Dead Neonates Research Articles

Using decoys and camera traps to estimate depredation rates and neonate survival.

Ungulate neonates-individuals less than four weeks old-typically experience the greatest predation rates, and variation in their survival can influence ungulate population dynamics. Typical methods to measure neonate survival involve capture and radio-tracking of adults and neonates to discover mortality events. This type of fieldwork is invasive and expensive, can bias results if it leads to neonate abandonment, and may still have high uncertainty about the predator species involved. Here we explore the potential for a non-invasive approach to estimate an index for neonate survival using camera traps paired with decoys that mimic white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) neonates in the first month of life. We monitored sites with camera traps for two weeks before and after the placement of the neonate decoy and urine scent lure. Predator response to the decoy was classified into three categories: did not approach, approached within 2.5 m but did not touch the decoy, or physically touched the decoy; when conducting survival analyses, we considered these second two categories as dead neonates. The majority (76.3%) of the predators approached the decoy, with 51.1% initiating physical contact. Decoy probability of survival was 0.31 (95% CI = 0.22, 0.35) for a 30-day period. Decoys within the geographic range of American black bear (Ursus americanus) were primarily (75%) attacked by bears. Overall, neonate survival probability decreased as predator abundance increased. The camera-decoy protocol required about ½ the effort and 1/3 the budget of traditional capture-track approaches. We conclude that the camera-decoy approach is a cost-effective method to estimate a neonate survival probability index based on depredation probability and identify which predators are most important.

Uterovaginal prolapse in a primigravida presenting in active first stage of labor: a case report

BackgroundUterovaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus and vagina down the birth canal toward the introitus. The occurrence of uterovaginal prolapse in a primigravida is very rare. It can cause preterm labor, fetal demise, spontaneous abortion, postpartum hemorrhage, maternal urinary complications, sepsis, and death. This case report presents the rare occurrence of uterovaginal prolapse in a primigravida woman with no major risk factors identified for prolapse, who presented in active first stage of labor and delivered vaginally.Case presentationA 30-year-old Oromo primigravida woman who did not remember her last normal menstrual period but claimed amenorrhea of 9 months duration presented with the urge to bear down of 12 hours duration and passage of liquor of 8 hours duration. She was referred from the local health center to Jimma Medical Center with a diagnosis of prolonged labor. At presentation, she was in active first stage of labor with cervix 5–6 cm and fetal heartbeat was negative. She was followed for the progress of labor, and 4 hours after admission to the labor ward, she delivered a freshly dead male neonate weighing 3000 g. Her postpartum period was uneventful, and she was discharged on her third postpartum day and referred after 6 weeks to the outpatient department.ConclusionUterovaginal prolapse occurring in primigravida and during labor at first recognition is very rare, with congenital weakness being a possible underlying pathology. Management of uterovaginal prolapse during labor should be individualized on the basis of fetal condition and the severity of prolapse. For a patient with pelvic organ prolapse in labor, expectant management is a good option when there is no severe edema resulting in obstructed labor, as in our case, where the patient delivered vaginally and the prolapse resolved postpartum.

Maternal and Neonatal Outcome Following Elective Cesarean Section based on Progesterone Levels in High Risk Pregnant Dogs

Background: Elective cesarean section (CS) is an appropriate therapeutic modality in high risk pregnant dogs and it is scheduled following a drop in serum progesterone to less than 2ng/ml. However, a series of progesterone assays are required to confirm this drop in serum progesterone levels and this voluntary waiting period often results in foetal loss. The present study aimed to assess the innocuity of elective CS in dogs before the prepartum decline of serum progesterone, without administration of any priming agents. Methods: Elective CS was performed on an estimated day 63 of ovulation in seven high risk pregnant dogs with a serum progesterone level between 2-5 ng/ml (Group I) and maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed in comparison with nine dogs that underwent elective CS at serum progesterone less than 2 ng/ml (Group II). Histopathological examination of lung tissue from dead neonates was performed to ascertain the presence of type II pneumocytes for assessing lung maturity. Result: Even though progesterone levels were above 2 ng/ml in dogs of Group I at the time of elective CS (3.11±0.29 ng/mL), the live birth rate was 96.97 per cent with acceptable neonatal survival. The histopathology of lung tissue from dead neonates from Group I revealed the presence of type II pneumocytes. The study suggested that elective CS in dogs could be done on day 63 after ovulation without compromising foetal lung maturity and a drop in serum progesterone level to less than 2 ng/ml was not mandatory for puppy survivability.

Epimeletic behaviour in a Southern Resident Killer Whale (<i>Orcinus orca</i>)

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW, Orcinus orca) may be found year round in the Salish Sea. These orcas comprise three matrilineal pods (J, K, and L) and were listed as Endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act in 2003 and under the United States Endangered Species Act in 2005 because of prey scarcity, vessel noise and disturbance, small population size, and exposure to toxins. Since 1993, the Whale Museum has been operating Soundwatch, a boater education program for vessels. Soundwatch personnel are on the water in the central Salish Sea throughout the summer educating boaters on how to maneuver near marine mammals legally and documenting vessel regulation violations and marine mammal presence and behaviour. Starting on 24 July 2018, Soundwatch documented an adult female SRKW of J pod (J35) carrying a dead neonate calf. J35 continued to carry her dead calf for 17 consecutive days covering ~1600 km. Her story riveted the attention of the people of the Salish Sea as well as people around the world, evoking empathy for J35 and her loss as well as the plight of the Endangered SRKW population. Here, we tell her story and evaluate whether the behaviour J35 displayed toward her dead calf was an example of epimeletic behaviour, animal grief.

Medicolegal Evaluation of an Abandoned Dead Neonate: A Case Report

The killing of an illegitimate newborn immediately or within 24 hours of birth is neonaticide which differs from other forms of homicide in terms of diagnosis and motives. Neonaticide is a cognizable offense where mothers are usually the perpetrators. This case reports the autopsy findings of a smothered neonate at a secluded location in rural Nepal. The present case study also highlights the medicolegal implications in such cases.

Association of placental chorangiosis with pregnancy complication and prenatal outcome: a case-control study

BackgroundChorangiosis is a vascular change involving the terminal chorionic villi in the placenta. It results from longstanding, low-grade hypoxia in the placental tissue, and is associated with such conditions as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), diabetes, and gestational hypertension in pregnancy. Chorangiosis rarely occurs in normal pregnancies. However, its prevalence is 5–7% of all placentas from infants admitted to newborn intensive care units. The present study was aimed at determining the association of chorangiosis with pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes.MethodsIn this case-control study, 308 chorangiosis cases were compared with 308 controls (with other diagnoses in pathology) in terms of maternal, placental, prenatal, and neonatal characteristics derived from the medical records of participants retrospectively. R and SPSS version 22 software tools were used, and the statistical significance level was considered 0.05 for all the tests.ResultsPreeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, maternal hemoglobin, maternal hematocrit, C/S, oligohydramnios, fetal anomaly, dead neonates, NICU admissions were significantly higher in the chorangiosis group OR = 1.6, 3.98, 1.68, 1.92, 2.1, 4.47, 4.22, 2.9, 2.46, respectively (p-value< 0.05 for all). Amniotic fluid index, birth weight, cord PH amount, 1st, and 5th Apgar score was lower in the chorangiosis group OR = 0.31, 1, 0.097, 0.83, 0.85, respectively (p-value< 0.05 for all). Moreover, fundal placenta, retro placental hemorrhage, perivillous fibrin deposition, calcification, and acute chorioamnionitis were higher in the chorangiosis group OR = 2.1, 11.8, 19.96, 4.05, and 6.38 respectively, (p-value< 0.05). There was a high agreement between the two pathologists, and the power of the study was estimated at 99%.ConclusionAlthough chorangiosis is an uncommon condition, it is associated with a higher incidence of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it should be considered an important clinical sign of adverse pregnancy outcomes and should be reported in the pathology evaluation.

Acute kidney injury in neonatal sepsis: prevalence, and outcome

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an acute and reversible increment in serum creatinine levels regardless of associated or not with a decrease in urine output. AKI is very common among septic neonates. The high mortality among septic neonates with AKI stresses the need for screening them for renal failure. Early recognition of risk factors for AKI may reduce the risk of its occurrence. Objective:This study aimed to evaluate AKI's prevalence and outcome in neonates with neonatal sepsis in our hospital. Patients and methods: This study was an observational cross-section study carried out on all neonates ≥ 28 weeks admitted to our hospital in 6 months duration. History, examinations, and urine output were assessed and followed up regularly. Laboratory investigations included CBC, CRP, ESR, urine analysis, Urea and Creatinine, and Blood culture. Results: AKI presented in 67.2% of septic neonates based on oliguria while raised serum creatinine, shown in 4.5% of cases. Mean urine output was (1.26 ± 0.6) ml/kg/hr, 60 % of patients with AKI were males, 38% were preterm, 47% were LBW, and mortality was 51.1%. Conclusion: more than two-third of neonates with sepsis had AKI. Gestational age and weight were less in cases with AKI, with more than half of them were full-term and ≥ 2.5 kg. Gender was not a significant risk factor for AKI in sepsis. Mortality was significantly higher in AKI, mainly in full-term and low birth weight. Dead neonates with AKI were less anemic, less leucopenic, and more thrombocytopenic than living.

Maternal lithium chloride exposure alters the neuroendocrine-cytokine axis in neonatal albino rats.

The aim of this work was to clarify whether maternal lithium chloride (LiCl) exposure disrupts the neonatal neuroendocrine-cytokine axis. Pregnant Wistar rats were orally administrated 50mg LiCl/kg b.wt. from gestational day (GD) 1 to postpartum day 28. Maternal administration of LiCl induced a hypothyroid state in both dams and their neonates compared to the control dams and neonates at lactation days (LDs) 14, 21 and 28, where the levels of serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxin (FT4) were decreased and the level of serum thyrotropin (TSH) level was increased. A noticeable depression in maternal body weight gain, neonatal body weight and neonatal serum growth hormone (GH) was observed on all examined postnatal days (PNDs; 14, 21 and 28). A single abortion case was recorded at GD 17, and three dead neonates were noted at birth in the LiCl-treated group. Maternal administration of LiCl disturbed the levels of neonatal serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), leptin, adiponectin and resistin at all tested PNDs compared to the control group. This administration produced a stimulatory action on the level of neonatal cerebral serotonin (5-HT) at PND 14 and on the level of neonatal cerebral norepinephrine (NE) at PNDs 21 and 28. However, this administration produced an inhibitory action on the level of neonatal cerebral dopamine (DA) at all examined PNDs and on the level of neonatal cerebral NE at PND 14 and the level of neonatal cerebral 5-HT at PNDs 21 and 28 compared to the corresponding control group. Thus, maternal LiCl exposure-induced hypothyroidism disrupts the neonatal neuroendocrine-cytokine system, which delay cerebral development.

Assessment of Umbilical Cord Nucleated Red Blood Cell Count in Discharged and Dead Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: Predictive value of the umbilical nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) at birth for neonatal outcomes has been assessed. Hence, the present study was conducted to compare NRBC between discharged and dead neonates.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on preterm newborns with a birth weight of < 1,500 g admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, within 2012-2018. The subjects were divided into two groups of discharged and dead. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire containing three sections, namely maternal demographic information, neonatal data, and blood tests (measuring white blood cell [WBC], absolute NRBC, NRBC/100 WBC and blood gas). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20), using t-test, Chi-square test, receiver operating characteristic curve, and regression models.Results: A total of 205 neonates, including 136 discharged neonates (66.03%) and 69 dead neonates (33.7%), were examined in the present study. The results demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the first minute Apgar score (P=0.023), fifth minute Apgar score (P=0.010), gestational age (P=0.000), birth weight (P=0.000), WBC (P=0.020), absolute NRBC (P=0.004), NRBC percentage (P=0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (P=0.029), duration of oxygen therapy (P=0.012).Moreover, mechanical ventilation (P=0.036), type of oxygen therapy (P=0.000), NRBC percentage (P=0.001), and absolute NRBC count (P=0.001) showed a statistically significant relationship with neonatal survival rate.Conclusion: As the findings indicated, mechanical ventilation, type of oxygen therapy, absolute NRBC count, and NRBC percentage can be used as markers for predicting neonatal mortality rate.

Neonatal Outcome in Preeclamptic Women Presented with Antepartum Hemorrhage

Background: Preeclampisa is common disorder among pregnant women in Erbil city that is characterized by high rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality in addition to maternal adverse complications. Objective: To assess the neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic women presented with antepartum hemorrhage in Erbil city. Patients and Methods: The study is a clinical prospective follow up study that was carried out in Labour room of Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city through the period from 1st of March, 2018 to 28th of February, 2019 on sample of 200 preeclamptic pregnant women. The selected women and neonates were followed up for 1 week after delivery. Results: The dead neonates represented 11.5% of total neonates for preeclamptic pregnant women, while low apgar score at 1 minute was present in 27% of the neonates and low apgar score at 5 minutes was present in 16% of them.Death neonatal outcome was significantly related to increased protein in urine, abnormal renal and liver functions and abnormal hemoglobin and platelets levels.A significant association was observed between preeclamptic pregnant women with antepartum hemorrhage and low apgar score of neonates at 5 minutes. Conclusion: Neonatal outcome of preeclamptic pregnant women with antepartum hemorrhage is characterized by low apgar score at 5 minutes. DOI:https://doi.org/10.26505/DJM.17024620421

Changes in social behavior and fecal glucocorticoids in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) carrying her dead infant.

Maternal care towards dead infants has been observed in many wild and captive mammals, but the consequences of this behavior for social interactions and the physiological status of the mother remain elusive. Here, we report changes in rates of aggression and grooming time, and fecal glucocorticoid (fGC) levels in a free-ranging female Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) that carried her dead infant for 20days. Our observations revealed that when carrying the dead infant, the mother showed increased rates of grimace, avoidance, and human-directed behaviors, along with reduced allogrooming time and fleeing from other individuals. Postpartum fGC levels were comparable to those of non-pregnant and non-lactating females, suggesting that the energetic costs and stress of carrying a dead infant are low. Our findings indicate that carrying a dead neonate can have three profound consequences on the mother: increased fearful behavior, decreased allogrooming, and a rapid return to baseline fGC levels. We hypothesize that dead infant-carrying may have evolved as a strategy to mitigate stress from infant loss. These findings have implications for our understanding of grief in nonhuman primates and can impact management protocols surrounding deaths in captive social groups.

Comparison of Serum Vitamin D in the Umbilical Cord of Survived with Not Survived Premature Infants

Background: VitaminDdeficiency is associated with prematurity, respiratory problems and infections. These are important causes of death in premature neonates. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the vitamin D level in the blood of preterm live neonates discharged with those neonates who did not survive. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 335 premature infants (less than 34 weeks of gestation) were discharged and 48 infants died. We examined their umbilical cord blood for vitamin D. Results: Eighty-eight percent of our premature neonates had vitamin D deficiency. The mean of vitamin D in the survived neonates was 14.87±10.94 and in thosewhosuccumbed their prematurity it was 9.4±6.52 ng/mL (P< 0.01). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the type of delivery, Apgar score of first and fifth minutes, duration of oxygen therapy and gestational age (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that most premature neonates have a severe vitamin D deficiency, and this deficiency wasmorepronounced in the dead neonates than in those that survived, despite eliminated the role of gestational age. Measurement of cord blood vitamin D level may help predict the prognosis for premature neonates. © 2019, Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Investigating the Suitability of a Laboratory Mouse Model to Study the Pathogenesis of Abortifacient Campylobacter jejuni.

The aim of this study was to assess whether pregnant mice represent a useful model to study the reproductive pathology of Campylobacter jejuni IA3902 using the end point of positive microbial culture of the organism from the fetoplacental unit. Pregnant BALB/c and CD-1 mice (14 days' gestation) were inoculated orally and intraperitoneally (IP) with 1 × 109 colony-forming units/ml of C. jejuni IA3902. The organism was recovered by microbial culture from the fetoplacental unit in 10 of 10 BALB/c and 10 of 10 CD-1 IP-inoculated pregnant mice and in 29% (2/7) BALB/c and 38% (3/8) CD-1 orally inoculated pregnant mice. Gross reproductive lesions included necrosuppurative placentitis, fetal resorption, intrauterine fetal death, stillborn pups (dead neonates), and multifocal hepatitis. Histological changes consisted of locally extensive neutrophilic and necrotizing placentitis with intralesional bacterial colonies of C. jejuni, ulcerative endometritis, random multifocal hepatitis, and rare cholecystitis. Immunohistochemistry for the major outer membrane protein of C. jejuni revealed moderate to large numbers of the organism at the periphery of the placental discs, within trophoblasts and extracellularly, with invasion into the placental disc largely via the vascular network. The organism is trophic for neutral mucin, iron, and L-fucose within the murine placenta. C. jejuni IA3902 has affinity for the murine reproductive tract, specifically the fetoplacental unit, where it results in a necrotizing placentitis with positive microbial recovery after both IP and oral challenge in BALB/c and CD-1 pregnant mice.

Electrocardiographic Corrected QT (QTc) Dispersion Value as a Predictor for Estimation of Neonatal Mortality in Pre-Term Neonates.

Introduction:Electrocardiographic (ECG) corrected QT (QTc) interval and dispersion were used as prognostic variables in adult patients and limited studies showed the relationship between QTc prolongation and dispersion with some clinical situations in newborn babies.Aim:In the present study, we compared the electrocardiographic (ECG) variables such as QTc interval and dispersion of healthy full-term and pre-term neonates with those who suffered from non-cardiac illnesses.Methods:This prospective cohort study involved 127 neonates including four study groups: normal full-term neonates, ill full-term neonates, normal pre-term neonates and ill pre-term neonates. Neonates with fever, apnea, poor feeding, tachypnea, muscle retraction, grunting, reduced neonatal reflexes, positive blood culture or antibiotic therapy > 3 days were considered as ill neonates. QTc interval and dispersion were calculated and compared among the four groups.Results:QTc interval was significantly (p = 0.012) higher in ill pre-term neonates in comparison with normal pre-term ones (418.74± 54.29 ms vs. 386.66± 39.26 ms). QTc dispersion was calculated and showed significantly higher mean values in ill pre-term neonates when compared with normal full-term, ill full-term and normal pre-term ones. QT dispersion and QTc dispersion of dead neonates were significantly (p= 0.0001-0.01) higher than alive ill pre-term neonates at 3, 7 and 28 days after birth.Conclusion:QTc interval and dispersion seem to represent non-invasive, reliable predictors of mortality in pre-term ill neonates, but further investigation is needed to confirm cutoff values for the risk assessment.

Peculiarities of organometric parameters of the hard palate in the second and third trimester of the intrauterine development and newborns

Finding anatomical variability of organs, structures and their parts at all the stages of human development is rather topical. Determination of organometric parameters of the hard palate in fetuses and newborns is an essential part for perinatal diagnostics and understanding real parameters of the norm and pathology. Purpose of the study is to find organometric parameters of the palatine maxillary process and horizontal lamina of the palatine bone during fetal and early neonatal periods of human ontogenesis. By means of adequate anatomical methods of examination the study was conducted on 53 specimens of dead fetuses from 4 to 10 months of fetal development (from 165.0 mm to 500.0 mm of the parietal-calcaneal length (PCL)) and 9 specimens of dead neonates. The length of the palatine maxillary process during the perinatal period was found to be characterized by the two periods of accelerated development (5-7 and 8-10 months), and the period of relatively slow development (7-8 months). Its width was found to be characterized by the two period of accelerated development (5-7 and 9-10 months), and relatively slow development (7-8 months). The length of the horizontal lamina of the palatine bone is characterized by the period of accelerated development from 8 to 10 months, and the period of relatively slow development from 7 to 8 months. Meanwhile 5-8 and 9-10 months were the periods of accelerated development for its width, and 8-9 months – the period of relatively slow development for it. During fetal and early neonatal periods of human ontogenesis the value of all the paired correlation coefficients between organometric parameters of the palatine maxillary process (hard palate) and horizontal lamina of the palatine bone are positive and rather close to 1 (&gt;0.84), which is indicative of a close positive correlation between all the organometric parameters. Very strong relation is found between the length of the hard palate and its width in the right and left (r=0.92), between the length of the hard palate and palatine bone (r=0.97), between the length of the palatine bone and the width of the hard palate in the right (r=0.91) and in the left (r=0.90). Therefore, by means of adequate anatomical methods of examination new scientifically substantiated data are obtained concerning organometric characteristics of anatomical structures of the hard palate at all the stages of perinatal period.

PECULIARITIES OF FORMATION OF THE HARD PALATE FOLDS DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER OF THE INTRAUTERINE DEVELOPMENT

A comprehensive study of anatomical-functional peculiarities of the cranial bones promotes implementation of new methods of performing radical and reconstructive-restorative surgery on the face and cranium. Objective: to determine peculiarities of formation of the hard palate folds structure in the fetal and early neonatal periods of human ontogenesis. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 53 specimens of dead fetuses from 4 to 10 months of development and on 9 specimens of dead neonates by means of macro- and micro-section, preparing histological and topographic-anatomical sections, and morphometry. Formation of the hard palate folds during the second and third trimesters of the intrauterine development was found to consist of the following stages: epithelial thickening, penetration into the adjacent mesenchyme originating the rudiment of the fold; smoothing of the basal membrane and epithelial outgrowth over the surface with formation of the primary fold; condensation of mesenchyme cells under the fold apex; formation of fibrous stroma inside of the fold which is a peculiar core; epithelial smoothing to even thickness similar to that one embracing the areas between folds with formation of the final fold. At the end of the third trimester of the intrauterine development posterior transverse palatine folds become less marked, some of them disappear, and the anterior ones become more marked, closer and pressed one to another.

Study of Causes of Neonatal Mortality and its Related Factors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran during (2014-2016)

Background Neonatal mortality rate is one of the main indicators of health care systems in each country. The first step in improving the level of these indicators is to identify the causes of neonatal dead and its related factors. In this study, the causes of neonatal mortality and its related factors in neonatal intensive care unit at Imam Reza hospital were investigated. Materials and Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out from 2014 to 2016, on all neonates who died in neonatal intensive care unit of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah city, Iran. Information about the infant, mother and the causes of mortality of the infant were collected from hospital records of neonatal care unit and families and physician of infants. Then data was recorded in the data collection form and analyzed using SPSS version18.0 software. Results In this study, 566 newborns (19.2%) died of 2,946 hospitalized infants. The most common causes of death was respiratory distress syndrome 190 (33.6%), and sepsis 128 (22.6%); 95.5% of neonatal deaths occurred at gestational age below 37 weeks, and 81.6% in birth weight less than 2,500gr. Also, 452 cases (79.9%) had deaths during the first week after birth, and the highest deaths 274 (48.8%) were in the night shift (P<0.001). Conclusion According to the results of this study, the most common causes of neonatal death were prematurity (gestational age below 37 weeks), respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. Most dead neonates have a weight below 2,500 grams. The highest death rate occurred in the first week of birth and in the night shift.

Analysis of In-hospital Neonatal Death in the Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in China: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background:Globally, the proportion of child deaths that occur in the neonatal period remains a high level of 37–41%. Differences of cause in neonate death exist in different regions as well as in different economic development countries. The specific aim of this study was to investigate the causes, characteristics, and differences of death in neonates during hospitalization in the tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of China.Methods:All the dead neonates admitted to 26 NICUs were included between January l, 2011, and December 31, 2011. All the data were collected retrospectively from clinical records by a designed questionnaire. Data collected from each NICU were delivered to the leading institution where the results were analyzed.Results:A total of 744 newborns died during the 1-year survey, accounting for 1.2% of all the neonates admitted to 26 NICUs and 37.6% of all the deaths in children under 5 years of age in these hospitals. Preterm neonate death accounted for 59.3% of all the death. The leading causes of death in preterm and term infants were pulmonary disease and infection, respectively. In early neonate period, pulmonary diseases (56.5%) occupied the largest proportion of preterm deaths while infection (27%) and neurologic diseases (22%) were the two main causes of term deaths. In late neonate period, infection was the leading cause of both preterm and term neonate deaths. About two-thirds of neonate death occurred after medical care withdrawal. Of the cases who might survive if receiving continuing treatment, parents’ concern about the long-term outcomes was the main reason of medical care withdrawal.Conclusions:Neonate death still accounts for a high proportion of all the deaths in children under 5 years of age. Our study showed the majority of neonate death occurred in preterm infants. Cause of death varied with the age of death and gestational age. Accurate and prompt evaluation of the long-term outcomes should be carried out to guide the critical decision.

TAPHONOMY OF EXTANT DESERT TORTOISE (GOPHERUS AGASSIZII) AND LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA) NESTING SITES: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE FOSSIL RECORD

Dinosaur reproductive biology is often inferred from the biology of extant taxa; however, taphonomic studies of modern nest sites have focused exclusively on avian, rather than reptilian species. We documented eight Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) nests and ten loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests. Gopherus agassizii excavated burrows up to 70 cm long and laid rigid-shelled eggs 10-12 cm below the burrow floor. The 19 cm 3 12 cm depressions consisted of hard consolidated sand surrounded by a 3-4-cm-high rim and contained 2-5 hatched eggs in a single layer. These hatched egg bottoms represent , 25% of the original egg, and five of 27 contained fully developed dead neonates. Desiccated membrane separated from the egg interior forming pockets that filled with eggshell and sand. Of 106 and 79 eggshell fragments in the hatched egg and surrounding sand, 48% and 23% occurred concave up, respectively. However, the combined numbers of eggshell fragments inside the eggs and in the immediately surrounding sand approximates the 60:40 ratios at in situ avian nests. Therefore, this ratio may provide reliable evidence for hatching sites regardless of the incubation strategy employed by the adult. Caretta caretta nests differed from those of tortoises in their greater depth ( , 50 cm) and occurrence in moist, cohesive sand. Clutches contained over 100 pliable-shelled eggs that tore and collapsed upon hatching, without brittle fracture. Failed eggs in two clutches showed five development stages, indicating that the deaths occurred over an extended time period. With the exception of predation, the G. agassizii and C. caretta nests showed no significant eggshell or hatched eggs above the egg chamber.

Supportive behavior of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) toward dead neonates, with data on perinatal mortality

This study adds the Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis to the list of species displaying nurturant behavior as a response to perinatal mortality. It is based on two in situ behavioral observations off Madeira Island (Portugal) (but with only one continuing uninterrupted). Additionally, postmortem exams were carried out on four fresh neonate carcasses, two from the previous events and two from distinct events where carcasses were found floating with no individuals in the vicinity. The in situ observations show that adult Atlantic spotted dolphins try to support their dead calves at surface, either involving a single individual (presumably the mother) or several individuals. The highly fresh condition of the carcasses suggests that the adults abandon them after a short period of time (hours). The postmortem exams suggest that the four neonates died from natural causes, and not from anthropogenic causes, predation, or other intra- or interspecific behavioral interaction as described in some cetacean populations. Accurate lengths at birth are also provided, which are scarce in literature for this species.