Perinatology & Neonatology This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory.

Music a boon to premature babies' health?
Despite recent studies touting benefits, many insurers won't pay for music therapy because of doubts it results in lasting medical improvements (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Notification of healthcare associated infections based on international criteria performed in a reference neonatal progressive care unity in Belo Horizonte, MG
CONCLUSION: The use of standardized criteria for reporting infections is necessary for the construction of indicators in neonatology, which are scarce in the country and highlight the need for evaluation of national criteria proposed by National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA). (Source: Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia)
Source: Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia - May 16, 2013 Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research

Africa: Landmark Reached in Fight Against Tetanus, As Over Half of 59 Priority Countries Declare Victory, Partners Say
[Unicef]New York -Tetanus, one of the most deadly diseases a mother and her newborn can face, has been eliminated in over half of 59 priority countries, the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative partners announced today. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - May 16, 2013 Category: African Health Source Type: news

Hyperglycemia as a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity
Conclusion: Our data suggests that hyperglycemia is associated with the development of ROP in premature infants. (Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles - May 16, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Shakir MohamedJeffrey MurrayJohn DagleTarah Colaizy Source Type: research

Noninvasive cardiac monitoring in pregnancy: impedance cardiography versus echocardiography
& T Seto (Source: Journal of Perinatology)
Source: Journal of Perinatology - May 16, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: J BurlingameP OhanaM AaronoffT Seto Tags: thoracic impedance cardiography echocardiography pregnancy labor Source Type: research

Abnormal motor behavior at 23 weeks in a fetus with Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS)
What's already known about this topic? Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder in which various organs can be affected and the phenotypic expression varies. Evaluation of the quality of fetal movements can support the distinction of a specific syndrome in case of multiple affected organs. What does this study add? With this case, we add early, in the second trimester of pregnancy, affected motor expression of the central nervous system. (Source: Prenatal Diagnosis)
Source: Prenatal Diagnosis - May 16, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Marleen A. Hagen, Kyra E. Stuurman, Johanna I. Vries Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research

Comparison of four self-report measures and a generic mood question to screen for anxiety during pregnancy in English-speaking women
Conclusion: Services wishing to screen for not only possible depression but also possible anxiety should use the generic mood question. For those services which currently use the EDS we recommend they also score the three-item anxiety subscale. (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders)
Source: Journal of Affective Disorders - May 15, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Stephen Matthey, Barbara Valenti, Kay Souter, Clodagh Ross-Hamid Tags: Research reports Source Type: research

Spontaneous Bowel Perforation From Distal Catheter Leading to Meningitis: A Rare but Frequently Overlooked Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts
A 13-year-old girl with severe cognitive impairment and chronic seizures was brought to the emergency department with a history of constipation as well as episodes of vomiting and low-grade fever for the past few days. At the neurologic examination, the patient presented with elevated temperature, nuchal rigidity, and photophobia, suggesting the diagnosis of meningitis. At the general examination, it was possible to visualize a filiform structure protruding from the patient's anal region. The family reported that the patient had placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt at 3 weeks old owing to neonatal hydrocephalus. ...
Source: Pediatric Neurology - May 15, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Tobias A. Mattei, Asem Salma, Julian J. Lin Tags: Images in Child Neurology Source Type: research

Neonatal Hypocalcemic Seizures Due to Excessive Maternal Calcium Ingestion
Abstract: Hypocalcemia is a common, treatable cause of neonatal seizures. A term girl neonate with no apparent risk factors developed seizures on day 5 of life, consisting of rhythmic twitching of all extremities in a migrating pattern. Physical examination was normal except for jitteriness. Laboratory evaluation was unremarkable except for decreased total and ionized serum calcium levels and an elevated serum phosphorus level. The mother had ingested 3-6 g of calcium carbonate daily during the final 4 months of pregnancy to control morning sickness. The baby's electroencephalogram showed multifocal interictal sharp waves ...
Source: Pediatric Neurology - May 15, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Jenna F. Borkenhagen, Ellen L. Connor, Carl E. Stafstrom Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Modulation of stretch-induced myocyte remodeling and gene expression by nitric oxide: a novel role for lipoma preferred partner in myofibrillogenesis
We examined the effect of cyclic mechanical stretch on myocyte adaptation using neonatal rat ventricular myocytes with 10% (adaptive) or 20% (maladaptive) maximum strain at 1 Hz for 48 h to mimic in vivo mechanical stress. Cells were also treated with and without nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a general nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor to suppress NO production. Maladaptive 20% mechanical stretch led to a significant loss of intact sarcomeres that were rescued by l-NAME (P < 0.05; n ≥ 5 cultures). We hypothesized that the mechanism was through NO-induced alteration of myocyte gene expression. l-NAME upr...
Source: AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology - May 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Hooper, C. L., Paudyal, A., Dash, P. R., Boateng, S. Y. Tags: SIGNALING AND STRESS RESPONSE Source Type: research

Role of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 in the Regulation of Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy [Heart]
IRF4, a member of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, was previously shown to be restricted in the immune system and involved in the differentiation of immune cells. However, we interestingly observed that IRF4 was also highly expressed in both human and animal hearts. Given that several transcription factors have been shown to regulate the pathological cardiac hypertrophy, we then ask whether IRF4, as a new transcription factor, plays a critical role in pressure overload–elicited cardiac remodeling. A transgenic mouse model with cardiac-specific overexpression of IRF4 was generated and subjected to an aor...
Source: Hypertension - May 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jiang, D.-S., Bian, Z.-Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, S.-M., Liu, Y., Zhang, R., Chen, Y., Yang, Q., Zhang, X.-D., Fan, G.-C., Li, H. Tags: Other myocardial biology, Hypertrophy Heart Source Type: research

Estrogen Normalizes Perinatal Nicotine-Induced Hypertensive Responses in Adult Female Rat Offspring [Estrogen]
Perinatal nicotine exposure caused a sex-dependent heightened vascular response to angiotensin II (Ang II) and increased blood pressure in adult male but not in female rat offspring. The present study tested the hypothesis that estrogen normalizes perinatal nicotine–induced hypertensive response to Ang II in female offspring. Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps from day 4 of gestation to day 10 after birth. Ovariectomy and 17β-estradiol replacement were performed on 8-week-old female offspring. At 5 months of age, Ang II–induced blood pressure responses were not ch...
Source: Hypertension - May 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Xiao, D., Huang, X., Yang, S., Zhang, L. Tags: Other hypertension, Other Vascular biology Estrogen Source Type: research

Combustion derived ultrafine particles induce cytochrome P-450 expression in specific lung compartments in the developing neonatal and adult rat
Vehicle exhaust is rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and can be a dominant contributor to ultrafine urban particulate matter (PM). Exposure to ultrafine PM is correlated with respiratory infections and asthmatic symptoms in young children. The lung undergoes substantial growth, alveolarization, and cellular maturation within the first years of life, which may be impacted by environmental pollutants such as PM. PAHs in PM can serve as ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) that induces expression of certain isozymes in the cytochrome P-450 superfamily, such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, localized in specific l...
Source: AJP: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology - May 15, 2013 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Chan, J. K. W., Vogel, C. F., Baek, J., Kodani, S. D., Uppal, R. S., Bein, K. J., Anderson, D. S., Van Winkle, L. S. Tags: ARTICLES Source Type: research

Neonatal hyperoxia: effects on nephrogenesis and long-term glomerular structure
Preterm neonates are born while nephrogenesis is ongoing and are commonly exposed to factors in the extrauterine environment that may impair renal development. Supplemental oxygen therapy exposes the preterm infant to a hyperoxic environment that may induce oxidative stress. Our aim was to determine the immediate and long-term effects of exposure to hyperoxia, during the period of postnatal nephrogenesis, on renal development. Newborn mice (C57BL/6J) were kept in a normoxic (room air, 21% oxygen) or a controlled hyperoxic (65% oxygen) environment from birth to postnatal day 7 (P7d). From P7d, animals were maintained in roo...
Source: AJP: Renal Physiology - May 15, 2013 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Sutherland, M. R., O'Reilly, M., Kenna, K., Ong, K., Harding, R., Sozo, F., Black, M. J. Tags: ARTICLES Source Type: research

Elective delivery of twins at 37 weeks gestation decreases infant complications
Commentary on: Dodd J, Crowther C, Haslam R, et al.., for the Twins Timing of Birth Trial Group. Elective birth at 37 weeks of gestation versus standard care for women with an uncomplicated twin pregnancy at term: the Twins Timing of Birth Randomised Trial. BJOG 2012;119:964–74. Context In singleton pregnancies, offering elective delivery at or beyond term (40 weeks gestation) reduces perinatal mortality.1 2 Epidemiological data suggest that in twin pregnancies ‘term’ may be earlier than in singletons. Morbidity and mortality in twin pregnancies is the lowest in association with delivery at 36&n...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 15, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Stock, S. J., Norman, J. E. Tags: Clinical trials (epidemiology), Epidemiologic studies, Pregnancy Therapeutics Source Type: research

Early planned birth may reduce neonatal sepsis compared to expectant management following preterm premature rupture of the membranes close to term
Commentary on: van der Ham DP, Vijgen SM, Nijhuis JG, et al..; on behalf of the PPROMEXIL trial group. Induction of labor versus expectant management in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes between 34 and 37 weeks: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2012;9:e1001208. Context Prelabour rupture of the membranes (rupture of the membranes prior to the onset of labour) occurs in 20% of all births.1 When this occurs at term there is good evidence that early delivery is associated with a lower incidence of maternal infection and increased maternal satisfaction compared with expectant management.2 Preterm prel...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 15, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Morris, J. Tags: Clinical trials (epidemiology), Pregnancy, Diabetes Therapeutics Source Type: research

Confirming the value of pulse oximetry screening for diagnosing critical congenital heart disease
Commentary on: Thangaratinam S, Brown K, Zamora J, et al.. Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart defects in asymptomatic newborn babies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2012;379:2459–64. Context Thangaratinam and colleagues, studied the value of pulse oximetry screening of neonates for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). CCHD is usually defined as a congenital heart disease (CHD) that requires treatment in the neonatal period to prevent death or severe morbidity; most of these neonates have ductus-dependent lesions. About 25–40% of children born with CHD have CCHD, and 10&nd...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 15, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Hoffman, J. I. E. Tags: EBM Diagnosis, Epidemiologic studies, Genetics, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Hypertension, Radiology, Pulmonary hypertension, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Screening (epidemiology), Screening (public health) Source Type: research

Cervical pessary reduces spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks and adverse outcomes in pregnant women with a short cervix
Commentary on: Goya M, Pratcorona L, Merced C, et al. Pesario Cervical para Evitar Prematuridad (PECEP) Trial Group. Cervical pessary in pregnant women with a short cervix (PECEP): an open-label randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2012;379:1800–6. Context Prematurity prevention continues to be one of the biggest challenges in perinatal medicine. Most pregnancies complicated by preterm birth occur in gestations without any historical risk factors. The most effective therapeutic approach for the asymptomatic patient with a short cervix continues to evolve. For over 50 years, the cervical pessary has been used to t...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 15, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Ludmir, J. Tags: Clinical trials (epidemiology), Pregnancy, Radiology, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics) Prevention Source Type: research

Elective induction of labour is associated with decreased perinatal mortality and lower odds of caesarean section at 40 and 41 weeks
Commentary on: Stock SJ, Ferguson E, Duffy A, et al.. Outcomes of elective induction of labour compared with expectant management: population based study. BMJ 2012;344:e2838. Context Induction of labour can be utilised to intervene in a pregnancy when the risks of ongoing pregnancy outweigh that of intervention. Elective induction of labour is labour induction without a clear medical or obstetric indication. It is widely believed to increase caesarean delivery, posing unnecessary risks to mother and fetus.1 2 However, little objective information supports this conclusion, and a meta-analysis of randomised trials3 found tha...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 15, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Caughey, A. B. Tags: EBM Aetiology, Epidemiologic studies, Hypertension, Pregnancy Source Type: research

Neonatal stress augments the hypoxic chemoreflex of adult male rats by increasing AMPA receptor‐mediated modulation
New Findings •What is the central question of this study?Early life exposure to stress augments the hypoxic chemoreflex of adult male rats. This effect predisposes to respiratory instability during sleep. We used pharmacological and neuroanatomical approaches to determine whether a change in glutamatergic neurotransmission contributes to this abnormal respiratory phenotype. •What is the main finding and its importance?We initially showed that neonatal stress augments sensitivity to an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist. Results from autoradiography experiments support this observation because they demonstrate that ne...
Source: Experimental Physiology - May 15, 2013 Category: Physiology Authors: Roumiana Gulemetova, Guy Drolet, Richard Kinkead Source Type: research

The role of noninvasive prenatal testing as a diagnostic versus a screening tool ‐ a cost‐effectiveness analysis
ConclusionsNIPT as a screening tool that requires a confirmatory amniocentesis is cost‐effective compared to its use as a diagnostic tool and leads to far fewer losses of normal pregnancies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. (Source: Prenatal Diagnosis)
Source: Prenatal Diagnosis - May 15, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Mika Ohno, Aaron B. Caughey Tags: NIPT Special Issue Source Type: research

Maternal cfDNA screening for Down syndrome – a cost sensitivity analysis
ConclusionUniversal cfDNA screening for Down syndrome will only become affordable by public health purchasers if costs falls substantially. Until this happens, the contingent use of cfDNA is recommended. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. (Source: Prenatal Diagnosis)
Source: Prenatal Diagnosis - May 15, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Howard Cuckle, Peter Benn, Eugene Pergament Tags: NIPT Special Issue Source Type: research

James Dyson sets sights on hospital wards
He revolutionised the vacuum cleaner and the hand dryer - and now Sir James Dyson hopes to improve health care in hospitals after his revamp of a neonatal ward reaped benefits for patients. (Source: Telegraph Health)
Source: Telegraph Health - May 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Local Community Group Activities May Help Reduce Neonatal Mortality In Vietnam
Community groups in rural Vietnam comprised of local health workers, politicians and laywomen (Maternal and Newborn Health Groups) set up to tackle challenges to maternal and neonatal health may reduce the neonatal death rate after three years and increase antenatal care attendance, according to a study by researchers from Sweden and Vietnam published in this week's PLOS Medicine. These findings are important as they show that is it feasible to implement community-based activity into the public sector system at low cost... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Aid / Disasters Source Type: news

Bed rest may not prevent premature birth after all
Researchers discovered more women on bed rest actually had premature babies (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - May 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

What to expect when you're expecting to go to the Florida Hospital Milk Depot
So this morning, I’m expecting to head out to Florida Hospital’s lactation center for the grand opening of the Milk Depot. The Milk Depot, in case you missed it, will be a donation drop-off center where mothers can donate breast milk. The human milk — their words — is given to babies who are born prematurely or are in the neonatal intensive care unit. I had a few burning questions, and Florida Hospital spokeswoman Ashley White was able to help. The Milk Depot is a collection point, where… (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines - May 14, 2013 Category: American Health Authors: Abraham Aboraya Source Type: research

Predicting risk severity and response of fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Summary Fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a devastating bleeding disorder in the fetus or neonate caused by transplacental transport of maternal alloantibodies to paternal‐derived antigen on fetal platelets. In Caucasians, up to 80% of FNAIT cases result from maternal immunization to human platelet antigen (HPA)‐1a. New methods have developed facilitating detection of common and private antibodies against HPAs triggering FNAIT. Understanding the pathogenesis of FNAIT made it possible to develop a novel strategy to treat this disorder. To date, recombinant monoclonal antibodies directed against the �...
Source: British Journal of Haematology - May 14, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Ophira Salomon, Nurit Rosenberg Tags: State of the Art Review Source Type: research

Effect of Facilitation of Local Maternal-and-Newborn Stakeholder Groups on Neonatal Mortality: Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Conclusions A randomized facilitation intervention with local stakeholder groups composed of primary care staff and local politicians working for three years with a perinatal problem-solving approach resulted in increased attendance to antenatal care and reduced neonatal mortality after a latent period. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN44599712Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary (Source: PLoS Medicine)
Source: PLoS Medicine - May 14, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Lars Åke Persson et al. Source Type: research

Foetal and neonatal outcomes in first‐trimester pregnant women exposed to abdominal or lumbar radiodiagnostic procedures without administration of radionucleotides
ConclusionOur results indicate that X‐ray and computed tomography scan exposure involving abdominal irradiation without the administration of radionucleotides is not associated with adverse foetal and neonatal deterministic outcomes. Efforts are required to reduce the use of radiodiagnostic procedures for general check‐ups in childbearing age women. (Source: Internal Medicine Journal)
Source: Internal Medicine Journal - May 14, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. S. Choi, J. Y. Han, H. K. Ahn, H. M. Ryu, M. Y. Kim, J. H. Chung, G. H. An, A. A. Nava‐Ocampo Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Growth characteristics of human parechovirus 1 to 6 on different cell lines and cross- neutralization of human parechovirus antibodies: a comparison of the cytopathic effect and real time PCR
Conclusion: When replication is monitored by PCR, growth of HPeV genotypes 1 to 6 is supported by most of the cell lines tested, where viral replication is measured before appearance of CPE. A combination of HT29 and Vero cells would therefore support replication of all culturable HPeV types, so viral replication could be detected by PCR within 3 days for all genotypes.In addition, we showed efficient neutralization for HPeV1, 2, 4, 5, while cross- neutralization was shown between these types, indicating possible common neutralizing epitopes. For HPeV3 no efficient (cross-) neutralization was shown, indicating different ne...
Source: Virology Journal - May 13, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Brenda WesterhuisSara JonkerSandhia MattaoKimberley BenschopKatja Wolthers Source Type: research

How to use... neonatal TORCH testing
Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus have in common that they can cause congenital (TORCH) infection, leading to fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. During the last decades, TORCH screening, which is generally considered to be single serum testing, has been increasingly used inappropriately and questions have been raised concerning the indications and cost-effectiveness of TORCH testing. The problems of TORCH screening lie in requesting the screening for the wrong indications, wrong interpretation of the single serum results and in case there is a good indication for diagnosis of con...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - May 13, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: de Jong, E. P., Vossen, A. C. T. M., Walther, F. J., Lopriore, E. Tags: Epidemiologic studies, Travel medicine, Tropical medicine (infectious diseases), Screening (epidemiology), Screening (public health) Interpretations Source Type: research

The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure: Application of a new therapeutic paradigm
Abstract The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a term given to a technique that can transform a potentially fatal neonatal emergency to a controlled intervention with an improved outcome. It has revolutionised the care of prenatally diagnosed congenital malformations in which severe upper airway obstruction is anticipated. An extended period of utero‐placental circulation can be utilised to avoid profound cardiopulmonary compromise. Its therapeutic applications have been broadened to include fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia after tracheal plugging, high‐risk intrathoracic masses, severe car...
Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - May 13, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Kiarash Taghavi, Spencer Beasley Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

Child Neurology: Zellweger syndrome
Zellweger syndrome (ZS) is a severe manifestation of disease within the spectrum of peroxisome biogenesis disorders that includes neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, infantile Refsum disease, and rhizomelic chondroplasia punctata. Patients with ZS present in the neonatal period with a characteristic phenotype of distinctive facial stigmata, pronounced hypotonia, poor feeding, hepatic dysfunction, and often seizures and boney abnormalities. In patients with ZS, a mutation in one of the PEX genes coding for a peroxin (a peroxisome assembly protein) creates functionally incompetent organelles causing an accumulation of very long c...
Source: Neurology - May 13, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Lee, P. R., Raymond, G. V. Tags: All Clinical Neurology, Peroxisomes, All Genetics RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research

Perinatal outcome after fetoscopic release of amniotic band – a single center experience and a review of the literature
ConclusionFetoscopic release of amniotic bands with minimally invasive surgery may allow for preservation of life and/or limb function, in cases of amniotic band syndrome. The acceptable functional outcome in 50% of the cases is reassuring, although more experience and further studies are needed in order to hone in on the appropriate selection criteria that will justify the risk of this invasive in‐utero therapy for ABS. (Source: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Source: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology - May 13, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: Pouya Javadian, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz, Sina Haeri, Rodrigo Ruano, Susan M. Ramin, Darrell Cass, Oluyinka O. Olutoye, Michael A. Belfort Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Hypocalcemia in the Critically Ill patient
Hypocalcemia is common in the critically ill patient. In this population, however, the diagnosis of hypocalcemia is complicated by limitations in the interpretation of the total plasma calcium concentration. These limitations are principally the result of the effects of hypoalbuminemia and disorders of acid-base balance on the total calcium concentration. Thus, measurement of ionized calcium can be critical in determining an individual’s true serum calcium status. In this review, we first describe the regulation of normal calcium metabolism and then focus on the various etiologies of hypocalcemia, including congenita...
Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine - May 13, 2013 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Kelly, A., Levine, M. A. Tags: Analytic Review Source Type: research

Book review
(Source: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology)
Source: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology - May 13, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Jean‐Louis Pérignon Tags: Book Review Source Type: research

Prenatal alcohol exposure in the Republic of the Congo: Prevalence and screening strategies
Conclusions23.3% of women attending prenatal care in Brazzaville reported alcohol use during pregnancy and 83% of them continued to drink after recognition of pregnancy. Prenatal alcohol exposure should be the focus of efforts to improve identification of alcohol use prior to and during pregnancy to improve maternal and child health. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology)
Source: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology - May 13, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Andrew D. Williams, Yannick Nkombo, Gery Nkodia, Gary Leonardson, Larry Burd Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research

What Precautions Should Be Used for a Child Whose Parent is Hepatitis C Positive?
Discussion Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded RNA Flavivus that was first identified in 1989 and universal screening in the blood supply was begun in 1992 in the United States. Overall incidence of acute HCV in children under age 19 is 0.1 per 100,000. In adults, the transmission is mainly from contaminated blood and body fluids, primarily intravenous drug use. It is the most common reason for liver transplantation in adults. Of those that acquire the acute infection, about 70% go on to become chronically infected. Adults have a slow progression of their disease with 20% having cirrhosis within 20 years. Being ma...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - May 12, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news

Editorial Board
(Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Source Type: research

Cerebral tissue oxygenation index, cardiac output and superior vena cava flow in infants with birth weight less than 1250 grams in the first 48 hours of life
Abstract: Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy is a non-invasive method of assessing cerebral oxygenation. Functional echocardiography is increasingly used by neonatologists in the assessment of cardiovascular function.Aims: To correlate cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI) and cardiac output in infants less than 1250g at 6, 12, 24 and 48hours of age.Study design: A prospective observational study.Subjects: Newborns with birth weight (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: J. Sirc, E.M. Dempsey, J. Miletin Source Type: research

Extensively hydrolyzed protein formula reduces acid gastro-esophageal reflux in symptomatic preterm infants
Abstract: Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is diagnosed frequently in preterm infants. Pharmacological treatment of GER has some potential side effects. Conservative treatment of GER should be the first-line approach and should include body positioning and diet modifications.Formula-fed preterm infants experience frequently symptoms of feeding intolerance. Hydrolyzed protein formula (HPF) is often used in these infants due to their effects on gastrointestinal motility.Aims: To investigate the role of an extensively HPF (eHPF) on GER indexes in formula-fed preterm infants with symptoms of both GER and feeding into...
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Luigi Corvaglia, Elisa Mariani, Arianna Aceti, Silvia Galletti, Giacomo Faldella Source Type: research

Infant movement opportunities are related to early growth — GECKO Drenthe cohort
Abstract: Background: Movement by an infant during the first year of life might influence its activity level and thereby influence growth in early childhood.Aim: To examine whether the time that an infant is able to move unrestrictedly and time spent in baby seats are related to weight and waist circumference at age 9months and growth from 9 to 24months.Methods: In the GECKO Drenthe birth cohort, weight and height were measured in Well Baby Clinics at the ages of 9 and 24months. Time spent moving unrestrictedly and time spent in baby seats were reported on a questionnaire at age 9months. Children born (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Anna Sijtsma, Pieter J.J. Sauer, Ronald P. Stolk, Eva Corpeleijn Source Type: research

Second to fourth digit ratio, handedness and testicular germ cell tumors
Conclusions: These results do not support the hypothesis that prenatal hormonal imbalance is associated with TGCT risk. Given the limited sample size, further evaluation of the relationship between TGCT and prenatal hormonal factors using digit ratio, ΔR−L, or left-hand dominance and larger sample size are warranted. (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Britton Trabert, Barry I. Graubard, Ralph L. Erickson, Yawei Zhang, Katherine A. McGlynn Source Type: research

General movements and magnetic resonance imaging in the prediction of neuromotor outcome in children born extremely preterm
Abstract: Background: Extremely preterm (EPT) birth is a major risk factor for brain injury and neurodevelopmental impairment. Reliable tools for early prediction of outcome are warranted.Aim: To investigate the predictive value of general movements (GMs) at “fidgety age” for neurological outcome at age 30months in EPT infants, both in comparison and in combination with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age (TEA).Study design: Fifty-three infants born (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Béatrice Skiöld, Christina Eriksson, Ann-Christin Eliasson, Ulrika Ådén, Brigitte Vollmer Source Type: research

Maturation of Toll-like receptor 1–4 responsiveness during early life
Conclusions: Our findings provided additional information to the understanding of immune development during early life, and offered stronger evidence of neonatal innate immunity being capable of responding adequately to TLR stimulation. (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Sui-Ling Liao, Kuo-Wei Yeh, Shen-Hao Lai, Wen-I Lee, Jing-Long Huang Source Type: research

Echogenic focus in the fetal left ventricular cavity: Is it a false tendon?
Conclusion: False tendon should be taken into account as differential diagnosis of left ventricular echogenic focus in the fetus. Misinterpretation of false tendon as echogenic focus may cause unnecessary fetal invasive approach and maternal anxiety, especially when it arises with a background of borderline fetal findings and knowledge. (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Nahide Altug, A. Nuri Danisman Source Type: research

The influence of perinatal asphyxia on peripheral oxygenation and perfusion in neonates
Conclusion: Peripheral oxygenation and perfusion measured with NIRS are compromised in neonates with perinatal asphyxia with worsening of parameters and degree of acidosis in the umbilical cord blood. (Source: Early Human Development)
Source: Early Human Development - May 12, 2013 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Nina Tax, Berndt Urlesberger, Corinna Binder, Mirjam Pocivalnik, Nicholas Morris, Gerhard Pichler Source Type: research