Cord blood transfusions in extremely low gestational age neonates to reduce severe retinopathy of prematurity: results of a prespecified interim analysis of the randomized BORN trial.

Background: Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential life-long visual impairment. Low fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels predict ROP. It is unknown if preventing the HbF decrease also reduces ROP.

Differences in Cerebral Tissue Oxygenation in Preterm Neonates Receiving Adult or Cord Blood Red Blood Cell Transfusions.

Importance: Repeated transfusions in preterm neonates with anemia of prematurity replace fetal hemoglobin (HbF) with adult Hb (HbA), which has a low oxygen affinity. The reduction of HbF is associated with a higher incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Objective: To assess whether HbF and HbA are differently associated with cerebral tissue oxygenation in preterm neonates.

Allogenic Cord Blood Transfusion in Preterm Infants.

Repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm neonates cause the progressive displacement of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) by adult hemoglobin. The ensuing increase of oxygen delivery may result at the cellular level in a dangerous condition of hyperoxia, explaining the association between low-HbF levels and retinopathy of prematurity or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Transfusing preterm neonates with RBC concentrates obtained from allogeneic umbilical blood is a strategy to increase hemoglobin concentration without depleting the physiologic HbF reservoir.

BORN study: a multicenter randomized trial investigating cord blood red blood cell transfusions to reduce the severity of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low gestational age neonates.

Background: Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs, i.e., neonates born before 28 weeks of gestation) are at high risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential long-life visual impairment.

Transfusion-Free Survival Predicts Severe Retinopathy in Preterm Neonates.

Repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are thought to increase the risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), likely due to a critical fetal hemoglobin (HbF) reduction. In this study, we investigated if the postmenstrual age (PMA) of neonates at transfusion influences the risk for ROP. We estimated the cumulative transfusion-free survival (TFS) in a series of 100 preterm neonates receiving one or more RBC units.

Developing Employment Environments Where Individuals with ASD Thrive: Using Machine Learning to Explore Employer Policies and Practices.

An online survey instrument was developed to assess employers' perspectives on hiring job candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The investigators used K-means clustering to categorize companies in clusters based on their hiring practices related to individuals with ASD. This methodology allowed the investigators to assess and compare the various factors of businesses that successfully hire employees with ASD versus those that do not.

Allogeneic cord blood transfusions prevent fetal haemoglobin depletion in preterm neonates. Results of the CB-TrIP study.

Repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm neonates are associated with poor outcome and increased risk for prematurity-associated diseases. RBC transfusions cause the progressive replacement of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) by adult haemoglobin (HbA). We monitored HbF levels in 25 preterm neonates until 36 weeks of post-menstrual age (PMA); patients received RBC units from allogeneic cord blood (cord-RBCs) or from adult donors (adult-RBCs), depending on whether cord-RBCs were available.

Lutein supplementation and retinopathy of prematurity: a meta-analysis.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial retinal disorder characterized by an abnormal vascular development of the retina of the preterm infants. Carotenoids are natural pigments that are synthesized by all plants and some microorganisms where they play a role in photoprotection and coloration. Lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) are two carotenoids identified as the major components of the macular pigment.

rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 in Preterm Infants: A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 complexed with its binding protein (rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3) for the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and other complications of prematurity among extremely preterm infants.

Study Design: This phase 2 trial was conducted from September 2014 to March 2016. Infants born at a gestational age of 23 weeks to 27 weeks were randomly allocated to rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 (250 µg/kg/ 24 hours, continuous intravenous infusion from <24 hours of birth to postmenstrual age 29 weeks) or standard neonatal care, with follow-up to a postmenstrual age of 40 weeks.

Effect of Early Expressed Human Milk on Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Short-Term Outcomes in Preterm Infants.

Aims: Preterm breast milk contains high levels of bioactive components, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), that are reduced by Holder pasteurization. Animal studies have shown that milk-borne IGF-1 is likely absorbed intact in a bioactive form by the intestines. The aim of this study was to assess if early non-pasteurized expressed breast milk nutrition may affect IGF-1 plasma levels in premature infants.

Allogeneic umbilical cord blood red cell concentrates: an innovative blood product for transfusion therapy of preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants often receive blood transfusions early in life. In this setting, umbilical cord blood (UCB) might be safer than adult blood (A) with respect to infectious and immunologic threats.

Objectives: To evaluate, as a first objective, the feasibility of fulfilling transfusion needs of preterm infants with allogeneic UCB red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and, as a secondary objective, to assess the safety of allogeneic cord blood transfusions.

Intravitreal bevacizumab versus laser treatment in type 1 retinopathy of prematurity: report on fluorescein angiographic findings.

Purpose: To compare the structural outcome at 9 months of eyes treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab with fellow eyes treated with conventional laser photoablation in zone I type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Design: Single randomized controlled trial.

Participants: All inborn babies with type 1 zone I ROP at a single institution were included in the study.

Effects of lutein supplementation on biological antioxidant status in preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that lutein, compared to the placebo, would enhance the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the preterm infants.

Methods: Infants with gestational age (GA) ≤34 weeks were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of lutein and zeaxanthin (0.5 mg + 0.

Fluorescein angiography and retinal vascular development in premature infants.

Objective: To investigate the role of fluorescein angiography (FA) in the management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm newborns.

Methods: An observational case series of 13 extremely low birth weight infants. From September 2009 to March 2010, 13 newborn infants with a gestational age <29 weeks end/or birth weight <1000 g underwent serial fluorescein angiography with RetCam (Clarity, Pleasanton, CA) every 2 weeks.

Renal failure of the surviving fetus after intrauterine death of the co-twin.

Twin pregnancies are considered at a higher risk for fetal mortality than singleton pregnancies. The antenatal death of one of the twins is associated with an increasing rate of cerebral impairment and lesions in other organs in the surviving fetus, especially if the pregnancy is monochorionic. We describe a case of isolate renal failure becoming evident gradually after birth in a surviving twin after the antenatal death of the co-twin.

Analysis of risk factors for progression to treatment-requiring ROP in a single neonatal intensive care unit: is the exposure time relevant?

Objective: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease whose pathogenesis is organized in two phases. We hypothesized that postnatal risk factors may differently exert their effect in a phase dependent way.

Methods: Data obtained from medical records of 93 very low birth weight neonates with stage ≥ 3 ROP were analyzed.

A prospective, randomized, double blind study comparing lutein to placebo for reducing occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity.

Lutein has been shown to have antioxidant functions in newborns and with zeaxantin selectively taken up into the macula of the eye. We hypothesize that lutein administration may contribute to reducing the incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). This was a single center, double-blind randomized controlled study.

Erythropoietin and retinopathy of prematurity.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein that regulates many functions of an organism: It stimulates the production of red blood cells and it has angiogenic and neuroprotective properties in newborn infants. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a frequent cause of visual impairment in preterm newborn infants and it has two distinct phases in which hypoxia-induced angiogenic factors are involved. The relationship between EPO and ROP is derived from the observation of studies done on the haematopoietic effect of EPO.

Effectiveness of ketorolac tromethamine in prevention of severe retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of the use of ketorolac tromethamine to reduce retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) incidence and its progression to more severe forms.

Methods: Forty-seven preterm newborn infants with a birth weight (BW) of 1,000 grams or less and/or a gestational age (GA) of 29 weeks or less were enrolled in the study when avascular retina zone I or ROP any stage were diagnosed at screening. Studied infants were randomized to receive ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution in one eye and a drop of placebo in the other eye, until ROP requiring treatment or full retinal vascularization was diagnosed.

Chest physiotherapy in preterm infants with lung diseases.

Background: In neonatology the role of chest physiotherapy is still uncertain because of the controversial outcomes.

Methods: The aim of this study was to test the applicability in preterm infants of 'reflex rolling', from the Vojta method, in preterm neonates with lung pathology, with particular attention to the effects on blood gases and oxygen saturation, on the spontaneous breathing, on the onset of stress or pain. The study included 34 preterm newborns with mean gestational age of 30.

Maternal and neonatal characteristics of an immigrant population in an Italian hospital.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the maternal and neonatal immigrant population and to compare it with the Italian population in the Agostino Gemelli Hospital (Rome).

Methods: This study was a prospective population-based study. We compared 595 newborns from immigrant mothers with 2413 newborns from Italian mothers.

Remifentanil analgosedation in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation.

Aim: To assess efficacy of remifentanil in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Remifentanil was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to provide analgesia and sedation in 48 preterm infants who developed respiratory distress and required mechanical ventilation. We examined the doses needed to provide adequate analgesia, extubation time after the discontinuation of opioid infusion, the presence of side effects and safety of the use.

Neonatal colour Doppler ultrasound study: normal values of abdominal blood flow velocities in the neonate during the first month of life.

Background: Doppler US to measure abdominal blood flow velocities (ABFV) is increasingly used to investigate intestinal haemodynamics in several clinical conditions in neonates. Studies that provide reference values of ABFV during the entire neonatal period are currently lacking.

Objective: To make available normal reference values of ABFV and Doppler indices in the coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery during the first month of life in term and healthy preterm infants.