Over the years, the impact of music on the prenatal and neonatal stages of human life has gained significant scientific attention. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric review of research investigating how music influences fetal and newborn development. Using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a search of relevant studies published in English between January 2006 and July 2025 was conducted, whose basic criterion was the use of the following keywords: “music” and “fetus” or “fetal”. Additional terms such as “fetus development”, “fetus heart rate”, “fetus movement”, “mother–fetus relationship”, “newborn”, etc., were also utilized. In result, 75 publications were selected, and their bibliographic data and full sources were retrieved. The included studies were grouped according to two perspectives that consider the impact of music (1) on the development of the fetus and the newborn, and (2) on maternal health and mother–fetus bonding. Using VOSviewer, bibliometric mapping was performed, which allowed to obtain keyword co-occurrence network and co-authorship network. The chosen literature was then quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The analysis revealed a sharp upward trend in publications starting in 2015, with a temporary decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest number of publications were from Iran. The most investigated topics were related to the fetus heart and maternal health. The most common publication type and research methodology were, respectively, article and experiment. While the key authors Lordier, L., Filippa, M., Grandjean, D., and Monaci, M.G. lead the field, the co-authorship network remains fragmented into isolated and relatively small research groups. The Journal of Maternal–Fetal and Neonatal Medicine emerged as the leading publication outlet, while the study by Graven et al. entitled “Auditory Development in the Fetus and Infant” remains the most cited work. The keyword co-occurrence network allowed the identification of three main thematic clusters indicating the physiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of the impact of music on fetal and neonatal development. A qualitative analysis revealed that music plays a vital role in early human development and maternal well-being, demonstrating positive effects of auditory stimuli on fetal and newborn physiology, as well as on the mother–fetus relationship, while being a non-invasive and non-pharmacological method of intervention. However, the lack of a fully connected global research community and standardized protocols for, e.g., choosing the musical repertoire, sound administration, and the duration of exposure suggests the need for increased international collaboration to further integrate music therapy into standard clinical practices for prenatal and neonatal care.

The Human Intolerome: a curated database to prioritize genomic variants in stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and neonatal death.

Neonatal medicine is a highly specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on the medical care of newborn infants, particularly those born prematurely or suffering from serious health complications requiring advanced medical intervention. This field is primarily concerned with supporting infants during the early and most critical stage of life, a period of heightened vulnerability. Neonatologists, who are pediatricians with advanced training in newborn care, lead this field and work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). These units are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technologies to continuously monitor, diagnose, and treat infants with complex medical needs. Key aspects of newborn care include respiratory management, nutritional support, and treatment of congenital abnormalities, infection prevention, and providing psychological and emotional support to families. Continuous advancements in neonatal medicine have significantly improved survival rates and long-term health outcomes for critically ill and premature newborns. As a result, neonatal medicine plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal early life health, even in challenging medical circumstances. Research in this field is paramount, as it contributes to a deeper understanding of neonatal disorders, the development of improved diagnostic techniques, and the refinement of treatment protocols. Such research supports evidence-based practices, reduces mortality rates, enhances the quality of care, and helps to lower overall healthcare costs.

Maternal immunity is modulated during pregnancy at the placental interface to prevent alloreactivity with the developing fetus. Importantly, however, maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) freely crosses the placenta, and the presence of pre-existing alloreactive antibodies can lead to injury of fetal tissues and/or cells. Because maternal IgG continues to circulate up to 6 months after birth, these antibodies can also continue to affect the newborn, causing a variety of disease conditions including haemolytic disease of the newborn, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, neonatal lupus, neonatal Graves' disease, gestational alloimmune liver disease and others. Ig therapy, most typically in the form of intravenous Ig, is indicated in these disorders, as pooled IgG molecules can interfere with the circulating maternal IgG, lessening the interactions with the fetal or neonatal binding targets. Ig is an increasingly used therapy in this population; however, most fetal and neonatal providers do not receive comprehensive training in its development or use. Here, we review the formulation, mechanisms of action, therapeutic indications and administration of intravenous Ig in the context of fetal and neonatal medicine.

Neonatal sepsis continues to pose rising critical challenges to global health, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where it accounts for a substantial proportion of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in neonatal sepsis has significantly weakened the efficacy of conventional antibiotics, necessitating urgent exploration of alternative antimicrobial therapies for better clinical outcomes. Emerging research interest is growing to develop the microbial-derived peptides as novel antimicrobial agents, particularly "bacteriocins." In comparison to traditional antibiotics, many bacteriocins exhibit narrow-spectrum action, enabling them to inhibit specific pathogens without disrupting the host microbiota. Recent studies have highlighted the remarkable potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived bacteriocins in combating MDR pathogens responsible for neonatal sepsis. In this review, we compile current literature on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of LAB-derived bacteriocins, molecular diversity, mechanisms of action and clinical potential. Special attention is given to bacteriocins produced by LAB associated with the milk-derived microbiota, whose natural protective functions could be particularly beneficial for immunocompromised newborns. Additionally, we discuss the physicochemical properties of microbial peptides, including thermal stability, enzymatic resistance, and pH tolerance, which support their suitability for pharmaceutical applications. Overall, LAB-derived bacteriocins represent a novel, biocompatible, and complementary antimicrobial strategy integrated with conventional antibiotics to fight against MDR in neonatal sepsis. Further research and multicentric clinical trials are necessary to fully explore its compliance and efficacy as a future antimicrobial agent in neonatal medicine to underscore their potential as adjunct or preventive biotherapeutics in NICU settings.

Quality Assessment of Cochrane and Non-Cochrane Systematic Reviews in Neonatal Medicine: A Meta-Analysis.

Sex-based differences in neonatal outcomes have been consistently reported in neonatal literature, with male infants demonstrating higher morbidity and mortality than females at comparable gestational ages. Delayed pulmonary maturation, increased vulnerability to hypoxic–ischemic brain injury, altered immune responses, and higher susceptibility to sepsis contribute to this well-recognized “male disadvantage.” Despite these established biological differences, neonatal intensive care unit practices remain largely sex-neutral. Clinical guidelines, risk prediction tools, and management algorithms rarely incorporate sex as a biologically meaningful variable, resulting in a disconnect between neonatal pathophysiology and bedside care. Treating sex solely as a demographic characteristic rather than a determinant of vulnerability may lead to under-recognition of risk, particularly among male preterm infants. Bridging this gap by integrating sex-aware risk assessment into neonatal care represents a translational opportunity rather than a conceptual innovation. Incorporation of sex-specific considerations into research design, guideline development, and clinical decision-making may support more individualized neonatal care and improve outcomes without increasing resource burden.

This paper focuses on a central paradox in the childrearing advice of American pediatrician and beloved "baby doctor" Benjamin Spock: his seemingly permissive approach to control, fostered through a new psychology, in fact represented a new mode of control. The study explores this paradox by closely examining how Spock developed his ideas on parental self-control. By shifting the foundation of self-control, his advice supported the emergence of a new form of authority-strengthened by more internalized and elaborate guidelines. Challenging the widespread belief that Spock's methods were simply looser or more lenient, this study traces the transformation of his childrearing ideas from authoritative and visible forms of control to subtle and internal ones in the mid-twentieth-century United States. Spock's influential The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care revolutionized twentieth-century parenting by emphasizing parents' confidence in their own judgment and the critical role of emotional maturity in childrearing. Rather than advocating rigid rules or permissiveness, Spock focused on how parents could cultivate self-control and emotional regulation to promote healthier parent-child relationships. A core tenet of his philosophy was distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable aspects of parenting, which helped alleviate feelings of helplessness and inadequacy among parents. By fostering mothers' self-awareness and encouraging recognition of their individual limits, Spock provided a framework that enhanced emotional comfort and a sense of control during childcare-benefiting both parents and their children alike. Spock's psychoanalytic interests deeply influenced his focus on parental emotional control, particularly the mother's crucial role in fostering a child's emotional growth and self-confidence. He maintained that a mother's unconditional love and consistent presence were indispensable, warning parents against showing dissatisfaction with their child's flaws, as such expressions could undermine the child's self-esteem. Parents were encouraged to regulate negative emotions-such as disappointment and frustration-especially in challenging contexts like feeding difficulties or toilet training, where parental negativity might provoke defiance or resistance. For Spock, emotional maturity, characterized by patience and measured reactions, was essential for effective discipline and for mitigating undesirable behaviors in children. Spock's broader influence challenged prevailing mid-twentieth-century norms that often prioritized strict discipline and emotional restraint. He promoted a flexible, affectionate approach that recognized children as individuals with unique needs and personalities. This philosophy invited parents to trust their instincts while balancing emotional regulation, enabling them to respond sensitively and effectively to their children. Spock's work fostered a cultural shift toward more humane and psychologically informed parenting, shaping generations of families with its blend of psychoanalytic insight and practical advice.

The Article Abstract is not available.

Healthy parent-infant interaction is crucial for the growth and development of the infant. Specifically, parental holding has substantial health benefits for both the infant and parent. Exploration of practices for parental holding related to common care, equipment, and procedures in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A survey was developed and distributed through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Neonatal Perinatal Medicine (SoNPM) to physicians and advanced practice providers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Peripherally inserted central catheters and conventional ventilators had the highest reports of allowing parental holding (86% and 41% reporting "always," respectively) and no reports of "never." Parental holding was infrequently permitted during therapeutic hypothermia, with chest tubes in place and receiving high-frequency ventilation (43%, 25%, and 20% reporting "never," respectively). In the free-text responses, a variety of factors were identified as barriers to parental holding, including equipment limitations, infant clinical instability, and unit culture and staffing. Despite the known benefits of parental holding, wide variability in NICU holding practices exists. Importantly, no medical intervention in this study was unanimously associated with restricting parental holding, suggesting that safe and feasible approaches to holding exist across clinical contexts. This highlights the critical need to document and disseminate these practices to inform and advance standards of care. The development of national standardized holding guidelines is a viable pathway forward to eliminate variability in individual perceived safety barriers and provide a pathway to improving family-centered care in the NICU.

The neonatal microbiome constitutes a dynamic and rapidly evolving ecosystem that exerts profound effects on immune, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental processes during early life. This review synthesizes current evidence on the establishment, maturation, and functional roles of the neonatal microbiome, emphasizing the differences between preterm and term infants and their implications for neonatal diseases. Microbial colonization commences at birth and is shaped predominantly by maternal transmission, mode of delivery, feeding practices, and antibiotic exposure. The early assembly of oral and gut microbiota provides the foundation for immune education, intestinal barrier integrity, and metabolic homeostasis; however, disruptions during this critical developmental window are associated with adverse outcomes. Preterm infants exhibit delayed and dysbiotic microbial development, characterized by reduced diversity, enrichment of Proteobacteria, and depletion of short-chain fatty acid-producing taxa. These alterations are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and neurodevelopmental impairment, predominantly through mechanisms involving exaggerated lipopolysaccharide—Toll-like receptor 4—nuclear factor kappa B signaling, impaired barrier function, and metabolic deficiencies. Advances in germ-free and gnotobiotic models, combined with multi-omics approaches, have elucidated key host–microbe interactions and mechanistic pathways underpinning neonatal health. However, major challenges persist in establishing causality, standardizing analytical methods, and translating mechanistic findings into effective clinical interventions. Understanding the neonatal microbiome as a central regulator of early-life programming holds promise for the development of microbiome-targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies in neonatal and pediatric medicine.

"My First Days Booklet": a tool to support parental presence in neonatal medicine

Introduction: Radiographs are diagnostic tools used in neonatal medicine for diagnosis, reducing harm from vascular devices, and monitoring endotracheal tube placement. The lack of neonatal exposure guidelines and the repetition of radiographs due to poor quality have cumulative effects of radiation overexposure. This project aimed to improve the radiographic quality of films by 15% by using a standardized checklist before radiographic exposure, thus reducing repeat exposures. Methods: Radiographs were classified into 3 groups. The All-X-Ray Group consisted of all abdominal, baby gram, and chest films. Two subgroups included films with an indwelling device (peripherally inserted central catheter or an endotracheal tube). Data were compared from a Baseline Period through an Intervention Period and a Sustain Period (June–July 2022). Three sequential interventions were implemented: the implementation of a standardized safety check, increased unit presence, and hands-on simulation training. The primary outcome was a high-quality diagnostic film that met 4 predefined criteria. Measures were assessed using statistical process control methods through a time-series design to identify changes over time. Results: The quality of films in the All-X-Ray Group improved by 46% (19%–65%), whereas the quality of films in the peripherally inserted central catheter and endotracheal tube subgroups improved by 79% (2%–81%) and 73% (1%–74%), respectively. Conclusions: Standardization of the radiograph process led to improved quality of neonatal films in this unit. Consistent hands-on training enabled sustainable impact. Empowering bedside staff resulted in a positive culture change. A standard pre-x-ray checklist improved the diagnostic quality of films in a neonatal unit when combined with increased provider presence during the x-ray procedure and staff education.

Pregnancy is associated with a metabolic burden on women,along with weight gain and insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy and can be defined asa state of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition duringpregnancy. This study presents a bibliometric and visual analysis of GDMresearch over the past 24 years. To present a bibliometric and visual analysis of GDM research overthe past 24 years and provide new insights for the future development andresearch direction of GDM. We retrieved and collected the research literature about GDM inthe past 24 years from Web of Science, and analyzed and visualized theresearch literature from multiple aspects using CiteSpace and VOS viewer. An analysis of 27660 articles in the field of GDM revealed asignificant upward trend in the number of publications over the past 24 years,with authors primarily from the USA and China. Peter Damm and Boyd EMetzger were identified as the most prolific and highly cited authors,respectively. The journal with the highest number of publications was TheJournal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. In addition, keywordco-occurrence analysis indicated that research on GDM mainly focused onrisk factors of the disease, clinical diagnosis, and management. The keywordburst analysis of cited references indicated that gut microbiome associationwith GDM is a hot topic in recent years and requires further long-termplanning. For the first time, this study conducted a multi-indexbibliometric analysis of articles in the field of global GDM in the past 24years. The USA and China are in a leading position in this field. Thedevelopment of GDM research has transitioned from basic risk factors andclinical classification management to more complex intervention andmechanism studies. The association research between gut microbiome andGDM may be a hot topic in the future. This study is the first to analyze theglobal field of GDM from multiple indicators by bibliometrics, thus providingnew insights into the research hotspots and development trends in the fieldof GDM. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-025-01752-z.

Introduction to Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia issue.

Neonatal Neurocritical Care (NNCC) is transforming neonatal medicine through a brain-centered approach that reflects the complexity and rapid progression of early neurodevelopment. NNCC provides a comprehensive care model built on a foundation of real-time neuromonitoring, advanced neuroimaging, and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver timely neurological support for newborns at risk of injury. This framework has evolved to bridge the full arc of early brain development, linking fetal evaluation, neonatal management, and post-discharge follow-up into a cohesive continuum. Recent technological advances in bedside monitoring, functional neuroimaging, machine learning, and rapid genomics are shifting NNCC toward a more proactive and personalized model of care. Emerging therapies are also expanding the clinical reach of NNCC, opening new frontiers for early intervention and neurorepair. As the field continues to advance, the central goal of NNCC remains to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes while ensuring widespread access to high-quality, family-centered neurological care. This review outlines the evolving landscape of NNCC and highlights its essential role in guiding brain-focused care from the earliest stages of development through childhood and beyond.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a radiation-free, noninvasive method to measure the regional behavior of the lung which may be particularly suited to neonatal medicine. It is used more and more commonly in neonatology, particularly in the research setting. In order to harmonize efforts in terms of scientific and clinical use of this novel technology, we summarize the current knowledge on EIT use in both term and preterm infants and delineate potential future perspectives in this state-of-the-art article. We describe the current use in research and practice in neonatal medicine, including the following areas: (1) the cardiopulmonary transition immediately after birth, (2) changes in airway management including the use of different interfaces, endotracheal intubation, extubation to non-invasive respiratory support and (endotracheal) suctioning, (3) surfactant administration, (4) different body positions, (5) different modes of invasive and non-invasive respiratory support, (6) evaluation of acute pulmonary pathologies, (7) the predictive value of using EIT in neonatology, and (8) the assessment of pulmonary perfusion. In summary, EIT is a very valuable research tool in neonatal medicine where it allows us to understand physiological principles and pathogenesis of disease more deeply. It may also be useful for selected clinical situations in neonatology including major acute lung pathologies, as it allows accurate and non-invasive assessment of intrapulmonary volume changes in neonates. However, there are still some barriers to widespread implementation into clinical practice.

Background & AimsThe devastation caused by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has continued to claim the lives of infants despite advances in neonatal medicine. To address the acute, and often severe, intestinal epithelial damage caused by NEC, therapeutics that directly target epithelial recovery and cellular regeneration processes are needed.MethodsWe investigated the capacity of a decellularized human placental extract (HPE) to prevent and enhance recovery from NEC-like injury using in vitro and in vivo models. Healing responses in primary neonatal porcine ileal epithelial cells were analyzed following hypoxia or scratch-wound injury and HPE application.ResultsIn vitro, HPE treatment accelerated scratch closure and increased proliferating cell number though did not enhance tight junction recovery following hypoxia. In vivo, NEC was induced in neonatal piglets through a combination of preterm delivery and formula feeding. Treated piglets received enteral HPE, while control animals had nothing by mouth prior to formula initiation. In piglets, HPE treatment increased weight gain, decreased macroscopic and histological damage, and increased ileal crypt epithelial cell proliferation. After observation of similar effects using in vitro and in vivo platforms, transcriptomic analysis of monolayer cultures treated with HPE was undertaken. Increased expression of pathways associated with epithelial wound healing, proliferation, and migration were identified, with key shared genes between those pathways.ConclusionsIn sum, these findings suggest that HPE can enhance the reparative capacity of neonatal epithelium in the context of NEC.

Probiotic supplementation in preterm infants is one of the most extensively studied interventions in neonatal medicine, with over 50 randomised controlled trials. This paper examines the relationship between probiotic supplementation and late onset sepsis (LOS), considering mechanistic pathways, clinical evidence, and safety profile. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently show that probiotics reduce necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) incidence and all-cause mortality in preterm infants, establishing them as one of the most beneficial interventions in neonatology. Current evidence suggests modest effects on LOS, with Cochrane systematic reviews reporting relative risk 0.89 (95% CI 0.82-0.97) but with low certainty. Mechanisms supporting LOS reduction include competitive pathogen exclusion, enhanced epithelial barrier function, improved immune responses, and reduced time to full enteral feeding with decreased intravenous access requirements. The safety profile of probiotics is reassuring, with serious adverse events being exceptionally rare. Probiotic-induced sepsis probably occurs in less than 0.5% of treated infants, representing a very low risk that must be weighed against the likely substantial benefits for NEC and mortality reduction. Product contamination and other quality issues exist but appear manageable with appropriate quality control. Given the robust evidence for NEC and mortality reduction, probiotics represent a valuable intervention for preterm infants but may have limited, if any impact on sepsis. While their specific role in LOS prevention and impacts on the resistome requires further investigation, the overall benefit-risk profile strongly favors their use. Future research will further refine understanding of optimal strain selection and implementation strategies for maximizing clinical benefits while maintaining safety.

"When I walk away and wonder, did I make the best decision?": A decisional needs assessment among providers involved in pediatric extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.