Involuntary movement in infants during vitamin B12 treatment

Megaloblastic anemia is rare in infants and is generally due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency in the mother. Neurologic symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include irritability, failure to thrive, hypotonia, and developmental regression/delay. Herein we present 2 infants with vitamin B12 that developed movement disorder 5 d after initiation of vitamin B12 treatment. Symptoms included tremor and myoclonus, involving in particular the face, tongue, and hands. Clinical findings in infants associated with vitamin B12 deficiency vary, and temporary involuntary movement can be observed during vitamin B12 therapy. (Turk J Hematol 2011; 28: 317-22

Epidermoid Cyst of Orbit in a Newborn

A 3-day-old male newborn presented with a severe proptosis of the left eye leading to exposure keratopathy. He underwent debulking of the cyst and biopsy of the tumour and received the pathological diagnosis of epidermoid cyst of orbit. Clinicopathological features of this rare disease are discussed

Histological Chorioamnionitis: Effects on Premature Delivery and Neonatal Prognosis

WOS: 000323359600009PubMed ID: 23639744Background: Chorioamnionitis is closely related to premature birth and has negative effects on neonatal morbidity and mortality. Methods: In this prospective study, 43 mothers who delivered earlier than 35 gestational weeks and their 57 infants were evaluated clinically and with laboratory findings. Placentas and umbilical cords were investigated histopathologically for chorioamnionitis and funisitis. Results: The overall frequency of clinical and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) was 8.3% and 23.2%, respectively. The frequency of HCA was 47.3% and 83.3% in mothers delivered <32 weeks and <30 weeks, respectively. Maternal demographic and clinical findings and also leukocyte and C-reactive protein values were not indicative of HCA. Infants of mothers with HCA had significantly lower Apgar scores together with higher SNAP-PE-II and CRIB scores. These infants had increased mechanical ventilator and surfactant requirements, higher incidences of patent ductus arteriosus, early sepsis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and higher mortality rates. The effect of HCA on neonatal morbidity and mortality was more prominent than the effect of low birthweight and lower gestational age. Conclusion: Chorioamnionitis not only causes premature deliveries, but is also associated with neonatal complications and increased mortality. Clinical findings and infectious markers in mother or infant do not predict the diagnosis of histological chorioamnionitis. Therefore, placental histopathology may have a role in predicting neonatal outcome in premature deliveries, especially those below 30 weeks. Copyright (c) 2013, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

WOS: 000339230800008PubMed ID: 24796371BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) have important roles in perinatal lung development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphism and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. METHODS: VDR Fok I, Bsm I, Apa I, and Taq I polymorphisms were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism in 109 preterm infants (47 with BPD, 62 without BPD). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, Ff (odds ratio (OR) = 3.937, P = 0.022, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-12.69) and if (OR = 5.23, P = 0.004, 95% Cl = 1.69-16.23) genotypes of Fok I were associated with the increased risk of BPD; whereas tt genotype of Tag 1 was associated with a protective effect against BPD (OR = 0.30, P = 0.04, 95% Cl = 0.09-0.94). In multivariate logisiic regression analysis, variant Fok 1 genotype increased risk of BPD (OR = 4.11, 95% Cl = 1.08-15.68, P = 0.038) independent of patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, mechanical ventilation, and surfactant treatment. Taq 1, Bsm 1, and Apa 1 polymorphisms did not have any effect. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for multiple confounders, VDR Fok 1 polymorphism was associated with the increased frequency of BPD. Further studies are needed to assess the contribution of VDR signaling to the pathogenesis of BPD and to determine if VDR polymorphisms may be suitable for identifying infants at high risk for BPD.Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, TurkeyEge University [2011-TIP-086]This study was supported by a grant (2011-TIP-086) to N.K. from the Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey