Home phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in the UK: a single-centre retrospective service evaluation and parental survey.

Background: In the UK setting, where neonatal jaundice treatment is required, it is largely carried out in hospitals. However, it is possible to safely administer home phototherapy (HPT).

Objective: To report on our centre's experience of HPT and its potential benefits.

Pulse oximetry as a screening test for congenital heart defects in newborn infants: a test accuracy study with evaluation of acceptability and cost-effectiveness.

Background: Screening for congenital heart defects (CHDs) relies on antenatal ultrasound and postnatal clinical examination; however, life-threatening defects often go undetected.

Objective: To determine the accuracy, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of pulse oximetry as a screening test for CHDs in newborn infants.

Design: A test accuracy study determined the accuracy of pulse oximetry.

Current status of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in the perinatal period.

The recent discovery of nitric oxide (NO) and the elucidation of its biological roles has been accompanied by significant advances in our understanding of several physiological and pathological processes. Impaired NO synthesis and/or release may underlie the pathophysiology of several cardiopulmonary disorders characterised by hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. Inhaled NO produces selective pulmonary vasodilation and appears to be an effective new therapy for infants with pulmonary vasospasm or hypoxemia associated with ventilation-perfusion imbalance.

Postnatal changes in serum retinol status in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Retinol deficiency may contribute toward the development of chronic lung disease in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. We examined the retinol status during early infancy in VLBW infants from birth to 6 weeks 'post-term'.

Methods: Concentrations of serum retinol (SR) and its carrier proteins, retinol-binding protein (RBP), and transthyretin (TTR), were determined at birth, then weekly for 8 weeks, and at 4-6 weeks 'post-term' in preterm infants of less than 34 weeks gestation.

Bacterial-induced activation of erythrocyte T-antigen complicating necrotising enterocolitis: a case report.

Erythrocyte Thomsen-Friedenreich crypt antigen (T-antigen) activation is not an uncommon event in infants with severe necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Transfusion of these infants with blood products containing plasma carries the risk of causing intravascular haemolysis. T-antigen activation is easily detected using a rapid simple lectin agglutination test.