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Front Pediatr 2021 14;9:656584. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

A 2-month-old male infant presented with white colored stools 1 month after birth. There was no jaundice of the skin, mucous membrane, or sclera; his liver was enlarged (4 cm below the ribs), and his liver function tests showed slightly elevated total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), and total bile acid (TBA). An abdominal doppler ultrasound showed no signs of biliary atresia. Read More

J Nepal Health Res Counc 2021 Apr 23;19(1):107-110. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background: Intrauterine meconium passage in near term or term fetuses has been associated with feto-maternal stress factors and/or infection and is contributing to the increased rate of cesarean section. This study aimed to evaluate effect of mode of delivery on fetal outcome in pregnancy with meconium-stained liquor.

Methods: A cross sectional study was done in 2019 at a tertiary care center. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2021 May 1;17(1):182. Epub 2021 May 1.

Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, 52 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada.

Background: Mechanisms of fetal death following maternal PRRSV2 infection remain uncharacterized, although hypoxia from umbilical cord lesions and/or placental detachment due to apoptosis are hypothesized. We performed two experiments examining hypoxia and apoptosis in PRRSV-infected and non-infected, third-trimester fetuses to elucidate possible associations with fetal death. Fetuses were selected based on four phenotypic infection groups: fetuses from non-challenged control gilts (CTRL); low viral load fetuses (LVL; Exp 1) or uninfected fetuses (UNINF; Exp 2) from inoculated gilts; viable high viral load fetuses (HVL-VIA); and HVL meconium-stained fetuses (HVL-MEC). Read More

Pediatr Neonatol 2021 Mar 18. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.

Biology (Basel) 2021 Apr 4;10(4). Epub 2021 Apr 4.

Clinical Toxicology Research Group, Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa), Valldemossa Road, 79, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Background: The accurate assessment of fetal exposure to psychoactive substances provides the basis for appropriate clinical care of neonates. The objective of this study was to identify maternal socio-demographic profiles and risk factors for prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse by measuring biomarkers in neonatal matrices.

Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was completed. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021 Apr 28:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Lis Hospital for Women, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of prolonged exposure to meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), in women with term pre-labor spontaneous rupture of membranes (PROM), on pregnancy outcome.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of women who gave birth in a single university-affiliated tertiary medical center (2011-2019). Eligibility was limited to singleton pregnancies at term who presented with PROM. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 24;13(3):e14089. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Medical Education, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, USA.

Background Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder of pregnancy. It occurs when bile flow from the liver is obstructed, causing bile acid to accumulate. ICP usually presents with itching that lasts for the remainder of pregnancy. Read More

Trials 2021 Apr 26;22(1):304. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China.

Background: Delayed meconium evacuation is an important cause of intestinal dysfunction in preterm infants. There are many methods to induce defecation in preterm infants: however, the effects are controversial. Finding a new intervention method to promote meconium evacuation in premature infants is necessary. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2021 Mar 27. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan. Electronic address:

Background/purpose: therapeutic strategy for meconium-related ileus (MRI) in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWs) has not been established. This study aims to clarify the optimum therapeutic strategy for MRI in VLBWs.

Methods: MRI was defined as delayed meconium excretion and microcolon on contrast enema with Gastrografin (diatrizoate acid). Read More

Microb Ecol 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.

Human milk optimizes gut microbial richness and diversity, and is critical for proper immune development. Research has shown differing microbial composition based on geographic location, providing evidence that diverse biospecimen data is needed when studying human bacterial communities. Yet, limited research describes human milk and infant gut microbial communities in Africa. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2021 Apr;58(4):370-376

Division of Neonatology, University of Toronto, and Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.

Background: Steroids are a potential treatment for pulmonary inflammation in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of steroids for the management of neonates with MAS.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Read More

J Cyst Fibros 2021 Apr 18. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

National Institute for Health Research, Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Indian Pediatr 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Neonatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. Correspondence to: Dr Sriparna Basu, Professor, Department of Neonatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203, India.

Background: The role of gastric lavage in neonates delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid remains unclear.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of gastric lavage, compared to no- gastric lavage, on the incidences of feeding intolerance, respiratory distress, meconium aspiration syndrome, time to establish breastfeeding, hospitalization and procedure-related complications in late-preterm and term neonates delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Read More

Biosci Rep 2021 Apr;41(4)

Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

Neonatal jaundice is a common disease that affects up to 60% of newborns. Herein, we performed a comparative analysis of the gut microbiome in neonatal jaundice and non-neonatal jaundice infants (NJIs) and identified gut microbial alterations in neonatal jaundice pre- and post-treatment. We prospectively collected 232 fecal samples from 51 infants at five time points (0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 15;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

An inborn term neonate weighing 2600 g developed meconium aspiration syndrome at birth. Baby had respiratory failure requiring high-frequency oscillatory ventilation support at 15 hours of life. He additionally developed hypotension with left ventricular dysfunction noted on point-of-care echocardiography (POCE), which required dopamine and epinephrine infusions. Read More

J Perinat Med 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Analytical and Food Chemistry Department, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Agri-Food Research and Transfer Cluster (CITACA), Campus da Auga, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain.

Objectives: Antenatal exposure to organic pollutants is a leading public health problem. Meconium is a unique matrix to perform prenatal studies because it enables us to retrospectively evaluate fetal exposure accumulated during the second and third trimester. The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between organic pollutant levels in meconium and birth weight in NW Spain. Read More

Oman Med J 2021 Mar 31;36(2):e243. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Pediatric Department, Sohar Hospital, Sohar, Oman.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator () gene that affects multisystems in the body, particularly the lungs and digestive system. We report a case of an Omani newborn who presented with meconium ileus and high suspicion of CF. Thus, full gene sequencing was performed, which revealed a homozygous unreported C. Read More

J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Division of Neonatology, Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA.

Background: Pregnant mothers with opioid dependency commonly receive maintenance treatment of opioid (OMT), either as buprenorphine (BMT) or methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). We investigated, whether OMT adversely affects standardized neonatal anthropometric outcomes and whether BMT is potentially safer than MMT in this regard.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of mother infant dyad, with and without OMT. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021 26;11:590202. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Laboratory, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

Background: Early life gut microbiota is involved in several biological processes, particularly metabolism, immunity, and cognitive neurodevelopment. Perturbation in the infant's gut microbiota increases the risk for diseases in early and later life, highlighting the importance of understanding the connections between perinatal factors with early life microbial composition. The present research paper is aimed at exploring the prenatal and postnatal factors influencing the infant gut microbiota composition at six months of age. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 6;13(3):e13746. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, GRC.

Interstitial obstruction in newborn infants can be caused by several factors such as malrotation, meconium plug syndrome, meconium ileus, Hirschsprung's disease, atresia and stenosis. Neonates who have been diagnosed with an interstitial obstruction are in need of immediate treatment; otherwise, they can deteriorate rapidly. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in most cases. Read More

J Clin Anesth 2021 Apr 8;72:110262. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, 232 West 25th St, Erie, PA 16544, USA. Electronic address:

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021 May 30;260:183-188. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Global Academy of Medical Education & Training, London & Consultant Intrapartum Care Advisor, Basildon University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, UK. Electronic address:

Objective: To assess the cardiotocographic changes and maternal and neonatal outcomes in cases of chorioamnionitis and or funisitis confirmed on histopathology.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of histopathology reports confirming chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis was carried out from 2014 to 2020 in a single centre. The preterm births (<37 weeks) were excluded. Read More

Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021 Apr 7;86:106978. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.

As the opioid epidemic escalates in westernized countries around the world, chronic opioid use during pregnancy has become a growing public health issue. There are increasing concerns that chronic maternal opioid use might adversely affect the developing fetal brain. Furthermore, the sudden discontinuation of the trans-placental opioid supply at birth puts newborns at acute risk for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Read More

Pediatr Pulmonol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Neonatology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) with heliox in newborn infants with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).

Methods: Seventy-one newborn infants with MAS in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Daping Hospital of Army Medical University were enrolled in the trial. Infants treated with SIMV were randomized and divided into the heliox group (n = 35) and control group (n = 36). Read More

Drugs Context 2021 26;10. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.

Background: Despite being a common problem in childhood, functional constipation is often difficult to manage. This article provides a narrative updated review on the evaluation, diagnosis and management of childhood functional constipation.

Methods: A PubMed search was performed with Clinical Queries using the key term 'functional constipation'. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021 Apr 6:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of patients who were continuously monitored by cardiotocography (CTG) during the labor and experienced cesarean operation with a diagnosis of fetal distress.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study in which records of the patients, who were diagnosed of fetal distress at Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul, Turkey, between January 2015 and October 2020 were collated. The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Packagefor Social Sciences version 22 software (SPSS Inc. Read More

Porcine Health Manag 2021 Apr 2;7(1):28. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Clinic for Swine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.

The duration of birth is an important factor influencing the survival of piglets and the health of sows. A prolonged parturition is usually treated with oxytocin, even though several undesirable side effects are described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) of different concentrations as an intravaginal applied gel after the birth of the fourth piglet in sows. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;12(3). Epub 2021 Mar 23.

AP-HP, Pediatric Pulmonology and CF Centre, University Hospital Robert Debre, University of Paris, CEDEX 19, 75935 Paris, France.

The Robert Debre Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis (CF) centre, located in the North East of Paris, a multicultural area, is in charge of a cohort of around a hundred and sixty children diagnosed with CF. Between 2000 and 2019, the proportion of children of African descent in this centre increased from 2% to 10%. We report the clinical features of 17 children of African descent diagnosed with CF: 4 (23%) were diagnosed after a meconium ileus, 14 (83%) had exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and 7 (41%) had early infection before the age of two. Read More

Children (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;8(3). Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are 100 times more likely than infants born through clear amniotic fluid to develop respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a common cause of respiratory distress in term and post-mature neonates. MAS is defined as respiratory distress accompanied by a supplemental oxygen requirement in an infant born with MSAF, in the absence of any other identified etiology to explain the symptoms. Read More

Children (Basel) 2021 Mar 17;8(3). Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy.

Meconium aspiration syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by respiratory failure occurring in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Worldwide, the incidence has declined in developed countries thanks to improved obstetric practices and perinatal care while challenges persist in developing countries. Despite the improved survival rate over the last decades, long-term morbidity among survivors remains a major concern. Read More