Ceftazidime-Avibactam Treatment for Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia in Preterm Infants in NICU: A Clinical Experience

Ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) is an antibiotic combination approved for the treatment of several infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at high risk of developing bacterial infections, and the choice of appropriate antibiotics is crucial. However, the use of antibiotics in neonates carries risks such as antibiotic resistance and disruption of gut microbiota. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of CAZ/AVI in preterm infants admitted to the NICU. Retrospective data from preterm infants with Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia who received CAZ/AVI were analyzed. Clinical and microbiological responses, adverse events, and outcomes were evaluated. Eight patients were included in the study, all of whom showed clinical improvement and achieved microbiological cure with CAZ/AVI treatment. No adverse drug reactions were reported. Previous antibiotic therapies failed to improve the neonates' condition, and CAZ/AVI was initiated based on clinical deterioration and epidemiological considerations. The median duration of CAZ/AVI treatment was 14 days, and combination therapy with fosfomycin or amikacin was administered. Previous case reports have also shown positive outcomes with CAZ/AVI in neonates. However, larger trials are needed to further investigate the safety and efficacy of CAZ/AVI in this population.

Safety of Rotavirus Vaccination in Preterm Infants Admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Sicily, Italy: A Multicenter Observational Study

Rotavirus (RV) is among the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in children under five years of age. Despite the severity of rotavirus pathology in early childhood, rotavirus vaccination for children admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), who are often born preterm and with various previous illnesses, is not performed. This multicenter, 3-year project aims to evaluate the safety of RV vaccine administration within the six main neonatal intensive care units of the Sicilian Region to preterm infants. Methods: Monovalent live attenuated anti-RV vaccination (RV1) was administered from April 2018 to December 2019 to preterm infants with gestational age ≥ 28 weeks. Vaccine administrations were performed in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings as a post-discharge follow-up (NICU setting) starting at 6 weeks of age according to the official immunization schedule. Any adverse events (expected, unexpected, and serious) were monitored from vaccine administration up to 14 days (first assessment) and 28 days (second assessment) after each of the two scheduled vaccine doses. Results: At the end of December 2019, 449 preterm infants were vaccinated with both doses of rotavirus vaccine within the six participating Sicilian NICUs. Mean gestational age in weeks was 33.1 (±3.8 SD) and the first dose of RV vaccine was administered at 55 days (±12.9 SD) on average. The mean weight at the first dose was 3388 (SD ± 903) grams. Only 0.6% and 0.2% of infants reported abdominal colic and fever above 38.5 °C in the 14 days after the first dose, respectively. Overall, 1.9% EAEs were observed at 14 days and 0.4% at 28 days after the first/second dose administration. Conclusions: Data obtained from this study confirm the safety of the monovalent rotavirus vaccine even in preterm infants with gestational age ≥ 28 weeks, presenting an opportunity to improve the vaccination offer both in Sicily and in Italy by protecting the most fragile infants who are more at risk of contracting severe rotavirus gastroenteritis and nosocomial RV infection.

Early predictors of abnormal MRI patterns in asphyxiated infants: S100B protein urine levels

OBJECTIVES

The early detection and stratification of asphyxiated infants at higher risk for impaired neurodevelopment is challenging. S100B protein is a well-established biomarker of brain damage, but lacks conclusive validation according to the "gold standard" methodology for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) prognostication, i.e. brain MRI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive role of urinary S100B concentrations, assessed in a cohort of HIE infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH), compared to brain MRI.

METHODS

Assessment of urine S100B concentrations was performed by immunoluminometric assay at first void and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 48, 72, 96, 108 and 120-h after birth. Neurologic evaluation, routine laboratory parameters, amplitude-integrated electroencephalography, and cerebral ultrasound were performed according to standard protocols. Brain MRI was performed at 7-10 days of life.

RESULTS

Overall, 74 HIE neonates receiving TH were included in the study. S100B correlated, already at first void, with the MRI patterns with higher concentrations in infants with the most severe MRI lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

High S100B urine levels soon after birth constitute trustable predictors of brain injury as confirmed by MRI. Results support the reliability of S100B in clinical daily practice and open the way to its inclusion in the panel of parameters used for the selection of cases suitable for TH treatment.

S100B protein, cerebral ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging patterns in brain injured preterm infants

OBJECTIVES

The early detection of preterm infants (PI) at risk for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and neurological sequelae still constitutes an unsolved issue. We aimed at validating the role of S100B protein in the early diagnosis and prognosis of IVH in PI by means of cerebral ultrasound (CUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) today considered standard of care procedures.

METHODS

We conducted an observational case-control study in 216 PI of whom 36 with IVH and 180 controls. Standard clinical, laboratory, radiological monitoring procedures and S100B urine measurement were performed at four time-points (first void, 24, 48, 96 h) after birth. Cerebral MRI was performed at 40-42 weeks of corrected gestational age.

RESULTS

Elevated (p<0.001, for all) S100B levels were observed in the IVH group at all monitoring time-point particularly at first void when standard monitoring procedures were still silent or unavailable. S100B measured at first void correlated (p<0.001) with the grade of hemorrhage by means of CUS and with the site and extension of neurological lesion (p<0.001, for all) as assessed by MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results showing a correlation among S100B and CUS and MRI offer additional support to the inclusion of the protein in clinical daily management of cases at risk for IVH and adverse neurological outcome. The findings open the way to further investigations in PI aimed at validating new neurobiomarkers by means of S100B.

A global point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in neonatal intensive care units: The no-more-antibiotics and resistance (NO-MAS-R) study

BACKGROUND

Global assessment of antimicrobial agents prescribed to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

METHODS

We conducted a one-day global point prevalence study of all antimicrobials provided to NICU infants. Demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data were obtained including NICU level, census, birth weight, gestational/chronologic age, diagnoses, antimicrobial therapy (reason for use; length of therapy), antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), and 30-day in-hospital mortality.

FINDINGS

On July 1, 2019, 26% of infants (580/2,265; range, 0-100%; median gestational age, 33 weeks; median birth weight, 1800 g) in 84 NICUs (51, high-income; 33, low-to-middle income) from 29 countries (14, high-income; 15, low-to-middle income) in five continents received ≥1 antimicrobial agent (92%, antibacterial; 19%, antifungal; 4%, antiviral). The most common reasons for antibiotic therapy were "rule-out" sepsis (32%) and "culture-negative" sepsis (16%) with ampicillin (40%), gentamicin (35%), amikacin (19%), vancomycin (15%), and meropenem (9%) used most frequently. For definitive treatment of presumed/confirmed infection, vancomycin (26%), amikacin (20%), and meropenem (16%) were the most prescribed agents. Length of therapy for culture-positive and "culture-negative" infections was 12 days (median; IQR, 8-14) and 7 days (median; IQR, 5-10), respectively. Mortality was 6% (42%, infection-related). An NICU ASP was associated with lower rate of antibiotic utilization (p = 0·02).

INTERPRETATION

Global NICU antibiotic use was frequent and prolonged regardless of culture results. NICU-specific ASPs were associated with lower antibiotic utilization rates, suggesting the need for their implementation worldwide.

FUNDING

Merck & Co.; The Ohio State University College of Medicine Barnes Medical Student Research Scholarship.

Monitoring the effectiveness of hypothermia in perinatal asphyxia infants by urinary S100B levels

Background Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates: The aim of the present study was to investigate, by means of longitudinal assessment of urinary S100B, the effectiveness of hypothermia, in infants complicated by perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Methods We performed a retrospective case-control study in 108 asphyxiated infants, admitted to nine tertiary departments for neonatal intensive care from January 2004 to July 2017, of whom 54 underwent hypothermia treatment and 54 did not. The concentrations of S100B protein in urine were measured using an immunoluminometric assay at first urination and 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 48, 72, 96, 108 and 120 h after birth. The results were correlated with the achievement of S100B levels within normal ranges at 72 h from hypothermia treatment. Routine laboratory parameters, longitudinal cerebral function monitoring, cerebral ultrasound and neurologic patterns were assessed according to standard protocols. Results Higher S100B concentrations were found in hypothermia-treated infants in both moderate (up to 12 h) and severe (up to 24 h) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. S100B levels returned to normal ranges starting from 20 h of hypothermia treatment in moderate and from 36 h in severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Conclusions The present results offer additional support to the usefulness of longitudinal neuro-biomarkers monitoring in asphyxiated infants treated by hypothermia. The pattern of S100B concentrations during hypothermia supports the need for further investigations aimed at reconsidering the time-window for patient recruitment and treatment, and the optimal duration of the cooling and rewarming phases of the hypothermia procedure.

Antenatal maternal antidepressants drugs treatment affects S100B levels in maternal-fetal biological fluids in a dose dependent manner

BACKGROUND

The increased use of antidepressant treatment during pregnancy occurred without firm evidence on safety/efficacy. The present study investigated the correlation among S100B and paroxetine blood levels with the occurrence of short-term post-natal neurological abnormalities.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 50 pregnant women using paroxetine because of depression and in 150 controls. Standard laboratory parameters and S100B were measured at seven monitoring time-points (maternal blood: T1, 16-20 wks; T2, 27-30 wks; T3, 35-40 wks; T4, at delivery; amniotic fluid, T5; venous and arterial cord blood, T6-T7). Paroxetine levels were measured at T1-T6. Neurological outcome was set at 7th day from birth.

RESULTS

Higher S100B concentrations at T1-T7 were found in the paroxetine-treated group. S100B correlated with paroxetine blood levels. The paroxetine/S100B ratio cut-off of 1.31 at T2 achieved sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.5% and positive/negative predictive values 87.5-100, respectively, as a single marker to predict adverse neonatal neurological outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study offers additional support to the usefulness of longitudinal S100B and drug level monitoring in depressed pregnant women and in the early detection of cases at risk for short-term neurological abnormalities. Results open the way at further investigations correlating antidepressant drugs and neurobiomarkers in the maternal bloodstream.

Neurological abnormalities in full-term asphyxiated newborns and salivary S100B testing: the "Cooperative Multitask against Brain Injury of Neonates" (CoMBINe) international study

BACKGROUND

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns: its prognosis depends both on the severity of the asphyxia and on the immediate resuscitation to restore oxygen supply and blood circulation. Therefore, we investigated whether measurement of S100B, a consolidated marker of brain injury, in salivary fluid of PA newborns may constitute a useful tool for the early detection of asphyxia-related brain injury.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 292 full-term newborns admitted to our NICUs, of whom 48 suffered PA and 244 healthy controls admitted at our NICUs. Saliva S100B levels measurement longitudinally after birth; routine laboratory variables, neurological patterns, cerebral ultrasound and, magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The primary end-point was the presence of neurological abnormalities at 12-months after birth.

RESULTS

S100B salivary levels were significantly (P<0.001) higher in newborns with PA than in normal infants. When asphyxiated infants were subdivided according to a good (Group A; n = 15) or poor (Group B; n = 33) neurological outcome at 12-months, S100B was significantly higher at all monitoring time-points in Group B than in Group A or controls (P<0.001, for all). A cut-off >3.25 MoM S100B achieved a sensitivity of 100% (CI5-95%: 89.3%-100%) and a specificity of 100% (CI5-95%: 98.6%-100%) as a single marker for predicting the occurrence of abnormal neurological outcome (area under the ROC curve: 1.000; CI5-95%: 0.987-1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

S100B protein measurement in saliva, soon after birth, is a useful tool to identify which asphyxiated infants are at risk of neurological sequelae.

S100B protein and near infrared spectroscopy in preterm and term newborns

Cerebral monitoring constitutes an emerging issue in perinatal medicine. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) monitors brain oxygenation status in sick infants although data in healthy infants are lacking. The present study investigates whether NIRS parameters change according to gestational age and correlate with S100B protein. We recruited 64 healthy newborns (weeks' gestation: 30-42 wks) in which we performed in the first 6-hours after birth routine clinical, radiological and laboratory variables, cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), fractional cerebral tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) values and S100B urine assessment. rSO2 and FTOE correlated (R=-0.73; R=0.51; P less than 0.01, for both) with gestational age. Highest rSO2 and the lowest FTOE peaks (P less than 0.001) were found at 30-33 wks. From 34 wks onwards, rSO2 progressively decreased and FTOE increased reaching their lower dip/peak (P less than 0.001) at 38-39 weeks. A significant correlation between S100B and NIRS parameters (rSO2: r=0.77; FTOE: r=-0.69; P less than 0.01) has been found. The present study shows that NIRS parameters and S100B protein correlation may be of help in brain function monitoring.

Nitric oxide test during cardiac catheterization decreases the serum concentrations of S100B protein in adult patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac catheterization (CC) is a life-threatening procedure in adult patients. Complicated by idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), there is a potential risk of central nervous system (CNS) damage. We measured serum levels of a well-established brain damage marker, namely S100B, collected before, during and after CC in adult patients in whom the nitric oxide (NO) test had been performed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 12 adult patients who had undergone CC for IPAH diagnosis, we recorded clinical and standard monitoring procedures (laboratory variables and echocardiographic patterns) and serum concentrations of S100B before (time 0), during (time 1) and after the NO test (time 2) and at 24 h after (time 3) the procedure in samples obtained from the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Patients were subdivided into NO test responders (n=6) and non-responders (n=6). Neurological evaluation was performed at admission and at discharge from hospital.

RESULTS

Adult patients subjected to CC showed no overt neurological injury at discharge from hospital. No significant differences (p > 0.05 for all) in S100B serum levels between groups at times 0, 1 and 3 have been shown independently from the sampling site. It was noteworthy that the concentration of protein in the responders group at time 2 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05, for all) compared to the responder group and to baseline values. A significant correlation was found between arterial oxygen partial pressure and individual S100B concentration in the pulmonary and systemic bloodstream in the entire study group (R = -0.66 and R = 0.71, respectively; p < 0.05, for both).

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that S100B protein assessment, as well as the NO test, may be useful when monitoring possible CNS damage during CC in patients with IPAH, and may also be valuable in relation to brain functions, especially when performed as an emergency procedure in severely hypoxic patients.

[The importance of using the cerebral function monitor (CFM) in the neurological prognosis of neonates in intensive care]

Cerebral function monitor (CFM), unlike traditional EEG, allows a long-term evaluation of electric brain activity, without interfering with the nursing of the newborn in the intensive care unit. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of CFM for neurological outcome. We studied 102 newborns (gestational age 34.5 +/- 4.36 weeks; weight 1980 +/- 720 grams) by Multitrace CFM (Lectromed) 5 hours daily in the first week following admission. The patients also underwent cerebral echography, EEG and neurological follow-up to the 24th month. CFM was found to correlate well with the EEG recorded 3 months later. The persistence for at least one week of an I.C. tracing or the normalization of initial tracing have a good prognostic value (positive predictive value 95.23%), a persistently pathologic registration has a negative prognostic value (negative predictive value 85.18%), that even increases if cerebral echographic alterations are demonstrated (98.57%). The association of CFM and ultrasound abnormalities determines a relative risk for neurological motor impairment of 69.14, whereas CFM alone gives a relative risk of 6.4.

[Incidence of ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) in hypoxemic neonates: case contribution]

In this retrospective study the Authors correlated the hypoxia with the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a population of 683 outborn preterm infants (bw < 2500 g and gestational age < 38 weeks). They excluded all cases with specific pathological conditions. Among neonates with the same gestational age the incidence of ROP was higher (p < .05) in those with hypoxia (pH < 7.25, tcPO2 < 50 mmHg). These data suggest that hypoxia plays a role in the pathogenesis of ROP.

[Concentration of blood ICAM-1s in the newborn at risk of infection. A prospective study in the first 2 weeks of life]

We prospectively determined serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) in the first 2 weeks of life in 32 preterm newborns in an attempt to assess whether these concentrations are reliable markers of sepsis in newborns at risk of infection. Ten of the study group were normal and had been hospitalized only for low birth weight. The remaining 22 presented respiratory distress (RDS) and were at even higher risk of infection because they required assisted mechanical ventilation and central venous catheterisation for parenteral feeding and infusion therapy. Sepsis was diagnosed in 11/22 newborns with RDS: in 3 on day 3 and in 8 on day 7. Circulating sICAM-1 concentrations were significantly elevated in neonates with RDS (group II) and associated infection (group III) compared with normal newborns (group I). However, after day 3 of life sICAM-1 values were significantly higher in group III than in group II.

[Decreased plasma fibronectin (pFN) level in preterm infants with infections]

Plasma fibronectic (pFN) is a high molecular weight multifunction glycoprotein, which augments neutrophil and macrofage phagocytosis and acts as a nonspecific opsonin for the reticuloendothelial system. In this study we have determined pFN concentrations in fifty eight preterm infants to discriminate infected from non infected ones. Concentrations of pFN decreased from baselin in babies with early or late onset infections. The changes in pFN concentrations were not found before sepsis, but on day 1. By day 5 pFN concentrations have increased and have been no longer different from controls. We have calculated sensitivity (73.68%), specificity (74.36%), positive (58.35%) and negative (85.29%) predictive values of pFN and of other markers of infections (C-reactive protein--CRP-, Immature/Mature neutrophil ratio--I/M n. ratio-). Adding these tests to pFN, provided equal specificity and positive predictive value, but increased sensitivity (94.73%) and negative predictive value (96.43%). Thus, low concentrations of pFN may be a valuable but not early marker for neonatal infections. The combination of pFN, CRP and I/M n. ratio increase the precision of diagnostic testing.

[A case of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome with rapidly fatal course]

The Hallermann-Streiff syndrome is a rare affection characterized by beaked nose, dyscephaly, hypotrichosis, cataracts, micrognathia and proportionate short stature. The most severe complication in the syndrome is respiratory embarrassment. Narrow air passage with abnormal glottic closure, prenatal growth deficiency, immunodeficiency and sometimes associated cardiovascular anomalies, can predispose these patients to pulmonary infections. The Authors describe a new-born with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, who, after a brief period of obstructive apnea successfully treated with CPAP, developed a severe pulmonary infection that caused his death at the age of 61 days.

[Oral administration of doxapram in preterm neonates with aminophylline-resistant idiopathic apnea crisis]

Doxapram is an analeptic capable of stimulating both central and periferal areas of the respiratory system. During the last few years, intravenous infusion of doxapram has been carried out, with success, for the treatment of idiopathic apnea in preterm infants otherwise unresponsive to methylxantine. Since doxapram has a tendency to precipitate into various solution containing amino acids and calcium gluconate, oral administration has been suggested. The Authors in this study have seen that in 18 preterm infants suffering from idiopathic apnea unresponsive to amynofillina, an oral administration of doxapram at 12 mg/kg/6h resulted in a complete recovery from apnea spells in 66.7% of cases, while 22.2% gave a partial positive response and only 11.1% a negative result. Furthermore the Authors would like to stress that doxapram showed a good tolerance level when administered orally. In fact, no side effects which were previously reported in other publications were presented in the infants studied.

[Oral administration of itraconazole in a case of neonatal hepatic candidiasis]

Systemic Candida A. infections are increasing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. For many years, Amphotericin B, alone or in combination with 5-fluorocytosine, have been used. Recently a search for new and less toxic drugs has been started. In this study we report the case of hepatic candidosis in a preterm newborn. The patient has been treated with itraconazole, an oral antifungal agent with broad spectrum activity. Its tolerance has been good. No severe side effects were observed and biochemical parameters showed no consistent drug induced effects.

[Pena-Shokeir syndrome: report of a case with benign outcome]

Pena-Shokeir syndrome is a rare, often lethal disease, characterized by intrauterine growth retardation and by fetal akinesia or hypokinesia that leads to craniofacial anomalies, limb ankylosis, polyhydramnios and pulmonary hypoplasia. The case that we report had a favourable evolution, although there was at birth a severe respiratory distress. EMG studies revealed deficit of innervation. Contraceptive therapy, wrongly used by the mother in the first period of pregnancy, played, probably, a concomitant role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.

[The use of fluconazole in low-weight neonates with candidiasis]

Systemic Candida Albicans infections in premature newborns are characterized by high morbidity; early diagnosis and immediate treatment are therefore necessary. In this study we report the cases of fourteen newborns admitted to our Newborn Care Unit in a three-year period, in whom candidiasis was diagnosed. The mycetes was isolated from blood, liquor, peritoneal fluid, urine, oesophageal aspirate. Treatment was undertaken immediately with fluconazole, administered through the parenteral route or locally into peritoneal cavum and oesophageal stump. Duration of treatment varied from five to twenty-one days. All cases underwent complete negativization of cultures and no systemic or local side effects.

[Variations of blood bilirubin levels in the newborn with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)]

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease where production of free radicals is a pathogenic factor. Bilirubin is regarded today as the most powerful antioxidant substance "in vitro". To test such effect "in vivo" we studied 219 premature infants, admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Case Unit from April 1991 to October 1992, evaluating their serum bilirubin levels from day two to seven and mean bilirubin level of first week for each child. We also calculated the mean rate of daily increase of bilirubin. Our results show that bilirubin parameters considered are higher in neonates which will develop ROP of every stage than in the control ones. These results therefore do not support the concept that bilirubin could have a role in the prevention of ROP.

[Epidemiological,and physiopathological findings in retinopathy of prematurity: the authors' personal cases]

The authors present a retrospective epidemiological study on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), performed on 738 newborns with a gestational age of 34 +/- 2.41 weeks and birth weight of 1971 +/- 351 g. They excluded all cases with severe respiratory distress and other pathological conditions. First stage of ROP shows no correlation with gestational age and birth weight, whereas second and third stages of ROP show an inverse correlation with the above mentioned factors, particularly birth weight. Among neonates with the same gestational age, the incidence of ROP is higher in those "small for date". Regarding the pathogenesis of ROP, the authors outline the importance of perinatal hypoxia.

[A comparison of the efficacy of aminophylline and doxapram in preventing idiopathic apnea in preterm newborn infants]

Doxapram is an analeptic of the respiratory system that has been used in the last few years for the treatment of idiopathic apnea spells in infants who show resistance to methylxantine. In this study we have compared the efficacy of aminophylline and doxapram for the prevention of idiopathic apnea spells in two groups of preterm infants comparable for gestational age, birthweight and postnatal age. The two drugs resulted to be effective in preventing the spells of apnea in 66% and 60% of the cases respectively. In the cases in which there was a partial or negative response, the association of the two substances resulted in a noticeable reduction of the apnea spells. The positive effect of the association of aminophylline and doxapram is probably due to the different action mechanism on the stimulation of the respiratory system.