ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Peri/intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is a frequent cause of death and morbidity among preterm infants. Few studies have addressed the use of bundles for preventing PIVH. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a bundle of interventions designed to decrease the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage at hospital discharge among preterm infants. DESIGN AND SETTING: Pre-post interventional study with retrospective and prospective data collection performed before and after bundle implementation in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital. METHODS: Infants with gestational age < 32 weeks without malformations, who survived > 6 days were included. The bundle consisted of the following actions during the first 72 hours of life: maintenance of head in neutral position with the body in supine position, minimal handling, including delay of lumbar puncture until after 72 hours and absence of respiratory therapy maneuvers. Cranial ultrasound was performed on days 3, 7 and 28, or later if needed. The effect of the bundle was analyzed through logistic regression and results were adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: 167 infants met the inclusion criteria; 146 (87%) were analyzed. Bundle implementation was associated with decreased chances of PIVH at hospital discharge (odds ratio 0.29; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.65). Cerebrospinal fluid collection within the first 72 hours increased the odds of PIVH of any grade during the hospital stay fourfold, after adjustment for all variables included in the model. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a bundle of interventions to avoid intraventricular hemorrhage was effective for decreasing the incidence of all grades of PIVH in preterm infants.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre fatores perinatais e anormalidades no eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada em recém-nascidos prematuros no primeiro dia de vida. Métodos: Este é um estudo transversal de 60 bebês com idade gestacional entre 23-32 semanas, sem malformações. Os recém-nascidos foram continuamente monitorados por eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada no primeiro dia de vida por pelo menos 3 horas. Os traçados foram registrados e analisados em cada coluna para: padrão de surto-supressão, ciclo de sono-vigília e amplitude da margem inferior (< 3 µV ou < 5 µV). A associação de complicações maternas, tipo de parto, peso ao nascer, idade gestacional, sexo do neonato, procedimentos de reanimação, hipotermia na admissão e Escore para Fisiologia Neonatal Aguda, Extensão Perinatal, versão II (SNAPPE-II) com alterações no eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada foi avaliada por regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Um padrão descontínuo ocorreu em 65% dos recém-nascidos e o padrão contínuo ocorreu em 23%. O padrão de surto-supressão foi associado ao parto vaginal (OR 7,6; IC95% 1,1-53,1) e SNAPPE-II ≥ 40 (OR 13,1; IC95% 1,8-95,1). Uma margem inferior do eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada < 3 µV também foi associada com escore SNAPPE-II ≥ 40 (OR 10,6, IC95% 2,3-49,2), enquanto um valor <5 µV foi associado com menor IG (OR 0,51, IC 95% 0,34-0,76). Não houve associações entre as variáveis perinatais e a ausência de ciclo sono-vigília nas gravações de eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada no primeiro dia de vida. Conclusão: As variáveis biológicas e a gravidade clínica estão associadas às características eletroencefalográficas dos recém-nascidos prematuros no primeiro dia de vida e devem ser consideradas na prática clínica quando o eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada é realizado.

Abstract Objective: Evaluate the association between perinatal factors and amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram abnormalities in preterm infants on the first day of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 60 infants with gestational age between 23 and 32 weeks, without malformations. Infants were continuously monitored by amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram on the first day of life, for at least 3 h. The tracings were recorded and analyzed in each column for the following: burst-suppression pattern, sleep-wake cycle, and amplitude of the lower margin (<3 µV or <5 µV). The association of maternal complications, mode of delivery, birth weight, gestational age, neonatal sex, resuscitation procedures, hypothermia on admission, and the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology, Perinatal Extension, Version II [SNAPPE-II]) with amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram alterations was assessed by multiple logistic regression. Results: A discontinuous pattern occurred in 65% of infants, and a continuous pattern occurred in 23%. The burst-suppression pattern was associated with vaginal delivery (OR: 7.6; 95% CI: 1.1-53.1) and SNAPPE-II ≥ 40 (OR: 13.1; 95% CI: 1.8-95.1). A lower margin of the amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram of <3 µV was also associated with SNAPPE-II ≥ 40 (OR: 10.6, 95% CI: 2.3-49.2), while a value <5 µV was associated with lower GA (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34-0.76). There were no associations between the perinatal variables and the absence of a sleep-wake cycle in amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram recordings on the first day of life. Conclusion: Biological variables and clinical severity are associated with electroencephalographic characteristics of preterm infants on the first day of life and should be considered in clinical practice when amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram is performed.