Therapeutic hypothermia in preterm infants under 36 weeks: Case series on outcomes and brain MRI findings.

Purpose: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of neonatal brain injury. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard treatment for term neonates, but its safety and efficacy in neonates < 36 weeks gestational age (GA) remains unclear. This case series aimed to evaluate the outcomes of preterm infants with HIE treated with TH.

Predictors of CPAP failure after less-invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants.

Introduction: Less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is associated with better respiratory outcomes in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, mechanical ventilation (MV) shortly after the LISA procedure has been related to lower survival. This study aimed to analyze the trends and main predictors of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure after LISA.

Effect of Cerebral Oximetry-Guided Treatment on Brain Injury in Preterm Infants as Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Term Equivalent Age: An Ancillary SafeBoosC-III Study.

Introduction: The SafeBoosC-III trial investigated the effect of cerebral oximetry-guided treatment in the first 72 h after birth on mortality and severe brain injury diagnosed by cranial ultrasound in extremely preterm infants (EPIs). This ancillary study evaluated the effect of cerebral oximetry on global brain injury as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age (TEA).

Methods: MRI scans were obtained between 36 and 44.

Lung UltrasouNd Guided surfactant therapy in preterm infants: an international multicenter randomized control trial (LUNG study).

Background: The management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature newborns is based on different types of non-invasive respiratory support and on surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) to avoid mechanical ventilation as it may eventually result in lung damage. European guidelines currently recommend SRT only when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) exceeds 0.30.

Imaging of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial disease with many associated co-morbidities, responsible for most cases of chronic lung disease in childhood. The use of imaging exams is pivotal for the clinical care of BPD and the identification of candidates for experimental therapies and a closer follow-up. Imaging is also useful to improve communication with the family and objectively evaluate the clinical evolution of the patient's disease.

Foetal Haemoglobin as a Marker of Bone Marrow Suppression Secondary to Anti-Kell Alloimmunisation.

Anti-Kell alloimmunisation is a potentially severe minor blood group type incompatibility, not only as a cause of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, but also due to the destruction of red blood cells (RBC) and mature form in the bone marrow with the subsequent hyporegenerative anaemia. In severe cases and when the foetus shows signs of anaemia, an intrauterine transfusion (IUT) may be necessary. When repeated, this treatment can suppress erythropoiesis and worsen the anaemia.

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parental satisfaction in two European neonatal intensive care units.

Background: Neonatal units across the world have altered their policies to prevent the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to report parental experience in two European neonatal units during the pandemic.

Methods: Parents of infants admitted to each neonatal unit were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Influence of maternal and perinatal factors on macronutrient content of very preterm human milk during the first weeks after birth.

Objective: To identify changes in macronutrient content of very preterm human milk associated with perinatal factors.

Study Design: Milk macronutrients were measured on weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8 with mid-infrared transmission spectrometers.

Result: We assessed 625 samples (from 117 mothers and 130 very preterm infants).

Usefulness of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of respiratory diseases in neonates.

Objective: Lung ultrasound is a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of diseases in critically ill neonates. Its use is increasingly widespread thanks to its advantages over other imaging tests and the rapidly growing body of evidence to support it, and "point-of-care ultrasound" (POCUS) has become a key component in neonatal guidelines. The objective of this special article is to present the foundations and the established diagnostic and therapeutic applications of lung ultrasonography as well as introducing new applications.

Lung Ultrasound in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Patterns and Predictors in Very Preterm Infants.

Introduction: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is useful for respiratory management in very preterm infants (VPI), but little is known about the echographic patterns in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the relation between the image findings, and the severity of the disease and its long-term outcomes. We aimed to describe LUS patterns in BPD and analyze the accuracy of LUS to predict the need for respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) in VPI.

Methods: Preterm infants ≤30.

The Predictive Value of Lung Ultrasound Scores in Developing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Prospective Multicenter Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Background: Different lung ultrasound (LUS) scanning protocols have been used, and the results in terms of diagnostic accuracy are heterogeneous.

Research Questions: What is the diagnostic accuracy of the LUS score to predict moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (msBPD)? Does scanning of posterior lung fields improve the diagnostic accuracy?

Study Design And Methods: This was a multicenter prospective, observational study in six centers. Two LUS aeration scores, one involving only anterolateral lung fields and the other adding the posterior fields were obtained at birth, on the third day of life (DOL), on the seventh DOL, on the 14th DOL, and on the 21st DOL.

Feasibility of umbilical cord blood as a source of red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants born earlier than 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) often need red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, which have been associated with an increased incidence of complications of prematurity, due to changes in tissue oxygenation. Transfusion of umbilical cord blood (UCB) could be beneficial for this group. The aims of this study were: (i) to determine the RBC transfusion needs in infants <32 weeks in Hospital Clinic of Barcelona; (ii) to identify the target GA group that would benefit most from UCB transfusion; and (iii) to assess the current availability of UCB as a potential source of RBC transfusion for these premature infants in our tertiary referral blood bank.

Lung ultrasound for early surfactant treatment: Development and validation of a predictive model.

Aim: To develop and validate a feasible predictive model for early surfactant treatment in very preterm infants (VPI) admitted with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: Preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestation with RDS and stabilized with noninvasive ventilation in delivery room were recruited (January 2018-April 2020). Clinical data, chest X-ray (CXR) score, respiratory support, oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SF ratio), lung ultrasound (LUS) score, and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) were recorded at 60-120 min of life.

Eating Disorders During Gestation: Implications for Mother's Health, Fetal Outcomes, and Epigenetic Changes.

Eating disorders (EDs) have increased globally in women of childbearing age, related to the concern for body shape promoted in industrialized countries. Pregnancy may exacerbate a previous ED or conversely may be a chance for improving eating patterns due to the mother's concern for the unborn baby. EDs may impact pregnancy evolution and increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, poor fetal growth, or malformations, but the knowledge on this topic is limited.

Infrared analyzers for the measurement of breastmilk macronutrient content in the clinical setting.

Introduction: There is growing interest in the possibility of measuring the macronutrient content of human milk. Several studies that intend to validate commercially available human milk analyzers have been published with inconsistent results. This review will focus on currently available, verified methodologies for analyzing macronutrients in human milk.

Fortifier selection and dosage enables control of breast milk osmolarity.

Background: Human breast milk (BM) fortification is required to feed preterm newborns with less than 32 weeks of gestation. However, addition of fortifiers increases osmolarity and osmolarity values higher than 450 mOsm/kg may be related to gastrointestinal pathology. Hence, fortifier selection and dosage are key to achieve optimal feeding.

Reply: "It is Time for a Universal Nutrition Policy in Very Preterm Neonates during the Neonatal Period? Comment on: Applying Methods for Postnatal Growth Assessment in the Clinical Setting: Evaluation in a Longitudinal Cohort of Very Preterm Infants 2019, , 2772".

We would like to thank Gounaris et al [...

Applying Methods for Postnatal Growth Assessment in the Clinical Setting: Evaluation in a Longitudinal Cohort of Very Preterm Infants.

Aim: To analyze different methods to assess postnatal growth in a cohort of very premature infants (VPI) in a clinical setting and identify potential early markers of growth failure.

Methods: Study of growth determinants in VPI (≤32 weeks) during hospital stay. Nutritional intakes and clinical evolution were recorded.

Neurodevelopmental Impairment at Two Years in Premature Infants with Prolonged Patency of Ductus Arteriosus after a Conservative Approach.

Objective: The study aims to assess the impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes of a prolonged hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) after a conservative treatment.

Study Design: This involves the study of two cohorts of preterm infants 23 to 29 weeks gestation, before ( = 29) and after ( = 54) a conservative approach of PDA. We compared survival, major outcomes, and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 2 years and analyzed NDI in the conservative cohort according to the duration of the PDA.