Clinical Implications of Second and Third Trimester Surveillance Ultrasounds of Growth-Restricted Fetuses

Objective We sought to investigate the positive predictive value of ultrasound-diagnosed fetal growth restriction (FGR) for estimating small for gestational age (SGA) at birth. Secondary objectives were to describe clinical interventions performed as a result of FGR diagnosis. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort of pregnancies diagnosed with FGR over 3 years at a single institution. Maternal demographics, antenatal and delivery data, and neonatal data were collected. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were conducted. Results We included 406 pregnancies with diagnosis of FGR in second or third trimester. Median birth weight percentile was 17 (interquartile range: 5–50) and only 35.0% of these fetuses were SGA at birth. The positive predictive value of a final growth ultrasound below the 10th percentile for SGA at birth was 56.9%. Patients averaged eight additional growth ultrasounds following FGR diagnosis. One hundred and fourteen (28.1%) received antenatal steroids prior to delivery, and 100% of those delivered after more than 7 days following administration. There were 6 fetal deaths and 14 neonatal deaths. Conclusion In the majority of cases, pregnancies diagnosed with FGR during screening ultrasounds resulted in normally grown neonates and term deliveries. These patients may be receiving unnecessary ultrasounds and premature courses of corticosteroids.

Neonatal Hemoglobin Levels in Preterm Infants Are Associated with Early Neurological Functioning

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Neonatal anemia may compromise oxygen transport to the brain. The effects of anemia and cerebral oxygenation on neurological functioning in the early neonatal period are largely unknown. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to determine the association between initial hemoglobin levels (Hb) and early neurological functioning in preterm infants by assessing their general movements (GMs). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation was conducted. We excluded infants with intraventricular hemorrhage &#x3e; grade II. On day 8, we assessed infants’ GMs, both generally as normal/abnormal and in detail using the general movement optimality score (GMOS). We measured cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (r_cSO₂) on day 1 using near-infrared spectroscopy. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We included 65 infants (median gestational age 29.9 weeks [IQR 28.2–31.0]; median birth weight 1,180 g [IQR 930–1,400]). Median Hb on day 1 was 10.3 mmol/L (range 4.2–13.7). Lower Hb on day 1 was associated with a higher risk of abnormal GMs (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.1) and poorer GMOSs (<i>B</i> = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.2–1.7). Hemoglobin strongly correlated with r_cSO₂ (rho = 0.62, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01). Infants with lower r_cSO₂ values tended to have a higher risk of abnormal GMs (<i>p</i> = 0.06). After adjusting for confounders, Hb on day 1 explained 44% of the variance of normal/abnormal GMs and r_cSO₂ explained 17%. Regarding the explained variance of the GMOS, this was 25% and 16%, respectively. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In preterm infants, low Hb on day 1 is associated with impaired neurological functioning on day 8, which is partly explained by low cerebral oxygenation.

Alojamento Conjunto, Amamentação e Seguimento Neonatal de Recém-Nascidos de Mãe com COVID-19

Introduction: Due to growing evidence suggesting COVID-19 may have a benign course in the newborn, a number of guidelines supporting rooming-in and breastfeeding were developed. The main aim of the study was to assess the safety of this approach, through the risk of developing severe neonatal infection.Material and Methods: Prospective observational study from April 2020 to February 2021 on the approach and neonatal follow-up of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of delivery in a hospital with advanced neonatal care, where rooming in and breastfeeding were promoted whenever possible. We collected data during hospital admission and over the phone during the neonatal period.Results: We included 77 infants born to mothers with COVID-19 (3.8% of newborns born during the time of study), median gestational age 39 weeks + 5 days and median birth weight 3270 g; 9% were born premature (versus 12% born premature among newborns born during the time of study). Rooming-in took place in all of them although 4% were briefly admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; 88% were discharged home up to day three, 97% were breastfed at the time of discharge and 90% were still breastfed by the end of the neonatal period. We completed neonatal follow-up of 63 newborns, eight of them developed COVID-associated symptoms, three with need of medical evaluation; 40% had no medical assessment after being discharged. Out of 77, 5% of infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (total of four, one mild, three asymptomatic), with no significant differences during hospital stay or follow-up.Discussion: Neonatal infection was uncommon and mild, and there was no increase in prematurity. Rooming-in and breastfeeding were safe and should be promoted whenever clinically possible. Follow-up care after hospital discharge needs improvement.Conclusion: Infants born to mothers with COVID-19 were safely roomed in with their mothers and exclusively breastfed.

Clinical Spectrum of Ocular and Visual Dysfunction in Children with Periventricular Leukomalacia: A Need for an Interdisciplinary Approach

The study aimed to evaluate the ocular motility and visual and optic disc abnormalities in children diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). A retrospective analysis was performed on 51 consecutive children who had ophthalmic symptoms and were diagnosed with PVL by using magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were assessed for visual function, strabismus, cycloplegic refraction, fundus examination, and if appropriate, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and visual field testing were applied. The primary outcome measures were the prevalence and visual and ocular motility dysfunctions. Mean age was 5.72 ± 2.6 years (range = 1–12), median birth weight was 2,740 g (range = 1,240–3,460), and median gestational age was 34 weeks (range = 28–38). In total, 21 patients (39.6%) had neurological deficit, 11 (21.5%) had intellectual disability, and 19 (37.2%) had no neurological symptom. In the spherical equivalent refractive error and cylinder power analysis, 10 patients had ≥3.0 D myopia, 15 had ≥3.0 D hyperopia, and eight had ≥2.50 D astigmatism. Thirteen (25.4%) children had a best-corrected visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/20 for Snellen card, while 9 (17.6%) had strabismic amblyopia and 6 (11.7%) had anisometropic amblyopia. Manifest strabismus was present in 35 patients (68.6%); of whom 12 had esotropia (23.5%), 16 had exotropia (31.3%) and 6 had vertical deviation (11.7%). Manifest or latent nystagmus was detected in 14 patients (27.4%). In 28 patients (54.9%), there was optic nerve abnormality. Two patients had hypoplastic disc, 14 had optic disc pallor, 7 had large cupping, and 5 had total optic atrophy. Six subjects underwent reliable visual field (VF) examinations, and all six had abnormal VFs, with inferior fields being most affected. Ocular motility disorders, optic nerve abnormalities, VF defects, and low visual acuity are common findings in this cohort of PVL patients and maybe the only presenting signs of the disease. The recognition of the visual disabilities and implementation of early rehabilitation may have a significant benefit in these children.

The safety and feasibility of the screening for retinopathy of prematurity assisted by telemedicine network during COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China

Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, due to the traffic blockade and the shortage of medical resources, more and more premature infants could not receive timely and effective ROP screening, which delayed treatment and even caused children blindness. Therefore, how to carry out ROP screening safely and effectively during the epidemic was very important and urgent. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ROP screening assisted by telemedicine network during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Wuhan Children’s hospital in Wuhan, China, from January to October, 2020. The measures which were performed to make the ROP screening more safe and effective were summarized and the comparison between ROP screening assisted by telemedicine network in 2020 and usual screening in 2019 were analyzed. Results A total of 267 outpatient infants completed ROP screening. The median gestational age was 32 weeks (30w to 34w) and the median birth weight was 1780 g (1460 g to 2100 g). Meanwhile, 149 (55.8%) out of 267 infants were males. During January to May in 2020, 86 screening appointments were received, among which 67 (77.9%) were from telemedicine platform online. The completing percentage of total online ROP appointments was higher than that of total face-to-face appointments (58.1% VS 22. 1%, P = 0.018). As for the number of infants screened between 2020 and 2019 from Februaryto October, 54 infants completed ROP screening in 2020, which was higher than that (51participants) in 2019 on September. Furthermore, compared with the usual screening in 2019, ROP screening assisted by telemedicine network in 2020 had smaller gestational age (32w VS 33w, p<0.001) and lower birth weight (1780 g VS 1900 g, p = 0.001). However, of the 267 infants screened, 18(6.7%) had ROP while the percentage of ROP screened in 2019 was the same (44[6.7%]). During follow-up, none of medical staffs was infected and no adverse reaction was reported. Conclusions The screening for retinopathy of prematurity assisted by telemedicine network was safe and feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive measures before and after screening were very necessary, which could effectively avoid cross infection.

Effectiveness of The Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) System in Improving Mother and Infant Interaction

The interaction of mother and infant is a fundamental basis for the development of the infant. It can also determine the success of the baby in the future. About 4 out of 10 infants experience problems interacting with their parents. The NBO system was created to sensitize parents on their infant’s competencies to help them understand their infant’s behavior, and promote positive interactions between parents and their new infant. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the NBO system to improve mother-infant interactions and find out the mothers’ knowledge about their infant’s behavior when participating in this observation. This study was a cross-sectional study consisting of all the newborns and their mothers admitted to the Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya from May 2019 to January 2020 who met the inclusion criteria. Mothers and infants participated in the NBO within 1-3 days after delivering their infants and one month postpartum for the second NBO. The NBO was carried out with 35 mothers and infants. The mothers’ age was on average 28.5±5.98 years old, multiparous mothers accounted for 71.4%, most infants were male (65.7%), the median gestational age was 38 weeks with the median birth weight 2900 grams. The median score of mothers’ knowledge about their infants before the NBO session was 2 (1-6). After the session, these median scores increased to 7 (5–10) significantly (p<0.001). The NBO system was significant to strengthen mother-infant interaction and increased the mothers’ knowledge about their infants’ behavior.

Neonatal Outcomes after Uterus Transplantation: Dallas Uterus Transplant Study

Objective Limited data are available on the outcome of infants born after uterus transplantation. Our aim was to describe the hospital course and laboratory findings in the first 2 months of life of the 12 infants born in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS). Study Design Based on the trial protocol, information about infants was collected in a prospective fashion, including infant demographics, hospital course, and laboratory values. Results Twelve infants were delivered, all by cesarean section, from 11 mothers who had undergone uterus transplantation (one mother had two pregnancies and delivered two babies). All pregnancies were singleton. The mothers received immunosuppressive therapy, and one had a rejection episode that was detected during pregnancy. The rejection episode resolved after steroid treatment. The infants had a median gestational age of 366/7 weeks (range: 306/7–380/7 weeks) and median birth weight of 2,920 g (range: 1,770–3,470 g). The lowest Apgar's score at 5 minutes was 8. All infants were appropriate size for gestational age. Two infants presented with bandemia but negative blood cultures. At 2 months of age, all infants achieved the developmental and behavioral milestones outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Conclusion The 12 infants born from mothers with uterus transplants had a neonatal course that reflected the gestational age at delivery. No baby was born with an identified malformation or organ dysfunction. Longer follow-up and a larger number of infants are needed to confirm these observations. Key Points

Levetiracetam Compared to Phenobarbital as a First Line Therapy for Neonatal Seizures: An Unexpected Influence of Benzodiazepines on Seizure Response

OBJECTIVES Neonatal seizures are common complications. Phenobarbital is the agent of choice but leads to adverse neurologic outcomes. There has been increased use of newer agents like levetiracetam. The objective of this study was determining the rate of seizure resolution in neonates treated with phenobarbital or levetiracetam. METHODS This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study from June 1, 2012–June 1, 2018 evaluating seizure resolution in neonates following first-line treatment with phenobarbital versus levetiracetam. Data were collected via review of the patient's charts in the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was seizure resolution without addition of a second antiepileptic agent. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of pertinent variables. RESULTS Each group included 73 patients. The mean gestational age was 36.01 and 37.91 weeks for the phenobarbital and levetiracetam groups, respectively (p = 0.011). The phenobarbital group had higher rates of intraventricular hemorrhage at baseline. The median birth weight was 2750 and 3002 grams in the phenobarbital and levetiracetam groups, respectively (p = 0.10). Forty-five neonates (61.6%) achieved seizure resolution with phenobarbital compared with 30 neonates (41.1%) with levetiracetam (p = 0.01). In neonates who did not receive a benzodiazepine, seizure resolution was similar between groups (51–52%). In neonates who received a benzodiazepine, seizure resolution rate was 94.1% (16/17 neonates) for phenobarbital and 18.2% (4/22 neonates) for levetiracetam. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest seizure resolution with levetiracetam, and phenobarbital may be impacted by benzodiazepine administration. If no benzodiazepine is used, these agents demonstrated similar efficacy. Further research into the pharmacodynamic interaction with benzodiazepines is necessary.

Proactive Lactation Care is Associated With Improved Outcomes in a Referral NICU

Background Mother’s milk improves outcomes. Referral neonatal intensive care units face unique lactation challenges with maternal–infant separation and maternal pump dependency. Little is known about lactation resource allocation in this high-risk population. Research Aims To determine differences in human milk outcomes, (1) the proportion of infants fed exclusive or any mother’s milk and (2) recorded number and volume of pumped mothers’ milk bottles, between two models of lactation care in a referral neonatal intensive care unit. Methods This retrospective, longitudinal, two-group comparison study utilized medical record individual feeding data for infants admitted at ≤ Day 7 of age and milk room storage records from reactive and proactive care model time periods (April, 2017–March, 2018; May, 2018–April, 2019). The reactive care model ( n = 509 infants, 58% male, median birth weight and gestational age of 37 weeks,) involved International Board Certified Lactation Consultant referral for identified lactation problems; whereas, the proactive model ( n = 472 infants, 56% male, median birth weight and gestational age 37 weeks) increased International Board Certified Lactation Consultant staffing, who then saw all admissions. Comparisons were performed using chi square, Mann Whitney, and t-tests. Results A proactive lactation approach was associated with an increase in the receipt of any mother’s milk from 74.3% to 80.2% ( p = .03) among participants in the proactive model group. Additionally, their milk room mean monthly bottle storage increased from 5153 ( SD 788) to 6620 ( SD 1314) bottles ( p < .01). Conclusions In this retrospective study at a tertiary referral neonatal intensive care unit, significant improvement inhuman milk outcomes suggests that increased resources for proactive lactation care may improve mother’s milk provision for a high-risk population.

Multicenter experience with digital single-operator cholangioscopy in pregnant patients

Background and study aims The use of fluoroscopy during pregnancy should be minimized given that a clear-cut safe radiation dose in pregnancy is unknown. The role of digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) as an alternative to standard enodoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pregnant patients has not been comprehensively studied. This study assessed 1 Technical success defined as performance of ERCP with D-SOC without the use of fluoroscopy in pregnant patients; 2 safety of D-SOC in pregnancy; and 3 maternal and neonatal outcomes after D-SOC during/after pregnancy. Patients and methods This was an international, multicenter, retrospective study at 6 tertiary centers. Pregnant patients who underwent D-SOC for the treatment of bile duct stones and/or strictures were included. Results A total of 10 patients underwent D-SOC. Indications for ERCP were choledocholithiasis, strictures, previous stent removal, and choledocholithiasis/stent removal. Bile duct cannulation without fluoroscopy was achieved in 10 of 10 patients (100 %). Moreover, 50 % of patients (5/10) completed a fluoroless ERCP with D-SOC. Mean fluoroscopy dose and fluoroscopy time were 3.4 ± 7.2 mGy and 0.5 ± 0.8 min, respectively. One case of mild bleeding and one case of moderate post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36.2 ± 2.6 weeks. Median birth weight was 2.5 kg [IQR: 2.2–2.8]. No birth defects were noted. Conclusion ERCP guided by D-SOC appears to be a feasible and effective alternative to standard ERCP in pregnant patients. It enables avoidance of radiation in half of cases.