0
selected
-
1.
Caffeine for preterm infants: Fixed standard dose, adjustments for age or high dose?
Saroha, V, Patel, RM
Seminars in fetal & neonatal medicine. 2020;(6):101178
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Caffeine is an effective treatment for apnea of prematurity and has several important benefits, including decreasing respiratory morbidity and motor impairment. In this article, we focus on the dose of caffeine. We review the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of standard caffeine dosing and alternative dosing approaches, including the use of high dose caffeine and routine dose adjustments for age. Current evidence suggests high dose caffeine may provide additional benefit in reducing the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and extubation failure, but may also increase the risk of cerebellar hemorrhage and seizures. Increasing the standard caffeine citrate dose every 1-2 weeks to a goal dose of 8 mg per kilogram every 24 h may help maintain therapeutic effect. We conclude by highlighting the need for additional trials before high dose caffeine is routinely used.
-
2.
National and international guidelines for neonatal caffeine use: Are they evidenced-based?
Eichenwald, EC
Seminars in fetal & neonatal medicine. 2020;(6):101177
Abstract
The Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity (CAP) trial showed that caffeine was safe when used with standard dosing and provided both pulmonary and neurological benefits to preterm infants. Since its publication almost 15 years ago, the use of caffeine in extremely premature infants in Newborn Intensive Care Units worldwide has increased, with almost all receiving the drug during their hospital stay. Subsequent observational studies suggested that administration of caffeine before 3 days of age may have greater benefits, leading many neonatologists to start caffeine prophylactically in all very low birth weight infants. Several publicly available national and international guidelines on caffeine advocate prophylactic use, and some recommend higher doses than those used in the CAP trial. This article will review the evidence basis for neonatal caffeine therapy in light of these guidelines.
-
3.
Protective effects of different doses of human milk on neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
Zhang, B, Xiu, W, Dai, Y, Yang, C
Medicine. 2020;(37):e22166
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
We aim to summarize the evidence focusing on the effects of various doses of human milk on the risk of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The eligible articles in the study were those investigating the association between human milk and NEC published before June 26, 2019, in the PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, VIP database, CNKI database, and Wangfang database. The included criteria were as follows: premature infants of <37 weeks; randomly controlled trials (RCTs); those fed by mother's own milk or donor human milk; studies focused on the comparison of human milk and formula milk, involving various breast milk doses; and NEC-related studies. Compared with the exclusive formula, the incidence of NEC in the infants fed by exclusive human milk was significantly lower. The incidence of NEC in the infants fed by exclusive human milk was significantly lower than that of partial human milk [risk ratio (RR) = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.36-0.79, P < .05]. The incidence of NEC in the infants fed mainly by human milk was significantly lower than that of mainly fed by formula. Incidence of NEC in the infants fed by exclusive human milk was significantly lower than that of any formula (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34-0.71, P < .05). In summary, this meta-analysis was based on the RCTs involving the prevention of NEC using human milk. Exclusive human milk and partial human milk reduced the incidence of NEC in premature infants, especially in the those fed by high proportion of human milk. In addition, more RCTs are needed to further validate such conclusion.
-
4.
Sex-specific effects of nutritional supplements in infants born early or small: protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis (ESSENCE IPD-MA).
Lin, L, Crowther, C, Gamble, G, Bloomfield, F, Harding, JE, ,
BMJ open. 2020;(1):e033438
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) infants are at increased risk of poor growth, disability and delayed development. While growing up they are also at increased risk of obesity, diabetes and later heart disease. The risk of such adverse outcomes may be altered by how preterm and SGA infants are fed after birth. Faltering postnatal growth is common due to failure to achieve recommended high energy and protein intakes, and thus preterm and SGA infants are often provided with supplemental nutrition soon after birth. Enhanced nutrition has been associated with improved early growth and better cognitive development. However, limited evidence suggests that faster growth may increase the risk for later adiposity, metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and that such risks may differ between girls and boys. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will search Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, controlled-trials.com, ClinicalTrials.gov and anzctr.org.au for randomised trials that studied the effects of macronutrient supplements for preterm and SGA infants on (i) developmental and metabolic and (ii) growth outcomes after hospital discharge. The outcomes will be (i) cognitive impairment and metabolic risk (co-primary) and (ii) body mass index. Individual participant data (IPD) from all available trials will be included using an intention-to-treat approach. A one-stage procedure for IPD meta-analysis (MA) will be used, accounting for clustering of participants within studies. Exploratory subgroup analyses will further investigate sources of heterogeneity, including sex and size of infants, different timing, duration and type of supplements. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This IPD-MA is approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee (reference number: 019874). Individual studies have approval from relevant local ethics committees. Results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017072683.
-
5.
Neuroprotection of the preterm brain.
Fleiss, B, Gressens, P
Handbook of clinical neurology. 2019;:315-328
Abstract
Despite notable advances in the care and survival of preterm infants, a significant proportion of preterm neonates will have life-long cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficits, and robustly effective neuroprotective strategies are still missing. These therapies must target the pathophysiologic mechanisms observed in contemporaneous infants and rely on modern epidemiology, imaging, and experimental models and assessment techniques. Two drugs, magnesium sulfate and caffeine, are already in use in several units, and although their targets are apnea of prematurity and myometrial contractility (respectively), they do offer improved odds of positive outcomes. Nevertheless, these drugs have limited efficacy, and NICU-to-NICU administration varies greatly. As such, there is an obvious need for additional specific neurotherapeutic strategies to further enhance the outcome of this very fragile population of neonates. The chapter reviews these issues, highlights bottlenecks that need to be solved for meaningful progress in the field, and proposes future innovative avenues for intervention, including delayed interventions.
-
6.
A Review of Bioactive Factors in Human Breastmilk: A Focus on Prematurity.
Gila-Diaz, A, Arribas, SM, Algara, A, Martín-Cabrejas, MA, López de Pablo, ÁL, Sáenz de Pipaón, M, Ramiro-Cortijo, D
Nutrients. 2019;(6)
Abstract
Preterm birth is an increasing worldwide problem. Prematurity is the second most common cause of death in children under 5 years of age. It is associated with a higher risk of several pathologies in the perinatal period and adulthood. Maternal milk, a complex fluid with several bioactive factors, is the best option for the newborn. Its dynamic composition is influenced by diverse factors such as maternal age, lactation period, and health status. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding some bioactive factors present in breastmilk, namely antioxidants, growth factors, adipokines, and cytokines, paying specific attention to prematurity. The revised literature reveals that the highest levels of these bioactive factors are found in the colostrum and they decrease along the lactation period; bioactive factors are found in higher levels in preterm as compared to full-term milk, they are lacking in formula milk, and decreased in donated milk. However, there are still some gaps and inconclusive data, and further research in this field is needed. Given the fact that many preterm mothers are unable to complete breastfeeding, new information could be important to develop infant supplements that best match preterm human milk.
-
7.
New Nutritional and Therapeutical Strategies of NEC.
Teresa, C, Antonella, D, de Ville de Goyet Jean,
Current pediatric reviews. 2019;(2):92-105
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an acquired severe disease of the digestive system affecting mostly premature babies, possibly fatal and frequently associated to systemic complications. Because of the severity of this condition and the possible long-term consequences on the child's development, many studies have aimed at preventing the occurrence of the primary events at the level of the bowel wall (ischemia and necrosis followed by sepsis) by modifying or manipulating the diet (breast milk versus formula) and/or the feeding pattern (time for initiation after birth, continuous versus bolus feeding, modulation of intake according clinical events). Feeding have been investigated so far in order to prevent NEC. However, currently well-established and shared clinical nutritional practices are not available in preventing NEC. Nutritional and surgical treatments of NEC are instead well defined. In selected cases surgery is a therapeutic option of NEC, requiring sometimes partial intestinal resection responsible for short bowel syndrome. In this paper we will investigate the available options for treating NEC according to the Walsh and Kliegman classification, focusing on feeding practices in managing short bowel syndrome that can complicate NEC. We will also analyze the proposed ways of preventing NEC.
-
8.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis and the Preterm Infant Microbiome.
Baranowski, JR, Claud, EC
Advances in experimental medicine and biology. 2019;:25-36
Abstract
Bacterial colonization patterns in preterm infants differ from those of their term counterparts due to maternal microbial diversity, delivery mode, feeding methods, antibiotic use, and exposure to commensal microbiota and pathogens in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Early gut microbiome dysbiosis predisposes neonates to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease with high morbidity and mortality. Though mechanisms of NEC pathogenesis are not fully understood, the microbiome is a promising therapy target for prevention and treatment. Direct administration of probiotics to preterm infants has been shown to reduce the incidence of NEC, but is not without risk. The immature immune systems of preterm infants leave them vulnerable to even beneficial bacteria. Further research is required to investigate both short-term and long-term effects of probiotic administration to preterm infants. Other methods of altering the preterm infant microbiome must also be considered, including breastfeeding, prebiotics, and targeting the maternal microbiome.
-
9.
Care of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduate after Discharge.
Goldstein, RF, Malcolm, WF
Pediatric clinics of North America. 2019;(2):489-508
Abstract
Premature and critically ill term infants are often discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with ongoing medical problems, including respiratory problems; growth, nutrition and feeding problems; and neurologic injury. At discharge, they may also be dependent on technology such as supplemental oxygen, tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation, feeding tube, and monitors. Primary care physicians must have special knowledge and understanding of the medical complications of NICU graduates to coordinate post-discharge care. We examine the most common post-discharge medical problems in premature and critically ill term infants and inform the primary care provider about expected outcomes and possible new problems.
-
10.
Antenatal magnesium sulfate is beneficial or harmful in very preterm and extremely preterm neonates: a new insight.
Garg, BD
The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. 2019;(12):2084-2090
Abstract
AIMS: To evaluate whether antenatal MgSO4 is beneficial or harmful in very preterm and extremely preterm neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrieved published literature through searches of PubMed or Medline, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and relevant observational studies. RESULTS Evidence revealed that antenatal MgSO4 has neuroprotective role in preterm neonates and it decreased the risk of cerebral palsy and gross motor dysfunction. Evidences regarding association of antenatal MgSO4 with feed intolerance, NEC and SIP were from cohort studies and controversial. CONCLUSIONS We should continue use antenatal MgSO4 to all eligible patients according to protocol till the more robust evidence will suggest association with gastrointestinal complications. In the meantime, we should have a high index of suspicion of gastrointestinal complications in extremely preterms particularly <26 weeks of gestation.