Şule Yiğit

Exposure of newborns to aflatoxin M1 and B1 from mothers' breast milk in Ankara, Turkey

Aflatoxins (AFs) are important risks for human health due to their widespread presence in foods and environment. However, contamination risk of breast milk with different pollutants including AFs is high in todays life conditions. Since breast milk is a major nutrient for infants, feeding of infants with safe milk is essential. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the levels of AF M(1) and B(1) in breast milk samples collected from 75 mothers in Ankara, Turkey. AF M(1) and B(1) levels were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector following an extraction procedure. The limit of detection was found to be 5 ng/l. Both AFs were detected in diverse degrees in all breast milk samples: The level of AF M(1) were in the ranges of 60.90-299.99 ng/l, and AF B(1) were in the ranges of 94.50-4123.80 ng/l. These results pointed out the exposure of mothers and neonates to AF M(1) and B(1), and the necessity of further research on mycotoxin contamination both in foods and biological fluids as well as protection strategies.

Mean platelet volume in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in mean platelet volume (MPV) between neonates with and without neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Eighty‐three premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study. Forty‐four of these infants were diagnosed as having RDS and the other 39 infants were non‐RDS patients. Infants born to mothers with pre‐eclampsia, or a drug history that had negative effects on platelet count, perinatal hypoxia, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were excluded. Blood collection was done on the first and third days of life. There were no demographic, gestational or platelet count differences between groups, but MPV was higher in RDS patients and this difference was statistically significant (P= 0.011). High platelet volumes in RDS patients is probably related to young platelet production and may be a result of increased platelet consumption in pulmonary damage due to RDS.

Inhaled Beta-2 Agonist Salbutamol for the Treatment of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of inhaled salbutamol, a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, for the treatment of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and to determine whether inhaled salbutamol is safe in newborn infants. STUDY DESIGN Inhaled salbutamol or normal saline solution was administered to 54 infants with gestational ages ranging from 34 to 39 weeks and TTN. The response to salbutamol therapy was evaluated by determining respiratory rate, clinical score of TTN, level of respiratory support, and fraction of inspired oxygen before and at 30 minutes and 1 and 4 hours after salbutamol nebulization. RESULTS Among the 54 infants with TTN, 32 received salbutamol and 22 received normal saline solution. After one dose, the salbutamol group showed significant improvements in respiratory rate, clinical score of TTN, fraction of inspired oxygen, and level of respiratory support (P < .05). After treatment, the mean pH, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, and partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide values were better in the salbutamol group when compared with the placebo group (P < .05). Duration of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit was also shorter for the salbutamol group (P < .05). CONCLUSION Inhaled salbutamol treatment was effective with respect to both clinical and laboratory findings of TTN and without adverse events.

Efficacy of new leukocyte parameters versus serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of the new leukocyte parameters mean neutrophil and monocyte volume (MNV, MMV), conductivity (MNC, MMC), scattering (MNS, MMS) and volume distribution width (NDW, MDW) with serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PC) and interleukin (IL)‐6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Comparison of the efficacy of new leukocyte parameters with serum C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin‐6 levels in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of the new leukocyte parameters mean neutrophil and monocyte volume (MNV, MMV), conductivity (MNC, MMC), scattering (MNS, MMS) and volume distribution width (NDW, MDW) with serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PC) and interleukin (IL)‐6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Adenosine deaminase levels in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Adenosine is produced in the inflammed and damaged lung where it plays roles in the regulation of inflammation and tissue remodeling. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of adenosine. Our aim was to compare the levels of ADA between infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and to determine the relationship between plasma ADA levels and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). One-hundred and twenty-five premature infants who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study. Eighty-one of these infants with RDS were study group and the other 44 infants without RDS served as controls. Blood collection was made in the first day of life at the end of 24th-h and was used for laboratory testing. In the RDS group, mean ADA level was 25.5 (±4.5) U/l, and in controls it was 26.3 (±5.7) U/l. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.326) in these groups although there was a statistically difference of ADA levels between BPD (34.5 ± 5.2 U/l) and non-BPD (24.6 ± 4.1) patients (p = 0.001). There was also a positive relationship between ADA levels and severity of BPD (r = + 0.845, p = 0.01). Perinatal inflammation is the key mechanism of BPD. ADA level in early postnatal life is elevated in infants with BPD and may be related with perinatal inflammation.

Can peritoneal dialysis be used in preterm infants with gastrointestinal perforation

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Serum prohepcidin levels in premature newborns with oxygen radical diseases

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the prohepcidin levels in premature newborns with oxygen radical diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis and to compare these levels with those of healthy premature newborns. Eighty premature infants (25–34 weeks gestational age) were enrolled. The patient group was composed of 38 premature babies with oxygen radical diseases, and the control group consisted of 42 healthy premature newborns. Complete blood count, serum iron and ferritin concentrations, iron-binding capacity (IBC), transferrin and prohepcidin levels were measured. The mean ferritin and prohepcidin levels were higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.038 and p = 0.022, respectively). No significant correlations were found between serum prohepcidin levels and iron parameters. We believe that this finding will contribute to a greater understanding of the etiopathogenesis of oxygen radical diseases. There is a need for future studies to explore the link between underlying inflammatory mechanisms and hepcidin in oxygen radical diseases.

1295 Cord Blood Theophylline Levels and Respiratory Morbidities in Preterm Infants

Background Methylxantines such as caffeine and its metabolites, which are taken by pregnant women via daily foods, are completely transferred to the fetus through placenta. Caffeine has been shown to improve respiratory functions and decrease bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. However respiratory effects of prenatal caffeine exposure are not known completely in newborn infants. Aim We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between cord blood theopylline levels (which is a main caffeine metabolite) and pulmonary morbidities in early neonatal period in premature infants. Method This study was conducted in Hacettepe University Children’s Hospital Neonatalogy Unit. Cord blood samples were obtained at birth from premature infants (gestational age < 37 wk) and theophylline levels were measured. Cord blood theophylline levels of infants with and without respiratory morbidities were compared. Results A total of 60 infants were enrolled in the study. Early respiratory morbidities developed in 37 infants (Group 1, 61.6%) while no respiratory morbidities were observed in 23 infants (Group 2, 38.3%). Although mean cord blood theophylline levels were lower in Group 1 (0.21±0.18 µg/ml) than Group 2 (0.33±0.29 µg/ml), this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.156). Conclusion Preterm infants with and without respiratory morbidities have similar cord blood teophylline levels. Prenatal exposure to theopylline does not seem to affect respiratory status in the early neonatal period. However cord blood theophylline levels were much lower than therapeutic serum levels in neonates. The effects of prenatal caffeine on neonatal respiratory status should be investigated in animal models.