Ha Na Lee

Kwak JI, et al. Korean Circ J. 2027 ;57:e47. https://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2026.0106

Background: Ureaplasma spp. colonization/infection has been implicated in the inflammatory pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, but the benefit of targeted macrolide therapy remains uncertain. We evaluated respiratory outcomes associated with early Ureaplasma positivity in VLBW infants and assessed feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a standardized intravenous azithromycin regimen in a nested pilot randomized trial. Methods: This single-center study comprised (1) a retrospective cohort of inborn VLBW infants (< 1,500 g) born between July 2017 and December 2021 who underwent Ureaplasma screening within 24 h after birth, and (2) a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial nested among Ureaplasma -positive infants requiring significant respiratory support. In the cohort, outcomes included moderate-to-severe and severe BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age and home oxygen therapy. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for gestational age, sex, preterm premature rupture of membranes, histologic chorioamnionitis, antenatal steroid exposure, patent ductus arteriosus treatment, and sepsis. In the trial, infants were randomized 1:1 to intravenous azithromycin for 14 days (10 mg/kg/day for 7 days, then 5 mg/kg/day for 7 days) or placebo. Microbiologic response at 2 weeks and safety, including QTc, were assessed. Results: Among 536 VLBW infants, 34 (6.3%) were Ureaplasma positive. Ureaplasma -positive infants had higher rates of moderate-to-severe BPD (76.5% vs. 41.0%), severe BPD (67.6% vs. 36.0%), and home oxygen therapy (46.2% vs. 19.1%). After adjustment, Ureaplasma positivity remained associated with moderate-to-severe BPD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–10.35) and severe BPD (aOR 2.93, CI 1.21–7.10). In the pilot trial ( n = 26; 13 per group), moderate-to-severe BPD occurred in 61.5% (8/13) with azithromycin versus 84.6% (11/13) with placebo, and severe BPD in 46.2% (6/13) versus 76.9% (10/13). Loss of detectable Ureaplasma by culture at 2 weeks occurred in 13/13 azithromycin-treated infants, while 5/13 placebo infants remained positive. No QTc prolongation or clinically significant safety concerns attributable to azithromycin were observed. Conclusion: Early Ureaplasma positivity in VLBW infants was associated with substantially worse respiratory outcomes. A two-week intravenous azithromycin regimen was feasible, microbiologically active, and showed directionally favorable estimates for BPD without an observed safety signal. Larger microbiology-guided trials are warranted. Trial registration: KCT0002373 (registered 7 July 2017).

To evaluate gestational age (GA)-specific associations between antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure and early physiologic vulnerability and neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. This retrospective cohort study used Korean Neonatal Network data and included infants born 2013-2021 with birth weight <1500 g or GA < 32 weeks. ACS exposure was categorized as complete, incomplete, or none. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios, with GA-stratified analyses and a prespecified subgroup of infants born at <25 weeks. ACS exposure was associated with reduced need for advanced resuscitation at birth, reduced risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and decreased mortality, with the strongest associations before 32 weeks' gestation. In infants born at <25 weeks, any ACS exposure was associated with greater physiologic stability and improved survival versus no ACS exposure. ACS exposure was associated with improved physiologic stability and survival in preterm infants, with benefits greater at lower GAs.

To evaluate the feasibility and early physiologic effects of postoperative invasive neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in neonates with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Retrospective observational study of inborn neonates with CDH who received invasive NAVA during the post-repair ventilator weaning phase. Ventilator parameters, blood gas variables, respiratory indices, and diaphragm-based efficiency measures were evaluated serially within infants at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours after NAVA initiation. Of 123 inborn infants with CDH, 19 with high disease severity received postoperative invasive NAVA. Oxygen requirements decreased over time, with favorable changes in gas exchange by 48 hours. The oxygenation index declined without increased ventilator pressures. Neuroventilatory and neuromechanical efficiency remained stable, including in infants with type D defects. All infants were successfully weaned from invasive mechanical ventilation. Postoperative invasive NAVA was feasible and well tolerated in neonates with severe CDH, including those with type D defects and prior extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Objective Develop a birth anthropometry-based model to estimate initial endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth for infants with birth weight p < 0.001). A combined quadratic model showed the strongest fit (adjusted R² = 0.70), outperforming single parameter rules. Conclusion In neonates <500 g, a quadratic weight-length model improves the prediction of radiograph-defined midtracheal ETT depth and offers a practical bedside guide for initial placement.

Objective To evaluate gestational age (GA)-specific associations between antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure and early physiologic vulnerability and neonatal outcomes in preterm infants. Study Design This retrospective cohort study used Korean Neonatal Network data and included infants born between 2013 and 2021 with birth weight < 1 500 g or GA < 32 weeks. ACS exposure was categorized as complete, incomplete, or none. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios, with GA-stratified analyses and a prespecified subgroup of infants born at < 25 weeks. Results ACS exposure was associated with lower delivery room resuscitation intensity, reduced risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and decreased mortality, with strongest associations observed before 32 weeks. In infants born at < 25 weeks, any ACS exposure was associated with greater physiologic stability and improved survival compared with no ACS exposure. Conclusions ACS exposure was associated with improved physiologic stability and survival in preterm infants, with benefits greater at lower GAs.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe anomaly associated with significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) and high mortality, often requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Early prognostic markers are essential to guide clinical decisions. This study evaluated the prognostic value of right-to-left (R-L) shunting in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) during the early postnatal period in predicting ECMO use and mortality in neonates with CDH. This retrospective cohort study included neonates with CDH admitted between 2013 and 2024. Echocardiographic evaluations within 24 h of birth categorized PDA shunting as left-to-right (L-R), R-L, or bidirectional. Outcomes were analyzed using two models. First, the pure R-L shunt group was compared with the combined L-R and bidirectional shunt groups. Second, bidirectional shunts were subclassified as L-R or R-L predominant based on Doppler spectral area, with the R-L predominant group analyzed together with the pure R-L shunt group and the L-R predominant group analyzed with the L-R shunt group. Primary outcomes were ECMO use or mortality, analyzed using logistic regression. Among 145 neonates, both models demonstrated that R-L shunting was associated with a higher ECMO requirement or increased mortality rate compared to L-R shunting (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified R-L shunting as an independent predictor of adverse outcomes (Model 1: odds ratio [OR] 6.785, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.333–19.730; p < 0.001; Model 2: OR 4.067, 95% CI 1.444–11.455; p = 0.008). The direction of early postnatal R-L PDA shunt, assessed within 24 h of birth, was significantly associated with ECMO use or mortality in neonates with CDH.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the clinical patterns and severity of brain injury in neonates who survived extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for acute respiratory failure during the neonatal period, to evaluate their short-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, and to identify the factors associated with these outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of neonates who survived ECMO between 2018 and 2024. Based on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, the patients were classified into two groups: no/mild and moderate/severe brain injury. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 12–40 months of age using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development II/III and/or the Korean Developmental Screening Test.Results: Among the 19 neonates included in the study, 18 (94.7%) showed varying degrees of brain injury on MRI (mild: 12, moderate: 1, severe: 5). Neonates with moderate/severe brain injury had significantly longer durations of ECMO support and extended durations of mechanical ventilation and were more likely to receive continuous renal replacement therapy than those with no or mild injury. Developmental delay was identified in 36.8% of survivors and was significantly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, longer neonatal intensive care unit stays, and a higher incidence of seizures.Conclusion: Brain injury is frequently observed on MRI in neonates treated with ECMO. However, its direct association with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes is not definitive. Since MRI findings alone cannot predict developmental outcomes, clinical and environmental factors should be integrated into prognostic assessments.

Neonatal chylothorax is a potentially fatal respiratory condition caused by a congenital or traumatic etiology. Conventional therapies, such as fasting, total parenteral nutrition, and intravenous octreotide, are generally successful in such cases; however, more invasive therapeutic measures, such as pleurodesis, should be considered in refractory cases. This case report presents two preterm infants with refractory chylothorax who were non-responsive to conventional treatment but were successfully managed using hypertonic glucose pleurodesis. The first case was that of a female infant born at 24+5 weeks of gestation (585 g) and diagnosed with postsurgical chylothorax at 68 days of life. Even after the initiation of fasting and intravenous octreotide administration, pleural drainage did not reduce. Therefore, the patient underwent three intermittent procedures of 50% glucose pleurodesis, which resulted in the resolution of the chylothorax and subsequent chest tube removal after 37 days. The second case was a female infant born at 34+6 weeks (3,040 g), who was diagnosed with congenital chylothorax immediately after birth. Fasting and intravenous octreotide failed to show any clinical effects; therefore, the patient underwent pleurodesis for 3 consecutive days. After the procedure, the amount of pleural drainage substantially decreased, and the chest tube was removed after 14 days. In both cases, a temporal relation between pleurodesis and chylothorax resolution was observed, suggesting that hypertonic glucose pleurodesis may be an effective and safe alternative for treating refractory chylothorax in preterm infants with minimal side effects. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal protocol for this procedure and to compare its efficacy with that of other pleurodesis agents.