Multiple Congenital Anomalies in a Neonate of a Diabetic Mother

Maternal diabetes is known to have teratogenic effects which increase the risk for congenital anomalies, such as caudal dysplasia, cardiac defects, hydronephrosis, and small left colon syndrome. Infants of diabetic mothers have a 10-fold higher frequency of anomalies in the central nervous system and a 5-fold higher frequency of congenital heart defects. However, jejunal atresia combined with multiple anomalies of the face, ears, and hands has rarely been reported. Herein we report a neonate born to a diabetic mother, who had hemifacial microsomia, displacement of the lacrimal ducts, polydactyly of the right hand, microtia of the right ear and proximal jejunal atresia presenting as bile regurgitation on the 1st day of life.

Use of Inhaled Iloprost in an Infant With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Pulmonary Artery Hypertension

Pulmonary artery hypertension is a common cardiovascular complication in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Inhaled iloprost is used as a therapeutic option in pulmonary hypertension, especially in adults. There have been but a few reports on the use of iloprost for neonates and infants. We report the case of a 5 month-old-male infant who received neonatal intensive care for 4 months due to respiratory distress syndrome and prematurity, during which he developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Echocardiography showed severe pulmonary hypertension. The initial treatment included respiratory support with high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV); however, his clinical condition did not improve. Inhaled iloprost with sildenafil, an oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, was thus used. With the administration of iloprost and sildenafil, his condition improved and he was weaned from oxygen. Our clinical experience suggests that iloprost is a promising therapy for pulmonary hypertension, especially when inhaled nitric oxide is unavailable.