Large oligoclonal outbreak due to Klebsiella pneumoniae ST14 and ST26 producing the FOX-7 AmpC β-lactamase in a neonatal intensive care unit.

A large outbreak caused by expanded-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESCRKP) was observed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in central Italy. The outbreak involved 127 neonates (99 colonizations and 28 infections, with seven cases of sepsis and two deaths) over a period of more than 2 years (February 2008 to April 2010). Characterization of the 92 nonredundant isolates that were available for further investigation revealed that all of them except one produced the FOX-7 AmpC-type β-lactamase and belonged to either sequence type 14 (ST14) or ST26.

Functional maturation of neocortex: a base of viability.

The term "viability" is not simply a synonymous with being "born alive," but is closely related to the capability of having a "meaningful life" and having a reasonable period of survival. The definition of "viability" is generally based on two major criteria: the biological, which takes into consideration the maturity of the foetus, and the epidemiological, which is based on the survival rates reported in literature. The neuromaturation of the cerebral cortex is a dynamic process promoted by the subplate, a transient population of neurons that guides the development of cortical and thalamocortical connections.

Inflammation-induced immune suppression of the fetus: a potential link between chorioamnionitis and postnatal early onset sepsis.

Chorioamnionitis which results from microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity is the most frequent cause of preterm birth. Chorioamnionitis is associated with an increased risk of early-onset sepsis but the mechanisms underlying this association remain largely unknown. We hypothesize that developmental alterations of fetal organs and the immune system in the course of chorioamnionitis determine the risk of development of early onset sepsis.

Perinatal outcome and placental histological characteristics: a single-center study.

Objective: Placental pathology assists in characterizing the antenatal environment and may provide information about the baby's subsequent development. We aim to assess whether histological patterns of placenta are associated with an increased risk of perinatal diseases and to evaluate how different patterns of placental dysfunction can affect the neurodevelopmental outcome.

Methods: We analyzed the histopathological characteristics of 105 singleton placentas from infants born between 23 and 31 weeks of gestation and we assessed pair-wise correlations with perinatal diseases.

Efficacy of Arnica Echinacea powder in umbilical cord care in a large cohort study.

Background: Today healthy newborns are discharged after 48 h-72 h of life until umbilical cord (UC) detachment. Complications due to an inappropriate management are: erythema, edema, bleeding, omphalitis and sepsis. Hence the importance of a safe, effective, easy to do, and cheap method.