In this study, the most common indication for tracheostomy in neonates and infants was airway obstruction. Excluding patients with neuromuscular diseases, a successful decannulation rate of >50% can be achieved.

Purpose: To assess the predictive validity of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) cognitive scores at 6 months of corrected age (CA) for cognitive outcomes at 24 months of CA in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and investigate the predictors of change in cognitive outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated VLBW children enrolled in the Taiwan Premature Infant Follow-up Network between 2010 and 2015 and completed the Bayley-III at CA of 6 and 24 months. The predictive validity of the cognitive performance at 6-month CA for the cognitive outcomes at 24-month CA was analyzed. The positive and negative predictive factors were also evaluated using logistic regression. Cut-off scores of <70 and <85 were used to identify lower functioning groups based on the Bayley-III definition.Results: A total of 2,972 VLBW children, born with a mean weight of 1116.4 ± 257.5 g and mean gestational age of 29.0 ± 2.8 weeks, were evaluated. A cognitive score of <70 at 6-month CA had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 27.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.2–35.7%) for a cognitive score of <70 at 24-month CA, while the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.3% (95% CI: 96.7–97.9%). A cut-off score of 85 had a PPV of 33.6% (95% CI: 28.1–39.0%) and an NPV of 87.7% (95% CI: 86.4–88.9%). Abnormal muscle tone at 6 months was a risk factor for cognitive function decline at 24 months for both Bayley-III cognitive cut-off scores: scores of 70 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.5) and 85 (AOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.1). Lower maternal socioeconomic status was associated with a worsening of the cognitive function in infants at 24 months who scored ≥85 at 6 months (AOR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.0).Conclusion: Subnormal Bayley-III cognitive scores at 6-month CA were not predictive of subnormal cognitive function at 24-month CA. In children with normal cognition during early infancy, abnormal muscle tone and lower maternal socioeconomic status may influence the cognitive developing process; this highlighted the importance of early identification of high risk infants and complete preterm infant-associated public health policies to promote an improved neurodevelopmental outcome.

The extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) of very preterm infants has been associated with long-term complications and neurodevelopmental problems. EUGR has been reported at higher rates in low resource settings. There is limited research investigating how metropolitan human milk banks contribute to the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared in rural areas. The setting of this study is located at a rural county in Taiwan and affiliated with the Taiwan Southern Human Milk Bank. Donor human milk was provided through a novel supplemental system. A renewal nutritional protocol was initiated as a quality improvement project after the affiliated program. This study aimed to compare the clinical morbidities and growth outcome at term equivalent age (TEA) of preterm infants less than 33 weeks of gestational age before (Epoch-I, July 2015–June 2018, n = 40) and after the new implementation (Epoch-II, July 2018–December 2020, n = 42). The Epoch-II group significantly increased in bodyweight z-score at TEA ((−0.02 ± 1.00) versus Epoch-I group (−0.84 ± 1.08), p = 0.002). In multivariate regression models, the statistical difference between two epochs in bodyweight z-score changes from birth to TEA was still noted. Modern human milk banks may facilitate the nutritional protocol renewal in rural areas and improve the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared for. Establishing more distribution sites of milk banks should be encouraged.

Background: Nationwide group B Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) antepartum screening was instituted in Taiwan in 2012. The impact of the policy on early-onset sepsis (EOS) has not been evaluated. This study aimed to examine the impact of the policy on the incidence of neonatal EOS. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at MacKay Children's Hospital. Patients with culture-proven neonatal EOS were enrolled and divided by birth year in relation to the implementation of GBS prevention policy: Epoch 1, 2001e2004 pre-GBS screening; Epoch 2, 2005e2011 elective GBS screening; and Epoch 3, 2012e2018 universal GBS screening. The pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns were reviewed and analyzed. The incidence was modeled using Poisson regression. Results: A total of 128 neonates met the enrollment criteria. The observed incidence of EOS was 1.52&. The incidence rates of EOS, GBS, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) sepsis were similar in Epoch 1 and Epoch 3. E. coli and non-Enterococcal group D Streptococcus (GDS) infection increased significantly in term infants, whereas the EOS-related mortality rate declined in preterm infants. Approximately 72% of the isolated E. coli were ampicillin-resistant, and the antimicrobial sensitivity remained unaltered during the studied period. Conclusions: The overall EOS incidence has not changed from 2001 to 2018. However, changes in the causative pathogens were observed in both term and preterm infants. Clinicians should be aware of this evolving epidemiology to provide prompt appropriate perinatal management.

Background: Minimizing multiple organ dysfunction-related mortality and morbidity is a critical issue for patients with hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Although erythropoietin (EPO) has demonstrated protective effects on various hypoxic-ischemic organs in animal studies and clinical trials in adults, its effects on neonates with HIE require further investigation. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of neonates with HIE who received TH with or without EPO (TH+EPO vs TH groups) administration in a tertiary referral hospital from January 2016 to January 2021. Data regarding patient characteristics, medical treatment, and clinical (neurological, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and renal) function assessments were collected. To control for confounding factors and selection bias between the two groups, a 1:1 propensity matching method was applied. Results: A total of 45 neonates with HIE received TH during the study period, with 24 patients (53%) in the TH+EPO group. After matching, each group enrolled 13 cases. No significant difference in mortality or hospital stay between the two groups was noted. During the first 3 days, the patients in the TH+EPO group showed significantly higher blood pressure (BP) than those in the TH group (p < 0.05 on day 1). The TH+EPO group showed trends of higher blood hemoglobin (p > 0.05) and creatinine (p > 0.05) levels and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (p > 0.05) and urine output (p > 0.05) during the first 2 weeks than TH group. Conclusion:The use of EPO in addition to TH is safe for neonates with HIE. The neonates with moderate or severe HIE who received EPO may have a lesser risk of hypotension than those who received TH alone. Further clinical studies on renal and cardiac functions and long-term neurological effects of EPO are required.