Kanya Mukhopadhyay

Bone and joint infection in neonates

A retrospective study was done to review the clinical experience of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in the newborns in our centre. Case records of all the neonates born from January 1989 to August 1994 and those admitted to outborn nursery from 1985 to 1993 were reviewed. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/osteomyelitis was made in the presence of relevant clinical signs and supported by positive culture from blood or joint fluid and abnormal X-ray or ultrasound findings. The incidence of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis among inborn babies was 1 in 1500. There were 25 neonates with mean gestational age 34.5 (range 27–40) weeks and mean birth weight 2269 (range 990–4750) gms.Limitation of movement (64%) and local swelling (60%) were commonest presentations. A total of 33 joints were involved in 25 babies. Eight babies (32%) had multiple joint involvement. Hip and knee were the most commonly involved joints (48% each). In 19 babies (76%) joint involvement occurred in association with a generalized septicemic illness while 6 babies (24%) had localised signs and symptoms. Joint aspirate was positive for gram stain or culture in 12 (48%) and 10 babies (40%) had positive blood culture.Klebsiella pneumoniae andStaphylococcus aureus were commonest isolates. Radiological changes were seen in 13 (52%) babies. All were treated with appropriate antibiotics and open surgical drainage was done in 5 (20%) cases.Bone and joint infections are important complications in sick septicemic neonates and need early diagnosis, appropriate management with antibiotics, surgical drainage in selected cases to prevent long term morbidity.

Prediction of feed intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates with absent end diastolic flow in umbilical artery and the correlation of feed intolerance with postnatal superior mesenteric artery flow.

Objectives. To evaluate the role of postnatal superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow in predicting feed intolerance and NEC in the babies who had AEDF in comparison with gestation matched SGA and AGA with normal flow. Design. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in 62 eligible babies admitted in NICU. Babies were enrolled in 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 23) was SGA and AEDF, group 2 (n = 20) was SGA and group 3 (n = 19) was AGA and both with normal UA flow. In all babies baseline SMA flow was measured before test feed (0.5 ml) and repeated every 15 minutes for 1 hour after the feed. Results. Feed intolerance was seen in 69.5% of babies in group1 (p = <0.001) as compared to 20% and 17.5% in group 2 and 3. Four (17.3%) babies developed NEC in group1 (p = 0.02) but none in other 2 groups. Baseline peak systolic velocity (PSV) and time average mean velocity (TAMV) at 60 min post feed were significantly (p = 0.01 and 0.028 respectively) lower in group1 than group3. TAMV and PSV at 60 min post feed were significantly lower (p = 0.028 and 0.03) in babies with feed intolerance as compared to no feed intolerance group. Absent end diastolic flow and hypoglycemia were independent risk factors for feed intolerance. Conclusion. SGA babies with AEDF had higher incidence of feed intolerance and NEC. Serial SMA flow studies specially the 60 min post feed study may help in differentiating which babies are likely to develop feed intolerance.

Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy

The aim of the study was to determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) in children who underwent double volume exchange transfusion (DVET). The 25 referred newborns of ≥ 35 weeks gestation with total serum bilirubin >20 mg dl(-1) and signs of ABE were enrolled and followed up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Denver Development Screening Test (DDST), Neurological examination along with MRI at discharge and brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA) at 3 months were done. Abnormal neurodevelopment was defined as either (i) cerebral palsy or (ii) abnormal DDST or (iii) abnormal BERA. The mean bilirubin at admission was 37 mg dl(-1). MRI and BERA were abnormal in 61% and 76%. At 1 year, DDST and neurological abnormality were seen in 60% and 27% and 80% had combined abnormal neurodevelopment. MRI had no relation (P = 0.183) but abnormal BERA had a significant association (P = 0.004) with abnormal outcome. Intermediate and advanced stages of ABE associated with significant adverse outcome in spite of DVET.

Longitudinal growth of very low birth weight neonates during first year of life and risk factors for malnutrition in a developing country

To study growth of very low birth weight neonates (VLBW) during first year and identify risk factors for malnutrition.

Predictors of mortality and major morbidities in extremely low birth weight neonates

ObjectivesTo determine predictors of mortality and morbidity in extremely low birth weight neonates (ELBW) from a developing countryStudy designProspective observational study.SettingLevel III neonatal unit in Northern India.SubjectsNeonates <1000g born and admitted to intensive care during study period were enrolled. They were analyzed based on survival and development of major morbidity. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine independent risk factors.OutcomeMortality and major morbidity (one or more of the following: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) requiring laser, grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stage III) during hospital stay.ResultsOf 255 ELBW neonates born, 149 received optimal care, of which 78 (52%) survived and 57 (39%) developed morbidities. Mean birth weight and gestational age were 29.1±2.6 weeks and 843±108g. Major causes of mortality were sepsis (46%), birth asphyxia (20%) and pulmonary hemorrhage (19%). Birth weight ≤800g [OR (95% CI)-3.51 (1.39–8.89), P=0.008], mechanical ventilation [4.10 (1.64–10.28), P=0.003] and hypotensive shock [10.75 (4.00–28.89), P<0.001] predicted mortality while birth weight ≤800g [3.75 (1.47–9.50), P=0.006], lack of antenatal steroids [2.62 (1.00–6.69), P=0.048), asphyxia [4.11 (1.45–11.69), P=0.008], ventilation [4.38 (1.29–14.79), P=0.017] and duration of oxygen therapy [0.004 (1.001–1.006), P=0.002] were the predictors of major morbidities.ConclusionsLow birth weight, mechanical ventilation and hypotensive shock predicted mortality in ELBW neonates while low birth weight, lack of antenatal steroids, birth asphyxia, ventilation and duration of oxygen therapy were predictors for major morbidity.

Iron status at birth and at 4 weeks in preterm-SGA infants in comparison with preterm and term-AGA infants

Objective: To determine the iron status at birth in preterm small for gestational age (SGA) in comparison with preterm appropriate for gestation (AGA) and term-AGA infants. Methods: Mother–infant pairs with gestation of < 37 weeks, both SGA, and preterm-AGA and term-AGA as control were enrolled. Maternal, cord blood and infant blood samples at 4 weeks were obtained for various iron indices – cord serum ferritin, proportion of infants with “low” serum ferritin, serum ferritin at 4 weeks and correlation among maternal and neonatal iron indices – hemoglobin,serum ferritin and total iron-binding capacity. Results: There were 50 mother–infant pairs in each group. Cord serum ferritin levels were less in preterm-SGA group as compared to preterm-AGA group (median [interquartile range]: 68 [30 113] vs. 120 [73 127], p = 0.002) and preterm-AGA had less cord ferritin than term-AGA (141 [63 259], p = 0.006). The proportion of the infants with “low” serum ferritin was more in preterm-SGA than in preterm-AGA (16 [32%] vs. 5 [10%], p = 0.01). The serum ferritin levels at follow-up were also less in preterm-SGA as compared to preterm-AGA (143.5 ± 101 vs. 235.1 ± 160, p = 0.004). Other cord blood iron indices and follow-up serum ferritin levels were similar. There was no correlation among various maternal and neonatal cord iron parameters. Conclusions: Preterm-SGA infants have lesser total iron stores as compared to gestation-matched AGA infants, which is again lesser than term infants. Future studies can be planned to look at iron status at 12 months as well as their neurodevelopmental outcome.

Iron status at birth and at 4 weeks in term small-for-gestation infants in comparison with appropriate-for-gestation infants

Objective. To determine body iron stores at birth in term small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants as compared to appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants. Methods. In this prospective study, mother–infant pairs with gestation of ≥37 weeks and birth weight of at least 1.5 kg were enrolled. Asymmetric SGA infants were taken as cases and term AGA infants as controls. Maternal, cord blood, and infant blood samples at 4 weeks were obtained for measurement of various iron indices – cord serum ferritin, serum ferritin at 4 weeks, and correlation among maternal and neonatal iron indices – Hb, serum iron, ferritin, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Results. There were 50 SGA and 50 AGA mother–infant pairs. Cord serum ferritin levels were low in SGA group as compared to AGA [median (IQR): 68 (30,136) vs. 141 (63,259), p = 0.007]. The proportion of infants with ‘low’ cord ferritin (<40 μg/l) were more in SGA [p = 0.05]. There was no correlation among various maternal and neonatal cord iron parameters. The serum ferritin levels at 4 weeks were similar in both the groups (p = 0.16). Conclusions. Term SGA infants have lesser total iron stores as compared to AGA infants at birth. Future studies can be designed to look at long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of the SGA babies with low as well as normal ferritin and also the role of early iron supplementation in term SGA neonates.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Brain Abscess in Neonates: A Report of 2 Cases

Brain abscesses are uncommon in neonates. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a very uncommon microbial agent to cause brain abscess. We report 2 infants with Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis who developed brain abscesses. One infant was a premature neonate who required mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome and subsequently developed nosocomial sepsis and brain abscess without evidence of preceding meningitis. Another infant was a full-term neonate without risk factors for sepsis who developed seizures on the sixth postnatal day and was found to have meningitis and brain abscess. Both infants had Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia with multiple relatively large brain abscesses that responded poorly to antimicrobial agents. These infants were managed with transfontanel drainage and prolonged courses of antimicrobial agents. Key message of this report is that Klebsiella pneumoniae brain abscess may occur in the absence of meningitis and even in the absence of any identifiable risk factors.

Intravenous immunoglobulins in rhesus hemolytic disease.

Objective: To evaluate the role of intravenous immunoglobulins in Rh hemolytic disease of newborn.Methods: The study included all DCT positive Rh isoimmunized babies admitted in the unit from August 2000 to February 2001. Intravenous immunoglobulins in the dose of 500 mg/kg on day 1 and day 2 of life in addition to the standard therapy. Babies who received IVIG were compared with those who did not receive IVIG for the peak bilirubin levels, duration of phototherapy, number of exchange transfusions, discharge PCV and the need for blood transfusions for late anemia till 1 months of age.Results: A total of 34 babies were eligible for the study. 8 babies received IVIG and 26 babies only standard treatment. The mean maximum bilirubin levels were significantly lower in the IVIG group compared to the group who received NO IVIG (16.52 ± 2.96 Vs 22.72 ± 8.84, p=0.004). Five babies in the IVIG group (62.5%) and 23 babies in the NO IVIG group required exchange transfusions (88.5%, p=0.014). 12 of the 26 babies in the NO IVIG group required multiple exchange transfusions while none of the babies in IVIG group required more one exchange transfusion (p=0.03). The mean duration of phototherapy was 165 ± 109 hours in the IVIG group as against 119 ± 56 hours in the NO IVIG group (p=0.29). Blood transfusion for anemia was more common in the IVIG group (37.5 % Vs 11.5% p=0.126) though the packed cell volumes at discharge were similar in both the groups (39.5 ±11 Vs 40 ± 5.1, P=0.92).Conclusion; Intravenous immunoglobulins is effective in decreasing the maximum bilirubin levels and the need for repeated exchange transfusions in Rh hemolytic disease of newborn. There is however an increased need for blood transfusions for late anemia in the babies treated with IVIG.

Predictors of mortality in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome

ObjectiveTo identify risk factors for mortality in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome.MethodsAll neonates (2004–2010) with meconium aspiration syndrome, irrespective of gestation were included. Risk factors were compared between those who died and survived.ResultsOut of 172 included neonates, 44 (26%) died. Mean (SD) gestation and birth weight were 37.9 (2.3) weeks and 2545 (646g), respectively. Myocardial dysfunction [aOR 28.4; 95% CI (8.0–101); P<0.001] and higher initial oxygen requirement [aOR 1.04; 95% CI (1.02–1.07); P<0.001] increased odds of dying while a higher birth weight [aOR 0.998; 95% CI (0.997–1.00); P=0.005] reduced the odds of dying.ConclusionsMeconium aspiration syndrome is associated with significant mortality. Myocardial dysfunction, birth weight, and initial oxygen requirement are independent predictors of mortality.