Publications by authors named "Gabriela de Carvalho Nunes"
Article Synopsis
- Premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk for pulmonary hypertension (PH), and this study explores the connection between patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) management strategies and the prevalence of BPD-PH.
- The research involved examining newborns under 29 weeks gestational age with BPD across two centers—one with a conservative PDA approach and the other with a more aggressive treatment method.
- Findings indicated similar rates of PH between the two centers despite different PDA treatment rates, suggesting that a conservative approach does not increase the likelihood of PH diagnosis in these infants.
Article Synopsis
- - The study evaluated the impact of a new bCPAP protocol on respiratory outcomes for infants born before 32 weeks of gestation and weighing under 1250 g, spanning four time periods from 2012 to 2020.
- - Results indicated that the implementation of the bCPAP protocol significantly reduced the rates of death and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), with intubation rates also decreasing over time—especially in the delivery room.
- - The findings suggest that using bCPAP as primary respiratory support improves outcomes for very preterm infants, demonstrating the effectiveness of this comprehensive protocol in clinical practice.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigated how early cardiac function impacts outcomes like death and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely premature infants born before 29 weeks, through a retrospective analysis of 176 infants from 2015 to 2019.
- - Findings revealed that infants who experienced death/severe BPD had lower birth weights and showed reduced heart function on echocardiograms taken within 21 days, with specific measurements indicating worse cardiac performance and potential pulmonary issues.
- - The research concluded that diminished cardiac function early in life correlates with increased risks of severe BPD and related pulmonary hypertension, suggesting the importance of monitoring heart health in neonates and its potential role in predicting outcomes.
J Am Soc Echocardiogr
August 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated how the degree of prematurity (specifically the gestational age at birth) affects cardiac size and function in extremely preterm infants at near-term age.
- Researchers analyzed data from infants born at less than 29 weeks of gestational age, comparing those born before and after 26 weeks.
- Results showed that infants born before 26 weeks had significantly smaller left heart dimensions compared to their slightly more mature counterparts, highlighting potential long-term cardiac concerns.
Pediatr Blood Cancer
February 2023
Article Synopsis
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are linked to lower platelet counts and higher rates of thrombocytopenia in extremely premature infants (born before 29 weeks), which is important given the potential health implications.
- A study involving 296 infants showed that those exposed to HDP had significantly lower platelet counts and were more likely to require platelet transfusions compared to those not exposed.
- Although low initial platelet counts were associated with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), they weren't directly tied to exposure to HDP itself.
J Perinatol
February 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the factors linked to significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) in infants born prematurely and how it affects their heart function at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).
- Out of 387 infants, 222 were studied, with 24 (11%) showing significant PH, which was linked to lower heart function metrics, including reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and peak longitudinal strain in both the right and left ventricles.
- The results indicate that premature infants with significant PH experience changes in heart function affecting both sides of the heart, highlighting a deeper cardiac issue related to their PH condition.
Neuromuscul Disord
June 2022
Article Synopsis
- Chylothorax, a condition involving fluid accumulation in the chest, has been rarely associated with X-linked myotubular myopathy, a genetic muscle disease, but the exact connection is unclear.
- A neonate diagnosed prenatally with hydrops and chylothorax unfortunately died at 17 days old from respiratory failure linked to severe pulmonary hypertension.
- Genetic testing revealed a new mutation in the MTM1 gene, confirming the diagnosis of X-linked myotubular myopathy, while lung examination showed that primary pulmonary lymphangiectasia caused the chylothorax, marking this as a unique case with notable prenatal and postnatal complications.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the spontaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm infants, particularly those born before 26 weeks gestational age, and its impact on their respiratory health.
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on 214 extremely preterm infants admitted shortly after birth, with significant findings showing that 91% experienced spontaneous PDA closure, including 90% of those <26 weeks.
- The results indicated not only high closure rates by term corrected age but also a notable reduction in occurrences of moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia over the study period.
