Congenital Diarrhoea In A Neonate With Hypernatraemia And Dehydration.

Diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration are frequently encountered in neonatal emergency. However, it is challenging to manage resistant hypernatraemia and metabolic acidosis associated with it. Diagnosing the exact cause is even more difficult. Glucose-galactose malabsorption commonly presents with hypernatraemia and repeated dehydration. In the case described here, the baby started to have diarrhoea in the first week of life and presented in the neonatal emergency with severe dehydration and hypernatraemia. Higher sodium levels were difficult to manage throughout the course of illness. Hypernatraemia and diarrhoea worsened on feeding, whether formula or mother's feed, which raised suspicion of glucose and galactose malabsorption. So, genetic testing was performed and fructose based formula was started which led to improvement in the condition. Later, genetic testing confirmed our diagnosis. This case report emphasises that clinicians should consider the possibility that congenital diarrhoea could be due to glucose- galactose malabsorption while managing a case with loose stool and significant electrolyte imbalance in a neonate.

The Neuroprotective Efficacy of Postnatal Magnesium Sulfate in Term or Near-Term Infants With Moderate-to-Severe Birth Asphyxia.

Background In Pakistan, the neonatal mortality rate is 41 per 1,000 live births and birth asphyxia is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether postnatal magnesium sulfate therapy can improve short- and long-term neurological outcomes in term or near-term neonates with moderate-to-severe birth asphyxia. Methodology This prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Neonatology Department of the Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Lahore. A total of 62 neonates (31 in each group) were randomized to receive either three doses of magnesium sulfate infusion at 250 mg/kg per dose, 24 hours apart (treatment group), or three doses of injection 10% distilled water infusion at 3 mL/kg, 24 hours apart (placebo group). Both groups received similar supportive care. The neurodevelopmental assessment was done at six months of age using the ShaMaq Developmental Inventory. Results Demographic data such as gestational age, mean weight, age at presentation, gender, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy grade, mode of delivery, and the presence of seizures at presentation were comparable between both groups. In the magnesium sulfate group, statistically significant results were seen in terms of early seizure control (p = 0.001), early initiation of feed (p = 0.002), and shorter duration of hospital stay (p = 0.003). Moreover, the magnesium sulfate group had lower mortality compared to the control group, though it was not statistically significant (p = 0.390). There was no significant difference in terms of cranial ultrasound findings between the two groups (p = 0.783) at the time of discharge. Regarding the neurodevelopmental delay, there was no significant difference between the magnesium sulfate and control groups (p = 0.535). Conclusions Postnatal magnesium sulfate treatment improves short-term neurologic outcomes at discharge in term or near-term neonates with moderate-to-severe perinatal asphyxia. However, no difference was noted in the neurodevelopmental outcome at six months.

Correlation Of Severity Of Metabolic Acidosis At Admission And Outcome In Asphyxiated Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Blood gases can provide information about the perinatal, natal and postnatal condition of newborn. Severity of metabolic acidosis has deleterious effect on the outcome of babies. When the cord blood gases are not available the arterial blood gases are used for interpreting the status of newborn. The purpose of study was to determine the relationship between severity of metabolic acidosis at admission with the stage of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and its outcome in asphyxiated neonates. METHODS: This was descriptive cross-sectional study of 384 neonates born at ≥35 weeks to <42 weeks from June to December 2018, admitted in Neonatology department of the Children's hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Lahore within first 6 hours of birth. The neonates with history of delayed cry at birth and arterial pH ≤7.30 and base deficit ≥10 were included in the study. The pH and base deficit of babies was analyzed in relation to the stage of HIE, duration of stay and death or discharge of the babies using SPSS-20. The p-value was calculated using chi-square test. RESULTS: Total of 470 neonates were eligible. Eighty-four neonates were excluded. Finally, 384 neonates were included and analyzed for the outcome variables. With severe metabolic acidosis pH <7.01, all the babies developed HIEII/III. Majority (82.1%) of the babies expired and 27.9% had prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing severity of metabolic acidosis at admission increases the likelihood of adverse outcome in asphyxiated neonates.