Srinivas Murki

Blood Exchange Transfusion for Infants with Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Blood exchange transfusion has become a rare event in most developed countries. As a result, many pediatricians may not have performed or even seen one. However, it remains a frequent emergency rescue procedure for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in many underdeveloped regions of the world. Conventionally, exchange transfusion has been performed via a central umbilical venous catheter by pull-push cycle method and recently peripheral artery/peripheral vein has emerged as an alternative, isovolumetric route. Continuous arterio-venous exchange is possibly more effective though its automation has not been successful. Concerns for procedural and operator related adverse events have been raised in the context of declining indications. A required continued expertise for this life-saving intervention, in the face of rare but critical hyperbilirubinemia and/or unrecognized hemolytic diseases, deserves adaptation of newer technologies to make neonatal exchange transfusion a safer and more effective procedure. Technological innovations and simulation technologies are urgently needed.

Gestational age-specific centile charts for anthropometry at birth for south Indian infants

ObjectiveTo construct centile charts for birth weight, length and head circumference for infants born from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation and to compare with the other national and international growth charts.Study designObservational descriptive study.SubjectsAll consecutively live born singleton infants from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation.MethodsData were retrieved for the birth weight, length and head circumference of infants born from July 1999 to October 2009. Smoothened percentile curves were created separately for the male and female infants by Lambda Mu Sigma (LMS) method. The new curves were compared with the other Indian and international growth charts.ResultsRaw and smoothened curves for weight, length and head circumference centiles at birth were created from 31,391 (males: 16,054 and females: 15,337), 28,812, (males: 14,730 and females: 14,082), and 28,790 (males: 14,724 and females: 14,066) infants, respectively. Females infants were lighter than the male infants, especially from 35 weeks onwards. On comparing the study curves with the other Indian growth curves, for infants less than 35 weeks, the mean birth weight for the study infants were similar or lower and for infants greater than 35 weeks, they were higher. On comparison of our weight centiles with the international data, across all gestations and across all centiles, our birth weights are lower.ConclusionThe updated centile charts in this study may be used as reference charts for the birth weight, length and head circumference for the local population. Using earlier growth charts or the Western charts would misclassify the infants at birth into SGA or LGA.

Early Routine versus Late Selective Surfactant in Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) benefit from early application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). However, it is not clear whether surfactant should be administered early as a routine to all such infants or later in a selective manner. Objective: It was the aim of this study to compare the efficacy of early routine versus late selective surfactant treatment in reducing the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) during the first week of life among moderate-sized preterm infants with RDS being supported by nCPAP. Methods: Infants born at 280/7 to 336/7 weeks of gestation with RDS and on nCPAP were randomly assigned within the first 2 h of life to early routine surfactant administration by the InSurE technique (early surfactant group) or to late selective administration of surfactant (late surfactant group). The primary outcome was need for MV in the first 7 days of life. Results: Among 153 infants randomized to early (n = 74) or late surfactant (n = 79) groups, the need for MV was significantly lower in the early surfactant group (16.2 vs. 31.6%; relative risk 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.19–0.91). The incidence of pneumothorax (1.9 vs. 2.3%) and the need for supplemental O2 at 28 days (2.7 vs. 8.9%) were similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Early routine surfactant administration within 2 h of life as compared to late selective administration significantly reduced the need for MV in the first week of life among preterm infants with RDS on nCPAP.

Kangaroo Mother Care in Kangaroo ward for improving the growth and breastfeeding outcomes when reaching term gestational age in very low birth weight infants.

Aim:  To study the effect of Kangaroo mother care in the Kangaroo ward in comparison with conventional care at neonatal unit on growth and breastfeeding in very low birth weight infants at 40 weeks’ corrected gestational age.

A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Prophylactic Oral Phenobarbital to Reduce the Need for Phototherapy in G6PD-Deficient Neonates

OBJECTIVE:Decreased conjugation is probably more important than hemolysis for causing jaundice in G6PD-deficient neonates. The role of enzyme inducers, like phenobarbital, in G6PD deficiency is unclear. This randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate Phenobarbitals role in reducing the need for phototherapy among G6PD-deficient neonates.STUDY DESIGN:This stratified, randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a level III NICU. Consecutive babies with gestation ≥34 weeks and birth weight ≥1800 g were screened from cord blood. G6PD-deficient neonates, who were otherwise healthy, were enrolled. Rh isoimmunization, maternal Phenobarbital use and lack of parental consent were exclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 5 mg/kg day of oral phenobarbital/ placebo for first 3 days. They were monitored daily for total serum bilirubin (TSB) until declining TSB was documented twice. The primary outcome was requirement for phototherapy and secondary outcomes were duration of phototherapy, need for exchange transfusion, peak TSB and adverse effects. Sample size of 56 could detect a decline in phototherapy requirement from 40 to 5% with 80% power and 5% error.RESULTS:Of 2370 babies screened, 63 were G6PD-deficient. Of them, 56 eligible babies were allocated to phenobarbital (n=27) or placebo (n=29). The mean age of administration of the first dose was 18.55±7.3 h. In total, 44% in phenobarbital group and 41% in placebo group required phototherapy (p=1.0). There was no significant difference in exchange transfusion rates (18.5 vs 10%, p=0.46). No baby had adverse reactions.CONCLUSION:Prophylactic oral phenobarbital does not decrease the need for phototherapy or exchange transfusions in G6PD-deficient neonates.

Bacteriological profile and clinical predictors of ESBL neonatal sepsis.

Abstract Study objective: Bacteriologic profile and risk factors for ESBL sepsis in newborns admitted to a Level III NICU. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study that enrolled newborns admitted to NICU with perinatal risk factors or clinical signs of sepsis and positive blood culture from January 2013 to August 2014. Blood cultures were done by BACTEC and ESBL production was evaluated from double-disc synergy method. Maternal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors were recorded from the case records and computerized information base. Mothers received cephalosporins for PPROM but its use was restricted in newborns for both probable and culture-positive sepsis. Results: Among the infants with sepsis 24% had early-onset sepsis. The incidence of ESBL of early-onset Gram-negative sepsis (EOGNS) was 44.7% (n = 17 of 38) and it was 65% in late-onset Gram-negative sepsis (n = 84 of 129). The predominant ESBL-producing microbe responsible for neonatal sepsis was Klebsiella sp. Among newborns with EOGNS, the risk factors for the production of ESBL were preterm PROM (p = 0.004) and maternal exposure to antibiotics (p = 0.05). Conclusion: ESBL Gram-negative sepsis is a substantial problem in neonatal infections. Maternal exposure to cephalosporins and maternal PPROM are important risk factors for ESBL Gram-negative EOS.

Fatal neonatal renal failure due to maternal enalapril ingestion

ACE inhibitors are commonly used drugs in the management of adult hypertension. However their use in pregnant women can have serious effects on the fetus. In this manuscript we report a case of fatal neonatal renal failure associated with maternal intake of enalapril during third trimester and review the related literature. Case. The index case was born to a mother with PIH which was treated with enalapril (5 mg) once a day for 21 days prior to delivery in addition to other anti-hypertensives. Temporally, use of enalapril was associated with the onset of oligohydramnios. The neonate presented with intrauterine growth retardation, hydrops and oliguric renal failure, which did not respond to furosemide, peritoneal dialysis and exchange transfusion. Autopsy showed macroscopically and microscopically normal kidneys. Conclusion.  Use of ACE inhibitors during pregnancy should be avoided.

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.

Use of lactoferrin in the newborn: where do we stand?

Abstract Sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cause significant morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Their ill effects persist in spite of appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy. Lactoferrin as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of sepsis or NEC in the newborn may improve the clinical outcomes by enhancing the host defense and modulating the inflammatory response. This review focuses on the various aspects of lactoferrin use in the newborn.

Intrauterine Growth Retardation - A Review Article

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is defined as fetal growth less than the normal growth potential of a specific infant because of genetic or environmental factors. The terms IUGR and Small for Gestational Age (SGA) are often used alternatively to describe the same problem, although there exists subtle differences between the two. The burden of IUGR is concentrated mainly in Asia which accounts for nearly 75% of all affected infants. Various maternal, placental, neonatal, environmental and genetic factors are contributing to the preponderance of IUGR infants in Asia. These newborns are unique because of their peculiar and increased risk of immediate and long term complications in comparison with the appropriate gestational age born infants. In this review we would like to present the types of IUGR infants; possible etiology related to maternal, fetal and placental causes; short term and long term neurodevelopmental outcomes, and evidence based preventive interventions effective in reducing the IUGR burden. This review also highlights the genetic contribution of the mother to the fetus and the placenta in the genesis of unexplained or idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction.