Early Versus Late Minimal Enteral Feeding in Weeks Preterm Growth-Restricted neonates with Abnormal Antenatal Doppler Studies.

Abstract Background: Preterm and growth-restricted babies are at high risk of milk intolerance and necrotising enterocolitis, as well as post-natal growth failure. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an "early" enteral feeding regimen, starting on day 2 after birth compared to late enteral feeding, starting on day 6 after birth in preterm growth restricted babies with abnormal antenatal Doppler studies regarding the incidence of NEC and feeding intolerance. Patients and Methods: Babies with gestational age below 37 weeks, and with birth weight below 10th centile for gestational age, will be randomly allocated to an "early" or "late" enteral feeding regimen. Results: Hundred-thirty three infants enrolled in the study: 66 received early feeding and 67 received delayed feeding. The incidence of NEC and feeding intolerance was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Early minimal enteral feeding (MEF) of preterm infants with IUGR and abnormal antenatal Doppler results may not have a significant effect on the incidence of NEC or feeding intolerance.

Pai syndrome: first reported case in Qatar and review of literature of previously published cases.

A full-term male baby born with severe complete median cleft lip and palate and multiple facial cutaneous polyps on the right nostril, left and right ears and angle of the mouth. Eye fundus examination revealed hypopigmented fundi, pigmented rings around both discs and hypopigmented maculae. Neurological, Cardiovascular and abdominal examination was unremarkable, with normal echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound. CT and MRI of the brain revealed hypogenesis of the corpus callosum and midline paracallosal lipomas and calcifications. Chromosomal study showed normal male 46, XY karyotype. This is the first reported case in Qatar and the second case in a patient of Arabian descent.

Universal screening vs. risk-based strategy for prevention of early-onset neonatal Group-B streptococcal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between universal screening and risk-based strategies in the prevention of early-onset Group-B streptococcal (EOGBS) disease. SUBJECTS: Cases of EOGBS disease from 2003 to 2009 were identified by a search of the microbiology laboratory's computerized database. INTERVENTIONS: Maternal screening for Group-B Streptococci was done for all pregnant women by taking rectovaginal swabs and urine culture at 35-37 weeks of gestation and for all high-risk cases at the time of presentation. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2009, a total of 87,260 live births were recorded, 1948 neonates were very low-birth weight. We reviewed labor and delivery records for 1268 live births randomly sampled from total live births. Forty-five cases of EOGBS disease were identified during the period of study (overall incidence of 0.51 cases per 1000 live births).