Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate neurocognitive outcome at 24 months of corrected age after less invasive surfactant application (LISA) in preterm infants born at 23‐26 weeks of gestational age.
Methods
Surviving participants of a LISA trial conducted in 13 German level III neonatal intensive care units were reviewed for assessment of developmental outcome, hearing and vision problems, growth and rehospitalisation days. Maternal depression, breastfeeding rates and socio‐economic factors were evaluated as potentially confounding factors.
Results
In total, 156/182 infants took part in the study, 78 had received surfactant via LISA and 78 via endotracheal intubation. 22% of LISA infants compared to 42% of intubated infants had a psychomotor development index (PDI) <70 (0.012). A significant difference in mental development index (MDI) was observed in the stratum of more mature infants (25 and 26 weeks of GA). For this group, MDI < 70 was observed in 4% of LISA infants vs 21% of intubated infants (P = 0.008).
Conclusion
At 24 months of age, the LISA‐treated infants scored less often PDI < 70 and had similar results in MDI. Infants born at 25 and 26 weeks treated with LISA had lower rates of severe disability. LISA is safe and may be superior.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic challenges adolescents’ mental health. The aim of this study was to compare the number of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions after suicide attempts during the first German lockdown and one year later during a second, prolonged lockdown with pre-pandemic years.
METHODS
A retrospective multicenter study was conducted among 27 German PICUs. Cases <18 years admitted to the PICU due to accidents or injuries between March 16th and May 31st of 2017-2021 were identified based on ICD-10 codes (German modification) and patient data entered into a database. This study is a subset analysis on suicide attempts in adolescents aged 12–17.9 years. The Federal Statistics Office was queried for data on fatal suicides, which were available only for 2020 in adolescents aged 10–17.9 years.
RESULTS
Total admissions and suicide attempts declined during the first lockdown in 2020 (standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) 0.74 (95% CI 0.58–0.92) and 0.69 (0.43–1.04), respectively) and increased in 2021 (2.14 (SMR 1.86–2.45) and 2.84 (2.29–3.49), respectively). Fatal suicide rates remained stable between 2017–2019 and 2020 (1.57 v. 1.48/100,000 adolescent years) with monthly numbers showing no clear trend during the course of 2020.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a strong increase in serious suicide attempts among adolescents during the course of the pandemic in Germany. More research is needed to understand the relation between pandemic prevention measures and suicidal ideation to help implement mental health support for adolescents.
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