The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bone mineral density and anthropometric indices of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm infants undergoing daily physical activity. Twenty-eight low-risk ELBW preterm infants (intervention group = 14, control group = 14) with a birth weight of under 1000 g and gestational age of 26-32 weeks were recruited. Preterm infants in the control group were provided with standard nursing care, whereas those in the intervention group received a daily physical activity programme in addition to standard nursing care during the study. Before and after the study, anthropometric indices and tibial speed of sound (SOS) values were measured. In this study, the tibial SOS values were found to be increased in the intervention group (+111.14 m/s) (p = 0.001) and decreased in the control group (-58.21 m/s) (p = 0.030). The increase in percentage of body weight, height, and tibial length of infants in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group (respectively; p = 0.002, p = 0,015, p < 0.001). A daily physical activity programme increased body weight, height, tibial length, and SOS values of the tibia in ELBW preterm infants.

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Objective Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury in the human perinatal period often leads to significant long-term neurobehavioral dysfunction in the cognitive and sensory-motor domains. Using a neonatal HI injury model (unilateral carotid ligation followed by hypoxia) in postnatal day seven rats, the present study investigated the long-term effects of HI and potential behavioral protective effect of pentoxifylline. Methods Seven-day-old rats underwent right carotid ligation, followed by hypoxia (F i O 2 = 0.08). Rats received pentoxifylline immediately after and again 2 hours after hypoxia (two doses, 60–100 mg/kg/dose), or serum physiologic. Another set of seven-day-old rats was included to sham group exposed to surgical stress but not ligated. These rats were tested for spatial learning and memory on the simple place task in the Morris water maze from postnatal days 77 to 85. Results HI rats displayed significant tissue loss in the right hippocampus, as well as severe spatial memory deficits. Low-dose treatment with pentoxifylline resulted in significant protection against both HI-induced hippocampus tissue losses and spatial memory impairments. Beneficial effects are, however, negated if pentoxifylline is administered at high dose. Conclusion These findings indicate that unilateral HI brain injury in a neonatal rodent model is associated with cognitive deficits, and that low dose pentoxifylline treatment is protective against spatial memory impairment.

UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism and G71R mutation are possible risk factors for Turkish neonates with DC(-) ABO incompatibility and unexplained hyperbilirubinemia.

The activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis observed during the first month of life is thought to be a significant phase in the maturation of gonads and potentially be important for the development of reproductive functions. The preterm ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (POHS) was first detected at postconception 36-39 weeks in a preterm female newborn with edema developing in the vulva, the hypogastric site, and the upper leg. The pathophysiology of this postnatal hormonal change is obscure. In this paper we would like to present a case developing POHS and to discuss possible pathophyslogical mechanisms.

Iron treatment not only reverses the symptoms of anemia but also may contribute to blood flow regulation by causing increments in the alterations observed in hemorheological parameters during anemia.

The use of antiseptics-containing iodine for mothers before and after birth and for newborns, especially for umbilical cleansing, can lead to iodine loading and hypothyroidism. If transient hypothyroidism develops within this period, then it may not be detected promptly. This can later lead to retardation in psychomotor development and disorder in learning skills during the childhood period.

Low plasma gelsolin levels in the first postnatal month may be associated with poor outcomes in premature infants.