The association between bronchopulmonary dysplasia grade and risks of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestation.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial disease with neurodevelopmental implications. This study aims to quantify the risks of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for each BPD grade among preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks' gestation.

Methods: We retrospectively studied infants who received care in our institution until at least 36 weeks postmenstrual age and had a formal neurodevelopmental assessment in our infant follow-up clinic using the Bayley Scales for Infant and Toddler Development (BSID).

Machine learning for prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia-free survival among very preterm infants.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common and serious sequelae of prematurity. Prompt diagnosis using prediction tools is crucial for early intervention and prevention of further adverse effects. This study aims to develop a BPD-free survival prediction tool based on the concept of the developmental origin of BPD with machine learning.

Differential effects of the retinopathy of prematurity exam on the physiology of premature infants.

Objective: To compare the differential effects of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examination on the physiology of premature infants with and without oxygen support.

Study Design: We collected data from 42 premature infants (room air = 19, oxygen support = 23) and compared physiological metrics including heart rate (HR), systemic peripheral saturation (SpO), mesenteric tissue oxygen saturation (StO) and clinical events (oxygen desaturation episodes, bradycardia events, and gastric residuals).

Results: We found significant differences between groups in HR during and briefly after the exam, and in mesenteric StO during eye drop administration, eye exam, and up to 8 min after the exam.

The Energy Costs of Prematurity and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Experience.

Premature neonates are in an energy deficient state due to (1) oxygen desaturation and hypoxia events, (2) painful and stressful stimuli, (3) illness, and (4) neurodevelopmental energy requirements. Failure to correct energy deficiency in premature infants may lead to adverse effects such as neurodevelopmental delay and negative long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The effects of energy dysregulation and the challenges that clinicians in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) face in meeting the premature infant's metabolic demands are discussed.

Urinary Allantoin Is Elevated in Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in the Preterm Newborn.

Germinal matrix intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage observed in preterm neonates. It is a precursor of poor neurocognitive development, cerebral palsy, and death. The pathophysiology is not well defined, but damage to the fragile germinal matrix vasculature may be due to free radicals generated during inflammation and as a consequence of ischemia followed by reperfusion.