Change in neonatal resuscitation guidelines and trends in incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in California.

Objective: To describe trends in the incidence and severity of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) around the release of revised Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines in 2016.

Study Design: The California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative database was queried for years 2013-2017 to describe the incidence and outcomes of infants with MAS. Results were analyzed based on both individual years and pre- vs.

B-type natriuretic peptide levels in preterm neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a marker of severity?

Rationale For The Study: B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone released in response to stretching of the ventricular wall. The role of BNP as a biomarker of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been clarified.

Objective: To determine if plasma BNP concentrations correlate with the severity of BPD.

Impact of interhospital transport on the physiologic status of very low-birth-weight infants.

Objectives: To evaluate the change in physiologic stability of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants following transport using TRIPS (transport risk index of physiologic stability) score as a measure of physiologic stability and compare changes in TRIPS score in groups of VLBW infants who underwent shorter versus longer transport.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Results: Our cohort of 106 infants, 44 (41%) of whom were females, had a mean birth weight of 777 g (standard deviation [SD] 159) and median gestational age of 26 weeks (range 23 to 32 weeks).

Pneumatoceles in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit patients with a radiographic diagnosis of pneumatocele.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Results: Our cohort (n = 27) had a gestational age of 27 ± 5 weeks, birth weight of 1038 ± 760 g, and a predominance of females (59%) and black infants (74%).

Neonatal thyrotoxicosis presenting as persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Neonatal hyperthyroidism is a rare condition caused either by transplacental passage of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins from a mother with Graves' disease or by activating mutations of the thyrotropin receptors and α-subunit of G-protein. The clinical features may vary. We report a case of neonatal thyrotoxicosis in an infant born to a mother with Graves' disease, who presented with cardiorespiratory failure and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN).

Isolated ruptured appendicitis presenting as pneumatosis intestinalis in a premature neonate.

We report a novel case of ruptured appendicitis in a premature neonate which radiographically mimicked necrotizing enterocolitis with free intraperitoneal air. On exploratory laparotomy, both the large and small intestines were normal.

Point-of-care testing for B-type natriuretic peptide in premature neonates with patent ductus arteriosus.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is highly prevalent in pre-term neonates (PTN) and has been recognized as a neonatal co-morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine if levels of brain (or B-type) natriuretic peptide (BNP), a peptide secreted by ventricular myocytes in response to volume or pressure overload, correlate with the size of the PDA. In a prospective design, 52 PTN (no PDA: n=24; PDA: n=28) were studied after obtaining parental consent.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in a preterm newborn presenting within first 24 h of life.

A preterm neonate was noted to have diffuse blanching erythema around the mouth followed by appearance of bullous lesions on the upper back, lower neck and right scapular areas at 23 h of life. The bullae subsequently ruptured leaving an extremely tender, erythematous, denuded area of the skin, which extended over next few hours to involve most of the upper back and right shoulder regions. Nikolsky sign was positive.