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Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease associated with atypical pneumonia caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan at the end of 2019. Transmission usually occurs via infected droplets and close personal contact; the possibility of vertical transmission is still under debate. This retrospective study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics of premature infants born to mothers with symptomatic COVID-19 disease. STUDY DESIGN This case control study compared the clinical and laboratory data of 20 premature infants born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 with sex and gestational age-matched historical controls. RESULTS The median gestational age and birth weight in both groups were similar. Respiratory distress developed in 11 (55.5%) infants in study group and 19 (47.5%) infants in control group. Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal surfactant administration rates were similar. Median duration of hospitalization was 8.5 (2-76) days in study group and 12 days in historical controls. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal swab samples for SARS-CoV-2 were found to be negative twice, in the first 24 hours and later at 24 to 48 hours of life. No neutropenia or thrombocytopenia was detected in the study group. Patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis rates were similar between groups. No mortality was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies evaluating the clinical outcomes of premature infants born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers. There was no evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected women to the neonate in our cohort. The neonatal outcomes also seem to be favorable with no mortality in preterm infants. KEY POINTS · SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a challenge for pregnant women.. · Neonatal outcomes of premature infants born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 not well defined.. · SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to have no adverse effect on mortality and morbidity in premature infants..

Objective The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak had an enormous global impact. Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 appear to have higher morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the severity of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on neonatal outcomes. Study Design The clinical and laboratory data of 40 women and neonates evaluated retrospectively. Results This retrospective study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection had an adverse impact on neonatal outcomes proportionally with the maternal disease severity including increased prematurity rates, postnatal resuscitation need, prolonged hospital stay and longer ventilatory support requirement in infants born to mothers with moderate or severe disease. Conclusion Maternal disease severity had adverse effects on neonatal outcomes. The severity of maternal disease was found to be associated with increased rates of prematurity, requirement of postnatal resuscitation, prolonged hospital stay, and longer ventilatory support. Key Points

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the association between serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) levels, gene polymorphisms and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants. Methods: Infants with

Introduction: We investigated the association between low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants (

Objective: Mannose-binding lectin, which belongs to the collectin family, is an acute-phase reactant that activates the complement system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MBL2 gene polymorphism on short-term outcomes in preterm infants. Method: Infants of

Giriş: Prematüre bebeklerde tiroid fonksiyon testlerindeki TFT bozukluğun sıklığı, etiyolojisi ve morbiditelerle ilişkisinin belirlenmesi.Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya Ocak 2009 ve Ocak 2012 yılları arasında Uludağ Üniversitesi yenidoğan yoğun bakım ünitesinde yatarak tedavi görmüş olan toplam 139 prematüre bebek alındı. Hastaların prenatal, natal ve postnatal özellikleri ve alınmış olan TFT değerleri kaydedildi. Tüm hastaların yaşamın 1. ve 3. haftasında TFT çalışıldı. Tiroid stimülan hormon TSH düzeyi 10 IU/L üzerindeki değerler yüksek kabul edildi. Serbest T3 ve T4 değerleri laboratuvar sınırları göz önüne alınarak değerlendirildi. Hipotiroidi tanısı olan ve olmayan tüm hastaların poliklinik izlemlerinden 6, 12 ve 18. aylardaki tartı, boy ve baş çevresi ölçümleri değerlendirmeleri kaydedildi.Bulgular: Çalışmamızda 41 hastanın %24 TFT’sinde anormallik tespit edilmiş olup olguların 22’sinde %53,6 geçici TSH yüksekliği, 9’unda %22 primer hipotiroidi, 9’unda %22 nontiroidal hastalık ve 1’inde %2,4 geçici hipotiroksinemi izlendi. Tiroid fonksiyon bozukluğu olan hastalarda respiratuvar distres sendromu sıklığı anlamlı derecede yüksek saptandı p=0,007 . Annesinde hipotiroidi olan bebeklerde tiroid fonksiyon bozukluğu oranı maternal hipotiroidi olmayan bebeklere göre anlamlı derecede yüksek saptandı p=0,049 . TFT’de bozukluk olan grupta 18. aydaki baş çevresi ortalaması TFT normal gruba kıyasla anlamlı olarak düşüktü p=0,047 .Sonuç: Prematürelerde tiroid fonksiyon bozukluğu sık görülen bir morbiditedir ve nöromotor gelişim açısından önemlidir. Maternal tiroid fonksiyon bozukluğu bebeklerde tiroid testlerinde bozulmaya yol açabilir. Tüm prematüre bebeklerde TFT’lerinde çalışılmalı ve hipotiroidi tedavi edilmelidir. Prematürelerde iyot maruziyetinin azaltılması TFT bozukluğu ve geçici hipotiroidi oranını azaltabilir, Introduction: To determine the rate, etiology and morbidity association of disorders of thyroid function tests TFTs in premature babies.Materials and Methods: A total of 139 premature babies who were admitted to Uludag University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2009 and January 2012 were included in this study. Prenatal, natal and postnatal characteristics along with TFTs results were recorded. TFTs were performed for all patients in the first and third weeks of life. Thyroid stimulation hormone TSH values of >10 IU/L was considered elevated. Free T3 and T4 levels were evaluated according to laboratory cut-off values. Weight, height and head circumference values of all individuals with and without the diagnosis of hypothyroidism on the 6th, 12th, and 18th months of their polyclinic follow-ups Results: Abnormal TFTs were detected in 41 24% patients. Twenty two patients 53% had transient TSH elevation, 9 22% had primary hypothyroidism, 9 22% had non-thyroidal disease and 1 2.4% had transient hypothyroxinemia. Among morbidities, respiratory distress syndrome rate was found to be significantly higher in patients with thyroid function disorders p=0.007 . The rate of thyroid function disorders in patients with mothers with hypothyroidism was significantly more frequent compared to patients without maternal hypothyroidism p=0.049 . The mean head circumference in 18 month was significantly lower in patients with abnormal TFTs p=0.047 . Conclusions: Thyroid function disorders are common morbidities in premature babies and are important for neuromotor development. Maternal thyroid function disorder can lead to impairment of TFTs in infants. Thyroid function tests should be performed in all premature babies and hypotyhroidism should be treated. Avoidance of iodine exposure in premature infants can reduce the rate of abnormal TFTs and transient hypothyroidism.

Background & objective Preterm infants need nutritional and medical requirements in accordance with the physiologic maturity at birth and maintaining optimal postnatal corporal and cerebral growth is one of the main targets of medical caregivers. However, only a few strategies exist to improve the outcomes of infants in a pathogen-rich and nutrient-poor neonatal intensive care unit environment. In this pilot study, we hypothesize that synbiotics may enhance brain growth, which is reflected indirectly by an increase in head circumference through several signalling molecules. Methods A pilot study was conducted in preterm infants with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks and a birth weight of ≤1500 grams at neonatal intensive care unit of Uludag Univeristy Medical Faculty (NICU) for one-year period. Following the randomization of the infants, a prepared commercial synbiotic solution containing multi-combined probiotics and prebiotics was administered enterally to the study group. Results The odds of a patient having a lower body weight and head circumference below the 10th percentile were significantly lower in the probiotic group (p=0.001, p=0.03, respectively). Moreover, the infants in the synbiotics group had a more optimal head circumference (between the 50th and 90th percentiles, p=0.001). Conclusions Our results show that if we can maintain optimal gut microbiota, we might achieve better neuro-development via the beneficial effects of synbiotics on cytokines, neurotransmitters, and the cellular immunity of the nervous system. Further investigational models are needed to demonstrate the beneficial effects of synbiotics on the central nervous system.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) has been widely used in preterm infants. The lipid solutions used for PN, however, are associated with oxidative stress and morbidity. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a new-generation lipid emulsion (SMOFLipid) and olive-oil based lipid emulsion for prevention of PN-associated oxidative damage.Preterm infants 32 weeks of gestational age were included in this prospective randomized study. All infants were randomized to SMOFlipid or olive-oil based lipid emulsion (ClinOleic). Lipid peroxidation products were evaluated in all infants. In addition, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were studied at days 0, 7 and 14.A total of 89 infants (SMOFlipid, n = 42; ClinOleic, n = 47) were enrolled. TAC was higher in the SMOFlipid group compared with the ClinOleic group at all time points, and the difference on day 7 was statistically significant. Although the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 was higher in the SMOFlipid group, this difference was not significant. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was lower in the SMOFlipid group (14.1%) than in the ClinOleic group (31.2%), but this finding was non-significant p 0.05. The rate of severe BPD was significantly lower in the SMOFlipid group.To our best of knowledge, this is the first study to suggest that SMOFlipid might decrease oxidative damage and oxidative-stress-associated morbidity compared with olive oil-based emulsion in preterm infants.

Ya z›fl ma Ad re si/Ad dress for Cor res pon den ce Dr. Ipek Guney Varal, Uludag Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Cocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, Neonatoloji Bilim Dali, Bursa, Turkiye Tel.: +90 532 341 33 89 E-posta: ibettyg@yahoo.com Ge lis ta ri hi/Re cei ved: 07.01.2014 Ka bul ta ri hi/ Ac cep ted: 22.03.2014 1Uludag Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Cocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, Neonatoloji Bilim Dali, Bursa, Turkiye 2Uludag Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Cocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, Pediatrik Kardiyoloji Bilim Dali, Bursa, Turkiye 3Uludag Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dali, Pediatrik Radyoloji Bilim Dali, Bursa, Turkiye Ipek Guney Varal1, Nilgun Koksal1, Hilal Ozkan1, Ozlem Bostan2, Onur Bagci1, Fahrettin Uysal2, Zeynep Yazici3, Pelin Dogan1

Ozkan H, Koksal N, Dogan P, Guney-Varal I, Bagci O, Ozgur T. The effectiveness of serum amyloid A for prediction of neonatal cholestasis associated with parenteral nutrition in premature infants. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 26-33. Parenteral nutrition (PN) has been widely used in premature infants untill enteral feeding can be tolerated. Cholestasis is an important complication of PN. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of serial measurements of serum amyloid A (SAA) during PN and compare its` effectiveness with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). We also aimed to determine the risk factors for PN associated cholestasis (PNAC). Premature infants ( < 34 weeks` gestational age) who were started on PN during hospitalization were included in this prospective study. SAA, CRP and PCT levels were measured on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 of PN in all infants. Infants who had PN for less than 2 weeks, who developed sepsis and/or necrotizing enterocolitis were excluded. A total of 85 infants were included. The mean birth weight was 1226±329 g, and the mean gestational age was 29.4±1.8 weeks. The birth weight of infants who developed cholestasis were significantly lower. Enteral nutrition was started significantly later in infants with cholestasis. CRP and PCT did not correlate with conjugated bilirubin levels at any time point. SAA levels on days 7 and 14 showed a significant correlation with conjugated bilirubin levels. SAA levels on day 7 was found to have the highest sensitivity for prediction of PNAC. Low birth weight, late commencement of enteral feeding, and prolonged PN were the main risk factors for PNAC development. This is the first study that shows the predictive value of SAA for PNAC development. We suggest that SAA may be used as an accurate and useful biomarker for prediction of PNAC in high risk premature infants receiving PN.

Congenital short oesophagus and with intrathoracic development of the stomach is a rare developmental anomaly of the gastrointestinal system. Knowledge regarding its aetiology and management is limited. We report a case in which, in addition to short oesophagus and intrathoracic stomach, an encephalocele was identified during the antenatal period. After the postpartum examination, encephalocele, split notochord malformation, midline localized liver and congenital short oesophagus were confirmed. The report of this case adds to the body of knowledge on this rare condition.

Güney-Varal İ, Köksal N, Özkan H, Bağcı O, Doğan P. The effect of early administration of combined multi-strain and multi-species probiotics on gastrointestinal morbidities and mortality in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial in a tertiary care unit. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 13-19. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal emergency of the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the use of multistrain and multispecies probiotic on gastrointestinal morbidities and mortality. The study was organized as a randomized controlled, prospective study in premature infants (≤32 week and ≤1500 gram). The ready commercial preparations which contain multi-combined probiotics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (4.1x10⁸ cfu) + Lactobacillus casei (8.2x10⁸ cfu) + Lactobacillus plantorum (4.1x10⁸ cfu) + Bifidobacterium animalis (4.1x10⁸ cfu) together with 383 mg of fructooligosaccharides and 100 mg of galactooligosaccharides as the prebiotic content, was administered enterally to the probiotic group (n=70); control group constituted of 40 preterms. Primary outcomes of the present study were ≥ Stage 2 NEC and the mortality. Secondary outcomes were culture-proven sepsis and days to reach full enteral feeding. All cases of NEC were seen in group 2 as 3.6% (n=4) of all infants. The mortality was found to be 1.4% (n=1) in Group 1 and 22.5% (n=9) in Group 2. The incidence of NEC and the mortality rate were found to be significantly lower in Group 1 (p=0.016, p=0.001, respectively). In Group 1, the NEC-related mortality rate and sepsis-related mortality rate were significantly lower than that of the control group (p=0.046, p=0.023). In this study, we showed that using probiotic strains in combined multistrain and multispecies forms at higher doses and for prolonged duration had positive effects on gastrointestinal complications, sepsis and mortality in premature infants.

Yılmaz C, Köksal N, Özkan H, Dorum BA, Bağcı O. Low serum IGF-1 and increased cytokine levels in tracheal aspirate samples are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 122-129. Despite developments in the perinatal and neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still the most frequently seen long-term complication in preterm infants. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the association between the development of BPD and serial measurements of IGF-1 levels and their relationship with levels of IGF-1 and cytokine in tracheal aspirate fluids. A total of 40 premature infants, born at a gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks, were enrolled in the study. On postnatal day-1, 3, 7, 21 and 28 serum IGF-1 levels and IGF-1 levels, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels in tracheal aspirate fluid samples of intubated cases were examined. Mean gestational age of 40 patients included in the study was 29.41 ± 2.23 weeks, and their mean birth weight was 1,256.85 ± 311.48 g. BPD was detected in 35% of cases. Mean gestational week and birth weight of the cases that developed BPD were 30 ± 3 weeks and 1,150 ± 295 g, respectively. Serum IGF-1 levels on postnatal day-1, 3, 7, 21 and 28 in cases who developed BPD were significantly lower when compared with those without BPD (p0.01). Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in tracheal aspirate samples were significantly higher in cases with BPD compared to those without BPD (p0.05). IGF-1 levels in tracheal aspirate fluid samples did not differ significantly based on the presence of BPD (p0.05). Severity of BPD was associated with decreased serum IGF-1 levels and increased cytokine levels in tracheal aspirate samples.

Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is an uncommon disease in childhood. Childhood pSS might have different clinical manifestations than adult pSS. We describe a 13-year-old girl with multiple episodes of bilateral parotid swelling lasting 2 years. Her history included severe arthralgia, local edema, and purpura episodes since 9 years of age. During her 3-week hospitalization, 2 episodes of parotid swelling occurred, which both resolved in 48 hours. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance images of parotid glands showed parenchymal inhomogeneity related to adipose degeneration and nodular pattern. Investigations showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia, positive antinuclear antibody, and elevated rheumatoid factor, anti—Sjögren syndrome antigen A, and anti—Sjögren syndrome antigen B. Histopathologic examination of labial minor salivary glands revealed focal periductal lymphocytic infiltrate and sialoduct ectasia. She was diagnosed as having pSS. Recurrent parotid swelling is a more characteristic feature of disease in children, and this finding should alert the clinician to the possible diagnosis of pSS.

Thyroid hormones are critical for normal growth and neurodevelopment. Abnormalities of thyroid functions tests (TFT) are frequently seen in premature infants, physiological hypothyroxinemia being the most common (70%). Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism is common (0.3–2.5%) in woman who are in conceptional age or pregnant. Maternal hypothyroidism is known to have an adverse impact on the developing fetus. In this study we aim to identify the rate of abnormalities of TFT, its association with morbidities and impact on long term neurodevelopment. Material and method In this retrospective study, rate of abnormalities of TFT, its association with morbidities and neurodevelopment is investigated in 139 premature babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in Uludag Universitiy Medical Faculty between January 2009 and January 2012. Results Mean gestational weeks and birth weights of infants were 31.3 ± 2.9 weeks 1667 ±707 gr. Fourty one patients (24%) had TFT abnormality, 53.6% had transient TSH elevation, 22% had primary hypothyroidism, 22% had non-thyroidal disease and 2.4% had transient hypothyroxinemia. Fourty seven percent of SGA babies and, 26% of AGA babies had TFT abnormalities, difference was not statistically significant. Most common TFT abnormality was found to be transient TSH elevation in SGA and AGA babies. Mothers of 8 patients had maternal hypothyroidism. Five of these babies (63.5%) had TFT abnormality (p = 0.049). Mean head circumference in 18 months of age in normal TFT group was 46.3 cm ± 1.6 compared to babies with abnormal TFT whose mean head circumference was 45 cm ± 2.4 at the same age, difference was statistically significant. There were no statistically significant difference between groups for antropometric values in 6, 9, 12 moths and neurodevelopmental evaluation. Conclusion TFT abnormalities are frequent in premature babies and it is one of the most common causes of preventable mental retardation. In neonates, even transient hypothyroidism is associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome, hence it must be treated urgently. As also detected in our study, maternal hypothyroidism is associated with increased neonatal hypothyroidism and these babies must be managed closely in postnatal period. Although not statistically significant, SGA babies were found to have increased rate of hypothyroidism. Further investigation with larger number of patients is necessary.