Premedication practices for delivery room intubations in premature infants in France: Results from the EPIPAGE 2 cohort study

European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: 2022 Update

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) care pathways evolve slowly as new evidence emerges. We report the sixth version of "European Guidelines for the Management of RDS" by a panel of experienced European neonatologists and an expert perinatal obstetrician based on available literature up to end of 2022. Optimising outcome for babies with RDS includes prediction of risk of preterm delivery, appropriate maternal transfer to a perinatal centre, and appropriate and timely use of antenatal steroids. Evidence-based lung-protective management includes initiation of non-invasive respiratory support from birth, judicious use of oxygen, early surfactant administration, caffeine therapy, and avoidance of intubation and mechanical ventilation where possible. Methods of ongoing non-invasive respiratory support have been further refined and may help reduce chronic lung disease. As technology for delivering mechanical ventilation improves, the risk of causing lung injury should decrease, although minimising time spent on mechanical ventilation by targeted use of postnatal corticosteroids remains essential. The general care of infants with RDS is also reviewed, including emphasis on appropriate cardiovascular support and judicious use of antibiotics as being important determinants of best outcome. We would like to dedicate this guideline to the memory of Professor Henry Halliday who died on November 12, 2022.These updated guidelines contain evidence from recent Cochrane reviews and medical literature since 2019. Strength of evidence supporting recommendations has been evaluated using the GRADE system. There are changes to some of the previous recommendations as well as some changes to the strength of evidence supporting recommendations that have not changed. This guideline has been endorsed by the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

Premedication before laryngoscopy in neonates: Evidence-based statement from the French society of neonatology (SFN)

CONTEXT

Laryngoscopy is frequently required in neonatal intensive care. Awake laryngoscopy has deleterious effects but practice remains heterogeneous regarding premedication use. The goal of this statement was to provide evidence-based good practice guidance for clinicians regarding premedication before tracheal intubation, less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) and laryngeal mask insertion in neonates.

METHODS

A group of experts brought together by the French Society of Neonatology (SFN) addressed 4 fields related to premedication before upper airway access in neonates: (1) tracheal intubation; (2) less invasive surfactant administration; (3) laryngeal mask insertion; (4) use of atropine for the 3 previous procedures. Evidence was gathered and assessed on predefined questions related to these fields. Consensual statements were issued using the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

Among the 15 formalized good practice statements, 2 were strong recommendations to do (Grade 1+) or not to do (Grade 1-), and 4 were discretionary recommendations to do (Grade 2+). For 9 good practice statements, the GRADE method could not be applied, resulting in an expert opinion. For tracheal intubation premedication was considered mandatory except for life-threatening situations (Grade 1+). Recommended premedications were a combination of opioid + muscle blocker (Grade 2+) or propofol in the absence of hemodynamic compromise or hypotension (Grade 2+) while the use of a sole opioid was discouraged (Grade 1-). Statements regarding other molecules before tracheal intubation were expert opinions. For LISA premedication was recommended (Grade 2+) with the use of propofol (Grade 2+). Statements regarding other molecules before LISA were expert opinions. For laryngeal mask insertion and atropine use, no specific data was found and expert opinions were provided.

CONCLUSION

This statement should help clinical decision regarding premedication before neonatal upper airway access and favor standardization of practices.

Premedication with ketamine or propofol for less invasive surfactant administration (LISA): observational study in the delivery room

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has become increasingly popular in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but there are currently no guidelines for the premedication prior to this procedure. The aim of this observational study was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of intravenous administrations of ketamine and propofol before LISA in neonates born before 30 weeks of gestational age (GA). The primary outcome was requirement of intubation within 2 h of the procedure. One hundred and fourteen infants, with respective GA and birthweight of 27.6 (26.4, 28.7) weeks and 940 (805, 1140) g, were prospectively included from January 2016 to December 2019. Drug doses were 1 (0.5, 1) mg/kg for ketamine and 1 (1, 1.9) mg/kg for propofol, providing comparable comfort during LISA (p = 0.61). Rates of intubation within 2 h were 5/52 after ketamine, and 5/62 after propofol [aOR 0.54 (0.11-2.68)]. No difference was observed for rates of intubation at 24 h and 72 h following LISA, mortality, or severe morbidity.Conclusion: Pending results from prospective trials, these findings suggest that ketamine or propofol can be used for premedication before LISA, as they show comparable efficacy and tolerance.Trial registration: This study was recorded on the National Library of Medicine registry (https:// clinicaltrials.gov / Identifier: NCT03705468). What is Known? • Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is increasingly used in spontaneously breathing premature infants supported with continuous positive airway pressure, but few data are available to guide adequate premedication for this procedure. What is New? • This observational study of 114 neonates, all less than 30-week gestational age and requiring surfactant without endotracheal tube in the delivery room, suggested that ketamine or propofol can be used for premedication before LISA with comparable efficacy and tolerance.