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Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of our new rapid point-of-care (POC) test for lung maturity. The method as we describe in an accompanying article was developed with the purpose of improving the outcome from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The test enables the delivery of surfactant in infants with immature lungs already at birth and ensures that infants with mature lungs are not treated unnecessarily.Methods: Fresh gastric aspirate (GAS) was sampled at birth in a cohort of preterm infants with gestational ages ranging between 24 and 31 completed weeks for lung surfactant measurement as lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio (L/S). L/S was prospectively compared with RDS development. The clinical outcome was blinded for the investigators of L/S. The time for analysis was <15 minutes.Results: GAS was obtained from 72 infants. Forty-four (61%) developed RDS. The cut-off for L/S was 3.05; predicting RDS with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 79%.Conclusion: The new improved spectroscopic L/S method of lung maturity on GAS has high sensitivity. The method is designed for use as a POC test at birth, and a spectroscopic prototype has been developed for bedside use. Clinical trials with this new lung maturity test are planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop a fast bedside lung maturity test.Methods: Gastric aspirates obtained from premature infants contain lamellar bodies, carrying lung surfactant. To estimate lung maturity, we isolated lamellar bodies from fresh gastric aspirates by centrifugation. Erythrocytes and other cells were lysed by adding water and discarded subsequently with the supernatant. Mid-infrared spectroscopy was then performed to measure the lung maturity as lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio. Lecithin was determined as dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the most surface-active phospholipid. Algorithms to measure lecithin and sphingomyelin concentrations in fresh gastric aspirates were developed on aspirates from 140 premature infants. Each gastric aspirate sample was divided into two samples: one for mass spectrometry as reference and one for spectroscopy. Development of the algorithm is described in detail in Appendix S1.Results: Gastric aspirates stored at 4-5°C avoid flocculation of proteins and phospholipids in contrast to when the aspirates were frozen and thawed. Omission of freezing and concentration of the lung surfactant by centrifugation combined with diminished influence of proteins improves the spectroscopic measurement of lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio. Measurement of lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio by the new method was performed within 10-15 minutes.Conclusion: We present a new fast bedside lung maturity test on fresh gastric aspirate for early targeted surfactant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop a fast bedside test for prediction and early targeted intervention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to improve the outcome., Methods: In a multicentre study of preterm infants with gestational age 24-31 weeks, clinical data present at birth were combined with spectral data of gastric aspirate samples taken at birth and analysed using artificial intelligence. The study was designed to develop an algorithm to predict development of BPD. The BPD definition used was the consensus definition of the US National Institutes of Health: Requirement of supplemental oxygen for at least 28 days with subsequent assessment at 36 weeks postmenstrual age., Results: Twenty-six (43%) of the 61 included infants developed BPD. Spectral data analysis of the gastric aspirates identified the most important wave numbers for classification and surfactant treatment, and birth weight and gestational age were the most important predictive clinical data. By combining these data, the resulting algorithm for early diagnosis of BPD had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 91%., Conclusion: A point-of-care test to predict subsequent development of BPD at birth has been developed using a new software algorithm allowing early targeted intervention of BPD which could improve the outcome., (© 2020 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)

Introduction: Severe birth asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and long-term disability and may be prevented. However, the consequences of organisational changes are rarely evaluated. 
Methods: A cohort study comparing morbidity and mortality for term-born infants born with severe birth asphyxia, defined as an Apgar score ≤ 5 at 5 min., before and after major changes in the organisation of births in a Danish district.
 Results: The study included 77 infants born in 1997-2004 and 40 infants born in 2009-2013 who were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit with an Apgar score ≤ 5 at 5 min. The rate of severe birth asphyxia was 1.9 per 1,000 births in the early years and 2.5 per 1,000 births for the 2009-2013 period (p = 0.16). Mortality in the first three years of life with severe birth asphyxia was 0.24 per 1,000 births in 1997-2004 (ten deaths) and 0.06 per 1,000 births in 2009-2013 (one death) (p = 0.20). We observed a highly significant difference between the two periods in the proportion of infants with neonatal seizures and age at discharge after birth. The outcome of death or cerebral palsy was present in 17/77 (22%) in the early period and 3/40 (7.5%) in the more recent period (p < 0.05).
 Conclusions: Over a relative short time period, death and disability due to severe birth asphyxia at term decreased significantly. This improvement is most likely explained by changes in the organisation of births in the hospital uptake area. as well as in treatment 
Funding: none.
Trial registration: not relevant., (Articles published in the DMJ are “open access”. This means that the articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License, which permits any non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.)

Aim: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants. By the time symptoms appear, it may already be too late to prevent a severe course, with bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality. We aimed to develop a rapid test of lung maturity for targeting surfactant supplementation., Methods: Concentrations of the most surface-active lung phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin in gastric aspirates from premature infants were measured by mass spectrometry and expressed as the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S). The same aspirates were analysed with mid-infrared spectroscopy. Subsequently, L/S was measured in gastric aspirates and oropharyngeal secretions from another group of premature infants using spectroscopy and the results were compared with RDS development. The 10-minute analysis required 10 μL of aspirate., Results: An L/S algorithm was developed based on 89 aspirates. Subsequently, gastric aspirates were sampled in 136 infants of 24-31 weeks of gestation and 61 (45%) developed RDS. The cut-off value of L/S was 2.2, sensitivity was 92%, and specificity was 73%. In 59 cases, the oropharyngeal secretions had less valid L/S than gastric aspirate results., Conclusion: Our rapid test for lung maturity, based on spectroscopy of gastric aspirate, predicted RDS with high sensitivity., (©2016 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)

Introduction: THE study presents the neonatal outcome from a cohort of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in their first pregnancy., Methods: During a five-year period (2009-2013), a prospective follow-up study was performed at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lillebaelt Hospital - Kolding. The study included 535 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. A study population of nulliparous GDM patients was sampled, and during the period from 1 January 2010 to 1 March 2013, a total of 137 women delivered for the first time. The present study population considers the 131 offspring, excluding six pairs of twins., Results: The overwhelming majority of the offspring had a birth weight within the normal range and only six (4.6%) were large for gestational age. There were 95 (72.5%) vaginal deliveries, whereas 36 (27.5%) were born by caesarean section (CS). Nearly half of the 25 nulliparous GDM patients with a body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m² delivered by CS - six by emergency CS and three by planned CS. A total of 20 neonates (15.3%) developed neonatal hypoglycaemia and four (3.1%) had an Apgar score < 7 after 5 min. A total of 25 (19.1%) among the offspring were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit., Conclusion: The present study supports the notion of high-risk pregnancy among GDM patients. Compared with nulliparous in general, the offspring were more likely to be delivered by emergency CS. Despite the prophylactic procedures, one in six had neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Group B streptococci are an important cause of neonatal infection, and cellulitis is rarely found to be the clinical manifestation. In the present case a premature boy developed cellulitis and antibiotic sensitive group B streptococci were detected in blood culture. Despite pertinent treatment for 14 days he developed two relapses. At last antibiotic treatment was continued for a period of six weeks with no further relapse. To our knowledge no cases of relapse of neonatal group B streptococcal cellulitis in spite of recommended dose and duration of antibiotic treatment have been published previously.

A nine day-old girl was hospitalised because of breast-feeding problems and life-threatening hypernatremic dehydration; weight loss was 30% of birth weight and s-Na 187 mmol/l. The question is raised whether there could be an association to the current changes in the perinatal health care in Denmark. The case emphasizes the necessity of a sufficient safety net beneath the newborn children in order to minimise the risk of breast-feeding problems and re-hospitalizing. Neonatal problems such as marked weight loss, dehydration, hypernatremia and marked jaundice are potentially preventable.

An unusual case of nevus sebaceous is described. Nevus sebaceous is a congenital epidermal hamartoma of the skin and the predilection site is the head or neck. In this case the nevus followed the lines of Blaschko along the back of the left lower extremity. The linear lesion seemed papulovesicular which caused suspicion of incontinentia pigmenti or infection, and the boy received antimicrobial treatment until a biopsy revealed the correct diagnosis. We wish to emphasize this clinical picture to spare the patient and relatives from unnecessary tests, treatment and concern.

The use of serotonine reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) is increasing among Danish pregnant women. This systematic review addresses the potential adverse effects on the foetus and child of maternal SRI medication. The literature indicates a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular malformations and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new-born, while evidence regarding the risk of preterm labour, low birth weight, low Apgar score, prolonged QT interval and miscarriage is less clear. An estimated 20-30% of infants will have neonatal symptoms following intrauterine SRI exposure. The symptoms may be caused by SRI withdrawal, toxicity or their overlap, but symptom aetiology basically remains controversial. The infants may exhibit neurological, gastrointestinal, autonomic, endocrine or respiratory symptoms. Although the symptoms are self-limited, the families may be seriously affected. In general, studies do not address this important aspect. Evidence concerning long-term effects is surprisingly sparse and many studies have important methodological limitations. However, present evidence does not convincingly indicate detrimental long-term effects. Until sufficient safety studies have been carried out, SRI must be used with caution in pregnancy and every treatment of the pregnant woman should be thoroughly considered.

Idiopathic palmoplantar eccrine hidradenitis is characterised by painful erythematous plantar and/or palmar nodules and is triggered by exposure to wet and cold conditions. The course is benign and self-limiting with a tendency for recurrence. We describe two cases in otherwise healthy children after physical activity in a swimming bath. They were hospitalised for one and three days, respectively. Diagnostic considerations are briefly reviewed. Sufficient attention to the characteristic clinical appearance could prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures and hospitalisation.

A five month old boy was admitted with symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis. Careful anamnesis revealed failure to thrive latest month, cough since age of three weeks and a few episodes of severe crying. He had cardiomegaly and an electrocardiogram showed Q waves and ST segment elevation in several leads. His condition suddenly deteriorated and he died of cardiac arrest. Autopsy revealed infarction and fibrosis of the myocardium and a left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery. Symptoms that earlier could have raised suspicion of cardiac disease are emphasized.

Case report on severe hypernatraemic dehydration in a non-recognised collodion baby who also suffered from hydrops fetalis caused by supraventricular tachycardia. Excessive transcutaneous fluid loss caused s-Na+ reaching 182 mmol/l within 36 hours of birth. The infant was cautiously rehydrated during the following three days. No sign of neurologic impairment was observed. It is emphasized that early observation of the collodion baby must take place in a humidified incubator. Major weight changes in the newborn should always result in analysis of serum sodium.