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Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Spectrum of chronic lung disease in a population of newborns with extremely low gestational age
O Hjalmarson1, H Brynjarsson, S Nilsson
1Department of Paediatrics, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sweden. ola.hjalmarson@pediat.gu.se
Insights
Oxygenation difficulties are common in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs). Lower gestational age and Apgar scores predict oxygenation problems in the first month, suggesting potential for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Respiratory medicine
- Pediatric pulmonology
Background:
- Extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) often experience respiratory challenges post-birth.
- Understanding the development of blood oxygenation in ELGANs is crucial for managing their respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the progression of blood oxygenation in ELGANs after birth.
- To identify risk factors associated with the development of chronic lung disease in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, population-based cohort study was conducted.
- Alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (AaDO(2)) was monitored in surviving infants.
- Gestational age, Apgar scores, and need for mechanical ventilation were assessed.
Main Results:
- Oxygenation deteriorated in over half of survivors after an initial period of normal lung function.
- Low gestational age and low 5-minute Apgar scores were significant predictors of impaired oxygenation.
- Mechanical ventilation was not identified as a risk factor for poor oxygenation.
Conclusions:
- Impaired oxygenation is a prevalent issue among ELGANs, not limited to a specific subgroup.
- Gestational age and Apgar score are independent predictors of oxygenation difficulties within the first month of life.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of oxygenation failure may reveal opportunities for treatment or prevention.
Aims:
To determine how the ability to oxygenate the blood develops after birth in infants of extremely low gestational age (ELGANs) and to find risk factors for chronic lung disease.
Method:
A prospective, population-based, cohort study was undertaken in one tertiary-care centre. The alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (AaDO(2)) was monitored.
Results:
Of 41 survivors, 21 had a period of normal lung function in the first week of life, after which oxygenation deteriorated. Low gestational age and low Apgar score at 5 min were found to be strong and independent predictors of AaDO(2) in the first month of life. Mechanical ventilation did not appear as a risk factor. Lung function at 36 weeks of gestation and duration of oxygen treatment could be better predicted by the severity of lung disease in the first month than by gestational age at birth.
Conclusions:
Difficulty in oxygenation was a general observation in ELGANs and not only a particular subset. Gestational age and Apgar score were independent predictors of the degree of difficulty over the first month of life. As oxygenation failure often developed after a few days, the process may be possible to treat or prevent once the pathogenesis is known.
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