Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
Review Meta AnalysisInhaled versus systemic corticosteroids for preventing chronic lung disease in ventilated very low birth weight preterm neonates.
Chronic lung disease (CLD) remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants despite the administration of antenatal corticosteroids, surfactant replacement therapy and other advances in neonatal intensive care. There is increasing evidence from cellular and biochemical research that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CLD. Thus, interventions aimed at reducing or modulating the inflammatory process may reduce the incidence or severity of CLD. Theoretically, the use of inhaled corticosteroids may allow for beneficial effects on the pulmonary system without concomitant high systemic concentrations and less risk of adverse effects. ⋯ This review found no evidence that early inhaled steroids confer important advantages over systemic steroids in the management of ventilator dependent preterm infants. Neither inhaled steroids, nor systemic steroids, can be recommended as a part of standard practice for ventilated preterm infants. Because they might have fewer adverse effects than systemic steroids, further randomized controlled trials of inhaled steroids are needed which address risk/benefit ratio of different delivery techniques, dosing schedules and long term effects, with particular attention to neurodevelopmental outcome.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
Review Meta AnalysisElective high frequency oscillatory ventilation versus conventional ventilation for acute pulmonary dysfunction in preterm infants.
Respiratory failure due to lung immaturity is a major cause of mortality in preterm infants. Although intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) saves lives, lung distortion during its use is associated with lung injury and chronic lung disease (CLD). Conventional IPPV is provided at 30-80 breaths per minute while a newer form of ventilation called high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) provides 'breaths' at 10-15 cycles per second. This has been shown to result in less lung injury in experimental studies. ⋯ There is no clear evidence from this systematic review that elective HFOV, as compared with CV, offers important advantages when used as the initial ventilation strategy to treat preterm babies with acute pulmonary dysfunction. There is no evidence of a reduction in death rate. There may be a small reduction in the rate of CLD with HFOV use but the evidence is weakened by the inconsistency of this effect across trials and is not significant overall. Adverse effects on short term neurological outcomes have been observed in some studies but these effects are not significant overall. Information about effects on long term outcome is not adequate overall. Any future trials on elective HFOV should target those infants who are at most risk of CLD (extremely preterm), compare different strategies for generating HFOV and CV, and report important long term pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Economic analysis should also be incorporated.
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Colloids are widely used in the replacement of fluid volume. However doubts remain as to which colloid is best. Different colloids vary in their molecular weight and therefore in the length of time they remain in the circulatory system. Because of this and their other characteristics, they may differ in their safety and efficacy. ⋯ From this review, there is no evidence that one colloid solution is more effective or safe than any other, although the confidence intervals are wide and do not exclude clinically significant differences between colloids. Larger trials of fluid therapy are needed if clinically significant differences in mortality are to be detected or excluded.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
Review Meta AnalysisManual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health.
Specific oral bacteria, generically known as "dental plaque" are the primary cause of gingivitis (gum disease) and caries. The removal of dental plaque is thought to play a key role in the maintenance of oral health. There is conflicting evidence for the relative merits of manual and powered toothbrushing in achieving this. ⋯ Powered toothbrushes with a rotation oscillation action achieve a modest reduction in plaque and gingivitis compared to manual toothbrushing. Observation of methodological guidelines and greater standardisation of design would benefit both future trials and meta-analyses.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
Review Meta AnalysisVaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labour.
Misoprostol (Cytotec, Searle) is a prostaglandin E1 analogue marketed for use in the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It is inexpensive, easily stored at room temperature and has few systemic side effects. It is rapidly absorbed orally and vaginally. Although not registered for such use, misoprostol has been widely used for obstetric and gynaecological indications, such as induction of abortion and of labour. This is one of a series of reviews of methods of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. ⋯ Vaginal misoprostol appears to be more effective than conventional methods of cervical ripening and labour induction. The apparent increase in uterine hyperstimulation is of concern. Doses not exceeding 25 mcg four-hourly of concern. Doses not exceeding 25 mcg four-hourly appeared to have similar effectiveness and risk of uterine hyperstimulation to conventional labour inducing methods. The studies reviewed were not large enough to exclude the possibility of rare but serious adverse events, particularly uterine rupture, which has been reported anecdotally following misoprostol use in women with and without previous caesarean section. The authors request information on cases of uterine rupture known to readers. Further research is needed to establish the ideal route of administration and dosage, and safety. Professional and governmental bodies should agree guidelines for the use of misoprostol, based on the best available evidence and local circumstances.