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European Journal of Pediatrics May 2021Heart rate variability (HRV) is currently considered the most valuable non-invasive test to investigate the autonomic nervous system function, based on the fact that... (Review)
Review
Heart rate variability (HRV) is currently considered the most valuable non-invasive test to investigate the autonomic nervous system function, based on the fact that fast fluctuations might specifically reflect changes of sympathetic and vagal activity. An association between abnormal values of HRV and brain impairment has been reported in the perinatal period, although data are still fragmentary. Considering such association, HRV has been suggested as a possible marker of brain damage also in case of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy following perinatal asphyxia. The aim of the present manuscript was to review systematically the current knowledge about the use of HRV as marker of cerebral injury in neonates suffering from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Findings reported in this paper were based on qualitative analysis of the reviewed data. Conclusion: A growing body of research supports the use of HRV as non-invasive, bedside tool for the monitoring of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The currently available data about the role of HRV as prognostic tool in case of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy are promising but require further validation by future studies. What is Known: • Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive monitoring technique to assess the autonomic nervous system activity. • A correlation between abnormal HRV and cerebral injury has been reported in the perinatal period, and HRV has been suggested as possible marker of brain damage in case of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. What is New: • HRV might provide precocious information about the entity of brain injury in asphyxiated neonates and be of help to design early, specific, and personalized treatments according to severity. • Further investigations are required to confirm these preliminary data.
Topics: Asphyxia Neonatorum; Brain; Brain Injuries; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33245400
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03882-3 -
Toxins Nov 2020Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a public health issue in developing countries. The estimated annual global incidence of snakebites is about 5.4 million snakebites per...
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a public health issue in developing countries. The estimated annual global incidence of snakebites is about 5.4 million snakebites per year, resulting from 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of SBE and from 81,000 to 138,000 deaths with 400,000 survivors suffering permanent physical and psychological disabilities. There are more than 3000 species of snakes around the world: 600 are venomous and over 200 are considered to be medically important because of their clinical effects. The severity of SBE depends on several factors among which bite localization, snake's size, condition of glands and teeth, bite angle and bite duration, the microflora of the snake's mouth and victim's skin, age of the victim, weight, health status, and victim's activity after a bite. Snake venoms are mixtures of protein families, and each of these families contains many different toxins or toxin isoforms. Based on their effects, snake venoms can be classified as hemotoxic, neurotoxic, or cytotoxic and they can all act together involving multiple tissues and organs. When the bite is fatal, the mechanism of death is primarily related to the paralysis of respiratory muscles, which causes asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, but also anaphylactic shock, hemorrhagic shock, cardiomyopathy, acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate epidemiological and post-mortem examination findings in fatal SBEs in order to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms, thus helping pathologists in defining the correct diagnosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Autopsy; Cause of Death; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Forensic Pathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Snake Bites; Snake Venoms; Snakes; Young Adult
PubMed: 33153179
DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110699 -
International Journal of Pediatrics 2020Neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan countries is remarkably high. Though there are inconsistent studies about the incidence density rate of neonatal mortalities (IDR) and...
BACKGROUND
Neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan countries is remarkably high. Though there are inconsistent studies about the incidence density rate of neonatal mortalities (IDR) and predictors in Sub-Saharan Africa, they are inconclusive to policymakers and program planners. In this study, the IDR of neonatal mortalities and predictors was determined.
METHODS
Electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE (Elsevier), Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), World Cat, Google Scholar, and Google) were explored. 20 out of 818 studies were included in this study. The IDRs and predictors of neonatal mortality were computed from studies conducted in survival analysis. Fixed and random effect models were used to compute pooled estimates. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.
RESULTS
Neonates were followed for a total of 1,095,611 neonate-days; 67142 neonate-days for neonates treated in neonatal intensive care units and 1,028,469 neonate-days for community-based studies. The IDRs of neonatal mortalities in neonatal intensive care units and in the community were 24.53 and 1.21 per 1000 person-days, respectively. The IDRs of early and late neonatal mortalities neonatal intensive care units were 22.51 and 5.09 per 1000 neonate-days, respectively. Likewise, the IDRs of early and late neonatal mortalities in the community were 0.85 and 0.31, respectively. Not initiating breastfeeding within one hour, multiple births, rural residence, maternal illness, low Apgar score, being preterm, sepsis, asphyxia, and respiratory distress syndrome were independent predictors of time to neonatal mortality in neonatal intensive care units and male gender, perceived small size, multiple births, and ANC were predictors of neonatal mortality in the community.
CONCLUSION
The incidence density rate of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa is significantly high. Multiple factors (neonatal and maternal) were found to be independent predictors. Strategies must be designed to address these predictors, and prospective studies could reveal other possible factors of neonatal mortalities.
PubMed: 33123204
DOI: 10.1155/2020/3894026 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Oct 2020Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with normal C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) (HAEnCI) is associated with skin swellings, abdominal attacks, and the risk of asphyxia due to upper airway...
BACKGROUND
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with normal C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) (HAEnCI) is associated with skin swellings, abdominal attacks, and the risk of asphyxia due to upper airway obstruction. Several different gene mutations linked to the HAE phenotype have been identified. Our aim was to qualitatively assess and describe the clinical differentiators of these genetically identified HAEnCI types. To achieve this, we performed a systematic literature review of patients with angioedema symptoms and a genetically confirmed diagnosis of an HAEnCI type.
RESULTS
A systematic literature search, conducted in March 2020, returned 132 records, 43 of which describe patients with symptoms of angioedema and a genetically confirmed diagnosis of an HAEnCI type. Overall, this included 602 patient cases from 220 families. HAEnCI with a mutation in the coagulation factor XII gene (F12) (HAE-FXII) was diagnosed in 446 patients from 185 families (male:female ratio = 1:10). Estrogens (oral contraceptives, hormonal replacement therapy, and pregnancy) negatively impacted the course of disease in most female patients (252 of 277). Asphyxia occurred in 2 of 446 patients. On-demand and/or long-term prophylaxis treatment included C1-INH concentrates, icatibant, progestins, and tranexamic acid. HAEnCI with a specific mutation in the plasminogen gene (HAE-PLG) was diagnosed in 146 patients from 33 families (male:female ratio = 1:3). Estrogens had a negative influence on the course of disease in the minority of female patients (14 of 62). Tongue swelling was an important clinical feature. Asphyxia occurred in 3 of 146 patients. On-demand treatment with icatibant and C1-INH concentrate and long-term prophylaxis with progestins and tranexamic acid were effective. HAEnCI with a specific mutation in the angiopoietin-1 gene (HAE-ANGPT1) was diagnosed in 4 patients from 1 family and HAEnCI with a specific mutation in the kininogen-1 gene (HAE-KNG1) in 6 patients from 1 family.
CONCLUSIONS
A number of clinical differentiators for the different types of HAEnCI have been identified which may support clinicians to narrow down the correct diagnosis of HAEnCI prior to genetic testing and thereby guide appropriate treatment and management decisions. However, confirmation of the causative gene mutation by genetic testing will always be required.
Topics: Angioedema; Angioedemas, Hereditary; Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein; Factor XII; Female; Humans; Male; Mutation; Phenotype; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33059692
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01570-x -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Oct 2020Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy complication whose range has been calculated to be between 0.01 and 15.6% all around the world. We wanted to...
BACKGROUND
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy complication whose range has been calculated to be between 0.01 and 15.6% all around the world. We wanted to systematically evaluate the effect and safety of oral herbal medicine on treatment for ICP.
METHODS
Details of the methods could be found in the registered protocol on PROSPERO (CRD42018096013). Trials assessing the effectiveness of herbal medicine for ICP were searched from seven electronic databases from inception to 28th February 2020. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform all statistical analysis. Meta-analysis, additional analysis, Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were conducted if data permitted.
RESULTS
Totally 43 randomized controlled trials with 3556 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed potential good adjunctive effect of herbal medicine on decreasing the pruritus scores (MD -0.58, 95% CI - 0.79 to - 0.36), the serum TBA scores (MD - 3.99 μmol/L, 95% CI - 4.24 to - 3.74) on the basis with Ursodesoxycholic acid. Compared to the medicine alone, significantly lower incidence of fetal distress (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.51), asphyxia neonatorum (RR 0.35, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.49), cesarean section (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85), postpartum hemorrhage (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.72) were observed in the combination group. But the comparison between herbal medicine and medicine showed inconsistent results among trials. Insufficient information could be used to evaluate the safety of herbal medicine for ICP.
CONCLUSION
This review found the current evidence may support the effectiveness of combination of herbal medicine and conventional medicine for decreasing the maternal pruritus scores, the serum TBA, and the number of fetal distress, or asphyxia neonatorum events related to this condition (which was supported by TSA results). Since there were obvious statistical and clinical heterogeneity among trials, and the methodological quality of the included studies was poor, the level of the evidence could only be defined as "very low" according to the GRADE criteria. Further high quality studies are still needed to testify the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine for ICP.
Topics: Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Humans; Phytotherapy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pruritus; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33028282
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03097-x -
World Journal of Surgery Jan 2021Esophageal lipomatous tumors, also reported as fibrovascular polyp, fibrolipoma, angiolipoma, and liposarcoma, account for less than 1% of all benign mesenchymal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Esophageal lipomatous tumors, also reported as fibrovascular polyp, fibrolipoma, angiolipoma, and liposarcoma, account for less than 1% of all benign mesenchymal submucosal tumors of the esophagus. Clinical presentation and therapy may differ based on location, size, and morphology. A comprehensive and updated systematic review of the literature is lacking.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Medline databases were consulted using MESH keywords. Non-English written articles and abstracts were excluded. Sex, age, symptoms at presentation, diagnosis, tumor location and size, surgical approach and technique of excision, pathology, and morphology were extracted and recorded in an electronic database.
RESULTS
Sixty-seven studies for a total of 239 patients with esophageal lipoma or liposarcoma were included in the qualitative analysis. Among 176 patients with benign lipoma, the median age was 55. The main symptoms were dysphagia (64.2%), transoral polyp regurgitation (32.4%), and globus sensation (22.7%). The majority of lipomas (85.7%) were intraluminal polyps, with a stalk originating from the upper esophagus. Overall, 165 patients underwent excision of the mass through open surgery (65.5%), endoscopy (27.9%), or laparoscopy/thoracoscopy (3.6%). Only 5 (3%) of patients required esophagectomy. Of the 11 untreated patients with an intraluminal polyp, 7 died from asphyxia. Overall, liposarcoma was diagnosed in 63 patients, and 12 (19%) underwent esophagectomy.
CONCLUSION
Esophageal lipomatous tumors are rare but potentially lethal when are intraluminal and originate from the cervical esophagus. Modern radiological imaging has improved diagnostic accuracy. Minimally invasive transoral and laparoscopic/thoracoscopic techniques represent the therapeutic approach of choice.
Topics: Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagectomy; Humans; Lipoma; Liposarcoma
PubMed: 33026474
DOI: 10.1007/s00268-020-05789-4 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2020Cerebral oxygenation monitored non-invasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is of increasing interest in neonatal care. Cerebral oxygenation is determined by...
Cerebral oxygenation monitored non-invasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is of increasing interest in neonatal care. Cerebral oxygenation is determined by cerebral oxygen delivery and cerebral oxygen consumption. Oxygen delivery as well as oxygen consumption might be influenced by metabolic parameters like blood glucose and lactate. The aim of the present systematic qualitative review is therefore to identify and summarize all studies, which describe cerebral oxygenation measured with NIRS and blood glucose and/or blood lactate levels in neonates. A systematic search of Ovid Embase and PubMed was performed. Search terms included near-infrared spectroscopy, fractional tissue oxygen extraction, cerebral tissue oxygen saturation, regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation, oxygenation, term, and preterm neonates, cesarean delivery, transition, after-birth, newborn, vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, baby, neonatal transition, metabolism, lactate, glucose, and blood glucose level. Studies analyzing cerebral oxygenation and blood glucose and/or blood lactate levels in neonates were included. Animal studies, duplicates, or studies in non-English language were excluded. Twenty-five studies were identified that describe blood glucose and/or blood lactate levels as primary or secondary outcome parameters with additional measured cerebral oxygenation by NIRS in neonates. Twelve studies were included with blood glucose measurements: four described an association between blood glucose levels and cerebral oxygenation, two show no association, and six do not report on possible associations. Eighteen studies were included with lactate measurements: one describe an association between lactate levels and cerebral oxygenation, while three show no association and 14 do not report on possible associations. The influence of blood glucose and blood lactate levels on the cerebral oxygenation in neonates is still controversial. However, there seems to be an association between cerebral oxygenation and the metabolic parameter blood glucose and lactate, which need further investigation.
PubMed: 32903733
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00361 -
European Journal of Medical Research Sep 2020Coronavirus is challenging the global health care system from time to time. The pregnant state, with alterations in hormone levels and decreased lung volumes due to a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The effect of coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV) during pregnancy and the possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus is challenging the global health care system from time to time. The pregnant state, with alterations in hormone levels and decreased lung volumes due to a gravid uterus and slightly immunocompromised state may predispose patients to a more rapidly deteriorating clinical course and can get a greater risk of harm for both the mother and fetus. Therefore, this systematic review was aimed to assess the effect of coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV) during pregnancy and its possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library until the end of April. All authors independently extracted all necessary data using excel spreadsheet form. Only published articles with fully accessible data on pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV, MARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 were included. Data on clinical manifestations, maternal and perinatal outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
RESULT
Out of 879 articles reviewed, 39 studies involving 1316 pregnant women were included. The most common clinical features were fever, cough, and myalgia with prevalence ranging from 30 to 97%, while lymphocytopenia and C-reactive protein were the most common abnormal laboratory findings (55-100%). Pneumonia was the most diagnosed clinical symptom of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 infection with prevalence ranged from 71 to 89%. Bilateral pneumonia (57.9%) and ground-glass opacity (65.8%) were the most common CT imaging reported. The most common treatment options used were hydroxychloroquine (79.7%), ribavirin (65.2%), and oxygen therapy (78.8%). Regarding maternal outcome, the rate of preterm birth < 37 weeks of gestation was 14.3%, preeclampsia (5.9%), miscarriage (14.5%, preterm premature rupture of membranes (9.2%) and fetal growth restriction (2.8%). From the total coronavirus infected pregnant women, 56.9% delivered by cesarean, 31.3% admitted to ICU, while 2.7% were died. Among the perinatal outcomes, fetal distress rated (26.5%), neonatal asphyxia rated (1.4%). Only, 1.2% of neonates had apgar score < 7 at 5 min. Neonate admitted to ICU was rated 11.3%, while the rate of perinatal death was 2.2%. In the current review, none of the studies reported transmission of CoV from the mother to the fetus in utero during the study period.
CONCLUSION
Coronavirus infection is more likely to affect pregnant women. Respiratory infectious diseases have demonstrated an increased risk of adverse maternal obstetrical complications than the general population due to physiological changes occurred during pregnancy. None of the studies reported transmission of CoV from the mother to the fetus in utero, which may be due to a very low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 in early maternal-fetal interface cells.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Female; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Pandemics; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pneumonia, Viral; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; SARS-CoV-2; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32887660
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-020-00439-w -
Frontiers in Neurology 2020To assess the association between birth asphyxia-as defined by the pH of umbilical cord blood-and cerebral palsy in asphyxiated neonates ≥35 weeks' gestation. Two...
To assess the association between birth asphyxia-as defined by the pH of umbilical cord blood-and cerebral palsy in asphyxiated neonates ≥35 weeks' gestation. Two reviewers independently selected English-language studies that included data on the incidence of cerebral palsy in asphyxiated neonates ≥35 weeks' gestation. Studies were searched from the Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases up to 31 December 2019, and the references in the retrieved articles were screened. We identified 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria for our meta-analysis, including 8 randomized controlled trials and 2 observational studies. According to a random effects model, the pooled rate of cerebral palsy in the randomized controlled trials was 20.3% (95% CI: 16.0-24.5) and the incidence of cerebral palsy in the observational studies was 22.2% (95% CI: 8.5-35.8). Subgroup analysis by treatment for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in asphyxiated neonates showed that the pooled rates of cerebral palsy were 17.3% (95% CI: 13.3-21.2) and 23.9% (95% CI: 18.1-29.7) for the intervention group and non-intervention group, respectively. Our findings suggest that the incidence of cerebral palsy in neonates (≥35 weeks' gestation) with perinatal asphyxia is significantly higher compared to that in the healthy neonate population. With the growing emphasis on improving neonatal neurodevelopment and reducing neurological sequelae, we conclude that the prevention and treatment of perinatal asphyxia is essential for preventing the development of cerebral palsy.
PubMed: 32765409
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00704 -
European Review For Medical and... Jul 2020To evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of neonates born to women who had Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of neonates born to women who had Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and Embase till April 15, 2020, by combining the terms (COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, Novel Coronavirus, 2019-nCov, Wuhan pneumonia) and (pregnancy, pregnant women, mother, fetus, neonate, newborn, infant).
RESULTS
We included 16 case series and 12 case reports describing a total of 223 pregnant women and 201 infants. Four newborns born to mothers affected by COVID-19 were reported to have laboratory-confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection within 48 hours after birth. However, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction tests of the breast milk, placenta, amniotic fluids, and cord blood and maternal vaginal secretions were all negative for SARS-CoV-2 in the reported cases. Fetal death was reported in two cases, and 48 of 185 newborns (25.9%) were born prematurely. Infants born small for gestational age and low birth weight (< 2,500 g) accounted for 8.3% and 15.6% of reported cases, respectively. Birth asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome were observed in 1.8% and 6.4% of neonates, respectively. There was one neonatal death due to intractable gastric bleeding among the SARS-CoV-2-negative infants.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 during pregnancy rarely affects fetal and neonatal mortality, but can be associated with adverse neonatal morbidities. Vertical transmission has not been observed in the majority of the reported cases. The infants born to mothers with COVID-19 are carefully monitored for accompanying complication, and quarantine of infected mothers is warranted.
Topics: Asphyxia Neonatorum; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Mothers; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn; SARS-CoV-2; Stillbirth
PubMed: 32744708
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202007_22285