Serdar Beken

The propre-save study: effects of probiotics and prebiotics alone or combined on necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of probiotic and prebiotic, alone or combined (synbiotic), on the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 5 neonatal intensive care units in Turkey. VLBW infants (n = 400) were assigned to a control group and 3 study groups that were given probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis), prebiotic (inulin), or synbiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis plus inulin) added to breastmilk or formula for a maximum of 8 weeks before discharge or death. The primary outcome was NEC (Bell stage ≥2). RESULTS The rate of NEC was lower in probiotic (2.0%) and synbiotic (4.0%) groups compared with prebiotic (12.0%) and placebo (18.0%) groups (P < .001). The times to reach full enteral feeding were faster (P < .001), the rates of clinical nosocomial sepsis were lower (P = .004), stays in the neonatal intensive care unit were shorter, (P = .002), and mortality rates were lower (P = .003) for infants receiving probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotic than controls. The use of antenatal steroid (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9) and postnatal probiotic (alone or in synbiotic) (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.8) decreased the risk of NEC, and maternal antibiotic exposure increased this risk (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.6). CONCLUSIONS In VLBW infants, probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis) and synbiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis plus inulin) but not prebiotic (inulin) alone decrease NEC.

The influence of fish-oil lipid emulsions on retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants: A randomized controlled trial☆

OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of two lipid emulsions on the development of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants. DESIGN Randomized controlled study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty very low birth weight infants receiving parenteral nutrition from the first day of life were evaluated. One of the two lipid emulsions were used in the study infants: Group 1 (n=40) received fish-oil based lipid emulsion (SmofLipid®) and Group 2 (n=40) soybean oil based lipid emulsion (Intralipid®). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The development of retinopathy of prematurity and the need for laser photocoagulation were assessed. RESULTS The maternal and perinatal characteristics were similar in both groups. The median (range) duration of parenteral nutrition [14days (10-28) vs 14 (10-21)] and hospitalization [34days (20-64) vs 34 (21-53)] did not differ between the groups. Laboratory data including complete blood count, triglyceride level, liver and kidney function tests recorded before and after parenteral nutrition also did not differ between the two groups. In Group 1, two patients (5.0%) and in Group 2, 13 patients (32.5%) were diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (OR: 9.1, 95% CI 1.9-43.8, p=0.004). One patient in each group needed laser photocoagulation, without significant difference. Multivariate analysis showed that only receiving fish-oil emulsion in parenteral nutrition decreased the risk of development of retinopathy of prematurity [OR: 0.76, 95% CI (0.06-0.911), p=0.04]. CONCLUSIONS Premature infants with very low birth weight receiving an intravenous fat emulsion containing fish oil developed less retinopathy of prematurity.

Use of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and near infrared spectroscopy findings in neonates with asphyxia during selective head cooling

BACKGROUND Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) at <6 h is the best single outcome predictor in term infants with perinatal asphyxia at normothermia. Hypothermia treatment has changed the cutoff values for outcome prediction by using time at onset of normal trace and SWC. Cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation changes detected by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during hypothermia treatment in aphyxiated neonates are not a well known issue. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between brain monitoring (amplitude integrated EEG and NIRS) and outcome in asphyxiated full-term infants with moderate/severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy before, during and after hypothermia treatment. METHOD Ten neonates were recruited for hypothermia treatment by using the cool cap entry criteria. aEEG and NIRS were applied in 10 and 8 patients, respectively with moderate and severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy before, just after brain cooling and rewarming periods. Patterns and voltages of aEEG backgrounds sleep-wake cycles (SWC) and NIRS values (TOI% and FTOE) were recorded. During the follow up their outcomes were assessed by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. CONCLUSION Hypothermia changes the predictive value of early aEEG. Normalization of a babys aEEG and the appearance of SWCs while being cooled occurs later. In our study one patient had normal aEEG background pattern at 80 and imminent SWC at 90 h after birth and still had normal Bayley scores at 24 months. Time to normal aEEG and SWC appearance should be carefully evaluated during the cooling period. NIRS values were different due to the clinical presentations of the patients.

Association of vitamin D deficiency with acute lower respiratory tract infections in newborns

Abstract Objective: To determine the association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and acute respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) in newborns. Study design: The study group consisted of 30 term newborns with ALRTI who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Controls were 30 healthy newborns with the same age as the study group. Newborns and their mothers were tested for serum 25(OH)D levels, with a low level defined as ≤15 ng/mL. Results: The groups were similar in gestational week, birthweight, postnatal age and gender. Forty-three of the 60 infants (including study and control) had low 25(OH)D levels. The median 25(OH)D levels were lower [9.5 ng/mL (IQR = 7.9–12.2)] in the study group than those of the control group [15.5 ng/mL (IQR: 12–18)] (p = 0.0001). The median serum 25(OH)D levels in the mothers of the study group were also lower than those in the mothers of the control group [11.6 ng/mL (IQR = 9.4–15.8) and 17.3 ng/mL (IQR = 13.7–20.6), respectively] (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Lower blood 25(OH)D levels might be associated with increased risk of ALRTI in term newborn babies. Appropriate vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood may enhance newborns’ respiratory health.

Peripheral microcirculation is affected during therapeutic hypothermia in newborns

Background Hypothermia is becoming a common treatment for newborns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Cerebral metabolic effects have been studied extensively. However, acute effects on peripheral microcirculation are unknown. The effects of therapeutic hypothermia on peripheral microcirculation assessed by side-stream dark field (SDF) imaging technique are presented. Methods Peripheral microcirculation was assessed in seven newborns undergoing selective head-cooling treatment with SDF imaging video recordings during core temperature 34°C, and then after re-warming at 37°C, and also in seven control patients with rectal temperature 37°C. Microvascular flow index (MFI) and per cent of vessels with sluggish flow were determined by using appropriate software. Results Sluggish microcirculation was observed during hypothermia compared with controls. MFI and per cent of vessels with sluggish flow returned to normal after re-warming. Conclusions The results of this small group of newborns going through therapeutic hypothermia suggests that microcirculation is effected with this treatment. Whether this finding has other clinical impacts requires further research.

Partial exchange transfusion results in increased cerebral oxygenation and faster peripheral microcirculation in newborns with polycythemia

Aim:  The aim of this study was to assess cerebral and peripheral oxygenation, by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and microcirculation by using side stream dark field (SDF) imaging in newborns with polycythemia before and after partial exchange transfusion (PET) therapy to investigate treatment effect on tissue oxygenation and microcirculation.

Regression of Symptomatic Multiple Cardiac Rhabdomyomas Associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in a Newborn Receiving Everolimus

UNLABELLED Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor, is considered to be a hamartoma of developing cardiac myocytes. Cardiac rhabdomyoma is associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in 50-86% of cases. Mutations in TSC-1/TSC-2 genes result in increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway activation responsible for the hamartomatous lesions of tuberous sclerosis complex. Therapy with mTOR inhibitors is currently under investigation as a treatment option for tumors associated with TSC. In this report we present a case with multiple symptomatic rhabdomyomas associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, deemed to be ineligible for surgical removal, treated with everolimus (mTOR inhibitor). CONCLUSION As we observed in our patient, in cases with inoperable symptomatic rhabdomyomas associated with TSC, everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, may be the treatment of choice, which should be confirmed with additional studies.

Treatment outcomes of infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease treated with synbiotics.

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to investigate the effect of orally administered synbiotics on outcome of infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). METHODS: A prospective, blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of synbiotics on outcome of infants with CCHD. The infants with CCHD were assigned randomly to 2 groups. Infants in the study group were given synbiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis plus inulin) added to breast milk or mixed feeding until discharge or death. Infants in the placebo group were fed with breast milk or mixed feeding. The outcome measurements were nosocomial sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC; Bell stage ≥2), length of NICU stay, and death. RESULTS: A total of 100 infants were enrolled in the trial: 50 in each arm. There were 9 cases of culture-proven sepsis (18%) in the placebo group and 2 cases (4%) in the synbiotic group (P = .03). Length of NICU stay did not differ between the groups (26 [14–36] vs 32 days [20–44], P = .07]. There were 5 cases of NEC (10%) in the placebo group and none in the synbiotic group (P = .03). The incidence of death was lower in synbiotic group (5 [10%] of 50 vs 14 [28.0%] of 50, respectively; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Synbiotics administered enterally to infants with CCHD might reduce the incidence of nosocomial sepsis, NEC, and death.

Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes and Pain Perception During Venipuncture Is Glucose Really Effective

Newborns are exposed to a considerable number of painful stimuli. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of 30% glucose solution and nonnutritive sucking on pain perception during venipuncture. Twenty-five term infants were randomized as receiving 30% dextrose (group 1) or sterile water (group 2). Neonatal Infant Pain Scale scores, skin conductance algesimeter recordings, and near-infrared spectroscopy measurements were recorded during the procedure. Neonatal Infant Pain Scale and skin conductance algesimeter results were decreased in both groups from that during venipuncture to after the procedure. Group 1 had lower Neonatal Infant Pain Scale scores compared with group 2 after venipuncture, different from the skin conductance algesimeter, where no difference was observed between groups. In group 1, cerebral blood volume increased after venipuncture. Glucose does not attenuate the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale score and skin conductance algesimeter index during venipuncture, but it leads to a lower Neonatal Infant Pain Scale score after venipuncture unlike the skin conductance algesimeter index, which was not lowered.

Are the neonatal outcomes similar in large-for-gestational age infants delivered by women with or without gestational diabetes mellitus?

BackgroundInfants are considered large for gestational age (LGA) if their birth weight is greater than the 90th percentile for gestational age and they have an increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Maternal diabetes is one of the factors affecting birthweight. However there are limited data on the perinatal outcomes of infants of gestational diabetic mothers. The aim of the present study was to compare the neonatal outcomes of LGA infants delivered by women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of LGA infants of ≥36 weeks of gestation born at the Gazi University Medical School Hospital during the period of 2006–2009. Neonatal outcomes included hypoglycemia and polycythemia in the early neonatal period and hospital admissions. The Chi-square and Student’s t test were used for comparing variables.ResultsSeven hundred eligible infant-mother pairs were enrolled in the study. Eighty-seven of them (12.4%) were infants of gestational diabetic mothers and 613 (87.6%) were infants of non-diabetic mothers. The incidence of hypoglycemia at the first hour was higher in infants of diabetic mothers (12.8%) than in infants of non-diabetic mothers (5.3%) (P=0.014). Polycythemia was also more frequently observed in infants of the gestational diabetic mothers (9.3%) than in infants of the non-diabetic mothers (3.0%) (P=0.010). Although overall hospital admission rates were not different between the two groups, infants of diabetic mothers were more likely to be admitted because of resistant hypoglycemia (P=0.045).ConclusionsThe results of this study suggested that LGA infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus were at a greater risk for hypoglycemia and polycythemia in the early neonatal period than LGA infants of nondiabetic mothers.