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Objective: To evaluate the association of a combined exposure to antenatal steroids and prophylactic indomethacin with the outcome of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) among neonates born at 7 days before birth) exposures. The co-exposure was prophylactic indomethacin. The primary outcome was SIP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate aORs. Results: Among 4720 eligible infants, 4121 (87%) received antenatal steroids and 1045 (22.1%) received prophylactic indomethacin. Among infants exposed to antenatal steroids, those who received prophylactic indomethacin had higher odds of SIP (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.14-2.28) compared with no prophylactic indomethacin. Subgroup analyses revealed recent antenatal steroids exposure with prophylactic indomethacin had higher odds of SIP (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.15-2.43), but latent antenatal steroids exposure with prophylactic indomethacin did not (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 0.48-3.21), compared with the respective groups with no prophylactic indomethacin. Among those not exposed to antenatal steroids, mortality was lower among those who received prophylactic indomethacin (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28-0.73) compared with no prophylactic indomethacin. Conclusions: In preterm neonates of more...

Infants with restricted growth for age are frequently exposed to insufficient placental circulation and are more likely to develop postnatal complications. Delayed cord clamping at birth for these infants requires further exploration.This study aimed to compare the short-term neonatal outcomes of delayed cord clamping with that of early cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants and to explore whether the effects of delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants are different from that in non-small for gestational age preterm infants.We conducted a national retrospective cohort study, including infants born at33 weeks' gestation and admitted to the Canadian Neonatal Network units between January 2015 and December 2017. Small for gestational age infants (birthweight of10th percentile for gestational age and sex) who received delayed cord clamping ≥30 seconds were compared with those who received early cord clamping. In addition, non-small for gestational age infants who received delayed cord clamping were compared with those who received early cord clamping. The main study outcomes included composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity, neonatal morbidity rate, mortality rate, peak serum bilirubin, and number of blood transfusions. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models with a generalized estimation equation approach were used to account for the clustering of infants within centers.Overall, 9722 infants met the inclusion criteria. Of those infants, 1027 (10.6%) were small for gestational age. The median (interquartile range) gestational age was 31 weeks (range, 28-32 weeks). After adjusting for potential confounders, delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age infants was associated with a reduction in the composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.86) compared with early cord clamping. There was no difference between the 2 groups in peak serum bilirubin. Many associated benefits of delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age infants were similar to those in non-small for gestational age infants.Delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age preterm infants was associated with decreased odds of mortality or major morbidity. Many of the benefits of delayed cord clamping in the small for gestational age preterm infants were similar to those identified in the non-small for gestational age preterm infants. more...

To develop and validate an itemized costing algorithm for in-patient neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) costs for infants born prematurely that can be used for quality improvement and health economic analyses.We sourced patient resource use data from the Canadian Neonatal Network database, with records from infants admitted to 30 tertiary NICUs in Canada. We sourced unit cost inputs from Ontario hospitals, schedules of benefits, and administrative sources. Costing estimates were generated by matching patient resource use data to the appropriate unit costs. All cost estimates were in 2017 Canadian dollars and assigned from the perspective of a provincial public payer. Results were validated using previous estimates of inpatient NICU costs and hospital case-cost estimates.We assigned costs to 27 742 infants born prematurely admitted from 2015 to 2017. Mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight of the cohort were 31.8 (3.5) weeks and 1843 (739) g, respectively. The median (IQR) cost of hospitalization before NICU discharge was estimated as $20 184 ($9739-51 314) for all infants; $11 810 ($6410-19 800) for infants born at gestational age of 33-36 weeks; $30 572 ($16 597-$51 857) at gestational age of 29-32 weeks; and $100 440 ($56 858-$159 3867) at gestational age of29 weeks. Cost estimates correlated with length of stay (r = 0.97) and gestational age (r = -0.65). The estimates were consistent with provincial resource estimates and previous estimates from Canada.NICU costs for infants with preterm birth increase as gestation decreases and length of stay increases. Our cost estimates are easily accessible, transparent, and congruent with previous cost estimates. more...

To examine rates and determinants of mother's own milk (MOM) feeding at hospital discharge in a cohort of infants born very preterm within the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN).This was a population-based cohort study of infants born at33 weeks of gestation and admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) participating in the CNN between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. We examined the rates and determinants of MOM use at discharge home among the participating NICUs. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify independent determinants of MOM feeding.Among the 6404 infants born very preterm and discharged home during the study period, 4457 (70%) received MOM or MOM supplemented with formula. Rates of MOM feeding at discharge varied from 49% to 87% across NICUs. Determinants associated with MOM feeding at discharge were gestational age 29-32 weeks compared with26 weeks (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.93), primipara mothers (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.86-2.42), maternal diabetes (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.93), and maternal smoking (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.19-0.38). Receipt of MOM by day 3 of age was the major predictor of breast milk feeding at discharge (aOR 3.61, 95% CI 3.17-4.12).Approximately two-thirds of infants born very preterm received MOM at hospital discharge, and rates varied across NICUs. Supporting mothers to provide breast milk in the first 3 days after birth may be associated with improved MOM feeding rates at discharge. more...

Background One of the controversies in the management of twin gestations relates to mode of delivery, especially when the second twin is in a nonvertex presentation (Vertex/nonVertex pairs) and birth is imminent at extremely low gestation. Objective We hypothesized that, for Vertex/nonVertex twins born before 28 weeks’ gestation, cesarean delivery would be associated with a lower risk of adverse neonatal outcomes than trial of vaginal delivery. Our aim was to test this hypothesis by comparing the neonatal outcomes of Vertex/nonVertex twins born before 28 weeks’ gestation by mode of delivery using a large national cohort. Study Design This work is a retrospective cohort study of all twin infants born at 240/7 to 276/7 weeks’ gestation and admitted to level III neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network (2010–2017). Exposure is defined a trial of vaginal delivery for Vertex/nonVertex twins. Nonexposed (control) groups are defined as cases where both twins were delivered by cesarean delivery, either in vertex or nonvertex presentation (control group 1) or owing to the nonvertex presentation of the first twin (control group 2). Outcome measures are defined as a composite of neonatal death, severe neurologic injury, or birth trauma. Results A total of 1082 twin infants (541 twin pairs) met the inclusion criteria: 220 Vertex/nonVertex pairs, of which 112 had a trial of vaginal delivery (study group) and 108 had cesarean delivery for both twins (control group 1); 170 pairs with the first twin in nonvertex presentation, all of which were born by cesarean delivery (control group 2); and 151 pairs with both twins in vertex presentation (vertex or nonvertex). In the study group, the rate of urgent cesarean delivery for the second twin was 30%. The rate of the primary outcome in the study group was 42%, which was not significantly different compared with control group 1 (37%; adjusted relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–1.22) or control group 2 (34%; adjusted relative risk, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.58). The findings remained similar when outcomes were analyzed separately for the first and second twins. Conclusion For preterm Vertex/nonVertex twins born at more...

Objectives Gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD) is one of the most common causes of neonatal liver failure, associated with high mortality and morbidity. Antenatal intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become a promising treatment option. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of antenatal IVIG therapy for GALD in reducing perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, PROSPERO, Cochrane, CINAHL) were searched from inception until January 1, 2017 with the terms: "gestational alloimmune liver disease", "neonatal hemochromatosis", and "treatment or therapy or intervention." Outcomes were perinatal and neonatal mortality, liver transplantation, and iatrogenic preterm delivery. Results Sixteen studies were included with n=73 matched pregnancies. Out of the 73 pregnancies treated with antenatal IVIG all of them had live births, surviving to discharge. Among control pregnancies all but 6 resulted in neonatal death (55/73) or intrauterine fetal demise (12/73). Of live births 10/67 liver transplants were reported of which 3 survived to discharge. None of the infants from treatment pregnancies required liver transplants. Gestational age of treatment pregnancies was 37.2 ± 2.3 weeks, only 11/73 control pregnancies reported gestational age. Conclusions Antenatal IVIG treatment significantly reduces perinatal and neonatal mortality in GALD and should be offered to all women with previously affected child(ren). more...

Background Immunization of pregnant women with tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) provides protection against pertussis to the newborn infant. Methods In a randomized, controlled, observer-blind, multicenter clinical trial, we measured the safety and immunogenicity of Tdap during pregnancy and the effect on the infant's immune response to primary vaccination at 2, 4, and 6 months and booster vaccination at 12 months of age. A total of 273 women received either Tdap or tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine in the third trimester and provided information for the safety analysis and samples for the immunogenicity analyses; 261 infants provided serum for the immunogenicity analyses. Results Rates of adverse events were similar in both groups. Infants of Tdap recipients had cord blood levels that were 21% higher than maternal levels for pertussis toxoid (PT), 13% higher for filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), 4% higher for pertactin (PRN), and 7% higher for fimbriae (FIM). These infants had significantly higher PT antibody levels at birth and at 2 months and significantly higher FHA, PRN, and FIM antibodies at birth and 2 and 4 months, but significantly lower PT and FHA antibody levels at 6 and 7 months and significantly lower PRN and FIM antibody levels at 7 months than infants whose mothers received Td. Differences persisted prebooster at 12 months for all antigens and postbooster 1 month later for PT, FHA, and FIM. Conclusions This study demonstrated that Tdap during pregnancy results in higher levels of antibodies early in infancy but lower levels after the primary vaccine series. Clinical trials registration NCT00553228. more...

A 20-year-old primigravida was found on ultrasound to have monochorionic monoamniotic twins. One twin had multiple anomalies, including no identifiable heart and a single umbilical artery with reversed flow (Figure 1). The second twin had normal anatomy. With a diagnosis of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) syndrome, radiofrequency ablation of the abnormal twin’s cord vessels was performed. The patient delivered a healthy baby and the perfused twin (Figure 2) at term. more...

Pre-eclampsia is a relatively common complication of pregnancy. HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome is a severe manifestation of pre-eclampsia with significant morbidity and mortality for pregnant women and their children. Corticosteroids are commonly used in the treatment of HELLP syndrome in the belief that they improve outcomes.To determine the effects of corticosteroids on women with HELLP syndrome and their children.We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 June 2010).Randomized controlled trials comparing any corticosteroid with placebo, no treatment, or other drug; or comparing one corticosteroid with another corticosteroid or dosage in women with HELLP syndrome.Two review authors assessed trial quality and extracted data independently.Eleven trials (550 women) compared corticosteroids with placebo or no treatment. There was no difference in the risk of maternal death (risk ratio (RR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28 to 3.21), maternal death or severe maternal morbidity (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.12), or perinatal/infant death (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.97). The only clear effect of treatment on individual outcomes was improved platelet count (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.67, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.10). The effect on platelet count was strongest for women who commenced treatment antenatally (SMD 0.80, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.35).Two trials (76 women) compared dexamethasone with betamethasone. There was no clear evidence of a difference between groups in respect to perinatal/infant death (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.17) or severe perinatal/infant morbidity or death (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.48). Maternal death and severe maternal morbidity were not reported. In respect to platelet count, dexamethasone was superior to betamethasone (MD 6.02, 95% CI 1.71 to 10.33), both when treatment was commenced antenatally (MD 8.10, 95% CI 6.23 to 9.97) and postnatally (MD 3.70, 95% CI 0.96 to 6.44).There was no clear evidence of any effect of corticosteroids on substantive clinical outcomes. Those receiving steroids showed significantly greater improvement in platelet counts which was greater for those receiving dexamethasone than those receiving betamethasone. There is to date insufficient evidence of benefits in terms of substantive clinical outcomes to support the routine use of steroids for the management of HELLP. The use of corticosteroids may be justified in clinical situations in which increased rate of recovery in platelet count is considered clinically worthwhile. more...

N avons constate, au moment de l’echographie, qu’une primigravide de 20 ans presentait des jumeaux monozygotes monoamniotiques. Un des jumeaux presentait de multiples anomalies, y compris l’absence d’un cœur identifiable et la presence d’une seule artere ombilicale a circulation inversee (Figure 1). Le deuxieme jumeau presentait une anatomie normale. A la suite de l’etablissement d’un diagnostic de syndrome de perfusion arterielle inversee gemellaire (ou syndrome TRAP pour twin reversed arterial perfusion), l’ablation par radiofrequence des vaisseaux du cordon du jumeau anormal a ete menee. La patiente a accouche d’un enfant sain et du jumeau perfuse (Figure 2) a terme. more...