objectIve. To quantify and compare variations in oxygen saturation throughout the suctioning procedure (before, during, and after) using two endotracheal suction systems: open suction system (OSS) vs. closed suction system (CSS). Methods. A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out with 39 newborn infants of gestational age ≥ 34 weeks using pressure-limited, time-cycled, continuous-flow mechanical ventilators. The infants were classified into two groups according to ventilatory parameters: Group I was ventilated using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≥ 5 cm H 2 O and mean airway pressure (MAP) ≥ 8 cm H 2 O; and Group II using PEEP < 5 cm H2O and MAP < 8 cm H 2 O. results. No statistically significant differences were observed when OSS and CSS were compared in both groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in post-procedure oxygen saturation in both groups. conclusIon. Both endotracheal suction systems can be used with no drawbacks of OSS in relation to CSS, provided the sample is similar to that of the present study.

Atelectasis is a pulmonary disorder that lengthens the hospitalization time of newborns in intensive care units, resulting in increased morbidity among these infants. High-flow nasal cannulae have been used in newborns to prevent atelectasis and/or expand pulmonary regions affected by atelectasis; however, to date, no evidence-based data regarding this approach have been reported. In this paper, we report on the cases of two male newborn patients. The first and second patients described in this report were hospitalized for a neurosurgical procedure and the treatment of abdominal disease, respectively, and were subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation for 4 and 36 days, respectively. After extubation, these patients continued receiving oxygen therapy but experienced clinical and radiological worsening typical of atelectasis. In both cases, by 24 hours after the implantation of an high-flow nasal cannulae to provide noninvasive support, radiological examinations revealed the complete resolution of atelectasis. In these cases, the use of an high-flow nasal cannulae was effective in reversing atelectasis. Thus, this approach may be utilized as a supplemental noninvasive ventilatory therapy to avoid unnecessary intubation.

Introduction: Gastroschisis is a congenital malformation that has risk factors for delayed neuropsychomotor development. That is why it is important to recognize early developmental changes in these newborns during hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Objective: To evaluate the motor performance of newborns with gastroschisis after surgical correction. Methods: An observational and retrospective study was carried out with newborns with gastroschisis, assessed by the Test of Infant Motor Performance at the Neonatal Intensive Care Center 2 of the Instituto da Criança e do Adolescente. The test allows the classification of the risk for developmental delay in 4 categories: within the average for age, low average, below average, and well below average. Maternal, neonatal, surgical, and motor assessment data were collected through electronic medical records. Results: Motor assessment was performed on 17 newborns, where 88.23% were classified as “below average” for age. The mean maternal age was 20 years, and the average gestational age and birth weight were 36.38 weeks and 2343.9 grams, respectively, with the majority being female. Simple gastroschisis accounted for 64.71%, and primary closure was possible in 82.35%. The average hospital stay of 53.24 days, and sepsis was the most frequent complication (64.71%). Conclusion: Newborns with gastroschisis remain hospitalized for a long time and are susceptible to complications. It was possible to identify the delay in the development of these newborns early during hospitalization, which allows intervention by physiotherapy before the delay worsens.

This study aimed to verify the applicability of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in surgical neonates as a tool for evaluating motor performance and to evaluate the benefit of physical therapy. Surgical neonates, divided into group without physical therapy (n=38) and group with motor physical therapy (n=38), were evaluated by TIMP and reasssment two weeks later. The physical therapy group performed standardized exercises for motor sensory stimulation once a day, whereas the other group received the usual care from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The predominant surgical diagnosis in both groups was gastroschisis, followed by congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In the initial evaluation, motor performance was equal between the groups, classified as “below average” for age, with z-score=−1.28 (p=0.992). In the reassessment, the physical therapy group presented better scores (p<0.001) and a higher difference in z-score (p<0.001), higher percentage of neonates classified as “within average” (44% in the physical therapy group and 2.6% in the no physical therapy group), as well as a higher weight gain percentage (p=0.038). We found a worsening of motor performance in 10.5% of the no physical therapy group (p<0.001) in the reassment. Motor performance improved in 81.6% of the physical therapy group and in only 13.2% of the no physical therapy group individuals (p<0.001). Conclusion: TIMP was safely and effectively applied to newborns; notably, the test must be performed by professionals experienced in care of neonates. Motor intervention was beneficial, significantly improving motor performance, and if applied early, it may adequate the motor development of these neonates, even before hospital discharge.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade do Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) em recém-nascidos (RN) cirúrgicos como ferramenta para avaliação do desempenho motor; e avaliar o benefício da fisioterapia. RN cirúrgicos, divididos em grupo sem fisioterapia motora (n=38) e com fisioterapia motora (n=38), foram avaliados pelo TIMP e reavaliados duas semanas depois. O grupo com fisioterapia realizou exercícios para estimulação sensório-motora uma vez ao dia, enquanto o grupo sem fisioterapia recebeu os cuidados habituais da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). O diagnóstico cirúrgico predominante nos dois grupos foi de gastrosquise, seguido de hérnia diafragmática congênita. Na avaliação, não houve diferença no desempenho motor entre os grupos, classificados como “abaixo da média” para a idade, com escore-z=−1,28 (p=0,992). Na reavaliação, o grupo com fisioterapia apresentou melhor pontuação (p<0,001) e maior diferença de escore (p<0,001), com uma porcentagem maior de RN classificados como “dentro da média” em comparação ao grupo sem fisioterapia (44% e 2,6%, respectivamente); além de maior porcentagem de ganho de peso (p=0,038). Na reavaliação, verificou-se piora do desempenho motor em 10,5% do grupo sem fisioterapia (p<0,001), enquanto a melhora do desempenho motor foi observada em 81,6% do grupo com fisioterapia e em apenas 13,2% do grupo sem fisioterapia (p<0,001). Concluiu-se que o TIMP foi aplicado de forma segura e eficaz e necessita ser realizado por profissionais experientes na abordagem dessa população. A fisioterapia motora melhorou significativamente o desempenho motor, e, se iniciada precocemente, pode ser capaz de adequar o desenvolvimento motor desses RN, antes mesmo da alta hospitalar.