Infants In Early Neonatal Period Research Articles

Absolute Neutropenia and Infection Development in Premature Infants in Early Neonatal Period: Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Premature infants have high risk of developing of neutropenia and infections in the early neonatal period. The correlation of these events requires further studies.Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of absolute neutropenia and infectious complications cases in premature infants in the early neonatal period with estimation of phenotypical and functional features of cord blood neutrophils.Methods. The study included premature infants (gestational age 25–36 weeks) with APGAR score < 8 on the 1st and 5th minutes of life. The frequency of absolute neutropenia (at least once < 1.5109/l) and infectious complications (localized infections of bacterial etiology, early neonatal sepsis) cases in the first 14 day of life was analysed. Additionally, we have determined the expression of CD64, CD16, CD32 by cord blood neutrophils in premature (n = 102) and mature infants (n = 30) via method of flow cytofluorometry. We have used FITC labeled Escherichia coli to estimate their phagocytic activity, and stimulation of E. coli neutrophils in the presence of 5 mM of dihydrorhodamine 123 to estimate their stimulation index (ratio of mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of activated neutrophils in stimulated samples and in negative controls, E. coli free samples).Results. The episodes of absolute neutropenia in the first 14 days of life were recorded in 17 cases, infectious complications — in 87 children (in 24 cases — sepsis) in the group of premature infants. The frequency of infectious complications in premature children did not correlate with the frequency of absolute neutropenia episodes. Cord blood neutrophils in premature infants had higher CD64 expression and, on the contrary, lower CD16 expression, as well as low phagocytic activity and stimulation index value (in all cases p < 0.001).Conclusion. Absolute neutropenia in premature infants in early neonatal period does not correlate with high risk of bacterial infections. However, cord blood neutrophils in premature infants had lower functional activity.

Effect of simultaneous administration of oral polio vaccine on local reaction of BCG vaccine in term infants.

To study local reaction and to ascertain timing of scar formation in infants after BCG vaccination at birth, with and without simultaneous administration of trivalent OPV. Prospective observational study. Teaching hospital in Lucknow, India. 152 term neonates born in the hospital and given BCG and OPV 0-dose simultaneously before discharge, within 7 days of birth (Group I) , and 122 infants born at home or in private health facility, not given OPV-0 dose, coming for vaccination within 7 days of age (Group 2). Follow up done at 6 week, 10 week, 14 week and 9 months. Local reaction was recorded at the site of BCG vaccination. Scar formed in ≤14 wks in 51.3% and 89.3% babies in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively following BCG vaccination (P<0.001). At 9 months, scar developed in 93.9% infants in Group I and 94.3% babies in Group II. Abortive reaction and non-reactors were similar in both groups (P>0.05). Simultaneous administration of BCG vaccine with trivalent OPV to term infants in early neonatal period prolongs the time of scar formation but sequence of local reaction is not affected.

Is there a relationship between early postnatal neutropenia and the development of chronic lung disease in preterm infants? 1688

Some studies suggest that neutrophils may contribute to the pathogenesis of lung injury in premature infants in early neonatal period, but their potential role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease remains to be determined.