Correction of hypernatremic dehydration in neonates with supervised breast-feeding: A cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND

Hypernatremic dehydration is an uncommon but a serious cause of readmission in neonates especially in the ones on exclusive breast-feeding. The management of such neonates is challenging as serious complications can occur both because of hypernatremic dehydration and its rapid correction. The aim was to study the clinical profile of neonates with hypernatremic dehydration and determine the outcome of these neonates after appropriate management.

METHODS

This is a prospective cross-sectional observational study of neonates readmitted with hypernatremic dehydration in a tertiary care hospital in a 12-month period from March 2017 to February 2018. The inclusion criterion was as follows: all neonates with serum sodium >145 mEq/l. The exclusion criteria were as follows: neonates with hypoglycemia, positive sepsis screen and any other congenital diseases. Neonates with serum sodium between 145 and 160 mEq/l were treated with supervised quantified oral feeds at 150 ml/kg/day, unless they had features of shock. Neonates who had serum sodium ≥160 mEq/l were given intravenous (IV) fluids initially.

RESULTS

A total of 2412 deliveries took place during the study period. Hypernatremic dehydration was reported in 46 (1.9%) of them, which required admission. We found that all these neonates were exclusively breast-fed, with 81.3% neonates born to primigravidae. One neonate presented with seizures, and one, with metabolic acidosis. More than 50% neonates had acute kidney injury (AKI) on admission. No neonates in our study developed central nervous system (CNS) complications such as cerebral venous thrombosis, convulsions or intracranial haemorrhage, and complete recovery from AKI was documented in all neonates.

CONCLUSION

Hypernatremic dehydration can be a serious problem even in term healthy neonates especially in exclusively breast-fed neonates born to primiparous women. Our study shows that quantified oral feeding is effective in successful management of hypernatremic dehydration and not associated with the dreaded CNS complications due to rapid correction.

Improving exclusive breast feeding in the first 24 h of life using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle in a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is the most ideal form of nutrition for neonates, but the rate of early initiation of breast feeding is as low as 41.6% in India. We aimed to improve the proportion of new-borns on exclusive breast feeds in first 24 h after birth in our hospital from a baseline rate of 33% to more than 90% by 6 weeks using concepts of quality improvement (QI) initiative.

METHODS

We implemented this QI initiative using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles and the project was conducted from 07 May 2017 to 17 Jun 2017. All singleton term neonates with birth weight above 2.5 kg were included. Neonates requiring any form of resuscitation at birth, respiratory distress requiring any form of respiratory support, and neonates requiring observation in NICU for any other reason were excluded. We ran PDSA cycles (including educating residents and nurses on breast feeding, initiating skin to skin contact and breast feeding in first hour of birth, demonstrating all mothers face to face about attachment and positioning and restriction on issue of formula milk) to improve breast feeding exclusivity.

RESULTS

A total of 199 neonates were enrolled, over a span of 6 weeks. We could achieve sustained exclusive breast feeding in first 24 h of life in more than 90% of the enrolled neonates by adhering to the QI initiative.

CONCLUSION

This QI project using PDSA methodology has significantly improved the rates of exclusive breast feeding in first 24 h of life in normal neonates roomed in with their mothers.

Skin-to-skin contact at birth for vaginally delivered neonates in a tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional study

Background

Neonates undergoing skin-to-skin contact (SSC) have shown to have better cardiovascular stability, improved duration of breastfeeding, temperature maintenance and bonding. The primary objective was to estimate the existing prevalence of SSC among mother-infant dyads in the first hour after vaginal delivery, and the secondary objective was to ascertain the factors affecting adherence of SSC after vaginal delivery.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital between September 2017 and December 2017. All mother-newborn dyads in the labour room were eligible for the study. Mothers with their newborns, who gave multiple births, or with major congenital malformations or those requiring any form of resuscitation or having respiratory distress or requiring observation in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were excluded. All included mother-newborn dyads, after exclusion, were observed for SSC, and the duration in each dyad was recorded. All enrolled mothers, the attending doctors and nurses were asked questions based on a prevalidated questionnaire for the possible barriers of implementation.

Results

Of a total of 164 mother-infant dyads studied, only 34 (20.7%) carried out SSC for more than 30 min. Sixty-two (37.8%) mother-infant dyads did not participate in any SSC. The commonest reason for non-adherence to SSC was unawareness about the practice in 82.25%, followed by pain and exhaustion after the labour process in 8%.

Conclusion

The rate of SSC at birth is suboptimal, and the commonest reason is lack of awareness about this important step of essential newborn care.

Gastric lavage in babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid in prevention of early feed intolerance: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of gastric lavage (GL) in preventing feed intolerance in babies born through Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF).

STUDY DESIGN

In this randomized trial conducted at a tertiary care hospital, neonates born of MSAF after 34 weeks period of gestation requiring routine care were randomly allocated to GL with 10 ml/kg of normal saline. The control group did not receive GL. The subjects were monitored for first 24 hours in predefined time epochs. The primary outcome was incidence of feed intolerance which was defined as vomiting or abdominal distension more than 2 cm from baseline measure. Babies were also monitored for potential adverse events due to GL and total duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Baseline parameters were comparable. The incidence of feed intolerance was not significant in the GL group [4.6% vs 9.2%; RR 0.92 (0.29-3)]. There were no adverse events secondary to GL. The duration of hospital stay was comparable between groups.

CONCLUSION

GL in neonates born of MSAF does not reduce feed intolerance.

Neonatal Sepsis: A Profile of a Changing Spectrum

Introduction: The clinical features of neonatal sepsis are protean and are based on variety of clinical, demographic and laboratory profile of suspected cases. Objectives: To describe the aforementioned profiles in neonates presenting with clinically suspected sepsis based on pre-defined clinical criteria. Material and Methods: Design: Cross-Sectional Study; Setting: Level-2 NICU, Tertiary Care Hospital; Duration: Jan 2011 to Jul 2012. Subjects: 50 consecutive neonates presenting with any of the predefined clinical criteria were assessed for presence of maternal risk factors and studied with respect to: Gestational age, sepsis screen, clinical profile and antibiotic sensitivity of the organisms cultured. Results: Out of the fifty neonates, 38 (76%) were early onset sepsis. The sepsis screen showed an overall sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 54%; with a positive predictive value of 41% and a negative predictive value of 83%. The most common organism cultured was Staphylococcus aureus followed by E Coli, Pseudomonas, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus and Group B Streptococcus. Ampicillin and Amikacin fared better than Cefotaxime and Gentamicin for Gram positive and Gram negative organisms, respectively. Overall, 37 babies responded to first line antibiotics and 11 required a change of antibiotics. One required addition of inotropes and two of the neonates died. Conclusion: A clinical diagnosis of sepsis based on predefined clinical criteria along with maternal risk factors, over- treated 27 babies (71%) with EONS and 8 babies (66.6%) with LONS. However, such a clinical diagnosis was supported by a septic screen almost twice as frequently (50% Vs 26.3%) in LONS. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated. J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(3):207-214 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i3.11236