Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a very devastating problem within the very low birth weight neonatal population. Several experimental therapies are being tested in animal models and soon may be ready for human trials. Despite this progress, we currently have no way to identify infants who would be optimal targets for therapy. Specifically, we are unable to predict which infants will progress to the more severe Bell's stage of disease that may necessitate surgery. Ideally, an algorithm could be constructed that would encompass multiple neonatal and maternal risk factors as well as potential biologic markers of disease so that these infants could be identified in a more timely fashion. This review summarizes the known risk factors and biomarkers of disease in hopes of stimulating clinical research to identify such an "early warning" NEC algorithm.

Background: Calprotectin is a 36 kDa protein present in the cytoplasm of the neutrophil has antimicrobial and apoptosis inducing activities. In vitro studies have shown that calprotectin inhibits the growth of various microorganisms. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), affecting up to 5% of premature infants. Fecal calprotectin is resistant to degradation and has been proposed as a useful marker of gastrointestinal inflammation. Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate fecal calprotectin concentrations in NEC. Study Design: Fifteen neonates with a clinical diagnosis of NEC were studied; they admitted at NICU of Zagazig University Hospital. In addition, 20 age sex matched neonates fed all caloric requirement served as the control group. All neonates were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations (complete blood count, C-reactive protein) and determination of stool calprotectin. Results: There was a highly significant increase in fecal calprotectin in patients than control and there was a highly significant increase in its fecal level in died patients than living one. Also significant increase in fecal calprotectin level with increasing severity of NEC. Conclusion: Fecal calprotectin measurements could be a valuable tool for the investigation of preterm and full term infants suspected of having NEC.

Background: Increase in the survival of preterm neonates has led to increased incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Among various risk factors, only prematurity is well-established and role of others is still not clear. Effect of antenatal betamethasone on ROP severity is also controversial. Available literature from India has a paucity of information. Objectives: (a) The primary aim of the following study is to find the incidence and risk factors of ROP and (b) secondary aim is to assess the effect of antenatal betamethasone on ROP. Design: prospective, observational cohort study. Setting: Tertiary level neonatal care unit. Materials and Methods: A total of 148 infants ≤ 34 weeks gestation at birth, completed the study protocol. Severe ROP was defined as stage II and higher (including plus disease) of ROP. Various perinatal factors including antenatal betamethasone were analyzed by univariate followed by multivariate analysis. Results: overall incidence of ROP (any stage) was 44.6%. Severe ROP was mainly detected in <1200 g birth weight and/or <30 weeks gestational age. Antenatal betamethasone was associated with non-severe form of ROP (P < 0.05) on univariate analysis, but could not pass multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among other perinatal factors studied, low birth weight (<1200 g) (odds ratio [OR]: 19.699, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.42-160.17, P = 0.005), low gestational age (<30 weeks) (OR: 36.52, 95% CI: 3.76-354.3, P = 0.002), acidosis (OR: 6.932, 95% CI: 1.16-41.33, P = 0.034) and blood transfusion (OR: 14.11, 95% CI: 1.494-133.5, P = 0.021) were associated with babies in severe ROP in an independent manner. Conclusions: Low birth weight and low gestational age emerged as independent significant risk factors along with blood transfusion and acidosis. Antenatal betamethasone may be preventive for severe ROP. More studies are however recommended.

Introduction: This study was aimed to reach expert's expectations of neonatal transport system for developing neonatal transport system in Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted by using focus group discussion (FGD) to present expert's perspectives and expectancy about neonatal transport system. Participants was selected from all experts and specialist about neonatal transport in Iran countryside. Finally 48 experts, participate in this study. To data collection 4 FGD were conducted, data were analyzed by content analyses. All subthemes were categorized in main themes according to conceptual relationship as an expert panels opinions. In order to comply with the ethical issues involved in the study was voluntary, also permission for the recording session were taken and confidentiality was also ensured. Result: According to FGD results, 11 themes and 90 subthemes were founded related to neonatal transport system, the main identified themes included: Aims, necessity and models of neonatal transport system, organizing the transport system, management and quality of instruments in the transport system, Neonatal transport system staff, Human resource management and issue related to human resources, conditions and requirements of neonatal transport system, facilitating factors in neonatal transport system, information management and communication system and weakness of neonatal transport system. Conclusion: Neonatal transport systems in different countries must adapted according to situation and component of each country have different strength and weakness and in implementing a system must attend to geographical conditions, financial ability and access to professionals, health system structure, facilities related to neonatal health care, antenatal services in regain, health care related, health care program about neonates and pregnant women and epidemiological status and mortality and morbidity in deferent locals and regains in countryside.

Hypoglycemia is one of the common metabolic problems in neonatal medicine. There is association between blood glucose levels and neurological development. The study involved 100 mothers and neonates blood glucose levels were measured using a standard glucometer in mother delivering babies within half an hour of delivery and in newborns at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 h of life. Blood glucose levels were low at 0 ^th and 6 ^th h and maximum at 24 ^th h. Neonates born to mothers with high maternal blood glucose levels were hypoglycemic showing a negative correlation. The mean blood glucose levels were low in pre-term and post-term compared with term babies and range of blood glucose levels were wide in preterm and post term babies.

Suppurative involvement of salivary gland in neonates is a rare disorder. Parotid gland being the most commonly involved. We described a case of suppurative parotitis leading to abscess formation and subsequent involvement of the submandibular gland. Incision and drainage of the abscess was performed, most of the purulent material was drained. Symptoms and signs resolved within 2 days. Pus culture grew Staphylococcus aureus

We report a case of congenital tuberculosis, a rare entity itself; complicated by pulmonary interstitial emphysema, thus leading to air entrapment in lungs and prolonged oxygen dependence. The diagnosis of congenital tuberculosis is often missed and under-reported due to low index of suspicion and less sensitivity of diagnostic tools.

Poland's syndrome comprises a spectrum of chest-wall deformities affecting, to various degrees, the rib cage, the chest-wall muscles, neurovascular structures of the ipsilateral arm and the overlying breast. We present a neonate with features of depressed right chest-wall with no respiratory distress. Computed tomography showed hypolasia of the right pectoralis major muscle, with reduced subcutaneous fat on the ipsilateral side of the chest, with abnormalities of the ribs on the same side but absent upper limb deformities. There is negative history of other family members of being affected.

We present a case of female cephalothoracoomphalopagus conjoind twin, which is extremely rare type of conjoined twins. We also review the contemprory knowledge regarding incidence, etiopathogenesis, antenatal diagnosis and outcone or the prognosis of conjoint twins. The case belong to hindu female, no history of consanguineous marriage, ingestion of drugs or exposure to any radiation. History of one abortion and one twin delivery present. Conjoind twin was cephalothoracoomphalopagus type, delivered vaginaly at 30 wks of gestion to a 25 yrs old multigravida. Management of conjoind twin still remain challenges because of multiple congenital anomalies and poor outcome is seen.

A rare case of Jarcho Levin syndrome (JLS) presenting as a lethal progressive respiratory insufficiency in early neonatal period is reported. The neonate had classical features of this syndrome including vertebral segmentation defects, typical costo-vertebral fusion defects and scoliosis resulting in small thoracic volume and limited chest expansion; all consistent with a clinical diagnosis of JLS with thoracic insufficiency. In addition, our case had a rare association of dextrocardia and acyanotic congenital heart disease.

A rare case of 23 days old boy is reported having congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with situs inversus. Incidentally detected secondary diagnosis obscured the primary diagnosis by altering the physical examination findings. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography (USG) which revealed congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with situs inversus. Clinical details, diagnosis and management are discussed.

Less than 100 cases of primordial dwarfism have been reported worldwide out of which Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I comprise about <30 cases. We report a rare case of extreme growth failure in a neonate with primordial dwarfism of antenatal onset due to Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I. Our case is also unique in being associated with hitertho unreported association of subpulmonic ventricular septal defect and a dorsal interhemispheric cyst in the brain.