Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Things to Consider and Ways to Manage

Involving more commonly the premature (less than 37 weeks of gestational age) infants, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is an important clinical syndrome responsible for a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The main progress in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) management is attributable to prescription of surfactant for fastening pulmonary maturation. Respiratory protection, such as mechanical ventilation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure, and surfactant are building blocks of disease treatment. In this chapter, we are going to have a rapid review on epidemiology, diagnosis and treatments of RDS

Breastfeeding and Gut Microbiota

Human breast milk (HBM) not only is a source of nutrition for infants but also contains a variety of biologically active components and bacterial species. These molecules and bacteria guide both intestinal microbiota and infantile immune system. Recently published studies have found several vital roles for gut microbiota including effects on the individual’s personality, decreased predisposition to the diseases, and a variety of other health-related consequences such as possible therapeutic effects or preventing role. In this chapter the components of human breast milk and its effect on shaping the human gut microbiota have been reviewed

Comparison of Fentanyl and Midazolam for the Sedation of Infants Under Mechanical Ventilation; A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), a life-threatening pulmonary disorder, involves 1% of all deliveries worldwide. Shallow breathing causes restlessness in infants, which itself affects pulmonary function; thus, sedative medications are used to preserve better pulmonary function. There are different opinions about the benefits and superiority of these drugs. Objective: The study purposed to assess and compare the effects of fentanyl and midazolam on the required time of mechanical ventilation in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 infants with RDS were randomly allocated to 2 groups (30 infants each); the first group underwent sedation with midazolam (0.1 mg/kg), and the second group received 0.5 mcg/kg of fentanyl during ventilation. The duration of hospitalization, required time of ventilation, drug complications, feeding intolerance, as well as pneumothorax incidence and need for re-intubation were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Eventually, 60 infants (45 male and 15 female) with a mean gestational age of 37.13±1.22 weeks in the midazolam group and 36.73±1.50 weeks in the fentanyl group underwent analysis (P value=0.449). Infants in the midazolam group had a mean length of stay of 11.96 ± 3.41 days, while mean length of stay was 10.36±3.57 days for infants in the fentanyl group (P value=0.039). Mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 4.6±2.14 days in the midazolam group and 4.06±2.04 days in the fentanyl group (P value=0.252). Conclusion: The findings suggest that midazolam is a more suitable medication for the sedation of infants under mechanical ventilation in comparison with fentanyl; however, its side effects, such as apnea, pneumonia, and seizure, should be considered

Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastric Residual Volume and Weight Gain of Premature Infants Admitted in NICU

peer reviewe

Comparing the Efficacy of NCPAP and NIPPV in Infants with RDS after Extubation; A Randomized Clinical Trial

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Comparison of Intravenous Dexamethasone and Budesonide Nebulizer in the Treatment of Infantile Respiratory Distress Syndrome; A Randomized Clinical Trial

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Associations between anthropometric characteristics and insulin markers in mothers and their neonates and with neonate`s birth weight: An observational cohort study

This study aimed to identify possible associations between anthropometric characteristics and insulin markers of mothers and 1) their neonate`s birth weight, and 2) those markers of neonates. A prospective observational cohort of 100 healthy mothers who came to a hospital in Tehran in 2014 from pregnancy to delivery as well as their term neonates comprised the study population. Only newborns with weight within normal range were included. Anthropometric indices and serum glucose and insulin levels were measured in both mothers and neonates. Correlations between maternal body and serum indices and neonate`s serum indices and birth weight were assessed. Maternal weight before pregnancy (r= 0.3, p=0.001), at time of delivery (r= 0.3, p=0.001), and maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy (r= 0.2, p=0.04) positively associated with neonate`s birth weight. For the neonates with normal birth weight, there was no correlation between maternal serum glucose and insulin levels and neonate`s serum glucose and insulin levels or birth weight. Neonate`s serum glucose correlated positively with insulin levels (r= 0.3, p=0.006) and HOMA-IR (r= 0.6, p < 0.0001); and negatively with HOMA-S (r= -0.6, p < 0.0001) and QUICKI (r= -0.5, p < 0.0001). Neonate`s insulin correlated positively with HOMA-IR (r= 0.9, p < 0.0001), and negatively with HOMA-S (r= -0.9, p < 0.0001), QUICKI (r= -0.9, p < 0.0001), gestational age (r= -0.2, p=0.03) and with glucose-insulin (GI) ratio (r= -0.9, p < 0.0001). Neonate`s GI ratio correlated positively with gestational age (r= 0.2, p=0.01). Maternal serum glucose and insulin showed positive correlation (r= 0.4, p < 0.0001). The lowest maternal insulin quartile had dominantly male and the highest quartile had dominantly female neonates (p=0.006). In conclusion, maternal anthropometric measures correlate with neonates` birth weight. Advancing health promotion to normalize these maternal parameters may reduce the incidence of abnormal birth weights among newborns

Association of SARS-COV-2 Cycle Threshold Values with Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Children and Adolescents in Iran

Background: The associations between the epidemiological, clinical, and serological features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the nasopharyngeal viral load have not, yet, been understood completely. Methods: This cross-sectional single center study of outpatient children and adolescents was conducted between January and March 2021. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab specimens was positive for SARS-CoV-2. Nasopharyngeal Cycle threshold (Ct) values were measured for all patients considering different clinical features, age, and sex, in presence of covid-19 specific serum antibody. Results: The data of 70 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 were analyzed (mean (range) age: 9.6 (5-14) years; 29 females (41%)). Sixty-four children (91.4%) were symptomatic at the time of sampling (mean time of symptom onset, 3.9 days). There were no differences in mean Ct values between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (31.4 vs 28.8, p=0.247). Ct values were significantly lower in cases with diarrhea (p=0.044) and younger children (p=0.003). No correlation was found between Ct values and gender (p=0.415). Serum antibody was measured in 25 (36%) patients. Presence of antibody was not associated with Ct values (p=0.121). Fifty-nine cases (84.3%) reported exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 positive household. Conclusions: Higher nasopharyngeal Ct values, suggesting lower virus load, are related to older age, but there is no difference in Ct values between genders. Considering that diarrhea may predict lower Ct values in the respiratory system, the importance of early quarantine of children with atypical symptoms (such as gastrointestinal symptoms) or children in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 family member is highlighte

The effect of probiotics on reducing hospitalization duration in infants with hyperbilirubinemia

peer reviewedBackground: Approximately 60% of term and 80% of premature infants are hospitalized for hyperbilirubinemia in the first week of life. Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common cause of infant hospitalization and readmission. Due to the high frequency of hyperbilirubinemia in infants and the high costs of treatment, it is necessary to find a way to decrease hospitalization duration. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the adjunctive effect of probiotics on decreasing hospitalization time for infants with hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 92 term infants with hyperbilirubinemia who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the probiotic or control group. Patients in both groups underwent common phototherapy. Once a day, those in the probiotic group were also given half of a capsule of Prokid probiotic, while those in the control group received half of a placebo capsule. The duration of phototherapy and hospitalization, the blood groups of mothers and infants, and each patient’s bilirubin levels before and after phototherapy, direct Coombs test results, and levels of hemoglobin, G6PD, and reticulocytes were recorded. Results: Data from 92 patients with a mean age of 5.25 ± 2.35 days underwent analysis. The control group had 47 (51.1%) patients with a mean age of 5.19 ± 2.51 days and the probiotic group had 45 (48.9%) patients with a mean age of 5.31 ± 2.19 days (P = 0.81). The 92 patients had a mean bilirubin level of 16.70 ± 3.07 mg/dL, with a mean of 16.42 ± 3.53 mg/dL in the control group and 17.00 2.49 mg/dL in the probiotic group (P = 0.37). The duration of hospitalization averaged 3.34 ± 0.70 days overall, with an average of 3.55 ± 0.74 days for the control group and 3.13 ± 0.70 days for the probiotic group. The probiotic group had a significantly lower hospitalization stay in comparison to the control group (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that probiotics may be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for infants with hyperbilirubinemia by reducing the duration of hospitalization

Treatment of Osteopenic Menopause Women as a Public Health Problem with Nasal Calcitonin; an Original Study on Follow up Markers

Introduction: Various therapeutic options such as Calcitonin are suggested for patients with low bone density. However, the efficacy remains uncertain in all patients. C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) is the authentic bone marker which is recently used to assess the bone turnover. This study aimed at revealing the therapeutic effects of Calcitonin on osteopenic women via serum CTx and assessment of other biochemical markers. Methods: we conducted a before-after clinical trial on menopause women with low bone mineral density (bone mineral density score less than 1.5 SD of peak bone mass) attending Baqiyatallah hospital clinic. They received 200 IU Calcitonin nasal spray, calcium (1000 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU). Then the serum CTx and other laboratory parameters were compared after a 6 months treatment. The data was analyzed using SPSS ver.16, paired T-test and regression model. Results: The study population included 115 menopause women with the mean age of 58.75 ± 8.15 years. The CTx amount decreased significantly compared with that of the baseline level (3.203 ± 2.24 vs. 2.497 ± 1.657 Pmol/lit, P 0.05). Conclusion: Nasal spray of Calcitonin could be effective on the progression of osteoporosis by decreasing bone tissue turnover and improving the bone density. Further controlled-studies with a larger sample size and a longer duration of follow up are recommended