Tzipora Strauss

Developmental characteristics of late preterm infants at six and twelve months: a prospective study.

AIMnTo longitudinally assess the neurodevelopmental outcomes of late preterm infants (LPI) through the first year of life and to investigate for perinatal conditions that may affect developmental outcomes.nnnMETHODSnThe study population comprised of 124 LPI, born in a single Israeli inborn center over an eight months period. Thirty-three term infants (TI) were recruited for comparison. Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for gross motor evaluation was performed at 6 months of age and the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS) were performed at 12 months (chronological age). Maternal and neonatal covariates, potentially associated with low developmental scores, were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models.nnnRESULTSnAt chronological age of 6 and 12 months, LPI performed significantly lower than TI on all subscales, but when scores were corrected for post conception age, developmental scores were similar in the two groups. In a multivariate model of logistic regression, male gender, emergent cesarean section and higher maternal education (>14 years) were found to be associated with increased risk for lower developmental scores at 12 month of age in LPI.nnnCONCLUSIONSnLPI do not complete their neurodevelopmental maturation by the first year of life. Males and those born after emergent cesarean section (CS) are at increased risk for lower developmental scores. Correction of age to term birth in LPI may still be needed at this age.

Neonatal IVH – mechanisms and management

Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs predominantly in very low birth weight premature infants. Survivors of severe IVH frequently experience long-term consequences including major neurological deficits. Advances in neonatal and obstetric care in the last decades, have led to a steady decline in mortality and in the incidence of IVH. However, significant improvements in the survival rates small premature infants have led to an increase in the population of newborns prone to IVH. The pathogenesis of IVH is multifactorial. Prematurity of the germinal matrix, fluctuations in cerebral blood flow, hypoxic ischemic cerebral injury and developmental hemostatic abnormalities of newborns are important risk factors. The following manuscript will address the epidemiology and pathogenesis of IVH and review studies regarding potential pro-coagulant therapy.

Short-Term Neonatal Outcome among Term Infants after in utero Exposure to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Background: Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are commonly in use during pregnancy. Objectives: To evaluate short-term neonatal clinical signs among infants exposed to intrauterine SRI medications, in order to estimate the need for postnatal monitoring and observation. Methods: Retrospective review of clinical data in medical files of term infants born to mothers who reported treatment with SRIs during pregnancy. Results: Out of 401 infants in the study group, 165 (41%) were reported to have at least 1 clinical symptom, including respiratory distress, jitteriness, restlessness, feeding difficulties, regurgitations, fever ≥38°C, a short cyanotic event and convulsions. In the symptomatic group, 70% exhibited mild symptoms, among them restlessness, jitteriness or feeding difficulties, while around 30% exhibited significant symptoms. Overall, 12% of the total cohort, mostly males (70%), presented significant clinical symptoms, but none had an urgent or life-threatening condition. Infants in the study group were shorter in length and had a higher rate of Apgar score <7 at 1 min, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and respiratory distress. Conclusions: Despite the high incidence of clinical signs among infants born to SRI-treated mothers, most of their symptoms were mild and self-limited. These infants should be observed while they are close to their mothers on the maternity ward for 48 h after birth.

Restrictive management of neonatal polycythemia.

Partial exchange transfusion (PET) is traditionally suggested as treatment for neonates diagnosed with polycythemia. Nevertheless, justification of this treatment is controversial. We evaluated the risk for short-term complications associated with a restrictive treatment protocol for neonatal polycythemia. A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted. Three treatment groups were defined and managed according to their degree of polycythemia, defined by capillary tube filled with venous blood and manually centrifuged hematocrit: group 1, hematocrit 65 to 69% and no special treatment was recommended; group 2, hematocrit 70 to 75% and intravenous fluids were given and feedings were withheld until hematocrit decreased to < 70%; and group 3, hematocrit ≥ 76% or symptomatic neonates and PET was recommended. During the study period, 190 neonates were diagnosed with polycythemia. The overall rate of short-term complications was 15% (28 neonates). Seizures, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, or thrombosis did not occur in any participating neonates. PET was performed in 31 (16%) neonates. The groups did not differ in their rate of early neonatal morbidities or length of hospitalization. Restrictive treatment for neonatal asymptomatic polycythemia is not associated with an increased risk of short-term complications.

Activated protein C concentrate treatment for skin necrosis under warfarin treatment in severe genetic protein C deficiency combined with prothrombin mutation and factor V Leiden.

Activated protein C concentrate treatment for skin necrosis under warfarin treatment in severe genetic protein C deficiency combined with prothrombin mutation and factor V Leiden -

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and the need for paediatrician attendance.

To determine perinatal parameters among term newborn infants born by vaginal delivery with meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) that needed paediatrician assistance.

Carina Angle Measurements for Diagnosis of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants

Background: Bedside diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) continues to be important, especially when echocardiography is not readily available. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether measurement of left main bronchus displacement portrayed on a chest X-ray as a widened carina angle (CA) may support the presumptive diagnosis of PDA. Methods: Displacement of the left bronchus was assessed by measuring the angle between the two main bronchi at the level of the carina in 47 infants with PDA and 73 with no evidence of ductus, all born before 32 weeks of gestation. Results: The PDA group had a significantly wider CA (99.9 ± 12.1°) compared to the no-ductus group (72.9 ±15.7°; p < 0.001). Resolution of the PDA resulted in closure of the CA (62.3 ± 10.8°). We observed a significant and positive association between an increased CA measurement and PDA occurrence (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4–2.1). A CA cutoff point of 90° had the highest sensitivity (85%) and specificity (85%) for indicating the presence of PDA. Conclusions: Measurement of the CA is an easily accessible and reliable tool that may assist in establishing the diagnosis of PDA.

Growth parameters of discordant preterm twins during the first year of life.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and compare growth parameters (weight, length and head circumference) of discordant preterm twins during the first year of life. Methods: Retrospective data were collected on 78 pairs of >10% discordant preterm twins. Data regarding short-term neonatal outcome were recorded. Growth parameters were recorded at birth and again at 1 year of age, as collected by phone interview. Results: At 1 year of age, the gap was significantly reduced between the group of smaller twins and the group of larger twins on all the parameters studied. Discordance in weight decreased from a mean of 22% at birth (calculated from the weight of the larger twin) to 8.9%, in length from 6.5% to 2.5% and in head circumference from 5.5% to 1.3% at 1 year of age. While length and head circumference (HC) z-scores improved in both the large and the small siblings, weight z-score decreased significantly among the large twins and decreased mildly among the small twins. Conclusions: The gaps in growth parameters between the smaller twins of preterm discordant twins and their larger siblings are significantly reduced during the first year of life. The impact of the differential growth patterns between the two siblings should be further evaluated.

Early neonatal morbidities and associated modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in a cohort of infants born at 34–35 weeks of gestation

Abstract Objective: To ascertain the most common early morbidities in a cohort of infants born at 34–35 weeks gestation and to identify the risk factors associated with these morbidities. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively for all 235 infants born at 34–35 weeks of gestation during an eight-month period at a single tertiary medical center. Study group infants (SG) were compared with 470 term infants (TI), matched both for gender and for mode of delivery. Results: Jaundice requiring phototherapy (32%), respiratory disease (19.1%) and cyanotic episodes (15.7%) were the most frequent early morbidities, followed by hypoglycemia, temperature instability and feeding intolerance. The risk of having a complication was 13.3-times higher in the SG compared with the TI group (95% CI 8.9–19.6, pu2009<u20090.001). Modifiable interventions associated with these morbidities were antenatal steroids, MgSO4 and mode of delivery. Non-modifiable factors were maternal age, parity, twins and gender. Conclusions: Jaundice requiring phototherapy, respiratory disease and cyanotic episodes are the most frequent early morbidities among infants born at 34–35 weeks. Medically modifiable factors were found to be associated with the above morbidities. Whether specific recommendations for the care of these infants will affect early morbidities needs to be studied in controlled prospective studies.

A Proposed Role of Surfactant in Platelet Function and Treatment of Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Preterm and Term Infants

Background: We evaluated the effect of surfactant on platelet function as a potential contributing mechanism to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hemorrhage (PHEM) in term and preterm infants. Methods: Cord blood samples were collected from neonates following delivery. Complete blood count and platelet function were measured using a cone and platelet analyzer (CPA). Increasing surfactant concentrations were added to platelets in vitro, and the adhesion molecule P-selectin and the monoclonal antibody PAC-1 were evaluated following platelet activation by flow cytometry. Results: Forty-one infants (11 preterm and 30 term) were studied. CPA revealed a significant decrease in the average size of the aggregates and in platelet adhesion when surfactant was added. In term infants, the addition of surfactant to native platelets yielded an increased binding capacity of PAC-1 but did not affect P-selectin expression. In preterm infants, platelet activation with adenosine diphosphate in the presence of a high surfactant concentration (0.5 mg/mL) resulted in increased PAC-1 binding and no change in P-selectin expression. Conclusions: The platelets of preterm infants are less active (hyporesponsive) than those of term infants, both in their native state as well as after stimulation with various agonists. Surfactant may play an important role in treating PHEM in preterm infants.