OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the aetiology, spectrum, course and outcomes of neonates with arrhythmias observed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit from 2007 to 2012. METHODS Neonates with rhythm problems were included. The results of electrocardiography (ECG), Holter ECG, echocardiography and biochemical analysis were evaluated. The long-term results of follow up were review...

In conditions of iodine deficiency, the frequency distribution of neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is shifted towards elevated values. Elevated serum TSH in the neonate indicates insufficient supply of thyroid hormones to the developing brain, and therefore constitutes the only indicator that allows prediction of brain damage, which is the main complication of iodine deficiency. This ...

BACKGROUND Gentamicin and vancomycin are commonly used in neonatal units for the treatment of life-threatening infections. This study aimed to describe the dosage regimen and the approach to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for both antibiotics in units that participate in a UK neonatal network. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to all units across the Extended Neonatal Network, requesting de...

Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia can lead to devastating consequences. Thus, constant, accurate and safe glucose monitoring is imperative in neonatal care. However, point-of-care (POC) devices for glucose testing currently used for neonates were originally designed for adults and do not address issues specific to neonates. Methods: This review addresses currently available monitoring options a...

Singapore has a maternity hospital since 1924, but for many decades the newborns could only receive basic care. Neonatal and perinatal mortality rates were high. Marked improvement in neonatal care began from the 1980s when many neonatal departments were set up to provide intensive care. Improved socioeconomic status, better healthcare facilities, effective infection control, immunisation progr...

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to test the hypothesis that 2 training programs would reduce incrementally 7-day neonatal mortality rates for low-risk institutional deliveries. METHODS Using a train-the-trainer model, certified research midwives sequentially trained the midwives who performed deliveries in low-risk, first-level, urban, community health clinics in 2 cities in Zambia in the p...

INTRODUCTION Hyperphenylalaninemias are inborn errors of phenylalanine metabolism caused by deficiency of L-phenylalanine hydroxylase (the enzyme that converts phenylalanine to tyrosine), resulting in increased serum phenylalanine (>4 mg/dL or 240 µmol/L). Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is the most common form. Untreated PKU is associated with progressive neurodevelopmental delay, evolving towards in...

Neonatal transport is continuously evolving and has developed to a cornerstone of modern perinatal medicine. Although the regionalization of perinatal care and delivery of high-risk neonates in appropriately designed centres improves neonatal outcome, neonatal transport represents an invaluable resource in order to guarantee tertiary level care throughout the region. A highly trained, adequatel...

Bilirubin, the yellow substance usually responsible for neonatal jaundice, is currently monitored invasively or by observing/measuring skin colour. This paper investigates the feasibility of monitoring serum bilirubin concentration using light absorbance in a similar fashion to pulse oximetry. The light absorbance of bilirubin is shown to be sufficiently different to haemoglobin to in theory al...

Introduction; Fetal monitoring of instantaneous heart rate (IHR) is one of major advances in recent perinatal medicine. It is widely accepted that changing pattern of fetal IHR associated with uterine contraction will reflect fetal well or ill being. Uterine contraction produces temporary hypoxia to the fetus and apnea does the same to the neorlate. Therefore we analysed changing patterns of ne...