Introduction: Recent reports have raised concerns of cardiorespiratory deterioration in some infants receiving respiratory support at birth. We aimed to independently determine whether respiratory... Show moreIntroduction: Recent reports have raised concerns of cardiorespiratory deterioration in some infants receiving respiratory support at birth. We aimed to independently determine whether respiratory support with a facemask is associated with a decrease in heart rate (HR) in some late-preterm and term infants. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from infants born at & GE;32(+0) weeks of gestation at 2 perinatal centres in Melbourne, Australia. Change in HR up to 120 s after facemask placement, measured using 3-lead electrocardiography, was assessed every 3 s until 60 s and every 5 s thereafter from video recordings. Results: In the 15 s after facemask placement, 10/68 (15%) infants had a decrease in mean HR by >10 beats per minute (bpm) compared with their individual baseline mean HR in the 15 s before facemask placement. In 4 (6%) infants, HR decreased to <100 bpm. Nine out of 68 (13%) infants had an increase in mean HR by >10 bpm; 7 of these infants had a baseline HR <120 bpm. In univariable comparisons, the following characteristics were found not to be risk factors for a decrease in HR by >10 bpm: prematurity; type of respiratory support; hypoxaemia; early cord clamping; mode of birth; HR <120 bpm before mask placement. Six out of 63 infants (10%) who had HR & GE;120 bpm after facemask placement had a late decrease in HR to Conclusion: Facemask respiratory support at birth is temporally associated with a decrease in HR in a subset of late-preterm and term infants. Show less
Salverda, H.H.; Oldenburger, N.N.J.; Rijken, M.; Tan, R.R.N.G.B.; Pas, A.B.T.; Klink, J.M.M. van 2023
Faster resolution of hypoxaemic or hyperoxaemic events in preterm infants may reduce long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Automatic titration of inspiratory oxygen increases time within the... Show moreFaster resolution of hypoxaemic or hyperoxaemic events in preterm infants may reduce long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Automatic titration of inspiratory oxygen increases time within the oxygen saturation target range and may provide a more prompt response to hypoxic and hyperoxic events. We assessed routinely performed follow-up at 2 years of age after the implementation of automated oxygen control (AOC) as standard care and compared this with a historical cohort. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age were compared for infants born at 24-29 weeks gestational age before (2012-2015) and after (2015-2018) the implementation of AOC as standard of care. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of either mortality or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and other outcomes assessed were mild-moderate NDI, Bayley-III composite scores, cerebral palsy GMFCS, and CBCL problem behaviour scores. A total of 289 infants were included in the pre-AOC epoch and 292 in the post-AOC epoch. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different. Fifty-one infants were lost to follow-up (pre-AOC 6.9% (20/289), post-implementation 10.6% (31/292). The composite outcome of mortality or severe NDI was observed in 17.9% pre-AOC (41/229) vs. 24.0% (47/196) post-AOC (p = 0.12). No significant differences were found for the secondary outcomes such as mild-moderate NDI, Bayley-III composite scores, cerebral palsy GMFCS, and problem behaviour scores, with the exception of parent-reported readmissions until the moment of follow-up which was less frequent post-AOC than pre-AOC.Conclusion: In this cohort study, the implementation of automated oxygen control in our NICU as standard of care for preterm infants led to no statistically significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age. Show less
Vonderen, J.J. van; Keus, J.M.H.; Schaik, J. van; Smiers, F.J.; Harkel, D.J. ten; Lopriore, E. 2021
Background In this case report, we describe a very rare case of severe limb ischemia due to an arterial embolus caused by an aneurysm of the oval foramen in a term-born infant that occurred in the... Show moreBackground In this case report, we describe a very rare case of severe limb ischemia due to an arterial embolus caused by an aneurysm of the oval foramen in a term-born infant that occurred in the first few hours after birth. Case presentation A newborn male Caucasian patient presented on the maternity ward with ischemia of the right foot. Ischemia was treated with nitroglycerin spray and low-molecular-weight heparin in therapeutic dosage. An aneurysm of the oval foramen was found during postnatal echocardiography screening. This was thought to be the source of an embolus causing limb ischemia. At birth and upon follow-up, no clotting disorders were found. A large part of the right forefoot was ischemic, leading to loss of digits 1, 2, and 3. No significant loss of function was found in the first year of life. Conclusion Severe limb ischemia can be caused by an embolus arising from an aneurysm of the oval foramen and can be treated with heparin. Show less
Salverda, H.H.; Oldenburger, N.J.; Rijken, M.; Pauws, S.C.; Dargaville, P.A.; Pas, A.B. te 2021
Several studies demonstrated an increase in time spent within target range when automated oxygen control (AOC) is used. However the effect on clinical outcome remains unclear. We compared clinical... Show moreSeveral studies demonstrated an increase in time spent within target range when automated oxygen control (AOC) is used. However the effect on clinical outcome remains unclear. We compared clinical outcomes of preterm infants born before and after implementation of AOC as standard of care. In a retrospective pre-post implementation cohort study of outcomes for infants of 24-29 weeks gestational age receiving respiratory support before (2012-2015) and after (2015-2018) implementation of AOC as standard of care were compared. Outcomes of interest were mortality and complications of prematurity, number of ventilation days, and length of stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A total of 588 infants were included (293 pre- vs 295 in the post-implementation cohort), with similar gestational age (27.8 weeks pre- vs 27.6 weeks post-implementation), birth weight (1033 grams vs 1035 grams) and other baseline characteristics. Mortality and rate of prematurity complications were not different between the groups. Length of stay in NICU was not different, but duration of invasive ventilation was shorter in infants who received AOC (6.4 +/- 10.1 vs 4.7 +/- 8.3, p = 0.029). Conclusion: In this pre-post comparison, the implementation of AOC did not lead to a change in mortality or morbidity during admission.What is Known:Prolonged and intermittent oxygen saturation deviations are associated with mortality and prematurity-related morbidities.Automated oxygen controllers can increase the time spent within oxygen saturation target range.What is New:Implementation of automated oxygen control as standard of care did not lead to a change in mortality or morbidity during admission.In the period after implementation of automated oxygen control, there was a shift toward more non-invasive ventilation. Show less
Vos, T.W. de; Winkelhorst, D.; Haas, M. de; Lopriore, E.; Oepkes, D. 2020
Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a disease in pregnancy characterized by maternal alloantibodies directed against the human platelet antigen (HPA). These antibodies can... Show moreFetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a disease in pregnancy characterized by maternal alloantibodies directed against the human platelet antigen (HPA). These antibodies can cause intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or other major bleeding resulting in lifelong handicaps or death. Optimal fetal care can be provided by timely identification of pregnancies at risk. However, this can only be done by routinely antenatal screening. Whether nationwide screening is cost-effective is still being debated. HPA-1a alloantibodies are estimated to be found in 1 in 400 pregnancies resulting in severe burden and fetal ICH in 1 in 10.000 pregnancies. Antenatal treatment is focused on the prevention of fetal ICH and consists of weekly maternal IVIg administration. In high-risk FNAIT treatment should be initiated at 12-18 weeks gestational age using high dosage and in standard-risk FNAIT at 20-28 weeks gestational age using a lower dosage. Postnatal prophylactic platelet transfusions are often given in case of severe thrombocytopenia to prevent bleedings. The optimal threshold and product for postnatal transfusion is not known and international consensus is lacking. In this review practical guidelines for antenatal and postnatal management are offered to clinicians that face the challenge of reducing the risk of bleeding in fetuses and infants affected by FNAIT. Show less
Umbilical catheters have been used for decades in neonatal care. There are many advantages to using them, but they also carry risks of complications. The general aim of this thesis is to optimize... Show moreUmbilical catheters have been used for decades in neonatal care. There are many advantages to using them, but they also carry risks of complications. The general aim of this thesis is to optimize positioning of umbilical catheters and to improve their use, thus limiting complications. To predict the correct insertion length of umbilical catheters we recommend the use of a simple method without complex body measurements or combined calculations. However, no method or formula has been proven to reliably predict the correct insertion length. Moreover, umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) tend to migrate even after correct positioning. Regular evaluation of the position of UVCs - preferably by ultrasonography, and starting during or directly after placement - is therefore advised to prevent complications caused by malpositioning. Physicians using UVCs should be aware of the possible complications described in this thesis, such as thrombosis, bloodstream infections and cardiac arrhythmias. However, despite the risk of complications umbilical catheterization is an excellent method for gaining intravenous access in sick infants, especially in cases of extremely premature birth or haemodynamic instability. Show less
Sol, J.J.; Loo, M. van de; Boerma, M.; Bergman, K.A.; Donker, A.E.; Hoeven, M.A.H.B.M. van der; ... ; Ommen, C.H. van 2018
Neonatal health care is provided with medication and protocols for almost all morbidities. Before the use of these medicines is allowed, they are extensively studied and tested for efficacy and... Show moreNeonatal health care is provided with medication and protocols for almost all morbidities. Before the use of these medicines is allowed, they are extensively studied and tested for efficacy and safety. As patient population and knowledge on specific diseases changes with time, repeated evaluation of efficacy and safety of current used policies is of paramount importance. In this thesis six __Neonatal Pearls__ are presented: six relatively rare clinical conditions, of which a retrospective study evaluates the efficacy, safety and/or long term consequences of the current protocol. Despite their retrospective design and relatively small sample size, they are all of significant value and may serve as potential foundations for future protocol adjustments and randomized controlled trials. The evaluated clinical conditions and policies include: -Fetal, neonatal and developmental outcomes of lithium exposed pregnancies -Neonatal outcome in allo-immune thrombocytopenia after maternal treatment with antenatal intravenous immunoglobulin - Repeated courses of ibuprofen for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus - Use of rifampin in persistent coagulase negative staphylococcal bacteremia in neonates - Outcome and management in neonatal thrombocytopenia due to maternal idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Short and long term outcome of neonatal hyperglycemia in very preterm infants Show less
Berg-van de Glind, G.J.D. van den; Vries, J.J.C. de; Wolthers, K.C.; Wiggers-de Bruine, F.T.; Peeters-Scholte, C.M.P.C.D.; Hendef, M. van den; Wezel-Meijler, G. van 2012
