Activity

To study the duration of automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test for initial hearing screening and the factors influencing the duration in neonates.

A total of 472 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were enrolled as the study group and 182 healthy neonates were enrolled as the healthy control group. The influence of the duration of AABR test on the initial screening results was observed in the two groups. The influencing factors for the AABR test duration were analyzed.

In the AABR screening of 180, 360, and 540 seconds, the study group had a failure rate of 41.5%, 28.4%, and 24.4% respectively, while the healthy control group had a failure rate of 31.3%, 19.8%, and 15.4% respectively, showing a decreasing trend with the extension of test time in both groups (P<0.05). In the two groups, the screening results of 180-second testing were moderately consistent with those of 360- or 540-second testing (Kappa<0.75, P<0.05), and the screening results of 360creening helps to reduce false positive results due to environmental and risk factors in neonates. It may be useful to reduce the false positive results of AABR screening before discharge by taking corresponding intervention measures for NICU neonates with high risk factors.

To assess white matter development in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Ninety-six infants with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit within 24 hours after birth from August 2016 to April 2019 and underwent head MRI and DTI before discharge were enrolled. According to the discharge diagnosis, they were divided into BPD group with 48 infants and non-BPD group with 48 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of FA and ADC values of the same regions of interest on DTI image.

There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and punctate white matter lesions between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the non-BPD group, the BPD group had significantly lower FA values and significantly higher ADC values of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, the splenium of the corpus callosum, the occipital white matter, the cerebellum, and the cerebral peduncle (P<0.05). Compared with the non-BPD group, the BPD group had a significantly higher frequency of apnea, a significantly higher proportion of infants with pneumonia or mechanical ventilation, and a significantly longer duration of assisted ventilation (P<0.05).

BPD may has potential adverse effects to white matter development in preterm infants, leading to delayed white matter development. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the neurological function of these infants.

BPD may has potential adverse effects to white matter development in preterm infants, leading to delayed white matter development. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the neurological function of these infants.

To study the risk factors and treatment outcome of hypothyroidism in very low birth weight/extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants.

The VLBW/ELBW infants who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism from September 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled as the case group (n=29). The children with normal thyroid function, matched at a ratio of 1  3, were enrolled as the control group (n=87). JNK inhibition Clinical features were compared between the two groups. The correlation of thyroid function with gestational age and birth weight and the risk factors for hypothyroidism were analyzed.

A total of 162 VLBW/ELBW infants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, with 29 infants in the case group (an incidence rate of hypothyroidism of 17.9%). The lower the birth weight, the higher the incidence rate of hypothyroidism (P<0.05). Triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 were positively correlated with gestational age (P<0.05). T3 and free thyroxine were positively correlated with birth weight (P<0.05). Small for gestational age, multiple birth, maternal age ≥ 35 years, and use of dopamine were independent risk factors for hypothyroidism (P<0.05). In the case group, 16 infants were treated with levothyroxine (5-10 μg/kg daily), and the thyroid function returned to normal after 2 weeks of treatment.

There is a high incidence rate of hypothyroidism in VLBW/ELBW infants. Small for gestational age, multiple birth, advanced maternal age, and use of dopamine are risk factors for hypothyroidism. The infants treated with levothyroxine should be followed up regularly to ensure an appropriate dose.

There is a high incidence rate of hypothyroidism in VLBW/ELBW infants. Small for gestational age, multiple birth, advanced maternal age, and use of dopamine are risk factors for hypothyroidism. The infants treated with levothyroxine should be followed up regularly to ensure an appropriate dose.

To study the value of quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) in evaluating the effect of blood glucose on the brain function of preterm infants.

The preterm infants who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from January to December 2019 were enrolled. According to the level of blood glucose, they were divided into group 1 (blood glucose <4.95 mmol/L), group 2 (blood glucose 4.95 to <6.60 mmol/L), group 3 (blood glucose 6.60 to <8.55 mmol/L), and group 4 (blood glucose ≥8.55 mmol/L). The changes in qEEG parameters were compared between groups, and a correlation analysis was performed for blood glucose and qEEG parameters.

A total of 39 preterm infants were enrolled (84 blood glucose measurements). Compared with group 4, the other three groups had significant increases in the total spectral power of each brain region and the absolute power of each frequency band in the frontal and occipital regions (P<0.05). The total spectral power, δ/θ ratio, and (δ+θ)/(α+β) ratio of each brain region were negatively correlated with blood glucose level, while the relative power of θ frequency band was positively correlated with blood glucose level (P<0.05).

With the change in blood glucose, there are significant changes in the total spectral power of each brain region, the power of each frequency band, and the frequency spectrum composition on qEEG in preterm infants. qEEG may therefore become an important tool to monitor the effect of abnormal blood glucose on brain function in preterm infants.

With the change in blood glucose, there are significant changes in the total spectral power of each brain region, the power of each frequency band, and the frequency spectrum composition on qEEG in preterm infants. qEEG may therefore become an important tool to monitor the effect of abnormal blood glucose on brain function in preterm infants.