Publications by authors named "Safaa S Imam"

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a condition caused by failure of pulmonary vascular adaptation at birth, resulting in severe hypoxia. Several therapeutic modalities are being tried in developing countries where established therapies (inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) are widely unavailable. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of milrinone versus sildenafil as available alternative therapeutics in treating PPHN.

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Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and neonatal sepsis are still considered major problems, especially in formula-fed preterm neonates. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bovine colostrum on T regulatory cells, NEC, and late-onset sepsis in preterm neonates ≤34 weeks.

Methods: This prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 preterm infants who were randomly assigned to either the bovine colostrum group (n = 32) or control group (n = 48).

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To evaluate the effect of right lateral positioning in comparison with supine positioning on tracheal aspirate pepsin levels as a marker of aspiration of gastric contents in ventilated preterm neonates. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 ventilated preterm neonates <35 weeks; 30 neonates were nursed in right lateral position for 6 hours while the other 30 neonates were nursed in supine position for 6 hours. Tracheal aspirate sample was obtained from each neonate in both the groups just after the end of 6 hours and pepsin level was measured.

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Background: Reported rates of neonatal health care-associated infections (HAIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have risen rapidly in recent years. Little data are available in Egypt, however. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for HAIs in the NICU of Ain Shams University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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Aim. To compare targeted neonatal hearing screening (TNHS) and universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) since many developing countries, including Egypt, implement selective screening for high-risk neonates. Methods.

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Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of single dose systemic recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO) in neonates with perinatal hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), and its effect on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE).

Methods: Forty-five full-term neonates; 30 with perinatal HIE and 15 controls were studied. HIE neonates were randomized into three intervention groups (first 6 h of life): 10 received single subcutaneous 1500 U/kg rEPO at day-1, 10 subjected to hypothermia for 72 h and 10 received supportive care.

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The costimulatory molecule OX40 and its ligand, OX40L, mediate key aspects of allergic airway inflammation in animal models of asthma, including eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and T-helper type 2 (Th2) polarization. However, involvement of these molecules in Th2-dominated allergen-induced childhood asthma remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to examine OX40L expression in pediatric asthma across disease activity and attack severity.

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The aim of the study was to assess umbilical cord ghrelin level in term and preterm newborns and its relation to other metabolic hormones and anthropometric measurements. A cross sectional comparative study included 50 normal appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns (25 full-terms; 25 preterm). Assessment of anthropometric measurements, cord levels of ghrelin, leptin, insulin and glucose were done to all newborns.

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