Pediatric research
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Multicenter Study
Psychosocial and medical adversity associated with neonatal neurobehavior in infants born before 30 weeks gestation.
Psychosocial adversity escalates medical risk for poor outcomes in infants born <30 weeks gestation. Neonatal neurobehavior and maternal psychological and socioenvironmental assessments may identify the earliest specific intervention needs. We hypothesized that maternal prenatal anxiety, depression, and adverse medical and socioenvironmental conditions would be associated with less optimal neonatal neurobehavior at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge. ⋯ Combined information from the observed associations among adverse prenatal maternal medical and psychosocial conditions, and neonatal complications may assist in the early identification of infants at elevated neurobehavioral risk.
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Prematurely born infants are frequently exposed to painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit, causing changes to the development of the nervous system lasting into adulthood. The current study aims to study acute and long-term consequences of neonatal repetitive noxious stimulation. ⋯ This study shows that repetitive noxious stimulation during the early postnatal period affects acute and long-term mechanical sensitivity. Therefore, the amount of nociceptive stimuli should be minimized or adequately treated in a clinical setting.
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Asphyxia of newborns is a severe and frequent challenge of the peri- and postnatal period. ⋯ AH leads to alteration of the heart, particularly in Cx43 and glycogen reserves, as well as local inflammation.
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Observational Study
Forced oscillation measurements in the first week of life and pulmonary outcome in very preterm infants on noninvasive respiratory support.
We aimed at investigating whether early lung mechanics in non-intubated infants below 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) are associated with respiratory outcome. ⋯ Assessment of Xrs in the first week of life is feasible and improves prognostication of respiratory outcome in very preterm infants on noninvasive respiratory support.
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Soluble forms of RAGE (sRAGE) have been found circulating in plasma and tissues. Evidence is accruing in human subjects linking levels of sRAGE to oxidative stress in many disorders. Because sickle cell disease (SCD) is a state of oxidative stress, we tested the hypothesis that circulating sRAGE levels may be involved in the vascular pathology of SCD. ⋯ Our findings suggest that sRAGE may be considered as a marker for vascular dysfunction in SCD patients.