Bahubali D Gane

Effect of Therapeutic Hypothermia on DNA Damage and Neurodevelopmental Outcome among Term Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and the neurodevelopmental outcome in term babies with perinatal asphyxia. METHODS Babies in the hypothermia group were cooled for the first 72 h, using gel packs. Rectal temperature of 33-34°C was maintained. Blood sample was collected before, at 36 h and after completion of TH for assessment of comet assay and 8-hydroxy2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Infants were followed up till 12 months. RESULTS Baseline parameters were similar. After 72 h, the hypothermia group showed lower olive tail moment (12.88 ± 2.14) than the control group (22.16 ± 5.26) (p < 0.001). 8-HDG levels increased significantly in the control group (1252.87 ± 357.07) as compared to the hypothermia group (757.03 ± 198.49) (p < 0.001). Neurodevelopmental assessment at 12 months showed significantly low motor and mental developmental quotient in the control than hypothermia group. CONCLUSIONS TH reduces oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and improves neurodevelopmental outcome.

Frank -Ter Haar Syndrome in a Newborn

Frank-Ter Haar syndrome is an unusual type of skeletal dysplasia with megalocornea and developmental delay. It is usually transmitted as autosomal recessive disorder. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature and none from India. The authors report a case with other unusual features and a short review of the condition.

Effect of therapeutic hypothermia on chromosomal aberration in perinatal asphyxia

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause for neonatal mortality and morbidity around the world. The reduction of O2results in the generation of reactive oxygen species which interact with nucleic acid and make alteration in the structure and functioning of the genome. We studied the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on chromosomes with karyotyping. Subjects and Methods: Babies in the hypothermia group were cooled for the first 72 h, using gel packs. Rectal temperature of 33–34°C was maintained. Blood sample was collected after completion of therapeutic hypothermia for Chromosomal analysis. It was done with IKAROS Karyotyping system, Metasystems, based on recommendations of International system of human cytogenetic nomenclature. Results: The median chromosomal aberration was lower in hypothermia [2(0-5)] than control group [4(1-7)] and chromatid breakage was commonest aberration seen. Chromosomal aberration was significantly higher in severe encephalopathy group than moderate encephalopathy group. Conclusion: We conclude that the TH significantly reduces DNA damage in perinatal asphyxia.

Atrial flutter in a newborn

Abstract Fetal and neonatal arrhythmias present as diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to obstetricians and neonatologists. We present a case of antenatally detected atrial flutter in which the infant presented with congestive cardiac failure at birth and a short review of tachyarrhythmias in the perinatal period.