Anthelmintic usage on the Reproductive Parameters in Captive reared Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that is found in the Neo-tropical region. This animal is hunted for its meat but has recently been reared in captivity as a source of meat protein in rural communities. A 20-month experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of an anthelmintic on the reproductive performance of the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared in captivity. This experiment was conducted in the humid tropics of Trinidad and Tobago. Sixteen animals (15 females, 1 male) placed in each of the two treatment groups in a completely randomized study design. In treatment 1 (T1) animals were given subcutaneous injections of Endovet Ces® (Ivermectin/Praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg every three months. Treatment 2 (T2) was the negative control group where animals were not exposed to an anthelmintic. Reproductive data were collected at parturition which included birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender of offspring. The results showed that there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the treatment groups with respect to birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender. However, agoutis that were dewormed had a higher birth weight (220.24 g vs 209.1 g) and litter weight (369.8 g vs 343 g). The same values were obtained for the litter size (1.7 vs 1.7) and animals that were dewormed had a higher female offspring to male offspring (2.41:1 vs 1.11:1). This experiment demonstrated that the use of an anthelmintic strategically in the management of captive reared agoutis had no statistical effect (p > 0.05) on the reproductive parameters. Therefore, these animals can be kept in captive conditions without being dewormed and produce efficiently with proper feeding and housing management.

Factors affecting neonatal birth weight in Sidotopo Wetan Health Centre: A cross-sectional study

Birth weight serves as an indicator of a newborn’s health status. It is associated with mortality rate in the first year, developmental problems in childhood and risk of various diseases in adulthood. Even in modern era, it continues to be a health concern globally, especially in developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence of low birth weight has increased from 2013 to 2018, swaying further from the national target. Low birth weight is often caused by insufficient nutrients supplied by the mother to the fetus. In Indonesia, chronic energy deficiency status is diagnosed in the first antenatal care visit by measuring maternal middle-upper arm circumference with a cut-off point of 23.5cm. Meanwhile, iron level is measured via assessing hemoglobin level will be measured in the first antenatal care visit and in trimester III. This study aims to describe the factors that may influence neonatal birth weight. It is a quantitative study with a cross sectional approach conducted at Sidotopo Wetan Public Health Centre. 97 samples are collected from medical records and analysed using bivariate correlative test. Result shows that maternal age (0.20), chronic energy deficiency status (0.026) and antenatal care visit minimal of 4 times (0.49) increase the risk of low-birth-weight incidence. On the other hand, educational level, maternal parity and anemia status does not acts as risks. In conclusion, maternal age, energy status and visits to antenatal care acts as risk factors in causing low birth weight.

Oxygen Saturation in Neonate after Birth

Background: Oxygen saturation measures the quantity of haemoglobin in the blood that is saturated with oxygen. Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that binds oxygen and transports it to outlying tissues. Oxygen is commonly used throughout the world in neonatal units. Injudicious use of Oxygen may not maintain appropriate oxygen status rather can lead to hypoxemia or hyperoxemia, both of the conditions are injurious to neonatal health. Objective: To assess the oxygen saturation in neonate after birth.Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Neonatology BSMMU, Shahbag, Dhaka, Lab Aid Specialized Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2013 to March 2014. A total 317 patients were selected according to selection criteria. The parents were interviewed with a specific pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire and some information were gathered by document review. All neonate both term and late preterm (˃34weeks) who would not be anticipated for resuscitation was included.Results:A total 317 neonate were selected according to selection criteria. Among the study subjects more than half were male (57.1%). Rests were female (42.9%). Average gestational age of the study subjects was 37.47± 1.16 (SD) with the range of 34-40. On the other hand average birth weight was 2.88±0.46 (SD) with the minimum birth weight 2.0 kg and maximum weight 4.2 kg. Illustrates the median (IQR) heart rate from one to ten min for preterm versus term births. At one to three minutes and at five minutes after birth preterm infants had significantly lower SpO2 measurements. From six to 10 minutes after birth and four minutes after birth there was no significant difference between SpO2 measurements for mode of delivery. Paired sample t test showed that average SpO2 was less in 1 minute[88.42±4.8(SD)] than in 5 minute [94.25±3.5(SD)] and statistically this differences were highly significant (t=24.44, p=0.000). Pearson correlation showed high positive correlation (p=0.000) and correlation co-efficient r=0.479. Correlation was significant at the 0.01 level.Conclusion:It is “normal” to have low oxygen saturation measurements in the first minutes after birth. It takes time for infants to reach oxygen saturation levels described as “normal” in the later postnatal period. Oxygen saturation increased with time i.e., it was more in 5 minutes than in 1 minute and similarly more in 10 minutes than in 5 minutes. Conversely heart rate was found more in one minute than to five and ten minutes. Oxygen saturation was ≥ 90% within 3 to 4 minutes. Significant changes were found in Oxygen saturation by mode of delivery in three minutes & in heart rate by two minutes after birth. At one to ten minutes after birth preterm infants had lower SpO2 measurements.

Incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight babies in a tertiary neonatal care unit in northern India

To study the incidence and risk factors of Retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight babies in a tertiary neonatal care unit in northern India. A prospective cohort study of all neonates born during January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, with birth weight less than 1000 grams. Demographic details, risk factors and incidence of ROP were studied. Sixty babies were enrolled for the study with mean birth weight of 892.983±112.933 (560 to 1000) grams and mean gestation age of 29.47±2.258 (25-35) weeks. The incidence of ROP in this cohort was 50% (30 infants), out of which 23% (7 infants) required treatment (laser photocoagulation). The statistical analysis of risk factors on univariate analysis revealed significant association for oxygen exposure, apnoea, surfactant use, anaemia, blood transfusion, intraventricular haemorrhage, sepsis and antibiotic use. On multivariate logistic regression analysis anemia and oxygen exposure > week were found to be independent risk factors for development of ROP. The incidence of ROP was although high in this exclusive cohort of babies born <1000g but there is substantial decrease in incidence as compared to that reported in earlier studies. Gestational age <30 wks, being appropriate for gestation rather than small for gestation, anemia and oxygen exposure>1 week were found to be independent risk factors for development of ROP in this cohort.

Associations of maternal plasma and infant umbilical cord blood plasma metabolomics profiles with anthropometric measures at birth: a prospective cohort study.

BackgroundThe metabolomics profiles of maternal plasma during pregnancy and cord plasma at birth might influence fetal growth and birth anthropometry. The objectives of this study are to examine how metabolites measured in maternal plasma samples collected during pregnancy and umbilical cord plasma samples collected at birth are associated with newborn anthropometric measures, a known predictor of future health outcomes.MethodsPregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were recruited from prenatal clinics in New Hampshire as part of a prospective cohort study. Blood samples from 413 women at enrollment and 787 infant cord blood samples were analyzed using the Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ® p180 kit . Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine association of cord and maternal metabolites with infant anthropometry at birth.ResultsIn cord blood samples, several acylcarnitines, a phosphatidylcholine, and a custom metabolite indicator were negatively associated with birth weight Z-score, and lysophosphatidylcholines as well as three custom metabolite indicators were positively associated with birth weight Z-score. Acylcarnitine C5 was negatively associated with birth length Z-score, and several lysophosphatidylcholines and a custom metabolite indicator were positively associated with birth length Z-score. Maternal blood metabolites did not show significant associations with birth weight and length Z scores, however, a custom metabolite indicator, the ratio of kynurenine over tryptophan, was negatively associated with weight-for-length Z-score.ConclusionsSeveral cord blood metabolites associated with newborn weight and length Z-scores; in particular, consistent findings were observed for several acylcarnitines that play a role in utilization of energy sources, and a lysophosphatidylcholine that is part of oxidative stress and inflammatory response pathways. Fewer associations were observed with maternal metabolomic profiles.