Rapid genome sequencing for critically ill infants: an inaugural pilot study from Turkey.

Introduction: Rare and ultra-rare genetic conditions significantly contribute to infant morbidity and mortality, often presenting with atypical features and genetic heterogeneity that complicate management. Rapid genome sequencing (RGS) offers a timely and cost-effective approach to diagnosis, aiding in early clinical management and reducing unnecessary interventions. This pilot study represents the inaugural use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a diagnostic instrument for critically ill neonatal and pediatric ICU patients in a Turkish hospital setting.

Neonatal Resuscitation Practices in Turkey: A Survey of the Turkish Neonatal Society and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies.

Objective: Optimal care in the delivery room is important to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate neonatal resuscitation practices in Turkish centers.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey consisted of a 91-item questionnaire focused on delivery room practices in neonatal resuscitation and was sent to 50 Turkish centers.

Effects of blood transfusion on regional tissue oxygenation in preterm newborns are dependent on the degree of anaemia.

Aim: Most of the preterm infants are transfused at least once during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aims of this study were to demonstrate if packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion modulates regional (cerebral, abdominal, renal) tissue oxygen saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and to demonstrate if we can use NIRS to guide transfusion decisions in neonates.

Methods: A multi-probe NIRS device was applied to anaemic preterm infants of gestational age <33 weeks for 30-60 min before and 24 h after pRBC transfusion.

The follow-up results of newborn hearing screening of Gaziosmanpasa Taksim Research and Training Hospital.

Aim: This study aimed to present the results of newborns who were referred to advanced audiology centers after newborn hearing screening, and to determine concordance of our results with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines about the ages of hearing loss, aid fitting, and cochlear implantation.

Materials And Methods: A total of 7502 newborns were screened in Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Research and Training Hospital between March 2014 and June 2016 using the transient otoacustic emissions test as the first two steps and automated auditory brainstem response test for the third step. Newborns who had risk factors were screened using the automated auditory brainstem response only.

Is Cord Blood Bilirubin Level a Reliable Predictor for Developing Significant Hyperbilirubinemia?

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether cord blood bilirubin (CBB) level could be used to identify the newborns at a high risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia.

Study Design: Total and direct serum bilirubin level were evaluated from umbilical cord blood of newborns. We checked blood groups and Rh status of all mothers and determined blood groups and direct Coombs test (DC) of newborns born to mothers whose blood group was O type or Rh negative to determine the maternal-fetal blood group or Rh incompatibility.

Different presentations of cow`s milk protein allergy during neonatal period.

Aktaş S, Ergenekon E, Ünal S, Türkyılmaz C, Hirfanoğlu İM, Atalay Y. Different presentations of Cow's milk protein allergy during neonatal period. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 322-328.

Effects of Volume Guaranteed Ventilation Combined with Two Different Modes in Preterm Infants.

Background: Volume-controlled ventilation modes have been shown to reduce duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of chronic lung disease, failure of primary mode of ventilation, hypocarbia, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, pneumothorax, and periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants when compared with pressure limited ventilation modes. Volume-guarantee (VG) ventilation is the most commonly used mode for volume-controlled ventilation. Assist control, pressure-support ventilation (PSV), and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) can be combined with VG; however, there is a lack of knowledge on the superiority of each regarding clinical outcomes.

Effects of a closed system suction connector on airway resistance in ventilated neonates.

Background/aim: Increased airway resistance reduces the effectiveness of ventilation treatment. Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and connectors contribute to resistance. However, the effect of a closed system suction (CSS) connector is not well known.

Iloprost Instillation in Two Neonates with Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension may coexist with certain diseases in neonates. Iloprost inhalation is one of the treatments which cause selective pulmonary vasodilatation. Inhalation is not an easy way of drug administration in mechanically ventilated infants; as some exhibit desaturations during inhalation.

Echocardiography may cause significant pain response in preterm infants.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate if echocardiographic examination causes any pain response in term and preterm infants.

Methods: Term and preterm neonates who admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Gazi University Hospital and Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Training and Research Hospital and were performed echocardiography for any reason were included into the study. Neonates were evaluated before, during and 10 minutes after the examination.

Perfusion index assessment during transition period of newborns: an observational study.

Background: Perfusion index (PI) is becoming a part of clinical practice in neonatology to monitor peripheral perfusion noninvasively. Hemodynamic and respiratory changes occur in newborns during the transition period after birth in which peripheral perfusion may be affected. Tachypnea is a frequent symptom during this period.

Impact of mode of delivery on skin microcirculation in term healthy newborns within the first day of life.

Background: Microcirculation is an important component of hemodynamic physiology. It can be assessed simply by clinical scores or by a variety of techniques including sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging and peripheral perfusion index (PI) measurements. Mode of delivery may have affects on microcirculation during transitional period.

Mass Effect of Pulmonary Sequestration: Multiloculated-Multiseptated Pneumomediastinum.

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) and pneumomediastinum are two rare clinical diseases. Pneumomediastinum was generally observed in infants either with diseased lungs or who were performed assisted ventilation or resuscitation following birth. It was reported in patients with existing ectopic thoracic kidney and laryngeal cysts however, no coexisting congenital lung anomalies were reported.

Nasal HFOV with Binasal Cannula Appears Effective and Feasible in ELBW Newborns.

Non-invasive ventilation has been used increasingly in recent years to reduce the duration of endotracheal ventilation and its complications, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation are the most common non-invasive modalities, and nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (n-HFOV) is relatively new but it seems effective and feasible. We present three premature cases who were ventilated with n-HFOV with Neotech RAM Cannula as interphase.

Functional brain maturation of prematurely born, growth discordant monochorionic twins assessed by aEEG.

The amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is a simple and convenient tool for brain function monitoring. It is being more widely used in monitoring high risk neonates in neonatal intensive care units. Normal values and patterns for aEEG activity in preterm infants are still being developing.

Skinfold thickness of preterm newborns when they become late preterm infants.

Background: Nutrition of very low-birth-weight newborns is important for a good physical and neurologic outcome. Body composition assessment, together with anthropometric measurements, is considered necessary to monitor adequate nutrition and growth. Objectives of this study were to assess body fat changes in newborns ≤32 weeks gestation by weekly skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements and to compare them with those of late preterm infants born at 34, 35, and 36 weeks once they reached 34, 35, and 36 weeks corrected age (CA).

The risk assessment study for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in a University Hospital in Turkey.

Maternal red-cell alloimmunization occurs when a woman's immune system is sensitized to foreign red-blood cell surface antigens, leading to the production of alloantibodies. The resulting antibodies often cross the placenta during pregnancies in sensitized women and, if the fetus is positive for red-blood-cell surface antigens, this will lead to hemolysis of fetal red-blood cells and anemia. The most severe cases of hemolytic disease in the fetus and newborn baby are caused by anti-D, anti-c, anti-E and anti-K antibodies.