Investigation of salivary C-reactive protein and interleukin-18 for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of death in neonates worldwide. The investigation of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is in progress with controversial outcomes. The current report aims to evaluate the values of salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

The Effect of Inhaled Budesonide on the Prevention of Chronic Lung Disease in Premature Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Background: Considering all the latest achievements in neonatal respiratory care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still among the most prevalent morbidity causes in premature infants. Involvement in this process results in longer period of hospitalization for the newborn and in the long run makes the living conditions more difficult. Taking the multifactorial pathogenesis into account, approaches to tackle chronic lung disease (CLD) are mainly focused on interventions and prevention procedures.

Effect of Kangaroo Care Combined with Music on the Mother-premature Neonate Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Premature birth may complicate the development and quality of the mother-infant attachment relationship. Music and kangaroo care are two common complementary cares performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The present study investigated the effect of kangaroo care combined with music on the mother-premature neonate attachment.

The Effects of Massage and Breastfeeding on Response to Venipuncture Pain among Hospitalized Neonates.

Background: Untreated procedural pain leads to long-term and short-term complications in neonates. Preventing pain in sick infants and neonates, whose conditions are getting worse, not only is a professional and legal duty but also a prevention measure to decrease future psychological and even neurological complications. Therefore, nurses should prevent newborns' pain.

The Impact of a Neonatal Sleep Care Training Program on Nurses' Knowledge and Performance in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Background: Sleep is essential for organizing and maturation of the brain in premature infants; it also plays a role in maintaining the natural balance between different nervous centers. Given the role of nurses in neonatal sleep care, this study aimed at assessing the impact of a training program on the nurses' knowledge and performance in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Materials And Methods: In this quasi-experimental study which structured into three stages, 35 nurses working in an NICU in Isfahan, Iran, were included.

Prevalence, Characteristics, and One-Year Follow-Up of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Isfahan City, Iran.

Need of neonatal screening for (CMV) infection is under debate, in part because of limited data on importance of the disease regarding the prevalence of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection and associated morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognosis of cCMV infection in Iran, where there is high maternal seroprevalence of CMV. .

Effects of nesting and swaddling on the sleep duration of premature infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units.

Background: In neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), neonatal sleep is disrupted due to different factors. Due to the critical role of sleep in premature infants' brain development, this study aimed to investigate the effect of nesting and swaddling on the sleep duration of premature infants hospitalized in NICUs.

Materials And Methods: In a crossover clinical trial, 42 preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Effect of palady and cup feeding on premature neonates' weight gain and reaching full oral feeding time interval.

Background: Premature neonates' feeding is of great importance due to its effective role in their growth. These neonates should reach an independent oral nutrition stage before being discharged from the Neonatal Intensive care Unit. Therefore, the researcher decided to conduct a study on the effect of palady and cup feeding on premature neonates' weight gain and their reaching full oral feeding time interval.

The implementation of kangaroo mother care and nurses' perspective of barriers in Iranian' NICUs.

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is the most implementation intervention in caring of the infants, as in this method, both the mothers and infants are cared. The World Health Organization recommends implementation of KMC for all infants. However, there are some barriers in the way of its application.

High flow nasal cannula as a method for rapid weaning from nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

Background: To compare two methods of weaning premature infants from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP).

Methods: Between March and November 2012, 88 preterm infants who were stable on NCPAP of 5 cmH2O with FIO2 <30% for a minimum of 6 h were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) group received HFNC with flow of 2 L/min and FIO2 = 0.

Early administration of surfactant via a thin intratracheal catheter in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: Feasibility and outcome.

Objective: Currently, the method of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and selective administration of surfactant via an endotracheal tube is widely used in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. To prevent complications related to endotracheal intubation and even a brief period of mechanical ventilation, in this study, we compared the effectiveness of surfactant administration via a thin intratracheal catheter versus the current method using an endotracheal tube.

Methods: Thirty eight preterm infants ≤34 weeks' gestation with birth weight of 1000-1800 g who were putted on nCPAP for RDS within the first hour of life, were randomly assigned to receive surfactant either via endotracheal tube (ET group) or via thin intratracheal catheter (CATH group).

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation or conventional mechanical ventilation for neonatal continuous positive airway pressure failure.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the success rate of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for treatment of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure and prevention of conventional ventilation (CV) in preterm neonates.

Methods: Since November 2012 to April 2013, a total number of 55 consecutive newborns with gestational ages of 26-35 weeks who had CPAP failure were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The NIPPV group received NIPPV with the initial peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) of 16-20 cmH2O and frequency of 40-60 breaths/min.

A comparison of surfactant administration through i-gel and ET-tube in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in newborns weighing more than 2000 grams.

Background: Surfactant administration together with nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) administration is considered to be the basis for Newborn's Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) management. This study evaluated the method of directing the surfactant to the lungs in newborns affiliated with RDS through i-gel (i-gel surfactant administration/i-gelSA) compared to the standard care INSURE method, in a clinical trial.

Materials And Methods: This randomized control trial (RCT) was done on newborns weighing ≥2000 g, with RDS, while being supported with Bubble-CPAP.

The calming effect of maternal breast milk odor on premature infants.

Background: To compare the effectiveness of maternal breast milk odor and formula milk odor in soothing premature infants undergoing heel lancing.

Materials And Methods: Fifty preterm infants born between 32 weeks and 37 weeks gestation were randomly assigned into two groups. During heel lancing, we used formula milk odor for the first group and breast milk odor for the second group.

Remifentanil for endotracheal intubation in premature infants: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure in neonatal care. The objective of this study was to determine whether the premedication with remifentanil before intubation has analgesic effects in newborn infants.

Methods: A total of 40 premature infants who needed endotracheal intubation for intubation-surfactant-extubation method were randomly assigned in two groups of an equal number at two university hospitals.

Is the light-emitting diode a better light source than fluorescent tube for phototherapy of neonatal jaundice in preterm infants?

Background: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are light sources recently used for phototherapy in neonatal jaundice. We compared the efficacy and safety of LEDs with fluorescent phototherapy in the treatment of indirect hyperbilirubinemia.

Materials And Methods: This controlled trial was conducted on preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan (Iran) who needed conventional phototherapy for uncomplicated indirect hyperbilirubinemia.

Comparison of Two Phototherapy Methods (Prophylactic vs Therapeutic) for Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in Very Low Birth Weight Newborns.

Objective: Preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants are at greater risk of developing bilirubin-associated brain damage compared with term infants. Certainly, phototherapy, if used appropriately, is capable of controlling the bilirubin levels in LBW infants; but there is not a unique phototherapy treatment strategy in LBW infants. This study was designed to compare the prophylactic phototherapy and late treatment of jaundiced newborns weighing 1000-1500 grams.

Diagnostic usefulness of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in very preterm newborns.

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 April 2010. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) measurements were obtained using BiliCheck(™) shortly before or 10 minutes after taking blood for determination of the plasma bilirubin level in premature newborns, who did not receive phototherapy.

The effect of open and closed endotracheal tube suctioning system on respiratory parameters of infants undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Aims: Mechanical ventilation is used for some infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) due to many physiological and clinical causes. Since these patients have endotracheal tubes, cleaning and keeping the airways open through suctioning should be done to increase oxygenation. This study aimed to evaluate effect of open and closed suctioning methods on respiratory parameters of infants undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Comparison of maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants.

Objective: Selenium is an essential trace element and has a main role in cellular antioxidant defense system. In very preterm babies, low selenium is associated with an increased risk of complications such as chronic neonatal lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity. This study was designed to determine and compare maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants.