Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

To investigate the possible relationships between plasma bilirubin levels and concentrations of nitric oxide [NO], malondialdehyde [MDA], and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. Thirty term [gestational age >/= 37 weeks] newborn infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia aged less than 10 days were prospectively recruited in the Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Neonatal Unit, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, between January and July 2007. Thirty randomly selected healthy newborns who had similar age and without clinical jaundice comprised the control group. Erythrocyte catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase [GPx], glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and plasma MDA and NO concentrations were measured. Both MDA and NO concentrations were higher in the study group than the controls [p=0.000]. The mean activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were found to be lower in the study group compared with the controls [p=0.000]. Furthermore, plasma bilirubin showed significant negative correlations with antioxidant enzyme activities but positive correlations with MDA and NO. In this sample, infants with significant hyperbilirubinemia had elevated oxidative stress and disturbed antioxidant enzyme activity. Since these states have been shown to cause cellular injury in neonatal patients with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, such patients should be followed-up and undergo therapy to prevent the harmful effects of hyperbilirubinemia. Further studies are needed to investigate possible benefits of antioxidants in hyperbilirubinemia

knowledge and attitudes of the primary care physicis on developmental dysplasia of the hip

For the prevention and early diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip [DDH], a detailed clinical screening of the newborn performed by a primary care [PC] physician is recommended as a standard practice throughout the most western countries. We aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the PC physicians towards DDH, and to develop further educational and training programs, according to the results obtained from the study. The study was a pre- and post-test with a cross-sectional design. In winter of 2005, the participants included 102 PC physicians from 20 primary health care centers in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. A structured questionnaire was prepared consisting of 28 statements on medical, practical, and traditional knowledge and attitudes concerning DDH. There was a significant difference between the pretest [71.47 +/- 9.92] and post-test scores [78.85 +/- 12.86] of participants [P=0.000]. Of the participants, 83 [81.4%] before, and 93 [91.2%] after the lecture, thought that DDH is a preventable disease. Prior to the lecture, only 27.5% of the physicians were aware of the wrong traditional attitudes that are considered as risk factors for DDH. The knowledge and attitudes of PC physicians on DDH needs to be improved by providing continuous education programmes