BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in Italy. METHODS The study was carried out in a non-teaching hospital in Catanzaro (Italy). All LBW and very LBW newborns (200) were included in the study and a random sample of 400 newborns weighing > or = 2500 g was selected. Data were collected from the delivery certificates during o...

The number of late preterm newborns (gestational age 34 to 36 weeks) is increasing in the United States and Canada. The appearance of these newborns may give a false sense of security about their well-being to practitioners and parents alike. Neonatology literature has begun to address this issue; however, there is paucity of information regarding health concerns of these newborns after dischar...

Permanent closure of the full-term newborn ductus arteriosus (DA) occurs only if profound hypoxia develops within the vessel wall during luminal obliteration. We used fetal and newborn baboons and lambs to determine why the immature DA fails to remodel after birth. When preterm newborns were kept in a normoxic range (Pa(O(2)): 50-90 mmHg), 86% still had a small patent DA on the sixth day after ...

Background:Enteral feeding intolerance is a major problem in the preterm neonates. Non-nutritive sucking and abdominal massage are among the most important nutritional interventions in this regard. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effect of non-nutritive sucking and abdominal massage on feeding tolerance in the preterm newborns. Method: This clinical trial was conducted on 52 preterm neonat...

background: this study was performed to find out whether transcutaneous bilirubinometry could be a valid screening method for hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants, especially for those who needed mechanical ventilation. methods: we evaluated 63 preterm iranian newborns who were managed in the neonatal intensive care unit of shahidbeheshti university hospital, isfahan, iran from april 2009 to a...

OBJECTIVE To compare mortality and the principal intercurrent clinical conditions suffered by late-preterm newborn infants born with gestational ages of 34 full weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days, and full term newborns. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of all preterm newborn infants born at a public hospital from August 2010 to August 2011. The study sample comprised late-preterm infants (...

Hematological parameters in newborn umbilical cord blood samples (n = 476), collected at the Hospital Provincial del Centenario, Rosario, were studied. They were divided into 3 groups: (I) full term newborns with weight according to gestational age; (II) low weight and normal gestational age; (III) preterm newborns. The results were as follows: group (I) Hb: 15.5 +/- 1.1 g/dl; RBC; 4.66 +/- 0.3...

PURPOSE To compare the swallowing performance of premature infants using a cup and a bottle during the first offer of food by mouth. METHODS This study was carried out with preterm newborns who presented low weight at birth and no neurological illnesses, genetic syndromes or congenital malformations. The newborns were assessed by videofluoroscopy while using a cup and a bottle, when they reac...

BACKGROUND In Choma District, southern Zambia, the neonatal mortality rate is approximately 40 per 1000 live births and, although the rate is decreasing, many deliveries take place outside of formal facilities. Understanding local practices during the postnatal period is essential for optimizing newborn care programs. METHODS We conducted 36 in-depth interviews, five focus groups and eight ob...

BACKGROUND The development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is closely related to fetal immaturity, although the participation of inflammatory mechanisms also seems to be likely. We previously reported high interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in cord blood from preterm infants. In the present study, we investigate the possible role of IL-10 and IL-12 in preterm newborns with RDS, a disease that...