Objectives: To determine the efficacy of low-dose heparin in preventing central catheter occlusion and its safety among neonates. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 42 neonates requiring peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines. The neonates were divided into two groups: low dose heparin (0.5 units/kg/hr =0.2 units/ml) and control group (0.5 units/ml). The efficacy outcomes were duration of catheter patency, completion of catheter use, and the presence of catheter occlusion or thrombosis. The safety outcomes include heparin complications. Results: The study participants had a mean age of 17 days old at 35 weeks gestational age and mean weight of 1.97 kg. The participants given low dose heparin were 36% more likely to complete the use of central line and 12% less likely to develop catheter occlusion. Analyses showed non-statistically significant risk ratio of active bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and deranged prothrombin time in the low dose heparin group. Conclusion The use of low dose heparin (0.5 units/kg/hr = 0.2 units/ml) appears as effective as the control dose in completion of catheter use and prevention of catheter occlusion. There was also no significant difference in the adverse effects. Low dose heparin can be used as continuous infusion for preventing central line occlusion; however, it has no advantage in lowering the risk of complications.
Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES: To determine efficacy of continuous heparin infusion vs placebo on maintenance of peripherally inserted central catheter line among neonates admitted at the NICU. METHODS: This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported in accordance with PRISMA checklist. Cochrane Risk-of-bias tool was used in assessment of reporting biases. Pooled risk ratios were estimated using random- or fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Of 4519 studies identified, 4 studies were included, and all have low risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that continuous heparin infusion on PICCs had significantly higher duration of catheter patency compared to the placebo group (MD=2.22, 95%CI=1.03-3.14, pvalue<0.00001). Heparin group also had decreased risk of occlusion (RR=0.47, 95%CI=0.94, pvalues=0.03) compared to control. The risk for other adverse events such as thrombosis, infection, IVH progression, and mortality was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Continuous heparin infusion in PICC fluids can prolong duration of catheter patency by 2.2 days and reduce risk of catheter-related occlusion by 50%, without having significant effect on incidence of other adverse events. RECOMMENDATIONS Continuous heparin infusion on PICC fluids should be part of maintenance and care policy at the NICU, but precautions should be followed to prevent adverse outcomes. Systematic review of intermittent heparin flushing can be a window of opportunity.

BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment has a great impact on the functional, social and emotional aspects of a child. Thus, early detection and management is crucial for optimal development of the child. The Newborn Hearing Screening Act was approved in the Philippines to ―institutionalize measures for prevention and early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss among newborns‖. A simple, accurate and readily available hearing screening tool is necessary in less privileged communities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of Pen Click Test as compared to otoacoustic emission test as a hearing screening tool among newborns seen in two tertiary government hospitals. The accuracy of Pen Click Test was measured for its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. METHODS: The study is an experimental design consisting of three phases: Phase I is a randomized complete block design; Phase II involves inter-rater and intra-rater variability randomized block design and Phase III is a cross sectional design. The study was done in two government tertiary hospitals. The subjects are term newborns with both ears analyzed independently from each other. RESULTS: Phase I of the study identified Acroball retractable pen as the study stimulus based on its accessibility and its capability to produce high decibel. In phase II, all health workers produced a sound stimulus of more than 70 decibels. Majority of the health workers had no significant difference among each other which means there is minimal deviation from the mean. Phase III showed that pen click test has a high specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 43%. Based on disease prevalence, the test showed a positive predictive value of 77% and negative predictive value of 93%. Kappa agreement showed moderate result with a Kappa coefficient of 0.54. CONCLUSION The study showed high specificity in identifying hearing impairment and a positive association of Pen Click test to the standard hearing audiometer. The application of this test in the community may be done as a hearing screening tool. This study provides an accessible, easily reproducible and accurate tool for hearing screening that may be applied in communities without facilities.