BackgroundNeonatal haemorrhaging is often co-observed with thrombocytopenia; however, no evidence of a causal relationship with low platelet count has been reported. Regardless, the administration of a platelet transfusion is often based upon this parameter. Accurate measurement of platelet function in small volumes of adult blood samples by flow cytometry is well established and we propose that the use of the same technology could provide complementary information to guide the administration of platelet transfusions in premature neonates.MethodsIn 28 neonates born at 27–41 weeks gestation, platelet function after stimulation agonists was measured using fibrinogen binding and P-selectin expression (a marker of degranulation).ResultsPlatelets of neonates with gestation of ≤36 weeks (n = 20) showed reduced fibrinogen binding and degranulation with ADP, and reduced degranulation with CRP-XL. Degranulation Scores of 7837 ± 5548, 22,408 ± 5301 and 53,131 ± 12,102 (mean ± SEM) identified significant differences between three groups: <29, 29–36 and >36 weeks gestation). Fibrinogen binding and degranulation responses to ADP were significantly reduced in suspected septic neonates (n = 6) and the Fibrinogen Binding scores clearly separated the septic and healthy group (88.2 ± 10.3 vs 38.6 ± 12.2, P = 0.03).ConclusionsFlow cytometric measurement of platelet function identified clinically different neonatal groups and may eventually contribute to assessment of neonates requiring platelet transfusion.

Objective We investigated if volume guarantee (VG) ventilation in babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) during interhospital transport decreases tidal volumes and prevents hypocapnia. Study design We computationally collected and analyzed ventilator data of babies ventilated with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) with VG (n = 28) or without VG (n = 8). Result The expiratory tidal volume of ventilator inflations was lower with SIMV-VG (median [IQR]: 4.9 [4.6-5.3] mL/kg) than with SIMV only (median [IQR]: 7.1 [5.3-8.0] mL/kg, p = 0.01). Babies receiving SIMV-VG had lower peak inflating pressures (median: 10.7 cmH 2 O, versus 17.5 cmH 2 O, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in minute ventilation or in pCO 2. Babies with strong spontaneous breathing had a mean PIP < 10 cmH 2 O but this did not result in adverse events or worsening of acidosis. Conclusions The use of VG ventilation in babies with HIE reduces tidal volumes and frequently results in very low inflating pressures without affecting pCO 2 .

ObjectiveTo analyse the performance of the Fabian +NCPAP evolution ventilator during volume guarantee (VG) ventilation in neonates at maintaining the target tidal volume and what tidal and minute volumes are required to maintain normocapnia.MethodsClinical and ventilator data were collected and analysed from 83 infants receiving VG ventilation during interhospital transfer. Sedation was used in 26 cases. Ventilator data were downloaded with a sampling rate of 0.5 Hz. Data were analysed using the Python computer language and its data analysis packages.Results~107 hours of ventilator data were analysed, consisting of ~194 000 data points. The median absolute difference between the actual expiratory tidal volume (VTe) of the ventilator inflations and the target tidal volume (VTset) was 0.29 mL/kg (IQR: 0.11–0.79 mL/kg). Overall, VTe was within 1 mL/kg of VTset in 80% of inflations. VTe decreased progressively below the target when the endotracheal tube leak exceeded 50%. When leak was below 50%, VTe was below VTset by >1 mL/kg in less than 12% of inflations even in babies weighing less than 1000 g. Both VTe (r=−0.34, p=0.0022) and minute volume (r=−0.22, p=0.0567) showed a weak inverse correlation with capillary partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pco2) values. Only 50% of normocapnic blood gases were associated with tidal volumes between 4 and 6 mL/kg.ConclusionsThe Fabian ventilator delivers volume-targeted ventilation with high accuracy if endotracheal tube leakage is not excessive and the maximum allowed inflating pressure does not limit inflations. There is only weak inverse correlation between tidal or minute volumes and Pco2.