Resolving the Debate on RSV Prophylaxis in Late Preterm Infants

There is still active debate in the scientific literature about the importance of providing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis to late preterm infants born at 33–35 weeks’ gestational age (wGA). The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society position statements only advocate for RSV prophylaxis for infants <30 wGA. Several publications prove the contrary, reporting substantial morbidity and even mortality in older GA infants, following RSV infection. Consequently, other Societies, such as from Spain and Italy, have different criteria, and include as candidates 30–32 wGA infants and 33–35 wGA infants with risk factors for severe RSV disease. This chapter will systematically examine the current evidence for RSV prophylaxis in both early and late preterm infants 29–35 wGA and the cost-effectiveness of this strategy with the use of risk scoring tools. The authors will attempt to reconcile the misconception that late preterm infants do not merit RSV prophylaxis and hopefully resolve the long-standing debate that currently exists in many countries worldwide

Trends in survival among extremely-low-birth-weight infants (less than 1000 g)without significant bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution from 1997 to 2009 of survival without significant (moderate and severe) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (SWsBPD) in extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants and to determine the influence of changes in resuscitation, nutrition and mechanical ventilation on the survival rate. Study design In this study, 415 premature infants with birth weights below 1000 g (ELBW) were divided into three chronological subgroups: 1997 to 2000 (n = 65), 2001 to 2005 (n = 178) and 2006 to 2009 (n = 172). Between 1997 and 2000, respiratory resuscitation in the delivery room was performed via a bag and mask (Ambu®, Ballerup, Sweden) with 40-50% oxygen. If this procedure was not effective, oral endotracheal intubation was always performed. Pulse oximetry was never used. Starting on January 1, 2001, a change in the delivery room respiratory policy was established for ELBW infants. Oxygenation and heart rate were monitored using a pulse oximeter (Nellcor®) attached to the newborn"s right hand. If resuscitation was required, ventilation was performed using a face mask, and intermittent positive pressure was controlled via a ventilator (Babylog2, Drägger). In 2001, a policy of aggressive nutrition was also initiated with the early provision of parenteral amino acids. We used standardized parenteral nutrition to feed ELBW infants during the first 1224 hours of life. Lipids were given on the first day. The glucose concentration administered was increased by 1 mg/kg/minute each day until levels reached 8 mg/kg/minute. Enteral nutrition was started with trophic feeding of milk. In 2006, volume guarantee treatment was instituted and administered together with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV + VG). The complications of prematurity were treated similarly throughout the study period. Patent ductus arteriosus was only treated when hemodynamically significant. Surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus was performed when two courses of indomethacin or ibuprofen were not sufficient to close it. Mild BPD were defined by a supplemental oxygen requirement at 28 days of life and moderate BPD if breathing room air or a need for <30% oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge from the NICU, whichever came first. Severe BPD was defined by a supplemental oxygen requirement at 28 days of life and a need for greater than or equal to 30% oxygen use and/or positive pressure support (IPPV or nCPAP) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever came first. Moderate and severe BPD have been considered together as"significant BPD". The goal of pulse oximetry was to maintain a hemoglobin saturation of between 88% and 93%. Patients were considered to not need oxygen supplementation when it could be permanently withdrawn....

A predictive model for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisation of premature infants born at 33–35 weeks of gestational age, based on data from the Spanish FLIP study

Background: The aim of this study, conducted in Europe, was to develop a validated risk factor based model to predict RSV-related hospitalisation in premature infants born 33-35 weeks' gestational age (GA). Methods: The predictive model was developed using risk factors captured in the Spanish FLIP dataset, a case-control study of 183 premature infants born between 33-35 weeks' GA who were hospitalised with RSV, and 371 age-matched controls. The model was validated internally by 100-fold bootstrapping. Discriminant function analysis was used to analyse combinations of risk factors to predict RSV hospitalisation. Successive models were chosen that had the highest probability for discriminating between hospitalised and non-hospitalised infants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. Results: An initial 15 variable model was produced with a discriminant function of 72% and an area under the ROC curve of 0.795. A step-wise reduction exercise, alongside recalculations of some variables, produced a final model consisting of 7 variables: birth +/- 10 weeks of start of season, birth weight, breast feeding for = 2 years, family members with atopy, family members with wheeze, and gender. The discrimination of this model was 71% and the area under the ROC curve was 0.791. At the 0.75 sensitivity intercept, the false positive fraction was 0.33. The 100-fold bootstrapping resulted in a mean discriminant function of 72% (standard deviation: 2.18) and a median area under the ROC curve of 0.785 (range: 0.768-0.790), indicating a good internal validation. The calculated NNT for intervention to treat all at risk patients with a 75% level of protection was 11.7 (95% confidence interval: 9.5-13.6). Conclusion: A robust model based on seven risk factors was developed, which is able to predict which premature infants born between 33-35 weeks' GA are at highest risk of hospitalisation from RSV. The model could be used to optimise prophylaxis with palivizumab across Europe

Influence of in-home nursing care on the weight of the early discharged preterm newborn

Introducción: la atención domiciliaria de enfermería (ADE) del recién nacido prematuro próximo al alta en su propio domicilio en lugar del hospital normaliza la situación familiar, favorece la lactancia materna y el desarrollo del recién nacido y permite la reorganización de los recursos sanitarios. El propósito del presente trabajo es demostrar que el prematuro sometido al programa de ADE experimenta un aumento de peso superior en el domicilio respecto al hospital y no incrementa su morbilidad. Pacientes y metodología: estudio comparativo de 65 casos y 65 controles (apareados por peso, edad y sexo), prematuros, de procedencia interna y con peso al alta inferior a 2.100 g. La ADE fue administrada por un pediatra neonatólogo y 2 enfermeras especializadas en neonatología dependientes de los servicios hospitalarios, que realizaron visitas seriadas a domicilio. El aumento de peso se calculó por g/día y g/kg/día, comparando la semana previa al inicio del estudio con la primera semana del estudio. Resultados: los grupos fueron comparables. El aumento de peso en el grupo con ADE fue de 38 g/día, significativamente superior al del grupo control (31 g/día). Las variables independientes predictoras del «aumento en g/kg/día durante el estudio» fueron la ADE, el sexo varón, tomar menos lactancia materna y no haber padecido una hemorragia peri-intraventricular. La morbilidad neonatal fue similar. Conclusiones : la ADE implicó un mayor aumento de peso del recién nacido en casa que durante su permanencia en el hospital, y no aumentó la morbilidad neonatal

The effects of varying protein and energy intakes on the growth and body composition of very low birth weight infants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To determine the effects of high dietary protein and energy intake on the growth and body composition of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.</p> <p>Study design</p> <p>Thirty-eight VLBW infants whose weights were appropriate for their gestational ages were assessed for when they could tolerate oral intake for all their nutritional needs. Thirty-two infants were included in a longitudinal, randomized clinical trial over an approximate 28-day period. One control diet (standard preterm formula, group A, n = 8, 3.7 g/kg/d of protein and 129 kcal/kg/d) and two high-energy and high-protein diets (group B, n = 12, 4.2 g/kg/d and 150 kcal/kg/d; group C, n = 12, 4.7 g/kg/d and 150 kcal/kg/d) were compared. Differences among groups in anthropometry and body composition (measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis) were determined. An enriched breast milk group (n = 6) served as a descriptive reference group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Groups B and C displayed greater weight gains and higher increases in fat-free mass than group A.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An intake of 150 kcal/kg/d of energy and 4.2 g/kg/d of protein increases fat-free mass accretion in VLBW infants.</p