Two Congenital Gastrointestinal Malformations: A Case of Omphalocele and Meckel's Diverticulum in a Neonate.

Omphalocele is a malformation of the abdominal wall varying in size and located at the base of the umbilical cord. Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract with an increased prevalence in newborns with congenital malformations of the umbilicus and gastrointestinal tract. The association between Meckel's diverticulum and omphalocele has been described in rare cases.

The use of two or more courses of low-dose systemic dexamethasone to extubate ventilator-dependent preterm neonates may be associated with a higher prevalence of cerebral palsy at two years of corrected age.

Background: Our objective was to determine whether the use of two or more courses of low-dose systemic dexamethasone for extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm infants after the first week of life, as proposed in the DART study, is associated with greater neurodevelopmental harm at two years of corrected age, compared to a single course.

Methods: Retrospective review at seven level III neonatal intensive care units. Preterm infants who underwent only one course of systemic dexamethasone for extubation were grouped into DART-1; those who underwent two or more courses were grouped into DART-2.

Neonatal Resuscitation Practices in Portuguese Delivery Rooms: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Data from previous studies have demonstrated inconsistency between current evidence and delivery room resuscitation practices in developed countries. The primary aim of this study was to assess the quality of newborn healthcare and resuscitation practices in Portuguese delivery rooms, comparing current practices with the 2021 European Resuscitation Council guidelines. The secondary aim was to compare the consistency of practices between tertiary and non-tertiary centers across Portugal.

Thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusions is predictive of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

Background: Recent studies suggest that some hematological parameters and ratios provided by blood count collected on the first day of life may be predictors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The aims of this study were to assess whether hematological parameters and ratios in blood count collected on the first day of life are associated with ROP.

Methods: Retrospective data collection from electronic clinical files of inborn preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 30 weeks delivered from January 2008 to December 2022, in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Predictors of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm and very low birth weight infants.

Background: Despite recent improvements, premature infants remain at high risk for long-term morbidity and poorer neurodevelopment, particularly very preterm (VP) and very low birth weight (VLBW). The aim of this study was to describe neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years and identify potential predictors of worse performance.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort, a two-years' neurodevelopmental evaluation was analyzed.

Platelet transfusions in preterm infants: current concepts and controversies-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Platelet transfusions (PTx) are the principal approach for treating neonatal thrombocytopenia, a common hematological abnormality affecting neonates, particularly preterm infants. However, evidence about the outcomes associated with PTx and whether they provide clinical benefit or harm is lacking. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the association between PTx in preterm infants and mortality, major bleeding, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in comparison to not transfusing or using different platelet count thresholds for transfusion.

Nephrotoxicity in Neonates.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is classified based on prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal causes. In the newborn, AKI can occur after an insult during the prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal period. AKI is usually an underrecognized condition and its true incidence is unknown.

Patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborns: A tertiary hospital experience.

Introduction: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants has been associated with increased mortality and comorbidities. This study aimed to characterize the population of preterm infants diagnosed with PDA and to identify predictive factors of response to medical treatment of PDA.

Methods: An eight-year retrospective observational study was carried out, which included all preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) between 23 and 32 weeks diagnosed with PDA, admitted to the Neonatal Unit of the CHUSJ.

Renal Dysplasia and Progressive Renal Failure in a Newborn with Interstitial Chromosome 4 Deletion 4q25-28.3: A New Phenotype?

The deletion of the long arm of chromosome 4 is rare, presenting with a variable phenotype depending on the chromosomic area affected. A term newborn with prenatal diagnosis of anhydramnios, dysplastic cystic kidneys, and cardiomegaly was born with generalized subcutaneous edema, several dysmorphic features, and progressive renal failure requiring dialysis. The infant continued to deteriorate and died at 52 days of age.

[The Importance of Autopsy in Early Neonatal Death in Portugal].

Introduction: The early neonatal period is the most critical for the newborn's life. The autopsy is important to understand the cause of death, and find other diagnoses not clinically identified. However, the rate of neonatal autopsy is declining worldwide.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Tetralogy of Fallot: From Fetal to Neonatal Life.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most prevalent cyanotic congenital heart disease. Genetic syndromes are present in up to one quarter of patients with this condition, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Our aim in this work is to characterize our population, evaluate ToF based on the presence of genotype anomalies, and investigate early intervention predictors and outcomes.

Early anemia and neonatal morbidity in extremely low birth-weight preterm infants.

Background: Extremely low birth-weight (ELBW) preterm infants remain at high risk for mortality and major morbidities, and nearly all need packed red blood cell transfusions within their first weeks of life. The overall objective of this study was to assess the association between anemia at admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with the neonatal morbidity and mortality in ELBW infants.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 106 patients with ELBW admitted at our level III NICU from January 2006 to December 2015.

Neonatal outcomes of multiple versus single very preterm infants.

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality differ between very preterm infants that result from single and those that result from a multiple order pregnancy. The aim of our study was to assess and compare the neonatal morbidity and mortality of multiple versus single very preterm infants.

Methods: Obstetrical and neonatal data on mothers and preterm infants with gestational ages between 24 and 30 weeks, born during 2015 and 2016 at 11 level III perinatal centers after a surveilled pregnancy, were analyzed and compared.

A maternal age of 35 years and over may increase the risk for cystic periventricular leukomalacia in very preterm infants.

Background: Some studies have shown increased risk for neonatal morbidity and mortality with increasing maternal age. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a maternal age of 35 years, and older, on the neonatal morbidities and mortality of very preterm infants.

Methods: Obstetrical and neonatal data on mothers and preterm infants with gestational age 24 to 30 weeks, born during 2015 and 2016 after a surveilled pregnancy at 11 Portuguese level III centers were analyzed according to a mother's age <35 years versus ≥35.

Prevalence, risk factors and predictors of severity of neonatal thrombocytopenia in neonatal Intensive Care Units: a single center study.

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological disorder seen in the neonatal period, especially in newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The clinical and laboratorial presentation is heterogeneous, with different underlying causes and risk factors. There are still few studies about some possible risk factors and their influence on the newborn's clinical outcome.

Pulmonary involvement in neonatal lupus: a challenging diagnosis - case report and literature review.

Introduction: Pulmonary involvement is relatively frequent in adult and juvenile patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), but its occurrence in newborns with Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus (NLE) is exceedingly rare.

Case Report: A mother with SLE and positive anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La delivered a preterm newborn with third-degree heart block and positive anti-SSA/Ro confirmed postnatally. A temporary pacemaker was placed at D3 and a definitive pacemaker only at D15 due to sepsis with concurrent mild respiratory failure.

Respiratory Care for the Ventilated Neonate.

Invasive ventilation is often necessary for the treatment of newborn infants with respiratory insufficiency. The neonatal patient has unique physiological characteristics such as small airway caliber, few collateral airways, compliant chest wall, poor airway stability, and low functional residual capacity. Pathologies affecting the newborn's lung are also different from many others observed later in life.

Correction: Preeclampsia predicts higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Text for Correction.

Extrauterine growth restriction at discharge in very-low-birth weight infants: a retrospective study in a level III neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) remains a serious problem among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and is a marker of severe nutritional deficit during the first weeks of life. It can lead to a higher risk of growth impairment during childhood and long-term medical problems. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of EUGR in preterm infants below 1500 grams.

Hypertensive Disorders during Pregnancy and Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Preterm Infants.

Introduction: It is not yet fully known whether hypertensive disorders (HTD) during pregnancy impose an increased risk of development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm newborn infants.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that preeclampsia and other HTD are associated with the development of BPD in preterm infants.

Materials And Methods: Data on mothers and preterm infants with gestational age 24 to 30 weeks were prospectively analyzed in 11 Portuguese level III centers.

Radiation exposure in very low birth weight infants.

Background: The survival of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants increased in the past few decades. These neonates often require multiple diagnostic and management image procedures that involve ionizing radiation, which can have long term implications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the level of radiation exposure in VLBW infants during their stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Preeclampsia predicts higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Introduction: It is not known whether very preterm infants born to preeclamptic women have worse outcomes than those delivered preterm for other causes.

Objective: We assessed the association between preeclampsia (PE) and the neonatal morbidity and mortality of very preterm infants.

Methods: Over 2015 and 2016, 11 collaborating Portuguese level III NICUs prospectively enrolled a cohort of mothers with or without PE who delivered liveborn premature infants between 24 and 30 completed weeks of gestation.