Intravenous Immunoglobulin Use in Hemolytic Disease Due to ABO Incompatibility to Prevent Exchange Transfusion.

Introduction: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been widely used to treat the hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Although it has been shown that IVIG treatment reduces the duration of phototherapy and hospitalization, the use of IVIG in hemolytic disease due to ABO incompatibility has been controversial in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the role of IVIG in the prevention of exchange transfusion in infants with ABO HDN who presented with bilirubin levels at or above the level of exchange transfusion. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the data of infants with ABO HDN in the Turkish Neonatal Jaundice Online Registry. The infants with ABO HDN who met the total serum bilirubin level inclusion criteria (within 2-3 mg/dL of exchange transfusion or even above exchange transfusion level) were included in the study according to the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Turkish Neonatal Society. All patients were managed according to the unit protocols recommended by these guidelines and received light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy. Infants who only received LED phototherapy, and who received one dose of IVIG with LED phototherapy were compared. Results: During the study period, 531 term infants were included in the study according to inclusion criteria. There were 408 cases in the phototherapy-only group, and 123 cases in the IVIG group. The demographic findings and the mean bilirubin and reticulocyte levels at admission were similar between the groups (p > 0.05), whereas the mean hemoglobin level was slightly lower in the IVIG group (p = 0.037). The mean age at admission was earlier, the need for exchange transfusion was higher, and the duration of phototherapy was longer in the IVIG group (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The rate of re-hospitalization and acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) was higher in the IVIG group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, we determined that one dose of IVIG did not prevent an exchange transfusion nor decrease the duration of phototherapy in infants, who had bilirubin levels near or at exchange transfusion level, with hemolytic disease due to ABO incompatibility.

Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence in Late Neonatal Hypocalcemia: A Multicenter Study

Objective: Late neonatal hypocalcemia (LNH) is a common metabolic problem associated with hypoparathyroidism, high phosphate intake and vitamin D deficiency, often presenting with seizures. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D deficiency in LNH in Turkey and to describe the characteristics of affected newborns. Methods: Conducted with a cross-sectional design and with the participation of 61 neonatal centers from December 2015 to December 2016, the study included term neonates with LNH (n=96) and their mothers (n=93). Data were registered on the FAVOR Web Registry System. Serum samples of newborns and mothers were analyzed for calcium, phosphate, magnesium, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. Results: The median (range) onset time of hypocalcemia was 5.0 (4.0-8.0) days of age, with a male preponderance (60.4%). The median (range) serum 25(OH)D levels of the neonates and their mothers were 6.3 (4.1-9.05) and 5.2 (4.7-8.8) ng/mL, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<12 ng/mL) was high in both the neonates (86.5%) and mothers (93%). Serum 25(OH)D levels of the infants and mothers showed a strong correlation (p<0.001). While the majority (93.7%) of the neonates had normal/high phosphorus levels, iPTH levels were low or inappropriately normal in 54.2% of the patients. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency prevalence was found to be high in LNH. Efforts to provide vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should be encouraged. Evaluation of vitamin D status should be included in the workup of LNH.

Efficiency of topical rifampin on infection in open neural tube defects: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Neural tube defects are the second most common congenital malformation in humans. Despite significant decreases in neural tube defects and related mortality and morbidity with recent developments, infections remain an important problem. Research on the role of topical therapy for managing neural tube defects and associated infections in the neonatal period has been limited. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficiency of topical Rifampin on infection control in paraplegic newborns with open neural tube defects. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent an operation for neural tube defects were included. Topical Rifampin and cefotaxime were administered to 19 patients constituting the case group and local saline and cefotaxime were administered to a control group. Patients were examined for ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection/dysfunction, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, and sepsis. RESULTS: None of the patients using topical rifampin had ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection/dysfunction, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, or sepsis. In the control group, ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection/dysfunction was found in 4 (22.2%) cases, surgical site infection in 3 (27.7%), urinary tract infection in 3 (27.7%), and sepsis in 5 (27.7%), with statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.01, p = 0.032, p = 0.032, and p = 0.002, respectively). No local or systemic side effect was observed regarding rifampin use. CONCLUSION: Topical Rifampin is effective in minimizing complications like sepsis, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection due to neural tube defect operations. Further research with larger numbers of cases is needed to implement this practice routinely.

A Multicentered Study on Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of 37 Neonates With Community-acquired COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily affects adults and spares children, whereas very little is known about neonates. We tried to define the clinical characteristics, risk factors, laboratory, and imagining results of neonates with community-acquired COVID-19. METHODS: This prospective multicentered cohort study included 24 neonatal intensive care units around Turkey, wherein outpatient neonates with COVID-19 were registered in an online national database. Full-term and premature neonates diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the study, whether hospitalized or followed up as ambulatory patients. Neonates without severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing or whose mothers had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven symptomatic neonates were included. The most frequent findings were fever, hypoxemia, and cough (49%, 41%, 27%, respectively). Oxygen administration (41%) and noninvasive ventilation (16%) were frequently required; however, mechanical ventilation (3%) was rarely needed. Median hospitalization was 11 days (1-35 days). One patient with Down syndrome and congenital cardiovascular disorders died in the study period. C-reactive protein (CRP) and prothrombin time (PT) levels were found to be higher in patients who needed supplemental oxygen (0.9 [0.1-8.6] vs. 5.8 [0.3-69.2] p = 0.002, 11.9 [10.1-17.2] vs. 15.2 [11.7-18.0] p = 0.01, respectively) or who were severe/critical (1.0 [0.01-8.6] vs. 4.5 [0.1-69.2] p = 0.01, 11.7 [10.1-13.9] vs. 15.0 [11.7-18.0] p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic neonates with COVID-19 had high rates of respiratory support requirements. High CRP levels or a greater PT should alert the physician to more severe disease.

The relationship between mother and infant plasma trace element and heavy metal levels and the risk of neural tube defect in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of trace elements [copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and cobalt (Co)] and heavy metals [arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)] in the plasma of mothers and infants and investigate the relationship between those levels and neural tube defects (NTD). METHODS: A total of 100 neonates diagnosed with NTD and placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Yuzuncu Yil University, Turkey between May 2013 and December 2016 comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 70 healthy neonates not diagnosed with NTD or any other congenital anomalies. For both the groups, mother and infant plasma levels of Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Se, Hg, As, and Pb were measured and compared. Plasma levels of Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Se, Hg, As, and Pb were measured and compared between two groups of mothers and infants. FINDINGS: Mother and infant plasma levels of trace elements Zn and Se were determined to be significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group, while Cu levels were significant elevated in the study group (all p values < .05). Plasma levels of heavy metals As, Pb, and Cd were found to be significantly higher in the NTD control group (p < .05 for all). There was no association between maternal infection, maternal smoking status, history of miscarriage, or history of NTD with the development of NTD (p > .05). Differences in maternal age, birth weight, length of gestation, and infant gender for the two groups were also determined not to be statistically significant. RESULTS: High plasma levels of heavy metals As, Pb, and Cd and trace element Cu were identified as risk factors for the development of NTD. At the same time, low plasma levels of trace elements Zn and Se were also found to be risk factors for NTD. However, no association between Hg and Co plasma levels and increased risk for the development of NTD was observed. This study, while being the most comprehensive case study to date investigating the relationship between heavy metals and trace element levels and increased risk of NTD, nonetheless highlights the need for further research in order to make definite statements regarding this relationship.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: Two case reports with a novel mutation.

BACKGROUND: The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is X-linked recessive disorder associated with microplatelet thrombocytopenia, eczema, infections, and an increased risk of autoimmunity and lymphoid neoplasia. The originally described features of WAS include susceptibility to infections, microthrombocytopenia, and eczema. AIM: In this case report, we present our experience about two cases diagnosed with a new mutation. METHODS: We report phenotypical and laboratory description of two cases with WAS. RESULTS: We, for the first time, detected a new hemizygote mutation of WAS gene (NM_000377.2 p.M393lfs*102 (c.1178dupT)) in two patients. The first case was an 11-month-old boy presenting with complaints of recurrent soft tissue infection, ear infection, anemia, and thrombocytopenia with a low platelet volume. The second case was a 2-month-old boy presenting with thrombocytopenia and a low platelet volume. Both cases were the first-degree relatives: they were cousins and their mothers were sisters. CONCLUSION: Herein, we report two cases of WAS and a new gene mutation which would disrupt the WAS protein function within the Polyproline (PPP) domain. This report adds to the growing number of mutations which cause complex clinical manifestations associated with WAS.

Efficacy and safety of rectal ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus closure in very low birth weight preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: To compare rectal ibuprofen with oral ibuprofen for the closure of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: In a prospective, randomized study, 72 VLBW infants who had hsPDA received either rectal or oral ibuprofen. The plasma concentration of ibuprofen and renal functions were determined in both groups by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and cystatin-C (cys-C), respectively. RESULTS: The hsPDA closure rate of the group that received rectal ibuprofen was similar to oral ibuprofen (86.1% versus 83.3%) after the first course of the treatment (p = 0.745). A statistically significant difference was identified between the mean plasma cys-C levels before and after treatment in both the rectal and oral ibuprofen groups (p = 0.004 and p< 0.001, respectively). The mean plasma ibuprofen concentration was similar in both groups after the first dose (rectal 44.06 ± 12.4; oral, 48.28 ± 22.8) and the third dose (rectal, 45.34 ± 24.3; oral, 48.94 ± 24.8) (p > 0.05 for all values). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal ibuprofen is as effective as oral ibuprofen for hsPDA closure in VLBW infants. The rise in the cys-C level with rectal and oral treatment shows that patients with borderline renal function should be evaluated and followed closely.

The Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Anti-Diuretic Hormone (SIADH) and Brucellosis.

BACKGROUND Our study aimed to demonstrate the frequency of the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) and associated factors during the course of brucellosis in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included children and adolescents aged 0-18 years old diagnosed with brucellosis between 2012 and 2014. The data were collected from patient charts. The diagnosis of brucellosis was made based on titrations >1:160 in standard Wright tube agglutination tests and/or positive culture tests. SIADH diagnosis was made based on the following criteria: euvolemic hyponatremia, serum Na+ <135 mmol/L, presence of serum hypoosmolarity (serum osmolarity <275 mOsm/L), increased urinary sodium (>25 mmol/L with normal dietary salt intake), low uric acid (<2 mg/dL), absence of kidney, thyroid or adrenal disease, and any anti-diuretic use. RESULTS The study included 160 children and adolescents with mean age of 9.58±3.95 years (range: 2-18 years) including 70 girls (43.8%) and 90 boys (56.2%). When the patients were stratified based on SIADH, it was found that SIADH was present in 35 patients (21.9%). SIADH was associated with elevated glucose (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.05), AST (p<0.05), LDH (p<0.001), CRP (p<0.001), and MPV (p<0.001); and decreased potassium (p<0.05), chloride (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.001), total protein (p<0.05), and hemoglobin (p<0.05) levels. CONCLUSIONS Our study reports on the frequency, clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, and management of SIADH that can develop in children and adolescents diagnosed with brucellosis.

Powder Topical Rifampin for Reducing Infections After Neural Tube Defect Surgery in Infants.

OBJECTIVE: The correct timing and technique of neural tube defect (NTD) repairs significantly decrease the morbidity and mortality of NTD cases. However, infections related to the surgery are still common. We investigated the effects of topical rifampin combined with routine prophylaxis in newborns with open NTDs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 86 patients who had undergone NTD surgery. The experimental group comprised 30 patients who were started on topical rifampin before surgery, and the control group comprised 56 patients who were not administered topical rifampin. Surgical site infections (SSIs) and meningitis/ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections that developed within 6 months after the surgical intervention were evaluated. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, meningitis/VP shunt infections and SSIs were observed in 6.7% and 3.3%, respectively, of the experimental group treated with topical rifampin. Meningitis/VP shunt infections and SSIs were observed in 37.5% and 21.4%, respectively, of the control group. External ventricular drainage and not using topical rifampin were identified as important relative risk (RR) factors for meningitis/VP shunt infections (RR 19.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] [3.53, 105.33], P = 0.001; RR 18.10, 95% CI [2.38, 137.68], P = 0.005). A flap transposition, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and not using topical rifampin were identified as RR factors for SSIs (RR 22.21, 95% CI [4.81, 102.47], P < 0.001; RR 13.04, 95% CI [1.22, 139.33], P = 0.034; RR 7.09, 95% CI [1.12, 53.99], P = 0.042). We did not observe any local or systemic side effects resulting from the use of rifampin. CONCLUSIONS: The use of topical rifampin is an easy and effective method for reducing SSIs and meningitis/VP shunt infections related to NTD surgery.

An Extraordinary Cause of the Sucking Difficulty: Ecthyma Gangrenosum.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous lesion often associated with pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, even though it may develop without bacteremia and may originate from other bacterial and fungal organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia or sepsis, which mainly affects immunocompromised patients, frequently occurs in hospitals. This lesion typically occurs on the extremities and gluteal and perineal regions. In this report we present a case of ecthyma gangrenosum in a premature newborn occurring secondary to pseudomonas sepsis causing sucking dysfunction due to tissue loss in the lip, soft palate, and tongue.

The Use of Acute Peritoneal Dialysis in Critically Ill Newborns.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the efficacy, complications, and mortality rate of acute peritoneal dialysis (APD) in critically ill newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 31 newborns treated in our center between May 2012 and December 2014. RESULTS The mean birth weight, duration of peritoneal dialysis, and gestational age of the patients were determined as 2155.2 ± 032.2 g (580-3900 g), 4 days (1-20 days), and 34 weeks (24-40 weeks), respectively. The main reasons for APD were sepsis (35.5%), postoperative cardiac surgery (16%), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (13%), salting of the newborn (9.7%), congenital metabolic disorders (6.1%), congenital renal diseases (6.5%), nonimmune hydrops fetalis (6.5%), and acute kidney injury (AKI) due to severe dehydration (3.2%). APD-related complications were observed in 48.4% of the patients. The complications encountered were catheter leakages in nine patients, catheter obstruction in three patients, peritonitis in two patients, and intestinal perforation in one patient. The general mortality rate was 54.8%, however, the mortality rate in premature newborns was 81.3%. CONCLUSIONS APD can be an effective, simple, safe, and important therapy for renal replacement in many neonatal diseases and it can be an appropriate treatment, where necessary, for newborns. Although it may cause some complications, they are not common. However, it should be used carefully, especially in premature newborns who are vulnerable and have a high mortality risk. The recommendation of APD therapy in such cases needs to be verified by further studies in larger patient populations.

Investigation of the effect of the efficiency of noise at different intensities on the DNA of the newborns.

Hearing loss can occur in newborns exposed to high-level noise; noise exposure can cause more physiological stress and can lead to DNA damage. This study was designed to determine DNA damage in newborn rats exposed to sound at different concentrations. For this purpose, 28 newborn (3-6 days old) rats were divided into four groups of 7 rats in each group (Control and Groups of 40 decibel (dB), 70 dB, and 110 dB]. In the experimental groups, 40 dB, 70 dB, and 110 dB (7.5-15 kHz) of sound was applied to the experimental groups for 30 min a day for 7 days. DNA damage levels in the serums obtained from this study were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. According to this, it was determined that DNA damage in the group exposed to 110 dB showed a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) compared to the compared to the control, 40 dB, and 70 dB groups. Related to the subject, it was concluded that DNA damage may occur in newborns exposed to 110 dB or higher sound in neonatal units, wards, and home environments with newborn babies. Mothers should be warned about this situation and noise should be kept under 110 dB volume in the environments with the newborns.

A Single-Center Experience of CNS Anomalies or Neural Tube Defects in Patients With Jarcho-Levin Syndrome.

Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) is a genetic disorder characterized by distinct malformations of the ribs and vertebrae, and/or other associated abnormalities such as neural tube defect, Arnold-Chiari malformation, renal and urinary abnormalities, hydrocephalus, congenital cardiac abnormalities, and extremity malformations. The study included 12 cases at 37-42 weeks of gestation and diagnosed to have had Jarcho-Levin syndrome, Arnold-Chiari malformation, and meningmyelocele. All cases of Jarcho-Levin syndrome had Arnold-Chiari type 2 malformation; there was corpus callosum dysgenesis in 6, lumbosacral meningmyelocele in 6, lumbal meningmyelocele in 3, thoracal meningmyelocele in 3, and holoprosencephaly in 1 of the cases. With this article, the authors underline the neurologic abnormalities accompanying Jarcho-Levin syndrome and that each of these abnormalities is a component of Jarcho-Levin syndrome.

Is platelet mass a more significant indicator than platelet count of closure of patent ductus arteriosus?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not platelet mass contributes to closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature newborns. STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: This retrospective study included 115 preterm newborns with hemodynamically significant PDA (hPDA) and 120 newborns without PDA. The newborns' platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were noted from their files and the platelet mass (platelet count plus MPV/10(3)) was calculated. Patients with congenital abnormality, persistent pulmonary hypertension or sepsis were not included in the study. RESULTS: Platelet count and PDW were found to not be risk factors for closure of hPDA (p > 0.05), but both high platelet mass (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12-1.41) and MPV (OR 1.87; 95% CI 2.52-3.85) were determined to be independent risk factors for hPDA. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet mass may be a more significant indicator than platelet count of closure of hPDA in preterm newborns.

The levels of vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine in mothers and their babies with neural tube defects.

The aim of the present study was to determine the serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine (Hcy) in mothers and their babies, and to assess the association between these levels and neural tube defect (NTD). The study group included 92 baby-mother pairs, where the babies had NTD, and the control group included 102 pairs, where the babies had no NTD, from May 2012 to May 2015. Plasma vitamin B12, folate, and Hcy levels of the babies and mothers were measured, and compared with each other. NTD was diagnosed in 2.6% of our babies. The vitamin B12 levels in the mothers and the babies in the study group were determined as 166.2 ± 63.7 pg/mL and 240.3 ± 120.3 pg/mL, and in the control group as 1 9 0 ± 80.2 pg/mL and 299.5 ± 151.4 pg/mL, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of both the mothers' and the babies' vitamin B12 levels (p = 0.024 and p = 0.003, respectively). The plasma folate levels of the mothers in the study group (5.2 ± 3 ng/mL) were significantly lower than control group (6.4 ± 4.3 ng/mL, p = 0.032).The plasma Hcy level of the mothers in the study group (9.3 ± 3.8 µmol/L) was significantly higher than the control group (7 ± 3.8 µmol/L, p < 0.001). High plasma Hcy levels and low plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels are risk factors for NTD. Our results show that the risk for NTD can be decreased by fortification of mothers-to-be, particularly in rural areas with folate and vitamin B12 deficiency, which would lower the plasma Hcy level.

An Evaluation of Oxidative Status in Serum and Breast Milk of Mothers Giving Birth Prematurely and at Full-Term.

BACKGROUND: Burning fat and carbohydrates to provide energy in biological systems causes the formation of free oxygen species. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status of serum and breast milk of mothers giving birth prematurely and at full-term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 50 mothers who gave birth at full-term at more than 38 weeks and 43 mothers who gave birth pre-term at below 32 weeks. On the postnatal 5th day, samples of the mother's milk and serum were taken and stored at -80°C until the study day. On the study day, the total oxidant and total antioxidant levels were measured using the Erel method and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. RESULTS: While the total oxidant level and total antioxidant level values of the milk of the premature birth mothers were found to be significantly high compared to those of the full-term birth mothers (P = 0.001), no statistically significant difference was found in the oxidative stress index values (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the total oxidant level and oxidative stress index values of the serum of the premature birth mothers compared to those of the full-term birth mothers, while the total antioxidant level was found to be significantly low (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The oxidants and antioxidants in the milk of mothers giving birth prematurely were found to be significantly higher than those of full-term birth mothers. This can be evaluated as the milk of the premature birth mothers providing increased antioxidant defense to protect the infant.

How frequently external ventricular drainage device should be changed in children with ventriculoperitonel shunt infection?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the presenting study was to determine how frequently external ventricular drainage (EVD) device should be changed in children with ventriculopertienal shunt (VPS) infection during prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 25 children with VPS infection were evaluated between January 2012 and December 2013. In these children VPS was surgically removed and appropriate antimicrobial therapy was administered according to cerebrospinal culture results. Data noted about how frequently EVD device had been changed, the number of cells on direct observation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), glucose and protein levels of CSF, and CSF culture results were obtained from patients' records. RESULTS: Total 25 children were included in the study. The median age was three months (1 and 65 months). In 44% of children, Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated. During treatment period, EVD catheter has changed one to six times. A total of 68 EVD catheters were changed in these patients. When the duration of ventriculostomy catheter and leukocyte count in CSF were evaluated on daily basis, leukocyte count was decreased 5 units per day in children whose catheter remained less than 10 days. However, in children whose catheter remained more than 10 days leukocyte count was decreased 2.21 units per day. CONCLUSIONS: In children with VPS infection, EVD device should be changed at every 10 days for the rapid resolution of the infection.

A Rare Cause of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Resistant to Therapy in The Newborn: Short-Rib Polydactyly Syndrome.

Short-rib polydactyly syndrome is an autosomal recessively inherited lethal skeletal dysplasia. The syndrome is characterized by marked narrow fetal thorax, short extremities, micromelia, cleft palate/lip, polydactyly, cardiac and renal abnormalities, and genital malformations. In cases with pulmonary hypoplasia, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn can develop. In this paper, we present a term newborn with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, which has developed secondary to short-rib polydactyly syndrome and was resistant to therapy with inhaled nitric oxide and oral sildenafil.

Factors affecting infection development after meningomyelocele repair in newborns and the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and surgical variables that may be associated with wound infection and meningitis/ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection in newborns diagnosed with meningomyelocele (MMC), as well as the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing these complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 91 neonates diagnosed with MMC, who underwent surgical intervention between May 2012 and December 2014, were retrospectively evaluated. Multivariant logistic regression analysis was used to determine the possible clinical and neurosurgical variables associated with meningitis/VP shunt infection and surgical wound infection. Spearman's test was performed for the correlation analysis. RESULTS: Following MMC closure, of the 91 neonates, 18 (16.4%) developed meningitis/shunt infection and 12 (11%) developed surgical wound infection. The operation time was not a significant independent risk factor for the development of meningitis (RR 0.618 [0.199-1.922], p = 0.406). Open neural placodes that were not covered by any pseudomembrane (myeloschisis), external ventricular drainage (EVD) use, and flap transposition were determined as significant relative risk factors for the development of meningitis (RR 8.655 [2.329-32.157], p = 0.001; RR 9.404 [1.183-74.743], p = 0.034; RR 8.125 [2.496-26.448], p = 0.001; and RR 3.150 [1.963-10.308], p = 0.048, respectively). Deep surgical wound infection was not correlated with the operation time or wound surface area. However, there was an intermediate but very significant positive correlation between meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, length of hospitalization, and flap transposition (r = 0.377, 0.420, 0.357, and 0.503, respectively; for all values, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between MMC closure and development of infection. Since it carries a high risk for the development of meningitis, the EVD system should be avoided unless necessary. Routine prophylactic antibiotic use did not reduce the infection risk in MMC repair surgery. Thus, antibiotics should not be used if there are no risk factors predisposing to infection.