Neonatal sepsis and simple minor neurological dysfunction.

Background: This study examined potential risk factors for and consequences of simple minor neurological dysfunction (SMND), in a group of very low-birthweight newborns followed until preschool age.

Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study. Children with birthweight <1500 g were assessed at 4-6 years of age.

Evaluation of lung function on impulse oscillometry in preschool children born late preterm.

Background: There is a paucity of data on lung physiology in late-preterm children, who may be exposed to a risk of decline in lung function during childhood. In this study, we evaluated lung function in preschool children born late preterm using impulse oscillometry (IOS), and compared the results with those obtained in healthy term-born children.

Methods: Children between 3 and 7 years of age who were born late preterm and who were being followed up at the outpatient clinic were included as the late-preterm group.

Diagnosis, treatment and follow up of neonatal arrhythmias.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the aetiology, spectrum, course and outcomes of neonates with arrhythmias observed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit from 2007 to 2012.

Methods: Neonates with rhythm problems were included. The results of electrocardiography (ECG), Holter ECG, echocardiography and biochemical analysis were evaluated.

The effect of IVF pregnancies on mortality and morbidity in tertiary unit.

Background: There are several studies that have shown an increased risk of premature birth and developmental abnormalities with in vitro fertilization (IVF); however, the data on preterm mortality and morbidity are limited.

Aim: Our aim is to investigate whether IVF had an effect on the mortality and morbidity in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: A total of 940 term and preterm babies who were admitted to the intensive care unit over a period of 2 years were enrolled.

Value of homocysteine levels, troponin I, and score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II as early predictors of morbidity.

Background: Although the effects of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) have been documented in infants, the associations among the value of maternal and cord blood total homocysteine (Hcy) levels, cord blood cTnI and the score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II (SNAPPE-II) values in infants have not been documented. The aim of this study was to determine the value of maternal total Hcy (mtHcy) and cord blood total Hcy (ctHcy) levels, cTnI and SNAPPE-IIas predictive factors of morbidity in newborns.

Methods: Maternal and cord blood samples were routinely collected for analysis from all prospective participating volunteers.

Effect of heavy metals in the meconium on preterm mortality: preliminary study.

Background: There have been many studies that have investigated the risk factors of mortality in preterm infants, but none has shown an association between preterm mortality and exposure to heavy metals or trace elements. The aim of this study was therefore to measure the levels of toxic metals (lead, cadmium) and trace elements (zinc, iron, copper) in meconium samples and elucidate their association with preterm mortality.

Methods: Metals and trace elements were measured in the meconium of 304 preterm infants using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and organic anion transporting polypeptide-2 gene mutations.

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic distribution of organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (OATP-2) gene mutations and the relationship with hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used for detection of OATP-2 gene mutations in 155 newborn infants: 37 with unexplained hyperbilirubinemia, 65 with explained hyperbilirubinemia, and 53 without hyperbilirubinemia. In the OATP-2 gene, we identified A→G transitions at nucleotide positions 388 and 411 and observed six polymorphic forms.

Acute renal failure SNAPPE and mortality.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine, using the score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II (SNAPPE-II), whether there is an association with acute renal failure (ARF) and whether it is possible to identify newborns at risk for ARF prior to a rise in creatinine in newborns.

Methods: Information on postnatal risk factors and SNAPPE-II on the first day of life (non-ARF group, n= 475; ARF group, n= 78) were collected. Renal failure was defined as serum creatinine level >1 mg/dL and >1.

Effect of silicon gel sheeting in nasal injury associated with nasal CPAP in preterm infants.

We conducted this study to investigate the efficacy of the silicon gel application on the nares in prevention of nasal injury in preterm infants ventilated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). Patients (n=179) were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=87) had no silicon gel applied to nares, and in Group 2 (n=92), the silicon gel sheeting was used on the surface of nares during ventilation with NCPAP. Nasal injury developed in 13 (14.

Surgical experience in a baby with congenital broncho-biliary fistula.

Congenital tracheobiliary and bronchobiliary fistulae are rare malformations in which patent communications exist between the respiratory system and biliary tract, respectively. We present a newborn who was admitted with respiratory distress and bilious tracheal discharge. Investigation revealed a bronchobiliary fistula originating from the left main bronchus, as well as biliary atresia.

[Is serologic screening necessary in the donor bloods for cytomegalovirus seronegative blood transfusion to risky patients?].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are commonly seen in humans and are usually mild or asymptomatic. However, these infections have significant medical risks in pregnant women, newborns and immunocompromised patients. Seronegative subjects and infants acquire CMV through infected blood products or direct contact with infected people.

Late haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Background: Late haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN) can occur owing to a lack of vitamin K prophylaxis, as a manifestation of an underlying disorder or idiopatically from the 8th day to 12 weeks after birth.

Methods: Eight infants admitted to Kocaeli University Hospital with nine episodes of late HDN between January 2002 and April 2005 were evaluated retrospectively from hospital records.

Results: The median age at presentation was 46 (26-111) days.

Rickets-like radiological and biochemical features of neonatal mucolipidosis II (I-cell disease): report of two cases.

In this paper, two cases with mucolipidosis type II (I-cell disease) (proven in one presenting newborn and presumed in an elder deceased brother) are presented. These infants showed severe skeletal changes with diffuse periosteal new bone formation in long bones and ribs, marked osteopenia, and resorption of scapula, clavicula, and mandible. There was also irregular demineralization of metaphyses of long tubular bones, as seen in rickets.

Concentrations of toxic metals and trace elements in the meconium of newborns from an industrial city.

Objective: To investigate fetal exposure to toxic metals [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd)] and fetal levels of trace elements [zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe)] in newborns from an industrial city. Relationships between meconium mineral contents and parental occupation and location of residence were also tested.

Method: The meconium mineral contents of 117 healthy newborn infants were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

The effect of early recombinant erythropoietin and enteral iron supplementation on blood transfusion in preterm infants.

Premature infants<1500 g were randomly assigned to study and control groups. In the study group, 42 premature infants received recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO) 750 U/kg per week subcutaneously from day 5 to 40 and enteral iron supplementation of 2 to 6 mg/kg/d beginning on day 14 provided that they were receiving at least 50% energy intake orally. In the control group, 51 infants received the same dose of enteral iron supplementation beginning at the end of the fourth week.

An outbreak of SHV-5 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal intensive care unit; meropenem failed to avoid fecal colonization.

An outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) in a neonatal intensive care unit prompted a prospective surveillance study between 12th September and 6th October 2003. Surveillance was carried out by obtaining stool samples twice a week. The DNA relatedness of the isolates was shown by random amplified polymorphic DNA comparison (ERIC-PCR).

Early prognostic significance of umbilical cord troponin I in critically ill newborns. Prospective study with a control group.

Aim: To determine the value of cord blood cardiac troponin I levels (cTnl) as an early prognostic factor in critically ill newborns, and to compare cord cTnl levels with the prognostic value of the score for neonatal acute physiology (SNAP).

Methods: Cord arterial samples were collected routinely for blood gas analysis, and cord venous samples for cTnl and cardiac-specific creatine kinase assay. The study group (n=109) comprised critically ill newborns who required mechanical ventilation.

Complement 4 levels as early predictors of poor response to surfactant therapy in respiratory distress syndrome.

The aim was to determine whether stronger complement activation is an early predictor of poor response to surfactant treatment in infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Thirty-one preterm newborns with severe RDS (initial fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO (2)] > 0.5) and 22 healthy preterm newborns were studied.

The effect of blood gas and Apgar score on cord blood cardiac troponin I.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to (a) establish a reference range for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the cord blood of healthy infants, and (b) investigate the effect of Apgar score, cord blood gas, gestational age, and creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) fraction levels on cord blood cTnI levels.

Methods: 112 perinatal hypoxic and 84 control newborns without perinatal hypoxia were enrolled in this study. Cord blood samples were collected from the babies for arterial blood gas analysis, cTnI, CK and CK-MB measurements.

Cord blood cardiac troponin I as an early predictor of short-term outcome in perinatal hypoxia.

Background: In most perinatal-hypoxia survivors, myocardial dysfunction can be reversed with appropriate inotropic support and oxygenation. The main problem related to outcome is cerebral damage.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a known marker of myocardial injury, is also an early predictor of severity of cerebral damage and mortality in intrauterine hypoxia.

Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis: Delay in Diagnosis Eliminates Chance of Cure.

A 4.5 year-old girl presented with abdominal distention, failure to thrive, visual and hearing loss. In her medical history there was meningitis in the neonatal period, convulsions, enlargement of her head, nistagmus and exophtalmus at the tenth month.