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Objectives To characterize the relationship of echocardiographic markers of left heart overload and flow in peripheral major end-organ vessels (eg, celiac artery) with the presence of reversed holodiastolic flow in the descending aorta, considered a surrogate marker of an increased transductal shunt volume, in preterm patients with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Methods This work was a retrospective study of data from echocardiography performed to investigate the hemodynamic significance of a PDA in preterm patients. We studied differences in echocardiographic markers of the PDA shunt volume according to patterns of flow in the postductal descending aorta (no PDA, PDA with antegrade diastolic flow, and PDA with reversed diastolic flow). The strength of the association between each echocardiographic marker and the presence of aortic holodiastolic flow reversal was investigated. Results We studied 137 patients with a median (interquartile range) birth weight of 850 (694-1030) g and a median gestational age of 25 (24-27) weeks. Among patients with a PDA (113), those with diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta (44) presented had increased echocardiographic markers representative of the shunt volume (increased left ventricular output, left atrial-to-aortic ratio, pulmonary vein D wave, and shorter isovolumic relaxation time) compared to those with aortic antegrade diastolic flow. A positive, albeit weak, correlation between diastolic flow reversal and shunt volume echocardiographic markers was found. Abnormal diastolic flow in the celiac artery had the strongest correlation (R2 = 0.24). Conclusions In preterm patients with a PDA, echocardiographic markers of the shunt volume were more abnormal in patients with reversed diastolic flow in the descending aorta. These data support the assumption that variance in these markers are related to the shunt volume, which needs consideration when adjudicating hemodynamic significance.

Objective: This study was carried out to understand the disparities in mortality and survival without major morbidities among very premature and very low birth weight infants between participating Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) from the Brazilian Network on Neonatal Research (RBPN) and the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ). Methods: Secondary data analysis of surveys by the RBPN and NRNJ was performed. The surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015 and included 187 NICUs. Primary outcome was mortality or survival without any major morbidity. Logistic regression analysis adjustment for confounding factors was used. Results: The study population consisted of 6,406 infants from the NRNJ and 2,319 from the RBPN. Controlling for various confounders, infants from RBPN had 9.06 times higher adjusted odds of mortality (95%CI 7.30–11.29), and lower odds of survival without major morbidities (AOR 0.36; 95%CI 0.32–0.41) compared with those from the NRNJ. Factors associated with higher odds of mortality among Brazilian NICUs included: Air Leak Syndrome (AOR 4.73; 95%CI 1.26–15.27), Necrotizing Enterocolitis (AOR 3.25; 95%CI 1.38–7.26), and Late Onset Sepsis (LOS) (AOR 4.86; 95%CI 2.25–10.97). Conclusions: Very premature and very low birth weight infants from Brazil had significantly higher odds for mortality and lower odds for survival without major morbidities in comparison to those from Japan. Additionally, we identified the factors that increased the odds of in-hospital neonatal death in Brazil, most of which was related to LOS. RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo foi realizado para compreender as disparidades na mortalidade e sobrevivência sem as principais morbidades entre recém-nascidos muito prematuros e de muito baixo peso entre Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTINs) participantes da Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas Neonatais (RBPN) e Rede de Pesquisa Neonatal do Japão (NRNJ). Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise dos dados secundários dos bancos de dados da RBPN e da NRNJ. As pesquisas foram realizadas em 2014 e 2015 e incluíram 187 UTINs. O desfecho primário foi mortalidade ou sobrevida sem qualquer morbidade importante. Utilizou-se a análise de regressão logística com ajuste para os fatores de confusão. Resultados: A população do estudo foi composta por 6.406 recém-nascidos do NRNJ e 2.319 do RBPN. Ajustando para diversos fatores de confusão, os prematuros da RBPN tiveram 9,06 vezes maiores chances de mortalidade (IC95% 7,30–11,29) e menores chances de sobrevivência sem morbidades importantes (AOR 0,36; IC95% 0,32–0,41) em comparação com os da NRNJ. Fatores associados a maiores chances de mortalidade entre as UTINs brasileiras incluíram: síndrome de escape de ar (AOR 4,73; IC95% 1,26–15,27), enterocolite necrosante (AOR 3,25; IC95% 1,38–7,26) e sepse de início tardio (AOR 4,86; IC95% 2,25–10,97). Conclusões: Os recém-nascidos muito prematuros e de muito baixo peso do Brasil apresentaram chances significativamente maiores de mortalidade e menores chances de sobrevivência sem as principais morbidades em comparação aos do Japão. Além disso, identificamos os fatores que aumentam as chances da morte neonatal no Brasil, sendo a maioria relacionada à sepse tardia.

Introdução: A maioria das mulheres grávidas infectadas com SARS-CoV-2 será assintomática. A maior parte das mulheres sintomáticas apresenta apenas sintomas leves ou moderados de resfriado/ gripe. Os sintomas mais comuns de COVID-19 em mulheres grávidas são tosse e febre. Os menos frequentes são dispneia, mialgia, perda de paladar e diarreia. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de COVID-19 em grupo de gestantes sintomáticas. Métodos: Foram selecionadas todas as gestantes atendidas na emergência de duas maternidades localizadas na zona sul e na zona oeste da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, que apresentaram diagnóstico compatível com síndrome gripal (CID J11) ou síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SRAG) (CID U04.9) em um período de um ano, de março de 2020 a março de 2021. Todas foram submetidas a coleta de amostra de nasofaringe para pesquisa de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: Foram recrutadas 640 fichas de atendimento de gestantes com síndrome gripal e/ou SRAG. Testaram positivo para COVID-19 42% (n=262 gestantes). A prevalência foi maior no grupo de gestantes da zona oeste do Rio de Janeiro (43%, n=117/408) do que no da zona sul (37%, n=85/232). Conclusão: A testagem em massa das gestantes seria a conduta ideal para conhecermos a real prevalência da COVID-19 em gestantes em nossa população. Os testes para vírus respiratórios diferentes do SARS-CoV-2 devem ser orientados pela epidemiologia atual, uma vez que, mesmo em período de pandemia, a maioria das síndromes gripais em gestantes não estão diretamente relacionadas ao SARS-CoV-2. Esses resultados correspondem a resultados preliminares do estudo “Rede de pesquisa em SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19 na assistência perinatal”.

Objetivo: Identificar o tempo de reação da equipe multiprofissional frente à presença de ruído na unidade de terapia neonatal. Metodologia: Estudo transversal onde foram coletados registros de níveis de pressão sonora utilizando um decibilimetro. Resultados: Foram coletados 449 registros para análise na presente pesquisa, sendo 323 feitos na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e 126 na Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários Convencionais. Verificou-se que a mediana do tempo de reação dos profissionais foi elevado. O profissional que atuou com maior rapidez frente ao ruído na UTIN foi o Enfermeiro; e na UCINCO, o profissional médico atuou mais rapidamente. Também foi registrado que não houve uma correlação significativa entre elevados níveis de pressão sonora e o tempo de reação dos profissionais frente ao ruído. Conclusão: o tempo de reação dos profissionais de saúde, frente aos ruídos nesta unidade neonatal encontrava-se muito além do que foi estipulado para este estudo.

To assess 11 formulae commonly used to estimate fetal weight in a population of premature fetuses who had abnormal Doppler velocimetry due to early-onset placental insufficiency. The performance of each formula was evaluated in subgroups of fetuses with expected growth and intrauterine growth restriction. Data were collected from fetuses and mothers who delivered at three Brazilian hospitals between November 2002 and December 2013. We used the following formulae: Campbell; Hadlock I, II, III, IV and V; Shepard; Warsof; Weiner I and II; and Woo III. We analyzed 194 fetuses. Of these, 116 (59.8%) were considered appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and 103 (53.1%) were male. The amniotic fluid volume was reduced in 87 (44.8%) fetuses, and the umbilical artery Doppler revealed absence or inversion of diastolic flow in 122 (62.9%) cases, and the analysis of the ductus venosus revealed abnormal flow in 60 (34.8%) fetuses. The Hadlock formulae using three or four fetal biometric parameters had low absolute percentage error in the estimated fetal weight among preterm fetuses with abnormal Doppler studies who were born within 5 days of the ultrasound evaluation. The results were not influenced by the clinical and ultrasound parameters often found in early-onset placental insufficiency. In this study, the formulae with the best performance for fetal weight estimation in the analyzed population were Hadlock I and IV, which use four and three fetal biometric parameters respectively to estimate the weight of preterm fetuses with abnormal Doppler studies. Avaliar o desempenho de 11 fórmulas comumente utilizadas para estimativa de peso fetal em uma população de fetos prematuros com dopplervelocimetria alterada devido a insuficiência placentária de início precoce. O desempenho de cada fórmula foi avaliado em subgrupos de fetos com crescimento adequado e com crescimento intrauterino restrito. MéTODOS: Foram coletados os dados de mães e fetos cujos partos foram acompanhados em 3 instituições brasileiras entre novembro de 2002 e dezembro de 2013. As fórmulas selecionadas para análise foram: Campbell; Hadlock I, II, III, IV e V; Shepard; Warsof; Weiner I e II; e Woo III. Foram analisados os pesos de 194 fetos, dos quais 116 (59,8%) foram considerados adequados para a idade gestacional, 103 (53,1%) eram do sexo masculino, em 87 (44,8%) havia redução do volume de líquido amniótico, em 122 (62,9%) o Doppler de artéria umbilical demonstrou ausência ou inversão do fluxo na diástole, e em 60 (34,8%) a análise do duto venoso indicou fluxo anormal. A média do erro percentual absoluto (EPA) demonstrou que as fórmulas de Hadlock que utilizam 3 ou 4 parâmetros biométricos fetais apresentaram o melhor desempenho. Os resultados obtidos para essas fórmulas não sofreram influência dos parâmetros clínicos e ultrassonográficos frequentemente encontrados na insuficiência placentária de início precoce. CONCLUSãO: O presente estudo demonstrou o melhor desempenho das fórmulas de Hadlock que contêm 3 ou 4 parâmetros da biometria para estimativa de peso de fetos prematuros com anormalidades ao mapeamento Doppler.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T15:46:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Objective To verify whether the use of the T-piece resuscitator compared with the self-inflating bag in preterm infants ventilated at birth modifies survival to hospital discharge without major morbidities. Design Pragmatic prospective cohort study. Setting 20 Brazilian university hospitals of Brazilian Network on Neonatal Research. Patients were 1962 inborn infants in 2014-2015 ventilated at birth with 23-33' weeks gestation and birth weight 400-1499 g without malformations. Patients transferred until the 27th day after birth were excluded. Interventions Positive pressure ventilation at birth with T-piece resuscitator or self-inflating bag without positive end expiratory pressure valve. Intervention with ventilation followed the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics guidelines. The choice of the equipment was at the neonatologist's discretion in each delivery. The main outcome measures were survival to hospital discharge without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe peri-intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leucomalada. Logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables was applied for main outcome. Results 1456 (74%) were only ventilated with T-piece resuscitator and 506 (26%) with the self-inflating bag. The characteristics of those ventilated with T-Piece resuscitator versus self-inflating bag were birth weight 969 +/- 277 vs 941 +/- 279 g, gestational age 28.2 +/- 2.5 vs 27.8 +/- 2.7 weeks and survival to hospital discharge without major morbidities 47% vs 35%, Logistic regression adjusted for maternal characteristics, obstetric and neonatal morbidities showed that the T-piece resuscitator increased the chance of survival to hospital discharge without major morbidities (OR=1.38; 95% Cl 1.06 to 1.80; Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit: 0.695). Conclusion This study is the first that highlights the effectiveness of T-piece resuscitator ventilation in improving relevant outcomes in preterm neonates. Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Div Neonatal Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil Univ Fed Maranhao, Dept Pediat, Sao Luis, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Pediat, Fac Ciencias Med, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Div Neonatol, Fac Med Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Div Neonatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Pontificia Univ Catolica Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Pediat, Hosp Sao Lucas, Fac Med, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Div Neonatol, Hosp Clin Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Dept Pediat, Hosp Univ Pedro Ernesto, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Div Neonatol, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Uberlandia, Pediat, Uberlandia, MG, Brazil Maternidade Hilda Brandao, Dept Pediat, Fac Ciencias Med Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Pediat, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Hosp Estadual Sumare, Neonatal Div, Sumare, Brazil Hosp Geral Pirajussara, Neonatal Unit, Taboao Da Serra, Brazil Hosp Estadual Diadema, Neonatal Unit, Diadema, Brazil Univ Estadual Londrina, Dept Pediat, Hosp Univ, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Fed Parana, Dept Pediat, Hosp Clin, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Inst Med Integral Prof Fernando Figueira, Dept Pediat, Recife, PE, Brazil Inst Fernandes Figueira FIOCRUZ, Dept Pediat, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Div Neonatol, Fac Med Botucatu, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

The causative factors of neonatal feeding intolerance are poorly understood, but potentially related to clinical practices such as empiric antibiotic usage. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether early empiric antibiotic exposure negatively affects preterm infants' enteral feeding tolerance. Data from infants without risk factors for sepsis, 500 to 1499 g birth weight and 24 to 34 weeks gestational age were analyzed. The primary outcomes were the empiric antibiotic exposure effects on the infants' total parenteral nutrition usage duration and prevalence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Among the 901 infants included, 67 were exposed to early empiric antibiotic. A 50% increase in parenteral nutrition usage duration and a 4-fold greater prevalence of NEC was seen in the early empiric antibiotic-exposed neonates, when compared with control infants (P < 0.01). Early empiric antibiotic exposure appears to negatively influence preterm infant feeding tolerance and possibly contributes to NEC.

Background Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Aim To determine the incidence, risk factors and etiology of LOS. Methods LOS was investigated in a multicenter prospective cohort of infants at eight public university neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Inclusion criteria included inborn, 23-33 weeks of gestational age, 400-1499 g birth weight, who survived >3 days. Results Of 1507 infants, 357 (24%) had proven LOS and 345 (23%) had clinical LOS. Infants with LOS were more likely to die. The majority of infections (76%) were caused by Gram-positive organisms. Independent risk factors for proven LOS were use of central venous catheter and mechanical ventilation, age at the first feeding and number of days on parenteral nutrition and on mechanical ventilation. Conclusion LOS incidence and mortality are high in Brazilian VLBW infants. Most risk factors are associated with routine practices at NICU.

Evidence supporting delayed cord clamping (DCC) in the premature newborn is increasing, yet in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); DCC was not being consistently performed, and when it was there were noted variations in the absence of a standardized guideline. The objective of this quality improvement (QI) project was to develop and secure institutional approval of a DCC guideline for the premature newborn and increase knowledge of DCC among healthcare providers (HCPs). The design was a QI project using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory to guide the development of a DCC guideline. Educational in-services were conducted to increase knowledge of DCC and the components of the DCC guideline. A panel of nine experts including interdisciplinary HCPs from the NICU and the obstetrics department (OB) defined and approved the DCC guideline content. A convenience sample of 90 HCPs participated in the DCC educational inservices. The use of the DCC Guideline Development tool created from best evidence guided an interdisciplinary committee towards consensus and final approval of the DCC guideline. Eleven standardized DCC in-services were conducted with pretest-posttest knowledge surveys. Essential components of the guideline include a delay of 45 seconds before cord clamping, inclusion and exclusion criteria, thermoregulation interventions, and responsibilities of the NICU and OB team. In-service education of DCC and guideline was effective based on survey results. The DCC guideline and education of the HCPs seeks to translate best evidence into practice and standardize DCC implementation. Future plans include measuring retained knowledge, guideline adherence by the HCPs, and evaluation of clinical outcomes.

Aims: The aim of the current study was to developed and test the reliability of a technique for measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding infants. Methods: The technique was developed using a cohort of 11 term and 12 preterm infants, and subsequently evaluated using a cohort of 43 preterm infants. Measurements related to sucking pressure in the term and preterm infants were acquired. The signals were recorded for 5 min, saved on a computer, and stored for analysis. For purposes of analysis, the minute with the highest quality signal was chosen. Signal analysis was performed by two researchers, and inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The newborns in the sample had different gestational ages. Results: A technique was developed for the analysis of temporal parameters of sucking during breastfeeding and evaluated in 43 preterm infants with different gestational ages for the following variables: number of bursts per minute, number of sucks per burst, sucking rate, pause rate, and duration of pauses. The intraobserver agreement was 0.85 and the inter-observer agreement was 0.85. Conclusions: The technique that was developed and validated proved capable of measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding newborns.

Objective To define the technique of estimating ductal diameter (DD) that best correlates with echocardiographic markers of transductal shunt volume in preterm infants >7 days old with persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Study design We conducted a retrospective study of 104 neonates born at Results Two hundred echocardiograms were reviewed from 104 patients with a median gestational age of 25.4 weeks (range, 25-26.3 weeks) and a median birth weight of 810 g (range, 740-920 g). We found a weak correlation of each method of PDA size definition with individual echocardiographic markers of transductal shunt volume, of which nonindexed DD demonstrated the best correlation. The best correlation was found with markers of systemic hypoperfusion, such as diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta (R2 = 0.24) and celiac artery (R2 = 0.21). Markers of pulmonary overcirculation, such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (R2 = 0.19) and left ventricular output (R2 = 0.17), showed fair correlation with nonindexed DD. Conclusion In preterm infants >7 days old with PDA, nonindexed DD demonstrated weak correlations with individual echocardiographic markers of shunt volume. These data highlight the need for comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation in addition to diameter measurements to provide a better understanding of the hemodynamic consequences of PDA.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a incidência e o tipo de erros médicos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e a relação entre o erro e o estado clínico do paciente. MÉTODOS: Revisamos os prontuários médicos, durante os primeiros 7 dias de hospitalização, de todos os recém-nascidos de alto risco admitidos por um período de 3 meses. RESULTADOS: Setenta e três pacientes foram admitidos durante o período de estudo. A média de peso de nascimento foi de 2.140 g (640-5.020 g), e a idade gestacional média foi de 34 semanas (25-40 semanas). Dos 73 prontuários analisados, 40 (55%) apresentaram um ou mais erros. Um total de 365 dias de hospitalização foi analisado, e 95 erros médicos foram detectados (um erro por 3,9 dias de hospitalização). O erro mais freqüente esteve associado com uso de medicamentos (84,2%). Uso de procedimentos terapêuticos (medicamentos, fototerapia, etc.) sem prescrição adequada no prontuário do paciente (erro de comissão) representou 7,4% dos erros, e a incidência de erros de omissão foi de 8,4%. A incidência de erros médicos foi significativamente maior em recém-nascidos com idade gestacional menor. CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de erros no cuidado de recém-nascidos de alto risco é elevada. Deve-se incentivar estratégias para melhorar a educação de profissionais da saúde envolvidos no cuidado e o desenvolvimento da cultura local, divulgando algoritmos claros e acessíveis para orientar o comportamento quando há ocorrência de erros. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and type of medical errors in a newborn intensive care unit and the relationship between the error and the patient's clinical status. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts, during the first 7 days of hospitalization, of all high-risk newborn infants admitted for a period of 3 months. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were admitted during the study period. Their mean birth weight was 2,140 g (640-5,020 g) and mean gestational age was 34 weeks (25-40 weeks). Of 73 medical charts analyzed, 40 (55%) had one or more errors. A total of 365 days of hospitalization was analyzed and 95 medical errors were detected (one error per 3.9 days of hospitalization). The most frequent error was associated with medication use (84.2%). Use of therapeutic procedures (drugs, phototherapy, etc.) without proper prescription in the patient's chart (commission error) accounted for 7.4% of the errors, and incidence of omission errors was 8.4%. Incidence of medical errors was significantly higher in newborn infants with lower gestational age. CONCLUSION: Incidence of errors in the care of high-risk newborn infants is elevated. Strategies to improve education of health professionals involved in the care and development of local culture by disseminating clear, accessible algorithms to guide behavior when errors occur must be encouraged.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficacia terapeutica de um sistema de fototerapia microprocessada que utiliza diodos emissores de luz (Super LED) de alta intensidade no tratamento da hiperbilirrubinemia em recem-nascidos prematuros. METODOS: Ensaio clinico, randomizado e controlado, utilizando a fototerapia Super LED no grupo experimental e duas fototerapias halogenas no grupo controle. A randomizacao foi realizada em blocos e estratificada por peso de nascimento. A duracao da fototerapia e a queda nos niveis sericos de bilirrubina total nas primeiras 24 horas de tratamento foram os principais desfechos analisados. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 88 recem-nascidos, 44 no grupo da fototerapia Super LED e 44 no grupo da fototerapia halogena. As caracteristicas demograficas da populacao foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. O nivel serico medio inicial de bilirrubina no grupo do Super LED (10,1±2,4 mg%) foi semelhante ao do grupo que recebeu fototerapia halogena (10,9±2,0 mg%). A queda percentual na concentracao serica de bilirrubina total nas primeiras 24 horas de tratamento foi significativamente maior (27,9 versus 10,7%, p < 0,01), e a duracao do tratamento foi significativamente menor (36,8 versus 63,8 h, p < 0,01) no grupo do Super LED do que no grupo que recebeu fototerapia halogena. Apos 24 horas de tratamento, um numero significativamente maior de recem-nascidos recebendo fototerapia Super LED atingiu niveis de bilirrubina que permitiram a suspensao da fototerapia (23 versus 10, p < 0,01). CONCLUSOES: Os resultados demonstram que a eficacia da fototerapia Super LED e significativamente maior do que a da fototerapia halogena no tratamento da hiperbilirrubinemia de recem-nascidos prematuros.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-07T15:37:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-09-04. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-07T15:54:26Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 PMC4560891.pdf: 546239 bytes, checksum: cbc40d116ccd55d2a1b852068086634a (MD5) Ministry of Health of Brazil Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units frequently receive red blood cells (RBC) transfusions due to the anemia of prematurity. A number of variables related to gestational age, severity of illness and transfusion practices adopted in the neonatal unit where the neonate was born may contribute to the prescription of RBC transfusions. This study aimed to analyse the frequency and factors associated with RBC transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants. A prospective cohort of 4283 preterm infants (gestational age: 29.9 ± 2.9 weeks; birth weight: 1084 ± 275 g) carried out at 16 university hospitals in Brazil between January 2009 and December 2011 was analysed. Factors associated with RBC transfusions were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 2208 (51.6%) infants received RBC transfusions (variation per neonatal unit: 34.1% to 66.4%). RBC transfusions were significantly associated with gestational age (OR: -1.098; 95%CI: -1.12 to -1.04), SNAPPE II score (1.01; 1.00-1.02), apnea (1.69; 1.34-2.14), pulmonary hemorrhage (2.65; 1.74-4.031), need for oxygen at 28 days of life (1.56; 1.17-2.08), clinical sepsis (3.22; 2.55-4.05), necrotising enterocolitis (3.80; 2.26-6.41), grades III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (1.64; 1.05-2.58), mechanical ventilation (2.27; 1.74-2.97), use of umbilical catheter (1.86; 1.35-2.57), parenteral nutrition (2.06; 1.27-3.33), >60 days of hospitalization (5.29; 4.02-6.95) and the neonatal unit where the neonate was born. The frequency of RBC transfusions varied among neonatal intensive care units. Even after adjusting for adverse health conditions and therapeutic interventions, the neonatal unit continued to influence transfusion practices in very-low birth-weight infants. Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brasil Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brasil Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, Criança e Adolescente Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brasil Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brasil Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil Universidade do Estado de Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brasil Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais (FCMMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brasil Ministry of Health of Brazil: 1755/2000

Este artigo apresenta uma avaliação da intervenção realizada pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro(SMS-RJ) (estratégias de organização e qualificação da assistência neonatal na rede municipal, incluindo a ampliação dos leitos neonatais de risco), com o objetivo de reduzir a mortalidade neonatal. Analisamos as mudanças ocorridas no atendimento dos diferentes prestadores do setor público (período 1994/2000), na taxa de mortalidade neonatal dos nascimentos ocorridos nas instituições do Sistema Único de Saúde (1995/2000) e o perfil das internações em quatro Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) da SMS-RJ (2000). Encontramos a concentração do atendimento neonatal de risco nas unidades municipais (de 28,0% do atendimento de nascidos vivos prematuros, em 1994, para 67,0% em 2000), redução na mortalidade neonatal dos nascimentos ocorridos no SUS (de 19,9 óbitos por mil nascidos vivos em 1996 para 15,5 em 2000). Não houve redução nas taxas de prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer entre as mães residentes no Município do Rio de Janeiro. Na análise das internações nas UTIN encontramos elevada proporção de neonatos de mães moradoras de outros municípios, 14,0% de mães que não realizaram pré-natal e 32,0% de mortalidade entre neonatos com peso ao nascer < 1.500g. This article analyzes an intervention by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department (SMS-RJ), Brazil, to reduce the neonatal mortality rate (strategies for organizing and upgrading neonatal care in the municipal system, including an increase in the number of neonatal high-risk beds). We studied the trends in neonatal mortality rate (1995/2000), neonatal care provided in different public hospitals (1994/2000), and admissions profile and mortality in four neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) under the SMS-RJ (2000). There was a concentration of high-risk neonatal care in the municipal hospitals (an increase from 28.0% of the care provided for live premature neonates in 1994 to 67.0% in 2000) and a reduction in the neonatal mortality rate in units under the Unified National Health System (from 19.9 deaths per thousand live births in 1996 to 15.5 in 2000). There was no reduction in the prematurity and low birth weight rates among mothers residing in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Analysis of admissions to the NICUs showed a high proportion of neonates born to mothers from municipalities outside Rio de Janeiro, while 14.0% of the mothers had not received prenatal care, and the mortality rate among newborns with birth weight < 1.500g was 32.0%.

OBJETIVOS: avaliar o uso de corticosteróide antenatal (CA) nas mães e as suas repercussões nas condições de nascimento das crianças nascidas pré-termo nas oito unidades neonatais universitárias da Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas Neonatais. MÉTODOS: estudo observacional do tipo coorte prospectivo. Foram avaliadas 463 gestantes com idade gestacional (IG) entre 23 e 34 semanas e seus 514 recém-nascidos no período de 1 de agosto a 31 de dezembro de 2001. Os dados foram obtidos por entrevista materna, análise de prontuário e acompanhamento dos recém-nascidos, e analisados pelos testes do chi2, Mann-Whitney, ANOVA e regressão logística múltipla, com nível de significância de 0,05. RESULTADOS: 60,1% (282/463) das gestantes (variação de 12,5 a 87,3% entre as unidades) receberam ao menos uma dose de CA. A freqüência do uso de CA foi diretamente associada ao número de consultas de pré-natal, hipertensão materna e uso antenatal de tocolíticos. Quando as gestantes foram tratadas, os RN apresentaram maior peso de nascimento (1379±421 vs 1244±543 g), idade gestacional mais avançada (30,9±2,0 vs 29,5±3,5 semanas), melhores valores do escore de Apgar no 1º e 5º minuto e menor freqüência de intervenção na sala de parto. O uso de CA, a IG e o fato de ser pequeno para a IG melhoraram, de forma independente, as condições de nascimento. CONCLUSÕES: o uso de CA, na maioria dos centros, foi feito em freqüência abaixo da desejada e em metade das vezes de forma inadequada. O tratamento foi mais aplicado a mães com melhor acompanhamento durante o pré-natal e foi associado com melhores condições de nascimento. PURPOSE: to assess the use of antenatal corticosteroid (AC) by mothers and its repercussion on the birth conditions of preterm babies at the eight university neonatal units belonging to the Brazilian Network of Neonatal Research. METHODS: an observational prospective cohort study. All 463 pregnant women with a gestational age (GA) of 23 to 34 weeks and their 514 newborn babies were evaluated during the period from August 1 to December 31, 2001. The data were obtained by maternal interview, by the analysis of the medical records and by the follow-up of the newborn infants, and analyzed statistically using chi2, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests and multiple logistic regression, with the level of significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: 60.1% (282/463) of the pregnant women (a variation from 12.5 to 87.3% among units) received at least one AC dose. The AC use was directly associated with the number of prenatal visits, with maternal hypertension and with the antenatal use of tocolytic agents. Babies from treated pregnant women presented higher birth weight (1,379±421 vs 1,244±543 g), longer gestational age (30.9±2.0 vs 29.5±3.5 weeks), better Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minute, and a reduced need for intervention in the delivery room. The use of AC, the GA and a baby small for GA independently improved the birth conditions. CONCLUSIONS: at most centers, AC was administered at frequencies below the desired ones, and in 50% of cases in an inadequate manner. Treatment was applied more to mothers who received appropriate prenatal care and was associated with better birth conditions.

CONTEXT: Premature infant lung development may be affected by lung injuries during the first few weeks of life. Lung injuries have been associated with changes in lung mechanics. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an association between lung mechanics and lung structural alterations in very low birth weight infants (birth weight less than 1500 g). DESIGN: A cross-sectional evaluation of pulmonary mechanics (lung compliance and lung resistance) and high resolution computed tomography of the chest at the time of discharge, in 86 very low birth weight infants born at Instituto Fernandes Figueira, a tertiary public healthcare institution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Lung compliance and resistance were measured during quiet sleep. High resolution computed tomography was performed using Pro Speed-S equipment. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Statistical analysis was performed by means of variance analysis (ANOVA/ Kruskal Wallis). The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Abnormal values for both lung compliance and lung resistance were found in 34 babies (43%), whereas 20 (23.3%) had normal values for both lung compliance and lung resistance. The mean lung compliance and lung resistance for the group were respectively 1.30 ml/cm H2O/kg and 63.7 cm H2O/l/s. Lung alterations were found via high-resolution computed tomography in 62 (72%) infants. Most infants showed more than one abnormality, and these were described as ground glass opacity, parenchymal bands, atelectasis and bubble/cyst. The mean compliance values for infants with normal (1.49 ml/cm H2O/kg) high resolution computed tomography, 1 or 2 abnormalities (1.31 ml/cm H2O/kg) and 3 or more abnormalities (1.16 ml/cm H2O/kg) were significantly different (p = 0.015). Our data were insufficient to find any association between lung resistance and the number of alterations via high-resolution computed tomography. CONCLUSION: The results show high prevalence of lung functional and tomographic abnormalities in asymptomatic very low birth weight infants at the time of discharge. They also show an association between lung morphological and functional abnormalities. CONTEXTO: O desenvolvimento pulmonar do bebê prematuro pode ser afetado por lesão ao pulmão nas primeiras semanas de vida, podendo ocasionar alterações na mecânica pulmonar. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a mecânica pulmonar e as alterações estruturais pulmonares em prematuros de muito baixo peso (peso de nascimento inferior a 1.500 g). TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo de corte transversal avaliando a mecânica pulmonar (medidas a complacência e a resistência) e estrutura pulmonar (através da tomografia de tórax de alta resolução) próximo à alta hospitalar de 86 prematuros de muito baixo peso, nascidos no Instituto Fernandes Figueira, uma instituição pública, terciária, no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A complacência e resistência pulmonares foram medidas durante o sono tranqüilo. A tomografia de tórax foi realizada com o equipamento Pro Speed-S. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Na análise estatística, utilizamos análise de variância para múltiplas comparações (ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis). O nível de significância estatística empregado foi 0,05. RESULTADOS: Em 34 bebês (43%), foram encontrados resultados alterados tanto para a complacência quanto para a resistência pulmonares e, em 20 crianças (23,3%), ambos os resultados foram normais. As médias da complacência e resistência pulmonares da população estudada foram respectivamente 1,30 ml/cm H2O/Kg e 63,7 cm H2O/l/s. Em 62 bebês (72%), os exames tomográficos apresentavam alterações pulmonares. A maioria das crianças mostrou mais de uma alteração, descritas como opacidade em vidro fosco, banda parenquimatosa, atelectasia, bolha/cisto. As médias dos valores de complacência para as crianças com tomografia de tórax normal, 1 ou 2 alterações e 3 ou mais alterações, foram significativamente diferentes: 1,49, 1,31, 1,16 (p = 0,015). Não encontramos relação entre resistência pulmonar e o número de alterações tomográficas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostram alta prevalência de anormalidades funcionais e tomográficas em bebês prematuros, assintomáticos, próximo à alta hospitalar. Mostram também uma relação entre anormalidades pulmonares morfológicas e funcionais.

OBJETIVO: Verificar os valores de predição de dois exames (neurológico e ultra-sonográfico) realizados no período neonatal, em relação ao desenvolvimento neuromotor e cognitivo de prematuros. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 70 prematuros com peso de nascimento inferior a 1.500g. A média do peso de nascimento e idade gestacional foram, respectivamente, 1.185g (DP:180) e 32,2 semanas (DP:1,4). Foi realizada avaliação neurológica pelo método de Dubowitz e Dubowitz e ultra-sonografia cerebral por volta de 40 semanas de idade corrigida. Após a alta do berçário estas crianças foram acompanhadas no ambulatório de seguimento. RESULTADOS: Com idade média de 21 meses (DP: 4,9) corrigidos para a prematuridade, 25,7% das crianças apresentaram comprometimento neuromotor, e 20,3%, alteração cognitiva. O exame neurológico neonatal foi mais sensível que específico em relação à alteração neuromotora (sensibilidade:77,7%, especificidade:57,6%), e cognitiva (sensibilidade: 78,5%, especificidade: 56,4%), e apresentou baixo valor de predição tanto para alteração neuromotora (38,9%) quanto cognitiva (31,4%). A ultra-sonografia apresentou elevada especificidade tanto para o desenvolvimento neuromotor (92,3%) quanto cognitivo (89,1%). O valor preditivo da ultra-sonografia foi satisfatório para anormalidades neuromotoras (69,2%), porém baixo para as alterações cognitivas (50,0%). CONCLUSÃO: A associação dos dois exames com resultados anormais apresentou valores de predição mais elevados para as anormalidades nas duas áreas do desenvolvimento. OBJECTIVE: To verify the predictive value of two tests (neurological assessment and ultrasonography) performed at the time of discharge, with respect to the neuromotor and cognitive development of premature infants. METHODS: Seventy very low birth weight premature infants (below 1,500g), admitted to the Neonatal Department between 1992 and 1994 were studied. The average birth weight and gestation age were, respectively, 1,185g (SD:180g) and 32.2 weeks (SD: 1.4). At the term correct age, neurological assessment by the Dubowitz & Dubowitz method and cerebral ultrasonography were carried out. After discharge, the development was monitored at the follow up clinic. RESULTS: At 21 months correct age (SD: 4.9), neuromotor and cognitive abnormalities were observed, respectively, in 25.7% and 20.3% of the infants evaluated. The neonatal neurological assessment was found to be more sensitive than those specific for neuromotor (sensibility:77.7%, specificity:57.6%) and cognitive (sensibility:78.5%, specificity:56.4%) abnormalities, and exhibited low predictive value for both neuromotor and cognitive abnormality. Ultrasonography exhibited high specificity with respect to both neuromotor and cognitive development. The cerebral ultrasonography has also a reasonable predictive value for neuromotor abnormality. CONCLUSION: The combination of both tests yielded higher predictive values.

This study describes the effects of nitric oxide in newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension. We studied 9 infants with severe respiratory failure characterized by hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. All infants met ECMO criteria and the oxygenation index (OI) was greater than 25. Mean birth weight was 2698 -/+ 661 g and gestational age was 36.4 -/+ 2.6 weeks. Nitric oxide was administered in a Y circuit in the inspiratory line of the mechanical ventilator. Nitric oxide and NO2 concentrations were monitored with electrochemical analyzers (PACI and PACII-Draeger). Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed with clinical and echocardiografic criteria, with detection of right to left shunt with color doppler. All patients showed a dramatic improvement in oxigenation after nitric oxide administration. The drug reduced the mean OI, which was 48.5 before its administration, to 17.7 after 30', 14.1 after 6 hours, and 10.5 after 12 hours. We observed in all patients a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, reversal of the right to left shunt without any effects on systemic arterial pressure. Metahemoglobin levels did not reach 1.5% in any patient. Only one out of the 9 patients died, after reversal of the pulmonary hypertension, from other complications of perinatal asphyxia. Our data show that nitric oxide is a promising drug in the treatment of neonatal pulmonary hypertension and that it may reduce the need of ECMO in severe respiratory failure.

Epignathus is a congenital teratoide tumor in the oral cavity. It is extremely rare and usually lethal. The authors present a case treated successfully. Important aspects of the diagnosis, clinical management and surgical procedures are discussed. Extensive review of the literature is presented.

Objective:To investigate a possible association between the intensity of staff workload and intermediate adverse events, such as accidental extubation, obstruction of the endotracheal tube, and accidental disconnection of the ventilator circuit, during neonatal mechanical ventilation in high-risk neonatal units. Method:This prospective cohort study analyzed data of 543 newborns from public neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the city of Sao Luis, state of Maranhao, Northeastern Brazil, for 6 months, during which 136 newborns were submitted to mechanical ventilation in 1,108 shifts and were observed a total of 4,554 times. Results: Adverse events occurred 117 times during this period. The associations between workload and adverse events were analyzed by means of generalized estimating equations. The adjustment variables were: birth weight, gender, maternity unit, Clinical Risk Index for Babies score, and care demand, the latter measured by the Northern Neonatal Network Scale. The larger the number of newborns classified by care demand (NCCD) per nurse and nursing technician, the more likely the occurrence of intermediate adverse events linked to mechanical ventilation. A number of NCCD > 22 per nurse (relative risk [RR] = 2.86) and > 4.8 per auxiliary nurse (RR = 3.41) was associated with a higher prevalence of intermediate adverse events. Conclusions: The workload of NICU professionals seems to interfere with the intermediate results of neonatal care and thus should be taken into consideration when evaluating NICU outcomes

1. Professora associada, Disciplina de Pediatra Neonatal, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.2. Professora titular, Disciplina de Pediatra Neonatal, UNIFESP-EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.3. Professor titular, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.4. Professor titular, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.5. Professora associada, livre-docente, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, USP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.6. Professor livre-docente, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.7. Professora adjunta, livre-docente, Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.8. Mestre, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.9. Doutor. Chefe, Clinica de Neonatologia, Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundacao Osvaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Objective To test the hypothesis that red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm infants are associated with increased intra-hospital mortality. Study design Variables associated with death were studied with Cox regression analysis in a prospective cohort of preterminfants with birth weight

The use of 53 different technologies was studied in 82 patients in a neonatal intensive care unit. Using a coefficient of similarity based on the utilization pattern of these technologies, it was possible to identify five clusters of patients that can be correlated with the primary diagnostic groups and such other variables as birth weight (BW), gestational age, length of stay (LOS), and weight gain. Four interdependent models were identified by multiple regression analysis. The number of different therapeutic technologies applied to these patients can be explained (r = 0.67) by their Apgar scores, gestational age, and an index of severity of illness based on the diagnostic group. The number of different diagnostic technologies used is directly related to the number of therapies delivered (r = 0.63) and, jointly with BW, determines LOS (r = 0.73). Finally, weight gain is explained by LOS and BW (r = 0.65).

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os fatores perinatais associados ao óbito neonatal precoce em prematuros com peso ao nascer entre 400 e 1.500 g. MÉTODOS: Coorte prospectiva e multicêntrica dos nascidos vivos com idade gestacional de 23 a 33 semanas e peso de 400-1.500 g, sem malformações em oito maternidades públicas terciárias universitárias entre junho de 2004 e maio de 2005. As características maternas e neonatais e a morbidade nas primeiras 72 horas de vida foram comparadas entre os prematuros que morreram ou sobreviveram até o sexto dia de vida. As variáveis perinatais associadas ao óbito neonatal precoce foram determinadas por regressão logística. RESULTADOS: No período, 579 recém-nascidos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. O óbito precoce ocorreu em 92 (16%) neonatos, variando entre as unidades de 5 a 31%, e tal diferença persistiu controlando-se por um escore de gravidade clínica (SNAPPE-II). A análise multivariada para o desfecho óbito neonatal intra-hospitalar precoce mostrou associação com: idade gestacional de 23-27 semanas (odds ratio - OR = 5,0; IC95% 2,7-9,4), ausência de hipertensão materna (OR = 1,9; IC95% 1,0-3,7), Apgar 0-6 no 5º minuto (OR = 2,8; IC95% 1,4-5,4), presença de síndrome do desconforto respiratório (OR = 3,1; IC95% 1,4-6,6) e centro em que o paciente nasceu. CONCLUSÃO: Importantes fatores associados ao óbito neonatal precoce em prematuros de muito baixo peso são passíveis de intervenção, como a melhora da vitalidade fetal ao nascer e a diminuição da incidência e gravidade da síndrome do desconforto respiratório. As diferenças de mortalidade encontradas entre os centros apontam para a necessidade de identificar as melhores práticas e adotá-las de maneira uniforme em nosso meio. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate perinatal factors associated with early neonatal death in preterm infants with birth weights (BW) of 400-1,500 g. METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study of all infants with BW of 400-1,500 g and 23-33 weeks of gestational age (GA), without malformations, who were born alive at eight public university tertiary hospitals in Brazil between June of 2004 and May of 2005. Infants who died within their first 6 days of life were compared with those who did not regarding maternal and neonatal characteristics and morbidity during the first 72 hours of life. Variables associated with the early deaths were identified by stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 579 live births met the inclusion criteria. Early deaths occurred in 92 (16%) cases, varying between centers from 5 to 31%, and these differences persisted after controlling for newborn illness severity and mortality risk score (SNAPPE-II). According to the multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with early intrahospital neonatal deaths: gestational age of 23-27 weeks (odds ratio - OR = 5.0; 95%CI 2.7-9.4), absence of maternal hypertension (OR = 1.9; 95%CI 1.0-3.7), 5th minute Apgar 0-6 (OR = 2.8; 95%CI 1.4-5.4), presence of respiratory distress syndrome (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 1.4-6.6), and network center of birth. CONCLUSION: Important perinatal factors that are associated with early neonatal deaths in very low birth weight preterm infants can be modified by interventions such as improving fetal vitality at birth and reducing the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome. The heterogeneity of early neonatal rates across the different centers studied indicates that best clinical practices should be identified and disseminated throughout the country.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-12T19:02:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:23:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:38:02Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:38:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-01 Objective: To evaluate perinatal factors associated with early neonatal death in preterm infants with birth weights (BW) of 400-1,500 g.Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study of all infants with BW of 400-1,500 g and 23-33 weeks of gestational age (GA), without malformations, who were born alive at eight public university tertiary hospitals in Brazil between June of 2004 and May of 2005. Infants who died within their first 6 days of life were compared with those who did not regarding maternal and neonatal characteristics and morbidity during the first 72 hours of life. Variables associated with the early deaths were identified by stepwise logistic regression.Results: A total of 579 live births met the inclusion criteria. Early deaths occurred in 92 (16%) cases, varying between centers from 5 to 31%, and these differences persisted after controlling for newborn illness severity and mortality risk score (SNAPPE-II). According to the multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with early intrahospital neonatal deaths: gestational age of 23-27 weeks (odds ratio - OR = 5.0; 95%CI 2.7-9.4), absence of maternal hypertension (OR = 1.9; 95%CI 1.0-3.7), 5th minute Apgar 0-6 (OR = 2.8; 95%CI 1.4-5.4), presence of respiratory distress syndrome (OR = 3.1; 95%CI 1.4-6.6), and network center of birth.Conclusion: Important perinatal factors that are associated with early neonatal deaths in very low birth weight preterm infants can be modified by interventions such as improving fetal vitality at birth and reducing the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome. The heterogeneity of early neonatal rates across the different centers studied indicates that best clinical practices should be identified and disseminated throughout the country. Univ Fed São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Disciplina Pediat Neonatal, São Paulo, Brazil Univ São Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pediat, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Univ São Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, BR-09500900 São Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Pediat, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Pontificia Univ Catolica Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Fiocruz MS, Inst Fernandes Figueira, BR-21045900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a incidencia e o tipo de erros medicos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e a relacao entre o erro e o estado clinico do paciente. METODOS: Revisamos os prontuarios medicos, durante os primeiros 7 dias de hospitalizacao, de todos os recem-nascidos de alto risco admitidos por um periodo de 3 meses. RESULTADOS: Setenta e tres pacientes foram admitidos durante o periodo de estudo. A media de peso de nascimento foi de 2.140 g (640-5.020 g), e a idade gestacional media foi de 34 semanas (25-40 semanas). Dos 73 prontuarios analisados, 40 (55%) apresentaram um ou mais erros. Um total de 365 dias de hospitalizacao foi analisado, e 95 erros medicos foram detectados (um erro por 3,9 dias de hospitalizacao). O erro mais frequente esteve associado com uso de medicamentos (84,2%). Uso de procedimentos terapeuticos (medicamentos, fototerapia, etc.) sem prescricao adequada no prontuario do paciente (erro de comissao) representou 7,4% dos erros, e a incidencia de erros de omissao foi de 8,4%. A incidencia de erros medicos foi significativamente maior em recem-nascidos com idade gestacional menor. CONCLUSOES: A incidencia de erros no cuidado de recem-nascidos de alto risco e elevada. Deve-se incentivar estrategias para melhorar a educacao de profissionais da saude envolvidos no cuidado e o desenvolvimento da cultura local, divulgando algoritmos claros e acessiveis para orientar o comportamento quando ha ocorrencia de erros.

Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados do método canguru no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo comparando 16 unidades que possuíam ou não a segunda fase do método canguru: oito eram centros nacionais de referência para o método canguru (grupo estudo), e oito faziam parte daRede Brasileira de Pesquisas Neonatais (grupo controle). Foramincluídos 985 recém-nascidos pesando entre 500 e 1.749 g. Na análise multivariada, utilizou-se a regressão linear múltipla e a regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto. Resultados:Naanálise ajustada (para peso de nascimento, idade gestacional, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension II, Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System, idade e escolaridade maternas), o tempo médio de internação (p = 0,14) e intercorrências clínicas na unidade intermediária ou canguru foram iguais entre os grupos. Peso (p = 0,012), comprimento (p = 0,039) e perímetro cefálico (p = 0,006) com 36 semanas de idade gestacional corrigida forammenores nas unidades canguru. As unidades canguru tiveram desempenho superior em relação ao aleitamento materno exclusivo na alta (69,2 versus 23,8%, p = 0,022). Conclusão: As evidências sugerem que a estratégia de humanização adotada pelo Ministério da Saúde é uma alternativa segura ao tratamento convencional e uma boa estratégia para a promoção do aleitamento materno. Objective: To evaluate the results of the kangaroo mother method in Brazil. Methods: A prospective cohort study comparing 16 units that have or do not have the second phase of the kangaroo mother method: eight were national centers of excellence for the kangaroo mother method (study group) and eight were part of the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (control group). A total of 985 newborn infants with birth weights of 500 to 1,749 g were enrolled. Multivariate analyses employedmultiple linear regression and Poisson regression with robust adjustment. Results: The adjusted analysis (controlled for birth weight, gestational age, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension II, Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention ScoringSystem, and maternal age and educational level) demonstrated that mean length of hospital stay (p = 0.14) and intercurrent clinical conditions in the intermediate or kangaroo unit were equal for both groups. Weight (p = 0.012), length (p = 0.039) and head circumference (p = 0.006) at 36 weeks’ corrected gestational age were all lower at the kangaroo units. The kangaroo units exhibited superior performance in relation to exclusive breastfeeding at discharge (69.2 vs. 23.8%, p=0.022). Conclusions: The evidence suggests that the humanization strategy adopted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health is a safe alternative to conventional treatment and a good strategy for promoting breastfeeding.

Objective: To compare O 2 consumption, CO 2 production, respiratory quotient and resting metabolic rate in premature neonates measured for 5 and 10 min steady-state periods and 15 and 20 min non-steady-state periods versus a 2-h measurement period. Methods: A prospective study with neonates evaluated by indirect calorimetry. The measurements from the 5, 10, 15, and 20 min periods were taken based on the printout data from the IC monitor at an interval of 1 h before the beginning feeding and were contained in the 2-h measurement. The 5- and 10-min measurements followed the steady-state criterion. Results: We evaluated 35 premature neonates appropriate for gestational age (born at 28-34 weeks' gestation). Mean age was 20 days ±9 (median 14 days) and mean weight was 1530 ±270 g (median 1510 g). There was no statistically significant difference between mean VO 2 , VCO 2 , respiratory quotient and energy expenditure at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min and 2 h. Conclusions: The 5 and 10 min steady-state measurements or a measurement of more than 15 min without reaching steady state produce results similar to those of 2 h measurements.

A number of different system identification techniques have been proposed to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation in critically ill patients. From these methods, the response to a standard stepwise change in blood pressure can be estimated. Responses lacking physiological consistency are a common occurrence and could be the consequence of particular system identification procedures or, alternatively, caused by measurements with a poor signal-to-noise ratio. A multi-observer approach was adopted in this paper to classify cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) step responses to spontaneous changes in arterial blood pressure in a group of 43 neonates with a mean gestational age of 33.7 weeks (range 24-42 weeks) and a mean birthweight of 1,980 g (range 570-3,910 g). Three experienced observers independently analysed the estimated step responses in 191 recordings each lasting 100 s; for an autoregressive (ARX) model, 124 (65%) of the step responses were accepted by at least two of the three observers. Two other system identification methods, transfer function analysis and the moving average Wiener-Laguerre model, gave 90 (45%) and 98 (51%) acceptable responses, respectively. Only 54 epochs (28%) were accepted with all three methods. With 88 (46%) responses rejected by at least two methods, it can be concluded that signal quality was the main reason for nonphysiological step responses. To avoid the need for subjective visual selection, an automatic procedure for classifying step responses was implemented leading to sensitivities and specificities in the range 85-90%, with respect to the agreement with subjective evaluations. Objective selection of CBFV step responses is thus feasible and could also be adapted for other physiological measurement techniques relying on system identification methods.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: There have been dramatic increases in very low birth weight infant survival. However, respiratory morbidity remains problematic. The aim here was to verify associations between pulmonary mechanics, pulmonary structural abnormalities and respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study at Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: Premature infants with birth weight < 1500 g were studied. Lung function tests and high-resolution chest tomography were performed before discharge. During the first year, infants were assessed for respiratory morbidity (obstructive airways, pneumonia or hospitalization). Neonatal lung tests and chest tomography and covariables potentially associated with respiratory morbidity were independently assessed using relative risk (RR). RR was subsequently adjusted via logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-seven newborn infants (mean birth weight: 1113g; mean gestational age: 28 weeks) were assessed. Lung compliance and lung resistance were abnormal in 40% and 59%. Tomography abnormalities were found in 72%; respiratory morbidity in 53%. Bivariate analysis showed respiratory morbidity associated with: mechanical ventilation, prolonged oxygen use (beyond 28 days), oxygen use at 36 weeks, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal pneumonia and patent ductus arteriosus. Multivariate analysis gave RR 2.7 (confidence interval: 0.7-10.0) for simultaneous lung compliance and chest tomography abnormalities. Adjusted RR for neonatal pneumonia and mechanical ventilation were greater. CONCLUSIONS: Upon discharge, there were high rates of lung mechanism and tomography abnormalities. More than 50% presented respiratory morbidity during the first year. Neonatal pneumonia and mechanical ventilation use were statistically significant risk factors. CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Na última década ocorreu aumento dramático na sobrevida dos prematuros de muito baixo peso ao nascer. Contudo, a morbidade respiratória é ainda um problema. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar a associação entre mecânica pulmonar, avaliação estrutural pulmonar e a morbidade respiratória no primeiro ano de vida. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Coorte prospectivo realizado no Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Participantes: prematuros com peso de nascimento inferior a 1.500 g. Antes da alta hospitalar foram realizadas prova de função pulmonar e tomografia computadorizada de tórax de alta resolução. As crianças foram acompanhadas durante o primeiro ano de vida e avaliadas quanto à presença de morbidade respiratória (síndrome obstrutiva de vias aéreas, pneumonia, internação). Resultados da prova de função pulmonar, tomografia de tórax e co-variáveis potencialmente associadas com morbidade respiratória foram avaliadas independentemente, usando-se risco relativo (RR). Os riscos relativos foram posteriomente ajustados através de regressão logística. RESULTADO: Estudamos 97 prematuros com peso de nascimento médio de 1.113 g e idade gestacional 28 semanas. A complacência pulmonar estava alterada em 40% dos casos e a resistência, em 59%. Alterações tomográficas ocorreram em crianças, morbidade respiratória em 53%. Na análise bivariada, as co-variáveis associadas com a morbidade respiratória foram: ventilação mecânica, uso prolongado de oxigênio (além de 28 dias), oxigênio às 36 semanas, doença de membrana hialina, pneumonia neonatal, persistência do canal arterial. Na análise multivariada o risco para alteração simultânea da complacência pulmonar e tomografia de tórax foi 2,7 (intervalo de confiança, IC: 0,7-10,0). No cálculo do risco ajustado as co-variáveis pneumonia neonatal e ventilação mecânica obtiveram uma magnitude maior. CONCLUSÃO: Encontramos altas taxas de alterações na mecânica pulmonar e na tomografia de tórax. Mais de 50% das crianças apresentaram morbidade respiratória no primeiro ano de vida. Os fatores de risco estatisticamente significativos foram pneumonia neonatal e assistência ventilatória.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:21:06Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:45:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-16644374418.pdf: 161396 bytes, checksum: 04a0f69ab935ed7c1da144338baff11b (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:21:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2004-07-01 Objectives: To describe the use of antenatal corticosteroid and clinical evolution of preterm babies. Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was carried out. All 463 pregnant women and their 514 newborn babies with gestational age ranging from 23 to 34 weeks, born at the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network units, were evaluated from August 1 to December 31, 2001. The data were obtained through maternal interview, analysis of medical records, and follow-up of the newborn infants. Data analysis was performed with the use of chi-square, t Student, Mann-Whitney, and ANOVA tests and multiple logistic regression, with level of significance set at 5%. Results: Treatment was directly associated with the number of prenatal visits, with maternal hypertension and with the antenatal use of tocolytic agents. Babies from treated pregnant women presented better Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minute, reduced need for intervention in the delivery room and lower SNAPPE II. They were born with higher birth weight, longer gestational age and needed less surfactant use, ventilation, and oxygenation time. After multiple logistic regression, the use of antenatal corticosteroid independently improved birth conditions, decreased ventilation time, being related to increased occurrence of neonatal sepsis. Conclusions: The use of corticosteroid was associated with better prenatal care and birth conditions, better preterm evolution but higher risk of infection. Copyright © 2004 by Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Hospital Das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS Instituto Fernandes Figueira Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Hospital São Paulo Escola Paulista de Medicina Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP Berçário Anexo à Maternidade do Hospital Das Clínicas de São Paulo Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP Hospital São Lucas Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS Hospital Das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Universidade do Estado de São Paulo (UNESP), Botucatu, SP Departamento de Puericultura e Pediatria Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14049-900 - Ribeirao Preto, SP Hospital Das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Universidade do Estado de São Paulo (UNESP), Botucatu, SP

In order to assess blood flow control, the relationship between blood pressure and blood flow can be modeled by linear filters. We present a bootstrap method, which allows the statistical analysis of an index of blood flow control that is obtained from constrained system identification using an established set of pre-defined filters.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the predictive values of neonatal cerebral ultrasonography for motor and cognitive development of very low birth weight preterm babies after twelve months correct age. METHODS: The population studied was a cohort of preterm babies with birth weight less than 1,500g, who had been admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Instituto Fernandes Figueira, and were followed to 12-30 months corrected age for prematurity. A cerebral ultrasonography was performed before discharge. The results were classified as normal and abnormal (parenchymal hemorrhage, porencephaly, periventricular leucomalacia, ventricular dilatation). The babies were followed in the Follow-up Clinic and between 12-30 months correct age they underwent a neurological assessment with observation of the acquisition of motor milestones and submitted to Bayley Scales of Development. RESULTS: We studied 83 babies. Cerebral ultrasonography was normal in 68 babies (81.9%) and abnormal in 15 (18.8%). With a mean age of 21 months, 63 children (75.9%) had normal motor development and 20 (24.0%) had motor abnormalities. The cognitive development was normal in 68 children (81.9%). The negative predictive value of the cerebral ultrasonography for motor development was 85.3%, and for cognitive development, 86.8%. The positive predictive value of the cerebral ultrasonography for motor development was 66.7% and for cognitive development, 42.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The negative predictive values were greater than the positive predictive values in both areas of development. The probability for children with normal neonatal ultrasonography to have normal motor and cognitive development is greater than 85%.

OBJETIVO: avaliar as formas de apresentação clínica da enterocolite necrosante neonatal e os fatores associados à doença. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo dos casos de enterocolite necrosante neonatal (ECN) (n = 56) ocorridos na UTI Neonatal Lagoa, entre dezembro de 1986 e julho de 1992. O diagnóstico e estadiamento da doença seguiram o critério de Bell modificado. Foram avaliados o diagnóstico e a evolução de todos os casos. Posteriormente, foram selecionados os casos de enterocolite grau II e III (n =44) e comparados com um grupo controle (n = 44), selecionado pelo peso de nascimento (± 250g) e época de internação (± 2 semanas). Para a análise estatística, foi considerado significante p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: dos 2.447 recém-natos internados na UTI, 56 (2,3%) evoluíram com enterocolite. O peso médio dos pacientes foi de 1.908,5 g; a idade gestacional média, de 35 semanas e um dia; a idade média do diagnóstico foi de 10,7 dias; 51 (91,1%) pacientes foram alimentados anteriormente ao diagnóstico; 18 (32,1%) necessitaram de cirurgia de urgência; em 9 (16,9%) as hemoculturas foram positivas; 10 (17,8%) pacientes faleceram. Observaram-se quatro padrões evolutivos da doença: aguda fulminante, aguda com pneumatose, insidiosa e suspeita. Comparativamente ao grupo controle, três fatores associaram-se significativamente à enterocolite: apnéia (p = 0,045), a progressão rápida da dieta (acima de 20 ml/kg/dia) (p = 0,048), e a presença de agente infeccioso (p = 0,000). CONCLUSÕES: os fatores associados significativamente à enterocolite foram a ocorrência de apnéia, a progressão rápida da dieta e a identificação do agente infeccioso.