Enteral L-arginine supplementation for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight neonates: a double-blind randomized pilot study of efficacy and safety.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common acquired gastrointestinal disease in premature infants and has high mortality and morbidity. Endothelial nitric oxide is an important regulator of vascular perfusion and is synthetized from the amino acid L-arginine. Hypoargininemia is frequently observed in preterm neonates and may predispose them to NEC.

Consecutive Serratia marcescens multiclone outbreaks in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: This report describes 3 consecutive outbreaks caused by genetically unrelated Serratia marcescens clones that occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a 35-month period.

Methods: Carriage testing in neonates and health care workers and environmental investigation were performed. An unmatched case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors for S marcescens isolation.

Maternal genital colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum promotes preterm delivery: association of the respiratory colonization of premature infants with chronic lung disease and increased mortality.

Background: Infection of the chorioamnion with Ureaplasma urealyticum has been associated with low birth weight. Respiratory tract colonization in preterm infants has been associated with the development of chronic lung disease (CLD). The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency of colonization of the mother's vagina and the preterm infant's respiratory tract and to associate U.