Follow-Up of Infants With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Following Maternal Primary Infection in the First Trimester and Normal Fetal Brain Imaging at Midgestation.

Objective: To determine outcomes at birth and postnatal sequelae of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection following maternal primary infection in the first trimester with normal fetal brain imaging at midgestation.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted, including all cases of proven cCMV infection following maternal primary infection in the first trimester from 2014 until 2021 and normal fetal brain imaging before 22 weeks of gestation. All pregnancies were followed according to our protocol, which offers amniocentesis at least 8 weeks after the onset of infection, serial ultrasound scans, and a fetal MRI in the third trimester.

Application of Poly(lactic Acid) Composites in the Automotive Sector: A Critical Review.

The introduction of bio-based matrices in automotive applications would, in principle, increase their sustainability and, in case the use of secondary raw materials is also involved, even result in reduced resource depletion. The bio-based polymer composite matrix that has been mainly brought forward towards industrial application is poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which has often been proposed as the replacement for matrices based on polyolefins in fields such as packaging and short-term commodities since, in general, it matches the needs for conventional thermoplastic production processes. The passage to the automotive sector is not obvious, though: problems affecting durability, the relation with water and the environment, together with the requirement for outstanding mechanical and impact performance appear very stringent.

Natural Fibre and Hybrid Composite Thin-Walled Structures for Automotive Crashworthiness: A Review.

Natural fibres, valued for their low density, cost-effectiveness, high strength-to-weight ratio, and efficient energy absorption, are increasingly emerging as alternatives to synthetic materials in green composites. Although they cannot fully replace synthetic counterparts, like carbon, in structural applications due to their inferior mechanical performance, combining them through hybridization presents a potential solution. This approach promotes a balance between environmental benefits and mechanical efficiency.

The Auditory Pathway in Congenitally Cytomegalovirus-Infected Human Fetuses.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the main cause of non-hereditary sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In order to shed light on SNHL pathophysiology, we examined the auditory pathway in CMV-infected fetuses; the temporal lobe, in particular the auditory cortex, and the inner ear. We investigated both inner ears and temporal lobes of 20 human CMV-infected fetuses at 21 weeks of gestation.

Use of Bio-Epoxies and Their Effect on the Performance of Polymer Composites: A Critical Review.

This study comprehensively examines recent developments in bio-epoxy resins and their applications in composites. Despite the reliability of traditional epoxy systems, the increasing demand for sustainability has driven researchers and industries to explore new bio-based alternatives. Additionally, natural fibers have the potential to serve as environmentally friendly substitutes for synthetic ones, contributing to the production of lightweight and biodegradable composites.

Lumbar Puncture and Meningitis in Infants with Proven Early- or Late-Onset Sepsis: An Italian Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

: To evaluate the rates of lumbar puncture (LP) in infants with culture-proven sepsis. : We prospectively enrolled 400 infants with early- or late-onset sepsis due to Group B (GBS) or , diagnosed within 90 days of life. Rates of LP and potential variables associated with LP performance were evaluated.

Timing of Symptoms of Early-Onset Sepsis after Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Can It Inform the Neonatal Management?

The effectiveness of "inadequate" intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP administered < 4 h prior to delivery) in preventing early-onset sepsis (EOS) is debated. Italian prospective surveillance cohort data (2003-2022) were used to study the type and duration of IAP according to the timing of symptoms onset of group B streptococcus (GBS) and culture-confirmed EOS cases. IAP was defined "active" when the pathogen yielded in cultures was susceptible.

Is Overtaking Group B in Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis.

The widespread use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to prevent group B (GBS) early-onset sepsis (EOS) is changing the epidemiology of EOS. Italian prospective area-based surveillance data (from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020) were used, from which we identified 64 cases of culture-proven EOS (, = 39; GBS, = 25) among 159,898 live births (annual incidence rates of 0.24 and 0.

Infants Born Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes of neonates born to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy, the dynamics of placental transfer of maternal antibodies, and its persistence during infancy.

Methods: Cohort study enrolling neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy. All infants were evaluated at birth.

Universal Newborn Screening for Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection - From Infant to Maternal Infection: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Most infants at risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are unrecognized because of the absence of a universal neonatal CMV screening. The search of CMV-DNA by molecular methods in salivary swabs was demonstrated to be a reliable approach. This study describes the results obtained by carrying out a universal screening for congenital CMV (cCMV) infection including all live-born newborns in three Italian sites, as well as the therapeutic interventions and clinical outcome of the CMV-infected neonates.

Atypical Findings of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome in Early Infancy: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hematological abnormalities, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and skeletal dysplasia. We describe a 2-month-old girl with intrauterine and extrauterine growth restriction who presented with an isolated severe anemia requiring red blood cell transfusion, without gastrointestinal symptoms, history of infection, or congenital abnormalities. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a reduced pancreatic thickness and abnormal echogenicity without fat infiltration, further confirmed by MRI.

Severe neonatal COVID-19: Challenges in management and therapeutic approach.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may manifest as a life-threatening respiratory infection with systemic complications. Clinical manifestations among children are generally less severe than those seen in adults, but critical cases have increasingly been reported in infants less than 1 year of age. We report a severe case of neonatal COVID-19 requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation, further complicated by a multidrug-resistant Enterobacter asburiae super-infection.

Maternal Carriage in Late-Onset Group B Streptococcus Disease, Italy.

We retrospectively investigated mother-to-infant transmission of group B (GBS) in 98 cases of late-onset disease reported during 2007–2018 by a network in Italy. Mothers with full assessment of vaginal/rectal carriage tested at prenatal screening and at time of late onset (ATLO) were included. Thirty-three mothers (33.

Thermal management with and without servo-controlled system in preterm infants immediately after birth: a multicentre, randomised controlled study.

Background: The thermal servo-controlled systems are routinely used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to accurately manage patient temperature, but their role during the immediate postnatal phase has not been previously assessed.

Objective: To compare two modalities of thermal management (with and without the use of a servo-controlled system) immediately after birth.

Study Design And Setting: Multicentre, unblinded, randomised trial conducted 15 Italian tertiary hospitals.

Parechovirus infection causing sepsis-like illness in newborns: a NICU approach.

Human parechovirus (HpeV) is an important emerging infection in young infants, able to cause sepsis-like disease and meningoencephalitis, especially in newborns. Among the 19 identified genotypes, HPeV1, 3 and 6 are the most common types involved in human infections; HPeV3 is the type mainly responsible for neonatal infections and for infections involving the central nervous system. Signs and symptoms overlap with those of a bacterial infection and patients are usually treated with broad spectrum antibiotics.

Immune Monitoring Using QuantiFERON®-CMV Assay in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Correlation With Clinical Presentation and CMV DNA Load.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8 + T-cell responses can be detected early in fetal life, but their role in the manifestations of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection remains largely unknown.

Methods: CMV-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were assessed in neonates with cCMV using QuantiFERON®-CMV assay, within day 14 of life (T0) and during the second month of life (T1). Detection and quantification of CMV DNA in whole blood and urine samples were performed at both time points.

Group B Streptococcus early-onset disease and observation of well-appearing newborns.

Background: International guidelines lack a substantial consensus regarding management of asymptomatic full-term and late preterm neonates at risk for early-onset disease (EOS). Large cohorts of newborns are suitable to increase the understanding of the safety and efficacy of a given strategy.

Methods: This is a prospective, area-based, cohort study involving regional birth facilities of Emilia-Romagna (Italy).

Chlorhexidine-Induced Chemical Burns in Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Skin disinfection with chlorhexidine gluconate has not been standardized in preterm infants. We present 5 cases of chemical burns that occurred within the first 2 days of life in very low birth weight neonates after skin disinfection with aqueous and alcohol-based chlorhexidine solutions.

Neonatal and long-term ophthalmological findings in infants with symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is responsible of a high burden of neurosensory impairment in children.

Objectives: To report incidence and consequences of ophthalmological abnormalities in infants with cCMV infection and better define their long-term ophthalmological management.

Study Design: Infants with cCMV infection were enrolled in a 6-year follow-up.

Clinical evaluation of the new Roche platform of serological and molecular cytomegalovirus-specific assays in the diagnosis and prognosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Clinical evaluation of the Elecsys CMV IgM, IgG, IgG Avidity and COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan CMV (COBAS CMV) assays (Roche Diagnostics AG) in the diagnosis and prognosis of congenital CMV infection was performed. In this study, 150 preselected clinical samples (50 primary infection sera, 50 amniotic fluid [AF] and 50 newborn urine) were processed using Roche serological/molecular CMV-specific tests. Results were compared with those obtained by routine assays (comparator assays).