Hypocarbia before surfactant therapy appears to increase bronchopulmonary dysplasia risk in infants with respiratory distress syndrome

Article Abstract:

Overly vigorous mechanical ventilation of premature infants with respiratory distress may predispose them to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) when they receive artificial surfactant therapy. BPD is permanent lung damage requiring continued use of oxygen therapy. Lower blood levels of carbon dioxide (PCO2) would result from more vigorous mechanical ventilation. Medical records were reviewed for 188 infants born between 24 and 32 weeks gestational age and weighing 1700 g or less who required treatment for respiratory distress syndrome, and who survived to 36 weeks of corrected gestational age. All received artificial surfactant therapy after mechanical ventilation. BPD occurred in 35% of infants. BPD was associated with lower than normal blood levels of carbon dioxide as measured after emergency artificial respiration. BPD occurred in 55% of infants with PCO2 levels of 29 mm Hg or less, 35% of infants with PCO2 levels between 30 and 39 mm Hg, and 24% of infants with levels at 40 mm Hg or greater. Younger, sicker, smaller infants were more likely to develop BPD, but the association with lower PCO2 levels persisted when this was taken into account.

Care and treatment, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Artificial respiration, Mechanical ventilation, Respiratory distress syndrome, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Lung surfactant, Synthetic, Synthetic lung surfactants

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Labor and delivery characteristics and risks of cranial ultrasonographic abnormalities among very-low-birth-weight infants

Article Abstract:

Uterine infection during labor and delivery may be the most important risk factor for brain damage in premature babies. In a study of 1,588 very-low-birth-weight babies, this was the only factor repeatedly associated with periventricular leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and ventriculomegaly.

Risk factors, Chorioamnionitis

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Antenatal corticosteroids and cranial ultrasonographic abnormalities

Article Abstract:

Corticosteroids given to women in premature labor may decrease the risk of brain damage in the baby. This was the conclusion of a study of the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, ventriculomegaly, and echolucent imgage in 1,604 premature babies.

Prevention, Corticosteroids, Adrenocortical hormones

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