How to Manage a Neonate Born from a SARS-CoV-2-Positive Mother: A Narrative Review.

From 2020 to today, considerable knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 has been collected, even on pregnant women and their fetuses and newborns, and clinical guidelines have been written and implemented worldwide. Vaccination has considerably improved outcomes, but hesitancy amongst pregnant patients and the emergence of variants remain challenging, and SARS-CoV-2 positivity during pregnancy continues to be associated with an increased risk of maternal complications, premature delivery, and higher neonatal mortality and morbidity. A body of data now exists on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy on early neonatal outcomes, medical education in obstetrics and pediatrics, and longer-term developmental outcomes.

Congenital Syphilis: A Re-Emerging but Preventable Infection.

Congenital syphilis presents a significant global burden, contributing to fetal loss, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and congenital infection. Despite the target established in 2007 by the World Health Organization (WHO) of fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 live births, the global incidence is on the rise, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. Recent data indicate a rate of 473 cases per 100,000 live births, resulting in 661,000 total cases of congenital syphilis, including 355,000 adverse birth outcomes such as early fetal deaths, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, preterm or low-birth-weight births, and infants with clinical congenital syphilis.

Pregnant Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to an ICU: A Comparison with a Historical Cohort of Critical Pregnant Patients without COVID-19.

Aim Of The Study: Maternal mortality and ICU admissions have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We reported a case-series of pregnant patients with COVID-19 admitted to an ICU and we compared them with a historical cohort of pregnant patients admitted to an ICU without COVID-19.

Methods: We included all pregnant patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted to our ICU in 2021.

Congenital toxoplasmosis and audiological outcome: from a case series to a suggestion of patient-based schedule.

Introduction: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been suggested to be possibly related to congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), although its prevalence varies from 0% to 26%. This variance appears to be dependent especially on early timing of treatment. However, the available data are based on outdated studies conducted on small groups of patients that lack homogeneity.

SARS-CoV-2 perinatal transmission and neonatal outcomes across four different waves of COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide prospective cohort study from the Italian Society of Neonatology.

Objectives: To describe how SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of delivery affected maternal and neonatal outcomes across four major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

Methods: This is a large, prospective, nationwide cohort study collecting maternal and neonatal data in case of maternal peripartum SARS-CoV-2 infection between February 2020 and March 2022. Data were stratified across the four observed pandemic waves.

Ophthalmological impairment in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a frequent cause of neurosensory impairment. Ocular abnormalities and visual impairment have been reported in a high percentage of symptomatic infants, whereas they are considered uncommon in asymptomatic ones. The paucity of data has made difficult to reach clear recommendations on the ophthalmological follow-up that should be provided.

The financial burden experienced by families during NICU hospitalization and after discharge: A single center, survey-based study.

To investigate a broad array of costs and perceived financial burden (FB) faced by families of NICU graduates both during hospitalization and after discharge. Cross-sectional survey-based study design. A survey measuring socio-demographics, direct non-medical costs, indirect costs, social support and perceived FB was developed.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: the state of the art and future perspectives.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most common congenital infection, with an estimated incidence of approximately one in 200 infants in high-income settings. Approximately one in four children may experience life-long consequences, including sensorineural hearing loss and neurodisability. Knowledge regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment increased in the recent years, but some challenges remain.

External Validation of a Multivariate Model for Targeted Surfactant Replacement.

Introduction: Early targeted surfactant therapy for preterm infants is recommended but the best criteria to personalize treatment are unclear. We validate a previously published multivariate prognostic model based on gestational age (GA), lung ultrasound score (LUS), and oxygen saturation to inspire oxygen fraction ratio (SatO2/FiO2) using an independent data set.

Methods: Pragmatic, observational study in 10 Italian and Spanish NICUs, including preterm babies (250 and 336 weeks divided into 3 GA intervals) with clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome and stabilized on CPAP.

Treatment with valacyclovir during pregnancy for prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: a real-life multicenter Italian observational study.

Background: Valacyclovir is the only treatment demonstrated to be effective for the prevention of vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus within a clinical randomized, placebo-controlled trial and has been reimbursed by the Italian National Health System since December 2020.

Objective: This study reported the results of a real-life Italian multicenter observational study on cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy evaluating the effect of the introduction of valacyclovir in the clinical practice for the prevention of vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus.

Study Design: The outcomes of women who received valacyclovir treatment and their fetuses or newborns were compared with those of a retrospective cohort observed between 2010 and 2020 who did not receive the antiviral treatment.

Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 load and perinatal outcomes after maternal infection diagnosed close to delivery.

Background: The occurrence of COVID-19 during the pregnancy can cause several negative maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nasopharyngeal viral load is associated with inflammatory markers and might influence the disease severity in non-pregnant patients, but there are no data about the relationship between viral load and perinatal outcomes in pregnant patients.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 load (estimated with real-time polymerase chain reaction delta cycle (ΔCt), measured in hospital clinical laboratories) is associated with perinatal outcomes, when COVID-19 is diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Can lung ultrasound score accurately predict surfactant replacement? A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test studies.

Background: Clinical and radiographic criteria are traditionally used to determine the need for surfactant therapy in preterm infants. Lung ultrasound is a bedside test that offers a rapid, radiation-free, alternative to this approach.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the accuracy of a lung ultrasound score (LUS) in identifying infants who would receive at least one surfactant dose.

Congenital syphilis in the twenty-first century: an area-based study.

Unlabelled: The resurgence of syphilis and subsequent risk for newborns has been described worldwide; however, European data on this congenital infection is lacking. We report the activity of a multidisciplinary specialized unit assisting a large area in the Southern Italy. A retrospective cohort study has been conducted at the Perinatal and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Units of the Federico II University of Naples, enrolling all newborns and children referred from January 2010 to June 2022 exposed to Treponema pallidum in utero and/or congenitally infected.

Trends in Caesarean Section Rate According to Robson Group Classification among Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Single-Center Large Cohort Study in Italy.

Background: Since there is no available data on temporal trends of caesarean section (CS) rates in pregnant women with COVID-19 through the pandemic, we aimed to analyze the trends in caesarean section rate in a large cohort of pregnant women with COVID-19, according to the Robson Ten Group Classification System of deliveries.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled pregnant women with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who delivered in our center between March 2020 and November 2021. Deliveries were classified, according to the Robson group classification, and according to three time periods: (1) deliveries from March 2020 to December 2020; (2) deliveries from January 2021 to April 2021; (3) deliveries from May 2021 to November 2021.

Intrapartum use of zidovudine in a large cohort of pregnant women living with HIV in Italy.

Background: Intravenous administration of zidovudine (ZDV) during labour is a key step for vertical HIV transmission (VT) prevention, but there is no evidence of benefit when maternal HIV-RNA at delivery is <50 copies/mL. The aim of this study is evaluating the appropriateness of intrapartum ZDV use in Italy.

Methods: Observational study including mother-infant pairs with perinatal HIV exposure during 2002-2019, enrolled in the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children.

Specific antibody titer decay in neonates prenatally exposed to Toxoplasma gondii and their mothers.

Background: For infants exposed in utero to Toxoplasma gondii, current guidelines recommend monitoring the specific antibody titer until 12 months of age. In this study, we investigated the antibody titer decay in the mother-infant dyad.

Methods: This is a single center, population-based cohort study of neonates referred for prenatal exposure to Toxoplasma gondii from January 2014 to December 2020.

Impact of psychological distress and psychophysical wellbeing on posttraumatic symptoms in parents of preterm infants after NICU discharge.

Backgorund: Parents after Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospitalization of preterm infant may develop psychopathological symptoms. The aim of the study was to determine how parental stress and psychophysical wellbeing affect posttraumatic symptoms (PTTS) in parents during the first year after NICU discharge. Moreover, this study aimed to explore any gender-specific difference in psychological distress among mothers and fathers.

Ultrasound Guided Catheter Tip Location in Neonates: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To assess point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) guided catheter tip location in a neonatal cohort after insertion of percutaneously inserted central catheters (PICCs) from the upper part of the body.

Study Design: This was a prospective, observational study on PICC tip location. Tip site was assessed by radiological landmarks or direct ultrasound (US) visualization of the cardiovascular structures.

Neonatal Lung Ultrasound and Surfactant Administration: A Pragmatic, Multicenter Study.

Background: Previous research shows that a lung ultrasound score (LUS) can anticipate CPAP failure in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Research Question: Can LUS also predict the need for surfactant replacement?

Study Design And Methods: Multicenter, pragmatic study of preterm neonates who underwent lung ultrasound at birth and those given surfactant by masked physicians, who also were scanned within 24 h from administration. Clinical data and respiratory support variables were recorded.

Severe fetal intracranial hemorrhage: Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection may play a role? A case report and review of literature.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection, with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and different grade of severity. We report the case of a male baby born at term with an early prenatal diagnosis of severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with no other evident risk factors. Urine and blood sample were tested for CMV-DNA, and diagnosis of congenital CMV infection was established.

Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: An Updated Appraisal of National Guidelines.

Recent reports from several developed countries have documented a resurgence of bilirubin encephalopathy causing both healthcare and forensic issues. For these reasons, many national pediatric societies have issued recommendations on the diagnosis and the treatment of clinically significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The differences among individual national documents may have an impact on neonatal healthcare.

The Natural History of Hearing Disorders in Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the main cause of congenital infection in developed countries leading to deafness but the burden of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in asymptomatic children remains incompletely characterized. Aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term audiological outcome in this group of patients. Consecutive neonates with congenital CMV infection were followed from 2002 to 2018.

Nutritional status of children aged 3-6 years in a rural area of tamilnadu.

Background: A child's entire life is determined in large measures by the food given to him during his first five years. Since childhood is the most vulnerable phase in the life of human being, nutritional inadequacies will result in the hampering of the development of the body. Future of the country is determined by the growing generation of the country.