Should we definitively abandon prophylaxis for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm new-borns?

Prophylactic intravenous paracetamol use in extremely premature infants for patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVES

Patency of ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a very common problem among extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW). Hemodynamic instability caused by PDA is associated with important morbidities. This study aims to evaluate the effects of prophylactic intravenous paracetamol on the hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).

METHODS

A total of 75 infants of <28 week-gestational age were enrolled into the study which was retrospective. Prophylactic paracetamol as the experimental group and none-prophylaxis group as the control group were compared in the study.

RESULTS

There were 35 subjects in the prophylactic paracetamol group (PPG), and 40 in the control group. Primary outcome measures were ductal closure, ductal diameter, grade 3-4 IVH, and repeated ibuprofen need for the treatment of hsPDA. At the time of the evaluation by echo, hsPDA, and the diameter of the ductus higher than 1 mm were found significantly lower in the PPG (p=0.004 and p=0.013). Additionally, the repeated course of ibuprofen was significantly lower in the PPG (p=0.025). Secondary outcomes were the other perinatal morbidities. According to the results of the study, the male gender is 6.6, and the paracetamol use is 5.5 times more likely to suffer from ROP.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study indicated that prophylactic paracetamol use in ELBW infants decreases the likelihood of hsPDA. The repeated course of ibuprofen for the treatment of hsPDA can be reduced. Furthermore, it can be understood that while prophylactic use of paracetamol is preventive for intraventricular hemorrhage, it does not function in the same way for retinopathy of prematurity or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. It might even worse the retinopathy of prematurity. Further prospective randomized controlled and larger sample-sized studies are needed.

Prophylactic low-dose paracetamol administration associated with lowered rate of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants - Impact on outcome and pain perception

BACKGROUND

To determine the rate of patent ductus arteriosus after prophylactic low-dose paracetamol administration, the impact on outcome parameters, possible treatment side-effects and the influence on pain perception.

METHODS

We report retrospective single-centre outcome data of premature infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestation (n = 476). The intervention group received intravenous paracetamol, the control group obtained no preventive therapy. Ductal closure rate and outcome parameters were compared between the two groups. Adverse effects were determined by laboratory parameters. For the assessment of pain the Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates was used.

RESULTS

The rate of patent ductus arteriosus was significantly lower in the paracetamol-treated group compared to the control group (13.6% vs. 38.2%, p < 0.001). With regard to secondary outcome parameters, severe and moderate bronchopulmonary dysplasia (2.7% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.023), severe retinopathy of prematurity (0% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.002) and late onset sepsis (2.7% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.009) were significantly less frequent in the paracetamol group. Except for a 1.5-fold increased risk for hyperbilirubinemia (86.0% vs. 77.6%, p = 0.035) in the paracetamol group following treatment, no significant differences in laboratory parameters were found. Relating to pain, the administration of Glucose 33% was significantly more often necessary in the control group compared to the paracetamol-treated group (mean 13.48 vs. 8.71, p < 0.001), just as the need for additional treatment with systemic analgesics, which was more frequent in the control group (mean 0.72 vs. 0.57, p = 0.361).

CONCLUSION

In our study we were able to show a significantly lower rate of patent ductus arteriosus after prophylactic paracetamol administration without serious adverse effect, but a beneficial influence of this regime on the patient's pain perception.

The dark side of ibuprofen in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus: could paracetamol be the solution?

INTRODUCTION

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) persistence is associated, in prematures, to several complications. The optimal PDA management is still under debate, especially regarding the best therapeutic approach and the time to treat. The available drugs are not exempt from contraindications and side effects; ibuprofen itself, although representing the first-choice therapy, can show nephrotoxicity and other complications. Paracetamol seems a valid alternative to classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs, with a lower toxicity. Areas covered: Through an analysis of the published literature on ibuprofen and paracetamol effects in preterm neonates, this review compares the available treatments for PDA, analyzing the mechanisms underlining ibuprofen-associated nephrotoxicity and the eventual paracetamol-induced hepatic damage, also providing an update of what has been yet demonstrated and a clear description of the still open issues. Expert Opinion: Paracetamol is an acceptable alternative in case of contraindication to ibuprofen; its toxicity, in this setting, is very low. Lower doses may be effective, with even fewer risks. In the future, paracetamol could represent an efficacious first-line therapy, although its safety, optimal dosage, and global impact have to be fully clarified through long-term trials, also in the perspective of an individualized and person-based therapy taking into account the extraordinary individual variability.

Paracetamol in Patent Ductus Arteriosus Treatment: Efficacious and Safe?

In preterm infants, failure or delay in spontaneous closure of Ductus Arteriosus (DA), resulting in the condition of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), represents a significant issue. A prolonged situation of PDA can be associated with several short- and long-term complications. Despite years of researches and clinical experience on PDA management, unresolved questions about the treatment and heterogeneity of clinical practices in different centers still remain, in particular regarding timing and modality of intervention. Nowadays, the most reasonable strategy seems to be reserving the treatment only to hemodynamically significant PDA. The first-line therapy is medical, and ibuprofen, related to several side effects especially in terms of nephrotoxicity, is the drug of choice. Administration of oral or intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) recently gained attention, appearing effective as traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in PDA closure, with lower toxicity. The results of the studies analyzed in this review mostly support paracetamol efficacy in ductal closure, with inconstant low and transient elevation of liver enzymes as reported side effect. However, more studies are needed to confirm if this therapy shows a real safety profile and to evaluate its long-term outcomes, before considering paracetamol as first-choice drug in PDA treatment.

Prophylactic Indomethacin Revisited

Persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA) has challenged neonatologists for more than 40 years.^, Surgical ligation of the ductus was first performed in children nearly 80 years ago and proved that prevention of prolonged exposure to left-to-right shunting through the ductus arteriosus improved pulmonary, cardiac, and systemic outcomes. In the 1970s, the discovery that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could induce PDA closure^– and are effective in infants born preterm^, provided neonatologists with a pharmacologic alternative to surgery. The clear advantages, however, of having a medical approach have been clouded by conflicting information on the long-term benefits of treatment, disagreement regarding the clinical indicators that warrant treatment for PDA, optimal drug choice, preferred dosing regimens, and indecision regarding the best time to treat a select population of fragile preterm infants.

Persistent Ductus Arteriosus in Critically Ill Preterm Infants

Introduction

Persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is found with increased incidence in preterm infants, significantly affecting neonatal morbidity and mortality rates.

Aim

To evaluate the association between the presence of PDA and the severity of clinical condition at birth in critically ill preterm infants, with gestational ages (GA) ≤ 32 weeks and severe respiratory distress.

Methods

All preterm infants with GA ≤ 32 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Clinical County Emergency Hospital, Sibiu between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015 were included in the study. These were categorized as Group 1 [Preterm infants with PDA; n=154] and Group 2 [Preterm infants without PDA; n=186]. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected in the National Registry for Respiratory Distress Syndrome for all children, and data related to prenatal period, clinical characteristics at birth i.e GA, weight, gender, Apgar scores, and clinical features such as resuscitation at birth, surfactant administration, need and duration of respiratory support, neonatal sepsis, complications associated with prematurity, and death, were analyzed.

Results

Group 1 infants had significantly lower GA and birth weights, were more often out born (p=0.049, HR 1.69), and had significantly lower Apgar scores at 1 and 10 minutes (p=0.022, p=0.000). They presented a significantly higher need for surfactant administration (42.9% vs 24.7%, p<0.0001) and respiratory support (96.8% vs 90.3%, HR 3.19, p=0.019 for need of CPAP and 22.1% vs 10.8%, HR 2.35, p=0.004 for mechanical ventilation). Duration of respiratory support was also significantly higher in the Group 1 (7.6%±7.5 vs. 5.1±3.8 days, p<0.0001 for CPAP and 20.1±22.5 vs. 12.0±15.7 days, p<0.0001 for mechanical ventilation).

Conclusion

In very preterm infants, PDA may be associated with a critical clinical condition leading to serious complications. The presence of PDA after the seventh day of life was associated with an increased need for respiratory support, both CPAP and mechanical ventilation, increased severity of the respiratory distress syndrome, requiring a longer duration of respiratory support, and increased the hospitalization length. In very preterm infants, PDA presence was also associated with a higher rate of severe complications and death, indicating the need for a careful and proper management of these critical cases in neonatal intensive care units.

Metabolomics in Newborns

Metabolomics is the quantitative analysis of a large number of low molecular weight metabolites that are intermediate or final products of all the metabolic pathways in a living organism. Any metabolic profiles detectable in a human biological fluid are caused by the interaction between gene expression and the environment. The metabolomics approach offers the possibility to identify variations in metabolite profile that can be used to discriminate disease. This is particularly important for neonatal and pediatric studies especially for severe ill patient diagnosis and early identification. This property is of a great clinical importance in view of the newer definitions of health and disease. This review emphasizes the workflow of a typical metabolomics study and summarizes the latest results obtained in neonatal studies with particular interest in prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, inborn errors of metabolism, perinatal asphyxia, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, kidney disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and cardiac malformation and dysfunction.

The role of metabolomics in neonatal and pediatric laboratory medicine

Metabolomics consists of the quantitative analysis of a large number of low molecular mass metabolites involving substrates or products in metabolic pathways existing in all living systems. The analysis of the metabolic profile detectable in a human biological fluid allows to instantly identify changes in the composition of endogenous and exogenous metabolites caused by the interaction between specific physiopathological states, gene expression, and environment. In pediatrics and neonatology, metabolomics offers new encouraging perspectives for the improvement of critically ill patient outcome, for the early recognition of metabolic profiles associated with the development of diseases in the adult life, and for delivery of individualized medicine. In this view, nutrimetabolomics, based on the recognition of specific cluster of metabolites associated with nutrition and pharmacometabolomics, based on the capacity to personalize drug therapy by analyzing metabolic modifications due to therapeutic treatment may open new frontiers in the prevention and in the treatment of pediatric and neonatal diseases. This review summarizes the most relevant results published in the literature on the application of metabolomics in pediatric and neonatal clinical settings. However, there is the urgent need to standardize physiological and preanalytical variables, analytical methods, data processing, and result presentation, before establishing the definitive clinical value of results.