Oral lactoferrin to prevent nosocomial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis of premature neonates and effect on T-regulatory cells.

Objective: Lactoferrin (LF) is effective in the prevention of sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. T-regulatory cells (Tregs) are important subsets of T lymphocytes that control pathogen-specific immune responses and are essential for intestinal immune homoeostasis. The aim of the present study is to determine whether oral LF at a dosage of 200 mg/d reduces nosocomial sepsis episodes and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants and to evaluate the possible effects of LF on Treg levels.

Severe postnatal cytomegalovirus infection with multisystem involvement in an extremely low birth weight infant.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common intrauterine and perinatal viral infection. Postnatal CMV infection is acquired mainly from breast milk and may cause severe illness in preterm infants. We report an extremely low birth weight infant who presented with a sepsis-like syndrome and multiple organ involvement, notably hepatitis and pneumonitis, and treated with ganciclovir without adverse effect or relapse.

Effect of sodium alginate on acid gastroesophageal reflux disease in preterm infants: a pilot study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the antireflux barrier formed by Na alginate on pH-metry-defined acid reflux events in preterms. Four times/day, 1 mL/kg of Na alginate was administered as an intervention to the preterm infants whose gastroesophageal reflux disease was confirmed by 24-hour pH monitoring, and the measurement was repeated after 48 hours. The major outcomes were improvement in the number of reflux events per 24 hours, the duration of the longest episode, the number of episodes >5 minutes per 24 hours, and reflux index on pH-metry.

Hyperekplexia in a neonate: a novel finding in Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy.

The Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cranial, cerebellar and ocular malformations and congenital muscular dystrophy. Hyperekplexia is characterized by transient, generalized rigidity in response to unexpected loud noises or sudden tactile stimulation. Herein, we report an infant who had typical clinical features of FCMD with hyperekplexia.

Does individual room implemented family-centered care contribute to mother-infant interaction in preterm deliveries necessitating neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization?

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of individual room care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the factors that influence mother-preterm infant interaction. Mothers in group I had hospitalization with their preterm infants in an individual room in the NICU. Mothers in group II were not hospitalized but had opportunity to visit their babies and spend time with them whenever they wanted.

Gender and HIV/AIDS.

The impact of gender on HIV/AIDS is an important dimension in understanding the evolution of the epidemic. How have gender inequality and discrimination against women affected the course of the HIV epidemic? This paper outlines the biological, social and cultural determinants that put women and adolescent girls at greater risk of HIV infection than men. Violence against women or the threat of violence often increases women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.

Effect of caffeine on control of breathing in infantile apnea.

Abnormalities in control of breathing have been associated with near-miss sudden infant death syndrome. Because caffeine is a respiratory stimulant, its effect on breathing pattern was evaluated in 12 infants with infantile apnea. Caffeine induced a significant increase in ventilation, tidal volume, and mean inspiratory flow.

Protein binding and bilirubin displacing properties of bumetanide and furosemide.

We evaluated the protein binding and comparative bilirubin displacing properties of bumetanide and furosemide in pooled adult and cord serum by ultrafiltration (UF), difference spectra (DS), and Sephadex Gel-25 (SG-25) filtration. By UF, bumetanide was found to be highly protein bound (96.7 per cent), similar to published data on furosemide (97.