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de Bijl-Marcus K, Benders MJNL, Dudink J, Ahaus K, Kahlmann M, Groenendaal F. Morbidity and trends in length of hospitalisation of very and extremely preterm infants born between 2008 and 2021 in the Netherlands: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078842. [PMID: 38834326 PMCID: PMC11163635 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated changes in the length of stay (LoS) at a level III/IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and level II neonatology departments until discharge home for very preterm infants and identified factors influencing these trends. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study based on data recorded in the Netherlands Perinatal Registry between 2008 and 2021. SETTING A single level III/IV NICU and multiple level II neonatology departments in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS NICU-admitted infants (n=2646) with a gestational age (GA) <32 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LoS at the NICU and overall LoS until discharge home. RESULTS The results showed an increase of 5.1 days (95% CI 2.2 to 8, p<0.001) in overall LoS in period 3 after accounting for confounding variables. This increase was primarily driven by extended LoS at level II hospitals, while LoS at the NICU remained stable. The study also indicated a strong association between severe complications of preterm birth and LoS. Treatment of infants with a lower GA and more (severe) complications (such as severe retinopathy of prematurity) during the more recent periods may have increased LoS. CONCLUSION The findings of this study highlight the increasing overall LoS for very preterm infants. LoS of very preterm infants is presumably influenced by the occurrence of complications of preterm birth, which are more frequent in infants at a lower gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen de Bijl-Marcus
- Department of Neonatology, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht-Locatie Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Manon J N L Benders
- Department of Neonatology, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht-Locatie Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Dudink
- Department of Neonatology, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht-Locatie Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Ahaus
- Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn Kahlmann
- Department of Neonatology, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht-Locatie Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Floris Groenendaal
- Department of Neonatology, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht-Locatie Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Haile TG, Pereira G, Norman R, Tessema GA. Economic burden of adverse perinatal outcomes from births to age 5 years in high-income settings: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079077. [PMID: 38216187 PMCID: PMC10806659 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm, small for gestational age, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, stillbirth and neonatal death have devastating impacts on individuals, families and societies, with significant lifelong health implications. Despite extensive knowledge of the significant and lifelong health implications of adverse perinatal outcomes, information on the economic burden is limited. Estimating this burden will be crucial for designing cost-effective interventions to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Thus, we will quantify the economic burden of adverse perinatal outcomes from births to age 5 years in high-income countries. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A systematic review of all primary studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals on the economic burden for at least one of the adverse perinatal outcomes in high-income countries from 2010 will be searched in databases-MEDLINE (Ovid), EconLit, CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Ovid) and Global Health (Ovid). We will also search using Google Scholar and snowballing of the references list of included articles. The search terms will include three main concepts-costs, adverse perinatal outcome(s) and settings. We will use the Consolidated Health Economics Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 and 17 criteria from the critical appraisal of cost-of-illness studies to assess the quality of each study. We will report the findings based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 statement. Costs will be converted into a common currency (US dollar), and we will estimate the pooled cost and subgroup analysis will be done. The reference lists of included papers will be reviewed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This systematic review will not involve human participants and requires no ethical approval. The results of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023400215.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsegaye Gebremedhin Haile
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Richard Norman
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gizachew A Tessema
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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3
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Siffel C, Hirst AK, Sarda SP, Chen H, Ferber J, Kuzniewicz MW, Li DK. The clinical burden of extremely preterm birth in a large medical records database in the United States: complications, medication use, and healthcare resource utilization. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:10271-10278. [PMID: 36170979 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2022.2122035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 5% of global preterm births are extremely premature (EP), defined as occurring at less than 28 weeks gestational age. Advances in care have led to an increase in the survival of EP infants during the neonatal period. However, EP infants have a higher risk of developing complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). BPD and other respiratory morbidities are particularly prevalent among this population. To understand the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) of EP infants in the United States, the clinical and economic burden of extreme prematurity was examined in this retrospective study of data extracted from electronic medical records in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) health system. METHODS The analysis included data from EP infants live-born between January 1997 and December 2016, and focused on complications and HRU up to 3 years corrected age (CA), covering the period up to December 2018. Stillbirths, infants born at <22 weeks gestational age, and infants with major congenital malformations were excluded. Complications of interest (BPD, IVH, and ROP) and medication use were compared by age group (≤1 year, >1 year and ≤2 years, and >2 years and ≤3 years CA). Analysis of HRU included hospital readmissions, ambulatory visits, and emergency room (ER) visits. RESULTS A total of 2154 EP births (0.32% of total live births and 4.0% of preterm births that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria) were analyzed. The prevalence of EP birth showed a declining trend over time. ROP was the most commonly recorded complication during the birth hospitalization (37.1% any stage; 2.9% Stages 3 and 4). BPD was recorded in 34.3% of EP infants. IVH (any grade) was recorded in 22.7% of EP infants (6.4% Grades III and IV). A majority (78.7%) of EP infants were diagnosed with at least one respiratory condition during the first year CA, the most common being pneumonia (68.9%); the prevalence of respiratory conditions decreased over the second and third years CA. During the first 3 years CA, the most common medications prescribed to children born EP were inhaled bronchodilators (approximately 30% of children); at least 15% of children received systemic corticosteroids and inhaled steroids during this period. During the first 3 years CA, at least one hospital readmission was recorded for 16.4% of children born EP; 57.1% of these readmissions were related to respiratory conditions. At least one ER visit was recorded for 33.8% of children born EP, for which 53.1% were due to a respiratory condition. Ambulatory visits were recorded for 54.2% of EP children, for which 82.9% were due to a respiratory condition. CONCLUSIONS The short- and long-term clinical burden of EP birth was high. The onset of BPD, IVH, and ROP was common during the birth hospitalization for EP infants. Medication use, hospital readmission, and clinic visits (ER and ambulatory) occurred frequently in these children during the first 3 years CA, and were commonly due to respiratory conditions. Strategies prioritizing the reduction of risk and severity of respiratory conditions may alleviate the clinical burden of EP birth over the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Siffel
- Global Evidence and Outcomes, Takeda Development Center Americas, Lexington, MA, USA.,College of Allied Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Andrew K Hirst
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Sujata P Sarda
- Global Evidence and Outcomes, Takeda Development Center Americas, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Jeannette Ferber
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - De-Kun Li
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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Ferrari RM, McClain EK, Tucker C, Charles N, Verbiest S, Lewis V, Bryant K, Stuebe AM. Postpartum Health Experiences of Women with Newborns in Intensive Care: The Desire to Be by the Infant Bedside as a Driver of Postpartum Health. J Midwifery Womens Health 2022; 67:114-125. [PMID: 35037387 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women with infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) encounter multiple challenges following childbirth, including greater burden of chronic disease and increased risk for depression, compared with women with well infants. At the same time, they are confronted with the trauma of a hospitalized infant while also managing their postpartum recovery. Limited research exists describing the health needs of these women, despite the many numbers living this experience daily. This study aimed to better understand postpartum health needs of women with infants in the NICU in the 90 days following birth and to propose actionable system improvements to address identified needs. METHODS The authors conducted in-depth individual interviews with 50 postpartum women of infants admitted to the NICU at a quaternary care hospital. Eligible women were aged at least 18 years, spoke English or Spanish, and had infants in the NICU longer than 3 days. Interview topics included NICU experience, recommended and desired health care, and suggestions for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The authors used qualitative description techniques including memo-writing, coding, matrices, diagramming, and team discussion to analyze the data. RESULTS Women reported significant intrapartum health conditions and concerns (eg, preeclampsia, emergency cesarean birth, anxiety) and described unmet social, emotional, mental, and physical health needs. Unmet practical needs while in the NICU (eg, a place to rest, affordable parking, access to food, childcare) caused considerable burden. Despite disease burden and emergent health needs, few women reported regular monitoring of their postpartum health by maternal health care providers. Women frequently minimized and delayed care for their health needs so as to remain by the infant bedside. DISCUSSION Women with infants in the NICU would benefit from patient-centered care that provides greater attention to their postpartum health and recovery while also supporting their drive to remain close to their hospitalized infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée M Ferrari
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Erin K McClain
- Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christine Tucker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Nkechi Charles
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Sarah Verbiest
- Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Jordan Institute for Families, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Virginia Lewis
- Multilingual Research Advancement for Health (MURAL), North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Katherine Bryant
- Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alison M Stuebe
- Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Zhang M, Wang YC, Feng JX, Yu AZ, Huang JW, Jiang SY, Gu XY, Sun JH, Cao Y, Zhou WH, Lee SK, Wang LL, Yin R. Variations in length of stay among survived very preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units. World J Pediatr 2022; 18:126-134. [PMID: 34984641 PMCID: PMC8844160 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-021-00494-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe length of stay (LOS) to discharge and site variations among very preterm infants (VPIs) admitted to 57 Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to investigate factors associated with LOS for VPIs. METHODS This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled all infants < 32 weeks' gestation and admitted to 57 NICUs which had participated in the Chinese Neonatal Network, within 7 days after birth in 2019. Exclusion criteria included major congenital anomalies, NICU deaths, discharge against medical advice, transfer to non-participating hospitals, and missing discharge date. Two multivariable linear models were used to estimate the association of infant characteristics and LOS. RESULTS A total of 6580 infants were included in our study. The overall median LOS was 46 days [interquartile range (IQR): 35-60], and the median corrected gestational age at discharge was 36 weeks (IQR: 35-38). LOS and corrected gestational age at discharge increased with decreasing gestational age. The median corrected gestational age at discharge for infants at 24 weeks, 25 weeks, 26 weeks, 27-28 weeks, and 29-31 weeks were 41 weeks, 39 weeks, 38 weeks, 37 weeks and 36 weeks, respectively. Significant site variation of LOS was identified with observed median LOS from 33 to 71 days in different hospitals. CONCLUSIONS The study provided concurrent estimates of LOS for VPIs which survived in Chinese NICUs that could be used as references for medical staff and parents. Large variation of LOS independent of infant characteristics existed, indicating variation of care practices requiring further investigation and quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Division of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yan-Chen Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jin-Xing Feng
- Division of Neonatology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518038, China
| | - Ai-Zhen Yu
- Division of Neonatology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen 518038, China
| | - Jing-Wei Huang
- Division of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Si-Yuan Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China ,Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xin-Yue Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jian-Hua Sun
- Division of Neonatology, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yun Cao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China ,Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Wen-Hao Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China ,Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Shoo K. Lee
- Maternal-Infants Care Research Centre and Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5 Canada ,Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Li-Li Wang
- Division of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Rong Yin
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 201102, China.
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White-Traut R, Brandon D, Kavanaugh K, Gralton K, Pan W, Myers ER, Andrews B, Msall M, Norr KF. Protocol for implementation of an evidence based parentally administered intervention for preterm infants. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:142. [PMID: 33761902 PMCID: PMC7988259 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-sensory behavioral interventions for preterm infants have the potential to accelerate feeding, growth, and optimize developmental trajectories and increase parents' interactive engagement with their infants. However, few neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide evidence-based standardized early behavioral interventions as routine care. Lack of implementation is a major gap between research and clinical practice. H-HOPE, is a standardized behavioral intervention with an infant- directed component (Massage+) and a parent-directed component (four participatory guidance sessions that focus on preterm infants' behaviors and appropriate responses). H-HOPE has well documented efficacy. The purpose of this implementation study is to establish H-HOPE as the standard of care in 5 NICUs. METHODS The study employs a Type 3 Hybrid design to simultaneously examine the implementation process and effectiveness in five NICUs. To stagger implementation across the clinical sites, we use an incomplete stepped wedge design. The five participating NICUs were purposively selected to represent different acuity levels, number of beds, locations and populations served. Our implementation strategy integrates our experience conducting H-HOPE and a well-established implementation model, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The CFIR identifies influences (facilitators and barriers) that affect successful implementation within five domains: intervention characteristics, outer setting (the hospital and external events and stakeholders), inner setting (NICU), implementers' individual characteristics, and the implementation process. NICUs will use the CFIR process, which includes three phases: Planning and Engaging, Executing, and Reflecting and Evaluating. Because sustaining is a critical goal of implementation, we modify the CFIR implementation process by adding a final phase of Sustaining. DISCUSSION This study builds on the CFIR, adding Sustaining H-HOPE to observe what happens when sites begin to maintain implementation without outside support, and extends its use to the NICU acute care setting. Our mixed methods analysis systematically identifies key facilitators and barriers of implementation success and effectiveness across the five domains of the CFIR. Long term benefits have not yet been studied but may include substantial health and developmental outcomes for infants, more optimal parent-child relationships, reduced stress and costs for families, and substantial indirect societal benefits including reduced health care and special education costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT04555590 , Registered on 8/19/2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary White-Traut
- Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
- Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Debra Brandon
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karen Kavanaugh
- Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Karen Gralton
- Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Wei Pan
- School of Nursing and Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Evan R Myers
- Division of Women's Community and Population Health, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bree Andrews
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael Msall
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathleen F Norr
- Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Women, Children and Family Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Wright H, Bannaga AS, Iriarte R, Mahmoud M, Arasaradnam RP. Utility of volatile organic compounds as a diagnostic tool in preterm infants. Pediatr Res 2021; 89:263-268. [PMID: 32120380 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-0828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hydrocarbons that originate within different healthy and diseased tissues. VOCs can be secreted into the circulation and then excreted in the urine and faeces. In the lungs, VOCs are locally produced and can be detected in exhaled breath. VOCs can be identified using non-invasive techniques, which make their use in preterm infants safe and desirable. METHODS A systematic search of the literature in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted looking for VOCs techniques and diagnostic performance in preterm infants. A total of 50 articles identified with only seven papers were included in the final analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS VOCs could diagnose necrotising enterocolitis up to 4 days before a clinical diagnosis; for late onset sepsis, up to 3 days before; and for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, up to 2 weeks before. In addition to these diagnostic uses, VOCs analysis could also distinguish breastfed from formula-fed preterm neonates in the first month of life. CONCLUSION VOCs analysis is a non-invasive tool that makes the use in preterm infants of preference. VOCs analytic techniques require more research and consensus between researchers to overcome their limitations. IMPACT Volatile organic compounds are hydrocarbons that can separate between healthy and diseased states in preterm infants. Biomarker panels developed from volatile organic compounds are potential diagnostic tools. The non-invasive nature of acquiring volatile organic compounds markers make it desirable in the paediatric patients. Research into exact chemical components of the volatile organic compounds can inform about the pathophysiology of disease in preterm infants. More robust longitudinal studies with repeated experiments are required before volatile organic compounds can be applied in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Wright
- Warwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK
| | - Ayman S Bannaga
- Warwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK.,University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | | | | | - Ramesh P Arasaradnam
- Warwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK. .,University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK. .,Applied Health Sciences, University of Coventry, Coventry, UK. .,School of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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8
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Zhu Z, Wang J, Chen C, Zhou J. Hospitalization charges for extremely preterm infants: a ten-year analysis in Shanghai, China. J Med Econ 2020; 23:1610-1617. [PMID: 33084446 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2020.1839272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Extreme prematurity exerts a substantial economic burden on families and societies worldwide, especially in developing countries with limited healthcare resources. This study aimed to estimate initial hospitalization charges after extremely preterm birth in China over the previous decade. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in the largest tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Shanghai, China, including 441 extremely preterm infants (gestational age <28 weeks) discharged between 2010 and 2019. Hospitalization data and medical charges were obtained from electronic inpatient medical records. Subgroup analysis was conducted to examine how the charges and length of stay varied by gestational age, discharge year, survival status, and major morbidities. RESULTS The median total hospitalization charge was $20,770.70 with a median length of stay of 70.0 days. Total and daily charges declined as gestational age increased. A rising trend was found over time for overall and daily medical charges. Compared with decedents, survivors had a longer length of stay and higher total hospitalization charges, but their charge per day was lower. Total hospitalization charges were significantly higher in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (Stage II-III), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and sepsis when compared with neonates of the same gestational age without these co-morbidities. Charges for treatments accounted for the highest proportion (31.3%). LIMITATIONS Local statistics collected retrospectively might limit generalizability to other regions. Long-term medical charges were not reported. CONCLUSION Economic burden of the initial hospitalization for extremely preterm infants was substantial in China. Such economic factors should be fully taken into account for perinatal consultations, medical insurance policy-making, and clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Zhou
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Fecal Volatile Organic Compound Profiles are Not Influenced by Gestational Age and Mode of Delivery: A Longitudinal Multicenter Cohort Study. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2020; 10:bios10050050. [PMID: 32403393 PMCID: PMC7277672 DOI: 10.3390/bios10050050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fecal volatile organic compounds (VOC) reflect human and gut microbiota metabolic pathways and their interaction. VOC behold potential as non-invasive preclinical diagnostic biomarkers in various diseases, e.g., necrotizing enterocolitis and late onset sepsis. There is a need for standardization and assessment of the influence of clinical and environmental factors on the VOC outcome before this technique can be applied in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gestational age (GA) and mode of delivery on the fecal VOC pattern in preterm infants born below 30 weeks of gestation. Longitudinal fecal samples, collected on days 7, 14, and 21 postnatally, were analyzed by an electronic nose device (Cyranose 320®). In total, 58 preterm infants were included (29 infants born at GA 24–26 weeks vs. 29 at 27–29 completed weeks, 24 vaginally born vs. 34 via C-section). No differences were identified at any predefined time point in terms of GA and delivery mode (p > 0.05). We, therefore, concluded that correction for these factors in this population is not warranted when performing fecal VOC analysis in the first three weeks of life.
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