The Clinical Significance of Extreme Leukocytosis among Newborns: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the clinical significance of extreme leukocytosis (>40,000 cells/µL) at birth among neonates.

Study Design: Data were retrospectively collected on 208 infants with leukocytosis >40,000 cells/µL and on matched normal controls as determined in complete blood counts obtained on the first day of life.

Results: There were no significant group differences in birth weight, Apgar's score, timing of respiratory support, hospitalization in special care units or rehospitalization during the first month of life.

[THE CHALLENGE OF DIAGNOSING RARE LIFE THREATENING SKIN LESIONS].

Skin lesions seen after delivery are frequent and mostly shallow, without the need for special care or diagnosis challenge. In the following case, an infant was born at 35 weeks gestation, presented after the delivery with a well-demarcated, necrotic plaque over the right forearm with neurologic deficit. The differential diagnosis includes life-threatening reasons, therefore, emergent laboratory and imaging tests were held.

[NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS - AN ONGOING CHALLENGE].

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause for morbidity and mortality among neonates, especially among low birth weight premature infants. Even though NEC has been highly investigated during the last few decades, understanding of the pathogenesis is still relatively poor. Throughout the years protective measures, as well as risk factors, were identified, but there is still no clear prevention strategy, and the percentage of neonates suffering of NEC was not changed.

Increased risk for early hypertriglyceridemia in small for gestational age preterm infants.

Small for gestational age preterm are at increased risk for future metabolic syndrome. Early indication for the disrupted metabolism may be found in the perinatal period. We aimed to evaluate whether small for gestational age preterm infants are at increased risk for hypertriglyceridemia when treated with lipid emulsions, and to investigate the association between triglyceride levels and morbidity.

Short-Term Neonatal Outcome among Term Infants after In-Utero Exposure to Beta Blockers.

Background: The need for postnatal monitoring of infants exposed to intrauterine beta blockers (BBs) has not been clearly defined.

Objectives: To evaluate infants exposed to intrauterine BBs in order to estimate the need for postnatal monitoring.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study comprised 153 term infants born to mothers who had been treated with BBs during pregnancy.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Vasa Previa: Outpatient versus Inpatient Management.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcome of two different management strategies: outpatient versus inpatient in women with prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary center. Women with a prenatally diagnosed vasa previa between January 2007 and June 2017 were included.

The Impact of Sperm and Egg Donation on the Risk of Pregnancy Complications.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate obstetric outcomes in relation to the extent of donor sperm exposure with and without egg donation.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary care center. All women with a singleton pregnancy who conceived following sperm donation (SD) were included.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan in the evaluation of refractory puerperal fever: impact on management.

Computed tomography (CT) imaging should be employed judiciously, given its cost, use of intravenous contrast, and ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical benefit of a CT scan in the evaluation of refractory puerperal fever and to identify the appropriate candidates for its use. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single tertiary care center between January 2007 to April 2017.

Characteristics and severity of preeclampsia in young and elderly gravidas with hypertensive disease.

Introduction: Advanced maternal age (AMA) is associated with increased risk for preeclampsia, however, a paucity of data exists regarding the characteristics of the disease in this age group. Our aim was to compare the characteristics and severity of preeclampsia in older and younger gravidas.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective, small case control study of women diagnosed with preeclampsia in a single tertiary care center.

Risk factors for brain damage among preterm twins.

Aim: To evaluate the perinatal and postnatal risk factors for various brain pathologies among preterm twins.

Methods: Retrospective data of 104 twin pairs of which one of the siblings had evidence of abnormal head ultrasound (HUS) and its co-twin with normal HUS served as control.

Results: Abnormal HUS consisted of periventricular echodensities among 69 infants, intraventricular hemorrhage among 28 infants, cystic periventricular leukomalacia among 10 infants, and other parenchymal brain pathologies among 5 infants.

Short-Term Perinatal Outcome among Term Infants with Prenatal Diagnosis of Large Abdominal Circumference.

 Measuring fetal abdominal circumference (AC) prenatally is an effective tool for predicting neonatal weight and macrosomia. Data are lacking regarding the outcome of newborn infants with prenatal diagnosis of large AC.  The aim of this study was to evaluate early short-term neonatal outcome among term singleton newborn infants with prenatal diagnosis of large AC.

Short-term morbidities and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants exposed to magnesium sulphate treatment.

Aim: The aim of the study is to examine whether baseline serum Mg concentration has an impact on short-term and long-term outcomes in preterm infants exposed antenatally to MgSO4.

Methods: Participants included all infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at <32 weeks of gestational age. Infant serum Mg concentration (iMgC) was examined immediately after birth in those exposed to maternal MgSO4.

Risk factors for periventricular echodensities and outcomes in preterm infants.

Objectives: To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes associated with transient and/or persistent periventricular echodensities (PVED) among preterm infants.

Methods: Medical records of preterm infants born at ≤ 32 weeks gestational age (GA) with PVED and no other brain pathology were reviewed and compared to matched control infants in a case-controlled retrospective study. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 8-24 months corrected age were documented.

Indication of Mild Hemolytic Reaction Among Preterm Infants With ABO Incompatibility.

Background: Among term infants, ABO incompatibility is a leading cause of hemolytic disease and neonatal jaundice. With respect to preterm infants, data are lacking.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and severity of ABO incompatibility hemolytic disease among preterm infants with respect to hemolytic and jaundice parameters.

Thyroid Functions in Healthy Infants during the First Year of Life.

Objective: To study the pattern of thyroid function testing in healthy newborns during the first year of life.

Study Design: We used the computerized database of a health management organization. Among the 18,507 infants insured by the Clalit Health Services born in the Sheba Medical Center between 2002 and 2007, 652 full-term healthy newborns with birth weight >2 kg and no significant perinatal morbidity underwent thyrotropin (TSH) determination as outpatients in their first year of life.

Gestational weight gain and body mass indexes have an impact on the outcomes of diabetic mothers and infants.

Aim: This study evaluated mothers with diabetes to determine whether prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), BMI on delivery or gestational weight gain (GWG) had the greatest impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical charts of 634 full-term infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus not requiring insulin (n = 476), gestational diabetes mellitus requiring insulin (n = 140) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (n = 18). Data regarding maternal BMI before pregnancy and on delivery were recorded, as well as maternal and neonatal complications.

Bone density among infants of gestational diabetic mothers and macrosomic neonates.

Decreased bone density has been found among infants of diabetic mothers and among large-for-gestational-age newborns. To evaluate which etiologies (physical or metabolic effect) have the greatest impact on neonatal bone density. A case-control study was conducted that included two study groups: one comprising 20 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants of gestational diabetic mothers (IGDM) and matched controls, and the other comprising 20 macrosomic infants (birth weight > 4 kg) and matched controls.

Delivery room breastfeeding for prevention of hypoglycaemia in infants of diabetic mothers.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of duration of early breastfeeding in the delivery room on blood glucose levels among term neonates of diabetic mothers.

Methods: Mothers with gestational diabetes were encouraged to breastfeed their infants immediately after birth in the delivery room. The breastfeeding duration was recorded by the midwife.

Short-term neonatal outcome among term infants after in utero exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Background: Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are commonly in use during pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate short-term neonatal clinical signs among infants exposed to intrauterine SRI medications, in order to estimate the need for postnatal monitoring and observation.

Methods: Retrospective review of clinical data in medical files of term infants born to mothers who reported treatment with SRIs during pregnancy.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and the need for paediatrician attendance.

Aim: To determine perinatal parameters among term newborn infants born by vaginal delivery with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) that needed paediatrician assistance.

Methods: Paediatricians who were in attendance in the delivery room due to MSAF among term infants completed 775 reports regarding the infants' delivery conditions, and the assistance provided. We defined 'paediatrician attendance needed' for a subgroup of infants for whom we retrospectively determined that paediatrician attendance in the delivery room was required.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and hypoglycemia among term newborn infants.

To evaluate whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia. Retrospective recording of medical charts of full-term infants born following observation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid to examine glucose levels in the first hours of life. Out of 803 infants of the study group, 68 (8.

Short-term outcome among term singleton infants with intrapartum oligohydramnios.

Aim: To evaluate rates of early short-term neonatal complications among term singleton newborn infants with oligohydramnios.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected on 456 term infants with prenatal diagnosis of oligohydramnios and on matched controls, including information on maternal condition and on infant perinatal complications.

Results: Infants in the study group were born with lower birthweight and were SGA compared with those in the control group.

Human milk versus formula feeding among preterm infants: short-term outcomes.

We evaluated short-term neonatal outcomes among preterm infants according to type of feeding administered (human milk or formula). Retrospective data were collected on 400 preterm infants at gestational age ≤32 weeks. Groups were chosen and compared according to feeding type.

Short-term outcome for term and near-term singleton infants with intrapartum polyhydramnios.

Objective: To evaluate rates of early short-term neonatal complications among term and near-term newborn infants with polyhydramnios.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected on 788 term infants with prenatal diagnosis of polyhydramnios and 1,576 matched controls, including information on maternal condition and on infant perinatal complications.

Results: The total rate of major congenital malformations among infants born to mothers with polyhydramnios was 2.

Restrictive management of neonatal polycythemia.

Partial exchange transfusion (PET) is traditionally suggested as treatment for neonates diagnosed with polycythemia. Nevertheless, justification of this treatment is controversial. We evaluated the risk for short-term complications associated with a restrictive treatment protocol for neonatal polycythemia.