Oral administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuates intestinal injury in necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of morbidity in premature infants. However, effective treatment options for NEC are currently lacking. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the optimal dose of intraperitoneally administered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and investigate the therapeutic potential of orally administered BM-MSCs in NEC. METHODS: Neonatal mice were fed maternal breast milk for the first 2 days of life. On day 3, the neonatal mice were randomly divided into control, negative control, and BM-MSC-treated groups. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered for 3 days, and cold stress (4°C, 10 minutes) was applied 3 times a day to induce NEC. High-dose (1×106 cells) or low-dose (1×105 cells) BM-MSCs were administered intraperitoneally 1 or 3 times between days 6 and 8 to treat the NEC. The orally administered group received a low dose of BM-MSCs on day 6. Furthermore, except for the control group, intraepithelial cells (IECs) of the small intestine of neonatal mice were treated with LPS and exposed to 5% O2/95% N2 hypoxic stress for 2 hours. Thereafter, each was treated with BM-MSCs. RESULTS: Tissue injury, apoptosis, and inflammatory marker levels were significantly reduced after BM-MSC administration. Oral administration was as effective as intraperitoneal administration, even at a low dose (1×105 cells) of BM-MSCs. The efficacy of high (1×106 cells) or multiple divided doses of BM-MSCs did not differ from that of low-dose treatment. Significantly improved wound healing was observed after BM-MSC administration to injured IECs. CONCLUSION: The oral administration of BM-MSCs is a promising treatment option for NEC in infants. Further human studies of BM-MSCs are necessary to determine the optimal dose required to achieve safe and effective outcomes.

A thickened formula reduces feeding-associated oxygen desaturation and bradycardia in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Although preterm infants often experience desaturation or bradycardia during oral feeding, specific guidelines for its management are lacking. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a commercial thickened formula (TF) on oxygen saturation and heart rate stabilization during oral feeding in preterm infants. METHODS: This retrospective study included 122 infants born at a median (interquartile range [IQR]) 31+6 weeks (29+4 -34+6 weeks) of gestation weighing 1,725 g (1,353-2,620 g) and fed commercial cornstarch-containing TF due to feeding-associated desaturation or bradycardia. We excluded infants fed TF to treat symptomatic regurgitation. Desaturation and bradycardia events were compared between 3 days prior to the change and 3 days after the change to TF. Desaturation and bradycardia were defined as SpO2 <85% and heart rate <100 beats/min during or immediately after oral bottle feeding, respectively. RESULTS: The median (IQR) postmenstrual age and weight were 36+1 weeks (34+6-38+0 weeks) and 2,395 g (2,160-2,780 g), respectively, at the time of change to TF. The frequency of desaturation significantly decreased after TF feeding (median [IQR]: 2.3 [1.3-3.3] events/day vs. 0.3 [0-1.7] events/day, P< 0.001). Bradycardia also decreased after TF feeding (0.3 [0-1] events/day vs. 0 [0-0.7] events/day, P=0.006). There were no cases of diarrhea or electrolyte abnormalities after TF feeding. Defecation frequency decreased (P=0.037), and polyethylene glycol was prescribed to 27% of the TF-fed infants. In a subgroup analysis of 16 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the frequency of desaturation was reduced (2.3 [1.8-3.8] events/day vs. 0.5 [0-1.5] events/day, P=0.042), and weight gain improved (22.5 [3.1-36.3] g/day vs. 41.3 [28.1-55.1] g/day, P=0.019), after TF feeding. CONCLUSION: TF feeding significantly reduces oral feeding-associated oxygen desaturation and bradycardia in preterm infants. TF may be useful for stabilizing oxygen saturation and heart rate among preterm infants with difficulties in oral feeding.

Comparison of definitions of bronchopulmonary dysplasia to reflect the long-term outcomes of extremely preterm infants.

Survivors of neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have persistent respiratory, neurodevelopmental, and growth impairment over the first few years of life and later childhood, which represents an emerging burden for health systems. Therefore, there is an increasing need for a new definition and grading system of BPD that predicts long-term outcomes of high-risk infants who need timely and proper intervention to improve outcomes. We compared new definitions of BPD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD] 2018 and Neonatal Research Network [NRN] 2019) to the original NICHD 2001 definition at 3 years of age using a nationwide cohort of extreme preterm infants. New definitions and severity grading were clearly related to respiratory, neurodevelopmental, and growth impairments at 3 years of age and at 18-24 months corrected age (CA), whereas the original NICHD 2001 definition was not. Furthermore, the negative effect of BPD on growth was ameliorated at 3 years of age compared to 18-24 months CA. However, the negative effect of BPD in neonates on the respiratory system and neurodevelopment persisted at 3 years of age. These new definitions should be adopted to identify high-risk infants and improve long-term outcomes by exact diagnosis and BPD severity classification.

Neonatal Abusive Head Trauma without External Injuries: Suspicion Improves Diagnosis.

The term "shaken baby syndrome" has been replaced by "abusive head trauma (AHT)" based on the mechanism of injury. The reported mortality rate of AHT ranges from 10% to 30%. Up to two-thirds of survivors suffer from serious long-term disabilities. Thus, an expeditious and accurate diagnosis is crucial to prevent further abuse that might result in death or serious disabilities. It remains a challenge for physicians to diagnose AHT when parents do not give a history of trauma in preverbal infants without any external signs. Here, we report a case of a 14-day-old boy who presented with a febrile convulsion without evident external injuries nor history of trauma according to his parents. He was diagnosed with AHT based on MRI findings of subacute subdural hemorrhage, multiple cortical hemorrhages, cerebral edema, and diffuse axonal injury. In conclusion, health care providers should keep in mind that the history of trauma provided by the parents or caregivers might not always be true and that reasonable suspicion of abuse is the most important in the diagnosis of AHT, although neuroimaging plays a pivotal role. Reasonable suspicion of AHT in combination with a thorough physical examination, neuroimaging, and skilled neuroradiologist can improve diagnosis and help victims in a timely manner.

Urine biomarkers for monitoring acute kidney injury in premature infants.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants are at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Serum creatinine (Cr) has limitations for evaluating kidney function in premature infants. We evaluated whether urine biomarkers could be used to monitor AKI in premature infants. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among infants born at < 37 weeks. Urine biomarkers and serum Cr were measured on postnatal days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. Infants were divided into 3 groups according to gestational age (GA); < 28, 28 to < 32 and 32 to < 37 weeks. RESULTS: AKI occurred in 17 of 83 (20.5%) recruited infants at a median age of 7 (interquartile range 5-10) days. While the most common cause of AKI was hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (53.8%) in infants of GA < 28 weeks, necrotizing enterocolitis was the leading cause (50.0%) in infants of GA 28 to < 32 weeks. Urinary levels of neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin/Cr were higher and epidermal growth factor/Cr were lower in AKI group before the onset of AKI in infants of GA < 28 weeks. In infants of GA 28 to < 32 weeks, urinary interleukin-8/Cr levels were higher in AKI group at approximately the time of AKI onset. CONCLUSION: Several urine biomarkers were significantly different between AKI and no AKI groups, and some had changed before the onset of AKI. These groups were distinct according to causative factors of AKI and GA. Urine biomarkers could be useful for monitoring the development of AKI in premature infants.

[Glucose Variations in the First Day of Life of Newborns under Observational Surveillance]. / 관찰감시를 요하는 ì €ìœ„í—˜ì‹ ìƒì•„ì˜ 생후 초기 혈당변이 탐색.

PURPOSE: Nursing protocols for glucose management are well known for both healthy term newborns and high-risk newborns. However, for less risky newborns who are under only observation surveillance, hypoglycemia could be overlooked unless clinical symptoms develop. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to explore factors influencing variations in glucose levels in 91 newborns who did not require any interventions, but were under nursing surveillance, at a level II neonatal intensive care unit. Data were retrieved from electrical medical records on glucose levels, demographic characteristics, and other clinical characteristics of newborns in their first day of life from January 2016 to May 2019. RESULTS: Glucose levels tended to stabilize within the normal range (60~80 mg/dL) as time passed during the first day of life. Cesarean section, multiple gestation, abnormal growth, and later preterm birth were associated with low glucose levels in the first 2 hours of life. Thirty-one newborns experienced a hypoglycemic episode (< 45 mg/dL) during the first 24 hours of life. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the active encouragement of early feeding within 2 hours of birth and urgent adoption of a structural protocol for glucose surveillance in newborns with potential health problems immediately after birth.

Clinical impact of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight infants: results from Korean Neonatal Network.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants have difficulty maintaining body temperature after birth. However, clinical guidelines advocate that neonatal body temperature should be maintained at 36.5°C-37.5°C. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the incidence of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and to determine the association of admission temperature with in-hospital mortality and morbidities. METHODS: A cohort study using prospectively collected data involving 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that participate in the Korean Neonatal Network. From registered infants born between January 2013 and December 2015, 5,343 VLBW infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestation were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean admission temperature was 36.1°C±0.6°C, with a range of 31.9°C to 38.4°C. Approximately 74.1% of infants had an admission hypothermia of <36.5°C. Lower birth weight, intubation in the delivery room and Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were significantly related to admission hypothermia. The mortality was the lowest at 36.5°C-37.5°C and adjusted odd ratios for all deaths increased to 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.83), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.05-1.97) and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.22-2.82) for infants with admission temperatures of 36.0°C-36.4°C, 35.0°C-35.9°C, and <35.0°C, respectively. Admission hypothermia was also associated with high likelihoods of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, proven sepsis, pulmonary hemorrhage, air-leak, seizure, grade 3 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage and advanced retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser therapy. CONCLUSION: A large portion of preterm infants in Korea had hypothermia at NICU admission, which was associated with high mortality and several important morbidities. More aggressive interventions aimed at reducing hypothermia are required in this high-risk population.

Neural feedback is insufficient in preterm infants during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of changing assistance levels on respiratory patterns, including peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), overassistance, work of breathing, and discomfort in preterm infants during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA). WORKING HYPOTHESIS: Once the lungs reach optimal inflation, negative feedback suppresses neural respiratory drive and therefore, the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) such that the lungs are protected from overinflation and breathing work is reduced. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted in 14 preterm infants (median postconceptional age of 32.1 weeks) who received at least 24 hours of ventilatory support for respiratory distress. METHODOLOGY: Increasing and decreasing NAVA levels (from 0.5 to 4.0 cmH2 O/µV with an interval of 0.5 cmH 2 O/µV) were applied for 10 minutes each. Data recorded for the last 5 minutes of each NAVA level were analyzed. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded and premature infant pain profiles were calculated. RESULTS: An inflection point for PIP was not evident during increasing and decreasing assistance. Increasing NAVA levels caused greater variability in PIP and a higher proportion of the excessive tidal volume of more than 10 mL/kg. Peak Edi and discomfort scale decreased shortly after a small change in NAVA levels during increasing assistance. However, during decreasing assistance, peak Edi and discomfort scale remained low until a large reduction in NAVA levels. CONCLUSION: Although NAVA can effectively alleviate the respiratory muscle work and discomfort, the neural feedback for protection from lung overinflation seems to be insufficient in preterm infants.

Impact of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Results From a National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in-hospital consequences of prolonged respiratory support with invasive mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight infants. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study was performed using prospectively collected data from 69 neonatal intensive care units participating in the Korean national registry. In total, 3508 very low birth weight infants born between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014 were reviewed. RESULTS: The adjusted hazard ratio for death increased significantly for infants who received mechanical ventilation for more than 2 weeks compared with those were mechanically ventilated for 7 days or less. The individual mortality rate increased after 8 weeks, reaching 50% and 60% at 14 and 16 weeks of cumulative mechanical ventilation, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, the cumulative duration of mechanical ventilation was associated with a clinically significant increase in the odds of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Mechanical ventilation exposure for longer than 2 weeks, compared with 7 days or less, was associated with retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser coagulation and periventricular leukomalacia. The odds of abnormal auditory screening test results were significantly increased in infants who needed mechanical ventilation for more than 4 weeks. A longer cumulative duration of mechanical ventilation was associated with increased lengths of hospitalization and parenteral nutrition and a higher probability of discharge with poor achievement of physical growth. CONCLUSIONS: Although mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for premature infants, these results indicate that it is associated with negative consequences when applied for prolonged periods.

Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist for infants under prolonged ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia often leads to prolonged mechanical ventilation lasting several months. Cyanotic episodes frequently occur in these patients, necessitating long-term sedation and/or intermittent muscle paralysis. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) might provide precisely the amount of support that these patients need without sedation. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of preterm infants who underwent tracheostomy and required mechanical ventilation for >6 months during a period of 6 years. We compared two groups of patients: those supported with NAVA for ≥2 months versus those supported by pneumatically triggered assist methods. We also evaluated any change after NAVA use in the NAVA group. RESULTS: Among 14 prematurely born patients who received prolonged ventilation, nine were supported with NAVA and five were supported using other ventilator modes. Duration of continuous sedation was significantly shorter and the bolus use of sedatives was also significantly lower in the NAVA group than in the pneumatically triggered assist group. In addition, the NAVA group received a lower dose of dexamethasone than the pneumatically triggered assist group. Compared with before NAVA, the frequency of cyanotic episodes and of the bolus sedatives was significantly decreased after implementation of NAVA. CONCLUSIONS: For infants on prolonged mechanical ventilation, NAVA could reduce cyanotic episodes and the need for sedatives and dexamethasone. NAVA may be superior to pneumatically triggered modes in terms of the minimization of patient-ventilator dyssynchrony while delivering appropriate respiratory support in premature infants with tracheostomy.

Aplasia Cutis Congenita Associated With Aplasia of the Superficial Temporal Artery.

Aplasia cutis congenita with or without congenital anomalies is a rare congenital disorder most commonly involving the skin of the scalp, as well as the skull and dura.The etiology is uncertain, and several theories, including vascular accident intrauterine period, vascular anomaly, intrauterine infection, teratogen, and aminiotic adhesion, have been proposed. One theory is that lesions of the scalp are usually caused by vascular anomalies.The authors report on a patient with aplasia cutis congenita presenting with a huge skin and skull defect combined with aplasia of the superficial temporal artery, which was thought to be the etiology.

The Diagnostic Value of Pelvic Ultrasound in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard for differentiating central precocious puberty (CPP) from exaggerated thelarche (ET). Because of this test's limitations, previous studies have clarified the clinical and laboratory factors that predict CPP. The present study investigated the early diagnostic significance of pelvic ultrasound in girls with CPP. The GnRH stimulation test and pelvic ultrasound were performed between March 2007 and February 2015 in 192 girls (aged <8 years) with signs of early puberty and advanced bone age. Ninety-three of 192 patients (48.4%) were diagnosed as having CPP and the others (51.6%) as having ET. The CPP group had higher uterine volumes (4.31±2.79 mL) than did the ET group (3.05±1.97 mL, p=0.03). No significant differences were found in other ultrasonographic parameters. By use of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the most predictive parameter for CPP was a uterine volume of least 3.30 mL, with an area under the curve of 0.659 (95% confidence interval: 0.576-0.736). The CPP group had significantly higher uterine volumes than did the ET group, but there were no reliable cutoff values in pelvic ultrasound for differentiating between CPP and ET. Pelvic ultrasound should be combined with clinical and laboratory tests to maximize its diagnostic value for CPP.

A rare diabetes ketoacidosis in combined severe hypernatremic hyperosmolarity in a new-onset Asian adolescent with type I diabetes.

A 13-year-old Asian boy presented with an 8 h history of lethargy and vomiting. He had a 3-week history of polyuria, polydipsia and a 6 kg weight loss over a period of 1 month. Fluid intake prior to admission was over 6 L of sports drinks and cola per day. Initial biochemical findings were as follows: plasma glucose 1351 mg/dL, serum sodium 154 mEq/L, serum osmolarity 425 mOsm/L, arterial blood pH 6.96 and urine ketone of 3+. He was treated with intensive fluid resuscitation and an insulin infusion. He completely recovered without any neurological deficits. Severe hypernatremia is rare in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but was exhibited in this case. Excess intake of carbonated carbohydrate-rich beverages may exacerbate the initial severe presentation of type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of an Asian child with DKA combined with severe hypernatremic hyperosmolarity at onset of T1DM.

Significant adverse reactions to long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for the treatment of central precocious puberty and early onset puberty.

PURPOSE: Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are commonly used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) in Korea. Although rare, there have been reports on the characteristic of adverse reactions of GnRHa in CPP among the Korean population. This study was intended to report on our clinical experience regarding significant adverse reactions to long-acting GnRHa in CPP and early onset puberty and to evaluate the prevalence rate of serious side effects. METHODS: This retrospective study included children with CPP and early onset puberty, who were administered monthly with long-acting GnRHa (leuprolide acetate, triptorelin acetate) at the outpatient clinic of Department of Pediatrics, at Inha University Hospital, between January 2011 and December 2013. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients who experienced significant adverse reactions and evaluated the prevalence rate. RESULTS: Six serious side effects (0.9%) were observed among total of 621 CPP and early onset puberty children with GnRHa therapy. The number of sterile abscess formation was four in three patients (4 events of 621). Anaphylaxis occurred in only one patient, and unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in another one patient. Anaphylaxis occurred after the 6th administration of the monthly depot triptorelin acetate. Unilateral SCFE developed in GnRHa therapy. CONCLUSION: Sterile abscess formation occurred in 0.6% of CPP and early onset puberty patients from the administration of a monthly depot GnRHa therapy. The occurrences of anaphylaxis and SCFE are extremely rare, but can have serious implications on patients. Clinicians should be aware of these potential adverse effects related to GnRHa therapy in CPP.

Mosaic Turner syndrome associated with schizophrenia.

Turner syndrome is a sex-chromosome disorder; occurring in 1 in 2,500 female births. There are sporadic few case reports of concomitant Turner syndrome with schizophrenia worldwide. Most Turner females had a 45,X monosomy, whereas the majority of comorbidity between Turner syndrome and schizophrenia had a mosaic karyotype (45,X/46,XX). We present a case of a 21-year-old woman with Turner syndrome, mosaic karyotype (45,X/46,XX), showing mental retardation, hypothyroidism, and schizophrenia. HOPA gene within Xq13 is related to mental retardation, hypothyroidism, and schizophrenia. Our case may be a potential clue which supports the hypothesis for involvement of genes on X chromosome in development of schizophrenia. Further studies including comorbid cases reports are need in order to discern the cause of schizophrenia in patients having Turner syndrome.

Is It Possible to Predict the Iron Status from an Infant's Diet History?

PURPOSE: Iron deficiency remains a very common nutritional problem despite the improvement in nutrition and increased understanding of methods for its prevention. Thus, we try to create a new method for screening iron nutrition through infant nutrition history. METHODS: Among the children who visited Inha University Hospital from March 2006 to July 2012, 181 children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and 52 children without IDA ranging from 6 to 36 months of age were reviewed in this study. We used the age when they began to wean food, the type of sort weaning foods, the time required for successful weaning, iron content in weaning foods, and the duration of breastfeeding for scoring infant nutrition history based on a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score of the IDA group was 7.8±2.6 points, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (5.6±2.1) (p=0.000). If we set up the cutoff value at 6 points, this screening has 86.8% sensitivity and 36% specificity. In addition, as the IDA score increased, there was a falling trend of hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: The IDA score does not have high specificity or high sensitivity. However, this study conveys that those patients who record a high score have low hemoglobin. Therefore, we suggest this score system for screening more IDA patients via nonpainful techniques.

Serum glycated albumin as a new glycemic marker in pediatric diabetes.

PURPOSE: Serum glycated albumin (GA) has been recently used as another glycemic marker that reflects shorter term glycemic control than glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Insulin secretory function and glycemic fluctuation might be correlated with the ratio of GA to HbA1c (GA/HbA1c) in diabetic adult patients. This study investigated the association of GA and GA/HbA1c ratio with the levels of fasting C-peptide, fasting plasma glucose in type 1 and type 2 pediatric diabetes. METHODS: Total 50 cases from 42 patients were included. The subjects were classified into type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (n=30) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n=20) group. The associations among HbA1c, GA, and GA/HbA1c ratio were examined. The relationship between the three glycemic indices and fasting glucose, fasting C-peptide were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean values of GA, the GA/HbA1c ratio were significantly higher in T1DM than T2DM. GA (r=0.532, P=0.001), HbA1c (r=0.519, P=0.002) and the GA/HbA1c ratio (r=0.409, P=0.016) were correlated with the fasting plasma glucose. Fasting C-peptide level arranged 4.22±3.22 ng/mL in T2DM, which was significantly above the values in T1DM (0.26±0.49 ng/mL). There were no significant correlation between HbA1c and fasting C-peptide level. However, GA and the GA/HbA1c ratio exhibited inverse correlations with fasting C-peptide level (r=-0.214, P=0.002; r=-0.516, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: GA seems to more accurately reflects fasting plasma glucose level than HbA1c. GA, GA/HbA1c ratio appear to reflect insulin secretory function.

Congenital acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;16) and t(17;19) double translocation: case presentation and literature review.

Congenital leukemia is uncommon and excluding transient myeloproliferation associated with Down syndrome, makes up approximately 1% of childhood leukemias. A newborn boy was born with multiple subcutaneous nodules and large purpuric papules. Skin biopsy revealed proliferation of atypical hematologic cells in the dermis. Bone marrow morphology was consistent with acute myeloid leukemia (M5) and cytogenetic studies revealed t(8;16) and t(17;19) double translocation. Although prognosis of congenital leukemia is known to be dismal, recent reports showed spontaneous remissions. With the fear of chemotherapy-related toxicity, to treat or not to treat may be a dilemma both to parents and pediatricians. We report our experience and review the literature.

Patent ductus arteriosus closure in prematurities weighing less than 1 kg by subaxillary mini-thoracotomy.

The surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is provided more frequently in extremely low birth weight babies who are usually deemed unsuitable for pharmacological closure. We have adopted subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in order to lessen surgical trauma in these babies; and its clinical results were analyzed. From April 2004 to August 2008, out of 50 babies at the neonatal intensive care unit who underwent the surgical closure of PDA, 22 premature babies weighing less than 1 kg at operation were included in the study. Eleven babies were males and mean gestational age was 27 weeks ranging from 23(+3) to 30(+2) weeks. Mean body weight at operation was 816 g ranging from 490 to 989 g and average age at operation was 17.9+/-11.9 days. Of them, 17 babies (72%) were ventilator dependent preoperatively, as compared with 13 out of 28 (46%) babies that weighed more than 1 kg (P<0.05). Four babies did not survive to discharge. Among 28 babies who were heavier than 1 kg, there were only one death. However, the mortality difference was not statistically significant (P=0.11). All mortalities were caused by inherent problems of prematurity and co-morbidities. Out of 17 babies who had been ventilator dependent preoperatively, 13 weaned off successfully at 17.0+/-23.9 days after the operation. The baby patients heavier than 1 kg weaned at 6.0+/-5.3 days (P=0.27). Surgical outcome of simple and less invasive subaxillary mini-thoracotomy was satisfactory; the surgery is highly recommended for ductal closure in extremely low weight premature babies.

Corrected 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone values adjusted by a scoring system for screening congenital adrenal hyperplasia in premature infants.

This study investigated the use of corrected 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) values to detect congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in newborn infants. 17-OHP concentrations in blood spots from 913 neonates were measured using a neonatal screening test. A prematurity index was calculated using a scoring system based on gestational age and birth weight. Blood spot 17-OHP concentrations divided by the sum of prematurity scores were defined as the corrected 17-OHP values. Preterm infants (<30 wk) and low birth weight infants (<1.0 kg) showed 3.9- and 3.8-fold higher blood spot 17-OHP concentrations than normal full term infants. However, no significant differences were observed in the corrected 17-OHP values between the groups. Blood spot 17-OHP levels yielded significant correlations with the prematurity index (r = 0.42, p <0.05). Positive results for CAH were obtained in 9.5% (n = 53) and 2.0% (n = 11) of 556 premature infants by the cutoffs of blood spot 17-OHP (>15.0 ng/ml) and corrected 17-OHP values (>13.0 ng/ml), respectively. Of the 53 positive subjects, 39 (73.6%) converted to negative after 1 to 5 mo without treatment. In summary, blood spot 17-OHP levels are influenced by the prematurity of newborns. Use of corrected 17-OHP values provide limited but helpful information in screening for CAH by reducing the rate of false-positive results, especially in premature infants.