Cerebral and splanchnic near-infrared spectroscopic dataset in premature newborns receiving packed red blood cell transfusion.

This article presents the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) dataset of cerebral (StOc) and splanchnic (StOs) oxygenation in 29 stable premature infants admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit who received elective packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT) to treat anemia of prematurity. StOc and StOs data were prospectively recorded continuously from at least 4 hours before the beginning of PRBCT until 24 hours after its completion, using a 4-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitor (FORE-SIGHT® absolute cerebral oximeter, CASMED, Branford, Connecticut, 06405 USA). StO data were downloaded as an analog output at a sampling rate of 1000Hz and aligned along the time axis in LabChart reader format (.

Splanchnic-cerebral oxygenation ratio associated with packed red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants.

Background: Splanchnic-cerebral oxygenation ratio (SCOR), the ratio of splanchnic tissue oxygen (StO s) to simultaneously measured cerebral tissue oxygen (StO c), has been described as a surrogate to detect impaired splanchnic oxygenation associated with hypoperfusion status such as necrotizing enterocolitis. This concept is based on the presumption that any change in SCOR indicates a corresponding change in splanchnic tissue oxygenation as the numerator, whereas cerebral tissue oxygenation as the denominator remains stable. However, it is questionable to utilise this concept to detect splanchnic oxygenation changes in the context of packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT).

Hierarchical improvement of regional tissue oxygenation after packed red blood cell transfusion.

Background: It is well established that counter-regulation to hypoxia follows a hierarchical pattern, with brain-sparing in preference to peripheral tissues. In contrast, it is unknown if the same hierarchical sequence applies to recovery from hypoxia after correction of anemia with packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT).

Objective: To understand the chronology of cerebral and splanchnic tissue oxygenation resulting after correction of anemia by PRBCT in preterm infants using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

The Effect of Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy on Endocrine Pancreatic Function and Fetal Growth: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking in pregnancy is a common cause of fetal growth restriction. We aimed to investigate endocrine pancreatic function of mother-infant dyads in relation to cigarette smoking, as a possible mechanism for the poor fetal growth.

Methods: Prospective study of smoking mothers (10 cigarettes or more per day, self-reported to the midwife) and non-smoker control mothers during their first pregnancy.

Spaced scenario demonstrations improve knowledge and confidence in pediatric acute illness management.

Objectives: Nationally accredited simulation courses such as advance pediatric life support and pediatric advance life support are recommended for health care professionals (HCPs) at two yearly intervals as a minimum requirement, despite literature evidence suggesting rapid decline in knowledge shortly after course completion. The objective of this study was to evaluate an observation-based, educational intervention program aimed at improving previously acquired knowledge and confidence in managing critical illnesses.

Methods: A prospective cohort longitudinal study was conducted over a 6-month period.

Gestational Diabetes Independently Increases Birth Length and Augments the Effects of Maternal BMI on Birth Weight: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the interaction between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal body mass index (BMI) on the individual neonatal growth parameters.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary maternity service in Sydney, Australia, between 2005 and 2009.

Innate and adaptive immune interactions at the fetal-maternal interface in healthy human pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Maternal immune tolerance of the fetus is indispensable for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Nowhere is this immune tolerance more important than at the fetal-maternal interface - the decidua, the site of implantation, and placentation. Indeed, many lines of evidence suggest an immunological origin to the common pregnancy-related disorder, pre-eclampsia.