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Aim: To compare the post-natal effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and early cord clamping (ECC) in term large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants.Methods: This prospective randomised study included 51 term LGA infants. The umbilical cords of these infants were clamped at 15 s in group 1 (ECC group (n = 26)) and at 60 s in group 2 (DCC group (n = 25)). Data for Apgar scores, cord blood, pH and lactate values, second haematocrit, 24th bilirubin levels, duration of hospital stay and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were recorded.Results: The demographic characteristics of the infants in the study group were not significantly different. No statistically significant difference was observed in the post-natal haematocrit and bilirubin levels between the groups. Six infants (group 1, n = 3; group 2, n = 3) were diagnosed with polycythaemia (P = 0.79); however, these infants remained asymptomatic, and no treatment was required. One infant in each group developed hyperbilirubinemia, which required phototherapy (P = 1.00). The infant with hyperbilirubinemia in the DCC group presented with asymptomatic polycythaemia. Three neonates in the DCC group required admission to the NICU for transient tachypnoea.Conclusions: No significant increase in the rate of post-natal complications of DCC in term LGA infants was observed in the study. However, before recommending DCC on a routine basis, studies with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up are required to elucidate the risks and benefits of DCC in this group of infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin exerts protection in several inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. To investigate the neuroprotective effects of melatonin in an experimental hemolysis-induced hyperbilirubinemia, newborn Sprague-Dawley rats (25-40 g, n = 72) were injected with phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (PHZ; 75 mg/kg) and the injections were repeated at the 24th hour. Rats were treated with saline or melatonin (10 mg/kg) 30 min before the first and second PHZ injections and 24 h after the 2nd PHZ injections. Control rats (n = 24) were injected with saline, but not PHZ. At sixth hours after the last injections of saline or melatonin, all rats were decapitated. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100B levels in the plasma were measured. Brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured, and brain tissues were evaluated for apoptosis by TUNEL method. In the saline-treated PHZ group, hemoglobin, hematocrit levels were reduced, and total/direct bilirubin levels were elevated when compared to control group. Increased plasma TNF-α, IL-1β levels, along with decreased BDNF, S100B and IL-10 values were observed in the saline-treated PHZ group, while these changes were all reversed in the melatonin-treated group. Increased MDA levels and MPO activities in the brain tissues of saline-treated hyperbilirubinemic rats, concomitant with depleted brain GSH stores, were also reversed in the melatonin-treated hyperbilirubinemic rats. Increased TUNEL(+) cells in the hippocampus of saline-treated PHZ group were reduced by melatonin treatment. Melatonin exerts neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects on the oxidative neuronal damage of the newborn rats with hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to test analgesic effects of double- versus single-dose breast milk and compare this effect with efficacy of double- versus single-dose sucrose in a group of healthy term newborns during heel prick blood sampling. Methods: Healthy newborns ( n= 142) were consecutively allocated to one of the six groups: group 1, single-dose breast milk; group 2, single-dose sterile water; group 3, single-dose 12.5% sucrose; group 4, two doses breast milk; group 5, two doses sterile water; and group 6, two doses 12.5% sucrose before the heel prick. The medians for crying time and the pain scores according to the neonatal facial coding system were recorded. Results: Crying times were 117 s, 126 s, 82 s, 128 s, 117 s, and 95 s in groups 1–6, respectively ( P= 0.053). The mean pain scores were 4.60, 5.82, 3.91, 4.94, 5, and 4.05 in groups 1–6, respectively ( P= 0.068). There was a significant difference between the groups for mean pain scores at 1 min and 3 min. There was a significant difference between the single-dose sucrose group and single-dose sterile water group at 1 min ( P= 0.002). The babies in the sucrose group were active awake, whereas the ones in the breast milk group were asleep before heel prick. Conclusion: Two doses of sucrose solution were not superior to single-dose sucrose. Neither single nor double doses of breast milk were effective in relieving pain in neonates. Two milliliters breast milk does not reduce response to pain during minor painful procedures in term neonates even when two doses have been given. Further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early diagnosis and proper treatment, including long-term follow up, are very important for neonatal urinary tract infections (UTI). Methods: The present study reports the analysis and long-term follow-up results of 71 newborns treated for UTI. Results: Forty-one per cent of patients were preterm babies. Suspected sepsis and hyperbilirubinemia were the main presenting features. Community-acquired and nasocomial UTI accounted for 63% and 37% of cases, respectively. The leading causative agents were Escherichia coli for community-acquired UTI and Klebsiella pneumoniae for nasocomial UTI. The urosepsis rate was 5%. Abnormal ultrasonography findings were present in 23% and vesicoureteral reflux was present in 15% of babies. A total of 23% of patients showed renal photopenic areas on dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. The recurrence rate was 28% occurring between 1.5 and 12 months, in particular in the first 6 months. Most of the recurrences developed in patients with no predisposing abnormalities. Conclusion: Pediatric nephrologic follow-up of babies experiencing UTI in the neonatal period is very important to identify the predisposing congenital abnormalities and scarred kidneys, to diagnose and to treat the recurrences earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor in response to an article on the analgesic effects of expressed breast milk in procedural pain in term neonates.