Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of utilization, policy of premedication, technique, equipment, experience on safety and efficacy for less invasive surfactant administration or minimally invasive surfactant therapy (LISA/MIST) use in Turkey. Methods. An online survey was designed and distributed via Google Forms tool to 350 neonatologists from 173 units through NICU-Turk mailing list of the Turkish Neonatal Society. Participants were asked to answer the survey for their own neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Results. LISA/MIST use rate was 81.6% among 87 NICUs which responded (response rate was 50.2%). LISA was used regularly in 23 of the units (26.4%), occasionally in 35 (40.2%), rarely in 12 (13.8%), and only for clinical trials in 1 (1.1%). LISA/MIST has been never applied in 16 units (18.4%). Conclusions. LISA/MIST is widely used in Turkey similar to several regions in Europe but unlike the USA. Future studies are expected to further clarify some questions about LISA/MIST procedure, especially on its efficacy and safety.

Background Diagnosis is the most strenuous step in the evaluation of neonatal sepsis. No gold standard diagnostic method is available except for blood culture. We aimed to investigate the role of positive and negative acute phase reactants, namely presepsin and fetuin-A, in the diagnosis of culture-proven late-onset sepsis. Methods A prospective, case-control study with the infants ≤32 weeks of age with a diagnosis of culture-proven late-onset sepsis was designed. Twenty-nine preterm infants with similar gestational and postnatal ages without sepsis constituted the control group. Serum values of presepsin, fetuin-A, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were evaluated at the enrollment, third and seventh days of the diagnosis in the infants with positive blood culture results. Results First-day presepsin values were significantly higher in the culture-positive infants than the control group [1583 ng/L (1023–1731) vs. 426 ng/L (287–589), p = < 0.0001]. Presepsin was found to have an 88.9% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity with a cut-off value of 823 ng/ml for culture-proven LOS in our study, and area under the receiver-operating curve was 0.939. Fetuin-A levels were similar between the study and control groups ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion Presepsin may be an accurate marker for both diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response for culture-proven late-onset sepsis in preterm infants. However, fetuin-A does not seem to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of sepsis.

Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common cardiovascular condition in preterm infants. There is a significant uncertainty about when and how to close ductus arteriosus in preterm infants due to a high spontaneous closure rate even in very immature preterm infants. Diagnosis and management of patent ductus arteriosus remain a challenge for both neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists. Researchers have tried to define a balance between an expectant approach and active treatment in selected infants. This review aimed to focus on the pathophysiology and management of patent ductus arteriosus and to make suggestions about approaches that might eliminate the association of morbidities with patent ductus arteriosus.

The concurrent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant earthquake in Izmir on October 30, 2020, presented a unique scenario for disaster management and response. This study focuses on the impact of the earthquake, which resulted in 117 fatalities, including 1 due to drowning, and injured 1034 individuals, alongside widespread structural damage including to the Izmir Democracy University Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital. The objective is to assess the activation and implementation of the hospital disaster plan amidst the ongoing pandemic. Through a retrospective evaluation of all actions undertaken as per the Hospital Disaster Emergency Plan within the Disaster Management cycle, this study examines the decision-making process for the hospital evacuation on October 30, 2020, the evacuation of COVID-19 patients, and the strategies employed to increase hospital capacity. Of 216 patients hospitalized at the time of the earthquake, 65 were transferred to other facilities under COVID-19 protocols. The prolonged nature of pandemics and the likelihood of secondary disasters underscore the importance of comprehensive risk assessments and dynamic disaster planning, considering simultaneous multiple hazards. This study suggests the inclusion of multi hazard scenarios and diverse evacuation methods by using types of ambulances, such as ground, helicopter, and boat.

Background Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among Syrian refugees. Anxiety and depression during pregnancy may impair infant neurodevelopment. This study evaluated whether potential maternal anxiety and depression in Syrian refugee and native Turkish mothers were associated with less favourable neonatal neurodevelopment. Study design Cross-sectional study. Methods Turkish ( n  = 64) and Syrian ( n  = 17) term-born infants (37–41 weeks’ gestation) referred to a level II-III neonatal intensive care unit in Izmir were assessed shortly after birth (median 5 days) together with their mothers. The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) was the primary outcome measure. In addition, we evaluated crying behaviour during the TIMP-assessment and performed General Movements Assessment (GMA). Mothers completed Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventories in their native languages. Univariate and multivariate statistics were applied. Result Perinatal social characteristics of both groups were similar. TIMP scores of Syrian infants were significantly lower than those of Turkish infants (45.53 (SD 7.10) vs. 51.59 (SD 8.59), respectively ( p  = 0.009)). Sixteen Turkish infants (25%) and ten Syrian infants (59%) had TIMP z-scores below − 1 SD (unadjusted OR = 1.27 (95%CI 1.06–1.54); adjusted OR = 1.30 (95%CI 1.05–1.61)). At TIMP-assessment’s end, more Syrian infants cried (29%) compared to Turkish infants (8%; unadjusted OR 4.92 (95%CI 1.23–19.67). This association lost significance after adjustment (OR = 4.87; 95%CI 0.77–31.01). GMA ratings of both groups were similar (definitely abnormal Turkish infants ( n  = 5; 8%); Syrian infants ( n  = 1; 7%); unadjusted OR = 0.91 (95%CI 0.30–2.78); adjusted OR = 1.66 (95%CI 0.42–6.61)). Anxiety and depression scores of both mothers` groups were low (median anxiety scores of Syrian mothers 0, Turkish mothers 1; median depression scores of Syrian mothers 0, Turkish mothers 2.5). The low maternal anxiety and depression scores were not associated with the infants’ TIMP scores. Conclusions Maternal refugee status was associated with less favourable neonatal motor performance, with about half of the Syrian refugee newborns having a TIMP score indicating the need for close monitoring of development and a potential need for early intervention. Motor performance was not associated with maternal reports of anxiety and depression. Nonetheless, the study suggests that the neurodevelopment of babies born to refugee mothers should be carefully monitored to enable early intervention whenever required.

Background Overweight and obesity are global issues, especially among women of childbearing age, linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. These risks vary by age, race, and ethnicity, with increasing rates among immigrant and minority women. This study compares overweight and obesity rates, pregnancy weight gain, and neonatal outcomes in Turkish and Syrian immigrant/refugee women. Methods In this retrospective study, at Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Hospital in Izmir, Turkey a total of 1353 mother-infant pairs were checked for eligibility. Of the entire cohort of 1353 mother-infant pairs, 323 pairs with complete medical records were included. The primary outcome was rate of pregestational obesity or overweight as secondary outcomes were weight gain during pregnancy and adherence to guidelines, neonatal outcomes according to different BMI categories and possible impact of maternal weight gain on neonatal morbidities in two different ethic populations. Results Of the 323 mother-infant pairs, overweight/obese mothers had higher birth weights and cesarean-section rates. Syrian mothers were more likely to gain less weight than recommended. Neonatal outcomes, such as hospitalization and SGA/LGA birth rates, were similar across groups, with varying compliance to weight gain guidelines. Conclusions Pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain significantly affect some of the neonatal outcomes. High obesity rates and ethnic disparities highlight the need for culturally tailored prenatal care to improve maternal and neonatal health, especially in immigrant populations. Further research with larger, diverse cohorts is needed.

Background: Treatment options for the closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) include medical therapy such as ibuprofen and indomethacin and surgical ligation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol in preterm infants with hsPDA whose feeding was contraindicated or had feeding intolerance. Methods: Preterm infants with hsPDA were started on intravenous paracetamol treatment with parental consent. Paracetamol was administered at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day, in four divided doses, for a period of 3 days. In the absence of closure of hsPDA, treatment was extended up to 6 days, after which echocardiographic examination was performed. Results: A total of 10 preterm infants were included in the study with a median gestational age of 27 4/7 weeks (minimum–maximum: 24–29) and a median birth weight of 775 g (590–990). The first dose of intravenous paracetamol was given after a median of 6 days (2–15). On echocardiographic examination, median internal ductal diameter was 2 mm (1.5–3), with a median left atrium-to-aortic root ratio of 1.95 (1.6–2.2). Intravenous paracetamol resulted in successful closure of hsPDA in all patients. Conclusions: This study is the first case series in the literature which used intravenous paracetamol treatment for hsPDA. We believe that intravenous paracetamol could be used as an alternative drug for infants. Further prospective randomized-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol for the closure of hsPDA.