Influence of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid formula feeds on vitamin E status in preterm infants.

It has been recommended to supplement formulas for preterm infants with n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) to improve growth, visual acuity, and neurodevelopmental performance. However, large amounts of LCP may increase lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in preterm infants. We investigated if, under high supplementation of natural tocopherols, LCP addition to formula can be performed safely without causing tocopherol depletion in cell membranes.

Six day antimicrobial therapy for early-onset group B streptococcal infection in near-term and term neonates.

Antibiotics for the treatment of group B streptococcal (GBS) infection are usually given for 7-10 d. The aim of this prospective investigation was to study whether antibiotic treatment for 6 d is sufficient to treat early-onset GBS infection in term and near-term neonates. During a 2 y period 67 neonates of GBS-positive mothers developed GBS infection and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Renal phosphate handling of premature infants of 23-25 weeks gestational age.

Premature infants with low serum phosphate concentrations (<2 mmol/l) are at risk for osteopenia. Therefore, serum phosphate levels in premature infants should be kept above 2 mmol/l. Premature infants of 26-31 weeks gestational age (GA) have renal phosphate threshold concentrations (Tp/GFR) in the range of normal serum phosphate values (2 mmol/l).

Longitudinal evaluation of energy expenditure in preterm infants with birth weight less than 1000 g.

The aim of the present study was to obtain serial values of O2 consumption (VO2), CO2 production (VCO2) and energy expenditure (EE) in healthy but extremely-low-birth-weight infants (birth weight <1000 g), during the first 5 weeks after birth. A total of seventeen spontaneously breathing and appropriate-for-gestational-age (birth weight and body length above the 10th and below the 90th percentile) preterm infants with gestational age 25-28 weeks and birth weight 590-990 g were enrolled in the study. Calorimetry was performed using an open-circuit calorimeter on days 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 of postnatal life.

Ophthalmia neonatorum caused by group B Streptococcus.

A full-term infant was born with a swollen left conjunctival sac. Ophthalmia neonatorum developed within 5 d after birth. Examination of the purulent discharge showed Group B Streptococcus.