Synchronised Non-Invasive Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation in Very Preterm Infants After Birth: A Feasibility Study.

Aim: During perinatal transition, breathing effort in preterm infants is largely inefficient. In the current study, we assessed the feasibility of synchronised non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (S-NIPPV) in very preterm infants as primary respiratory support in the delivery room.

Methods: Single-center prospective feasibility study at Tübingen University Hospital.

Future perspectives of heart rate and oxygenation monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit - a narrative review.

Purpose: Vital sign monitoring plays a pivotal role in assessing and managing the clinical condition of vulnerable newborn infants in the delivery room and in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with advancements in technology over the last years paving the way for newer and less invasive monitoring techniques.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the literature in PubMed, Embase, GoogleScholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Rescue nasopharyngeal tube for preterm infants non-responsive to initial ventilation after birth.

Background: Physiological changes during the insertion of a rescue nasopharyngeal tube (NPT) after birth are unclear.

Methods: Observational study of very preterm infants in the delivery room. Data were extracted at predefined timepoints starting with first facemask placement after birth until 5 min after insertion of NPT.

Deciphering Mechanisms of Respiratory Fetal-to-Neonatal Transition in Very Preterm Infants.

The respiratory mechanisms of a successful transition of preterm infants after birth are largely unknown. To describe intrapulmonary gas flows during different breathing patterns directly after birth. Analysis of electrical impedance tomography data from a previous randomized trial in preterm infants at 26-32 weeks gestational age.

Optimising success of neonatal extubation: Respiratory support.

In this review, we examine lung physiology before, during and after neonatal extubation and propose a three-phase model for the extubation procedure. We perform meta-analyses to compare different modes of non-invasive respiratory support after neonatal extubation and based on the findings, the following clinical recommendations are made.

Nasal high frequency oscillatory highflow therapy in preterm infants: A randomized crossover trial.

Objectives: To assess the clinical efficacy, safety, and potential physiological mechanisms of highflow therapy with superimposed high frequency oscillations ("osciflow").

Study Design: In this prospective, randomized, single center crossover trial, 30 preterm infants were randomized to receive osciflow or highflow therapy first, each for 180 min. During osciflow, an oscillatory amplitude of 20 mbar and a frequency of 6 Hz were set.

Excellent outcome of stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease.

Many sickle cell disease (SCD) patients lack matched family donors (MFD) or matched unrelated donors (MUD), implying haploidentical donors (MMFD) as a logical donor choice. We used a reduced toxicity protocol for all donor types. We included 31 patients (2-22 years) with MFD (n = 15), MMFD (10), or MUD (6) HSCT and conditioning with alemtuzumab/ATG, thiotepa, fludarabine and treosulfan, and post-transplant cyclophosphamide for MMFD.

Early prediction of pulmonary outcomes in preterm infants using electrical impedance tomography.

Introduction: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) allows assessment of ventilation and aeration homogeneity which may be associated with respiratory outcomes in preterm infants.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis to a recent randomized controlled trial in very preterm infants in the delivery room (DR). The predictive value of various EIT parameters assessed 30 min after birth on important respiratory outcomes (early intubation <24 h after birth, oxygen dependency at 28 days after birth, and moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia; BPD) was assessed.

Bridging the gap in neonatal resuscitation in Zambia.

Neonatal resuscitation has been poorly instituted in many parts of Africa and most neonatal resuscitation algorithms are adapted from environments with abundant resources. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is an algorithm designed for resource-limited situations and most other algorithms are designed for resource-rich countries. However, there are neonatal referral centers in resource-limited countries who may provide more advanced resuscitation.

"Harry Potter and the Multitudinous Maladies": a retrospective population-based observational study of morbidity and mortality among witches and wizards.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of maladies and deaths among witches and wizards in the Harry Potter world, their causes, and associated therapies.

Design: Retrospective population-based observational study (report analysis) undertaken 10 February - 19 March 2022.

Setting: All locations described in the Harry Potter books, predominantly Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but also selected locations, including Privet Drive No 4, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, and The Burrow.

Prophylactic surfactant nebulisation for the early aeration of the preterm lung: a randomised clinical trial.

Objective: The effect of prophylactic surfactant nebulisation (SN) is unclear. We aimed to determine whether prophylactic SN improves early lung aeration.

Design: Parallel, randomised clinical trial, conducted between March 2021 and January 2022.

Tidal volumes during delivery room stabilization of (near) term infants.

Background: We sought to assess tidal volumes in (near) term infants during delivery room stabilization.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective study comparing two facemasks used for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in newborn infants ≥ 34 weeks gestation. PPV was provided with a T-piece device with a PIP of 30 cmHO and positive end-expiratory airway pressure of 5 cmHO.

Case report: Intrapulmonary tidal volumes in a preterm infant with chest wall rigidity.

Background: Chest wall rigidity is a known side effect of fentanyl use, which is why fentanyl is usually combined with a muscle relaxant such as mivacurium. Verifying endotracheal intubation is difficult in case of a rigid chest wall.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a preterm infant (29 completed weeks gestation, birth weight 1,150 g) with a prolonged chest wall rigidity after fentanyl administration for intubation despite adequate doses of mivacurium.

Lung volume changes during apnoeas in preterm infants.

Objective: Mechanisms of non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) in preterm infants are unclear. We aimed to compare lung volume changes during apnoeas in preterm infants on nHFOV and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).

Methods: Analysis of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) data from a randomised crossover trial comparing nHFOV with nCPAP in preterm infants at 26-34 weeks postmenstrual age.

Intrapulmonary Volume Changes during Hiccups versus Spontaneous Breaths in a Preterm Infant.

Hiccups occur at all ages but are most common during fetal development, and accordingly, they are seen regularly in preterm infants. However, the physiologic correlate of hiccups has never been established. We present the case of a preterm infant who developed a spell of hiccups and compared lung volume changes during hiccups with spontaneous breaths using electrical impedance tomography.

Lung volume distribution in preterm infants on non-invasive high-frequency ventilation.

Introduction: Non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) is an extension of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) support in neonates. We aimed to compare global and regional distribution of lung volumes during nHFOV versus nCPAP.

Methods: In 30 preterm infants enrolled in a randomised crossover trial comparing nHFOV with nCPAP, electrical impedance tomography data were recorded in prone position.

Effects of tactile stimulation on spontaneous breathing during face mask ventilation.

Objective: We sought to determine the effect of stimulation during positive pressure ventilation (PPV) on the number of spontaneous breaths, exhaled tidal volume (VTe), mask leak and obstruction.

Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective, randomised trial comparing two face masks.

Setting: Single-centre delivery room study.

Food allergy in infants assessed in two German birth cohorts 10 years after the EuroPrevall Study.

Background: The prevalence of food allergies (FA) in children increased rapidly at the turn of the century. The EuroPrevall study identified Germany as a country with very high prevalence of FA at that time. Using two large German birth cohorts, we provide an update of the status quo 10 years later.