How Can We Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HTLV-1?

The perception of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTlV-1) infection as a "silent disease" has recently given way to concern that its presence may be having a variety of effects. HTLV-1 is known to cause adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), an aggressive cancer of peripheral CD4 T cells; however, it is also responsible for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Most patients develop ATL as a result of HTLV-1 mother-to-child transmission.

Mortality and morbidity of extremely low birth weight infants in Japan, 2015.

Background: In Japan, the mortality rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants is notably low in comparison with other developed countries, but the prevalence of chronic lung disease (CLD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is relatively high. This study aimed to estimate the mortality and morbidity of ELBW infants born in 2015 who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan and to examine the factors that affected the short-term outcomes of these infants. We also compared the mortality of ELBW infants born in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

Experience using donor human milk: A single-center cohort study in Japan.

Background: Donor human milk (DHM) became available in Japan when the first human milk bank was established in 2017. This study investigated the effects of DHM on enteral nutrition (EN) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in the single center in Japan.

Methods: Seventy-six VLBW infants hospitalized between April 2017 and March 2020 at Showa University Hospital were included in the study.

Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1: Mechanisms and Nutritional Strategies for Prevention.

Approximately 95% of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is derived from prolonged breastfeeding, which is a major cause of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Exclusive formula feeding (ExFF) is therefore generally used to prevent MTCT. A recent cohort study revealed that 55% of pregnant carriers chose short-term breastfeeding for ≤3 months in Japan.

The Effect of Early Postnatal Nutrition on Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Mother-to-Child Transmission: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The main route of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 is vertical transmission via breastfeeding. Although the most reliable method for preventing MCTC is exclusive formula feeding (ExFF), short-term breastfeeding (STBF) or frozen-thawed breast milk feeding (FTBMF) has been offered as an alternative method if breastfeeding is strongly desired. The aim of this review was to clarify the pooled risk ratio of MCTC of STBF and FTBMF compared with ExFF.

Changes in mortality rates among extremely preterm infants born before 25 weeks' gestation: Comparison between the 2005 and 2010 nationwide surveys in Japan.

Background: There is no consensus as to whether the outcomes of extremely preterm infants born <25 weeks' gestation have been constantly improving.

Aims: Our study aimed to clarify changes in mortality during hospitalization among extremely preterm infants.

Study Design: Comparison of mortality rates between the 2005 and 2010 retrospective nationwide surveys in Japan.

A Nationwide Antenatal Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1 Antibody Screening in Japan.

Japan has been running a nationwide antenatal human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) antibody screening program since 2010 for the prevention of HTLV-1 mother-to-child transmission. As part of the program, pregnant women are invited to take an HTLV-1 antibody screening test, usually within the first 30 weeks of gestation, during regular pregnancy checkups. Pregnant women tested positive on the antibody screening test undergo a confirmatory test, either western blotting or line immunoassay.

Unsupervised breastfeeding was related to sudden unexpected postnatal collapse during early skin-to-skin contact in cerebral palsy cases.

Aim: This study aimed to identify the clinical features of infants who were healthy at birth, but developed sudden unexpected collapse and were then diagnosed with cerebral palsy before 5 years of age.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 1182 records from the no-fault Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy database up to 2016. This identified 45 subjects (3.

Feeding interval and use of donor breast milk for very low birthweight infants: A nationwide survey in Japan.

Background: Enteral feeding is critical for postnatal growth of very low birthweight infants (VLBWI); however, a standard feeding strategy has not been established in Japan. A 2- or 3-h feeding interval is generally used, but no clear evidence supports either approach. Additionally, there is no nationwide breast milk bank in Japan and no consensus exists on the use of donor breast milk (DBM).

Body length and occipitofrontal circumference may be good indicators of neurodevelopment in very low birthweight infants - secondary publication.

Aim: The aim of this study was to predict the neurological prognosis of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. We examined the relationship between nutritional status, brain volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anthropometric measurements of VLBW infants at term-equivalent age (TEA).

Methods: We evaluated 27 VLBW infants, born at Showa University Hospital in Japan between April 2012 and August 2013, who underwent brain MRI at TEA.

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in Beckwith-Wiedemann, Sotos, and Kabuki syndromes: A nationwide survey in Japan.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a congenital overgrowth syndrome that is occasionally associated with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) in the neonatal period. Sotos syndrome (SS) and Kabuki syndrome (KS) are other malformation syndromes that may be complicated with HH, however, the detailed clinical characteristics of HH accompanied with these syndromes remain unclear. We herein conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey in Japan.

[PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER SURVEY ON PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR POSITIVE ORAL FOOD CHALLENGE TESTS IN DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL FOOD ALLERGY IN NEONATES].

Objective: To assess predictors of positive oral food challenge test (OFC) in neonates that are suggestive of gastrointestinal food allergy.

Methods: A prospective case accumulations study on neonates suspected of having gastrointestinal food allergy was conducted in 126 neonatal intensive care units in Japan between April 2010 and September 2011. Neonates who underwent an OFC for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal food allergy were enrolled.

[SAFETY OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE ALLERGY TO HEN'S EGGS: A PROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES STUDY].

Background: Influenza vaccination guidelines have recommended that pediatricians should consult with allergists in the case of for children with histories of anaphylaxis to hen's eggs. On the other hand, whether such children can be safely vaccinated is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of influenza vaccination for children severely allergic to eggs.

Predictors of low milk volume among mothers who delivered preterm.

Background: Factors associated with successful provision of mother's own milk (MOM) for premature infants in a Japanese neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) context are not well known.

Objective: We determined the independent risk factors for low milk volume at day 4 postpartum and formula feeding at the time of NICU discharge.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of mothers who delivered at < 32 weeks' gestation.

[Effects of measurement position on the forced oscillation technique values].

Background: Cheek support and subject's arm position can influence on lung function values measured with forced oscillation technique. We examined resistance and reactance by different methods using a new forced oscillation technique machine called MostGraph (Chest Co. Ltd.

[The evaluation of lung function by using forced oscillation technique for children with asthma].

Background: Lung function measurements are useful objective indices to monitor asthma control in children. Recently, a new forced oscillation technique machine called MostGraph (Chest Co. Ltd.

Retrospective multicenter survey on food-related symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy in NICU neonates.

Background: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms in neonates. A relationship between non-immunoglobulin (Ig) E mediated allergic reactions and CMA in early infancy has been proposed, but the clinical features and pathogenesis have not been established. The objective of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of the neonates found in the earlier study to have food-related symptoms that suggested CMA.

Low HCMV DNA copies can establish infection and result in significant symptoms in extremely preterm infants: a prospective study.

Breast milk (BM) is the main source of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. We examined whether the number of HCMV DNA copies in BM is related to HCMV infection in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. We identified 11 pairs of VLBW infants and mothers.