Objective: This study was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of oral paracetamol versus oral ibuprofen in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. Methods: Premature infants with PDA with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks or birth weight of ≤1500 g were included in this randomized study. Results: A total of 120 premature infants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these 120 infants, 34 fulfilled the treatment criteria and 22 were finally randomized. We found no significant difference in the mortality or primary closure rates between the two groups. We also found no significant difference in the short-term neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: Either oral paracetamol or oral ibuprofen can be used safely and effectively to treat PDA in premature infants.

Prolonged Rupture of Membranes, Neonatal Outcomes and Management Guidelines

Neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria has been reported in different parts of the world. It is a major threat to neonatal care, carrying a high rate of morbidity and mortality. While Colistin is the treatment of choice, few studies have reported its use in neonatal patients. A retrospective descriptive study of all neonatal patients who had multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter sepsis and were treated with Colistin over a 2-year period. Patients’ charts and hospital laboratory data were reviewed. During the study period, 21 newborns were treated with Colistin. All had sepsis evident by positive blood culture and clinical signs of sepsis. The median gestational age and birth weight were 33 weeks (26–39) and 1700 g (700–3600), respectively. Nine (43 %) were very low birth weight infants. Eighteen (86 %) were preterm infants. Nineteen (91 %) newborns survived. No renal impairment is documented in any of our patients. Fourteen (67 %) of our patients had elevated eosinophil counts following Colistin treatment, for those patients, the average eosinophilic counts ± standard deviation before and after Colistin therapy were 149.08 ± 190.38 to 1193 ± 523.29, respectively, with a p value of less than 0.0001. Our study showed that Colistin was both effective and safe for treating multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter neonatal sepsis. This is a retrospective study. No universal protocol was used for the patients. The factors that might affect the response or cause side effects are difficult to evaluate.

Background: Studies that have investigated the effect options’ number in MCQ tests used in the assessments of senior medical students are scarce. This study aims to compare exam psychometrics between three- and five-option MCQ tests in final-year assessments. Methods: A cluster randomized study was applied. Participants were classified into three groups, according to their academic levels. Students in each of those levels were randomized into either the three- or five-option test groups. Results: Mean time to finish the five-option test was 45 min, versus 32 min for the three-option group. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.89 for the three-option group, versus 0.81 for the five-options, p-value = 0.19. The mean difficulty index for the three-option group was 0.75, compared to 0.73 for the five-option group, p-value = 0.57. The mean discriminating index was 0.53 for the three-option group, and 0.45 for the five-options, p-value = 0.07. The frequency of non-functioning distractors was higher in the five-option test, 111 (56%), versus 39 (39%) in the three-options, with p-value < 0.01. Conclusions: This study has shown that three-option MCQs are comparable to five-option MCQs, in terms of exam psychometrics. Three-option MCQs are superior to five-option tests regarding distractors’ effectiveness and saving administrative time.

Purpose: Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP), a noninvasive respiratory support modality used to manage newborns with respiratory distress, provides continuous pressure that helps prevent derecruitment of alveoli, increasing the lungs’ functional residual capacity, and thus decreasing the work of breathing. bCPAP can be used to manage various respiratory conditions in the newborn. In this prospective study, we describe our experience using bCPAP therapy as the primary respiratory support in a level III neonatal unit in Amman, Jordan. In addition to reporting therapeutic indications, durations, and side effects, we aimed to identify areas requiring improvement in bCPAP therapy in our population. Patients and methods: This prospective observational study investigated the usage of bCPAP in the management of respiratory distress in newborns admitted to a Jordan University Hospital in Amman. The newborns were followed until discharge. The patients’ demographic and clinical data were recorded. Results: A total of 143 babies (mean gestational age, 36±2.7 weeks; mean birth weight, 2,770±1,800 g) were included. All received bCPAP as the primary respiratory support. The most common underlying cause of respiratory distress was transient tachypnea of the newborn (42%), followed by prolonged respiratory transition (34%). The therapy success rate was 93.7%; only nine infants failed bCPAP. The most common side effect was physical facial injury. Conclusion: The use of neonatal bCPAP therapy is well established in Jordan University Hospital. The area of potential improvement was the low rate of bCPAP use as a primary respiratory support in extremely premature infants.