Spontaneous delivery is associated with increased endothelial activity in cord blood compared to elective cesarean section.

OBJECTIVES: It is suggested that delivery whether spontaneous or by elective cesarean section is associated with an inflammatory reaction which may be modified by the type of delivery. Inflammatory reactions are associated with endothelial activation. The aim of our study was to assess endothelial biomarkers in cord and neonatal blood following different modes of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of term healthy newborns after uncomplicated pregnancies and either spontaneous vaginal delivery (n = 39) or elective cesarean section (n = 20). Plasma soluble biomarkers were measured using multiplex magnetic bead immunoassay. The microvesicle count and number of surface antigen-specific microvesicles were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We found significantly increased concentrations of cord blood endothelial markers (sVEGFR1, Endothelin-1 and sVCAM1) and microvesicles (EPCR/CD201+, ICAM1/CD54+ and PECAM1/CD31+) in spontaneous vaginal delivery when compared to elective cesarean section. Irrespective of the delivery mode endothelial markers sVEGFR1, Endocan, Angiopoietin-2, VEGF, and sICAM1, were significantly increased in neonatal compared to cord blood. CONCLUSION: We found increased cord blood concentrations of endothelial markers and microvesicles following spontaneous vaginal delivery, which may reflect the natural activation of endothelial cells during labor. Following the delivery, most of the soluble markers increased, as a possible consequence of activation of neonatal innate immunity and postnatal cardiovascular transition.

Preterm human milk macronutrient concentration is independent of gestational age at birth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the amount of macronutrients in aggregate of human milk samples after preterm delivery during the first 2 months of lactation. METHODS: Analysis of the donated single milk samples, gained by complete emptying of the whole breast at the same daytime between 24+0 and 35+6 gestational age (GA), was designed as prospective observational cohort trial. Two milk samples were analysed every postnatal week up to the discharge from the hospital, week 9 or loss of lactation. 24-Hour milk collection was not done. Analysis was performed using the MIRIS Human Milk Analyser (MIRIS AB, Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS: A set of 1917 human milk samples donated by 225 mothers after preterm labour was analysed. Group A (24-30 GA) contains 969 milk samples; group B (31-35 GA) contains 948 milk samples. No difference in milk composition between the groups was identified. Median of true protein content decreased from 1.6 g/dL in group A and 1.5 g/dL in group B in the first week of life, to 1.1 g/dL in both groups at the end of week 3, and then remained stable up to week 9. Content of carbohydrates and fat was stable during the whole observation, with interindividual differences. CONCLUSION: Human milk does not differ as a function of degree of prematurity. Protein content of preterm human milk is low and decreases during the first 3 weeks of lactation. Recommended daily protein intake cannot be achieved with routine fortification in majority of milk samples.

Endothelial Microvesicles and Soluble Markers of Endothelial Injury in Critically Ill Newborns.

Neonatal systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are the main postnatal insults influencing mortality and morbidity. Critically ill newborns with high predicted mortality are supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Biomarkers of inflammatory response and endothelial injury can be used for early diagnosis and treatment of critical neonatal situations. The aim of our study was to explore plasma proteins and endothelial microvesicles as markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in newborns on ECMO and to compare them with healthy neonates. Thirteen newborns on ECMO and 13 healthy newborns were included in the study. Plasma soluble biomarkers were measured using multiplex immunoassay based on Luminex® xMAP multianalyte profiling platform. The total microvesicle count and plasma level of surface antigen-specific microvesicles were determined by flow cytometry. The plasma concentration of cell-derived microvesicles was measured using annexin-V labeling, and the endothelial origin of microvesicles was determined using lineage-specific antigen labeling of endothelial cell/microvesicle markers (endoglin/CD105, PECAM1/CD31, VEGFR2/CD309, and MadCAM1). Inflammatory markers (procalcitonin, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-22) were increased in the ECMO group (P < 0.01). The assessment of endothelial markers showed higher concentrations of endocan and angiopoietin-2 (P < 0.01) in the ECMO group while VEGF in the ECMO group was significantly lower (P < 0.01). In the ECMO group, the concentration of annexin-V-positive microvesicles (total microvesicles) and endothelial microvesicles expressing mucosal vascular addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MadCAM1) was increased (P = 0.05). In summary, we found increased concentrations of soluble inflammatory and endothelial markers in the plasma of critically ill newborns with multiple organ dysfunction. Increased plasma concentrations of microvesicles may reflect the activation or damage of blood cells and vasculature including endothelial cells. The measurement of cell membrane-derived microvesicles may be added to the panel of established inflammatory markers in order to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic process in critically ill newborns.

Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles: potential mediators and biomarkers of pathologic processes.

This review focuses on the formation, composition and function of endothelial microvesicles (MV), often called microparticles (MP). MV release is a controlled event and is considered a hallmark of cellular activation or alteration. MV may affect the function of target cells through surface interaction and receptor activation, cellular fusion and the delivery of intravesicular cargo. Endothelial MV are released as a consequence of endothelial activation during inflammation and have been described to affect hemostasis, various aspects of inflammatory reaction, vessel formation, apoptosis and cell survival, endothelial cell differentiation and function. Recent data suggest the potential use of MV in diagnostics, assessment of severity and prediction of outcomes in inflammatory diseases and their utilization as targets, mediators and vectors in therapy.

Breastfeeding After Early Repair of Cleft Lip in Newborns With Cleft Lip or Cleft Lip and Palate in a Baby-Friendly Designated Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Goals of treatment of orofacial cleft are to improve feeding, speech, hearing, and facial appearance. Early surgery brings faster healing, better cosmetic effect, and fewer complications. Breastfeeding rates after early surgery are unknown. Early repair of the cleft lip may influence breastfeeding rates. Research aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate breastfeeding after early repair of the cleft lip in a Baby-Friendly designated hospital. The rate of breastfeeding in newborns with cleft lip was compared to cleft lip and palate. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. The study group included infants with cleft lip and cleft lip and palate operated on in the first 2 weeks of life. Newborns and their mothers were supported by a team promoting breastfeeding. RESULTS: One hundred four infants (70 boys and 34 girls) were included. Isolated cleft lip was present in 56 (53.8%) infants, and cleft lip and palate in 48 (46.2%). Forty-four (78.6%) of the infants with a cleft lip were breastfed, 3 (5.4%) received human milk via bottle or syringe, and 9 (16.0%) were formula fed. Three (6.2%) of the infants with a cleft lip and palate were breastfed, 31 (64.6%) received human milk via bottle or Haberman feeder, and 14 (29.2%) were formula fed. CONCLUSION: The rate of breastfeeding in patients following early surgery of the cleft lip was high and comparable to the general population. The rate of breastfeeding in babies with cleft lip and palate after early repair of the cleft lip remained low.