The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not decreased over the last decade. The most important way to decrease BPD is by weaning the patient from the ventilator as soon as possible in order to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury that underlies BPD, and by using a noninvasive ventilator (NIV). Use of a heated, humidified, high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC), which is the most recently introduced NIV mode for respiratory support in preterm infants, is rapidly increasing in many neonatal intensive care units due to the technical ease of use without sealing, and the attending physician's preference compared to other NIV modes. A number of studies have shown that nasal breakdown and neonatal complications were lower when using a HHHFNC than when using nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The rates of extubation failure during respiratory support were not different between patients who used HHHFNC and nCPAP. However, data from the use of HHHFNC as the initial respiratory support "after birth", particularly in extremely preterm infants, are lacking. Although the HHHFNC is efficacious and safe, large randomized controlled trials are needed before the HHHFNC can be considered an NIV standard, particularly for extremely preterm infants.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Catheters* ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Hot Temperature* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weaning

Purpose: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with increased mortality and morbidities such as intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronch opulmonary dysplasia, and neurodevelopmental impairment. The objective of this study was to evaluate mortality and morbidities according to the time of PDA closure. Methods: For this study, 117 preterm infants with gestational age (GA) of <30 weeks who had PDA were enrolled and allocated to two groups according to the time of PDA closure as follows: early closed group (n=40, PDA closure in <14 days after birth) and delayed closed group (n=77, PDA closure in ≥14 days after birth). Results: GA was higher in the early closed group than in the delayed closed group (27.2±1.6 weeks vs. 26.3±1.7 weeks, P=0.005). Other demographic factors, such as birth weight, Apgar score, and maternal status were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence rates of surfactant redosing, retinopathy of prematurity (stage ≥II), necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ≥II), moderate to severe bronchopulmo nary dysplasia, and mortality were similar between the two groups. The total durations of mechanical ventilation, invasive ventilation, and hospital stay were longer in the delayed closed group than in the early closed group. However, these became similar after adjustment for GA. The incidence rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (grade ≥III) was significantly higher in the early closed group than in the delayed closed group after adjustment for GA (25.0% vs. 13.0%, adjusted P for GA=0.021). Conclusion In this study, delayed PDA closure was safe, as it did not increase mortality and morbidity rates.

Purpose: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most fatal respiratory morbidities in preterm infants, causing adverse respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite advances in neonatal ventilator care, the incidence of BPD has been static or even increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of BPD in a single center over 10 years.
Methods: Preterm infants with gestational age (GA) <30 weeks who were admitted to Inje University Busan Paik Hospital from January 2009 to December 2018 and sur vived 28 days or more were enrolled. The incidence of BPD according to year and GA and the risk factors of BPD were evaluated.
Results: Among 629 infants, 521 infants who survived 28 days or more were enrolled (BPD group, n=252; non-BPD group, n=269). The incidence of BPD was 48.4%, with moderate to severe BPD accounting for 13.9%. In preterm infants with GA ≤25, 26 to 27, and 28 to 29 weeks, the incidences of BPD were 57.5%, 51.5%, and 14.6%, respectively, with moderate to severe BPD accounting for 23.8%, 10.5%, and 3.7%, respectively. The incidence of BPD decreased from 68% in 2009 to 34.3% in 2014. Subsequently, it increased. Surfactant re-dosing and patent ductus arteriosus were more frequent in the BPD group than in the non-BPD group.
Conclusion BPD did not decrease over the previous 10 years despite advances in neonatal care.

PURPOSE: Anemia of prematurity is frequent in preterm infants, for which red blood cell (RBC) transfusion remains the treatment of choice. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the characteristics and risk factors of anemia of prematurity, and suggest ways to reduce anemia and the need for multiple transfusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preterm infants weighing less than 1500 g (May 2008-May 2009) were divided into two groups depending on whether they received RBC transfusions (transfusion group and non transfusion group). Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, phlebotomy blood loss, and the amount of RBC transfusion were analyzed. Risk factors of anemia and RBC transfusions were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty infants that survived were enrolled in the present study: 39 in the transfusion group and 11 in the non transfusion group. Hb concentrations gradually decreased by eight weeks. In the transfusion group, gestational age and birth weight were smaller, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and sepsis were more frequent, full feeding was delayed, parenteral nutrition and days spent in the hospital were prolonged, and phlebotomy blood loss was greater than that in the non transfusion group. CONCLUSION: Anemia of prematurity was correlated with increased laboratory blood loss, decreased birth weight, prolonged parenteral nutrition, and delayed body weight gain. Accordingly, reducing laboratory phlebotomy loss and parenteral nutrition, as well as improving body weight gain, may be beneficial to infants with anemia of prematurity.
Anemia, Neonatal/complications/*therapy ; Birth Weight ; Erythrocyte Transfusion/*adverse effects ; Gestational Age ; Hemoglobins/metabolism ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; *Infant, Premature ; *Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The incidence of cerebral palsy has not decreased despite advances in neonatal care. Preterm infants are at a high risk of cerebral palsy. Moreover, preterm infants might experience permanent neurological sequelae due to injury in the preterm brain. Although the etiology of preterm brain injury is not fully understood, preterm brain injury is strongly associated with abnormal cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. Monitoring systemic blood pressure or arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry is not enough to guarantee proper cerebral perfusion or oxygenation. Early detection of improper cerebral perfusion can prevent irreversible cerebral damage. To decrease brain injury through the early detection of under-perfusion and deoxygenation, other diagnostic modalities are needed. Near-infrared spectroscopy can continuously and noninvasively monitor regional oxygen saturation (rSO₂), which reflects the perfusion and oxygenation status of tissues at bedside. Near-infrared spectroscopy represents a balance between tissue oxygen supply and demand. Cerebral rSO₂ monitoring has been used most frequently in neonatal cardiac surgery to monitor cerebral oxygenation and prevent hypoxic damage or shock. Recently, cerebral, renal, or splanchnic rSO₂ in neonates is frequently monitored. The progression of a disease, brain injury, and death can be prevented by detecting changes in rSO₂ values using near-infrared spectroscopy. In this article, the basic principles, usefulness, and applications of near-infrared spectroscopy in neonates are discussed.
Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Cerebral Palsy ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Oximetry ; Oxygen ; Perfusion ; Shock ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Splanchnic Circulation ; Thoracic Surgery

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the optimal timing of inguinal herniorrhaphy in preterm infants to reduce the risks of preoperative incarceration and postoperative complications. Methods: Preterm infants with gestational age (GA) of <37 weeks who had ingui­nal herniorrhaphy before the age of 6 months were enrolled. Early repair was defined as undergoing herniorrhaphy before discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and late repair was defined as undergoing herniorrhaphy as an outpatient after discharge from the NICU. Results: The incidence rates of preoperative incarceration and recurrence were not significantly different between the two groups. Postoperative apnea and mechanical ventilation were more frequent in the early-repair group than in the late-repair group.Postoperative apnea was more frequent in the early-repair group after adjustments for GA and birth weight. However, no significant difference in postoperative mechanical ventilation was found between the two groups after adjustments for GA and birth weight. The incidence of postoperative apnea was associated with small weight at repair, early repair, general anesthesia, younger GA, small weight at birth, and bron chopul­monary dysplasia. Contralateral metachronous hernia was most frequent in infants with small weight at repair, early repair, very low birth weight (VLBW), male sex, and right-sided hernia. Conclusion Late repair was safe and did not increase the risk of incarceration or recurrence, but decreased the risks of postoperative apnea and metachronous hernia.Regional anesthesia could reduce the risk of postoperative apnea. Male infants born with VLBWs and right-sided hernia should be followed up carefully for metachronous hernia.

PURPOSE: Meconium-related ileus is common in preterm infants. Without proper management, it can cause necrotizing enterocolitis and perforation requiring emergent operation. This study was conducted to describe the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema at bedside for preterm infants with meconium-related ileus. METHODS: Between March 2013 and December 2014, this study enrolled preterm infants with birth weight < 1,500 g, who were diagnosed with meconium-related ileus requiring ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema refractory to glycerin or warm saline enemas. Gastrografin was infused until it passed the ileocecal valve with ultrasound guidance at bedside. RESULTS: A total of 13 preterm infants were enrolled. Gestational age and birth weight were 28.6 weeks (range, 23.9–34.3 weeks) and 893 g (range, 610–1,440 g), respectively. Gastrografin enema was performed around postnatal day 8 (range, day 3–11). The success rate was 84.6% (11 of 13 cases). Three of these 11 infants received a second procedure, which was successful. Among 2 unsuccessful cases, one failed to pass meconium while the other required surgery due to perforation. The time required to pass meconium was 2.8±1.5 hours (range, 1–6 hours). The time until radiographic improvement was 2.8±3.4 days (range, 1–14 days) after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema at bedside as a first-line treatment to relieve meconium-related ileus was effective and safe for very low birth weight infants. We could avoid unnecessary emergent operation in preterm infants who have high postoperative morbidity and mortality. This could also avoid transporting small preterm infants to fluoroscopy suite.
Birth Weight ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Enema ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Fluoroscopy ; Gestational Age ; Glycerol ; Humans ; Ileocecal Valve ; Ileus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Meconium ; Mortality ; Ultrasonography

Following the first successful trial of surfactant replacement therapy for preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) by Fujiwara in 1980, several animal-derived natural surfactants and synthetic surfactants have been developed. Synthetic surfactants were designed to overcome limitations of natural surfactants such as cost, immune reactions, and infections elicited by animal proteins contained in natural surfactants. However, first-generation synthetic surfactants that are protein-free have failed to prove their superiority over natural surfactants because they lack surfactant protein (SP). Lucinactant, a second-generation synthetic surfactant containing the SP-B analog, was better or at least as effective as the natural surfactant, suggesting that lucinactant could act an alternative to natural surfactants. Lucinactant was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2012 as the fifth surfactant to treat neonatal RDS. CHF5633, a second-generation synthetic surfactant containing SP-B and SP-C analogs, was effective and safe in a human multicenter cohort study for preterm infants. Many comparative studies of natural surfactants used worldwide have reported different efficacies for different preparations. However, these differences are believed to due to site variations, not actual differences. The more important thing than the composition of the surfactant in improving outcome is the timing and mode of administration of the surfactant. Novel synthetic surfactants containing synthetic phospholipid incorporated with SP-B and SP-C analogs will potentially represent alternatives to natural surfactants in the future, while improvement of treatment modalities with less-invasive or noninvasive methods of surfactant administration will be the most important task to be resolved.
Animals ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Surface-Active Agents ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Purpose: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a promising neuroprotective drug. We investigated whether EPO has beneficial effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 56 infants with HIE born at or after 35 weeks of gestation who were admitted to Inha University Hospital between 2012 and 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on EPO use and compared. In the EPO group, patients were administered 1,000 U/kg of EPO on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, starting within 24 hours after birth. The primary outcome was death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at the age of 12 months. Results: EPO was administered to 38 infants, and 18 did not receive EPO. Only 37.5% of patients with HIE (21/56) and 60% of patients with moderate-to-severe HIE (21/35) received therapeutic hypothermia. Among all patients with HIE, death or NDI (21.1 % vs. 50.0%; odds ratio [OR], 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01 to 0.78; P=0.029) and brain injury on imaging (42.1% vs. 83.3%; OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.92; P=0.040) were significantly lower in the EPO group than in the control group. Among patients with moderate-to-severe HIE, brain injury on imaging (54.2% vs. 90.9%; OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.700; P=0.027) was significantly lower in the EPO group than in the control group. Conclusion EPO administration significantly reduced mortality and NDI in infants with HIE. EPO can be considered an adjunctive therapeutic agent for neonatal HIE.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of early enteral trophic feeding within 24 hours after birth compared with being started within 7 days after birth in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all ELBWIs with gestational age of 26 weeks and less, and birth weight below 1,000 g, admitted within 24 hours after birth to neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2000 to June 2006 who were alive at the time of discharge. Data for nutritional status and morbidities were compared between Era 1 (n=76), in which early enteral trophic feeding was started within 7 days after birth and Era 2 (n=46), started within 24 hours after birth. RESULTS: Compared to era 1, despite that gestational age and enteral feeding strarting time of ELBWIs was significantly earlier (25(+4)+/-0(+6) vs. 24(+6)+/-1(+5) weeks, 4.5+/-5.1 vs. 0.7+/-1.3 days), the time to achieve full enteral feeding was significantly shorter, and the weight gain at corrected age of 36 weeks was significantly higher in era 2. Also the incidence of early and total confirmed sepsis, total parenteral nutrition induced cholestasis, was lower and the duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in era 2 compared to era 1, without differences in the incidence of NEC, moderate to severe BPD, and severe IVH (> or =Gr III) between two eras. CONCLUSION: Early enteral trophic feeding in ELBWI within 24 hours after birth was safe and beneficial.
Birth Weight* ; Cholestasis ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Parturition* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Weight Gain