Antenatal steroids, delivery mode, and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between antenatal steroids, delivery mode, and early-onset intraventricular hemorrhage was examined in very-low-birth-weight infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 505 preterm infants (birth weight 600 to 1250 gm) were enrolled in a multicenter, prospectively randomized, controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of postnatal indomethacin to prevent intraventricular hemorrhage. All infants had echoencephalography between 5 and 11 hours of life.

RESULTS

Seventy-three infants had intraventricular hemorrhage within the first 5 to 11 hours (mean age at echoencephalography 7.5 hours). Four hundred thirty-two infants did not have early intraventricular hemorrhage. There was less antenatal steroid treatment (19% vs 32%, p = 0.03) and more vaginal deliveries (71% vs 45%, p < 0.0001) in the group with early intraventricular hemorrhage. Of 152 infants who received antenatal steroids, those delivered by cesarean section had significantly less early-onset intraventricular hemorrhage than did those delivered vaginally (4% vs 17%, p = 0.02). Of the 353 not exposed to antenatal steroids, 10% of infants delivered by cesarean section and 22% delivered vaginally had early intraventricular hemorrhage (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

These data are the first to suggest that both antenatal steroids and cesarean section delivery have an important and independent role in lowering the risk of early-onset intraventricular hemorrhage.

Germinal matrix microvascular maturation correlates inversely with the risk period for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage

The risk period for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of the preterm neonate is the first 3-4 postnatal days. For infants of < 34 weeks' gestation, this risk period is independent of gestational age. We hypothesized that this risk period is attributable to the perinatal induction of maturation of the germinal matrix microvasculature and tested this hypothesis by examining changes in the classical ultrastructural features of the blood-brain barrier over the first ten postnatal days in the newborn beagle model for neonatal IVH. Newborn beagle pups (n = 6) were anesthetized and systemically perfused and the brains were removed and prepared for electron microscopic examination. Examination of electron micrographs from the germinal matrix of animals on the first, fourth and tenth postnatal days demonstrated no difference in perimeter lengths and capillary and endothelial cell areas; in contrast, luminal areas significantly decreased across postnatal age (P = 0.04). Significant increases were found in basement membrane area between days 1 and 4 (P = 0.01) and tight junction length (day 1 vs. day 10, P = 0.02). In addition, on day 1, 19% of germinal matrix capillary perimeter was determined not to be covered by supporting cell processes, while by day 10, only 5% was bare. In contrast, the microvessels of the white matter exhibited no changes in these parameters during these three time points. These studies are consistent with the concept that basal lamina deposition and organization precede increases in endothelial cell tight junction formation and coverage by supporting cells.

Low-dose indomethacin therapy and extension of intraventricular hemorrhage: a multicenter randomized trial

We enrolled 61 neonates of 600 to 1250 gm birth weight with evidence of low-grade intraventricular hemorrhage at 6 to 11 hours of age in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that indomethacin (0.1 mg/kg given intravenously at 6 to 12 postnatal hours and every 24 hours for two more doses) would prevent extension of intraventricular hemorrhage. Twenty-seven infants were assigned to receive indomethacin; 34 infants received saline placebo. There were no significant differences between the two groups in birth weight, gestational age, sex, Apgar scores, percentage of infants treated with surfactant, or distribution of hemorrhages at the time of the first cranial sonogram (echo-encephalogram). Within the first 5 days, 9 of 27 indomethacin-treated and 12 of 34 saline solution-treated infants had extension of their initial intraventricular hemorrhage (p = 1.00). Four indomethacin-treated and three saline solution-treated infants had parenchymal extension of the hemorrhage. Indomethacin was associated with closure of a patent ductus arteriosus by the fifth day of life (p = 0.003). There were no differences in adverse events attributed to indomethacin. We conclude that in very low birth weight infants with low grade intraventricular hemorrhage within the first 6 postnatal hours, prophylactic indomethacin therapy promotes closure of the patent ductus arteriosus and is not associated with adverse events, but does not affect the cascade of events leading to parenchymal involvement of intracranial hemorrhage.

Low-Dose Indomethacin and Prevention of Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

Objectives. Parenchymal involvement of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental handicap in very low birth weight neonates. Previous trials have suggested that indomethacin would lower the incidence and severity of IVH in very low birth weight neonates.

Methods. We enrolled 431 neonates of 600- to 1250-g birth weight with no evidence for IVH at 6 to 11 hours of age in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that low-dose indomethacin (0.1 mg/kg intravenously at 6 to 12 postnatal hours and every 24 hours for two more doses) would lower the incidence and severity of IVH. Serial cranial ultrasound examinations and echocardiographs were performed.

Results. There were no differences in the birth weight, gestational age, sex, Apgar scores, and percent of neonates treated with surfactant between the indomethacin and placebo groups. Within the first 5 days, 25 (12%) indomethacin-treated and 40 (18%) placebo-treated neonates developed IVH (P = .03, trend test). Only one indomethacin-treated patient experienced grade 4 IVH compared with 10 placebo-treated neonates (P = .01). Sixteen indomethacin-treated neonates and 29 control neonates died (P = .08); there was a difference favoring indomethacin with respect to survival time (P = .06).

Eighty-six percent of all neonates had a patent ductus arteriosus on the first postnatal day; indomethacin was associated with significant ductal closure by the fifth day of life (P &lt; .001). There were no differences in adverse events attributed to indomethacin between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions. Low-dose prophylactic indomethacin significantly lowers the incidence and severity of IVH, particularly the severe form (grade 4 IVH). In addition,indomethacin closes the patent ductus arteriosus and is not associated with significant adverse drug events in very low birth weight neonates.

Short-term response to dietary therapy in molybdenum cofactor deficiency

Molybdenum cofactor deficiency was diagnosed in a 3-month-old girl who presented with microcephaly, developmental delay, severe irritability, and lactic acidosis. Dietary methionine restriction, with cysteine supplementation, was associated with moderate short-term clinical improvement, including a resumption in predicted head growth, modest developmental progress, and a reduction in irritability. Clinical relapse was associated with noncompliance of dietary therapy 2 months later. Urinary sulfite levels measured by commercial dipsticks were useful in following therapy. Molybdenum cofactor deficiency is probably frequently underdiagnosed due to the lack of specific clinical or laboratory features. Screening of infants at risk for the presence of urinary sulfites or serum hypouricemia, or both, is both rapid and inexpensive.

Intraventricular hemorrhage and prematurity

Intraventricular hemorrhage or hemorrhage into the germinal matrix tissues of the developing brain with possible rupture into the ventricular system and parenchyma remains a major problem of preterm neonates and is believed to be attributed to alterations in cerebral blood flow to a damaged germinal matrix capillary bed. Topics discussed in this article include germinal matrix anatomy and physiology, neuropathology, risk of hemorrhage, diagnostic imaging techniques, clinical manifestations, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, treatment, and outcomes.

Infantile chorea following abrupt withdrawal of diazepam and pentobarbital therapy

The acute onset of chorea was seen in a ten week-old male following abrupt cessation of a seven-day course of sedation with diazepam and pentobarbital. These movements slowly resolved over a six-day period and the infant was without neurologic sequelae one week after his chorea resolved. A cerebral MRI was normal. We speculate that the mechanism by which chorea may occur as a withdrawal phenomenon to benzodiazepine/barbiturate treatment is by a functional overactivity of the dopaminergic system in the basal ganglia.

Risk factors for early intraventricular hemorrhage in low birth weight infants

Because earlier studies suggested that preterm infants with germinal matrix hemorrhage or intraventricular hemorrhage or both (GMH/IVH) present within the first 12 postnatal hours are at greatest risk for the development of high-grade hemorrhage and neurodevelopmental disability, we examined the risk factors for this insult among 229 neonates of 600 to 1250 gm birth weight in a multicenter study. All had echoencephalography (ECHO) within the first 11 hours and serially for the next 20 days; risk factor data were collected prospectively. Forty-three infants had GMH/IVH within the first 5 to 11 hours (mean age at ECHO 7.7 hours): 18 GMH and 21 grade II, 1 grade III, and 3 grade IV IVH. One hundred eighty-six infants did not have GMH/IVH at a mean age of 7.9 hours. Both groups of infants were similar in birth weight, gestational age, maternal risk factors, cord pH values, and surfactant therapy before ECHO. The group with early IVH had more vertex presentations than the group without early IVH (79% vs 55%, p = 0.043), less maternal tocolytic use (42% vs 60%, p = 0.029), and more vaginal deliveries (67% vs 44%, p = 0.005). In the first 21 days, severe IVH developed in 12 infants with early IVH and in 6 infants without early IVH (p < 0.001). There were more neonatal deaths (16% vs 6%, p = 0.035) and more deaths at any time during the primary hospitalization (23% vs 9%, p = 0.010) among the early IVH group than among the group without early IVH. Multivariate analysis indicated that the mode of delivery, fetal presentation, and birth weight were important and independent prognostic indicators of IVH.

Indomethacin promotes germinal matrix microvessel maturation in the newborn beagle pup

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although indomethacin has been demonstrated to prevent germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage in clinical and animal studies, the mechanism of action of this agent to prevent hemorrhage remains unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated both that the microvessels in the germinal matrix of newborn beagle pups undergo basement membrane maturation during the first 4 postnatal days and that indomethacin may promote laminin deposition in tumor cell culture systems.

METHODS

We employed the newborn beagle pup model to test the hypothesis that indomethacin may stimulate laminin deposition in germinal matrix microvessels. Newborn pups were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg/dose i.p. indomethacin or an equal volume of saline diluent. Pups received doses of study medication once a day for 1, 2, or 3 days and were studied on postnatal days 1, 2, 3, or 4. Pups were anesthetized and systemically perfused with buffered formalin; the brains were removed and prepared for immunohistochemical study.

RESULTS

Sections stained with Bandeiraea lectin demonstrated that there was no difference in germinal matrix vessel density among the postnatal ages studied; similarly, there were no differences in vessel density between saline- and indomethacin-treated animals at any postnatal age. Quantification of germinal matrix stained intensity by confocal microscopy demonstrated significant increases in indomethacin-treated pups for both laminin staining at postnatal days 2 (p = 0.05) and 3 (p = 0.0009) and type V collagen staining at postnatal day 2 (p = 0.011). Although staining for beta 1 integrins increased across postnatal ages, there were no differences between saline- and indomethacin-treated animals.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that indomethacin may stimulate basement membrane deposition in the germinal matrix microvessels of newborn beagle pups to prevent germinal matrix and/or intraventricular hemorrhage.

Beagle pup germinal matrix maturation studies

Intraventricular hemorrhage, or hemorrhage into the germinal matrix tissues of the developing brain, remains a common problem of preterm infants. The "risk period" for this insult is the first 3-4 postnatal days. We hypothesized that this risk period for hemorrhage is related to rapid perinatal maturation of the germinal matrix vasculature and employed the newborn beagle pup model for the study of this maturation. Newborn beagle pups (n = 30) were anesthetized and systemically perfused with buffered formalin; the brains were removed and prepared for immunohistochemical study. Sections stained with Bandeiraea lectin demonstrated that there was no difference in germinal matrix vessel density between postnatal days 1 and 4. Germinal matrix sections were also stained for antibodies to alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen IV, collagen V, desmin, factor VIII-related antigen, fibronectin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, laminin, transferrin, and vimentin. Vasculature staining by alpha-smooth muscle actin was not noted until postnatal day 10, and differential staining was detected for antibodies to laminin and collagen V. Quantification of staining intensity by confocal microscopy demonstrated a significant increase in both extracellular matrix components at postnatal day 4 compared with day 1 (p less than 0.05 for both). These basement membrane proteins may add sufficient structural integrity to germinal matrix vessels to prevent capillary rupture and thus intraventricular hemorrhage.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal asphyxia: blockade of excitatory neurotransmitters

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK801 has been reported to prevent neuronal change in models of ischemia in adult animal systems. We studied the hypothesis that blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor would prevent the depression of cerebral high-energy phosphates found in perinatal asphyxia without producing alterations in cerebral blood flow, and thus prevent neuropathologic damage. Newborn beagle puppies were anesthetized, tracheotomized, ventilated, and randomized to asphyxial insult (I = discontinuation of ventilatory support for 5 min) or no insult (NI) and drug treatment with MK801 (10 mg/kg intravenously) or an equal volume of saline (S). Puppies received MK801 or saline 15 min prior to I/NI. In S/I pups during insult, blood flow increased to brainstem structures but decreased elsewhere. MK801 had no effect on cerebral blood flow in either control or insulted puppies. 1H NMR studies demonstrated no effect of the MK801 on NI brains. Phosphocreatine levels were 1.7 +/- 0.1, 0.6 +/- 0.1, and 0.9 +/- 0.1 mmole/kg (mean: +/- S.D.) for the S/NI, S/I, and MK801/I pups, respectively. Cerebral lactate was 1.3 +/- 0.2, 3.0 +/- 0.7, and 2.0 +/- 0.4, respectively. The pH fell 0.8 units in the S/I puppies, compared to 0.4 units in the MK801/I puppies. We conclude that pretreatment with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK801 in part protects the developing brain against severe metabolic insult.

Thromboxane synthesis inhibitor in a beagle pup model of perinatal asphyxia

During perinatal asphyxia, cerebral blood flow is markedly reduced in the gray and white matter of the telencephalon. Since previous work has implicated prostaglandins in the control of blood flow, we tested the hypothesis that a thromboxane synthesis inhibitor would improve cerebral blood flow and blunt the metabolic alterations that accompany asphyxia. Forty-three newborn beagles 2-7 days old were anesthetized, ventilated, and randomized to insult (5 minutes of asphyxia) or no insult and received treatment with either the thromboxane synthesis inhibitor CGS 13080 (CIBA-GEIGY Corp.) (0.06 mg/kg/hr i.v. infusion) or saline. Cerebral blood flow was measured in 25 pups. Pups received treatment 30 minutes before insult or no insult. In pups randomized to insult and receiving saline, cerebral blood flow increased during insult in the medulla but decreased elsewhere. Pups randomized to insult and treated with thromboxane synthesis inhibitor had increased cerebral blood flow during insult in all cerebral regions studied. In addition, these pups experienced a significantly higher incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage than did pups randomized to insult and receiving saline. In other experiments with 18 pups, brain extracts were prepared for proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis of high-energy phosphorylated compounds and lactate levels. In pups exposed to insult and receiving saline, mean +/- SD phosphocreatine concentration fell from 1.9 +/- 0.1 to 0.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/kg, lactate concentration increased from 2.0 +/- 0.5 to 3.3 +/- 0.4 mmol/kg, and the calculated pH fell 0.8 units. There were no differences between groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebral thromboembolic disease in pediatric and adult inflammatory bowel disease: case report and review of the literature

Cerebral and retinal vascular disease are rare complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Most reports are of adult patients, with only seven instances described in children. The eighth case, a 14-year-old boy with ulcerative colitis and cerebral venous thrombosis is reported in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The adult and pediatric literature is also reviewed.

Randomized low-dose indomethacin trial for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight neonates

We admitted 36 preterm neonates (600 to 1250 gm birth weight) with normal 6-hour echoencephalograms to a randomized, placebo-controlled prospective trial to determine whether a low dose of indomethacin would prevent germinal matrix or intraventricular hemorrhage and permit adequate urinary output. Between the sixth and tenth postnatal hours, indomethacin (0.1 mg/kg) or placebo was administered intravenously every 24 hours for a total of three doses. Cardiac ultrasound studies to assess the status of the ductus arteriosus were performed at 6 postnatal hours and on day 5. Urinary output, serum electrolytes, serum indomethacin levels, and renal and clotting functions were monitored. No differences in birth weight, gestational age, or Apgar scores were noted between the two groups of infants. Two indomethacin-treated infants and three infants given placebo had significant urinary output difficulties, requiring that the study medication be withheld. Of 19 infants given indomethacin, two had germinal matrix or intraventricular hemorrhage, in comparison with 8 of 17 infants given saline solution (p = 0.02). Of the infants who had a left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus shunt before treatment, 64% of the indomethacin-treated and 33% of the saline solution-treated infants no longer had a patent ductus arteriosus on day 5. Ductal status appeared unrelated to the development of germinal matrix or intraventricular hemorrhage.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal asphyxia: alterations in cerebral blood flow and metabolism

Perinatal asphyxia remains a major cause of neurodevelopmental handicap. The neuropathologic and clinical sequelae of perinatal asphyxia are likely attributable to alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the developing brain with uncoupling of CBF and metabolism. The newborn beagle puppy model was used to study the control of CBF in physiologic and pathologic conditions in the developing brain. Pups, 2-10 days of age, were randomized to asphyxial insult (i.e., ventilator lines clamped for 5 min) or no insult. In the first series, pups underwent radioactive microsphere determinations of CBF immediately prior to insult (t = 0), at the end of insult (t = 5), and after 60 min of observation (t = 65). In the second series, utilizing a 2.0 tesla superconducting magnet, pups underwent continuous serial in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis of cerebral hemispheric metabolic state. Animals exposed to insult had significant alterations in PO2, PCO2, pH, and mean arterial pressure at the end of insult compared to control pups (all pups: p less than 0.001). Serial CBF data demonstrated decreases in flow in cortical gray and white matter regions during insult and return to baseline 1 hour later; brainstem structures were hyperemic during insult. Analysis of phosphorylated metabolites inorganic phosphorus (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), and ATP demonstrated that during insult both the PCr/Pi and ATP/Pi ratios were depressed but by 20-30 min following insult, these ratios of cerebral phosphorylated metabolites had almost returned to baseline values. These data demonstrate that even after a severe asphyxial episode which results in electrocerebral silence, CBF and metabolism may return to normal.

Predictors of success for drug discontinuation following neonatal seizures

Guidelines for the discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs in neonatal seizures are not well defined. Some studies suggested possible criteria for antiepileptic drug discontinuation but no precise criteria have emerged. We performed a retrospective analysis of 58 infants with neonatal seizures during a 3 year period. Antiepileptic drugs were discontinued when patients were seizure-free for 3 months, had normal electroencephalography initially or at subsequent examination, and had a nonfocal examination. Normal initial electroencephalography was demonstrated to be a reliable predictor for discontinuing antiepileptic drugs successfully in 18 of 22 term infants; normal subsequent electroencephalography was a reliable predictor of successful discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs in 9 of 10 premature infants.

Beagle pup model of brain injury: regional cerebral blood flow and cerebral prostaglandins

Asphyxia is the most common cause of severe brain injury in very young children, and frequently results in lesions of the periventricular white matter in addition to other neuropathological changes. This study examines the effects of asphyxia on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the role of prostaglandins (PG's) in its control in the newborn beagle pup. Pups were anesthetized, tracheotomized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated, and randomly assigned to two groups: asphyxial insult produced by discontinuing ventilatory support, and no insult. Experiments for carbon-14-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic determination of rCBF and regional cerebral PG determination were performed on separate groups of pups. These studies demonstrated a significant increase in cortical gray PGE2 levels at a time when rCBF was significantly impaired in response to severe asphyxial insult. No such increase was noted in the periventricular white matter zones.

Beagle pup model of perinatal asphyxia: nimodipine studies

Calcium antagonists may be of significant benefit in the pharmacotherapy of cerebral ischemia, possibly by improving postischemic cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study evaluated the effects of the calcium antagonist nimodipine on CBF in a newborn beagle pup model of perinatal asphyxia lasting 5 minutes. Immediately after the asphyxial episode, nimodipine (2 micrograms/kg/min) or saline was infused for 10 minutes, following which [14C]iodoantipyrine determinations of CBF were performed. In noninsulted pups, nimodipine caused both significant decreases in CBF to cortical and deep gray structures as well as a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) (p less than 0.05). In insulted pups, nimodipine similarly decreased MABP (p less than 0.001) and CBF to cortical and deep gray matter regions. Nimodipine appeared to have no effect on arterial blood gases and EEG tracings in either insulted or noninsulted pups. Although nimodipine may be shown to improve neurologic outcome in asphyxiated newborn infants, the limits of this study do not show the mechanism to be that of improving CBF.

Beagle puppy model of perinatal cerebral infarction. Regional cerebral prostaglandin changes during acute hypoxemia

Perinatal cerebral infarction, or stroke, is a not uncommon finding in newborns who survive after intensive care. Asphyxia, with its component parts hypoxemia and hypotension, represents the most common cause of perinatal cerebral infarction and may result in neuropathological changes in the periventricular white matter. Previous studies have demonstrated regional alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in response to hypoxemic insult. This work examines the effects of hypoxemia on regional cerebral prostaglandin levels in the developing brain, since some observers believe that local CBF is controlled in part by prostaglandins. In this study, newborn beagle pups were anesthetized, subjected to tracheotomy and artificially ventilated to maintain normoxemia and normocarbia. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was continuously monitored by means of an indwelling catheter and transducer, and craniectomies were performed. When the pups were physiologically stabilized, they were randomly assigned to receive acute hypoxemic insult (pO2 14.0 +/- 1.55 mm Hg, mean +/- standard deviation) accomplished by altering the oxygen concentration in the inspired air) or to receive no insult (mean pO2 84.3 +/- 13.0 mm Hg). Fifteen minutes following stable hypoxemic or normoxic conditions, all pups underwent in vivo freezing of the intracranial contents under anesthesia followed by rapid sacrifice. No significant differences were noted between the MABP, pH, or pCO2 values for the control and hypoxemic pups during the experimental period. Regional cerebral prostaglandin data demonstrated a significant increase in prostaglandin (PG)E2 in the gray matter of hypoxemic pups when compared to the normoxic controls (p less than 0.02). No significant differences were noted for 6-keto-PGE1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin, or thromboxane (TX)B2, the stable metabolite of TXA2, in the gray matter. In addition, although 6-keto-PGE1 alpha was significantly lower in the periventricular white matter of the hypoxemic pups (p less than 0.05), there were no changes in the white matter in either PGE2 or TXA2. This regional differential synthesis of PGE2 in response to hypoxemic insult may explain the relative failure of CBF to the periventricular white matter and thus the neuropathological alterations attributed to it.