PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Y Boo

Publications and source records attributed to N Y Boo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Successful clot lysis using low dose of streptokinase in 22 neonates with aortic thromboses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intravenous infusion of low dose of streptokinase was effective in lysing umbilical arterial catheter (UAC)-associated aortic thrombi. METHOD: A prospective cohort study of 31 consecutive newborn infants with UAC-associated aortic thrombi which were detected by abdominal ultrasonography after removal of UAC. Twenty-two infants were treated with intravenous infusion of low dose (1000 U/h) streptokinase, while nine others were not treated due to various contra-indications. Thrombolysis occurred after a mean interval of 2.2 days (standard deviation (SD) = 1.8) in the treated infants. In the untreated infants, spontaneous thrombolysis occurred significantly later, after a mean interval of 16.9 days (SD = 14.7) (95% confidence intervals of difference between mean intervals - 26.0, - 3.4; P = 0.02). Only one treated infant developed mild bleeding directly attributed to streptokinase therapy. CONCLUSION: Low dose streptokinase infusion was effective and safe in thrombolysing UAC-associated aortic thrombi.

Aortic Diseases↗

Contamination of breast milk obtained by manual expression and breast pumps in mothers of very low birthweight infants.

The objective of this study was to compare the rates of bacterial contamination of expressed breast milk (EBM) obtained by manual expression and breast pumps in mothers of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants (<1501 g). This was a randomized, controlled study carried out on 28 mothers of such babies and 92 specimens of EBM were collected: 41 specimens from 13 mothers assigned to the manual group and 51 specimens from 15 mothers in the breast-pump group. EBM was cultured quantitatively by the Miles and Misra method. Breast milk expressed by breast pumps (86.3% or 44/51 specimens) had a significantly higher rate of bacterial contamination than milk expressed by the manual method (61.0% or 25/41 specimens) (P= 0.005). When breast milk was expressed in the hospital, there was no significant difference in contamination rates between the two methods. When breast milk was expressed at home, the rates of bacterial contamination by staphylococci (P= 0.003) and Gram-negative bacilli (P= 0.002) were significantly higher in the breast-pump group than the manual group. In conclusion, the rate of bacterial contamination of EBM of mothers of VLBW infants was high, especially when EBM was obtained by the breast pump or when expression was carried out at home.

Adult↗

Comparison of parenting stress between Malaysian mothers of four-year-old very low birthweight and normal birthweight children.

UNLABELLED: A study was carried out to compare parenting stress between 116 mothers of very low birthweight (VLBW) children and 96 mothers of normal birthweight (NBW) children at 4 y of age, using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with child-domain stress (CDS) and parent-domain stress (PDS). There was a significantly higher proportion (39.7%) of mothers of VLBW children with high CDS scores >90th percentile than mothers of NBW children (20.8%). No significant differences were observed for PDS scores. Lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and adverse child behaviour, as evidenced by higher Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores, were significantly associated with higher CDS scores (p < 0.001). Factors associated with higher PDS scores were higher CBCL scores (p < 0.001), mothers who were the primary caregivers (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.018) and lower level of maternal education (p = 0.048). These factors remained statistically significant even when physically and cognitively impaired children were excluded from the analysis. CONCLUSION: Specific child characteristics and the social environment appear to have a greater impact on parenting stress than the biological risk of VLBW birth per se.

Adult↗

Early cranial ultrasound changes as predictors of outcome during first year of life in term infants with perinatal asphyxia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the types of early cranial ultrasound changes that were significant predictors of adverse outcome during the first year of life in asphyxiated term infants. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective cohort study. Shortly after birth, cranial ultrasonography was carried out via the anterior fontanelles of 70 normal control infants and 104 asphyxiated infants with a history of fetal distress and Apgar scores of less than 6 at 1 and 5 min of life, or requiring endotracheal intubation and manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation for at least 5 min after birth. Neurodevelopmental assessment was carried out on the survivors at 1 year of age. RESULTS: Abnormal cranial ultrasound changes were detected in a significantly higher proportion (79.8%, or n = 83) of asphyxiated infants than controls (39.5%, or n = 30) (P < 0.0001). However, logistic regression analysis showed that only three factors were significantly associated with adverse outcome at 1 year of life among the asphyxiated infants. These were: (i) decreasing birthweight (for every additional gram of increase in birthweight, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.999, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.998, 1.000; P = 0.047); (ii) a history of receiving ventilatory support during the neonatal period (adjusted OR = 8.3; 95%CI 2.4, 28.9; P = 0.0009); and (iii) hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy stage 2 or 3 (adjusted OR = 5.8; 95%CI 1.8, 18.6; P = 0.003). None of the early cranial ultrasound changes was a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Early cranial ultrasound findings, although common in asphyxiated infants, were not significant predictors of adverse outcome during the first year of life in asphyxiated term infants.

Apgar Score↗

The role of expressed breastmilk and continuous positive airway pressure as predictors of survival in extremely low birthweight infants.

A case-control study was carried out on 152 extremely low birthweight (ELBW, < 1000 g) infants born consecutively in a large Malaysian maternity hospital during a 21-month period to determine the significant predictors associated with survival at discharge. Forty-nine (32.2 per cent) of these infants survived and 103 (67.8 per cent) died. The survivors weighed significantly heavier (mean = 888 g, SD = 99) than infants who died (mean = 763 g, SD = 131; p < 0.0001). They were also of higher gestational age (mean = 28.7 weeks, SD = 2.2) than those who died (mean = 26.7 weeks, SD = 2.5; p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for various confounders, only three factors were significantly associated with the survival of these infants. These were: (1) increasing birthweight of the infants (with every gram increase in birthweight, adjusted odds ratio of survival was: 1.009; 95 per cent CI 1.004, 1.015; p = 0.0006); (2) given nasal continuous positive airway pressure for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (adjusted odds ratio of survival: 4.2; 95 per cent CI 1.2, 14.0; p = 0.02); and (3) given expressed breastmilk (adjusted odds ratio of survival: 57.5; 95 per cent CI: 7, 474; p = 0.0002). Maternal illness, intrapartum problems, ethnicity, gestational age, use of antenatal steroid, modes of delivery, Apgar scores, congenital anomalies, respiratory distress syndrome, persistent ductus arteriosus, septicemia, necrotising enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, oxygen therapy, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, surfactant therapy, and blood transfusion were not significant factors associated with increased survival.

Analysis of Variance↗

Risk factors associated with neonatal hypothermia during cleaning of newborn infants in labour rooms.

Cleaning newborn infants with coconut oil shortly after birth is a common practice in Malaysian labour rooms. This study aimed: (1) to determine whether this practice was associated with a significant decrease in the core temperature of infants; and (2) to identify significant risk factors associated with neonatal hypothermia. The core temperature of 227 randomly selected normal-term infants immediately before and after cleaning in labour rooms was measured with an infrared tympanic thermometer inserted into their left ears. Their mean post-cleaning body temperature (36.6 degrees C, SD = 1.0) was significantly lower than their mean pre-cleaning temperature (37.1 degrees C, SD = 1.0; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors significantly associated with pre-cleaning hypothermia (< 36.5 degrees C) were: (1) not being placed under radiant warmer before cleaning p = 0.03); and (2) lower labour room temperature (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis also showed that the risk factors significantly associated with post-cleaning hypothermia were: (1) lower labour room temperature (p < 0.001); (2) lower pre-cleaning body temperature (p < 0.001); and (3) longer duration of cleaning (p = 0.002). In conclusion, to prevent neonatal hypothermia, labour room temperature should be set at a higher level and cleaning infants in the labour room should be discouraged.

Body Temperature↗

Predictors of failure of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in treatment of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

A case-control study was carried out on 97 consecutive preterm (< 37 weeks) infants to determine predictors associated with failure of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Logistic regression analysis showed that only three risk factors were significantly associated with failed CPAP. These were: moderate or severe RDS (odds ratio: 5.9; 95 per cent confidence interval (CI): 2.2-16.0); septicemia during CPAP therapy (OR: 8.8; 95 per cent: CI 1.5-50.7); and pneumothorax during CPAP therapy (odds ratio: 6.9; 95 per cent: CI 1.1-41.7).

Apgar Score↗

Risk factors associated with feed intolerance in very low birthweight infants following initiation of enteral feeds during the first 72 hours of life.

An observational study was carried out in the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital to determine the risk factors associated with feed intolerance in very low birthweight (VLBW, <1501 g) infants given intermittent 3-hourly enteral feeds within 72h after birth. Feed intolerance developed in 85 (64.4 per cent) of 132 infants. Logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant risk factor associated with feed intolerance was the age when the first feed was commenced. For each hour delay in the age of the infants when the first feed was given, the adjusted odds ratios of feed intolerance was 1.03 (95 per cent confidence intervals: 1.01-1.05; p = 0.01). Other factors (modes of delivery, Apgar score at 1 min, sex, ethnicity, history of resuscitation at birth, birthweight, gestation, multiple pregnancy, perinatal asphyxia, types of milk, hypothermia before first feed, hypotension before first feed, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, septicaemia, theophylline therapy, indomethacin therapy, ventilatory support, continuous positive airway pressure, umbilical catheterization, and surfactant therapy) were not significantly associated with feed intolerance. Our study suggests that to promote tolerance of enteral feeds in VLBW infants, intermittent orogastric feeds should be commenced as soon as possible during the first 72 h of life.

Adult↗

Chylothorax after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia--a case report.

Chylothorax is a rarely recognised post-operative complication following repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We report here a newborn infant with this condition which resolved with percutaneous chest drainage, total parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding of a formula high in medium-chain triglycerides.

Chest Tubes↗

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants in Malaysian Chinese.

We screened 38 G6PD-deficient male Chinese neonates for known G6PD mutations using established PCR-based techniques. We found 50.0% (19 of 38) were mutation 1376G>T, 34.2% (13 of 38) were mutation 1388G>A, 5.2% (2 of 38 ) were mutation 95A>G and 2.2% (1 of 38) was mutation 1024C>T. In 7% (3 of 38) of the cases the mutations remained uncharacterised. Sixty three percent (24 of 38) of the G6PD deficient neonates had neonatal jaundice with 28.9 % (11 of 38) developing moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia. The group of neonates with 1388 mutation showed the highest incidence of moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy and/or exchange transfusion respectively. Majority (70%) of the G6PD deficient neonates showed severe enzyme deficiency. However, there was no meaningful association between the level of enzyme activity and the severity of neonatal jaundice. In summary, four mutations account for more than 90% of the G6PD deficiency cases among the Chinese in Malaysia and the pattern of distribution of the molecular variants is similar to those found among the Chinese in Taiwan and southern mainland China. Our findings also suggest the possible association of nt 1388 mutation with severe neonatal jaundice.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Risk factors associated with umbilical vascular catheter-associated thrombosis in newborn infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with umbilical vascular catheter-associated thrombosis. METHODS: All consecutive inborn infants with umbilical arterial (UAC) and/or umbilical venous catheters (UVC) inserted for more than 6 h duration were included in the study. Each infant was screened for thrombosis in the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava by 2-D abdominal ultrasonography within 48-72 h of insertion of umbilical vascular catheters. Subsequent serial scanning was performed at intervals of every 5-7 days, and within 48 h after removal of catheters. RESULTS: Upon removal of umbilical catheters, abdominal aortic thrombi were detected in 32/99 (32.3%) infants with UAC. Small thrombi were detected in the inferior vena cava of 2/49 (4.1%) infants with UVC (one of whom had both UAC and UVC). When compared with those who received only UVC (n = 18), infants who received either UAC alone (n = 68) or both UAC and UVC (n = 31) had significantly higher risk of developing thrombosis (odds ratio (OR): 7.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 325.5)). Logistic regression analysis of various potential risk factors showed that the only significant risk factor associated with the development of abdominal aortic thrombosis following insertion of UAC was longer duration of UAC in situ (for every additional day of UAC in situ, adjusted OR of developing thrombosis was: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.3; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Umbilical arterial catheter-associated thrombosis was common. Umbilical arterial catheter should be removed as soon as possible when not needed. Upon removal of UAC, all infants should be screened for abdominal aortic thrombus by 2-D ultrasonography.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Predictors of breastfeeding in very low birthweight infants at the time of discharge from hospital.

In a case-control study carried out in the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital between 1st July 1995 and 31st January 1996 the objectives were (1) to determine the rate of breastfeeding in surviving very low birthweight (VLBW, < or = 1500 g) Malaysian infants following the introduction of the Baby Friendly Hospital Concept, and (2) to identify significant predictors associated with successful breastfeeding in these infants. During the study period, 201 (1.24 per cent) of live-born infants were VLBW infants, 192 (95.5 per cent) were Malaysians, and 141 (73.4 per cent) of them survived to go home. The breastfeeding rate among all surviving VLBW Malaysian infants at the time of discharge was 40.2 per cent (57/141). The mothers of 126 (89.4 per cent) VLBW Malaysian infants were interviewed before discharge. Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for various confounders, the significant predictors associated with successful breastfeeding were: (a) Malay mothers (odds ratio: 6.0; 95 per cent CI: 1.9, 19.4), (b) mothers with educational levels of between 7 and 9 years (odds ratio: 3.6; 95 per cent CI: 1.0, 12.2), and (c) earlier age of commencement of enteral feeds in the VLBW infants (for each additional day delay in commencement of feeding, odds ratio of breastfeeding was 0.5; 95 per cent CI: 0.4, 0.8).

Adult↗

Blood transfusion reactions in Malaysian newborn infants.

A prospective observational study was carried out over a seven month period in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a large Malaysian maternity hospital to determine the rate of blood transfusion and the incidence of transfusion reactions in newborn infants. During the study period, the rates of blood transfusion was 6.1% (n = 117) of NICU admission or 8.2 per 1,000 live births. The median birth weight of the infants who had received blood transfusion was 1,740 grams (range: 725-4,350), and their mean gestational age was 33.6 weeks (sd = 5.1, range = 24-41 weeks). The median age of infants when they first received blood transfusion was 4.0 days (range: 1-27 days). When compared with infants of birth weight between 3,000 and 3,499 grams, infants of birth weight less than 1,500 grams received significantly higher median number of transfusions per infant, (p < 0.001). The incidence of transfusion reaction was 2.7% (3/110) of all transfused infants or 1.3% (3/223) of all blood transfusions. Febrile nonhemolytic reaction was the only type of transfusion reaction detected during the study period. This study showed that transfusion reactions in newborn infants were not common.

Birth Weight↗

Relationship between head growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of Malaysian very low birthweight infants during the 1st year of life.

A prospective study was carried out to (i) compare head growth patterns of 103 very low birthweight (VLBW, < 1500 g) Malaysian infants and 98 normal birthweight (NBW, 2500- < 4500 g) controls during the 1st year of life; and (ii) examine the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of age and occipito-frontal head circumferences (OFC) at birth and at 1 year of age in VLBW babies. When compared with those of NBW infants at birth, mid-infancy and 1 year of age, the mean OFC ratios (observed/expected OFC at 50th percentile) of VLBW infants were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) VLBW babies had significantly lower mean OFC ratios than their appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) VLBW counterparts at birth (p < 0.001), but this difference was no longer seen at mid-infancy or at 1 year of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal late neonatal cranial ultrasound findings (odds ratio 8.5, 95% confidence interval 4.12-22.07; p < 0.001) and each additional day of oxygen therapy (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.45; p = 0.045) were significant risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disability at 1 year of age, while mean OFC ratios at birth or at 1 year of age were not. Poor postnatal head growth per se did not predict disability, but probably reflected the consequences of "brain injury" as evidenced by abnormal brain scans.

Adult↗

Usefulness of stable microbubble test of tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the overall accuracy of the stable microbubble test (SM test) with measurement of level of surfactant protein A (SP-A) of tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODOLOGY: Tracheal aspirates were obtained from neonates on ventilatory support. The SM test was carried out on specimens of tracheal aspirate immediately after collection. Levels of SP-A in tracheal aspirates were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The results of the SM test and SP-A level of the tracheal aspirates were compared against the clinical diagnosis of RDS based on clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings. RESULTS: Both the median microbubble counts (6 microbubbles/mm2, range = 0-90) and median SP-A levels (100 micrograms/L, range = 0-67447) of infants with RDS were significantly lower than those of infants with no obvious lung pathology (P < 0.0001), and pneumonia (P < 0.0001). The SM test of tracheal aspirates had higher overall accuracy for the diagnosis of RDS than measurement of SP-A levels (94.6% vs 82.4%). When the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of both tests for RDS were compared, the area under the ROC curve of the SM test was larger (0.9689) than that of the SP-A method (0.8965). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the SM test of tracheal aspirate was a useful bedside diagnostic test for RDS. It could be carried out at any time after birth on infants requiring ventilatory support.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗