infants

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are defined as babies having a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. A great number of studies have shown that children with SGA have an increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment. Electroencephalography (EEC) is an excellent method for measuring brain maturation in newborns. In this study, the effect of SGA on the maturation of cerebrocortical electrographic activity was investigated by the EEG and also analyzed with power spectral analysis. Serial EEGs were performed in 40 term SGAs, and 20 term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants in 1st week, 1st and 3rd month. Power spectral analysis was performed quantitatively in five channels (Fp(1)-C-3, C-3-O-1, Fp(2)-C-4, C-4-O-2, and Cz-C-4 channels). Amplitude levels of the SGA group were significantly lower than the AGA group in all records. Delta frequency was the major frequency component in the groups. Delta frequency activities in the midline vertex region were decreased in the AGA group with increasing postconceptual age while the activities of the SGA group were increased. Contrarily, beta frequency activities in the midline vertex region were increased in the AGA group with increasing postconceptual age while these activities of the SGA group were decreased. Theta frequency activities in the fronto-central regions were lower in the SGA group. in terms of the vertex, k-complex, and sleep spindle, there was no difference between the two groups. We conclude that cerebrocortical. electrophysiological maturation has been delayed in term SGA infants during the first three months of postnatal life. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

in pregnancy

Methyldopa is known to cause the production of autoantibodies against red blood cells (RBCs), leading to a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and hemolytic anemia. In about 20% of patients taking methyldopa, IgG autoantibodies develop against RBCs. However, most of the patients do not have hemolysis. A small percentage of such DAT-positive patients, about 2% of those taking methyldopa, develop an autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The fact that the DAT is positive in the newborn with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is considered as an isoimmune hemolytic disease caused by blood group incompatibility. In this article, a newborn with jaundice and positive DAT without hemolysis is reported. Her mother had the history of taking methyldopa in her pregnancy. Thus, when newborns are detected with positive DAT and jaundice, without blood group incompatibility, mothers should be questioned regarding drugs used in their pregnancy

in pregnancy

Methyldopa is known to cause the production of autoantibodies against red blood cells (RBCs), leading to a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and hemolytic anemia. In about 20% of patients taking methyldopa, IgG autoantibodies develop against RBCs. However, most of the patients do not have hemolysis. A small percentage of such DAT-positive patients, about 2% of those taking methyldopa, develop an autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The fact that the DAT is positive in the newborn with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is considered as an isoimmune hemolytic disease caused by blood group incompatibility. In this article, a newborn with jaundice and positive DAT without hemolysis is reported. Her mother had the history of taking methyldopa in her pregnancy. Thus, when newborns are detected with positive DAT and jaundice, without blood group incompatibility, mothers should be questioned regarding drugs used in their pregnancy

Rats

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Inflammation and oxidative injury play an important role in the pathogenesis of BPD. Resveratrol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, the histopathological and biochemical effects of resveratrol on a hyperoxia-induced lung injury model in newborn rats were investigated.Methods: The experiment was performed on newborn rat pups from the 3rd to 13th postnatal day and they were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (air-exposed saline, n = 10), Group 2 (air-exposed resveratrol, n = 11), Group 3 (hyperoxia-exposed + saline, n = 6) and Group 4 (hyperoxia-exposed + resveratrol, n = 7). Resveratrol was administered (30 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. The histopathological effects of resveratrol on lung tissue were assessed by alveolar surface area, fibrosis, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) score, and the biochemical effects on Lung tissue were assessed by glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (INF-alpha), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) levels.Results: The alveolar surface area, fibrosis, SMA score, and NO levels were found to be significantly higher in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (p < 0.05). In addition, it was found that resveratrol treatment significantly reduced the SMA score and the NO and TNF-alpha levels, and increased the GSH and SOD levels in the hyperoxia group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This experimental study showed that oxidative stress and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced lung injury, and that resveratrol had a preventive effect on hyperoxic lung injury through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Copyright (C) 2014, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved

Report

Septic arthritis is encountered very rarely during the neonatal period and its diagnosis can delay because of atypical symptoms, thus it may lead to serious sequelae. The sequale can be prevented by early diagnosis and concomitant treatment. In neonates, pain can be experienced as a result of pseudoparalysis and of movement of the effected joints. A 17-day-old neonatal patient was brought to our hospital with complaint of unrest and then diagnosed with septic arthritis due to propagation of Klebsiella pneumoniae in joint fluid culture was represented because of the rarity of such a case

hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in rat pups with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced bowel injury.Methods: One-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (n = 21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 (control, untreated and not exposed to H/R, n = 7), group 2 (untreated but exposed to H/R, n = 7), and group 3 (EGb 761 + H/R, n = 7). Ginkgo biloba extract was administered (100 mg/kg per day, subcutaneously) to group 3 for 3 days. On the fourth day, all animals except controls were exposed to H/R and were killed 6 hours after H/R. Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), GSH-peroxidase (Px) activities, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured on intestinal samples.Results: Although the control group had normal HIS, group 2 had grade 3 HIS. In contrast, group 3 had minimal HIS, and these results were significantly better than those of group 2 (P < .001). Malondialdehyde and NO levels of group 3 were significantly lower than those of group 2 (P < .01). Glutathione and GSH-Px activities of group 1 were higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (P < .05). However, there were no significant differences for GSH and GSH-Px activities between groups 2 and 3.Conclusions: This study showed that hypoxia and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced intestinal injury and that prophylactically administered EGb 761 had a protective effect on bowel injury. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

hemorrhage

Objective: Periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage (PV/IVH) is the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage in the neonatal period. PV/IVH may cause significant neurodevelopmental problems for preterms, even it can be fatal. Low-birth weight and gestational age are the most important risk factors.Methods: In this study, predisposing risk factors were investigated by bedside cranial ultrasonography in 24 patients with PV/IVH in our neonatal intensive care unit retrospectively.Results: Predisposing risk factors were determined as need for ventilator therapy (87.5%), 5th minute Apgar score <7 (83.3%), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS, 79.1%), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, 66.6%), early neonatal sepsis (66.6%), nonuse of antenatal steroids (54.1%), asphyxia (33.3%), thrombocytopenia (25%), early rupture of membranes (25%) and intrauterine growth retardation (25%). Seven (29.2%) infants died during neonatal period, while 71.4% of them were <= 1500 g and 85.7% were <= 32GWs.Conclusion: Low gestational age (<= 32GWs) and birth weight (<= 1500 g), nonuse of antenatal steroids, low Apgar score, RDS, PDA, sepsis and need for ventilator therapy are important risk factors for PV/IVH. The newborns having predisposing risk factors should be evaluated by cranial US and infants diagnosed with intracranial bleeding should be closely monitoring

in a premature neonate

Endotracheal intubation is a common daily procedure used for sustaining life in premature and term neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. This procedure can be associated with some iatrogenic complications. One of these complications is ingesting a laryngoscope light bulb, and it is an extremely rare complication in neonates. The consequences of ingestion or aspiration may be serious and life-threatening. Herein, a male premature neonate, ingested a laryngoscope light bulb during endotracheal intubation because of surfactant replacement therapy, is reported. This case re-affirms the importance of checking the integrity of equipment before intubation effort

in a premature neonate

Endotracheal intubation is a common daily procedure used for sustaining life in premature and term neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. This procedure can be associated with some iatrogenic complications. One of these complications is ingesting a laryngoscope light bulb, and it is an extremely rare complication in neonates. The consequences of ingestion or aspiration may be serious and life-threatening. Herein, a male premature neonate, ingested a laryngoscope light bulb during endotracheal intubation because of surfactant replacement therapy, is reported. This case re-affirms the importance of checking the integrity of equipment before intubation effort

hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury

Background: This study was designed to determine the role of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes in rat pups with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced bowel injury and to evaluate the potential benefits of prophylactic clarithromycin.Methods: One-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (N = 21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I (control), group II (exposed to H/R), and group III (clarithromycin + H/R). Clarithromycin was administered (40 mg/kg) subcutaneously to group III for 3 days. On the fourth day, all rats except controls were exposed to H/R and were killed at 6 hours after H/R. Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malonyldialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and NO levels were measured on intestinal samples.Results: Whereas there was no difference for malonyldialdehyde levels among groups, HIS and NO levels were higher in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). However, GSH and GSH-Px activities were lower in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). Clarithromycin significantly increased GSH and GSH-Px activities and reduced HIS and NO levels in group III.Conclusion: This study showed that oxidative stress and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced bowel injury and that clarithromycin had a protective effect on bowel injury owing to antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved