Newborn Research Articles

Gestational diabetes and other maternal and neonatal-associated conditions could improve after bariatric surgery.

Gestational diabetes and other maternal and neonatal-associated conditions could improve after bariatric surgery.

Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 18 to 22 Months Using the Numerical Sarnat Score Compared with Modified Sarnat Staging in Infants with Moderate to Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 18 to 22 Months Using the Numerical Sarnat Score Compared with Modified Sarnat Staging in Infants with Moderate to Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Comparison of video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for urgent intubation in newborn infants: A meta-analysis.

Comparison of video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for urgent intubation in newborn infants: A meta-analysis.

Effects of nestorone, a progesterone receptor agonist, on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and reproductive functions in male and female rats.

Effects of nestorone, a progesterone receptor agonist, on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and reproductive functions in male and female rats.

Drug repositioning: Identification of potent inhibitors of NS3 protease and NS5 RdRp for control of DENV infection.

Drug repositioning: Identification of potent inhibitors of NS3 protease and NS5 RdRp for control of DENV infection.

Barriers and enablers to postnatal care utilization in the Oshana region of Namibia: A qualitative study.

Postnatal care (PNC) service utilization remains low in Namibia, including in the Oshana region, with only 20 % of newborn babies accessing them within two days of delivery in 2021, which is much lower than the 69 % of mothers nationwide who utilized PNC services. As low PNC utilization is linked to high maternal and child morbidity and mortality, this study aimed to explore the barriers and enablers of PNC utilization among women in the Oshana region of Namibia. A descriptive qualitative design within an explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. 13 female participants were recruited from the Oshana region's public healthcare facilities through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed thematically. Six themes and 15 subthemes emerged from the barriers, while five themes and 11 subthemes emerged from the enabling factors. Themes related to barriers and enablers included personal, household, community, cultural, health system, and economic factors. A comprehensive approach is needed to improve PNC utilization. This includes enhancing PNC knowledge, increasing healthcare accessibility, addressing gender norms and cultural beliefs, and improving the quality of PNC services.

Heparin in peripherally inserted central catheters did not alter elective removal and complication rates in preterm infants.

Heparin in peripherally inserted central catheters did not alter elective removal and complication rates in preterm infants.

Infants admitted to Danish neonatal units demonstrate satisfactory growth independent of feeding type at discharge.

The aim was to investigate feeding type at discharge; exclusively breastfeeding (EBF), mixed breastfeeding (MBF), and formula milk feeding (FMF), factors associated with feeding type, and changes in weight-for-age z-score (ΔWAZ) in infants admitted to Danish neonatal units. Using data from the Danish National Quality Database for Births and the Danish Newborn Quality Database, we included 8639 mother-infant dyads admitted ≥5 days between February 2019 and December 2021. We used logistic regression to investigate associations between maternal and infant factors and feeding type, and descriptive statistics to describe ΔWAZ and feeding type at discharge. Of all infants 59.1% were EBF, 16.9% MBF and 24.0% FMF at discharge. Gestational age <37 weeks, caesarean section, multiple births, small for gestational age, weeks at hospital, ≥6 h before skin-to-skin contact, and few weeks at hospital were associated with failure to EBF at discharge. Median (min-max) ΔWAZ in EBF, MBF and FMF infants was -0.44 (-4.78 to 4.88), -0.43 (-3.47 to 4.42) and -0.39 (-3.54 to 4.03), respectively. ΔWAZ was higher in EBF compared to FMF infants, p-value 0.01, but no significant difference in ΔWAZ between MBF and FMF infants, p-value 0.06. Danish newborn infants demonstrated satisfactory growth during admission to the neonatal unit, independent of feeding type at discharge. Rates of exclusively breastfeeding need improvement.

Determinants of neonatal jaundice among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in hospitals of Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia

IntroductionNeonatal jaundice is the discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucosa resulting from an excessive accumulation of bilirubin within the tissue and plasma. Every year, around 1.1 million newborn babies worldwide experience severe hyperbilirubinemia and the majority reside in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Evidences on determinants of neonatal jaundice are limited in Ethiopia, particularly in our study area.ObjectiveTo identify the determinants of neonatal jaundice among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in hospitals of Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2022.MethodHospital-based unmatched retrospective case-control study was employed by reviewing one-year medical record of neonates from June 1, 2021 to May 30, 2022 in Gurage zone selected hospitals. The sample size was calculated by using Epi Info version 7 and study participants were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a data extraction format. The data was entered using Epi data version 3.2 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed at 95% confidence interval for the existence of the association. P-value < 0.05 was used to identify the level of statistical significance.ResultIn this study, 375 neonatal medical charts which includes 125 cases and 250 controls were input into the data analysis process. Neonatal sepsis (AOR: 2.38; with 95% CI: 1.35–4.17), cephalic hematoma (AOR: 4.92; with 95% CI: 2.61–9.26), polycythemia (AOR: 3.60; with 95% CI: 2.03–6.34), prematurity (AOR: 4.57; 95% CI: 2.45–8.49), birth asphyxia (AOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.27–4.02), and breastfeeding (AOR: 5.35; 95% CI: 1.90–15.0) were the determinants of NNJ.ConclusionThis study identifies preterm birth, newborn polycythemia, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, breastfeeding, and cephalic hematoma as significant determinant factors in neonatal jaundice.

New technologies for predicting intraventricular hemorrhages in very preterm newborns

Introduction. Intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) in extremely preterm newborns significantly affect the course of the early neonatal period and can significantly affect the outcomes of their care.Aim. Study is to develop new methods for predicting intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH) in very preterm newborns.Materials and methods. A total of 227 extremely preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks were examined: Group 1 consisted of 125 infants with IVH of varying severity, including subgroup 1a – 80 with IVH of grade I, 1b – 39 with IVH of grade II, 1c – 6 infants with IVH of grade III; Group 2 consisted of 102 extremely premature infants without IVH. The analysis of the health status of mothers of newborn children, the course of the current pregnancy and childbirth, the course of the early neonatal adaptation period was carried out; laboratory parameters were studied: neuromodulin (GAP-43), β-arrestin-2, platelet indexes in children depending on IVH. Risk factors were calculated using the “Open Epi” program.Results and discussion. Risk factors for the development of IVH include the absence or incomplete antenatal prevention of respiratory distress syndrome, severe asphyxia at birth, and invasive artificial ventilation. Factors that contribute to the prevention of IVH include placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth retardation syndrome. The significance of the concentration of GAP-43 and β-arrestin-2 in the blood serum of a newborn for the development of IVH was revealed, regardless of the degree of prematurity. The development of IVH in very preterm newborns is associated with high platelet granularity (p = 0.002) and low -thrombocrit (p = 0.004).Conclusion. The results of the study made it possible to develop new methods for predicting IVH in extremely preterm patients to enable a personalized approach to their management.

Mapping maternity care journeys: a qualitative comparison of patient experiences in private and government hospitals in India

Purpose This study aims to explore the challenges experienced by maternity patients in the selected private and government hospitals in India. Design/methodology/approach The study is cross-sectional and adopts a qualitative research design. The data collection technique uses in-depth interviews of 60 patients to create journey maps for patients visiting a private corporate hospital from Maharashtra and a government medical college in Kerala. Findings Persona 1 (working woman, less than 30 years, first-time delivery) and Persona 2 (housewife, more than 33 years of age and has delivered earlier) were the dominant personas in the private hospital. The pain points experienced included the unavailability of wheelchairs, high waiting time, delay in shifting from the labour room to wards, tasteless food, poor quality of clothing for newborn babies, final bills exceeding the estimated expenditures and limited avenues for registering complaints and grievances. In the government hospital, the dominant personas included Persona 1 (Young, first-time mothers) and Persona 2 (middle aged, with children). The pain points experienced included a lack of awareness about hospital services, dealing with extensive paperwork, the risk of losing medical records, uncomfortable seating arrangements and delays in accessing beds, difficulty in locating the hospital departments and lack of post-pregnancy counselling. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies comparing the journey of maternity patients in both government and private hospitals in India. The challenges experienced by maternity patients are significantly different in private and public hospitals. In both types of hospitals, first-time mothers face information-related challenges and second-time mothers are more accommodating.

Gestation, endowments, and knowledge flows around the time of venture creation

Abstract Recent developments in venture creation are discussed, moving from a standard model of venture creation as a one-off binary decision (enter or not) to viewing venture creation in terms of knowledge endowments that differ according to the gestation process. We draw on the analogy that healthy newborn babies lose weight in the first few days after birth to investigate how nascent ventures slowly build routines and capabilities while drawing down their initial resource endowments. We critically discuss various themes, such as the paradox of new ventures without DNA (i.e., routines), misunderstandings about lean startups, accelerating vs. delaying a startup, and the timing of birth.

New developments in antiretroviral therapy strategies to improve clinical management of neonates and young infants with HIV.

Clinical and virological outcomes in early-treated cohorts of children living with HIV have been sub-optimal. This is in part due to the demands on the caregiver of adhering to twice a day antiretroviral treatment (ART) for their newborn infants. Administering ART to neonates can be challenging and frequently requires separate drugs in liquid formulations and multiple dose adjustments. We reviewed literature from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2024 on infant outcomes, antiretroviral drugs, updated dosing recommendations, new formulations and potential strategies to enhance adherence when ART is started in the neonatal and young infant period. There are now pharmacokinetic (PK) data to inform the use of abacavir and lamivudine in liquid and solid formulations in the neonatal period and to support the use of lamivudine and nevirapine in preterm infants. A dosing strategy for dolutegravir in the first month of life has been informed by recent studies. Studies are ongoing with regards to dolutegravir in various formulations. Long-acting antiretroviral therapy and broadly neutralizing antibodies are currently being studied in neonates and young infants. Addressing maternal clinical and psychosocial health and is a key factor in ensuring infants achieve viral suppression and decreased morbidity.

When Jean Piaget met Susan and Nathan Isaacs.

A signature event in the intellectual life of Jean Piaget occurred when he met Susan and Nathan Isaacs. Although the Isaacs were supporters of much of Piaget's theoretical and empirical work, they also advanced substantial objections to his methodology, empirical results, and theoretical interpretations. Susan Isaacs' empirical observations provided much of the evidence in support of their different views of proper methodology, intellectual development, and pedagogical philosophy. In addition, Nathan Isaacs' theoretical and philosophical arguments were set against Piaget's arguments about cognitive development. This decade-long interaction influenced Piaget in a variety of ways, both theoretically and methodologically. Their critique of his clinical method encouraged him to focus more on studying the actions of children by nonverbal means, something Piaget had recently undertaken with his newborn infants. In addition, their conceptual and empirical objections were weighty enough for Piaget to write a major (largely unknown) explicit reply to them (here translated as an Appendix), something Piaget rarely did. I summarize this affair with the Isaacs, pointing out the important empirical, theoretical, and philosophical issues separating them, many of which are still at issue in psychology, education, and philosophy today. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Systemic heparin administration impairs lung development in neonatal mice

Preterm infants born in the saccular stage of lung development are at risk for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Oxygen toxicity and volutrauma are identified as major contributors of BPD. Despite mitigation of these risks preterm infants continue to be affected by chronic lung disease. Heparin is commonly administered to preterm infants and is known to interfere with angiogenesis, a critical element of lung development. We previously demonstrated, in a murine model, that compensatory lung growth after left pneumonectomy is inhibited by heparin administration. Based on these results, we hypothesized that heparin would interfere with lung development in neonatal mice, which are born during the saccular phase of lung development. Newborn C57BL/6J mice received either therapeutic unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or normal saline (control) for the first week of life. At one month, both UFH and LMWH produced an emphysematous lung phenotype. Late administration of heparin, after the saccular phase did not impact lung function or growth. This data establishes the negative effects of UFH and LMWH during the critical period of postnatal lung development. Based on this work, clinical studies on the impact of heparin on lung development of newborn and preterm infants are warranted.

Outcomes of Kangaroo Mother Care in Preterm and Low Birth Weight Newborn Babies.

The objective of this study was to determine the outcomes of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in preterm and low birth weight newborn babies. This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Paeds Medicine, People's University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah, Pakistan, from March to December 2022. A total of 106 neonates were included. KMC was initiated right after stabilising the baby. Outcome measures were length of hospital stay, mortality, and morbidities (hypothermia, hyperthermia, hypoglycaemia, and sepsis). The average weight at birth was 2041.53 ± 145.41 grams. The mean gestational age at birth was 37.42 ± 29.02 weeks. The mean KMC duration was 13.91 ± 1.37 hours. The mean hospital stay was 10.20 ± 2.3 days. Mortality was 4.7%. Hypothermia was found in 7 (6.6%) patients, hyperthermia was found in 12 (11.3%) patients, sepsis was found in 6 (5.7%) patients, and hypoglycaemia was found in 7 (6.6%) patients. The KMC method played an important role in reducing the duration of hospital stay and decreasing the mortality rate in infants with low birth weight. Key Words: Kangaroo mother care, Preterm birth, Low birth weight, Newborns.

Recurrent apnoea: a neurological manifestation of congenital dengue.

Congenital dengue is seen in endemic areas during monsoon seasons. The clinical manifestations can vary from an asymptomatic newborn to mild symptoms like fever and rash to severe manifestations like shock and bleeding. The neurological manifestations of congenital dengue are uncommon compared with older children. The described symptoms/complications in the literature include congenital birth defects such as microcephaly, encephalitis and intraventricular haemorrhage. Apnoea as a manifestation of dengue has not yet been described in the literature. Here, we discuss a newborn baby with congenital dengue who had recurrent apnoea with positive NS1 antigen in cerebrospinal fluid.

Experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in Latin America between 2016 and 2020.

Experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in Latin America between 2016 and 2020.

Plasma Cortisol Levels in Infants With Respiratory Distress During Different Phases of Neonatal Transport: A Pilot Prospective Observational Before-After Study.

Plasma Cortisol Levels in Infants With Respiratory Distress During Different Phases of Neonatal Transport: A Pilot Prospective Observational Before-After Study.

PHYTOTHERAPY USED IN AFRO-INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

Ethnobotany is the ethnographic study of plants and herbs passed down through the oral tradition of a particular ethnic group. The African Brazilian religion, Candomblé, keeps and transmits medicinal knowledge in its practices, such as the use of herbs and plants, which, in their biochemical context, are effective against various clinical pathologies. With the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, science is also expanding its research into new drugs and options for medicinal treatment, thus giving rise to herbal medicine. In addition to reducing economic costs, as it is an abundant raw material, i.e., widely present even in people's backyards, herbal medicine provides a variety of effective therapeutic options for treating pathologies. The aim of this study was to identify the medicinal herbal knowledge used in some African-Brazilian communities in João Pessoa-PB. Interviews were carried out, using a questionnaire, with babalorixás and yalorixás from the municipality. The information collected from the religious leaders revealed a wide range of knowledge, such as the use of O. basilicum (basil) to treat colic in newborn children, respiratory and stomach problems. The herbal knowledge of the African community's religious leaders is wide-ranging and applicable to the treatment of various pathologies. 100% of the priests claimed to have used herbs and plants to treat children of the house, and 80% of the priests to treat non-human animals. Some of the herbs and plants mentioned were: thorny pigweed, wild sage, skunkweed, American wormseed, Brazilian peppertree, cow-foot leaf, aloe vera, peppermint, myrrh, boldo, rosemary, and basil. The infectious diseases treated were gastrointestinal, pain, wounds, and even more complex infections such as pneumonia.