Supplemental oxygen strategies in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia after the neonatal intensive care unit period: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (SOS BPD study).

Introduction: Supplemental oxygen is the most important treatment for preterm born infants with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, it is unknown what oxygen saturation levels are optimal to improve outcomes in infants with established BPD from 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) onwards. The aim of this study is to compare the use of a higher oxygen saturation limit (≥95%) to a lower oxygen saturation limit (≥90%) after 36 weeks PMA in infants diagnosed with moderate or severe BPD.

Educational paper: neonatal skin lesions.

Although most skin lesions in neonates are transient or benign, they may also be the presenting symptom of a life-threatening disease such as herpes neonatorum. In the present review, we present a short overview of neonatal skin lesions and a practical table to guide the general paediatrician in the diagnosis and management of neonatal skin lesions. Recent reviews are cited for further reading.

Airway dimensions in bronchopulmonary dysplasia: implications for airflow obstruction.

The cause of lung function abnormalities in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is incompletely understood, even in the "new era" of this disease. Altered airway wall dimensions are important in the pathogenesis of airflow obstruction in diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Whether airway wall dimensions contribute to lung function abnormalities in BPD is unknown.

Hamartomas of the oro- and nasopharyngeal cavity in infancy: two cases and a short review.

Introduction: Oro- and nasopharyngeal masses are rare in infancy and consist of developmental anomalies and, mostly benign, neoplasms.

Case Report: We report two infants with a tumour in the ear-nose-throat region.

Discussion: As shown by our cases, the clinical presentation of an oropharyngeal mass in infancy varies from respiratory insufficiency at birth to incidental finding by the parents a few months after birth.

Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease in infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.

Background: Treatment of hospitalized infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is mainly supportive. Bronchodilators and systemic steroids are often used but do not reduce the length of hospital stay. Because hypoxia and airways obstruction develop secondary to viscous mucus in infants with RSV bronchiolitis, and because free DNA is present in RSV mucus, we tested the efficacy of the mucolytic drug recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase).