The prevalence of hypophosphatemia in this group of preterm infants is high. The potential association with adverse clinical outcomes deserves further research.

Introduction. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common chronic pulmonary sequela among very low birth weight infants. The objective of this study was to estimate its incidence in our Neonatal Unit over the past 5 years and analyze associated risk factors. Population and methods. An observational and analytical study was conducted in a retrospective cohort, using data obtained from a prospective database of infants born at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires with a birth weight of less than 1500 grams between January 2010 and December 2014. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and its association with several secondary outcome measures were studied. Results. Two hundred and forty-five patients were included. The incidence of moderate/ severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 22%, and it was associated with a younger gestational age and lower birth weight. A significant association was observed with surfactant use, mechanical ventilation requirement, and length of mechanical ventilation. Patients with moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia had a higher incidence of patent ductus arteriosus and late-onset sepsis. A lower birth weight (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.991-0.997, p< 0.001) and the length of mechanical ventilation (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15, p < 0.01) remained associated following adjustment for other outcome measures. In addition, an association was observed among patients with intrauterine growth restriction born at less than 32 weeks of gestational age (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.68-13.2). Conclusions. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in our unit was associated with a lower birth weight and the length of mechanical ventilation. Among infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation, intrauterine growth restriction accounted for an additional risk.

Background and Objectives: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is a useful method of respiratory support after extubation. However, some infants fail despite CPAP use and require reintubation. Some evidence suggests that synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) may decrease extubation failure in preterm infants. Nonsynchronized NIPPV (NS-NIPPV) is being widely used in preterm infants without conclusive evidence of its benefits and side effects. Our aim was to evaluate whether NS-NIPPV decreases extubation failure compared with NCPAP in ventilated very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods: Randomized controlled trial of ventilated VLBWI being extubated for the first time. Before extubation, infants were randomized to receive NCPAP or NS-NIPPV. Primary outcome was the need for reintubation within 72 h. Results: 220 infants were included. The mean ± SD birth weight was 1,027 ± 256 g and gestational age 27.8 ± 1.9 weeks. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Extubation failure was 32.4% for NCPAP versus 32.1% for NS-NIPPV, p = 0.98. The frequency of deaths, bronchopulmonary dys-Clinical Trial Registration: study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01778829.

Objective. To assess reports of medication errors in hospitalized children to establish their frequency, causes, and adverse events(AEs). Methods. Prospective study of medication errors reported at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Clinic (PC), and Pediatric intensive Care Unit (PICU). Ambulatory Pediatrics reports and incomplete data were excluded. Related variables were evaluated. Results. Out of 989 errors reported in Department of Pediatrics, 401 (41 %) corresponded to medication errors. Of these, 353 (88 %) reached patients and 48 (12 %) were quasi-errors; 42 % occurred in the morning; 24 %, in the afternoon; 17 %, in the morning and afternoon, and 17 %, in the night; differences were not significant (p = 0.18). Dosing errors were the most common ones, 118 (33.4 %). In total, 160 reports (45 %) corresponded to prescription errors; 149 (42 %), to administration errors; and 44 (2.5 %), to dispensing errors. Dosing errors were more common in prescriptions (p < 0.05). The highest number of errors was reported at the NICU, 179 (50 %); compared to 91 (25.5 %) at the PC and 83 (24.5 %) at the PICU. A total of 91 AEs were reported (22.5 %); most were mild, 53 (58 %), or moderate, 31 (34 %). The NICU reported 53 AEs (58 %); the PICU, 25 (27 %); and the DCP, 18 (19.7 %). No deaths occurred. Conclusion. The rate of medication errors reported in hospitalized children was 41 %. Dosing errors were the most common ones. A total of 91 AEs were reported; most were mild (58 %); the highest number was reported at the NICU (58 %).