Tenecteplase for the Treatment of Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke: A Safety Surveillance Report.

Objectives: Intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) is increasingly used to treat adult patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke, but the risk profile of TNK in childhood stroke is unknown. This study aims to prospectively gather safety data regarding TNK administration in children.

Methods: Since December 2023, a monthly email survey was sent to participants recruited from the International Pediatric Stroke Study and Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group querying recent experience with TNK in childhood stroke.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34-Positive Cells as Predictors of the Incidence and Short-Term Outcome of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study.

Background And Purpose: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neurological handicap in developing countries. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD34-positive (CD34⁺) stem cells exhibit the potential for neural repair. We tested the hypothesis that hUCB CD34⁺ stem cells and other cell types [leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs)] that are up-regulated during the acute stage of perinatal asphyxia (PA) could play a role in the early prediction of the occurrence, severity, and mortality of HIE.

Safety and Efficacy of Cerebrolysin in Infants with Communication Defects due to Severe Perinatal Brain Insult: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background And Purpose: The neuroregenerative drug Cerebrolysin has demonstrated efficacy in improving cognition in adults with stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin in the treatment of communication defects in infants with severe perinatal brain insult.

Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in which 158 infants (age 6-21 months) with communication defects due to severe perinatal brain insult were enrolled; 120 infants completed the study.

Effect of caffeine on preterm infants' cerebral cortical activity: an observational study.

Objective: Our first aim was to investigate the effects of caffeine on preterm infants' respiratory functions and brain cortical activity (conventional and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (cEEG and aEEG)). Secondary aim was to study its long-term effects on respiratory system and electroencephalographic maturation by 36 weeks post-menstrual age.

Methods: Prospective observational study on 33 consecutively admitted preterm infants less than 34-weeks-gestation.

Single dose recombinant erythropoietin versus moderate hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in low resource settings.

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.

Neonatal nursery noise: practice-based learning and improvement.

Objectives: To study the impact of interrupted loud noise in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on neonatal physiologic parameters, and apply methods to alleviate noise sources through teaching NICU's staff.

Methods: Noise level measured at different day times and during different noisy events in the NICU. Changes in the heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded just before and immediately after providing noisy events for 36 preterm and 26 full-term neonates.

Cord blood interleukin-6 and neonatal morbidities among preterm infants with PCR-positive Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical significance of Ureaplasma urealyticum recovery from umbilical cord blood, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and its association with umbilical cord interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and neonatal morbidity in preterm infants.

Methods: Cord blood PCR for Ureaplasma urealyticum, and IL-6 were assessed in relation to neonatal outcomes of 30 preterm deliveries of less than 35 weeks' gestation.

Results: Ureaplasma urealyticum was present in 43.

Predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor in preterm neonates with intraventricular haemorrhage.

Objective: Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is a major problem in premature infants. Our objective is to assess the early predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for development of IVH and management of its squeal in preterm neonates.

Methods: We prospectively studied 150 preterm neonates (PT) less than 34 weeks gestation.

Two-stage single-volume exchange transfusion in severe hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Objective: Evaluation of two-stage single-volume exchange transfusion (TSSV-ET) in decreasing the post-exchange rebound increase in serum bilirubin level, with subsequent reduction of the need for repeated exchange transfusions.

Methods: The study included 104 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia needing exchange transfusion. They were randomly enrolled into two equal groups, each group comprised 52 neonates.

Hemihydranencephaly syndrome: case report and review.

Background: Hemihydranencephaly (HHDNC) is a rare disorder with complete or almost complete unilateral absence of cerebral cortex.

Methods: This study describes a 27 months-old girl presenting with developmental delay and generalized weakness more on the left side. Bilateral blindness was noted since the age of 6 months.

Umbilical cord blood CD45(+)CD34(+) cells coexpression in preterm and full-term neonates: a pilot study.

Objective: Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) is rich in stem cells. The CD45(+)/CD34(+) coexpression in hUCB is a marker of hemopoietic progenitor cells. The objective of this study is to compare the coexpression of hUCB CD45(+)/CD34(+) cells in preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) neonates.

Melatonin and sleep-related problems in children with intractable epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy have high rates of sleep problems. Melatonin has been advocated in treatment of sleep disorders, and its beneficial effect has been confirmed in insomnia. The aim of this study was to assess melatonin levels in children with intractable epilepsy and its relation to pattern of sleep and characteristics of seizure disorder, as well as the effect of melatonin therapy on those parameters.

Physical activity combined with massage improves bone mineralization in premature infants: a randomized trial.

Background: Osteopenia of prematurity is a known source for morbidity in preterm infants. Premature infants have shown favorable outcomes in response to massage and physical activity. Whether such intervention can stimulate bone formation or decrease bone resorption is yet to be determined.