Early neonatal outcomes of very-low-birth-weight infants in Turkey: A prospective multicenter study of the Turkish Neonatal Society.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early neonatal outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants discharged home from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed between April 1, 2016 and April 30, 2017. The study included VLBW infants admitted to level III NICUs. Perinatal and neonatal data of all infants born with a birth weight of ≤1500 g were collected for infants who survived. RESULTS: Data from 69 NICUs were obtained. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 1137±245 g and 29±2.4 weeks, respectively. During the study period, 78% of VLBW infants survived to discharge and 48% of survived infants had no major neonatal morbidity. VLBW infants who survived were evaluated in terms of major morbidities: bronchopulmonary dysplasia was detected in 23.7% of infants, necrotizing enterocolitis in 9.1%, blood culture proven late-onset sepsis (LOS) in 21.1%, blood culture negative LOS in 21.3%, severe intraventricular hemorrhage in 5.4% and severe retinopathy of prematurity in 11.1%. Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in 24.8% of infants. Antenatal steroids were administered to 42.9% of mothers. CONCLUSION: The present investigation is the first multicenter study to include epidemiological information on VLBW infants in Turkey. Morbidity rate in VLBW infants is a serious concern and higher than those in developed countries. Implementation of oxygen therapy with appropriate monitoring, better antenatal and neonatal care and control of sepsis may reduce the prevalence of neonatal morbidities. Therefore, monitoring standards of neonatal care and implementing quality improvement projects across the country are essential for improving neonatal outcomes in Turkish NICUs.

Evaluation of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II and Clinical Risk Index for Babies with additional parameters.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine mortality risk by calculating Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II (SNAP-PE-II) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, and evaluate prediction of the effects of antenatal corticosteroid and surfactant treatment on mortality. METHODS: This multicenter study was conducted simultaneously in five different centers in four different provinces in Southern Turkey between July 2012 and July 2013. A total of 1668 inborn subjects hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit within the first 12 h of delivery, and meeting the selection criteria, were included in the study, and CRIB and SNAP-PE-II were used to determine mortality. RESULTS: The SNAP-PE-II scoring system was applied to all patients, and the CRIB scoring system was used for 310 newborns with gestational age <32 weeks and weighing <1500 g. Of the 1668 patients, 188 died (mortality rate, 11.3%). Cut-off was found to vary with center, which changed specificity and sensitivity of the mortality scores. SNAP-PE-II significantly predicted mortality (P < 0.05) compared with CRIB. SNAP-PE-II also successfully predicted mortality in the group receiving antenatal corticosteroid compared with the group not receiving antenatal corticosteroid. CONCLUSION: SNAP-PE-II was a significant predictor of mortality in newborns with birthweight <1500 g compared with CRIB, and assessment of antenatal corticosteroid use in conjunction with SNAP-PE-II increased the accuracy of the prediction of mortality.

Two newborns of heroin-addicted mothers suffering neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

Neonatal withdrawal syndrome is characterized by non-specific signs and symptoms that occur in infants following in-utero drug exposure. The incidence of neonatal withdrawal syndrome is 16-90% in infants of mothers abusing heroin. Clinical signs of withdrawal syndrome usually occur within the first 48-72 hours after birth. Central nervous system and gastrointestinal system symptoms are the main symptoms. In this case report, two newborns born to the mothers addicted to heroin who suffered neonatal withdrawal syndrome are presented. They were successfully treated with phenobarbital and morphine infusion.

The effect of maternal number of births on oxidative and antioxidative systems in cord blood.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between cord blood oxidative and antioxidative status and maternal parity number. METHODS: Patients are grouped according to the maternal parity number: primiparous group (n = 36), multiparous group (n = 40), and grand multiparous group (n = 26). Cord blood samples are obtained in all subjects and assessed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). The serum TAC and TOS were evaluated by using an automated colorimetric measurement method. RESULTS: TAC levels are significantly higher and oxidative stress indicators are significantly lower in newborns of primiparous women compared to multiparous women p < 0.05 for all). TAC level is increased, whereas TOS and OSI levels are decreased in newborns of grand multiparous mothers compared to primiparous mothers. TAC level is significantly higher, whereas TOS and OSI levels are significantly lower in newborns of grand multiparous women compared to multiparous women (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a relation between higher maternal parity and increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense capacity. On the other hand, the compensatory mechanisms improve the antioxidant defense system in newborns of grand multiparous women and may prevent oxidative stress.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to electronic faucets in a neonatal intensive care unit.

AIM: To evaluate the role of electronic faucets in a newborn intensive care unit during a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak. METHODS: After three patients had P. aeruginosa bacteremia, environmental cultures including those from patient rooms, incubator, ventilators, total parenteral nutrition solutions, disinfection solutions, electronic and hand-operated faucet filters/water samples after removing filters and staff hands were taken. RESULTS: Only filters of electronic faucets and water samples after removing filters and one liquid hand soap showed P. aeruginosa (3-7 × 106 cfu/mL). We have removed the electronic faucets and new elbow-operated faucets were installed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of outbreak-blood culture isolates from two patients and isolates from electronic water faucets/one liquid hand soap indicated the presence of 90.7% genetically related subtype, probably from the same clone. Water cultures from new faucets were all clean after installation and after 7 months. CONCLUSION: We suggest that electronic faucets may be considered a potential risk for P. aeruginosa in hospitals, especially in high-risk units.

The effects of the mode of delivery on oxidative-antioxidative balance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the mode of delivery on the oxidant and antioxidant systems in mothers and infants and to demonstrate which mode leads more oxidative stress. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups according to the mode of their labour and delivery: group 1 (n = 33) women with normal labour and delivery and group 2 (n = 33) with scheduled caesarean section (C/S) and delivery. The maternal, cord, and infant blood samples in both groups were collected. The serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the total oxidant status (TOS) were evaluated by using an automated colorimetric measurement method. RESULTS: The parameters indicating oxidative stress (TOS, oxidative stress index, and lipid hydroperoxide) in maternal, cord, and newborn blood samples were higher in patients delivering with C/S than those normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries (NSVD) patient group, while it was vice versa for TAC. CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded that both the mothers and neonates in C/S group are exposed to higher oxidative stress as compared with those in NSVD group and the antioxidant mechanisms are insufficient to cope with this stress during C/S. This result indicates that the normal delivery through the physiological route is healthier for the bodies of mothers and infants.

Healthcare-associated infections in a neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey in 2008: incidence and risk factors, a prospective study.

In this study, we have prospectively recorded healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in NICU and found incidence density as 18 infections per 1000 patient days. Of the infections, 51.3% was bacteriemia (BSI), and 45.1% was ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Gram-negative microorganisms were predominant in VAP and Staphylococcus epidermidis was the leading microorganism (53.0% of BSIs) in BSIs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the importance of hood O(2) use in days (RR: 1.3) and total parenteral nutrition use in days (RR: 1.09) for BSIs. Umbilical arterial catheterization in days (RR: 1.94), ventilator use in days (RR: 1.05), chest tube (RR: 12.55), orogastric feeding (RR: 3.32) and total parenteral nutrition in days (RR: 1.05) were found to be significantly associated with VAP. In conclusion, incidence density in our unit is high and Gram-negative rods are predominant similar to developing countries. These results strongly suggest improving measures of prevention and control of HAIs in the unit.

Charcoal haemoperfusion in amitriptyline poisoning: experience in 20 children.

AIM: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) toxicity is common among children and adults due to widespread use. Amitriptyline (AT) is one of the most commonly prescribed TCAs. Current guidelines do not recommend charcoal haemoperfusion (HP) for AT overdose due to high protein binding and large volume of distribution. However evidence regarding the efficacy of charcoal HP in addition to supportive measures is accumulating in the published reports. METHODS: Here we report our experience in 20 children (15 girls, 5 boys) with acute AT overdose aged between 1.5 and 15 years, successfully managed with HP in our institution between January 2000 and February 2007. RESULTS: The HP indications were mainly severe initial cardiac and respiratory involvement. After HP, all patients recovered dramatically with a mean hospital stay of 4 days (range: 2-12). Only one patient developed neurological sequelae due to prolonged hypoxia secondary to respiratory arrest. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the largest case series reporting the efficacy of charcoal HP in acute AT overdose in children. Based on our findings, charcoal HP seems to be an effective treatment modality, especially in prompt correction of severe life-threatening cardiac and respiratory findings in children with serious AT overdose and resulting in a reduction of morbidity and mortality.

An unusual cause of acute renal failure in a newborn: hydrometrocolpos.

Here we report on an unusual cause of acute renal failure in a newborn: hydrometrocolpos due to imperforate hymen. Hymenotomy resolved all of the laboratory and clinical abnormalities of the patient and the baby was sent home healthy.

Pulmonary actinomycosis mimicking chest wall tumor in a child.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon disease in children and most cases are cervicofacial infections. To date, there have been only a few reports on children with chest wall involvement due to actinomycosis. Here we report a 9-year-old girl with a mass lesion in the chest wall mimicking Ewing's sarcoma of the rib. Thoracic actinomycosis without typical features of the disease is often evaluated with the suspicion of neoplasia. This rare entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions of the chest wall in children. The disease responds well to penicillin treatment.