Respiratory outcomes of children with BPD and gastrostomy tubes during the first 2 years of life

Gastrointestinal factors associated with risk of bronchiectasis in children

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate gastrointestinal (GI) risk factors for bronchiectasis in children. We hypothesized that upper GI tract dysmotility would be associated with increased risk of bronchiectasis.

STUDY DESIGN

Subjects in this retrospective cohort study included those evaluated for persistent pulmonary symptoms in the Aerodigestive Center at Boston Children's Hospital who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) between 2002 and 2019. To determine gastrointestinal predictors of bronchiectasis, baseline characteristics, comorbidities, enteral tube status, medications received, gastroesophageal reflux burden, adequacy of swallow function, esophageal dysmotility, gastric dysmotility, and neutrophil count on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were compared between patients with and without bronchiectasis. Proportions were compared with Fisher's exact test and binary logistic regression with stepwise selection was used for multivariate analysis. ROC analyses were utilized to compare BAL neutrophils and bronchiectasis.

RESULTS

Of 192 subjects, 24% were found to have evidence of bronchiectasis on chest CT at age 7.9 ± 0.5 years. Enteral tubes (OR 5.77, 95% CI 2.25-14.83, p < 0.001) and increased BAL neutrophil count (OR 5.79, 95% CI 1.87-17.94, p = 0.002) were associated with increased risk while neurologic comorbidities were associated with decreased risk (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.66, p = 0.006). Gastroesophageal reflux was not found to be a significant risk factor. Neutrophil counts >10% had 72% sensitivity and 60% specificity for identifying bronchiectasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Enteral tubes were associated with significantly increased risk of bronchiectasis but gastroesophageal reflux was not. Providers should consider obtaining chest CT to evaluate for bronchiectasis in children found to have unexplained elevated BAL neutrophil count.

Nutrition and growth in infants with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most common late morbidity of preterm birth. Ongoing clinical care and research have largely focused on the pathogenesis and prevention of BPD in preterm infants. However, preterm infants who develop BPD have significant medical needs that persist throughout their neonatal intensive care unit course and continue post-discharge, including those associated with growth and nutrition. The objective of this manuscript was to provide a review on nutrition and growth in infants with established BPD after discharge from the hospital and to identify the knowledge and research gaps to provide direction for future studies.

Factors That Impact the Timing and Removal of Gastrostomy Placement/Nissen Fundoplication in Children with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

OBJECTIVE

 The study aimed to identify factors that impact timing of gastrostomy placement/removal and Nissen fundoplication (NF) in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

STUDY DESIGN

 Clinical data were reviewed retrospectively from patients recruited from the Johns Hopkins Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Clinic (January 1, 2014-December 31, 2018).

RESULTS

 Patients with gastrostomy tubes (GTs) placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were older at discharge (p < 0.001) and less likely to have abnormal upper gastrointestinal series findings (p = 0.005) than those with GTs placed after NICU discharge. Patients with NF had lower mean gestational ages (p = 0.011), longer NICU stays (p = 0.019), more frequent home ventilation requirements (p = 0.005), and greater likelihood of pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.032) compared with those without. Median age of GT removal was 61.6 months. Patients with GTs were weaned from supplemental oxygen and/or home ventilation before GT removal (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

 Patients with GT/NF were more medically complex than those with GT alone. Patients were more likely to be weaned from home respiratory support before GT removal.

KEY POINTS

· Patients with GT/NF were more medically complex than those with GT alone.. · Patients were more likely to be weaned from home respiratory support before GT removal.. · Patients with GTs placed in NICU were older at discharge and less likely to have abnormal upper gastrointestinal series result..

ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway Activated by EGF Promotes Proliferation, Transdifferentiation, and Migration of Cultured Primary Newborn Rat Lung Fibroblasts

Background

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common and serious complication in premature infants. Lung fibroblasts (LFs) are present in the extracellular matrix and participate in pulmonary development in response to BPD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) on LFs cultured from newborn rats. Material and Methods. Primary LFs were isolated and treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF, 20 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of an ERK inhibitor, PD98059 (10 μmol/L). Phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) protein levels were determined using immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription quantitative (RT–q)PCR. LF proliferation was examined by flow cytometry and a cell counting kit-8 assay. LF transdifferentiation was examined by protein and mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and RT–qPCR. LF migration was examined by the transwell method.

Results

Phosphorylated ERK1/2, which was activated by EGF, promoted LF proliferation by accelerating cell-cycle progression from the G1 to S phase. After treatment with PD98059, the expression of p-ERK1/2 in LFs, cellular proliferation, and the percentage of cells in S phase were significantly decreased. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 also promoted the differentiation of LFs into myofibroblasts through increased α-SMA synthesis and migration.

Conclusion

The activation of ERK promotes proliferation, transdifferentiation, and migration of lung fibroblasts from newborn rats.

Variation in Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Premature Infants in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To describe the variation in surgical gastrostomy tube (SGT) placement in premature infants among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

We identified 8,781 premature infants discharged from 114 NICUs in the Pediatrix Medical Group from 2010 to 2012. The outcome of interest was SGT placement prior to discharge home from an NICU. Unadjusted proportions and adjusted risk estimates were calculated to quantify variation observed among individual NICUs.

RESULTS

SGT placement occurred in 360 of 8,781 (4.1%) of infants. Across NICUs, any gastrostomy tube placement ranged from none in 45 NICUs up to 19.6%. Adjusted risk estimates for factors associated with SGT placement included gestational age at birth (odds ratio [OR]: 0.7/week, 95% confidence interval[CI]: [0.65, 0.75]), small for gestational age status (OR: 2.78 [2.09, 3.71]), administration of antenatal steroids (OR: 0.69 [0.52, 0.92]), Hispanic ethnicity (OR: 0.54 [0.37, 0.78]), and higher 5-minute Apgar scores (7-10, OR: 0.54 [0.37, 0.79]).

CONCLUSION

Individual NICU center has a strong clinical effect on the probability of SGT placement relative to other medical factors. Future work is needed to understand the cause of this variation and the degree to which it represents over or under use of gastrostomy tubes.

Oral Feeding Challenges in Children With Tracheostomy Can Improve Feeding Outcomes, Even With the Finding of Aspiration

It has been suggested that oral feeding trial has therapeutic implications for improving oral-motor and swallowing function in infants and young children fed via an enteral tube or gastrostomy. This study aimed to investigate whether oral feeding challenges in children with tracheostomy could improve feeding outcomes, even with the finding of aspiration compared to those who did not receive oral feeding at all. Children (age <7 years) with tracheostomy who had thin fluid aspiration on videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were included in this retrospective study. Enrolled children were then divided into two feeding method groups according to the physician's decision at the time of VFSS: oral feeding (OF) group and non-oral feeding (NOF) group. Data were obtained from 47 children (median age: 49.75 months, interquartile range [IQR]: 24.08-79.42). The incidence of pneumonia within 1 year after the VFSS was not different between NOF (n = 17) and OF (n = 30) groups. In OF group, 11 subjects achieved full oral feeding and 16 subjects were in partial oral feeding status 1 year after the VFSS. On the contrary, only one subject achieved full oral feeding and 5 subjects were in partial oral feeding status in NOF group (p < 0.001). Initial and follow-up penetration-aspiration scale on VFSS were different only in the OF group (p = 0.003). These results suggest that oral feeding challenges might be attempted even with the findings of aspiration in infants or young children with tracheostomy.

Predictors of length of stay for initial hospitalization in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE

Longer initial hospitalizations for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can delay family bonding and attainment of developmental milestones, increase the risk for hospital acquired complications, and increase healthcare costs. The goal of the study was to identify the characteristics associated with longer lengths of hospitalization in this high-risk population.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis was performed on 660 children (born ≤32 weeks gestation) discharged from 13 Maryland NICUs recruited into an outpatient BPD registry.

RESULT

The mean age of discharge was 4.3 ± 2.9 months (median: 3.7 months). Subjects born with lower birthweights and covered by public insurance had longer lengths of hospitalization. Clinical characteristics at discharge associated with longer initial hospitalizations included gastrostomy tube, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, pulmonary hypertension, and supplemental oxygen.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the risk factors associated with longer lengths of stay could prompt the implementation of personalized in-hospital interventions to improve outcomes and minimize length of stay in infants with BPD.

In-hospital outcomes of premature infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia

OBJECTIVE

To characterize in-hospital outcomes of premature infants diagnosed with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study including premature infants with severe BPD discharged from 348 Pediatrix Medical Group neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2015.

RESULTS

There were 10 752 infants with severe BPD, and 549/10 752 (5%) died before discharge. Infants who died were more likely to be male, small for gestational age, have received more medical interventions and more frequently diagnosed with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis, culture-proven sepsis and pulmonary hypertension following 36 weeks of postmenstrual age compared with survivors. Approximately 70% of infants with severe BPD were discharged by 44 weeks of postmenstrual age, and 86% were discharged by 48 weeks of postmenstrual age.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of infants diagnosed with severe BPD were discharged home by 44 weeks of postmenstrual age. These results may inform discussions with families regarding the expected hospital course of infants diagnosed with severe BPD.

Oral Feeding Reduces Hospitalizations Compared with Gastrostomy Feeding in Infants and Children Who Aspirate

OBJECTIVE

To compare the frequency of hospitalization rates between patients with aspiration treated with gastrostomy vs those fed oral thickened liquids.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review was performed of patients with an abnormal videofluoroscopic swallow study between February 2006 and August 2013; 114 patients at Boston Children's Hospital were included. Frequency, length, and type of hospitalizations within 1 year of abnormal swallow study or gastrostomy tube (g-tube) placement were analyzed using a negative binomial regression model.

RESULTS

Patients fed by g-tube had a median of 2 (IQR 1, 3) admissions per year compared with patients fed orally who had a 1 (IQR 0, 1) admissions per year, P < .0001. Patients fed by gastrostomy were hospitalized for more days (median 24 [IQR 6, 53] days) vs patients fed orally (median 2 [IQR 1, 4] days, [P < .001]). Despite the potential risk of feeding patients orally, no differences in total pulmonary admissions (incidence rate ratio 1.65; 95% CI [0.70, 3.84]) between the 2 groups were found, except patients fed by g-tube had 2.58 times (95% CI [1.02, 6.49]) more urgent pulmonary admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent g-tube placement for the treatment of aspiration had 2 times as many admissions compared with patients with aspiration who were fed orally. We recommend a trial of oral feeding in all children cleared to take nectar or honey thickened liquids prior to g-tube placement.

Antecedent Predictors of Feeding Outcomes in Premature Infants With Protracted Mechanical Ventilation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to define risk factors associated with gastrostomy in premature infants receiving protracted mechanical ventilation (≥30 days).

METHODS

Retrospective data collected on 170 preterm neonates (birth weight <1500 g) who received uninterrupted mechanical ventilation for ≥30 days were analyzed with logistic regression methods to predict the association of gastrostomy with cardiorespiratory, infectious, and neurological morbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 32 of 170 infants had gastrostomy tubes. Including all of the covariates in 1 model, duration of cumulative ventilation (P < 0.001) and uninterrupted ventilation (P < 0.001), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (P = 0.02) were significant predictors, whereas sepsis, intraventrical hemorrhage grade III or IV, and patent ductus arteriosus ligation were not. Respiratory severity score (mean airway pressure × fraction of inspired oxygen) calculated at 30 days of life was also a significant predictor (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In infants with protracted mechanical ventilation, the degree of respiratory support at 1 month of age, prolonged respiratory morbidity, and neuropathology are the significant predictors for gastrostomy.

Pediatric pulmonology year in review 2014: Part 2

To better meet the needs of our readership for updated perspectives on the rapidly expanding knowledge in our field, we here summarize the past year's publications in our major topic areas, as well as selected publications in these areas from the core clinical journal literature outside our own pages. This is Part 2 of a series and covers articles on neonatal lung disease, pulmonary physiology, and respiratory infection.

Mechanisms of cough provocation and cough resolution in neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Cough and deglutition are protective mechanisms that defend against aspiration. We identified mechanisms associated with cough provocation as well as those associated with cough resolution in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

METHODS

Manometry signatures of cough were recognized in 16 premature infants with BPD undergoing concurrent esophageal manometry, respiratory inductance plethysmography, and nasal air flow measurements. Pretussive and post-tussive pharyngo-esophageal motility changes were analyzed. Mechanisms associated with cough and mechanisms that restored respiratory and esophageal normalcy were analyzed.

RESULTS

We analyzed 312 cough events during 88 cough clusters; 97% were associated with recognizable manometric patterns. Initial mechanisms related with coughing included nonpropagating swallow (59%), upper esophageal sphincter (UES) reflex contraction (18%), and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (14%). UES and LES dysfunction was present in 69% of nonpropagating swallow-associated cough clusters. Mechanisms restoring post-tussive normalcy included primary peristalsis (84%), secondary peristalsis (8%), and none recognized (8%). UES contraction reflex was associated with cough clusters more frequently in infants on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) (OR = 9.13, 95% CI = 1.88-44.24).

CONCLUSION

Cough clusters in infants with BPD had identifiable etiologies associated with esophageal events; common initial mechanisms were of upper aerodigestive origin, while common clearing mechanisms were peristaltic reflexes.