Orlando da Silva

Accuracy of leukocyte indices and C-reactive protein for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis: a critical review

To evaluate the value of C-reactive protein and leukocyte indices in the workup of patients suspected of having infection in a neonatal intensive care setting, a literature search was conducted in all languages using MEDLINE (1966 to May, 1994), EMBASE (1988 to May, 1994), bibliographic lists of primary and review articles and personal files. Citations identified as potentially relevant were reviewed by two independent investigators; only studies meeting preset criteria for population, diagnostic test and data presentation were included. Two observers independently assessed studies using explicit methodologic criteria. All data from the articles were extracted by one observer, whereas the second reviewer checked these data for accuracy. Four of the selected studies dealt with leukocyte cunt and ratios. The chi sequare test for homogeneity of proportions revealed significant heterogeneity across studies (P = 0.014 for the ratios; P < 0.001 for white blood cell count), suggesting that test properties varied widely across studies. Fifteen of the selected studies evaluated C-reactive protein; of these six were qualitative using a latex agglutination method. Among these studies the chi sequare test for homogeneity of proportions was highly significant (P < 0.01), reflecting the great heterogeneity across studies. Among the nine studies that evaluated five different quantitative methods heterogeneity was agiain present (P < 0.001). Because of the striking heterogeneity among the studies evaluated, pooling to give a summary point estimate of the sensitivity and specificity of the various studies was not possible and the results are reported as ranges. Clinicians faced with a neonate with suspected sepsis cannot rely on either C-reactive protein or leukocyte indices alone to make a decision, given that the results vary significantly depending on the methods of measurement used and the target population.

Outcomes of preterm infants <29 weeks gestation over 10-year period in Canada: a cause for concern?

Objective:To compare risk-adjusted changes in outcomes of preterm infants <29 weeks gestation born in 1996 to 1997 with those born in 2006 to 2007.Study Design:Observational retrospective comparison of data from 15 units that participated in the Canadian Neonatal Network during 1996 to 1997 and 2006 to 2007 was performed. Rates of mortality and common neonatal morbidities were compared after adjustment for confounders.Result:Data on 1897 infants in 1996 to 1997 and 1866 infants in 2006 to 2007 were analyzed. A higher proportion of patients in the later cohort received antenatal steroids and had lower acuity of illness on admission. Unadjusted analyses revealed reduction in mortality (unadjusted odds ratio (UAOR): 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63, 0.98), severe retinopathy (UAOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.92), but increase in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (UAOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.39 to 1.86) and patent ductus arteriosus (UAOR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.39). Adjusted analyses revealed increases in the later cohort for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.88, 95% CI: 1.60 to 2.20) and severe neurological injury (AOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.80). However, the ascertainment methods for neurological findings and ductus arteriosus differed between the two time periods.Conclusion:Improvements in prenatal care has resulted in improvement in the quality of care, as reflected by reduced severity of illness and mortality. However, after adjustment of prenatal factors, no improvement in any of the outcomes was observed and on the contrary bronchopulmonary dysplasia increased. There is need for identification and application of postnatal strategies to improve outcomes of extreme preterm infants.

Effects of morphine on the electroencephalograms of neonates: a prospective, observational study

OBJECTIVES Although opiates have been reported to profoundly alter the EEG and cause seizures in full-term and premature newborn babies, no prospective study has systematically studied the effects of morphine on the EEG of normal neonates. METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted on 20 neurologically and metabolically normal newborn babies of > or =26 weeks post-conceptional age, with EEG recordings performed while on and off morphine infusions. RESULTS The recordings performed while the babies were on morphine were all abnormal; the principal abnormalities consisted of prolonged periods of electrical quiescence (PPEQs) and excessive interictal epileptiform activity. After the morphine was discontinued, the PPEQs resolved and the EEG background rhythms were normal for age, but 5 continued to have excessive sharp transients. All babies did well clinically and did not require anti-epileptic drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS Morphine produces a profound, largely reversible alteration of all neonatal EEGs at various post-conceptional ages. The study has implications for caution in formulating conclusions regarding the clinical significance of EEGs of critically ill neonates on morphine infusions.

Myasthenia Gravis and Pregnancy: Clinical Implications and Neonatal Outcome

BackgroundThe myasthenia gravis is twice as common in women as in men and frequently affects young women in the second and third decades of life, overlapping with the childbearing years. Generally, during pregnancy in one third of patients the disease exacerbates, whereas in two thirds it remains clinically unchanged. Complete remission can occur in some patients.MethodsTo describe the clinical course, delivery and neonatal outcome of 18 pregnant women with the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Retrospective chart review of pregnant patients with myasthenia gravis, followed at the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City over an 8-year period. Data was abstracted from the medical records on the clinical course during pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome.ResultsFrom January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2003 18 patients with myasthenia gravis were identified and included in the study. The mean ± SD maternal age was 27.4 ± 4.0 years. During pregnancy 2 women (11%) had an improvement in the clinical symptoms of myasthenia gravis, 7 women (39%) had clinical worsening of the condition of 9 other patients (50%) remained clinically unchanged. Nine patients delivered vaginally, 8 delivered by cesarean section and 1 pregnancy ended in fetal loss. Seventeen infants were born at mean ± SD gestational age of 37.5 ± 3.0 weeks and a mean birth weight of 2710 ± 73 g. Only one infant presented with transient neonatal myasthenia gravis. No congenital anomalies were identified in any of the newborns.ConclusionsThe clinical course of myasthenia gravis during pregnancy is variable, with a significant proportion of patients experiencing worsening of the clinical symptoms. However, neonatal transient myasthenia was uncommon in our patient population.

Outcomes of Elective Labour Induction and Elective Caesarean Section in Low-risk Pregnancies Between 37 and 41 Weeks’ Gestation

OBJECTIVE To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes after elective induction of labour and elective Caesarean section with outcomes after spontaneous labour in women with low-risk, full-term pregnancies. METHODS We extracted birth data from 1996 to 2005 from an obstetrical database. Singleton pregnancies with vertex presentation, anatomically normal, appropriately grown fetuses, and no medical or surgical complications were included. Outcomes after elective induction of labour and elective Caesarean section were compared with the outcomes after spontaneous labour, using chi-square and Student t tests and logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 9686 women met the study criteria(3475 nulliparous, 6211 multiparous). The incidence of unplanned Caesarean section was higher in nulliparous women undergoing elective induction than in those with spontaneous labour (P < 0.001). Postpartum complications were more common in nulliparous and multiparous women undergoing elective induction (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and multiparous women undergoing elective Caesarean section, (P < 0.001). Rates of triage in NICU were higher in nulliparous women undergoing elective Caesarean section (P < 0.01), and requirements for neonatal free-flow oxygen administration were higher in nulliparous and multiparous women undergoing elective Caesarean section (P < 0.01 for each). Unplanned Caesarean section was 2.7 times more likely in nulliparous women undergoing elective induction of labour (95% CI 1.74 to 4.28, P < 0.001) and was more common among nulliparous and multiparous women undergoing induction of labour and requiring cervical ripening (P < 0. 001 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION Elective induction leads to more unplanned Caesarean sections in nulliparous women and to increased postpartum complications for both nulliparous and multiparous women. Elective Caesarean section has increased maternal and neonatal risks.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis, pulmonary sequestration, and favorable neonatal outcome

Background The association of pulmonary sequestration and nonimmune fetal hydrops reportedly carries a very poor prognosis for survival. We describe three newborns with good outcomes despite the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration; two cases were associated with hydrops fetalis and one with isolated fetal ascites. Cases Two neonates with severe hydrops fetalis had pulmonary sequestration diagnosed postnatally. A third infant presented early in gestation with marked fetal ascites that regressed spontaneously before delivery; this infant also had pulmonary sequestration. Despite severe respiratory insufficiency requiring aggressive management, all three infants survived after surgical resection of the sequestered lung mass. Conclusion These cases demonstrate the difficulties associated with antenatal counseling regarding long-term prognosis for infants with nonimmune hydrops and pulmonary sequestration. With optimal care in a tertiary perinatal center, a less pessimistic outlook than previously described in the literature may be appropriate.

Domperidone for lactating women

Reason for posting: Domperidone has been widely used as a motility and antiemetic agent.[1][1] In oral form it is also used off label to improve lactation in breast-feeding women. Intravenous domperidone has been withdrawn from the market worldwide because of reports of cardiac arrhythmia and sudden

Seizure and electroencephalographic changes in the newborn period induced by opiates and corrected by naloxone infusion.

OBJECTIVE:To describe the association between opioid administration in the newborn period and neurologic abnormalitiesSTUDY DESIGN:Case reports of two infants who presented with seizure activity and abnormal electroencephalograms associated with opiate administration, and reversed by naloxoneRESULTS:The first was a preterm infant who developed a burst-suppression pattern on the electroencephalogram while receiving a continuous infusion of morphine and muscle paralysis. Naloxone injection during the electroencephalogram recording reversed the burst-suppression pattern. The second was a term infant receiving fentanyl infusion for pain control following surgery, who presented with motor seizure that was only partially controlled with barbiturates. An abnormal electroencephalogram recording during the opiate infusion improved with naloxone administration.CONCLUSION: Our observations indicate a potential for neurologic abnormalities, including induction of seizure activity and electroencephalogram abnormalities, suggesting caution when opiates are used for sedation and/or pain control in the newborn period.

Adverse Impact of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Preterm Infants: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to examine the impact of exposure to maternal cigarette smoking on neonatal outcomes of very preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study examined preterm infants (<33 weeks gestational age) admitted to the Canadian Neonatal Network centers between 2003 and 2011. Mortality and major morbidities (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy) were compared between infants exposed and unexposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS Among 29,051 study infants, 4,053 (14%) were exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Multivariable analysis revealed higher odds of grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.41) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (adjusted OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02-1.33) in the smoking group, while mortality, severe retinopathy, and necrotizing enterocolitis were not significantly different. CONCLUSION Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with severe neurological injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.

Flumazenil's reversal of myoclonic-like movements associated with midazolam in term newborns.

Sedation is an important aspect of care for critically ill newborns. Proper sedation reduces stress during procedures such as mechanical ventilation. Midazolam, a short‐acting benzodiazepine, is widely administered as a sedative in newborn intensive care units but is not without side effects. Three term newborns developed myoclonic‐like abnormal movements after receiving midazolam. In one, flumazenil controlled the abnormal movements. Flumazenil is a potent benzodiazepine antagonist that competitively blocks the central effects of benzodiazepines. It can reverse the sedative effects of benzodiazepines occurring after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures or after benzodiazepine overdose. Flumazenil may be considered in cases of abnormal movements associated with midazolam. However, further studies are needed to provide guidelines for the administration of this drug in newborns.