An observational, multicenter, registry-based cohort study of Turkish Neonatal Society in neonates with Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of mortality and short- and long-term morbidities. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be the standard care for HIE of infants ≥36 weeks gestational age (GA), as it has been demonstrated to reduce the rates of mortality, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study aims to determine the incidence of HIE in our country, to assess the TH management in infants with HIE, and present short-term outcomes of these infants. METHODS: The Turkish Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Online Registry database was established for this multicenter, prospective, observational, nationally-based cohort study to evaluate the data of infants born at ≥34 weeks GA who displayed evidence of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) between March, 2020 and April 2022. RESULTS: The incidence of HIE among infants born at ≥36 weeks GA (n = 965) was 2.13 per 1000 live births (517:242440), and accounting for 1.55% (965:62062) of all neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The rates of mild, moderate and severe HIE were 25.5% (n = 246), 58.9% (n = 568), and 15.6% (n = 151), respectively. Infants with severe HIE had higher rates of abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and mortality (p<0.001). No significant difference in mortality and abnormal MRI results was found according to the time of TH initiation (<3 h, 3-6 h and >6 h) (p>0.05). TH was administered to 85 (34.5%) infants with mild HIE, and of those born of 34-35 weeks of GA, 67.4% (n = 31) received TH. A total of 58 (6%) deaths were reported with a higher mortality rate in infants born at 34-35 weeks of GA (OR 3.941, 95% Cl 1.446-10.7422, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIE remained similar over time with a reduction in mortality rate. The timing of TH initiation, whether <3 or 3-6 h, did not result in lower occurrences of brain lesions on MRI or mortality. An increasing number of infants with mild HIE and late preterm infants with HIE are receiving TH; however, the indications for TH require further clarification. Longer follow-up studies are necessary for this vulnerable population.

Transient Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus and Seizure with an Unknown Etiology.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a monogenic form of diabetes, usually occurring in the first 6 months of life. Here, we present a newborn, which was admitted with epileptic seizure on the postnatal second day of life. Sepsis and meningitis were ruled out. Cranial imaging and electroencephalography revealed normal. She developed transient NDM on the follow-up and was diagnosed to carry an ABCC8 mutation. Although the neurological features are more common in patients with KCJN11 mutations, patients with ABCC8 mutations could also represent with subtle neurodevelopmental changes or even with epileptic seizures. The genetic testing and appropriate therapy is important in this patient group for predicting clinical course and possible additional features.

A novel homozygous CLCNKB variant: An early presentation of classic Bartter syndrome in a neonate.

BACKGROUND: Bartter syndrome (BS) is a rare congenital salt-losing renal tubular transport disorder, characterized by salt wasting, polyuria, biochemical abnormalities, and acid-base homeostasis imbalance. The syndrome has five different genetic forms, and novel mutations of CLCNKB gene lead to type 3 BS also known as classic BS. In this case, we report clinical and molecular findings from a newborn baby with BS. CASE: A 10-day-old male infant born at 37 weeks of gestation by cesarean section following a pregnancy complicated with polyhydramnios, and fetal distress to a 30-year-old gravida 3, para 3 mother, with a 2500 g birth weight was brought to the pediatric emergency department due to weight loss and jaundice. The neonate was referred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a preliminary diagnosis of hyponatremic dehydration (Na: 122 mmol/L, 10% dehydration) and hypokalemic hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis (K: 2.13 mmol/L, Cl: 63 mmol/L, pH: 7.62, pCO2 : 39 mmHg, HCO3 : 40.8 mmol/L, BE: 16.9 mmol/L), and hypocalcemia (ionized Ca: 0.72 mmol/L). On arrival to the NICU, symptomatic focal seizures, and polyuria complicated his course. Spot urine biochemistry revealed a renal salt wasting and hypercalciuria: Creatine 11.4 mg/dL Na: 51 mmol/L (54-150), K: 26 mmol/L (20-80), Cl: 164 mmol/L, fractional excretion of sodium (FENa): 3% (0.9-1.6), fractional excretion of chloride (FECl): 17% (<0.5%) and Ca/Cr: 0.33 (<0.2). Biochemical abnormalities disappeared through intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy, but he could not achieve adequate weight gain, and polyuric urine output (6.5 cc/kg/h), and metabolic alkalosis continued as the enteral feedings advance. Patient's serum renin: 184 pg/mL (5-27 pg/mL) and aldosterone: 1670 pg/mL (1-180 ng/dL) were elevated. Polyuria, renal salt wasting, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances, and hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism established the diagnosis as Bartter syndrome. An oral indomethacin (1 mg/kg/day) treatment, on the 8th day. ensured the weight gain, and normalized daily urine output. He achieved the goal of birth weight on the 30th day and he was 3520 g weight at discharge on day 42. The genetic tests of the patient as KCNJ1 SLC12A1 gene sequence analysis revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the 14th exon of the CLCNKB gene, the c.1334_1338del CTTTT (p. Ser445fs*4) variant was identified. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of BS should be considered in the presence of a medical history of severe polyhydramnios of fetal origin. Postnatally, polyuria, signs of dehydration, renal salt wasting, and hypokalemic-metabolic alkalosis should prompt the clinician to request genetic testing for BS in the neonatal period. This case is presented to emphasize that early diagnosis of BS should be considered in newborns presenting with electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic alkalosis accompanying dehydration and favorable growth results can be achieved by starting indomethacin treatment in the early neonatal period. The clinical exome sequencing illustrated a novel missense variant in the CLCNKB gene leading to the molecular diagnosis of BS type 3.

The role of time interval elimination on pain control of preterm infants by sucrose administration.

PURPOSE: The 2-min time interval of sucrose administration given before minor painful procedures in preterm infants is based on a few limited studies. We aimed to assess availability of sucrose analgesia in emergency states of minor procedural pain by eliminating the 2-min time interval prior to heel lance in preterm infants. The primary outcome was Premature Infants Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R) at 30 and 60 s. METHODS: Healthy 69 preterms undergoing a heel lance, who were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups, i.e., group I, with the 2-min time interval of per oral 24% sucrose given prior to heel lance, or group II, without a time interval of per oral 24% sucrose, were recruited. Premature Infants Pain Profile-Revised, crying incidence, duration, and heart rate at 30 and 60 s following heel lance were the outcome measures in this single-center, randomized, prospective study. RESULTS: The 2 groups did not differ significantly in PIPP-R scores at 30 s (6.63 vs. 6.32, p = .578) and 60 s (5.80 vs. 5.38, p = .478). The crying incidence was similar between the 2 groups (p = .276). The median crying duration was 6 s (range: 1-13 s) in group I and 4.5 s (range: 1-18 s) in group II (p = .226). No significant differences in the heart rates between the 2 groups and the proportion of adverse events by time interval elimination were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating the time interval did not decrease the analgesic effect of orally administered 24% sucrose given prior to heel lance. In emergency states of minor procedural pain, eliminating the 2-min time interval following sucrose administration is safe and efficacious in preterm infants.

The impact of initial hematocrit values after birth on peri-/intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight neonates.

AIM: Peri-/intaventricular hemorrhage (P/IVH) is a common condition in preterm neonates and is responsible for substantial adverse neurological outcome especially in extremely low birth weight infants. As hematocrit after birth is a surrogate marker for blood volume, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of initial hematocrit values after birth on P/IVH development in extreme low birth weight (ELBW) neonates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort analysis of 92 eligible ELBW neonates was performed. The relationship between initial hematocrit values in ELBW neonates after birth and subsequent development of P/IVH was examined. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 92 infants developed P/IVH. There were significant differences in initial Hct and maximum carbon dioxide (max PCO2) in the first 3 days levels in the P/IVH group compared with no P/IVH group. Initial Hct level at birth in the P/IVH group were significantly lower than the no P/IVH group while max PCO2 in the first 3 days were found to be significantly high in the P/IVH group. There were no significant differences in other baseline demographic, perinatal, and neonatal characteristics while in univariate analysis, higher gestational age and initial Hct were associated with decreased likelihood of P/IVH. In multiple regression analysis after adjustment, only initial Hct remained significantly associated with P/IVH. There was no difference between the population by subgroups of IVH (IVH I-II and IVH III-IV) according to hematocrit and the severity of IVH. CONCLUSION: Higher initial Hct at birth is associated with decreased P/IVH in ELBW infants. We hypothesized the argument that ELBW infants who have lower initial Hct at birth have less suboptimal volume status that predisposing lower cerebral blood flow and the resultant decrease in cerebral blood flow precede the development of P/IVH.

Neonatal Community-acquired Raoultella Ornithinolytica Septicemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Raoultella ornithinolytica is an opportunistic, aquaphilic and Gram-negative bacterium. Immune deficiency states and indwelling catheters provide a basis for most of the infections arising. R. ornithinolytica septicemia (ROS) is extremely rare in neonates but can be life threatening. Community-acquired ROS has not been described in neonates before. The diagnosis of neonatal septicemia is occasionally complicated by unusual clinical presentations. Pyloric stenosis is manifested by projectile, nonbilious vomiting and late findings, including weight loss, dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities beyond 4-6 weeks old. Community-acquired neonatal septicemia symptoms can sometimes be confused with symptoms of gastrointestinal obstructions in patients without risk factors for sepsis. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics are essentials for a good prognosis in neonatal septicemia. Herein, we present a novel case of community-acquired ROS with an unusual presentation in a term infant and a review of the literature about ROS in the neonatal period.

Comparison of the diameter of coronary arteries between small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborn infants.

AIM: For the small for gestational age (SGA) infants born at the normal birth time but whose birth weights were below the 10th percentile and for the appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants born in normal birth weights according to gestational week, the diameters of right and left coronary arteries were echocardiographically measured in three separate time intervals with their body weights, heights and body surface area parameters. The aim of this study is to compare the progression of coronary artery diameters of SGA infants with AGA infants over time and the effects of coronary artery diameters on the clinical and hemodynamic parameters of SGA babies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Term 55 SGA babies were compared with 200 AGA infants at birth, first and sixth months of ages for both growth parameters and coronary artery diameters measurements. RESULTS: In comparison of SGA and AGA groups at birth, first and sixth months of ages on body weight, height and body surface area, aortic annulus and left coronary artery and right coronary artery diameters, it was seen that SGA group could not catch up the AGA group in all time periods on both anthropometric and coronary artery diameters data even if they have an increased growth (p<.05). Although SGA infants appeared to be far away from SGA criteria in body weight measurements at 6th months. These infants maintained a significant deficit in height and coronary artery measurements according to the AGA group (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the evaluation of growth indices and coronary artery diameters at birth, first and sixth months of ages in SGA babies, it is clear that impaired fetal growth of these babies has lasting-effects on coronary artery diameters and cardiac structure.

Acute peritoneal dialysis in the newborn period: a 7-year single-center experience at tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the underlying causes and outcomes of neonates who underwent acute peritoneal dialysis (APD). STUDY DESIGN: This report describes a 7-year experience with APD in 77 neonates. RESULTS: Underlying causes requiring APD were acute tubular necrosis (ATN; n = 53), inborn error of metabolism (n = 18), bilateral renal vein thrombosis (n = 3), obstructive uropathy (n = 2; posterior urethral valve and neurogenic bladder), and bilateral renal artery thrombosis (n = 1). Fifteen of the 53 patients developed post-cardiac surgery ATN. The mean dialysis duration was 6.2 ± 10.7 days (range 1 to 90 days). Complications of procedure were hyperglycemia (n = 35), leaking of dialysate (n = 13), peritonitis (n = 10), catheter obstruction (n = 3), bleeding when inserting the catheter (n = 3), exit site infection (n = 2), and bowel perforation (n = 1). There were 57 deaths (74%) in this high-risk group due to underling causes. Of the 20 survivors, 16 patients showed a full renal recovery, but mild chronic renal failure developed in 1 patient and proteinuria with/without hypertension in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal dialysis is an effective means of renal replacement therapy in the neonatal period in the management of metabolic disturbances as well as renal failure. Although major complications of procedure are not so common, these patients have high mortality rates due to the serious nature of the primary causes.

Distribution of congenital anomalies in a neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies are one of the important reasons of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence, distribution and the mortality of the congenital anomalies in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from Turkey. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed between 2005 and 2012 in NICU using a computerized database. Variables including the type of anomaly, antenatal and postnatal history, gestational age, birth weight, consanguinity and other demographic, clinical and related laboratory variables were extracted from the computerized database using ICD-10 codes. Congenital anomalies were classified according to involved organ systems and also classified as single and multiple anomalies. RESULTS: A total of 1024 newborns with congenital anomaly (CA) (13.7%) were identified among the 7450 hospitalized newborns in NICU. The most affected system was the cardiovascular system (68.8%). Most of the anomalies (67.1%) were single anomalies. Of all, 59.4% had single major, 7.7% had single minor, 9% had single major plus single minor, 18.4% had multiple major and 2% had multiple minor anomalies. On the other hand, 96.3, 1.9, 0.1 and 1.7% of the newborns had malformation, deformation, disruption and dysplasia, respectively. Chromosomal analysis was only performed 24.8% of the newborns with CA and among them, 65.3% of these were in normal limits. The most frequently detected chromosomal abnormality was trisomy 21. Overall, mortality rate was 15.5% among the newborns with CA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the most common and mortal CA was cardio-vascular malformations in our hospital. The overall prevalence of cardio-vascular malformations among the newborn was higher than previously reported studies in Turkey. Further, studies with larger sample size are needed to determine CA in Turkey.

Literature review and outcome of classic galactosemia diagnosed in the neonatal period.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the features and outcome of classic galactosemia diagnosed in the neonatal period. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 22 newborns with classic galactosemia who were followed-up in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit from January 2005 to January 2011. RESULTS: During the study period, 22 (18 boys, 4 girls) newborns were diagnosed with classic galactosemia. The median gestational age was 38 weeks (31 - 42) with a median age of 13 (3 - 23) days on admission. Major presenting symptoms were hepatomegaly (n = 22, 100%), jaundice [n = 19, 86%; including (n = 14, 63%) indirect and (n = 8, 36%) direct hyperbilirubinemia], vomiting (n = 17, 77%), and nuclear cataract (n = 15, 68%). Liver dysfunction (n = 22, 100%), Escherichia coli sepsis (n = 10), purpura fulminans (n = 1), hemophagocytosis (n = 1), and long QT syndrome (n = 1) were also noted. Cataract resolved in 11 (73%) patients with galactose-restricted diet in the first months. Four patients were operated for cataracts. Neurodevelopmental evaluation showed mild psychomotor retardation in one patient, learning disabilities in five, and developmental delay in three. None died from galactosemia or its complications. Patients who were diagnosed before 17 days did not require cataract operation. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of galactosemia and treatment with a galactose-restricted diet could partially prevent and recover complications of the disease, but not all of them. Cataracts can develop even in the first few weeks of life. Early diagnosis seems important in the prevention of severe cataracts. Therefore, newborn screening for galactosemia should improve morbidity.

Randomized controlled trial of slow vs rapid enteral feeding advancements on the clinical outcomes of preterm infants with birth weight 750-1250 g.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of slow vs rapid rates of advancement of enteral feed volumes on the clinical outcomes in preterm infants with 750-1250 g birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 92 stable neonates 750-1250 g and gestational age <32 weeks were randomly allocated to enteral feeding advancement of 20 mL/kg/d (n = 46) or 30 mL/kg/d (n = 46). The primary outcome was days to reach full enteral feeding, defined as 180 mL/kg/d. Secondary outcomes included rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and culture-proven sepsis, days of parenteral nutrition (PN), length of hospital stay, and growth end points. RESULTS: Neonates in the rapid-feeding advancement group achieved full enteral volume of feedings earlier than the slower advancement group. They received significantly fewer days of PN, exhibited a shorter time to regain birth weight, and had a shorter duration of hospital stay. The incidence of NEC and the number of episodes of feeding intolerance were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the incidence of culture-proven late-onset sepsis was significantly less in infants receiving a rapid feeding advancement. Excluding infants who were small for gestational age at birth, the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction was significantly reduced in the rapid-advancement group at 28 days and at hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Rapid enteral feeding advancements in 750-1250 g birth weight infants reduce the time to reach full enteral feeding and the use of PN administration. Rapid-advancement enteral feed also decreases extrauterine growth restriction with improved short-term outcomes for these high-risk infants.

A premature neonate with early-onset neonatal sepsis owing to Brevundimonas vesicularis complicated by persistent meningitis and lymphadenopathy.

Human infection by Brevundimonas vesicularis is very rare, especially in children. A 29-week-old neonate is reported who developed early neonatal sepsis owing to B. vesicularis complicated by persistent meningitis and lymphadenopathy. B. vesicularis may be an emerging pathogen in neonatal infection.

The diameter of coronary arteries in healthy newborns at birth, 1 and 6 months of ages.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine accurate and validated Z-score equations for the normal values of coronary diameters adjusted with growth changes of the neonates by testing three different time periods. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed on 200 healthy neonates at birth, 1 and 6 months of ages. Several regression models for the left (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA) diameters were tested with weight, height, body surface area and aortic annulus diameter. Reliable standards for the coronary artery diameters for healthy newborns by determining Z-score equations with appropriate statistical validations were established. RESULTS: The coronary diameters on birth measurements were strongly correlated with birth weight, height, surface area and the diameter of the aortic annulus (Pearson's R > 0.8, all p < 0.01). There were significant associations between the mean data of weight, height, body surface area, aortic annulus and the LCA and RCA diameters measurements of study subjects at birth, 1 and 6 months of ages (p < 0.05). Z-score graphs of coronary artery diameters and weight of the subjects at three different time (LCA vs. weight at birth, R = 0.82, p < 0.001; LCA vs. weight at 1 month, R = 0.64, p < 0.001; LCA vs. weight at 6 months, R = 0.55, p < 0.001; RCA vs. weight at birth, R = 0.80, p < 0.001; RCA vs. weight at 1 month, R = 0.59, p < 0.001; RCA vs. weight at 6 months, R = 0.49, p < 0.001) were constructed. CONCLUSION: We present a new set of equations for neonatal Z-score calculation on the basis of a large number of healthy neonates on three different time period consisting of birth, 1 and 6 months of ages. It is clear with this study that the growth in caliber of the coronary arteries is definite and progressive during postnatal time.

Burkholderia gladioli sepsis in newborns.

UNLABELLED: Burkholderia gladioli is a rare cause of bacteremia and sepsis in the absence of such predisposing factors as chronic granulomatous disease, cystic fibrosis, and immunosuppression. Little is known about B. gladioli infection in newborns. The aim of this study was to present the features of B. gladioli infection in newborns. Clinicopathological characteristics, patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility, predisposing factors, and outcomes of B. gladioli bloodstream infection were retrospectively analyzed in newborns treated between 2008 and 2011. During the 3-year study period, B. gladioli was isolated from the blood cultures of 14 patients (3.7 per 1,000 admissions). In all, 5 (35.7 %) of the 14 cases had a positive blood culture at the time of initial admission. Primary diagnoses in the neonates were severe major congenital anomalies, congenital leukemia, prematurity with respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and parapneumonic pleural effusion. In total, 10 (71.4 %) of the patients underwent ≥2 invasive procedures. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 21.4 %, whereas the mortality rate due to B. gladioli infection was 7 %. CONCLUSION: B. gladioli might be a causative microorganism of both early neonatal and nosocomial sepsis in newborns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on B. gladioli infection in newborns. Invasive procedures and severe major congenital anomalies may be predisposing factors for B. gladioli bloodstream infection in neonates. Although it appears to have low pathogenic potential and an insidious clinical course in newborns, resistance to antibiotics may be a potential problem. Mortality was primarily associated with underlying diseases.

Isolated congenital pleural effusion in two neonates.

Congenital isolated pleural effusion, a non-specific accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, is an uncommon anomaly which can be associated with structural malformations, inflammatory or iatrogenic problems, genetic syndromes or fetal hydrops. Here, we present two neonates with isolated congenital pleural effusion, one of which was associated with Down syndrome and the other with empyema and bloodstream infection caused by Burkholderia gladioli septicemia. We wanted to discuss the diagnosis and management of this rare clinical entity.

The role of antenatal factors on tibial speed of sound values in newborn infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of some antenatal factors on bone status of newborn infants. METHODS: Tibial bone speed of sound (SOS) value was measured by quantitative ultrasound within 5 days after birth in 205 neonates whose gestational ages ranged between 31 and 40 weeks. The cohort was divided into two groups according to intrauterine growth curves, as small- (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA). All cases were also been evaluated by antenatal ultrasonography for oligohydroamniosis. RESULTS: The mean SOS value was found significantly higher in SGA (n = 43) than AGA infants (n = 162) (p < 0.001). The mean tibial SOS value of infants with a history of oligohydroamniosis (n = 28) was also higher than those without oligohydroamniosis (n = 177) (p < 0.001). But, in SGA infants with a history of oligohydroamniosis (n = 17), the mean tibial SOS value was similar to those SGA infants without oligohydroamniosis (n = 26) (p > 0.05). Infants whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy (n = 18) had significantly higher tibial SOS values compared to those of whose mothers had not (n = 187) (p = 0.006). In addition, mean tibial SOS values were determined higher in male infants (n = 116) compared to female infants (n = 89) (p = 0.036). There was a significant correlation between tibial SOS values and gestational age (r = 0.178, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: While creating reference curves of SOS values at birth, smallness for gestational age, maternal smoking and gender as well as gestational age should be taken into account.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by irregular blood subgroup (Kell, C, c, E, and e) incompatibilities: report of 106 cases at a tertiary-care centre.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical spectrum of hemolytic disease due to irregular blood subgroup incompatibility in hospitalized neonates. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of the all hospitalized newborn patients diagnosed with indirect hyperbilirubinemia due to subgroup incompatibility in Kell, C, c, E, and e systems were included in the study. Data from 106 newborns with hemolytic jaundice due to irregular blood subgroups were retrospectively evaluated, and clinical and laboratory findings were compared between patients . The treatment modalities given to the patients of each subgroup types and the laboratory findings and treatment modalities of the cases according to Coombs tests results were also analyzed. Fetal affection of the hemolysis and also fetal losses due to irregular red-cell alloimmunization were not detected in prenatal course, as there was no follow-up of these pregnancies. RESULTS: The mean postnatal hospitalizing age was 6.1 ± 5.2 days after birth. The mean total bilirubin level and the mean hemoglobin value on hospitalization were 343.7 ± 63.3 µmol/L (=20.1 ± 3.7 mg/dL) and 14.9 ± 3.4 g/dL, respectively. Of 106 patients identified with irregular subgroup incompatibility, 40 infants (37.7%) were associated with C, 22 (20.8%) with c, 30 (28.3%) with E, 9 (8.5%) with e, and 5 (4.7%) with Kell subgroup system. Positive Coombs tests (either direct and/or indirect) occurred in 28.3% of the study cases. Hydrops fetalis was determined in 5 of 106 neonates (4.7%). Twenty-two of 106 (20.8%) patients required total exchange transfusion. Positive Coombs test in cases required total exchange transfusion was 63.6%. CONCLUSION: Our data expose the magnitude and spectrum of the potential developing severe hemolytic disease and immune hydrops due to irregular subgroup incompatibility. Minor group antibody screening is recommended both in the mother and the high-risk infants with hyperbilirubinemia and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Early and successful enzymatic debridement via collagenase application to pinna in a preterm neonate.

We report early and successful enzymatic debridement using collagenase application to pinna in a preterm neonate. Collagenase clostridiopeptidase A should be kept in mind not only for the removal of eschar but also for avoidance of the progression of necrotic tissue in neonates.

[The incidence of thrombocytopenia after cardiopulmonary bypass in children with Down syndrome]. / Down sendromlu çocuklarda kardiyopulmoner baypas sonrasi trombositopeni sikligi

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients with Down syndrome following cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated 162 patients (81 girls, 81 boys; mean age 26.1 ± 39.5 months) who underwent total surgical correction for congenital heart disease. The patients were divided into two groups with respect to the presence (n=118) or absence (n=44, controls) of Down syndrome. Platelet counts were performed preoperatively and on days 1 to 7 after surgery and thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count of less than 100,000/mm3. RESULTS: The incidence of thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome compared to controls (61.9% vs. 34.1%, p=0.002). Severe thrombocytopenia was observed in 22% and 4.6% of cases with and without Down syndrome, respectively. Postoperative platelet counts showed sharp decreases in both groups, bottoming out on day 3 and with more significant decreases in patients with Down syndrome; they started to rise on day 4, but remained lower than baseline levels on day 7. The only significant differences between the two groups in preoperative and postoperative variables were higher incidences of reintubation (26.3% vs. 9.1%, p=0.003) and complications during intensive care (50.9% vs. 27.3%, p=0.007) in cases with Down syndrome. Comparison of patients with and without thrombocytopenia independent of Down syndrome yielded significant differences for thrombocytopenic patients with respect to age, operation age, the presence of cyanosis, type of surgery and operation time, aortic clamp and bypass times, lengths of intensive care and hospital stay, intubation and chest tube drainage times, and the incidence of postoperative complications (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite higher incidence of thrombocytopenia, the presence of Down syndrome was not associated with significant differences other than increased reintubation requirement and higher complication rate during intensive care.