Clinical Investigations: Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Full-Term Neonates With Perinatal Asphyxia

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To explore the capacity of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) to assess maturation processes in the development of the nervous system, and the characteristics of SEP in healthy full-term infants and full-term newborns with perinatal asphyxia and their follow up until the age of 14 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SEP were studied in 21 healthy full-term infants and 38 full-term newborns with perinatal asphyxia. The children with asphyxia were studied longitudinally until they were 14 months old. To assess the SEP we measured the latency of the P15, N20 and P25 components, the amplitude ratio N20/ P25 and inter-peak intervals P15-N20 and N20-P25. RESULTS: The component that was most typically always found in the SEP recordings of both healthy infants and those with perinatal asphyxia was N20. The mean latency values of P15, N20 and P25 were higher in the children with perinatal asphyxia (p ⋋ 0.001). The SEP amplitude was highly variable (CoV% = 76.6%). The latencies became shorter with age in asphyxia patients aged 0 to 14 months, the shortening being the greatest in the first trimester, while they showed no statistically significant differences in infants aged 6 to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: SEPs in the neonatal period differ considerably from those of adults and older children in the morphology and longer potential latency, which can be accounted for by the incomplete myelination of nerve fibers. The changes in SEP latency in patients with HIE stages I and II follow the same pattern found in healthy children - latency became shorter with increasing age, which was most pronounced in the first 3 months. SEP latency was found to be correlated with height and age. No differences were found in the latency of potentials between healthy infants and infants with brain hemorrhage. Recording SEP is a sensitive method to assess the CNS in children with perinatal asphyxia and to monitor the maturation of the somatosensory pathway.

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BIOMARKERS OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN FULL-TERM INFANTS

PEDIATRIA Journal named after G N SPERANSKY ◽

10.24110/0031-403x-2021-100-1-23-29 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

T.A. Mammadova ◽

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽

Colorimetric Assay ◽

Colorimetric Method ◽

Full Term ◽

Control Group ◽

Term Infants ◽

Healthy Infants ◽

Term Newborns ◽

New Biomarkers

Objective of the research: to assess the value of new biomarkers – erythropoietin (EPO), nitric oxide (NO), calcium ion for the early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in full-term newborns. Materials and methods: 100 full-term infants with NEC and 30 generally healthy infants (control group) were examined. In newborns of both groups in the first 2 weeks of life, plasma NO levels were determined by the colorimetric method (Caymans Nitrate/Nitrite Colorimetric Assay Kit) using an ELISYS UNO HUMAN; EPO – by Human Enzyme Immunoassay ELISA Kit, calcium ions – by a photometric test with BioScreen MS2000. Results: an increase in EPO levels and a decrease in Ca+2 level were revealed in patients depending on the NEC stage. In patients with stage I NEC, EPO and NO values increased by 54% and 46%, respectively, and the Ca+2 values were decreased by 19% in comparison with indicators in children of the control group. In patients with stage II NEC, EPO values increased by 70%, NO – by 124%, and Ca+2 were decreased by 61% compared to the indicators of children in the control group. In patients with stage III NEC, EPO values increased by 100%, NO – by 222% compared with the indicators of children in the control group. Conclusion: EPO, NO, and Ca+2 are biomarkers of early diagnosis of NEC in term infants and detection of severe variants of the disease.

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P319 Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials in full-term infants with birth asphyxia

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/0013-4694(96)88494-x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 99 (4) ◽

pp. 355

Author(s):

L. Foggia ◽

G. Cardillo ◽

M. Colucci ◽

M. Abate ◽

G. Grimaldi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Evoked Potentials ◽

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials ◽

Birth Asphyxia ◽

Full Term ◽

Term Infants

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Prognostic value of early somatosensory evoked potentials for adverse outcome in full-term infants with birth asphyxia

Brain and Development ◽

10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80126-4 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 320-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Linda S De Vries ◽

Véronique Pierrat ◽

Paula Eken ◽

Taketsugu Minami ◽

Hans Daniels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Evoked Potentials ◽

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Adverse Outcome ◽

Birth Asphyxia ◽

Full Term ◽

Term Infants

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Levels of Predominant Intestinal Microorganisms in 1 Month-Old Full-Term Babies and Weight Gain During the First Year of Life

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072412 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2412

Author(s):

Sonia González ◽

Marta Selma-Royo ◽

Silvia Arboleya ◽

Cecilia Martínez-Costa ◽

Gonzalo Solís ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Early Life ◽

Later Life ◽

Full Term ◽

First Year ◽

Term Infants ◽

Term Newborns ◽

Infant Weight Gain ◽

First Year Of Life

The early life gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in neonatal weight gain and later infant growth. Therefore, this early microbiota may constitute a target for the promotion of healthy neonatal growth and development with potential consequences for later life. Unfortunately, we are still far from understanding the association between neonatal microbiota and weight gain and growth. In this context, we evaluated the relationship between early microbiota and weight in a cohort of full-term infants. The absolute levels of specific fecal microorganisms were determined in 88 vaginally delivered and 36 C-section-delivered full-term newborns at 1 month of age and their growth up to 12 months of age. We observed statistically significant associations between the levels of some early life gut microbes and infant weight gain during the first year of life. Classifying the infants into tertiles according to their Staphylococcus levels at 1 month of age allowed us to observe a significantly lower weight at 12 months of life in the C-section-delivered infants from the highest tertile. Univariate and multivariate models pointed out associations between the levels of some fecal microorganisms at 1 month of age and weight gain at 6 and 12 months. Interestingly, these associations were different in vaginally and C-section-delivered babies. A significant direct association between Staphylococcus and weight gain at 1 month of life was observed in vaginally delivered babies, whereas in C-section-delivered infants, lower Bacteroides levels at 1 month were associated with higher later weight gain (at 6 and 12 months). Our results indicate an association between the gut microbiota and weight gain in early life and highlight potential microbial predictors for later weight gain.

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Kernicterus in Otherwise Healthy, Breast-fed Term Newborns

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.96.4.730 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 730-733 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. Jeffrey Maisels ◽

Thomas B. Newman

Keyword(s):

The United States ◽

Full Term ◽

Term Infants ◽

Know How ◽

Neurologic Sequelae ◽

Sporadic Cases ◽

Term Newborns ◽

Breast Fed ◽

Apparently Healthy

Objective. To document the occurrence of classical kernicterus in full-term, otherwise healthy, breast-fed infants. Methods. We reviewed the files of 22 cases referred to us by attorneys throughout the United States during a period of 18 years, in which neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was alleged to be responsible for brain damage in apparently healthy, nonimmunized, full-term infants. To qualify for inclusion, these infants had to be born at 37 or more weeks' gestation, manifest the classic signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy, and have the typical neurologic sequelae. Results. Six infants, born between 1979 and 1991, met the criteria for inclusion. Their peak recorded bilirubin levels occurred 4 to 10 days after birth and ranged from 39.0 to 49.7 mg/dL. All had one or more exchange transfusions. One infant had an elevated reticulocyte count (9%) but no other evidence of hemolysis. The other infants had no evidence of hemolysis, and no cause was found for the hyperbilirubinemia (other than breast-feeding). Conclusions. Although very rare, classic kernicterus can occur in apparently healthy, full-term, breast-fed newborns who do not have hemolytic disease or any other discernible cause for their jaundice. Such extreme elevations of bilirubin are rare, and we do not know how often infants with similar serum bilirubin levels escape harm. We also have no reliable method for identifying these infants early in the neonatal period. Closer follow-up after birth and discharge from the hospital might have prevented some of these outcomes, but rare, sporadic cases of kernicterus might not be preventable unless we adopt an approach to follow-up and surveillance of the newborn that is significantly more rigorous than has been practiced. The feasibility, risks, costs, and benefits of this type of intervention need to be determined.

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Apnea Recordings of Healthy Infants at 40, 44, and 52 Weeks Postconception

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.63.5.724 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 724-730

Author(s):

Israel M. Stein ◽

Ann White ◽

Joseph L. Kennedy ◽

Roberta L. Merisalo ◽

Harvey Chernoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Home Environment ◽

Respiratory Activity ◽

Full Term ◽

Impedance Method ◽

Term Infants ◽

Healthy Infants ◽

Marked Variability ◽

Highly Correlated

A total of 129 recordings of the respiratory activity of 46 normal full-term infants were obtained continuously for 24 hours in the hospital nursery at 3 days of life and in the home environment at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after birth. The pediatric pneumogram (PPG) technique, an impedance method, was used. Pneumogram data over longer than 16 hours was obtained on 77% of infants monitored. No infants experienced apnea longer than 15 seconds in duration at 40 and 44 weeks postconception. or greater than 11 seconds at 52 weeks postconception. Twenty-four hour plots of hourly apnea frequency revealed a marked variability, with evidence of clustering of apneic episodes during periods of reported sleep. Longest apnea time and hourly frequency of apneic episodes were highly correlated.

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Head circumference and anterior fontanel measurements in newborns

Paediatrica Indonesiana ◽

10.14238/pi52.3.2012.145-51 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rizal Agus Tiansyah ◽

Irawan Mangunatmadja ◽

Aman Pulungan

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Head Circumference ◽

Full Term ◽

Brain Growth ◽

Anterior Fontanel ◽

Term Infants ◽

Head Growth ◽

Term Newborns ◽

Male Subjects ◽

The Brain

Background Head growth and anterior fontanel (AP) closureare passive processes in response to brain growth. The growthof the brain and skull starts in the third week of intrauterinegestation. roth processes run simultaneously as a part of integralgrowth, along 'With increasing gestational age, until post􀀿birth.Measurement of head circumference (He) and AF in newbornsis done to determine if the brain and skull grew normally duringthe intrauterine period.Objectives To investigate the differences in He and AF sizebetween preterm and full􀀿term infants, and the relationshipbetween gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) to Heand AF size.Methods This was a descriptive analytic study on preterm andfull􀀿term newborns. Measurement of HC and AF was conductedin three phases: just after birth, 1x24 and 2x24 hours of age.Analysis of HC and AF size differences between preterm and fullterm subjects was performed, as well as analysis of the correlationbetween GA and BW to HC and AF size.Results Two hundred fifty newborns completed the study. Therewere 180 full􀀿term and 70 preterm subjects. Median HC in full􀀿term and preterm male subjects were 34 cm (range 31􀀿37 cm)and 31 cm (27􀀿34 cm), respectively. Median HC in full􀀿termand preterm female subjects were 33 cm (31􀀿36 cm) and 32 cm(27􀀿3S.S cm), respectively. Median AF in full􀀿term and pretermmale subjects were 2.17 cm (1.0SA.6 cm) and 2.22 cm (1.3SA.Scm), respectively, and in full􀀿term and preterm female subjectswere 2.02 cm (lA.1S cm) and 2.22 cm (0.7SA cm), respectively.The HC of preterms were significantly lower than the fullterms(P<O.OOl), however the AF size was not different between these2 groups of newborns (P =0 .28). Correlation test between GA andBW to HC size revealed a positive correlation (r=0.620, P<O.OO 1and r=0.801, P<O.OOl, respectively), but not to AF size (r=􀀿 0.06,p􀁀 0.279 and F- 0.049, P􀁀0.44, respectively).Concl usions We found that the HC size of pre terms wassignificantly lower than thefullterms, but no significant differences in AF size between the two groups. GA and BW were associatedwith HC size, but not associated to AF size. [paediatr lndones.2012;52:145-51].

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Docosahexaenoic Acid and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Term Infants

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000448271 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 69 (Suppl. 1) ◽

pp. 22-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Suzanne Meldrum ◽

Karen Simmer

Keyword(s):

Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid ◽

Normal Brain ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽

Term Infants ◽

Lactating Women ◽

Healthy Infants ◽

Normal Brain Development

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, is essential for normal brain development. DHA is found predominantly in seafood, fish oil, breastmilk and supplemented formula. DHA intake in Western countries is often below recommendations. Observational studies have demonstrated an association between DHA intake in pregnancy and neurodevelopment of offspring but cannot fully adjust for confounding factors that influence child development. Randomised clinical trials of DHA supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation, and of term infants, have not shown a consistent benefit nor harm on neurodevelopment of healthy children born at term. The evidence does not support DHA supplementation of healthy pregnant and lactating women, nor healthy infants.

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