Newborn Urine Research Articles

Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and growth parameters.

It has long been known that airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can negatively affect pregnancy and birth outcomes, such as birth weight, fetal development, and placental growth factors. However, similar studies yield divergent results. Our goal was to estimate the amount of monohydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) metabolites in the urine of pregnant women/mothers and their newborns in relation to birth outcomes, such as placenta weight, Apgar 5', and the growth parameters of children up to the age of two. Two cohorts of children born in 2013 and 2014 during the summer and winter seasons in the Czech Republic in the cities Karviná (N = 144) and České Budějovice (N = 198), which differ significantly in the level of air pollution, were studied. PAH exposure was assessed by the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in the air and the concentration of 11 OH-PAH metabolites in the urine of newborns and mothers. Growth parameters and birth outcomes were obtained from medical questionnaires after birth and from pediatric questionnaires during the following 24 months of the child's life. Concentrations of B[a]P were significantly higher in Karviná (p < 0.001). OH-PAH metabolites were significantly higher in the mothers' as well as in the newborns' urine in Karviná and during the winter season. Neonatal length was shorter in newborns in Karviná (p < 0.001), but this difference evened out during the next 3 to 24 months. Compared to České Budějovice, newborns in Karviná showed significantly lower weight gain between birth and three months after delivery. The OH-PAH metabolites in mothers' or newborns' urine did not affect birth weight. The presence of seven OH-PAH (top 25% of values of concentrations higher than the median) metabolites in the newborns' urine is associated with decreased length of newborn. Nine OH-PAH metabolites decreased placenta weight, which was the most significant, while seven OH-PAH metabolites decreased Apgar 5'. We have shown a possible connection between higher concentration of OH-PAH metabolites in newborns' urine and decreased length, head circumference, placenta weight, and Apgar 5', but not birth weight.

Evaluating the Pharmacokinetics of Fentanyl in the Brain Extracellular Fluid, Saliva, Urine, and Plasma of Newborns from Transplacental Exposure from Parturient Mothers Dosed with Epidural Fentanyl Utilizing PBPK Modeling.

Fentanyl can mitigate the mother and newborn complications resulting from labor pain. However, fentanyl shows a narrow therapeutic index between its respiratory depressive and analgesic effects. Thus, prenatally acquired high fentanyl levels in the newborn brain extracellular fluid (bECF) may induce respiratory depression which requires therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). TDM using saliva and urine in newborns can reduce the possibility of infections and distress associated with TDM using blood. The objective of this study was to develop aphysiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelto predict fentanyl concentrations in different newborn tissues due to intrauterine exposure. A fentanyl PBPK model in adults after intravenous and epidural administration was built, validated, and scaled to pregnancy and newborn populations. The dose that the newborn received transplacentally at birth was calculated using the pregnancy model. Then, the newborn bECF, saliva, plasma, and urine concentrations after such a dose were predicted using the newborn PBPK model. After a maternal epidural dose of fentanyl245 µg, the predicted newborn plasma and bECF levels were below the toxicity thresholds. Furthermore, the salivary threshold levels in newborns for fentanyl analgesic and respiratory depression effects were estimated to be 0.39 and 14.7-18.2 ng/ml, respectively. The salivary TDM of fentanyl in newborns can be useful in newborns exposed to intrauterine exposure from parturient females dosed with epidural fentanyl. However, newborn-specific values of µ-opioid receptors IC50 for respiratory depression are needed.

Cytokine diagnostics in the prognosis of critical conditions in newborns born to mothers infected with COVID-19

The article is devoted to the development of a cytokine diagnostic method for predicting the development of critical conditions in newborns born to mothers with COVID-19, which is of great importance for health authorities when organizing specialized neonatology and pediatric services. Objective: to develop a method of noninvasive cytokine diagnostics for predicting the development of critical conditions in newborns born from a mother with COVID-19. The proposed method allows early diagnosis and prevention of the development of critical conditions in newborns, which is of great practical importance. The control of urine cytokines in dynamics determines the prognosis of the development of critical conditions, both in the early and late period of adaptation of newborns. As a marker of the inflammatory process and a key cytokine of bone resorption, IL-17A plays a complex role in the adaptation process of newborns born from a mother with COVID-19. Newborns born from a mother with COVID-19 have an increase in IFNγ and IFNα in the blood on the first day of life against the background of an increase in IL-17A by 1.48 times, which shows the risk of developing both infection and osteogenesis disorders. Activation of interferon status by the 7th day of life in newborns was established against the background of an increase in the key cytokine of bone resorption (IL-17A). A decrease in the urine of molecular markers of vascular endothelial damage – MSR-1 by 4.25 times was found in newborn children born from a mother infected with COVID-19. A decrease in VEGF in the urine of newborns was found, both with COVID-19 infection in the mother and in its absence. Non-invasive urine cytokine diagnostics allows achieving economic efficiency by reducing hospital beds, as well as medical efficiency due to minimal traumatization of newborns.

Multicenter Evaluation of the DiaSorin Molecular Simplexa Congenital CMV Direct PCR Test on Neonatal Saliva and Urine Specimens.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common virus associated with congenital infection worldwide and is a major cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and developmental delay. Up to 90% of infants with congenital CMV (cCMV) infection are asymptomatic at birth, making the diagnosis challenging. Postnatal diagnosis involves testing newborn saliva and/or urine collected before 21 days of life to confirm cCMV infection. This multicenter study evaluated the performance of the Simplexa Congenital CMV Direct real-time PCR assay for the qualitative detection of CMV in newborn saliva (n = 2,023) and urine (n = 1,797) specimens. Compared to two PCR/bidirectional sequencing assays, the Simplexa Congenital CMV Direct assay demonstrated positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) of 98.6% and 99.9%, respectively, for saliva samples and a PPA of 97.8% and an NPA of 99.9% for urine specimens. Overall concordance was κ = 0.98 or near perfect compared to the composite reference methods with both sample types. By 95% probit analysis, the limit of detection (LoD) using the AD-169 reference strain was 350 ± 12 copies/mL in urine. The LoDs of saliva swabs in either 1 mL or 3 mL of transport medium were 274 ± 12 copies/mL and 300 ± 14 copies/mL, respectively. The Simplexa Congenital CMV Direct assay can be applied to both saliva and urine specimens collected from newborns less than 21 days of age to rapidly and reliably identify CMV infection.

Revision of Cytomegalovirus Immunoglobulin M Antibody Titer Cutoff in a Maternal Antibody Screening Program in Japan: A Cohort Comparison Involving a Total of 32,000 Pregnant Women.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with congenital infections. We aimed to validate the revised CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) M titer cutoff for IgG avidity measurements as a reflex test in maternal screening to identify women with primary CMV infection and newborn congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). We screened maternal CMV antibodies (the Denka assay) in Japan, from 2017 to 2019, using a revised IgM cutoff (≥4.00 index). Participants were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies, and for IgG avidity if IgM levels exceeded the cutoff. We compared these with corresponding results from 2013 to 2017 based on the original cutoff (≥1.21) and recalculated using the revised cutoff. Newborn urine CMV DNA tests were performed for women with low avidity (≤35.0%). Among 12,832 women screened in 2017-2019, 127 (1.0%) had IgM above the revised cutoff. Thirty-five exhibited low avidity, and seven infants developed cCMV. Of 19,435 women screened in 2013-2017, 184 (1.0%) had IgM above the revised cutoff, 67 had low avidity, and 1 had cCMV. The 2017-2019 results were not significantly different from the 2013-2017 results. The revised IgM cutoff improves maternal screening in identifying primary infection and newborn cCMV; however, further study related to other assays than Denka is required.

A Simultaneous Determination of Benzophenone and Camphor UV-Filters, Together with Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, in Human Urine

By monitoring biomarkers in urine, personal exposure to selected chemical substances can be assessed. In this paper, we describe the monitoring of 7 benzophenone and 2 camphor UV-filters and 11 metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in 454 urine samples collected from mothers and new-borns from an industrial (Karvina) and reference area (Ceske Budejovice) over winter and summer seasons. The analytical method consisted of enzymatic hydrolysis, liquid–liquid extraction (ethyl acetate), purification by dispersive solid-phase extraction (Z-Sep sorbent) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Benzophenone-1 (BP-1), naphthalen-2-ol (2-OH-NAP), fluoren-2-ol (2-OH-FLUO) and phenanthren-2-ol (2-OH-PHEN) were determined in all urine samples analysed. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and 2-OH-NAP were found at the highest concentrations (medians of 5.95- and 5.77-µg/g creatinine). Analytes 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor (3-MBC), 3-benzylidenecamphor (3-BC), chrysen-6-ol (6-OH-CHRY) and benzo(a)pyrene-3-ol (3-OH-BaP) were not detected in any urine sample. Median concentrations of UV-filters and OH-PAHs were compared across regions in the Czech Republic and between mothers and their new-borns from different countries. The median concentrations of UV-filters measured in urine samples from new-borns in our study were similar to samples collected from Brazilian children and the concentrations of these compounds in mothers’ samples were comparable with the concentrations in Danish mothers. In the case of OH-PAHs, the median concentrations of these substances measured in urine samples from Czech new-borns were comparable to median concentrations of these compounds measured in new-born urine from our previous study, and the concentrations in urine collected from Czech mothers were comparable to those reported in Spanish women.

PECULIARITIES OF CHRONIC PAIN AND PAIN-RELATED STRESS MARKERS IN PRETERM INFANTS

Preterm infants are a special cohort of newborns that require long-term treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). NICU stay, accompanied by numerous excessive stimuli, painful procedures, and separation from parents leads to a high risk of chronic pain and stress.The aim of research was to study the level of chronic pain and pain-related stress markers in preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks, and their associations with various factors.Materials and methods. The study involved 104 preterm infants with gestational age (GA) less than 34 weeks who were treated in the NICU. The level of chronic pain and pain-related stress markers (dopamine, β-endorphin, serotonin) in urine samples was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using kits for the quantitative determination of dopamine (Dopamine Elisa kit, Elabscience, Wuhan, China), β-endorphin (β-endorphin Elisa kit, Elabscience, Wuhan, China), serotonin (Serotonin Elisa kit, Elabscience, Wuhan, China). Samples were analyzed in duplicate, and assays were performed using provided controls according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Ethics approval was obtained from the appropriate local ethics committee and research was conducted under the World Medical Association’s Helsinki Declaration. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants who took part in the study.All computations were performed using StatSoft STATISTICA Version 13 (Tulsa, OK). Quantitative data are presented as the median and interquartile range (IQR; 25th to 75th percentiles). For qualitative parameters, absolute and relative frequencies are presented. The Mann-Whitney U-test (for two independent groups) and Kruskal-Wallis test (for three groups) were used to compare numerical data. Significance was assumed at p&lt;0.05. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.The study is a part of the scientific research: Implementation of the neuro-developmental care elements for preterm infants and their follow-up observation (0120U104281, 01.01.2020-12.31.2022).Research results and their discussion. Dopamine level in the urine of preterm infants was 132.20 [104.80; 183.70] pg/ml. It was significantly higher in children who underwent mechanical ventilation compared to non-ventilated neonates (164.60 [110.00; 253.70] pg/mL vs. 123.20 [98.65; 158.70] pg /ml), p=0.030, and was associated with the severity of respiratory disorders (H=5.84; p=0.049). Dopamine level was significantly lower in twins compared to singleton infants (113.70 [78.75; 164.70] vs. 145.10 [111.80; 208.50], p=0.017.β-endorphin level in the urine of preterm newborns was 29.87 [20.61; 46.94] pg/ml. It was significantly higher in twins compared to singletons (38.30 21.97; 59.61] vs. 27.80 [19.66; 39.16], p=0.046). β-endorphin level was significantly lower in children with neonatal seizures (p=0.039).Serotonin level in the urine of preterm infants was 23.49 [16.13; 32.19] pg/ml. It was significantly higher in neonates born by caesarean section compared to those born naturally (25.62 [18.87; 38.53] ng/ml vs. 17.41 [13.36; 27.89] ng/ml, p=0.017), and it was higher in twins compared to singletons (27.19 [18.87; 41.75] ng/ml vs. 21.98 [14.41; 29.70] ng/ml), however, with no statistical significance (р=0.073).The study revealed the positive correlation between serotonin and β-endorphin levels (r=0.68; p&lt;0.001) in infants who required mechanical ventilation and in newborns with neonatal seizures (r=0.59; p&lt;0.001). Positive correlation between β-endorphin and serotonin levels in twins also was found (r=0.72, p&lt;0.001).Conclusion. This prospective cohort study showed that severe respiratory disorders in preterm infants were associated with decreased dopamine level, while serotonin and β-endorphin levels were correlated in this case. Neonatal seizures were associated with decreased β-endorphin level, while a positive correlation was found between β-endorphin and serotonin levels. Dopamine levels were significantly lower and β-endorphin levels significantly higher in twins compared to singleton preterm neonates. Serotonin level was significantly higher in neonates born by caesarean section. Gestational age, birth weight, gender, early-onset sepsis, and intraventricular hemorrhage were not associated with increased or decreased levels of pain and pain-related stress markers in preterm infants.

Comparison of urine bisphenol A levels in transient tachypnea of the newborn and healthy newborns.

To investigate the relationship between neonatal urine bisphenol A (BPA) levels and the prevalence and prognosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). This prospective study was conducted between January and April 2020 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital. The study group consisted of patients diagnosed with TTN and the control group was made up of healthy neonates housed together with their mothers. Urine samples were collected from the neonates within the first 6 hours postnatally. Urine BPA levels and urine BPA/creatinine levels were statistically higher in the TTN group (P < 0.005). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the cut-off value of urine BPA for TTN to be 1.18 µg/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.667-0.889, sensitivity: 78.1%, and specificity: 51.5%) and the cut-off value of urine BPA/creatinine to be 2.65 µg/g (95% CI: 0.727-0.930, sensitivity: 84.4%, and specificity: 66.7%). Furthermore, the ROC analysis indicated that the cut-off value of BPA for neonates requiring invasive respiratory support was 15.64 µg/L (95% CI: 0.568-1.000, sensitivity: 83.3%, and specificity: 96.2%) and the cut-off value for BPA/creatinine was 19.10 µg/g (95% CI: 0.777-1.000, sensitivity: 83.3%, and specificity: 84.6%) among the TTN patients. BPA and BPA/creatinine values were higher in the urine of newborns diagnosed with TTN which is a fairly common cause of NICU hospitalization, in samples collected within the first 6 hours after birth, which may be a reflection of intrauterine factors.

Novel cord blood and urinary phytoestrogens levels in male neonates with normal external genitalia

Objective: This was a new prospective study to determine the association between phytoestrogen levels in the cord blood and urine with normal and abnormal external genitalia in male newborns. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-one term male newborns were enrolled. Cord blood and urine and medical photos of their external genitalia were obtained. Prematurity and multiple congenital anomalies or syndromic characteristics were excluded. Serum and urine levels of phytoestrogens (daidzein and genistein) were calculated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The normality of the appearance of the external genitalia of the males was determined by a consensus review by experts. Results: A total of 146 cord blood and 96 newborn urine samples were obtained; only two newborns had abnormal external genitalia. In the 144 babies with normal external genitalia, mean levels were determined to be as follows; serum daidzein 10.82 ng/ml, serum genistein 42.17 ng/ml, urine daidzein 69.91 ng/ml, and urine genistein 126.09 ng/ml. In the two babies with abnormal external genitalia, mean levels of each of the measured phytoestrogen were lower; however, there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: We successfully determined and developed a novel database on the levels of measurable phytoestrogens in serum and urine from male newborns with normal external genitalia. In the normal group, a higher concentration of serum and urinary phytoestrogens was correlated with the extension of the scrotal pigmentation above and proximal to the base of the penis. These data are useful to better understand the role of phytoestrogens in the development of male genitalia and for future research on newborns with abnormal external genitalia.

Early detection of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in neonates with prenatal diagnosis of renal pelvis dilatation using 1H NMR urinary metabolomics

Renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) is diagnosed in utero on prenatal ultrasonography (US) and can resolve spontaneously. However, isolated RPD can also reflect ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), which requires surgical treatment to prevent progressive renal deterioration. The diagnosis of UPJO can only be confirmed after birth with repeat US and renal isotope studies. 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was performed on urine of newborns with prenatally diagnosed unilateral RPD and healthy controls to identify specific urinary biomarkers for UPJO. The original combination of EigenMS normalization and sparse partial-least-squares discriminant analysis improved selectivity and sensitivity. In total, 140 urine samples from newborns were processed and 100 metabolites were identified. Correlation network identified discriminant metabolites in lower concentrations in UPJO patients. Two main metabolic pathways appeared to be impaired in patients with UPJO i.e. amino acid and betaine metabolism. In this prospective study, metabolic profiling of urine samples by NMR clearly distinguishes patients who required surgery for UPJO from patients with transient dilatations and controls. This study will pave the way for the use of metabolomics for the diagnosis of prenatal hydronephrosis in clinical routine.

A Metabolomic Profiling of Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction in Placenta and Cord Blood Points to an Impairment of Lipid and Energetic Metabolism.

(1) Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) involves metabolic changes that may be responsible for an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Several metabolomic profiles have been reported in maternal blood and urine, amniotic fluid, cord blood and newborn urine, but the placenta has been poorly studied so far. (2) Methods: To decipher the origin of this metabolic reprogramming, we conducted a targeted metabolomics study replicated in two cohorts of placenta and one cohort of cord blood by measuring 188 metabolites by mass spectrometry. (3) Results: OPLS-DA multivariate analyses enabled clear discriminations between IUGR and controls, with good predictive capabilities and low overfitting in the two placental cohorts and in cord blood. A signature of 25 discriminating metabolites shared by both placental cohorts was identified. This signature points to sharp impairment of lipid and mitochondrial metabolism with an increased reliance on the creatine-phosphocreatine system by IUGR placentas. Increased placental insulin resistance and significant alteration of fatty acids oxidation, together with relatively higher phospholipase activity in IUGR placentas, were also highlighted. (4) Conclusions: Our results show a deep lipid and energetic remodeling in IUGR placentas that may have a lasting effect on the fetal metabolism.

Case report: Newborn screening and intermediate maple syrup urine disease in siblings

Case report: Newborn screening and intermediate maple syrup urine disease in siblings

Colostrum Use and the Immune System of Premature Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Human colostrum has been used in a number of investigations when preterm human infants cannot, for any reason, breastfeed directly from their mothers. One of the growing fields in these investigations is colostrum therapy, which consists of exposing the oropharyngeal mucosa of these preterm newborns to small amounts of raw colostrum. To critically review the scientific evidence about colostrum therapy in premature infants and to explore its influences on the immune system. This systematic review was performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA statement). The following databases were searched for potentially eligible studies up to March 10, 2021: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase. Two reviewers independently screened all titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. A total of 12 studies with 996 participants were included. A significant difference in lactoferrin levels in the urine was found (SMD 0.70; 95% CI [0.03,1.36]; p = .04; I² = 65% two studies, 112 participants, very low-quality evidence). Colostrum seems to result in increasing lactoferrin levels in the urine of premature newborns after 1 week of intervention. The study was registered at PROSPERO with the number CRD42017073624, submitted on August 9, 2017.

POS-025 EVALUATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN E1 INFUSION EFFECTS ON URINARY CALCIUM EXCRETION IN NEONATE WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Congenital heart disease, related to the patent ductus arteriosus is one of the most important life-threating condition in human life. Administration of prostaglandin E1 to keep open the ductus arteriosus and fetal survival before corrective surgery is necessary. Despite the life-giving role of prostaglandin E1, numerous and dangerous side effects are considered; including the theories discussed, is effect of prostaglandin E1 on creation of hypercalciuria. This study is aimed to assess the effect of intravenous administration of prostaglandin E1 on calcium excretion in the urine of newborns with congenital heart disease.

Determination of 3-monoiodotyrosine and 3,5-diiodotyrosine in newborn urine and dried urine spots by isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry.

High levels of 3-mono- and 3,5-diiodotyrosine (MIT and DIT, respectively) in urine have been related to iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1 deficiency, a type of congenital hypothyroidism. However, the determination of MIT and DIT in urine is not included in newborn screening programs performed in clinical laboratories to detect inborn errors of metabolism. We report here on the development of an analytical method for the determination of MIT and DIT in newborn urine and dried urine spots (DUS) by Liquid Chromatography Isotope Dilution tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-IDMSMS). The development included the synthesis of 15N-monoiodotyrosine and 13C2-diiodotyrosine through the iodination of 15N-tyrosine and 13C2-tyrosine, respectively, using bis(pyridine)iodonium(I) tetrafluoroborate (IPy2BF4). Both labelled analogues were added at the beginning of the sample preparation procedure and used to develop both single- and double-spike LC-IDMS methods for the determination of MIT and DIT. The developed double spike methodology was able to quantify and correct possible MIT ↔ DIT interconversions throughout the sample preparation, which was observed for concentrated urine samples but not for DUS. Suppression matrix effects on the absolute signals of MIT and DIT were observed in urine samples but did not affect the IDMS results as recoveries on urine samples at different dilution factors could be considered quantitative. Method detection limits were 0.018 and 0.046 ng g-1 (limits of quantification 0.06 and 0.15 ng g-1) by single-spike IDMS, for MIT and DIT, respectively, in the analysis of urine samples and 0.07 and 0.05 ng g-1 (limits of quantification 0.23 and 0.17 ng g-1) for MIT and DIT, respectively, in the analysis of DUS. No significant differences were obtained for MIT concentrations in the analysis of the same newborn samples stored as liquid urine or DUS when the results were corrected for the creatinine content. Finally, 36 DUS samples from healthy newborns were analyzed and MIT was detected in all samples at low ng mg-1creatinine levels.

Smartphone-based fluorescence detection of bilirubin using yellow emissive carbon dots.

Development of highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probes for biomolecule detection has significant implications in clinical diagnosis and bioanalysis. In this study, yellow emissive carbon dots (Y-CDs, λex 430 nm, λem 550 nm) are synthesized utilizing a one-pot solvothermal approach with o-phenylenediamine (oPDA) as a precursor. The fluorescence of Y-CDs was quenched with the addition of bilirubin due to the inner filter effect mechanism. The fluorescence intensity of Y-CDs decreases as bilirubin concentration increases and can be completely quenched with approximately 90 μM bilirubin. Over other coexisting interferents (26 interferents), the Y-CD probe exhibited great selectivity for bilirubin. More crucially, a smartphone can capture the visible color intensity change of the Y-CD probe under a 365 nm UV lamp and later with the aid of computer software, RGB (red/green/blue) analysis was performed for the quantification of colors. This provides computer vision-based detection and sensitive bilirubin assay with a linear range of 4.0-225 μM and a limit of detection of 1.37 μM. Furthermore, the proposed fluorescent probe was applied in real samples (newborn serum, serum and urine of adults with hyperbilirubinemia) with satisfactory recoveries (96-102%). Based on the validation findings, solution and computer vision-based methods have the potential to be used as fast detection methods for bilirubin in biological samples at the bedside. For the first time, a fluorescent probe based on yellow emissive CDs and RGB analysis for bilirubin recognition has been reported.

Инфекции мочевых путей у новорожденных детей: микробный пейзаж и проблемы антибиотикорезистентности

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in children, which in 30% of cases may be the first manifestation of the presence of congenital malformations of the urinary tract and urodynamic disorders in a child. Late diagnosis, initiation of therapy, and the choice of an inadequate antimicrobial drug increase the risks of disease progression, development of nephrosclerosis and patient disability. Purpose – to study the microbial landscape in urinary tract infections, its antibiotic resistance in newborns with anomalies in the development of the urinary system. Materials and methods. The results of microbiological examination of urine in newborns with urinary tract infections against the background of anomalies in the development of the urinary tract, which are being treated in intensive care units and neonatal pathology in the period 2016–2020, have been analyzed. Results. The main causative agents of urinary tract infections in newborns with anomalies of the urinary system are Enterobacterales (63.4%), 13.8% are producers of extended spectrum beta-lactamases. Cefoperazone/sulbactam, amikacin, meropenem and nitrofurantoin were most active against Escherichia coli. In relation to other representatives of the order Enterobacterales, only amikacin was highly active. The strains of Enterococcus spp., Detected in 20%, were resistant to reserve vancomycin in every fourth case. Representatives of non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria were found in 6.4% of cases, resistance to the main titrated antibiotics ranged from 44.4% to 100%. Conclusions. The main causative agents of urinary tract infections in newborns with anomalies of the urinary system are representatives of the order Enterobacterales, Enterococcus spp. and non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria, which were characterized by high resistance, including to reserve antibiotics. The high indices of resistance of the isolated microflora make it difficult to choose an effective antibacterial therapy in this category of patients and in most cases requires combined antibiotic therapy. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of all participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: Urinary tract infection, newborn babies, urinary tract abnormalities, antibiotic resistance.

Elimination of human cytomegalovirus DNA degradation in urine

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMVi) is an important cause of sensorineural hearing loss in newborns. Detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine has been used to screen for cCMVi in newborns. However, the matrix effect of urine on HCMV DNA detection is unclear. To evaluate the matrix effect of urine on HCMV DNA detection and optimize the sample process strategy to eliminate or minimize the impact of urine on HCMV DNA detection, DNA in spiked samples was extracted using different DNA extraction methods, and urine samples that could inhibit HCMV DNA detection were mixed to evaluate the inhibitory substances, inhibitory mechanism, and elimination of the inhibitory effect. The optimal urine sample process strategy was evaluated using 42 adult female urine samples and 42 newborn urine samples spiked with HCMV. Some urine samples were found to inhibit HCMV DNA detection due to DNA degradation. The addition of ≥5 mM EDTA to the urine before extraction eliminated the inhibitory effect of urine and did not affect the detection results of urine exhibiting no inhibition. Of the 42 adult female and 42 newborn urine samples, four and two samples, respectively, could inhibit HCMV DNA detection. However, the inhibitory effects of these six urine samples were eliminated after the addition of EDTA. The collective results indicate that the addition of EDTA can completely eliminate the impact of inhibitors present in urine on HCMV DNA extraction and improve the detection of HCMV in urine.

Bisphenol A and S in the Urine of Newborns: Plastic for Non-Food Use Still without Rules.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of bisphenol (BP) exposure on pregnancy and neonatal life. We have (a) determined BP (BPA and BPS) concentration levels in a group of newborns and their mothers; (b) identified factors, habits, and devices possibly responsible for BP uptake; and (c) determined the effect of BP exposure. No significant correlations were detected between maternal and neonatal BP concentration levels. In newborns, positive correlations between pacifier use and BPS total (p = 0.04) and free BPS (p = 0.03) concentrations were detected. A significant correlation was also found between oral glucose administration and concentration levels of free BPA (p < 0.05). Our study points to a central role of lifestyle, hospital procedures, and neonatal devices in inducing BP exposure, especially during the perinatal period. This is the first report of BP contamination in newborns due to widely non-alimentary products designed for newborn care, such as glucose-solution containers for BPA and pacifiers for BPS. Further studies are advocated in order to clarify both the impact of other BP forms on human health and development, as well as potential BPA exposure sources during neonatal and childhood life.

Clinical and ultrasound features associated with congenital cytomegalovirus infection as potential predictors for targeted newborn screening in high-risk pregnancies

This prospective cohort study aimed to determine clinical factors associated with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnancy. Newborns born at a perinatal medical center received PCR analyses for CMV-DNA in their urine with informed consent. Clinical data, including age, maternal fever or flu-like symptoms, complications, ultrasound fetal abnormality, gestational weeks at delivery, and birth weight, were collected. Logistic regression analyses determined clinical findings associated with congenital CMV infection (cCMV). cCMV was diagnosed in 32 of 4380 pregnancies. Univariate and multivariable analyses revealed that age < 25 years old (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.6; p < 0.05), the presence of maternal fever or flu-like symptoms (5.4, 2.6–11.2; p < 0.01), ultrasound fetal abnormalities (12.7, 5.8–27.7; p < 0.01), and preterm delivery at less than 34 gestational weeks (2.6, 1.1–6.0; p < 0.05) were independent clinical findings associated with cCMV. A combination of maternal fever/flu-like symptoms, ultrasound fetal abnormalities, or preterm delivery at less than 34 gestational weeks as optimal predictive factors showed 90.6% sensitivity, 66.4% specificity, and a maximum Youden index of 0.57. CMV-DNA tests in the urine of newborns born to mothers with these clinical manifestations may be an effective method in detecting cCMV as a targeted screening with a high sensitivity.