Ductus Arteriosus in Fetal and Perinatal Life.

The ductus arteriosus represents an essential vascular structure connecting the pulmonary artery and the aorta. Over the past decades, there has been substantial advancement in our understanding of both the fundamental and clinical aspects of the ductus arteriosus. In particular, the clarification of the regulatory mechanisms governing ductal patency in critical stages such as the fetal and the perinatal period has enabled optimal management of both physiological and pathological conditions in which the ductus arteriosus plays a crucial role.

Reply to the comment on "Fluid restriction in management of patent ductus arteriosus in Italy: a nationwide survey".

The Authors Chang Liu B.S and Yuan Shi commented our paper on Fluid restriction in management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Italy. With our study, we conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey among all Italian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to address conservative management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants below 29 weeks' gestational age (GA), with specific regard to fluid restriction (FR).

Fluid restriction in management of patent ductus arteriosus in Italy: a nationwide survey.

Unlabelled: We aimed at establishing the state of the art in fluid restriction practice in our national setting and providing a foundation for future research efforts. A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among all 114 Italian Neonatal Units in order to address conservative management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants below 29 weeks' gestational age (GA), with specific regard to fluid restriction. Response rate was 80%.

Survey of PDA management in very low birth weight infants across Italy.

Background: The optimal management of PDA in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is still controversial. Aim of our study was to investigate the management of PDA in the Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

Methods: We conducted an on-line survey study from June to September 2017.

Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) in Italian neonatal intensive care units: a national survey.

Background: Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) has increasingly been used to assess the hemodynamic status in neonates. Aim of this survey was to investigate the utilization of NPE in Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods: We conducted an on-line survey from June to September 2017.

Italian Recommendations for Placental Transfusion Strategies.

At delivery, if the cord is not clamped, blood continues to pass from the placenta to the newborn during the first minutes of life, allowing the transfer of 25-35 ml/kg of placental blood to the newborn, depending on gestational age, the timing of cord clamping, the position of the infant at birth, the onset of respiration, and administration of uterotonics to the mother. However, deriving benefits from delayed cord clamping (DCC) are not merely related to placental-to-fetal blood transfusion; establishing spontaneous ventilation before cutting the cord improves venous return to the right heart and pulmonary blood flow, protecting the newborn from the transient low cardiac output, and systemic arterial pressure fluctuations. Recent meta-analyses showed that delayed cord clamping reduces mortality and red blood cell transfusions in preterm newborns and increases iron stores in term newborns.

Neonatal gastrointestinal involvement and congenital cytomegalovirus.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital viral infection, affecting 0.2 to 2.3% of all live births in developed countries.

Pregnancy in women with cardiovascular disease in the guidelines era: an Italian single-center experience.

Aims: The aim of the present study is to determine pregnancy outcome with regard to the risk class and the modality way of referral to our joint Cardiac Obstetric Clinic.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study. Patients referred to our clinic between 2011 and 2014 were included.

An unusual case of suspected microvascular angina in a newborn.

Myocardial ischemia in pediatric population is uncommon and usually due to congenital heart disease or extracardiac conditions leading to poor coronary perfusion. A 6-day-old newborn presented with respiratory distress and signs of heart failure. ECG, echocardiography, and laboratory results were consistent with myocardial ischemia.