Introduction Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common and devastating gastrointestinal disease that primarily afflicts premature neonates after the initiation of enteral feeding. , Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with NEC, the pathophysiology has remained poorly understood. The…
Acknowledgments Dr. Jadcherla’s efforts are supported in part by NIH grants RO1 DK 068158 and PO1 DK 068051. We are grateful to Kathryn Hasenstab, BS, BME, for assistance with manuscript submission, and creating figures and artwork. Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)…
General Considerations The respiratory system comprises an organ for gas exchange (the lung) and structures that move air into the lung (the respiratory pump). The lung includes the airways, alveoli, and blood vessels. The respiratory pump contains the respiratory muscles,…
Introduction More than half a century after its first description by Northway and colleagues, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to be the most common respiratory morbidity in extremely preterm infants surviving after different modes of respiratory support. Over the years, the…
Introduction Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) follows fetal hypoxic/ischemic stress that leads to intestinal peristalsis, meconium release, contamination of the amniotic fluid, and gasping respirations, which causes aspiration of noxious meconium-stained fluid deep into the fetal lung. Aspiration of meconium manifests…
Introduction Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants is the disease most identified with the development of neonatal intensive care. Before the late 1960s, the only therapy for preterm infants who developed progressive respiratory failure shortly after birth was supplemental…
Epidemiology and Definition of Apnea Definition Apnea is an almost universal manifestation of immature respiratory control in premature infants. Such infants may experience respiratory pauses of varying duration, with decreasing gestational age increasing vulnerability to such events. Short respiratory pauses…
Introduction Cardiovascular compromise in the fetus and neonate often leads to severe organ injury or death, and the success of therapeutic interventions is limited by difficulties with accurate and timely detection of the condition, especially in the fetus, and the…
Introduction Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a syndrome of failed circulatory adaptation at birth, which is seen in about 2 in 1000 live-born infants; the incidence has not changed significantly over the last 20 years. , The…
Introduction Cardiomyopathies constitute a group of heterogenous disorders in which the muscle of the heart (myocardium) remodels and becomes structurally and functionally abnormal. This pathophysiology can potentially lead to progressive systolic and/or diastolic heart failure, thus representing a cause of…