Prevalence of iron deficiency at the first age of the infants hospitalized in neonatal period.

Iron deficiency (ID) is a global health problem. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ID at the first year of life in infants who were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and investigate the effects of various factors on iron status. One year follow-up data of 219 infants who were discharged from NICU was retrospectively evaluated. ID anemia and ID without anemia were detected in fifteen infants (6.8%) and five (2.3%) infants, respectively. We concluded that, due to prophylactic iron treatment and close follow-up, hospitalization in neonatal period did not have any adverse effect on iron status at first year of life.

Prenatally detected congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and postnatally diagnosed trisomy 13: case report and review of the literature.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare bronchopulmonary malformation characterized by loss of the normal pulmonary tissue. CCAM may be frequently associated with cardiac and renal anomalies. Rarely, CCAM may be seen with chromosome abnormalities. This is the first reported neonatal case of prenatally detected CCAM and postnatally diagnosed trisomy 13.

Where should the normal position of the umbilicus be in the neonate?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the normal position of the umbilicus so as to offer a guide to improve cosmetic results after the repair of congenital abdominal wall defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The position of the umbilical center was determined in 187 neonates with respect to the xiphoid process, the center of the umbilicus and the pubis. The distance between the xiphoid process and the center of the umbilicus (XU), between the pubis and the center of the umbilicus (PU) and from the xiphoid process to the pubis (XP) were measured while the babies lay in a supine position. The PU:XU ratio was calculated based on these measurements. RESULTS: Mean XP was 11.93±1.40 cm, mean XU was 7.41±1.08 cm and mean PU was 4.52±0.70 (mean±SD). The PU:XU ratio was calculated as 0.61±0.12 (ratio±SD). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the PU:XU ratio should be 0.61 offering an ideal localization in umbilical reconstruction.

Treatment of postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas with octreotide in two neonates.

Enterocutaneous fistula (EF) in newborns and prematures is a well-recognized complication after necrotizing enterocolitis and other abdominal surgical procedures. Conservative management consists of bowel rest, antibiotics, wound care, and the administration of drugs that either reduce gastrointestinal motility or secretions. Octreotide decreases gastrointestinal secretions, inhibits or blocks the effects of gastrointestinal hormones, diminishes gut motility and thus reduces the flow through the fistula. We used octreotide and were able to report successful spontaneous closure of a fistula in our 2 neonatal patients, one a premature neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the other with meconium peritonitis.