Neisseria meningitidis is one of the major causes of meningitis in children and adolescents, but it is rarely found during the neonatal period. Here, we describe a neonate with meningococcal sepsis who was admitted to the hospital on postnatal day 10, and we discuss the clinical features of neonatal infection with N. meningitidis in relation to the literature (analysis of a 97-year period).

BACKGROUND Adolescent pregnancy remains a global public health issue with serious implications on maternal and child health, particularly in developing countries The aim of this study was to investigate maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies among adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 241 adolescent women who gave birth to singletons between January 2015 and December 2015 at our hospital were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data on maternal sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics as well as neonatal outcome were recorded. RESULTS Primary school education (66.0%), lack of regular antenatal care (69.7%), religious (36.7%) and consanguineous (37.0) marriage, Southeastern Anatolia hometown (34.9%) and Eastern Anatolia hometown (21.2%) were noted in most of the adolescent pregnancies, while 95% were desired pregnancies within marriage. Pregnancy complications were noted in 19.5% (preeclampsia in 5.8%) and cesarean delivery was performed in 44.8% of adolescent pregnancies. Preterm delivery rate was 27.0% (20.3% were in >34 weeks). Overall, 13.3% of neonates were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the postpartum period (prematurity in 28.1%), while 25.3% were re-admitted to NICU admission in the post-discharge 1-month (hyperbilirubinemia in 55.7%). Adolescent pregnancies were associated considerably high rates of fetal distress at birth (28.7%), preterm delivery (26.9%), and re-admission to NICU after hospital discharge (25.3%). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our findings indicate that along with considerably high rates of poor antenatal care, maternal anemia and cesarean delivery, adolescent pregnancies were also associated with high rates for fetal distress at birth, preterm delivery, and NICU re-admission within post-discharge 1-month.

Context There is limited data available on the exact incidence of disorders of sex development (DSD) with genital ambiguity at birth. Objective To determine frequency of ambiguous genitalia in newborns. Design A prospective multicenter study. Setting Three tertiary care hospitals. Patients or Other Participants All 14,177 babies born during the study period were included. Main Outcome Measures All newborns were examined at birth; data on weeks of gestation, birth weight and length were collected. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Quigley and Prader scales were used for phenotypic grading. Clinical and genetic investigations were performed. Results Eighteen babies with ambiguous genitalia were found among 14,177 newborns (1.3/1,000). Fifteen newborns had 46,XY DSD, one 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia and one 45,X/46,XY mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Karyotype analysis was not done in one baby who died in neonatal period. The ratio of prematurity was higher in DSD group (44% vs. 11%; p<0.001) and the ratio of small for gestational age (SGA) was also higher in DSD group (22% vs. 5%; p=0.007). Eight babies with DSD had mothers who had additional medical conditions such as preeclampsia, depression, insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion The frequency of ambiguous genitalia was higher than the previous studies, but, as with any experiment, it should be met with caution, because this study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals. In addition, lower birth weight in DSD group supports the hypothesis that early placental dysfunction might be important in the etiology of male genital anomalies.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of preterm birth on bone health in preschool children. Methods: A total of 166 preschool children (aged 7–8 years) born preterm (n = 86, <37-week gestation) and at term (n = 80, ≥37 weeks of gestation) in our hospital were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Data on antenatal, perinatal, and early postnatal characteristics and maternal obstetric history were obtained from medical records. Bone densitometry data including total bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD; total, lumbar, and femoral), z-scores, and bone loss were collected for each participant. Results: Current height, weight, and BMI values were significantly lower in the preterm group (p < .001). Serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not differ among groups, whereas VitD3 levels were significantly higher in the preterm group (p = .039). The mean total BMC, total BMD, lumbar (L2–L4) BMD, femur BMD, total z-score, and L2–L4 z-score values were significantly lower for the preterm group, whereas the total, lumbar, and femoral bone loss were significantly higher (p < .001), regardless of the severity of prematurity. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy were significantly associated with lower total BMC (p = .004, p = .012, respectively). Fortified breastfeeding was associated with lumbar bone loss (p = .043), and formula feeding was associated with both femur and lumbar bone loss (p = .006, p = .012, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings revealed long-term adverse effects of preterm birth on bone health, with significantly lower anthropometric values (weight, height, and BMI), lower scores for total BMC, BMD (total, lumbar, femoral), and z-scores (total, femur), along with higher bone loss (total, lumbar, femoral) and higher rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis in preschool children born preterm (whether moderate or very preterm) compared with those born at term. Exclusive breastfeeding appears to reduce the likelihood of long-term bone loss in preterm infants

Objective: Real-time bedside ultrasound-guided catheterization of the internal jugular vein (IJV) offers potential benefits for critically ill neonates, especially those with low birth weight and preterm delivery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and success rates in a high-risk neonatal population. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four neonates (birth weight 500-4010 g; 61% preterm) who underwent ultrasound-guided IJV catheterization were retrospectively analyzed in the Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital. The primary outcome is successful usage of the catheter. Other key outcomes include first session and overall successful catheterization rates, number of attempts, catheter dwell time, and complication rates. Subgroup analyses were performed based on birth weight (<2500 g vs. ≥2500 g) and gestational age (preterm vs. term). Results: First-session catheterization success was 88.5%; overall success increased to 94.4% by the third attempt. The median number of attempts was 1. Median catheter dwell time was 13.7 Å} 5.1 days. Successful usage of the catheter by completion of therapy without removal was achieved in 81.5% of cases; premature removal due to occlusion or dislodgement occurred in 13%, and catheter-related complications in 5.6%. Subgroup comparisons showed no statistically significant differences in success rate, number of attempts, or complication rates based on birth weight or gestational age. Conclusion: Bedside ultrasound-guided IJV catheterization is a feasible, effective, and safe alternative to operating-room procedures, even in fragile neonates. High success rates, minimal complications, and avoidance of general anesthesia support its adoption in routine neonatal intensive care unit practice. Cite this article as: Zübarioğlu AU, Bülbül A, Coşkun Yİ, et al. Ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein catheterization in neonates: A retrospective single-center study of procedural success and outcomes. TurkArch Pediatr. 2025;60(6):608-615.

Neonatal hypocalcemia is among the most common metabolic abnormalities in early life, particularly in preterm and critically ill infants. Maternal and neon