Neonatal/Perinatology

You care called to the emergency department to evaluate a 4-month old girl with multiple areas of purpura, including a distinctive bruise on the later aspect of the left thigh. The child's mother states that she noticed these lesions after picking up the infant from her biologic father, whose was watching the child alone. No trauma history is reported. The child has been otherwise in good health, with no signs of infection.

The CDC has released a report on the effect of assisted reproductive technology on multiple births, low birth weight, and preterm weight.

Babies who are born preterm or small for gestational age are at increased risk for developingesophagitis early in life, according to a recent study of the association between the risk for esophagitis and birth history.

Babies as young as 2 months at increased risk for meningococcal disease should be immunized with a new combination meningitis vaccine.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions that SimplyThick, a brand of thickening agent added to breast milk or formula for premature babies, has been linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a full-term infant.

A study in Finland found that infants who had contact with dogs in their first year showed fewer respiratory tract symptoms or infections.

Functional foods for post-partum mothers include galactagogues to enhance breast feeding and teas to soothe colic.

The ophthalmologist was not able to rule abuse in or out based on his examination because of the number of retinal hemorrhages seen.

Fathers' interactions with their infants in the first months of life appear to influence children's behavior by the time they reach their first birthdays, British researchers have found.

AAP recommendations for diagnosing and managing a first urinary tract infection in children aged 2 to 24 months were updated in 2011.

A baby presented to you at 8 months has episodes of vomiting and has experienced rapid deceleration of weight velocity since 4 months.

Infants avoid spending time examining stimuli that are either too simple or too complex, focusing instead on events with an intermediate level of complexity, according to a new study.

Starting enteral feeding early in preterm infants who are small for their age could result in earlier achievement of full enteral feeding without increasing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Escherichia coli has replaced group B Streptococcus (GBS) as the leading cause of bacteremia in term infants, with E coli accounting for 56% of cases, followed by GBS (21%) and Staphylococcus aureus (8%).

Sweet-tasting solutions such as glucose and sucrose are commonly used to alleviate pain in infants undergoing minor invasive procedures. Expressed breast milk may be an alternative to sweet solutions, but evidence of its analgesic efficacy is limited. Two new studies look at what works for neonatal pain relief.

A new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its support for exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer after solid foods are introduced as desired by mother and infant.

The case reads: 6-week-old female with twitching episodes. It helps to educate yourself regarding the Moro reflex.

An ongoing study that could lead to an imaging biomarker for autism as early as 6 months, before the onset of observable behavioral symptoms, may also eventually provide practitioners an avenue for earlier intervention in autism spectrum disorders

A multicomponent meningococcal B (4CMenB) vaccine induces an immune response in healthy infants and can be given safely with other routine vaccines, according to a European multisite, randomized study. Read why study results suggest that 4CMenB can be incorporated into various immunization schedules.

Children younger than 1 year and children on Medicaid are the most likely to suffer serious injuries because of physical abuse, according to an analysis of data from a US database. The study was the first to provide estimates on the number of US children hospitalized as a result of serious injuries from physical abuse. Learn what data identified poverty as a major risk factor for abusive injuries.

Stretching infant formula by dilution or reduced feedings exposes babies to serious developmental risks, yet it can be a monthly temptation for families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance. Find out how families forced to resort to formula stretching can be better identified and what other options can be offered to them.

A new prospective study confirms previous suggestions that in very low-birth-weight newborns exposed to treatment with ranitidine for gastric acid suppression, the rate of infections is significantly higher, as are the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, length of hospital stay, and fatal outcome.

Minimal access surgery is the fastest-growing area of surgical innovation, and children certainly benefit from procedures previously associated with more invasive approaches.

Proton pump inhibitors often are prescribed to treat infants with symptoms suspected as gastroesophageal reflux disease, but these acid-suppressing drugs are not safe for infants younger than 12 months.

In a case of unintended consequences gone right, the benefit of vaccinating infants against rotavirus does more than protect them against a serious illness with a high hospitalization rate. It also helps prevent the disease in older children and adults who have not received the vaccine, according to a recent study. What were the ?secrets and surprises? uncovered after introduction of the new vaccine?

A meta-analysis of 18 case-controlled studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and risk of sudden infant death syndrome revealed that breastfeeding of any duration is protective, especially if the breastfeeding is exclusive.

Preterm birth exerts a huge influence on infant mortality, and because less than half of preterm births are linked to spontaneous labor, it's important to consider the possible effect of obstetric intervention on the preterm birth rate.

The US Food and Drug Administration has ordered a safety labeling change for RotaTeq oral solution.

Parents don?t always understand what is meant by ?firm? when talking about bedding intended to reduce the risk of SIDS, and they worry that their infants may be uncomfortable, according to new research. Find out what misunderstandings are likely to occur and how you can counter them.

Here?s welcome news for nervous parents and the pediatricians who have to deal with urinary tract infections (UTI) in infants: New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics do not recommend routine use of voiding cystourethrography after the first UTI in febrile infants and children aged 2 to 24 months. Read more for information on when the test is indicated as well as other changes in UTI diagnosis and management.