Background:As a protective response to an inflammatory stimulus, the antigen-presenting molecules (HLA-DR) on monocytes are downregulated. If severe, the response may lead to immunodepression or immunoparalysis, associated in adults with increased morbidity and mortality. In very low birth weight (VLBW) infant, birth and intensive care present major immunologic challenges.Methods:We measured ...

Objective To examine delivery indications, short-term morbidities, and use of resources for late preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a tertiary perinatal center.Study Design Data for 1137 inborn infants 340/7 to 366/7 weeks' gestational age discharged between July 2004 and December 2009 were collected from an electronic ...

Background: Treatment options for the closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) include medical therapy such as ibuprofen and indomethacin and surgical ligation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol in preterm infants with hsPDA whose feeding was contraindicated or had feeding intolerance. Methods: Preterm infants with ...

This study investigated the generalization of deferred imitation in 6-, 9-, and 12-month-old infants across auditory and visual contexts. The task involved testing for the imitation of demonstrated actions on an animal puppet 24h later. There were two independent variables defined by the background music and room of the infant's ...

Abstract The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline is widely used as an antidepressant agent during pregnancy and lactation because of its low placental transfer and low level of excretion into breastmilk. Symptoms such as neonatal abstinence syndrome and serotonergic overstimulation have been reported after in utero exposure to SSRIs. ...

OBJECTIVES: Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in childhood, but little is known on its course very early in infancy. In this study we investigated predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and long-term outcomes of AOM in very young infants. METHODS: One hundred sixty infants aged less than 12 months with AOM ...

Pre-weaning piglet mortality represents significant economic losses, and approximately half of this mortality occurs within the first 3 days after birth. Factors involved in postnatal mortality can also be associated with a poor growth performance until weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of some variables ...

Background:We sought to disentangle the contributions of perinatal systemic inflammation and being small for gestational age (SGA) to the occurrence of low Bayley Mental Development Indices (MDIs) at the age of 2 y.Methods:We measured the concentration of 25 inflammation-related proteins in blood obtained during the first two postnatal weeks from ...

BACKGROUND:: Infants with intestinal failure often require long-term central access for delivery of parenteral nutrition (PN). Traditionally, surgically placed, central venous catheters (CVCs) have been used. However, the complications associated with these catheters can lead to significant morbidity. Peripherally-inserted central catheters (PICCs) are potentially superior to CVCs because they tend ...

AIM: Vancomycin is widely used to treat late-onset coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) sepsis in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Although vancomycin is associated with a risk of toxicity and bacterial resistance, the appropriate duration of use has not been established. This study sought to investigate the association between the duration of vancomycin therapy ...

Abstract Background: Preterm and growth-restricted babies are at high risk of milk intolerance and necrotising enterocolitis, as well as post-natal growth failure. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an "early" enteral feeding regimen, starting on day 2 after birth compared to late enteral feeding, starting on day 6 after birth ...

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of ventriculosubgaleal shunts during the clinical course of posthemorrhagic and postinfectious hydrocephalus in the neonatal period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 102 premature babies in whom subgaleal shunt was consecutively inserted between 2006 and 2011. Seventy-two patients had ...

BACKGROUND: ABT-874 is an anti-IL-12/23 monoclonal antibody that binds to the p40 subunit of human IL-12 and IL-23. As part of its preclinical safety assessment, studies were conducted to assess its potential effects on pre- and postnatal development in cynomolgus monkeys. METHODS: In the embryo-fetal development studies, ABT-874 was administered ...

This case report describes a preterm newborn infant who was treated with a single dose of rasburicase for an increase in uric acid level. He died on the third day as a result of complications of hemolysis, which appeared to be precipitated by rasburicase. The patient's death was preceded by ...

Recent data suggest that during mechanical ventilation, lateral patient position (in which the endotracheal tube is horizontal) decreases the incidence of bacterial colonization of ventilated neonates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lateral and supine position on bacterial colonization of endotracheal tube in neonates. We ...

A 29-year-old primigravida developed polyhydramnios at 24 weeks of gestation, requiring six serial amnioreductions. In addition, prenatal ultrasound examinations revealed a fetus with small stomach pouch, small thorax, slightly shortened limbs, and skin edema; paternal uniparental disomy 14(upd(14)pat) phenotype was suspected. At 37 weeks, the patient delivered a 2558 g female infant with ...

In this study, we aimed to investigate the perinatal clinical conditions of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) focusing on the effects of early postnatal neutropenia. We reviewed the medical records of 191 VLBW infants who were born at Konyang University Hospital, between ...

Objective:The incidence of fetomaternal hemorrhage that is severe enough to cause neonatal anemia is not known. Owing to its relative rarity, much of the literature describing this condition is in the form of case reports and small case series. We performed a large, muiticentered, sequential, case series to determine the ...

BACKGROUND:: Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) infection can cause sepsis-like syndrome and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Although maculopapular rash is a reported clinical manifestation of HPeV3 infection, the frequency and detailed characteristics of rash in neonates and young infants with HPeV3 infection are unknown. METHODS:: We retrospectively reviewed ...

Human milk proteins provide term and preterm infants with both nutrition and protection. The objective of the present study was to examine longitudinal changes in the protein composition of term and preterm milk during the first 2 months of lactation, focusing on protein phosphorylation and glycosylation. Using gel electrophoresis, the ...

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether enteral application of the osmotic contrast agent Gastrografin accelerates complete meconium excretion and improves feeding tolerance in very low birth weight infants.METHODS:This study was a stratified, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in premature infants with a birth weight <1500 g and a gestational age <32 weeks who received 3 ...

AIMS: To examine the relationship between early duct diameter and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective study of infants < 29 weeks gestation with early colour Doppler assessment of PDA diameter in whom PDA was managed conservatively, without cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor treatment. RESULTS: Gestation and birth weight, [median (range)], ...

Background: A few studies have reported that the quantity of selected cytokines/chemokines in breast milk might be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using the multiplex cytokine assay system, we examined cytokines/chemokines in human milk in order to identify new biomarkers related to AD. Methods: We recruited 49 infants with or ...

AIM: To compare antemortem cranial MRI with postmortem histopathological examination of the brain in full-term infants with neonatal encephalopathy following perinatal asphyxia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational cohort study, 23 infants with neonatal encephalopathy who subsequently died, were analysed. Infants underwent antemortem cranial MRI and postmortem histopathological examination ...

Waterston et al. have classified the risk of morbidity in infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. However, few cases of esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula in extremely low birth weights infants have been reported. In such infants, the selection of primary reconstruction or staged repair remains controversial. In ...

Background. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon but well-recognized cause of invasive bacterial disease in young infants. This study aimed to determine the impact of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in infants <90 days in England and Wales and describe their clinical characteristics following PCV7 introduction.Methods. Trends ...

Background: Hyperalimentation describes the increase in glucose, amino acids (AAs), and lipid intake designed to overcome postnatal growth failure in preterm infants. Preterm infants are dependent on phenylalanine metabolism to maintain tyrosine levels because of tyrosine concentration limits in parenteral nutrition (PN). We hypothesized that hyperalimentation would increase individual AA ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pH on cardiac function and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, we evaluated hemodynamically stable, ≤30 weeks' gestation preterm infants during the first 2 postnatal weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at the time of ...

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to cocaine has been associated with a wide spectrum of structural abnormalities in infant brains. The growing use of crack, a smokable and extremely addictive form of cocaine, could exacerbate the situation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, type and severity of ...

Congenital hypothyroidism, usually of the primary and permanent variety, is an eminently preventable cause of growth retardation and mental handicap whose outlook has been transformed by newborn screening, usually involving the measurement of capillary TSH. Severe primary congenital hypothyroidism, due for example to athyreosis, may result in subtle cognitive, behavioural ...

ABSTRACT: World Prematurity Day, November 17, is a global effort to raise awareness about prematurity. Each year, more than 1 in 10 of the world's babies are born preterm, resulting in 15 million babies born too soon. This past year, there has been increased awareness of the problem, but key ...

Background:In the rodent and human fetus, a diurnal cortisol rhythm is observed that is entrained in antiphase to the maternal rhythm. However, after birth, the adrenal circadian rhythm becomes unsynchronized with the clock time, and an adult-type, 24-h rhythm is observed only after a few months. Little is known about ...

OBJECTIVES:To examine hospitalizations and length of stay (LOS) for infants aged <1 year in rural and urban counties, hypothesizing that infants living in rural counties experience significantly different hospital use compared with urban infants.METHODS:Birth certificates for infants born in California hospitals between 1993 and 2005 and surviving to discharge were ...

BACKGROUND: Neonates with Rhesus c (Rh c) hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) are often managed in the same way as neonates with Rhesus D (Rh D) HDFN, although evidence to support this policy is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate neonatal outcome in severe Rh c HDFN ...

To develop a prediction model for hospital length of stay (LOS) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and to compare this outcome among 20 centers within a neonatal network. Data from 7,599 infants with birth weights of 500-1,500 g born between the years 2001-2008 were prospectively collected. The Cox ...

A preterm infant with isolated fetal ascites was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit due to the appearance of respiratory distress at birth. An umbilical venous catheter (UVC) was inserted. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed localization of the catheter tip in the portal vein. It was removed and replaced with ...

Epilepsy is a very uncommon first manifestation of a neuroblastoma. A 5-month-old healthy infant presented with acute onset seizures and developmental regression. Extensive investigation was remarkable for urinary vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid peaks. Abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a presacral unresectable pelvic neuroblastoma. Chemotherapy and monthly dexamethasone pulses ...

Background:Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion saves lives in the neonatal critical care setting and is one of the commonest interventions in the preterm infant. The number and volume of PRBC transfusions is associated with several major neonatal morbidities although a direct causal link between transfusion and major neonatal morbidity ...

Background: The optimal rate of enteral feeding (EF) advancement in very low birth weight infants is under debate. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of accelerated EF advancement on the time to full enteral feeds, on early postnatal growth as well as on the frequency of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and focal ...

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) complicates the clinical course of preterm infants and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. NT-proBNP is indicative of the effects of hsPDA on clinical and cardiac status of patients. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of urinary NT-proBNP ...

AIM: To describe initiation and extent of parents' application of skin-to-skin care (SSC) with their preterm infants at two Swedish NICUs. METHODS: The duration of SSC was recorded in 104 infants' medical charts during their hospital stay; the parents answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: Both parents were involved in the practice ...

Background. Pneumocystis without obvious accompanying pathology is occasionally reported in autopsied infant lungs. Its prevalence and significance are unknown. The finding is overlooked because no obvious tissue reaction is observed, and Pneumocystis is viewed as a pathogen restricted to the immunocompromised host. However, this mild infection induces a strong activation of ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:It has been suggested that probiotics may decrease infant mortality and nosocomial infections because of their ability to suppress colonization and translocation of bacterial pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. We designed a large double-blinded placebo-controlled trial using Lactobacillus reuteri to test this hypothesis in preterm infants.METHODS:Eligible infants were ...

Laryngomalacia is defined as collapse of supraglottic structures during inspiration. It is the most common laryngeal disease of infancy. Laryngomalacia presents in the form of stridor, a high-pitched, musical, vibrating, multiphase inspiratory noise appearing within the first 10 days of life. Signs of severity are present in 10% of cases: ...

Background: Infants with congenital heart lesions who undergo open heart surgery may experience physiologic and metabolic stress in the postoperative period, leading to altered metabolism and hypercatabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between energy intake and hospital outcomes during the first 10 days following neonatal ...

Background:We have previously shown an increased incidence of intermittent hypoxemic events (IH) in preterm infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Animal models suggest that patterns of IH events may play a role in ROP severity as well. We hypothesize that specific IH patterns are associated with ROP in preterm ...

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of chiropractic manual therapy for infants with unexplained crying behavior and if there was any effect of parental reporting bias. Infants with unexplained persistent crying (infant colic) were recruited between October 2007 and November 2009 at a chiropractic teaching clinic ...

In the neonatal period the developing intestinal barrier function provides a sub-optimal mucosal defense against infection. Establishment of the normal commensal micro-flora plays a vital role in this process. To determine aerobic and anaerobic bacteria by quantitative and qualitative methods from faecal samples of neonates. A prospective study was carried ...

AIM: To determine reference values for cystatin C (CysC) and its correlation with creatinine (Cr), gestational age, birth weight and maternal Cr status in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. METHOD: The study included 113 VLBW premature infants (<1500 g) of ≤32 gestational week. Serum Cr and Cys C ...

AIM: To compare causes and rates of mortality among infants admitted to 10 Australian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) between 1995 and 2006. METHODS: De-identified perinatal data from the Neonatal Intensive Care Units' (NICUS) Data Collection for 24,131 infants were examined for causes and rates of death. The study period ...