The effect of prebiotics in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

Background: Breast milk oligosaccharides such as galacto-oligosaccharides (scGOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS) can influence the intestinal microbial flora. The latter, in turn, can modulate several intestinal and extraintestinal functions, including bilirubin metabolism. Supplementing infant formula with a prebiotic mixture might then be a novel and safe intervention to manage mild neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

Use of natural surfactant in an infant with aspiration syndrome.

The remarkable effectiveness of surfactant in neonatology suggested its use also in adults as well as in children on the basis of the pulmonary pathophysiology. We describe a case of an 18 month-old child affected by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to asphyxy by gastric juice inhalation, successfully treated with porcine surfactant (Curosurf) associated with ventilatory therapy.

A comparison of nasal intermittent versus continuous positive pressure delivery for the treatment of moderate respiratory syndrome in preterm infants.

Aim: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation have both been proposed as a form of gentle respiratory support for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. We have compared these two respiratory support methods in the management of early stages of mild-moderate, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods: A prospective, randomized trial was performed enrolling 88 consecutive preterm infants with mild to moderate respiratory distress syndrome matched for birthweight, gestational age, sex, admission FiO2 and Apgar scores.