The association of prenatal volatile organic compounds exposure and newborn anthropometrics: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Several studies have associated prenatal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with adverse health outcomes among newborns. However, little is known about the associations of VOCs at relatively low concentrations with newborn outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the potential associations between prenatal exposure to VOCs and VOC mixtures with newborn anthropometric measures.

Dexmedetomidine for Less Invasive Surfactant Administration: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) involves delivering surfactant to a spontaneously breathing infant by passing a thin catheter through the vocal cords and has become the preferred method for surfactant delivery. However, the role of pre-LISA sedation remains unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the use of dexmedetomidine for LISA in preterm and early-term infants.

Association between prenatal phthalate exposure and ano-genital indices among offsprings in an Israeli cohort.

Background: In-utero phthalate exposure was shown to be associated with shortened anogenital distance (AGD) in male newborns, but findings among female are inconsistent. While phthalate exposure among pregnant women in Israel is widespread, no study has examined the association with offspring AGD. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between maternal phthalates urinary concentration and offspring AGD at time of delivery among a birth cohort in Israel.

Prenatal exposure to heavy metal mixtures and anthropometric birth outcomes: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Numerous studies have suggested significant associations between prenatal exposure to heavy metals and newborn anthropometric measures. However, little is known about the effect of various heavy metal mixtures at relatively low concentrations. Hence, this study aimed to investigate associations between prenatal exposures to a wide range of individual heavy metals and heavy metal mixtures with anthropometric measures of newborns.

Early exposures and inherent factors in premature newborns are associated with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) involves immune responses that may be associated with early exposure to environmental factors among preterm newborns. The aim of this work was to evaluate for association between T1D and maternal, nutritional, and medical exposures during the neonatal period among premature newborns.

Methods: This is a multicenter, matched case-control study.

Maternal Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Atopic Dermatitis in the Offspring: The Environmental Health Fund Birth Cohort.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants banned for use worldwide. Due to their biodegradation resistance, they accumulate along the food chain and in the environment. Maternal exposure to PCBs may affect the fetus and the infant.

Magnitude of Lamotrigine Exposure Through Breastfeeding.

Lamotrigine use during breastfeeding has significantly increased in the recent years, whereas breast milk lamotrigine pharmacokinetics data are still sparse. To assess lamotrigine exposure in breastfed infants by monitoring maternal serum and breast milk concentrations. Breastfeeding women treated with lamotrigine were recruited to this study.

Maternal and Newborn Thyroid Hormone, and the Association With Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Burden: The EHF (Environmental Health Fund) Birth Cohort.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants found in human tissues. PCBs can be transferred through the placenta and may disrupt the maternal thyroid homeostasis, and affect fetal thyroid hormone production. Several studies have shown that intrauterine exposure to PCBs might be associated with abnormal levels of thyroid hormones in mothers and their offspring.

Metabolic biomarkers of small and large for gestational age newborns.

Background: Small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) newborns are at increased risk for developmental, metabolic and cardiovascular morbidities.

Aims: To compare the metabolic biomarkers of SGA and LGA infants with those of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns in order to shed more light on a possible pathogenesis of those morbidities.

Study Design: An observational retrospective study.

Levetiracetam in lactation: How much is excreted into human breast milk?

Aims: In breastfeeding women, anti-epileptic therapy can lead to infant toxicities, even with newer anti-epileptic drugs such as levetiracetam. This study assessed levetiracetam breastmilk excretion and its correlation with the maternal oral dose and serum concentrations.

Methods: Women with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam were recruited to this study and completed a questionnaire.

The role of orotic acid measurement in routine newborn screening for urea cycle disorders.

Urea cycle disorders (UCDs), including OTC deficiency (OTCD), are life-threatening diseases with a broad clinical spectrum. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment based on a newborn screening (NBS) test for OTCD with high specificity and sensitivity may contribute to reduction of the significant complications and high mortality. The efficacy of incorporating orotic acid determination into routine NBS was evaluated.

Associations between intrauterine exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on neonatal ano-genital distance.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread environmental contaminants. PCBs have endocrine disrupting properties which raises concerns regarding their effect on the developing fetus. This study aimed to examine the association between prenatal exposure to PCBs and anogenital distance (AGD) in newborns.

The Role of an Interventional Program for Improving Pharmacovigilance at a Pediatric Facility.

The reporting rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by healthcare professionals is low. ADR interventional programs may improve the reporting rate by the medical team. Our literature search revealed that only a few interventional studies among the pediatric population have been published.

Risk Factors for the Development of Delayed TSH Elevation in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Newborns.

Context: Delayed thyrotropin (TSH) elevation (dTSH) is defined as elevated TSH at the second neonatal screening (after normal TSH levels at the initial screening) in premature, low-birth-weight, and ill newborns, mostly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. The pathogenesis of dTSH is elusive.

Objective: To identify the risk factors for dTSH development among newborns in the NICU.

[Prenatal diagnosis of triploidy: the experience of Assaf-Harofe Medical Center].

Introduction: Triploidy (69 chromosomes) is the most common chromosomal anomaly encountered in human gestation, occurring in 1% of all conceptions. Most triploidies abort spontaneously during the 1st trimester. In cases that last, it is usually associated with fetal distress that can Lead to many obstetric complications.

Pharmacokinetics of oral ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants.

Background: Oral ibuprofen has been shown to be associated with excellent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure rates and a favourable safety profile, but limited data exist regarding its pharmacokinetics in preterm infants.

Objective: To evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters of oral ibuprofen in preterm infants.

Methods: Plasma ibuprofen levels were determined at various time points, and pharmacokinetic profiles were calculated after a single dose of 10 mg/kg of oral ibuprofen.

Closure of patent ductus arteriosus with oral ibuprofen suspension in premature newborns: a pilot study.

Objective: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a common finding among premature infants, is conventionally treated by intravenous indomethacin. Intravenous ibuprofen was recently shown to be as effective and to have fewer adverse reactions in preterm infants. If equally effective, then oral ibuprofen for PDA closure would have several important advantages over the intravenous route.