Predictors of a non-response to prophylactic indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants are recommended for prophylactic indomethacin (PIND) to promote closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and reduce morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the predictive factors of a non-response to PIND for PDA in preterm-birth infants.

Methods: Consecutive preterm-birth infants (gestational age: < 28 weeks) who received PIND between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively enrolled.

Relationship between placental weight and late-onset circulatory collapse.

Background: Late-onset circulatory collapse (LCC) is a serious complication in preterm infants and is increasing in Japan. The underlying pathophysiology is thought to be relative adrenal insufficiency and it is more likely to develop at a young gestational age (GA) and in low birthweight (BW) infants. BW to placental weight ratio (BPR) is an index of pregnancy outcomes and early neonatal morbidity.

Presepsin as a predictor of positive blood culture in suspected neonatal sepsis.

Background: Although the incidence of neonatal sepsis is decreasing, neonatal sepsis remains a severe life-threatening disease. No current biochemical marker can provide perfect diagnostic accuracy for neonatal sepsis. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the accuracy of presepsin (P-SEP) as a novel biomarker of bacterial infection for neonatal sepsis diagnosis.

Cardiovascular Remodeling and Dysfunction Across a Range of Growth Restriction Severity in Small for Gestational Age Infants - Implications for Fetal Programming.

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify cardiovascular structure and function in small for gestational age (SGA) infants across a range of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) severity.

Methods and results: This prospective study included 38 SGA infants and 30 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. SGA infants were subclassified into severe and mild SGA according to the degree of IUGR.

Impact of Decreased Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels on Central Aortic Compliance in Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants.

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with arterial hypertension in adulthood; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear.

Objectives: We hypothesized that serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels affect central aortic elastic properties and structure in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants.

Methods: Eighteen SGA infants and 22 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants were enrolled in this study.

Ampicillin- and ampicillin/sulbactam-resistant Escherichia coli infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in Japan.

The incidence of ampicillin (ABPC)-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection in very low-birthweight infants has been increasing. The rate of ABPC/sulbactam (ABPC/SBT)-resistant E.