Chronological changes of serum exosome in preterm infants: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes, which are observed in all human fluid, including serum, are nanosized extracellular vesicles with a mechanism of intercellular communication. Potential clinical applications of exosomes in neonatal diseases have recently been discussed. However, the characteristics of exosomes in serum during early infancy is unclear. METHODS: In this prospective study, we evaluated the chronological changes in the concentration of serum-derived exosomes of 20 infants for 12 months after birth. RESULTS: The average concentration of serum-derived exosomes was 4.6 × 1010 particles/mL at birth and increased significantly until the age of 48 weeks. There was a moderate correlation between the gestational age and the concentration of serum-derived exosomes both at birth (r = 0.54, P = 0.01) and during the 8 weeks after birth (r = 0.48, P < 0.001). A multivariable analysis showed that gestational age at birth was associated with the concentration of serum-derived exosomes at birth (partial regression coefficient, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.37; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of serum-derived exosomes in preterm infants increased both chronologically and by gestational age after birth. These basic data may help to further understand physiology of exosomes in preterm infants.

Poor Bifidobacterial Colonization Is Associated with Late Provision of Colostrum and Improved with Probiotic Supplementation in Low Birth Weight Infants.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between bifidobacterial colonization in low birth weight infants and perinatal factors, including the timing of initial colostrum and the effect of probiotics on this colonization. In this non-randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 98 low-birth-weight infants from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Japan. Infants were divided into three groups: group N (no intervention), group H (received non-live bifidobacteria), and group L (received live bifidobacteria). The number of bifidobacteria in the infants' stools at 1 month of age was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We divided infants into "rich bifidobacteria" (≥104.8 cells/g feces) and "poor bifidobacteria" (<104.8 cells/g feces) subgroups. The ratio of "rich bifidobacteria" infants was 20/31, 34/36, and 30/30 in groups N, H, and L, respectively. In group N, the "rich bifidobacteria" group received first colostrum significantly earlier than the "poor bifidobacteria" group (1 day vs. 4 days, P < 0.05). Compared with the N group, both groups H and L had a significantly high proportion of "rich bifidobacteria" infants (P < 0.05). Bifidobacterial colonization was poor in premature infants at 1 month compared with term infants, and the level of colonization was associated with the timing of initial provision of colostrum. Providing probiotics to premature infants can improve bifidobacterial colonization.

Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 Simultaneously Enhances Systemic and Mucosal Humoral Immunity in Low Birth Weight Infants: A Non-Randomized Study.

Probiotic supplementation has been part of the discussion on methods to enhance humoral immunity. Administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum OLB6378 (OLB6378) reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis in infants. In this non-randomized study, we aimed to determine the effect of administration of live OLB6378 on infants' humoral immunity. Secondly, we tried to elucidate whether similar effects would be observed with administration of non-live OLB6378. Low birth weight (LBW) infants weighing 1500-2500 g were divided into three groups: Group N (no intervention), Group L (administered live OLB6378 concentrate), and Group H (administered non-live OLB6378 concentrate). The interventions were started within 48 h after birth and continued until six months of age. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (IgG at one month/IgG at birth) were significantly higher in Group L than in Group N (p < 0.01). Group H exhibited significantly higher serum IgG levels (p < 0.01) at one month of age and significantly higher intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels (p < 0.05) at one and two months of age than Group N. No difference was observed in the mortality or morbidity between groups. Thus, OLB6378 administration in LBW infants enhanced humoral immunity, and non-live OLB6378, which is more useful as a food ingredient, showed a more marked effect than the viable bacteria.

Suspected fetal onset of neonatal transient eosinophilic colitis and development of respiratory distress.

Neonatal transient eosinophilic colitis (NTEC) is a new disease concept within eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which was proposed by Ohtsuka et al. It causes hematochezia as a result of eosinophilia, in neonates who have not yet started to receive enteral nutrition, although the whole-body status of the infant is in fact relatively good. To date, there have been no reports of this disease in which abnormalities were noted during gestation, and the clinical phenomena surrounding it, along with any complications, are not yet clear. We encountered a suspected case of NTEC causing respiratory distress with aspiration of hematochezia, in which dilated bowel was noted during gestation. This case indicates that NTEC may occur at the fetal stage and be complicated by respiratory distress.

Efficacy of bronchial fiberscope in esophageal fistula caused by necrotizing bronchitis.

Neonatal necrotizing bronchitis is a disease that occurs in premature and low-birthweight infants who are subject to artificial respiratory management, and which has a poor prognosis, because it progresses suddenly and can result in death. There have been no reports of survival to date in cases of tracheo-esophageal fistula caused by necrotizing bronchitis, and no swift and effective management method has yet been reported. This report describes a case in which the use of a bronchial fiberscope in making an early diagnosis facilitated appropriate management and survival. The proactive use of a bronchial fiberscope in regard to this disease, which has a high fatality rate, may save lives.