Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

Background: The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries.

Antenatal Depression and its Associated Factors: Findings from Kuwait Birth Cohort Study.

Background: Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of depression due to hormonal and biological changes. Antenatal depression is understudied compared to postpartum depression and its predictors remain highly controversial.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and investigate factors associated with this condition including vitamin D, folate and Vitamin B among participants in the Kuwait Birth Study.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: cross-sectional analyses from 14 countries.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been impacted psychologically due to their professional responsibilities over the prolonged era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to identify the predictors of psychological distress, fear, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among self-identified HCWs across 14 countries (12 from Asia and two from Africa).

Late-onset Sepsis in Preterm Neonates is Associated with Higher Risks of Cerebellar Hemorrhage and Lower Motor Scores at Three Years of Age.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants on brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months corrected age (CA).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 203 preterm neonates of 24-32 weeks gestational age who were admitted between January and December 2017 at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a maternity hospital in Kuwait. The cases were stratified into no sepsis, early-onset sepsis (first onset of sepsis ≤ 72 hours postnatally), and LOS (> 72 hours postnatally).

COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries.

Background: The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021.

Hydroxychloroquine, a successful treatment for lung disease in ABCA3 deficiency gene mutation: a case report.

Background: Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and specific proteins that stabilizes the alveoli at the end of expiration. Mutations in the gene coding for the triphosphate binding cassette transporter A3 (ABCA3), which facilitates the transfer of lipids to lamellar bodies, constitute the most frequent genetic cause of severe neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and chronic interstitial lung disease in children. Hydroxychloroquine can be used as an effective treatment for this rare severe condition.

WHO infant and young child feeding indicators in relation to anthropometric measurements.

Objective: This study aimed to report the WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators from Kuwait and to investigate the associations between these indicators and anthropometric measurements.

Design: The Kuwait Nutritional Surveillance System uses observational cross-sectional approach to collects data by face-to-face interviews with mothers or child guardians using a structured questionnaire that was developed based on the WHO IYCF indicators. The weight and height of infants and young children were measured using digital scales in a standardised manner.

An Asian multicenter retrospective study on persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: incidence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

To explore the incidence, etiologies, diagnostic methods, treatment options and outcomes in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and to identify mortality risk factors in a study from six Asian countries. A retrospective chart review of patients with documented PPHN from seven centers in six Asian countries (Japan, Kuwait, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand) between 1 January, 2014 and 31 December, 2016, was performed. A total of 369 PPHN infants were identified.

Cytokine profiles at birth and the risk of developing severe respiratory distress and chronic lung disease.

Background: Neonates with the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were studied to investigate possible associations between cytokine levels at birth and developing severe RDS or chronic lung disease (CLD).

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples collected within hours of birth from infants with moderate and severe RDS. Twenty infants with moderate RDS and 20 infants with severe RDS were studied.

Vitamin D deficiency in mothers, neonates and children.

Vitamin D is produced in response to the exposure of skin to sunlight through UV-B synthesis. It can also be obtained from diet and dietary supplements. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones as it helps to absorb calcium from diet.

Late-onset neonatal sepsis in Arab states in the Gulf region: two-year prospective study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Arab states in the Gulf region and to describe the main causative organisms and their antibiotic resistance.

Methods: This observational prospective cohort study was conducted over a 2-year period in five NICUs in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. LOS was defined as the growth of a single potentially pathogenic organism from blood or cerebrospinal fluid in infants >3days of age with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with infection.

Culture-proven early-onset neonatal sepsis in Arab states in the Gulf region: two-year prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and the pattern of causative organisms of culture-proven early-onset sepsis (EOS) in Arab states in the Gulf region.

Methods: Five neonatal care units participated in this 2-year prospective study in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Data were collected prospectively using a standardized data collection form.

Use of palivizumab with other infection control measures to control respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks in neonatal care units.

Objective: No guidelines exist on the use of palivizumab during outbreaks of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). We aimed to describe an outbreak of RSV in NICU settings and the role of palivizumab in controlling the outbreak.

Methods: The index case was a 30-day-old premature infant.

Persistent candidemia in neonatal care units: risk factors and clinical significance.

Objectives: The prevalence and clinical significance of persistent candidemia among neonates are poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the rate and the clinical relevance of persistent candidemia over a 4-year period in Kuwait.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of infants admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit of the Maternity Hospital in Kuwait between January 2007 and December 2010, who had a positive blood culture for Candida species, was conducted.

Neonatal infections in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Objective: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of neonatal deaths in Asia but data remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the causative organisms and antibiotic resistance in neonatal care units in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of neonatal sepsis defined as positive culture of a single potentially pathogenic organism from blood or cerebrospinal fluid differentiated into early-onset sepsis (EOS) occurring <3 days of birth and late-onset sepsis (LOS) ≥3 days after birth.

Incidence, aetiology and resistance of late-onset neonatal sepsis: a five-year prospective study.

Aim: Investigate the incidence, etiological pattern and the antimicrobial resistance of late-onset neonatal infections over a period of 5 years.

Methods: Longitudinal audit of neonatal sepsis from January 2005 to December 2009, in the main maternity hospital in Kuwait. Late-onset neonatal infection was defined as the culture of a single potentially pathogenic organism from blood or cerebrospinal fluid from an infant older than 6 days in association with clinical or laboratory findings consistent with infection.

Childhood obesity and academic achievement among male students in public primary schools in Kuwait.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between childhood obesity and student academic performance in the classroom setting.

Subjects And Methods: A multi-stage cluster random sampling was used to select a representative sample of 1,213 fifth-grade students in male public schools. Height and weight were measured using a standard protocol.

Knowledge, misconceptions, and future intentions towards breastfeeding among female university students in Kuwait.

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on female university students (N = 1106) to explore their knowledge and misconceptions on breastfeeding. Most participants recognized the benefits of breastfeeding, but only a few were aware of the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. Misconceptions were common; 66%, 60%, and 55% of participants thought mothers should temporarily stop breastfeeding if they had a fever, skin rash, or sore throat, respectively.

Pattern and etiology of culture-proven early-onset neonatal sepsis: a five-year prospective study.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of early-onset neonatal sepsis and identify the main pathogens over a 5-year period in Kuwait.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from all infants with any clinical or laboratory feature suggestive of sepsis, at the main maternity hospital in Kuwait. Cases of early-onset neonatal infection were defined as culture of a single potentially pathogenic organism from blood or cerebrospinal fluid from infants younger than 7 days of age, in association with clinical or laboratory findings consistent with infection.

Vitamin D status of mothers and their neonates in Kuwait.

Background: There has been a resurgence of nutritional rickets in children in many developing countries and some of the developed countries. Children between 6 and 18 months old are commonly affected. In order to find out the association between vitamin D and rickets we studied the vitamin D status of the neonates and their mothers in Kuwait.

Serotype distribution and mother-to-baby transmission rate of Streptococcus agalactiae among expectant mothers in Kuwait.

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a formidable pathogen that is commonly responsible for early-onset and late-onset infections with high morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Since this organism is usually acquired via the mother's birth canal during labor, this study investigated the maternal carriage rate, mother-to-baby transmission rate, and the common GBS serotypes found among expectant mothers and their babies in Kuwait.

Methods: The setting was the Maternity Hospital, Kuwait.

Comparison between different types of surveillance samples for the detection of GBS colonization in both parturient mothers and their infants.

Objective: To find the optimum screening method in detecting group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization in both mother and infant, and to identify the risk factors that influence GBS colonization in the infants.

Patients And Methods: 1,120 singleton pregnant women were evaluated for GBS colonization by combined lower vaginal-anorectal swabs (LVRS) and urine tests, while their infants were evaluated for colonization with skin, ear and gastric aspirate samples.

Results: LVRS swabs were positive in 14.

Incidence and risk factors associated with the patency of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome in Kuwait.

Objective: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is considered to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm infants. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of PDA in ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and to evaluate the role of some antenatal risk factors on its occurrence in our population.

Methods: The case records of the preterm infants of <34 weeks gestational age, who were ventilated for RDS at the neonatal intensive care unit of Maternity Hospital, Safat, Kuwait, between March 1998 and February 1999, were reviewed.

Development of chronic lung disease in preterm infants treated with surfactant.

Background: Chronic lung disease (CLD) is generally known to develop among preterm infants who have severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at birth. Many clinical trials have established the efficacy of surfactant replacement therapy to treat RDS at birth with differing doses. In this study, the preterm infants diagnosed to have RDS at birth and treated with one or two doses of surfactant, depending on the severity of the RDS, were studied to evaluate the effect of surfactant on the later development of CLD.