Neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) is defined as an invasive infection that occurs in the first 72 h of life. The incidence of EOS varies from 0.5–2% live births in developed countries, up to 9.8% live births in low resource settings, generating a high mortality rate, especially in extremely low birth weight neonates. Clinical signs are nonspecific, leading to a late diagnosis and high mortality. Currently, there are several markers used for sepsis evaluation, such as hematological indices, acute phase reactants, cytokines, which by themselves do not show acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of EOS in neonates. Newer and more selective markers have surfaced recently, such as presepsin and endocan, but they are currently only in the experimental research stages. This comprehensive review article is based on the role of biomarkers currently in use or in the research phase from a basic, translational, and clinical viewpoint that helps us to improve the quality of neonatal early-onset sepsis diagnosis and management.

(1) Background: Isotretinoin (ISO) is a systemic retinoid known for its teratogenic effects on embryos and fetuses. The aim of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcomes of women who were exposed to isotretinoin with those of women without such exposure from a teratogenic point of view. (2) Methods: A total of 1459 female patients from three clinical hospitals in Poland and Romania, segregated into two groups depending on their ISO exposure, were evaluated between January and December 2019. Medical records were screened to identify the pregnancy outcomes and congenital malformation rates. (3) Results: The congenital malformation rate for the exposed group was 1.2% (four cases), and no specific signs of Accutane embryopathy were identified. Women from the unexposed group were more likely to deliver preterm and through cesarean deliveries and had a higher rate of newborn congenital malformations as compared to women from the exposed group. (4) Conclusions: Even though we could not find a significant association between ISO exposure and teratogenic effects in newborns, effective contraceptive measures are key to preventing unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.

(1) Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause severe visual impairment or even blindness. We aimed to assess the hematological risk factors that are associated with different stages of ROP in a cohort of preterm newborns, and to compare the clinical characteristics and therapeutic interventions between groups. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 149 preterm newborns from a tertiary maternity hospital in Romania between January 2018 and December 2018, who were segregated into: Group 1 (with ROP, n = 59 patients), and Group 2 (without ROP, n = 90 patients). The patients that were affected by ROP were subsequently divided into the following subgroups: Subgroup 1 (Stage 1, n = 21), Subgroup 2 (Stage 2, n = 35), and Subgroup 3 (Stage 3, n = 25). The associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and sensitivity analysis. (3) Results: Platelet mass indexes (PMI) that were determined in the first, seventh, and tenth days of life were significantly associated with Stage 1 ROP. PMI determined in the first day of life was also significantly associated with Stage 2 ROP. The sensitivity and specificity of these parameters were modest, ranging from 44 to 57%, and 59 to 63%. (4) Conclusions: PMI has a modest ability to predict the development of ROP.

Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, affecting more than 15 million babies worldwide each year. Preterm infants also have higher rates of motor, functional, and cognitive deficits. Modern imaging has contributed significantly to a better understanding of the etiology of various forms of brain injury in neonates. The follow-up of premature newborns is essential to prevent and diminish neurological sequelae in time. A multi-disciplinary team is needed to adequately monitor this category of children, in which the family doctor has a significant role. The variety of adverse events that preterm infants can be exposed to before, during, and after birth poses significant obstacles to developing therapeutic interventions to prevent brain damage, including developmental vulnerability to injury during a particular gestational age. In addition, several procedures required for neonatal critical care, reduce mortality but increase the risk of brain injury. This review is aimed to update the reader about the complications of preterm birth, current therapeutic uses, imaging techniques, as well as present and future research on preterm birth.

COVID-19 infection is primarily a community-acquired airborne respiratory infection, making pediatric and neonatal populations extremely vulnerable to the disease. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, many questions regarding mother and infant health have arisen, one of the most discussed issues being the management of infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Is it advisable to separate the child from the positive mother immediately after birth? What are the recommendations for breastfeeding? Are there any short and long-term follow-up indications or are there any possible long-term complications that we should take into account in those children? And not lastly, what are the most respectful and ethical measures both for mother and infant? We aim to analyze and compare the existing guidelines regarding the management of infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and to discuss the similarities and discrepancies between the available protocols.