Prevention of human milk-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the rate of cytomegalovirus virolactia in the human milk (HM) of mothers of VLBW infants, compare the CMV infection rates and the changes in CMV DNA viral load and nutrient profile among different HM preparation methods.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed in infants with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth-weight < 1500 g admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Asan Medical Center and Haeundae Paik Hospital who were given mother's own milk. Enrolled infants were randomized into three groups according to the HM preparation methods: freezing-thawing (FT), FT + low-temperature Holder pasteurization (FT + LP), and FT + high-temperature short-term pasteurization (FT + HP).

Ultrasound findings of subpial hemorrhage in neonates.

Purpose: Subpial hemorrhage (SPH) is a subtype of intracranial hemorrhage characterized by damage to the adjacent brain parenchyma. The aim of this study was to describe the sonographic features of SPH in neonates.

Methods: The cranial ultrasound (US) findings of neonates with SPH confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed retrospectively.

The forehead is a better site than the sternum to check transcutaneous bilirubin during phototherapy in sick infants.

Background: To confirm the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) in the neonatal intensive care unit both with and without phototherapy, and compare forehead and sternum as the TcB assessment site.

Methods: We simultaneously assessed the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB at the forehead and sternum, using a JM-103 bilirubinometer. We analyzed the correlation between the TSB and TcB assessed at the forehead and sternum, with measurements classified as 'without phototherapy' (before phototherapy and > 24 hours after phototherapy discontinuation) and 'with phototherapy' (after 24 hours of phototherapy).

Incidence and risk factors of subclinical umbilical catheter-related thrombosis in neonates.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the risk factors for subclinical umbilical catheter-related thrombosis (UCRT) and its association with clinical morbidities.

Materials And Methods: In infants without any symptoms associated with umbilical catheterization, the presence of thrombosis was monitored using abdominal ultrasonography within 1 week after umbilical catheter removal. The association between UCRT and the clinical variables was analyzed by comparing the groups with and without UCRT.

Predictive value of the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index for parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis in extremely low birth weight infants.

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) improves the survival of premature infants. However, prolonged PN increases the risk of PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC).

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) for PNAC in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW, birth weight < 1000 g) infants.

Omental calcification, necrotizing enterocolitis, and undescended testes after fetal abdomino-amniotic shunting performed for the management of meconium peritonitis: A case report.

Prenatal ultrasonography (US) in a 39 year-old woman revealed massive fetal ascites. A fetal abdomino-amniotic shunting procedure was performed. Subsequently, plain radiographs demonstrated diffuse gaseous distention of the bowel and multiple punctate calcifications in the left upper abdomen.

Clinical description of a neonate carrying the largest reported deletion involving the 10p15.3p13 region.

Chromosome 10p deletion is a rare disorder. This is the largest deletion in chromosome 10p reported to date and the first to be diagnosed in the early neonatal period because of severe clinical manifestations. This rare case might help to understand the genotype-phenotype spectrum in infants with 10p deletion.

Risk factor analysis of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in extremely low birth weight infants.

Aim: Parenteral nutrition (PN) provides an alternative nutrition source for preterm infants who are intolerant of enteral nutrition. However, prolonged PN increases the risk of PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC). We conducted this study to determine the incidence and risk factors of PNAC in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Feasibility of an Early Discontinuation of Thyroid Hormone Treatment in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants at Risk for Transient or Permanent Congenital Hypothyroidism.

Background/aims: This prospective study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of an early discontinuation of thyroid hormone treatment in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants with congenital hypothyroidism (CH).

Methods: We enrolled VLBW infants between January 2011 and December 2012. The infants were divided into the hypothyroid and normal thyroid function groups according to the results of a thyroid function test.

Delayed Dexamethasone Therapy and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Background: It remains unclear whether the benefit of postnatal corticosteroid as a respiratory rescue therapy outweighs the potential harm of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in very-low-birth-weight infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods: We reviewed the charts of very-low-birth-weight infants with oxygen dependency for 28 days or more and who survived until 18-22 months' corrected age. Patients were divided into the delayed (≥21 days after birth) dexamethasone therapy (DDT, n=71) and the control (n=60) groups.

An accessory limb with an imperforate anus.

Congenital accessory limbs are very rare anomalies with many causative factors. We describe the case of a 1-day-old female neonate-born to a healthy, 27-year-old mother-who presented with an accessory limb (foot) attached to the buttock and an imperforate anus. We also provide a review of the relevant literature.

Establishing a reference range for triiodothyronine levels in preterm infants.

Objectives: Thyroid dysfunction affects clinical complications in preterm infants and older children. However, thyroid hormone replacement in preterm infants has no proven benefits, possibly owing to the lack of an appropriate reference range for thyroid hormone levels. We aimed to establish a reference range for triiodothyronine (T3) levels at 1-month postnatal age (PNA) in preterm infants.

Congenital antral web in premature baby.

Antral web is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction in neonate. It is a 2-4 mm thin mucous membrane that can be found anywhere from 1 to 7 cm proximal to the pylorus. The baby was born at gestational age of 32(+1) weeks with 1,880 g as 2nd baby of dizygotic twin.

Neonatal Hemoperitoneum Secondary to Hemorrhage from Omental Venous Malformation.

Hemoperitoneum in the neonate is uncommon. We report our experience with a neonate who suddenly developed hemoperitoneum in late gestation. Ascites with right pleural effusion initially suggested fetal hydrops.

Thyroid dysfunctions of prematurity and their impacts on neurodevelopmental outcome.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is very common and is associated with neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the incidence and natural course of various thyroid dysfunctions and their impacts on neurodevelopmental outcomes among premature infants.

Methods: A total of 177 infants were enrolled who were born at <34 weeks or whose birth weight was <1500 g and who underwent repeat thyroid function tests.

Effect of furosemide on ductal closure and renal function in indomethacin-treated preterm infants during the early neonatal period.

Background: Furosemide is known to increase renal prostaglandin synthesis. However, its influence on ductal closure and renal toxicities of indomethacin in preterm infants has not been conclusive, especially during the early neonatal period.

Objectives: To identify the effects of furosemide after indomethacin administration on the rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure and renal function in preterm infants.

Impact of fetal echocardiography on trends in disease patterns and outcomes of congenital heart disease in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common developmental malformation and the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The introduction of fetal echocardiography has made prenatal diagnosis of CHD possible.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of fetal echocardiography on the changing disease patterns and outcomes of CHD.