Pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A pilot randomized, controlled trial of later treatment with a peptide-containing, synthetic surfactant for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Oxidant injury and lung inflammation in extremely premature infants are associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Surfactant dysfunction resulting from these events may contribute to the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Treatment with exogenous surfactant may decrease the incidence or severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We conducted a masked, multicenter, multinational, randomized, controlled, pilot study to estimate the effects of treating infants at high risk for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia with lucinactant, a synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant, on safety during dosing and the incidence of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. ⋯ There were trends toward lower oxygen requirements and toward a lower incidence of mortality or bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age in infants who received the higher dose of lucinactant, and this warrants further investigation.
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Aspiration pneumonia is the most common cause of death in children with neurologic impairment who have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Fundoplications and gastrojejunal feeding tubes are frequently employed to prevent aspiration pneumonia in this population. Which of these approaches is more effective in preventing aspiration pneumonia and/or improving survival is unknown. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes for children with neurologic impairment and gastroesophageal reflux disease after either a first fundoplication or a first gastrojejunal feeding tube. ⋯ Aspiration pneumonia and mortality are not uncommon events after either a first fundoplication or a first gastrojejunal feeding tube for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with neurologic impairment. Neither treatment option is clearly superior in preventing the subsequent aspiration pneumonia or improving overall survival for these children. This complex clinical scenario needs to be studied in a prospective, multicenter, randomized control trial to evaluate definitively whether 1 of these 2 management options is more beneficial.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Using a count of neonatal morbidities to predict poor outcome in extremely low birth weight infants: added role of neonatal infection.
A count of 3 neonatal morbidities (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, brain injury, and severe retinopathy of prematurity) strongly predict the risk of death or neurosensory impairment in extremely low birth weight infants who survive to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. Neonatal infection has also been linked with later impairment. We examined whether the addition of infection to the count of 3 neonatal morbidities further improves the prediction of poor outcome. ⋯ In this cohort of extremely low birth weight infants who survived to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, neonatal infection increased the risk of a late death or survival with neurosensory impairment. However, infection was a weaker predictor of poor outcome than bronchopulmonary dysplasia, brain injury, and severe retinopathy.
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Comparative Study
School absenteeism, health status, and health care utilization among children with asthma: associations with parental chronic disease.
Parents with chronic disease may be more likely than healthy parents to perceive their children with chronic conditions as medically vulnerable. Our objective for this study was to determine if children with asthma whose parents have chronic disease differ in health care utilization, school absenteeism, and reported child health status compared with those whose parents do not have chronic disease. ⋯ Compared with other children with asthma, children whose parents have chronic disease have worse health status and miss more school, particularly among children with more severe asthma. Understanding how parents' health influences children's health care and health status may help providers work with parents to more effectively and efficiently manage their children's asthma care so they can more fully participate in school and other activities.