Staged neurosurgical approach for giant and progressive neonatal arachnoid cysts: a case series and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Prenatally diagnosed complex arachnoid cysts are very rare. While the true prenatal incidence is still unknown, they account for approximately 1% of intracranial masses in newborns. They rarely exhibit rapid growth or cause obstructive hydrocephalus, but if they increase to such a dimension during pregnancy, the ideal management is not well established. We present our detailed perinatal experience, covering prenatal diagnosis, a compassionate delivery process, and neonatal stabilization. Finally, a thorough postnatal neurosurgical intervention was performed. Initially, our focus was on the gradual reduction of cyst size as a primary effort, followed by subsequent definitive surgical treatment.

METHODS

This case series shows the treatment course of three fetuses with antenatally diagnosed large arachnoid cysts. We present pre- and postnatal management and imaging, as well as the surgical treatment plan and the available clinical course during follow-up.

RESULTS

Two girls and one boy were included in the current review. All three cases presented with prenatally diagnosed complex arachnoid cysts that increased in size during pregnancy. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks (range 32 to 37 weeks), and all patients were delivered by a caesarian section. Increasing head circumference and compression of brain structures were indications for delivery, as they are associated with a high risk of excess intracranial pressures and CSF diapedesis, as well as traumatic delivery and maternal complications. All cysts were supratentorial in location; one expanded into the posterior fossa, and one was a multicompartment cyst. All children underwent an initial surgical procedure within the first days of life. To relieve cyst pressure and achieve a reduction in head circumference, an ultrasound-guided or endoscopic-assisted internal shunt with drainage of the cyst to the ventricles or subdural/subarachnoid space was inserted. Definite surgical therapy consisted of cyst marsupialization and/or cysto-peritoneal shunt implantation. All children survived without severe neurodevelopmental impairments.

CONCLUSION

With the cases presented, we demonstrate that the slow reduction of immense cyst size as an initial procedure until optimal requirements for final surgical treatment were achieved has proven to be optimal for neurological outcome. Special emphasis has to be taken on the delicate nature of premature newborn babies, and surgical steps have to be thoroughly considered within the interdisciplinary team.

Use of neonatal lung ultrasound in European neonatal units: a survey by the European Society of Paediatric Research

OBJECTIVE

Regarding the use of lung ultrasound (LU) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Europe, to assess how widely it is used, for what indications and how its implementation might be improved.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTION

International online survey.

RESULTS

Replies were received from 560 NICUs in 24 countries between January and May 2023. LU uptake varied considerably (20%-98% of NICUs) between countries. In 428 units (76%), LU was used for clinical indications, while 34 units (6%) only used it for research purposes. One-third of units had <2 years of experience, and only 71 units (13%) had >5 years of experience. LU was mainly performed by neonatologists. LU was most frequently used to diagnose respiratory diseases (68%), to evaluate an infant experiencing acute clinical deterioration (53%) and to guide surfactant treatment (39%). The main pathologies diagnosed by LU were pleural effusion, pneumothorax, transient tachypnoea of the newborn and respiratory distress syndrome. The main barriers for implementation were lack of experience with technical aspects and/or image interpretation. Most units indicated that specific courses and an international guideline on neonatal LU could promote uptake of this technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Although LU has been adopted in neonatal care in most European countries, the uptake is highly variable. The main indications are diagnosis of lung disease, evaluation of acute clinical deterioration and guidance of surfactant. Implementation may be improved by developing courses and publishing an international guideline.

Effects of liberalising visiting policy and staff education on parental visiting duration in the neonatal unit

AIM

The effect of different neonatal unit access hour policies on parental visiting duration is unknown. Therefore, we analysed the effects of access hours policies and parental education on parental visiting duration.

METHOD

This prospective longitudinal cohort study was carried out in a level III neonatal unit from October 2020 to May 2022. Three cohorts were compared. The baseline cohort included 51 preterm infants with restricted visiting hours (October 2020 to May 2021). Cohort 1 comprised 35 preterm infants after liberalisation of visiting hours (June 2021 to November 2021). Cohort 2 consisted of 26 preterm infants after an educational program was implemented (December 2021 to May 2022). The primary outcome was the mean daily parental visiting duration.

RESULTS

Mean maternal visiting duration was 172 (standard deviation, SD ± 49.2), 195 (SD ± 64.4.), and 258 (SD ± 71.1) minutes/day at baseline and in cohorts 1 and 2 (significant increase from baseline and cohort 1 to cohort 2, p < 0.001). Mean paternal visiting duration did not change significantly across the cohorts: 133 (SD ± 47.2), 135 (SD ± 83.5), and 165 (SD ± 71.3) minutes/day.

CONCLUSION

Liberalisation of access hours did not increase parental visiting duration. Parental and staff education significantly increased maternal but not paternal visiting duration.

European guidelines on perinatal care: corticosteroids for women at risk of preterm birth

of recommendationsCorticosteroids should be administered to women at a gestational age between 24⁺⁰ and 33⁺⁶weeks, when preterm birth is anticipated in the next seven days, as these have been consistently shown to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. (Strong-quality evidence; strong recommendation). In selected cases, extension of this period up to 34⁺⁶weeks may be considered (Expert opinion). Optimal benefits are found in infants delivered within 7 days of corticosteroid administration. Even a single-dose administration should be given to women with imminent preterm birth, as this is likely to improve neurodevelopmental outcome (Moderate-quality evidence; conditional recommendation).Either betamethasone (12 mg administered intramuscularly twice, 24-hours apart) or dexamethasone (6 mg administered intramuscularly in four doses, 12-hours apart, or 12 mg administered intramuscularly twice, 24-hours apart), may be used (Moderate-quality evidence; Strong recommendation). Administration of two "all" doses is named a "course of corticosteroids".Administration between 22⁺⁰ and 23⁺⁶weeks should be considered when preterm birth is anticipated in the next seven days and active newborn life-support is indicated, taking into account parental wishes. Clear survival benefit has been observed in these cases, but the impact on short-term neurological and respiratory function, as well as long-term neurodevelopmental outcome is still unclear (Low/moderate-quality evidence; Weak recommendation).Administration between 34 + 0 and 34 + 6 weeks should only be offered to a few selected cases (Expert opinion). Administration between 35⁺⁰ and 36⁺⁶weeks should be restricted to prospective randomized trials. Current evidence suggests that although corticosteroids reduce the incidence of transient tachypnea of the newborn, they do not affect the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, and they increase neonatal hypoglycemia. Long-term safety data are lacking (Moderate quality evidence; Conditional recommendation).Administration in pregnancies beyond 37⁺⁰weeks is not indicated, even for scheduled cesarean delivery, as current evidence does not suggest benefit and the long-term effects remain unknown (Low-quality evidence; Conditional recommendation).Administration should be given in twin pregnancies, with the same indication and doses as for singletons. However, existing evidence suggests that it should be reserved for pregnancies at high-risk of delivering within a 7-day interval (Low-quality evidence; Conditional recommendation). Maternal diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication to the use of antenatal corticosteroids (Moderate quality evidence; Strong recommendation).A single repeat course of corticosteroids can be considered in pregnancies at less than 34⁺⁰weeks gestation, if the previous course was completed more than seven days earlier, and there is a renewed risk of imminent delivery (Low-quality evidence; Conditional recommendation).

Microbial signatures in amniotic fluid at preterm birth and association with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Microbiome dysbiosis can have long-lasting effects on our health and induce the development of various diseases. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial disease with pre- and postnatal origins including intra-amniotic infection as main risk factor. Recently, postnatal pathologic lung microbiota colonization was associated with BPD. The objectives of this prospective observational cohort study were to describe differences in bacterial signatures in the amniotic fluid (AF) of intact pregnancies without clinical signs or risk of preterm delivery and AF samples obtained during preterm deliveries and their variations between different BPD disease severity stages.

METHODS

AF samples were collected under sterile conditions during fetal intervention from intact pregnancies (n = 17) or immediately before preterm delivery < 32 weeks (n = 126). Metabarcoding based approaches were used for the molecular assessment of bacterial 16S rRNA genes to describe bacterial community structure.

RESULTS

The absolute amount of 16S rRNA genes was significantly increased in AF of preterm deliveries and detailed profiling revealed a reduced alpha diversity and a significant change in beta diversity with a reduced relative abundance of 16S rRNA genes indicative for Lactobacillus and Acetobacter while Fusobacterium, Pseudomonas, Ureaplasma and Staphylococcus 16S rRNA gene prevailed. Although classification of BPD by disease severity revealed equivalent absolute 16S rRNA gene abundance and alpha and beta diversity in no, mild and moderate/severe BPD groups, for some 16S rRNA genes differences were observed in AF samples. Bacterial signatures of infants with moderate/severe BPD showed predominance of 16S rRNA genes belonging to the Escherichia-Shigella cluster while Ureaplasma and Enterococcus species were enriched in AF samples of infants with mild BPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified distinct and diverse intrauterine 16S rRNA gene patterns in preterm infants immediately before birth, differing from the 16S rRNA gene signature of intact pregnancies. The distinct 16S rRNA gene signatures at birth derive from bacteria with varying pathogenicity to the immature lung and are suited to identify preterm infants at risk. Our results emphasize the prenatal impact to the origins of BPD.

Apgar Score and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Age 5 Years in Infants Born Extremely Preterm

Importance

The Apgar score is used worldwide as an assessment tool to estimate the vitality of newborns in their first minutes of life. Its applicability to estimate neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants born extremely preterm (EPT; <28 weeks' gestation) is not well established.

Objective

To investigate the association between the Apgar score and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants born EPT.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study was conducted using data from the Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe-Screening to Improve Health in Very Preterm Infants in Europe (EPICE-SHIPS) study, a population-based cohort in 19 regions of 11 European countries in 2011 to 2012. Clinical assessments of cognition and motor function at age 5 years were performed in infants born EPT and analyzed in January to July 2023.

Exposures

Apgar score at 5 minutes of life categorized into 4 groups (0-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-10 points).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cognitive and motor outcomes were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence test of IQ derived from locally normed versions by country and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition. Parents additionally provided information on communication and problem-solving skills using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, third edition (ASQ-3). All outcomes were measured as continuous variables.

Results

From the total cohort of 4395 infants born EPT, 2522 infants were live born, 1654 infants survived to age 5 years, and 996 infants (478 females [48.0%]) followed up had at least 1 of 3 outcome measures. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, perinatal factors, and severe neonatal morbidities, there was no association of Apgar score with IQ, even for scores of 3 or less (β = -3.3; 95% CI, -10.5 to 3.8) compared with the score 9 to 10 category. Similarly, no association was found for ASQ-3 (β = -2.1; 95% CI, -24.6 to 20.4). Congruent results for Apgar scores of 3 or less were obtained for motor function scores for all children (β = -4.0; 95% CI, -20.1 to 12.1) and excluding children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (β = 0.8, 95% CI -11.7 to 13.3).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that low Apgar scores were not associated with longer-term outcomes in infants born EPT. This finding may be associated with high interobserver variability in Apgar scoring, reduced vitality signs and poorer responses to resuscitation after birth among infants born EPT, and the association of more deleterious exposures in the neonatal intensive care unit or of socioeconomic factors with greater changes in outcomes during the first 5 years of life.

[10 years of screening for retinopathy of prematurity (2009-2019) : Results analysis of two German level-1 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) with university on-site screening and a telemedical approach in the non-university NICU]

BACKGROUND

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the most common causes of childhood blindness in Germany and worldwide and adequate screening is essential. The telemedical approach with objective documentation of retinal findings opens up the possibility of reliably diagnosing all ROP stages independent of the examiner, if a team of ophthalmologists specialized in ROP evaluates the images.

OBJECTIVE

A 10-year comparison of ROP screening at two level‑1 neonatal intensive care units (NICU): university and on-site vs. non-university and telemedical.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of screened premature infants by gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), sex, multiple births, time of ROP occurrence, treatment needs and time as well as examination frequency.

RESULTS

From 2009 to 2019, we screened 1191 infants of whom 29 had been screened before by an external clinic. The internal 1162 infants were screened on-site with 3713 retinal examinations. We diagnosed 34% with ROP and treated 5.4% (3.7% in Giessen, 7.2% in Siegen). Mean GA was 28.9 weeks (± 2.5 weeks); mean BW 1155 g (± 417.5 g). The number of ROP diagnoses increased by 227.3% in Giessen and by 111.1% in Siegen due to the increasing number of premature births in neonatal care.

CONCLUSION

Comparative analysis confirmed nationally and internationally increasing ROP screening and children with acute ROP. Telemedical screening was equivalent to on-site screening and safe. Both screening methods identified infants requiring treatment on time. No child with GA > 29 weeks required treatment, analogous to Swedish ROP registry results; however, in the German ROP registry some premature babies with GA ≥ 30 weeks required treatment.

Multidimensional assessment of infant, parent and staff outcomes during a family centered care enhancement project in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: study protocol of a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic advances and progress in the care for preterm infants have enabled the regular survival of very immature infants. However, the high burden of lifelong sequelae following premature delivery constitutes an ongoing challenge. Regardless of premature delivery, parental mental health and a healthy parent-child relationship were identified as essential prerogatives for normal infant development. Family centered care (FCC) supports preterm infants and their families by respecting the particular developmental, social and emotional needs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Due to the large variations in concepts and goals of different FCC initiatives, scientific data on the benefits of FCC for the infant and family outcome are sparse and its effects on the clinical team need to be elaborated.

METHODS

This prospective single centre longitudinal cohort study enrols preterm infants ≤ 32 + 0 weeks of gestation and/or birthweight ≤ 1500 g and their parents at the neonatal department of the Giessen University Hospital, Giessen, Germany. Following a baseline period, the rollout of additional FCC elements is executed following a stepwise 6-months approach that covers the NICU environment, staff training, parental education and psychosocial support for parents. Recruitment is scheduled over a 5.5. year period from October 2020 to March 2026. The primary outcome is corrected gestational age at discharge. Secondary infant outcomes include neonatal morbidities, growth, and psychomotor development up to 24 months. Parental outcome measures are directed towards parental skills and satisfaction, parent-infant-interaction and mental health. Staff issues are elaborated with particular focus on the item workplace satisfaction. Quality improvement steps are monitored using the Plan- Do- Study- Act cycle method and outcome measures cover the infant, the parents and the medical team. The parallel data collection enables to study the interrelation between these three important areas of research. Sample size calculation was based on the primary outcome.

DISCUSSION

It is scientifically impossible to allocate improvements in outcome measures to individual enhancement steps of FCC that constitutes a continuous change in NICU culture and attitudes covering diverse areas of change. Therefore, our trial is designed to allocate childhood, parental and staff outcome measures during the stepwise changes introduced by a FCC intervention program.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, trial registration number NCT05286983, date of registration 03/18/2022, retrospectively registered, http://clinicaltrials.gov .

Fluctuations in Oxygen Saturation during Synchronized Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation and Nasal High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Crossover Trial

BACKGROUND

Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) experience frequent fluctuations in oxygen saturation (SpO2) that are associated with an increased risk for mortality and severe morbidities.

METHODS

In this randomized crossover trial, VLBW infants (n = 22) born 22+3 to 28+0 weeks on NIV with supplemental oxygen were allocated on two consecutive days in random order to synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (sNIPPV) and nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) for 8 h. nHFOV and sNIPPV were set to equivalent mean airway pressure and transcutaneous pCO2. Primary outcome was the time spent within the SpO2 target (88-95%).

RESULTS

During sNIPPV, VLBW infants spent significantly more time within the SpO2 target (59.9%) than during nHFOV (54.6%). The proportion of time spent in hypoxemia (22.3% vs. 27.1%) and the mean fraction of supplemental oxygen (FiO2) (29.4% vs. 32.8%) were significantly reduced during sNIPPV, while the respiratory rate (50.1 vs. 42.6) was significantly higher. Mean SpO2, SpO2 above the target, number of prolonged (>1 min) and severe (SpO2 <80%) hypoxemic episodes, parameters of cerebral tissue oxygenation using NIRS, number of FiO2 adjustments, heart rate, number of bradycardias, abdominal distension and transcutaneous pCO2 did not differ between both interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

In VLBW infants with frequent fluctuations in SpO2, sNIPPV is more efficient than nHFOV to retain the SpO2 target and to reduce FiO2 exposure. These results demand more detailed investigations into cumulative oxygen toxicities during different modes of NIV over the weaning period, particularly with regard to consequences for long-term outcomes.

Monocyte signature as a predictor of chronic lung disease in the preterm infant

Introduction

Inflammation is a key driver of morbidity in the vulnerable preterm infant exposed to pre- and postnatal hazards and significantly contributes to chronic lung disease, i.e. bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, the early changes in innate immunity associated with BPD development are incompletely understood.

Methods

In very immature preterm infants below 32 weeks gestational age (GA; n=30 infants), monocyte subtypes were identified by Flow Cytometry at birth and throughout the postnatal course including intracellular TNF expression upon LPS stimulation. Complementing these measurements, cytokine end growth factor expression profiles (Luminex® xMAP®; n=110 infants) as well as gene expression profiles (CodeLinkTM Human I Bioarray; n=22) were characterized at birth.

Results

The abundance of monocyte subtypes differed between preterm and term neonates at birth. Specifically, CD14++CD16+ (intermediate) monocytes demonstrated a dependency on PMA and elevated levels of nonclassical (CD14+CD16++) monocytes characterized preterm infants with developing BPD. Postnatally, lung injury was associated with an increase in intermediate monocytes, while high levels of nonclassical monocytes persisted. Both subtypes were revealed as the main source of intracellular TNF-α expression in the preterm infant. We identified a cytokine and growth factor expression profile in cord blood specimen of preterm infants with developing BPD that corresponded to the disease-dependent regulation of monocyte abundances. Multivariate modeling of protein profiles revealed FGF2, sIL-2 Rα, MCP-1, MIP1a, and TNF-α as predictors of BPD when considering GA. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated genes predicting BPD to be overrepresented in inflammatory pathways with increased disease severity characterized by the regulation of immune and defense response pathways and upstream regulator analysis confirmed TNF-α, interleukin (IL) -6, and interferon α as the highest activated cytokines in more severe disease. Whereas all BPD cases showed downstream activation of chemotaxis and activation of inflammatory response pathways, more severe cases were characterized by an additional activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis.

Discussion

In the present study, we identified the early postnatal presence of nonclassical (CD14+CD16++) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) monocytes as a critical characteristic of BPD development including a specific response pattern of monocyte subtypes to lung injury. Pathophysiological insight was provided by the protein and transcriptome signature identified at birth, centered around monocyte and corresponding granulocyte activation and highlighting TNFα as a critical regulator in infants with developing BPD. The disease severity-dependent expression patterns could inform future diagnostic and treatment strategies targeting the monocytic cell and its progeny.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based scoring of the diseased lung in the preterm infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: UNiforme Scoring of the disEAsed Lung in BPD (UNSEAL BPD)

Neonatal chronic lung disease lacks standardized assessment of lung structural changes. We addressed this clinical need by the development of a novel scoring system [UNSEAL BPD (UNiforme Scoring of the disEAsed Lung in BPD)] using T2-weighted single-shot fast-spin-echo sequences from 3 T MRI in very premature infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Quantification of interstitial and airway remodeling, emphysematous changes, and ventilation inhomogeneity was achieved by consensus scoring on a five-point Likert scale. We successfully identified moderate and severe disease by logistic regression [area under the curve (AUC), 0.89] complemented by classification tree analysis revealing gestational age-specific structural changes. We demonstrated substantial interreader reproducibility (weighted Cohen's κ 0.69) and disease specificity (AUC = 0.91). Our novel MRI score enables the standardized assessment of disease-characteristic structural changes in the preterm lung exhibiting significant potential as a quantifiable endpoint in early intervention clinical trials and long-term disease monitoring.

Corrigendum: Monocyte signature as a predictor of chronic lung disease in the preterm infant

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112608.].

Neurosurgical shunt treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus: epidemiology and influencing factors on revision surgeries: a single-center retrospective analysis of 131 patients

BACKGROUND

Paediatric hydrocephalus is a result of a dysfunction of cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and it has diverse pathogeneses. This study investigates the epidemiology of paediatric hydrocephalus, as well as the influences of primary aetiology and implant type on treatment complications and the development of new therapeutic approaches and strategies.

METHODS

Between 2013 and 2018, a retrospective analysis of 131 children, who were suffering from hydrocephalus, was conducted. Medical charts, operative reports and clinical follow-up visits were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test/ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test/Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

The most common pathogeneses of hydrocephalus among our patients were meningomyelocele-associated and posthaemorrhagic. The majority of patients received a programmable differential pressure valve (PPV, 77.8%) or a fixed differential pressure valve with a gravitational unit (FPgV, 14.8%). Among 333 shunt-associated surgeries, 66% of surgeries were revision surgeries and were performed because of mechanical shunt dysfunction (61%), infection (12%), or other reasons (27%). The median rate of revisions within one year for each patient was 0.15 (IQR25-75: 0.00-0.68) and was influenced by aetiology (p = 0.045) and valve type (p = 0.029). The highest rates were seen in patients with posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus and in those with FPgVs; the lowest rates were seen in patients with meningomyelocele-associated hydrocephalus and PPVs. The occurrence of mechanical dysfunctions was correlated with FPgV patients (p = 0.014). Furthermore, the median time interval between initial shunt surgery and onset of infection was shorter than that between initial surgery and mechanical dysfunction (p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this research, we can state several factors that influence revision surgeries in paediatric shunt patients. With the assessment of patients' risk profiles, physicians can classify paediatric shunt patients and thus avoid unnecessary examinations or invasive procedures. Furthermore, medical providers can prevent revision surgeries if they choose shunt material in accordance with a patient's associated shunt complications.

Insights into the Black Box of Intra-Amniotic Infection and Its Impact on the Premature Lung: From Clinical and Preclinical Perspectives

Intra-amniotic infection (IAI) is one major driver for preterm birth and has been demonstrated by clinical studies to exert both beneficial and injurious effects on the premature lung, possibly due to heterogeneity in the microbial type, timing, and severity of IAI. Due to the inaccessibility of the intra-amniotic cavity during pregnancies, preclinical animal models investigating pulmonary consequences of IAI are indispensable to elucidate the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). It is postulated that on one hand imbalanced inflammation, orchestrated by lung immune cells such as macrophages, may impact on airway epithelium, vascular endothelium, and interstitial mesenchyme, resulting in abnormal lung development. On the other hand, excessive suppression of inflammation may as well cause pulmonary injury and a certain degree of inflammation is beneficial. So far, effective strategies to prevent and treat BPD are scarce. Therapeutic options targeting single mediators in signaling cascades and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-based therapies with global regulatory capacities have demonstrated efficacy in preclinical animal models and warrant further validation in patient populations. Ante-, peri- and postnatal exposome analysis and therapeutic investigations using multiple omics will fundamentally dissect the black box of IAI and its effect on the premature lung, contributing to precisely tailored and individualized therapies.

Compatibility of rapid enteral feeding advances and noninvasive ventilation in preterm infants-An observational study

AIM

To evaluate safety and clinical outcome of rapid enteral feeding advances in preterm infants <1500 g birthweight (BW).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 293 preterm infants born during 2015-2018 were comparatively analyzed before (n = 145) and after (n = 148) the implementation of a rapid enteral feeding protocol with daily milk increments of 20-30 ml/kg of body weight. Major outcome parameters were focused toward pulmonary morbidities and nutritional variables.

RESULTS

Preterm infants in the rapid feeding advancement group were more successfully stabilized on noninvasive ventilation (p < 0.001) never requiring mechanical ventilation. Duration of respiratory support (0.465) and frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (p = 0.341) and severe BPD (0.273) did not differ between both groups. Furthermore, patients in the rapid feeding group achieved full volume feedings faster (p < 0.001), regained BW earlier (p = 0.009), and displayed significantly improved somatic growth at 36 weeks gestational age (p < 0.001). There was no increased risk for further morbidities of prematurity including feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and focal intestinal perforation.

CONCLUSION

Rapid enteral feeding advancements in preterm infants <1500 g BW are safe and do not impede stabilization on noninvasive ventilation.

When inflammation meets lung development-an update on the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Even more than 50 years after its initial description, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains one of the most important and lifelong sequelae following premature birth. Tremendous efforts have been undertaken since then to reduce this ever-increasing disease burden but a therapeutic breakthrough preventing BPD is still not in sight. The inflammatory response provoked in the immature lung is a key driver of distorted lung development and impacts the formation of alveolar, mesenchymal, and vascular structures during a particularly vulnerable time-period. During the last 5 years, new scientific insights have led to an improved pathomechanistic understanding of BPD origins and disease drivers. Within the framework of current scientific progress, concepts involving disruption of the balance of key inflammatory and lung growth promoting pathways by various stimuli, take center stage. Still today, the number of efficient therapeutics available to prevent BPD is limited to a few, well-established pharmacological interventions including postnatal corticosteroids, early caffeine administration, and vitamin A. Recent advances in the clinical care of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have led to improvements in survival without a consistent reduction in the incidence of BPD. Our update provides latest insights from both preclinical models and clinical cohort studies and describes novel approaches to prevent BPD.

Statistical inference for ordinal predictors in generalized additive models with application to Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective

Discrete but ordered covariates are quite common in applied statistics, and some regularized fitting procedures have been proposed for proper handling of ordinal predictors in statistical models. Motivated by a study from neonatal medicine on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), we show how quadratic penalties on adjacent dummy coefficients of ordinal factors proposed in the literature can be incorporated in the framework of generalized additive models, making tools for statistical inference developed there available for ordinal predictors as well.

Results

The approach presented allows to exploit the scale level of ordinally scaled factors in a sound statistical framework. Furthermore, several ordinal factors can be considered jointly without the need to collapse levels even if the number of observations per level is small. By doing so, results obtained earlier on the BPD data analyzed could be confirmed.

New Challenges with Treatment Advances in Newborn Infants with Genetic Disorders and Severe Congenital Malformations

Advances in the prognosis of relevant syndromes and severe congenital malformations in infants during the last few decades have enabled the treatment and survival of an ever-increasing number of infants, whose prospects were previously judged futile by professional health care teams. This required detailed counselling for families, which frequently started before birth when a diagnosis was made using genetic testing or ultrasound. Predictions of the estimated prognosis, and frequently the more-or-less broad range of prospects, needed to include the chances of survival and data on acute and long-term morbidities. However, in the interest of a having an informed basis for parental decision-making with a professional interdisciplinary team, this process needs to acknowledge the rights of the parents for a comprehensive presentation of the expected quality of life of their child, the potential consequences for family life, and the couple’s own relationship. Besides expert advice, professional psychological and familial support is needed as a basis for a well-founded decision regarding the best treatment options for the child. It needs to be acknowledged by the professional team that the parental estimate of a “good outcome” or quality of life does not necessarily reflect the attitudes and recommendations of the professional team. Building a mutually trusting relationship is essential to avoid decision conflicts.

OUP accepted manuscript

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a neonatal lung disease developing in premature babies characterized by arrested alveologenesis and associated with decreased Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) expression. One-week hyperoxia (HYX) exposure of newborn mice leads to a permanent arrest in alveologenesis. To test the role of Fgf10 signaling to promote de novo alveologenesis following hyperoxia, we used transgenic mice allowing inducible expression of Fgf10 and recombinant FGF10 (rFGF10) protein delivered intraperitoneally. We carried out morphometry analysis, and IF on day 45. Alveolospheres assays were performed co-culturing AT2s from normoxia (NOX) with FACS-isolated Sca1^Pos resident mesenchymal cells (rMC) from animals exposed to NOX, HYX-PBS, or HYX-FGF10. scRNAseq between rMC-Sca1^Pos isolated from NOX and HYX-PBS was also carried out. Transgenic overexpression of Fgf10 and rFGF10 administration rescued the alveologenesis defects following HYX. Alveolosphere assays indicate that the activity of rMC-Sca1^Pos is negatively impacted by HYX and partially rescued by rFGF10 treatment. Analysis by IF demonstrates a significant impact of rFGF10 on the activity of resident mesenchymal cells. scRNAseq results identified clusters expressing Fgf10, Fgf7, Pdgfra, and Axin2, which could represent the rMC niche cells for the AT2 stem cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that rFGF10 administration is able to induce de novo alveologenesis in a BPD mouse model and identified subpopulations of rMC-Sca1^Pos niche cells potentially representing its cellular target.

Mode of Delivery and Incidence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Results from the Population-Based EPICE Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) represents a tremendous disease burden following preterm birth. The strong association between compromised gas exchange after birth and BPD demands particular focus on the perinatal period. The mode of delivery can impact on lung fluid clearance and microbial colonization, but its impact on BPD and potential trade-off effects between death and BPD are not established.

METHODS

A total of 7,435 live births (24+0 to 31+6 weeks postmenstrual age) in 19 regions of 11 European countries were included. Principal outcomes were death and BPD at 36 weeks. We estimated unadjusted and adjusted associations with mode of delivery using multilevel logistic regression to account for clustering within units and regions. Sensitivity analyses examined effects, taking into consideration regional variations in C-section rates.

RESULTS

Compared to vaginal delivery, delivery by C-section was not associated with the incidence of BPD (OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.68-1.25) or the composite outcome of death or BPD (OR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.74-1.19) after adjustment for perinatal and neonatal risk factors in the total cohort and in pregnancies for whom a vaginal delivery could be considered. Sensitivity analyses among singletons, infants in cephalic presentation, and infants of ≥26+0 weeks of gestation did not alter the results for BPD, severe BPD, and death or BPD, even in regions with a high C-section rate.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population-based cohort study, the mode of delivery was not associated with the incidence of BPD. The intention to reduce BPD does not justify a C-section in pregnancies where a vaginal delivery can be considered.

Oxygen Toxicity to the Immature Lung-Part II: The Unmet Clinical Need for Causal Therapy

Oxygen toxicity continues to be one of the inevitable injuries to the immature lung. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is the initial step leading to lung injury and, subsequently, the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Today, BPD remains the most important disease burden following preterm delivery and results in life-long restrictions in lung function and further important health sequelae. Despite the tremendous progress in the pathomechanistic understanding derived from preclinical models, the clinical needs for preventive or curative therapies remain unmet. This review summarizes the clinical progress on guiding oxygen delivery to the preterm infant and elaborates future directions of research that need to take into account both hyperoxia and hypoxia as ROS sources and BPD drivers. Many strategies have been tested within clinical trials based on the mechanistic understanding of ROS actions, but most have failed to prove efficacy. The majority of these studies were tested in an era before the latest modes of non-invasive respiratory support and surfactant application were introduced or were not appropriately powered. A comprehensive re-evaluation of enzymatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory therapies to prevent ROS injury is therefore indispensable. Strategies will only succeed if they are applied in a timely and vigorous manner and with the appropriate outcome measures.

[Item Reduction to Improve Practicability of Neonatal Pain Assessment Tools - Comparison of NFCSshort and PIPP in Daily Clinical Practice]

HINTERGRUND

Trotz über 50 psychometrisch validierter Beobachtungsverfahren gibt es bisher keinen Konsens über das praktikabelste Schmerzassessment bei Neugeborenen. Die Items von NFCSshort und PIPP wurden mit der Schmerzeinschätzung der prozedurbeteiligten Behandler verglichen und es wurde evaluiert, ob eine Itemreduktion zu Gunsten der Alltagsanwendung möglich wäre.

MATERIAL UND METHODEN

52 Neugeborene wurden in unserer Beobachtungsstudie einer klinisch indizierten peripheren Venenpunktion unterzogen. Patient und Monitordaten wurden standardisiert auf Video aufgezeichnet. Die Schmerzintensität wurden durch sieben unabhängige Untersucher mittels NFCSshort und PIPP bewertet und hinsichtlich der Variabilität zwischen den Untersuchern verglichen.

ERGEBNISSE

Nur vier Items des PIPP (Herzfrequenz, Augenbrauenvorwölbung, zusammengekniffene Augen, betonte Nasolabialfalte) wiesen einen signifikanten Zusammenhang mit der geschätzten Schmerzhaftigkeit der Prozedur auf. Die Items 1 (Gestationsalter), 2 (Wachheitsgrad) und 4 (Sauerstoffsättigung) hatten bei keinem Untersucher Einfluss auf das Schmerzmessergebnis. Die Auswertung des NFCSshort zeigte bei zwei Untersuchern für das Item 1 (Vorwölbung der Augenbrauen) und bei einem Untersucher für das Item 2 (zusammengekniffene Augen) keine Einflüsse auf das Messergebnis.

DISKUSSION

Die Ergebnisse der Studie legen eine Kürzung des PIPP um drei Items nahe, da diese keinen Einfluss auf das Schmerzmessergebnis zeigten. Eine Reduktion des PIPP um das Item Gestationsalter erscheint fraglich, da es in weiteren Studien als bedeutsames Item bewertet wurde. Ein Verzicht auf das Item Sauerstoffsättigung geht mit einem geringeren Messaufwand einher. Eine weitere Kürzung der bereits gekürzten Version (NFCSshort) auf weniger als fünf Items ist auf Basis unserer Ergebnisse nicht zu empfehlen.

BACKGROUND

Despite more than 50 laboratory-evaluated measurement systems, there is no consensus on the most practicable pain assessment in newborns in daily practice. For this purpose, the items of NFCSshort and PIPP were compared to the pain assesment of the involved medical practitioner. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether an item reduction of the assesments in favor of everyday use is feasible.

METHODS

In 52 neonates of a paediatric ward venous blood collection was performed in this observational study. Cameras recorded patients and monitor in a standardized way. The pain intensity was assessed with NFCSshort and PIPP by seven independent observers. The ratings were compared for variability between observers.

RESULTS

Of the seven PIPP items, only four were significantly associated with procedural pain assessment for all seven observers (heart rate, brow bulge, eye squeeze, nasolabial furrow). For the NFCSshort, no significant association with procedural pain assessment was found for two observers for the item "brow bulge" and for one observer for the item "eye squeeze".

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggest a possible reduction of the PIPP by three items. Disregarding item 1 (gestational age) appears questionable, since its impact as context variable has been proven repeatedly. The waiver of item 4 (oxygen saturation) is associated with less measuring effort. A further reduction of the already shortened version of the NFCS with ten items (NFCSshort, five items) is not recommended by our results.

Newborn Septic Arthritis-A Rare Presentation of Late-Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease: Case Report and Short Review of the Literature

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections among neonates. We present the case of an 11-day-old neonate with septic arthritis as a rare presentation of late-onset disease (LOD) with a favorable short-term outcome. GBS is a leading cause of neonatal infection. Early-onset disease (EOD) is defined as infection from birth to 6 days of age, while LOD occurs from 7 days to approximately 3 months of age. EOD is acquired through vertical transmission and can be reduced through application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). LOD can be acquired from the mother or from environmental sources, unlikely to be prevented by IAP. The most common presentation of EOD is bacteremia (83%), pneumonia (9%), and meningitis (7%). While the clinical picture in both EOD and LOD frequently resembles in LOD hamatogenous spreading may predispose neonates to present with uncommon organ manifestation other than the classic systemic signs of sepsis, for example, septic arthritis. Herein, we report on the management and outcome of a term neonate with late onset GqBS bacteremia and subtle clinical symptoms of septic monoarthritis.

Fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie, Teil 2

Die fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie (FNAIT) wird durch mütterliche Antikörper hervorgerufen, die gegen ein vom Vater ererbtes Blutgruppenmerkmal an fetalen Thrombozyten gerichtet sind. Während Teil 1 des Beitrags Ausgabe die Ätiologie, die Pathogenese und die Diagnostik der FNAIT thematisiert hatte, widmet sich dieser 2. Teil der Risikostratifizierung und Behandlung 1.

Fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie, Teil 1

Die fetale und neonatale Alloimmunthrombozytopenie (FNAIT) wird durch mütterliche Antikörper hervorgerufen, die gegen ein vom Vater ererbtes Blutgruppenmerkmal an fetalen Thrombozyten gerichtet sind. Teil 1 des Beitrags stellt die Ätiologie, die Pathogenese und die Diagnostik der FNAIT dar, während Teil 2 die Risikostratifizierung und Behandlung der FNAIT thematisiert 1.

Preeclampsia was a risk factor for pulmonary interstitial emphysema in preterm infants born ≤32 weeks of gestational age

AIM

This study determined the prenatal and postnatal risk factors for pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in preterm infants born at up to 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) and their contribution to severe complications.

METHODS

We studied 179 preterm infants, who had undergone chest X-rays during the first five days of life at Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany, between 2016 and 2017. Of these, 33 were retrospectively classified as PIE and 146 as non-PIE. The PIE cases were also matched with 33 non-PIE cases by GA and gender. Risk factors were identified by univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Previously known risk factors for pulmonary interstitial emphysema were confirmed, including GA and birthweight and the associations with adverse outcomes like intraventricular haemorrhage and mortality. We identified preeclampsia and haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome as additional risk factors for PIE (P = .027), and lung impairment was associated with respiratory distress syndrome (P = .001), higher maximum inspired oxygen (P = .014) and needing surfactant (P = .006).

CONCLUSION

Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome were identified as possible additional risk factors for PIE in preterm infants. These conditions should be included in future studies, to identify preterm infants at risk of PIE straight after birth.

Correlation of Early Nutritional Supply and Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants <1,000 g

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has multifactorial origins and is characterized by distorted physiological lung development. The impact of nutrition on the incidence of BPD is less studied so far. Methods: A retrospective single center analysis was performed on n = 207 preterm infants <1,000 g and <32 weeks of gestation without severe gastrointestinal complications to assess the impact of variations in nutritional supply during the first 2 weeks of life on the pulmonary outcome. Infants were grouped into no/mild and moderate/severe BPD to separate minor and major limitations in lung function. Results: After risk adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, sex, multiples, and antenatal steroids, a reduced total caloric intake and carbohydrate supply as the dominant energy source during the first 2 weeks of life prevailed statistically significant in infants developing moderate/severe BPD (p < 0.05). Enteral nutritional supply was increased at a slower rate with prolonged need for parenteral nutrition in the moderate/severe BPD group while breast milk provision and objective criteria of feeding intolerance were equally distributed in both groups. Conclusion: Early high caloric intake is correlated with a better pulmonary outcome in preterm infants <1,000 g. Our results are in line with the known strong impact of nutrient supply on somatic growth and psychomotor development. Our data encourage paying special attention to further decipher the ideal nutritional requirements for unrestricted lung development and promoting progressive enteral nutrition in the absence of objective criteria of feeding intolerance.

Fully percutaneous fetoscopic repair of myelomeningocele: 30-month follow-up data

OBJECTIVE

This observational study reports on the postnatal mortality and 30-month outcome of children who underwent fully percutaneous fetoscopic repair of myelomeningocele (MMC) at a single center in Giessen, Germany.

METHODS

Between October 2010 and August 2014, a total of 72 patients underwent fully percutaneous fetoscopic MMC closure at 21 + 0 to 29 + 1 (mean, 23 + 5) weeks' gestation. Of these, 52 (72%) participated in this study; however, 30-month mortality data are available for all 72 children. Children were examined at four timepoints: shortly after birth and at 3 months, 12 months and 30 months of corrected age. The patients underwent age-specific standardized neurological examinations and assessment of leg movements and ambulation at all timepoints. Cognitive and motor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition (BSID-II), at 30 months.

RESULTS

All 72 children survived the intrauterine procedure, however, four (5.6%) infants died postnatally (including two of the 52 comprising the study cohort). Of the 52 patients included in the study, 11.5% were delivered before the 30^th week of gestation (mean, 33 + 1 weeks) and, of the survivors, 48.1% had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Of the 50 infants that were alive at 30 months, independent ambulation, without orthosis, was feasible for 46%. At 30 months of follow-up, 46% of children presented with a functional level that was at least two segments better than the anatomical level of the lesion. At 30 months, 70% of the children presented with BSID-II psychomotor development index score of ≥ 70 and 80% with BSID-II mental development index score of ≥ 70.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine repair of MMC by percutaneous fetoscopy shows largely similar outcomes to those reported for open repair, with respect to mortality, prematurity, shunt-placement rates, motor and mental development and free ambulation. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effects of Liberal vs Restrictive Transfusion Thresholds on Survival and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants: The ETTNO Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Red blood cell transfusions are commonly administered to infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth. Evidence-based transfusion thresholds have not been established. Previous studies have suggested higher rates of cognitive impairment with restrictive transfusion thresholds.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of liberal vs restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies on death or disability.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized clinical trial conducted in 36 level III/IV neonatal intensive care units in Europe among 1013 infants with birth weights of 400 g to 999 g at less than 72 hours after birth; enrollment took place between July 14, 2011, and November 14, 2014, and follow-up was completed by January 15, 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

Infants were randomly assigned to liberal (n = 492) or restrictive (n = 521) red blood cell transfusion thresholds based on infants' postnatal age and current health state.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

The primary outcome, measured at 24 months of corrected age, was death or disability, defined as any of cognitive deficit, cerebral palsy, or severe visual or hearing impairment. Secondary outcome measures included individual components of the primary outcome, complications of prematurity, and growth.

RESULTS

Among 1013 patients randomized (median gestational age at birth, 26.3 [interquartile range {IQR}, 24.9-27.6] weeks; 509 [50.2%] females), 928 (91.6%) completed the trial. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive transfusion thresholds groups, respectively, incidence of any transfusion was 400/492 (81.3%) vs 315/521 (60.5%); median volume transfused was 40 mL (IQR, 16-73 mL) vs 19 mL (IQR, 0-46 mL); and weekly mean hematocrit was 3 percentage points higher with liberal thresholds. Among infants in the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, the primary outcome occurred in 200/450 (44.4%) vs 205/478 (42.9%), respectively, for a difference of 1.6% (95% CI, -4.8% to 7.9%; P = .72). Death by 24 months occurred in 38/460 (8.3%) vs 44/491 (9.0%), for a difference of -0.7% (95% CI, -4.3% to 2.9%; P = .70), cognitive deficit was observed in 154/410 (37.6%) vs 148/430 (34.4%), for a difference of 3.2% (95% CI, -3.3% to 9.6%; P = .47), and cerebral palsy occurred in 18/419 (4.3%) vs 25/443 (5.6%), for a difference of -1.3% (95% CI, -4.2% to 1.5%; P = .37), in the liberal vs the restrictive thresholds groups, respectively. In the liberal vs restrictive thresholds groups, necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgical intervention occurred in 20/492 (4.1%) vs 28/518 (5.4%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in 130/458 (28.4%) vs 126/485 (26.0%); and treatment for retinopathy of prematurity was required in 41/472 (8.7%) vs 38/492 (7.7%). Growth at follow-up was also not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among infants with birth weights of less than 1000 g, a strategy of liberal blood transfusions compared with restrictive transfusions did not reduce the likelihood of death or disability at 24 months of corrected age.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01393496.

Targeting Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension (BPD-PH): Potential Role of the FGF Signaling Pathway in the Development of the Pulmonary Vascular System

More than 50 years after the first description of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) by Northway, this chronic lung disease affecting many preterm infants is still poorly understood. Additonally, approximately 40% of preterm infants suffering from severe BPD also suffer from Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH), leading to a significant increase in total morbidity and mortality. Until today, there is no curative therapy for both BPD and BPD-PH available. It has become increasingly evident that growth factors are playing a central role in normal and pathologic development of the pulmonary vasculature. Thus, this review aims to summarize the recent evidence in our understanding of BPD-PH from a basic scientific point of view, focusing on the potential role of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)/FGF10 signaling pathway contributing to disease development, progression and resolution.

Non-invasive risk-assessment and bleeding prophylaxis with IVIG in pregnant women with a history of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: management to minimize adverse events

INTRODUCTION

In pregnant women with a history of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), prenatal intervention in subsequent pregnancies may be required to prevent fetal bleeding. Several invasive and non-invasive protocols have been published: amniocentesis for fetal genotyping, fetal blood sampling for the determination of fetal platelet count, intrauterine platelet transfusions, and weekly maternal i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion with or without additional corticosteroid therapy. This is the first retrospective study that report the experience with a non-invasive protocol focused on side effects of maternal IVIG treatment and neonatal outcome.

METHODS

Pregnant women with proven FNAIT in history and an antigen positive fetus were treated with IVIG (1 g/kg/bw) every week. To identify potential IVIG-related hemolytic reactions isoagglutinin titer of each IVIG lot and maternal blood count were controlled. IVIG-related side effects were prospectively documented and evaluated. Furthermore, ultrasound examination of the fetus was performed before starting IVIG administration and continued regularly during treatment. Outcome of the index and subsequent pregnancy was compared. Corresponding data of the newborns were analyzed simultaneously.

RESULTS

IVIG was started at 20 weeks of gestation (median). Compared to the index pregnancy, platelet counts of the newborns were higher in all cases. No intracranial hemorrhage occurred (Index pregnancies: 1 case). Platelet counts were 187 × 10⁹/l (median, range 22-239, 95% CI) and one newborn had mild bleeding. No severe hemolytic reaction was observed and side effects were moderate.

CONCLUSION

Among pregnant women with FNAIT history, the use of non-invasive fetal risk determination and maternal IVIG resulted in favorite outcome of all newborns. Invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in women with a history of FNAIT should be abandoned.

Non-Invasive Ventilation in Neonatology

BACKGROUND

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) has been replaced by early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants aiming to reduce the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Subsequently, modern non-invasive ventilation strategies (NIV) were introduced into clinical practice with limited evidence of effects on pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a selective literature search in PubMed including randomized controlled trials (RCT) (n ≥ 200) and meta-analyses published in the field of NIV in neonatology and follow-up studies focusing on long term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

RESULTS

Individual studies do not show a significant risk reduction for the combined endpoint death or BPD in preterm infants caused by early CPAP in RDS when compared to primary intubation. One meta-analysis comparing four studies found CPAP significantly reduces the risk of BPD or death (relative risk: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [0.84;0.99]). Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) as a primary ventilation strategy reduces the rate of intubations in infants with RDS (RR: 0.78 [0.64;0.94]) when compared to CPAP but does not affect the rate of BPD (RR: 0.78 [0.58;1.06]).

CONCLUSION

Early CPAP reduces the need for IMV and the risk of BPD or death in preterm infants with RDS. NIPPV may offer advantages over CPAP regarding intubation rates. Networking-based follow-up programs are required to assess the effect of NIV on long term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

MSC Based Therapies-New Perspectives for the Injured Lung

Chronic lung diseases pose a tremendous global burden. At least one in four people suffer from severe pulmonary sequelae over the course of a lifetime. Despite substantial improvements in therapeutic interventions, persistent alleviation of clinical symptoms cannot be offered to most patients affected to date. Despite broad discrepancies in origins and pathomechanisms, the important disease entities all have in common the pulmonary inflammatory response which is central to lung injury and structural abnormalities. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) attract particular attention due to their broadly acting anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Plenty of preclinical studies provided congruent and convincing evidence that MSC have the therapeutic potential to alleviate lung injuries across ages. These include the disease entities bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma and the different forms of acute lung injury and chronic pulmonary diseases in adulthood. While clinical trials are so far restricted to pioneering trials on safety and feasibility, preclinical results point out possibilities to boost the therapeutic efficacy of MSC application and to take advantage of the MSC secretome. The presented review summarizes the most recent advances and highlights joint mechanisms of MSC action across disease entities which provide the basis to timely tackle this global disease burden.

Safety and Parental Satisfaction With Early Discharge of Preterm Infants on Nasogastric Tube Feeding and Outpatient Clinic Follow-Up

Aim: To evaluate our early discharge program of preterm infants with nasogastric tube feeding (NTF) and close outpatient clinic follow-up with regard to safety, parent satisfaction and parental stress level. Methods: 119 preterm infants were discharged on NTF from our tertiary care neonatal unit (median gestational age 31.0 weeks, median birthweight 1,650 g). Parental satisfaction was evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. For safety assessment growth until term equivalent age and re-hospitalizations within 2 months after discharge were evaluated. Results: Infants were discharged home at a median gestational age of 35.4 weeks after a median hospital stay of 22 days. Follow up was attained in 95 of 104 parent-infant dyads. The majority of parents (94%) reported that they had made the right decision in taking their infant home on NTF. At the time of discharge 86% of parents felt very well-prepared to perform NTF. 70% Of parents rated their stress level at home as low (≤2 out of 5). There were no NTF associated readmissions and no growth faltering until term equivalent age. Conclusion: Early discharge of preterm infants with NTF together with outpatient clinic follow-up is very well-accepted by parents and appears to be safe.

The genomic and clinical landscape of fetal akinesia

PURPOSE

Fetal akinesia has multiple clinical subtypes with over 160 gene associations, but the genetic etiology is not yet completely understood.

METHODS

In this study, 51 patients from 47 unrelated families were analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques aiming to decipher the genomic landscape of fetal akinesia (FA).

RESULTS

We have identified likely pathogenic gene variants in 37 cases and report 41 novel variants. Additionally, we report putative pathogenic variants in eight cases including nine novel variants. Our work identified 14 novel disease-gene associations for fetal akinesia: ADSSL1, ASAH1, ASPM, ATP2B3, EARS2, FBLN1, PRG4, PRICKLE1, ROR2, SETBP1, SCN5A, SCN8A, and ZEB2. Furthermore, a sibling pair harbored a homozygous copy-number variant in TNNT1, an ultrarare congenital myopathy gene that has been linked to arthrogryposis via Gene Ontology analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis indicates that genetic defects leading to primary skeletal muscle diseases might have been underdiagnosed, especially pathogenic variants in RYR1. We discuss three novel putative fetal akinesia genes: GCN1, IQSEC3 and RYR3. Of those, IQSEC3, and RYR3 had been proposed as neuromuscular disease-associated genes recently, and our findings endorse them as FA candidate genes. By combining NGS with deep clinical phenotyping, we achieved a 73% success rate of solved cases.

Mouse genetic background impacts susceptibility to hyperoxia-driven perturbations to lung maturation

BACKGROUND

The laboratory mouse is widely used in preclinical models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, where lung alveolarization is stunted by exposure of pups to hyperoxia. Whether the diverse genetic backgrounds of different inbred mouse strains impacts lung development in newborn mice exposed to hyperoxia has not been systematically assessed.

METHODS

Hyperoxia (85% O₂ , 14 days)-induced perturbations to lung alveolarization were assessed by design-based stereology in C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, FVB/NJ, C3H/HeJ, and DBA/2J inbred mouse strains. The expression of components of the lung antioxidant machinery was assessed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot.

RESULTS

Hyperoxia-reduced lung alveolar density in all five mouse strains to different degrees (C57BL/6J, 64.8%; FVB/NJ, 47.4%; BALB/cJ, 46.4%; DBA/2J, 45.9%; and C3H/HeJ, 35.9%). Hyperoxia caused a 94.5% increase in mean linear intercept in the C57BL/6J strain, whilst the C3H/HeJ strain was the least affected (31.6% increase). In contrast, hyperoxia caused a 65.4% increase in septal thickness in the FVB/NJ strain, where the C57BL/6J strain was the least affected (30.3% increase). The expression of components of the lung antioxidant machinery in response to hyperoxia was strain dependent, with the C57BL/6J strain exhibiting the most dramatic engagement. Baseline expression levels of components of the lung antioxidant systems were different in the five mouse strains studied, under both normoxic and hyperoxic conditions.

CONCLUSION

The genetic background of laboratory mouse strains dramatically influenced the response of the developing lung to hyperoxic insult. This might be explained, at least in part, by differences in how antioxidant systems are engaged by different mouse strains after hyperoxia exposure.

Altered relaxation times in MRI indicate bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We developed a MRI protocol using transverse (T2) and longitudinal (T1) mapping sequences to characterise lung structural changes in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We prospectively enrolled 61 infants to perform 3-Tesla MRI of the lung in quiet sleep. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic Group Lasso regression and logistic regression. Increased lung T2 relaxation time and decreased lung T1 relaxation time indicated BPD yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80. Results were confirmed in an independent study cohort (AUC 0.75) and mirrored by lung function testing, indicating the high potential for MRI in future BPD diagnostics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS00004600.

Impact of Fgf10 deficiency on pulmonary vasculature formation in a mouse model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by alveoli simplification and dysmorphic pulmonary microvasculature, is a chronic lung disease affecting prematurely born infants. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important BPD feature associated with morbidity and mortality. In human BPD, inflammation leads to decreased fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) expression but the impact on the vasculature is so far unknown. We used lungs from Fgf10+/- versus Fgf10+/+ pups to investigate the effect of Fgf10 deficiency on vascular development in normoxia (NOX) and hyperoxia (HOX, BPD mouse model). To assess the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (Fgfr2b) ligands independently of early developmentaldefects, we used an inducible double transgenic system in mice allowing inhibition of Fgfr2b ligands activity. Using vascular morphometry, we quantified the pathological changes. Finally, we evaluated changes in FGF10, surfactant protein C (SFTPC), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) and alpha-smooth muscle actin 2 (α-SMA) expression in human lung samples from patients suffering from BPD. In NOX, no major difference in the lung vasculature between Fgf10+/- and control pups was detected. In HOX, a greater loss of blood vessels in Fgf10+/- lungs is associated with an increase of poorly muscularized vessels. Fgfr2b ligands inhibition postnatally in HOX is sufficient to decrease the number of blood vessels while increasing the level of muscularization, suggesting a PH phenotype. BPD lungs exhibited decreased FGF10, SFTPC and PECAM but increased α-SMA. Fgf10 deficiency-associated vascular defects are enhanced in HOX and could represent an additional cause of morbidity in human patients with BPD.

[Applicability of Neonatal Pain Scores depending on Level of Education and Work Experience in Child Care]

INTRODUCTION

In management of pain the nursing staff plays a major role in measuring, preventing and treating pain. The influence of general work experience and experience with newborns was investigated by comparing PIPP and NRS measurements in groups with work experience and student nurses.

METHODS

44 students of the nursing school and 35 members of the staff of 2 university hospitals scored the Premature Infant Pain Profile PIPP - a 7 dimensional measurement tool - for 10 videos of painful procedures on preterm and newborn. The subjective impression of the patients' pain was obtained by a NRS.

RESULTS

In contrast to the application of one dimensional measurement tools there were no differences between the groups with different experience levels. Also the work experience with newborn did not seem to influence the total PIPP score. Certainly both groups showed a moderate dispersion of the total values (e. g. Video 1: 10,5 [9-12] vs. 10 [3-11]). In NRS students rated the pain lower than experienced nurses. These results were not significant.

CONCLUSION

The application of PIPP by students was equal to the application by experienced nurses. The work experience with newborn did not seem to influence the rating. Certainly both groups showed a moderate dispersion of total values (e. g. Video 1: 10,5 [9-12] vs. 10 [3-11]).

The Microbiome and Preterm Birth: A Change in Paradigm with Profound Implications for Pathophysiologic Concepts and Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Preterm birth poses a global challenge with a continuously increasing disease burden during the last decades. Advances in understanding the etiopathogenesis did not lead to a reduction of prematurely born infants so far. A balanced development of the host microbiome in early life is key for the maturation of the immune system and many other physiological functions. With the tremendous progress in new diagnostic possibilities, the contribution of microbiota changes to preterm birth and the acute and long-term sequelae of prematurity have come into the research focus. This review summarizes the latest advances in the understanding of microbiomes in the amniotic cavity and the female lower genital tract and how changes in microbiota structures contribute to preterm delivery. The exhibition of these highly vulnerable infants to the hostile environment in the neonatal intensive care unit necessarily entails the rapid colonization with a nonbalanced microbiome in a situation where the organism is still very prone and at an early stage of development. The global research efforts to decipher pathologic changes will pave the way to new pre- and postnatal therapeutic concepts.

Attenuated PDGF signaling drives alveolar and microvascular defects in neonatal chronic lung disease

Neonatal chronic lung disease (nCLD) affects a significant number of neonates receiving mechanical ventilation with oxygen-rich gas (MV-O₂). Regardless, the primary molecular driver of the disease remains elusive. We discover significant enrichment for SNPs in the PDGF-Rα gene in preterms with nCLD and directly test the effect of PDGF-Rα haploinsufficiency on the development of nCLD using a preclinical mouse model of MV-O₂ In the context of MV-O₂, attenuated PDGF signaling independently contributes to defective septation and endothelial cell apoptosis stemming from a PDGF-Rα-dependent reduction in lung VEGF-A. TGF-β contributes to the PDGF-Rα-dependent decrease in myofibroblast function. Remarkably, endotracheal treatment with exogenous PDGF-A rescues both the lung defects in haploinsufficient mice undergoing MV-O₂ Overall, our results establish attenuated PDGF signaling as an important driver of nCLD pathology with provision of PDGF-A as a protective strategy for newborns undergoing MV-O₂.

Activation of the NF-κB pathway alters the phenotype of MSCs in the tracheal aspirates of preterm infants with severe BPD

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are released into the airways of preterm infants following lung injury. These cells display a proinflammatory phenotype and are associated with development of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to characterize the functional properties of MSCs obtained from tracheal aspirates of 50 preterm infants who required invasive ventilation. Samples were separated by disease severity. The increased proliferative capacity of MSCs was associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation and higher severity of BPD. Augmented growth depended on nuclear accumulation of NFκBp65 and was accompanied by reduced expression of cytosolic α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The central role of NF-κB signaling was confirmed by inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation. The combined score of proliferative capacity, accumulation of NFκBp65, and expression of α-SMA was used to predict the development of severe BPD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.847. We mimicked the clinical situation in vitro, and stimulated MSCs with IL-1β and TNF-α. Both cytokines induced similar and persistent changes as was observed in MSCs obtained from preterm infants with severe BPD. RNA interference was employed to investigate the mechanistic link between NFκBp65 accumulation and alterations in phenotype. Our data indicate that determining the phenotype of resident pulmonary MSCs represents a promising biomarker-based approach. The persistent alterations in phenotype, observed in MSCs from preterm infants with severe BPD, were induced by the pulmonary inflammatory response. NFκBp65 accumulation was identified as a central regulatory mechanism. Future preclinical and clinical studies, aimed to prevent BPD, should focus on phenotype changes in pulmonary MSCs.

Early Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema in Preterm Neonates-Respiratory Management and Case Report in Nonventilated Very Low Birth Weight Twins

Early pulmonary interstitial emphysema in extreme preterm neonates is closely linked with respiratory distress syndrome and exposure to mechanical ventilation. In severe cases, maintaining adequate gas exchange aiming to avoid further lung damage and other neonatal morbidities associated with systemic/pulmonary hypoperfusion, prolonged hypoxia, and respiratory acidosis can be challenging and requires in-depth knowledge into the pathophysiology of the disease. Herein, we report on very low birth weight twins who developed early pulmonary interstitial emphysema during noninvasive respiratory support. We further review the current evidence from the literature, specifically addressing on possible preventive measures and the respiratory management options of this acute pulmonary disease in high-risk neonates.