Placental Transfusion and Cardiovascular Instability in the Preterm Infant.

Postnatal adaptation in preterm newborn comprises complex physiological processes that involve significant changes in the circulatory and respiratory system. Increasing hemoglobin level and blood volume following placental transfusion may be of importance in enhancing arterial oxygen content, increasing cardiac output, and improving oxygen delivery. The European consensus on resuscitation of preterm infants recommends delayed cord clamping (DCC) for at least 60 s to promote placenta-fetal transfusion in uncompromised neonates.

Intestinal Perforation during the Stabilization Period in a Preterm Infant with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

 Delayed surgery after stabilization of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is an accepted strategy. However, the evidence favoring delayed versus immediate surgical repair is limited. We present an extremely rare case of a very low-birth-weight infant with prenatally diagnosed left-sided CDH and unexpected transmural bowel perforations developing within the postnatal stabilization period.

Procalcitonin is more likely to be released by the fetus rather than placental tissue during chorioamnionitis.

Aims: To analyze the relationship between maternal, cord blood and neonatal procalcitonin (PCT) levels in preterm deliveries with and without histologically proven chorioamnionitis (HCA).

Methods: 91 mother-infant pairs from 24+0 to 33+0 gestational weeks were analyzed. Procalcitonin was measured in all mothers within 24 hours before and subsequently in cord blood and in neonates within the first two hours after delivery.

Limited Amount of Formula May Facilitate Breastfeeding: Randomized, Controlled Trial to Compare Standard Clinical Practice versus Limited Supplemental Feeding.

Objectives: Breastfeeding is known to reduce infant morbidity and improve well-being. Nevertheless, breastfeeding rates remain low despite public health efforts. Our study aims to investigate the effect of controlled limited formula usage during birth hospitalisation on breastfeeding, using the primary hypothesis that early limited formula feeds in infants with early weight loss will not adversely affect the rate of exclusive or any breastfeeding as measured at discharge, 3 and 6 months of age.

How best to teach developmental assessment? A single-blinded randomised study.

Objective: Developmental assessment is a core paediatric competency, but research demonstrates teaching gaps. This single-blinded, randomised controlled study compares three teaching approaches to developmental assessment in a large group setting based on a student's self-perception and objective competency assessment.

Design: Students were randomised into one of the following: ▸ a didactic lecture followed by self-study with online resources (control group), ▸ a didactic lecture and small group tutorial (small group) ▸ a combined didactic lecture and interactive component using audio-visual equipment (Interactive Developmental Teaching-IDT group).