Maternal preeclampsia as a risk factor for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of preeclampsia on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of infants' ≤32 weeks' gestation admitted to a level-IV single center neonatal intensive care unit from 2014 to 2016. Infants with major congenital anomalies, death or transfer before 28 days were excluded. Infants were stratified by maternal preeclampsia status. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors for BPD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was BPD incidence. RESULTS: 432 infants met inclusion criteria; 22% developed BPD, of which, 16% had severe BPD. Thirty-eight percent of infants were born to preeclamptic mothers, with 23% of those infants developing BPD. Infants born to preeclamptic mothers were delivered by cesarean section (88% vs. 60%; p<0.0001) more often and had lower birthweight (Median=1265g, IQR 910-1555 vs. Median=1388g, IQR 959-1752; p=0.008) compared to infants born to non-preeclamptic mothers. Higher incidence of intrauterine growth restriction was noted in pre-eclampsia group,24% vs 8%, p=0.0001). Gestational age, length of stay and days on ventilator were all associated with the development of BPD. In multivariable logistic regression, preeclampsia was not a risk factor for development of BPD (OR 1.12 [0.68, 1.83]). CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia was not a significant risk factor for development of BPD nor the severity of BPD in infants' ≤32 weeks' gestation. IUGR infants with or without preeclampsia mothers were at higher risk for BPD.

Congenital midline nasal anomalies.

Congenital midline nasal anomalies are rare, with a prevalence of 1 in 20,000 to 40,000 births and with 5% to 7% of them being nasal glioma. Differential diagnoses of nasal anomalies include nasal dermoid cysts, gliomas, encephaloceles, nasal polyps, and some other rare anomalies. Due to current medical technological advancements, most of these anomalies are easily correctable, though delaying management may lead to fatal effects. This report describes two cases-one of nasal glioma and one of nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis-that presented as respiratory distress in a newborn. Approximately 10 to 20 cases of these two conditions have been described; notably, this is the second documented case of nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis with nasal presentation.

A synthetic thiourea-based tripodal receptor that impairs the function of human first trimester cytotrophoblast cells.

A synthetic tripodal-based thiourea receptor (PNTTU) was used to explore the receptor/ligand binding affinity using CTB cells. The human extravillous CTB cells (Sw.71) used in this study were derived from first trimester chorionic villus tissue. The cell proliferation, migration and angiogenic factors were evaluated in PNTTU-treated CTB cells. The PNTTU inhibited the CTBs proliferation and migration. The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) secretion was increased while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was decreased in the culture media of CTB cells treated with ≥1 nM PNTTU. The angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2) expression was significantly upregulated in ≥1 nM PNTTU-treated CTB cells in compared to basal; however, the angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) expression was downregulated. The anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effect of this compound on CTB cells are similar to the effect of CTSs. The receptor/ligand affinity of PNTTU on CTBs provides us the clue to design a potent inhibitor to prevent the CTS-induced impairment of CTB cells.

Ileal atresia associated with Hirschsprung disease (total colonic aganglionosis).

One of the most common causes of small bowel obstruction in newborns is ileal atresia, and one of the most common causes of colonic obstruction in neonates is aganglionic megacolon (Hirschsprung disease). However, atresias of the small intestinal tract associated with Hirschsprung disease are extremely rare. We describe an infant born with both ileal atresia and Hirschsprung disease. This is the 19th known report of the case of an infant who had ileal atresia associated with Hirschsprung disease.