Effects of two-stage preterm formulas on growth, nutritional biomarkers, and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Background: Formula-fed preterm infants require nutrient-enriched formulas with optimized protein levels to support growth and neurodevelopment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a new liquid two-staged formula system designed to provide tailored nutrition during hospital stay and after discharge.

Methods: Male and female very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (birth weight ≤1,500 g; gestational age ≤32 weeks) were recruited from three neonatal units in Poland and Slovakia in a prospective, open-label, interventional study.

The use of transcutaneous bilirubin nomograms for the prevention of bilirubin neurotoxicity in the neonates.

Purpose: Although neonatal jaundice is a ubiquitous and predominantly benign phenomenon, the risk of neurotoxicity exists in a number of infants with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Plotting bilirubin values on nomograms enables clinicians to employ an anticipatory and individualized approach with the goal of avoiding excessive hyperbilirubinemia and preventing acute bilirubin encephalopathy and its progression to kernicterus. We aimed to construct nomograms for White term infants based on transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements using a JM-105 device.

The Common Haplotype GATGACA in Surfactant-Protein B Gene Is Protective for Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Neonates.

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a disorder of primary surfactant deficiency resulting in pulmonary insufficiency, remains a significant problem for preterm neonates. Associations between genetic variants of surfactant proteins and RDS have been reported, but haplotypes of the surfactant protein B gene () have not been studied. The aim of the study was to prove the hypothesis that certain haplotypes of may be protective or risk factors for RDS.

Entropy Analysis of Neonatal Electrodermal Activity during the First Three Days after Birth.

The entropy-based parameters determined from the electrodermal activity (EDA) biosignal evaluate the complexity within the activity of the sympathetic cholinergic system. We focused on the evaluation of the complex sympathetic cholinergic regulation by assessing EDA using conventional indices (skin conductance level (SCL), non-specific skin conductance responses, spectral EDA indices), and entropy-based parameters (approximate, sample, fuzzy, permutation, Shannon, and symbolic information entropies) in newborns during the first three days of postnatal life. The studied group consisted of 50 healthy newborns (21 boys, average gestational age: 39.

Blood Pressure Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Premature Newborns-An Effect of Postconceptional and Gestational Age.

Cardiovascular system is the vitally important system in the dynamical adaptation process of the newborns to the extrauterine environment. To reliably detect immaturity in the given organ system, it is crucial to study the development of the organ functions in relation to maturation process. The objective was to determine the changes in the spontaneous short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) reflecting various aspects of cardiovascular control during the process of maturation in preterm babies and to separate effects of gestational age and postnatal age.

Accuracy of enhanced transcutaneous bilirubinometry according to various measurement sites.

Objective: The goal of the study was to provide missing data on the accuracy of enhanced transcutaneous bilirubinometry in a monoracial population of term neonates, considering three different measurement sites.

Material And Methods: Transcutaneous bilirubin was measured using the JM-105 device on the forehead, chest, and abdomen. Blood sampling for total serum bilirubin concentration has been performed within 10 minutes of transcutaneous measurements.

Clinical considerations when treating neonatal aspiration syndromes.

In physiological conditions, neonatal airways are well-protected against aspiration of fluid or particulate material into the lungs, with laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR) being the most powerful mechanism. Failure of this protection allows substances to enter the lower airways, which starts a series of pathophysiological events initiated by inflammation and surfactant inactivation. The condition is defined as neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and its symptoms can range from mild respiratory distress to respiratory failure, often accompanied by persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), in turn even leading to death.

Heart rate variability in healthy term newborns is related to delivery mode: a prospective observational study.

Background: Early postnatal period is characterized by dramatic adaptation changes of cardiovascular and respiratory systems in newborns. There is still insufficient data regarding maturation of autonomic regulatory mechanisms in neonates early after delivery. Aim of this study was to analyze cardiac autonomic regulation in newborns within the first few postnatal days in relation to different modes of delivery using time and spectral heart rate variability analysis.

Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of FZD4 and BDNF genes with retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease occurring in preterm neonates, caused by incorrect development of retinal blood vessels. It has been suggested that, in addition to gestational age, weight, and oxygen supplementation, genetic factors can play a role in the pathogenesis of ROP.

Methods: In the present prospective study, 97 neonates were enrolled based on the gestational age and weight, and genomic DNA from patients diagnosed with ROP and premature newborns without ROP was collected.

The early postnatal blood flow characteristics in the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries in late preterm neonates.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate intestinal blood flow changes within the first 72 h in the late preterm infants in comparison with the healthy term neonates.

Methods: In this prospective study, we analyzed Doppler flow velocity waveforms of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and coeliac trunc (TC) in 20 late preterm and 20 term infants at the age of 2, 24, and 72 h.

Results: Significant end-diastolic velocity (end-diastolic velocity (EDV)) rise up to 24 h was documented in all patients (late preterm: -9.

Neonatal Marfan syndrome: Report of two cases.

Marfan syndrome is rarely diagnosed in the neonatal period because of variable expression and age-dependent appearance of clinical signs. The prognosis is usually poor due to high probability of congestive heart failure, mitral and tricuspid regurgitations with suboptimal response to medical therapy and difficulties in surgical management. The authors have studied two cases of Marfan syndrome in the newborn period.

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in cerebral tissue oxygenation monitoring in neonates.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technology capable of non-invasive, continuous measuring of regional tissue oxygen saturation (StO). StO represents a state of hemodynamic stability, which is influenced by many factors. Extensive research has been done in the field of measuring StO of various organs.

Prenatal diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma associated with tuberous sclerosis: report of 3 cases.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor in fetal life, accounting for 60-86% of primary fetal cardiac tumors. It is primarily benign, originating form myocardial muscles and consisting of immature myocytes. About 50-60% of these tumors are associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Changes of cardiovascular regulation during rewarming in newborns undergoing whole-body hypothermia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine changes of oxygenation and cardiovascular parameters during body temperature recovery in newborns undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

Design And Settings: Three full-term newborns treated by whole-body hypothermia according to TOBY trial were included in the study. They were cooled to body temperature of 33.

Arteriovenous malformation of vein of Galen as a rare non-hypoxic cause of changes in fetal heart rate pattern during labor.

The aim of this case report is to describe a rare non-hypoxic cause of pathological changes in fetal heart rate pattern during labor, and to determine management, including a description of important prenatal aspects when pathologic cardiotocographic recording is performed during labor. A fetus with rare arteriovenous malformation of the vein of Galen, which represents less than 1% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations, was monitored by intrapartum external cardiotocography in the 37 + 5 gestational week. The baby was born by cesarean section because of signs of imminent intrauterine hypoxia on cardiotocography.

Hyperbilirubinemia and phototherapy in newborns: Effects on cardiac autonomic control.

Background: Neonatal jaundice and its phototherapeutic treatment can lead to several side effects involving activation of autonomic control mechanisms.

Aim: The aims of this study are to investigate the autonomic nervous system changes in icteric neonates using heart rate variability (HRV) and to assess the effect of phototherapy on short-term heart rate dynamics as an indicator of autonomic nervous control of cardiovascular system.

Methods: HRV recordings from 20 icteric full-term neonates before, during and after phototherapy and from 20 healthy controls were analyzed.

Very early postnatal changes in splanchnic circulation in term infants.

Background: Reversed blood flow has been reported in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 92% of healthy term newborns at 2 h of age. By 24 h after birth the end-diastolic velocity became positive in all of the infants.

Objective: To characterize hemodynamic changes in the coeliac artery and superior mesenteric artery in healthy term newborns during the first 6 h after birth and to specify the time interval when the negative values of end-diastolic velocity in the superior mesenteric artery become positive.

Changes in heart rate variability in a premature infant with hydrocephalus.

Objective To define changes of heart rate variability in premature infant with hydrocephalus before and after drainage procedure. Study Design The authors report a case of a premature infant with hydrocephalus with analysis of heart rate variability before and after drainage procedure. Three subsequent recordings of the electrocardiography and heart rate variability were done: the first at the age of 22 days before insertion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the second at the age of 36 days with functional shunt, the third at the age of 71 days (before discharge).

Alveolar capillary dysplasia with anorectal anomaly.

Alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD) is an uncommon cause of irreversible persistent pulmonary hypertension in full-term newborn. In ACD there is a failure of formation of air - blood barrier in addition to misalignment of pulmonary veins. The etiology of the disease is still not understood.

Physiological changes in blood flow velocities in the superior mesenteric and coeliac artery in healthy term fetuses and newborns during perinatal period.

Objective: The aim was to describe the course of physiological changes in coeliac artery (CA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocities (BFVs) during the perinatal period in healthy term fetuses and infants as it has not been studied in detail so far.

Methods: This prospective Doppler ultrasound study included 50 infants. The examinations were performed in a fetus after the completion of 36.

Evaluation of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in preterm infants of gestational age 32-34 weeks.

Aims: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry using the Minolta Air-Shields JM-103 device in preterm newborns of gestational age 32-34 weeks, and to identify the most appropriate measurement site.

Methods: Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements were performed over forehead, sternum and abdomen, if total serum bilirubin (TSB) had to be determined on clinical indication in neonates of selected gestational age. TSB levels were measured in a clinical laboratory using direct spectrophotometry.

Early postnatal changes in superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity in healthy term infants.

Objectives: After birth, the newborn intestinal circulation undergoes physiological changes. The purpose of this work was to characterize the changes in mesenteric blood flow velocity occuring during the first three days of life in healthy term infants.

Methods: 30 healthy term newborns were studied repeatedly at the age of 2, 24 and 70 hours.

Assessment of renal circulation in small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age term newborns: a prospective study.

Purpose: To compare selected parameters of renal circulation between small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns.

Methods: Fifty-two SGA and 100 AGA term newborns were examined. The size of the kidneys were measured, and renal blood flow in the central and intraparenchymal renal arteries were assessed via Doppler sonography.