The clinical value of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in a historical cohort with neonatal encephalopathy: A comparison of short-term versus prolonged-period monitoring.

Background: To compare the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring (short-term versus prolonged-period) for neonatal seizure detection and outcome.

Methods: The aEEG monitoring in a historical cohort (n = 88, preterm:42, and term:46) with neonatal encephalopathy between 2010-2022 was re-evaluated for neonatal seizures (electrographic, electro-clinical, and clinical seizures) and EEG background scoring. The cohort was dichotomized: group I (short-period with 6-12 h, n = 36) and group II (prolonged-period with 24-48 h, n = 52).

The role of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) effects on the gastrointestinal system are among its most critical multisystemic effects.

Methods: This study aimed to reveal that VDR gene polymorphisms may constitute a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). VDR Fok1-Bsm1-Apa single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed in the NEC group (n = 74) and the control group (n = 147).

The net impact of clinical seizures on outcome characteristics in infants with neonatal encephalopathies at 12 months of age.

Purpose: To assess the impact of clinical neonatal seizures on outcome characteristics of preterm and term newborns with neonatal encephalopathy (NE).

Methods: We designed a prospective comparative study with 53 babies (preterm neonates: 26 and term neonates: 27) with NE: group 1 (preterm neonates with seizures, n = 13), group 2 (preterm neonates without seizures, n = 13), group 3 (term neonates with seizures, n = 13) and group 4 (term neonates without seizures, n = 14). The functional outcome characteristics of the survivors were assessed by the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) and the Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) at 12 months of age.

Early Immunomodulatory Effects of Different Natural Surfactant Preparations in Preterms With Respiratory Distress.

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common respiratory disease in premature infants. Exogenous natural surfactant preparations are used in the treatment of RDS. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that surfactant plays an immunoregulatory role.

Omitting routine gastric residual checks may help to accelerate enteral feeds and postnatal growth in stable preterm infants.

Background: The prefeed gastric residual check (GRC) when increasing the amounts of feeds given via orogastric and nasogastric tubes as a precaution for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intestinal intolerance is a routine procedure. However, it is mostly misleading, and recently, there has been a tendency not to check prefeed residuals.

Methods: We changed our nutrition protocol at the end of 2018 to start minimal enteral feeds (MEFs) and increase feeds without GRCs.

The effects of IGF-1 and erythropoietin on apoptosis and telomerase activity in necrotizing enterocolitis model.

Background: Apoptosis that occurs after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) has an important role in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Telomerase activity, showing the regeneration capacity, may also be important in the recovery process. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and erythropoietin (EPO) on apoptosis and telomerase activity in an H/R model.

Can urinary biomarkers predict acute kidney injury in newborns with critical congenital heart disease?

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation group and is the leading cause of newborn mortality in developed countries. Most of the infants with CHD develop preoperative or postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Acute kidney injury may develop before the serum creatinine rise and oliguria.

Comparison of the Finger Feeding Method Versus Syringe Feeding Method in Supporting Sucking Skills of Preterm Babies.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of a new method called "finger feeding" with a well-known technique called syringe feeding for improving sucking skills and accelerating transition to breastfeeding in preterm infants. Totally 70 babies were included in this prospective randomized controlled study. Finger feeding method was applied in Group 1 ( = 35) and syringe feeding method was applied in Group 2 ( = 35).

Efficacy of levetiracetam as first-line therapy for neonatal clinical seizures and neurodevelopmental outcome at 12 months of age.

Appropriate treatment of neonatal seizures with an effective therapy is important in reducing long-term neurologic disabilities. Sixty-seven neonates, who received intravenous (IV) levetiracetam (LEV) as first-line therapy for treating seizures between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively to investigate the efficacy of LEV and its neurodevelopmental outcome at 12 months of age. Of the 67 neonates (44 preterm and 23 term babies) evaluated for seizures, 55 (82%) had a defined etiology.

Clinical value of a set of neuropeptides in term and preterm neonates with seizures: Brain derived neurotrophic factor, galanin and neuropeptide Y.

The aim of our study to investigate clinical value of a set of neuropeptides (brain derived neurotrophic factor-BDNF, galanin and neuropeptide Y-NPY) in critically ill neonates. A total of 53 neonates (preterm: 26, term: 27) evaluated with lumbar pucture for etiologic evaluation were consequtively included into the study. Serum and CSF levels of the neuropeptides were measured in the first 48 h of life.

Is Nasal Septum-Tragus Length Measurement Appropriate for Endotracheal Tube Intubation Depth in Neonates? A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: Endotracheal intubation is a frequent procedure performed in neonates with respiratory distress. Clinicians use different methods to estimate the intubation insertion depth, but, unfortunately, the improper insertion results are very high. In this study, we aimed to compare the two different methods (Tochen's formula = weight in kilograms + 6 cm; and nasal septum-tragus length [NTL] + 1 cm) used to determine the endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth.

Reference ranges of presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype) in term and preterm neonates without infection, in relation to gestational and postnatal age, in the first 28 days of life.

Objective: To determine the reference ranges of presepsin in term and preterm neonates without infection, with respect to gestational and postnatal age, within the first 28 days of life.

Methods: A total of 144 neonates born at 24-42 weeks' gestation, including healthy term and preterm neonates without clinical signs or symptoms of infection, were included in this prospective observational study. Presepsin measurements included cord blood levels and serum levels on postnatal days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Evaluation of macronutrient content of fresh and frozen human milk over 6 months.

Aim: In this study; we aimed to see the time-dependent changes in the macronutrient content of early frozen breast milk and also to compare it with fresh breast milk in the first 6 months.

Materials And Method: We evaluated the milk samples of 43 mothers who delivered at term. Milk samples after the first 15 days following delivery were expressed and collected dividing into seven aliquots to be stored frozen at -20 °C.

Turkish Neonatal Society guideline on nutrition of the healthy term newborn.

Research shows strong evidence that breastfeeding offers many health benefits for infants and mothers, as well as potential economic and environmental benefits for communities. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.

Turkish Neonatal Society guideline on parenteral nutrition in preterm infants.

Postnatal growth failure due to inappropriate and insufficient nutrition is a risk for preterm infants, especially for very-low-birth-weight or extremely-low-birth-weight infants. This extrauterine growth failure causes negative effects on long-term neurodevelopment. Early initiation of intensive parenteral nutrition with appropriate protein and energy supply is a nutritional emergency when enteral feeding cannot be achieved.

Turkish Neonatal Society guideline on enteral feeding of the preterm infant.

Early initiation of enteral feeding with the own mother's milk and prevention of postnatal growth failure is the target of nutrition in preterm infants. Together with total parenteral nutrition, mouth care and minimal enteral nutrition is started with colostrum in the very early hours of life in small preterm infants. Expressed mother's milk is given via a gastric tube and gradually increased in accordance with the gestational age/birth weight and the risk factors.

Preterm Infants May Better Tolerate Feeds at Temperatures Closer to Freshly Expressed Breast Milk: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Feeding intolerance is one of the most frequent problems among preterm infants. These infants are fed with expressed breast milk or preterm formulas of which the temperature is not routinely measured. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of feeds with warm milk versus room temperature milk in preterm infants.

[Investigation of congenital CMV infection with the presence of CMV DNA in saliva samples of new born babies].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), is the most common cause among congenital infections and is the most seen etiology in long-term sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurological impairment. Congenital CMV infection (CCMV) was reported in 0.15-2.

Reference values of anthropometric measurements in healthy late preterm and term infants.

Background/aim: Geographical distribution, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors may affect anthropometric measurements, and for that reason each society should determine their own measurements accounting for those factors. In this study, we aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements of healthy late preterm and term infants to compare the results with other national and international studies.

Materials And Methods: This sectional study was carried out among 1197 infants born with a gestational age of ≥35 weeks.

The value of peripheral perfusion index measurements for early detection of critical cardiac defects.

Background: Approximately 25% of congenital heart diseases (CHD) are estimated to be critical and require an intervention. In this study, we aimed to investigate the additional value of peripheral perfusion index (PPI) measurements to pulse oximetry screening for critical CHD (CCHD).

Methods: Infants born at Ege University Hospital between May 2013 and September 2015 were prospectively included in the study.

The Change of Perinatal Mortality Over Three Decades in a Reference Centre in the Aegean Region: Neonatal Mortality has decreased but Foetal Mortality Remains Unchanged.

Background: Perinatal, foetal and neonatal mortality statistics are important to show the development of a health care system in a country. However, in our country there are very few national and regional data about the changing pattern of perinatal neonatal mortality along with the development of new technologies in this area.

Aims: Evaluation of the changes in mortality rates and the causes of perinatal and neonatal deaths within years in a perinatal reference centre which serves a high-risk population.

The serial changes of perfusion index in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus: is perfusion index clinically significant?

Background: Perfusion Index (PI) which reflects the peripheral blood flow may help early detection and treatment decision of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in preterm infants. The present study is designed to analyze the usefulness of PI level in early detection of hsPDA in preterm infants.

Methods: Preterm infants born before 36 gestational weeks were assessed for PI and simultaneous echocardiography.

Mannose-binding lectin may affect pregnancy outcome.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system and acts as a complement activator through the lectin pathway. Genetic variations of MBL and low MBL levels cause several infection problems, which may also be related to pregnancy problems. We aimed to investigate the role of MBL gene codon 54 polymorphism and serum MBL levels in pregnancy problems and premature delivery.