The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the neonatal sequential organ failure assessment score (nSOFA) within 72 h after delivery as a predictor for mortality and adverse outcome in very preterm neonates. Inborn neonates <32 weeks of gestation were evaluated. The nSOFA scores were calculated from medical records in the first 72 h after birth and the peak value was used for analysis. Death or composite morbidity at hospital discharge defined the adverse outcome. Composite morbidity consisted of chronic lung disease, intraventricular haemorrhage ≥grade III, periventricular leukomalacia and necrotizing enterocolitis. Among 423 enrolled infants (median birth weight 1070 g, median gestational age 29 weeks), 27 died and 91 developed composite morbidity. Death or composite morbidity was associated with organ dysfunction as assessed by nSOFA, systemic inflammatory response, and low birthweight. The score >2 was associated with OR 2.5 (CI 1.39−4.64, p = 0.002) for the adverse outcome. Area under the curve of ROC was 0.795 (95% CI = 0.763−0.827). The use of nSOFA seems to be reasonable for predicting mortality and morbidity in very preterm infants. It constitutes a suitable basis to measure the severity of organ dysfunction regardless of the cause.

• Keywords
• neonatal intensive care, organ dysfunction score, preterm birth,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether restricting the use of inotrope after diagnosis of low blood pressure (BP) in the first 72 hours of life affects survival without significant brain injury at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) in infants born before 28 weeks of gestation. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Caregivers were masked to group assignment. SETTING: 10 sites across Europe and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Infants born before 28 weeks of gestation were eligible if they had an invasive mean BP less than their gestational age that persisted for ≥15 min in the first 72 hours of life and a cerebral ultrasound free of significant (≥ grade 3) intraventricular haemorrhage. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to saline bolus followed by either a dopamine infusion (standard management) or placebo (5% dextrose) infusion (restrictive management). PRIMARY OUTCOME: Survival to 36 weeks of PMA without severe brain injury. RESULTS: The trial terminated early due to significant enrolment issues (7.7% of planned recruitment). 58 infants were enrolled between February 2015 and September 2017. The two groups were well matched for baseline variables. In the standard group, 18/29 (62%) achieved the primary outcome compared with 20/29 (69%) in the restrictive group (p=0.58). Additional treatments for low BP were used less frequently in the standard arm (11/29 (38%) vs 19/29 (66%), p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Though this study lacked power, we did not detect major differences in clinical outcomes between standard or restrictive approach to treatment. These results will inform future studies in this area. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01482559, EudraCT 2010-023988-17.

• Keywords
• cardiology, neonatology, pharmacology,
• MeSH
• Dopamine administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Double-Blind Method MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Hypotension drug therapy   mortality   MeSH
• Cardiotonic Agents administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Extremely Premature * MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Brain Injuries chemically induced   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Dopamine MeSH
• Cardiotonic Agents MeSH