Background: Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major complication of prematurity and can have significant impact on long-term pulmonary sequelae and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objective: To assess the incidence and evaluate the predictive factors for severe BPD in very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: Of the 846 premature infants born at ≤32-week gestation who developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 707 infants with known oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age were included in the analysis of BPD incidence. With univariate and multiple logistic regression models we evaluated the risk factors for the development of severe BPD and calculated odds ratios (ORs). Results: The overall incidence of BPD was 45.2%. Severe BPD accounted for 6%, with morbidity pertaining mainly to infants 7 days (OR 7.05, 95%CI 2.63–22.4). The protective factors were early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the univariate analysis and receiving surfactant <15 min after birth in the multivariate model. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation >7 days is the most prevalent risk factor for severe BPD. CPAP initiated in the delivery room and early surfactant are key preventive measures.

There is growing evidence that supports the benefits of early use of caffeine in preterm neonates with RDS; however, no formal recommendations specifying the exact timing of therapy initiation have been provided. We compared neonatal outcomes in infants receiving early (initial dose on the 1st day of life) and late (initial dose on day 2+ of life) caffeine therapy. Using data from a prospective, cohort study, we identified 986 infants ≤32 weeks’ gestation with RDS and assessed the timing of caffeine therapy initiation, need for ventilatory support, mortality and incidence of typical complications of prematurity. To adjust for baseline severity, the early and late caffeine groups were propensity score (PS) matched to 286 infants (1:1). Clinical outcomes were compared between the PS-matched groups. Early treatment with caffeine citrate was associated with a significantly reduced need for invasive ventilation (71.3% vs 83.2%; P = 0.0165) and total duration of mechanical ventilation (mean 5 ± 11.1 days vs 10.8 ± 14.6 days; P = 0.0000) and significantly lower odds of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (OR 0.4827; 95% CI 0.2999–0.7787) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (OR 0.5686; 95% CI 0.3395–0.9523). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (36.4% vs 45.8%) and rates of moderate and severe BPD were not significantly different between the two groups. The mortality rates were comparable between the two groups (8.6% vs 8.5%, P = ns) Early caffeine initiation was associated with a decreased need for invasive ventilatory support and lower incidence of IVH and PDA.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of the study was to evaluate the percentage of unjustified examinations among all the CT and MRI studies performed by two radiology departments and to determine the types of examinations which are most commonly carried out unne...

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common pathology in preterm infants with extremely and very low birth weight. It is particularly often seen in newborns with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). To assess the incidence of IVH in preterm newborns with RDS treated with surfactant, and to identify factors that might reduce the risk of IVH in this population. This multicenter, prospective cohort study is part of the “Neo-pro” study project. The investigations were carried out in 936 newborns, including 652 survivors. We enrolled a consecutive sample of infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation. IVH was diagnosed with trans-fontanel ultrasonography, performed according to the approved standards and classified according to Papile’s grading system. Intraventricular hemorrhage was diagnosed in 462/936 infants (49.4%), and in 43.3% of the survivors. Grade 3 and 4 IVH occurred in 14.8% and 13.8% of the infants, respectively, and in 10.6% and 5.7% of the survivors. Lack of antenatal application in mothers of corticosteroids increased the incidence rate of severe IVH from 14.2% to 22.1% (p=0.0087). The risk of IVH was reduced with early (from the first day of life) initiation of caffeine citrate (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45-0.88), delivery by cesarean section (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36-0.69), and the risk of severe IVH - from treatment with antenatal corticosteroids (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.87). The most significant factor which increased the risk of hemorrhage was invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 2.07-4.07). The risk was further increased if the duration of mechanical ventilation was greater than seven days (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 2.21-4.12). The incidence of IVH in newborns with RDS is significant and the risk of IVH is increased by mechanical ventilation. Antenatal exposure to corticosteroids and delivery by cesarean section have a protective effect, and the former also reduces the risk of the most severe manifestations of IVH. Caffeine citrate initiated from the first day of life is another protective strategy.

Introduction : The authors present the first experience in neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations using an MR compatible incubator ( INC ) at the Institute of Mother and Child. Material and methods : Forty-nine examinations of 47 newborns (20 girls, 27 boys) were performed...