Clinical characteristics of Ureaplasma parvum infection in preterm infants: analysis of ten cases
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20240413-00284
- VernacularTitle:早产儿微小脲原体感染的临床特点：10例分析
- Author:
Qinglin LU
1
;
Yue DU
;
Ying CHEN
;
Di ZHANG
;
Ying LI
;
Yajuan WANG
Author Information
1. 首都儿科研究所附属儿童医院新生儿内科，北京 100020
- Keywords:
Ureaplasma parvum;
Premature;
Infection;
Clinical analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2024;27(10):822-828
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of neonatal Ureaplasma parvum (Up) infection.Methods:From June 2021 to July 2023, a total of 2 890 neonates were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics. Metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed on 373 specimens from 157 infants, detecting Up sequences in 12 specimens from ten infants, with no detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum sequences. All ten infants with detected Up were included in a retrospective analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the clinical characteristics of Up-infected neonates.Results:All ten Up-infected neonates were preterm infants with a gestational age of (28.3±2.6) weeks (25 +3-33 +1 weeks). Seven were delivered vaginally; eight had mothers with premature rupture of membranes; seven had mothers with elevated white blood cell counts and/or C-reactive protein levels prenatally; one had a mother with Ureaplasma Urealyticum vaginitis. All ten infants experienced clinical deterioration after initial stabilization of their underlying conditions, primarily presenting with respiratory symptoms, including decreased blood oxygen saturation, diffuse reticular changes on chest X-rays by the second day of life, pneumonia, and atelectasis. Some also had fever, decreased heart rate, poor skin perfusion, and scattered bruises, with two cases of heart failure. Despite empirical antibiotic treatment, nine infants continued to have significantly elevated white blood cell counts, with only mildly elevated or normal C-reactive protein levels. Seven developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, including four moderate to severe cases. After mNGS confirmed Up infection, all infants received macrolide antibiotics and symptomatic treatment, with individualized treatment courses. All were discharged after recovery with a median hospital stay of 58.5 d (range 26-100 d), though three had respiratory sequelae on follow-up. Conclusions:In preterm infants, clinical deterioration after initial stabilization, primarily with respiratory symptoms and persistent leukocytosis despite routine antibiotic treatment, should raise suspicion for Up infection. And mNGS aids in definitive diagnosis, and early initiation of macrolide antibiotics can improve clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis.
