Necrotizing enterocolitis: etiology, presentation, management, and outcomes.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal disease processes affecting infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Its morbidity and mortality are substantial. This devastating and challenging process results in immediate and long-term morbidities for the affected infant and frustrates the clinician who struggles to prevent the process, recognize it when it does develop, and provide management techniques to enhance the outcome.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder in a newborn with Down syndrome.

This is the report of a newborn with Down syndrome diagnosed with transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) that required chemotherapy on the first day of life. Children with Down syndrome have a 10- to 20-fold increased risk of developing TMD. TMD is characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of myeloblasts in the infant's peripheral blood and bone marrow.

Nurses' guide to early detection of umbilical arterial catheter complications in infants.

Umbilical arterial catheters (UAC) are routinely used in the care of critically ill newborns. Complications related to UACs include vascular compromise, hemorrhage, complications related to malposition, severance of the catheter itself, and infection. This article is Part II in a series dedicated to assessing infants with an umbilical catheter.

A nurse's guide to early detection of umbilical venous catheter complications in infants.

The use of umbilical catheters in the care of critically ill neonates has become standard practice. Both arterial and venous umbilical catheters are a vital component of care, providing a stable route for fluid and medication administration, vascular pressure monitoring, and frequent blood sampling. Although commonplace, umbilical catheters are not without complications.