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To investigate postnatal growth patterns and their relationship with the neurodevelopment of preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA). This retrospective cohort study analyzed 90 infants born SGA with a birthweight <1500 g or gestational age <32 weeks. Length, weight, and head circumference (HC) were recorded at birth, 35 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), 40 weeks PMA, and 4, 9, and 18 months corrected age (CA). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley-III scales at 18 months CA. The Z-score of HC in SGA infants increased from birth to 40 weeks PMA. Failure of head growth catch-up to the 10th percentile by four months CA and all three parameters by nine months CA were associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Z-score changes in head growth between birth and 35 weeks PMA were significantly associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes (p = 0.006; adjusted odds ratio, 6.964; 95% confidence interval: 1.763–27.506). Head growth trajectory during neonatal intensive care unit stay is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm SGA infants. If head growth catch-up is achieved by four months CA and length and weight catch-up by nine months CA, preterm SGA infants are predicted to have optimal neurodevelopment at 18 months CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to advances in the critical care of premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) is becoming a growing concern. However, only few investigations were available on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with PH. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the impact of PH on growth and neurodevelopment at 18-24 months of corrected age (CA).Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 394 infants (aged < 28 weeks of gestation) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 2005 and 2014. Among the surviving infants, 123 returned for follow-up evaluations including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third Edition (Bayley-III) screening tests and growth assessment at 18-24 months of CA. Among the 81 infants with moderate or severe BPD, 20 met the criteria for PH. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared in infants who developed BPD-associated PH (PH group, n = 20) and moderate or severe BPD infants who did not develop PH (non-PH group, n = 61).Results: Compared to the non-PH group, the PH group showed significantly lower cognitive (85 vs. 95, p = 0.004), language (81 vs. 89, p = 0.040), and motor (88 vs. 94, p = 0.010) scores of the Bayley-III at 18-24 months of CA. Cognitive delay was found in 45.0% (9/20) of PH infants. In addition, z-scores of weight (- 1.4 ± 1.3 vs. -0.6 ± 1.1%, p = 0.011) and HC (- 1.2 ± 1.8 vs. 0.53 ± 1.0%, p = 0.035) were significantly lower in the BPD with PH group. With the subgroup analysis in infants with severe BPD only, the cognitive score was consistently lower and poorer and weight gain after discharge was identified in infants with PH and severe BPD.Conclusion: PH was a worsening factor of non-optimal growth and poor neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with BPD at 18-24 months of CA. Our findings suggest the importance of close developmental follow-up and recognition of that risk to help optimize the outcome of preterm infants with PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There have been many studies supporting fluconazole prophylaxis in preterm infants for prevention of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, the routine use of fluconazole prophylaxis in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) raises concerns with respect to resistance development, including the selection of resistant Candida species. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluconazole prophylaxis in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.Methods: An interventional pre-post cohort study at two tertiary NICUs was conducted. Data from two 5-year periods with and without fluconazole prophylaxis (Mar 2008-Feb 2013 and Mar 2003-Feb 2008) was compared. Prophylactic fluconazole was administered starting on the 3rd day at a dose of 3 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks during the prophylaxis period.Results: The fluconazole prophylaxis group consisted of 264 infants, and the non-prophylaxis group consisted of 159 infants. IFI occurred in a total of 19 neonates (4.7 %) during the 10-year study period. Fluconazole prophylaxis lower the fungal colonization rate significantly (59.1 % vs. 33.9 %, P <0.001). However, the incidence of IFIs in ELBW infants was not reduced after fluconazole prophylaxis (4.4 % vs. 5.5 %, P = 0.80). Rather, although the increase did not reach statistical significance, fluconazole prophylaxis tended to increase the incidence of invasive infections involving fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis (0 % vs. 41.7 %, P = 0.11).Conclusions: Fluconazole prophylaxis was not efficacious in decreasing IFIs in ELBW infants. There is a need for targeting prophylaxis to greatest risk population and prospective studies to measure the long-term effect of fluconazole prophylaxis on the emergence of organisms with antifungal resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare non-invasive ventilation neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) and non-invasive pressure support (NIV-PS) in preterm infants on patient-ventilator synchrony.Design: A randomised phase II crossover trial.Setting: Neonatal intensive care units of two tertiary university hospitals in Korea.Patients: Preterm infants born <32 weeks.Intervention: NIV-NAVA and NIV-PS were applied in random order after ventilator weaning. Data were recorded for sequential 5 min periods after 10 min applications of each mode.Main Outcome Measures: The electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi), ventilator flow and pressure curves were compared to examine the trigger delay (primary outcome) and other parameters of patient-ventilator interaction (secondary outcomes) for each period.Results: Fifteen infants completed the protocol. Trigger delay (35.2±8.3 vs 294.6±101.9 ms, p<0.001), ventilator inspiratory time (423.3±87.1 vs 534.0±165.5 ms, p=0.009) and inspiratory time in excess (32.3±8.3% vs 294.6±101.9%, p=0.001) were lower during NIV-NAVA compared with NIV-PS. Maximum Edi (12.6±6.3 vs 16.6±8.7 μV, p=0.003), swing Edi (8.8±4.8 vs 12.2±8.7 μV, p=0.012) and peak inspiratory pressure (12.3±1.5 vs 14.7±2.7 cm H2O, p=0.003) were also lower during NIV-NAVA. The main asynchrony events during NIV-PS were ineffective efforts and autotriggering. All types of asynchronies except double triggering were reduced with NIV-NAVA. Asynchrony index was significantly lower during NIV-NAVA compared with NIV-PS (p<0.001). No significant differences in leakage, expiratory tidal volume or minute ventilation were observed, but the respiratory rate was lower during NIV-PS than during NIV-NAVA.Conclusions: NAVA improved patient-ventilator synchrony and diaphragmatic unloading in preterm infants during non-invasive nasal ventilation even in the presence of large air leaks.Trial Registration Number: Registered with http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01877720). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We investigated changes in the admission patterns of neonatal intensive care units and the epidemiology of neonatal sepsis following the rapid expansion and improvements in neonatal intensive care. Methods Data on the admission of neonates with culture-proven sepsis between 1996 and 2013 (period I, 1996-2005; period II, 2006-2013) were collected retrospectively. Results The admission of extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants increased between periods I and II (11.1 vs 28.7 infants per 1000 live births, P < 0.001). The survival rate of the ELBW infants improved (57.5 vs 80.1%, P < 0.001), and duration of hospital stay increased (median, 64 vs 80 days, P = 0.001). The incidence of sepsis among all infants and ELBW infants increased (all infants, 5.9 vs 12.7 cases per 1000 live births; ELBW infants, 189.5 vs 290.1 cases per 1000 live births). In ELBW infants, the incidence of sepsis caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CONS), significantly increased during period II (8.8 vs 25.4%, P = 0.039). On multivariate analysis, central vascular catheters and prolonged hospitalization were independently associated with increased sepsis rate, particularly CONS in ELBW infants. Conclusions The inborn admission rate for ELBW infants has increased significantly and is accompanied by improved survival and longer hospital stay. The incidence of neonatal sepsis, particularly in ELBW infants, has also increased, and CONS has emerged as a major pathogen. Central vascular catheters and prolonged hospitalization could be independent risk factors for the increased sepsis rate, particularly sepsis due to CONS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Faced with extremely low fertility rates and increasing numbers of low-birthweight births in Korea, we examined the factors affecting the mortality of very-low-birthweight ( VLBW) infants in Korea. Methods A survey was conducted in 91 of 93 hospitals providing neonatal intensive care in Korea in 2009. Data included information on number of neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU) beds, medical workforce, resources in the NICU, birth and death. Results There was approximately one NICU per 4888 births, one NICU bed per 355 births, one mechanical ventilator per 739 births, one incubator per 327 births and one board-certified neonatologist per 4683 births. Regional disparity existed in neonatal care resources and consequently in mortality rates. VLBW infants' mortality was related to the NICU facility level, volume of VLBW infants and geographic regions. The capital city, Seoul, has the best NICU facilities and workforce, and the least mortality. Overall mortality rates before hospital discharge for <750, 750-999 and 1000-1499 g were 44.8%, 20.4% and 6.5% respectively. There was a two to threefold difference in the mortality rates across the regions. However, following adjustments for NICU facility level and volume of VLBW infants admissions, regional difference in mortality rates was markedly reduced in the <750 g and disappeared in the larger VLBW groups. Conclusions Regional disparity in mortality of VLBW infants in Korea is most marked in the lowest-birthweight group, <750 g. This disparity is primarily due to lack of resources for neonatal intensive care in most of provincial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground:The use of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is increasing during the neonatal intensive care of preterm infants. Objective:This prospective study was designed to assess factors that affect the maturation of aEEG activity in preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) of 50). Results:The authors analyzed 207 recordings in 35 infants (GA 24–31 weeks, birth weight 440–1,980 g, postmenstrual age 25–38 weeks). At postmenstrual age 34–36 weeks, the aEEG total score was higher in preterm infants with a GA from 24 to 28 weeks than in less premature infants with a GA from 29 to 31 weeks (aEEG total score 12 vs. 10, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the sleep-wake cycling was more prominent in infants with higher postnatal age (OR 3.32, 95 CI 2.40–4.59) or those receiving aminophylline (OR 3.28, 95 CI 1.06–10.08). Conclusions:The maturation of aEEG activity was found to be significantly correlated with postnatal age and with aminophylline use in clinically stable preterm infants. Most notably, aminophylline was found to be significantly associated with the degree of sleep-wake cycling as indicated by aEEG activity.Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]