Longer duration of kangaroo care improves neurobehavioral performance and feeding in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To investigate the effect of kangaroo care (KC) and its duration on neurobehavioral performance, stress response, breastfeeding success, and vital signs in premature infants.

Methods: One hundred and twenty premature infants were randomized to receive either KC for 60 min daily, KC for 120 min daily or conventional care (controls) for at least 7 days. Salivary cortisol was measured before and after the first KC session and then after 7 days.

Screening of Egyptian obese children and adolescents for insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene.

Background: /aims: The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism in the development of obesity and hypertension in children has not been widely studied. We aimed to screen Egyptian obese children and adolescents for insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene.

Methods: One hundred forty-two children and adolescents were included (70 with simple obesity and 72 controls).

Oxidative stress markers in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: advanced oxidation protein products and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in relation to disease severity.

Objective: We assessed oxidant-antioxidant status and evaluated the role of lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, and protein oxidation in the development and severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: Forty preterm neonates with RDS were compared with another 40 preterm neonates without RDS enrolled as controls. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and trace elements (copper and zinc) were measured in cord blood (day 0) for all neonates and repeated on day 3 for the RDS group.

The Utility of Soluble CD14 Subtype in Early Diagnosis of Culture-Proven Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis and Prediction of Outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate soluble cluster of differentiation 14 subtype (sCD14-ST), also named presepsin, as an early marker for the diagnosis of culture-proven early-onset sepsis (EOS) in neonates and to assess its relation to disease severity and mortality.

Study Design: Out of 60 neonates with risk factors of EOS, 31 neonates were diagnosed as having culture-proven EOS. They were compared with 20 nonseptic controls.

Serum cystatin C as an early predictor of acute kidney injury in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

Preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) are at increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study aimed at determining whether serum cystatin C (sCysC) on day 3 of life (D3) can early predict AKI in preterm neonates with RDS. This prospective study was conducted on 75 preterm neonates; 50 with RDS and 25 without RDS.

Effect of right lateral position with head elevation on tracheal aspirate pepsin in ventilated preterm neonates: randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate the effect of right lateral positioning in comparison with supine positioning on tracheal aspirate pepsin levels as a marker of aspiration of gastric contents in ventilated preterm neonates. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 ventilated preterm neonates <35 weeks; 30 neonates were nursed in right lateral position for 6 hours while the other 30 neonates were nursed in supine position for 6 hours. Tracheal aspirate sample was obtained from each neonate in both the groups just after the end of 6 hours and pepsin level was measured.

Sustained versus intermittent lung inflation for resuscitation of preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of delivery room (DR) sustained lung inflation (SLI) in resuscitation of preterm neonates.

Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial including 112 preterm infants randomized to either SLI (n = 57) using T-piece resuscitator [maximum three inflations with maximum pressure of 30 cmHO for 15 s followed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5-7 cmHO] or conventional bag/mask inflation (CBMI) (n = 55) using traditional self-inflating bag (maximum pressure of 40 cmHO at a rate of 40-60 per min). Failure was defined as the need for DR or first 72 h intubation.