Study of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III in newborns with sepsis

Examining diagnostic variability among pediatric subspecialists using case examples of infant head injury

BACKGROUND

Although there is research regarding the diagnosis and timing of abusive head trauma, there remains practice variation among pediatric subspecialists.

OBJECTIVES

To examine diagnostic variability among pediatric subspecialists using case examples of infant head injury. Secondary objectives were timing variability among subspecialists, and diagnostic and timing variability among Child Abuse Pediatricians (CAPs).

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Pediatric subspecialists were recruited from Child Abuse Pediatrics, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Neurosurgery to complete a research instrument. Participants qualified for the study if they evaluated at least 1 case of possible abusive head trauma during their career.

METHODS

This multi-institutional, mixed-methods study used a research instrument with 4 case examples of infant head injury: severe retinal hemorrhages (RH), mass-effect subdural hemorrhage (SDH), SDH membrane formation, and sepsis. The response selected by most CAPs was reference and compared across subspecialties and among CAPs using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. A Bonferroni correction (p < 0.01) was used for subspecialty comparisons.

RESULTS

There were 288 participants who completed at least 1 case example. Diagnostic variability was observed in all case examples. Significantly fewer Hospital Medicine (34.9 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.01), Emergency Medicine (28.0 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.0001), and Neurosurgery (24.0 % vs. 57.9 %, p < 0.01) participants selected the reference response for the mass-effect SDH case example. Timing variability was statistically significant for all case examples (p < 0.01). Significantly fewer CAPs aged 44-64 years selected the reference response for timing (p < 0.01) for the severe RH case example.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional peer review processes and consensus guidelines for challenging issues in abusive head trauma may be beneficial.

A Global Assessment of Coagulation Profile and a Novel Insight into Adamts-13 Implication in Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Sepsis-induced coagulopathy is a well-recognized entity, signifying the strong cross-talk between inflammation and coagulation. The aim of the present study was to compare the coagulation profile between the acute phase of sepsis and recovery in term and preterm neonates. Additional comparisons to healthy neonates were undertaken. Levels of clotting, anti-clotting factors and ADAMTS-13 (A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type-1 motives), the cleaving protein of von Willebrand factor (VWF), were measured in 16 term and preterm neonates in the acute phase of infection and following recovery, as well as in 18 healthy neonates. Clotting times were prolonged, while levels of particular clotting factors were lower in the acute phase of infection compared to controls and recovery. On the other hand, levels of fibrinogen, factor VIII (FVIII) and VWF were significantly higher in the acute phase in comparison to controls and recovery, while they remained persistently higher in the infection group compared to controls. In regard to the anticlotting mechanism, a clear suppression was observed in septic neonates. ADAMTS-13 levels were significantly lower in the acute phase of infection in comparison to controls and recovery (p = 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), while a trend toward superimposed normalization was demonstrated post infection, as higher ADAMTS-13 levels were measured in recovered neonates compared to controls (p = 0.002). The coagulation profile is considerably deranged in neonatal sepsis. ADAMTS-13 deficiency in septic neonates is a novel finding with promising future implications, as ADAMTS-13 substitution may serve as a useful therapeutic option in neonatal sepsis, prompting further investigation in future studies.

The Impact of Cytokines on Neutrophils' Phagocytosis and NET Formation during Sepsis-A Review

Sepsis is an overwhelming inflammatory response to infection, resulting in multiple-organ injury. Neutrophils are crucial immune cells involved in innate response to pathogens and their migration and effector functions, such as phagocytosis and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, are dependent on cytokine presence and their concentration. In the course of sepsis, recruitment and migration of neutrophils to infectious foci gradually becomes impaired, thus leading to loss of a crucial arm of the innate immune response to infection. Our review briefly describes the sepsis course, the importance of neutrophils during sepsis, and explains dependence between cytokines and their activation. Moreover, we, for the first time, summarize the impact of cytokines on phagocytosis and NET formation. We highlight and discuss the importance of cytokines in modulation of both processes and emphasize the direction of further investigations.

Intracranial Bleeding as a Major Problem Among Neonates With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation After the Introduction of Recombinant Thrombomodulin

A standard treatment for disseminated intravascular coagulation in neonates has not yet been established. We analyzed the outcomes of 23 neonates who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation due to infection or asphyxia between 2004 and 2017. The overall survival rate was 95.7% on day 28 after anticoagulant therapy. In contrast, the bleeding-free survival rate was 69.6% (95% confidence interval, 53.1%-91.2%). Of the 6 neonates with intracranial bleeding, 2 developed neurological sequelae. The current study showed that intracranial bleeding remained a major problem in the early 2000s, despite the introduction of a new anticoagulant drug, recombinant thrombomodulin, at our institution since 2009.

Neonatal Sepsis and Hemostasis

Neonatal sepsis is considered critical for a significant increase in neonatal morbidity and mortality among hospitalized neonates. Neonatal sepsis, in most cases, coexists with coagulopathy, which can prove to be life-threatening. Complex molecular and cellular systems are involved in the cross-talk between inflammation and hemostasis during sepsis. Disturbances in the regulating systems of the vascular endothelium, and platelet–endothelial and platelet–neutrophil interactions play a pivotal role in both inflammation and coagulation. This complex process is poorly understood in neonates. In addition to the developmental maturation of hemostasis and the immune response in neonatal sepsis, a cellular model of hemostasis during sepsis should be taken into account. This review focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying inflammation and hemostasis during neonatal sepsis, taking the developmental immune response and developmental hemostasis into account in order to provide future diagnostic approaches to be applied in everyday clinical settings. Regarding the diagnostic modalities, we briefly provide the limitations of the currently used conventional coagulation assays, focusing on viscoelastic tests and platelet flow cytometry.

Protein C Pathway in Paediatric and Neonatal Sepsis

Protein C plays a major role in the physiological regulation of coagulation pathways through inactivation of factor Va, factor VIIIa, and plasminogen activator inhibitor. Protein C is involved in the control of inflammation during sepsis, by inhibiting release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby controlling neutrophil, and monocyte effects on injured tissue. Recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) reduced mortality in adult sepsis in earlier studies but had no significant benefit in more recent trials. Protein C levels are reduced during paediatric and neonatal sepsis, which may play a major role in the development of disseminated intravascular thrombosis, purpura fulminans, and multiorgan dysfunction. The role of protein C in paediatric sepsis requires further clinical and immunological evaluation to define the patient subgroups who may benefit from this therapy. Newer versions of rhAPC are under development with less risk of haemorrhage potentially broadening the scope of this intervention.

Early Protein Markers of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Plasma of Preterm Pigs Exposed to Antibiotics

Background: Most hospitalized preterm infants receive antibiotics in the first days of life to prevent or treat infections. Short-term, early antibiotic treatment may also prevent the microbiota-dependent gut inflammatory disorder, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). It remains a challenge to predict NEC, and a few early blood diagnostic markers exist. Using preterm pigs as model for infants, blood parameters and plasma proteins affected by early progression of NEC were profiled in preterm pigs subjected to oral, systemic, or no antibiotics after preterm birth.

Methods: Preterm newborn pigs were treated with saline (CON) or antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole) given enterally (ENT) or parenterally (PAR), and fed formula for 4 days to induce variable microbiome-dependent sensitivities to NEC. The gut was collected for macroscopic scoring of NEC lesions and blood for hematology, blood biochemistry, and LC/MS-based plasma proteomics. Statistical modeling was applied to detect plasma proteins affected by NEC and/or antibiotics.

Results: Analyzed across different antibiotic regimens, NEC progression was associated with altered blood parameters and abundance of 89 plasma proteins that were functionally involved in extracellular membrane destruction, lipid metabolism, coagulopathy, and acute phase response. Large NEC-related changes were observed in abundance of RBP4, FGA, AHSG, C5, PTPRG, and A-1-antichymotrypsin 2, indicating potential serving as early markers of NEC. Conversely, antibiotic treatment, independent of NEC, affected only 4 proteins with main differences found between ENT and CON pigs.

Conclusion: Early postnatal development of NEC lesions is associated with marked plasma protein changes that may be used for early NEC diagnosis.

Antithrombin use during pediatric cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation admission: insights from a national database

INTRODUCTION

The frequency of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients continues to increase, especially in patients with complex congenital heart disease. Providing adequate anticoagulation is necessary for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and is achieved with adequate heparin administration. Antithrombin is administered to potentiate heparin's effects. However, the efficacy of antithrombin supplementation is unclear and a clear clinical benefit has not been established. We present a large retrospective study examining the effects of antithrombin on pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

METHODS

Data for this study were obtained from the Pediatric Health Information System and Pediatric Health Information System+ databases from 2004 to 2015. Pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a congenital heart disease diagnosis were included and divided into groups that did or did not utilize antithrombin. For all admissions, the following were captured: age of admission, gender, year of admission, length of stay, billed charges, inpatient mortality, the presence of specific congenital malformations of the heart, specific cardiac surgeries, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 9,193 admissions were included and 865 (9.4%) utilized antithrombin. Between groups, there were significantly different frequencies of co-morbidities, cardiac lesion types and antithrombin usage over the study period. There were significantly lower odds in the antithrombin group of venous thrombosis. Antithrombin was not significantly associated with hemorrhage; however, antithrombin was associated with increased inpatient mortality and a decrease in length of stay and billed charges.

CONCLUSION

Antithrombin administration is associated with increased mortality, a shorter length of stay, and decreased billing cost. Recently, antithrombin usage has been decreasing-potentially due to the reported lack of clinical benefit. Together, these results reinforce that antithrombin may not be indicated for all pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Fast I(n)dentification of Pathogens in Neonates (FINDPATH-N): protocol for a prospective pilot cohort study of next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification in neonates with suspected sepsis

INTRODUCTION

Sepsis is a major source of morbidity and mortality in neonates; however, identification of the causative pathogens is challenging. Many neonates have negative blood cultures despite clinical evidence of sepsis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput, parallel sequencing technique for DNA. Pathogen-targeted enrichment followed by NGS has the potential to be more sensitive and faster than current gold-standard blood culture. In this pilot study, we will test the feasibility and pathogen detection patterns of pathogen-targeted NGS in neonates with suspected sepsis. Additionally, the distribution and diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers cell-free DNA and protein C levels at two time points will be explored.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a prospective, pilot observational study. Neonates over 1 kg with suspected sepsis from a single tertiary care children's hospital will be recruited for the study. Recruitment will be censored at 200 events or 6 months' duration. Two blood study samples will be taken: the first simultaneous to the blood culture (time=0 hour, for NGS and biomarkers) via an exception to consent (deferred consent) and another 24 hours later after prospective consent (biomarkers only). Neonates will be adjudicated into those with clinical sepsis, culture-proven sepsis and without sepsis based on clinical criteria. Feasibility parameters (eg, recruitment) and NGS process time will be reported.For analysis, NGS results will be described in aggregate, compared with the simultaneous blood culture (sensitivity and specificity) and reviewed via expert panel for plausibility. Pilot data for biomarker distribution and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for distinguishing between septic and non-septic neonates will be reported.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been granted by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board. We will seek publication of study results in peer-reviewed journals.

Thrombin Generation in Preterm Newborns With Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease

Background and Aim: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) affects one-fifth of neonates receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) for more than 2 weeks. We aimed to define the effect of IFALD on hemostasis of preterm infants. Methods: This is an ancillary analysis of a prospective study aimed at defining coagulation in preterm infants. We included neonates exposed to PN (at least 14 days), in full-enteral feeding. We compared thrombin generation in the presence of thrombomodulin, defined as endogenous thrombin potential-ETP, PT, aPTT between infants with IFALD vs. those without (controls), at birth, and after 30 days. IFALD was defined as conjugated bilirubin ≥1 mg/dl. Results: We enrolled 92 preterm infants (32 IFALD; 60 controls). Cholestatic patients had a lower birthweight, longer exposure to PN, and longer hospitalization. Infants with IFALD showed longer median PT (12.8-vs.-12 sec; p = 0.02) and aPTT (39.2-vs.-36.5 sec; p = 0.04) than controls, with no difference in ETP. Conclusions: Despite prolonged PTs and aPTTs infants with IFALD had similar ETP than those without.

Serum Level of Antithrombin III (ATIII) Could Serve as a Prognostic Biomarker in Neonatal Sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis syndrome continues to have a high morbidity and mortality rate despite the progress in neonatal intensive care. There is no single diagnostic test which can reliably diagnose sepsis in the newborn, beside blood culture. Antithrombin III may be one promising single marker for sepsis syndrome diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: We quantitated antithrombin III (ATIII) in neonates with sepsis syndrome and compared these levels to healthy controls. Results: ATIII levels were significantly lower in sepsis syndrome neonates (23.05 ± 3.66) compared to controls (35.50 ± 2.50), (p < 0.001). ROC curve for ATIII displayed area under the curve of 0.973, cutoff >30 mg/dL, a positive predictive value 90.47 and negative predictive value 96.55. Conclusion: Antithrombin III is lower in sepsis syndrome neonates and may be a useful biomarker in neonatal sepsis.

Coagulation and Bleeding Management in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Clinical Scenarios and Review

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving procedure that requires careful coagulation management. Indications for ECMO continue to expand, leading to more complicated patients treated by ECMO teams. At our pediatric institution, we utilize a Coagulation Team to guide anticoagulation, transfusion and hemostasis management in an effort to avoid the all-to-common complications of bleeding and thrombosis. This team formulates a coagulation plan in conjunction with a multidisciplinary ECMO team after careful review of all available laboratory data as well as the patient's clinical status. Here, we present our general strategies for ECMO management in various clinical scenarios and a review of the literature pertaining to coagulation management in the pediatric ECMO setting.

Enoxaparin Population Pharmacokinetics in the First Year of Life

AIMS

Enoxaparin dosing requirements in the first year of life can be highly variable. Characterization of pharmacokinetics in this patient population can assist in dosing.

METHODS

Patients less than 1 year postnatal age who received enoxaparin and had an anti-factor Xa activity level drawn as inpatients were identified through the pharmacy database over a 5-year period. Patients on renal replacement therapy or with hyperbilirubinemia were excluded. Data collection included demographic variables, indication for enoxaparin, enoxaparin doses, anti-factor Xa activity levels, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, and urine output over the previous 24 hours. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with NONMEM.

RESULTS

A total of 182 patients [male 50%, median 100 days postnatal age (range: 4-353 days)] met the study criteria. Patients received median 22 doses (range: 1-526) at a mean starting dose of 1.38 ± 0.43 mg/kg with median 5 (range: 1-56) anti-factor Xa activity levels measured. A 1-compartment proportional and additive error model best fits the data. Allometrically scaled weight significantly decreased the objective function value, as did serum creatinine on clearance, and postmenstrual age (PMA) on volume of distribution. When evaluated graphically, dosing based on PMA appeared to have less variability as compared to postnatal age-based dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Dosing of enoxaparin in infants younger than 1 year should incorporate PMA.

Neonatal haemostasis

The maturation and postnatal development of the human coagulation system results in significant and important differences in the coagulation and fibrinolysis of neonates and young children compared to older children and adults. Importantly, these differences, which mostly reflect the immaturity of the neonatal haemostasis system, are functionally balanced. Healthy neonates show no signs of easy bruising or other bleeding diathesis and no increased tendency to thrombosis for any given stimulus compared to adults.

Systemic diseases may affect haemostasis, thus predisposing ill neonates to increased risk for haemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. In hospitalized children, neonates have increased risk of developing thrombosis compared to infants and children, mostly associated with the presence of central venous catheter. For diagnosis of haemostasis disorders, diagnostic laboratories processing pediatric samples should use age, analyzer and reagent appropriate reference ranges. Age specific guidelines should be followed for the management of neonates with hemostatic disorders.

Identification of a panel of serum protein markers in early stage of sepsis and its validation in a cohort of patients

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness with a challenging diagnosis. Current serum biomarkers are not sensitive enough for diagnosis. With the aim of finding proteins associated with sepsis, serum protein profile was compared between patients and healthy donors and serum classical inflammatory proteins were analyzed in both groups.

METHODS

Serum protein profiles were characterized by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). Identification of the proteins was carried out by mass spectrophotometry and their validation was performed by Enzyme-Linked-ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) in a cohort of 85 patients and 67 healthy donors. Seven classical inflammatory proteins were analyzed in the same cohort by ELISA: interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (sCD25), scavenger receptor cysteine-rich-type-1 (sCD163), tumor-necrosis factor receptor superfamily-member-6 (sFas), hemeoxigenase-1 decycling (HO-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and intercellular adhesion-molecule-1 (sICAM-1).

RESULTS

After 2DE, 20 significantly differently expressed spots were identified by mass spectrometry analysis, revealing deregulation of six different proteins upon sepsis and 50% were validated by ELISA: Antithrombin-III (AT-III), Clusterin (CLUS) and Serum amyloid A-1 (SAA-1). Serum concentration of AT-III and CLUS was significantly lower in patients' serum, whereas SAA-1 showed higher values in septic patients. Serum concentration of the seven inflammatory proteins was significantly increased in septic patients. Functional analysis of the ten deregulated proteins revealed an enrichment of proteins related mainly to the activation of the immune response.

CONCLUSION

We have identified a panel of ten potential sepsis marker proteins biologically connected and validated in a large number of patients, whose analysis could be considered as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of sepsis.

Outcomes following routine antithrombin III replacement during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

BACKGROUND

We sought to examine the effect of routine antithrombin III (AT3) infusion on hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications, blood product utilization, and circuit lifespan in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 162 infants placed on ECMO for hypoxic respiratory failure. Infants requiring ECMO for primary cardiac support were excluded. Demographic data, time on ECMO, blood product usage, coagulation profile, and complications were compared between 90 control patients and 72 patients treated with AT3.

RESULTS

Infants receiving AT3 during ECMO had less thrombotic and similar bleeding complications as compared to infants receiving standard anticoagulation therapy. Total blood product infusion during ECMO was decreased (54.7±20.1 vs. 67.4±34.9mL/kg per day, p=0.001) in infants receiving AT3 during ECMO. Tighter control of activated clotting time and higher serum heparin anti-Xa levels were observed in the AT3 cohort during the first days of ECMO support. 1st ECMO circuit lifespan did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine administration of AT3 in neonates receiving ECMO therapy was associated with tighter control of anticoagulation and a reduction in thrombotic events without increasing unwanted bleeding. However, circuit lifespan was unaffected.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Nonactivated Protein C in the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcome

BACKGROUND

Previously, we found that plasma protein C (PC) activity ≤10% significantly increased the probability of the occurrence of death during neonatal sepsis. Accordingly, if the activity of plasma PC declined during the course of sepsis to ≤10%, we administered a nonactivated PC zymogen to increase a PC activity. The aim of that retrospective analysis was to explore treatment effects of PC zymogen supplementation in septic infants, with plasma PC activity ≤10%.

METHODS

A database was used to locate 85 newborns treated with PC from among 458 analyzed infants with confirmed sepsis.

RESULTS

The median birth weight and gestational age of treated infants were, respectively, 1010.0 g and 29 weeks. In 47 infants, early-onset sepsis developed, whereas in 38 neonates, late-onset sepsis was recognized. PC was given as a single dose of 200 IU/kg. Among 458 septic patients, death occurred in 19 newborns (4.2%), exclusively in infants with plasma PC activity ≤10%. In 15 infants, death occurred in the course of early-onset sepsis and 4 newborns died of late-onset sepsis (early-onset sepsis vs. late-onset sepsis; P = 0.036; χ with the Yates correction).

CONCLUSIONS

An increased risk of death in septic neonates with plasma PC activity ≤10% suggests the necessity for its evaluation and possibility of supplementation of PC zymogen.

Use and Future Investigations of Recombinant and Plasma-Derived Coagulation and Anticoagulant Products in the Neonate

Although congenital bleeding disorders can manifest in the newborn period, the most common causes of bleeding and thrombosis in neonates are acquired conditions. Factor concentrates are used for specific diagnoses (hemophilia with inhibitors, specific factor deficiency, von Willebrand disease) and approved indications, and increasingly for off-label indications (bleeding in surgery cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). We will review the approved indications for factor products in the neonate and discuss the evidence and rationale for off-label use of factor products in management of bleeding and thrombosis in the neonate.

Efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in three specific populations with sepsis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ESSENTIALS: Most anticoagulant therapy has failed to demonstrate a survival benefit in the overall sepsis population. We conducted separate meta-analyses of anticoagulant therapy in three different populations. Survival benefit was observed only in the septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) population. Further randomized controlled trials should focus on specific populations with septic DIC.

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

Although many preclinical trials have indicated the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant therapy as an adjuvant therapy against sepsis, there is little evidence to support its effectiveness to reduce mortality in the overall population with sepsis in clinical situations. However, several studies suggested that specific anticoagulant therapy may potentially reduce mortality in patients with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether the survival benefit of anticoagulant therapy might pertain to the coagulopathic population with sepsis.

METHODS

We conducted separate meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials for anticoagulant therapy in three different populations: (i) overall population with sepsis, (ii) population with sepsis-induced coagulopathy, and (iii) population with sepsis-induced DIC. We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials comparing anticoagulant therapy with placebo or no intervention in sepsis patients. We measured all-cause mortality as the primary outcome and bleeding complications as the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

We analyzed 24 trials enrolling 14 767 patients. There were no significant reductions in mortality in the overall sepsis population and the population with sepsis-induced coagulopathy. Otherwise, we observed significant reductions in mortality (risk ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.62-0.85) in the population with sepsis-induced DIC. As adverse events, bleeding complications tended to increase similarly with anticoagulant therapy in all three populations.

CONCLUSION

Although associated with an increased risk of bleeding, anticoagulant therapy resulted in no survival benefits in the overall sepsis population and even the population with sepsis-induced coagulopathy; beneficial effects on mortality were observed only in the population with sepsis-induced DIC.

Meta-analysis shows that infants who have suffered neonatal sepsis face an increased risk of mortality and severe complications

Infants suffering from neonatal sepsis face an increased risk of early death and long-term neurodevelopmental delay. This paper analyses and summarises the existing data on short-term and long-term outcomes of neonatal sepsis, based on 12 studies published between January 2000 and 1 April 2012 and covering 3669 neonates with sepsis.

CONCLUSION

Infants who have suffered neonatal sepsis face an increased risk of mortality and severe complications such as brain damage and, or, neurodevelopmental delay.

Recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin (thrombomodulin alfa) in the treatment of neonatal disseminated intravascular coagulation

Recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin (TM-α) has been shown to be useful in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a heparin-controlled study and has been available for clinical use in Japan since 2008. However, data on its use for neonatal DIC have not been reported from any clinical studies, so efficacy and safety were analyzed in 60 neonatal DIC patients identified in post-marketing surveillance. The DIC resolution rate as of the day after last administration of TM-α was 47.1 %, and the survival rate at 28 days after last administration was 76.7 %. Hemostatic test result profiles revealed decreased levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products and increased platelet counts and antithrombin activity. Incidences of adverse drug reactions, bleeding-related adverse drug reactions, and bleeding-related adverse events were 6.7, 6.7, and 16.7 %, respectively, with no significant differences between neonatal, pediatric (excluding neonates), and adult DIC patients.

CONCLUSION

This surveillance provided real-world data on the safety and effectiveness of TM-alpha in the treatment of neonatal DIC in general practice settings.

Bi-directional activation of inflammation and coagulation in septic neonates

Neonatal sepsis is frequently accompanied by significant and sometimes life-threatening coagulopathy. More complete understanding is needed of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the interaction of the inflammatory and hemostatic systems. Such information may help focus future studies toward novel ways to improve the outcome of neonates who develop septic coagulopathy.

Clinical syndromes associated with acquired antithrombin deficiency via microvascular leakage and the related risk of thrombosis

Antithrombin (AT) is a 65kDa glycoprotein belonging to a group of inhibitory factors known as serpins (serine protease inhibitors). It plays a critical role in the inhibition of coagulation and inflammation processes within the environment of the vascular endothelium. Inadequate levels of functional AT in plasma results in an increased risk of thrombotic events, both venous and arterial. AT deficiency can be inherited or acquired. Congenital AT deficiency is the most severe inherited thrombophilic condition with an odds ratio of 20 for the increased risk of venous thrombosis. Acquired AT deficiency occurs in a variety of physiologic and pathologic medical conditions with similar risks of increased thrombosis. In this article, we review clinical settings characterized by an acquired AT deficiency largely or partly subsequent to protein microvascular leakage. Other different mechanisms of AT depletion are implied in some clinical conditions together with endothelial loss, and, therefore, outlined. In addition, we provide a description of the current knowledge on the specific mechanisms underlying endothelial AT leakage and on the consequences of this protein decrease, specifically looking at thrombosis. We identify potential directions of research that might prove useful in patients with acquired AT deficiency.

Post-marketing surveillance of thrombomodulin alfa, a novel treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation - safety and efficacy in 1,032 patients with hematologic malignancy

INTRODUCTION

Post-marketing surveillance of thrombomodulin alfa (TM-α) was performed to evaluate safety and efficacy in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with hematologic malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients treated with TM-α from May 2008 to April 2010 in Japan were included. Information about baseline characteristics, safety, and efficacy were collected. The DIC resolution rate, survival rate on Day 28 after the last TM-α administration, and changes in DIC score and coagulation tests were evaluated.

RESULTS

The underlying diseases associated with DIC were acute myeloid leukemia (except for acute promyelocytic leukemia, n=350), lymphoma (n=199), acute promyelocytic leukemia (n=172), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=156), myelodysplastic syndromes (n=61), and other (n=94). The incidence rates of bleeding-related adverse events and adverse drug reactions were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. In subjects with bleeding symptoms at baseline, 55.0% were assessed as disappeared or improved based on symptoms after TM-α treatment. The DIC resolution and survival rates were 55.9% and 70.7%, respectively. The DIC score and coagulation tests including thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) were significantly improved. Coagulation tests were significantly improved after TM-α treatment even in subjects whose clinical course of underlying disease was assessed as unchanged or exacerbated.

CONCLUSIONS

This surveillance confirmed the safety and efficacy of TM-α in clinical practice, thus TM-α may be an ideal treatment for patients with DIC based upon hematologic malignancy.

The conundrum of neonatal coagulopathy

The maturation and postnatal development of the human coagulation system was first studied and described more than 20 years ago. These older studies, supported by more recent data, confirm the significant and important differences in the physiology of coagulation and fibrinolysis in neonates and young children compared with older children and adults. Subsequently, significant differences were also described in the physiology of primary hemostasis and in global in vitro tests for hemostasis. These differences, which mostly reflect the immaturity of the neonatal hemostasis system, are functionally balanced. Healthy neonates show no signs of easy bruising or other bleeding diathesis and no increased tendency to thrombosis for any given stimulus compared with adults. Systemic diseases may affect hemostasis, predisposing ill neonates to increased hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. The immaturity of the hemostasis system in preterm and very-low-birth-weight neonates may contribute to a higher risk for intraventricular hemorrhage. Therapies targeting the hemostasis system can be effective for preventing and treating these events. The concept of “neonatal coagulopathy” has an important impact on both the diagnosis and management of hemorrhagic or thrombotic events in neonates. For diagnosis of hemostasis disorders, diagnostic laboratories processing pediatric samples should use age-, analyzer-, and reagent-appropriate reference ranges. Age-specific guidelines should be followed for the management of neonates with hemostatic disorders.

Clinical outcome of umbilical artery catheter-related thrombosis - a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To reveal the incidence of umbilical artery catheter-related thrombosis (UACRT), the associated risk factors and the natural history of clot formation and regression.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective cohort study. An umbilical artery catheter was inserted in 61 infants, who were evaluated and followed by serial duplex ultrasound studies for the development of UACRT, renal artery resistance index (RI) and clot resolution. Maternal and infant clinical variables were correlated with the characteristics of thrombi.

RESULT

Nineteen infants developed UACRT, all resolved spontaneously without sequella; most had maximal length at the first evaluation. No correlation was found between the thrombus length and time to resolution. The RI did not differ between the infants with and without UACRT. After adjusting for possible confounding, catheter days was the only covariate associated with UACRT.

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic UACRT in our cohort was a self-resolving disease; it was associated with catheter days and did not necessitate medical treatment.

Emerging biomarkers for the diagnosis of severe neonatal infections applicable to low resource settings

More than 500 000 children die each year in low resource settings due to serious neonatal infections. Better diagnostics that can be utilized in these settings to identify infected infants have the potential to significantly reduce neonatal deaths and the associated morbidity. A systematic review was performed and identified more than 250 potential new biomarkers for the diagnosis of serious neonatal infections. Eight of these biomarkers were both high-performance and high-abundance (antithrombin, inter-α inhibitor proteins, interferon-γ inducible protein-10, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, LPS binding protein, mannose binding lectin, serum amyloid A, resistin, visfatin), and are promising for the diagnosis of serious neonatal infections in low resource settings. Future clinical trials comparing these biomarkers with more traditional biomarkers seem warranted.