Effect of dopamine on peripheral perfusion in very-low-birth-weight infants during the transitional period.

Introduction: Dopamine is one of the most frequently used inotropic drugs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); however, it does not seem to improve outcomes in premature infants. Given that the ultimate aim of cardiovascular management is to stabilize and maintain organ perfusion, an understanding of dopamine's effects on organ blood flow will help in judging when to use dopamine and how to titrate the dosage. Such an approach can lead to improved outcomes.

Prophylactic probiotics reduce cow's milk protein intolerance in neonates after small intestine surgery and antibiotic treatment presenting symptoms that mimics postoperative infection.

Background: To examine occurrence of cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) in newborns that underwent small intestine surgery and the clinical profiles of those newborns with postoperative CMPI, and to evaluate the preventive effects of probiotics on CMPI.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2009, a total of 30 newborns required surgery on their small intestines. All of these patients had received antibiotics to prevent postoperative infection.

Resuscitation of preterm infants with reduced oxygen results in less oxidative stress than resuscitation with 100% oxygen.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the level of inhaled oxygen during resuscitation on the levels of free radicals and anti-oxidative capacity in the heparinized venous blood of preterm infants. Forty four preterm infants <35 weeks of gestation with mild to moderate neonatal asphyxia were randomized into two groups. The first group of infants were resuscitated with 100% oxygen (100% O(2) group), while in the other group (reduced O(2) group), the oxygen concentration was titrated according to pulse oximeter readings.

Levels of catecholamines, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide in hypotensive extremely low birth weight infants in the first 24 hours after birth.

Background: Extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) often suffer from severe hypotension in the early neonatal period. However, few previous studies have ever revealed plasma levels of vasoactive substances which regulate the cardiovascular system in ELBWI.

Objective: To study plasma levels of vasoactive substances in ELBWI with hypotension during the first 24 h of life.

Association between Total Antioxidant Capacity in Breast Milk and Postnatal Age in Days in Premature Infants.

This study aimed to consider the significance of breast milk in preventing oxidative stress by comparing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast milk and formula milk for premature infants, demonstrating the relationship between TAC in breast milk and postnatal age in days. We used the biological anti-oxidant potential test, a new method to measure TAC in breast milk. Breast milk for premature infants were stored at -20 degrees C and thawed within 48 h of collection.