Half Months Of Age Research Articles

Rehabilitation of a neonate with persistent caput succedaneum using cranial remoulding orthosis (helmet): a case report

A second-born male child to nonconsanguineous parents was delivered by normal vaginal delivery following a difficult extraction at term and had a normal transition to postnatal life. At 40 days of life, the baby presented with a soft, boggy swelling in the posterior occipital region, which had been noticed since birth but was increasing in size gradually, and he was born through a difficult normal vaginal delivery. The preliminary diagnosis considered at admission was probable caput succedaneum, with a differential diagnosis of spontaneous CSF leak. Cranial ultrasound reports showed a cystic lesion measuring 37×28 mm in the right parietooccipital region, suggestive of caput succedaneum. So, the baby was aided by our rehabilitation team experts, who provided the cranial remolding orthosis (helmet) to the neonate, which would provide adequate soft, consistent compression. At 3 and a half months of age, the caput subsided, and the baby was doing clinically well with normal developmental milestones and a normal head circumference, appropriate for the age. Thus, the use of the helmet resulted in a significant improvement in the baby's condition, demonstrating the effectiveness of this intervention for treating persistent caput succedaneum. Therefore, this article highlights the importance of early intervention and specialized care in managing cranial deformities in neonates.

Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome in an Infant with Ventricular Septal Defect: A Case Report

Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS) is a rare type of thrombotic microangiopathy that occurs without Shiga toxin producing bacteria. It is a condition related to complement regulation, which may be genetic or acquired. The complement system’s alternative pathway is commonly implicated, with around 6-10% of cases being caused by autoantibodies directed against factor H. While it typically affects children between 9 to 13-years-old, it can also occur in adults. Many patients do not have circulating Complement Factor H-related proteins 1 and 3 due to a homozygous deletion involving CFHR1 and CFHR3. Authors hereby report a case of a six-month-old female child who was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) at one and a half months of age. She presented with pneumonia and subsequently developed haemolytic anaemia with thrombocytopenia, oliguria, and acute kidney failure. She was diagnosed with Antifactor H antibody-mediated HUS. She was treated with plasma therapy, but the patient succumbed due to multiorgan dysfunction.

Adherence to different methods for introducing complementary food to 7-month-old babies: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective:To assess the adherence to three methods of food introduction for 7-month-old babies.Methods:This is a randomized clinical trial conducted with mother-infant pairs, submitted to the intervention with five and a half months of age and three different methods for food introduction according to randomization: Parent-Led Weaning (PLW), Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS), or mixed (specially developed for this study). Adherence to the method was assessed at the seventh month of age, via telephone call to the caregiver by a researcher blinded to the method. The analyses were performed using the Chi-Square test and data are presented in absolute numbers and percentages.Results:A total of 139 mother-infant pairs were evaluated; 46 of them were allocated to the PLW method; 47, to the BLISS; and 46, to the mixed. At seven months of age, 60 (43.2%) mothers reported that the infants were following the proposed feeding method. When analyzing each approach, the mixed method showed a higher likelihood of adherence (71.7%, n=33), followed by the PLW method (39.1%, n=18) and by the BLISS (19.2%, n=9) (p<0.001). Among the sample that did not follow the proposed method, those that had been randomized to the PLW and BLISS methods mostly migrated to the mixed method (92.9%; n=26 and 92.1%; n=35, respectively) (p<0.001).Conclusions:Complementary feeding in a mixed approach obtained greater adherence in 7-month-old babies.

Recurrent Infections and Immunodeficiency Caused by Severe Pancytopenia Associated with a Novel Life-Threatening Mutation in Hypoxia-Upregulated Protein 1

ABSTRACT HYOU1 encodes a protein from the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone proteins, expressed to protect cellular mechanisms from stress such as hypoxia, insufficient energy and excessive or insufficient substances, and to restore cell homeostasis. In this study, we report a novel pathogenic variant in HYOU1. The proband, the second patient with pathogenic variant in HYOU1, was a female born to consanguineous parents. A novel homozygous pathogenic variant in HYOU1 (NM_001130991.3: c.1456C>T; p.Arg486Cys) was identified, causing anemia, thrombocytopenia and severe panleukopenia and immunodeficiency in the second month of age, leading to consistent high-grade fever, regression of brain functions and recurrent infections; ultimately resulting in the patient expiring at three and half months of age. Both parents are heterozygous for this variant and have no issues related to this study.

CORRELATION OF CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND TESTIS MEASUREMENTS OF THE INDIGENOUS COCKS IN THE SEMI ARID ZONE OF NIGERIA

The current study was conducted to evaluate the association between the body weight, carcass characteristics and the testis measurements of the three matured cocks of about one year to one and half months of age in the semi arid zone of Nigeria. Sixty matured cocks were used for the study with twenty from each of the genotype. The data collected on the carcass characteristics of the three genotypes of cocks were analyzed using SPSS Version 21 Statistical tool. Differences between treatments means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same software. The correlations between the different variables were determined using Pearson correlation. The results showed a positive correlation (P&lt; 0.05) between live weight and the internal organs. Also positive significant (P&lt;0.01) relationship were observed between body weight and the slaughter weight (r =0.97). Significant relationship between live weight and the left testis was observed (r =0.67: P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, testis measurement with live weight showed that positive correlation translates into positive genetic correlation among the traits which will lead to improvement in the other traits. This variation may be due to close genetic background of the indigenous cocks

Developmental Timeline of Wild Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) Infants in Kianjavato and Torotorofotsy, Madagascar

Wild aye-ayes ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ) are notoriously difficult to study due to their solitary and nocturnal nature. While research is starting to elucidate the behaviors of wild adult aye-aye, an understanding of behaviors in young aye-ayes is still lacking. We studied the behavioral development of two male aye-aye subadults in Kianjavato, Madagascar from June 2015 to October 2017 and October 2017 to December 2019, and two male offspring in Torotorofotsy, Madagascar, from August 2016 to December 2017 and September 2018 to May 2020. We then compared this information to previous studies on captive infant development. Wild infant aye-ayes first emerged from the nest between two and three months old. Traveling between trees occurred between four and four and a half months old. First attempts at foraging for invertebrates in a woody substrate occurred between five and eight months. Though nursing was rarely observed, the event was witnessed as late as 17 months for one aye-aye. The earliest solo nesting occurred at 18 and a half months of age, and the latest at 23 months old. As with other primates, wild aye-ayes develop more slowly than their captive counterparts. We conclude that their protracted life history is likely associated with their percussive foraging behaviors and importance of invertebrates in their diet.

Cutaneous segmental hemangioma of the face

This is a picture of a one year old female toddler who presented to our clinic at two and half months of age with complain of bright red rash on the face two weeks …

Universal hearing screening in newborns: experience in a tertiary care hospital of Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Background: The aim of the study was to do universal hearing screening of all newborns using otoacoustic emission (OAE), to know the incidence and risk factors of hearing loss in neonates.Methods: This was a prospective observational study done in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore city in Karnataka. 950 neonates were screened with distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) during the study period of one year from 2017 to 2018. A repeat test was done at one and a half months of age if the first test failed. Auditory brain stem evoked response (ABER) was performed at 3 months of age if both the tests failed. Babies with hearing loss were referred to ENT specialist for further management. Comparison of the variables was done by student’s t test and Chi-square test. P-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of the 950 newborns screened with DPOAE test, 204 (21.4 %) babies had abnormal screen either in single or both ears. 7 out of 204 (3.43%) babies had abnormal OAE on repeat testing at one and half months. 2 out of 7 babies (0.96 %) had significant hearing loss ABER was performed at 3 months of age.Conclusions: Early identification by screening of hearing loss prevents a significant public health concern. Early recognition and intervention prior to 6 months have a significant positive impact on development.

Trend of Breastfeeding and its Impact on Morbidity in Children in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu

Introduction: WHO advocates for exclusive breastfeeding in infants till six months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding has been estimated to reduce 70% of infection related mortality in children. This study aims to elaborate the current trend of breastfeeding and its impact on common infectious morbidities in children.&#x0D; Methods: This study was a prospective longitudinal study done at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital with a sample size of 103 infants. Detailed proforma including sociodemographic data, breastfeeding related data and morbidities were collected at one and half months of life. The patients were followed up at 6 months of age again and the same proforma was again filled up. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0 and various associations were elucidated. &#x0D; Results: A total of 103 infants were analyzed. Males were 58 in numbers with mean birth weight of the infants being 3048±537 grams. Breast feeding was initiated within an hour in around 37%. At one and half months of age, 63% reported of exclusive breastfeeding which decreased to 23% at 6 months of age. Breastfeeding for at least 45 days decreased the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections(ARI), Acute Otitis Media(AOM) and diarrheal diseases although statistically significant difference was found with only ARIs. &#x0D; Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is low in the study. The study has also shown that breastfeeding significantly reduces incidence of common infectious morbidities in infants.

Correlation of testicular ultrasonography, testicular biometry, serum testosterone levels and seminal attributes in pre and post-pubertal age for breeding soundness evaluation in Osmanabadi bucks.

The present research work entitled "Correlation of testicular ultrasonography, testicular biometry, serum testosterone levels and seminal attributes in pre- and post-pubertal age for breeding soundness evaluation in Osmanabadi bucks" was undertaken in 18 healthy Osmanabadi bucks from the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The body weight (kg), scrotal circumference (cm) and testicular biometry (cm) of post-weaning 18 Osmanabadi male kids was recorded every 15days from weaning, i.e., 120 ± 10days along with serum testosterone (ng/ml) by radioimmunoassay method at monthly intervals for the next 6months. Semen was collected six times on the seventh month onward during post-pubertal age at 15-day interval from 18 bucks. The semen was evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic tests. The body weight increased from 14.45 ± 0.67 to 19.57 ± 0.70kg from four to nine and a half months of age. The average daily body weight gain was 31.27g. Maximum body weight gain was 01.19 ± 0.16kg from 5 to 6 followed by 01.15 ± 0.16kg from 4 to 5months of age. The scrotal circumference increased from 17.22 ± 0.56 to 19.03 ± 0.55cm from four to nine and a half months of age with maximum increased between 4 and 5 followed by 6 and 7months of age. The testicular length, width and thickness of right and left testicles were recorded by ultrasonography method. There was increase in mean right and left testicular length, width and thickness from 5.25 ± 0.19 to 5.84 ± 0.18 and 5.49 ± 0.21 to 6.16 ± 0.20; 2.99 ± 0.12 to 3.32 ± 0.12 and 3.10 ± 0.13 to 3.44 ± 0.12 and 2.97 ± 0.12 to 3.16 ± 0.12 and 3.06 ± 0.12 to 3.31 ± 0.11cm, respectively by ultrasonography, between four to nine and a half months of age. Testicular length, width and thickness gain was at maximum in 5 to 6months of age. Left testicular length was more than the right testis. Before puberty, there was sudden gain in body weight, testicular length and width. However, scrotal circumference showed significant increase after puberty. Body weight had highest correlation with ultrasonographic left testicular thickness (r = 1) followed by scrotal circumference, ultrasonographic right and left testicular width, left testicular length, right testicular length and thickness and least by right testicular thickness (r = 0.95). The semen was thin to thick in consistency and average semen density was 3.10 ± 0.05. Average semen volume was 0.81 ± 0.02ml, mass activity, initial motility, live and dead sperm count, abnormal sperm count and sperm concentration were 3.45 ± 0.13, 76.16 ± 1.16 and 75.16 ± 1.28% and 24.84 ± 1.28, 12.30 ± 0.50% and 2631.04 ± 45.74 million/ml, respectively in 18 bucks in six collection at 15days. There was significant rise in semen volume, mass activity, initial motility and concentration at 8.5months and live count, density at 9months of age which indicates the age of sexual maturity is 8.5 to 9months in Osmanabadi bucks. The body weight had highest positive correlation with mass activity (r = 98) followed by initial motility, live sperm count and total sperm concentration, semen volume (r = 76). The scrotal circumference had highest positive correlation with initial motility (r = 98) followed by live sperm count, total sperm count, mass activity, semen volume (r = 86). On the other hand, body weight and scrotal circumference were negatively correlated with abnormal and dead sperm count. The mean testosterone concentration increased from 0.02 ± 0.004 to 5.75 ± 0.80ng/ml between four and half to nine and half months of age, respectively. There was significant rise (p < 0.01) up to 1.38 ± 0.28ng/ ml at 6.5months, i.e., age of puberty and up to 5.75 ± 0.80ng/ml at 9.5months, i.e., age of sexual maturity. Testosterone had highest positive correlation with testicular length followed by testicular width, length, body weight and scrotal circumference, mass activity, live sperm count, initial motility, while it had highest negative correlation with dead and abnormal sperm count. From the present research work, it was concluded that the scrotal circumference, testicular length, width and thickness increased with increasing body weight. Before puberty, there was sudden gain in body weight, testicular length and width. However, scrotal circumference increased significantly at post-pubertal age. So testicular length, body weight, testicular width in pre pubertal age and scrotal circumference post-pubertal age can be used as indicator for selection of Osmanabadi bucks for breeding purpose. On the other hand, the semen parameters should consider only after 8.5 to 9months of age for selection of Osmanabadi bucks for breeding.

Epidermal growth factor prevents APOE4-induced cognitive and cerebrovascular deficits in female mice.

Cerebrovascular dysfunction is re-emerging as a major component of aging, and may contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Two important risk factors for cerebrovascular dysfunction are APOE and female sex, which are primarily researched in the context of high amyloid-β (Aβ) levels as found in AD. However, APOE4 and sex modulate Aβ-independent pathways that may induce cerebrovascular dysfunction as a downstream consequence. Therefore, testing the activity of factors that target cerebrovascular dysfunction in Aβ-independent models that incorporate APOE4 and female sex is crucial. We have previously demonstrated that peripheral administration of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) prevents cognitive dysfunction, cerebrovascular leakiness, and cerebrovascular coverage deficits in female mice that express APOE4 and overproduce Aβ, without affecting Aβ levels. These data raise the question of whether EGF protects the cerebrovasculature from general stress-induced damage. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine whether EGF prevents Aβ-independent cerebrovascular dysfunction. In eight-month old mice that express human APOE, the interaction of APOE4 and female sex induced cognitive dysfunction, increased cerebrovascular leakiness and lowered vessel coverage. Importantly, in a prevention paradigm (from six to eight and a half months of age), EGF ameliorated cognitive decline and cerebrovascular deficits in female mice that express APOE4. Thus, developing treatment strategies based on EGF signaling could provide alternative therapeutic options for age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction and reduce AD risk.

Perinatal Administration of Caffeine in Mice Affects the Spatial Memory and Motor Coordination Later in Adult Life

Data emerging that maternal consumption of moderate amount of caffeine will affect the development of the fetus and later the cognitive function of the brain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine administration in pregnant mice on the learning and memory and motor coordination of offspring's at one and a half months of age. Two groups of animals were assigned, in which pregnant mice were given caffeine mixed with water (60 mg/kg/day) during their entire pregnancy and postnatally till weaning and a second group of pregnant mice which were given drinking water without caffeine.

Allergie sévère aux protéines de lait de vache : intérêt d’une immunothérapie sublinguale complétée par la voie orale. À propos d’un cas

An 18-month-old girl presented with a history of persistent cow's milk allergy following a severe anaphylactic reaction at two and a half months of age. She was found to be significantly sensitized to α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, casein and bovine serum albumin. Sublingual immunotherapy for 3 months followed by oral immunotherapy over a period of three years resulted in a reduction of specific IgE from greater than 100kU/L to 20kU/L, a significant increase in specific IgG4 and full tolerance to 90mL of milk as well as to various other dairy products. The authors emphasize the effectiveness of a short course of sublingual immunotherapy followed by a longer course of oral immunotherapy in such cases.

Biliary Atresia and Cytomegalovirus and Response to Valganciclovir

Biliary atresia has been commonly reported with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV positive patients may present with a later onset however long term outcome is similar to non-CMV patients. There are very few case reports of role of antivirals in CMV and biliary atresia. We treated a 2 month old girl with biliary atresia who underwent portoduodenostomy at 2 and half months of age but continued to have jaundice (bilirubin = 23.6 mg/dl) even after 1 month of Kasai's surgery and subsequently was treated with valganciclovir for 6 weeks following which her jaundice resolved.

Infantile midaortic syndrome with aortic occlusion

Mid aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare condition often presenting with severe hypertension. It is characterized by narrowing of the abdominal aorta. We here describe a case of complete occlusion of the abdominal aorta presenting in infancy. This child presented at four months of age with heart failure and hypertension. CT angiogram showed total narrowing of the abdominal aorta. This was initially felt to be too severe for surgical treatment and he was planned for palliative care. We were however able to improve his blood pressure with antihypertensive agents and he underwent succesful angioplasty at five and a half months of age. He has required three further angioplasty procedures and still needs two antihypertensive agents to control his blood pressure. His renal function remains normal and at age six years he has excellent quality of life with normal growth and development. This case illustrates that the combination of medical treatment and angioplasty can give an excellent long-term treatment response even in children with extremely severe MAS. This boy now has normal blood pressure and has experienced normal growth, development and quality of life.

Identification of First Case of Neonatal Diabetes in Singapore and Successful Conversion from Insulin to Sulphonylurea

Introduction: To date Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) has not been reported in Singapore. Neonatal diabetes is a rare (1 in 100,00–300,000 live births) insulin-requiring form of diabetes with well defined subgroups, permanent neonatal diabetes (PND) and transient neonatal diabetes (TND), each accounting for approximately 50% of patients. Genotyping NDM identifies the exact unique molecular aetiology of very early onset insulin requiring diabetes and has the potential to dramatically alter the management of the patient, who would otherwise be insulin dependent for life. Method: We identified a child who presented at 3 and half months of age with diabetic ketoacidosis and determined the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Blood samples for molecular genetic analysis were sent to Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust, UK. We determined her Continuous Glucose Monitoring profiles after initiation of sulphonylurea therapy. Results: The patient was diagnosed as a heterozygous for a missense mutation R201H, in the KCNJ11 gene. Results confirmed a diagnosis of permanent neonatal diabetes due to a mutation in the Kir6.2 subunit of the KATP channel. We initiated sulphonylurea therapy and subsequently ceased insulin treatment successfully. Currently 2 years old, this patient is no longer insulin dependent. Conclusion: This is the first case report of neonatal diabetes in Singapore. It describes the importance of correct identification of the case, and successful conversion of therapy from insulin to sulphonylureas with optimal blood glucose control. We emphasise the need for medical practitioners to consider molecular testing for all patients who present with diabetes below 6 months of age as this will facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Fludrocortisone in the Management of an Infant with a Single Ventricle and an Overly Tightened Pulmonary Artery Band

We describe a 2-month-old female infant with a univentricular heart and overly tightened pulmonary artery band (PAB) resulting in hypercyanotic episodes. Despite adequate doses of morphine and a beta-blocker, she continued to have multiple hypercyanotic events per day. Treatment with fludrocortisone resulted in resolution of these episodes and allowed performance of a Glenn shunt at 3 half months of age. We conclude that fludrocortisone may be beneficial in the management of an overly tightened PAB until the patient is suitable for surgical intervention.

Development of infant baboons' responses to graded bark variants.

We studied the development of infant baboons' (Papio cynocephalus ursinus) responses to conspecific 'barks' in a free-ranging population in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. These barks grade from tonal, harmonically rich calls into calls with a more noisy, harsh structure. Typically, tonal variants are given when the signaller is at risk of losing contact with the group or a particular individual ('contact barks'), whereas harsh variants are given in response to predators ('alarm barks'). We conducted focal observations and playback experiments in which we presented variants of barks recorded from resident adult females. By six months of age, infants reliably discriminated between typical alarm and contact barks and they responded more strongly to intermediate alarm calls than to typical contact barks. Infants of six months and older also recognized their mothers by voice. The ability to discriminate between different call variants developed with increasing age. At two and a half months of age, infants failed to respond at all, whereas at four months they responded irrespective of the call type that was presented. At six months, infants showed adult-like responses by responding strongly to alarm barks but ignoring contact barks. We concluded that infants gradually learn to attach the appropriate meaning to alarm and contact barks.

A descriptive study of rumen digestion in meroxenic lambs according to the nature and complexity of the microflora.

We studied in meroxenic lambs, i.e. in lambs with a simplified digestive microflora, the effect of the microflora on the quantities of solid feed intake and on the main digestive parameters in the rumen. Axenic lambs were inoculated with a more or less complex flora, obtained by diluting (10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-8) a pool of rumen fluid taken either from young conventional lambs before weaning from adult sheep (Pool A) or from meroxenic lambs (Pool B). A few of these lambs then were inoculated with a genus of protozoa (Entodinium sp. or Polyplastron multivesiculatum). The results show that the main digestive parameters depended on the nature of the inocula which the lambs had received. Food consumption and volatile fatty acid concentration of the rumen fluid, low in lambs inoculated with the 10(-8) dilution, were higher in lambs inoculated with a more complex microflora (10(-6) and 10(-7) dilutions). The VFA concentration measured in these lambs however was approximately two times lower than that observed in conventional animals at the same age and fed the same feed. Food intake and the development of the fermentation pattern were favoured by an early inoculation of the animals. The complexity of the microflora appears to have influenced the composition of the VFA mixture. The latter was found to consist mainly of acetic acid in lambs inoculated with the 10(-8) dilution. In lambs which received the 10(-6) dilution, the composition of the VFA mixture was similar to that observed in conventional lambs. In all animals, except in lambs 10(-8), the ammonia nitrogen concentration of the rumen fluid was found to be higher during the first month after birth (between 100 and 200 mg/l). A subsequent decrease in ammonia nitrogen concentration was observed at two and a half months of age (20 to 40 mg/l). The establishment of protozoa ciliates in the rumen of these lambs was followed by an increase in butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen concentration.

Bovine babesiosis: sterile immunity to Babesia bigemina and Babesia argentina infections.

KilledBabesia bigemina andBabesia argentina vaccine was prepared from the infected erythrocytes and from the infected plasma (AG-S) collected from acutely infected calves withbigemina andargentina. The vaccine was tested in Colombian cattle under field conditions in the Cauca Valley. A total of 40 calves two and one half months of age received killed-Babesia vaccine, and 5 calves were not vaccinated; they served as controls. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated control calves were exposed to field-borne challenge withBoophilus microplus infected ticks. On the basis of the data obtained in these experiments, it was found that a high degree of sterile immunity toBabesia bigemina andBabesia argentina can be produced in calves injected with killed-Babesia vaccine. It appears that sterile immunity plays an important role in the mechanism of acquired immunity to babesiosis other than the well-known co-infectious immunity known as premunition.