Visfatin: New marker of oxidative stress in preterm newborns.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is involved in several neonatal conditions characterized by an upregulation in the production of oxidative or nitrative free radicals and a concomitant decrease in the availability of antioxidant species. Oxygen, which is obviously vital to survival, can be highly damaging to neonatal tissue which is known to be poorly equipped to neutralize toxic derivatives. Thus, exposure of the newborn infant to high oxygen concentrations during resuscitation at birth increases oxidative damage. Visfatin is an adipocytokine involved in oxidative stress and an important mediator of inflammation that induces dose-dependent production of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. To our knowledge, the diagnostic value of visfatin as a marker of oxidative stress in preterm newborns has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate visfatin levels in preterm neonates resuscitated with different concentrations of oxygen in the delivery room. PATIENTS: Fifty-two preterm newborns with gestational age less than 32 weeks, resuscitated randomly with different oxygen concentrations (40%, 60%, or 100%) were enrolled at the University Hospital of Messina, over a 12-month period to evaluate serum visfatin levels at T0 (within 1 h after birth), T24 h, T72 h, and T168 h of life. RESULTS: At T72 h and T168 h, higher serum visfatin values in the high-oxygen group compared to the low- and mild-oxygen subjects (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively) were noted. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that visfatin could be a new marker of oxidative stress in preterm newborns.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR polymorphisms as antenatal risk factors of white matter abnormalities in two cohorts of late preterm and full term newborns.

Higher total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and C677T and A1298C methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) polymorphisms, have been reported in preterm or full term newborns with neonatal encephalopathy following perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult. This study investigated the causal role of tHcy and MTHFR polymorphisms together with other acquired risk factors on the occurrence of brain white matter abnormalities (WMA) detected by cranial ultrasound scans (cUS) in a population of late preterm and full term infants. A total of 171 newborns (81 M, 47.4%), 45 (26.3%) born <37 wks, and 126 (73.7%) born ≥37 wks were recruited in the study. cUS detected predominant WMA pattern in 36/171 newborns (21.1%) mainly characterized by abnormal periventricular white matter signal and mild-to-moderate periventricular white matter volume loss with ventricular dilatation (6/36, 16.6%). WMA resulted in being depending on tHcy levels (P < 0.014), lower GA (P < 0.000), lower Apgar score at 1 minutes (P < 0.000) and 5 minutes (P < 0.000), and 1298AC and 677CT/1298AC genotypes (P < 0.000 and P < 0.000). In conclusion, both acquired and genetic predisposing antenatal factors were significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcome and WMA. The role of A1298C polymorphism may be taken into account for prenatal assessment and treatment counseling.

Ambiguous genitalia in a 48, XXYY newborn: a casual relationship or a coincidence?

48, XXYY is a very rare sex chromosome aneuploidy, characterized by both an extra X and Y chromosome with a prevalence of 1:18,000-1:40,000. Most patients are diagnosed prenatally by cytogenetic examination of amniotic fluid, or during the first years of life because of severe developmental delay, cognitive impairment and behavioural disorders. This syndrome shares two findings with Klinefelter syndrome, namely tall stature and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism but at this time no genital anomalies have been reported in patients with this tetrasomy. We describe a 48, XXYY neonate and a clinical picture characterized by small penis, bifid scrotum, scrotal hypospadias and testes palpable in the labioscrotal folds.

Long-term follow-up of neonatally diagnosed primary megaureter: rate and predictors of spontaneous resolution.

OBJECTIVE: Primary megaureter (PM) represents 6-10% of all antenatal displaced urinary malformations. Spontaneous resolution of PM is a well-known event. This long-term follow-up study evaluated the incidence and rate of resolution of PM. Some predictive factors were revised, based on morphological classification and scintigraphic pattern. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty neonates with PM were followed. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination and (99m)Tc-DTPA diuretic renal scan. All the observed patients underwent antibiotic prophylaxis. All conservatively treated children were followed from 6 months to 15 years. Follow-up consisted of monthly urine cultures, renal ultrasound and DTPA diuretic renography. Hydroureteronephrosis was considered to have resolved when a retrovesical cross-sectional diameter of ureter less than 6 mm was found. RESULTS: In total, 72 PM were identified in this series. At the end of the follow-up period, 38 PM (52.8%) had resolved, in 18 PM (25%) ureteral dilatation persisted and 16 PM (22.2%) required a surgical procedure. The median age at resolution was significantly affected by presenting hydronephrosis grade and cross-sectional diameter at diagnosis, but not by gender. The (99m)Tc-DTPA renogram results showed no functional impairment in resolved and persisting cases, even after long-term observation. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that 22% of neonatal PM require surgical treatment. Poor drainage on (99m)Tc-DTPA scan, grade IV-V hydronephrosis and ureteric diameter more than 15.0 mm were statistically significant and independent predictive factors for surgery. The time to spontaneous resolution in neonatally diagnosed PM may exceed 3.6 years, after which recovery is rare.

Outcome and management of isolated severe renal pelvis dilatation detected at postnatal screening.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and outcome of isolated severe renal pelvis dilatation (RPD; APD>15or=3 and 16 with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Incidence of UTI was significantly higher (p<0.001) in infants of the study group than in infants of the control group (13.9 vs 2.5%). Our data suggest that isolated severe RPD may be a self-limiting condition and that antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) for the prevention of UTI should not be performed. Considering RDP resolution and the incidence of UTI during follow-up, investigations for uropathy in infants with isolated, severe RPD are justified in persistent cases, or when UTI occurs during follow-up. Careful clinical monitoring for signs of UTI and treatment of each episode of UTI may be sufficient and safe.

Outcome and management of isolated moderate renal pelvis dilatation detected at postnatal screening.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and outcome of isolated moderate renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) [anterior-posterior diameter (APD) 10-15 mm] in an unselected population of 2-month-old infants prospectively followed for up to 12-14 months of life. Isolated moderate renal pelvis dilatation was detected in 282 of the 11,801 (2.4%), infants screened; 240 infants with normal renal ultrasound were enrolled as the control group. Resolution of RPD was considered when an APD

Serum levels of resistin and its correlation with adiponectin and insulin in healthy full term neonates.

UNLABELLED: Resistin and adiponectin are two adipokines involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, and have been suggested as mediators of adult metabolic syndrome. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate cord blood levels of resistin, and their postnatal changes in full-term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates. Interrelations between resistin, adiponectin, and insulin, and between resistin and neonatal and maternal anthropometric parameters were also assessed. DESIGN: Blood samples were obtained from 30 full term AGA neonates at birth and on the 4th day of life. Anthropometric variables studied included birth weight, length, body mass index (BMI), neonatal weight loss, and mother's BMI. Resistin and adiponectin were determined by ELISA, and insulin by radioimmunoassay method. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Resistin levels were high at birth and did not change on the 4th day of life. Resistin levels were not correlated to insulin, nor adiponectin levels, nor any anthropometric parameter of neonates or their mothers. Instead, adiponectin levels increased on the 4th day of life, and were correlated to insulin levels. CONCLUSION: High levels of resistin in full-term AGA neonates suggest that this hormone may play a role in maintenance of metabolic neonatal homeostasis, but its physiological significance needs further investigation.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in breastfed infants with prolonged indirect hyperbilirubinemia.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this prospective study was to verify normal serum AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) levels in jaundiced breastfed infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: The study was conducted in clinically jaundiced breastfed infants, 20, or more, days old, referred to our outpatient ambulatory. Inclusion criteria were: birth at term after a physiologic pregnancy, with an Apgar score >7 at 1 and 5 min, no evidence of congenital anomalies or diseases, direct bilirubin <1 mg/dl, normal values of alpha-1-antitrypsin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, thyroid stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, tyroxine, and normal growth. 30 non-jaundiced breastfed infants age-weight-matched, were used as control group. RESULTS: 98 jaundiced breastfed infants satisfied inclusion criteria. Their mean serum concentration of AFP was significantly higher than control infants (3548 vs 1095 ng/ml, p<0.001). Serum AFP levels of jaundiced infants were directly associated with serum indirect bilirubin and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The most probable explanation of elevated AFP in jaundiced breastfed infants may be the presence in human milk of one or more factors which affect hepatocyte growth and/or function. Based on our finding we demonstrated that in jaundiced breastfed infants normal range of serum AFP levels are higher than previously published data for healthy infants. Our data can be useful for a right interpretation of AFP levels in breastfed infants with prolonged jaundiced and may be used to avoid unnecessary investigations.

Breast milk sodium concentration, sodium intake and weight loss in breast-feeding newborn infants.

Elevated breast milk (BM) Na concentration is regarded as responsible for elevated Na intake. To verify the clinical significance of milk Na concentration, we studied the relationship between BM Na+ concentration and infants' daily Na+ intake, infants' daily BM intake (DBMI) and percentage weight loss (%WL) in healthy newborn infants. All mothers who gave birth to a single healthy infant, between February and March 2004 at the Obstetric Clinic of University of Messina (Italy), were invited to participate if they were willing to attempt to breastfeed exclusively. BM Na+ concentration, DBMI, Na+ intake and %WL were determined on the third day after delivery. Statistical analysis was performed by Spearman's correlation test, classification and regression trees and the generalised linear model. Of the 270 eligible mothers, 208 participated in the study. The results showed that on the third day postpartum BM Na+ concentration was 23.05 (SD 1.10) mmol/l, mean DBMI was 202 (SD 68.9) g/d, and mean Na+ intake was 4.36 (SD 0.22) mmol/d and 1.36 (SD 0.07) mmol/kg per d. BM Na+ concentration was inversely related to infant DBMI, and Na+ intake was directly related to infant DBMI and not to BM Na+ concentration. %WL was significantly correlated only to DBMI. In conclusion, the present data demonstrate, for the first time, that when lactogenesis is suboptimal, BM Na+ concentration is higher, but infants' Na+ intake is lower. Finally, the present data probably suggest that for the clinical assessment of breast-feeding, evaluation of milk intake remains the best method.

Hyperexcitability syndrome in a newborn infant of chocoholic mother.

We present a case of hyperexcitability syndrome observed in a neonate born to a mother who was a heavy user of cocoa and chocolate during pregnancy and lactation. The infant presented jitteriness, irritability, inconsolable crying, excessive sucking, and sleeping difficulties almost immediately after birth. The infant underwent extensive diagnostic studies, but none of the usual causes for its symptoms were identified. The symptoms resolved after the interruption of maternal chocolate consumption. We hypothesize that the heavy exposure to chocolate could be responsible for the hyperexcitability syndrome.

Urodilatin excretion and its correlation with sodium excretion in healthy full-term newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Urodilatin (URO) is a member of the natriuretic family, cleaved by the kidney, which acts as a paracrine hormone in the regulation of natriuresis and diuresis. In newborn infants the excretion of urodilatin and its biological effects have not been explored. METHODS: We measured urinary URO excretion, by direct RIA (radioimmunoassay), as well as its correlation to neonatal body weight loss, and sodium homeostasis in 30 full-term newborn infants on the 4th day of life. RESULTS: The URO excretion, estimated as URO:creatinine ratio, was significantly correlated to sodium excretion. CONCLUSION: These data show that in full-term newborn infants the mechanisms that control synthesis, excretion and signal transduction of URO are developed and that URO contributes to natriuresis regulation.

Endothelin-1 concentrations in cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

BACKGROUND: The effects of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) on cord blood endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations have not been explored. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify whether MSAF influences ET-1 cord blood concentrations in healthy term neonates. METHODS: Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, plasma ET-1 concentrations were determined in 30 healthy term neonates with MSAF, and in 15 healthy term neonates without MSAF. The two groups were of the same gestational age, weight, Apgar score, cord blood pH, base excess, and hematocrit values, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressures. RESULTS: ET-1 plasma concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups and did not correlate with cord blood pH or base excess values. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that meconium passage does not induce ET-1 secretion.