Aim: Haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is frequently observed in premature infants. This study was conducted to explore whether the blood BNP can be a valuable biomarker to assess the necessity of treatment for hsPDA in premature infants.Methods: Serial measurements of the blood BNP were performed during the first 5 days of life in premature infants with hsPDA (Group I) and those without hsPDA (Group N). The definition of the hsPDA was the PDA requiring treatment, such as indomethacin administration and/or surgical ligation.Results: Forty-six subjects were enrolled. Compared with Group N, Group I showed significantly higher level of blood BNP at postnatal 24–96 h and demonstrated the peak value at postnatal 24–48 h. With the ROC curve using the data at postnatal 24–48 h in Group I, we deduced the predictive value of 250 pg/mL of blood BNP for indomethacin treatment. Similarly, with the ROC curve using the maximal value of blood BNP within the first 5 days of life, the predictive value of 2000 pg/mL for surgical ligation was deduced.Conclusions: Blood BNP during early postnatal period can be a useful biomarker to assess the necessity of treatment for hsPDA in premature infants.
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown aetiology with varied clinical manifestations. Although coronary arteritis is common in the course of KD, central nervous system involvement is rare. We report a case of KD in an infant who developed convulsions and apnoea during his illness associated with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).
Conclusion: The possibility of severe hyponatraemia should be anticipated in children with KD. Infants with KD are at risk of SIADH and should be monitored closely for its development.
Elective Cesarean section performed before 39 weeks of gestation may be associated with increased risk of neonatal complications. We retrospectively investigated differences in the neonatal complication rate between 684 newborns delivered by elective Cesarean section at 37 weeks of gestation (n = 390) and those delivered by the same procedure at 38 weeks (n = 294) between 2006 and 2012 at our hospital in order to ascertain whether adverse outcomes differ between the groups. Newborns delivered at 37 weeks had a significantly higher incidence of neonatal intensive care unit admission (p = 0.03), adverse respiratory complications (p < 0.01), low birth weight (p < 0.001), and hypoglycemia (p < 0.005) than those delivered at 38 weeks. Compared with normal weight neonates, low birth weight neonates were more likely to have hypoglycemia (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an adverse respiratory outcome was independently associated with gestational age (p < 0.01; odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-7.81), while hypoglycemia was independently associated with birth weight (p < 0.01; OR, 16.34; 95% CI, 7.72-34.56). Respiratory disorders were significantly associated with gestational age even in normal birth weight newborns without any other complications such as hyperbirilubinemia, hypoglycemia or bacterial infections. In conclusion, the incidence of neonatal complications was higher in newborns delivered at 37 weeks of gestation than in those delivered at 38 weeks via elective Cesarean section. Thus, the procedure should be scheduled at 38 weeks to improve neonatal outcomes.
Neonatal jaundice, caused by excess serum bilirubin levels, is a common condition in neonates. Imbalance in the gut microbiota is believed to play a role in the development of neonatal jaundice. Thus, we aimed to reveal the gut microbiota characteristics in neonates with jaundice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on stool samples collected on day 4 from 26 neonates with jaundice (serum total bilirubin > 15.0 mg/dL) and 17 neonates without jaundice (total serum bilirubin < 10.0 mg/dL). All neonates were born full term, with normal weight, by vaginal delivery, and were breastfed. Neonates who were administered antibiotics, had serum direct bilirubin levels above 1 mg/dL, or had conditions possibly leading to hemolytic anemia were excluded. The median serum bilirubin was 16.0 mg/dL (interquartile range: 15.5–16.8) and 7.4 mg/dL (interquartile range: 6.8–8.3) for the jaundice and non-jaundice groups, respectively. There was no difference in the alpha diversity indices. Meanwhile, in the jaundice group, linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that Bifidobacteriales were decreased at the order level, while Enterococcaceae were increased and Bifidobacteriaceae were decreased at the family level. Bifidobacteriaceae may act preventatively because of their suppressive effect on beta-glucuronidase, leading to accelerated deconjugation of conjugated bilirubin in the intestine. In summary, neonates with jaundice had dysbiosis characterized by a decreased abundance of Bifidobacteriales.
To investigate the relation ofthe serum group I pepsinogen (PG I) concentration to the location of gastric ulcers and chronicity of peptic ulcers, ulcerpatients (n=322) were compared with endoscopicaily normal subjects (n=174). The mean PG I concentration was significantly higher in male control subjects (n=90) than in female control subjects (n=84). In male patients with ulcers in the duodenum (n=69), antrum (n=34), or angulus portion (the lower third of the body; n=83), the mean serum PG I concentration was significantly higher than in the control subjects but in patients with an ulcer in the upper body (n=49) it was similar to control values. Men with active or healing ulcers (n=149) showed a significantly higher serum PG I concentration than those with scarred lesions (n=86) when the abnormality was located in either the upper body or in the angulus portion. For female patients (n=87), the results were similar. These results suggest that serum PG I concentrations reflect the stages of activity of peptic ulcer.
The possibility of severe hyponatraemia should be anticipated in children with KD. Infants with KD are at risk of SIADH and should be monitored closely for its development.
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