| 1. |
- Ahle, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Epidemiology and Trends of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Sweden: 1987-2009
- 2013
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In: Pediatrics. - : American Academy of Pediatrics. - 0031-4005 .- 1098-4275. ; 132:2, s. E443-E451
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate temporal, seasonal, and geographic variations in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its relation to early infant survival in the Swedish population and in subgroups based on gestational age, birth weight, and gender. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMETHODS: In the Swedish birth cohort of 1987 through 2009 all children with a diagnosis of NEC were identified in the National Patient Register, the Swedish Medical Birth Register, and the National Cause of Death Register. NEC incidence, early mortality, and seasonality were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Poisson regression, and auto regression. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanRESULTS: The overall incidence of NEC was 3.4 in 10 000 live births, higher in boys than in girls (incidence rate ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.40, P = .005), with a peak in November and a trough in May, and increased with an average of similar to 5% a year during the study period. In most subgroups, except the most immature, an initial decrease was followed by a steady increase. Seven-day mortality decreased strongly in all subgroups over the entire study period (annual incidence rate ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.95-0.96, P andlt; .001). This was especially marked in the most premature and low birth weight infants. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanCONCLUSIONS: After an initial decrease, the incidence of NEC has increased in Sweden during the last decades. An association with the concurrent dramatically improved early survival seems likely.
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| 2. |
- Ahle, Margareta, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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Maternal, fetal and perinatal factors associated with necrotizing enterocolitis in Sweden. A national case-control study
- 2018
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In: Plos One. - San Francisco, United States : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To analyze associations of maternal, fetal, gestational, and perinatal factors with necrotizing enterocolitis in a matched case-control study based on routinely collected, nationwide register data. Study design All infants born in 1987 through 2009 with a diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis in any of the Swedish national health care registers were identified. For each case up to 6 controls, matched for birth year and gestational age, were selected. The resulting study population consisted of 720 cases and 3,567 controls. Information on socioeconomic data about the mother, maternal morbidity, pregnancy related diagnoses, perinatal diagnoses of the infant, and procedures in the perinatal period, was obtained for all cases and controls and analyzed with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions for the whole study population as well as for subgroups according to gestational age. Results In the study population as a whole, we found independent positive associations with necrotizing enterocolitis for isoimmunization, fetal distress, cesarean section, neonatal bacterial infection including sepsis, erythrocyte transfusion, persistent ductus arteriosus, cardiac malformation, gastrointestinal malformation, and chromosomal abnormality. Negative associations were found for maternal weight, preeclampsia, maternal urinary infection, premature rupture of the membranes, and birthweight. Different patterns of associations were seen in the subgroups of different gestational age. Conclusion With some interesting exceptions, especially in negative associations, the results of this large, population based study, are in keeping with earlier studies. Although restrained by the limitations of register data, the findings mirror conceivable pathophysiological processes and underline that NEC is a multifactorial disease. © 2018 Ahle et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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| 3. |
- Ahle, Margareta, 1966-
(author)
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Necrotising Enterocolitis : epidemiology and imaging
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially devastating intestinal inflammation of multifactorial aetiology in premature or otherwise vulnerable neonates. Because of the broad spectrum of presentations, diagnosis and timing of surgical intervention may be challenging, and imaging needs to be an integrated part of management.The first four studies included in this thesis used routinely collected, nationwide register data to describe the incidence of NEC in Sweden 1987‒2009, its variation with time, seasonality, space-time clustering, and associations with maternal, gestational, and perinatal factors, and the risk of intestinal failure in the aftermath of the disease.Early infant survival increased dramatically during the study period. The incidence rate of NEC was 0.34 per 1,000 live births, rising from 0.26 per 1,000 live births in the first six years of the study period to 0.57 in the last five. The incidence rates in the lowest birth weights were 100‒160 times those of the entire birth cohort. Seasonal variation was found, as well as space-time clustering in association with delivery hospitals but not with maternal residential municipalities.Comparing NEC cases with matched controls, some factors, positively associated with NEC, were isoimmunisation, fetal distress, caesarean section, persistent ductus arteriosus, cardiac and gastrointestinal malformations, and chromosomal abnormalities. Negative associations included maternal pre-eclampsia, maternal urinary infection, and premature rupture of the membranes. Intestinal failure occurred in 6% of NEC cases and 0.4% of controls, with the highest incidence towards the end of the study period.The last study investigated current practices and perceptions of imaging in the management of NEC, as reported by involved specialists. There was great consensus on most issues. Areas in need of further study seem mainly related to imaging routines, the use of ultrasound, and indications for surgery.Developing alongside the progress of neonatal care, NEC is a complex, multifactorial disease, with shifting patterns of predisposing and precipitating causes, and potentially serious long-term complications. The findings of seasonal variation, spacetime clustering, and negative associations with antenatal exposure to infectious agents, fit into the growing understanding of the central role of bacteria and immunological processes in normal maturation of the intestinal canal as well as in the pathogenesis of NEC. Imaging in the management of NEC may be developed through future studies combining multiple diagnostic parameters in relation to clinical outcome.
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| 4. |
- Ahle, Margareta, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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Space-time clustering of necrotizing enterocolitis supports the existence of transmissible causes.
- 2017
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Problem Statement: Despite great efforts to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) the incidence may in fact be increasing, and changes in the patient population over time seem to lead to changes in clinical presentation and risk factor spectrum as well. The presence of bacteria is an important prerequisite in the pathogenesis, but, rather than being caused by specific pathogens, inflammation and bacterial invasion are thought to be mediated through erroneous interaction between microbiota and innate immunity during colonization of the gut. There are, however, reports of episodic outbreaks of NEC, seasonal variation in incident rates, and clustering, suggesting a role for transmissible infectious agents or other environmental factors around the pregnant mother or newborn infant. In order to investigate evidence for such factors we have analyzed the occurrence of space-time clusters in Sweden over 23 years. Methods: A national register-based cohort of all children born between 1987 and 2009 in Sweden, diagnosed with NEC, was identified. The Knox test and Kulldorff’s scan method were used to analyze signs of space-time clusters at two geographical levels; the mother’s residential address and the delivery hospital. Time windows of seven, 14 and 21 days were used for closeness in time. Results: The Knox test showed clustering on hospital level in all studied temporal windows; seven days (p=0.022) 14 days (p=0.011) and 21 days (p=0.006), and Kulldorff’s scan method found seven significant clusters. On residential level, there was no indication of space-time interaction. When comparing two time periods, significant clustering on hospital level was found during 1987-1997, but not during 1998-2009. Conclusion: Space-time clustering was found on hospital level, but not on community level, suggesting a contagious environmental effect at and after delivery but not in the materno-fetal environment outside the hospital before birth. The decrease in clustering over time suggests that improved routines in neonatal care have minimized the risk of NEC precipitating contagions spreading between patients in the neonatal intensive care unit. The importance of such routines should not be forgotten while our efforts to bring down NEC incidence are directed towards other challenges.
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| 5. |
- Ahle, Margareta, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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The role of imaging in the management of necrotising enterocolitis : a multispecialist survey and a review of the literature
- 2018
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In: European Radiology. - : Springer. - 0938-7994 .- 1432-1084. ; 28:9, s. 3621-3631
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectivesTo investigate current practices and perceptions of imaging in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) according to involved specialists, put them in the context of current literature, and identify needs for further investigation.MethodsTwo hundred two neonatologists, paediatric surgeons, and radiologists answered a web-based questionnaire about imaging in NEC at their hospitals. The results were descriptively analysed, using proportion estimates with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThere was over 90% agreement on the value of imaging for confirmation of the diagnosis, surveillance, and guidance in decisions on surgery as well as on abdominal radiography as the first-choice modality and the most important radiographic signs. More variation was observed regarding some indications for surgery and the use of some ultrasonographic signs. Fifty-eight per cent stated that ultrasound was used for NEC at their hospital. Examination frequency, often once daily or more but with considerable variations, and projections used in AR were usually decided individually rather than according to fixed schedules. Predicting the need of surgery was regarded more important than formal staging.ConclusionDespite great agreement on the purposes of imaging in NEC and the most important radiographic signs of the disease, there was considerable diversity in routines, especially regarding examination frequency and the use of ultrasound. Apart from continuing validation of ultrasound, important objectives for future studies include definition of the supplementary roles of both imaging modalities in relation to other diagnostic parameters and evaluation of various imaging routines in relation to timing of surgery, complications, and mortality rate.
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| 6. |
- Ahle, Margareta, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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The significance of radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in the management of necrotising enterocolitis - results from a survey
- 2017
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) remains a potentially devastating emergency in neonates, predominantly the premature. Ever since it was first described in the 60's, imaging has played a great role in definition, staging, and monitoring of the disease. The radiographic image can change before the clinical condition, but typical signs are often transient and may be missing even in severe NEC [1-4]. These circumstances have led to the recommendation of frequent imaging and to the insight that the clinical decisions cannot rely solely on radiological signs [5-7]. Ultrasound (US) as a possibility to enhance sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy was first described in the mid 80's [8, 9] and was included in a diagnostic algorithm suggested by in 1994 [6], but despite great effort to develop and validate the method, its role in the management of NEC has not yet been established [7, 10, 11].Meanwhile, in order to improve interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of AR, the radiographic signs of NEC have also been systematized into the DAAS scale [12]. Imaging, as an adjunct to clinical assessment [11], is crucial in the diagnosis and management of NEC. The purpose of this survey was to investigate current views and routines, as described by involved specialists, and identify areas in need of further study and discussion.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Ali, Adnan, et al.
(author)
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Portal vein embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue is superior to other materials : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2021
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In: European Radiology. - : Springer. - 0938-7994 .- 1432-1084. ; 31:8, s. 5464-5478
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives It remains uncertain which embolization material is best for portal vein embolization (PVE). We investigated the various materials for effectiveness in inducing future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy, technical and growth success rates, and complication and resection rates. Methods A systematic review from 1998 to 2019 on embolization materials for PVE was performed on Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane. FLR growth between the two most commonly used materials was compared in a random effects meta-analysis. In a separate analysis using local data (n = 52), n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) was compared with microparticles regarding costs, radiation dose, and procedure time. Results In total, 2896 patients, 61.0 +/- 4.0 years of age and 65% male, from 51 papers were included in the analysis. In 61% of the patients, either NBCA or microparticles were used for embolization. The remaining were treated with ethanol, gelfoam, or sclerosing agents. The FLR growth with NBCA was 49.1% +/- 29.7 compared to 42.2% +/- 40 with microparticles (p = 0.037). The growth success rate with NBCA vs microparticles was 95.3% vs 90.7% respectively (p < 0.001). There were no differences in major complications between NBCA and microparticles. In the local analysis, NBCA (n = 41) entailed shorter procedure time and reduced fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001), lower radiation exposure (p < 0.01), and lower material costs (p < 0.0001) than microparticles (n = 11). Conclusion PVE with NBCA seems to be the best choice when combining growth of the FLR, procedure time, radiation exposure, and costs.
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| 9. |
- Korenblik, R., et al.
(author)
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Dragon 1 Protocol Manuscript : Training, Accreditation, Implementation and Safety Evaluation of Portal and Hepatic Vein Embolization (PVE/HVE) to Accelerate Future Liver Remnant (FLR) Hypertrophy
- 2022
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In: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. - : Springer. - 0174-1551 .- 1432-086X. ; 45, s. 1391-1398
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study Purpose The DRAGON 1 trial aims to assess training, implementation, safety and feasibility of combined portal- and hepatic-vein embolization (PVE/HVE) to accelerate future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy in patients with borderline resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases. Methods The DRAGON 1 trial is a worldwide multicenter prospective single arm trial. The primary endpoint is a composite of the safety of PVE/HVE, 90-day mortality, and one year accrual monitoring of each participating center. Secondary endpoints include: feasibility of resection, the used PVE and HVE techniques, FLR-hypertrophy, liver function (subset of centers), overall survival, and disease-free survival. All complications after the PVE/HVE procedure are documented. Liver volumes will be measured at week 1 and if applicable at week 3 and 6 after PVE/HVE and follow-up visits will be held at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the resection. Results Not applicable. Conclusion DRAGON 1 is a prospective trial to assess the safety and feasibility of PVE/HVE. Participating study centers will be trained, and procedures standardized using Work Instructions (WI) to prepare for the DRAGON 2 randomized controlled trial. Outcomes should reveal the accrual potential of centers, safety profile of combined PVE/HVE and the effect of FLR-hypertrophy induction by PVE/HVE in patients with CRLM and a small FLR.
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| 10. |
- Magnusson, Amanda, 1986, et al.
(author)
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Increased risk of rickets but not fractures during childhood and adolescence following necrotizing enterocolitis among children born preterm in Sweden
- 2019
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In: Pediatric Research. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 0031-3998 .- 1530-0447. ; 86:1, s. 100-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim was to clarify whether children born preterm with a history of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) had an increased risk of rickets, fractures, and/or vitamin D deficiency during childhood and adolescence compared to controls without NEC, matched for gestational age. METHODS: All infants born in Sweden between 1987 and 2009 with a gestational age amp;lt;32 + 0 weeks and a diagnosis of NEC were identified. Totally, 465 children with a history of NEC and 2127 controls were included. International Classification of Diseases codes for all categories of fractures, rickets, vitamin D deficiency, and malnutrition were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 94 of the 465 children with NEC died within 28 days. Of the 2127 controls, 288 died within 28 days. Among the remaining 371 NEC cases, 39 fracture occasions were identified. The 1839 controls had 204 fracture occasions. There was no significant difference in fractures. Rickets was diagnosed in 11 (3%) of the children with a history of NEC compared to 21 (1%) of the controls (odds ratio 2.65, 95% CI 1.26-5.53, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an increased risk of rickets but not fractures during childhood and adolescence in children born preterm and with a history of NEC, compared to matched controls.
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