Exclusive Breastfeeding for 6 Months Postpartum and Factors Associated With Success in a Tertiary Care Baby-Friendly Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

It is very important that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life and then that breastfeeding is continued until 2 years of age. In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life following birth and the factors associated with continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. The study was a retrospective cohort study. The study population consists of infants born in Akdeniz University Hospital. Infants born between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017 (n = 1402) were included in the sample. For analysis of data, descriptive statistics, χ2 test, t test, and logistic regression test were employed. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months was 29.8%. Further analysis revealed that chances of breastfeeding exclusivity for the first 6 months were increased by 1.6-fold if the father had higher education, by 1.4-fold if the infant was not given formula in the hospital, by approximately 4-fold if feeding bottle was not used, and by 1.7-fold in the absence of problems related to breastfeeding. The study results showed that success in exclusive breastfeeding was influenced by several factors. We recommended that modifiable factors associated with the success of exclusive breastfeeding be well managed.

The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin on lipopolysaccharide-induced fetal brain inflammation in preterm rats.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-1 is accepted as one of the major cytokines; it is involved in inflammatory processes and systemic fetal inflammatory response that is triggered by maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Because it is an antiinflammatory agent, we investigated (in the brain damage of rat pups) the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in decreasing interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) expression and caspase 3 activity that was induced by maternal LPS administration. STUDY DESIGN: Dams were divided into 3 groups. Pyrogen-free saline solution (NS) was administered intraperitoneally to group 1; LPS (0.3 mg/kg) suspension in NS was administered to groups 2 and 3 at 19 days of gestation. Two hours after the first injection, a second injection of NS was administered intravenously to group 1 (NS + NS), of IVIG was administered intravenously to group 2 (LPS + IVIG), and of NS was administered intravenously to group 3 (LPS + NS). Hysterectomy was performed in one-half of the dams 2 hours after the second injection and in the other one-half of the dams 22 hours after the second injection. Pups were delivered, and the brains were extracted just after delivery. IL-1ß expression and caspase 3 activity were determined in brain tissues. RESULTS: For the pups at 4 hours, the IL-1ß expression of group 2 was significantly lower than groups 1 and 3. For the pups at 24 hours, the IL-1ß expression of group 2 was significantly lower than group 3 but was similar to group 1. For the pups at 24 hours, caspase 3 activity of groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than group 3. CONCLUSION: Maternal IVIG administration decreased IL-1ß expression and caspase 3 activity in the brain tissue of rat pups, which had been induced by maternal LPS-administration.

Can we safely administer the recommended dose of phenobarbital in very low birth weight infants?

AIM: We investigated whether the recommended phenobarbital loading dose of 15-20 mg/kg with maintenance of 3-4 mg/kg/day can safely be administered to very low birth weight preterm newborns with seizures. METHODS: Twenty-four convulsive preterms of <1,500 g were enrolled in the study. Phenobarbital was administered intravenously with a loading dose of 15 mg/kg in approximately 10-15 min. After 24 h, the maintenance dose of 3 mg/kg/day was administered as a single injection. Blood samples were obtained 2, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the phenobarbital loading dose was administered, immediately before the next phenobarbital dose was injected. RESULTS: None of the cases had plasma phenobarbital concentrations above the therapeutic upper limit of 40 µg/mL on the 2nd hour; one case (4.7%), on the 24th; 11 cases (45.8%), on the 48th; 15 cases (62.5%), on the 72nd; and 17 cases (70.8%), on the 96th hour. A negative correlation was detected between the serum concentrations of phenobarbital and gestational age on the 72th (p, 0.036; r, -0.608) and 96th hour (p, 0.043; r, -0.769). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that particular attention should be done while administering phenobarbital in preterms, as blood levels of phenobarbital are higher than the reference ranges that those are often reached with the recommended doses in these groups of babies.

Cerebellar hemangioblastoma associated with diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis in an infant.

INTRODUCTION: Hemangioblastomas (HBLs) comprise approximately 2% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Although histological features of this rare tumor are generally benign, its outcome is often unfavorable due to high risk of recurrence and multifocal localization. HBLs can be detected as sporadic or associated with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH) presents with multiple, progressive, rapidly growing cutaneous hemangiomas associated with widespread visceral hemangiomas in the liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and meninges. DNH with predominant CNS involvement is rarely reported. Herein, we present a neonatal case of cerebellar HBL associated with DNH. CASE REPORT: A 5-day-old male baby was referred with complaints of multiple cutaneous lesions. Purple papules were noted on the trunk, extremities, and the head. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple hyperintense lesions on the chest wall and apex of the right lung. On MRI, a 3×2-cm mass lesion in the right cerebellar hemisphere was detected. Total resection of the mass and ventriculoperitoneal shunting was performed. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of HBL. Steroid therapy was administered for disseminated hemangiomatosis, and the lesions showed regression; the patient showed good clinical recovery. The parents refused further treatment, and he was out of our control when he was 9 months old. CONCLUSION: According to our knowledge, the presented newborn is the second case of cerebellar HBL associated with diffuse skin and visceral hemangiomas in the English medical literature. Clinicians must be vigilant about the predictive value of visceral and/or cutaneous hemangioma for an associated intracranial HBL.

Post-operative subcutaneous fat necrosis in a newborn: a case report.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (ScFN) is an uncommon condition of neonates and infants. The disorder is caused by generalized and local tissue hypoperfusion. The ScFN tends to improve spontaneously with or without some severe complications such as hypercalcemia. The ScFN may occur as iatrogenic after hypothermic surgical interventions. We present iatrogenic ScFN in a newborn with uncomplicated hypercalcemia due to cold exposure on operating table during at an umbilical cord hernia operation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient in whom ScFN occurred during a commonly performed and relatively short-term "nonhypothermic" operation.

The relationship between abdominal aortic intima-media thickness and lipid profile in neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia.

Neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia are known to be associated with lipid alterations that might increase the risk for cardiovascular disease in adult life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preeclampsia on lipid metabolism, aortic intimamedia thickness (aIMT) and subsequent atherogenic risk in newborn infants. Aortic intima-media thickness was measured in 60 neonates of mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 30 neonates of mothers with preeclampsia and group II; 30 neonates of mothers with severe preeclampsia) and 30 healthy neonates (group III). Maternal and cord serum lipid profiles were determined in all groups. Mean abdominal aIMT measurements were higher in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 0.36 +/- 0.03 mm and group II; 0.36 +/- 0.04 mm) compared with the control group (group III; 0.33 +/- 0.03 mm, p = 0.006). Serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 39.2 +/- 42.0 mg/dl and group II; 39.5 +/- 56.5 mg/dl) compared with the control group (group III; 14.9 +/- 18.8 mg/dl, p = 0,039). Serum HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 17.3 +/- 12.3 mg/dl and group II; 17.1 +/- 12.8 mg/dl) compared with the control group (group III; 27.6 +/- 13.0 mg/dl, p = 0.002). In conclusion; neonates of mothers with preeclampsia have significantly higher aIMT with lipid alterations. This may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in adult life.

Prevalence of cutaneous findings in hospitalized neonates: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of physiologic and pathologic skin findings in the newborns hospitalized in our Newborn Unit. METHODS: All of newborn infants hospitalized in the Newborn Unit of Erciyes University Medical School Hospital in Central Anatolia, Turkey from February 1 to November 30, 2003, were included prospectively in the study. A questionnaire regarding maternal gestational history, maternal and family history was administered to the parents of each child. All skin lesions were recorded and mapped on a body chart. RESULTS: Of the 816 newborns, parents of 650 gave informed consent. Only 28 (4.3%) of the infants had no dermatologic examination findings. The most common 10 diagnoses were: xerosis/desquamation 257 (39.5%), sebaceous hyperplasia 207 (31.8%), transient toxic erythema 201 (30.9%), salmon patch 125 (19.2%), Mongolian spot 86 (13.2%), cutis marmorata 69 (10.6%), suction bulla 67 (10.3%), miliaria 55 (8.5%), hypertrichosis 51 (7.8%), and dermatitis (irritant, seborrheic, or diaper) 14 (2.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that skin changes in the newborn are common, particularly desquamation, sebaceous hyperplasia, and transient toxic erythema.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-binding protein-3, and growth hormone levels in collodion babies: a case-control study.

AIM: Because growth failure occurs in many collodion babies, we investigated serum growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in collodion babies admitted to Gevher Nesibe Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey between 1999 and 2006. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The newborns diagnosed clinically as 'collodion baby' were included in the study group (group 1). Because collodion babies are usually born small for gestational age (SGA) and/or premature, a control group (group 2) was formed by selecting the first infant admitted immediately after each study infant who matched for gestational age (+/- 7 days) and birth weight (+/- 100 g). All infants' blood samples were collected within the first 2 h of life for measurements of serum GH, IGFBP-3 and IGF-I levels. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 23 collodion babies (13 males and 10 females) with gestational ages ranging from 32 to 42 weeks, and birth weights ranging from 1,300 to 3,600 g. Ten were born premature and 16 were SGA. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were lower but serum GH levels were higher in collodion babies than in controls. Birth weight was positively correlated with serum IGF-I (r = 0.310, p = 0.046) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.389, p = 0.011) levels. Serum GH level was negatively correlated with birth weight (r = -0.376, p = 0.014), serum IGF-I (r = -0.567, p <0.001) and IGFBP-3 (r = -0.444, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Collodion babies had lower serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels but higher serum GH levels than controls in the present case-control study. The underlying mechanism needs to be explored.

Thiamine withdrawal can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis in thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia: report of two siblings.

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome (TRMA), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of thiamine transporter protein, is the association of diabetes mellitus, anemia and deafness. Pharmacological dose thiamine normalizes hematological abnormalities and their effects on the course of diabetes mellitus. We report on 8 years follow up of two siblings with TRMA. They presented in the prepubertal period with diabetic ketoacidosis due to lack of thiamine supplementation for 2 months. Their insulin requirements fell rapidly and disappeared with thiamine therapy. Hematological parameters normalized within 30 days. The diabetic picture is responsive to thiamine treatment in patients with TRMA. Insulin dependent diabetes may occur throughout the pubertal period. If thiamine supplementation is not sufficient, ketoacidosis may develop in patients during the prepubertal period.

Primary gangrenous cutaneous mucormycosis of the scalp in a child: a case report.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis (MM) is a rare fungal infection of childhood and is most often encountered in immunocompromised patients. It is a potentially lethal opportunistic fungal infection with rapid progression and high mortality. A report of cutaneous MM involving the head region is very rare. We herein report a case of primary cutaneous MM in a malnourished patient. The infection progressed rapidly, and the infant died from infection. The diagnosis was made at postmortem examination. Early diagnosis and surgery should be undertaken to prevent fatal outcome, and complete study of the etiologic agent must be carried out in all cases.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and leptin levels are related to abdominal aortic intima-media thickness in macrosomic newborns.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to diabetes in utero has been established as a significant risk factor for some of the components of metabolic syndrome, and was associated with increased levels of maternal, placental, and fetal insulin-like growth factors and leptin. The atherogenic effects of leptin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been extensively described. The present study was therefore designed to investigate relationships between abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT), serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and leptin levels in macrosomic newborns. DESIGN: Neonates whose birth weights exceed 90th percentile for gestational age and gender are termed macrosomic. Abdominal aortic intima-media thickness was measured in 30 macrosomic neonates of diabetic mothers (group A), 30 macrosomic neonates of healthy mothers (group B) and 30 healthy neonates (group C). Serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels were determined in all infants and their mothers. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for aortic intima-media thickness. RESULTS: Mean aortic intima-media thickness was significantly higher in groups A and B (0.489+/-0.015,0.466+/-0.019 mm, respectively) than in controls (0.375+/-0.024 mm, p<0.0001). Weight-adjusted aortic intima-media thickness was significantly higher in-group A than in groups B (p=0.004) and C (p=0.048). Serum leptin concentration in-group B (37.4+/-10.7 ng/ml) was significantly greater than in-group C (23.5+/-7.1 ng/ml, p<0.0001), but significantly lower than in-group A (46.6+/-14.1 ng/ml, p<0.0001). Serum IGF-I levels of the infants were significantly lower in-group C (113.2+/-33.1 ng/ml) than in groups A and B (205.2+/-60.1 and 179.3+/-55.1 ng/ml respectively, p<0.0001). Serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels of the infants were positively correlated with mean (p<0.0001) and weight-adjusted aortic intima-media thickness measurements (p=0.003, p=0.006 and p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Macrosomic neonates of diabetic mothers have significantly increased aortic intima-media thickness with higher serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin concentrations than those of controls. It might be speculated that these changes may exaggerate the atherosclerotic process later in life.

Adrenal haemorrhage with cholestasis and adrenal crisis in a newborn of a diabetic mother.

The large hyperaemic foetal adrenal gland is vulnerable to vascular damage. This may occur in the neonatal period as a consequence of difficult labour, or its aetiology may not be apparent. The spectrum of presentation is considerable, ranging from asymptomatic to severe life-threatening intra-abdominal haemorrhage. The presentation of adrenal insufficiency may be delayed but the regenerative capacity of the adrenal is great, and most adrenal haemorrhage is not associated with significantly impaired function. Some reports showed that cholestatic hepatopathy with congenital hypopituitarism reversed by hydrocortisone treatment is considered in the context of the endocrine syndrome, probably as a consequence of the adrenal failure. We describe a case of bilateral adrenal haemorrhage with hepatitis syndrome and persistent hypoglycaemia in a newborn male with striking features of neonatal cholestasis and adrenal crisis.

Femoral hypoplasia in two newborns associated with maternal diabetes mellitus.

Femoral hypoplasia is a rare disorder, with an estimated incidence of 0.11-0.2/10,000 live births. Although the majority of cases are sporadic, a few familial cases have been described. Poor diabetic control, exposure to drugs, viral infections, radiation, focal ischemia and trauma between the 4th and 8th week of gestation have been implicated as possible etiological factors. Femoral hypoplasia with other congenital anomalies was described in children of diabetic mothers. The isolated form is uncommon. We present here two newborns with femoral hypoplasia due to maternal diabetes mellitus. One of them has isolated and unilateral left femoral hypoplasia diagnosed after birth; the other has bilateral femoral hypoplasia and bowing diagnosed by ultrasound at 24 weeks' gestation.

Cutis laxa associated with central hypothyroidism owing to isolated thyrotropin deficiency in a newborn.

Cutis laxa is an uncommon entity characterized by laxity of the skin, which hangs in loose folds, producing an appearance of premature aging. It can be subdivided into congenital and acquired forms. Genetic forms of cutis laxa include at least three forms of recessive disease, an X-linked form also termed occipital horn syndrome and an autosomal dominant form. Isolated pituitary hormone deficiency can be induced by many causes including mechanical destruction of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, neoplasm, inflammation, and injury and genetic defects of pituitary hormone production and secretion. Isolated-thyrotropin deficiency has been considered to be a rare disease. We report a newborn with autosomal recessive form of congenital cutis laxa, who had congenital hypothyroidism owing to isolated thyrotropin deficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of this association to be reported in the literature.

Effect of parenterally L-arginine supplementation on the respiratory distress syndrome in preterm newborns.

L-Arginine (L-Arg) is the precursor of nitric oxide which plays an important role on pulmonary circulation and pulmonary vascular tone. Earlier studies suggested that L-Arg levels in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were low due to its consumption and L-Arg supplementation may reduce the severity of RDS. Our aim was detect the effect of the parenterally L-Arg supplementation on RDS severity. The subjects were chosen between preterm newborns (gestational age <34 weeks) (n = 30). Twenty of the subjects were diagnosed with permaturity and RDS, and 10 of the subjects were healthy preterm newborns. Ten of the subjects was taken L-Arg (1.5 mmol/kg/d) in addition to routine RDS treatment and assumed as "Group 1". In this group, daily L-Arg supplementation was started end of the first day, and continued at end of fifth day. The others of the subjects diagnosed with RDS was take routine RDS treatment and assumed as "Group 2". Healthy preterm newborns assumed as "Group 3". Blood collections for L-Arg levels via tandem mass spectrometry were made in first day and repeated on the seventh days. Oxygenation index was used to determine severity of RDS. L-Arg consentrations in Group 1 were 8.7 ± 4.1 µM/L and 11.9 ± 5.0 µM/L in first and seventh day, respectively. L-Arg consentrations were 12.6 ± 4.5 µM/Land 10.9 ± 5.4 µM/L in Group 2 and 8.6 ± 5.1 µM/L and 9.4 ± 4.1 µM/L in Group 3. There is no correlation between L-Arg concentrations and OI also duration of the mechanical ventilation of the subjects in patient groups (Group 1 and 2).

Outcome of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus related acute lower respiratory tract infection among hospitalized newborns: a prospective multicenter study.

AIM: To determine the incidence and outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) including morbidity, nosocomial infection and mortality among newborn infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study was conducted in newborns who were hospitalized with community acquired or nosocomial RSV infection in 44 NICUs throughout Turkey. Newborns with ALRI were screened for RSV infection by Respi-Strip®-test. Main outcome measures were the incidence of RSV-associated admissions in the NICUs and morbidity, mortality and epidemics results related to these admissions. FINDINGS: The incidence of RSV infection was 1.24% (n: 250) and RSV infection constituted 19.6% of all ALRI hospitalizations, 226 newborns (90.4%) had community-acquired whereas 24 (9.6%) patients had nosocomial RSV infection in the NICUs. Of the 250 newborns, 171 (68.4%) were full-term infants, 183 (73.2%) had a BW >2500 g. RSV-related mortality rate was 1.2%. Four NICUs reported seven outbreaks on different months, which could be eliminated by palivizumab prophylaxis in one NICU. CONCLUSION: RSV-associated ALRI both in preterm and term infants accounts an important percent of hospitalizations in the season, and may threat other high-risk patients in the NICU.

Brucella melitensis in blood cultures of two newborns due to exchange transfusion.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection, transmitted to humans primarily by consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products. Transmission by blood transfusion is possible but very unusual. Herewith we present two newborns with positive blood cultures for Brucella melitensis after exchange transfusions. However, the standard tube agglutination titers against Brucella were not elevated and the newborns did not develop brucellosis. It is suggested that, in areas endemic for brucellosis, blood donors should be questioned about symptoms of brucellosis, and if suspected, serological tests for brucellosis should be indicated before blood transfusion. At the same time, the prevalence of the disease among animals should be reduced with effective animal disease control programs.

Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Coma Associated With Splenic Rupture in Congenital Afibrinogenemia.

Nonketotic hyperosmolar coma is uncommon in children. Splenic rupture in congenital afibrinogenemia is also a rare event. The authors described a 5-year-old girl with congenital afibrinogenemia who presented with nonketotic hyperosmolar coma associated with spontaneous splenic rupture. Management consisted of correction of the nonketotic hyperosmolar condition and increasing fibrinogen concentration by blood products, followed by splenectomy, resulting in the survival of the patient.

Congenital hypothyroidism associated with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome.

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome is a genetic syndrome characterized by broad thumbs and big toes, growth retardation, mental deficiency and dysmorphic facies. We report the association of Rubinstien-Taybi syndrome with congenital hypothyroidism.