Revisiting the definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants at a single center quaternary neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective: To compare the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) based on the 1988 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) criteria, National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2001 definition, and NIH 2018 definition.

Methods: BPD incidence by each definition was compared in premature infants born at a single center between 2016 and 2018. Comorbidities were compared between those with and without BPD according to the newest definition.

Is mechanical ventilation associated with intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants?

Background: The impact of mechanical ventilation on the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is unknown, simply because the vast majority of these infants have been routinely intubated and mechanically ventilated. There is a growing interest in the use of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (ENCPAP) and avoiding mechanical ventilation.

Objectives: To examine the role of mechanical ventilation since delivery room in determining severe IVH in VLBW infants in two neonatal units that follow the same strategy of respiratory management using ENCPAP.

A comparison of a new, ultrathin-walled two-stage twin endotracheal tube and a conventional endotracheal tube in very premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome: a pilot study.

This was a pilot study to test the feasibility of use of the ultrathin-walled two-stage twin endotracheal tube (UTTS-T-ETT), with one half to one third the resistance to gas flow and one third to one seventh the dead space of a conventional tracheal tube, in very premature infants. Twenty-eight infants with gestational age 24 to 28 weeks and birthweight >/= 500 g with respiratory distress syndrome requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation were randomly assigned to be intubated with either the UTTS-T-ETT (13 infants) or with a conventional ETT (15 infants). The infants in the two groups were similar in GA, birthweight, age of entry in the study, and initial ventilator settings.

Lung function in infants after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background/purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is initially characterized by severe restrictive lung defect and low lung compliance, but survivors have relatively few abnormalities later in life. We studied the changes in lung growth and function in infants after the repair of CDH.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of pulmonary function tests was performed during the first 24 months of life in 56 infants (33 male and 23 female) after repair of CDH.

Is the new definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia more useful?

Objective: To determine the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in low birth weight (LBW) infants <1251 g managed with early bubble nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and a gentle ventilation strategy using the newly proposed definition for BPD and the previous definitions.

Methods: Needs for supplemental oxygen and positive pressure (positive pressure ventilation or NCPAP) during initial hospitalization were evaluated in 266 inborn LBW infants (birth weight <1251 g). The data were categorized in three weight groups, <751, 751 to 1000 and 1001 to 1250 g and the incidence of BPD was computed in survivors based on oxygen need at 28 days, 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and the new severity of BPD criteria, that is, mild BPD: need for supplemental oxygen > or =28 days, but not at 36 weeks PMA; moderate BPD: need for supplemental oxygen > or =28 days and <30% at 36 weeks PMA and severe BPD: need for supplemental oxygen > or =28 days, and >30% at 36 weeks PMA and/or positive pressure at 36 weeks PMA.