The clinical and molecular characteristics of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae diseases in nonpregnant adults in Taiwan.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a growing threat to nonpregnant adults. We aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of invasive GBS infections in adults.

Methods: All adults with invasive GBS infections at a tertiary-level medical center in Taiwan between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed.

The Epidemiology, Management and Therapeutic Outcomes of Subdural Empyema in Neonates with Acute Bacterial Meningitis.

Subdural empyema is one of the more serious complications of bacterial meningitis and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of subdural empyema in neonates with bacterial meningitis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two medical centers in Taiwan that enrolled all cases of neonates with subdural empyema after bacterial meningitis between 2003 and 2020.

The Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Meningitis in Neonates.

(Group B , GBS) is an important pathogen of bacterial meningitis in neonates. We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of neonatal GBS meningitis. All neonates with GBS meningitis at a tertiary level medical center in Taiwan between 2003 and 2020 were analyzed.

The Clinical Characteristics, Microbiology and Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Neonates with Gram-Negative Bacillary Meningitis.

: We aimed to describe the clinical features of Gram-negative bacillary (GNB) meningitis in neonates and investigate the risk factors associated with final adverse outcomes of neonatal GNB meningitis. : From 2003 to 2020, all neonates (aged ≤ 90 days old) with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in four tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two medical centers in Taiwan were enrolled. Neonates with GNB meningitis were compared with those with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) meningitis.

Invasive Bloodstream Infections in Children: The Antifungal Susceptibility, Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

: is the most common non- candida species that causes invasive candidiasis, but little is known about its impacts on the outcomes of pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. : All pediatric patients with BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were enrolled and analyzed.

Influences of Initial Empiric Antibiotics with Ampicillin plus Cefotaxime on the Outcomes of Neonates with Respiratory Failure: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Empiric antibiotics are often prescribed in critically ill and preterm neonates at birth until sepsis can be ruled out. Although the current guideline suggests narrow-spectrum antibiotics, an upgrade in antibiotics is common in the neonatal intensive care unit. The impacts of initial broad-spectrum antibiotics on the outcomes of critically ill neonates with respiratory failure requiring mechanical intubation have not been well studied.

Clonal Complex 12 Serotype Ib Streptococcus agalactiae Strain Causing Complicated Sepsis in Neonates: Clinical Features and Genetic Characteristics.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus [GBS]) is well known to cause serious diseases in infants. A serotype Ib GBS strain has recently emerged and become prevalent in Southeast Asia. We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of this strain.

Pediatric Bloodstream Infections Complicated with Mixed and Subsequent Bacteremia: The Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

Background: Pediatricians face a therapeutic challenge when patients with Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs) simultaneously have positive bacterial culture. We aim to characterize the clinical characteristics of pediatric Candida BSIs complicated with mixed bacteremia and subsequent bacterial infections, risk factors and impacts on outcomes. Methods: All episodes of pediatric Candida BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were reviewed.

Effects of Probiotics on Gut Microbiomes of Extremely Preterm Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Probiotics have been previously reported to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in extremely preterm infants, but the mechanisms by which the probiotics work remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota of extremely preterm infants. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 120 extremely preterm neonates (gestational age ≤ 28 weeks) between August 2019 and December 2021.

Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Neonates with Candidemia and Impacts of Therapeutic Strategies on the Outcomes.

Neonatal candidemia is associated with significant morbidities and a high mortality rate. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Candida bloodstream infections in neonates and the impact of therapeutic strategies on the outcomes. We identified all the neonates with candidemia from a medical center in Taiwan over an 18-year period (2003−2021) and analyzed them.

Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Clinical Outcomes in Extremely Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is often considered a life-saving measure in critically ill neonates. The smallest and least mature infants tend to receive the largest amount of transfusions. RBC transfusion itself has also been suggested as an independent risk factor of poor clinical outcome in critical patients.

Bird's Eye View of a Neonatologist: Clinical Approach to Emergency Neonatal Infection.

Though the incidence of neonatal infection in term and near-term infants is relatively low, incidence of infection in preterm very low birth weight infants is as high as 20-30% and may result in neurodevelopmental impairment or mortality. Pediatricians should be familiar with recognition and emergency management of life-threatening neonatal infections, such as congenital pneumonia, early onset sepsis, late onset sepsis, bacterial and fungal meningitis, disseminated neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV), and HSV meningoencephalitis. For the pediatrician, it is logical to approach the management of these infections by time of onset, i.

Serum Lactate, Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Outcome of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy after Therapeutic Hypothermia.

Background: Serum lactate was used to predict the severity and outcome of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) before the era of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). There is no report on neurodevelopment (ND) outcome of neonates with HIE treated with TH in Taiwan.

Methods: Between April 2011 and December 2012, newborn infants admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH), with gestational age > 35 weeks and birth weight ≥ 1800 g, who had acute perinatal events, evidence of significant fetal compromise, and ongoing clinical encephalopathy were prospectively enrolled for TH.

Limited diagnostic value of routine screening of neonates with the urinary group B streptococcal antigen tests.

Background: A urinary latex test for detection of antigens from group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been used for the diagnosis of invasive GBS disease. However, the value of routine screening of infants with this test has not been determined.

Methods: All infants admitted to Linkou Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital (Taoyuan, Taiwan) from January 2005 to May 2013 were screened with a urinary GBS antigen test (Wellcogen Strep B).

Unusual Presentation of Renal Vein Thrombosis in a Preterm Infant.

Neonatal renal vein thrombosis is the most common vascular condition in the newborn kidney, which could lead to serious complication in infants undergoing intensive care. In this study, we report the case of a preterm infant with left renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombosis, presented with gross hematuria, thrombocytopenia, transient hypertension, and adrenal hemorrhage. Supportive care was offered instead of heparin therapy or thrombolytic agents.

The effect of oral training on vital signs of premature infants.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to develop an applicable oral training protocol and test its effects on vital sign stabilisation in premature infants.

Background: Oral training improves the feeding behaviour of premature infants. However, the inconsistencies of oral training procedures in previous studies obscure the interventional effect of oral training on vital sign stabilisation in premature infants.

Prevalence and pathogen distribution of neonatal sepsis among very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background: Neonatal sepsis contributes to great mortality and morbidity among very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Prevalence and pathogen distribution of sepsis in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) vary with time and geographic location. Such information serves as a guide for selection of empirical antibiotics coverage.

Prevalence and morbidity of late preterm infants: current status in a medical center of Northern Taiwan.

Background: "Late preterm" defines infants born at 34(0/7) through 36(6/7) weeks' gestation, which comprise a majority of preterm births. These infants were treated clinically as "near-term" in the past, but recent studies have implied increased morbidities that differentiate late preterm and term infants. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical complications that could be associated with late preterm birth, as compared to term.

Diaphragmatic paralysis among very low birth weight infants following ligation for patent ductus arteriosus.

Management of diaphragmatic paralysis (DP) among newborn infants remains controversial, especially for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants following ligation for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This study aimed to characterize the impact of DP after PDA ligation among VLBW infants. Clinical characteristics of DP cases treated with either diaphragmatic plication or conservative methods were described as well.

Clinical impacts of delayed diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in newborn infants.

Background: Asian infants are at a higher risk of having Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Although HD is surgically correctable, serious and even lethal complications such as Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) can still occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of HAEC, and the clinical impacts of delayed diagnosis of HD in newborn infants.

Analysis of incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity among very-low-birth-weight infants in North Taiwan.

Background: Although significant advances have been made in perinatal care, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a serious complication in prematurely born individuals. There have been limited studies on ROP in Taiwan, and most of those existing reports are outdated.

Methods: This retrospective study included 252 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Chang Gung Children's Hospital over a 2-year period between July 2005 and June 2007.

Group B streptococcal infection in Taiwan: maternal colonization and neonatal infection.

Background: There is no national data on group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Taiwan. We investigated incidence of maternal GBS colonization and neonatal GBS infection rate and clinical pictures of neonatal GBS infection to estimate the value of intrapartum chemoprophylactic strategy in Taiwan.

Methods: From January 2004 to June 2005, a prospective study to estimate maternal colonization rate by maternal rectovaginal culture at six hospitals was conducted.