Viral respiratory tract infections in the neonatal intensive care unit: the VIRIoN-I study

Raising AWaRe-ness of Antimicrobial Stewardship Challenges in Pediatric Emergency Care: Results from the PERFORM Study Assessing Consistency and Appropriateness of Antibiotic Prescribing Across Europe

BACKGROUND

Optimization of antimicrobial stewardship is key to tackling antimicrobial resistance, which is exacerbated by overprescription of antibiotics in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We described patterns of empiric antibiotic use in European EDs and characterized appropriateness and consistency of prescribing.

METHODS

Between August 2016 and December 2019, febrile children attending EDs in 9 European countries with suspected infection were recruited into the PERFORM (Personalised Risk Assessment in Febrile Illness to Optimise Real-Life Management) study. Empiric systemic antibiotic use was determined in view of assigned final "bacterial" or "viral" phenotype. Antibiotics were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe classification.

RESULTS

Of 2130 febrile episodes (excluding children with nonbacterial/nonviral phenotypes), 1549 (72.7%) were assigned a bacterial and 581 (27.3%) a viral phenotype. A total of 1318 of 1549 episodes (85.1%) with a bacterial and 269 of 581 (46.3%) with a viral phenotype received empiric systemic antibiotics (in the first 2 days of admission). Of those, the majority (87.8% in the bacterial and 87.0% in the viral group) received parenteral antibiotics. The top 3 antibiotics prescribed were third-generation cephalosporins, penicillins, and penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Of those treated with empiric systemic antibiotics in the viral group, 216 of 269 (80.3%) received ≥1 antibiotic in the "Watch" category.

CONCLUSIONS

Differentiating bacterial from viral etiology in febrile illness on initial ED presentation remains challenging, resulting in a substantial overprescription of antibiotics. A significant proportion of patients with a viral phenotype received systemic antibiotics, predominantly classified as WHO Watch. Rapid and accurate point-of-care tests in the ED differentiating between bacterial and viral etiology could significantly improve antimicrobial stewardship.

SHEA NICU white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of viral respiratory infections

This white paper provides clinicians and hospital leaders with practical guidance on the prevention and control of viral respiratory infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This document serves as a companion to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)'s "Prophylaxis and Screening for Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Systematic Review." It provides practical, expert opinion and/or evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about viral respiratory detection and prevention in the NICU. It was developed by a writing panel of pediatric and pathogen-specific experts who collaborated with members of the HICPAC systematic review writing panel and the SHEA Pediatric Leadership Council to identify questions that should be addressed. The document has been endorsed by SHEA, the American Hospital Association (AHA), The Joint Commission, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

Next Steps for Health Care-Associated Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

We discuss the burden of health care-associated infections (HAIs) in the neonatal ICU and the role of quality improvement (QI) in infection prevention and control. We examine specific QI opportunities and approaches to prevent HAIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus , multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens, Candida species, and respiratory viruses, and to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and surgical site infections. We explore the emerging recognition that many hospital-onset bacteremia episodes are not CLABSIs. Finally, we describe the core tenets of QI, including engagement with multidisciplinary teams and families, data transparency, accountability, and the impact of larger collaborative efforts to reduce HAIs.

Surveillance of Viral Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Evolution in the Last 5 Years

Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in very low birthweight infants can be associated with high rates of morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a strong impact on viral circulation. The purpose of this study is to report on VRIs during NICU admission in infants below 32 weeks' gestation and compare data collected between the pre-and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. A prospective surveillance study was conducted at a tertiary NICU between April 2016 and June 2022. The COVID-19 post-pandemic period was established as being from March 2020 onwards. Respiratory virus detection was performed by real-time multiplex PCR assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs). A total of 366 infants were enrolled. There were no statistical differences between periods regarding infants' birth weight, gestational age, gender distribution, or rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Among the 1589 NPA collected during the pre-COVID-19 period, 8.9% were positive, and among the 1147 NPA collected during the post-pandemic period, only 3% were positive (p < 0.005). The type of viruses detected did not differ according to the study period (pre-COVID19 vs. post-COVID-19): rhinovirus (49.5% vs. 37.5%), adenovirus (22.6% vs. 25%), and human coronavirus (12.9% vs. 16.7%). SARS-CoV-2 was only detected in one patient. In conclusion, the viral profile causing VRI during the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era was similar. However, the total number of VRI dropped significantly, most probably due to the global increase in infection prevention measures.

Tackling Neonatal Sepsis-Can It Be Predicted?

(1) Background: Early signs of sepsis in a neonate are often subtle and non-specific, the clinical course rapid and fulminant. The aim of our research was to analyse diagnostic markers for neonatal sepsis and build an application which could calculate its probability. (2) Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted on 497 neonates treated at the Clinical Department of Neonatology of the University Children's Hospital in Ljubljana from 2007 to 2021. The neonates with a diagnosis of sepsis were separated based on their blood cultures, clinical and laboratory markers. The influence of perinatal factors was also observed. We trained several machine-learning models for prognosticating neonatal sepsis and used the best-performing model in our application. (3) Results: Thirteen features showed highest diagnostic importance: serum concentrations of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, age of onset, immature neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts, birth weight, gestational age, 5-min Apgar score, gender, toxic changes in neutrophils, and childbirth delivery. The created online application predicts the probability of sepsis by combining the data values of these features. (4) Conclusions: Our application combines thirteen most significant features for neonatal sepsis development and predicts the probability of sepsis in a neonate.

Detection of Parechovirus and Enterovirus Among Infants Evaluated for Late-onset Sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: The Viral Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Parechovirus-Enterovirus Study

In a prospective cohort study of 65 inborn infants who were evaluated for late-onset sepsis at >72 hours of age in 2 academic neonatal intensive care units, none had parechovirus or enterovirus RNA detected by polymerase chain reaction performed on nasopharyngeal specimens during the first or subsequent sepsis evaluations (n = 80).

Double Blood Culture Policy Is More Effective Than Single In Neonatal Intensive Units

Aim: Blood culture (BC) sampling and antibiotic administration are common practices in Neonatal Intensive Care Units(NICUs). However, false positive BC results might affect clinician’s decision and lead to inappropriate antibiotic treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of double culture on clinical application. Material and Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively. The blood culture results of the patients admitted to the NICU between 2016-2019 were analyzed. Considering sepsis before 2017, we took only one sample from the patient. After this period, we started to take double blood cultures. Time frames of BCs were investigated to two groups as early and late onset sepsis fistly, and then subgroups as; a-) Group 1, BCs in the first 24 hours, b-)Group 2, between 24 to 72 hours, and c-)Group 3, after 72 hours. Results: Total of 1747 BC samples were taken in study. Majority of BCs were in Group 3(62%). Male/female ratio was 1.3:1. Staphylococcus Epidermidis(S. Epi) was major source for the contamination. But, by taking dBCs, we were able to eliminate most S.Epi contamination in Group 2 (11%vs.3%) and in Group 3(41%to14%). We were able to identify some resistant Gr(-) pathogens in one arm although the other arm was negative, by taking dBC. Conclusions: Our study indicates that dBC policy in NICUs could help to clinicians for judicious decision in antibiotic use and decrease unnecessary antibiotic exposure of infants. Also it could be enable to detect some highly pathogen microorganism easily. Key words: Newborn, Septicemia, Blood culture, Coagulase Negative Staphylococci, contamination

[Effect of improvement in antibiotic use strategy on the short-term clinical outcome of preterm infants with a gestational age of <35 weeks]

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of improvement in antibiotic use strategy on the short-term clinical outcome of preterm infants with a gestational age of <35 weeks.

METHODS

The medical data were retrospectively collected from 865 preterm infants with a gestational age of <35 weeks who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. The improved antibiotic use strategy was implemented since January 1, 2015. According to the time of implementation, the infants were divided into three groups: pre-adjustment (January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014; n=303), post-adjustment Ⅰ (January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015; n=293), and post-adjustment Ⅱ (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016; n=269). The medical data of the three groups were compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the three groups in gestational age, proportion of small-for-gestational-age infants, sex, and method of birth (P>0.05). Compared with the pre-adjustment group, the post-adjustment I and post-adjustment Ⅱ groups had a significant reduction in the rate of use of antibiotics and the duration of antibiotic use in the early postnatal period and during hospitalization (P<0.05), with a significant increase in the proportion of infants with a duration of antibiotic use of ≤3 days or 4-7 days and a significant reduction in the proportion of infants with a duration of antibiotic use of >7 days in the early postnatal period (P<0.05). Compared with the post-adjustment Ⅰ group, the post-adjustment Ⅱ group had a significant reduction in the duration of antibiotic use in the early postnatal period and during hospitalization (P<0.05), with a significant increase in the proportion of infants with a duration of antibiotic use of ≤3 days and a significant reduction in the proportion of infants with a duration of antibiotic use of 4-7 days or >7 days (P<0.05). Compared with the pre-adjustment group, the post-adjustment I and post-adjustment Ⅱ groups had significantly shorter duration of parenteral nutrition and length of hospital stay (P<0.05). There were gradual reductions in the incidence rates of grade ≥Ⅲ intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) after the adjustment of antibiotic use strategy. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adjustment of antibiotic use strategy had no effect on short-term adverse clinical outcomes, and antibiotic use for >7 days significantly increased the risk of adverse clinical outcomes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use by the improvement in antibiotic use strategy in preterm infants with a gestational age of <35 weeks, which can also shorten the duration of parenteral nutrition and the length of hospital stay and reduce the incidence rates of grade ≥Ⅲ IVH and LOS.

In-hospital respiratory viral infections for patients with established BPD in the SARS-CoV-2 era

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that in-hospital respiratory viral infections (RVI) would be significantly lower in a cohort of patients with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) exposed to a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection prevention protocol when compared to historical controls.

STUDY DESIGN

On April 1, 2020, we implemented a universal infection prevention protocol to minimize the risk of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a dedicated BPD intensive care unit. We performed a retrospective cohort study and included patients with established BPD, as defined by the 2019 Neonatal Research Network criteria, admitted to our center who underwent real-time polymerase-chain-reaction RVI testing between January 1, 2015 and March 31, 2021. We excluded patients readmitted from home. We compared the proportion of positive tests to the number of tests performed and the distribution of viral respiratory pathogens in the pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 eras.

RESULTS

Among 176 patients included in the study, 663 RVI tests were performed and 172 (26%) tests were positive. The median number of tests performed, measured in tests per patient per month, in the SARS-CoV-2 era was not significantly different compared to the pre-SARS-CoV-2 era (0.45 vs. 0.34 tests per patient per month, p = .07). The proportion of positive RVI tests was significantly lower in the SARS-CoV-2 era when compared to the pre-SARS-CoV-2 era (0.06 vs. 0.30, p < .0001). No patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the SARS-CoV-2 era.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection prevention measures developed in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may reduce the risk of RVIs in hospitalized patients with established BPD.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes following neonatal late-onset sepsis and blood culture-negative conditions

OBJECTIVE

Determine risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in infants with late-onset sepsis (LOS) versus late-onset, antibiotic-treated, blood culture-negative conditions (LOCNC).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

24 neonatal centres.

PATIENTS

Infants born 1/1/2006-31/12/2014, at 22-26 weeks gestation, with birth weight 401-1000 g and surviving >7 days were included. Infants with early-onset sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, intestinal perforation or both LOS and LOCNC were excluded.

EXPOSURES

LOS and LOCNC were defined as antibiotic administration for ≥5 days with and without a positive blood/cerebrospinal fluid culture, respectively. Infants with these diagnoses were also compared with infants with neither condition.

OUTCOMES

Death or NDI was assessed at 18-26 months corrected age follow-up. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks adjusting for covariates occurring ≤7 days of age.

RESULTS

Of 7354 eligible infants, 3940 met inclusion criteria: 786 (20%) with LOS, 1601 (41%) with LOCNC and 1553 (39%) with neither. Infants with LOS had higher adjusted relative risk (95% CI) for death/NDI (1.14 (1.05 to 1.25)) and death before follow-up (1.71 (1.44 to 2.03)) than those with LOCNC. Among survivors, risk for NDI did not differ between the two groups (0.99 (0.86 to 1.13)) but was higher for LOCNC infants (1.17 (1.04 to 1.31)) compared with unaffected infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with LOS had higher risk of death, but not NDI, compared with infants with LOCNC. Surviving infants with LOCNC had higher risk of NDI compared with unaffected infants. Improving outcomes for infants with LOCNC requires study of the underlying conditions and the potential impact of antibiotic exposure.

C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-6, and Procalcitonin in Diagnosis of Late-Onset Bloodstream Infection in Very Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Late-onset bloodstream infection (LOBSI) is common in very preterm infants. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for prognosis and outcome. We aimed to analyze the accuracy of routinely used inflammatory biomarkers in the diagnosis of LOBSI as compared to uninfected controls.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective case-control study, interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were routinely measured, when infection was clinically suspected. The definition of LOBSI was based on positive blood culture, clinical signs of infection, and onset more than 72 hours after birth.

RESULTS

Among 285 enrolled infants, 66 developed LOBSI. IL-6 was superior to other markers, and levels greater than 100 ng/L had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 99% for the presence of LOBSI. Receiver operating characteristic curve of IL-6 had area under the curve of 0.988 (95% CI = 0.975-1.00, P < .001). The negative predictive value of IL-6, CRP, and PCT for optimal cutoff values was 99%, 95%, and 93%, respectively. The logistic regression model of IL-6 > 100 ng/L or CRP > 10 mg/L were successfully predicted LOBSI in 97.9% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of IL-6 and CRP seems to have great potential in routine rapid diagnosis of LOBSI development. High negative predictive value of all tested markers could encourage the early discontinuation of antibiotic treatment.

A novel anellovirus from hospitalized neonates

Here, using viral metagenomics combined with conventional PCR, the complete genome sequence of a novel anellovirus (named anel-ch-zj and GenBank no. MT157223) from nasopharynx secretion specimens from hospitalized neonates was determined, and the deduced amino acid sequence of its ODF1 protein was found to be only 33.19%-39.33% identical to those of related anelloviruses with sequences available in the GenBank database, suggesting that it represents a putative new genus within the family Anelloviridae. PCR screening of 135 samples (including 45 nasopharynx secretion, 45 blood, and 45 fecal specimens collected from 45 individual hospitalized neonates) indicated that two nasopharynx secretion, two blood, and four fecal samples were positive for anel-ch-zj. Further PCR screening of 50 blood samples, 115 fecal samples, and 396 nasopharynx secretions collected from hospitalized children 1-5 years old did not yield any positive results. Whether this novel anellovirus detected in neonates is associated with specific diseases needs future investigation.

The Problem of Microbial Dark Matter in Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis (NS) kills 750,000 infants every year. Effectively treating NS requires timely diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy matched to the causative pathogens, but most blood cultures for suspected NS do not recover a causative pathogen. We refer to these suspected but unidentified pathogens as microbial dark matter. Given these low culture recovery rates, many non–culture-based technologies are being explored to diagnose NS, including PCR, 16S amplicon sequencing, and whole metagenomic sequencing. However, few of these newer technologies are scalable or sustainable globally. To reduce worldwide deaths from NS, one possibility may be performing population-wide pathogen discovery. Because pathogen transmission patterns can vary across space and time, computational models can be built to predict the pathogens responsible for NS by region and season. This approach could help to optimally treat patients, decreasing deaths from NS and increasing antimicrobial stewardship until effective diagnostics that are scalable become available globally.

Antibiotic Stewardship for the Neonatologist and Perinatologist

Antibiotic use is common in the neonatal intensive care unit. The density and heterogeneity of antibiotic prescribing suggests inappropriate and overuse of these agents. Potential antibiotic stewardship targets include sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and perioperative prophylaxis. Diagnostic stewardship principles, including appropriately obtained cultures, may be leveraged to decrease unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Strategies including guideline development, prospective audit and feedback, and formulary restriction have been successfully deployed in the neonatal intensive care unit to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing. Implementation of antibiotic stewardship in the neonatal intensive care unit requires multidisciplinary collaboration between neonatologists, surgeons, infectious diseases specialists, pharmacists, and nurses.

Universal Face Masking Reduces Respiratory Viral Infections Among Inpatient Very-Low-Birthweight Neonatal Infants

We reviewed the impact of a universal face masking policy on respiratory viral infections (RVIs) among admitted very-low-birthweight infants in our neonatal department. There was a significant decrease in RVI incidence, specifically in our step-down level 2 unit, with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus being the most common viruses isolated.

A global point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in neonatal intensive care units: The no-more-antibiotics and resistance (NO-MAS-R) study

BACKGROUND

Global assessment of antimicrobial agents prescribed to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

METHODS

We conducted a one-day global point prevalence study of all antimicrobials provided to NICU infants. Demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data were obtained including NICU level, census, birth weight, gestational/chronologic age, diagnoses, antimicrobial therapy (reason for use; length of therapy), antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), and 30-day in-hospital mortality.

FINDINGS

On July 1, 2019, 26% of infants (580/2,265; range, 0-100%; median gestational age, 33 weeks; median birth weight, 1800 g) in 84 NICUs (51, high-income; 33, low-to-middle income) from 29 countries (14, high-income; 15, low-to-middle income) in five continents received ≥1 antimicrobial agent (92%, antibacterial; 19%, antifungal; 4%, antiviral). The most common reasons for antibiotic therapy were "rule-out" sepsis (32%) and "culture-negative" sepsis (16%) with ampicillin (40%), gentamicin (35%), amikacin (19%), vancomycin (15%), and meropenem (9%) used most frequently. For definitive treatment of presumed/confirmed infection, vancomycin (26%), amikacin (20%), and meropenem (16%) were the most prescribed agents. Length of therapy for culture-positive and "culture-negative" infections was 12 days (median; IQR, 8-14) and 7 days (median; IQR, 5-10), respectively. Mortality was 6% (42%, infection-related). An NICU ASP was associated with lower rate of antibiotic utilization (p = 0·02).

INTERPRETATION

Global NICU antibiotic use was frequent and prolonged regardless of culture results. NICU-specific ASPs were associated with lower antibiotic utilization rates, suggesting the need for their implementation worldwide.

FUNDING

Merck & Co.; The Ohio State University College of Medicine Barnes Medical Student Research Scholarship.

Respiratory pathogens in infants less than two months old hospitalized with acute respiratory infection

Lower acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in infants, respiratory viruses being the major causative agents. The aim of this work was to determine the respiratory pathogen frequency, the clinical characteristics and the outcome in infants <2 months old hospitalized with ARI. A retrospective study was performed during a five-year period (2008-2011, 2014-2016). Respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria were studied using the FilmArray-Respiratory Panel. Demographic and clinical characteristics, hospitalization course and outcomes were evaluated. Of the 137 infants <2 months old hospitalized with ARI studied, a 94.9% positivity rate as determined in 117 infants with community-acquired infection and 20.0% in 20 infants who acquired the infection during their birth hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) (nosocomial ARI) (p<0.001). In infants with community-acquired infection, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (52.1%) and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus (RV/EV) (41.0%) were the most frequent detected pathogens. Coinfections were determined in one quarter of the infants, RSV-RV/EV being the most frequent combination. In infants with nosocomial infection, RV/EV, RSV or Parainfluenza-3 were detected as single pathogens. Most infants with community-acquired infection presented lower ARI (81.2%) while most infants in the NICU had upper ARI (55.0%). The median length of stay (LOS) in infants with community-acquired ARI was 4 days (IQR: 2-6). Positive infants with nosocomial infection had longer median LOS (71 days [IQR:42-99]) compared to negative infants (58 days [IQR: 49-71]) (p=0.507). Respiratory viruses were detected as the major causative agents of community-acquired infection in hospitalized infants <2-months old, RSV and RV/EV being the most frequently detected. Although a low pathogen positivity rate was observed in infants with nosocomial infection, they may prolong the LOS.

Suspected Neonatal Sepsis: Tenth Clinical Consensus of the Ibero-American Society of Neonatology (SIBEN)

Suspected neonatal sepsis is one of the most common diagnoses made in newborns (NBs), but very few NBs actually have sepsis. There is no international consensus to clearly define suspected neonatal sepsis, but each time that this suspected diagnosis is assumed, blood samples are taken, venous accesses are used to administer antibiotics, and the mother-child pair is separated, with prolonged hospital stays. X-rays, urine samples, and a lumbar puncture are sometimes taken. This is of concern, as generally <10% and no more than 25%-30% of the NBs in whom sepsis is suspected have proven neonatal sepsis. It seems easy to start antibiotics with suspicion of sepsis, but stopping them is difficult, although there is little or no support to maintain them. Unfortunately, the abuse of antibiotics in inpatient and outpatient NBs is foolish. Its negative impact on neonatal health and the economy is a public health problem of epidemiological and even epidemic proportions. This manuscript is a shortened version of the 10^th Clinical Consensus of the Ibero-American Society of Neonatology (SIBEN) on suspected neonatal sepsis at the end of 2018, updated with publications from its completion to February 2020. This manuscript describes useful strategies for everyday neonatal practice when neonatal sepsis is suspected, along with important aspects about the indisputable value of clinical evaluation of the NB and about obtaining and interpreting blood cultures, urine cultures, and other cultures. Likewise, the low value of laboratory tests in suspected neonatal sepsis is demonstrated with evidence and clinical recommendations are made on the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Incidence and aetiology of serious viral infections in young febrile infants

AIM

While the incidence and aetiology of serious bacterial infections among febrile infants younger than 90 days old are well studied, those concerning viral infection are not. There are severe life-threatening viral infections requiring immediate intense therapy. The objective of the study is to describe the incidence and aetiology of serious viral infections (SVI) among young febrile infants.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was performed covering all the febrile infants younger than 90 days old admitted to a paediatric emergency department in Japan from 2011 to 2013. SVI was defined as a viral illness that may result in permanent organ dysfunctions or life-threatening complications. Diagnostic investigation consisted of urine and blood culture for all infants, cerebrospinal fluid cultures for infants who do not fulfil the low-risk criteria, rapid antigen tests for several viruses in infants with specific symptoms and blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction of possible viruses for infants with fever without a localising source.

RESULTS

Of 275 cases, 32 and 45 cases were diagnosed as serious viral and bacterial infections, respectively. Intensive care unit admission occurred for three viral and four bacterial infections. Viral aetiology consisted of respiratory syncytial virus (11 cases), aseptic meningitis (9 cases), enterovirus (6 cases), influenza virus (3 cases), rotavirus (2 cases) and herpes simplex virus-1 (1 case). Respiratory (14 cases), central nervous (12 cases) and circulatory (6 cases) systems were affected.

CONCLUSION

SVI was observed in 11.6% of febrile young infants in a paediatric emergency department.

Hospital-Acquired Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in the Neonatal Unit: A Comparison with Other Inpatient Groups

BACKGROUND

Hospital-acquired viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in neonatal patients. This includes escalation of respiratory support, increased length of hospital stay, and need for home oxygen, as well as higher healthcare costs. To date, no studies have compared population rates of VRTIs across age groups.

AIM

Quantify the rates of hospital-acquired VRTIs in our neonatal population compared with other inpatient age groups in Nottinghamshire, UK.

METHODS

We compared all hospital inpatient PCR-positive viral respiratory samples between 2007 and 2013 and calculated age-stratified rates based on population estimates.

RESULTS

From a population of 4,707,217, we identified a previously unrecognised burden of VRTI in neonatal patients, only second to the 0-1-year-old group. Although only accounting for 1.3% of the population, half of the infections were in infants <1 year old and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Human rhinovirus was the most dominant virus across the inpatient group, particularly in neonatal patients. Despite a two- to three-fold increase in the rate of positive samples in all groups during the colder months (1.1/1,000 October-March vs. 0.4/1,000 April-September), rates in the NICU did not change throughout the year at 4.3/1,000. Pandemic H1N1 influenza rates were 20 times higher in neonatal patients and infants <1 year old.

CONCLUSION

Good epidemiological and interventional data are needed to help inform visiting and infection control policies to reduce transmission of hospital-acquired viral infections to this vulnerable population, particularly during pandemic seasons.

Viral respiratory infections in very low birthweight infants at neonatal intensive care unit: prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants are highly susceptible to respiratory infections. Information about prevalence of viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is scarce. Recent evidence suggests short-term and long-term impact of VRI in morbidity of VLBW infants. The goal of this study is to conduct a VRI surveillance in VLBW infants during NICU admission to address the prevalence, type of viruses and associated clinical features.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort study on infants below 32 gestational weeks admitted to a tertiary NICU during a 2-year period. Respiratory virus detection (influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus (hRV), enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, coronavirus, bocavirus and adenovirus) was performed by real time multiplex PCR assays in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs), within the first 72 hours after birth and weekly, until discharge. Additional samples were taken if clinically indicated.

RESULTS

147 out of 224 eligible infants were enrolled. At least one positive NPA was found in 38% of the study cohort. Main viruses identified were hRV (58%) and adenovirus (31%). Among the 56 infants with positive NPA, 26 showed non-specific respiratory features in 58% (increased respiratory workload, tachypnoea, apnoea) or typical cold features in 38% (rhinorrhea, cough, fever), at least in one episode. Antibiotics were prescribed in 29% of cases. Positive infants showed higher rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), need for supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation, and had longer hospital stay. Cox regression analysis found BPD as an independent risk factor for viral infection (p<0.001) and symptomatic VRI (p<0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic surveillance in VLBW infants reports VRI is frequent, particularly by hRV. Asymptomatic infection is highly prevalent which is critical in the face of establishing appropriate preventive strategies. Infants with BPD are especially vulnerable to such infections.

Low Frequency of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections During Family-Centered Neonatal Intensive Care: Results of a Prospective Surveillance Study

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections (VRTI) may cause severe respiratory and sepsis-like symptoms in infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Little is known about the frequencies of VRTI in relation to visiting policies in the NICU. Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic and asymptomatic VRTI in our family-centered NICU. Methods: This was a 12-month, prospective, observational study from February 2018 to January 2019. Infants hospitalized ≥72 h were eligible for the study. To determine the frequency of VRTI, multiplexed point-of-care testing (mPOCT) of symptomatic infants was combined with a weekly screening of all infants. Our 10-bed NICU is 24/7 open to families and visitors. The number of simultaneous visitors is restricted to two per patient. Parents and visitors are instructed in hand hygiene and advised to avoid visits in cases of respiratory illness. Siblings irrespective of age may visit the NICU following a physical check-up. Results Multiplexed point-of-care testing (71 symptomatic episodes) combined with the weekly screening (272 episodes) yielded in 21 positive samples from 2 of the 67 infants enrolled in the study. Both infants were first detected during symptomatic episodes. Rhino-/enterovirus were detected in all cases. Conclusion: Respiratory viruses were detected during symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes but affected <3% of infants enrolled in the study. In our unit, a low frequency of VRTI was attained despite adherence to family integrated care including liberal visiting policies for younger siblings.

Focusing on Families and Visitors Reduces Healthcare Associated Respiratory Viral Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Healthcare-associated respiratory viral infections (HARVIs) result in significant harm to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Healthcare workers and visitors can serve as transmission vectors to patients. We hypothesized that improved family and visitor hand hygiene (FVHH) and visitor screening would reduce HARVIs by at least 25%.

A simple and feasible antimicrobial stewardship program in a neonatal intensive care unit of a Japanese community hospital

BACKGROUND

Although tertiary hospitals have successfully introduced ASPs by antimicrobial stewardship teams, lots of community hospitals without pediatric infectious disease specialists have difficulty implementing ASP. We present a successful implementation of simple and feasible NICU antimicrobial stewardship program in a Japanese community hospital.

METHOD

We developed a protocol of antimicrobial treatment in our NICU department and have implemented the protocol from September 2017. The protocol consists of start and stop of criteria antimicrobial treatment, weekend report of blood culture result from microbiology department and stopping ordering antimicrobials beforehand for the next day. We compared days of therapy (DOT) during the post-implementation period (September 2017 to August 2018) with that of pre-implementation period (March 2013 to August 2017).

RESULT

In pre- and post-ASP implementation periods, 913 and 194 patients were analyzed. DOT was 175.1 and 41.6/1000 patient-days, respectively (p < 0.001) with 76.2% reduction. The percentage of neonates who had any antimicrobials and the percentage of prolonged antimicrobial treatments among neonates who had any antimicrobials decreased significantly (55.3% vs 20.6%, p < 0.001 and 65.0% vs 32.5%, p < 0.001). The protocol compliance rates were also significantly different (55.4% vs 95.4%; p < 0.001). The methicillin-resistant rate of S.aureus rates were significantly reduced in post-ASP period (31.1% vs 12.9%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

This ASP program was easily implemented in a NICU department of a community hospital and significantly reduced antimicrobial prescription. This kind of simple protocol may be successfully scaled-up in resource limited community hospitals without no pediatric infectious disease specialists or antimicrobial stewardship team.

Hospital-acquired viral respiratory infections in neonates hospitalized since birth in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequency of hospital-acquired viral respiratory infections (HA-VRI) and associated outcomes in a NICU.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study conducted from 4 October 2016 to 21 March 2017. Infants hospitalized from birth in the NICU had a weekly nasal swab collected for testing using a multiplex PCR assay capable of detecting 16 different respiratory viruses.

RESULTS

Seventy-four infants enrolled, with 5 (6.8%) testing positive for a virus (incidence rate of 1.3/1000 patient days). VRI positive infants had a younger gestational age (median 27 w vs. 32 w, p = 0.048); were hospitalized longer (97 d vs 43 d, p = 0.013); required more antibiotics (8 d vs. 4 d, p = 0.037) and were more likely to be diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p = 0.008) compared to VRI negative infants.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory viruses are a frequent cause of HAI in the NICU and are associated with negative outcomes.

Detection of cytomegalovirus in saliva from infants undergoing sepsis evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit: the VIRIoN-C study

Objective To determine the frequency of detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) among infants evaluated for late-onset sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods This study was a prospective cohort study. Results During the 13-month study, 84 infants underwent 116 sepsis evaluations, and CMV DNA was detected in saliva in three (4%) infants (median: gestational age 28 weeks, birth weight 950 g), representing 5% (n=6) of all sepsis evaluations. One infant had CMV DNA detected in saliva in all four sepsis evaluations. Two infants had acquired CMV infection, while the timing of CMV acquisition could not be determined in one infant. Two of the three infants had concomitant Gram-negative bacteremia and urinary tract infections (UTIs), two developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and none died. Conclusion Detection of CMV DNA in saliva occurred in 4% of infants and 5% of sepsis evaluations. Persistence of CMV DNA shedding in saliva made attribution of clinical illness difficult to ascertain.

Burden, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Respiratory Virus Infections Among Symptomatic Preterm Infants in the Tropics: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study

Background

The burden of respiratory viral infections (RVIs) among preterm infants in the first few years of life, especially those living in the tropics with year-long transmissions of respiratory viruses, remains unknown. We aimed to describe the clinical epidemiology and associated risk factors for RVIs among symptomatic preterm infants ≤32 weeks up to 2 years of life.

Methods

We performed a data linkage analysis of clinical and hospital laboratory databases for preterm infants born at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 2005 to 2015. RVI episodes during initial admission and subsequent hospital readmissions were included.

Results

Of 1854 infants in the study, 270 (14.5%) infants were diagnosed with at least 1 RVI. A total of 285 (85.3%) episodes were diagnosed postdischarge, with the highest risk for RVIs being from 3 to 5 months of age. The incidence of RVI in this population was 116 per 1000 infant-years and respiratory syncytial virus was the main overall causative pathogen. Infants with RVIs were more likely to be born at ≤27 weeks' gestational age (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.3), to have received postnatal steroids (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1), and to be diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4).

Conclusions

The burden of RVIs is high in preterm infants in the tropics, affecting >1 of 10 infants born at ≤32 weeks' gestation before 2 years of age. Respiratory syncytial virus was the main causative pathogen identified. Risk factors for RVI included extremely low gestational age, receipt of postnatal steroids, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Viral Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-A Review

Although infrequent, respiratory viral infections (RVIs) during birth hospitalization have a significant impact on short- and long-term morbidity in term and preterm neonates. RVI have been associated with increased length of hospital stay, severe disease course, unnecessary antimicrobial exposure and nosocomial outbreaks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Virus transmission has been described to occur via health care professionals, parents and other visitors. Most at risk are infants born prematurely, due to their immature immune system and the fact that they stay in the NICU for a considerable length of time. A prevalence of RVIs in the NICU in symptomatic infants of 6–30% has been described, although RVIs are most probably underdiagnosed, since testing for viral pathogens is not performed routinely in symptomatic patients in many NICUs. Additional challenges are the wide range of clinical presentation of RVIs, their similarity to bacterial infections and the unreliable detection methods prior to the era of molecular biology based technologies. In this review, current knowledge of early-life RVI in the NICU is discussed. Reviewed viral pathogens include human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus, and discussed literature is restricted to reports based on modern molecular biology techniques. The review highlights therapeutic approaches and possible preventive strategies. Furthermore, short- and long-term consequences of RVIs in infants hospitalized in the NICU are discussed.

Respiratory viral infections in infants with possible sepsis

Background

Knowledge of infections leading to sepsis is needed to develop comprehensive infection prevention and sepsis, as well as early recognition and treatment strategies.The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology of sepsis and evaluate the proportion of respiratory viral pathogens in infants under two years of age with possible sepsis.

Methods

The prospective study was performed in two years. Multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was performed to detect viral pathogens. All patients who were included in this study had sepsis symptoms as defined by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.

Results

We compared 90 patients with sepsis into three groups as patients (n = 33) who had only viral positivity in nasopharyngeal swab, patients (17) had proven bacterial infection with or without viral infection, and patients (40) without the pathogen detection. Human rhinovirus (16.7%) and influenza (7.8%) were the most commonly seen viruses. A cough was more common in the viral infection group than other groups ( P = 0.02) and median thrombocyte count was lower in the bacterial infection group than the others ( P = 0.01). Patients having bacterial sepsis had the longest duration of hospitalization than the other groups ( P = 0.04). During winter and spring seaons, patients with sepsis had more viral infection; however, in summer and autumn period, patients were mostly in a state that we could not prove infection agents ( P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that respiratory tract viruses may play an important role in patients with sepsis and they should be kept in mind, especially during winter and spring seasons. In overall infection, viral respiratory viruses as a single pathogen with a detection rate of 36.6% in sepsis etiology.

Validation of the Sepsis MetaScore for Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

WHAT’S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT

Neonates are at increased risk for developing sepsis, but this population often exhibits ambiguous clinical signs that complicate the diagnosis of infection. No biomarker has yet shown enough diagnostic accuracy to rule out sepsis at the time of clinical suspicion.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

We show that a gene-expression-based signature is an accurate objective measure of the risk of sepsis in a neonate or preterm infant, and it substantially improves diagnostic accuracy over that of commonly used laboratory-based testing. Implementation might decrease inappropriate antibiotic use.

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis can have devastating consequences, but accurate diagnosis is difficult. As a result, up to 200 neonates with suspected sepsis are treated with empiric antibiotics for every 1 case of microbiologically confirmed sepsis. These unnecessary antibiotics enhance bacterial antibiotic resistance, increase economic costs, and alter gut microbiota composition. We recently reported an 11-gene diagnostic test for sepsis (Sepsis MetaScore) based on host whole-blood gene expression in children and adults, but this test has not been evaluated in neonates.

METHODS

We identified existing gene expression microarray-based cohorts of neonates with sepsis. We then tested the accuracy of the Sepsis MetaScore both alone and in combination with standard diagnostic laboratory tests in diagnosing sepsis.

RESULTS

We found 3 cohorts with a total of 213 samples from control neonates and neonates with sepsis. The Sepsis MetaScore had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92-0.93 in all 3 cohorts. We also found that, as a diagnostic test for sepsis, it outperformed standard laboratory measurements alone and, when used in combination with another test(s), resulted in a significant net reclassification index (0.3-0.69) in 5 of 6 comparisons. The mean point estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 95% and 60%, respectively, which, if confirmed prospectively and applied in a high-risk cohort, could reduce inappropriate antibiotic usage substantially.

CONCLUSIONS

The Sepsis MetaScore had excellent diagnostic accuracy across 3 separate cohorts of neonates from 3 different countries. Further prospective targeted study will be needed before clinical application.

Impact of respiratory viruses in the neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiology and clinical impact of respiratory viruses in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective observational study of infants with respiratory viruses detected by multiplex reverse-transcriptase PCR from May 2012 to May 2017. The proportion of symptomatic vs. asymptomatic infants and associated morbidity were assessed. The association of infection prevention and control (IP&C) strategies and transmission was ascertained.

RESULTS

Respiratory viruses were detected in 83 infants representing 86 unique episodes during which infants remained asymptomatic in 15 (17%). Of the 71 symptomatic episodes, only 45% were associated with increased respiratory and/or nutritional support. Rhinovirus/enteroviruses were most common (69%) and involved nine of 12 transmission events. IP&C strategies including restricting visitors <12 years of age and screening exposed infants were associated with decreased transmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS

NICU patients can be asymptomatic carriers of respiratory viruses. Identification of such infants is important to prevent transmission in the NICU.

[Rhinovirus: Underestimated pathogens in patients during the neonatal period]

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, developments in virological tools have led to the easy detection of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses (E/RV). Their detection is very frequent in cases of airway involvement in children and their demonstrated causality. But the morbidity of E/RV in the neonatal period is unknown due to lack of epidemiological data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of these infections in hospitalized neonates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the virology specimens of all neonates hospitalized at the Caen University Hospital between 2006 and 2011. Clinical characteristics were obtained from the charts.

RESULTS

During the study period, 4544 infants aged less than 28 days were hospitalized: 4159 in the neonatal ward and 385 in the pediatric ward. Among these, 711 virology specimens were available, 31 % of which identified at least one virus. An E/RV was identified in 87 patients (1.9 % of the neonates admitted during the study period): 52 in the pediatric ward (13.5 % of 385), and 35 in the neonatal ward (0.8 % of 4159). The mean gestational age was 39 weeks in the pediatric cohort and 35 weeks in the neonatal cohort. The main indication for virological analysis was persistent drowsiness (28 %), temperature above 38°C (25 %), an apparently life-threatening event (23 %), bradycardia (20.5 %), and pallor (20.5 %). Respiratory symptoms associated with E/RV infection were coryza (74 %), cough (35 %), hypoxemia (32 %), accessory muscle use, and recession (31 %). Digestive symptoms were poor feeding (59 %), regurgitation (38 %), abdominal distension (24 %), and projectile vomiting (17 %). Twenty-three percent of the patients required admission to the neonatal ICU or pediatric ICU. Respiratory treatments included oxygen (24 % of 87 patients), continuous positive airway pressure (11 %), and ventilation (5 %). Antibiotics were prescribed in 41 % of the patients (46), but only 10 % (9) had an identified concomitant bacterial infection. In the neonatal department, nosocomial acquisition was suspected in 50 % of E/RV infections.

CONCLUSION

E/RV infections have a significant morbidity in neonates, and nosocomial transmission of the virus is underestimated. We recommend that respiratory viruses, including E/RV, be tested for in any unexplained signs in a neonate. Better identification of viruses might shorten the duration of unnecessary antibiotics.

Incidence of respiratory viral infection in infants with respiratory symptoms evaluated for late-onset sepsis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency, etiology and impact of respiratory viral infection (RVI) on infants evaluated for late-onset sepsis (LOS), defined as sepsis occurring >72 h of life, in the neonatal intensive care unit.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational study conducted from 6 March 2014 to 3 May 2016 on infants evaluated for LOS. PCR viral panel performed on nasopharyngeal specimens among infants with clinical suspicion for RVI. Sequence analysis was performed to determine viral subtypes. Fisher's exact or χ² tests were done to determine the impact of RVI.

RESULTS

During the 26-month study, there were 357 blood cultures obtained for LOS evaluations, 29 (8%) had a respiratory virus detected. Only 88 (25%) of infants evaluated for LOS also had clinical suspicion for a respiratory viral infection. RSV (14 of 29; 48%) was the predominant virus detected. Almost all infants (13 of 14; 93%) with RSV required increased respiratory support. Antimicrobial therapy was withheld or discontinued on most infants with a virus detected (18 of 29; 62%) and in the majority where there was no confirmed bacterial co-infection (18 of 20; 90%).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of RVI in infants being evaluated for LOS is about 8%. RVI should be considered in LOS evaluation to prevent unnecessary antibiotic therapy.

Viral Respiratory Infections in Preterm Infants during and after Hospitalization

OBJECTIVE

To determine the burden of viral respiratory infections in preterm infants both during and subsequent to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization and to compare this with term infants living in the community.

STUDY DESIGN

From March 2013 through March 2015, we enrolled 189 newborns (96 term and 93 preterm) into a prospective, longitudinal study obtaining nose/throat swabs within 7 days of birth, weekly while hospitalized and then monthly to 4 months after hospital discharge. Taqman array cards were used to identify 16 viral respiratory pathogens by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were gathered from electronic medical records, and parent interview while hospitalized with interval histories collected at monthly visits. The hospital course of all preterm infants who underwent late-onset sepsis evaluations was reviewed.

RESULTS

Over 119 weeks, we collected 618 nose/throat swabs from at risk preterm infants in our level IV regional NICU. Only 4 infants had viral respiratory infections, all less than 28 weeks gestation at birth. Two infants were symptomatic with the infections recognized by the clinical team. The daily risk of acquiring a respiratory viral infection in preterm infants in the NICU was significantly lower than in the full term cohort living in the community. Once discharged from the hospital, viral respiratory infections were common in all infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Viral respiratory infections are infrequent in a NICU with strict infection prevention strategies and do not appear to cause unrecognized illness. Both preterm and term infants living in the community quickly acquire respiratory viral infections.

Viral Infections in Neonates with Suspected Late-Onset Bacterial Sepsis-A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of viral infections in infants with suspected late-onset bacterial sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods In a prospective study, infants with suspected late-onset bacterial sepsis underwent viral testing alongside routine blood culture sampling. Using a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nasopharyngeal aspirates were analyzed for adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, H1N1 virus, parainfluenza virus 1 to 4, metapneumovirus, coronavirus, and picornavirus. Stools were examined for adenovirus, rotavirus, norovirus, and enterovirus. Results Between August 2010 and March 2014, data of 88 infants with 137 episodes of suspected late-onset bacterial sepsis were analyzed. Six infants were diagnosed with a respiratory viral infection (2 × RSV, 4 × picornavirus). Blood culture-proven bacterial sepsis was detected in 15 infants. Neither viral-bacterial coinfections nor polymerase chain reaction positive stool samples were found. Conclusion Respiratory viruses can be detected in a considerable number of neonates with suspected late-onset bacterial sepsis. In contrast, gastrointestinal viral or enterovirus infections appear uncommon in such cases.

Respiratory Viruses in Neonates: A Prospective, Community-based Birth Cohort Study

A community-based birth cohort study collected weekly nasal swabs and recorded daily symptoms from 157 full-term infants. An average of 0.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.18, 0.34) respiratory virus infections per neonatal period were detected. Human rhinoviruses of diverse subtypes dominated; almost 50% were asymptomatic and continued rhinovirus detections may signify new genotypes. Respiratory viruses are common and often unrecognized in healthy neonates.

Outcomes of Nosocomial Viral Respiratory Infections in High-Risk Neonates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Neonatal respiratory disease, particularly bronchopulmonary dysplasia, remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants. Recent evidence suggests nosocomially acquired viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) are not uncommon in the NICU. The goal of this study was to assess the association between nosocomial VRTIs, neonatal respiratory disease, and the health care related costs.

METHODS

A matched case-control study was conducted in 2 tertiary NICUs during a 6-year period in Nottingham, United Kingdom. Case subjects were symptomatic neonatal patients with a confirmed real-time polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of a VRTI. Matched controls had never tested positive for a VRTI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test for associations with key respiratory outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 7995 admissions during the study period, with 92 case subjects matched to 183 control subjects. Baseline characteristics were similar, with a median gestation of 29 weeks. Rhinovirus was found in 74% of VRTIs. During VRTIs, 51% of infants needed escalation of respiratory support, and case subjects required significantly more respiratory pressure support overall (25 vs 7 days; P < .001). Case subjects spent longer in the hospital (76 vs 41 days; P < .001), twice as many required home oxygen (37%; odds ratio: 3.94 [95% confidence interval: 1.92-8.06]; P < .001), and in-hospital care costs were significantly higher (£49 664 [$71 861] vs £22 155 [$32 057]; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nosocomial VRTIs in neonatal patients are associated with significant greater respiratory morbidity and health care costs. Prevention efforts must be explored.

Adenovirus and "Culture-Negative Sepsis" in a Preterm Neonate

Background Respiratory viral infections remain an underrecognized cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Case Report An eight day old, 650 gram birth weight, 23 weeks' gestational age female developed "culture-negative" sepsis manifested by respiratory deterioration, hypoxia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and hepatitis due to adenovirus HAdV-D (H29F9) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, but died at the age of 18 days despite treatment with cidofovir and immune globulin intravenous. Conclusion As the ability to diagnosis respiratory viral infections in the NICU has improved greatly with the use of PCR testing, the impact and contribution of these viruses to neonatal disease is now being recognized and the notion of "culture-negative" sepsis needs reassessment. The diagnosis of these infections in high risk infants is important not only for etiologic and epidemiologic reasons but ultimately for informing antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Review of the clinical significance of respiratory virus infections in newborn infants

Respiratory viruses have been recognised as causative agents for a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and severe respiratory compromise in neonates during birth hospitalisation. Early‐life respiratory virus infections have also been shown to be associated with adverse long‐term consequences.

Conclusion

Preventing virus infections by intensifying hygiene measures and cohorting infected infants should be a major goal for neonatal intensive care units, as well as more common use of virus diagnostics. Active virus surveillance and long‐term follow‐up are needed to ascertain the causality and exact underlying mechanisms for adverse long‐term consequences.

Human metapneumovirus in the preterm neonate: current perspectives

Premature birth (<37 weeks gestation) occurs in ~11% of all births in the US. These infants are at risk of chronic lung disease and respiratory conditions, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Respiratory viruses are important causes of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in preterm infants, leading to rehospitalization, increased health care burden, and long-term morbidity. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus discovered in 2001 that is related to respiratory syncytial virus. Epidemiologic studies show that HMPV is a leading cause of ARI in children and adults worldwide. Prematurity is a major risk factor for severe HMPV disease, requiring hospitalization. Moreover, limited data suggest that HMPV infection during infancy is associated with asthma and recurrent wheezing, which are common long-term pulmonary complication of prematurity. HMPV causes nosocomial outbreaks of ARI in hospitals and long-term care facilities, although there are few studies of the prevalence of HMPV in neonatal intensive care unit populations. HMPV is a common and important virus in premature infants, and caregivers for preterm infants should consider this virus in patients with acute respiratory symptoms.

Defining neonatal sepsis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although infection rates have modestly decreased in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as a result of ongoing quality improvement measures, neonatal sepsis remains a frequent and devastating problem among hospitalized preterm neonates. Despite multiple attempts to address this unmet need, there have been minimal advances in clinical management, outcomes, and accuracy of diagnostic testing options over the last 3 decades. One strong contributor to a lack of medical progress is a variable case definition of disease. The inability to agree on a precise definition greatly reduces the likelihood of aligning findings from epidemiologists, clinicians, and researchers, which, in turn, severely hinders progress toward improving outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pediatric consensus definitions for sepsis are not accurate in term infants and are not appropriate for preterm infants. In contrast to the defined multistage criteria for other devastating diseases encountered in the NICU (e.g., bronchopulmonary dysplasia), there is significant variability in the criteria used by investigators to substantiate the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

SUMMARY

The lack of an accepted consensus definition for neonatal sepsis impedes our efforts toward improved diagnostic and prognostic options, and accurate outcomes information for this vulnerable population.

Optimizing the Use of Antibacterial Agents in the Neonatal Period

Antibiotics are invaluable in the management of neonatal infections. However, overuse or misuse of antibiotics in neonates has been associated with adverse outcomes, including increased risk for future infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, and mortality. Strategies to optimize the use of antibiotics in the neonatal intensive care unit include practicing effective infection prevention, improving the diagnostic evaluation and empiric therapy for suspected infections, timely adjustment of therapy as additional information becomes available, and treating proven infections with an effective, narrow-spectrum agent for the minimum effective duration. Antibiotic stewardship programs provide support for these strategies but require the participation and input of neonatologists as stakeholders to be most effective.