Preterm development

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PURPOSE: To develop prediction models for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) based on risk factors in preterm Thai infants to reduce unnecessary eye examinations in low-risk infants. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included preterm infants screened for ROP in a tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, between September 2009 and December 2020. A predictive score model and a risk factor-based algorithm were developed based on the risk factors identified by a multivariate logistic regression analysis...

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a significant complication in extremely preterm infants. Therefore, early diagnosis of BPD is important for planning treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to assess the predictive efficacy of the Respiratory Severity Score (RSS) in determining severe BPD or death outcomes in very preterm infants. Methodology This retrospective study included preterm infants born with a gestational age of ≤30 weeks. The inclusion criteria comprised individuals who were mechanically ventilated (<1 week) during the first four weeks of life...

OBJECTIVES: We examined the effectiveness of combining Vitamin D supplementation with calcium on maternal and neonatal outcomes, as opposed to using Vitamin D supplements alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant women in their third trimester were divided into two groups. The control group received a daily dose of 1000 IU of Vitamin D, but, the experimental group received a combined daily dosage of 1000 IU of Vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium, until delivery. RESULTS: The women in the Vitamin D + calcium group were less likely to develop gestational diabetes (2...

Introduction Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common neural tube defect, but rarely seen in premature infants. Most centers advocate for closure of MMC within 24 hours of birth. However, this is not always possible in severely premature infants. Given the rarity of this patient population, we aimed to share our institutional experience and outcomes of severely premature infants with MMC. Methods We performed a retrospective, observational review of premature infants (≤ 32 weeks gestational age) identified through our multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic (1995-2021) and surgical logs...

SCOPE: This study investigates the exosomal microRNA (miRNA) profiles of term and preterm breast milk, including the most abundant and differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, and their impact on neurodevelopment in infants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mature milk is collected from the mothers of term and preterm infants. Using high-throughput sequencing and subsequent data analysis, exosomal miRNA profiles of term and preterm human breast milk (HBM) are acquired and it is found that the let-7 and miR-148 families are the most abundant miRNAs...

BACKGROUND: Increased survival rate of extremely preterm children is associated with a higher risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and long-term sequelae, which implicate retinal changes. PURPOSE: To assess an influence of perinatal characteristics on morphology and retinal vascularity of the macula in preterm children. METHODS: A cohort of 123 preterm children at the age of 10.5 years (IQR: 8.12-12.77) was prospectively assessed...

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate an early discharge programme with video consultations for preterm infants. METHODS: A homecare programme for preterm infants was developed. Prospective data on readmissions, length of stay, growth, breastfeeding rates, and parent self-reports about satisfaction were collected from April 2021 to August 2023. Additionally, retrospective data were collected from the Norwegian Neonatal Network Central Database from 2020. RESULTS: Preterm infants, 72 and parents, 128 were included...

BACKGROUND: Filiano and Kinney proposed a triple-risk model for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) that involves the intersection of three risks: (1) a vulnerable infant, (2) a critical developmental period in homeostatic control, and (3) an exogenous stressor(s). The primary evidence for the role of a critical developmental period in SIDS etiology is the peak of cases around the third month of life. Independently, several studies pointed to correlation between gestational age and age at death in SIDS, but used that to assess the SIDS risk for preterm infants, ignoring further ramifications...

BACKGROUND: Preterms are at risk of systemic infections as the barrier function of their immature skin is insufficient. The long period of hospitalization and the huge number of invasive procedures represent a risk factor for complications. Among the nosocomial infections of the skin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a clinical case of cellulitis and abscess in two preterm twins caused by MRSA in a tertiary level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between change in weight z-score after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge and neurodevelopmental outcomes and obesity at 12-48 months of age among individuals born very preterm. STUDY DESIGN: This secondary analysis used data from infants born very preterm participating in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes cohort (n=1400). Growth during infancy was calculated as change in weight z-score between NICU discharge and follow-up at a mean of 27 months of age...

BACKGROUND: The main data available on the safety of radiation during pregnancy originate from animal studies and from studies of survivors of atomic or nuclear disasters. The effect of radiotherapy to treat maternal cancer on fetal development is uncertain. This report presents a unique cohort and aims to determine the long-term neurocognitive, psychosocial and physical outcomes of offspring of mothers treated with radiotherapy during pregnancy. METHODS: In this international, multicentre, mixed retrospective-prospective cohort study, we recruited participants between Aug 5, 2006, and Aug 24, 2023, aged between 1·5 and 46 years, at three referral centres in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the USA...

 Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the tissues due to increased levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin in capillaries. It is a common finding in newborn infants that can be caused by different diseases, including pulmonary, cardiac, infectious, and hematological disorders. Methemoglobinemia is a rare cause of cyanosis, in which hemoglobin is oxidized, changing its heme iron configuration from the ferrous (Fe2 +) to the ferric (Fe3 +) state, creating methemoglobin (Met-Hb), a form that does not bind oxygen, leading to decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues and cyanosis...

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis is a vertical infection caused by Treponema pallidum. Despite the implementation of preventive strategies during pregnancy, its incidence is increasing, and it constitutes an important public health problem. Most patients with congenital syphilis are asymptomatic; however, a small group may develop severe disease at birth with the need of advanced resuscitation in the delivery room, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and hemodynamic instability. Therefore, awareness is needed...

BACKGROUND: The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has increased over time. Several studies indicate that paternal use of medication may adversely affect the developing fetus. Only a few studies have investigated the association between preconceptional paternal exposure to SSRIs and the risks of adverse health outcomes in children. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess adverse birth outcomes and adverse early life events in children fathered by men using SSRIs prior to conception...

INTRODUCTION: Although the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has many advantages, misplacement can lead to serious life-threatening complications such as pericardial effusion (PCE) and cardiac tamponade (CT). This report aims to describe four cases of CT resulting from misplaced PICC, which were successfully managed. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of neonates who required PICC insertion and had PCE leading to CT in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during the year 2022...

Introduction The placenta is often overlooked in the routine evaluation of normal gestations, receiving attention only when abnormalities are detected. Placental thickness can serve as a good predictor of fetal growth and birth weight, especially in the second trimester.In this prospective study, we measured placental thickness in the second and third trimesters of singleton pregnancies and identified an association between placental thickness and adverse outcomes such as congenital anomalies, fetal growth restriction (FGR), prematurity, low birth weight, stillbirth, and hydrops fetalis...

PURPOSE: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the main cause of blindness in premature infants. Despite developments in neonatal care and management guidelines, ROP is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Hence, the identification of risk factors for ROP is critical to diminish the burden of the disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all infants with gestational age <mml:math xmlns:mml="https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mo>≤</mml:mo></mml:math> 36 weeks referred to the ophthalmology clinic at Shafa hospital, Kerman, Iran from 2014 to 2015...

BACKGROUND: Concerns remain over the long-term safety of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). RAINBOW is an open label randomised trial comparing intravitreal ranibizumab (in 0.2 mg and 0.1 mg doses) with laser therapy in very low birthweight infants (<1500 g) with ROP. METHODS: Of 201 infants completing RAINBOW, 180 were enrolled in the RAINBOW Extension Study. At 5 years, children underwent ophthalmic, development and health assessments...

BACKGROUND: Various factors contribute to the development of infection-related acute encephalopathy (AE) in children, such as infectious agents and chronic underlying disorders. We studied underlying disorders in children with AE to identify predisposing factors of AE. METHODS: We investigated underlying disorders or past histories in patients with two types of AE from the database in the Tokai area of Japan between 2009 and 2022: 204 patients with AE with reduced subcortical diffusion (AED) and 137 with clinically mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS)...