Early or delayed cord clamping during transition of term newborns: does it make any difference in cerebral tissue oxygenation?

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization's recommendation, delayed cord clamping in term newborns can have various benefits. Cochrane metaanalyses reported no differences for mortality and early neonatal morbidity although a limited number of studies investigated long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The aim of our study is to compare the postnatal cerebral tissue oxygenation values in babies with early versus delayed cord clamping born after elective cesarean section. METHODS: In this study, a total of 80 term newborns delivered by elective cesarean section were included. Infants were randomly grouped as early (clamped within 15 s, n:40) and delayed cord clamping (at the 60th second, n:40) groups. Peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate were measured by pulse oximetry while regional oxygen saturation of the brain (rSO2) was measured with near-infrared spectrometer. Fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) was calculated for every minute between the 3rd and 15th minute after birth. (FTOE = pulse oximetry value-rSO2/pulse oximetry value). The measurements were compared for both groups. RESULTS: The demographical characteristics, SpO2 levels (except postnatal 6th, 8th, and 14th minutes favoring DCC p < 0.05), heart rates and umbilical cord blood gas values were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). rSO2 values were significantly higher while FTOE values were significantly lower for every minute between the 3rd and 15th minutes after birth in the delayed cord clamping group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a significant increase in cerebral rsO2 values and a decrease in FTOE values in the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group, indicating a positive impact on cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics. Furthermore, the DCC group exhibited a higher proportion of infants with cerebral rSO2 levels above the 90th percentile. This higher proportion, along with a lower of those with such parameter below the 10th percentile, suggest that DCC may lead to the targeted/optimal cerebral oxygenetaion of these babies. As a result, we recommend measuring cerebral oxygenation, in addition to peripheral SpO2, for infants experiencing perinatal hypoxia and receiving supplemental oxygen.

Necrotizing enterocolitis in a term newborn after spontaneous cerebral parenchymal hemorrhage: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intracranial hemorrhage are severe emergencies in the neonatal period. The two do not appear to be correlated. However, our report suggests that parenchymal brain hemorrhage in full-term newborns may put patients at risk for NEC by altering intestinal function through the brain-gut axis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of spontaneous parenchymal cerebral hemorrhage in a full-term newborn who developed early-stage NEC on Day 15. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to consider brain parenchymal hemorrhage as a risk factor for the appearance of NEC. Clinicians should be highly cautious about NEC in infants who have experienced parenchymal hemorrhage. This article is the first to discuss the relationship between parenchymal hemorrhage and NEC in full-term newborns.

Reliability and reference values for diaphragmatic excursion, thickness, and thickening fraction and quadriceps femoris muscle thickness in full-term newborns evaluated by ultrasound.

To determine the diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction, and excursion and thickness of the quadriceps femoris muscle in full-term newborns and to evaluate the intra- and interrater reliability of these measurements. This was a prospective, observational clinical study including full-term newborns born within the first 48 h after birth. Serial measurements of the thickness, thickening fraction, and mobility of the diaphragm muscles and the thickness of the quadriceps muscle were obtained using ultrasound images. A total of 69 newborns with a mean gestational age of 39 weeks were included. The following measurements were obtained and are expressed as the mean (standard deviation): inspiratory diaphragm thickness, 0.19 cm (0.04); expiratory diaphragm thickness, 0.16 cm (0.04); diaphragm thickness fraction, 16.70 cm (10.27); diaphragmatic excursion, 0.68 cm (0.22); and quadriceps thickness, 0.99 cm (0.14). Intrarater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Excellent intrarater agreement was observed for the two groups of operators (ICC > 0.86, p < 0.001) for all measurements except for the diaphragm thickening fraction, which showed good agreement for both operator groups (ICC = 0.70, p < 0.001). Regarding interrater reliability, moderate agreement between the raters was observed in the means of all measures (ICC > 0.49, p < 0.001), except for the diaphragm thickening fraction, which showed poor agreement.    Conclusion: Good intrarater and moderate interrater reliability were achieved in ultrasound evaluations of the thickness and mobility of the diaphragm and quadriceps femoris muscles in full-term newborns, demonstrating the feasibility of this technique for clinical use. This pioneering study offers reference values for these muscles in a single study, allowing comparisons between different clinical conditions. What is Known: • Ultrasound is a highly reliable tool for muscle assessment that can be used to assess muscular atrophy in critically ill patients. • Muscle atrophy worsens the patient's condition and has been associated with worse outcomes. What is New: • To our knowledge, this is the first study to jointly evaluate the diaphragm and quadriceps muscle thickness and evaluate the reliability of all measurements. • Our study presents reference values for both muscles, enabling comparisons between different clinical conditions.

Alteraciones somatométricas y menor puntaje aPGar en recién nacidos indígenas / Somatometric alterations and lower APGAR score in indigenous newborns

Introducción: la población indígena es vulnerable y poco se conoce sobre sus indicadores somatométricos y APGAR al nacimiento. Objetivo: explorar la asociación de la condición de recién nacido indígena (RNI) sobre parámetros somatométricos y APGAR al nacimiento. Métodos: estudio transversal exploratorio que empleó el registro de recién nacidos (RN) de una clínica privada. La condición de RNI se determinó por la condición indígena materna. Se consideraron la puntuación APGAR al primer minuto y los indicadores nutricionales derivados del peso, la talla y los perímetros. El análisis estadístico empleó regresiones logísticas. Resultados: el análisis exploratorio involucró a 7413 RN (1,8 % de RNI). El 52 % de los RN eran de sexo masculino y el 8,1 % fueron pretérmino (< 37 semanas). Los RNI, respecto a los RN no indígenas, presentaron mayor riesgo de desnutrición (8 % vs. 6,3 %; p < 0,001), mayor exceso de peso (7,3 % vs. 1,8 %; p < 0,001), menor perímetro cefálico (33,6 cm vs. 34,1 cm; p = 0,017), menor perímetro abdominal (30,9 cm vs. 31,5 cm; p = 0,011) y bajo puntaje APGAR < 7 (8,7 % vs. 1,2 %). La condición de indígena se asoció de manera independiente con el bajo peso (< 2500 g) al nacimiento (OR: 0,4; IC 95 %: 0,2; 0,9), perímetro cefálico en exceso (OR: 2,7; IC 95 %: 1,5; 4,7) y puntaje de APGAR < 7 puntos (OR: 8,3; IC 95 %: 4,2; 16,5). Conclusiones: la condición de indígena se asocia con indicadores que impactan negativamente en la salud de los recién nacidos, como son el perímetro cefálico y el bajo desempeño en la escala APGAR. Estos resultados deben tomarse como un llamado para mejorar la atención prenatal de la población indígena.(AU)

Introduction: the indigenous population is vulnerable and there is limited understanding of their somatometric indicators and APGAR score at birth. Aim: the objective of the study was to explore the association of the condition of indigenous newborn (INB) on somatometric parameters and APGAR score at birth. Methods: this study employed an exploratory cross-sectional design, utilizing the registry of newborns (NB) from a private clinic. The APGAR score at one minute after birth, as well as nutritional indicators derived from measurements of weight, height, and perimeters, were taken into consideration. The statistical analysis involved the use of logistic regressions. Results: the analysis included 7413 NB (1.8 % INB), 52 % were male and 8.1 % were born preterm (gestational age < 37 weeks). In comparison to non-indigenous NB, the INB group showed a higher risk of malnutrition (8 % vs. 6.3 %; p < 0.001), a greater prevalence of excess weight (7.3 % vs. 1.8 %; p < 0.001), smaller head circumference (33.6 cm vs. 34.1 cm; p = 0.017), smaller abdominal circumference (30.9 cm vs. 31.5 cm; p = 0.011), and a higher occurrence of low APGAR scores (< 7) (8.7 % vs. 1.2 %; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the indigenous condition was independently associated with low birth weight (< 2.500 g) (OR, 0.4; 95 % CI, 0.2; 0.9), excess head circumference (OR, 2.7; 95 % CI, 1.5; 4.7), and APGAR score < 7 points (OR, 8.3; 95 % CI, 4.2; 16.5). Conclusions: the indigenous condition was associated with factors that have adverse effects on the health of NB, including reduced head circumference and suboptimal performance on the APGAR scale. These results emphasize the importance of improving access to and quality of prenatal healthcare services for indigenous communities.(AU)

Influence of maternal oral microbiome on newborn oral microbiome in healthy pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease and its bacteria can be responsible for pregnancy complications and transmission of periodontal bacteria from mother to newborn. METHODS: A salivary swab to 60 healthy, full-term newborns and their mothers was taken immediately after birth. The test was performed with Real Time PCR method to evaluate the expression of the gene through DNA amplification. The species considered were: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. RESULTS: The newborn oral microbiome was composed primarily by saprophytes (98.38 + 4.88%), just like the mothers (98.8 + 3.69%). There was a statistically significant difference of the total microbiological density in newborns and mothers (p = 0.0001). Maternal and neonatal oral microbiome had a correlated total microbiological density only in 33.3% (N = 20/60) of cases. The analysis of the oral microbiome showed a pathological composition only in 12/60 babies (20%). The most frequent detected specie in newborns was Fusobacterium nucleatum (9/12 babies, 75%), as well as for the mothers (53.3%). However, the pathogen was present both in baby and his mother only in 3 dyads. Porphyromonas gingivalis showed the highest association mother-baby (4/12 dyads, 33%). Porphyromonas gingivalis was the pathogen with the highest bacterial load in the 12 mothers. We found a statistically significant difference in the total load of Porphyromonas gingivalis in mothers and babies (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference in the richness of the microbiome from newborns and mothers. Even comparing the microbiological density in the oral cavity of the individual mother-child pairs, we did not find a significant concordance. These results seem to suggest a low influence of maternal oral microbiome on the richness of the oral neonatal one. We didn't find mother-child concordance (p = 0.0001) in the presence of pathogenic periodontal micro-organisms. Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most frequent specie detected. Porphyromonas gingivalis instead was the bacteria with the higher possibility of transmission. In conclusion in our study maternal oral health doesn't affect healthy, full-term newborns' oral microbiome. Further studies are needed to understand the maternal influence on newborn's oral microbiome and its effects on babies long-term health.

Perception and Educational Needs of Developmentally Supportive Care At-Home for Parents of Pre-Term Newborns.

After discharge from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), the parents of pre-term newborns have to provide developmentally supportive care (DSC) to their children; thus, educational support for parents is essential. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of parents providing DSC to their children born as pre-term newborns at home and to investigate their parenting-related needs. This study included 10 mothers who were identified through theoretical sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. For data analysis, grounded theory was used according to Corbin and Strauss's process. The mother's perception and educational needs were characterized by the phenomena "Coexistence of familiarity and unfamiliarity" and "Desire for expert support". Causal conditions include the "Incomplete education system" and "Gap between expectations and reality". Contextual conditions include the "Fear of developmental disability" and "Lack of good evaluation criteria". Intervening conditions include the "Difficulty in obtaining useful information". Action/interaction strategies include the "Active information seeking" and "Continuing to provide DSC". The consequences were the "Needs for professional educational support". The core category was the "Parenting routine that continues without awareness" and "Hope to establish parenting system supported by multidisciplinary experts". These results may provide the preliminary evidence base for suitable educational programs and for developing a social support system for parents.

Early spontaneous closure of large arterial ducts in two term neonates with Ebstein anomaly after failed attempts of transcatheter closure.

In neonatal Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, prolonged ductal patency in patients without anatomic pulmonary valve atresia can be deleterious. Circular shunts may develop in patients with different degrees of pulmonary and tricuspid insufficiency. Closure of the arterial duct may result in haemodynamic improvement in particular scenarios. The transcatheter approach is a valuable closure alternative despite some technical difficulties in large-sized arterial ducts and low birth weight neonates. Herein, we report on two consecutive term newborns with Ebstein's anomaly and large arterial ducts in whom mechanical stimulus of the arterial duct during failed attempts of transcatheter closure led after two days to definitive closure followed by good clinical outcomes.

The effect of regional massage performed before blood collection on pain and vital signs in newborns.

AIM: This randomised-controlled trial aims to examine the effect of regional massage performed before blood collection on pain and vital signs in term newborns. METHODS: The study sample consisted of a total of 96 term newborns, 49 in the experimental group and 47 in the control group, in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Before the blood collection process, those in the experimental group received two (2) minutes of massage on their blood collection region, and their pain levels and vital signs were observed. Data were collected using a newborn information form, an intervention follow-up form, and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Statistical analyses of the collected data included descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, independent-samples t test, paired-samples t test and Cohen's kappa statistic. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: While 51% (n = 49) of the newborns were included in the experimental group, 38.5% (n = 37) were born at the 38th gestational week. Their mean post-natal age was 4.82 ± 4.04 days. The newborns in the experimental and control groups had similar demographic characteristics and blood collection experiences, and there was no statistically significant difference between them (P > 0.05). The mean crying time in the control group (56.9 ± 25.4 s) was significantly longer than that in the experimental group (30.6 ± 29.3 s) (P < 0.05). The newborns in the experimental group had shorter crying times, lower pain levels and heart rate, and higher oxygen saturation than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The regional massage intervention reduced pain in term newborns. Therefore, neonatal nurses can be trained to use massage as an alternative infant care practice.

Application of breast milk smears in umbilical care of full-term newborn.

With the continuous innovation of digital technology in my country at this stage and the design of medical imaging technology systems, the depth and breadth of the development of digital medical imaging technology have been greatly expanded. This paper focus on application of medical images in breast milk smearing of the umbilical nursing for full-term newborns. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of breast milk application in umbilical nursing of full-term newborns. METHODS: 596 full-term newborns were divided into three groups: Experimental Group, Control Group A and Control Group B, Experimental Group A treated with breast milk, control group a treated with 75% alcohol, and control group B treated with 37 ~ 42°C warm boiled water, the time of umbilical cord abscission, infection and other complications were compared among the three groups. The process was recorded by images. RESULTS: According to the images, compared with the Control Group A and B, the experimental group significantly shortened the time of umbilical cord shedding, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of breast milk in umbilical region of full-term neonates can reduce the time of umbilical cord abscission without increasing the incidence of Omphalitis.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Term Newborn: A Case Report.

This case report describes a 5-day-old term infant with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The clinical presentation, diagnostic reasoning, current literature, hospital course, and follow-up are discussed. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal emergency characterized by severe inflammation and ischemic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa. Usually a condition of prematurity, NEC primarily occurs in very low birth weight premature infants. Necrotizing enterocolitis can be managed medically or surgically, depending on the severity. Although the etiology of NEC is unknown, the clinical presentation includes abdominal distention and tenderness, feeding intolerance, grossly bloody stools, and severe hypotension and acidosis.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) in Term and Preterm Infants.

Hypoxic-ischemic syndrome (HIS) and Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are conditions that affect term and premature babies, with different pathophysiology and different brain disorders. HIE appears in 1-6 / 1000 live births and 26/1000 live births in developing countries. 15-20% die in the early neonatal period, while surviving babies have severe neurological impairment, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual, behavioural, and social disorders. The hypoxic-ischemic event occurs before, during or after birth. The reasons may be related to the mother, the way of birth, the placenta, and the newborn. The criteria for diagnosis of HIE include a combination of perinatal factors, the need for resuscitation, standard neurological examinations, neurophysiological monitoring, neuroimaging methods and biochemical markers. The most effective treatment for HIE is hypothermia in combination with pharmacological therapy. HIE and HIS are problem that still persist in developing countries due to inadequate obstetric care, neonatal resuscitation, and hypothermia. Current and emerging research for HIE examines new markers for early recognition, treatment, and appropriate neuroprotection of high-risk term and premature infants.

Early Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Responses to Auditory, Tactile, Visual, Vestibular, and Olfactory Stimuli.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal psychological well-being, newborn behavior, and maternal and newborn salivary oxytocin (OT) and cortisol before and after two maternally administered multisensory behavioral interventions or an attention control group. DESIGN: Randomized prospective clinical trial. SETTING: U.S. Midwest community hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Newborns and their mothers (n = 102 dyads) participated. Mothers gave birth vaginally at term gestation and had no physical or mental health diagnoses. Newborns with low Apgar scores, receipt of oxygen, suspected infection, or congenital anomalies were excluded. METHODS: Dyads were randomly assigned to the auditory, tactile, visual, and vestibular (ATVV) intervention, the ATVV with odor from a baby lotion (ATVVO), or the attention control (AC) Group. Maternal psychological well-being, newborn behavior, and endocrine responses (salivary cortisol and OT) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Newborns in the ATVV and ATVVO groups exhibited increases in potent engagement behaviors (p < .0001 and p = .001, respectively). Newborns in the AC group exhibited a decrease in potent engagement (p = .013) and an increase in potent disengagement (p = .029). Mothers in the ATVVO group exhibited an increase in OT (p = .01) and the largest change in OT (p = .02) compared to mothers in the ATVV and AC groups. We noted no change in maternal psychological well-being or newborn endocrine responses. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of an odor via lotion with a behavioral intervention (ATVV) influenced maternal OT more than the behavioral intervention alone. Newborns were behaviorally responsive to the interventions; however, endocrine measures were not associated with intervention changes.

Right Ventricular Function in Neonates During Early Postnatal Period: A Prospective Observational Study.

Previous echocardiographic studies were mainly focused on preterm infants and early fetal-to-neonatal transition period, whereas little is known about changes in the parameters of the right ventricular (RV) function after 72 h of life. Our aim was to quantitatively characterize potential changes in RV function by echocardiography in healthy term newborns between the third and the seventh day of life. We conducted a prospective observational study in 35 full-term newborns, in whom we performed echocardiographic examinations on the third and the seventh day of life. We assessed RV function, output and afterload and found a significant increase in all tissue Doppler velocities as well as in RV longitudinal strain, a higher mean RV outflow tract velocity time integral and lower myocardial performance index (MPI'), whereas the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV filling pattern, and RV outflow tract acceleration time were not significantly different between the third and the seventh day of life. Conclusions: Increased RV systolic and diastolic myocardial velocities, cardiac output and longitudinal deformation and decreased RV MPI' between the third and the seventh day of life point to a reduction of RV afterload and adaptive myocardial maturation in term newborns during this period. Moreover, PW-TDI and 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography seem to be more sensitive for evaluating RV function in comparison with M-mode echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler analysis of RV filling.

Effectiveness of 2 interventions for independent oral feeding in preterms.

INTRODUCTION: Oral feeding of preterm newborns (PTNB) is hampered by their immaturity and intercurrent diseases, which can prolong their hospital stay. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a program that combines tactile, kinesthetic and oral stimulation (T + K + OS) compared to another intervention based on exclusively oral stimulation (OS), in the time necessary to achieve independent feeding and hospital discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A clinical study of 2 randomized groups (OS vs. T + K + OS) was carried out on 42 PTNB with gestational age between 27-32 weeks and birth weight > 900 g. The stimulation programs were carried out in sessions of 15 min, for 10 days. RESULTS: The PTNBs in the T + K + OS group achieved independent oral feeding earlier, compared to the OS group (24.9 ± 10.1 vs. 34.1 ± 15.6 days, P = .02). An analysis of covariance was performed, which confirmed that the birth weight and gestational age covariates had significant effects on time to reach suction feeding (birth weight: F[1, 38] = 5.79; P = .021; gestational age: F[1, 38] = 14.12; P = .001) and that once its effect was controlled, the intervention continued to have a significant effect (F[1, 38] = 6.07; P = .018). The T + K + OS group, compared to the OS group, achieved an earlier hospital discharge (39 ± 15 vs. 45 ± 18 days), although the differences were not significant (P = .21). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapies that include T + K + OS are more effective than OS alone, in order to achieve independent oral feeding in PTNBs.

Eficacia de 2 intervenciones para la alimentación oral independiente en pretérminos / Effectiveness of 2 interventions for independent oral feeding in preterms

Introducción: La alimentación oral de los recién nacidos pretérmino (RNPT) está dificultada por su inmadurez y enfermedades intercurrentes, lo que puede prolongar su estancia hospitalaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar la efectividad de un programa que combina la estimulación táctil, kinestésica y oral (ET+K+O) frente a otro de estimulación oral sola (EO), en el tiempo necesario para lograr la alimentación independiente y el alta hospitalaria. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio clínico de 2 grupos aleatorizados (EO vs. ET+K+O), realizado en 42 RNPT con una edad gestacional entre 27-32 semanas y un peso al nacimiento>900g. Los programas de estimulación fueron realizados en sesiones de 15min, durante 10 días. Resultados: Los RNPT del grupo de ET+K+O consiguieron antes la alimentación oral independiente, en comparación con el grupo de EO (24,9±10,1 vs. 34,1±15,6 días, p=0,02). Se realizó un análisis de covarianza, observando que las covariables PN y EG tuvieron efectos significativos en el tiempo hasta alcanzar la alimentación por succión (peso al nacimiento: F[1, 38]=5,79; p=0,021; edad gestacional: F[1, 38]=14,12; p=0,001) y que una vez controlado su efecto, la intervención seguía teniendo un efecto significativo (F[1, 38]=6,07; p=0,018). El grupo de ET+K+O, en comparación con el de EO, consiguió antes el alta hospitalaria (39±15 vs. 45±18 días), si bien la diferencia no fue significativa (p=0,21). Conclusiones: Las terapias combinadas que asocian ET+K+O son más eficaces que la EO sola, para lograr la alimentación oral independiente en los RNPT. (AU)

Introduction: Oral feeding of pre-term newborns (PTNB) is hampered by their immaturity and intercurrent diseases, which can prolong their hospital stay. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a program that combines tactile, kinesthetic and oral stimulation (T+K+OS) compared to another intervention based on exclusively oral stimulation (OS), in the time necessary to achieve independent feeding and hospital discharge. Patients and methods: A clinical study of 2 randomized groups (OS vs. T+K+OS) was carried out on 42 PTNB with gestational age between 27-32 weeks and birth weight>900g. The stimulation programs were carried out in sessions of 15min, for 10 days. Results: The PTNBs in the T+K+OS group achieved independent oral feeding earlier, compared to the OS group (24.9±10.1 vs. 34.1±15.6 days, P=.02). An analysis of covariance was performed, which confirmed that the birth weight and gestational age covariates had significant effects on time to reach suction feeding (birth weight: F[1, 38]=5.79; P=.021; gestational age: F[1, 38]=14.12; P=.001) and that once its effect was controlled, the intervention continued to have a significant effect (F[1, 38]=6.07; P=.018). The T+K+OS group, compared to the OS group, achieved an earlier hospital discharge (39±15 vs. 45±18 days), although the differences were not significant (P=.21). Conclusions: Combined therapies that include T+K+OS are more effective than OS alone, in order to achieve independent oral feeding in PTNBs. (AU)

Delivery room desaturations and bradycardia in the early postnatal period of healthy term neonates - a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that desaturations and bradycardia precede acute life-threatening events (ALTE) and that ALTE is more common in the delivery room than later in life. However, frequency, duration and severity of desaturations in the first hours of life and additional risk factors have not readily been studied. METHODS: Term neonates (n = 100) were monitored for the first two hours after birth by pulse oximetry. The impact of maternal and perinatal factors on the frequency and severity of desaturations (<85%) and bradycardia (<80/min) was evaluated. RESULTS: Desaturations were detected in 30%, prolonged desaturations in 25% of infants. Desaturations were observed significantly more often in infants born by planned Cesarean section (pCs) compared to other modes of delivery (pCs 20/49; others 10/51; p = .029). Desaturations were also more frequent in infants diagnosed with neonatal infection (NI) or infants born to a mother with gestational diabetes (GDM), although not significantly. No bradycardia <80/min was detected. CONCLUSIONS: In our collective 4% of healthy term neonates had prolonged, clinically relevant desaturations in the first hours after birth. The mode of delivery and maternal risk factors may increase the risk for these events. However, our cohort was too small to detect any ALTE or SIDS and determine potential risk factors for these events. Our data lay ground for a large-scale prospective trial to investigate whether the mode of delivery could be an indication for general pulse oximetry monitoring of newborn in the delivery room.

A review of the characteristics, mechanisms and clinical significance of habituation in foetuses and newborn infants.

Habituation has been a topic of interest since the early 20th century. We summarise the characteristics of habituation, the proposed habituation mechanisms, the associated cortical responses and the link between habituation and cognitive development. Behavioural and neuroimaging studies have highlighted the early sensory abilities of foetuses and newborn infants, with preterm newborn infants exhibiting decreased habituation and dishabituation capabilities that increase their environmental vulnerability. Habituation provides a foundation for the learning and cognition on which higher functions are constructed. It has been suggested that it is efficient for predicting cognitive developmental outcomes in term and preterm newborn infants.

Mother's Bed Incline and Desaturation Episodes in Healthy Term Newborns during Early Skin-to-Skin Contact: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Early skin-to-skin contact (ESSC) is associated with rare, sudden, unexpected postnatal collapse episodes. Placing the newborn in ESSC closer to an upright position may reduce the risk of airway obstruction and improve respiratory mechanics. This study assessed whether a greater inclination of the mother's bed during ESSC would reduce the proportion of healthy term newborns (HTNs) who experienced episodes of pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2) <91%. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of the mother's bed incline, 45° versus 15°, on desaturation in HTNs during ESSC. Before delivery on 1,271 dyads, randomization was conducted, and stringent criteria to select healthy mothers and term newborns were monitored until after birth. Preductal SpO2 was continuously monitored between 10 min and 2 h after birth. The primary outcome was the occurrence of at least one episode of SpO2 <91%. RESULTS: 254 (20%) mother-infant dyads were eligible for analysis (45°, n = 126; 15°, n = 128). Overall, 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51%-63%) of newborns showed episodes of SpO2 <91%. The proportion of infants with SpO2 <91% episodes was 52% in 45° and 62% in 15° (relative risk: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.6-1.07). CONCLUSIONS: We did not show that a high mother bed inclination during ESSC led to significantly fewer HTNs who experienced episodes of SpO2 <91%. Desaturation episodes from 10 min to 2 h after birth occurred in more than half of HTNs.

Anterior Fontanel Size Among Term Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Anterior fontanel is an integral element of an infant craniofacial system. There are six fontanels in the newborn skull, namely anterior, posterior, two mastoid, and two sphenoid fontanels. The anterior fontanel is the largest, prominent, and most important for clinical evaluation. Sex, race, genetics, gestational age, and region are the principal factors that influence anterior fontanel size. There exist inconclusive findings on the size of anterior fontanel in newborns. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled mean size of anterior fontanel among term newborns and to identify the pooled mean difference of anterior fontanel size between males and females. Methods: PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, JBI Library, embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. All essential data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format. The heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test statistic, I2 test statistic, and p-values. A fixed-effect model and random effect model were used to estimate the pooled mean size of anterior fontanel and the pooled mean difference between male newborns and female newborns, respectively. To deal with heterogeneity, sub-group analysis, meta-regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis were considered. JBI quality appraisal checklist was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Results: In this meta-analysis, 8, 661 newborns were involved in twenty-six studies. Among studies, 13 conducted in Asia, 7 in Africa, 5 in America, and 1 in Europe. The pooled mean size of anterior fontanel was 2.58 cm (95% CI: 2.31, 2.85 cm). The pooled mean size of anterior fontanel for Asia, Africa, America, and Europe region was 2.49, 3.15, 2.35, and 2.01 cm, respectively. A statistically significant mean difference was detected between male and female newborns (D + L pooled MD = 0.15 cm, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.29 cm). Conclusion: The pooled estimate of this review does provide the mean value of the anterior fontanel size in the newborns. There was a statistically significant mean fontanel size difference between male and female newborns. Therefore, male newborns had a significantly larger mean size than female newborns.

The effect of kangaroo mother care applied to the healthy newborns in the early postpartum period on breastfeeding: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of kangaroo mother care applied to the healthy newborns in the early postpartum period on breastfeeding. METHODS: The randomised controlled experimental study was conducted from June 1 to August 25, 2016, at a training and research hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised healthy newborns and their mothers equally divided into study group A and control group B. The newborns in group A were administered kangaroo mother care for 3 hours after birth, while group B newborns were cared for using the unit's standard postpartum procedure. The time the newborns in both the groups first started to breastfeed, the frequency of breastfeeding within the first 24 hours, the duration of their breastfeeding and suckling skills were evaluated. Data was analysed using the Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007. RESULTS: There were 112 sets of newborns and their mothers; 56(50%) in each of the two groups. Group A newborns started suckling at the breast sooner, for longer duration, and more frequently compared to the newborns in group B (p<0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of initial suckling skills (p= 0.862), but those in group A were better at suckling 24 hours later (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Kangaroo mother care administered to healthy newborns immediately after birth encouraged the newborns to take to the breast sooner, more frequently, and for longer periods. It also increased their suckling skills. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04619459.