We conducted this study to investigate the efficacy of the silicon gel application on the nares in prevention of nasal injury in preterm infants ventilated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). Patients (n=179) were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=87) had no silicon gel applied to nares, and in Group 2 (n=92), the silicon gel sheeting was used on the surface of nares during ventilation with NCPAP. Nasal injury developed in 13 (14.9%) neonates in Group 1 and 4 (4.3%) newborns in Group 2 (OR:3.43; 95% CI: 1.1-10.1; P<0.05). The incidence of columella necrosis was also significantly higher in the Group 1 (OR: 6.34; 95% CI: 0.78-51.6; P<0.05). We conclude that the silicon gel application may reduce the incidence and the severity of nasal injury in preterm infants on nasal CPAP.

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Objective:To evaluate the effect of domperidone use on corrected QT interval in premature infants.Study Design:A prospective study of premature infants receiving domperidone was included in this study. A baseline electrocardiogram was obtained just before and 3, 7 and 14 days after initiation of domperidone. Corrected QT was considered prolonged if it exceeded the upper limit for age.Result:A total of 40 premature infants were enrolled in this study. The mean birth weight of 1109±332 g, mean gestational age of 28.8±2.4 years and mean age at the onset of domperidone were 32.8±2 days. No difference in corrected QT interval was observed between just before and 3, 7 and 14 days after the start of the treatment. Two infants had corrected QT interval prolongation without any clinical side effect that resolved spontaneously.Conclusion:Our experience suggests that domperidone administered cautiously in modest doses does not result in arrhythmias or conduction defects in premature infants statistically. Additional data are needed to give optimal advice regarding the safety of domperidone treatment in premature infants.

Realising the paucity of data in the standardisation of the optimal position for lumbar puncture (LP) in hospitalised neonates, we have designed an observational study to measure the interspinous distance in infants in a university hospital setting. The infants were placed in two lateral recumbent and two upright positions (lateral recumbent without flexing the hips, lateral recumbent with maximal hip flexion, sitting without flexing the hips and sitting with maximal hip flexion) with concomitant heart rate (HR), transcutaneous oxygen saturation (OS) and interspinous distance (with ultrasonography) measurements. Having the patient sit with maximal hip flexion provided the largest interspinous space for the grand majority of the infants. Sitting positions with/without flexion have resulted in significant increases in HR with respect to lateral recumbent position without flexion. Although statistically significant drops in OSs have been observed between lateral recumbent and sittting with flexion, lateral recumbent with flexion and sitting without flexion, and lateral recumbent with flexion and sitting with flexion positions; no adverse hypoxic events occurred during positioning. Sitting flexed position, which seemsto be sufficiently safe and serve to enhance the success rate of a LP, should be favoured for sick neonates whenever the infant's condition permit a spinal tap.

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BackgroundThere are several studies that have shown an increased risk of premature birth and developmental abnormalities with in vitro fertilization (IVF); however, the data on preterm mortality and morbidity are limited.AimOur aim is to investigate whether IVF had an effect on the mortality and morbidity in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.MethodsA total of 940 term and preterm babies who were admitted to the intensive care unit over a period of 2 years were enrolled. Of these, 121 babies were born after IVF and 810 were born after a natural conception and 9 were born after ovulation induction. Of these, 112 preterm babies were born after IVF and 405 preterm babies were born after a natural conception.ResultsIn the IVF group, the gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower than in the non-IVF group. Additionally, in the IVF group, multiple births were significantly higher than in the non-IVF group. IVF pregnancies increase preterm delivery but did not increase preterm mortality, and preterm morbidity did not differ among groups, except for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Gestational age was shown to be the primary risk factor for IVH using a logistic regression analysis. Also when newborns at gestational age <32 weeks were compared using regression analysis, gestational age was the major risk factor for IVH.ConclusionIVF appears to be associated with premature delivery and the known risks associated with prematurity.

Postnatal sepsis was the single most important risk factor for the development of SMND, and these children with SMND are at great risk for certain neuropsychiatric conditions. Preventive strategies, particularly for sepsis in the neonatal period, and early diagnosis and rehabilitation of future neuropsychiatric disorders are needed for better management of these cases.

Objective: Surfactant administration is usually performed by endotracheal intubation under mechanical ventilation. Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique has became widespread in recent years, in order to prevent the risk of barotrauma and volutrauma caused by mechanical ventilation and intubation. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of surfactant administration via a thin catheter during spontaneous breathing on NIPPV and to compare with INSURE method. Method: Seventy-eight preterm infants who were born at university hospital with less than 34 weeks of gestational age and who received surfactant therapy were enrolled. The intratracheal administration of poractant alfa (CUROSURF®) was performed using umbilical catheters in LISA group (n= 42). INSURE group had 36 infants who were intubated, received surfactant then extubated and placed on NIPPV. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of intubation in the first 72 hours and re-administration of surfactant, the duration of NIPPV and the occurence of pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, early onset neonatal sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dsyplasia and mortality (p>0.05). The pCO2 values decreased faster in LISA group when compared to INSURE group and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: LISA procedure under NIPPV seems to provide better pCO2 levels and does not increased the mortality and morbidity due to technique. Although the results seem to be promising, we need further investigations and larger series.