Background: It can be hypothetically assumed that maternal and perinatal factors influence the intestinal barrier. Methods: The study was conducted with 100 healthy, full-term newborns breastfed in the first week of life, with similar analyses for their mothers. Zonulin and calprotectin levels were used as intestinal permeability markers. Results: The median (range) zonulin concentrations (ng/mL) were in mothers: serum, 21.39 (6.39–57.54); stool, 82.23 (42.52–225.74); and newborns: serum cord blood, 11.14 (5.82–52.34); meconium, 54.15 (1.36–700.65); and stool at age seven days, 114.41 (29.38–593.72). Calprotectin median (range) concentrations (µg/mL) in mothers were: stool, 74.79 (3.89–211.77); and newborns: meconium, 154.76 (6.93–8884.11); and stool at age seven days 139.12 (11.89–627.35). The use of antibiotics during pregnancy resulted in higher zonulin concentrations in umbilical-cord serum and calprotectin concentrations in newborn stool at seven days, while antibiotic therapy during labour resulted in higher zonulin concentrations in the stool of newborns at seven days. Zonulin concentrations in the stool of newborns (at seven days) who were born via caesarean section were higher compared to with vaginal birth. With further analyses, caesarean section was found to have a greater effect on zonulin concentrations than prophylactic administration of antibiotics in the perinatal period. Pregnancy mass gain >18 kg was associated with higher calprotectin concentrations in maternal stool. Body Mass Index (BMI) increase >5.7 during pregnancy was associated with decreased zonulin concentrations in maternal stool and increased calprotectin concentrations in stool of mothers and newborns at seven days. There was also a negative correlation between higher BMI increase in pregnancy and maternal zonulin stool concentrations and a positive correlation between BMI increase in pregnancy and maternal calprotectin stool concentrations. Conclusion: Maternal-foetal factors such as caesarean section, antibiotic therapy during pregnancy, as well as change in mother’s BMI during pregnancy may increase intestinal permeability in newborns. Changes in body mass during pregnancy can also affect intestinal permeability in mothers. However, health consequences associated with increased intestinal permeability during the first days of life are unknown. Additionally, before the zonulin and calprotectin tests can be adopted as universal diagnostic applications to assess increased intestinal permeability, validation of these tests is necessary.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), antibiotic consumption and the usefulness of microbiological tests in very low birth weight (VLBW) Polish newborns.MethodsProspective surveillance was performed in the year 2009 by local infection control teams. The study covered 910 infants hospitalized in six Polish neonatal intensive care units. Two kinds of indicators were used for the description of antibiotic usage: the duration of treatment (days of treatment, DOTs) and the defined daily dose (DDD).ResultsNEC incidence was 8.7% and fatality rate was 19%. Chorioamnionitis, late gestational age and low birth weight were identified as risk factors for NEC. Catheterization, mechanical ventilation and other selected procedures were used considerably longer in newborns with NEC than in the remaining neonates. Total usage of antibiotics reached 2.9 DDDs or 1.437 days; the average use of drugs per case of NEC amounted to 0.47 DDD or 23.2 DOTs. The level of antibiotic usage was analysed with correlation to microbiological tests performed and it was non-significantly greater in the group of children with NEC in whom the tests were performed.ConclusionsA high risk of developing NEC is closely associated with VLBW and with inflammation of the amnion during labour. We observed no relationship between the consumption of antibiotics in neonates with NEC and positive results of microbiological testing indicating sepsis accompanying NEC or gut colonization with pathogens.

BackgroundLate-Onset Bloodstream Infections (LO-BSI) continue to be one of the most important complications associated with hospitalization of infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW). The aims of this study were to assess the epidemiology of LO-BSI together with the risk factors and the distribution of causative pathogens at six Polish neonatal intensive care units that participated in the Polish Neonatology Surveillance Network from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011.MethodsThe surveillance covered 1,695 infants whose birth weights were <1501 grams (VLBW) in whom LO-BSI was diagnosed >72 hours after delivery. Case LO-BSI patients were defined according to NeoKISS.ResultsFour hundred twenty seven episodes of LO-BSI were diagnosed with a frequency of 25.3% and an incidence density of 6.7/1000 patient-days (pds). Results of our multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgical procedures and lower gestational age were significantly associated with the risk of LO-BSI. Intravascular catheters were used in infants with LO-BSI significantly more frequently and/or for longer duration: Central venous cathters (CVC) (OR 1.29) and Peripheral venous catheters (PVC) (OR 2.8), as well as, the total duration of total parenteral nutrition (13 vs. 29 days; OR 1.81). Occurrence of LO-BSI was significantly associated with increased the length of mechanical ventilation (MV) (OR 2.65) or the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (OR 2.51), as well as, the duration of antibiotic use (OR 2.98). The occurrence of more than one infection was observed frequently (OR 9.2) with VLBW with LO-BSI. Microorganisms isolated in infants with LO-BSI were dominated by Gram-positive cocci, and predominantly by coagulase-negative staphylococci (62.5%).ConclusionsIndependent risk factor for LO-BSI in VLBV infants are: low gestational age and requirement for surgery. The incidence rates of LO-BSI especially CVC-BSI were higher in the Polish NICUs surveillance than those of other national networks, similar to the central- and peripheral utilization ratio.

The diagnostic model based on seven clinical and laboratory parameters, using the concentration of PCT and CRP measurements in the cord blood, could be a useful tool for the prediction of early onset neonatal infection.

The observed frequency of EOS did not differ from the one described in the literature, whereas the frequency of EO-pneumonia was higher. The bacterial etiologies suggest the vertical transmission of the pathogens and a close relationship between the observed EOIs with maternal environment. The applied perinatal antibiotic prophylaxis was ineffective.

AbstractRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are diseases that occur only in preterm infants. The etiology of these disorders is multifactorial; however, it is believed that some of the factors in children presenting with BPD affect both the initiation and severity of ROP. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of clinical severity of ROP in infants with BPD compared to those without BPD.MethodologyInfants were divided into two groups: the BPD+ study group and BPD- control group. Parameters including the incidence of ROP and its severity were compared.ResultsIn neonates with BPD, more severe forms of ROP occurred significantly more frequently than in infants without BPD. Newborns with BPD required significantly longer use of mechanical ventilation; moreover, the number of days in which the concentration of oxygen in the respiratory mixture exceeded 50% was greater in BPD+ children . Children with BPD also received more blood transfusions compared to children without BPD.ConclusionsNewborns in the BPD+ study group showed advanced stages of ROP more often than newborns in the BPD- control group. The etiology of ROP and BPD is multifactorial; however, our findings suggest oxygen plays a significant role in the development of these diseases.

BackgroundOur aim was to determine and characterize S. aureus (SA) isolated from infections in newborns for antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, genotypes, epidemiology and antibiotic consumption.MethodsProspective surveillance of infections was conducted. Data about antibiotic treatment were analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed. PCR amplification was used to detect resistance and virulence genes. Typing methods such as PFGE, spa-typing and SCCmec were used.ResultsSA was found to be associated with 6.5% of infections. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 32.8% of SA-infections. An incidence of MRSA-infections was 1.1/1000 newborns. MRSA-infections were diagnosed significantly earlier than MSSA-infections in these newborns (14th day vs. 23rd day (p = 0.0194)). MRSA-infections increased the risk of newborn’s death. Antibiotic consumption in both group was similar, but a high level of glycopeptides-usage for MSSA infections was observed.In the MRSA group, more strains were resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin and amikacin than in the MSSA group. Hla gene was present in 93.9% of strains, and seg and sei in 65.3% of strains, respectively. One dominant clone was found among the 14 MRSA isolates. Fifteen strains belonging to SCCmec type IV were spa-t015 and one strain belonging to SCCmec type V was spa-t011.ConclusionsResults obtained in the study point at specific epidemiological situation in Polish NICU (more detailed studies are recommended).High usage of glycopeptides in the MSSA infections treatment indicates the necessity of antimicrobial stewardship improvement and introducing molecular screening for early identification of infections.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-0890-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a very common condition affecting women of procreative age. There are many reasons for this disorder, including a low availability of energy in the diet, low micro- and macronutrient intake, overly intensive physical activity, disturbed regeneration processes, sleep disorders, stress, and psychological disorders. The main determinant is long-term stress and an inability to handle the effects of that stress. FHA is a very complex disorder and often goes undiagnosed. Moreover, therapeutic interventions do not address all the causes of the disorder, which could have implications for women’s health. As shown by scientific reports, this condition can be reversed by modifying its causes. This review of the literature aims to update the current knowledge of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and underscores the complexity of the disorder, with particular emphasis on the nutritional aspects and potential interventions for restoring balance.