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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Late-onset sepsis frequently complicates prematurity, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Probiotics may reduce mortality and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants, with unclear effect on late-onset sepsis. This study aimed to determine the effect of administering a specific combination of probiotics to very preterm infants on culture-proven late-onset sepsis. METHODS: A prospective multicenter, double-blinded, placebo- controlled, randomized trial compared daily administration of a pro- biotic combination {Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis, containing 1 x 109 total organisms) with placebo (maltodextrin) in infants born before 32 completed weeks' gestation weighing <1500 g. The primary outcome was at least 1 episode of definite late-onset sepsis. RESULTS: Between October 2007 and November 2011,1099 very preterm infants from Australia and New Zealand were randomized. Rates of definite late-onset sepsis (16.2%), NEC of Bell stage 2 or more (4.4%), and mortality (5.1%) were low in controls, with high breast milk feeding rates (96.9%). No significant difference in definite late-onset sepsis or all-cause mortality was found, but this probiotic combination reduced NEC of Bell stage 2 or more (2.0% versus 4.4%; relative risk 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.93, P= .03; number needed to treat 43, 95% confidence interval 23 to 333). CONCLUSIONS: The probiotics B infantis, S thermophilus, and B lactis significantly reduced NEC of Bell stage 2 or more in very preterm infants, but not definite late-onset sepsis or mortality. Treatment with this combination of probiotics appears to be safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The maternal variables that affect fetal development and correlate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the most common gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants, are not well defined. We hypothesized that maternal risk factors were the primary determinant of future development of NEC. METHODS: Patients with NEC were identified from an established NICU database and were control-matched with 2 neonates treated at the same institution. The medical records of each patient during the NICU admission as well as the prenatal and delivery record of the patient's mother were reviewed. Perinatal data, including maternal smoking, maternal hypertension, maternal BMI, maternal gestational diabetes, conduct of labor and type of delivery, Apgar scores, types of feedings, and placental pathology, were examined, with P < .05 deemed significant. RESULTS: A total of 73 neonates diagnosed with NEC and 146 matched controls were identified. Medical records for each subject and their mothers were reviewed (438 records total). Maternal cigarette smoking was significantly associated with the future development of NEC (P = .02). Maternal gestational diabetes, maternal hypertension, formula feeding, and pathologic chorioamnionitis or uteroplacental insufficiency did not correlate with NEC. CONCLUSIONS: These data identified maternal cigarette smoking as the only risk factor that is associated with the development of NEC in premature infants. Our data imply that smoking delivers toxins and nicotine to the uterine microenvironment that can affect microvascular development and may predispose the fetus to future NEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To determine if infants with very low birth weight who receive packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions have increased odds of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), to determine the rate of NEC after PRBC transfusion, and to characterize the blood transfused preceding the onset of NEC. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort design was used. The study population included infants with a birth weight of <1500 g who were from a single center. NEC after transfusion was defined as NEC that occurred in the 48 hours after initiation of PRBC transfusion. Statistical analysis included unadjusted and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The study sample included 2311 infants. A total of 122 infants (5.3%) developed NEC, and 33 (27%) of 122 NEC cases occurred after transfusion. NEC occurred after 33 (1.4%) of 2315 total transfusions. Infants who received a transfusion had increased adjusted odds (odds ratio: 2.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.2-4.2]) of developing NEC compared with infants who did not receive a transfusion. PRBCs transfused before NEC were predominantly (83%) from male donors and were a median of 5 days old. CONCLUSIONS: In our study sample, PRBC transfusion was associated with increased odds of NEC. The rate of NEC after transfusion was 1.4%. From our data we could not determine if PRBC transfusions were part of the causal pathway for NEC or were indicative of other factors that may be causal for NEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defensins and related antimicrobial peptides serve a central role in innate immunity in all species of plants and animals. In humans, defensins are widely expressed, including in neutrophils, skin, and mucosal epithelia. Most defensins are potent antibiotics, and some have chemotactic and toxin-neutralizing activities. Results of recent studies on the homeostatic and disease-fighting activities of human defensins point to a key relevance in several pediatric disorders. Inherited variation in defensin gene expression may contribute to susceptibility to several diseases, including psoriasis and Crohn disease. We review here the recent discoveries in innate immunity that shed light on the potential roles of defensins, and other antimicrobial molecules, in the pathophysiology of common pediatric diseases such as atopic dermatitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, cystic fibrosis, and otitis media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Systematic reviews of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) indicate lower mortality and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and shorter time to full feeds after probiotic supplementation in preterm (<34 weeks' gestation) very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight <1500 ) neonates. The objective of this study was to update our 2007 systematic review of RCTs of probiotic supplementation for preventing NEC in preterm VLBW neonates. METHODS: We searched in March 2009 the Cochrane Central register; Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases; and proceedings of the Pediatric Academic Society meetings and gastroenterology conferences. Cochrane Neonatal Review Group search strategy was followed. Selection criteria were RCTs of any enteral probiotic supplementation that started within first 10 days and continued for ⩾7 days in preterm VLBW neonates and reported on stage 2 NEC or higher (Modified Bell Staging). RESULTS: A total of 11 (N = 2176), including 4 new (n = 783), trials were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis by using a fixed-effects model. The risk for NEC and death was significantly lower. Risk for sepsis did not differ significantly. No significant adverse effects were reported. Trial sequential analysis) showed 30% reduction in the incidence of NEC (α = .05 and .01; power: 80%). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the significant benefits of probiotic supplements in reducing death and disease in preterm neonates. The dramatic effect sizes, tight confidence intervals, extremely low P values, and overall evidence indicate that additional placebocontrolled trials are unnecessary if a suitable probiotic product is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to evaluate therapy for patent ductus arteriosus as a risk factor for death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18 to 22 months, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or necrotizing enterocolitis in extremely low birth weight infants. METHODS. We studied infants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Generic Data Base born between 2000 and 2004 at 23 to 28 weeks' gestation and at <1000-g birth weight with patent ductus arteriosus. Patent ductus arteriosus therapy was evaluated as a risk factor for outcomes in bivariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS. Treatment for subjects with patent ductus arteriosus (n = 2838) included 403 receiving supportive treatment only, 1525 treated with indomethacin only, 775 with indomethacin followed by secondary surgical closure, and 135 treated with primary surgery. Patients who received supportive therapy for patent ductus arteriosus did not differ from subjects treated with indomethacin only for any of the outcomes of interest. Compared with indomethacin treatment only, patients undergoing primary or secondary surgery were smaller and more premature. When compared with indomethacin alone, primary surgery was associated with increased adjusted odds for neurodevelopmental impairment and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in multivariable logistic regression. Secondary surgical closure was associated with increased odds for neurodevelopmental impairment and increased adjusted odds for bronchopulmonary dysplasia but decreased adjusted odds for death. Risk of necrotizing enterocolitis did not differ among treatments. Indomethacin prophylaxis did not significantly modify these results. CONCLUSIONS. Our results suggest that infants treated with primary or secondary surgery for patent ductus arteriosus may be at increased risk for poor short- and long-term outcomes compared with those treated with indomethacin. Prophylaxis with indomethacin in the first 24 hours of life did not modify the subsequent outcomes of patent ductus arteriosus therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES. Our objectives were to identify factors associated with the duration of the first antibiotic course initiated in the first 3 postnatal days and to assess associations between the duration of the initial antibiotic course and subsequent necrotizing enterocolitis or death in extremely low birth weight infants with sterile initial postnatal culture results. METHODS. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of extremely low birth weight infants admitted to tertiary centers in 1998-200 1. We defined initial empirical antibiotic treatment duration as continuous days of antibiotic therapy started in the first 3 postnatal days with sterile culture results. We used descriptive statistics to characterize center practice, bivariate analyses to identify factors associated with prolonged empirical antibiotic therapy (⩾5 days), and multivariate analyses to evaluate associations between therapy duration, prolonged empirical therapy, and subsequent necrotizing enterocolitis or death. RESULTS.Of 5693 extremely low birth weight infants admitted to 19 centers, 4039 (7 1%) survived >5 days, received initial empirical antibiotic treatment, and had sterile initial culture results through the first 3 postnatal days. The median therapy duration was 5 days (range: 1-36 days); 2147 infants (53%) received prolonged empirical therapy (center range: 27%-85%). Infants who received prolonged therapy were less mature, had lower Apgar scores, and were more likely to be black. In multivariate analyses adjusted for these factors and center, prolonged therapy was associated with increased odds of necrotizing enterocolitis or death and of death. Each empirical treatment day was associated with increased odds of death, necrotizing enterocolitis, and the composite measure of necrotizing enterocolitis or death. CONCLUSION. Prolonged initial empirical antibiotic therapy may be associated with increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis or death and should be used with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to investigate the efficacy of orally administered probiotics in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis for very low birth weight preterm infants. METHODS. A prospective, blinded, randomized, multicenter controlled trial was conducted at 7 NICUs in Taiwan, to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotics in necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight infants (birth weight: <1500 g). Very low birth weight infants who survived to start enteral feeding were eligible and were assigned randomly to 2 groups after parental informed consent was obtained. Infants in the study group were given Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, added to breast milk or mixed feeding (breast milk and formula), twice daily for 6 weeks. Infants in the control group were fed with breast milk or mixed feeding. The clinicians caring for the infants were blinded to the group assignment. The primary outcome measurement was death or necrotizing enterocolitis (Bell's stage ≥2). RESULTS. Four hundred thirty-four infants were enrolled, 217 in the study group and 217 in the control group. The incidence of death or necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ≥2) was significantly lower in the study group (4 of 217 infants vs 20 of 217 infants). The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ≥2) was lower in the study group, compared with the control group (4 of 217 infants vs 14 of 217 infants). No adverse effect, such as sepsis, flatulence, or diarrhea, was noted. CONCLUSION. Probiotics, in the form of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, fed enterally to very low birth weight preterm infants for 6 weeks reduced the incidence of death or necrotizing enterocolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on medical topics which include the assessment of the long-term safety of inhaled ciclesonide on growth in children with asthma, effect of a community trial to promote judicious antibiotic use in Massachusetts and the clinical characteristics of New York City children who received tympanostomy tubes in 2002.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to determine whether the reported association between neonatal morbidities and a patent ductus arteriosus is because of the left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus shunt itself, the therapies used to treat it, or the immaturity of the infants who are likely to develop a patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS. A total of 446 infants (<28 weeks' gestation) were treated with the same patent ductus arteriosus care-oriented protocol, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of several patent ductus arteriosus-related variables (presence of a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus, the number of indomethacin doses used, the ductus response to indomethacin, and the use of surgical ligation) on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, death, and neurodevelopmental impairment. RESULTS. Most of the predictive effects that the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus and its treatment had on neonatal morbidity could be accounted for by the infants' immature gestation. Use of surgical ligation, however, was significantly associated with the development of chronic lung disease and was independent of immature gestation, other patent ductus arteriosus-related variables, or other perinatal and neonatal risk factors known to be associated with chronic lung disease. CONCLUSIONS. These findings add to the growing uncertainty about the benefits and risks of surgical ligation during the neonatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. Diastolic runoff in the abdominal aorta, with subsequent circulatory mesenteric insufficiency, has been postulated as a cause of necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease. With this study we sought to determine whether Doppler-flow characteristics in the abdominal aorta can predict which infants are at specific risk, independent of gestational age and type of congenital heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We conducted a case-control study of term infants with congenital heart disease and proven necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 18) compared with gestational age-matched and diagnosis-matched control subjects (n = 20). Abdominal aortic Doppler velocities, time intervals, and reversals were analyzed. Groups were compared, and independent risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis were determined. RESULTS. The groups were similar with regard to weight, pulse pressure, use of prostaglandins or inotropes, presence of a patent ductus arteriosus, and systolic function. However, 47% of the case subjects with necrotizing enterocolitis had persistent retrograde diastolic flow in the abdominal aorta compared with 15% of the control subjects. When adjusting for multiple risk factors, persistent diastolic flow reversal remained the only factor significantly associated with necrotizing enterocolitis. CONCLUSION. Persistent diastolic flow reversal in the abdominal aortic Doppler profile is associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease irrespective of gestational age or anatomic type of congenital heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. Using the 125-day baboon model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia treated with prenatal steroid and exogenous surfactant, we hypothesized that a delay of extubation from low tidal volume positive pressure ventilation to nasal continuous positive airway pressure at 5 days (delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group) would not induce more lung injury when compared with baboons aggressively weaned to nasal continuous positive airway pressure at 24 hours (early nasal continuous positive airway pressure group), because both received positive pressure ventilation. METHODS AND RESULTS. After delivery by cesarean section at 125 days (term: 185 days), infants received 2 doses of Curosurf (Chiesi Farmaceutica S.p.A., Parma, Italy) and daily caffeine citrate. The delay in extubation to 5 days resulted in baboons in the delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group having a lower arterial to alveolar oxygen ratio, high Paco2, and worse respiratory function. The animals in the delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group exhibited a poor respiratory drive that contributed to more reintubations and time on mechanical ventilation. A few animals in both groups developed necrotizing enterocolitis and/or sepsis, but infectious pneumonias were not documented. Cellular bronchiolitis and peribronchiolar alveolar wall thickening were more frequently seen in the delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group. Bronchoalveolar lavage levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 α, and growth-regulated oncogene-α were significantly increased in the delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group. Standard and digital morphometric analyses showed no significant differences in internal surface area and nodal measurements between the groups. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule vascular staining was not significantly different between the 2 nasal continuous positive airway pressure groups. CONCLUSlONS. Volutrauma and/or low-grade colonization of airways secondary to increased reintubations and ventilation times are speculated to play causative roles in the delayed nasal continuous positive airway pressure group findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

0BJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to relate Doppler indices of splanchnic perfusion and vascular resistance to the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis. METHODS. We conducted a prospective cohort study with analysis of Doppler flow velocity waveforms of splanchnic vessels on the first day of life. Clinical management and diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis were performed blind to the Doppler results in a tertiary NICU on 64 eligible preterm neonates admitted for intensive care. We measured necrotizing enterocolitis using an objective diagnostic classification. RESULTS. When adjusted for gestational age at birth, the following indices of the Doppler flow velocity wave form in the superior mesenteric artery were significantly predictive of the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis: end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, and pulsatility index. The association between necrotizing enterocolitis and Doppler velocimetry indicative of high vascular resistance was independent of a range of other factors and comorbidities (race, mode of delivery, umbilical arterial catheter, growth restriction, patent ductus arteriosus, jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, and hypotension). C0NCLUSIONS. We concluded that neonates with high resistance patterns of blood flow velocity in the superior mesenteric artery on the first day of life are at increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND. Intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality in preterm newborns. OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to assess the familial and genetic susceptibility to intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS. Mixed-effects logistic-regression and latent variable probit model analysis were used to assess the contribution of several covariates in a multicenter retrospective study of 450 twin pairs born at ≤32 weeks of gestation. To determine the genetic contribution, concordance rates in a subset of 252 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs were compared. RESULTS. The study population had a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and birth weight of 1286 g. After controlling for effects of covariates, the twin data showed that 41.3%, 51.9%, and 65.2%, respectively, of the variances in liability for intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia could be accounted for by genetic and shared environmental factors. Among the 63 monozygotic twin pairs, the observed concordance for bronchopulmonary dysplasia was significantly higher than the expected concordance; 12 of 18 monozygotic twin pairs with ≥1 affected member had both members affected versus 3.69 expected. After controlling for covariates, genetic factors accounted for 53% of the variance in liability for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS. Twin analyses show that intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are familial in origin. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the significant genetic susceptibility for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents abstracts of studies about pediatrics. "Who Receives a Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hypersensitivity Disorders in the United States Elementary School Population?"; "Severe Pediatric Influenza in California, 2003-2005: Implications for Immunization Recommendations"; "Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Postnatal Hearing Loss"; "Fathers and the Well-Child Visit."

Objective. In this prospective, observational study, we determined whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) correlated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stages II and III. We hypothesized that serial CRP measurement if used as an adjunct to abdominal radiographs would improve the identification of infants with NEC. Methods. Serum CRP level was measured every 12 hours for 3 measurements and, when abnormal, once daily. When clinical signs persisted and the initial abdominal radiographs were abnormal, follow-up radiographs were obtained. Results. Of 241 infants who were evaluated for gastrointestinal signs, 11 had ileus or benign pneumatosis intestinalis with persistently normal CRP; gastrointestinal manifestations resolved within 48 hours, antibiotics were discontinued in <48 hours, and feedings were restarted early without complications. Fifty-five infants had NEC stages II and III; all had abnormal CRP regardless of their blood culture results. In infants with stage II NEC, CRP returned to normal at a mean of 9 days except in those who developed complications such as stricture or abscess formation. Conclusions. In infants with suspected NEC, normal serial CRP values would favor aborted antibiotic therapy and early resumption of feedings. CRP becomes abnormal in both stage II and stage III NEC. In infants with NEC, persistently elevated CRP after initiation of appropriate medical management suggests associated complications, which may require surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section presents abstracts of several articles about pediatrics. Late Neurologic and Cognitive Sequelae of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Infancy, Karen M. Barlow, Elaine Thomson, David Johnson and Robert A. Minns describes the long-term neurologic, behavioral and cognitive sequelae in infancy. Inflicted traumatic brain injury has a very poor prognosis and correlates with severity of injury. Extended follow-up is necessary so as not to underestimate problems such as specific learning difficulties and attentional and memory problems that may become apparent only once the child is in school. Ethnic Differences in Parent Preference to Be Present for Painful Medical Procedures, by Melissa Jones, Mohammed Qazi and Kelly D. Young examines ethnic differences between white, African American and Hispanic parents in their desire to remain present during their children's painful medical procedures. Association of Melanin Pigmentation in the Gingiva of Children With Parents Who Smoke, by Takashi Hanioka, Keiko Tanaka, Miki Ojima and Kazuo Yuuki establishes the association between gingival pigmentation and active smoking. This investigation is the first to address the relationship between gingival pigmentation in children and passive smoking.

Objectives. To investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for late-onset septicemia (LOS) in a national cohort of extremely premature infants who received very early full human milk feeding. Methods. A prospective study of all infants born in Norway in 1999 and 2000 with gestational age of <28 weeks or birth weight of <1000 g was performed. Extensive clinical information, including data on feeding practices and episodes of septicemia, was collected on predefined forms. LOS was defined as growth of bacteria or fungi in blood cultures in conjunction with clinical symptoms consistent with systemic infection occurring after day 6 of life. Cox regression models, including models allowing for time-dependent covariates, were applied in the analysis of LOS. Results. Of 464 eligible infants, 462 (99.6%) were enrolled and 405 (87.7%) survived until day 7. LOS was diagnosed for 80 (19.7%). The predominant pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by Candida spp. Case fatality rates associated with septicemia were 10% in general and 43% for Candida spp septicemia. Necrotizing enterocolitis or bowel perforation was diagnosed for 19 infants (4%). Enteral feeding with human milk was initiated within the third day for 98% of patients, and 92% were receiving full enteral feeding (FEF) with human milk within the third week. Both high Clinical Risk Index for Babies scores and an umbilical venous catheter in situ at 7 days of age significantly predicted LOS. However, the overall most influential risk factor for LOS was the number of days without establishment of FEF with human milk, with an adjusted relative risk of 3.7 (2.0-6.9) for LOS if FEF was not established within the second week of life. Conclusions. The incidence and case fatality rate of septicemia for this cohort of extremely preterm infants were lower than values in comparable studies. The main difference, compared with other studies, was the feeding practice, and the data suggest... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant complication for the premature infant. However, subsequent neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with NEC have not been well described. We hypothesized that ELBW infants with surgically managed (SurgNEC) are at greater risk for poor neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes than infants with medically managed NEC (MedNEC) compared with infants without a history of NEC (NoNEC). The objective of this study was to compare growth, neurologic, and cognitive outcomes among ELBW survivors of SurgNEC and MedNEC with NoNEC at 18 to 22 months' corrected age. Methods. Multicenter, retrospective analysis was conducted of infants who were born between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1998, and had a birth weight <1000 g in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Registry. Neurodevelopment and growth were assessed at 18 to 22 months' postmenstrual age. X², t test, and logistic regression analyses were used. Results. A total of 2948 infants were evaluated at 18 to 22 months, 124 of whom were SurgNEC and 121 of whom were MedNEC. Compared with NoNEC, both SurgNEC and MedNEC infants were of lower birth weight and had a greater incidence of late sepsis; SurgNEC but not MedNEC infants were more likely to have received a diagnosis of cystic periventricular leukomalacia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia and been treated with postnatal steroids. Weight, length, and head circumference <10 percentile at 18 to 22 months were significantly more likely among SurgNEC but not MedNEC compared with NoNEC infants. After correction for anthropometric measures at birth and adjusted age at follow-up, all growth parameters at 18 to 22 months for SurgNEC but not MedNEC infants were significantly less than for NoNEC infants. SurgNEC but not MedNEC was a significant independent risk factor for Mental Developmental Index <70 (odds ratio... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents abstracts of several articles on pediatrics. "Utility of Rapid B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Assay for Diagnosis of Symptomatic Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants," by Byung Min Choi, Kee Hyoung Lee, Baik Lin Eun, Kee Hwan Yoo, Young Sook Hong, Chang Sung Son and Joo Won Lee; "Late-Onset Septicemia in a Norwegian National Cohort of Extremely Premature Infants Receiving Very Early Full Human Milk Feeding," by Arild Rønnestad, Tore G. Abrahamsen, Sverre Medbø, Hallvard Reigstad, Kristin Lossius, Per I. Kaaresen, Thore Egeland, Inger E. Engelund, Lorentz M. Irgens and Trond Markestad; "National Autism Prevalence Trends From United States Special Education Data," by Craig J. Newschaffer, Matthew D. Falb and James G. Gurney.

This article presents the executive summary of the presentations and discussions at the Workshop on Research in Neonatology sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics convened in January 2004. In this article, the scientific aspects are summarized, highlighting the current knowledge gaps and identifying research priorities with a focus on emerging technologies. In a separate article, issues concerning workforce needs and shortages and board-certification requirements are presented. Full-length articles on the presented topics will be published in the Journal of Perinatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the second part of the executive summary based on the presentations and discussions at a workshop on research in neonatology sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the American Academy of Pediatrics held in January 2004. In this article, neonatology fellowship training requirements and workforce issues are addressed, and the reasons for the shortage of physician-scientists, particularly of the underrepresented minority ethnic groups, are highlighted. Full-length articles from the presented topics are yet to be published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. We evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Patients and Methods. A prospective, masked, randomized control trial was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of NEC among VLBW (<1500 g) infants. VLBW infants who started to fed enterally and survived beyond the seventh day after birth were eligible for the trial. They were randomized into 2 groups after parental informed consents were obtained. The infants in the study group were fed with Infloran (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis) with breast milk twice daily until discharged. Infants in the control group were fed with breast milk alone. The clinicians caring for the infants were blinded to the group assignment. The primary outcome was death or NEC (stage 2). Results. Three hundred sixty-seven infants were enrolled: 180 in the study group and 187 in the control group. The demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups. The incidence of death or NEC (stage 2) was significantly lower in the study group (9 of 180 vs 24 of 187). The incidence of NEC (stage 2) was also significantly lower in the study when compared with the control group (2 of 180 vs 10 of 187). There were 6 cases of severe NEC (Bell stage 3) in the control group and none in the study group. None of the positive blood culture grew Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species. Conclusion. Infloran as probiotics fed enterally with breast milk reduces the incidence and severity of NEC in VLBW infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To determine whether infants who are fed initially and advanced at 30 mL/kg per day (intervention) take fewer days to get to full feedings than those who are fed initially and advanced at 20 mL/kg per day (control), without increasing their incidence of feeding complications and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We also examined whether these infants regain birth weight earlier, have fewer days of intravenous fluids, and a have shorter hospital stay. Methods. A randomized, controlled, single-center trial was conducted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a community-based county hospital in Houston, Texas. Infants between 1000 and 2000 g at birth, gestational age ≤35 weeks, and weight appropriate for gestational age were allocated randomly to feedings of expressed human milk or Enfamil formula starting and advanced at either 30 mL/kg per day or 20 mL/kg per day. Infants remained in the study until discharge or development of stage ≥IIA NEC. Results. A total of 155 infants were enrolled: 72 infants in the intervention group and 83 in the control group. Infants in the intervention group achieved full-volume feedings sooner (7 vs 10 days, median), regained birth weight faster (11 vs 13 days, median), and had fewer days of intravenous fluids (6 vs 8 days, median). Three infants in the intervention group and 2 control infants developed NEC for an overall incidence of 3.2% (relative risk: 1.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.30--10.06). Conclusion. Among infants between 1000 and 2000 g at birth, starting and advancing feedings at 30 mL/kg per day seems to be a safe practice and results in fewer days to reach full-volume feedings than using 20 mL/kg per day. This intervention also leads to faster weight gain and fewer days of intravenous fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Effects of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus on Postprandial Mesenteric Perfusion in Premature Baboons," by Donald McCurnin, and Ronald I. Clyman is presented.