Objectives To determine the incidence, trends, maternal and neonatal risk factors of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) among infants born 24-32 weeks and/or < 1500 g, and to evaluate the impact of changing of hospital policies and unit clinical practice on the IVH incidence. Study design Retrospective chart review of preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) of 24-32 6 weeks and/or weight of < 1500 g born at King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh (KAMC-R), Saudi Arabia, from 2016 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to determine the probability of developing severe IVH and identify associations with maternal and neonatal risk factors. Results Among 640 infants, the overall incidence of severe IVH was 6.4% (41 infants), and its rate decreased significantly, from 9.4% in 2016 to 4.5% and 5% in 2017 and 2018 (p = 0.044). Multivariate analysis revealed that caesarian section delivery decreased the risk of severe IVH in GA group 24-27 weeks (p = 0.045). Furthermore use of inotropes (p = 0.0004) and surfactant (p = 0.0003) increased the risk of severe IVH. Despite increasing use of inotropes (p = 0.024), surfactant therapy (p = 0.034), and need for delivery room intubation (p = 0.015), there was a significant reduction in the incidence of severe IVH following the change in unit clinical practice and hospital policy (p = 0.007). Conclusion Cesarean section was associated with decreased all grades of IVH and severe IVH, while use of inotropes was associated with increased severe IVH. The changes in hospital and unit policy were correlated with decreased IVH during the study period.

Objective This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and factors associated with neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods We conducted retrospective case-control research to investigate the clinical and labour-related risk factors for HIE. In addition, a single-centre cohort study was conducted on infants with HIE to describe their neurodevelopment from birth to 24 months. For this investigation, cases with a diagnosis of HIE who were born at King Abdullah Children’s Specialist Hospital (KASCH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2019 were identified and matched with controls from the same facility (1:4). Each case’s clinical information was extracted using electronic medical records. In addition, 24-month follow-up HIE cases were included in a cohort study to describe their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results The sample includes 60 infants diagnosed with HIE and 234 infants serving as controls, with a mean gestational age of 38.8 weeks (SD 1.6) and a predominance of males (56.4%). Around one-third of the HIE cases (36.6%) had moderate HIE (stage 2), whereas 35.1% of infants had severe HIE (stage 3), according to Sarnat staging. Compared to the control group, children with HIE were twice as likely to be born to mothers with maternal comorbidities and more likely to have prepartum and intrapartum complications. A 24-month follow-up of neurodevelopmental outcomes for HIE babies revealed that approximately 24% exhibited delays in gross motor skill development, 22% in fine motor skill development, 33% in language skill development, and 22% in social skill development. Conclusion In the HIE group, maternal comorbidities and prepartum or intrapartum complications were more common. The severity grade of HIE can be used to predict neurodevelopmental consequences. Enhancing patient care and rehabilitation requires a minimum of 24 months of neurodevelopmental follow-up.

Background: The neonatal period is important for establishing a strong healthy foundation and is also associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to determine the rate of neonatal hospital readmission and to identify the associations between the neonatal age at readmission and the length of stay (LOS) during readmission, the outcome of readmission, and the associated maternal and neonatal factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by reviewing the medical records of 570 neonates who were born in and readmitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, through emergency and outpatient clinics from January 2016 to December 2018. Results: The neonatal readmission rate during the study period was 2.11%. The most common causes for readmission were respiratory diseases (24.9%), jaundice (22.1%), and fever to rule out sepsis (16.7%). Sex and breastfeeding were significantly associated with neonatal age at readmission (P = 0.025 and P = 0.017, respectively), but only breastfeeding was a significant predictor of age at readmission. Males were more likely to be admitted at the age >7 days, and exclusively formula-fed neonates were approximately three times the risk compared to exclusively breastfed neonates to be admitted at age >7 days (adjusted risk ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval). Neonates readmitted at ages >7 days had double the LOS as those readmitted at ages ≤7 days (P < 0.001). The outcomes (discharge or pediatric intensive care unit admission) had no significant association with neonatal age at readmission. Conclusion: The readmission rate was 2.11% and was most commonly due to respiratory diseases. Age at readmission was significantly associated with sex, breastfeeding, and LOS. Assessment of the factors associated with readmission before discharge may reduce the rate of readmission.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the factors associated with Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods A case-control study of infants delivered at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from 2015 to 2019. Newborns with an admission diagnosis of HIE were identified, and controls were matched for the case. The electronic medical records were used to extract the clinical data for each case. The HIE cases were followed for 24 months to determine their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results The sample included 60 infants diagnosed with HIE and 234 infants as controls, primarily males (56%) with mean gestational age of 38 weeks (SD 1.6). According to Sarnat staging, 36% of the HIE cases (22 patients) had stage 2 encephalopathy, while 35% of infants were at stage 3. Children with HIE were twice as likely to be born to mothers with maternal comorbidities, and more likely to have prepartum and intrapartum complications than the control group. The follow-up of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months for the HIE infants indicated no delays in development of gross motor skills (76%), fine motor skills (78%), language skills (67%), and social skills (78%). Conclusion Maternal comorbidities and prepartum or intrapartum complications were more prevalent in the HIE group. HIE severity grade can be used as a prognostic, predictive tool for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Neurodevelopment follow up for at least 24 months is necessary to enhance care and rehabilitation of the patients.