Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Measurement in Extremely Preterm Neonates: Comparative Analysis of Different Methods.

Objectives: To compare non-invasive (Doppler and Oscillometric) and invasive (indwelling umbilical arterial catheter, UAC) methods for measuring blood pressure in extremely preterm neonates.

Methods: Neonates < 28 weeks gestation were recruited if UAC was inserted as part of their clinical care. Blood pressure measured 4-6 hourly by Oscillometric and Doppler methods was compared with invasive method (10-15 readings/baby).

Powdered human milk-derived versus bovine milk-derived breastmilk fortification: A multi-centre preterm randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare faecal calprotectin, plasma amino acids and clinical outcomes in preterm infants receiving powdered human milk-based fortifier (PHMF) compared to powdered bovine milk-based fortifier (PBMF) in preterm infants on an otherwise exclusive human milk diet.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial in infants <32 weeks of gestation or <1500 g who only received human milk and had reached full enteral feeds (150 mL/kg/day), without pre-existing gastrointestinal morbidity. Primary outcome was faecal calprotectin within 21 days of starting fortification; secondary outcomes were calprotectin at discharge, plasma amino acids and clinical outcomes, including growth and neonatal morbidities.

Effect of an Exclusive Human Milk Diet on the Gut Microbiome in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The effect of using an exclusive human milk diet compared with one that uses bovine products in preterm infants is uncertain, but some studies demonstrate lower rates of key neonatal morbidities. A potential mediating pathway is the gut microbiome.

Objective: To determine the effect of an exclusive human milk diet on gut bacterial richness, diversity, and proportions of specific taxa in preterm infants from enrollment to 34 weeks' postmenstrual age.

The newborn delivery room of tomorrow: emerging and future technologies.

Advances in neonatal care have resulted in improved outcomes for high-risk newborns with technologies playing a significant part although many were developed for the neonatal intensive care unit. The care provided in the delivery room (DR) during the first few minutes of life can impact short- and long-term neonatal outcomes. Increasingly, technologies have a critical role to play in the DR particularly with monitoring and information provision.

Clinicians in 25 countries prefer to use lower levels of oxygen to resuscitate preterm infants at birth.

Aim: This study determined current international clinical practice and opinions regarding initial fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) and pulse oximetry (SpO2 ) targets for delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants of less than 29 weeks of gestation.

Methods: An online survey was disseminated to neonatal clinicians via established professional clinical networks using a web-based survey programme between March 9 and June 30, 2015.

Results: Of the 630 responses from 25 countries, 60% were from neonatologists.

Congenital epulis: from birth to childhood.

Congenital epulis, a rare benign neonatal tumor, is found more commonly in females and can be a cause of extreme anxiety in parents and health professionals. There is a potential of abnormal dentin development in surgically treated patients. These children should be followed by a pediatric dentist.

Non-invasive Ventilation in Premature Infants: Based on Evidence or Habit.

Despite surfactant and mechanical ventilation being the standard of care for preterm infants with respiratory failure, non-invasive respiratory support is increasingly being employed in neonatal units. The latter can be accomplished in a variety of ways but none of them have been proven so far to be superior to intubation and mechanical ventilation. Nonetheless, they appear to be safe and effective in experienced hands.