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Necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) is the most significant gastrointestinal emergency in neonates, particularly affecting those who are premature. Neonatal appendicitis is highly uncommon in term infants and its diagnosis is typically incidental. The clinical presentation of newborn appendicitis is nonspecific and usually mimics that of NEC. Pneumatosis intestinalis is a finding that is extremely specific to NEC; it is very surprising to observe this finding in a patient with acute appendicitis. A 2730-g male infant was born at 39 weeks gestation to a 33-year-old mother. 30 minutes after delivery, the patient exhibited grunting and respiratory distress and was subsequently admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. On the 7th day, the patient developed nutrition intolerance. The feeding was discontinued and the nasogastric catheter was switched to free drainage. Abdominal examination and laboratory parameters were not significant, but direct abdominal radiographs showed findings suggesting pneumatosis intestinalis. NEC was considered and the antibiotics were revised accordingly. The department of pediatric surgery was consulted as the patient's abdominal examination and radiographs showed abnormalities suggestive of advanced NEC. The patient was taken into operation, gangrenous appendicitis was detected and an appendectomy was performed. When considering the differential diagnosis of NEC in neonatal patients, especially in term infants, clinicians should be mindful of acute appendicitis. In this study, we present a case of neonatal appendicitis, which is relatively common in pediatric cases but uncommon in the neonatal period, presenting as atypical NEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common congenital anomalies. It is known that early detection of the critical lesions without symtomatic improves the prognosis of patients in the long term. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and cost of pulse oximetry screening for detection of CHD in Konya region. Material and Methods: In our study, we analyzed the results of pulse oximetry screening of infants born between 2016 and 2018 in Selcuk University and Saglik Bilimleri University Konya Training and Research Hospital. Positive screening test results and their costs was evaluated. Results: Pulse oximetry was performed on a total of 3440 infants for screening congenital heart disease at two different centers. 2003 (58.2%) of the cases were female and 1437 (41.8%) were male. The mean timing of screening was 24.7±13.1 (4-100) hours (mean ± SD (min-max). 292 (8.48%) infants were tested positive. Echocardiographic examination was performed in the positive cases. The prevalence of CHD was found to be 27.6 ‰. The prevalence of critical CHD was 1.16 per 1000 live births. The false-positive screen rate was found to be 197 (5.7%). Among the cases who were screened, the most common CHD was the secundum ASD. The total cost of probes was 2622 ₺ ($497.91). The cost of echocardiography for 292 babies was approximately 13181 ₺ ($2503). Conclusion: Screening for heart disease can be used effectively in the early diagnosis of serious and life-threatening diseases in newborn and the cost is unneglectable in the early screening of patients. This study, the total cost of each infant screening is approximately 4.5 ₺ ($0.85) which appears to be a quite cheap and effective screening compared to the other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review accompanied congenital anomalies to gastrointestinal pathologies. Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit with gastrointestinal system surgical pathologies during 2015-2018 were retrospectively evaluated for associated congenital anomalies. Results: 67 patients were identified during the study period. The most common gastrointestinal system pathology was anal atresia in 15 cases (22.4%), followed by diaphragmatic hernia in 14 cases (20.9%), esophageal atresia (n:10) and ileal atresia (n:10) (14.9%). Thirty two patients (48.8%) have had accompanied congenital anomalies to gastrointestinal system pathologies. Congenital heart disease was the most common anomaly and the most frequent one was atrial septal defect in 18 cases (26.8%). In addition, there was complex congenital heart disease in (n:13) 19.4%. In 12 patients (17.9%), accompanied extracardiac anomalies were detected. Hydronephrosis and sludge in gall bladder were detected in three patients (4.5%). Vesicoureteral reflux or ectopic kidney or polysplenia was detected as a separate anomaly in each case. In our cases, prematurity rate was found in 54%. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal system pathologies are frequently associated with multiple anomalies, especially with congenital heart diseases. In addition, these patients are likely to be preterm baby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]