Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Kans J Med 2019 Feb 26;12(1):24-27. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS.

Clin Perinatol 2019 03 20;46(1):119-127. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

SPIN Program, San Diego Mothers' Milk Bank, Division of Neonatology, UC San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Drive MC7774, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, 3020 Children's Way, San Diego, CA 92123. Electronic address:

Current assessment for and diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remain inadequate. The introduction of interrogating bowel with ultrasound when NEC is suspected or when NEC has occurred presents greater opportunity to characterize the physical changes that have occurred in the bowel wall structures. The evaluation of bowel by ultrasound has been shown to have high specificity for bowel necrosis. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 4;9(1):1212. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C., USA.

Advanced neuroimaging techniques have improved our understanding of microstructural changes in the preterm supratentorial brain as well as the cerebellum and its association with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the metabolic interrogation of the developing cerebellum during the early postnatal period after preterm birth remains largely unknown. Our study investigates the relationship between cerebellar neurometabolites measured by proton magnetic spectroscopy (H-MRS) in preterm infants with advancing post-menstrual age (PMA) and brain injury during ex-utero third trimester prior to term equivalent age (TEA). Read More

Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2019 Jan 28:1-14. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

a Department of Pathology , Odense University Hospital , Odense , Denmark.

Background: Only few studies have quantitated the frequencies of immune cells in the small bowel mucosa and submucosa during gestation. The aims of this study were to describe the frequencies of T and B cells, eosinophils and mast cells in the normal small bowel mucosa and submucosa (NSB) in relation to gestational age (GA) and in the uninvolved small bowel (USB) of premature newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Methods: We obtained 36 NSB specimens (GA 12-41 weeks) and 8 NEC-USB specimens (GA 24-32 weeks) from autopsies and surgeries and performed immunostaining for CD3, CD79a, BMK-13 and tryptase as well as the histochemical stains giemsa and toluidine blue. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2019 Jan 15;19(1):21. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Background: Pneumatosis intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas are usually caused by necrotizing enterocolitis; however they can occur secondary to abusive abdominal trauma with bone fractures and bruising. It is difficult to recognize initially if there is no bruising on the skin or bone fractures.

Case Presentation: We report a 1-year-old child with no obvious history of trauma who presented with conscious disturbance. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 3;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Neonatology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

A premature twin infant girl was transferred to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit for recurrent bloody stools, anaemia and discomfort with feeds; without radiographic evidence of necrotising enterocolitis. Additional imaging after transfer revealed a large retroperitoneal mass in the region of the pancreas compressing the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta, raising suspicion for neuroblastoma. Abdominal exploration and biopsy unexpectedly revealed that the lesion was an infantile capillary haemangioma involving the small bowel, omentum, mesentery and pancreas. Read More

J Pediatr 2019 Feb 24;205:83-90.e10. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Objective: To discover specific circulating microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for the early differentiation of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) from neonatal sepsis and inflammatory conditions.

Study Design: The study comprised 3 distinct phases: differential microarray analysis to compare plasma miRNA expression profiles of NEC vs sepsis and non-NEC/nonsepsis cases, a case-control study to quantify dysregulated miRNAs as potential specific biomarkers of NEC, and a prospective cohort study to assess the diagnostic usefulness of the best miRNA biomarker(s).

Results: A distinct miRNA expression profile was observed in the NEC compared with the sepsis and non-NEC/nonsepsis groups. Read More

J Surg Res 2019 Feb 23;234:294-302. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. Electronic address:

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants is often a devastating surgical condition with poor outcomes. GYY4137 is a long-acting donor of hydrogen sulfide, a gasotransmitter that is protective against intestinal injury in experimental NEC, likely through protection against injury secondary to ischemia. We hypothesized that administration of GYY4137 would improve mesenteric perfusion, reduce intestinal injury, and reduce inflammatory responses in experimental NEC and ischemia-reperfusion injury, and that these benefits would be mediated through endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent pathways. Read More

Anesth Analg 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Cardiac Anesthesia, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare disorder that leads to progressive narrowing of the extrapulmonary veins. PVS has been reported in both children and adults and in its worse iteration leads to pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and death. Multiple etiologies of PVS have been described in children and adults. Read More

Curr Pediatr Rev 2018 Nov 2. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Surgery, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, Napoli. Italy.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common cause of the postnatal critical conditions and remains one of the dominant cause of newborns' death in Neonatal Intensive Care. The morbidity and mortality associated with necrotizing enterocolitis remains largely unchanged and the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis continues to increase. There is no general agreement regarding the surgical treatment of the necrotizing enterocolitis. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Sep 13. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Early definitive diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) based on Bell's staging criteria is difficult because there are few observable changes on abdominal imaging and blood chemistry tests at the onset of the disease.

Purpose: To investigate whether prostaglandin E-2 major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) can be a useful surrogate marker reflecting the disease state and severity of NEC in infants.

Methods: Infants were enrolled in this study between January 2014 and December 2016. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):914-917

Department of Radiology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Although ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the most common procedure performed by pediatric neurosurgeons, it is still associated with frustrating complications, most common of which are obstruction and infection. Traumatic occipital artery pseudoaneurysm is a very rare complication of VPS procedure. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar case reported in the English language literature. Read More

Ital J Pediatr 2018 Jul 25;44(1):84. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125, Messina, Italy.

Necrotizing enterocolitis continues to be a devastating disease process for very low birth weight infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. The aetiology and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis are not definitively understood. It is known that necrotizing enterocolitis is secondary to a complex interaction of multiple factors that results in mucosal damage, which leads to intestinal ischemia and necrosis. Read More

Radiol Bras 2018 May-Jun;51(3):166-171

PhD, Professor in the Department of Radiology at the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify radiological and clinical risk factors for death in newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, based on radiological examinations and medical charts of 66 infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, as confirmed by a finding of intestinal pneumatosis (stage IIA, according to modified Bell's staging criteria). Radiological and clinical variables were evaluated. Read More

Neuroimage Clin 2018 15;19:599-606. Epub 2018 May 15.

Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.

Higher brain dysfunction, such as language delay, is a major concern among preterm infants. Cerebral substrates of cognitive development in preterm infants remain elusive, partly because of limited methods. The present study focuses on hemodynamic response patterns for brain function by using near-infrared spectroscopy. Read More

Paediatr Int Child Health 2018 08 18;38(3):187-192. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

a Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine , Chiang Mai University , Chiang Mai , Thailand.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is treated with oral indomethacin (IDC) and ibuprofen (IB) instead of intravenous formulations. No significant differences in efficacy have been reported. However, previous studies had small numbers of VLBW infants (<1500 g). Read More

Ann Ital Chir 2018 Mar 19;7. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Cystic intestinal pneumatosis (CIP) is the presence of gas bubbles inside the wall of the intestine. In literature it has been reported to be associated with a variety of clinical conditions such as: superior mesenteric ischemia, intestinal perforation, bowel necrosis, infections which can cause mucosal alterations and therefore increasing its permeability, necrotizing enterocolitis in babies, trauma, intestinal obstruction, autoimmune and pulmonary pathologies. Its presence is usually documented by radiological techniques such as abdominal X-ray, CT scan and endoscopy and are usually characterized by the typical pattern of gas bubbles in the wall of the intestine. Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2018 Jul;108(1):108-116

Translational Medicine Program and Divisions of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.

Background: Human milk-based fortifiers (HMBFs) are being adopted in neonatal care to enrich the nutrients in human milk for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants despite being costly and there being limited efficacy data. No randomized clinical trial has evaluated the use of HMBF compared with bovine milk-based fortifiers (BMBFs) in the absence of formula feeding.

Objective: To determine if HMBF compared with BMBF for routine nutrient enrichment of human milk improves feeding tolerance, reduces morbidity, reduces fecal calprotectin (a measure of gut inflammation), and supports the growth of infants <1250 g. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2018 Dec 31;35(14):1358-1365. Epub 2018 May 31.

Division of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Despite extensive research and improvements in the field of neonatal care, the morbidity and mortality associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have remained unchanged over the past three decades. Early detection of ischemia and necrotic bowel is vital in improving morbidity and mortality associated with NEC; however, strategies for predicting and preventing NEC are lacking. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) are novel techniques in pediatrics that have been proven as safe modalities. Read More

Echocardiography 2018 08 14;35(8):1189-1195. Epub 2018 May 14.

Department of Echocardiography, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Background: Premature restriction or closure of foramen ovale (FO) in otherwise structurally normal hearts may be associated with right ventricular dilation, tricuspid regurgitation, pericardial effusion, heart failure, even poor perinatal outcomes. Data about these rare conditions are lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the echocardiographic records of 9704 fetuses seen from 2010 to 2014 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, a regional and national referral center, to ascertain the presence of restriction or closure of FO. Read More

Pediatr Surg Int 2018 Jun 2;34(6):589-612. Epub 2018 May 2.

Division of Neonatology and Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, University of Toronto, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada.

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a life-threatening disease among infants in the NICU. Early diagnosis and careful monitoring are essential to improve outcomes. Abdominal ultrasound (AUS) seems a promising addition to current diagnostic modalities, but its clinical utility is uncertain. Read More

J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2018 ;11(1):101-104

Division of Neonatology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are the mainstay of central venous access in preterm infants, and one of the common procedures performed in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Complications of PICC include infection, mechanical dysfunction, thrombosis, migration, and extravasation of the infusate. In this report, we describe a case of PICC inserted from an upper extremity with migration into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the hepatic vein associated with extravasation of the total parenteral nutrition (TPN) into the peritoneum and the liver. Read More

Pediatr Surg Int 2018 May 30;34(5):535-541. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Department of General surgery and Neonatal surgery, Qilu Children's Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, No. 77 Wenhua west road, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of AR and AUS in predicting prognosis in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Methods: All patients were diagnosed as NEC at the department of general surgery and neonatal surgery, Qilu children's hospital between 1st, Jun, 2010 and 30th, Dec, 2016. The logistic regression analysis and the area under ROC curve (AUC)s were also used to compare the prognostic values of radiograph and sonograph for NEC. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Jun 7;53(6):1192-1196. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Purpose: The definitive diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is typically at an advanced stage, indicating the need for sensitive and noninvasive diagnostic modalities. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been utilized to noninvasively measure intraabdominal tissue oxygenation and to diagnose NEC, but specificity is lacking, in part because sensors are limited to a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, we introduce the concept of broadband optical spectroscopy (BOS) as a noninvasive method to characterize NEC. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Mar 28;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 28.

Department of Neonatology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Gastric pneumatosisis a very rare site of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), and we report this finding in a preterm female infant with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The infant was stable initially on nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation; however, torrential pulmonary flow through a large patent ductus arteriosus prompted closure using oral ibuprofen. After an episode of haematochezia, she developed PI, affecting mainly the gastric wall and small intestine with portal venous gas. Read More

Eur Radiol 2018 Sep 26;28(9):3621-3631. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.

Objectives: To investigate current practices and perceptions of imaging in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) according to involved specialists, put them in the context of current literature, and identify needs for further investigation.

Methods: Two hundred two neonatologists, paediatric surgeons, and radiologists answered a web-based questionnaire about imaging in NEC at their hospitals. The results were descriptively analysed, using proportion estimates with 95% confidence intervals. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2018 Oct 25;46(8):546-548. Epub 2018 Mar 25.

Department of Pediatrics, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Korea.

Prenatal ultrasonography (US) in a 39 year-old woman revealed massive fetal ascites. A fetal abdomino-amniotic shunting procedure was performed. Subsequently, plain radiographs demonstrated diffuse gaseous distention of the bowel and multiple punctate calcifications in the left upper abdomen. Read More

Radiologe 2018 Apr;58(4):326-333

Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt, Österreich.

Background/clinical Issue: Inflammatory bowel diseases are frequently seen in the clinical routine of a pediatric radiologist. The timely diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases in children is particularly important in acute cases.

Standard Radiological Methods/methodological Innovations: This nonsystematic article intends to give an overview of the radiologic imaging methods for the diagnosis and work-up of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Read More

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2018 Feb;20(2):164-168

Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a catastrophic disease caused by a variety of factors in neonates, especially preterm infants. Severe NEC has a high fatality rate, and most survivors may face short- and long-term adverse prognosis. Risk factors for NEC include preterm birth, non-breastfeeding, microbial abnormalities in the digestive tract, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Read More

Neonatology 2018 23;113(3):242-248. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Section of Neonatal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Campus, London, United Kingdom.

Background: The optimal nutritional regimen for preterm infants, including those that develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), is unknown.

Objective: The objective here was to evaluate body composition at term in infants following NEC, in comparison with healthy infants. The primary outcome measure was non-adipose tissue mass (non-ATM). Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 01;180(5)

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality when found in premature infants. This report is about two cases of NEC initiated in utero but without a prior knowledge to neither parents nor health professionals. Both cases had similar courses postnatally, which included abdominal distension and nutritional problems. Read More

J Emerg Med 2018 04 17;54(4):547-548. Epub 2018 Jan 17.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Portland, Maine.

Ultrasound Q 2018 Sep;34(3):113-118

Division of Radiology and.

Radiographic evaluation for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) often yields nonspecific findings. Bowel ultrasound (BUS) provides additional information beyond that of abdominal radiographs and may be helpful in the diagnosis of NEC in neonates. We systematically reviewed and aggregated existing literature to get a better estimate of diagnostic accuracy of BUS in the diagnosis of NEC. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2018 05 24;48(5):617-619. Epub 2018 Jan 24.

Department of Medical Imaging, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Center, 1001 Boulevard Decarie, Montreal, QC, H4A3J, Canada.

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Sep 24;53(9):1692-1698. Epub 2017 Dec 24.

Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Indianapolis, IN; Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN; The Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. Electronic address:

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) continues to be a morbid surgical condition among preterm infants. Novel therapies for this condition are desperately needed. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an endogenous gasotransmitter that has been found to have beneficial properties. Read More

J Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2017 Dec 29;25(4):131-137. Epub 2017 Dec 29.

Department of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.

Background: To evaluate the outcomes of left ventricular (LV) function according to treatment response for a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in preterm infants.

Methods: Echocardiograms of 21 preterm infants born at gestational age < 31 weeks obtained at term-equivalent age were retrospectively studied. Among preterm infants with a hsPDA, 9 underwent ligation after failure of pharmacological closure (ligation group) and 6 experienced successful pharmacological closure (medication group). Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2018 05 19;48(5):658-666. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract that represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Imaging of the abdomen is valuable for timely diagnosis and close monitoring of disease progression in NEC. Bowel ultrasound (US) is increasingly being recognized as an important imaging tool for evaluating NEC that provides additional detail than plain abdominal radiographs. Read More

Neuroimage Clin 2018 21;17:596-606. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Centre for the Developing Brain, Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK.

Background: Preterm infants are at high risk of diffuse white matter injury and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. The multiple hit hypothesis suggests that the risk of white matter injury increases with cumulative exposure to multiple perinatal risk factors. Our aim was to test this hypothesis in a large cohort of preterm infants using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). Read More

Pediatr Rev 2017 Dec;38(12):552-559

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a frequently encountered condition in the premature neonate, which can have devastating effects. The signs and symptoms of NEC are variable and can be confused with those of sepsis. An abdominal radiograph is often obtained for diagnosis, and findings that indicate NEC include pneumatosis and portal venous gas. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018 05;66(5):755-759

Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Preterm infants with antenatal absent or reversed end diastolic flow (AREDF) in umbilical arteries are at major risk for gastrointestinal (GI) complications, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal perforation and feeding intolerance. Near-infrared spectroscopy provides continuous monitoring of splanchnic oxygenation (SrSO2) and may represent a useful tool to predict GI outcomes in this high-risk population. This observational, pilot study assessed feed-related SrSO2 patterns at enteral feeding introduction and full enteral feeding (FEF) achievement in twenty AREDF infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks. Read More

PLoS One 2017 15;12(9):e0184813. Epub 2017 Sep 15.

Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the performance of Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS), Rapid Acute Physiology Score (RAPS), and Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) in ascertaining the severity of illness and predicting the mortality of adult hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). This will assist emergency physicians (EPs) in risk stratification.

Methods: Data for 66 adult HPVG patients who visited the EDs of 2 research hospitals between October 1999 and April 2016 were analyzed. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Feb 22;32(3):357-361. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.

Objective: To investigate the effect of caffeine infusion on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocities (BFV) in preterm infants.

Methods: Prospective observational study on 38 preterm neonates 28-33 weeks gestation, who developed apnea on their first day of life, and caffeine citrate infusion was initiated at a loading dose of 20 mg/kg, followed by a maintenance dose of 5-10 mg/kg/day. Duplex ultrasound measurements of SMA BFV were recorded: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI), at 15 min before, 1-, 2- and 6-h after caffeine loading dose, and 2 h after two maintenance doses. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2017 10;130(4):865-869

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.

Objective: To estimate the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes among women with isolated fetal growth restriction from 17 to 22 weeks of gestation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies undergoing ultrasonography to assess fetal anatomy between 17 and 22 weeks of gestation at a single center from 2010 to 2014. After excluding patients with fetal structural malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, or identified infectious etiologies, we compared perinatal outcomes between pregnancies with and without fetal growth restriction, defined as estimated fetal weight less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2017 Sep 4;17(1):284. Epub 2017 Sep 4.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Preterm birth is in quantity and in severity the most important topic in obstetric care in the developed world. Progestogens and cervical pessaries have been studied as potential preventive treatments with conflicting results. So far, no study has compared both treatments. Read More

European J Pediatr Surg Rep 2017 Jan 31;5(1):e43-e46. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

 Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frequent surgical emergency in newborns. Intestinal ischemia is considered a factor that precedes the development of NEC lesions. Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) can be used to assess tissue microcirculation. Read More

Quant Imaging Med Surg 2017 Jun;7(3):336-344

Department of Radiology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, Naples; Italy.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory process, characterized by intestinal necrosis of variable extension, leading to perforation, generalized peritonitis and death. The classical pathogenetic theory focuses on mucosal damage related to a stress induced intestinal ischemia leading to mucosal injury and bacterial colonization of the wall. A more recent hypothesis emphasizes the role of immaturity of gastrointestinal and immune system, particularly of the premature, responsible of bowel wall vulnerability and suffering. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2017 Jun;12(6):890-896

OMNI Academic Service Line and Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Kentucky Children's Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Despite substantial progress in neonatal care over the past two decades leading to improved survival of extremely premature infants, extreme prematurity continues to be associated with long term neurodevelopmental impairments. Cerebral white matter injury is the predominant form of insult in preterm brain leading to adverse neurological consequences. Such brain injury pattern and unfavorable neurologic sequelae is commonly encountered in premature infants exposed to systemic inflammatory states such as clinical or culture proven sepsis with or without evidence of meningitis, prolonged mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and chorioamnionitis. Read More

Cardiol Young 2017 Nov 19;27(9):1732-1739. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

3Department of Pediatrics,Duke University School of Medicine,Durham,North Carolina,United States of America.

Background: In very low birth weight infants, persistence of a patent ductus arteriosus results in morbidity and mortality. Therapies to close the ductus are effective, but clinical outcomes may depend on the accuracy of diagnosis and the timing of administration. The objective of the present study was to characterise the association between early echocardiography, therapy for patent ductus arteriosus, and outcomes in very low birth weight infants. Read More

Pol J Radiol 2017 19;82:275-278. Epub 2017 May 19.

Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare imaging finding in children. It can be an important manifestation of severe diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates or bowel wall rupture in older children. However, there are many other diseases presenting with HPVG that do not necessarily require a surgical intervention. Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2017 Nov;42(11):2776-2777

Imaging Department, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627, São Paulo, 05652-901, Brazil.