Dexmedetomidine for analgesia and sedation in newborn infants receiving mechanical ventilation.

Background: Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist with minimal impact on the haemodynamic profile. It is thought to be safer than morphine or stronger opioids, which are drugs currently used for analgesia and sedation in newborn infants. Dexmedetomidine is increasingly being used in children and infants despite not being licenced for analgesia in this group.

Value of preclinical systematic reviews and meta-analyses in pediatric research.

Similar to systematic reviews (SRs) in clinical fields, preclinical SRs address a specific research area, furnishing information on current knowledge, possible gaps, and potential methodological flaws of study design, conduct, and report. One of the main goals of preclinical SRs is to identify aspiring treatment strategies and evaluate if currently available data is solid enough to translate to clinical trials or highlight the gaps, thus justifying the need for new studies. It is imperative to rigorously follow the methodological standards that are widely available.

Stem cell-based interventions for the treatment of stroke in newborn infants.

Background: Perinatal stroke refers to a diverse but specific group of cerebrovascular diseases that occur between 20 weeks of fetal life and 28 days of postnatal life. Acute treatment options for perinatal stroke are limited supportive care, such as controlling hypoglycemia and seizures. Stem cell-based therapies offer a potential therapeutic approach to repair, restore, or regenerate injured brain tissue.

Positioning for lumbar puncture in newborn infants.

Background: Lumbar puncture is a common invasive procedure performed in newborns for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Approximately one in two lumbar punctures fail, resulting in both short- and long-term negative consequences for the clinical management of patients. The most common positions used to perform lumbar puncture are the lateral decubitus and sitting position, and each can impact the success rate and safety of the procedure.