term and early enteral nutrition on length of parenteral nutrition and hospital stay in infants with gastroschisis.

Mid-childhood outcomes after pre-viable preterm premature rupture of membranes

Objectives:Investigate cardiorespiratory outcomes in children surviving previable preterm premature rupture of membranes (PV-PPROM) before 22 weeks’ gestational age (GA) with minimum 2 weeks latency.STUDY Design:Single institution, follow-up of retrospectively identified children who were born after PV-PPROM during 2000–2004, and individually matched preterm-born controls.Results:Eleven PV-PPROM and matched control children were included at mean age of 10.5 and 10.7 years. Rupture of membranes occurred at mean GA 182 and 276 weeks and birth at 283 and 286 weeks, respectively. Compared to controls, the PV-PPROM group had significantly poorer lung function, findings on echocardiography indicating mild pulmonary hypertension, and lower peak oxygen consumption. Chart reviews suggested more motor difficulties and a tendency towards more problems with learning and attention.Conclusion:The findings highlight a preterm-born sub-group in need of targeted long-term monitoring and possibly interventions regarding future cardiorespiratory and neurodevelopmental function.

Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein in healthy term-born Norwegian infants 48-72 hours after birth

To determine serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in healthy term‐born infants shortly after birth.