Perinatal Disorders

38 Perinatal Disorders



The neonatal period is remarkable for the vast array of physiologic changes that occur as the infant transitions from the intrauterine to extrauterine life. This period is a highly vulnerable time for the infant. In the U.S., about two thirds of all deaths in the first year of life occur among infants less than 28 days old with the highest risk being in the first 24 hours of life (Stoll, 2007a). Because serious health problems can arise for the infant in the hours after the initial transition to extrauterine life, the primary care provider must be prepared to manage these problems while providing psychosocial support and education for the families. An understanding of the physiology of fetal development, risk factors for potential problems, and pertinent physical findings is necessary to effectively assist the newborn’s transition to extrauterine life.



image Standards of Care


The Healthy People 2020 objectives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2010) related to maternal, infant, and child care are available online. The overall goal of these objectives is to improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes and reduce rates of disability in infants, thereby improving the health and well-being of women, infants, children, and families in the U.S. Since its inception in 1979, the Healthy People program suggests that the health of a population is reflected in the health of its most vulnerable members. A major focus of many public health efforts, therefore, is improving the health of pregnant women and their infants, including reductions in the rate of birth defects, risk factors for infant death, and death of infants and their mothers. Included among these goals are improvements in the rates of breastfeeding, ensuring that all newborns are screened for state-mandated diseases, reducing the proportion of children with a metabolic disorder who experience developmental delay requiring special education services, and increasing the percentage of healthy full-term infants who are put down to sleep on their backs.


The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [USPSTF], 2009) recommends the following preventive services for neonates:



Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (Hagan et al, 2008) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine (AAP, 2007) have detailed anticipatory guidelines for the newborn, first-week, and 1-month health supervision visits. Guidelines for Perinatal Care from the AAP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Lemnos and Lockwood, 2008) is another thorough compendium of standards of caring for the newborn.



image Anatomy and Physiology



Intrauterine-to-Extrauterine Transition


The infant’s intrauterine-to-extrauterine transition requires an extraordinary number of biochemical and physiologic changes. In utero, the placenta provides metabolic functions for the fetus. Oxygenated blood from the placenta arrives to the fetus through the umbilical vein. Because of high pulmonary vascular pressure, this blood is shunted from the right to the left side of the fetus’s heart through the foramen ovale or to the systemic circulation through the ductus arteriosus. At birth the umbilical cord is severed. Simultaneously, the infant begins to breathe and the high pulmonary vascular pressure drops, allowing blood flow to the lungs for oxygenation. The foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus are no longer necessary and close after birth. The newborn becomes dependent on gastrointestinal tract function to absorb nutrients, renal function to excrete wastes and maintain chemical balance, liver function to metabolize and excrete toxins, and the functions of the immunologic system to protect against infection. Many newborn problems are related to poor transition to extrauterine life as a result of asphyxia, premature birth, congenital anomalies, or adverse effects of delivery.


A predictable series of changes or reactivities in vital signs and clinical appearance take place after the delivery of most normal infants (Fig. 38-1). The first period of reactivity includes sympathetic system changes, such as tachycardia, rapid respirations, transient rales, grunting, flaring and retractions, a falling body temperature, hypertonus, and alerting exploratory behavior. Parasympathetic system changes during the first period of reactivity include the initiation of bowel sounds and the production of oral mucus. After an interval of sleep, the infant enters the second period of reactivity. During this time the oral mucus production again becomes evident, the heart rate becomes labile, the infant becomes more responsive to endogenous and exogenous stimuli, and meconium is often passed.




image Pathophysiology



High-Risk Pregnancy


High-risk pregnancies are defined as those in which factors exist that increase the chances of abortion, fetal death, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal or neonatal disease, congenital malformations, mental retardation, and other handicaps. Identification of a high-risk pregnancy is the first step toward prevention of neonatal problems (Box 38-1). Comprehensive and frequent prenatal visits for women with high-risk pregnancies are aimed at preventing complications in the newborn.



BOX 38-1 Factors Associated With High-Risk Pregnancies








Adapted from Stoll BJ: High-risk pregnancies. In Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB et al, editors: Nelson textbook of pediatrics, ed 18, Philadelphia, 2007, Saunders, p 684.






image Assessment of the Neonate



History




Past maternal health history


Past obstetric history






Family history







Current obstetric history














Social history










Physical Examination



Immediately After Birth



Apgar Score


Immediate evaluation of the newborn infant at 1 and 5 minutes old can be a valuable routine procedure. An Apgar score is assigned to the baby based on the criteria in Table 38-1.





The 5-minute Apgar score is an indication of how well the resuscitation efforts have succeeded. Caution must be exercised when using the Apgar score to predict long-term outcomes of mortality and developmental delay. Only when combined with other factors, such as fetal status, umbilical cord or scalp blood pH, evidence of organ injury, or seizures, can the Apgar score be useful in determining long-term outcome (AAP, 2006). In actual practice, the decision to resuscitate an infant typically is based on a quick assessment of the heart rate, color, and respiratory rate rather than the full 1-minute Apgar score (Fig. 38-2).




Gestational Age


Maturational assessment of an infant’s gestational age is based on the physical examination (Fig. 38-3). The assessment is done promptly after birth to confirm maternal estimated dates, and interpreted with information on the mother’s menstrual history, obstetric milestones achieved during pregnancy, and prenatal ultrasonograms. An infant’s length, weight, and fronto-occipital head circumference are measured and plotted on growth curves based on gestational age (Fig. 38-4). Infants whose weights fall above the 90th percentile for age are classified as large for gestational age (LGA); those whose measurements fall below the 10th percentile for age are classified as small for gestational age (SGA). Those whose measurements fall between the 10th and 90th percentiles are classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA).









After Stabilization


After a quick initial assessment in the delivery room to evaluate for obvious problems, a more complete physical examination is done (Table 38-2). When performing the physical examination, the infant’s gestational age, age in hours, and stage of transition must be considered.


TABLE 38-2 Physical Examination Findings






















































System Findings
Vital signs and measurement Check vital signs frequently in the first hours after birth, then every 6-8 hr when stable.
Evaluate ability to maintain temperature (97.7° to 99.3 ° F [36.5° to 37.4° C]) in open crib after transition to extrauterine environment. Failure to maintain temperature requires evaluation for other problems, particularly sepsis.
Respirations should remain between 30 and 60 breaths/min.
Heart rate should remain between 100 and 160 bpm.
Significant molding of the head requires repeated measurements to verify size.
Daily weight losses of up to 10% in the first 2-3 days of life are not abnormal because normal infants excrete a large amount of water in the first days of life.
Weight loss of greater than 10% is unexpected and is often due to poor intake or excessive losses.
Skin Lanugo and vernix. Lanugo is fine dark hair, prominent over the trunk and shoulders. It is seen in infants born prematurely, becoming less prominent as the gestation approaches term. Thick, greasy, white vernix is more common on prematurely born infants’ skin.
Dry and cracked skin. This is normal over the first several days of life. If associated with thin subcutaneous fat (parchment-like), it is suggestive of a postmature infant, fetal growth retardation, or both.
Cyanosis. Acrocyanosis, bluish changes in the color of the hands and feet, and generalized mottling of the skin are frequently noted in the first several days of life when an infant loses body heat. Central cyanosis beyond the first few moments of life is abnormal and can represent a significant problem with oxygenation.
Pallor. Many perinatal events can result in pallor, indicating a significant disruption of the infant’s circulatory system. Specific causes include anemia, sepsis, cold stress, hypoglycemia, and seizures.
Plethora. An excessively reddish discoloration to the skin can be caused by polycythemia or hyperthermia. Infants born to diabetic mothers can be plethoric.
Meconium staining. Antenatal stress can cause the first stool to pass in utero. If this greenish black meconium remains in the amniotic fluid for a prolonged period, staining of the infant’s skin and fingernails results.
Jaundice. See the discussion of jaundice in the text under Hematologic Conditions.
Head Sutures and molding. Vaginally delivered infants demonstrate some degree of molding, usually elongation of the anteroposterior diameter of the skull; if delivered by cesarean method, there are minimal alterations to the shape of the head.
Fontanelles. The anterior fontanelle is usually about 2-3 cm in diameter; the posterior fontanelle is about 1 cm in diameter. Both are usually slightly depressed (see Fig. 38-5).
Face Symmetric structures of the face should be apparent, although unilateral facial edema as a result of delivery conditions can occur normally.
Overall view of the face may reveal maxillary or mandibular hypoplasia, distortion, or hemifacial hypoplasia.
Eyes Too small or large, too widely spaced, or abnormal upward or downward slanting of palpebral fissures should alert the practitioner to potential congenital problems.
Uncoordinated eye movements. Intermittent uncoordinated eye movements (disconjugate gaze) during the first weeks after birth are common, improving by 2-4 months old and resolving by 6 months old. Fixed disconjugate gaze is abnormal, even in the neonate.
Conjunctivae. Reddening in the first 24-48 hours of life caused by chemical irritation of the eyes from silver nitrate drops or erythromycin ointment is normal.
Purulent discharge in the first days or weeks of life can be associated with gonococcus, chlamydia, or herpes.
Conjunctival hemorrhages secondary to delivery resolve spontaneously over the first weeks of life.
Sclerae. Yellowing is associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Small hemorrhages secondary to delivery resolve spontaneously over the first weeks of life.
Thinning of the sclera, common in African-Americans, is manifested by dark blue or black patches. Blue sclerae are associated with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Red reflex. Shining an ophthalmoscope’s white light through the pupil reveals the “red reflex,” a disk ranging from pearly gray to orange. Absence of a red reflex may indicate the presence of lens opacities secondary to cataracts, congenital infection (rubella), or calcium metabolism abnormality.
A white reflex can indicate retinoblastoma. Absence of the expected red reflex indicates the need for an immediate ophthalmologic evaluation.
Ears Identify normalcy in the size, rotation, shape, position, and patency of the external auditory canal.
Presence of low-set ears should prompt careful examination for other dysmorphic features.
Abnormalities in shape require thorough physical examination, especially of the genitourinary system.
Assessment of hearing is done by noting a startle response to a loud noise, avoiding any tactile sensations, such as a wind current on the face as a result of clapping near the ear. Auditory brain response testing should be ordered for any infant in whom a question of hearing exists.
Screening for universal detection of infants with hearing loss is recommended and is especially important for high-risk infants (e.g., family history, in utero infection, craniofacial anomalies, syndromes associated with hearing loss).
Preauricular skin tags or significant pits should be noted (can be a genetic red flag). See text section on skin dimpling.
Nose Patency of the nasal passages can be tested by closing the mouth and one nostril at a time or by passing a small catheter into the nasopharynx to see if the passage is clear.
Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory distress that can be caused by any number of abnormalities, including mechanical obstruction, parenchymal lung disease, or acidosis.
Mouth Size and symmetry of the lips
Cleft lip and palate can be associated with midline CNS abnormalities. Incomplete cleft palates are recognized by digital examination of the mouth for bony defects of the hard palate in the presence of normal palatal mucosa.
Excessive salivation can be related to reflux of gastric contents or esophageal atresia.
Epstein pearls are small white epithelial inclusion cysts on the palate and gums.
An excessively large tongue can be associated with genetic or metabolic abnormalities, such as hypothyroidism or Down syndrome.
Natal teeth are sometimes seen at birth (approximately 1 in 3000 live births). If they are extremely loose, aspiration is a concern. Consultation with a pediatric dentist is indicated.
Neck Short neck indicates the possibility of Klippel-Feil syndrome or other vertebral problems.
Webbing. Redundant skin is seen in trisomy 21, Turner syndrome, and Noonan syndrome.
Masses
Torticollis. Asymmetric shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle results in preferential turning of the head to one side, not to be confused with irritability of neck movement associated with meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hematoma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle can result in the development of torticollis and requires early management.
Thorax Shape, symmetry. Rounded appearance measuring about 2 cm less than the fronto-occipital head circumference (approximately 33 cm):

Lung General. Coughing, retractions, and an intermittently increased respiratory rate occur immediately after birth, resolving by about 12 hours of life to smooth and unlabored respirations at a rate of 30 to 60 breaths/min.
Respiratory distress. Tachypnea, apnea (pauses in respiration >15 seconds), grunting (an infant’s attempt to increase functional residual capacity, thereby improving gas exchange), interclavicular, subclavicular, or supraclavicular retractions, nasal flaring, and central cyanosis all indicate distress.
Auscultation
Heart Inspection. Observe neonate for adequacy of perfusion. Respiratory distress is common with cardiac abnormalities. Edema as a result of cardiac failure is rarely seen in the newborn.
Palpation
Auscultation. Heart rate is normally 100 to 160 bpm. Detection of skipped beats warrants electrocardiogram. Heart sounds may be muffled or displaced in the infant with a pneumothorax.
Murmurs. Common in the newborn period, many murmurs disappear after a few hours or a few days. Significant murmurs should be investigated.
Pulses. Brachial or radial pulses are compared with femoral or dorsalis pedis pulses for symmetry of impulse and strength in pulse. Delay or relative weakness of lower extremity pulses occurs in coarctation of the aorta.
Blood pressure. By Doppler device using a 2.5-4 cm wide and 5-9 cm long cuff, compare with normals for age and gestation. Systolic blood pressures greater than 96 mm Hg are considered significant hypertension in the newborn, and systolic blood pressures exceeding 106 mm Hg are considered severe hypertension.
Abdomen General
Umbilical hernias. Midline outpouching from the sternum to the umbilicus is seen with weak abdominal musculature (diastasis recti); a large and protuberant umbilicus occurs with an umbilical hernia.
Umbilical vessels. The normal cord contains two arteries and a single vein. Absence of the second artery can be associated with congenital abnormalities.
Vomiting and abdominal distention. Regurgitation of large volumes of feeding is not expected.
Bilious vomiting is always abnormal and usually a sign of obstruction.
Abdominal distention with enlargement of any of the organs of the abdomen or failure to pass stool is abnormal.
• Meconium ileus with failure to pass stool in the first 24-48 hours of life is associated with cystic fibrosis.
Genitalia Male

Female


Ambiguous genitalia are genitalia that do not appear to be completely masculinized or feminized. An endocrine referral is essential.
Anus and rectum. Patency of the rectum and placement of the anus should be noted. A small amount of blood streaking in the diaper, especially with a small anal fissure, is common.
Extremities, back, hip Molding. Intrauterine constraint and resultant molding cause mild curvatures of the forefeet (metatarsus adductus vs. varus [in-toeing or out-toeing]) or the tibia (genu varum [bowleg], genu valgum [knock-knee]), or both. See Chapter 37 for more information.
Contractures of the joints and molding of the bones occur if amniotic fluid was decreased and is abnormal.
Fractures
Spine. Dimples, hemangiomas, tufts of hair, or other lesions along the spine may be associated with spinal abnormalities, such as spina bifida occulta.
Hips. See
Chapter 37 for information about eliciting Ortolani and Barlow signs. Both are indicators of dislocated or dislocatable hips.
Neurologic examination Muscle tone. Observe tone, movement, and symmetry of the extremities while the infant is awake.
Reflexes. Elicit the following:
Cranial nerves. Cranial nerve (CN) I (olfactory) is rarely tested. Vision (CN II) is tested by an infant’s response to a bright light. CNs III, IV, and VI are tested by noting an infant’s ability to gaze in all directions, although intermittent disconjugate gaze is normal through 6 months old. Adequate sucking and swallowing confirm presence of CNs V, IX, X, and XII. Symmetric movement of the face with crying confirms presence of CN VII. Hearing (CN VIII) is assessed by startle to loud noise.

bpm, Beats per minute; CNS, central nervous system; LGA, large for gestational age; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome.



Diagnostic Studies


All states in the U.S. require screening of infants for a variety of congenital abnormalities, although the screening tests performed vary from state to state (see Chapter 40). Infants should be screened before they are discharged and before the seventh day of life; if initial screen was before 24 hours of life, rescreening should be done by 14 days old. Although most infants require no special screening tests, some are at risk for predictable complications in the newborn period. Infants born to mothers with poorly controlled diabetes and LGA or SGA infants are at higher risk for hypoglycemia and usually require serum glucose level screening. Similarly, infants demonstrating Coombs test positivity because of maternal-child blood incompatibility are screened for evidence of hemolysis. Some nurseries screen both mothers and infants for syphilis; mothers should be screened for HIV and hepatitis B unless done prenatally. Universal hearing screening is recommended by 1 month of age (see Chapter 29), and special attention is paid to any newborn at higher risk for hearing loss as a result of low birthweight, rubella or other infection, malformation, trauma, asphyxia, prematurity, intensive care unit stay, or antibiotic use.



image Management Strategies





Anticipatory Guidance Before Discharge



Physical Care




Circumcision


Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin that normally covers the glans penis, is a controversial surgical procedure. The decision to circumcise is the parents’ responsibility, although the provider can supply factual information on the risks and potential benefits of the procedure.


Proponents of circumcision claim that it keeps the glans cleaner; the chance for developing urinary tract infections is reduced (although the chance of urinary tract infections in uncircumcised males is only 1%); it reduces the incidence of penile cancer, phimosis, balanitis, adhesions, and occlusion of the urethral meatus; and the boy may look more like his peers. The opponents of circumcision claim that it does not prevent sexually transmitted infection; that good hygiene prevents penile cancer; that circumcision leaves the glans open to the chance of cautery burns and meatal stenosis; and that because fewer boys are being circumcised, these boys will not be different from many of their peers.


Contraindications to circumcision include epispadias or hypospadias, ambiguous genitalia, exstrophy of the bladder, familial bleeding disorders, and illness. Complications of circumcisions include infections, bleeding, gangrene, scarring, meatal stenosis, cautery burns, urethral fistula, amputation or trauma to the glans, and pain. For infants who undergo circumcision, procedural anesthesia is recommended. A variety of anesthesia techniques are available, including application of topical anesthetics (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics [EMLA] cream), dorsal penile nerve block, and subcutaneous ring block. Postoperative pain relief measures in the form of sucrose on a pacifier, acetaminophen, soft music, and physiologic positioning of the infant in a padded environment are helpful (Brady-Fryer et al, 2004).


Care of the uncircumcised baby includes gentle cleaning around the genital area. The skin normally adheres to the penis and is not retractable at birth, but loosens as the baby grows. The parents are counseled not to force the foreskin back. If the baby is circumcised, the penis should be cleansed daily with cotton balls dipped in tap water followed by the application of a small amount of petroleum jelly to the tip of the penis with each diaper change to prevent discharge from the penis sticking to the diaper. The petroleum jelly is needed only for the first 2 to 3 days after the circumcision.








Early Discharge and Follow-up


Newborns are often discharged after a relatively short period of hospital observation. Although “early discharge” is a common practice, infants can experience difficulty with breastfeeding, poor weight gain, jaundice, and dehydration (Madden et al, 2004). Guidelines for early discharge of normal, healthy newborns are listed in Box 38-2. Plans for follow-up care within 48 to 72 hours and plans for ongoing health maintenance should be confirmed before discharge (Box 38-3). Even newborns who are hospitalized longer may need follow-up care within the first few days of life. All parents leaving the hospital with a newborn should have a confirmed time and place for follow-up, in addition to contacts in case of an emergency or questions.



BOX 38-2 Guidelines for Early Discharge of Normal, Healthy Newborns




No ongoing medical issues that require continued hospitalization


Term (37 to 41 completed weeks) baby


Stable vital signs for at least 12 hours before discharge:





Regular passage of urine and at least one stool


Two successful feedings have been accomplished


Normal physical examination


No excessive bleeding at circumcision site


The clinical significance of jaundice has been determined and appropriate follow-up plans made


Evaluation and monitoring for sepsis based on maternal risk factors have been accomplished


Infant laboratory data, including maternal syphilis, hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and infant blood type and Coombs testing (as indicated) completed


Appropriately timed neonatal metabolic and hearing screenings completed


Initial hepatitis B administered


Social support and continuing health care identified


Social situation adequate: screen for drug abuse, previous child abuse, mental illness, lack of social support, lack of permanent home, history of domestic violence, communicable diseases in the household, teenage mother, inadequate transportation or communication abilities


Appropriate medical home identified with early follow-up care achievable preferably within 48 hours of discharge but no later than 72 hours in most cases


Mother knowledgeable in the care of the infant, including the following:








Data from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Policy statement-hospital stay for healthy term newborns, Pediatrics 125:405-409, 2010.




Premature Infants and Newborns With Special Needs


Premature infants have special needs that must be addressed before discharge (Box 38-4). Newborns with special needs (e.g., anomalies, disease states, social situations) require early assessment, intervention, and referral before discharge to ensure that support, education, and follow-up are in place.



BOX 38-4 Guidelines for Discharge and Follow-up of the High-Risk Neonate



Discharge Planning





Data from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Hospital discharge of the high-risk neonate, Pediatrics 122:1119-1126, 2008; Section on Ophthalmology American Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus: Screening examination of premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity, Pediatrics 117:572-576, 2006.



image Common Neonatal Conditions





Erythema Toxicum







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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Perinatal Disorders

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