Growth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants From Southern India at Corrected Age of One Year.

Objective: To assess the growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants at corrected age of one year.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled VLBW infants delivered in a tertiary care hospital, and followed up till one-year corrected age. The WHO Anthropo version 3.

Evaluation of T-piece resuscitator in the delivery room management of pre-term neonates with respiratory distress syndrome in resource-limited settings: A pre-post intervention study.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the T-piece resuscitator in the delivery room management of pre-term neonates in a resource-limited setting. We compared the incidence rates of delivery room intubation, surfactant replacement therapy, pulmonary air leak syndrome, and pre-term very low birth weight infant mortality, before and after T-piece use. Bi-monthly neonatal resuscitation training sessions were conducted for healthcare providers during the study period.

Identification of differentially methylated candidate genes and their biological significance in IUGR neonates by methylation EPIC array.

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pregnancy-associated disease manifested by decreased growth rate of fetus than the normal genetic growth potential. It is associated with increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases later in life. Although the mechanisms underlying the origin of metabolic diseases are poorly understood, DNA methylation is a crucial investigation for the identification of epigenetic changes.

Does fluid restriction improve outcomes in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy? A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether a strategy of restricted fluid intake in the first 4 days reduces mortality and morbidity among term neonates with moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

Study Design: Eighty neonates with HIE were randomized between January 2016 and February 2018 to receive normal fluid intake (n = 40) or restricted fluid intake (two-third of normal intake; n = 40) in the first 4 days of life. The primary outcome was a composite of death or major neurodevelopmental disability at 6 months of age.

Effect of Holder pasteurization on macronutrients and immunoglobulin profile of pooled donor human milk.

The objective of this study was to study the effect of Holder pasteurization on macronutrients and immunoglobulin profile of pooled donor human milk. This descriptive study was conducted in a Human Milk Bank of a tertiary care teaching institute in south India. Thirty random paired pooled donor human milk samples (before and after pasteurization) were analyzed for macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates) using infrared spectroscopy.

Hypothermia detection in low birth weight neonates using a novel bracelet device.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a novel hypothermia monitoring and alert bracelet device (BEMPU Bracelet) in low birth weight (LBW) neonates weighing less than 2000 g.

Design: This was a controlled prospective study.

Setting: This study was done in the step-down nursery of a tertiary level newborn unit of a major teaching hospital in India.

Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Neonates Born to Pre-eclamptic Mothers.

Objectives: To measure the oxidative stress and antioxidant status in preeclamptic mother-newborn dyads and correlate them with neurodevelopmental outcome at one year of corrected age.

Methods: This cohort study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, south India included 71 preeclamptic and 72 normal mother-newborn dyads. Biochemical parameters including total antioxidant status (TAS), protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were measured in both maternal and cord blood.

p.Arg69Trp in RNASEH2C is a founder variant in three Indian families with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is an early-onset severe neurological disorder characterized by intracranial calcification, white matter abnormalities, hepatosplenomegaly, cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis, and elevated interferon-α levels, thus mimicking congenital viral infections. It is a genetically heterogeneous condition and autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant forms with variations in seven genes known till date. Variations in RNASEH2C cause an autosomal recessive form of AGS.

Impact of human milk banking on neonatal mortality, necrotizing enterocolitis, and exclusive breastfeeding - experience from a tertiary care teaching hospital, south India.

Objective: The objective of this study is to study the impact of a Human Milk Bank (HMB) on neonatal mortality, incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and rate of exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods: This pre-post intervention study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching institute in south India. Data regarding neonatal mortality, incidence of NEC, and exclusive breastfeeding rates were collected for a period of 6 months before and after establishing a modern HMB and compared.

Molecular mechanisms of intrauterine growth restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pregnancy specific disease characterized by decreased growth rate of fetus than the normal growth potential at particular gestational age. In the current scenario it is a leading cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In the last decade exhilarating experimental studies from several laboratories have provided fascinating proof for comprehension of molecular basis of IUGR.

Oxidative stress and DNA damage in newborns born to mothers with hyperglycemia - a prospective cohort study.

Background: Hyperglycemic mothers have increased oxidative stress during pregnancy, which can adversely affect the outcome in their neonates.

Objectives: To measure the oxidative stress and DNA damage in newborns born to mothers with hyperglycemia and correlate their immediate outcome with the amount of oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Methods: This prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, South India included three groups - newborns born to pregestational diabetic mothers, gestational diabetic mothers, and euglycemic mothers with 24 newborns in each.

Effect of therapeutic hypothermia on myocardial dysfunction in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia - a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on myocardial dysfunction in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia.

Material And Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, south India included 120 newborns with perinatal asphyxia that were randomized to two groups (therapeutic hypothermia and normothermia). Cardiac enzyme profile changes between groups were assessed at 0, 24, 72 h CPK-MB and troponin I levels were estimated by immune inhibition and quantitative immunochromatography methods, respectively.

Clofibrate as an Adjunct to Phototherapy for Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia in Term Neonates.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral clofibrate as an adjunct to phototherapy for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was done in the level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Ninety term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with serum bilirubin 15-25 mg/dl were randomized to either intervention group (single dose of clofibrate in a dose of 50 mg/kg prior to starting phototherapy) or standard care group (only phototherapy).

Role of MicroRNAs in the development and function of innate immune cells.

MicroRNAs act as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of various biological processes. Their role in regulating the differentiation and development of the various immune cells of the body is of paramount importance. The development of immune cells from the hematopoietic progenitors involves the complex interplay of transcription factors, cell signaling proteins and growth factors.

Maternal perceptions and factors affecting Kangaroo mother care continuum at home: a descriptive study.

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of mothers who continued to practice Kangaroo mother care (KMC) at home and evaluate potential factors influencing this practice.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India. Mothers of preterm and low birth weight infants were trained in KMC during hospital stay.

Efficacy of zinc supplementation on serum calprotectin, inflammatory cytokines and outcome in neonatal sepsis - a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To find out the efficacy of zinc supplementation in decreasing the levels of serum calprotectin and inflammatory cytokines with improvement in outcome in neonatal sepsis.

Methods: Neonates with clinical signs suggestive of sepsis and at least two screening tests positive were randomized into two groups - zinc group and control group. The zinc group received 3 mg/kg of zinc sulfate monohydrate twice a day orally for 10 days along with antibiotics.