Predict respiratory distress syndrome by umbilical cord blood gas analysis in newborns with reassuring Apgar score

Comparative analysis of neonatal umbilical cord blood gases across various delivery modes at a referral center

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to address the increasing prevalence of cesarean section and the importance of evaluating newborn health through arterial blood gas analysis. Its primary objective was to compare the umbilical cord blood gas levels in newborns delivered through different delivery methods.

METHOD

This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study included singleton pregnancies with a gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks and infants weighing between 2500 and 4000 g. Newborns with an Apgar score of 7 or higher at 1 and 5 min were included. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from each newborn for blood gas analysis within 60 min after birth.

RESULT

The study included 340 neonates, with 170 born via caesarean section and 170 born through vaginal delivery. No significant differences were observed in Apgar scores between two groups. ABG analysis showed that vaginally born neonates had lower pH (7.24 ± 0.08 vs. 7.27 ± 0.07, P < 0.001), PCO2 (P = 0.015), and HCO3 (P < 0.001). Cesarean section neonates had higher oxygen saturation (P = 0.007) and pressure of oxygen (P < 0.001), and less negative base excess (P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, neonates whose mothers received epidural anesthesia had lower pH (7.23 ± 0.07 vs. 7.25 ± 0.08, P = 0.021) and more negative base excess (P = 0.026). Other parameters of ABG did not differ significantly between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It has been proven that the mode of delivery, whether it is vaginal or cesarean, as well as the administration of epidural anesthesia during vaginal delivery, have a significant impact on newborns at birth. Newborns delivered vaginally exhibit metabolic acidosis compared to those delivered via cesarean section. Although these differences are statistically significant, they do not have a notable clinical significance, as the average values of the evaluated parameters in both groups fall within the normal range.

Umbilical Cord pH Levels and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

Importance

Umbilical cord pH (UC-pH) level is an important objective indicator of intrapartum fetal hypoxia and is used to predict neonatal morbidity and mortality. A UC-pH value of less than 7.00 is often defined as a threshold for severe acidosis, but existing evidence is divergent and largely based on UC-pH measurements from selected populations; consequently, the results are challenging to interpret.

Objective

To investigate the association between UC-pH levels and the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes in a national setting with universal UC-pH measurement.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This national, population-based cohort study included all liveborn, singleton, full-term infants without malformations born in Denmark from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2018. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024.

Exposure

Umbilical cord pH level categorized as less than 7.00, 7.00 to 7.09, 7.10 to 7.19 and 7.20 to 7.50 (reference group).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was a composite of severe adverse neonatal outcomes: neonatal death, therapeutic hypothermia, mechanical ventilation, treatment with inhaled nitric oxide, or seizures. Secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcome, Apgar score, respiratory outcomes, and hypoglycemia. Data are presented as adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) with 95% CIs.

Results

Among the 340 431 infants included, mean (SD) gestational age was 39.9 (1.6) weeks; mean (SD) birth weight was 3561 (480) g; and 51.3% were male. Umbilical cord pH of less than 7.20 was observed more often among infants with a gestational age of 40 or 41 weeks (31.6%-33.6% compared with 18.2%-20.2% at a gestational age of 39 weeks) and among male infants (53.9%-55.4% vs 44.6%-46.1% among female infants). Compared with the pH reference group (576 of 253 540 [0.2%]), the risk for the primary outcome was increased for the groups with UC-pH levels of less than 7.00 (171 of 1743 [9.8%]), 7.00 to 7.09 (101 of 11 904 [0.8%]), and 7.10 to 7.19 (259 of 73 244 [0.4%]). Comparable patterns were observed for the individual outcomes, except for neonatal death, which was only increased in the group with UC-pH levels of less than 7.10. The risk of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure was increased when UC-pH levels were less than 7.20, and the risk of hypoglycemia was 21.5% if UC-pH levels were less than 7.10.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of 340 431 newborn infants, results support and extend previous studies indicating a higher risk of adverse outcomes even at UC-pH levels above 7.00. The threshold for more intensive observation and treatment may be reconsidered.

An Assessment of the Relationships Between Umbilical Cord Blood Gas Analysis, APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) Scores, and Neonatal Outcomes

Introduction Intrapartum hypoxic-ischemic injury is a condition that significantly affects neonatal health and, therefore, needs to be attended to urgently. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis (BGA) results and APGAR (appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration) scores are commonly used to assess birth asphyxia and the severity of neonatal acidemia. In this context, this study was conducted to investigate the correlations of BGA results and APGAR scores with neonatal outcomes to determine the combined value of BGA results and APGAR scores in neonatal health assessment. Methods The sample of this retrospective cohort study consisted of 593 consecutive-term newborns delivered in a tertiary referral center in Turkey between January 2020 and December 2022. All newborns' maternal, delivery, and neonatal characteristics, BGA results, and APGAR scores were analyzed to determine correlations with composite adverse neonatal outcomes. The study's primary outcome was defined as the rate of the composite adverse neonatal outcomes, whereas the secondary outcomes were determined as the impact of maternal and neonatal characteristics on composite neonatal morbidity and the correlation between the one- and five-minute APGAR scores and umbilical cord BGA parameters. Results Of the 593 infants included in the study, 191 (32.2%) infants experienced composite adverse neonatal outcomes, primarily mechanical ventilation (47.7%), followed by respiratory distress/syndrome (35.6%). Significant correlations were detected between composite adverse neonatal outcomes and advanced maternal age (p = 0.025), cesarean section history (p < 0.001), preterm delivery (p < 0.001), lower one- and five-minute APGAR scores (p < 0.001 for both cases), and acidemia severity (p = 0.007). However, the correlations between BGA parameters and APGAR scores were weak (r < 0.2). Conclusion This study investigated the correlations between neonatal mortality and morbidity and maternal factors, delivery characteristics, and fetal features, including one- and five-minute APGAR scores and BGA parameters. Nevertheless, weak correlations between BGA parameters and APGAR scores warrant further comprehensive prospective studies.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in Newborns with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are frequent causes of death and disability in neonates. This study included newborns between January 2021 and July 2022 at the University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Skopje. Up to date criteria for HIE/RDS for term and for preterm infants as well for the severity of HIE/RDS were used in a comprehensive analysis of cranial ultrasonography, neurological status, neonatal infections, Apgar score, bradycardia and hypotension, X-ray of the lungs, FiO2, acid-base status, assisted ventilation and use of surfactant. Three groups were created: HIE with RDS (42 babies), HIE without RDS (30 babies) and RDS without HIE in 38 neonates. All newborns with severe (third) degree of HIE died. Intracranial bleeding was found in 35.7% in the first group and 30% in the second group, and in the third group in 53.3%. The need for surfactant in the HIE group with RDS is 59.5%, and in the RDS group without HIE 84.2%. DIC associated with sepsis was found in 13.1-50% in those groups. In newborns with HIE and bradycardia, the probability of having RDS was on average 3.2 times higher than in those without bradycardia. The application of the surfactant significantly improved the pH, pO2, pCO2, BE and chest X-ray in children with RDS. An Apgar score less than 6 at the fifth minute increases the risk of RDS by 3 times. The metabolic acidosis in the first 24 hours increases the risk of death by 23.6 times. The combination of HIE/ RDS significantly worsens the disease outcome. The use of scoring systems improved the early detection of high risk babies and initiation of early treatment increased the chances for survival without disabilities.

Effect of cord blood double collection method on cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related indices and blood gas analysis

BACKGROUND

Umbilical cord blood has been widely used in clinical transplantation. Blood gas analysis of umbilical cord blood is routinely used to evaluate neonatal asphyxia. This study aimed to evaluate an improved umbilical cord blood collection method that does not affect the results of umbilical cord blood gas analysis and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related indices.

METHODS

Three hundred pregnant women were recruited between December 2019 and August 2022. In total, 270 umbilical cord blood samples were included and randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was defined as the group in which both umbilical cord blood samples for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and blood gas analysis were collected. Group B was defined as the group from which umbilical cord blood was collected for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Group C was defined as that wherein umbilical cord blood was collected only for blood gas analysis. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related indices were detected in groups A and B, and blood gas analysis was performed in groups A and C.

RESULTS

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related indices were not significantly different between groups A and B. The pH, base excess, and lactic acid values were not significantly different between groups A and C.

CONCLUSION

The cord blood double collection method would not affect the results of umbilical cord blood gas analysis and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related indices. It is suitable for cord blood collection when preparing for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and blood gas analysis.

Effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia on anxiety, labor analgesia and motor blocks in women during natural delivery

BACKGROUND

The background of this study was analgesia in natural delivery. The combined spinal-epidural anesthesia has obvious analgesic effect on the parturients in natural labor, and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia has been widely used in anesthesia for various diseases.

AIM

To study the effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia on anxiety, labor analgesia, and motor blocks in parturients during natural delivery.

METHODS

A total of 120 women who gave birth at Changning District Maternal and Child Health Hospital between December 2021 to December 2022 were included; a random number table approach was employed to divide the women into a control group and a joint group, with each group consisting of 60 women. The control group was given epidural anesthesia, while the joint group was given combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of maternal pain. Comparisons were made between the two groups’ conditions of childbirth and the duration of labor. Apgar scores were used to evaluate the status of the newborns at birth; Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) scores, umbilical artery blood gas analysis indices and stress indices were compared between the two groups; and the frequencies of motor block and postpartum complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

In comparison to the control group, in the joint group, the VAS scores for the first, second, and third stages of labor were lower (P < 0.05). The rates of conversion to cesarean section and postpartum blood loss in the joint group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the Apgar score, the duration of the first stage of labor, or the total duration of labor between the two groups (P > 0.05). The second and third stages of labor in the joint group were shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.05). When compared to the control group, the postpartum SAS score of the joint group was lower, while the GSES score was greater (P < 0.05). Between the control group and the joint group, the differences observed in pH, arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, arterial oxygen partial pressure, or arterial hydrogen ion concentration were not significant (P > 0.05). Nitric oxide, cortisol, and adrenaline levels were lower in the joint group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no substantial differences in Bromage grade or rate of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For parturients during natural delivery, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia can reduce anxiety, provide labor analgesia, shorten labor time, and reduce postoperative stress levels but did not result in a motor block.

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Respiratory Distress Syndrome Prediction for Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Korean Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a disease that commonly affects premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed. RDS results from a lack of surfactant in the lungs. The more premature the infant is, the greater is the likelihood of having RDS. However, even though not all premature infants have RDS, preemptive treatment with artificial pulmonary surfactant is administered in most cases.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence model to predict RDS in premature infants to avoid unnecessary treatment.

METHODS

In this study, 13,087 very low birth weight infants who were newborns weighing less than 1500 grams were assessed in 76 hospitals of the Korean Neonatal Network. To predict RDS in very low birth weight infants, we used basic infant information, maternity history, pregnancy/birth process, family history, resuscitation procedure, and test results at birth such as blood gas analysis and Apgar score. The prediction performances of 7 different machine learning models were compared, and a 5-layer deep neural network was proposed in order to enhance the prediction performance from the selected features. An ensemble approach combining multiple models from the 5-fold cross-validation was subsequently developed.

RESULTS

Our proposed ensemble 5-layer deep neural network consisting of the top 20 features provided high sensitivity (83.03%), specificity (87.50%), accuracy (84.07%), balanced accuracy (85.26%), and area under the curve (0.9187). Based on the model that we developed, a public web application that enables easy access for the prediction of RDS in premature infants was deployed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our artificial intelligence model may be useful for preparations for neonatal resuscitation, particularly in cases involving the delivery of very low birth weight infants, as it can aid in predicting the likelihood of RDS and inform decisions regarding the administration of surfactant.

Predicting the need for intubation within 3 h in the neonatal intensive care unit using a multimodal deep neural network

Respiratory distress is a common chief complaint in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite the increasing use of non-invasive ventilation in neonates with respiratory difficulty, some of them require advanced airway support. Delayed intubation is associated with increased morbidity, particularly in urgent unplanned cases. Early and accurate prediction of the need for intubation may provide more time for preparation and increase safety margins by avoiding the late intubation at high-risk infants. This study aimed to predict the need for intubation within 3 h in neonates initially managed with non-invasive ventilation for respiratory distress during the first 48 h of life using a multimodal deep neural network. We developed a multimodal deep neural network model to simultaneously analyze four time-series data collected at 1-h intervals and 19 variables including demographic, physiological and laboratory parameters. Evaluating the dataset of 128 neonates with respiratory distress who underwent non-invasive ventilation, our model achieved an area under the curve of 0.917, sensitivity of 85.2%, and specificity of 89.2%. These findings demonstrate promising results for the multimodal model in predicting neonatal intubation within 3 h.

The value of umbilical artery blood gas analysis in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of fetal distress

To explore the diagnostic specificity and clinical application of neonatal umbilical cord blood gas analysis in the prognosis of fetal distress, and to provide theoretical basis for neonatal rescue. Clinical data of a total of 240 singleton pregnant women and their neonates who delivered in the Obstetrics Department of our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The pregnant women and their newborns were divided into an acute group (acute fetal distress), a chronic group (chronic fetal distress) and a control group (no fetus distress), with 80 cases in each. The umbilical artery blood gas analysis values including power of hydrogen (PH), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂), partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂), bicarbonate radical (HCO₃ ^-), buffer excess (BE) and the Apgar score, as well as the neonatal asphyxia outcome after birth were recorded. There were statistically significant differences in fetal condition, PH and BE between newborns with asphyxia and normal newborns (P<0.05). The incidence of neonatal distress was 1.25% in the control group and 19.38% in the fetal distress group (including acute and chronic groups). Logistic regression analysis found that fetal distress was a risk factor for neonatal asphyxia (Odds Ratio (OR)=11.064, P=0.012). The specificity and sensitivity of neonatal cord blood gas analysis in diagnosing neonatal asphyxia were 95.69% and 80.65%, respectively. The specificity of Apgar score in the diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia was 94.74%, and the sensitivity was 70.97%. The rate of neonatal asphyxia in the chronic fetal distress group (26.25%) was higher than that in the acute fetal distress group (12.5%). The proportion of neonatal severe asphyxia in the chronic fetal distress group (66.67%) was higher than that in the acute group (20%). The PH and BE levels in the chronic fetal distress group were lower than those in the control group and acute fetal distress group (P<0.05). Cord blood gas analysis can help to improve the accuracy of fetal distress diagnosis. Cord blood gas is closely related to neonatal prognosis. Compared with acute fetal distress, chronic fetal distress is more likely to lead to neonatal acidosis and asphyxia.

Inhaled Budesonide in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Near-Term Neonates: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the value of inhaled budesonide (BUD) administration in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) cases especially for near-term neonates.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial involving 120 neonates with respiratory distress, which was diagnosed as RDS, was conducted from July 2016 to March 2018. The neonates studied were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (the inhaled BUD group), consisting of 60 neonates who received BUD (2 mL, 0.25-mg/mL suspension) inhalation, twice daily for 5 days; and group 2 (the placebo group), consisting of 60 neonates with RDS who received humidified distilled sterile water inhalation (2 mL). Downes score, RDS grades, and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were monitored and measured on the first and fifth days of incubation.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences (SSDs) in RDS grades, Downes score, and IL-8 levels on the fifth day of admission were observed between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.001) and between the first and fifth days of incubation in group 1 (p = 0.001). The SSDs in the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and the number of neonates receiving mechanical ventilation (p = 0.032) were found between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Budesonide inhalation is associated with improvements in clinical and laboratory parameters in neonates with RDS.

Developments in pediatrics in 2020: choices in allergy, autoinflammatory disorders, critical care, endocrinology, genetics, infectious diseases, microbiota, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, ortopedics, respiratory tract illnesses and rheumatology

In this article, we describe the advances in the field of pediatrics that have been published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2020. We report progresses in understanding allergy, autoinflammatory disorders, critical care, endocrinology, genetics, infectious diseases, microbiota, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, orthopedics, respiratory tract illnesses, rheumatology in childhood.

The Term Newborn: Delivery Room Triage and Transitions of Care

Term newborn infants without significant medical problems usually transition from fetal to newborn life without medical assistance. Infants requiring therapy often need care in a neonatal intensive care unit as opposed to a well-baby unit. Infants with unclear physiologic status or disease that may require therapies in the immediate newborn period may benefit from a period of observation with close monitoring before admission to a well-baby unit. Whenever possible, providing care for a newborn infant in an area that provides care for the newborn and mother together in the same room facilitates adaptation to normal breastfeeding and family bonding.

Blood Plasma Metabolic Profile of Newborns with Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy by GC-MS

Background

Early diagnosis of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is crucial in preventing neurodevelopmental disabilities and reducing morbidity and mortality. The study was to investigate the plasma metabolic signatures in the peripheral blood of HIE newborns and explore the potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Method

In the present study, 24 newborns with HIE and 24 healthy controls were recruited. The plasma metabolites were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the raw data was standardized by the EigenMS method. Significantly differential metabolites were identified by multivariate statistics. Pathway enrichment was performed by bioinformatics analysis. Meanwhile, the diagnostic value of candidate biomarkers was evaluated.

Result

The multivariate statistical models showed a robust capacity to distinguish the HIE cases from the controls. 52 metabolites were completely annotated. 331 significantly changed pathways were enriched based on seven databases, including 33 overlapped pathways. Most of them were related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, the regulation of HIF by oxygen, and GPCR downstream signaling. 14 candidate metabolites showed great diagnostic potential on HIE. Among them, alpha-ketoglutaric acid has the potential to assess the severity of HIE in particular.

Conclusion

The blood plasma metabolic profile could comprehensively reflect the metabolic disorders of the whole body under hypoxia-ischaemic injury. Several candidate metabolites may serve as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HIE. Further validation based on large clinical samples and the establishment of guidelines for the clinical application of mass spectrometry data standardization methods are imperative in the future.

Novel predictor markers for early differentiation between transient tachypnea of newborn and respiratory distress syndrome in neonates

Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and Transient Tachypnea of newborn (TTN) are common similar neonatal respiratory diseases. Study the early predictor markers in differentiation between TTN and RDS in neonates. A prospective case control study which was done in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Tanta University Hospital (TUH) from September 2016 to March 2018. Three groups of neonates were included in the study: RDS group (45 neonates), TTN group (45 neonates), and control group (45 healthy neonates). There were statistically significant difference (SSD) between our studied three groups as regard serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase SOD, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and blood PH and P-values were 0.001* for these comparative parameters. The ROC curve of RDS cases revealed that the serum MDA Cut off, sensitivity and specificity were 1.87 mmol/L, 98%, 96%, respectively which had the highest sensitivity and specificity followed by the serum SOD then the serum LDH and lastly the blood PH while in TTN cases, the serum MDA Cut off, sensitivity and specificity were 0.74 mmol/L, 96%, 93%, respectively then the serum SOD then the serum LDH and lastly the blood PH. Serum MDA, SOD, LDH, and PH had a beneficial role as early predictors in differentiation between TTN and RDS in neonates.