The Impact of Matching Vaccine Strains and Post-SARS Public Health Efforts on Reducing Influenza-Associated Mortality among the Elderly

Public health administrators do not have effective models to predict excess influenza-associated mortality and monitor viral changes associated with it. This study evaluated the effect of matching/mismatching vaccine strains, type/subtype pattern changes in Taiwan's influenza viruses, and the impact of post-SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) public health efforts on excess influenza-associated mortalities among the elderly. A negative binomial model was developed to estimate Taiwan's monthly influenza-associated mortality among the elderly. We calculated three winter and annual excess influenza-associated mortalities [pneumonia and influenza (P&I), respiratory and circulatory, and all-cause] from the 1999–2000 through the 2006–2007 influenza seasons. Obtaining influenza virus sequences from the months/years in which death from P&I was excessive, we investigated molecular variation in vaccine-mismatched influenza viruses by comparing hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) of the circulating and vaccine strains. We found that the higher the isolation rate of A (H3N2) and vaccine-mismatched influenza viruses, the greater the monthly P&I mortality. However, this significant positive association became negative for higher matching of A (H3N2) and public health efforts with post-SARS effect. Mean excess P&I mortality for winters was significantly higher before 2003 than after that year [mean ± S.D.: 1.44±1.35 vs. 0.35±1.13, p = 0.04]. Further analysis revealed that vaccine-matched circulating influenza A viruses were significantly associated with lower excess P&I mortality during post-SARS winters (i.e., 2005–2007) than during pre-SARS winters [0.03±0.06 vs. 1.57±1.27, p = 0.01]. Stratification of these vaccine-matching and post-SARS effect showed substantial trends toward lower elderly excess P&I mortalities in winters with either mismatching vaccines during the post-SARS period or matching vaccines during the pre-SARS period. Importantly, all three excess mortalities were at their highest in May, 2003, when inter-hospital nosocomial infections were peaking. Furthermore, vaccine-mismatched H3N2 viruses circulating in the years with high excess P&I mortality exhibited both a lower amino acid identity percentage of HA1 between vaccine and circulating strains and a higher numbers of variations at epitope B. Our model can help future decision makers to estimate excess P&I mortality effectively, select and test virus strains for antigenic variation, and evaluate public health strategy effectiveness

Can we improve outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

This review gives an overview of the disease spectrum of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Etiological factors, prenatal predictors of survival, new treatment strategies and long-term morbidity are described. Early recognition of problems and improvement of treatment strategies in CDH patients may increase survival and prevent secondary morbidity. Multidisciplinary healthcare is necessary to improve healthcare for CDH patients. Absence of international therapy guidelines, lack of evidence of many therapeutic modalities and the relative low number of CDH patients calls for cooperation between centers with an expertise in the treatment of CDH patients. The international CDH Euro-Consortium is an example of such a collaborative network, which enhances exchange of knowledge, future research and development of treatment protocols

Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia – a review

Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition characterized by a defect in the diaphragm leading to protrusion of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity interfering with normal development of the lungs. The defect may range from a small aperture in the posterior muscle rim to complete absence of diaphragm. The pathophysiology of CDH is a combination of lung hypoplasia and immaturity associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) and cardiac dysfunction. Prenatal assessment of lung to head ratio (LHR) and position of the liver by ultrasound are used to diagnose and predict outcomes. Delivery of infants with CDH is recommended close to term gestation. Immediate management at birth includes bowel decompression, avoidance of mask ventilation and endotracheal tube placement if required. The main focus of management includes gentle ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring and treatment of pulmonary hypertension followed by surgery. Although inhaled nitric oxide is not approved by FDA for the treatment of PPHN induced by CDH, it is commonly used. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is typically considered after failure of conventional medical management for infants ≥ 34 weeks’ gestation or with weight >2 kg with CDH and no associated major lethal anomalies. Multiple factors such as prematurity, associated abnormalities, severity of PPHN, type of repair and need for ECMO can affect the survival of an infant with CDH. With advances in the management of CDH, the overall survival has improved and has been reported to be 70-90% in non-ECMO infants and up to 50% in infants who undergo ECMO

Is mechanical ventilation associated with intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants?

Background: The impact of mechanical ventilation on the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is unknown, simply because the vast majority of these infants have been routinely intubated and mechanically ventilated. There is a growing interest in the use of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (ENCPAP) and avoiding mechanical ventilation. Objectives: To examine the role of mechanical ventilation since delivery room in determining severe IVH in VLBW infants in two neonatal units that follow the same strategy of respiratory management using ENCPAP. Methods: We collected data on delivery room intubation and mechanical ventilation during the first 3 days of life in VLBW infants. Logistic regression model was constructed to test the relationship between early mechanical ventilation and the diagnosis of severe IVH after controlling for significant confounding variables, such as BW, gender, duration of mechanical ventilation, and partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2). Results: Of the studied 340 VLBW, 35 infants had severe IVH; most of them received mechanical ventilation that started either in the delivery room (n = 12) or during the first (n = 10) and second (17 = 3) days of life. Severe IVH was independently associated with lower BW, mechanical ventilation in the delivery room, and the cumulative duration of mechanical ventilation during the first 3 days. The adjusted odds ratio for severe IVH in infants intubated in delivery room was (OR = 2.7, CI: 1.1-6. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation plays a role in predicting severe IVH. Both the time at which ventilation was initiated and the duration of ventilation are important determinants of severe IVH. Risk for severe IVH in infants who were never intubated in delivery room or during the first 3 days of life is miniscule. (C) 2011 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Is mechanical ventilation associated with intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants?

Background: The impact of mechanical ventilation on the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is unknown, simply because the vast majority of these infants have been routinely intubated and mechanically ventilated. There is a growing interest in the use of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (ENCPAP) and avoiding mechanical ventilation. Objectives: To examine the role of mechanical ventilation since delivery room in determining severe IVH in VLBW infants in two neonatal units that follow the same strategy of respiratory management using ENCPAP. Methods: We collected data on delivery room intubation and mechanical ventilation during the first 3 days of life in VLBW infants. Logistic regression model was constructed to test the relationship between early mechanical ventilation and the diagnosis of severe IVH after controlling for significant confounding variables, such as BW, gender, duration of mechanical ventilation, and partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2). Results: Of the studied 340 VLBW, 35 infants had severe IVH; most of them received mechanical ventilation that started either in the delivery room (n = 12) or during the first (n = 10) and second (17 = 3) days of life. Severe IVH was independently associated with lower BW, mechanical ventilation in the delivery room, and the cumulative duration of mechanical ventilation during the first 3 days. The adjusted odds ratio for severe IVH in infants intubated in delivery room was (OR = 2.7, CI: 1.1-6. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation plays a role in predicting severe IVH. Both the time at which ventilation was initiated and the duration of ventilation are important determinants of severe IVH. Risk for severe IVH in infants who were never intubated in delivery room or during the first 3 days of life is miniscule. (C) 2011 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Abordagem ventilatória protetora no tratamento da hérnia diafragmática congênita Gentle ventilatory approach for the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

OBJETIVO: Descrever a evolução de recém-nascidos com diagnóstico de hérnia diafragmática congênita admitidos na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal de um hospital privado de nível terciário, no qual aplicou-se uma estratégia ventilatória protetora. MÉTODOS: Coorte histórica com análise de prontuários de pacientes portadores de hérnia diafragmática congênita, admitidos de junho de 2001 a julho de 2006. Avaliaram-se dados referentes ao recém-nascido (índices prognósticos antenatais, peso ao nascimento, idade gestacional, sexo), dados da reanimação e estabililização pré-operatória, cuidados pós-operatórios e taxa de sobrevida. RESULTADOS: Oito neonatos tiveram diagnóstico de hérnia diafragmática congênita. O peso variou entre 2,38 e 3,45kg e a idade gestacional, entre 36 e 39 semanas; cinco deles eram do sexo masculino. Todos foram intubados em sala de parto até o final do primeiro minuto de vida. A correção cirúrgica ocorreu entre o segundo e o sexto dias de vida e, em quatro pacientes, houve necessidade do uso de patch. Uma estratégia ventilatória protetora foi utilizada em seis neonatos, com dados gasométricos visando PaO2 pré-ductal normal e tolerando-se hipercapnia (PaCO2 50 a 60mmHg). A extubação ocorreu entre o primeiro e o 12ºdias do pós-operatório, com exceção de um paciente. Seis recém-nascidos receberam alta, em média, com 30 dias de vida (19 a 55 dias). A sobrevida foi de 75%. CONCLUSÕES: A sistematização do cuidado de pacientes com hérnia diafragmática congênita pode garantir, em nosso meio, uma sobrevida comparável aos principais centros mundiais que lidam com a doença.<br>OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical evolution of newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia admitted to neoretal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary private hospital and treated with a gentle ventilatory approach. METHODS: Analysis of charts of patients born between June 2001 and July 2006. The following data were collected: birth weight, gestational age, sex, delivery room procedures, pre and post-surgery parameters and survival rate. RESULTS: Eight newborns with diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia were included. They presented birth weight from 2.38 to 3.45kg, gestational age between 36 and 39 weeks; five of them were males. All infants were intubated at delivery within the first minute of life. The surgery was performed between the 2nd and the 6th days of life, and a patch was needed in four patients. A "gentle" ventilation strategy was used in six infants, targeting normal pre-ductal PaO2 and allowing hypercapnia (PaCO2 between 50 and 60mmHg). The extubation occurred between the 1st and 12th day after surgery, except for one infant who died. Six newborns were discharged with an average post-natal age of 30 days (19 to 55 days). The survival rate was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic care of infants with diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia can assure a survival rate comparable to reference centers