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March 2007
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Predicting Long-Term Impairments in ELBW Infants
German researchers who followed 135 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants up to age ten find several perinatal and neonatal factors are associated with long-term cognitive and neurological problems. At a mean age of 8.4 years, 43 percent of the children were found to have no impairments, but minor impairment was diagnosed in 39 percent and 18 percent were found to have major impairments. The likelihood of impairment rose with decreasing gestational age, increase in head circumference <6 mm per week, parenteral nutrition >/=6 weeks, and mechanical ventilation >14 days. Major impairment was linked to high-grade intraventricular hemorrhage and/or periventricular leucomalacia, neonatal seizures and bowel perforation, and/or necrotizing enterocolitis. The study appeared in the February 27 Epub edition of the European Journal of Pediatrics. READ ABSTRACT
Newborn Respiratory Distress Linked to Genetic Disorder
A new study out of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests all term newborns with respiratory distress should be evaluated for primary ciliary dyskinesa, a rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal or absent movement of the cilia and leading to persistent wheezing and cough, recurrent or persistent sinus and ear infections, and other problems. The medical literature review found about 80 percent of children diagnosed with the condition suffered from respiratory distress as newborns. The study appeared in the December issue of Seminars in Perinatology. READ PRESS RELEASE
New Technology May Identify Early Sepsis
University of Virginia researchers have developed a new bedside monitoring system to identify infants likely to develop sepsis over the next 24 hours they believe holds promise for dramatically improving outcomes in the NICU. The system is based on the analysis of heartbeat signals obtained from a standard bedside heart rate monitor. The analysis combines factors such as decreased variability of the heart rate and brief episodes of slowing of the heart rate into an early warning system for serious infections. The system has received Food and Drug Administration clearance and is now being tested in academic research hospitals across the country in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. A report on the new technology appeared in the February issue of Pediatric Research. READ PRESS RELEASE
Internet Based Asthma Program Performs Well in Study
Researchers from Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii find good results for a home asthma telemonitoring program aimed at children. The research was conducted among 120 patients ages 6 to 17 who were randomly assigned to an office-based asthma education program or a virtual asthma management program. Kids in the virtual group received home computers, internet connections, and case management and education via the study web site. Both programs led to improvements in asthma management, but at a one year follow up, kids in the virtual group had better MDI with holding chamber technique scores and greater adherence to daily asthma symptom diary submission. The authors believe these results indicate telemedicine technology provides “additional tools to assist in the management of children with persistent asthma.” The study appears in this month’s Pediatrics. READ ABSTRACT
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