National guidelines for delivery room management.

The following guideline is designed to give recommendations for the routine care of all neonates immediately after delivery, and the resuscitation and delivery room approach of all high-risk infants in light of recent literature. The guideline has been prepared as three different parts. The first part is about routine procedures that have to be performed to all healthy term and preterm infants in delivery room care. The second part summaries the basic principles of resusucitation including the latest changes that were mentioned in the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR)-2015 guideline. Recommendations about the delivery room management of rare clinical conditions have been discussed in the last part. The social, medical conditions, and the resourses of Turkey have also been taken into consideration in its preparation. We hope it will be useful for all pediatricians and neonatologists for use as a essential guideline in delivery room care.

Pomegranate juice causes a partial improvement through lowering oxidative stress for erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-diabetic rat.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a potent antioxidant in diabetes induced oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the administration of PJ ameliorates ED in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n=10-12, each): (1) Control, (2) STZ (25-35 mg kg-1, intravenously, 10 weeks) induced DM, and (3) PJ (100 mg kg-1 day-1, 10 weeks) treated DM rats. The in vivo erectile [a ratio of intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP)] and ex vivo corpus cavernosum (CC) responses were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry and Masson's trichrome staining were performed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. The ICP/MAP value in diabetic rats was lower than controls, which was partially improved by PJ treatment. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxant responses in CC from the diabetic group were significantly decreased that were ameliorated by treatment. Phenylephrine- and EFS-induced contractions were not altered in diabetic rats. PJ treatment normalized raised MDA levels of diabetic CC samples. Although the intensities of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and neuronal NOS enzymes were decreased, inducible NOS protein levels were stronger in diabetic slides than controls. This is the first study to show that PJ treatment ameliorates partially ED and completely oxidative stress and fibrosis in a diabetic rat model. Our results highlight the success of antioxidant mechanism of PJ in ED with diabetes and open the way for future understanding in alternative treatment combinations with PDE5 inhibitors.

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: a case simulating anklylosing spondylitis treated with anti-TNF therapy.

In this case, a young male patient diagnosed as hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) will be assessed by literature. A 32-year-old male patient who had been previously diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis and hypophosphatemic osteomalacia was admitted to our clinic. In the beginning of the disease, he complained of pain on the first metatarsal bone and low back. Sacroiliac magnetic resonance (MR) images were interpreted as sacroiliitis. He was diagnosed as AS, and referred to many hospitals and received several therapies. He did not benefit from the treatment and his complaints worsened. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B-27 test was negative and alkaline phosphatase level was high. Old femur fractures were reported in the whole body bone scintigraphy. In addition, the patient was diagnosed with osteomalacia. While the patient was receiving vitamin D, oral phosphate, anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy was added. Patient's diagnosis was reevaluated. His final diagnosis was hypophosphatemic osteomalacia instead of ankylosing spondylitis.

A retrospective analysis of prognostic factors predictive of lymph-node metastasis and recurrence in thyroid papillary microcarcinoma.

AIM: The literature is inconclusive concerning the prognostic factors and therapeutic management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Herein we report on our extensive experience with PTMC in relation to clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors. METHODS: In all, 248 patients that were diagnosed and treated for PTMC between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and tumor characteristics at presentation, and recurrence during follow-up were noted. RESULTS: Total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation treatment were performed in all patients. Bilateral involvement, vascular and capsular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis occurred significantly more frequently in patients with tumor size>5 mm (P<0.05). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that a clinically suspected diagnosis (OR:0.095; P=0.043) and elevated thyroglobulin (TG) level (OR: 1.083; P=0.011; cut-off value≥7.98 ngmL(-1)) were significant and independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis, with a sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 83%. After a median follow-up of 2 years (range:0.3-11 years), 10 (4%) of the 248 patients had recurrent disease. According to multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis (OR: 51.4; P=0.003) was the only independent predictor of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that serum TG level and a clinically suspected diagnosis were risk factors for lymph node metastasis, while nodal metastasis was a predictor of recurrence.

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid spray on swelling, pain, and trismus after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

The aim of this study was compare the efficacies of two oral sprays in reducing swelling, pain, and trismus after the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This prospective double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial included 34 patients with bilateral symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars of similar surgical difficulty. Hyaluronic acid or benzydamine hydrochloride spray was applied (two pumps) to the extraction area, three times daily for 7 days. Swelling was evaluated using a tape measure method, pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and trismus by measuring the maximum inter-incisal opening. Assessments were made on the day of surgery and on days 2 and 7 after surgery. Statistically significant differences were detected for the swelling and trismus values between the two treatment groups on the second postoperative day (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. The administration of hyaluronic acid spray was more effective than benzydamine hydrochloride spray in reducing swelling and trismus. Although no evidence of a reduction in pain levels was detected, hyaluronic acid appears to offer a beneficial effect in the management of swelling and trismus during the immediate postoperative period following impacted third molar surgery.

Analysis of serum γ-glutamyl transferase levels in neonatal intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVES: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is commonly measured in newborn infants as a sensitive liver function test; however, reference ranges are mostly based on early studies, including relatively small number of patients. The aim of this study was to emphasise recently changed GGT values because of changed newborns profile admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and establish new cross-sectional reference ranges for the serum GGT levels in a cohort of neonates between 26 and 42 weeks' gestational age in 1 centre. METHODS: From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012, liver function tests including serum GGT measurements were performed in 705 newborns who were admitted to NICUs because of different aetiologies at Gazi University School of Medicine Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Infants with Apgar score <8 at the fifth minute, any metabolic or liver disease, cholestasis, congenital infection, culture-proven sepsis, elevated serum aminotransferases, and who were treated with phenobarbital were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data of 583 neonates were analysed retrospectively. GGT was measured by enzymatic method using the Abbott Architect C16000 autoanalyser. Mean, 2.5th, and 97.5th percentiles were used to express the reference range data. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-one GGT values of 200 preterm infants and 501 GGT values of 383 term infants during the first 28 days after birth were analysed. Serum GGT levels of preterm infants in the first 7 days and between 8 and 28 days after delivery were (mean±standard deviation; 141.81±88.56 U/L and 131.17±85.53 U/L) similar to term infants (139.90±86.46 U/L and 144.56±86.51 U/L), respectively (P=0.649 and P=0.087). Serum GGT levels were found to be significantly higher in male infants (no need of query) (145.98±93.68 U/L) than female infants (132.18±78.97 U/L) (P=0.035), and infants born vaginally (152.24±90.71 U/L) also had higher serum GGT activity than those born by caesarean section (135.38±85.37 U/L) (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A new reference range for serum GGT levels that is higher than previous reference values can identify neonates with truly abnormal results and prevent unnecessary interventions.

Two isolated giant gastric duplication cysts in thorax in a newborn.

We report a case of a newborn with severe respiratory distress since birth with two giant intrathoracic and separate eneteric duplication cysts in right hemithorax. On day 19, the intrathoracic cysts were removed, and the baby was discharged on his 22nd day of life. Histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of a gastric duplication cyst. This report is the first case of two isolated, separated and giant right intrathoracic gastric duplication cysts in literature. The diagnostic values of radiological evaluation and surgical and pathological management for precise diagnosis are discussed.

Human leukocyte antigen and major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A antibodies after kidney transplantation in Turkish renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A (MICA) antibody (Ab) production during the first 6 months posttransplantation correlated with long-term graft survival and rejection rate. The study group included 147 first transplantations from either living related (LRDs) or deceased donors (DDs) who were divided into two subgroups: rejection (RG, n = 28) and nonrejection (NRG, n = 119). Serum samples (n = 441) collected from each patient on posttransplant days 30, 90, and 180 were tested for HLA and MICA Ab using the Luminex technique. RESULTS: Among 82 Ab-positive patients (55.8%), 40 had both HLA and MICA, 33 only HLA, and 9 only MICA Ab in the posttransplant period. The rates of HLA class I, class II, or both Ab positivities were greater in the RG than the NRG (P = .011, .037, and .0275, respectively). At 180 days posttransplant, 64.3% of patients in the RG had Ab and 41.2% in the NRG (P = .0349). The data for the LRD (n = 116) group were similar to those for the entire group; whereas there was no significant difference in Ab positivity between RG and NRG patients who received organs from DDs. There was no significant difference with respect to HLA class II and/or MICA Ab positivity between RG and NRG among patients who lacked HLA class I Ab. DISCUSSION: We confirmed that HLA and MICA Ab may be harmful posttransplant, promoting rejection processes and representing an important cause of graft failure. HLA class II and MICA Ab positivities were only important predictors of graft failure when present together with HLA class I positivity. Patients who developed HLA alone or both HLA and MICA Ab rejected their grafts more frequently than Ab-negative recipients.

Prevalence of iron deficiency at the first age of the infants hospitalized in neonatal period.

Iron deficiency (ID) is a global health problem. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ID at the first year of life in infants who were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and investigate the effects of various factors on iron status. One year follow-up data of 219 infants who were discharged from NICU was retrospectively evaluated. ID anemia and ID without anemia were detected in fifteen infants (6.8%) and five (2.3%) infants, respectively. We concluded that, due to prophylactic iron treatment and close follow-up, hospitalization in neonatal period did not have any adverse effect on iron status at first year of life.

Combination antifungal therapy with voriconazole for persistent candidemia in very low birth weight neonates.

The purpose of this article is to report our experience with intravenous voriconazole therapy in the treatment of persistent Candida septicemia in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. Candidiasis was defined if an infant had a positive blood culture. Ten VLBW newborns developed Candida sepsis, and candidemia persisted in 6 of them despite 3 to 21 days of antifungal therapy with amphotericin B, either conventional or liposomal, and fluconazole. After the addition of voriconazole, clearance of Candida was achieved within 3-7 days of treatment. Antifungal therapy combination with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole was continued for at least two weeks after two negative cultures 48 hours apart. We conclude that considering the hazardous effects of Candida infections in preterm newborns, voriconazole can be added to the treatment of fungal sepsis in newborns who still have persistent candidemia despite conventional antifungal management. More clinical information is needed before voriconazole can be used as a first-line drug in antifungal therapy in newborns.

Where should the normal position of the umbilicus be in the neonate?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the normal position of the umbilicus so as to offer a guide to improve cosmetic results after the repair of congenital abdominal wall defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The position of the umbilical center was determined in 187 neonates with respect to the xiphoid process, the center of the umbilicus and the pubis. The distance between the xiphoid process and the center of the umbilicus (XU), between the pubis and the center of the umbilicus (PU) and from the xiphoid process to the pubis (XP) were measured while the babies lay in a supine position. The PU:XU ratio was calculated based on these measurements. RESULTS: Mean XP was 11.93±1.40 cm, mean XU was 7.41±1.08 cm and mean PU was 4.52±0.70 (mean±SD). The PU:XU ratio was calculated as 0.61±0.12 (ratio±SD). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the PU:XU ratio should be 0.61 offering an ideal localization in umbilical reconstruction.

Anti-HLA antibody profile of Turkish patients with end-stage renal disease.

Exposure to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) via blood transfusions, pregnancies, and previous transplantations can result in anti-HLA antibody production. The presence of anti-HLA antibodies in recipient sera before transplantation is an important risk factor. To demonstrate the anti-HLA antibody status of Turkish end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, 674 patients (mean age, 40.35 +/- 13.15 years; female/male, 328/346) were enrolled into the study. Anti-HLA antibody screening and identification tests were performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The panel-reactive antibody (PRA)-negative group consisted of 564 (83.6%) and the PRA-positive group consisted of 110 (17.3%) patients. Of the 110 (17.3%) PRA-positive patients, 43 (6.4%) were class I (+) and class II (-); 19 (2.8%) were class I (-) and class II (+); 48 (7.1%) were both class I and II (+). The most frequent antibodies were directed against the A2 crossreactive group (CREG) and the A10 CREG with less frequent reactions against the B7 CREG, indicating antibodies to both frequent (members of A2 CREG) and relatively rare (members of A10 CREG and B7 CREG antigens). These data also suggested that some antibodies occur at greater than expected frequency because of shared epitopes. Our findings confirmed the significant correlation between female gender, pregnancy, failed graft history, long dialysis duration, and blood transfusions with PRA positivity (P < .05).

Assessment of radiation doses to cardiologists during interventional examinations.

The accuracy of two on line dosimetric techniques was investigated for the estimation of cardiologist doses. The first technique involves the establishment of a database relating the cardiologist extremity doses to patient DAP values. Doses of nine cardiologists were measured together with patient doses during the interventional cardiac examinations of 166 patients for this purpose. Data were collected from five cardiology departments. The mean of the eye, thyroid, waist, right-left wrist, and right-left leg doses per procedure were measured as 72.4 (31.6-107.1), 68.5 (13.3-174.6), 11.2 (0.9-28.4), 67.8 (21.9-120.3) to 216 (52.7-425.4), and 137 (51.4-386.2) to 384 (135-1168.3) microGy/procedure. The effective doses were calculated according to the use of protection tools and a mean value of 12.14 (1.2-30.2) microSv/procedure was found. The ratios of staff dose to patient DAP were found to be within the range of 0.14-3.75 for each procedure. In the second method, cardiologist doses were calculated and compared with the measured values. Scatter doses were measured at the positions of cardiologists from Rando phantom exposures using similar conditions with patient procedures for this purpose. The parameters obtained from these exposures and patient examinations were used to calculate the doses to cardiologists.

Treatment of postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas with octreotide in two neonates.

Enterocutaneous fistula (EF) in newborns and prematures is a well-recognized complication after necrotizing enterocolitis and other abdominal surgical procedures. Conservative management consists of bowel rest, antibiotics, wound care, and the administration of drugs that either reduce gastrointestinal motility or secretions. Octreotide decreases gastrointestinal secretions, inhibits or blocks the effects of gastrointestinal hormones, diminishes gut motility and thus reduces the flow through the fistula. We used octreotide and were able to report successful spontaneous closure of a fistula in our 2 neonatal patients, one a premature neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the other with meconium peritonitis.

Maternal and umbilical venous adrenomedullin and nitric oxide levels in intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether adrenomedullin (AM) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations are changed in the maternal and fetal circulation in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared to normal pregnancies, and to determine any relationship between them. METHODS: Forty-six small for gestational age (SGA) and 34 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were included in the study. Umbilical and maternal venous AM and NO concentrations were determined. RESULTS: Umbilical NO concentrations in SGA infants (mean +/- SD; 176.2 +/- 75.8 micromol/L) were significantly greater than in AGA infants (143.4 +/- 39.2 micromol/L) (p = 0.015). However, umbilical AM concentrations were similar in SGA and AGA infants with 14.2 +/- 4.4 pmol/mL and 14.5 +/- 6.2 pmol/mL, respectively (p > 0.05). There was no relationship between NO and AM levels in umbilical blood (r = 0.09, p = 0.40). No difference was found between either AM or NO levels in the maternal plasma of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that NO is increased in the fetoplacental circulation in SGA infants probably as a response to decreased blood flow, whereas AM is not. Additionally, increased NO in the fetoplacental circulation was found to be independent from AM secretion.

A case report of neonatal convulsions due to maternal herpes gestationis.

Herpes gestationis is a rarely seen autoimmune vesiculobullous and pruritic dermatosis of pregnancy. Neonatal morbidity associated with maternal herpes gestationis is controversial. The authors report the first case of neonatal convulsion with abnormal electroencephalography findings and transient vesicular eruption due to maternal herpes gestationis.

Serum atrial natriuretic peptide levels in infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms responsible for lung liquid clearance during the neonatal period result in switching of the lung epithelium from net secretion to net absorption following birth and driven by active Na(+) absorption. Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is known as the most common consequence of inadequate neonatal lung liquid clearance. It has been reported that alveolar type II cells behaved as a target for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) which inhibits the amiloride-sensitive Na-channel activity. The objective of this study is to investigate serum ANP concentrations in infants with TTN. METHODS: Fourteen newborn infants who were diagnosed with TTN (gestational age; 35.6 +/- 2.0 weeks) and twenty healthy neonates (gestational age; 36.3 +/- 2.2 weeks) were included in the study. Serum pro ANP concentrations were measured by ELISA using Biomedica GmbH (AUSTRIA) proANP kit on the 4th and 72nd hours of life. RESULTS: The mean serum pro ANP concentration was 2996 fmol/ml at 4 and 2694 fmol/ml at 72 hours of age for the infants with TTN and mean serum pro ANP concentrations of healthy infants found 3301 fmol/ml (p = 0.34) and 3204 fmol/ml (p = 0.04), respectively. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that serum ANP concentrations decreased in infants with TTN.

Resuscitation failure due to Fraser syndrome in a newborn undiagnosed in the prenatal period.

Long segment laryngo-tracheal atresia is rare, and is usually incompatible with life in neonates. We report a case of an infant with Fraser syndrome that had not been diagnosed in the prenatal period who presented with impossible intubation due to severe long segment laryngeal atresia in the delivery room. Antenatal diagnostic features of Fraser syndrome and emergency airway management are discussed.

Tubular skin appendage, renal agenesis and popliteal web: a further example of the human homologue of disorganization (Ds).

We describe a newborn infant with defects similar to those seen in mice heterozygous for the mutant disorganization (Ds) gene. The child had left popliteal webbing, left iliac bone hypoplasia, bifid scrotum, hypospadias, chordee deformity of the penis and a sacral dimple. Other anomalies included absence of the right kidney and a bizarre hamartomatous tubular skin pedicle on the left thigh. No obvious amniotic bands or oligohydramnios were noted. The similarity between the proband's anomalies, those in previously reported cases, and those found in mice support the possibility of a human homologue of the Ds gene.