Search

Prematurity, prenatal growth restriction, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are associated with altered ocular geometry, such as a steeper corneal shape in childhood, but it is unclear whether perinatal history affects corneal thickness development, so this study investigated whether corneal thickness in adulthood is affected by perinatal history. The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a retrospective cohort study with a prospective ophthalmologic examination in Germany. The corneal thickness was measured by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and the relationship between perinatal parameters respective birth weight percentile and corneal thickness at different locations was assessed using uni- and multivariable linear regression models. Covariates included age, sex, mean corneal radius, white-to-white distance, gestational age, birth weight percentile, ROP occurrence, and treatment. The main outcome measures were corneal thickness at the apex, the pupil center, and the corneal periphery. The corneal thickness was measured in 390 participants (754 eyes, mean age 29.7+/-8.7 years, 224 females). In multivariable analyses, a lower birth weight percentile was associated with a lower corneal thickness at the apex (B = 0.20, p = 0.003) and the pupil (B = 0.19, p = 0.007). These effects diminished towards the corneal periphery and were not observed beyond the 4-mm diameter circle around the thinnest corneal position. Neither gestational age, ROP occurrence, or ROP treatment affected the corneal thickness. A lower birth weight percentile in subjects born preterm as a proxy for restricted fetal growth is associated with corneal thickness thinning in adults aged 18 to 52 years, indicating that corneal thickness development, particularly in the corneal center, may originate in the fetal stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young age at school entry (ASE) is related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in higher grades. The reason for this association is unclear, but medical oversupply and stress-related factors are discussed. We aimed to investigate whether ASE is associated with reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) already in first grade. Data of a population-based prospective cohort study (N = 2003; Mainz-Bingen region; Rhineland-Palatinate; Germany) with baseline assessments prior to school entry and two follow-ups during first grade were analysed. ADH symptoms were assessed by parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Associations between ASE and scores of the hyperactivity/inattention subscale (range 0–10) were investigated by regression analysis and adjusted for potential confounders and baseline symptoms prior to school entry. In total, 1633 children (52% boys, mean ASE 6.5 years) were included. There were no relationships between ASE and parent-reported scores of the hyperactivity/inattention subscale prior to school entry and 3 months thereafter. However, at the end of first grade, ASE was negatively associated with the hyperactivity/inattention subscale in parent (− 0.7 subscale points per year ASE, standard error = 0.16, p < 0.0001) and teacher reports (− 1.2 subscale points per year ASE, standard error = 0.25, p < 0.0001). This ASE effect appeared more pronounced in girls than in boys. Young ASE is related to more reported symptoms of ADH at the end of first grade, but not before. The evolvement of this effect during first grade may be a clue to ASE-related stress factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential impact of low birthweight on macular morphology in individuals born at term. Previous studies have shown that low birthweight is associated with increased foveal thickness in individuals born preterm. However, it is unclear whether this effect is solely due to preterm birth or if it is also influenced by perinatal hypotrophy in individuals born small-for-gestational age (SGA). This study aimed to explore the association between fetal growth restriction in individuals born at term and various macular parameters. The results showed no significant differences in macular morphology between different birthweight groups, suggesting that macular developmental alterations are more likely a consequence of prematurity rather than perinatal growth indicated by birthweight. [Extracted from the article]

We investigated the possible contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) to oxygen-dependent regulation of human umbilical vein vascular tone by simultaneous registration of intracellular membrane potential and isometric tension of vessel strips with and without NO synthase inhibition [[10.sup.-4] M [N.sup.[omega]]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)], E[T.sub.A] receptor blockade ([10.sup.-5] M BQ-123), or E[T.sub.B] receptor blockade ([10.sup.-7 ]M BQ-788) at P[O.sub.2] values in the bath solution between 5 and 104 mmHg. Increasing P[O.sub.2] above the physiological intrauterine range resulted in depolarization and an increase of isometric tension, whereas lowering P[O.sub.2] resulted in hyperpolarization and a decrease in isometric tension. Removal of the endothelium reversed these effects. At P[O.sub.2] values below 39 mmHg, intact preparations treated with either L-NAME, BQ-788, or BQ-123 were more depolarized than controls. In the case of treatment with L-NAME or BQ-123, this was accompanied by an increase in isometric tension. We conclude that it is NO that mediates the hypoxic hyperpolarization and vasodilatation of the human umbilical vein and that ET, via activation of E[T.sub.B1] receptors on endothelial cells, contributes to this effect. membrane potential; endothelium; nitric oxide synthase inhibition; endothelin receptor antagonism

Objective: To assess incidence and burden of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections and to explore possible transmission routes.Methods: A 2-year prospective nationwide surveillance study performed in 2017 and 2018. All German paediatric departments (n=464 in 2017, n=441 in 2018) were contacted on a monthly basis to report potential cases of neonatal HSV infections. Infants with a postnatal age of ≤60 days and a positive HSV PCR or HSV culture from skin, mucous membrane, vesicles or conjunctival smear, blood or cerebrospinal fluid were included in the study.Results: 37 cases were analysed. 29 patients who exhibited no or only mild clinical symptoms were discharged home without organ damage or neurological abnormalities. Four patients showed significant neurological impairment, one patient required liver transplantation and two patients died during in-patient treatment. The 2-year incidence of neonatal HSV infections was 2.35 per 100 000 live births (95% CI 1.69 to 3.02) and disease-specific mortality was 0.13 per 100 000 live births (95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Data on possible transmission routes were available in 23 cases. In 20 cases, an orofacial HSV infection was present in one or more family members. An active maternal genital HSV infection was reported in 3 cases.Conclusion: Neonatal HSV infections are rare in Germany. Most infants have a benign clinical course, but some infants are severely affected. Postnatal HSV exposure may account for a considerable number of neonatal HSV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a rare cause of non immunological hydrops fetalis (NIHF) and congenital ascites. The reported incidence is about 1%. The incidence of idiopathic NIHF is estimated to be about 18%. Patients and methods We report four cases with transient hydrops fetalis resulting from LSD and performed a literature review on LSD with NIHF and congenital ascites in combination. Results At present, 12 different LSDs are described to be associated with NIHF or congenital ascites. Most patients had a family history of NIHF, where the preceding sibling had not been examined. A diagnostic approach to the fetus with NIHF due to suspected LSD either in utero or postnatal is suggested. Transient forms of NIHF and/or ascites in association with MPS IVA, MPS VII and NPC are described for the first time in this publication. Conclusions LSD should be considered in transient hydrops. Enzymatic studies in chorionic villous sample or amniotic cultured cells, once the most common conditions associated with fetal ascites or hydrops have been ruled out, are important. This paper emphasizes the fact that LSD is significantly higher than the estimated 1% in previous studies, which is important for genetic counseling as there is a high risk of recurrence and the availability of enzyme replacement therapy for an increasing number of LSD.

Objective: Closed-loop automatic control (CLAC) of the fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) improved oxygen administration to preterm infants on respiratory support. We investigated whether a revised CLAC algorithm (CLACfast, ≤2 FiO2 adjustments/min), compared with routine manual control (RMConly), increased the proportion of time with arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry within prespecified target ranges (Target%) while not being inferior to the original algorithm (CLACslow: ≤0.3 FiO2 adjustments/min).Design: Unblinded randomised controlled crossover study comparing three modes of FiO2 control in random order for 8 hours each: RMC supported by CLACfast was compared with RMConly and RMC supported by CLACslow. A computer-generated list of random numbers using a block size of six was used for the allocation sequence.Setting: Two German tertiary university neonatal intensive care units.Patients: Of 23 randomised patients, 19 were analysed (mean±SD gestational age 27±2 weeks; age at randomisation 24±10 days) on non-invasive (n=18) or invasive (n=1) respiratory support at FiO2 >0.21.Main Outcome Measure: Target%.Results: Mean±SD [95% CI] Target% was 68%±11% [65% to 71%] for CLACfast versus 65%±11% [61% to 68%] for CLACslow versus 58%±11% [55% to 62%] for RMConly. Prespecified hypothesis tests of: (A) superiority of CLACfast versus RMConly and (B) non-inferiority of CLACfast versus CLACslow with margin of 5% yielded one-sided p values of <0.001 for both comparisons.Conclusions: This revised and faster CLAC algorithm was still superior to routine care in infants on respiratory support and not inferior to a previously tested slower algorithm.Trial Registration Number: NCT03163108. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]