Waricha Janjindamai

Risk factors and outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia in neonatal intensive care unit: a case-case-control study.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has emerged as a serious threat among critically ill neonates. Methods: We performed a case-case-control study in a Thai neonatal intensive care unit to identify risk factors and outcomes for CRAB bacteremia. Case group (CG) I was defined as cases with CRAB (n = 14), and CG II was defined as cases with carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (n = 38) bacteremia. The control group (n = 44) was selected from all patients admitted before and after 3 days that CG I was identified, but had no infection. Results: The mean gestational age and birth weight of CG I, II and control were 33.5, 35.2 and 35.2 weeks and 1856.5, 2273.9 and 2309.5 g, respectively. By multivariate analysis, CG I was more likely to have had an umbilical artery catheter (adjusted odds ratio = 29.30; P = 0.019) whereas CG II was more likely exposed to ceftazidime (adjusted odds ratio = 5.19; P = 0.046) and aminoglycosides (adjusted odds ratio = 35.59; P = 0.002). There was a significant difference in history of cefoperazone/sulbactam (21.4% versus 0%; P = 0.01) and imipenem use (35.7% versus 0%; P < 0.001) among CG I compared with control. Crude mortality in CG I was higher than CG II (42.9% versus 13.2%; odds ratio = 5.0; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Our cohort of neonatal CRAB bacteremia is characterized by a very high mortality. Infection-control interventions inclusive of strict adherence to infection-control process for central vascular line placement and maintenance as well as antimicrobial stewardship program are essential to help reduce CRAB bacteremia.

Neonatal acute kidney injury in a tertiary center in a developing country

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common contributor to morbidity and mortality in newborns, with prevalences varying by population and hospital. A study of AKI in newborns in tertiary care centers in Thailand, a developing country with limited resources, has not been conducted yet. METHODS The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of AKI in newborns in a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand and to investigate the etiology, mortality and risk factors of mortality. The records of patients aged <30 days with high serum creatinine, admitted from 1984 to 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Eighty-eight boys and 51 girls were enrolled; 61.4% were premature and 56.5% had a birth weight <2500 g. The prevalence of newborn AKI increased from 0.9 to 6.3% during the 24-year study period. Thirty-nine and 65% had renal failure within 2 and 7 days post-birth, respectively. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI (30.9%) followed by hypovolemia (18.7%), kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) anomalies (12.2%), congestive heart failure (12.2%) and birth asphyxia (11.5%). Indomethacin caused AKI in 24.4% with gestational age <32 weeks. Sepsis-induced AKI had the highest mortality rate (65.1%) with an overall mortality rate of 38.8% and nearly 14 times the risk of death compared to hypovolemia-induced AKI. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of newborn AKI in our Thai tertiary center over 24 years was 6.3% of admitted newborns. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI and sepsis-induced AKI is the most common cause of death. Disease etiology was the only risk factor for mortality.

Infectious complications in infants with gastroschisis: an 11-year review from a referral hospital in southern Thailand

UNLABELLED MAIN PURPOSES: The study aimed to (1) examine the incidence of infectious complications (ICs) in our referral hospital in southern Thailand in infants with gastroschisis, with analysis of the impact of these complications on outcomes, and (2) identify associated factors to improve the practice at our institution for dealing with this condition. METHODS A retrospective review of consecutive gastroschisis cases at the major teaching and referral hospital in southern Thailand was conducted for an 11-year period (1996-2006). Cases referred after a primary operation at other hospitals were excluded. The study focused on postoperative nosocomial infections as identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. RESULTS Sixty-eight patients with gastroschisis were operated on. Twenty-seven patients (39.71%) underwent primary closure. Mortality was 4 of 68 patients (5.9%). Infectious complication occurred in 43 patients (63.2%). The complications significantly increased mechanical ventilation days (10.8 vs 3.8 days in noncomplicated cases), need for parenteral nutrition (25.3 vs 14.5 days), and postoperative stay (33.7 vs 21.1 days). Common ICs were wound infection (32.35%), isolated septicemia (19.1%), and pneumonia (13.24%). Univariate analysis identified an association between the occurrence of IC and birth order (multigravida), time from birth until arrival at our center (5 hours or more), hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, type of operation (staged closure), use of central venous line, and prolonged use of ventilator. On multiple logistic regression, prolonged referral time, use of a central venous line, multigravida, and staged closure independently predicted the risk of IC. CONCLUSION Infectious complication was significantly related to outcome in gastroschisis cases and should not be overlooked. Our data suggest that prompt referral, limiting central line practice on a selective basis, and an attempt to reduce wound infection in cases that require a temporary silo may improve the overall outcomes.

Effectiveness and safety of intravenous iloprost for severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness (oxygenation), safety (hemodynamic status) and short term outcomes of intravenous iloprost (IVI) administration as a rescue therapy in severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).DesignRetrospective medical records review.SettingTertiary neonatal intensive care unit at Songklanagarind Hospital, Songkhla Province, Hat Yai, Thailand.ParticipantsNewborns who received IVI as an adjunctive therapy for treatment of severe PPHN, as defined by an oxygen index (OI) of >20 and without response to conventional therapies.Main Outcome MeasuresThe change of OI and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference before and after commencement of IVI.Results33 neonates with severe PPHN at a median gestation of 39 weeks and a baseline OI of 40 (range, 21–101) received IVI. The median OI and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference had a statistically significant decrease after 2 hours of treatment and continued to decline thereafter (P<0.05). All infants received one or more inotropic medications and volume expanders to provide blood pressure support with no statistically significant difference of blood pressure and heart rate before and after IVI treatment. The mortality rate was 15.2%, all of them had initially severe hypoxemia with a median OI of 53.6.ConclusionsIVI may be effective in improving oxygenation and should be considered as a rescue therapy for infants with severe PPHN, especially in a limited resource environment with no inhaled nitric oxide available. Systemic hypotension may be a cause for concern.

Fat loss in thawed breast milk: Comparison between refrigerator and warm water

ObjectiveTo compare the fat loss between refrigerator and warm water thawed breast milk.DesignExperimental.SettingTertiary-care pediatric university hospital.ParticipantsNinety samples of expressed breast milk were collected from mothers with singleton babies of a gestational age 32–42 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresFat content in fresh breast milk (FM); thawed breast milk by refrigeration (RM); and thawed breast milk by warm water (WM).ResultsThe mean (SD) total fat content in FM, RM and WM were 2.98 (0.97), 2.76 (0.99) and 2.66 (0.88) g/100 mL, respectively. The mean difference (SD) of the total fat in FM declined significantly after the frozen milk was thawed by refrigeration or warm water at −0.22 (0.50) g/100 mL (P=0.0001) and −0.32 (0.45) g/100 mL (P<0.0001), respectively. The mean (SD) total fat loss of frozen breast milk thawed by refrigeration was less than thawing in warm water at 0.094 (0.38) g/100 mL (P=0.02).ConclusionThe fat loss of thawed breast milk by refrigeration was significantly less than placing it in warm water.

Congenital Hepatic Arteriovenous Malformation Presenting with Severe Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformation is a rarely seen vascular malformation with persistent pulmonary hypertension in neonates. The authors report a full-term female newborn presenting with intractable heart failure and respiratory distress soon after birth. Investigation by echocardiography showed severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and patent ductus arteriosus. The hepatic angiogram revealed congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformation; therefore, secondary pulmonary artery hypertension complicated with ‘steal’ phenomenon was conclusively diagnosed.

Outcomes and risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates

BackgroundVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates has been associated with high mortality and poor outcome. This study aimed to compare the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of VAP and non- VAP conditions in neonates.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Thailand from January 2014 to December 2014. All neonatal patients who were ventilated more than 48 hours were enrolled.ResultsThere were 128 enrolled patients. The median (inter quartile range) gestational age and birthweight were 35 (30.2, 37.8) weeks and 2380 (1323.8, 3020.0) g. There were 17 VAP patients (19 episodes) and 111 non-VAP ones. The VAP rate was 13.3% or 10.1 per 1000 ventilator days. According to the multivariate analysis, a birthweight less than 750 g [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=10.75, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.35-49.16; P=0.002] and sedative medication use (aOR=4.00, 95% CI=1.23-12.50; P=0.021) were independent risk factors for VAP. Compared with the non-VAP group, the median difference in the VAP group yielded a significantly longer duration of NICU stay (18 days, P=0.001), total length of hospital stay (16 days, P=0.002) and higher hospital costs (

Brief communication (Original). Trends in neonatal sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit in Thailand before and after construction of a new facility

5113, P=0.001). The inhospital mortality rate in the VAP and non-VAP groups was 17.6% and 15.3% (P=0.73), respectively.ConclusionsA neonatal birthweight less than 750 g and sedative medication use were independent risk factors for VAP. Our VAP patients experienced a longer duration of both NICU and hospital stay, and incurred higher hospitalization costs.

A novel nonsense mutation, E150X, in the SOX9 gene underlying campomelic dysplasia

Abstract Background: Neonatal sepsis is a cause of mortality and long-term morbidity worldwide. Objectives: To describe longitudinal trends in the cumulative incidence of early- and late-onset sepsis (EOS and LOS), mortality, and causative organisms in a Thai Hospital before and after construction of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Review of NICU admissions with blood cultures positive for bacteria or fungi for the periods 1995 to 2002 (preconstruction) and 2004 to 2010 (postconstruction). Sepsis was categorized into EOS (within first 3 days of life) and LOS (after first 3 days of life). Results: Of 5,570 admissions, 241 (4.3%) neonates with 276 episodes of sepsis were identified. There was no difference in the rate of sepsis overall (P = 0.90), LOS (P = 0.30), or sepsis-related mortality (P = 0.61) over the two periods, but the rate of EOS increased significantly from 0.34% to 0.81% (P = 0.04). Rates of Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli sepsis increased from 13.6% to 25.6% (P = 0.01) and from 5.3% to 12.2% (P = 0.04), respectively, while rates of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis decreased from 12.9% to 4.3% (P < 0.007). Sepsisrelated mortality was 1.8%. Conclusions: Although direct causality cannot be proven, the rate of EOS and the pattern of causative organisms changed following construction of the new NICU. Building a new unit does not necessarily result in a reduction in the rate of sepsis. This data may provide a baseline for implementing evidence-based infection control strategies to prevent/reduce sepsis and improve neonatal care.

The etiologies and incidences of congenital hypothyroidism before and after neonatal TSH screening program implementation: a study in southern Thailand

Campomelic dysplasia (CD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal malformation syndrome with features including bowed lower limbs with pretibial skin dimpling, hypoplastic scapulae and pelvic bones, and 11 pairs of ribs. Mutations in the SOX9 gene have been identified to cause CD. The gene encodes a transcription factor containing a dimerization, a high mobility group, and a C-terminal transactivation (TA) domain. Up to now, 35 SOX9 mutations have been published. In the present study, we describe a Thai girl with clinically and radiologically typical CD. Direct sequencing analysis of the PCR products for the entire coding region of SOX9 revealed that she was heterozygous for a novel 448G > T in exon 2 of SOX9. The DNA change was expected to result in E150X and loss of the entire TA domain. This result further supports that SOX9 is the only gene, discovered to date, responsible for CD across different populations and that the TA domain is important to the function of the normal SOX9.