Human newborns are more susceptible than adults to bacterial infection. With gram-negative bacteria, this may be due to a diminished response of newborn leukocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Since protein tyrosine kinase inhibition abolishes LPS priming in adult cells, we hypothesized that protein tyrosine kinases may have a critical role in LPS priming of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs)...

A positive deviance (PD) inquiry identifies uncommon, model practices that a follow-on program can spread. PD has been used to rehabilitate malnourished children, but not for improving newborn health. Save the Children Federation/US (SC) conducted newborn PD cycles in communities (total population about 5,000 each) in two project areas in Haripur District, Pakistan among Afghan refugees and amo...

Newborn screening fact sheets were last revised in 1996 by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Genetics. This revision was prompted by advances in the field since 1996, including technologic innovations, as well as greater appreciation of ethical issues such as those surrounding informed consent. The following disorders are discussed in this revision of the newborn screening fact sh...

Bilirubin induced brain damage is still a common cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigerian infants. No much success has been recorded in decades despite the fact that brain damage from bilirubin toxicity in the newborn is easily preventable with affordable and effective means. We report a case of a newborn with acute bilirubin encephalopathy. This case was considered of interest because the ...

BACKGROUND Phenylhydrazine, a hemolytic agent, is widely used as a model of experimental hyperbilirubinemia. Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) was shown to exert beneficial effects in hyperbilirubinemic rat neonates. AIM To investigate the effects of palm TRF supplementation on hepatic bilirubin-metabolizing enzymes and oxidative stress status in rats administered phenylhydrazine. METHOD...

BACKGROUND The existing therapeutic methods for neonatal jaundice are costly, time-consuming and potentially risky. Zinc salts can reduce phototherapy duration by precipitating unconjugated bilirubin in the intestine (bilirubin and zinc can form a complex in physiologic pH); however, zinc toxicity is an issue that must be considered since theoretically bilirubin reduction by phototherapy may in...

The involvement of the canalicular multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) in the hepatobiliary excretion of acetaminophen (APAP)-glutathione (GSH) conjugate and its derivatives was investigated using transport-deficient (TR- rats. Although no differences in the biliary concentration of APAP itself were detected between normal Wistar and TR- rats, significant differences in the biliary dispositio...

The biliary excretion of several organic anions is mediated by the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT), which is hereditarily defective in mutant rats such as Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR). In addition, using a kinetic study with isolated canalicular membrane vesicles, we recently suggested the presence of ATP-dependent organic anion transporter(s) other than cMOA...

Although neocortical neuronal morphology has been documented in the adult giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) and African elephant (Loxodonta africana), no research has explored the cortical architecture in newborns of these species. To this end, the current study examined the morphology of neurons from several cortical areas in the newborn giraffe and elephant. After cortical neuron...

OBJECTIVES To review studies on newborn hearing screening in Hong Kong and the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of universal newborn hearing screening programmes and to determine their value and the best model for such a programme in Hong Kong. DATA SOURCE Medline literature search (1985-2004), local reports and abstracts available to the author. STUDY SELECTION Literature and dat...