Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Northern District of Israel: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Currently, no local database in Israel collects neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. We investigated neurodevelopmental outcomes in one district of the largest healthcare organization in Israel.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including all VLBW (<1500 g) preterm infants born between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016 who were followed in any of seven child development centers in Israel's Northern District.

The Effect of SSRI Exposure in Pregnancy on Early Respiratory and Metabolic Adaptation in Infants Born Preterm.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are increasingly used for maternal depression during pregnancy; however, their use has been linked to adverse effects in newborns. Respiratory and feeding problems, jaundice, metabolic and temperature dysregulation and hypoglycemia have been described in term infants. However, scarce data exists on early neonatal adaptation in exposed infants born prematurely.

Targeted neonatal echocardiography for patent ductus arteriosus in neonates reduces the surgical ligation rate without affecting healthcare outcomes.

Background: Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can be associated with long-term morbidity and adverse outcomes in neonates. Targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) has been increasingly used to improve the hemodynamic management. We aimed to evaluate the preoperative assessment impacts of the hemodynamic significance of PDA using TNE on PDA ligation rates and neonatal outcomes.

Oral versus intravenous paracetamol for patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants.

Background: To examine whether oral administration of paracetamol as a first-line agent had a greater effect on the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus than the intravenous route.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of preterm infants (<37 weeks of gestation) between 2012 and 2020 treated with oral or intravenous paracetamol as the first line for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) constriction and compared rates of ductal closure, course duration, cumulative dose, PDA characteristics, and serum levels.

Results: Over the study period, 80 preterm infants received paracetamol, of which 50 received paracetamol as first-line treatment to augment constriction of the PDA.

Expect the Unexpected-First Case of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Israel in 20 Years: A Case Report.

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is a devastating condition associated with significant morbidity. Due to universal vaccination programs, it is currently a rare condition, especially in developed countries. We report an infant born in Israel to a foreign worker from the Philippines who presented with a blueberry muffin rash immediately after birth.

[FUNCTIONAL ECHO IN PRETERM INFANTS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE].

The use of point of care ultrasound to assess cardiovascular function performed by a neonatologist who is not a cardiologist, is gaining interest in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Clinical signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and capillary refill time provide limited insight into the adequacy of systemic blood flow and organ perfusion. Functional echocardiography (echo) enables real time evaluation of cardiac performance, identifying the nature of cardiovascular compromise, guiding therapeutic decisions and monitoring response to treatment.

Use of sildenafil in an infant with persistent pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung and renal hypoplasia - a case report.

Background: Premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM) is reported to be associated with high rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Sildenafil has been used in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Recently, Sildenafil has been evaluated as an alternative or adjunctive pulmonary vasodilator.

Melatonin Stability in Human Milk.

Melatonin is an antioxidant, a circadian pacemaker, and an immune system stimulator. Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of melatonin on various conditions in neonates. Melatonin is secreted in breast milk in circadian rhythm, but its half-life and stability in this medium and in real-life conditions of freezing and defrosting is unknown.

Prevalence and clinical impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among infants at a level III neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a well-known nosocomial pathogen in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Studies on the impact of MRSA colonization on neonatal morbidities are scarce.

Methods: We conducted a 1:3 matched cohort study among infants with and without MRSA colonization, born between January 2010 and June 2014, in a tertiary NICU to review their demographic characteristics and outcomes.

Paracetamol effectiveness, safety and blood level monitoring during patent ductus arteriosus closure: a case series.

Paracetamol was reported to be effective for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. We present a case series of PDA closure by paracetamol in seven premature infants. During the treatment, paracetamol blood levels did not exceed the recommended levels for analgesia and hyperthermia in six tested infants.

Evening-morning differences in blood pressure in sleep apnea syndrome: effect of gender.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with hypertension. In the current study we sought to determine whether the evening-morning differences in blood pressure (BP) would correlate with the severity of OSA and whether there are gender-related differences.

Methods: A total of 2009 consecutive patients referred to sleep examination because of suspected sleep apnea were retrospectively included.