Evidence-based use of acetaminophen for hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

Urinary Acetaminophen Metabolites and Clinical Outcomes in Extremely Premature Infants

OBJECTIVE

 Extremely premature infants are treated with acetaminophen (APAP) for pain and patent ductus arteriosus. High doses of APAP in adults are toxic, and a recent study found an association between APAP metabolite levels in mothers' breast milk and both bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in their premature infants. In this study, we determined levels of APAP metabolites in the urine of infants at high risk for BPD and ROP.

STUDY DESIGN

 Biorepository urine samples from 314 infants <29 weeks' gestation in the multicenter TOLSURF and PROP studies were analyzed by untargeted UHPLC:MS/MS (Metabolon, Inc.). We performed multivariate logistic regression and meta-analysis to examine associations between APAP metabolite levels and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

 4-APAP sulfate was the most abundant of eight detected APAP metabolites and was present in 95% of urines. There were high correlations between levels of 4-APAP sulfate and the other APAP metabolites. In longitudinal studies on a subgroup of infants (day 6-56), periods of elevated 4-APAP sulfate occurred in 24/28 infants and were of longer duration (10.5 vs. 4.2 days, p = 0.001) with higher levels (13.3 vs. 5.6, p = 0.01) in infants after transition to enteral from total parenteral nutrition. Episodes of elevated metabolite did not differ by BPD status. On both days 10 and 28 there were no significant associations between levels of APAP metabolites and either BPD or ROP for all infants or for infants exclusively on parenteral or enteral nutrition.

CONCLUSION

 In two cohorts of extremely premature infants, levels of urinary APAP metabolites were not associated with increased risk for two adverse clinical outcomes.

KEY POINTS

· Safety of acetaminophen (APAP) in extremely premature infants has not been established.. · The major urinary APAP metabolite was detected in the majority of urine samples.. · No association was found between APAP levels and either bronchopulmonary dysplasia or retinopathy of prematurity..

Mutagenic drinking water and different levels of emerging micropollutants in Southern Brazil: A new challenge

This study investigated the presence of mutagenic compounds in raw and treated waters at four water treatment plants (WTP01 to WTP04), in southern Brazil. Samples were concentrated using Amberlite XAD4 resin and the acidic and neutral pH fractions tested by mutagenesis in Salmonella/microsome assay, using TA98, TA100 and YG7108 strains in presence and absence of metabolic activation (in vitro human S9). Mutagenesis in raw water was found only by strain TA98 at WTP03, with and without S9. In treated water, significant results were found for TA98 and TA100 strains, the latter being the most sensitive, with prevalence in acidic extract tests without S9. A chemical analysis was performed in the water samples, prioritizing the investigation of the presence and concentration of globally used Emerging Micropollutants (EMs). These compounds in water sources have the potential to contaminate drinking water due to the inefficiency of the conventional treatment employed and can generate disinfection by-products. WTP04 site had the highest total EMs in raw and treated waters, followed by WTP03 in treated water. These WTPs expressed an EMs removal capacity of 45% and only 23%, respectively. Some pharmaceuticals and caffeine showed the highest concentrations, and the latter was directly related to the disposal of domestic sewage in the aquatic ecosystem. The presence of EMs in water after treatment for all WTPs investigated suggests the importance of expanding guidelines that include EMs to establish better standards for the protection of aquatic life and better quality of the drinking water supplies.

Acetaminophen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Risk of Mortality and Pulmonary Morbidity

OBJECTIVE

Emerging data indicate that acetaminophen may adversely affect lung health. We examined whether acetaminophen compared with cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor alone for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with mortality or respiratory morbidity in extremely preterm infants.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Infants were born at 22 to 28 weeks' gestation or weighing 401 to 1000 g between 2016 and 2020 and received acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and/or indomethacin for PDA closure. The primary outcome was death or grade 2 to 3 bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. Secondary outcomes included predischarge mortality and respiratory morbidities. Risk ratios were adjusted for baseline and early postnatal factors. Additional exploratory analyses were adjusted for later postnatal covariates.

RESULTS

Of 1921 infants, 627 (32.6%) received acetaminophen and 1294 (67.3%) received COX inhibitor only. Multidrug therapy (42.9% vs 4.7%) and surgical or catheter PDA closure (26.5% vs 19.9%) were more common among acetaminophen-exposed infants. Death or grade 2 to 3 BPD at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was similar between infants treated with acetaminophen versus COX inhibitor only (57.1% vs 58.3%; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-1.06). Acetaminophen was associated with increased risk of predischarge mortality (13.3% vs 10.0%) when adjusting for perinatal and early postnatal factors (aRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.93), but not in exploratory analyses that included later postnatal factors (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 0.91-1.82).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with acetaminophen versus COX inhibitor alone for PDA was not associated with the composite outcome of death or BPD in extremely preterm infants. Our results support further evaluation of whether acetaminophen for PDA increases mortality.

Early Antibiotic Exposure and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Preterm Infants at Low Risk of Early-Onset Sepsis

Importance

The overutilization of antibiotics in very preterm infants (VPIs) at low risk of early-onset sepsis (EOS) is associated with increased mortality and morbidities. Nevertheless, the association of early antibiotic exposure with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains equivocal.

Objective

To evaluate the association of varying durations and types of early antibiotic exposure with the incidence of BPD in VPIs at low risk of EOS.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This national multicenter cohort study utilized data from the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) which prospectively collected data from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. VPIs less than 32 weeks' gestational age or with birth weight less than 1500 g at low risk of EOS, defined as those born via cesarean delivery, without labor or rupture of membranes, and no clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis, were included. Data analysis was conducted from October 2022 to December 2023.

Exposure

Early antibiotic exposure was defined as the total number of calendar days antibiotics were administered within the first week of life, which were further categorized as no exposure, 1 to 4 days of exposure, and 5 to 7 days of exposure.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the composite of moderate to severe BPD or mortality at 36 weeks' post menstrual age (PMA). Logistic regression was employed to assess factors associated with BPD or mortality using 2 different models.

Results

Of the 27 176 VPIs included in the CHNN during the study period (14 874 male [54.7%] and 12 302 female [45.3%]), 6510 (23.9%; 3373 male [51.8%] and 3137 female [48.2.%]) were categorized as low risk for EOS. Among them, 1324 (20.3%) had no antibiotic exposure, 1134 (17.4%) received 1 to 4 days of antibiotics treatment, and 4052 (62.2%) received 5 to 7 days of antibiotics treatment. Of the 5186 VPIs who received antibiotics, 4098 (79.0%) received broad-spectrum antibiotics, 888 (17.1%) received narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and 200 (3.9%) received antifungals or other antibiotics. Prolonged exposure (5-7 days) was associated with increased likelihood of moderate to severe BPD or death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01-1.50). The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (1-7 days) was also associated with a higher risk of moderate to severe BPD or death (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.55).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of VPIs at low risk for EOS, exposure to prolonged or broad-spectrum antibiotics was associated with increased risk of developing moderate to severe BPD or mortality. These findings suggest that VPIs exposed to prolonged or broad-spectrum antibiotics early in life should be monitored for adverse outcomes.

Clinical and echocardiography predictors of response to first-line acetaminophen treatment in preterm infants with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical and echocardiography predictors of acetaminophen response for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm neonates.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born <30 weeks, with a diagnosis of hemodynamically significant PDA, who received 1st line treatment with intravenous acetaminophen during the first 2 postnatal weeks. Response was defined by PDA closure or improvement in PDA score of >50%.

RESULTS

A total of 100 infants were included whose median weight and gestational age at birth were 663 grams and 24.6 weeks respectively. In total, 66 infants were classified as responders and were more likely to have intrauterine growth restriction, exposure to maternal hypertension and chorioamnionitis. Non-response was more common among infants with thrombocytopenia and anemia.

CONCLUSION

Responders were more likely to be IUGR with echocardiography indices of lower preload. Response to 1st line intravenous acetaminophen therapy is comparable to non-steroidal drugs in preterm infants. Relationship of response to acetaminophen to perinatal characteristics requires further characterization.

Acetaminophen for the patent ductus arteriosus: has safety been adequately demonstrated?

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common cardiovascular condition diagnosed in premature infants. Acetaminophen was first proposed as a potential treatment for PDA in 2011. Since that time acetaminophen use among extremely preterm neonates has increased substantially. The limited available data demonstrate that acetaminophen reduces PDA without evident hepatotoxicity. These findings have led some to suggest that acetaminophen is a safe and effective therapy for PDA closure. However, the lack of apparent hepatoxicity is predictable. Acetaminophen induced cellular injury is due to CYP2E1 derived metabolites; and hepatocyte CYP2E1 expression is low in the fetal and neonatal period. Here, we review preclinical and clinical data that support the hypothesis that the lung, which expresses high levels of CYP2E1 during fetal and early postnatal development, may be particularly susceptible to acetaminophen induced toxicity. Despite these emerging data, the true potential pulmonary risks and benefits of acetaminophen for PDA closure are largely unknown. The available clinical studies in are marked by significant weakness including low sample sizes and minimal evaluation of extremely preterm infants who are typically at highest risk of pulmonary morbidity. We propose that studies interrogating mechanisms linking developmentally regulated, cell-specific CYP2E1 expression and acetaminophen-induced toxicity as well as robust assessment of pulmonary outcomes in large trials that evaluate the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen in extremely preterm infants are needed.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Ibuprofen Versus Indomethacin or Paracetamol for the Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Neonates

This was a first-time evaluation that sought to analyze the cost-effectiveness of oral paracetamol and intravenous (IV) indomethacin as alternatives to ibuprofen for PDA in neonates. Decision-analytic, literature-based, economic simulation models were constructed, to follow up the use and consequences of oral/IV ibuprofen versus IV indomethacin, and oral/IV ibuprofen versus oral paracetamol, as first-line therapies for PDA closure. Model outcomes of interest were "success", defined as PDA closure with/without adverse events, or "failure" due to no response to the first course of treatment, death or premature discontinuation of therapy due to adverse events. Oral ibuprofen is dominant/cost-effective over IV indomethacin in 97.9% of simulated cases, but oral paracetamol was 75.2% dominant/cost-effective over oral ibuprofen. Against IV ibuprofen, IV indomethacin was 55.3% dominant/cost-effective, whereas oral paracetamol was dominant/cost-effective in 98.5% of the cases. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the study results. For PDA closure, while IV indomethacin was cost-effective against IV ibuprofen, oral paracetamol was cost-effective against both oral and IV ibuprofen.

Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Infants: Intravenous Paracetamol or Oral Ibuprofen?

BACKGROUND

The similarity in the mechanism of action between paracetamol and ibuprofen can cause similar side effects. However, in preterm neonates with feeding intolerance, intravenous (IV) paracetamol has replaced oral ibuprofen. Therefore, a comparison of the effectiveness and side effects is essential.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the data of 118 preterm infants with a definite diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), including 59 patients who received oral ibuprofen and 59 patients who received IV paracetamol were analyzed. Laboratory evaluations of serum total and direct bilirubin, hemoglobin, and creatinine levels before and seven days after treatment were made. Using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multiple multinomial logistic regression models, the effect of two treatment groups on the post-treatment variables as well as their efficacy comparison were evaluated.

RESULTS

In both pre- and post-treatment periods, there was no significant association between echocardiography variables with treatment groups. The results from the ANCOVA model showed that the paracetamol and ibuprofen were followed by a significant decrease in the mean total bilirubin and Hct variables after treatment by 1.38 and 1.65 units, respectively. In addition, results from the Mann-Whitney U test revealed that the median Hb and K differences after and before treatment had a significant difference between the two treatment groups. Furthermore, based on the multiple multinomial logistic model results, the odds of complete arterial duct closure with IV paracetamol was 1.27 times higher than with oral ibuprofen, while in the oral ibuprofen group, the odds of closing was 1.44 times higher than the IV paracetamol group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous paracetamol has equal efficacy compared to oral ibuprofen in the treatment of PDA. Also, it seems to be associated with a lower risk of hyperbilirubinemia following the treatment.

The Effect of Oral Acetaminophen on Open Arterial Duct Closure in Premature Infants Less Than 32 Weeks

Background

In most term neonates, the ductus arteriosus closes functionally on the first day of life, and a permanently open ductus arteriosus is abnormal.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of oral acetaminophen on patent arterial duct (PDA) closure in premature infants less than 32 weeks.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was performed on 140 preterm neonates with gestational age less than 32 weeks and birth weight less than 1,500 g, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Ali Enbe Abitalib Hospital in Zahedan between 2019 and 2021. The neonates were randomly divided into two groups, with and without acetaminophen administration. In the intervention group, acetaminophen drops were started during the first 24 hours after birth and were administered for five days. In both groups, echocardiography was performed five days after birth. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software.

Results

About 140 neonates with gestational age of ≤32 weeks and weight at birth ≤1,500 g were admitted for the study. The neonates were equally divided into two groups and acetaminophen medication assigned for one of the groups. Of the 70 neonates who did not receive acetaminophen administration, 75.7% had PDA closure spontaneously; this pattern was 94.3% in patients who had treatment with acetaminophen. This effect of treatment was significant (X2=9.468, p=0.002).

Conclusion

The study showed significant improvement in PDA in neonates receiving paracetamol. This can have a significant impact on the treatment approach to preterm neonates.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Intravenous Versus Oral Acetaminophen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus

The use of acetaminophen to close a PDA in preterm infants is increasing; however, the most effective route of administration is not yet known. This network meta-analysis compares the efficacy of IV versus PO routes of acetaminophen administration on clinical outcomes related to the presence of a PDA in preterm neonates. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched from inception to October 2020. A total 21 randomized controlled trials in neonates less than 37 weeks at birth, comparing oral or intravenously administered acetaminophen to close a PDA based on study criteria were included. Two authors extracted data independently and in duplicate. All outcomes were binary, and a frequentist network meta-analysis was performed. After one or two courses, both PO and IV acetaminophen were efficacious in closing a PDA with oral ranking higher than IV (low confidence). Neither medication was better than no treatment for secondary outcomes of NEC or BPD (moderate and low confidence respectively). We did not test the rectal route of acetaminophen administration and cannot make generalized statements. This study suggests oral acetaminophen increases the odds of being able to close a PDA in preterm neonates when compared to IV acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen-induced liver injury: Molecular mechanism and treatments from natural products

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic over-the-counter medicine worldwide. Hepatotoxicity caused by APAP overdose is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure (ALF) in the US and in some parts of Europe, limiting its clinical application. Excessive APAP metabolism depletes glutathione and increases N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimide (NAPQI) levels, leading to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell necrosis in the liver, which in turn leads to liver damage. Studies have shown that natural products such as polyphenols, terpenes, anthraquinones, and sulforaphane can activate the hepatocyte antioxidant defense system with Nrf2 as the core player, reduce oxidative stress damage, and protect the liver. As the key enzyme metabolizing APAP into NAPQI, cytochrome P450 enzymes are also considered to be intriguing target for the treatment of APAP-induced liver injury. Here, we systematically review the hepatoprotective activity and molecular mechanisms of the natural products that are found to counteract the hepatotoxicity caused by APAP, providing reference information for future preclinical and clinical trials of such natural products.

iPAPP: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing safety and efficacy of intravenous paracetamol and indomethacin for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

INTRODUCTION

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) causes severe morbidity in premature infants. Although the use of indomethacin is the standard therapy for PDA, it is sometimes not applicable because of its adverse effects, such as renal and platelet dysfunctions. Paracetamol has emerged as an alternative to indomethacin owing to its excellent safety profile in infants. Of the recently reported case series and clinical trials on the use of paracetamol for PDA, there are few reports in Japan on paracetamol use in preterm infants. Furthermore, indications for the use of paracetamol for PDA have not been approved for use in PDA. While the safety of intravenous paracetamol therapy in case series of preterm infants treated for haemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) has been reported, studies which were conducted to compare paracetamol to indomethacin are limited. We, therefore, intend to investigate the hypothesis that intravenous administration of paracetamol has superior safety over indomethacin.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Multicentre open-label randomised controlled trial for intravenous administration of paracetamol for PDA in preterm infants. The inclusion criteria are (1) hsPDA, (2) gestational age from 24 to 34 weeks and birth weight (BW) from 500 to 2000 g, (3) enrolment between 24 hours and 7 days from birth and (4) obtaining parental consent. The primary outcome is renal dysfunction within 48 hours from the last dose of the study drug. Enrolled patients fulfilling all the inclusion criteria are randomly allocated to either intravenous paracetamol or intravenous indomethacin. This trial requires 110 patients.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The clinical trial would follow Japan's Clinical Trials Act. The trial protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of Saitama Medical University (approval number: 222001). A written informed consent would be obtained from one of the parents. The results are expected to be published in a scientific journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

jRCTs031220386.

PROTOCOL VERSION

31 March 2022, version 1.0.

Combination pharmacotherapy for patent ductus arteriosus: Rationale and evidence

While cyclooxygenase inhibitors have been the most common medications used to facilitate earlier closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants, adverse effects and low efficacy in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) have highlighted a need for alternative options. Combination therapy with acetaminophen and ibuprofen is a novel strategy for PDA treatment in ELGANs, as it may facilitate higher ductal closure rates via additive action on two separate pathways inhibiting prostaglandin production. Initial small observational studies and pilot randomized clinical trials indicate potentially higher efficacy of the combination regime to induce ductal closure in comparison to treatment with ibuprofen alone. In this review, we examine the potential clinical impact of treatment failure in ELGANs with significant PDA, highlight the biological rationale in support of studying combination therapy, and review the randomized and non-randomized studies to date. With the rising number of ELGANs receiving neonatal intensive care, who are vulnerable to PDA-related morbidities, there is an urgent need for adequately powered clinical trials to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy for PDA treatment.

Low dose paracetamol for management of patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants: a randomised non-inferiority trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of low dose-short course intravenous paracetamol with a conventional dose regimen for early targeted closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

DESIGN

Single-centre, double-blinded, active controlled, randomised non-inferiority trial.

SETTING

Level III neonatal intensive care unit in Western India.

PATIENTS

Preterm infants <30 weeks of gestation requiring mechanical ventilation, or continuous positive airway pressure with FiO₂ ≥0.35 and diagnosed with a haemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) at 18-24 hours of postnatal age.

INTERVENTIONS

Low dose (10 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly for 72 hours) versus conventional dose (15 mg/kg/dose 6 hourly for 120 hours) intravenous paracetamol treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of the rates of ductal closure at completion of sixth postnatal day, using a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 20%.

RESULTS

A total of 102 infants were enrolled. The median gestational age and birth weight of the included infants were 26.4 weeks and 830 g. At completion of the sixth postnatal day, closure of PDA was achieved in 92% of infants in the low dose group as compared with 94% of those in the standard dose group (risk difference: -1.6%, 95% CI: -11.6% to 8.5%, p=0.38). The rates of rescue therapies, adverse effects and other neonatal morbidities were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

In very preterm infants on significant respiratory support, low dose-short course intravenous paracetamol treatment was non-inferior to a conventional dosing regime of paracetamol for closure of hsPDA in the first week of postnatal age. Larger studies with narrow margins of non-inferiority are required to confirm our findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CTRI/2017/10/010012.

Patent ductus arteriosus and spontaneous intestinal perforation in a cohort of preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether either duration and magnitude of ductal shunt or medical treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are related to spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP).

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical charts of infants <29 weeks' gestation born from 2006 to 2018 were reviewed. Echocardiographic examinations were evaluated according to McNamara and Sehgal's staging system.

RESULTS

A higher percentage of patients with SIP had a hemodynamically significant PDA (HSPDA) and was treated with either NSAIDs or paracetamol (79% vs 53% and 81% vs 54%, respectively). Among non-treated patients, we found a 1.32 increase in the odds of SIP per day of persistence of HSPDA. In the cohort of patients treated despite the absence of HSPDA, we found a 2.35 increase in the odds of SIP per dose of drug administered.

CONCLUSION

Both treating a non-HSPDA and leaving a HSPDA to its natural history seem to be associated with SIP.

Oral versus intravenous paracetamol for patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

To examine whether oral administration of paracetamol as a first-line agent had a greater effect on the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus than the intravenous route.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of preterm infants (<37 weeks of gestation) between 2012 and 2020 treated with oral or intravenous paracetamol as the first line for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) constriction and compared rates of ductal closure, course duration, cumulative dose, PDA characteristics, and serum levels.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 80 preterm infants received paracetamol, of which 50 received paracetamol as first-line treatment to augment constriction of the PDA. Closure rate was higher in the oral group (n = 15/19, 79%) compared to the intravenous group (n = 8/20, 40%, p < 0.01), and remained significant after adjusting for gestational age, length of treatment, and postnatal age (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.67, p = 0.014, RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.91). Eleven preterm infants received a combination of both oral and intravenous paracetamol with a closure rate of 45% (n = 5).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of paracetamol as a first-line agent is more efficacious to constrict the PDA than the intravenous route, irrespective of gestational age or course duration.

IMPACT

Our retrospective study comparing the use of oral versus intravenous paracetamol as the first line for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) constriction in preterm infants demonstrates that oral administration of paracetamol is more efficacious to constrict the PDA than the intravenous route, irrespective of gestational age or course duration. To our knowledge, this is the first published study (prospective or retrospective) to compare the efficacy of oral versus intravenous paracetamol as a first-line treatment for PDA closure in preterm infants. Our finding may improve the rate of PDA closure when paracetamol is used as a first-line agent.

Breastfeeding impact on patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm newborns

Background. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a serious problem in clinical neonatology and pediatrics. Today treatment of PDA remains debatable because of high risk of complications with medical and invasive treatment. The purpose of the study was to determine the dependence of PDA closure on the type of feeding the newborn. Materials and methods. We have made a retrospective analysis of 300 case histories of children in neonatal units. We selected two comparison groups: the main group consisted of breastfed babies born at 37 weeks gestation (n = 102); controls — preterm infants who received artificial feeding since birth (n = 198). Results. At discharge from the hospital, 44 (14.7 ± 2.0 %) children had PDA (p < 0.05). The percentage of infants on artificial feeding with PDA was 2.3 times higher compared to breastfed babies: 18.2 ± 2.7 % versus 7.8 ± 2.7 % (p = 0.017 by χ2 test). Respiratory distress syndrome was more common in the control group as well: 72.7 ± 3.2 % versus 46.1 ± 4.9 % (p < 0.001). Additionally, the group of formula-fed children more often had severe complications of respiratory distress syndrome: respiratory failure type III — 25.8 ± 3.1 % versus12.7 ± 3.3 % (р = 0.009); development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia — 13.1 ± 2.4 % versus 2.9 ± 1.7 % (p = 0.005). The need for invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit was observed much less often in breastfed children. Moreover, the level of respiratory disorders (type II respiratory failure) in both groups differed insignificantly (p = 0.742): 24.5 ± 4.3 % in the main group and 26.3 ± 3.1 % in controls. Conclusions. Breastfeeding from the first days of life contributes to the closure of the ductus arteriosus and the favorable course of respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies.

Increasing Alprostadil Requirements in a Neonate With Cardiac Anomalies and Co-administration of Rectal and Oral Acetaminophen

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) results from the failure of the ductus arteriosus to close within 72 hours after birth. In most neonates, a PDA can lead to significant morbidities and often warrants pharmacologic intervention for closure. Common pharmacologic interventions include indomethacin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. In cases of ductal-dependent congenital heart defects (CHDs), such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, it is imperative to keep the ductus arteriosus patent to maintain adequate pulmonary or systemic circulation until surgical intervention can be performed. The only proven pharmacologic agent used for this indication is prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) commonly in the form of intravenous alprostadil. This case report describes a neonate with multiple cardiac and genetic anomalies that required increased alprostadil infusion after exposure to rectal and oral acetaminophen. The patient initially presented with a large PDA on echocardiogram (ECHO); however, after an incidental finding of a small PDA on ECHO, the administration of as needed rectal acetaminophen was discontinued out of concern for its effects on patency. After a few days of increased prostaglandin therapy and 2 reassuring ECHO results, the patient was given oral acetaminophen on an as needed basis. Within 24 hours of restarting the acetaminophen, the repeated ECHO showed a reduction in PDA and flow. In patients with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions, it is important to maintain PDA patency and, therefore, introducing a medication with antiprostaglandin properties should be avoided.

Racing against time: leveraging preclinical models to understand pulmonary susceptibility to perinatal acetaminophen exposures

Over the past decade, clinicians have increasingly prescribed acetaminophen (APAP) for patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Acetaminophen has been shown to reduce postoperative opiate burden, and may provide similar efficacy for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Despite these potential benefits, APAP exposures have spread to increasingly less mature infants, a highly vulnerable population for whom robust pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data for APAP are lacking. Concerningly, preclinical studies suggest that perinatal APAP exposures may result in unanticipated adverse effects that are unique to the developing lung. In this review, we discuss the clinical observations linking APAP exposures to adverse respiratory outcomes and the preclinical data demonstrating a developmental susceptibility to APAP-induced lung injury. We show how clinical observations linking perinatal APAP exposures to pulmonary injury have been taken to the bench to produce important insights into the potential mechanisms underlying these findings. We argue that the available data support a more cautious approach to APAP use in the NICU until large randomized controlled trials provide appropriate safety and efficacy data.

Chinese Neonatal Network: a national protocol for collaborative research and quality improvement in neonatal care

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) is to provide a platform for collaborative research, outcomes evaluation and quality improvement for preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks in China. The CHNN is the first national neonatal network and has the largest geographically representative cohort from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Individual-level data from participating NICUs will be collected using a unique database developed by the CHNN on an ongoing basis from January 2019. Data will be prospectively collected from all infants <32 weeks gestation or <1500 g birth weight at 58 participating NICUs. Infant outcomes and inter-institutional variations in outcomes will be examined and used to inform quality improvement measures aimed at improving outcomes. Information about NICU environmental and human resource factors and processes of neonatal care will also be collected and analysed for association with outcomes. Clinical studies, including randomised controlled trials will be conducted using the CHNN data platform.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the ethics review board of Children's Hospital of Fudan University, which was recognised by all participating hospitals. Waiver of consent were granted at all sites. Only non-identifiable patient level data will be transmitted and only aggregate data will be reported in CHNN reports and publications.

Potential deleterious effects of paracetamol dose regime used in Nigeria versus that of the United States of America

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, APAP) is the world's most used over-the-counter analgesic-antipyretic drug. Despite its good safety profile, acetaminophen can cause severe hepatotoxicity in overdose, and poisoning from paracetamol has become a major public health concern. Paracetamol is now the major cause of acute liver failure in the United States and Europe. This systematic review aims at examining the likelihood of paracetamol use in Nigeria causing more liver toxicity vis-à-vis the reduced maximum recommended daily adult dose of 3 g for the 500 mg tablet. Online searches were conducted in the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar and MEDLINE for publications using terms like "paracetamol toxicity," "acetaminophen and liver toxicity," "paracetamol and liver diseases in Nigeria," and other variants. Further search of related references in PubMed was carried out, and synthesis of all studies included in this review finalized. There were 94 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Evaluation of hepatic disorder was predicated mostly on a constellation of clinical features and limited clinical laboratory investigations. Determination of blood paracetamol concentration was rarely reported, thus excluding paracetamol poisoning as one of the likely causes of liver disorders in Nigeria. In Nigeria and elsewhere, several factors are known to increase paracetamol's predisposition to liver injury. They include: the over-the-counter status of paracetamol, use of fixed-dose combinations of paracetamol with other drugs, malnutrition, dose miscalculations, and chronic alcohol consumption. The tendency to exceed the new paracetamol maximum daily dose of 3 g in Nigeria may increase its risk for hepatotoxicity than observed in the United States of America known for emphasizing lower dose of the drug. In addition to recommending the new maximal daily paracetamol dose allowance, the historical maximum daily adult dose of 4 g should be de-emphasized in Nigeria.

Impact of Medical Treatment of Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus on Cerebral and Renal Tissue Oxygenation Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Background and objective: Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) can cause ductal steal and contribute to poor outcomes in preterm infants. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows us to continuously evaluate regional tissue oxygenation (rSpO2) and perfusion changes in underlying organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medical treatment for hsPDA on cerebral and renal rSpO2 in infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, and older than 72 h of life. Materials and methods: Infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks with hsPDA were prospectively studied before and during medical treatment. Two-site (cerebral and renal) rSpO2 monitoring by NIRS was performed 1 h before treatment (T0) and 24 h (T1), 24−48 h (T2), 48−72 h (T3) after the infusion of the first drug dose. Results: A total of 21 infants were studied. The mean day of life at treatment initiation was 8.2 (SD, 2.75). The DA diameter, LA/Ao ratio, and resistive index in the anterior cerebral artery (RI ACA) were significantly lower after treatment (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cerebral rSpO2, cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE), and SpO2 comparing different time points. A significantly higher renal SpO2 value was recorded at T2 as compared with T0 (75.0%, SD 4.9%, vs. 69.4%, SD 7.6%; p < 0.013), while for renal FTOE, a tendency to lower values at T2 was observed (0.18, SD 0.05, vs. 0.24, SD 0.09; p = 0.068). Conclusions: Late (later than 7 days postpartum) hsPDA medical treatment with paracetamol or ibuprofen completely closed the duct only in a small proportion of preterm infants, despite a statistically significant reduction in the DA diameter, LA/Ao ratio, and RI ACA. Continuous renal, not cerebral, NIRS measurements can help to anticipate the efficacy of medical treatment of hsPDA in preterm infants. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to ascertain that renal and cerebral NIRS can be used as a reliable tool for evaluating the effectiveness of medical treatment for hsPDA.

Association of prenatal acetaminophen use and acetaminophen metabolites with DNA methylation of newborns: analysis of two consecutive generations of the Isle of Wight birth cohort

Acetaminophen is used by nearly two-thirds of pregnant women. Although considered safe, studies have demonstrated associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and adverse health outcomes in offspring. Since DNA methylation (DNAm) at birth may act as an early indicator of later health, assessments on whether DNAm of newborns is associated with gestational acetaminophen use or its metabolites are needed. Using data from three consecutive generations of the Isle of Wight cohort (F0-grandmothers, F1-mothers, and F2-offspring) we investigated associations between acetaminophen metabolites in F0 serum at delivery with epigenome-wide DNAm in F1 (Guthrie cards) and between acetaminophen use of F1 and F2-cord-serum levels with F2 cord blood DNAm. In epigenome-wide screening, we eliminated non-informative DNAm sites followed by linear regression of informative sites. Based on repeated pregnancies, indication bias analyses tested whether acetaminophen indicated maternal diseases or has a risk in its own right. Considering that individuals with similar intake process acetaminophen differently, metabolites were clustered to distinguish metabolic exposures. Finally, metabolite clusters from F1-maternal and F2-cord sera were tested for their associations with newborn DNAm (F1 and F2). Twenty-one differential DNAm sites in cord blood were associated with reported maternal acetaminophen intake in the F2 generation. For 11 of these cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites, an indication bias was excluded and five were replicated in F2 with metabolite clusters. In addition, metabolite clusters showed associations with 25 CpGs in the F0-F1 discovery analysis, of which five CpGs were replicated in the F2-generation. Our results suggest that prenatal acetaminophen use, measured as metabolites, may influence DNAm in newborns.

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and the Developing Brain

Paracetamol is commonly used to treat fever and pain in pregnant women, but there are growing concerns that this may cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. A growing number of epidemiological studies suggests that relative risks for these disorders increase by an average of about 25% following intrauterine paracetamol exposure. The data analyzed point to a dose-effect relationship but cannot fully account for unmeasured confounders, notably indication and genetic transmission. Only few experimental investigations have addressed this issue. Altered behavior has been demonstrated in offspring of paracetamol-gavaged pregnant rats, and paracetamol given at or prior to day 10 of life to newborn mice resulted in altered locomotor activity in response to a novel home environment in adulthood and blunted the analgesic effect of paracetamol given to adult animals. The molecular mechanisms that might mediate these effects are unknown. Paracetamol has diverse pharmacologic actions. It reduces prostaglandin formation via competitive inhibition of the peroxidase moiety of prostaglandin H2 synthase, while its metabolite N-arachidonoyl-phenolamine activates transient vanilloid-subtype 1 receptors and interferes with cannabinoid receptor signaling. The metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzo-quinone-imine, which is pivotal for liver damage after overdosing, exerts oxidative stress and depletes glutathione in the brain already at dosages below the hepatic toxicity threshold. Given the widespread use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the lack of safe alternatives, its impact on the developing brain deserves further investigation.

Acetaminophen elevates unbound bilirubin levels by the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is widely administered to neonates but its effect on unbound bilirubin (UB) levels remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether administration of acetaminophen is related to an elevation of UB levels.

METHOD

Infants with a birthweight of ˂1,500 g admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit between January 2017 and April 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-one infants were enrolled, five of whom had received acetaminophen. Clinical data were analyzed when the highest UB value (UB peak) in each infant was recorded. Demographic data and information on treatment within the 24 h before the UB peak were also collected. UB was determined by the glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD) method. Infants were categorized according to the presence or absence of acetaminophen administration (acetaminophen and no acetaminophen groups) within 24 h of the UB peak. The relationship between UB values and various clinical variables was then compared.

RESULTS

Both the peak UB value and the ratio of gastrointestinal disease were higher in the acetaminophen group than in the no acetaminophen group. Univariate analysis revealed that a total of seven variables were potentially correlated with UB peak values (P < 0.10). Multivariate analysis showed that acetaminophen and direct bilirubin were independently associated with UB peak values.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that administration of acetaminophen is related to higher UB levels by the GOD-POD method. UB values measured by the GOD-POD method should not be used in infants treated with acetaminophen for evaluation of bilirubin neurotoxicity avoidance.

Acetaminophen Therapy for Persistent Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Persistence of a left-to-right shunt caused by a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) leads to significant sequelae in extremely premature infants as a result of pulmonary overcirculation and systemic steal. Although timing and duration of treatment for a persistent clinically significant PDA differ among institutions, standard pharmacologic interventions are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs indomethacin and ibuprofen. Acetaminophen has emerged as an alternative to indomethacin and ibuprofen with less significant adverse effects, but there is no consensus regarding its use. This review summarizes the most recent evidence for the use of acetaminophen in PDA treatment.

Oral Versus Intravenous Medications for Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Neonates: A Cost-Saving Initiative

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to quantify cost savings after promoting oral pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective before-and-after time series quality improvement study. Oral ibuprofen and acetaminophen use criteria were developed and recommended, rather than the more costly intravenous equivalents. There were 24-month medication use reports generated for both the pre-criteria (Era-1) and the post-criteria (Era-2) implementation phases to identify neonates prescribed hsPDA medications in order to assess cost differences.

RESULTS

Era-1 had 190 treatment courses in 110 neonates for a total medication cost of $171,260.70. Era-2 had 210 courses in 109 patients for a total medication cost of $47,461.49, yielding savings of $123,799.21 ($61,899.61 annually) after criteria implementation. The reduction in intravenous ibuprofen use in Era-2 accounted for all the savings.

CONCLUSION

Preferentially prescribing lower-cost oral medications to treat hsPDA led to significant cost savings.

The developing murine lung is susceptible to acetaminophen toxicity

Acetaminophen (n-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) use in the neonatal intensive care unit is rapidly increasing. Although APAP-related hepatotoxicity is rarely reported in the neonatal literature, other end-organ toxicity can occur with toxic exposures. APAP-induced lung injury has been reported with toxic exposures in adults, but whether this occurs in the developing lung is unknown. Therefore, we tested whether toxic APAP exposures would injure the developing lung. Neonatal C57BL/6 mice (PN7, early alveolar stage of lung development) were exposed to a dose of APAP known to cause hepatotoxicity in adult mice (280 mg/kg, IP). This exposure induced significant lung injury in the absence of identifiable hepatic toxicity. This injury was associated with increased pulmonary expression of Cyp2e1, the xenobiotic enzyme responsible for the toxic conversion of APAP. Exposure was associated with increased pulmonary expression of antioxidant response genes and decreased pulmonary glutathione peroxidase activity level. Furthermore, we observed an increase in pulmonary expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Lastly, we were able to demonstrate that this toxic APAP exposure was associated with a shift in pulmonary metabolism away from glycolysis with increased oxidative phosphorylation, a finding consistent with increased mitochondrial workload, potentially leading to mitochondrial toxicity. This previously unrecognized injury and metabolic implications highlight the need to look beyond the liver and evaluate both the acute and long-term pulmonary implications of APAP exposure in the perinatal period.

Association of hemoglobin and spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus during the transitional period in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between plasma hemoglobin (HB) at three time-points (birth, postnatal days 0-3 and 0-10) and spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus (sDAC).

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective case-control study of preterm infants born (2013-2016) between 24 and 29 weeks of gestational age (GA) was conducted in a level three perinatal center in Switzerland. We collected hemoglobin at birth, between days 0-3 and 0-10 in two distinct groups: (i) patients treated for a PDA and (ii) patients with spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus (sDAC). Antenatal and postnatal demographic data and neonatal morbidity were collected. Bivariate analysis was performed and a stepwise logistic regression was done to investigate factors associated with sDAC.

RESULTS

We reviewed the medical chart of 184 premature infants of whom 146 (79.3%) satisfied eligibility criteria. Of these, 74 (51%) were classified as sDAC. Patients with sDAC were older (GA: 28 vs 27, p < 0.001), more stable (clinical risk index for babies score (CRIB score): 2 vs 5, p < 0.001) and had better clinical outcomes than patients who received treatment for a PDA. Infants in the sDAC group had a higher level of hemoglobin during the first ten postnatal days. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lower HB level (day 0-10) were associated with failure of sDAC (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the first studies to highlight a potential association between hemoglobin during the transitional period and sDAC. The biological nature of this observation requires prospective clarification.

Molecular and Mechanical Mechanisms Regulating Ductus Arteriosus Closure in Preterm Infants

Failure of ductus arteriosus closure after preterm birth is associated with significant morbidities. Ductal closure requires and is regulated by a complex interplay of molecular and mechanical mechanisms with underlying genetic factors. In utero patency of the ductus is maintained by low oxygen tension, high levels of prostaglandins, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. After birth, ductal closure occurs first by functional closure, followed by anatomical remodeling. High oxygen tension and decreased prostaglandin levels mediated by numerous factors including potassium channels, endothelin-1, isoprostanes lead to the contraction of the ductus. Bradykinin and corticosteroids also induce ductal constriction by attenuating the sensitivity of the ductus to PGE2. Smooth muscle cells of the ductus can sense oxygen through a mitochondrial network by the role of Rho-kinase pathway which ends up with increased intracellular calcium levels and contraction of myosin light chains. Anatomical closure of the ductus is also complex with various mechanisms such as migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, extracellular matrix production, endothelial cell proliferation which mediate cushion formation with the interaction of blood cells. Regulation of vessel walls is affected by retinoic acid, TGF-β1, notch signaling, hyaluronan, fibronectin, chondroitin sulfate, elastin, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). Formation of the platelet plug facilitates luminal remodeling by the obstruction of the constricted ductal lumen. Vasa vasorum are more pronounced in the term ductus but are less active in the preterm ductus. More than 100 genes are effective in the prostaglandin pathway or in vascular smooth muscle development and structure may affect the patency of ductus. Hemodynamic changes after birth including fluid load and flow characteristics as well as shear forces within the ductus also stimulate closure. Current pharmacological treatment for the closure of a patent ductus is based on the blockage of the prostaglandin pathway mainly through COX or POX inhibition, albeit with some limitations and side effects. Further research for new agents aiming ductal closure should focus on a clear understanding of vascular biology of the ductus.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Is a Feasible Tool to Personalize Drug Administration in Neonates Using New Techniques: An Overview on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Neonatal Age

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) should be adopted in all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), where the most preterm and fragile babies are hospitalized and treated with many drugs, considering that organs and metabolic pathways undergo deep and progressive maturation processes after birth. Different developmental changes are involved in interindividual variability in response to drugs. A crucial point of TDM is the choice of the bioanalytical method and of the sample to use. TDM in neonates is primarily used for antibiotics, antifungals, and antiepileptic drugs in clinical practice. TDM appears to be particularly promising in specific populations: neonates who undergo therapeutic hypothermia or extracorporeal life support, preterm infants, infants who need a tailored dose of anticancer drugs. This review provides an overview of the latest advances in this field, showing options for a personalized therapy in newborns and infants.

Acetaminophen increases pulmonary and systemic vasomotor tone in the newborn rat

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen is widely prescribed to both neonates and young children for a variety of reasons. In adults, therapeutic usage of acetaminophen induces systemic arterial pressure changes and exposure to high doses promotes tissue toxicity. The pulmonary vascular effects of acetaminophen at any age are unknown. Hypothesizing that, early in life, it promotes vasomotor tone changes via oxidative stress, we tested the in vitro acetaminophen effects on intrapulmonary and carotid arteries from newborn and adult rats.

METHOD

We measured the acetaminophen dose-response in isometrically mounted arteries and pharmacologically evaluated the factors accounting for its vasomotor effects.

RESULTS

Acetaminophen induced concentration- and age-dependent vasomotor tone changes. Whereas a progressive increase in vasomotor tone was observed in the newborn, the adult arteries showed mostly vasorelaxation. Inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide generation with L-NAME and the use of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FeTPPS (Fe(III)5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato chloride) mostly abolished the drug-induced increase in newborn pulmonary vasomotor tone CONCLUSIONS: In newborn rats, acetaminophen increases pulmonary vasomotor tone via peroxynitrite generation. Given its therapeutic usage, further clinical studies are warranted to assess the acetaminophen effects on the newborn pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance.

Use of combination therapy with acetaminophen and ibuprofen for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates

Objective

To compare effectiveness and safety of combination therapy (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) to monotherapy (ibuprofen, indomethacin, or acetaminophen alone) in treatment of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature neonates.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of neonates admitted to a tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit. Included neonates were born at <32 weeks gestation and received pharmacotherapy for PDA closure. Based on the primary therapy received, our cohort was divided into the following four groups: indomethacin alone, ibuprofen alone, acetaminophen alone, and ibuprofen and acetaminophen (in combination). Baseline characteristics, effectiveness, safety, neonatal mortality, and morbidities rates between these groups were compared.

Results

One hundred and forty neonates were analyzed; 17 received combination therapy, and 123 neonates received monotherapy: 22 (17.9%) ibuprofen, 29 (23.6%) acetaminophen, and 72 (58.5%) indomethacin. The PDA closure rates were 41.7% for indomethacin, 41.2% for combination therapy, 37.9% for acetaminophen, and 31.8% for ibuprofen (P=0.100). Rates of adverse effects were comparable between the groups.

Conclusion

The rate of ductal closure was not different between combination therapy and monotherapy. The study did not demonstrate any increased adverse effects in the combination group. Future well-designed prospective clinical trials are needed to guide clinical practice.

Narcotic-Sparing Approaches and the Shift Toward Paracetamol in Neonatal Intensive Care

Effective analgesia in neonates is relevant not only because of ethical aspects or empathy, but it is a crucial and integral part of medical and nursing care. However, there is also emerging evidence - although mainly in animal models - on the relation between the exposure to narcotics and impaired neurodevelopmental outcome, resulting in a CATCH-22 scenario. Consequently, a balanced approach is needed with the overarching intention to attain adequate pain management with minimal side effects. Despite the available evidence-based guidance on narcotics in ventilated neonates, observations on drug utilization still suggest an overall increase in exposure with extensive variability between units. This increased exposure over time and the extensive variability is concerning given the limited evidence of benefits and potential harm.Implementation strategies are effective to reduce exposure to narcotics but result in increased paracetamol exposure. We therefore summarized the evidence on paracetamol use in procedural pain management, in minor to moderate as well as major pain syndromes in neonates. While there are sufficient data on short-term safety, there are still concerns on long-term side effects. These concerns relate to neurobehavioral outcome, atopy or fertility, and are at present mainly driven by epidemiological perinatal observations, together with postulated mechanisms.We conclude that future clinical research objectives should still focus on the need to develop better assessment tools to quantify pain and on the need for high-quality data on long-term outcome of therapeutic interventions - also for paracetamol - and exploration of the mechanisms involved.

Paracetamol vs. Ibuprofen in Preterm Infants With Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Non-inferiority Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol

Background: Currently, the first line treatment of persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is either indomethacin or ibuprofen. However, the potentially life-threatening side effects associated to their use have prompted physicians to look for alternative options. The incorporation of paracetamol as an alternative to ibuprofen in the management of PDA is still based on insufficient clinical evidence. Hence, more clinical trials are needed to establish a therapeutic role for paracetamol in the management of PDA that take into consideration short- and long-term safety and efficacy outcomes. Study Design: This is a non-inferiority, randomized, multicenter, double-blinded study to evaluate the efficacy, and safety of intravenous (IV) paracetamol vs. IV ibuprofen (standard treatment) for PDA in preterm patients with a gestational age ≤ 30 weeks. At baseline, patients will be randomized (1:1) to treatment with paracetamol or ibuprofen. The primary endpoint is closure of the ductus after the first treatment course. Secondary endpoints are related to effectiveness (need for a second treatment course, rescue treatment, reopening rate, time to definitive closure, need for surgical ligation), safety (early and long-term complications), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacoeconomics, and genotoxicity. Long-term follow-up to 24 months of corrected postnatal age will be performed using Bayley III neurodevelopmental scale. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04037514. EudraCT: 2015-003177-14.

Toward rational management of patent ductus arteriosus: ductal disease staging and first line paracetamol

Aims: To study paracetamol (PCM) use as first line therapy for significant patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) closure, stratified by echocardiography.Methods: In this retrospective observational study, a prepublished score comprising PDA size and velocity, PDA:left pulmonary artery ratio, diastolic flow in main and LPA, LA:Ao ratio and left ventricular:aortic ratio were included for shunt severity. Successful closure was defined a priori as closure or ≥50% reduction in score. Comparisons were made between infants with sPDA who were treated and not treated.Results: During November 2017-2018, 227 infants from 23 to 31⁺⁶ weeks' gestational age (GA) were admitted; 50 (22%) infants were diagnosed with PDA, 32 treated with PCM, overall treatment rate of 32/227 (14%). Successful therapy was noted in 23/32 (72%) and was higher when treated at ≤7 days (80 versus 68%, p = .68), in infants >26 weeks GA (62.5 versus 100%, p = .07) and BW >1000 g (65.4 versus 100%, p = .14). Univariate analysis noted statistical significance only for GA. Eighteen infants were managed conservatively. Treated infants had a lower GA and BW, higher composite ECHO score (14.4 ± 0.5 versus 19 ± 0.4, p < .001).Conclusions: Composite scoring helped reduce exposure, and focus more on infants with lower GA and BW with greater shunt severity.

PDA: Does it matter?

Management of persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) continues to be a challenging issue. The attitude toward PDA has shifted in the opposite direction during the last 20 years, from advocating an aggressive and early closure toward a call for watchful observation. While persistent PDA may cause challenges in the medical management of preterm neonates secondary to volume overload, pulmonary edema or hemorrhage, hypotension, and impaired tissue perfusion, its contribution toward long-term neonatal morbidities including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), ROP, NEC, and NDI has not been substantiated. By advocating conservative management, it is clear now that the majority of the PDA cases show spontaneous closure and do not require treatment. However, there has not been agreement regarding what constitutes a hemodynamically significant PDA and when, if any, it should be targeted for treatment. With increasing concern regarding possible associated complications with PDA ligation, a new trend for transcatheter approach to PDA closure is expanding. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PDA in preterm infants, and we make some recommendations regarding evidence-based approach.