Extensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation for VLBW and ELBW infants: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Perinatal risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a national cohort of very-low-birthweight infants

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the independent effect of perinatal factors on the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birthweight infants.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a population-based observational study. Data were prospectively collected by the Israel Neonatal Network. Multivariable analyses identified independent risk factors for BPD.

RESULTS

Of 12,139 infants surviving to a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks, 1663 (13.7%) developed BPD. BPD was independently associated with young maternal age (odds ratio [OR], 1.53), maternal hypertensive disorders (OR, 1.28), antepartum hemorrhage (OR, 1.26), male gender (OR, 1.41), non-Jewish ethnicity (OR, 1.23), birth defects (OR, 1.94), small for gestational age (GA) (OR, 2.65), and delivery room resuscitation (OR, 1.86). Stratified analysis by GA groups showed that postdelivery resuscitation had a more pronounced effect with increasing maturity.

CONCLUSION

Perinatal factors and pregnancy complications were independently associated with development of BPD in very-low-birthweight infants. Most risk factors identified were consistent within GA groups.

Chest compressions for bradycardia or asystole in neonates

When effective ventilation fails to establish a heart rate of greater than 60 bpm, cardiac compressions should be initiated to improve perfusion. The 2-thumb method is the most effective and least fatiguing technique. A ratio of 3 compressions to 1 breath is recommended to provide adequate ventilation, the most common cause of newborn cardiovascular collapse. Interruptions in compressions should be limited to not diminishing the perfusion generated. Oxygen (100%) is recommended during compressions and can be reduced once adequate heart rate and oxygen saturation are achieved. Limited clinical data are available to form newborn cardiac compression recommendations.

Proactive management of extreme prematurity: disagreement between obstetricians and neonatologists

OBJECTIVE

To verify, in extremely preterm infants, if disagreement between obstetricians and neonatologists regarding proactive management is associated with early death.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort of 484 infants with 23(0/7) to 26(6/7) weeks, without malformations, born from January 2006 to December 2009 in eight Brazilian hospitals. Pro-active management was defined as indication of ≥1 dose of antenatal steroid or cesarean section (obstetrician) and resuscitation at birth according to the international guidelines (neonatologist). Main outcome was neonatal death in the first 24  h of life.

RESULT

Obstetricians and neonatologists disagreed in 115 (24%) patients: only neonatologists were proactive in 107 of them. Disagreement between professionals increased 2.39 times the chance of death in the first day (95% confidence interval 1.40 to 4.09), adjusted for center and maternal/neonatal clinical conditions.

CONCLUSION

In infants with 23 to 26 weeks of gestation, disagreement between obstetricians and neonatologists, translated as lack of antenatal steroids and/or vaginal delivery, despite resuscitation procedures, increases the odds of death in the first day.

Outcome of extremely low birth weight infants who received delivery room cardiopulmonary resuscitation

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether delivery room cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DR-CPR) independently predicts morbidities and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely low birth weight infants.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a cohort study of infants born with birth weight of 401 to 1000 g and gestational age of 23 to 30 weeks. DR-CPR was defined as chest compressions, medications, or both. Logistic regression was used to determine associations among DR-CPR and morbidities, mortality, and NDI at 18 to 24 months of age (Bayley II mental or psychomotor index <70, cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness). Data are adjusted ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Of 8685 infants, 1333 (15%) received DR-CPR. Infants who received DR-CPR had lower birth weight (708±141 g versus 764±146g, P<.0001) and gestational age (25±2 weeks versus 26±2 weeks, P<.0001). Infants who received DR-CPR had more pneumothoraces (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.48-2.99), grade 3 to 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.23-1.74), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.59), death by 12 hours (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.98-4.57), and death by 120 days after birth (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.93-2.57). Rates of NDI in survivors (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.49) and death or NDI (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.46-1.99) were higher for DR-CPR infants. Only 14% of DR-CPR recipients with 5-minute Apgar score <2 survived without NDI.

CONCLUSIONS

DR-CPR is a prognostic marker for higher rates of mortality and NDI for extremely low birth weight infants. New DR-CPR strategies are needed for this population.

Impact of delivery room resuscitation on outcomes up to 18 months in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between intensity of delivery room resuscitation and short- and long-term outcomes of very low birth weight infants enrolled in the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity (CAP) Trial.

STUDY DESIGN

The CAP Trial enrolled 2006 infants with birthweights between 500 and 1250 g who were eligible for caffeine therapy. All levels of delivery room resuscitation were recorded in study participants. We divided infants in 4 groups of increasing intensity of resuscitation: minimal, n = 343; bag-mask ventilation, n = 372; endotracheal intubation, n = 1205; and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (chest compressions/epinephrine), n = 86. We used multivariable logistic regression models to compare outcomes across the 4 groups.

RESULTS

The observed rates of death or disability, death, cerebral palsy, cognitive deficit, and hearing loss at 18 months increased with higher levels of resuscitation. Risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and brain injury also increased with higher levels of resuscitation. Adjustment for prognostic variables reduced the differences between the groups for most outcomes. Only the adjusted rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe retinopathy remained significantly higher after more intense resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

In CAP Trial participants, the risk of death or neurodevelopmental disability at 18 months did not increase substantially with increasing intensity of delivery room resuscitation.