Maria Aparecida Mezzacappa

Incidence and risk factors of accidental extubation in a neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and risk factors of accidental extubation (AE) in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine AE incidence density per 100 patient-days, during a 23-month period, in 222 newborns receiving assisted ventilation (AV). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for AE. The presence of a cyclical pattern in extubation rates, according to the variables of interest, was investigated by Cosinor analysis. RESULTS The mean AE rate was 5.34/100 patient-days ventilated. AE-associated predictive variables were: subsequent use of the oral and nasal routes during AV [relative risk (RR) = 4.73; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.92-11.60], AV duration (per day, RR = 1.03; 95%CI 1.02-1.04), and number of patient-days ventilated (RR = 1.01; 95%CI 1.01-1.02). According to the adjusted multiple regression analysis, total AV time was the only independent predictor of AE in this sample (RR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01-1.03). AV time of 10.5 days showed an accuracy of 0.79 (95%CI 0.71-0.87) for the occurrence of AE. Cosinor analysis showed significant periodicity in overall AE rate and in the number of patient-days ventilated. There was a significant correlation between the number of patient-days ventilated and AE frequency. CONCLUSION Mean AE density was 5.34/100 patient-days ventilated. AV duration was the only independent predictor of AE. The best accuracy for AE occurrence was achieved at 10.5 days of AV duration.

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.

Incidencia e fatores de risco para a extubação acidental em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

Objetivo: Determinar a incidencia, os fatores de risco para a extubacao acidental (EA) e a presenca de periodicidade nas taxas de EA em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal de nivel terciario. Metodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo para determinar a densidade de incidencia de extubacao acidental por 100 pacientes-dia durante o periodo de 23 meses, em 222 RN em assistencia ventilatoria (AV). Foram estudados os fatores de risco para a EA, por intermedio da analise de regressao logistica. A presenca de periodicidade nas taxas de extubacao, segundo as variaveis de interesse, foi investigada pela analise de Cosinor. Resultado: A media da taxa de extubacao acidental foi de 5,34/100 pacientes-dia ventilados. As variaveis preditoras que se associaram a extubacao acidental foram o uso subsequente da via oral e nasal durante a assistencia ventilatoria (RR=4,73; IC95% 1,92-11,60), duracao da assistencia ventilatoria (a cada dia RR=1,03; IC95% 1,02-1,04) e o numero de pacientes-dia/ventilados (RR=1,01; IC95% 1,01-1,02). Pela regressao multipla ajustada o tempo total de AV foi o unico preditor independente para a extubacao acidental nesta amostra (RR=1,02; IC95% 1,01-1,03). O tempo de AV de 10,5 dias apresentou acuracia de 0,79 (IC 95%-0,71-0,87) para a ocorrencia de EA. A analise de Cosinor demonstrou periodicidade significativa na taxa geral de EA e no numero de pacientes-dia ventilados. Houve correlacao significativa entre numero de pacientes-dia e a frequencia de EA. Conclusao: O unico preditor independente para EA foi a duracao da AV. A melhor acuracia para a ocorrencia de EA foi obtida aos 10,5 dias de duracao da AV Abstract

Gastric emptying in premature newborns with acute respiratory distress

Objectives: The authors hypothesized that acute respiratory distress (ARD) delays gastric emptying. The objective was to test this hypothesis by assessing gastric emptying on the second and seventh days of life in premature infants with ARD resulting from pulmonary disease. Methods: Thirty-nine newborns with ARD starting on the first day of life were selected and paired with 39 healthy control newborns matched by weight (within 250 g). Gestational age was ≤35 weeks and birth weight was ≤1750 g for all subjects. Gastric emptying was assessed at 48.0 ± 24.0 hours and at 168.0 ± 24.0 hours of life. A test meal consisting of 3 mL/kg of 5% glucose in water labeled with phenol red was administered by gastric tube over 1 minute and gastric retention was determined as percent test meal remaining in the stomach 30 minutes after administration. Results: Gastric retention at 30 minutes varied considerably in both groups and was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in newborns with ARD (61.4%) than controls (51.8%) at 48.0 ± 24.0 hours, decreasing significantly after partial or full remission of ARD at 168 ± 24 hours of life. Gastric retention was 60.2% in newborns with feeding intolerance and 36.8% in tolerant newborns (P < 0.001) at 168 hours. ARD and periventricular or intraventricular hemorrhage were predictors of gastric retention at 48 ± 24 hours of life, whereas feeding intolerance and gestational age were predictors of gastric retention at 168 ± 24 hours. Gastric retention was inversely correlated with gestational age. Conclusion: Gastric emptying is delayed in premature infants with ARD during the first 72 hours of life and may impair the initiation of enteral feeding.

Influência dos decúbitos dorsal e ventral na monitorização do pH esofágico em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso

BACKGROUND: Scarse information is available on the effects of bodys positioning in the number and the duration of gastroesophageal reflux episodes in very low birth weight infants. AIM: To evaluate the influence of prone compared to supine positions on the frequency and duration of acid gastroesophageal reflux episodes in very low birth weight infants and study the role of body position in the occurrence of exams with reflux index > 5% and > 10%. METHODS: Sixty one prolonged esophageal pH monitoring exams were retrospectively analyzed. The difference between the prone and supine position exam duration was not longer than 3 hours. The reflux index was evaluated for the total period of the exam (reflux index total) and for each period in the two positions. The total number of reflux episodes, the number of reflux episodes > 5 minutes and the longest reflux episode were evaluated for each period in the two positions. These parameters were compared in accordance with body positioning, for each one of the three reflux index total categories: reflux index total 5% and > 10%. The frequencies of exams with reflux index total > 5% and reflux index total > 10% were compared for both positions. RESULTS: The number of hours in prone (11.2 ± 1.0) and in supine (11.2 ± 1.1) position were not different. All the prone positions monitoring parameters were significantly lower than the supine ones, in the three reflux index total categories. In the supine position, 32.7% (20/61) and 27.8% (17/61) of the exams, which were normal in prone, became abnormal, taking into account reflux index > 5% and > 10%, respectively, obtained for each position. CONCLUSIONS: In prone position, there is a significant decrease in number and duration of acid reflux episodes in very low birth weight infants. Supine position promotes a significant increase in the number of esophageal pH monitoring exams with reflux index > 5% and > 10%, making easier the diagnose of the gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease in very low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE To assess risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in very low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS A case-control study was carried out in 23 cases and 23 control subjects with bronchopulmonary dysplasia submitted to 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring between January 2001 and October 2005. Cases and controls were compared for gestational age, birth weight, gender, use of antenatal steroids, duration of assisted ventilation, duration of oxygen therapy, length of gastric tube use, administration of xanthines, postconceptual age, and weight at esophageal pH monitoring. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to establish the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS None of the groups (with and without GERD) showed statistically significant differences in terms of demographic variables and postnatal outcome, use of antenatal and postnatal corticosteroids, or in terms of caffeine use and duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. However, feeding intolerance (OR = 6.55; 95%CI 1.05-40.8) and length of gastric tube use (OR = 1.67; 95%CI 1.11-2.51) turned out to be risk factors for GERD. Postconceptual age at the time of pH monitoring (OR = 0.02; 95%CI < 0.001-0.38) was regarded as a protective factor against GERD. CONCLUSION The data obtained allow inferring that prolonged gastric tube use and feeding intolerance increase the risk for GERD. On the other hand, older postconceptual age at the time of pH monitoring reduces the risk for GERD in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia weighing less than 1,500 g.

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.

Clinical predictors of abnormal esophageal pH monitoring in preterm infants

BACKGROUND Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease in preterm neonates have not been yet clearly defined. AIM To identify factors associated with increased esophageal acid exposition in preterm infants during the stay in the neonatal unit. METHODS A case-control study in preterm infants who had undergone prolonged monitoring of distal esophageal pH, following clinical indication. Eighty-seven preterms with reflux index (percentage of total time of esophageal pHmetry) > or = 10% (cases) and 87 unpaired preterms were selected with reflux index <10% (controls). Demographic variables, signs and symptoms, main diagnoses and some aspects of treatment were studied. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for birthweight and postconceptional age at the pH study were used. RESULTS The factors associated with a greater chance of reflux index > or = 10% in preterms were: vomiting, regurgitation, Apnea, female gender. The variables that were associated with a lower frequency of increased reflux index were: volume of enteral intake at the onset of symptoms > or = 147 mL/kg/day, and postnatal corticoid use. CONCLUSIONS Vomiting, regurgitation, apnea, female gender and acute respiratory distress during the first week of life were variables predictive of increased esophageal acid exposition in preterm infants with birthweight <2000 g. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and use of caffeine were not associated with reflux index > or = 10%.

Systematic follow-up of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates with a gestational age of 35 to 37 weeks

OBJECTIVES To determine the outcomes of an intervention for follow-up of bilirubinemia in the first week of life in a cohort of newborn infants with gestational ages between 35 0/7 and 37 6/7 weeks and to determine risk factors for readmission for phototherapy (total bilirubin > 18 mg/dL). METHODS Retrospective cohort study carried out at a public teaching hospital. Neonates underwent periodic monitoring of total bilirubin levels (measured in plasma or by transcutaneous device) before and after discharge to assess the need for phototherapy. A systematic approach, based on risk percentiles of a bilirubin reference curve, was employed. RESULTS The study sample comprised 392 neonates. Only one outpatient visit was required in 61.7% of newborns. Peak total bilirubin was ≥ 20 mg/dL in 34 neonates (8.7%), and reached 25-30 mg/dL in three (0.8%). Phototherapy was indicated after discharge in 74 neonates (18.9%). Weight loss between birth and first follow-up visit and total bilirubin above the 40th percentile at discharge were risk factors for requiring phototherapy. Total bilirubin above the 95th percentile at discharge was associated with greater risk of readmission (RR = 49.5 [6.6-370.3]). Weight loss between discharge and first follow-up visit was the sole independent clinical predictor (RR = 1.16 [1.04-1.17]). CONCLUSION Systematic follow-up during the first week of life was effective in preventing dangerous hyperbilirubinemia. Encouraging breastfeeding and discharging neonates only after weight loss has been stabilized may prevent readmission due to hyperbilirubinemia.

Manual therapy for childhood respiratory disease: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE This study reviewed the scientific evidence available on the effects of manipulative techniques on children with respiratory diseases. METHOD Three databases (SciELO, PEDro, and MEDLINE) were searched for clinical trials on the effects of manual therapy techniques on children and adolescents with respiratory diseases. The relevant studies were chosen by 2 independent researchers who assessed their abstracts and selected the studies that met the criteria for a complete and structured review. RESULTS Of the 1147 relevant titles, 103 titles were selected for abstract assessment, and of these, 24 were selected for a full-text review. After critical analysis, 8 studies were included in the review and 16 were excluded for the following reasons: 1 covered only conventional therapy, 7 were not about the studied theme, and 8 included adults. Of the 8 studies included in the present review, 5 consisted of asthmatic children and the others of children with the following conditions: cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis, recurrent respiratory infections, among others. Only 2 studies did not identify positive results with the use of manual therapy. The other 6 studies found some benefit, specifically in spirometric parameters, immunologic tests, anxiety questionnaire, or level of salivary cortisol. CONCLUSION The use of manual techniques on children with respiratory diseases seems to be beneficial. Chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, and massage are the most common interventions. The lack of standardized procedures and limited variety of methods used evidenced the need for more studies on the subject.