Can We Estimate Late-Onset Sepsis by Serial Methemoglobin Levels? An Observational Study in Preterm Neonates.

Objective: To assess serial methemoglobin (MetHb) levels in preterm infants as a possible diagnostic method for late-onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: Preterm infants were assigned into two groups: those with culture-proven LOS and controls. Serial MetHb levels were measured. Results: The MetHb values of the LOS group were found to be significantly increased (p < 0.001). The cutoff value for the detection of LOS was calculated as MetHb > 1.75%, optimized for a sensitivity of 81.9% and specificity of 90%. After antimicrobial therapy, MetHb values were found to decrease significantly (p < 0.001). MetHb had an AUC of 0.810 for mortality using the calculated cutoff of >2% (p < 0.005). Conclusions: MetHb levels increase at the onset of LOS and decrease following treatment. MetHb can be added to other sepsis biomarkers as a rapid infectious process indicator for preterm neonates. MetHb > 2% is associated with LOS mortality.

Intestinal perforation after intravitreal low dose ranibizumab injection for the treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity: A case report.

PURPOSE: To report a newborn patient with gastrointestinal (GIS) perforation after intravitreal ranibizumab (RBZ) treatment. CASE REPORT: The patient was born at 31 gestational week and hospitalized with the diagnosis of small for gestational age and prematurity. In the follow up he underwent GIS surgery due to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). At 43 weeks of postmenstrual age, he developed intestinal perforation after 12 h of the second low-dose RBZ injection. According to our knowledge, this is the first report of GIS perforation due to low-dose intravitreal RBZ treatment in an infant with severe ROP. CONCLUSION: The risk of GIS perforation should be taken into consideration during the application of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist agents, especially in newborns with previous GIS surgery and a history of NEC, and these patients should be carefully monitored for GIS complications.

Patent ductus arteriosus ligation under high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in two critically ill pre-mature newborns.

Information on the use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in neonatal surgeries is very rare. In this report, we discuss two pre-term infants who had to receive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation as a rescue treatment due to severe pre-maturity. These two cases underwent successful bedside patent ductus arteriosus ligation under high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and this shows us that patent ductus arteriosus ligation can be performed successfully in neonates even under high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor in a Newborn: Can IVF Be a Risk Factor?

BackgroundIn recent years, with the widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies, questions have arisen regarding the possible relationship between these infertile parents with assisted conception procedures and childhood cancers. Case report: We present a 23-day-old newborn conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a 53 × 46 × 38 mm intracranial mass detected by magnetic resonance imaging on the 15th postnatal day. The mass, removed on 23rd postnatal day, was an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), WHO grade 4. Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the only neonatally detected ATRT. Further studies are needed to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between IVF and childhood cancers.

Computed Tomography-guided Percutaneous Drainage of Pneumomediastinum in a Newborn: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal pneumomediastinum is seen in 2.5 per 1000 live births and is mostly managed conservatively. An intervention is essential in cases with tension pneumomediastinum. Ultrasonography-guided (USG-guided) relief of pneumomediastinum has been reported in newborns. There are no reported cases of computed tomography-guided (CT-guided) drainage of pneumomediastinum in neonates. CASE PRESENTATION: A newborn girl born at 34 weeks of gestation was intubated due to respiratory distress and received intratracheal surfactant treatment. Pneumomediastinum was detected at the chest X-ray on the 6th postnatal hour. On the second postnatal day, the patient's oxygen needs increased, tachypnea and subcostal retractions recurred, so it was decided to intervene. USG-guided drainage of the pneumomediastinum was attempted twice but was unsuccessful. Percutaneous drainage with CT guidance was performed successfully. CONCLUSION: This report aims to emphasize that CT-guided intervention of pneumomediastinum can be an effective alternative in a newborn if USG-guided intervention fails.

Acute lung injury after exchange transfusion in two newborns with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Transfusion-related lung injury (TRALI) is a condition that develops suddenly within the first six hours after a blood transfusion and it is one of the most important causes of blood transfusion-related mortality. There are few data in the literature about TRALI in the neonatal period. We present two newborn patients who developed TRALI after exchange transfusion due to high bilirubin levels. Our first case was a late preterm LGA baby and was on CPAP. The baby was intubated due to sudden deterioration after the exchange transfusion. Our second case was born at term and, an exchange transfusion was performed on the 5th day of life. He developed respiratory distress unexpectedly soon after the exchange transfusion and was intubated. Glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was detected in both of our cases. We wanted to emphasize that TRALI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress that develops soon after a transfusion in the newborn period and to draw attention to that TRALI may develop more frequently in patients with G6PD deficiency.

Clostridium difficile Colonization Before and After Hospitalization in Children.

BACKGROUND: Beginning in the early 2000s, Clostridium difficile infection has become a major health problem in the United States, Canada, and in most European countries and has not only increased in incidence but also the severity. There are 2 conditions for the development of C. difficile infection: disruption of the normal gastrointestinal flora, and exogenous ingestion of the microorganism. We aimed to study C. difficile colonization in hospitalized children. We identified 2 issues: (1) the relationship between risks before hospital admission and colonization on the first day of hospitalization and (2) the effect of the factors that patients are exposed to during hospitalization on the colonization status at discharge. METHODS: Patients aged between 2 and 18 years who were hospitalized with various diagnoses were included in this study. C. difficile toxin A/B was investigated in the stool samples taken on the admission and discharge days. RESULTS: One hundred six patients were included in the study, of whom 24.5% and 48.1% of hemato-oncology patients were positive for C. difficile toxin A/B. Antibiotic usage within 1 month preceding hospitalization and the presence of underlying disease impact the C. difficile colonization status on the first day of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Toxigenic C. difficile colonization prevalence is high in hospitalized children, especially in the hemato-oncology patient group.

Cinacalcet as a First-Line Treatment in Neonatal Severe Hyperparathyroidism Secondary to Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) Mutation.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) is a rare cause of neonatal hypercalcemia caused by a loss of function mutation in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Hypercalcemia in NSHPT can be life-threatening. Maintenance of serum calcium within a safe range is the primary goal of treatment through hydration, forced diuresis, and bisphosphonate treatment, nevertheless most cases require parathyroidectomy. We report a case with NSHPT diagnosed on the first day of life (DoL) and successfully treated with cinacalcet as the first-line treatment from the 2nd DoL up to the age of 18 months. CASE REPORT: A full-term baby evaluated for weight loss at postnatal 14th hour and found to have hypercalcemia (14.4 mg/dL, reference range [RR]: 8.0-11.3). Despite hydration and diuresis, hypercalcemia persisted. Further evaluation revealed a parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of 1,493 pg/mL (RR: 15-65) and urine Ca/Cr of 0.09 mg/mg (RR: 0.03-0.81). Cinacalcet treatment was initiated on the 2nd DoL with the diagnosis of NSHPT due to hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and elevated PTH level. Ca levels decreased to normal levels on the 7th DoL. She was discharged from hospital at postnatal day 15 on cinacalcet treatment and still continued at 18 months of age. Sequencing of CaSR revealed a novel homozygous c.1836G>A (p.G613E) mutation in the patient, for which the parents and sister were heterozygous. CONCLUSION: This case represents the youngest age at cinacalcet initiation and the longest duration without parathyroidectomy in a homozygous NSHPT and demonstrates that cinacalcet is an effective first-line treatment in patients who are responsive to this treatment modality and allows avoiding/delay in surgical intervention in NSHPT.

Acute granulomatous iridocyclitis in a child with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis [TINU] syndrome is a rare disorder that may also be underdiagnosed. Patients with TINU syndrome typically present with an acute bilateral nongranulomatous anterior uveitis following symptoms of systemic illness. FINDINGS: We report the case of a 15-year-old girl who presented with acute granulomatous iridocyclitis and was diagnosed with TINU syndrome based on renal biopsy findings. Both her uveitis and interstitial nephritis promptly responded to high-dose corticosteroid treatment, and there were no relapses during follow-up of 20 months. CONCLUSIONS: TINU should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with acute granulomatous uveitis.