Global incidence and mortality of neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus in neonatal intensive care unit in Southern France, a genomic study

An emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus haemolyticus has been observed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Nîmes University Hospital in southern France. A case-control analysis was conducted on 96 neonates, to identify risk factors associated with S. haemolyticus infection, focusing on clinical outcomes. Forty-eight MDR S. haemolyticus strains, isolated from neonates between October 2019 and July 2022, were investigated using routine in vitro procedures and whole-genome sequencing. Additionally, five S. haemolyticus isolates from adult patients were sequenced to identify clusters circulating within the hospital environment. The incidence of neonatal S. haemolyticus was significantly associated with low birth weight, lower gestational age, and central catheter use (p < 0.001). Sepsis was the most frequent clinical manifestation in this series (20/46, 43.5%) and was associated with five deaths. Based on whole-genome analysis, three S. haemolyticus genotypes were predicted: ST1 (6/53, 11%), ST25 (3/53, 5.7%), and ST29 (44/53, 83%), which included the subcluster II-A, predominantly emerging in the neonatal department. All strains were profiled in silico to be resistant to methicillin, erythromycin, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones, consistent with in vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests. Moreover, in silico prediction of biofilm formation and virulence-encoding genes supported the association of ST29 with severe clinical outcomes, while the persistence in the NICU could be explained by the presence of antiseptic and heavy metal resistance-encoding genes. The clonality of S. haemolyticus ST29 subcluster II-A isolates confirms healthcare transmission causing severe infections. Based on these results, reinforced hygiene measures are necessary to eradicate the nosocomial transmission of MDR strains.

Lipopolysaccharide induced systemic inflammation and heart rate variability in a term newborn piglet model

BACKGROUND

Early biomarkers are needed to improve diagnosis and support antibiotic stewardship in neonatal sepsis. Heart rate variability (HRV) is proposed as such a biomarker. However, there is a lack of studies in term newborns. Infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli induces systemic inflammation comparable to sepsis in newborns. We aimed to study the effect of systemic LPS induced inflammation on HRV in term newborn piglets.

METHODS

Baseline HRV was recorded for 1 h. This control period was compared to the hourly HRV for each piglet (n = 9) during 4 h of LPS infusion. For comparison, we used a mixed-effects regression model.

RESULTS

Systemic inflammation induced by LPS was found to reduce HRV. Compared to baseline, most measures of HRV decreased to lower values compared to baseline at 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h after initiation of LPS infusion. Heart rate (HR) was increased at 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h. When adjusting for HR in the mixed-effects regression model all reductions in HRV were explained by the increase in HR.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced HRV may be an early biomarker of neonatal sepsis. However, an increase in HR alone could be an already available, more accessible, and interpretable biomarker of sepsis in term neonates.

IMPACT

In a term newborn piglet model, systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli reduced heart rate variability measures and increased heart rate. All reductions in heart rate variability were mediated by heart rate. While heart rate variability may be a biomarker of sepsis in term newborns, changes in heart rate alone could be a more readily available biomarker.

Vaccine value profile for Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes community- and healthcare-associated infections in children and adults. Globally in 2019, an estimated 1.27 million (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: 0.91-1.71) and 4.95 million (95% UI: 3.62-6.57) deaths were attributed to and associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR), respectively. K. pneumoniae was the second leading pathogen in deaths attributed to AMR resistant bacteria. Furthermore, the rise of antimicrobial resistance in both community- and hospital-acquired infections is a concern for neonates and infants who are at high risk for invasive bacterial disease. There is a limited antibiotic pipeline for new antibiotics to treat multidrug resistant infections, and vaccines targeted against K. pneumoniae are considered to be of priority by the World Health Organization. Vaccination of pregnant women against K. pneumoniae could reduce the risk of invasive K.pneumoniae disease in their young offspring. In addition, vulnerable children, adolescents and adult populations at risk of K. pneumoniae disease with underlying diseases such as immunosuppression from underlying hematologic malignancy, chemotherapy, patients undergoing abdominal and/or urinary surgical procedures, or prolonged intensive care management are also potential target groups for a K. pneumoniae vaccine. A 'Vaccine Value Profile' (VVP) for K.pneumoniae, which contemplates vaccination of pregnant women to protect their babies from birth through to at least three months of age and other high-risk populations, provides a high-level, holistic assessment of the available information to inform the potential public health, economic and societal value of a pipeline of K. pneumoniae vaccines and other preventatives and therapeutics. This VVP was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, and multi-lateral organizations, and in collaboration with stakeholders from the WHO. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the K.pneumoniae VVP and collectively aimed to identify current research and knowledge gaps. The VVP was developed using only existing and publicly available information.

Neonatal bacterial sepsis

Neonatal sepsis remains one of the key challenges of neonatal medicine, and together with preterm birth, causes almost 50% of all deaths globally for children younger than 5 years. Compared with advances achieved for other serious neonatal and early childhood conditions globally, progress in reducing neonatal sepsis has been much slower, especially in low-resource settings that have the highest burden of neonatal sepsis morbidity and mortality. By contrast to sepsis in older patients, there is no universally accepted neonatal sepsis definition. This poses substantial challenges in clinical practice, research, and health-care management, and has direct practical implications, such as diagnostic inconsistency, heterogeneous data collection and surveillance, and inappropriate treatment, health-resource allocation, and education. As the clinical manifestation of neonatal sepsis is frequently non-specific and the current diagnostic standard blood culture has performance limitations, new improved diagnostic techniques are required to guide appropriate and warranted antimicrobial treatment. Although antimicrobial therapy and supportive care continue as principal components of neonatal sepsis therapy, refining basic neonatal care to prevent sepsis through education and quality improvement initiatives remains paramount.

Shorter versus longer duration antibiotic regimens for treatment of culture-positive neonatal sepsis

OBJECTIVES

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the safety and effectiveness of shorter versus longer duration antibiotic regimens for the treatment of culture-positive neonatal sepsis with or without meningitis.

The Novel MFG-E8-derived Oligopeptide, MOP3, Improves Outcomes in a Preclinical Murine Model of Neonatal Sepsis

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal sepsis is a devastating inflammatory condition that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Milk fat globule-EGF-factor VIII (MFG-E8) is a glycoprotein that reduces inflammation, whereas extracellular cold-inducible RNA binding protein (eCIRP) worsens inflammation. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic potential of a novel MFG-E8-derived oligopeptide 3 (MOP3) designed to clear eCIRP and protect against inflammation, organ injury, and mortality in neonatal sepsis.

METHODS

C57BL6 mouse pups were injected intraperitoneally with cecal slurry (CS) and treated with MOP3 (20 μg/g) or vehicle. 10 h after injection, blood, lungs, and intestines were collected for analyses, and in a 7-day experiment, pups were monitored for differences in mortality.

RESULTS

MOP3 treatment protected septic pups from inflammation by reducing eCIRP, IL-6, TNFα, and LDH. MOP3 reduced lung and intestinal inflammation and injury as assessed by reductions in tissue mRNA levels of inflammatory markers, histopathologic injury, and apoptosis in lung and intestines. MOP3 also significantly improved 7-day overall survival for CS-septic mouse pups compared to vehicle (75% vs. 46%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Deriving from MFG-E8 and designed to clear eCIRP, MOP3 protects against sepsis-induced inflammation, organ injury, and mortality in a preclinical model of neonatal sepsis, implicating it as an exciting potential new therapeutic.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1.

Metabolic trade-offs in Neonatal sepsis triggered by TLR4 and TLR1/2 ligands result in unique dysfunctions in neural breathing circuits

Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of mortality in newborns. Several brainstem-regulated physiological processes undergo disruption during neonatal sepsis. Mechanistic knowledge gaps exist at the interplay between metabolism and immune activation to brainstem neural circuits and pertinent physiological functions in neonates. To delineate this association, we induced systemic inflammation either by TLR4 (LPS) or TLR1/2 (PAM3CSK4) ligand administration in postnatal day 5 mice (PD5). Our findings show that LPS and PAM3CSK4 evoke substantial changes in respiration and metabolism. Physiological trade-offs led to hypometabolic-hypothermic responses due to LPS, but not PAM3CSK4, whereas to both TLR ligands blunted respiratory chemoreflexes. Neuroinflammatory pathways modulation in brainstem showed more robust effects in LPS than PAM3CSK4. Brainstem neurons, microglia, and astrocyte gene expression analyses showed unique responses to TLR ligands. PAM3CSK4 did not significantly modulate gene expression changes in GLAST-1 positive brainstem astrocytes. PD5 pups receiving PAM3CSK4 failed to maintain a prolonged metabolic state repression, which correlated to enhanced gasping latency and impaired autoresuscitation during anoxic chemoreflex challenges. In contrast, LPS administered pups showed no significant changes in anoxic chemoreflex. Electrophysiological studies from brainstem slices prepared from pups exposed to either TLR4 or PAM3CSK4 showed compromised transmission between preBötzinger complex and Hypoglossal as an exclusive response to the TLR1/2 ligand. Spatial gene expression analysis demonstrated a region-specific modulation of PAM3CSK4 within the raphe nucleus relative to other anatomical sites evaluated. Our findings suggest that metabolic changes due to inflammation might be a crucial tolerance mechanism for neonatal sepsis preserving neural control of breathing.

Association between maximum norepinephrine dosage and mortality risk in neonates with septic shock

The high-dose usage of norepinephrine is thought to cause high mortality in patients with septic shock. This study aims to explores the correlation between the maximum norepinephrine (NE) dosage (MND) and mortality in neonates with septic shock. This retrospective cohort study included neonates with evidence of septic shock and those who received NE infusion. The study included 123 neonates, with 106 in the survival group and 17 in the death group. The death group exhibited significantly lower birth weight (p = 0.022), 1-min Apgar score (p = 0.005), serum albumin (p < 0.001), and base excess (BE) (p = 0.001) levels, but higher lactate (LAC) levels (p = 0.009) compared to the survival group. MND demonstrated an ROC area under the curve of 0.775 (95% CI 0.63-0.92, p < 0.001) for predicting mortality, with an optimal threshold of 0.3 µg/(kg·min), a sensitivity of 82.4%, and a specificity of 75.5%. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that an MND > 0.3 µg/(kg·min) (OR, 12.08, 95% CI 2.28-64.01) was associated with a significantly higher mortality risk. Spearman rank correlation showed a positive correlation between MND and LAC (r = 0.252, p = 0.005), vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) (r = 0.836, p < 0.001), and a negative correlation with BE (r = - 0.311, p = 0.001). MND > 0.3 µg/(kg min) is a useful predictive marker of mortality in neonatal septic shock.

Diagnostic significance of complete blood cell count and hemogram-derived markers for neonatal sepsis at Southwest Public Hospitals, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is defined as an infection-related condition characterized by signs and symptoms of bacteremia within the first month of life. It is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among newborns. While several studies have been conducted in other parts of world to assess the usefulness of complete blood count parameters and hemogram-derived markers as early screening tools for neonatal sepsis, the associations between sepsis and its complications with these blood parameters are still being investigated in our setting and are not yet part of routine practice.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic significance of complete blood cell count hemogram-derived novel markers for neonatal sepsis among neonates attending public hospitals in the southwest region of Oromia, Ethiopia, through a case control study.

METHODS

A case control study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2023 Sociodemographic, clinical history, and laboratory test results data were collected using structured questionnaires. The collected data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 version and exported to SPSS-25 for analysis. Chi-square, independent sample t-test, and receiver operator characteristics curve of curve were used for analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In this study, significant increases were observed in the following values in the case group compared to the control group: In white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophils, monocyte, mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio, monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), red blood cell width to platelet count ratio (RPR), red blood width coefficient variation, MPV to RPR, and platelet to lymphocyte ratio. Regarding MLR, a cut-off value of ≥ 0.26 was found, with a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 95%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 93.2%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 74.8%. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.828 (P < 0.001). For WBC, a cut-off value of ≥ 11.42 was identified, with a sensitivity of 55%, a specificity of 89%, a PPV of 83.3%, and a NPV of 66.4%. The AUC was 0.81 (P < 0.001). Neutrophils had a sensitivity of 67%, a specificity of 81%, a PPV of 77.9%, and a NPV of 71.1%. The AUC was 0.801, with a cut-off value of ≥ 6.76 (P = 0.001). These results indicate that they were excellent predictors of neonatal sepsis diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our study suggest that certain hematological parameters and hemogram-derived markers may have a potential role in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Antibiotic Stewardship in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Antibiotic stewardship is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to optimize antibiotic use and mitigate development of antibiotic resistance. Neonates have high rates of antibiotic exposure, particularly those born preterm and admitted to the NICU, and mounting evidence describes the adverse consequences of such exposures in the absence of infection. Here, we review the general principles of antibiotic stewardship and how they can be applied in NICUs. The unique characteristics of NICUs and patients cared for in this setting, which warrant unique implementation strategies and special considerations are discussed. We summarize current antibiotic use metrics for assessment of responses to stewardship interventions and changes over time, and review evidence-based infection prevention practices in the NICU. Current recommendations for empiric antibiotic use in the NICU and the utility of infection biomarkers are summarized. Lastly, given the growing global threat of increasing antibiotic resistance, specific threats in the NICU are highlighted.

An Observational Study on C-Reactive Protein to Platelet Ratio in Neonatal Sepsis

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is a serious medical condition affecting many individuals in the developing world. C-reactive protein (CRP) level in serum and platelet counts have been reported to have role in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the CRP to Platelet ratio (CPR) in relation to time and blood culture reports in neonatal sepsis patients from a tertiary care centre in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

METHODS

The present observational study was conducted at the level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care centre in Aurangabad city of Marathwada region in Maharashtra from September 2022 to July 2023. The study included 120 neonates (delivered after completion of 28-42 weeks of gestation) with clinical/culture-positive sepsis. The newborns of seropositive mothers, neonates delivered in other hospitals, babies with congenital dysmorphic features, and babies requiring surgical procedures were excluded from the study. Blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) and CRP were collected on days 1, 3 and 5. Blood cultures were sent on day 1 of illness. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the parameters of CPR, CRP, and platelet count in blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative neonatal sepsis patients on days 1, 3 and 5.

RESULTS

Blood culture was positive in 37 (30.8%) cases. A repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant overall difference in the CPR across days 1, 3, and 5 (p = 0.006). The CPR was significantly higher in culture-positive neonates compared to culture-negative neonates (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Higher CPR in blood culture-positive neonates compared to blood culture-negative neonates supports the role of CPR in the diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.

Link between gut microbiota and neonatal sepsis

In neonates, the gastrointestinal tract is rapidly colonized by bacteria after birth. Gut microbiota development is critical during the first few years of life. However, disruption of gut microbiota development in neonates can lead to gut dysbiosis, characterized by overcolonization by pathogenic bacteria and delayed or failed maturation toward increasing microbial diversity and Fermicutes dominance. Gut dysbiosis can predispose infants to sepsis. Pathogenic bacteria can colonize the gut prior to sepsis and cause sepsis through translocation. This review explores gut microbiota development in neonates, the evidence linking gut dysbiosis to neonatal sepsis, and the potential role of probiotics in gut microbiota modulation and sepsis prevention.

Use of the "Sepsis Risk Calculator" in Belgian Newborns: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Prevention of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is a frequent reason why many newborns receive unnecessary antibiotics. The Sepsis Risk Calculator (SRC) was developed by the Kaiser Permanente Institute as a multivariate risk assessment of EONS, aiming to reduce laboratory testing and empiric neonatal antibiotic therapy. Our objective was to assess the potential of the SRC in reducing antibiotic use in our setting.

METHODS

Late preterm and term newborns who received antibiotics from 2019 to 2020 in a tertiary Belgian hospital were included. Newborn-specific data were collected and entered into the online SRC, retrospectively calculating a sepsis risk score and providing recommendations for antibiotic administration. False-positive indications for treatment by the SRC were estimated based on previously published data. Antibiotic therapy rates according to the SRC recommendations were compared to the actual rate of antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

Of 5891 births, 414 newborns received antibiotics and were eligible for this study, representing a rate of 7.6% of newborns receiving antibiotics following our current guidelines. The SRC would have recommended antibiotic administration for 2.7%, reducing antibiotic therapy by 64.5%. Of 5 possible cases of EONS, 3 would have received antibiotics in the first 24 hours according to the SRC.

CONCLUSIONS

In this Belgian cohort, use of the SRC has the potential to significantly decrease by 64.5% the newborns that receive antibiotics. This reduction would primarily concern asymptomatic newborns. If use of the SRC was to be implemented in Belgian maternities, strict clinical surveillance practices should be ensured.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Neonates: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Neonatal sepsis is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity; however, the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials is associated with significant adverse effects. Our objective with this article is to review the components of neonatal antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) and their effects on clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS

We selected randomized and nonrandomized trials and observational and quality improvement studies evaluating the impact of ASP with a cutoff date of May 22, 2023. The data sources for these studies included PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Details of the ASP components and clinical outcomes were extracted into a predefined form.

RESULTS

Of the 4048 studies retrieved, 70 studies (44 cohort and 26 observational studies) of >350 000 neonates met the inclusion criteria. Moderate-certainty evidence reveals a significant reduction in antimicrobial initiation in NICU (pooled risk difference [RD] 19%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14% to 24%; 21 studies, 27 075 infants) and combined NICU and postnatal ward settings (pooled RD 8%; 95% CI 6% to 10%; 12 studies, 358 317 infants), duration of antimicrobial agents therapy (pooled RD 20%; 95% CI 10% to 30%; 9 studies, 303 604 infants), length of therapy (pooled RD 1.82 days; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.56 days; 10 studies, 157 553 infants), and use of antimicrobial agents >5 days (pooled RD 9%; 95% CI 3% to 15%; 5 studies, 9412 infants). Low-certainty evidence reveals a reduction in economic burden and drug resistance, favorable sustainability metrices, without an increase in sepsis-related mortality or the reinitiation of antimicrobial agents. Studies had heterogeneity with significant variations in ASP interventions, population settings, and outcome definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate- to low-certainty evidence reveals that neonatal ASP interventions are associated with reduction in the initiation and duration of antimicrobial use, without an increase in adverse events.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Mothers Working as Nurses Toward Multidrug-Resistant: Impact of an Educational Program in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective

This study seeks to assess the influence of an educational program on enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of NICU nurses regarding MDROs.

Methodology

Quasi-experimental design that investigated the efficacy of an educational intervention in shaping the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers working as nurses in NICU toward MDROs was used. A total of 168 nurses participated, divided into 84 intervention groups and 84 non-educational groups.

Results

The analysis of overall knowledge scores before and after the educational interventions revealed a significant improvement in post-education knowledge scores (Mean = 16.94) compared to pre-education scores (Mean = 12.9929; t(83) = 40.119, p < 0.001). Attitude scores exhibited a notable improvement post-education, with mean scores increasing from 46.64 in the pretest to 58.45 in the posttest. The total attitude shift was statistically significant (t(83) = 104.23, p < 0.001 0). Regarding overall practice, the data suggests a positive impact of education on neonatal nurses' practices related to antibiotic usage (t(3) = 149.31, p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between post-knowledge and post-attitude (r = 0.251, p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Based on the study findings, the MDROs educational program demonstrated its effectiveness in improving nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward MDROs, serving as a valuable educational resource for nurses. Given the increasing demand for nurses with MDROs knowledge, attitude, and practice in NICU, and considering the documented positive impact on protecting neonates from fatal infections, enhancing nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward MDROs has become imperative.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes following possible serious bacterial infection in early infancy in Karachi, Pakistan: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pakistan reports a significant burden of neonatal mortality, with infections as one of the major causes. We aim to assess the long-term impact of early infancy infections on neurodevelopmental outcomes during later childhood.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective follow-up study of the cohort enrolled at the Karachi site of the Aetiology of Neonatal Infection in South Asia (ANISA) during 2019-2020. Children with a possible serious bacterial infection (based on the WHO IMCI algorithm) at early infancy were assessed for neurodevelopment at 6-9 years of age and compared with healthy controls. The Ten Questions (TQS) questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Parent's Evaluation of Developmental Stage Assessment Level (PEDS: DM-AL) neurodevelopmental assessment tools, were administered and scored by the research staff who were blinded to the child's exposure status. Generalized Structural Equation Modelling (GSEM) was employed to verify relationships and associations among developmental milestones, anthropometry, and sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

A total of 398 children (241 cases and 157 controls) completed neurodevelopmental and growth assessments. Cases had a significantly higher rate of abnormal TQS scores (54.5% vs. 35.0%, p-value 0.001), greater delays in motor milestones (21.2% vs. 12.1%, p-value 0.02), lower fine motor skills (78.4 ± 1.4 vs. 83.2 ± 1.5, p-value 0.02). The receptive language skills were well-developed in both groups. According to the logistic regression model, exposure to infection during the first 59 days of life was associated with delayed TQS milestones (β = -0.6, 95% CI -1.2,-0.04), TQS hearing domain (β = -0.3, 95% CI: -1.2 to 0.7), PEDS: DM-AL fine motor domain (β = -1.3, 95% CI: -4.4 to 1.7), PEDS: DM-AL receptive language development (β = -1.1, 95% CI: -3.7 to 1.4) and child anthropometric measurements such as weight and height (β = -0.2, 95% CI: -0.4 to 0.01 and β = -0.2, 95% CI: -0.4 to -0.01, respectively). Early pSBI exposure was positively associated with PEDS: DM-AL self-help domain (β = 0.6, 95% CI: -1.2 to 2.4) and SDQ-P overall score (β = 0.02, 95% CI: -0.3 to 0.3).

CONCLUSION

Children exposed to PSBI during early infancy have higher rates of abnormal development, motor delays, and lower fine motor skills during later childhood in Pakistan. Socioeconomic challenges and limited healthcare access contribute to these challenges, highlighting the need for long-term follow-ups with integrated neurodevelopment assessments.

Predictive Value of Inflammatory Markers NLR, PLR, APRI, SII, and Liver Function Tests in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Detection in Full-Term Newborns

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in full-term newborns. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Derived Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (dNLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Ratio (NLPR), AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) in identifying the risk for SIRS development in full-term newborns. Conducted between January 2023 and January 2024, this observational cohort study compared full-term newborns diagnosed with SIRS with newborns without SIRS, measuring the inflammatory markers within the first day of life and three days post-birth. The study included 229 newborns, 81 with SIRS and 148 controls without SIRS. Statistically significant differences were observed in NLR (3.81 vs. 2.20, p < 0.0001), PLR (68.12 vs. 52.30, p < 0.0001), and liver enzymes (AST 40.96 U/L vs. 31.58 U/L, ALT 34.66 U/L vs. 22.46 U/L, both p < 0.0001) between the groups. The NLPR demonstrated substantial diagnostic value, with a sensitivity of 78.36% and specificity of 83.52% at 72 h (p < 0.0001). Regression analysis highlighted that the NLPR and SII were strongly predictive of SIRS, with the NLPR showing over three-times higher SIRS risk (HR 3.29, p < 0.0001) and SII indicating nearly 3.5 times the risk (HR 3.47, p < 0.0001). The NLPR, APRI, and SII showed similar prediction values to CRP levels measured on the first and third days of life (HR 3.16). Inflammatory markers like NLR, PLR, and systemic indices such as NLPR and SII, alongside liver function tests, are significant predictors of SIRS in full-term newborns. These findings support the integration of these markers into routine neonatal care, allowing for early identification and potentially improved management of newborns at risk for SIRS, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes.

The monocyte-derived cytokine response in whole blood from preterm newborns against sepsis-related bacteria is similar to term newborns and adults

Introduction

Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated innate immune response. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns, in particular for newborns that are born premature. Although previous literature indicate that the pro-inflammatory response may be impaired in preterm newborns, serum levels of monocyte-derived cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, vary highly between newborns and can reach adult-like concentrations during sepsis. These contradictory observations and the severe consequences of neonatal sepsis in preterm newborns highlight the need for a better understanding of the pro-inflammatory cytokine response of preterm newborns to improve sepsis-related outcomes.

Methods and results

Using an in vitro model with multiple read outs at the transcriptional and protein level, we consistently showed that the monocyte-derived cytokine response induced by sepsis-related bacteria is comparable between preterm newborns, term newborns and adults. We substantiated these findings by employing recombinant Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and showed that the activation of specific immune pathways, including the expression of TLRs, is also similar between preterm newborns, term newborns and adults. Importantly, we showed that at birth the production of TNF-α and IL-6 is highly variable between individuals and independent of gestational age.

Discussion

These findings indicate that preterm newborns are equally capable of mounting a pro-inflammatory response against a broad range of bacterial pathogens that is comparable to term newborns and adults. Our results provide a better understanding of the pro-inflammatory response by preterm newborns and could guide the development of interventions that specifically modulate the pro-inflammatory response during sepsis in preterm newborns.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endotoxin and Endotoxin Binding Protein in Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of endotoxin and endotoxin binding protein (EBP) for the diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) and compare it with the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP).

METHODS

This diagnostic study of neonates, both term and preterm, with clinical suspicion of LOS was conducted in a tertiary care institute in India between January 2021 and March 2023. Blood samples were collected for evaluating endotoxin and EBP along with culture. Endotoxin and EBP were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, CRP was measured by nephelometry method, and the results were compared with blood culture done with BACTEC (gold standard).

RESULTS

Out of 160 samples, 73 showed culture positivity. Endotoxin was positive in 81 samples and showed sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 78% and diagnostic accuracy of 81% (AUC 0.837, P value <0.001). EBP was positive in 82 samples and showed sensitivity of 80.8%, specificity of 73% and diagnostic accuracy of 76% (AUC 0.824, P value <0.001). CRP was positive in 105 samples and had sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 51% and diagnostic accuracy of 67% (AUC 0.827, P value <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed endotoxin and EBP have higher specificity for diagnosing neonatal sepsis. As culture takes minimum 48 h, endotoxin and EBP can be utilized as biomarkers for diagnosis of sepsis.

Maternal inflammation regulates fetal emergency myelopoiesis

Neonates are highly susceptible to inflammation and infection. Here, we investigate how late fetal liver (FL) mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) respond to inflammation, testing the hypothesis that deficits in the engagement of emergency myelopoiesis (EM) pathways limit neutrophil output and contribute to perinatal neutropenia. We show that fetal HSPCs have limited production of myeloid cells at steady state and fail to activate a classical adult-like EM transcriptional program. Moreover, we find that fetal HSPCs can respond to EM-inducing inflammatory stimuli in vitro but are restricted by maternal anti-inflammatory factors, primarily interleukin-10 (IL-10), from activating EM pathways in utero. Accordingly, we demonstrate that the loss of maternal IL-10 restores EM activation in fetal HSPCs but at the cost of fetal demise. These results reveal the evolutionary trade-off inherent in maternal anti-inflammatory responses that maintain pregnancy but render the fetus unresponsive to EM activation signals and susceptible to infection.

An Overview of Antibiotic Therapy for Early- and Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis: Current Strategies and Future Prospects

Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome mainly associated with a bacterial infection leading to severe clinical manifestations that could be associated with fatal sequalae. According to the time of onset, neonatal sepsis is categorized as early- (EOS) or late-onset sepsis (LOS). Despite blood culture being the gold standard for diagnosis, it has several limitations, and early diagnosis is not immediate. Consequently, most infants who start empirical antimicrobial therapy do not have an underlying infection. Despite stewardship programs partially reduced this negative trend, in neonatology, antibiotic overuse still persists, and it is associated with several relevant problems, the first of which is the increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Starting with these considerations, we performed a narrative review to summarize the main findings and the future prospects regarding antibiotics use to treat neonatal sepsis. Because of the impact on morbidity and mortality that EOS and LOS entail, it is essential to start an effective and prompt treatment as soon as possible. The use of targeted antibiotics is peremptory as soon as the pathogen in the culture is detected. Although prompt therapy is essential, it should be better assessed whether, when and how to treat neonates with antibiotics, even those at higher risk. Considering that we are certainly in the worrying era defined as the "post-antibiotic era", it is still essential and urgent to define novel strategies for the development of antibacterial compounds with new targets or mechanisms of action. A future strategy could also be to perform well-designed studies to develop innovative algorithms for improving the etiological diagnosis of infection, allowing for more personalized use of the antibiotics to treat EOS and LOS.

Safety and efficacy of whole-body chlorhexidine gluconate cleansing with or without emollient in hospitalised neonates (NeoCHG): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, factorial pilot trial

Background

Healthcare-associated infections account for substantial neonatal in-hospital mortality. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) whole body skin application could reduce sepsis by lowering bacterial colonisation density, although safety and optimal application regimen is unclear. Emollients, including sunflower oil, may independently improve skin condition, thereby reducing sepsis. We aimed to inform which concentration and frequency of CHG, with or without emollient, would best balance safety and the surrogate marker of efficacy of reduction in bacterial colonisation, to be taken forward in a future pragmatic trial evaluating clinical outcomes of sepsis and mortality.

Methods

In this multicentre, randomised, open-label, factorial pilot trial, neonates in two hospital sites (South Africa, Bangladesh) aged 1-6 days with gestational age ≥ 28 weeks and birthweight 1000-1999 g were randomly assigned in a factorial design stratified by site to three different concentrations of CHG (0.5%, 1%, and 2%), with or without emollient (sunflower oil) applied on working days vs alternate working days. A control arm received neither product. Caregivers were unblinded although laboratory staff were blinded to randomisation Co-primary outcomes were safety (change in neonatal skin condition score incorporating dryness, erythema, and skin breakdown) and efficacy in reducing bacterial colonisation density (change in total skin bacterial log10 CFU from randomisation to day-3 and day-8). The trial is registered at the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 69836999.

Findings

Between Apr 12 2021 and Jan 18 2022, 208 infants were randomised and 198 were included in the final analysis. Skin condition scores were low with mean 0.1 (sd = 0.3; N = 208) at baseline, 0.1 (sd = 0.3; N = 199) at day 3 and 0.1 (sd = 0.3; N = 189) at day 8, with no evidence of differences between concentration (1% CHG vs 0.5% estimate = -0.3, 95% CI = (-1.2, 0.6), p = 0.55. 2% CHG vs 0.5% CHG estimate = 0.5 (-0.4, 1.4), p = 0.30), increasing frequency (estimate = -0.4; 95% CI = (-1.1, 0.4), p = 0.33), emollient (estimate = -0.5, (-1.2, 0.3), p = 0.23) or with control (estimate = -0.9, (-2.3, 0.4), p = 0.18). Mean log10 CFU was 4.9 (sd = 3.0; N = 208) at baseline, 6.3 (sd = 3.1; N = 198) at day 3 and 8.4 (sd = 2.6; N = 183) with no evidence of differences between concentration (1% CHG vs 0.5% estimate = -0.4; 95% CI = (-1.1, 0.23); p = 0.23. 2% CHG vs 0.5% CHG estimate = 0.0 (-0.6, 0.6), p = 0.96), with increasing frequency (estimate = -0.4; 95% CI = (-0.9, 0.2); p = 0.17), with emollient (estimate = 0.4, 95% CI = (-0.2, 0.9); p = 0.18) or with control (estimate = -0.2, 95% CI = (-1.3, 0.9); p = 0.73). By day-8, overall 158/183 (86%) of neonates were colonised with Enterobacterales, and 72/183 (39%) and 69/183 (9%) with Klebsiella spp resistant to third-generation cephalosporin and carbapenems, respectively. There were no CHG-related SAEs, emollient-related SAEs, grade 3 or 4 skin scores or grade 3 or 4 hypothermias.

Interpretation

In this pilot trial of CHG with or without sunflower oil, no safety issues were identified, and further trials examining clinical outcomes are warranted. The relatively late start application of emollient, at a mean of 3.8 days of life, may have reduced the impact of the intervention although no subgroup effects were detected. There was no clear evidence in favour of a specific concentration of chlorhexidine, and there was rapid colonisation with Enterobacterales with frequent antimicrobial resistance, regardless of skin application regimen.

Funding

The MRC Joint Applied Global Health award, the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), MRC Clinical Trials Unit core funding (UKRI) and St. George's, University of London.

High Incidence Rates of Early-onset Bacterial Sepsis in Infants Born in Two Brazilian Maternities: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Data on the burden and etiology of neonatal early-onset bacterial sepsis (EOBS) in low-to-middle-income countries are scarce. Surveillance is critical for optimizing prevention and treatment strategies. We aimed to estimate the incidence of EOBS in 2 large Brazilian cohorts of neonates.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively obtained from 33,794 neonates born between 2009 and 2017 at low-risk (n = 17,981) and high-risk maternity centers (n = 15,813). Blood cultures were taken within 72 hours of life from neonates with perinatal risk factors for EOBS or suspected EOBS. A positive blood culture for a pathogenic microorganism and a compatible clinical evolution confirmed the diagnosis of EOBS.

RESULTS

One-third of the infants born from high-risk and 18.5% from low-risk maternities were investigated for EOBS. Overall, EOBS was more incident in neonates born in the high-risk facilities [66 cases or 4.2/1000 (95% CI: 3.2-5.3)] than in the low-risk facilities [24 cases or 1.3/1000 (95% CI: 0.9-2.0)]. The incidence rate of EOBS increased with decreasing gestational age (<32 weeks: 20.5/1000; 32-36 weeks: 5.6/1000; ≥37 weeks: 1.5/1000). Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was the agent more frequently identified in high-risk and low-risk maternities: 1.8/1000 (95% CI: 1.1-2.4) and 0.4/1000 (95% CI: 0.2-0.9), respectively. EOBS's overall case fatality rate was 17.8% for all the agents and 22% for GBS.

CONCLUSIONS

EOBS remains unacceptably high and is frequently fatal in preterm and term infants cared for in high- or low-risk maternities. Because GBS has emerged as the most frequent causative agent, preventive strategies are urgently needed.

Risk factors of multidrug-resistant organisms neonatal sepsis in Surabaya tertiary referral hospital: a single-center study

BACKGROUND

Bacterial organisms causing neonatal sepsis have developed increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health problem. The spread of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for developing MDRO neonatal sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), dr. Ramelan Navy Central Hospital, in 2020-2022.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed on 113 eligible neonates. Patients whose blood cultures were positive for bacterial growth and diagnosed with sepsis were selected as the study sample. Univariate and multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression were performed to find the associated risk factors for developing multidrug-resistant organism neonatal sepsis. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Multidrug-resistant organisms were the predominant aetiology of neonatal sepsis (91/113, 80.5%). The significant risk factors for developing MDRO neonatal sepsis were lower birth weight (OR: 1.607, 95% CI: 1.003 - 2.576, p-value: 0.049), history of premature rupture of the membrane (ProM) ≥ 18 (OR: 3.333, 95% CI: 2.047 - 5.428, p-value < 0.001), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.512 - 3.717, p-value < 0.001), longer hospital stays (OR: 5.067, 95% CI: 2.912 - 8.815, p-value < 0.001), lower Apgar scores (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.442 - 3.512, p-value < 0.001), and the use of respiratory support devices, such as invasive ventilation (OR: 2.687, 95% CI: 1.514 - 4.771, p-value < 0.001), and non-invasive ventilation (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.097 - 3.645, p-value: 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study determined various risk factors for multidrug-resistance organism neonatal sepsis and underscored the need to improve infection control practices to reduce the existing burden of drug-resistant sepsis. Low-birth-weight, a maternal history of premature rupture of the membrane lasting more than 18 hours, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, longer hospital stays, a low Apgar score, and the use of ventilators were the risk factors for developing drug-resistant neonatal sepsis.

Application of Advanced Molecular Methods to Study Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a global health issue, considered one of the primary causes of neonatal mortality. Diagnosis of EOS is challenging because its clinical signs are nonspecific, and blood culture, which is the current gold-standard diagnostic tool, has low sensitivity. Commonly used biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis, including C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6, lack specificity for infection. Due to the disadvantages of blood culture and other common biomarkers, ongoing efforts are directed towards identifying innovative molecular approaches to diagnose neonates at risk of sepsis. This review aims to gather knowledge and recent research on these emerging molecular methods. PCR-based techniques and unrestricted techniques based on 16S rRNA sequencing and 16S-23S rRNA gene interspace region sequencing offer several advantages. Despite their potential, these approaches are not able to replace blood cultures due to several limitations; however, they may prove valuable as complementary tests in neonatal sepsis diagnosis. Several microRNAs have been evaluated and have been proposed as diagnostic biomarkers in EOS. T2 magnetic resonance and bioinformatic analysis have proposed potential biomarkers of neonatal sepsis, though further studies are essential to validate these findings.

Hierarchical Predictors of Mortality in Neonatal Sepsis at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Background

Neonatal sepsis made the neonatal period the most perilous time for child survival, and it continued to cause preventable mortalities worldwide. These mortalities stem from the interaction of several factors that have not been sufficiently studied and, in some cases, remain overlooked. Thus, the study aims to investigate the predictors of mortality that arise from the interaction of these factors and quantitatively determine their etiologic fraction.

Methods

A case-control study with hierarchical data input was conducted at Jimma Medical Center (JMC) in Oromia, Ethiopia, spanning from May 2022 to July 2023. It employed logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The model adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for variables within each level and farther levels and presented an etiologic fraction (EF), indicating the proportion of neonatal mortality attributable to specific factors.

Results

The analysis of 67 cases and 268 controls unveiled significant predictors of mortality in sepsis that emerged from distal, intermediate, and proximal levels. In the final model, thus, rural residence [AOR 3.1; 95% CI (1.5, 6.3), p ≤ 0.01], prolonged labor [AOR 4.5; 95% CI (2.2, 9.3), p ≤ 0.01], prematurity [AOR 3.9; 95% CI (1.9, 7.9), P ≤ 0.0], gram-negative bacteremia [AOR 3.8; 95% CI (1.9, 7.6); P ≤ 0.01], convulsion [AOR 3.2; 95% CI (1.6, 6.4); P ≤ 0.03], low birth weight [AOR 2.7; 95% CI (1.3, 5.4); P≤0.01], and delayed breastfeeding [AOR 2.5; 95% CI (1.2, 4.9); P ≤ 0.01] attributed a variable percentage of mortality.

Conclusion

Factors emerging and interacting at distal (residence), intermediate (prolonged labor), and proximal (prematurity, birth weight, convulsion, bacterial etiology, and feeding) levels influence neonatal mortality in sepsis at JMC. Therefore, concurrently improving rural family characteristics, managing labor duration, strengthening diagnostic stewardship, and promoting essential newborn care can actively prevent and reduce these mortalities.

Incidence of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants in the three high-burden countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of a large, multi-country, multi-centre clinical trial

Background

Neonatal infections are a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the infection-related deaths in under-five children occur. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest mortality rates, but there is a lack of data on the incidence of sepsis from this region, hindering efforts to improve child survival. We aimed to determine the incidence of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants in three high-burden countries in Africa.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from the African Neonatal Sepsis (AFRINEST) trial, conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Nigeria between 15 March 2012 and 15 July 2013. We recorded baseline characteristics, the incidence of PSBI (as defined by the World Health Organization), and the incidence of local infections among infants from 0-59 days after birth. We report descriptive statistics.

Results

The incidence of PSBI among 0-59-day-old infants across all three countries was 11.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.0-11.4). The DRC had the highest incidence of PSBI (19.0%; 95% CI = 18.2-19.8). Likewise, PSBI rates were higher in low birth weight infants (24.5%; 95% CI = 23.1-26.0) and infants born to mothers aged <20 years (14.1%; 95% CI = 13.4-14.8). The incidence of PSBI was higher among infants delivered at home (11.7%; 95% CI = 11.4-12.0).

Conclusions

The high burden of PSBI among young infants in DRC, Kenya, and Nigeria demonstrates the importance of addressing PSBI in improving child survival in sub-Saharan Africa to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These data can support government authorities, policymakers, programme implementers, non-governmental organisations, and international partners in reducing preventable under-five deaths.

Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000286044.

Thromboelastometry and prediction of in-hospital mortality in neonates with sepsis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed at evaluating the role of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) assays in the prediction of in-hospital mortality of neonates with sepsis.

METHODS

Over a 6-year period, 129 neonates with confirmed sepsis, hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included in the study. Demographics, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded at the sepsis onset and ROTEM assays were performed. Modified neonatal multiple organ dysfunction (NEOMOD) and neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) were calculated simultaneously. Mortality during in-hospital stay was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was associated with patient intense hypocoagulability expressed by lower ROTEM MCF in the INTEM assay. The INTEM MCF demonstrated the best prognostic performance for NICU mortality in septic neonates among the other ROTEM parameters but without statistical significance (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.731; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.593-0.869).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that ROTEM INTEM MCF parameter has good predictive capacity for in-hospital mortality of septic neonates, similar to that of modified NEOMOD score, nSOFA score, and platelet count, highlighting the integral role of coagulation in sepsis pathophysiology. Hence, ROTEM could serve as a valuable monitoring tool to identify neonates at risk.

Time to Positivity of Blood Culture as a Predictor of Causative Pathogens and Survival in Neonatal Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Indonesia

Objectives

In the blood culture procedure for neonatal sepsis, time to positivity (TTP) reflects the pathogenic bacterial load and the time required for empirical antibiotic regimen administration prior to definitive treatment. This study aims to identify the differences in TTP among causative pathogens and its predictive value for the overall survival of neonates with sepsis at a tertiary healthcare center in Indonesia.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to August 2022 at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Neonates with blood culture-proven neonatal sepsis were included in the analysis. TTP was defined as the time between the acceptance of a blood culture specimen from the neonatal intensive care unit and reports of positive culture growth by the laboratory.

Results

Across 125 cases, the median TTP was 58.1 hours (IQR = 24.48). Blood cultures were positive within 48 hours for 41.6% of cases, 72 hours for 86.4%, and 96 hours for 98.4%. A significantly shorter TTP was exhibited by the three major gram-negative organisms (Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Enterobacter cloacae) compared to coagulase-negative Staphylococci. The neonatal sepsis mortality rate was 49.6% during the study period. In the Cox multivariate regression model, a shorter TTP was an independently predicted mortality in the entire cohort (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.985, 95% CI: 0.973-0.998) and the gram-negative sepsis cohort group (HR = 0.983, 95% CI: 0.968-0.999).

Conclusions

TTP predicts different causative pathogens and the overall survival of neonatal sepsis cases at a tertiary healthcare facility in Indonesia.

Neonatal sepsis as a cause of retinopathy of prematurity: An etiological explanation

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a complex neonatal disorder with multiple contributing factors. In this paper we have mounted the evidence in support of the proposal that neonatal sepsis meets all requirements for being a cause of ROP (not a condition, mechanism, or even innocent bystander) by means of initiating the early stages of the pathomechanism of ROP occurrence, systemic inflammation. We use the model of etiological explanation, which distinguishes between two overlapping processes in ROP causation. It can be shown that sepsis can initiate the early stages of the pathomechanism via systemic inflammation (causation process) and that systemic inflammation can contribute to growth factor aberrations and the retinal characteristics of ROP (disease process). The combined contribution of these factors with immaturity at birth (as intrinsic risk modifier) and prenatal inflammation (as extrinsic facilitator) seems to provide a cogent functional framework of ROP occurrence. Finally, we apply the Bradford Hill heuristics to the available evidence. Taken together, the above suggests that neonatal sepsis is a causal inducer of ROP.

Long-term impact of serious neonatal bacterial infections on neurodevelopment

BACKGROUND

Neonatal bacterial infections have long been recognized as an important cause of acute morbidity and mortality, but long-term neurodevelopmental consequences have not been comprehensively described and discussed.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to summarize evidence on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and epidemiology of long-term sequelae after neonatal bacterial sepsis and meningitis. We also discuss approaches for future studies to quantify the public health impact of neonatal infection-associated neurodevelopmental impairment.

SOURCES

We identified studies, both research articles and reviews, which provide mechanistic information on the long-term disease, as well as epidemiological studies that describe the frequency of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with and, for comparison, without a history of neonatal bacterial infection. Tools currently used in clinical practice and research settings to assess neurodevelopmental impairment were also reviewed.

CONTENT

We first enumerate potential direct and indirect mechanisms that can lead to brain injury following neonatal infections. We then discuss summary data, either frequencies or measures of association, from epidemiological studies. Risk factors that predict long-term outcomes are also described. Finally, we describe clinical approaches for identifying children with neurodevelopmental impairment and provide an overview of common diagnostic tools.

IMPLICATIONS

The limited number of studies that describe the long-term consequences of neonatal infections, often undertaken in high-income settings and using variable designs and diagnostic tools, are not sufficient to inform clinical practice and policy prioritization. Multi-country studies with follow-up into adolescence, standardized diagnostic approaches, and local comparator groups are needed, especially in low and middle-income countries where the incidence of neonatal sepsis is high.

Neonatal early-onset sepsis calculator: Impact on antibiotic use in a level II neonatal unit in Western Australia

BACKGROUND

Overuse of empirical intravenous antibiotics in neonates in high-income countries (HICs) is well documented. The Kaiser Permanente neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) calculator is an evidence-based sepsis risk assessment tool that has demonstrated potential to reduce antibiotic usage in this population. The incidence of early-onset sepsis in most HICs is 0.4-0.8 per 1000 live births. The objective was to evaluate the calculator's impact on antibiotic rates and length of stay in a regional level II Special Care Nursery.

METHODS

A single-centre retrospective cohort study compared antibiotic administration rates in the first 72 h in neonates ≥35 weeks gestation born during two 6-month periods in 2019 (pre-EOS calculator) and 2021 (post-EOS calculator). Electronic and paper case records were accessed to capture data. Continuous data were summarised using mean and standard deviation, and categorical data were summarized using frequency distributions. There were 951 (2019) and 1129 (2021) infants born during the study periods.

RESULTS

Following implementation of the calculator, antibiotic exposure decreased from 13.7% to 4.7% of all neonates without reported negative outcomes. Mean length of stay for neonates born across the two periods decreased from 2.38 to 2.13 days. Indications for antibiotic use shifted more towards clinical condition and away from obstetric risk factors. There were no culture-proven cases of sepsis or readmissions with EOS in either period.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the EOS calculator significantly reduced exposure to antibiotics, without adverse outcomes.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Considerations of Antibiotic Use in Neonates

The selection of an appropriate dose of a given antibiotic for a neonate not only requires knowledge of the drug's basic pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties but also the profound effects that organ development might have on the volume of distribution and clearance, both of which may affect the PK/PD of a drug. Interest has grown in alternative antibiotic dosing strategies that are better aligned with the antibiotic's PK and PD properties. These strategies should be used in conjunction with minimum inhibitory concentration measurements and therapeutic drug monitoring to measure their potential success. They can also guide the clinician in tailoring the delivery of antibiotics to suit an individual patient's needs. Model-informed precision dosing, such as Bayesian forecasting dosing software (which incorporates PK/PD population models), may be utilized to optimize antibiotic exposure in neonatal populations. Consequently, optimizing the antibiotic dose and exposure in each newborn requires expertise in different fields. It drives the collaboration of physicians together with lab technicians and quantitative clinical pharmacologists.

Current insight on the mechanisms of programmed cell death in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection, leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. It is a high-fatality condition associated with a complex interplay of immune and inflammatory responses that can cause severe harm to vital organs. Sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMI), as a severe complication of sepsis, significantly affects the prognosis of septic patients and shortens their survival time. For the sake of better administrating hospitalized patients with sepsis, it is necessary to understand the specific mechanisms of SIMI. To date, multiple studies have shown that programmed cell death (PCD) may play an essential role in myocardial injury in sepsis, offering new strategies and insights for the therapeutic aspects of SIMI. This review aims to elucidate the role of cardiomyocyte's programmed death in the pathophysiological mechanisms of SIMI, with a particular focus on the classical pathways, key molecules, and signaling transduction of PCD. It will explore the role of the cross-interaction between different patterns of PCD in SIMI, providing a new theoretical basis for multi-target treatments for SIMI.

Improving the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis in Resource-Limited Settings: Gaps and Recommendations

Neonatal sepsis causes significant global morbidity and mortality, with the highest burden in resource-limited settings where 99% of neonatal deaths occur. There are multiple challenges to achieving successful treatment of neonates in this setting. Firstly, reliable and low-cost strategies for risk identification are urgently needed to facilitate treatment as early as possible. Improved laboratory capacity to allow identification of causative organisms would support antimicrobial stewardship. Antibiotic treatment is still hampered by availability, but also increasingly by antimicrobial resistance - making surveillance of organisms and judicious antibiotic use a priority. Finally, supportive care is key in the management of the neonate with sepsis and has been underrecognized as a priority in resource-limited settings. This includes fluid balance and nutritional support in the acute phase, and follow-up care in order to mitigate complications and optimise long-term outcomes. There is much more work to be done in identifying the holistic needs of neonates and their families to provide effective family-integrated interventions and complete the package of neonatal sepsis management in resource-limited settings.

Retrospective review of bacteriological profiles and antibiogram in a tertiary neonatal unit

Background

Neonatal sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early detection and initiation of appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy are crucial.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the antibiogram of the neonatal intensive care unit at Grey's Hospital, a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.

Method

This was a retrospective descriptive study, reviewing positive cultures from Grey's Hospital tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for a 3-year period (01 January 2017 to 31 December 2019). All positive cultures from all sites were included.

Results

There were 1314 positive organisms cultured. Late-onset sepsis (89.3%) predominated over early-onset sepsis (10.7%). Blood was the source for 55.2% (725/1314) of positive cultures. Of the 1314 organisms cultured, 53.7% (706/1314) were Gram-positive, 45.7% (601/1314) were Gram-negative and 0.5% (7/1314) were Candida species. Klebsiella pneumoniae, 23.5% (313/1314) was the most frequent Gram-negative organism. It was noted to have high resistance to the unit's first-line antibiotic regimens; 99% were resistant to ampicillin and 92% resistant to gentamicin.

Conclusion

Blood cultures yielded most positive results with a predominance of Gram-positive organisms and late-onset sepsis. A significant proportion of the cultured organisms were resistant to the first-line antimicrobials utilised in the unit, ampicillin and gentamicin.

Contribution

Ongoing surveillance on positive cultures is recommended to assess the effectiveness of the unit's current empirical antimicrobial guideline.

Clinical Utility of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein in the Management of Neonatal Sepsis in a Resource-Limited Nigerian Hospital

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is an invasive infection of the bloodstream in neonates and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among them.

AIM

To investigate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the management of neonatal sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective case-control study over one-year period using convenience sampling. Blood samples for PCT and CRP were taken from all neonates, while blood culture and white blood cell count samples were additionally taken from babies with neonatal sepsis. PCT and CRP were repeated at 24 and 48 hours. The continuous variables were found to have a nonparametric distribution. They were presented as median and interquartile range, and compared using Wilcoxon signed rank and Friedman test as appropriate.

RESULTS

The blood culture analysis yielded a prevalence of 12.7% with Staphylococcus aureus being the commonest organism. Baseline concentrations of PCT (1.28 ng/ml) and CRP (17.31 mg/L) in neonates with sepsis were higher than that of controls (PCT-0.63 ng/ml, CRP-5.40 mg/L). PCT concentrations decreased after two days of antibiotic treatment, while CRP concentrations decreased after a day. The concentration of both decreased to normal levels after two days of treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that CRP was more reliable in monitoring antibiotic therapy, unlike other studies which suggested PCT. In cases where the management of neonatal sepsis may be limited by a low blood culture yield, therapeutic monitoring may be aided by CRP and/or PCT.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria from sepsis suspected neonates at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, especially in low and middle-income countries. Continuous monitoring of pathogens and their antibiotic resistance pattern is crucial for managing neonatal sepsis. This study aimed to determine neonatal sepsis due to bacteria, antibiotic resistance patterns, associated risk factors and patient outcomes at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College.

METHOD

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 neonates suspected of sepsis at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College from March 2020 to July 2020. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information, clinical parameters and potential risk factors from study participants. About 2ml of blood was drawn aseptically and inoculated into Tryptone Soya Broth at the patient's bedside. Bacterial identification was performed by using standard microbiological techniques. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of each isolated bacteria. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess associated risk factors of neonatal sepsis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statically significant with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of neonatal septicemia was 21% (84/400). Of these, 67 (79.8%) and 17 (20.2%) were gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Klebsiella spp, 37 (44%), E. coli 19 (21.6%) and Coagulase negative Staphylococci 13 (15.47%) were the leading cause of neonatal sepsis. Ciprofloxacin and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics for gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Multidrug resistance was observed in 84% of the bacterial isolates. Low birth weight and preterm were associated with neonatal septicemia (AOR = 49.90, 95% CI = 15.14-123.081, P = 0.002) and (AOR = 18.20, 95% CI = 6.835-27.541, P = 0.004) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Klebsiella spp and E. coli were frequently isolated bacteria in our study. The proportion of multidrug-resistance was significantly high. Most isolated bacteria were resistant to ampicillin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and gentamycin, which indicates the necessity of continuous evaluation of antibiotic resistance rate.

Viscoelastic coagulation testing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: advantages and pitfalls in clinical practice

The expression "developmental hemostasis" indicates the age-related physiological changes occurring during the maturational process of the hemostatic system. Despite the quantitative and qualitative alterations, the neonatal hemostatic system is competent and well-balanced. Conventional coagulation tests do not provide reliable information as they only explore the procoagulants during the neonatal period. In contrast, viscoelastic coagulation tests (VCTs), such as viscoelastic coagulation monitoring (VCM), thromboelastography (TEG or ClotPro), and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), are point-of-care assays that provide a quick, dynamic and global view of the hemostatic process, allowing prompt and individualized therapeutic intervention when necessary. Their use in neonatal care is on the increase and they could help monitor patients at risk of hemostatic derangement. In addition, they are crucial for anticoagulation monitoring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Moreover, implementing VCT-based monitoring could optimize blood product use.

Trends and spatial distribution of neonatal sepsis, Uganda, 2016-2020

BACKGROUND

In Uganda, sepsis is the third-leading cause of neonatal deaths. Neonatal sepsis can be early-onset sepsis (EOS), which occurs ≤ 7 days postpartum and is usually vertically transmitted from the mother to newborn during the intrapartum period, or late-onset sepsis (LOS), occurring 8-28 days postpartum and largely acquired from the hospital environment or community. We described trends and spatial distribution of neonatal sepsis in Uganda, 2016-2020.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive incidence study using routinely-reported surveillance data on in-patient neonatal sepsis from the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2) during 2016-2020. We calculated incidence of EOS, LOS, and total sepsis as cases per 1,000 live births (LB) at district (n = 136), regional (n = 4), and national levels, as well as total sepsis incidence by health facility level. We used logistic regression to evaluate national and regional trends and illustrated spatial distribution using choropleth maps.

RESULTS

During 2016-2020, 95,983 neonatal sepsis cases were reported, of which 71,262 (74%) were EOS. Overall neonatal sepsis incidence was 17.4/1,000 LB. EOS increased from 11.7 to 13.4 cases/1,000 LB with an average yearly increase of 3% (p < 0.001); LOS declined from 5.7 to 4.3 cases/1,000 LB with an average yearly decrease of 7% (p < 0.001). Incidence was highest at referral hospitals (68/1,000 LB) and lowest at Health Center IIs (1.3/1,000 LB). Regionally, total sepsis increased in Central (15.5 to 23.0/1,000 LB, p < 0.001) and Northern regions (15.3 to 22.2/1,000 LB, p < 0.001) but decreased in Western (23.7 to 17.0/ 1,000 LB, p < 0.001) and Eastern (15.0 to 8.9/1,000, p < 0.001) regions.

CONCLUSION

The high and increasing incidence of EOS in Uganda suggests a major gap in sepsis prevention and quality of care for pregnant women. The heterogenous distribution of neonatal sepsis incidence requires root cause analysis by health authorities in regions with consistently high incidence. Strengthening prevention and treatment interventions in Central and Northern regions, and in the most affected districts, could reduce neonatal sepsis. Employment of strategies which increase uptake of safe newborn care practices and prevent neonatal sepsis, such as community health worker (CHW) home visits for mothers and newborns, could reduce incidence.

Epidemiologic features of neonatal sepsis and its COVID-19 associated temporal patterns in Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia: A Joinpoint regression analysis

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates across all regions, including Africa. Compared to developed and some developing countries, there are relatively few epidemiological trends for neonatal sepsis and associated patterns with COVID-19 in Ethiopia. We modeled an epidemiological trend and pattern to aid in the monitoring of changes in neonatal sepsis.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected from all admissions to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Ethiopia at Jimma Medical Center between May 2019 and April 2022. We analyzed the monthly neonatal sepsis incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rates using STATA software. Finally, we modeled a monthly time series of neonatal sepsis incidence trends and patterns associated with the COVID-19-impacted period using Joinpoint software. For all analyses, a P value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

In the 36 months, 6796 cases were admitted to the NICU, with a 9.5% (95% CI: 9.1, 10.0) incidence rate of neonatal sepsis. The overall admission mortality rate was 16.5% (95% CI: 13.6, 19.8), while sepsis-attributed mortality was 7.1% (95% CI: 5.8, 8.5). The data showed an unstable decreasing trend for three Joinpoints (August 2020, December 2020, and August 2021). Notably, a decrease in the incidence trend was observed from May 2019 to August 2020 (MPC, -4.1; 95% CI: -7.6, -0.5; P = 0.03), followed by a sharp increase (MPC, 23.7; 95% CI: -13.8, 77.7; P = 0.24) from August 2020 to December 2020. From December 2020 to August 2021, there was again a decreasing trend (MPC, -13.8; 95% CI: -23.3, -3.5; P = 0.01), followed by a slight increase from August 2021 to April 2022 (MPC, 4.2; 95% CI: -8.4, 18.6; P = 0.52). Finally, the study revealed an association between patterns of neonatal sepsis incidence trends and COVID-19, with a Joinpoint jump model comparability ratio (CR = 0.43) between pre- and COVID-19-impacted periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal sepsis was prevalent at Jimma Medical Center, but it was on an unstably declining trend. The current results suggest a potential temporal association between the intensity of COVID-19 containment measures and a change in the incidence trend and patterns of neonatal sepsis. However, the quantified contribution of a particular containment measure requires further investigation.

Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Neonates Referred to Pediatric Emergency in North India: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden in low-income and middle-income countries. There is limited prospective data on microorganism profiles and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in outborn newborns referred to pediatric emergency in developing countries. We aimed to assess the pathogen profile and AMR patterns in outborn neonates referred to the pediatric emergency at a tertiary care center.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled neonates with suspected sepsis and sent blood or cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Neonates were followed up daily until discharge or death. The isolated organisms were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Standard definitions were used to define multidrug resistance.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, 1072 outborn neonates with suspected sepsis were enrolled. The rate of proven sepsis was 223.6 (95% CI:198.7-248.4) per 1000 infants. Gram-negative sepsis was the most common (n = 107,10%), followed by gram-positive sepsis (n = 81,7.6%) and fungal sepsis (n = 67,6.3%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 69), Candida spp. (n = 68), Klebsiella spp. (n = 55), Acinetobacter spp . (n = 31) and Escherichia coli (n = 9) were the most common pathogens. Over two-thirds (68.6%) of pathogens were multidrug resistance, with an alarming prevalence in Klebsiella spp. (33/53, 62%), Acinetobacter spp. (25/30, 83%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (54/66, 82%). In total, 124 (11.6%) neonates died in the hospital (13.3% of proven cases and 11.1% of culture-negative sepsis cases).

CONCLUSIONS

High sepsis burden and alarming AMR among neonates referred to tertiary care centers warrant urgent attention toward coordinated implementation of rigorous sepsis prevention measures and antimicrobial stewardship across all healthcare levels.

miRNAs: novel noninvasive biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools in neonatal sepsis

The study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of 3 specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in early-onset neonatal sepsis (NS). We examined miR-1, miR-124, and miR-34a in 70 NS patients upon admission and compared them to 70 healthy controls by RT-PCR. The main finding of the study was the difference in miRNA expression levels between NS patients and controls. Higher expression levels of miR-1 and miR-124 were significantly associated with NS, while miR-34a expression was reduced. Among the studied miRNAs, miR-34a exhibited the highest specificity (97%) as a confirmatory test for NS. In the multivariate model, miR-1 and miR-124 were found to be significant predictors of disease progression or mortality. Overall, the study suggests that miR-1, miR-124, and miR-34a could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting outcomes in early-onset NS.

Trends in Neonatal Mortality at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital, Accra, and the Newborn Strategic Plan: Implications for Reducing Mortality in Hospital and the Community

BACKGROUND

In low and middle-income countries, close to half of the mortality in children under the age of five years occurs in neonates.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the trend, medical conditions and factors associated with newborn deaths at the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital (PML), Accra, from 2014 to 2017 (4 years).

METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional study. Data on age, sex, date of admission, date of discharge, cause of death and place of residence of these babies were obtained from the records department. This was transferred into an Access database and analyzed. Components of the Newborn Strategic Plan implemented at the hospital were described.

RESULTS

Neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and kernicterus were the major causes of death. Admissions increased and 5.4% of the neonates died, declining from 6.5% in 2014 to 4.2% in 2017 due to deliberate actions to reduce neonatal death. The highest mortality occurred in babies residing in an area more than 1 hour's drive away from the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Implementing the Newborn Strategic Plan was associated with a drop in mortality. A preponderance of community-acquired infections was observed. Thus, locality-specific interventions targeted at known determinants and implementing the newborn strategic plan are essential for reducing neonatal mortality.

Antibiotic Use for Sepsis in Hospitalized Neonates in Botswana: Factors Associated with Guideline-Divergent Prescribing

In low- and middle-income countries, where antimicrobial access may be erratic and neonatal sepsis pathogens are frequently multidrug-resistant, empiric antibiotic prescribing practices may diverge from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This study examined antibiotic prescribing for neonatal sepsis at a tertiary referral hospital neonatal unit in Gaborone, Botswana, using data from a prospective cohort of 467 neonates. We reviewed antibiotic prescriptions for the first episode of suspected sepsis, categorized as early-onset (EOS, days 0-3) or late-onset (LOS, >3 days). The WHO prescribing guidelines were used to determine whether antibiotics were "guideline-synchronous" or "guideline-divergent". Logistic regression models examined independent associations between the time of neonatal sepsis onset and estimated gestational age (EGA) with guideline-divergent antibiotic use. The majority (325/470, 69%) were prescribed one or more antibiotics, and 31 (10%) received guideline-divergent antibiotics. Risk factors for guideline-divergent prescribing included neonates with LOS, compared to EOS (aOR [95% CI]: 4.89 (1.81, 12.57)). Prematurity was a risk factor for guideline-divergent prescribing. Every 1-week decrease in EGA resulted in 11% increased odds of guideline-divergent antibiotics (OR [95% CI]: 0.89 (0.81, 0.97)). Premature infants with LOS had higher odds of guideline-divergent prescribing. Studies are needed to define the causes of this differential rate of guideline-divergent prescribing to guide future interventions.

A systematic review of immune-based interventions for perinatal neuroprotection: closing the gap between animal studies and human trials

BACKGROUND

Perinatal infection/inflammation is associated with a high risk for neurological injury and neurodevelopmental impairment after birth. Despite a growing preclinical evidence base, anti-inflammatory interventions have not been established in clinical practice, partly because of the range of potential targets. We therefore systematically reviewed preclinical studies of immunomodulation to improve neurological outcomes in the perinatal brain and assessed their therapeutic potential.

METHODS

We reviewed relevant studies published from January 2012 to July 2023 using PubMed, Medline (OvidSP) and EMBASE databases. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the SYRCLE risk of bias assessment tool (PROSPERO; registration number CRD42023395690).

RESULTS

Forty preclinical publications using 12 models of perinatal neuroinflammation were identified and divided into 59 individual studies. Twenty-seven anti-inflammatory agents in 19 categories were investigated. Forty-five (76%) of 59 studies reported neuroprotection, from all 19 categories of therapeutics. Notably, 10/10 (100%) studies investigating anti-interleukin (IL)-1 therapies reported improved outcome, whereas half of the studies using corticosteroids (5/10; 50%) reported no improvement or worse outcomes with treatment. Most studies (49/59, 83%) did not control core body temperature (a known potential confounder), and 25 of 59 studies (42%) did not report the sex of subjects. Many studies did not clearly state whether they controlled for potential study bias.

CONCLUSION

Anti-inflammatory therapies are promising candidates for treatment or even prevention of perinatal brain injury. Our analysis highlights key knowledge gaps and opportunities to improve preclinical study design that must be addressed to support clinical translation.

Association between vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical outcomes in treating neonatal sepsis

BACKGROUND

Neonatal sepsis is commonly treated with vancomycin in the neonatal intensive care unit. Therapeutic drug monitoring of vancomycin is routinely used to personalise dosing to optimise effectiveness and avoid toxicity.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to define a target range by evaluating associations between vancomycin trough concentrations or area under the concentration time curve over 24 hours (AUC24h) and clinical outcomes in neonates.

METHODS

Neonates, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and received intravenous vancomycin, were included in this retrospective cohort study. For evaluating effectiveness, patients who received vancomycin for < 5 days were excluded. The AUC24h was estimated based on a study-derived population pharmacokinetic model. Primary outcomes were persistent/recurrent infections and mortality within 30 days. Secondary outcomes, including acute kidney injury (AKI), were also assessed. Logistic regression and classification and regression tree analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 448 patients (123 patients for effectiveness analysis) were included. A vancomycin trough > 10 mg/L was associated with 70% lower odds of persistent/recurrent infections (adjusted OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.86; P = 0.023). Patients who took more than a day to reach target range had 1.4 times higher odds of persistent/recurrent infections or death (P = 0.04). A vancomycin trough > 15 mg/L was associated with a three times higher risk of AKI (P = 0.003). An AUC24h of 420-650 mg*h/L was also associated with the lowest risk of composite outcomes (adjusted OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.08-0.86; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

A vancomycin trough target range of 10-15 mg/L and achievement of this target within a day of treatment initiation were associated with the most optimal clinical outcomes in treating neonatal sepsis.

Human Paenibacillus Infections: A Systematic Review with Comparison of Adult and Infant Cases

Neonatal infections due to Paenibacillus species have increasingly been reported over the last few years. We performed a structured literature review of human Paenibacillus infections in infants and adults to compare the epidemiology of infections between these distinct patient populations. Thirty-nine reports describing 176 infections met our inclusion criteria and were included. There were 37 Paenibacillus infections occurring in adults caused by 23 species. The clinical presentations of infections were quite variable. In contrast, infections in infants were caused by only 3 species: P. thiaminolyticus (112/139, 80%), P. alvei (2/139, 1%) and P. dendritiformis (2/139, 1%). All of the infants with Paenibacillus infection presented with a sepsis syndrome or meningitis, often complicated by extensive cerebral destruction and hydrocephalus. Outcomes were commonly poor with 17% (24/139) mortality. Cystic encephalomalacia due to brain destruction was common in both Ugandan and American cases and 92/139 (66%) required surgical management of hydrocephalus following their infection. Paenibacillus infections are likely underappreciated in infants and effective treatments are urgently needed.

A nomogram to predict 28-day mortality in neonates with sepsis: a retrospective study based on the MIMIC-III database

Background

Sepsis is the second-leading cause of death in neonates. We established a predictive nomogram to identify critically ill neonates early and reduce the time to treatment.

Methods

It is a retrospective case-control study based on the MIMIC-III database. The study population comprised 924 neonates diagnosed with sepsis.

Results

Neonates with sepsis included in the MIMIC-III database were enrolled, including 880 surviving neonates and 44 neonates who died. In the derivation dataset, stepwise regression and the Lasso algorithm were employed to select predictive variables, and the neonatal sequential organ failure assessment score (nSOFA) was calculated simultaneously. Bootstrap resampling was utilized to perform internal validation. The results indicated that the Lasso algorithm displayed superior discrimination, sensitivity, and specificity relative to stepwise regression and nSOFA scores. After 500 bootstrap resampling tests, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the Lasso algorithm was 0.912 (95% CI: 0.870-0.977). The nomogram based on the Lasso algorithm outperformed stepwise regression and nSOFA scores in terms of calibration and the clinical net benefit. This nomogram can assist in prognosticating neonatal severe sepsis and aid in guiding clinical practice while concurrently improving patient outcomes.

Conclusions

The established nomogram revealed that jaundice, corticosteroid use, weight, serum calcium, inotropes and base excess are all important predictors of 28-day mortality in neonates with sepsis. This nomogram can facilitate the early identification of neonates with severe sepsis. However, it still requires further modification and external validation to make it widely available.