Tehran University Medical Journal

---

Background: Several risk factors like prematurity, hyperoxia, hyperglycemia, duration of mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen use have been attributed to the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in low birth weight infants. Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score have been used to assess the severity of the newborn's disease and neonatal mortality. The relation between the CRIB score and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity is less assessed. This study was carried out to determine the relation between the CRIB score and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants. Methods: In a cross-sectional study all preterm infants admitted to NICU from March 2009 to November 2012, with a birth weight less than 1500 grams and gestational age less than 28 weeks and other premature infants with birth weight 1500 to 2000 grams and gestational age 29 to 34 weeks with an unstable clinical condition, were included. The CRIB score was recorded in firs 12 hours of admission to the NICU. Ophthalmologic examination was done by a retinologist unaware of CRIB score. ROP classification was done according to the international classification of ROP. The CRIB score compared with presence or non-presence of ROP and its stage, progression or regression of disease. A P-value less than 0.05 are considered significant. Results: One hundred and eighty (70%) neonates out of 256 neonates developed ROP. In 124 (68.88%) neonates it resolved spontaneously on serial ophthalmologic examination, but fifty-six (31.11%) neonates were required treatment for ROP which 42 (75%) received Avastin and 14 (25%) neonates treated with Laser. The Mean±SD for CRIB score in ROP group was 4.79±2.74 and in a group without ROP it was 3.78±2.00 (P=0.004). No correlation was found between the severity of ROP and CRIB score (P=0.152). Conclusion: The CRIB score can predict the occurrence of ROP, but can't predict its severity and progression or regression.

---

Background: Chickenpox is a very contagious viral disease that caused by varicella-zoster virus, which appears in the first week of life secondary to transplacental transmission of infection from the affected mother. When mother catches the disease five days before and up to two days after the delivery, the chance of varicella in neonate in first week of life is 17%. A generalized papulovesicular lesion is the most common clinical feature. Respiratory involvement may lead to giant cell pneumonia and respiratory failure. The mortality rate is up to 30% in the case of no treatment, often due to pneumonia. Treatment includes hospitalization, isolation and administration of intravenous acyclovir. The aim of this case report is to introduce the exogenous surfactant replacement therapy after intubation and mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure in neonatal chickenpox pneumonia and respiratory distress.

Case Presentation: A seven-day-old neonate boy was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Amirkola Children’s Hospital, Babol, north of Iran, with generalized papulovesicular lesions and respiratory distress. His mother has had a history of Varicella 4 days before delivery. He was isolated and given supportive care, intravenous acyclovir and antibiotics. On the second day, he was intubated and connected to mechanical ventilator due to severe pneumonia and respiratory failure. Because of sever pulmonary involvement evidenced by Chest X-Ray and high ventilators set-up requirement, intratracheal surfactant was administered in two doses separated by 12 hours. He was discharged after 14 days without any complication with good general condition.

Conclusion: Exogenous surfactant replacement therapy can be useful as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of respiratory failure due to neonatal chickenpox.