The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Oct 2012
ReviewEarly onset sepsis in very low birth weight newborn infants.
Early onset sepsis (EOS) is a severe problem affecting very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and is associated with a threefold increased risk of mortality. Although advances in perinatal care have led to improved survival of VLBW infants over recent decades, survival without major neonatal morbidity has not increased. The authors reviewed the current literature on EOS, focusing on the peculiarities concerning risk factors, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome in very low birth weight infants, and on the recent advances in the management of this condition.
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The authors after a brief introduction on the development of the perception of pain in the fetus and newborn, focus attention on the problem of painful procedures that are performed in the neonatal intensive care units reported in the scientific literature. Then report the design of the double-blind study that is taking place from February 2012 at the NICU ARNAS Civic - Palermo using three different concentrations of sucrose as analgesia during venipuncture and heel puncture in term neonates.
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Oct 2012
Review Comparative StudyMore clearly defining the risks of erythrocyte transfusion in the NICU.
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions convey benefits but they also carry risks. Among NICU patients, some transfusion risks are well defined and their occurrence odds can be estimated and weighed against benefits. However other risks are poorly defined and it is not currently possible to estimate their occurrence adds or weigh these against benefits. ⋯ We advocate always attempt to weigh benefits and risks when ordering a transfusion for a neonatal patient. Certainly some such are life-saving or otherwise clearly beneficial. Perhaps others carry risks unbalanced by meager benefit. Efforts to improve NICU transfusion practice have been proposed and appear to be working to diminish costs and improve outcomes.
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J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. · Oct 2012
ReviewA consistent approach to platelet transfusion in the NICU.
Platelet transfusions are the principal means of treating thrombocytopenia in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and are generally used as treatment of thrombocytopenic neonates who have active bleeding and as prophylactic administration in thrombocytopenic neonates who do not have hemorrhage but appear to be at high risk for bleeding. In this article, we summarize the rationale, benefits and risks of platelet transfusions in neonates. We review the importance of choosing the best product available for platelet transfusion, and we emphasize the importance of adopting and adhering to transfusion guidelines.