BackgroundNeonatal hypothermia remains a common problem and is related to elevated morbidities and mortality. However, the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of admission hypothermia are still unknown. This study attempted to determine the short-term and long-term consequences of admission hypothermia in VLBW preterm infants.Study DesignThis retrospective study measured the incidence and compared the outcomes of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants in a tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit. Infants were divided into the following groups: normothermia (36.5–37.5°C), mild hypothermia (36.0–36.4°C), moderate hypothermia (32.0–35.9°C), and severe hypothermia (< 32°C). We compared the distribution, demographic variables, short-term outcomes, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of corrected age among groups.ResultsWe studied 341 infants: 79 with normothermia, 100 with mild hypothermia, 162 with moderate hypothermia, and 0 with severe hypothermia. Patients in the moderate hypothermia group had significantly lower gestational ages (28.1 wk vs. 29.7 wk, P < .02) and smaller birth weight (1004 g vs. 1187 g, P < .001) compared to patients in the normothermia group. Compared to normothermic infants, moderately hypothermic infants had significantly higher incidences of 1-min Apgar score < 7 (63.6% vs. 31.6%, P < .001), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (58.0% vs. 39.2%, P = .006), and mortality (18.5% vs. 5.1%, P = .005). Moderate hypothermia did not affect neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years’ corrected age. Mild hypothermia had no effect on short-term or long-term outcomes.ConclusionsAdmission hypothermia was common in VLBW infants and correlated inversely with birth weight and gestational age. Although moderate hypothermia was associated with higher RDS and mortality rates, it may play a limited role among multifactorial causes of neurodevelopmental impairment.

We report a case of a male newborn with Schimmelpenning syndrome, which presented as diffuse sebaceous nevi covering the left side of the body, from the lower chin midface to the lower leg; cardiac-ocular comorbidities were also present. We present photographs of this patient's sebaceous nevi, which may assist physicians in the early diagnosis of this condition and prevent unnecessary examinations and inadequate therapies.

Congenital candidiasis presents with a variety of clinical features. We report two neonates with congenital candidiasis characterized by diffuse erythematous papules associated with pneumonia and respiratory distress. Candida pseudohyphae were identifiable in skin scrapings. Systemic cultures were negative, but urine and sputum cultures grew Candida albicans. After prompt systemic antifungal therapy, the infants were discharged from hospital with no overt complications. This report highlights the presence of characteristic skin lesions associated with candidal infection, occurring within 24 hours of birth. This is an important observation which could help in the early diagnosis of congenital candidal infection.

VLBW children delivered earlier than 29 gestational weeks with abnormal umbilical blood flow velocity prenatally have greater mental developmental delay at 2 years of age.

The use of atropine as premedication in general anesthesia for neonatal PDA ligation is associated with higher risk of respiratory acidosis, which worsens with the combined use of ketamine.