Background Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He)—an established indicator of iron status in children and adults—was determined in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods Longitudinal retrospective RET-He data in 26 VLBW neonates during the first month of age were compared with: 1) concurrent complete blood counts (CBC) including hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, reticulocyte count, and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), and erythropoietin (EPO) levels; 2) clinical variables; and 3) RET-He data from the literature for term infants, children, and adults. Results RET-He within 24 hr following birth was 31.8±1.1 pg (mean±SEM). This was followed by an abrupt, significant decline to 28.3±1.1 pg at 2–4 days, and to steady state levels of 28.4±0.5 pg thereafter. The changes in RET-He were mirrored by changes in plasma EPO, reticulocyte count, and IRF, but not Hb. Steady state RET-He values after 4 d were significantly lower than RET-He values for term infants, children, and adults (31.6±0.11, 32.0±0.12, and 33.0±0.13 pg, respectively). Conclusion Although RET-He values in VLBW infant were lower than term infants, children and adults, the significance and mechanism(s) responsible are unknown. The present VLBW infant data are relevant to investigations assessing hemoglobinization following treatment with recombinant human EPO (r-HuEPO) and/or iron.

Introduction:Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is defined as acute respiratory distress caused by surfactant deficiency that disturbs gas exchange in preterm infants. It is one of the most common neonatal problems and has been considered to be the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm babies.Aim:In this study, different variables were studied to predict factors for INSURE failure that might help in choosing infants for this procedure early.Methods:Sixty three (63) patients were enrolled in this study as they met the inclusion criteria. All neonates were intubated briefly less than 2 hours, given natural surfactant in the dose of 3 ml/kg. As soon as it was appropriate and the neonate was stable in the form of normal heart rate and oxygenation, extubation was done and the baby connected to NCPAP at a pressure of 6 cmH2O. INSURE failure was considered if the patient needed mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours while INSURE success was considered if we were able to wean the patient from CPAP or if the patient didn’t need mechanical ventilation in the first 72 hours after surfactant administration. The indications for mechanical ventilation after INSURE procedure were respiratory distress with desaturation (02 sat less than 90%), recurrent apnea, Pco2 more than 60 mmHg.Results:Since INSURE procedure is being largely applied in the neonatal intensive care units, it is important to determine the candidate neonate for this procedure with the minimum failure rate. Although the sample of our study is small, but we can suggest that neonate with gestational age less than 28, birth weight less than 1000 gm, umbilical PH of less than 7, low Apgar score and anemic patients are at high risk for INSURE failure.Conclusion:Early diagnosis of PDA and IVH is essential to avoid INSURE method in these patients.

No abstract

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals towards coronavirus infectious disease 2019. In addition, to assess the factors influencing compliance of HCPs with infection control precautions (ICPs) towards COVID-19. Study Design: A descriptive correlational design was used to investigate factors influencing compliance to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection control precautions. Methods: A Web-based survey instrument was used to obtain responses from convenient sample of healthcare professionals who are Jordanian nationality during the month of January 2021. Results: A total of 2147 healthcare professionals participated in this study, of which 1527 completed the study questionnaire. The results revealed that there were positive correlations between Healthcare professionals' compliance toward COVID-19 infection control precaution and knowledge, perception, age, and years of experience. In addition, a multivariate analysis model proved that the age, knowledge, and perception accounted for significant predictors of the compliance towards COVID-19 ICPs. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals demonstrated a high level of compliance with infection control precautions that minimizes the risk of COVID-19.

Sacral agenesis, known also as caudal regression syndrome, is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by absence of a variable amount of sacrum, lumbar spine and associated neural elements. It is mostly seen in infants of diabetic mothers. Nearly all patients have genitourinary anomalies, neurogenic bladder being the most common. Other associated anomalies include cardiac, gastrointestinal and orthopedic. Here, we present a rare type of lumbosacral agenesis in an infant of a diabetic mother. It was diagnosed antenatally at 26 weeks of gestation.