Papers by Bart Van Overmeire
Medical research archives, 2022
Background: Congenital hearing loss has been linked with life-long deficits in speech and languag... more Background: Congenital hearing loss has been linked with life-long deficits in speech and language abilities and children with vestibular deficits show delayed development of gross motor milestones. Aim and scope of the research: To analyze if the universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) and vestibular screening program in Flanders meet the current guidelines and benchmarks of the position statements from the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing and how big the impact of screening devices and strategy is. Methods: The UNHS is organized since 1997 by a Flemish public child care organization and performed by trained nurses. It is based on a two-step screening with Automated Auditory Brainstem Responses and in case of absent responses (named ‘refer’), audiological and medical diagnostic are done in one of 21 certified centers. Vestibular screening started in 2018 around the age of 6 months with cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP) for all children with confirmed permanent hearing loss. Results: The coverage of the UNHS from 1998 till 2020 was 96,3 % (range 91,1 – 98%). There was a bilateral refer for 0,27 % of the infants and unilateral refer for 0,37 %. A sensorineural or mixed hearing loss > 40 dB was diagnosed in 32 % of the referred infants, a conductive hearing loss which often resolved over time in 39 %, a normal hearing in 25% and 4,7 % were lost in follow-up for the diagnostic evaluation. There was an effect of the screening device on the detection of conductive hearing losses and false-positive cases. The incidence was higher with the MAICO MB Classic® device compared to the ALGO® devices. The incidences of sensorineural or mixed hearing loss were independent of the screening device and remained relatively stable over the years. A vestibular deficit was found in 9,5 % of all children with sensorineural hearing loss. The incidence was significantly higher in infants with severe or profound hearing loss (p=0,003) Conclusion: The Flemish UNHS has a high coverage, low referral rate and low loss of follow-up rate. Strict monitoring and follow-up by a central organization are essential for optimal results. Long-term follow-up remains a challenge.
European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 2013
S25 A significantly larger proportion of infants with a temporal PVHI developed visual impairment... more S25 A significantly larger proportion of infants with a temporal PVHI developed visual impairment and/or behavioural problems (50% and 70% respectively) compared to those with a frontal PVHI (9% and 13% respectively). Conclusion: PVHI located in the temporal and frontal lobe is almost invariably related to a normal motor outcome, but carries a risk for cognitive, behavioural and visual problems. Preterm infants with temporal lobe PVHI are more at risk of an adverse outcome than those with frontal lobe PVHI.
American Journal of Perinatology
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the e... more A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) ibuprofen (L-lysine) for the early closure of nonsymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) within 72 hours of birth in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants with evidence of ductal shunting by echocardiogram. Eleven sites enrolled 136 infants with nonsymptomatic early PDA (gestational age < 30 weeks; body weight 500 to 1000 g) to receive a 3-day course (10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg) of IV ibuprofen ( N = 68) or placebo ( N = 68). Cardiac echocardiogram was performed on study days 1 and 14, and with rescue. Infants were followed to 36 weeks postconceptional age. Patient demographics, mean (standard deviation), were similar between ibuprofen and placebo: birth weight: 798.5 g (128.7) versus 797.3 g (132.8); gestational age: 26.1 weeks (1.3) versus 26.2 weeks (1.4); and age at first dose: 1.5 days (0.7). The intent-to-treat analysis of the pr...
Acta Paediatrica, 2014
Oxygen is a neonatal health hazard that should be avoided in clinical practice. In this review, a... more Oxygen is a neonatal health hazard that should be avoided in clinical practice. In this review, an international team of neonatologists and nurses assessed oxygen saturation (SpO 2) targeting in preterm infants and evaluated the potential weaknesses of randomised clinical trials. Conclusion: SpO 2 of 85-89% can increase mortality and 91-95% can cause hyperoxia and ill effects. Neither of these ranges can be recommended, and wider intermediate targets, such as 87-94% or 88-94%, may be safer.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 1998
Objective: To study the influence on the neonate of indomethacin administered to the mother as an... more Objective: To study the influence on the neonate of indomethacin administered to the mother as an additional tocolytic. Study design: The neonatal outcome in 76 closely matched low birth weight infants was compared retrospectively: those whose mothers received indomethacin together with betamimetics formed the study group, those whose mothers received only betamimetics formed the control group. Results: There was an increased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the study group (97% versus 45%; P,0.001), an increased need for surfactant use (68% versus 26%; P,0.001) and increased ventilatory support, and an increased incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (47% versus 24%; P50.03). Gestation could not be prolonged significantly by the addition of indomethacin. Conclusion: Indomethacin as an additional tocolytic agent was associated with an increased incidence of RDS, surfactant use and BPD but did not significantly prolong gestation.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2008
Ibuprofen pharmacokinetics were described by a one-compartment model with linear elimination. Mea... more Ibuprofen pharmacokinetics were described by a one-compartment model with linear elimination. Mean population pharmacokinetic estimates with corresponding intersubject variabilities (%) were: elimination clearance CL = 9.49 ml h-1 (62%) and volume of distribution V = 375 ml (72%). Ibuprofen CL significantly increased with postnatal age (PNA): CL = 9.49*(PNA/96.3) 1.49. AUC after the first dose (AUC1D), the sum of AUC after the three doses (AUC3D) and gestational age were significantly higher in 57 neonates with closing PDA than in nine neonates without PDA closure (P = 0.02). PDA closure was observed in 50% of the neonates when AUC1D < 600 mg l-1 h (or AUC3D < 900 mg l-1 h) and in 91% when AUC1D > 600 mg l-1 h (or AUC3D > 900 mg l-1 h) (P = 0.006). No correlation between AUC and side-effects could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS To achieve these optimal AUCs, irrespective of gestational age, three administrations at 24 h intervals are recommended of 10, 5, 5 mg kg-1 for neonates younger than 70 h, 14, 7, 7 mg kg-1 for neonates between 70 and 108 h and 18, 9, 9 mg kg-1 for neonates between 108 and 180 h.
Acta Paediatrica, 2009
To evaluate the effect of furosemide on renal function and water balance in preterm infants treat... more To evaluate the effect of furosemide on renal function and water balance in preterm infants treated with indomethacin (3 x 0.2 mg/kg at 12-h intervals) for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. We performed a retrospective multi-centre double cohort study in preterm infants &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;32 weeks of gestational age. Thirty-two infants treated with furosemide (1 mg/kg i.v.) before each indomethacin dose (furosemide group) were matched with 32 infants with indomethacin treatment alone (control-group). Renal effects (urine output, weight gain, serum creatinine, sodium concentration) were registered. The study groups were comparable for gestational age, birth weight and day of therapy. Pretreatment differences were observed for urine output, weight and serum sodium. However, no differences were noticed in day-to-day urine output change or weight gain between the groups. A significant increase in serum creatinine concentration (50% vs. control, 18%; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) and a concomitant significant decrease in serum sodium (-9 vs. control, -3 mmoL/L; p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) in the furosemide group was observed 72-96 h after starting therapy. Furosemide before each indomethacin dose resulted in a significant increase in serum creatinine and hyponatremia, without increasing urine output.
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2013
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
An integrated approach of neonatal analgesia starts with the systematic evaluation of pain and sh... more An integrated approach of neonatal analgesia starts with the systematic evaluation of pain and should be followed by effective interventions, mainly based on the appropriate (i.e. safe and effective) administration of analgesics. In contrast to the more potent opioids, data on the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of non-opioid analgesics in this specific population are still rare or even lacking. We therefore evaluated various aspects of developmental pharmacology of non-opioid analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen, acetylsalicyl acid) in neonates. We first performed a single dose propacetamol study in preterm and term neonates. Based on these preliminary findings, a repeated dose administration scheme was developed and tested and maturational aspects from preterm till teenage were documented. Although non-selective COX-inhibitors might be effective in the treatment of postoperative or inflammatory pain syndromes in neonates, potential efficacy should be balanced against the drugs&#39; safety profile. Neonatal renal clearance strongly depends on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and GFR itself strongly depends on the vaso-dilatative of prostaglandins on the afferent arterioli. We therefore evaluated the impact of the administration of ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid on renal clearance in preterm infants and hereby used amikacin clearance as a surrogate marker. We hereby documented the negative effect of ibuprofen on glomerular filtration rate in preterm infants up to 34 weeks and we were able to show that ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid had an equal impact on the glomerular filtration rate.
Neonatology, 1993
In a randomized prospective study in 116 selected neonates with very low birth weight, the effect... more In a randomized prospective study in 116 selected neonates with very low birth weight, the effect of standard doses of intravenously administered immunoglobulins (IVIG) on the occurrence of severe infections was studied. No difference in infection rate or severity of infection could be observed between the treated neonates and the control group. The lack of effect could not be explained by an insufficient increase in the IgG serum levels, or inversely, by high immunosuppressive IgG levels. It is concluded that in very low birth weight neonates the administration of IVIG, under the conditions used in this investigation, does not protect against severe infection.
Neonatology, 2007
... component of &#x27;natural&#x27; therapeutic surfactants exerts specific actions on M... more ... component of &#x27;natural&#x27; therapeutic surfactants exerts specific actions on M and T-cell proliferation ... CD14 differentially reduced the formation of most mediators, anti-CD14 being more effective. ... Dysplasia and the Effect of Chorioamnionitis CP O&#x27;Neilla, b, DG Sweeta, BC Schockc ...
American Journal of Perinatology, 2009
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the e... more A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) ibuprofen (L-lysine) for the early closure of nonsymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) within 72 hours of birth in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants with evidence of ductal shunting by echocardiogram. Eleven sites enrolled 136 infants with nonsymptomatic early PDA (gestational age < 30 weeks; body weight 500 to 1000 g) to receive a 3-day course (10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg) of IV ibuprofen (n ¼ 68) or placebo (n ¼ 68). Cardiac echocardiogram was performed on study days 1 and 14, and with rescue. Infants were followed to 36 weeks postconceptional age. Patient demographics, mean (standard deviation), were similar between ibuprofen and placebo: birth weight: 798.5 g (128.7) versus 797.3 g (132.8); gestational age: 26.1 weeks (1.3) versus 26.2 weeks (1.4); and age at first dose: 1.5 days (0.7). The intent-to-treat analysis of the primary endpoint, subjects rescued, died, or dropped through study day 14, was 21/68 (30.9%) with ibuprofen and 36/68 (52.9%) for placebo (p ¼ 0.005). Death, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, daily fluid intake/output, liver function, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of y Deceased.
Indomethacin has long been used to treat patent ductus arteriosus but it is associated with a rel... more Indomethacin has long been used to treat patent ductus arteriosus but it is associated with a relatively high risk of adverse effects; recent evidence suggests that ibuprofen is effective and may be safer. In a randomised trial to compare the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and indomethacin in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus, 144 infants received three doses of ibuprofen lysine (10, 5 and 5 mg/kg) at 24-hour intervals or indomethacin 0.2 mg/kg at 12-hour intervals. Ductal closure occurred in 70% of children treated with ibuprofen and 66% of those given indomethacin on the first treatment (P = 0.41). Nineteen children underwent surgical ligation, equally distributed between the treatment groups (P = 0.81). Urine production was significantly greater than in children given indomethacin from day 3 to day 7 and the serum creatinine concentration was significantly lower from day 7. Ductal closure was associated with higher serum concentrations of ibuprofen and a concentration o...
Nutrients
Neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis is essential to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) with ... more Neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis is essential to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) with a clear benefit compared to placebo. Various routes (intramuscular (IM), oral, intravenous (IV)) and dosing regimens were explored. A literature review was conducted to compare vitamin K regimens on VKDB incidence. Simultaneously, information on practices was collected from Belgian pediatric and neonatal departments. Based on the review and these practices, a consensus was developed and voted on by all co-authors and heads of pediatric departments. Today, practices vary. In line with literature, the advised prophylactic regimen is 1 or 2 mg IM vitamin K once at birth. In the case of parental refusal, healthcare providers should inform parents of the slightly inferior alternative (2 mg oral vitamin K at birth, followed by 1 or 2 mg oral weekly for 3 months when breastfed). We recommend 1 mg IM in preterm <32 weeks, and the same alternative in the case of parental refusal. When IM is pe...
Biology of the Neonate, 2004
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intravenous co-administration of ibuprofen-lys... more The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intravenous co-administration of ibuprofen-lysine on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin during the first days of life in preterm infants. The pharmacokinetics of amikacin were retrospectively calculated in a cohort of 73 neonates (gestational age &lt;31 weeks) who received either ibuprofen-lysine or placebo following inclusion in the multicentre ibuprofen prophylaxis study. Assuming a one-compartment model with instantaneous input and first-order output, there was no significant difference in the median distribution volume (0.63 vs. 0.59 liters/kg), but the median serum half-life (16.4 vs. 12.4 h) of amikacin was significantly longer (p &lt;0.02), and the clearance (0.36 vs. 0.6 ml/kg/min; p &lt;0.005) of amikacin was significantly lower in infants who received ibuprofen-lysine. We conclude that the time interval between consecutive amikacin administrations should be prolonged, if ibuprofen-lysine is co-administered.
…, 2004
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intravenous co-administration of ibuprofen-lys... more The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intravenous co-administration of ibuprofen-lysine on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin during the first days of life in preterm infants. The pharmacokinetics of amikacin were retrospectively calculated in a cohort of 73 neonates (gestational age &lt;31 weeks) who received either ibuprofen-lysine or placebo following inclusion in the multicentre ibuprofen prophylaxis study. Assuming a one-compartment model with instantaneous input and first-order output, there was no significant difference in the median distribution volume (0.63 vs. 0.59 liters/kg), but the median serum half-life (16.4 vs. 12.4 h) of amikacin was significantly longer (p &lt;0.02), and the clearance (0.36 vs. 0.6 ml/kg/min; p &lt;0.005) of amikacin was significantly lower in infants who received ibuprofen-lysine. We conclude that the time interval between consecutive amikacin administrations should be prolonged, if ibuprofen-lysine is co-administered.
Wellcome Open Research
Background: Screening and monitoring serum bilirubin (SBR) in neonates is crucial to prevent neon... more Background: Screening and monitoring serum bilirubin (SBR) in neonates is crucial to prevent neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NH)-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. A lack of resources is often a barrier for measuring SBR in developing countries. Reliable, cost-effective, easy to use point-of-care (POC) SBR tests are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the technical accuracy and usability of the Bilistick System (BS), a new bilirubin POC test, in a tropical setting. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study, including laboratory validation of the BS, direct observation of technical procedures as performed by the midwives and midwives’ assessment of the device’s easiness of use through focus group discussions (FGD) and a self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in a field clinic of the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit along the Thailand-Myanmar border between January and December 2017. Results: A total of 173 samples were tested at a median age of 4 days. BS generat...
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Papers by Bart Van Overmeire