Key points Early identification of the infant at risk for evolving hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and initiation of therapeutic hypothermia is critical in overall management. Glucose should be checked shortly after birth and corrected promptly as needed. Carbon dioxide should be…
Key points Hypothermia remains the sole therapy for evolving HIE that is associated with a significant reduction in death or disability. A longer duration of cooling or a lower temperature for cooling when treating hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is not recommended as…
Hemorrhage into the ventricles of the brain is one of the most serious complications of premature birth despite improvements in the survival of premature infants. Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has a high risk of neurologic disability, and approximately 50% of…
Key points Cerebellar hemorrhages (CBH) likely originate from the external granular layer, which is a superficial germinal matrix within the immature cerebellum. The anterior lobe of the cerebellum is principally connected with sensorimotor cortex, while the posterior lobe is connected…
Case history JD is a 30-week appropriate for gestational-age male infant born to a 26-year-old primigravida woman whose pregnancy was complicated by intermittent vaginal bleeding from 20 weeks’ gestation. Partial placental abruption was diagnosed and mom was placed on bedrest,…
Background Case history HW was a 500 g, 23-week premature twin B male infant born to a 34-year-old G1P0 (gravida 1, para 0) mother whose pregnancy was complicated by the onset of premature labor. The mother received a dose of…
Key points Although there is no consensus on the definition of hypotension in preterm infants, up to 50% of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are diagnosed with hypotension, and about one-third of extremely preterm infants receive at least one…
What skill sets do neonates possess? Bursts of developmental motor skills (i.e., rolling and subsequent sitting and walking) emerge around 4 months corrected age and serve as predictors for the infant’s developmental trajectory. This emergence of developmental skills enables fairly…
Key points Congenital malformations of the respiratory system consist of a wide range of fetal anomalies that can affect the developing of the fetal lungs. Most congenital malformations of the respiratory system can be diagnosed prenatally by identifying hyperechoic lung…
Key points Lung morphogenesis begins with the formation of the tracheal and bronchial buds. Subsequent branching morphogenesis forms the respiratory tubules, the acini, and the alveolar regions of the lung required for gas exchange after birth. Lung morphogenesis is dependent…