Early-term births are associated with high neonatal morbidity and with NICU or neonatology service admission. Evaluation of local prevalence data will assist in implementation of specific preventive measures and plans, as well as prioritize limited health care resources.

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Vinyl bags prevent heat loss and are a simple and effective intervention in preventing hypothermia in the delivery room and early acidosis in premature infants.

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening is effective in asymptomatic late preterm and term newborn infants with a low false positive rate (0.035%). Objective (1) To compare 2817 NICU discharges before and after implementation of CCHD screening; and (2) to evaluate CCHD screening at < 35 weeks gestation. Methods collection of results of CCHD screening including preductal and postductal SpO2 values. Results During the pre-CCHD screen period, 1247 infants were discharged from the NICU and one case of CCHD was missed. After 3/1/12, 1508 CCHD screens were performed among 1570 discharges and no CCHDs were missed. The preductal and postductal SpO2 values were 98.8±1.4% and 99±1.3% respectively in preterm and 98.9±1.3% and 98.9±1.4% in term infants. Ten infants had false positive screens (10/1508=0.66%). Conclusions Performing universal screening in the NICU is feasible but is associated with a higher false positive rate compared to asymptomatic newborn infants.

Lower DHA levels in cord plasma of ODMs could affect their neurodevelopment. Maternal DHA status was also associated with higher values in the sleep rhythm maturation parameters of children.

Background: Resuscitation of premature infants with 100% O 2 may initiate significant oxidant stress during development, predisposing them to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In the study reported here, we examined the effects of three different oxygen concentrations at resuscitation on oxygen saturations (SpO 2) and oxidant stress in premature infants. Study design: Infants ,32 weeks gestational age were randomized to 21%, 40%, or 100% O 2 and resuscitated as per 2005 neonatal resuscitation guidelines. Oxygen groups and SpO 2 were unmasked at 10 minutes of age and FiO 2 adjusted to maintain an SpO 2 of 85%-95% for the next 20 minutes. Blood was collected at 24 hours, 1 week, and 4 weeks for measurement of the oxidative-stress markers, such as a reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio (GSH/GSSG), nitrotyrosine levels, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. The study was stopped at 30% enrollment following publication of the 2010 neonatal resuscitation guidelines. Results: We enrolled 18 patients during the study period. SpO 2 increased over time (P,0.0001); however, this increase was not different among the three oxygen groups in the first 10 minutes after birth. FiO 2 was significantly higher in the 100% O 2 group, despite weaning (P,0.02) to maintain target saturations at 30 minutes of age. The GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly lower in the 100% O 2 group at 24 hours than in the other groups (P,0.01). Plasma nitrotyrosine was significantly higher in the 40% and 100% O 2 groups over time (P,0.01). Levels of 8-OHdG were significantly higher at 4 weeks compared with at 24 hours, independent of the oxygen group (P,0.0001). Conclusion: In this study, we defined the natural evolution of SpO 2 in the first 10 minutes of life with exposure to three different concentrations of oxygen. Randomization to higher FiO 2 led to higher total oxygen exposure at resuscitation, and this was significantly correlated with markers of systemic oxidant stress.