Big data geeft beter inzicht in de behandeling van vroeg geboren baby’s

De impact van te veel antibiotica op de ontwikkeling van hersenen van te vroeg geboren kinderen kan groot zijn. Maar hoe kom je er achter wat de oorzaken daarvan zijn? Het UMC Utrecht vond het antwoord door samen met technologiebedrijven zoals Finaps en SAS algoritmes te ontwikkelen die voorheen gescheiden datasilo’s samenbrachten. De nieuwe inzichten worden gebruikt om een volgend, voorspellend onderzoek te gaan doen

Microbiological factors associated with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis:protective effect of early antibiotic treatment

Aim: The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) strongly increased in an neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 1997 and 1998 compared with previous years, which coincided with increased incidence of nosocomial sepsis. Specific risk factors related to this NICU and a possible relationship between NEC and nosocomial sepsis were studied retrospectively, including all patients with NEC since 1990 and matched controls. Methods: Clinical and bacteriological data from the period before the development of NEC and a similar period for the controls were collected retrospectively and corrected for birthweight and gestational age. Statistical analysis was performed by a stepwise regression model. Results: Data of 104 neonates with NEC and matched controls were analysed. The median day of onset of NEC was 12 d (range 1-63 d). Significant risk factors for NEC were: insertion of a peripheral artery catheter [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3-3.9] and a central venous catheter (OR 5.6, 95% CI 3.1-10.1), colonization with Klebsiella sp. (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.5) and Escherichia coli (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-4.5), and the occurrence of sepsis, in particular due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4-5.1). The risk for NEC was decreased after the early use ( Conclusion: Insertion of central venous and peripheral arterial catheters is positively associated with NEC, as is colonization with the Gram-negative bacilli Klebsiella and E. coli and the occurrence of sepsis, particularly due to coagulase-negative staphylococci. Early treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate and gentamicin is negatively associated with NEC and may be protective against NEC

The development and validation of a cerebral ultrasound scoring system for infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

Background: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. When the gold standard MRI is not feasible, cerebral ultrasound (CUS) might offer an alternative. In this study, the association between a novel CUS scoring system and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates with HIE was assessed. Methods: (Near-)term infants with HIE and therapeutic hypothermia, a CUS on day 1 and day 3–7 after birth and available outcome data were retrospectively included in cohort I. CUS findings on day 1 and day 3–7 were related to adverse outcome in univariate and the CUS of day 3–7 also in multivariable logistic regression analyses. The resistance index, the sum of deep grey matter and of white matter involvement were included in multivariable logistic regression analyses. A comparable cohort from another hospital was used for validation (cohort II). Results: Eighty-three infants were included in cohort I and 35 in cohort II. The final CUS scoring system contained the sum of white matter (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.7) and deep grey matter involvement (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.7–4.4). The CUS scoring system performed well in cohort I (AUC = 0.90) and II (AUC = 0.89). Conclusion: This validated CUS scoring system is associated with neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates with HIE.</p

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in right-to-left shunting of blood and hypoxemia. PPHN is often secondary to parenchymal lung disease (such as meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome) or lung hypoplasia (with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or oligohydramnios) but can also be idiopathic. The diagnosis of PPHN is based on clinical evidence of labile hypoxemia often associated with differential cyanosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by the echocardiographic demonstration of – (a) right-to-left or bidirectional shunt at the ductus or foramen ovale and/or, (b) flattening or leftward deviation of the interventricular septum and/or, (c) tricuspid regurgitation, and finally (d) absence of structural heart disease. Management strategies include optimal oxygenation, avoiding respiratory and metabolic acidosis, blood pressure stabilization, sedation and pulmonary vasodilator therapy. Failure of these measures would lead to consideration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); however decreased need for this rescue therapy has been documented with advances in medical management. While trends also note improved survival, long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities such as deafness and learning disabilities remain a concern in many infants with severe PPHN. Funded by: 1R01HD072929-0 (SL