Noninvasive Respiratory Support or Intubation during Stabilization after Birth and Neonatal and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants Born Preterm at 23-25 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective: To examine the association between noninvasive respiratory support (NRS) or tracheal intubation (TI) during stabilization in infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation and severe brain injury (sBI) or death, and significant neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI).

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of infants born at 23°-25 weeks of gestation in Canada. We compared infants successfully managed with NRS or TI during 30 minutes after birth.

The paradoxical influence of the COVID-19 lockdown period on different types of preterm births in Alberta: a provincial study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic impacted different types of preterm birth rates in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: A population-based, retrospective, cohort study was conducted from March 15, 2015 to December 31, 2020 using provincial data. The primary exposure was the COVID-19 lockdown period, and the primary outcome was the incidence of preterm birth (<37 weeks gestational age).

Neuroprotection care bundle implementation is associated with improved long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely premature infants.

Objective: To study the impact of an evidence-based neuroprotection care (NPC) bundle on long-term neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in infants born extremely premature.

Study Design: An NPC bundle targeting predefined risk factors for acute brain injury in extremely preterm infants was implemented. We compared the incidence of composite outcome of death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI) at 21 months adjusted age pre and post bundle implementation.

Defects in oxygen supply to skeletal muscle of prediabetic ZDF rats.

In humans, prediabetes is characterized by marked increases in plasma insulin and near normal blood glucose levels as well as microvascular dysfunction of unknown origin. Using the extensor digitorum longus muscle of 7-wk inbred male Zucker diabetic fatty rats fed a high-fat diet as a model of prediabetes, we tested the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia contributes to impaired O(2) delivery in skeletal muscle. Using in vivo video microscopy, we determined that the total O(2) supply to capillaries in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of prediabetic rats was reduced to 64% of controls with a lower O(2) supply rate per capillary and higher O(2) extraction resulting in a decreased O(2) saturation at the venous end of the capillary network.

Development of a beta-trace protein based formula for estimation of glomerular filtration rate.

Beta-trace protein (BTP) is a novel marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To date, no pediatric formula for calculating GFR based on BTP has been developed. We measured GFR, serum creatinine and BTP in 387 children who underwent 474 (99m)Tc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid renal scans.