Publications by authors named "Karen Van Mechelen"

Management of suspected early-onset sepsis (EOS) is undergoing continuous evolution aiming to limit antibiotic overtreatment, yet current data on the level of overtreatment are only available for a select number of countries. This study aimed to determine antibiotic initiation and continuation rates for suspected EOS, along with the incidence of culture-proven EOS in The Netherlands. In this retrospective study from 2019 to 2021, data were collected from 15 Dutch hospitals, comprising 13 regional hospitals equipped with Level I-II facilities and 2 academic hospitals equipped with Level IV facilities.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study analyzed data from 6 RCTs and 27 observational studies involving over 126,000 infants, using Bayesian model-averaged meta-analysis to evaluate the strength of the evidence.
  • * Findings indicated a weak to moderate lack of association between antenatal antibiotics and various forms of BPD, suggesting no clear link, but caution against promoting routine antibiotic use for preterm deliveries.
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Different pathophysiological pathways (endotypes), leading to very preterm birth may result in distinct clinical phenotypes of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). is a unique player in the pathogenesis of BPD. The interaction between factors inherent to (virulence, bacterial load, duration of exposure), and to the host (immune response, infection clearance, degree of prematurity, respiratory support, concomitant infections) may contribute to BPD development in a variable manner.

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Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the chronic lung disease of prematurity, is increasingly recognized as the consequence of a pathological reparative response of the developing lung to both antenatal and postnatal injury. According to this view, the pathogenesis of BPD is multifactorial and heterogeneous with different patterns of antenatal stress (endotypes) that combine with varying postnatal insults and might distinctively damage the development of airways, lung parenchyma, interstitium, lymphatic system, and pulmonary vasculature. This results in different clinical phenotypes of BPD.

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Background: Neonates with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection are usually asymptomatic or have mild to moderate symptoms. Acute respiratory distress syndrome due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with respiratory insufficiency is rare. Therefore, information about the best intensive care strategy for neonates requiring mechanical ventilation is lacking.

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Objective: We investigated the association between maternal cervicovaginal cultures, its antibiotic treatment, and neonatal outcome.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 480 neonates born prior to 32 weeks' gestation. They were divided into groups according to maternal cervicovaginal culture results.

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In general, the removal of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) in neonates by gentle traction is easy. In our case, the removal of a 28G PICC in a term neonate was impossible by manual traction even with force. Previously described non-invasive interventions using a stylet were not successful because it was not possible to pass the stylet along the catheter hub of the narrow 28G PICC.

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Article Synopsis
  • Parents of kids with metabolic diseases face more stress, anxiety, and problems than other parents, and their kids often have more behavioral issues.
  • A study with 14 parents showed that a special program helped reduce their stress, anxiety, and poor parenting styles, with some benefits lasting for 6 months.
  • The program worked well, and it's suggested that more research could make it even better for these families.
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