Variations and Opportunities in Postnatal Management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

Importance: Preventive efforts in pregnancy-related alloimmunization have considerably decreased the prevalence of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). International studies are therefore essential to obtain a deeper understanding of the postnatal management and outcomes of HDFN. Taken together with numerous treatment options, large practice variations among centers may exist.

A multicentre neonatal interventional randomised controlled trial of nebulized surfactant for preterm infants with respiratory distress: Neo-INSPIRe trial protocol.

Introduction: Respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Less invasive methods of surfactant administration, along with the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), have improved outcomes of preterm infants. Aerosolized surfactant can be given without the need for airway instrumentation and may be employed in areas where these skills are scarce.

Effect of a Multi-Strain Probiotic on the Incidence and Severity of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Feeding Intolerances in Preterm Neonates.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a multifactorial disease, causing inflammation of the bowel. The exact root of NEC is still unknown, but a low weight and gestational age at birth are known causes. Furthermore, antibiotic use and abnormal bacterial colonization of the premature gut are possible causes.

Accuracy and Trending Ability of Electrical Biosensing Technology for Non-invasive Cardiac Output Monitoring in Neonates: A Systematic Qualitative Review.

Background: Electrical biosensing technology (EBT) is an umbrella term for non-invasive technology utilizing the body's fluctuating resistance to electrical current flow to estimate cardiac output. Monitoring cardiac output in neonates may allow for timely recognition of hemodynamic compromise and allow for prompt therapy, thereby mitigating adverse outcomes. For a new technology to be safely used in the clinical environment for therapeutic decisions, it must be proven to be accurate, precise and be able to track temporal changes.

Pulmonary Echinococcus in children: A descriptive study in a LMIC.

Background: Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem in lower middle-income countries (LMIC). Children are commonly diagnosed with cysts in the lungs and/or the liver.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe a pediatric cohort diagnosed with pulmonary Cystic Echinococcus (CE) and treated with a combination of medical and surgical therapy.

Bioreactance Cardiac Output Trending Ability in Preterm Infants: A Single Centre, Longitudinal Study.

Introduction: It is unknown whether bioreactance (BR) can accurately track cardiac output (CO) changes in preterm neonates.

Methods: A prospective observational longitudinal study was performed in stable preterm infants (<37 weeks) during the first 72 h of life. Stroke volume (SV) and CO, as measured by BR and transthoracic echocardiography, were compared.

Bioreactance-derived haemodynamic parameters in the transitional phase in preterm neonates: a longitudinal study.

Bioreactance (BR) is a novel, non-invasive technology that is able to provide minute-to-minute monitoring of cardiac output and additional haemodynamic variables. This study aimed to determine the values for BR-derived haemodynamic variables in stable preterm neonates during the transitional period. A prospective observational study was performed in a group of stable preterm (< 37 weeks) infants in the neonatal service of Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Somatic Growth of Enteral-Only Fed Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in a Resource-Restricted Setting.

Aim: To determine the growth and prevalence of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants receiving enteral-only nutrition in a resource-restricted (RR) environment.

Methods: Information on nutritional intake, provided largely from fortified breastmilk, was collected retrospectively for 72 ELBW (<1000 g) infants admitted to Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa over a 1 year period. Anthropometric data for the first 49 postnatal days were compared to gender-specific INTERGROWTH-21st standards.

Bronchoscopy in children with COVID-19: A case series.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) era is a challenging time for respiratory teams to protect their patients and staff. COVID-19 is predominantly transmitted by respiratory droplets; in the clinical setting, aerosol generating procedures pose the greatest risk for COVID-19 transmission. Bronchoscopy is associated with increased risk of patient-to-health care worker transmission, owing to aerosolized viral particles which may be inhaled and also result in environmental contamination of surfaces.

Optimal Ventilation and Surfactant Therapy in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Resource-Restricted Regions.

In resource-restricted regions, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) data are often underreported, making the determination of effective interventions and their outcome difficult. The combination of oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant therapy has the potential to prevent 42% of RDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the financial implications. This article provides a brief overview on the status of RDS management, mainly nasal CPAP and surfactant therapy in very-low-birth-weight infants, in resource-restricted regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Management of children with tuberculous broncho-esophageal fistulae.

Introduction: Broncho-esophageal fistula (BOF) is a rare complication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). TB-associated BOF presents either as acute respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia or as a complication of surgical decompression of thoracic lymph nodes.

Methods: All children with TB- associated BOF were included.

Assessment of Vancomycin Pharmacokinetics and Dose Regimen Optimisation in Preterm Neonates.

Background: The pharmacokinetics of vancomycin, a drug used for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), varies between paediatric and adult patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in preterm neonates and determine the optimum dose regimen.

Methods: This was a randomised double-blind study of preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units.

Agreement of Cardiac Output Measurements between Bioreactance and Transthoracic Echocardiography in Preterm Infants during the Transitional Phase: A Single-Centre, Prospective Study.

Introduction: Bioreactance cardiac output (CO) monitors are able to non-invasively and continuously monitor CO. However, as a novel tool to measure CO, it must be proven to be accurate and precise.

Objective: To determine the agreement between CO measured with a bioreactance monitor and transthoracic echocardiography-derived left ventricular output parameters in preterm infants.

Postnatal Foot Length to Determine Gestational Age: A Pilot Study.

Gestational age is a critical factor in the management, decision-making, prognostication and follow-up of newborn infants. It is also essential for research and epidemiology. In the absence of an early assessment of fetal gestation by abdominal ultrasound, many neonatal units in developing countries determine gestational age by neonatal scores and last menstrual period-both of which are highly inaccurate.