Effect of fortification on the osmolality of human milk.

Background: It is known that human milk fortifiers (HMF) increases osmolality of human milk (HM) but some aspects of fortification have not been deeply investigated. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of fortification on the osmolality of donor human milk (DHM) and mother's own milk (MOM) over 72 h of storage using two commercial fortifiers and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) supplementation.

Methods: Pasteurized DHM and unpasteurized preterm MOM were fortified with 4% PreNAN FM85, 4% PreNAN FM85 plus 2% MCT, or 4% Aptamil BMF.

Effect of selective gastric residual monitoring on enteral intake in preterm infants.

Objective: Prefeed gastric residuals (GRs) monitoring has been correlated with an increased time to reach full feeds and longer parenteral nutrition without beneficial effect on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurrence. We aimed to assess effects of a new local protocol to provide for the selective evaluation of GRs excluding their routine monitoring.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study based on a "before and after" design in a cohort of infants born at 23-31 weeks of gestation.

Reduction of catheter-related bloodstream infections in preterm infants by the use of catheters with the AgION antimicrobial system.

Objective: The present study aims to assess if use of a silver zeolite-impregnated umbilical catheter (AgION technology) can decrease the occurrence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSIs) in preterm infants.

Study Design: Infants with gestational age<30weeks were randomized to receive an AgION impregnated or non-impregnated polyurethane umbilical venous catheter (UVC). The primary endpoint was the incidence of CRBSIs during the time the UVC was in place.

The fate of ductus arteriosus in infants at 23-27 weeks of gestation: from spontaneous closure to ibuprofen resistance.

Background: Some extremely preterm infants experience spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus. On the other side, a high percentage (22-30%) of preterm infants born at the lower gestational age fail to respond to a single course of ibuprofen.

Aim: To assess if there are clinical characteristics effective as predictive factors for spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus, development of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ibuprofen-resistant PDA.

Transepidermal water loss and cerebral hemodynamics in preterm infants: conventional versus LED phototherapy.

The aim of our study was to evaluate whether high-intensity gallium nitride light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy (LPT) influences transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and cerebral hemodynamics in preterm neonates in comparison with conventional phototherapy (CPT). Thirty-one preterm infants were randomized for conventional (n = 14) and for LED (n = 17) phototherapy. All infants were studied using a Tewameter TM 210 and cerebral Doppler ultrasound immediately before phototherapy (time 0), 30 min (time 1), 1-6 h (time 2), and 12-24 h (time 3) after the start of phototherapy, and 6-12 h after discontinuing phototherapy (time 4).