Summary Background Surfactant is usually given to mechanically ventilated preterm infants via an endotracheal tube to treat respiratory distress syndrome. We tested a new method of surfactant ...application to spontaneously breathing preterm infants to avoid mechanical ventilation. Method In a parallel-group, randomised controlled trial, 220 preterm infants with a gestational age between 26 and 28 weeks and a birthweight less than 1·5 kg were enrolled in 12 German neonatal intensive care units. Infants were independently randomised in a 1:1 ratio with variable block sizes, to standard treatment or intervention, and randomisation was stratified according to centre and multiple birth status. Masking was not possible. Infants were stabilised with continuous positive airway pressure and received rescue intubation if necessary. In the intervention group, infants received surfactant treatment during spontaneous breathing via a thin catheter inserted into the trachea by laryngoscopy if they needed a fraction of inspired oxygen more than 0·30. The primary endpoint was need for any mechanical ventilation, or being not ventilated but having a partial pressure of carbon dioxide more than 65 mm Hg (8·6 kPa) or a fraction of inspired oxygen more than 0·60, or both, for more than 2 h between 25 h and 72 h of age. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN05025922. Findings 108 infants were assigned to the intervention group and 112 infants to the standard treatment group. All infants were analysed. On day 2 or 3 after birth, 30 (28%) infants in the intervention group were mechanically ventilated versus 51 (46%) in the standard treatment group (number needed to treat 6, 95% CI 3–20, absolute risk reduction 0·18, 95% CI 0·30–0·05, p=0·008). 36 (33%) infants in the intervention group were mechanically ventilated during their stay in the hospital compared with 82 (73%) in the standard treatment group (number needed to treat: 3, 95% CI 2–4, p<0·0001). The intervention group had significantly fewer median days on mechanical ventilation, (0 days. IQR 0–3 vs 2 days, 0–5) and a lower need for oxygen therapy at 28 days (30 infants 30% vs 49 infants 45%, p=0·032) compared with the standard treatment group. We recorded no differences between groups for mortality (seven deaths in the intervention group vs five in the standard treatment group) and serious adverse events (21 vs 28). Interpretation The application of surfactant via a thin catheter to spontaneously breathing preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure reduces the need for mechanical ventilation. Funding German Ministry of Research and Technology, University of Lübeck, and Chiesi Pharmaceuticals.
Tolerating higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in mechanically ventilated, extremely low birthweight infants might reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. ...We aimed to test the hypothesis that higher target ranges for pCO2 decrease the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death.
In this randomised multicentre trial, we recruited infants from 16 tertiary care perinatal centres in Germany with birthweight between 400 g and 1000 g and gestational age 23-28 weeks plus 6 days, who needed endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation within 24 h of birth. Infants were randomly assigned to either a high target or control group. The high target group aimed at pCO2 values of 55-65 mm Hg on postnatal days 1-3, 60-70 mm Hg on days 4-6, and 65-75 mm Hg on days 7-14, and the control target at pCO2 40-50 mmHg on days 1-3, 45-55 mm Hg on days 4-6, and 50-60 mm Hg on days 7-14. The primary outcome was death or moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, defined as need for mechanical pressure support or supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Cranial ultrasonograms were assessed centrally by a masked paediatric radiologist. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN56143743.
Between March 1, 2008, and July 31, 2012, we recruited 362 patients of whom three dropped out, leaving 179 patients in the high target and 180 in the control group. The trial was stopped after an interim analysis (n=359). The rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death in the high target group (65/179 36%) did not differ significantly from the control group (54/180 30%; p=0·18). Mortality was 25 (14%) in the high target group and 19 (11%; p=0·32) in the control group, grade 3-4 intraventricular haemorrhage was 26 (15%) and 21 (12%; p=0·30), and the rate of severe retinopathy recorded was 20 (11%) and 26 (14%; p=0·36).
Targeting a higher pCO2 did not decrease the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death in ventilated preterm infants. The rates of mortality, intraventricular haemorrhage, and retinopathy did not differ between groups. These results suggest that higher pCO2 targets than in the slightly hypercapnic control group do not confer increased benefits such as lung protection.
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Background
Randomized controlled trials have indicated reduced mortality rates in very preterm infants assigned to high compared to low oxygen saturation (SpO
2
) target levels, accompanied by higher ...rates of retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, the benefit-to-harm ratio may depend on the local background mortality risk. We therefore aimed to quantify the risk–benefit ratios of different SpO
2
target ranges in 10 tertiary newborn intensive care units (NICUs) in East Germany.
Methods
In a retrospective multicenter study, 1,399 infants born between 2008 and 2012 at a gestational age between 24 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks and with a birthweight below 1,250 g were grouped according to the hospital's target SpO
2
range high oxygen saturation group (HOSG) above 90%, low oxygen saturation group (LOSG) below 90% and the compliance of units with their target SpO
2
range. The association between neonatal morbidities, neurodevelopmental outcomes, selected treatment strategies, and target SpO
2
ranges was calculated using chi-squared and Mann Whitney
U
tests.
Results
Nine of the ten participating NICUs met their SpO
2
target ranges. Five units were considered as HOSG, and five units were considered as LOSG. Necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage grade ≥ 2 occurred significantly more frequently in the HOSG than in the LOSG (8.4% vs. 5.1%,
p
= 0.02; and 26.6% vs. 17.7%,
p
< 0.001). No significant differences in the mortality rate and the rate of retinopathy of prematurity were found.
Conclusion
In our patient population, a lower SpO
2
target range was not associated with increased safety risks in extremely preterm infants. We cannot be sure that our outcome differences are associated with differences in oxygen saturations due to the retrospective study design and the differences in site practices.
We evaluated blood culture-proven sepsis episodes occurring in microclusters in very-low-birth-weight infants born in the German Neonatal Network (GNN) during 2009-2010.
Thirty-seven centers ...participated in GNN; 23 centers enrolled ≥50 VLBW infants in the study period. Data quality was approved by on-site monitoring. Microclusters of sepsis were defined as occurrence of at least two blood-culture proven sepsis events in different patients of one center within 3 months with the same bacterial species. For microcluster analysis, we selected sepsis episodes with typically cross-transmitted bacteria of high clinical significance including gram-negative rods and Enterococcus spp.
In our cohort, 12/2110 (0.6%) infants were documented with an early-onset sepsis and 235 late-onset sepsis episodes (≥72 h of age) occurred in 203/2110 (9.6%) VLBW infants. In 182/235 (77.4%) late-onset sepsis episodes gram-positive bacteria were documented, while coagulase negative staphylococci were found to be the most predominant pathogens (48.5%, 95%CI: 42.01-55.01). Candida spp. and gram-negative bacilli caused 10/235 (4.3%, 95%CI: 1.68% -6.83%) and 43/235 (18.5%) late-onset sepsis episodes, respectively. Eleven microclusters of blood-culture proven sepsis were detected in 7 hospitals involving a total 26 infants. 16/26 cluster patients suffered from Klebsiella spp. sepsis. The median time interval between the first patient's Klebsiella spp. sepsis and cluster cases was 14.1 days (interquartile range: 1-27 days). First patients in the cluster, their linked cases and sporadic sepsis events did not show significant differences in short term outcome parameters.
Microclusters of infection are an important phenomenon for late-onset sepsis. Most gram-negative cluster infections occur within 30 days after the first patient was diagnosed and Klebsiella spp. play a major role. It is essential to monitor epidemic microclusters of sepsis in surveillance networks to adapt clinical practice, inform policy and further improve quality of care.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
IMPORTANCE: Red blood cell transfusions are commonly administered to infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth. Evidence-based transfusion thresholds have not been established. Previous studies have ...suggested higher rates of cognitive impairment with restrictive transfusion thresholds. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of liberal vs restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies on death or disability. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized clinical trial conducted in 36 level III/IV neonatal intensive care units in Europe among 1013 infants with birth weights of 400 g to 999 g at less than 72 hours after birth; enrollment took place between July 14, 2011, and November 14, 2014, and follow-up was completed by January 15, 2018. INTERVENTIONS: Infants were randomly assigned to liberal (n = 492) or restrictive (n = 521) red blood cell transfusion thresholds based on infants’ postnatal age and current health state. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The primary outcome, measured at 24 months of corrected age, was death or disability, defined as any of cognitive deficit, cerebral palsy, or severe visual or hearing impairment. Secondary outcome measures included individual components of the primary outcome, complications of prematurity, and growth. RESULTS: Among 1013 patients randomized (median gestational age at birth, 26.3 interquartile range {IQR}, 24.9-27.6 weeks; 509 50.2% females), 928 (91.6%) completed the trial. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive transfusion thresholds groups, respectively, incidence of any transfusion was 400/492 (81.3%) vs 315/521 (60.5%); median volume transfused was 40 mL (IQR, 16-73 mL) vs 19 mL (IQR, 0-46 mL); and weekly mean hematocrit was 3 percentage points higher with liberal thresholds. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, the primary outcome occurred in 200/450 (44.4%) vs 205/478 (42.9%), respectively, for a difference of 1.6% (95% CI, −4.8% to 7.9%; P = .72). Death by 24 months occurred in 38/460 (8.3%) vs 44/491 (9.0%), for a difference of −0.7% (95% CI, −4.3% to 2.9%; P = .70), cognitive deficit was observed in 154/410 (37.6%) vs 148/430 (34.4%), for a difference of 3.2% (95% CI, −3.3% to 9.6%; P = .47), and cerebral palsy occurred in 18/419 (4.3%) vs 25/443 (5.6%), for a difference of −1.3% (95% CI, −4.2% to 1.5%; P = .37), in the liberal vs the restrictive thresholds groups, respectively. In the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgical intervention occurred in 20/492 (4.1%) vs 28/518 (5.4%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in 130/458 (28.4%) vs 126/485 (26.0%); and treatment for retinopathy of prematurity was required in 41/472 (8.7%) vs 38/492 (7.7%). Growth at follow-up was also not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among infants with birth weights of less than 1000 g, a strategy of liberal blood transfusions compared with restrictive transfusions did not reduce the likelihood of death or disability at 24 months of corrected age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01393496
Skin-to-skin contact (kangarooing) is regarded as an important method to improve intensive care in premature infants. There is still demand for investigations of its impact on physiological ...parameters.
We examined 53 preterm infants of < 1800 gm in a prospective, pretest-test-posttest design study during incubator care (60 minutes), skin-to-skin contact (90 minutes), and incubator care again (90 minutes). Heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SaO2), transcutaneous pO2 (tcpO2), transcutaneous pCO2, rectal temperature, and fraction of inspired oxygen were measured.
The heart rate increased during skin-to-skin contact by 5 beats per minute (p < 0.001), the respiratory rate dropped by 5/minute (p < 0.01), the SaO2 improved by 0.4% (p < 0.05) accompanied by an increase of tcpO2 of 4.8 mm Hg (p < 0.001), the tcpCO2 dropped by 1.2 mm Hg (p < 0.001), and the rectal temperature increased by 0.3 degree C (p < 0.001). Analyzing three groups separately by postnatal weight, we observed the smallest increase in heart rate and the highest decrease in respiratory rate in infants of < 1000 gm (p < 0.001). The increase in SaO2 and in the tcpO2 doubles in infants of < 1000 gm compared with infants of > 1000 gm (p < 0.001). All changes were independent of postnatal age.
During skin-to-skin contact, preterm infants not only remain clinically stable but also show a more efficient gas exchange. Although the patient is removed (transferred) from the incubator, there is no risk of hypothermia even in infants of < 1000 gm.
IMPORTANCE: Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are a novel treatment option in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Data on dosing, efficacy, and safety are insufficient. ...OBJECTIVE: To investigate lower doses of anti-VEGF therapy with ranibizumab, a substance with a significantly shorter systemic half-life than the standard treatment, bevacizumab. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized, multicenter, double-blind, investigator-initiated trial at 9 academic medical centers in Germany compared ranibizumab doses of 0.12 mg vs 0.20 mg in infants with bilateral aggressive posterior ROP; ROP stage 1 with plus disease, 2 with plus disease, or 3 with or without plus disease in zone I; or ROP stage 3 with plus disease in posterior zone II. Patients were recruited between September 2014 and August 2016. Twenty infants were screened and 19 were randomized. INTERVENTIONS: All infants received 1 baseline ranibizumab injection per eye. Reinjections were allowed in case of ROP recurrence after at least 28 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was the number of infants who did not require rescue therapy at 24 weeks. Key secondary end points included time-to-event analyses, progression of physiologic vascularization, and plasma VEGF levels. Stages of ROP were photodocumented and reviewed by an expert committee. RESULTS: Nineteen infants with ROP were enrolled (9 47.4% female; median range postmenstrual age at first treatment, 36.4 34.7-39.7 weeks), 3 of whom died during the study (1 in the 0.12-mg group and 2 in the 0.20-mg group). Of the surviving infants, 8 (88.9%) (17 eyes 94.4%) in the 0.12-mg group and 6 (85.7%) (13 eyes 92.9%) in the 0.20-mg group did not require rescue therapy. Both ranibizumab doses were equally successful in controlling acute ROP (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel analysis; odds ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.26-13.49; P = .53). Physiologic intraretinal vascularization was superior in the 0.12-mg group. The VEGF plasma levels were not systematically altered in either group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This pilot study demonstrates that ranibizumab is effective in controlling acute ROP and that 24% of the standard adult dose (0.12 mg) appears equally effective as 40% (0.20 mg). Superior vascularization of the peripheral retina with 0.12 mg of ranibizumab indicates that the lower dose may be favorable. Unchanged plasma VEGF levels point toward a limited systemic drug exposure after ranibizumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02134457 and clinicaltrialsregister.eu Identifier: 2013-002539-13.
Aim
Providing less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) to spontaneously breathing preterm infants has been reported to reduce mechanical ventilation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in ...randomised controlled trials. This large cohort study compared these outcome measures between LISA‐treated infants and controls.
Methods
Infants receiving LISA, who were born before 32 gestational weeks and enrolled in the German Neonatal Network, were matched to control infants by gestational age, umbilical cord pH, Apgar‐score at 5 min, small for gestational age status, antenatal treatment with steroids, gender and highest supplemental oxygen during the first 12 h of life. Outcome data were compared with chi‐square and Mann–Whitney U‐tests and adjusted for multiple comparisons.
Results
Between 2009 and 2012, 1103 infants were treated with LISA at 37 centres. LISA infants had lower rates of mechanical ventilation (41% versus 62%, p < 0.001), postnatal dexamethasone treatment (2.5% versus 7%, p < 0.001), BPD (12% versus 18%, p = 0.001) and BPD or death (14% versus 21%, p < 0.001) than the controls.
Conclusion
Surfactant treatment of spontaneously breathing infants was associated with lower rates of mechanical ventilation and BPD. Additional large‐scale randomised controlled trials are needed to assess the possible long‐term benefits of LISA.
Tolerating higher partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PCO
) in mechanically ventilated extremely low birthweight infants to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury may have long-term ...neurodevelopmental side effects. This study analyses the results of neurodevelopmental follow-up of infants enrolled in a randomised multicentre trial.
Infants (n=359) between 400 and 1000 g birth weight and 23 0/7-28 6/7 weeks gestational age who required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation within 24 hours of birth were randomly assigned to high PCO
or to a control group with mildly elevated PCO
targets. Neurodevelopmental follow-up examinations were available for 85% of enrolled infants using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Child Development Inventory (CDI).
There were no differences in body weight, length and head circumference between the two PCO
target groups. Median Mental Developmental Index (MDI) values were 82 (60-96, high target) and 84 (58-96, p=0.79). Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) values were 84 (57-100) and 84 (65-96, p=0.73), respectively. Moreover, there was no difference in the number of infants with MDI or PDI <70 or <85 and the number of infants with a combined outcome of death or MDI<70 and death or PDI<70. No differences were found between results for GMFCS and CDI. The risk factors for MDI<70 or PDI<70 were intracranial haemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotising enterocolitis and hydrocortisone treatment.
A higher PCO
target did not influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in mechanically ventilated extremely preterm infants. Adjusting PCO
targets to optimise short-term outcomes is a safe option.
ISRCTN56143743.
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