[Interrelation between well-being of the mother and heart rate variability of her preterm infant].

The relationship between mothers' well-being and the heart rate variability of their preterm babies was investigated. In order to study a possible influence of the mother's well-being on the calming quality of her voice and thereby on the heart rate variability of her preterm infant, maternal/paternal stress and competences as well as family functionality were assessed via respective questionnaires. (N = 30) Preterm babies at the postnatal age of approximately 4 weeks were acoustically stimulated with the voice of their own mother.

Can an EPR support the concept of family-centred, individualized developmental care of premature infants and newborns?

At the University Children's Hospital Heidelberg the concept of 'Developmental, Family-Centred, Individual Care of Premature Infants and Newborns' was introduced to support optimal growth of premature infants. This interdisciplinary concept requires cooperation of different specialists. A well operating communication is a precondition for such cooperation.

Pain management and the effect of guidelines in neonatal units in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Background: Painful invasive procedures are frequently performed on preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of the present study was to investigate current pain management in Austrian, German and Swiss NICU and to identify factors associated with improved pain management in preterm infants.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all Austrian, German and Swiss pediatric hospitals with an NICU (n = 370).

Gene expression profiles of adult peripheral and cord blood mononuclear cells altered by lipopolysaccharide.

Background: Neonatal Gram-negative sepsis is often characterized by a fulminant clinical course, compared to adults, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. Genome-wide gene expression analysis can provide insights into the molecular alterations in sepsis.

Objectives: To evaluate in vitro activation of the neonatal and adult immune system, gene expression patterns were compared in mononuclear cells from cord (CBMNC) and adult peripheral blood (APBMNC).

Effects of erythropoietin on erythrocyte deformability in non-transfused preterm infants.

Aim: Suppression of erythropoiesis due to low plasma erythropoietin levels is an important factor in the development of anaemia of prematurity. Premature infants may therefore be treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). This prospective, randomised and controlled study was designed to find out whether rhEPO treatment improves erythrocyte deformability in preterm infants.

A haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-like picture following breastmilk transmitted cytomegalovirus infection in a preterm infant.

Due to septic illness, neutro- and thrombocytopenia, blocked myelopoiesis, CMV-positive breast milk and CMV-pp65 antigen in bone marrow mononuclear cells, CMV-related HLH was presumed in a breast fed neonate (gestational age 24 weeks). Treatment was successful with foscarnet and methylprednisolone. HLH may be a complication of post-natal CMV-infection acquired from breast milk.

Intracerebellar hemorrhage in premature infants: sonographic detection and outcome.

Aims: Intracerebellar hemorrhage is a rarely confirmed diagnosis in preterm infants in comparison to peri-/intraventricular hemorrhage. This study evaluates the incidence of intracerebellar hemorrhage and neurological outcome in preterm infants.

Methods: 260 infants with gestational age of 22-32 weeks were studied prospectively by cranial ultrasound.

Alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase-IV is essential for L-selectin ligand function in inflammation.

L-selectin belongs to the C-type lectin family of glycoproteins and is constitutively expressed on most leukocytes. L-selectin mediates leukocyte rolling in inflamed microvessels and high endothelial venules (HEV) via binding to specific carbohydrate structures on selectin ligands. Previous studies using sialidase treatment suggested a role of sialic acid residues in L-selectin-dependent rolling.

Naive regulatory T cells: a novel subpopulation defined by resistance toward CD95L-mediated cell death.

Most CD4(+)CD25(hi)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (T(regs)) from adult peripheral blood express high levels of CD45RO and CD95 and are prone to CD95L-mediated apoptosis in contrast to conventional T cells (T(convs)). However, a T(reg) subpopulation remained consistently apoptosis resistant. Gene microarray and 6-color flow cytometry analysis including FOXP3 revealed an increase in naive T-cell markers on the CD95L-resistant T(regs) compared with most T(regs).

Pharmacokinetics of a netilmicin loading dose on the first postnatal day in preterm neonates with very low gestational age.

Objective: Pharmacokinetic parameters are important for dose adjustment of aminoglycosides, but they are highly variable in neonates. In this study the pharmacokinetics of a netilmicin loading dose was investigated on the first postnatal day in preterm neonates with very low gestational age (GA).

Methods: In an open prospective study, 20 neonates with GA between 22.

Effectiveness and side effects of an escalating, stepwise approach to indomethacin treatment for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants below 33 weeks of gestation.

Objective: Symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) is a common problem in premature infants and can be treated effectively with intravenous indomethacin, leading to permanent ductal closure in 70% to 80% of infants. Infants who do not respond to pharmacologic closure of the duct ultimately have to undergo surgical or interventional closure of the PDA. Optimizing the pharmacologic treatment could offer an interesting approach to reduce the number of infants who need surgical closure of the duct.

[Individual developmental care based on the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP)].

The number of preterm deliveries is increasing. Major advances in neonatology now enable even infants with a very low gestational age to survive. These infants have to spend months in the intensive care unit, while they have to deal with a lot of painful medical procedures, nursing care units, excessive noise and light, all differing from the normal uterine environment.

Incontinentia pigmenti in combination with decreased IgG subclass concentrations in a female newborn.

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder caused by mutations in the NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modulator) gene. Skin lesions are typically the first manifestation of IP though they may be accompanied by multiple malformations. This report presents the case of a female newborn with early onset of IP lesions within the 1st day of life.

Buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine concentrations in human breast milk samples determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Buprenorphine (BUP) is considered to be safe during pregnancy. However, the extent of BUP transfer into breast milk has not been investigated thoroughly. Because the drug concentration in the milk is 1 of the determinants in the assessment of the exposure risk, a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been developed and evaluated to measure BUP and norbuprenorphine (norBUP) concentrations in milk.

Cleavage of L1 in exosomes and apoptotic membrane vesicles released from ovarian carcinoma cells.

Purpose: The L1 adhesion molecule (CD171) is overexpressed in human ovarian and endometrial carcinomas and is associated with bad prognosis. Although expressed as a transmembrane molecule, L1 is released from carcinoma cells in a soluble form. Soluble L1 is present in serum and ascites of ovarian carcinoma patients.

Drotrecogin alpha (activated) in neonatal septic shock.

A 12-d-old neonate suffering from group B streptococcal septic shock was treated with 24 microg/kg/h recombinant human activated protein C [rhAPC, drotrecogin alpha (activated)] for 96 h. The protein C activity increased from 5% to 53% after rhAPC infusion. The patient recovered within 14 d without any adverse effects.

Effects of Intralipid infusion on hemorheology and peripheral resistance in neonates and children.

Deleterious microcirculatory effects of Intralipid (IL) infusion may be caused by hemorheological or vascular effects. The aim of this investigation was to study vascular and hemorheological effects of IL in preterm and fullterm neonates and children. Ten preterm newborns, 10 fullterm neonates, and 10 children received an initial infusion of IL (0.

Physical growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of nonhandicapped low-risk children born preterm.

Background: Outcome studies on the effects of prematurity are increasingly restricted to extremely immature infants with birth weight below 1000 g or gestational age below 26 weeks. In contrast, studies comprising low-risk preterm infants are rare.

Aim: To examine growth and neurodevelopmental outcome, 70 low-risk low birth weight (LBW) children without neurological impairment were followed from birth to 7 years of age.