Donor human milk programs in German, Austrian and Swiss neonatal units - findings from an international survey.

Background: Donor human milk (DHM) has been recommended for premature infants if mothers' own milk is not available. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the utilization rate and handling of DHM among neonatal units in Germany, Austria und Switzerland.

Methods: Online survey of utilization rates and handling practices of DHM of all neonatal units within Germany, Austria and Switzerland providing care for premature infants less than 32 weeks of gestation.

High resolution array in the clinical approach to chromosomal phenotypes.

Array genomic hybridization (AGH) has recently been implemented as a diagnostic tool for the detection of submicroscopic copy number variants (CNVs) in patients with developmental disorders. However, there is no consensus regarding the choice of the platform, the minimal resolution needed and systematic interpretation of CNVs. We report our experience in the clinical diagnostic use of high resolution AGH up to 100 kb on 131 patients with chromosomal phenotypes but previously normal karyotype.

Panhypopituitarism presenting as life-threatening heart failure caused by an inherited microdeletion in 1q25 including LHX4.

Clinical presentation of hypopituitarism in the neonate may be variable, ranging from absent to severe nonspecific symptoms and may be life-threatening in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. The LIM homeobox gene 4 (LHX4) transcription factor regulates early embryonic development of the anterior pituitary gland. Autosomal dominant mutations in LHX4 cause congenital hypopituitarism with variable combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD).

Prospective study on central venous line associated bloodstream infections.

Objective: To prospectively assess the incidence rates and characteristics of central venous line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in one institution.

Methods: All patients with indwelling central venous catheters (CVC) between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 were enrolled. The medical records of patients were reviewed and information on relevant characteristics entered into a standardised questionnaire.

Predictors of crying problems in the early postpartum period.

Objective: To investigate maternal and infant factors associated with midwife-reported crying problems in the early postpartum period.

Design: Case control study.

Setting: Postnatal home care in Switzerland.

[The Basel interdisciplinary clinic for parents with infants and toddlers: concept and empirical results].

The Basel clinic for parents with infants and toddlers is a special interdisciplinary service. The authors present the concept and practice of treatment. Further they show the results of documentation and evaluation.

Failed detection of complex congenital heart disease (including double outlet right ventricle and total anomalous pulmonary venous return) by neonatal pulse oximetry screening.

We report on a newborn infant with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) featuring double outlet right ventricle and hypoplastic left ventricle who had postductal oxygen saturation well above 95% and thus eluded pulse oximetry screening for CHD.

Coumarin embryopathy in an extremely low birth weight infant associated with neonatal hepatitis and ocular malformations.

Coumarin embryopathy (CE) is a well-documented sequelae of prenatal exposure to vitamin K antagonists. We report on a female premature infant (25 weeks' gestation) born to a mother who had received phenprocoumon during pregnancy following mechanical heart valve replacement. The infant presented with impaired coagulation, intraventricular and minor parenchymal cerebral haemorrhages and midface hypoplasia typical of CE.