Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women has important impacts on perinatal and neonatal outcomes. However, there are a limited number of studies investigating the effect of the pandemic period on newborns. With this study, we aimed to determine the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak on prenatal care, obstetric outcomes, neonatal mortality and morbidity. The retrospective results of patients hospitalized to the Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1 March and 30 May 2020, the first peak period of the pandemic in our country, were compared with the data of the same period of the previous year. A total of 307 cases were included in our study. The mean gestational weeks of the neonates hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during the COVID-19 period were higher than those in the control group (p: 0.003). During the pandemic period, an increase was found in the frequency of pregnant women presenting to obstetric emergency services in emergencies requiring acute intervention (p: 0.01). Compared to the control group, there was an increase in the number of infants with small for gestational age (SGA) diagnosis, 5th-minute Apgar score of <7, and newborns with a diagnosis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who were treated with hypothermia in the study group (p < 0.05). No difference was found in terms of maternal and neonatal mortality (p > 0.05). During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was shown that pregnant women disrupted their regular antenatal care, and more pregnant women were admitted to the obstetric emergency department with emergencies requiring acute intervention. This led to an increase in the number of cases diagnosed with SGA and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns. Our results will be useful for better management of current and future pandemic periods.

Objective:Late neonatal hypocalcemia (LNH) is a common metabolic problem associated with hypoparathyroidism, high phosphate intake and vitamin D deficiency, often presenting with seizures. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D deficiency in LNH in Turkey and to describe the characteristics of affected newborns.Methods:Conducted with a cross-sectional design and with the participation of 61 neonatal centers from December 2015 to December 2016, the study included term neonates with LNH (n=96) and their mothers (n=93). Data were registered on the FAVOR Web Registry System. Serum samples of newborns and mothers were analyzed for calcium, phosphate, magnesium, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.Results:The median (range) onset time of hypocalcemia was 5.0 (4.0-8.0) days of age, with a male preponderance (60.4%). The median (range) serum 25(OH)D levels of the neonates and their mothers were 6.3 (4.1-9.05) and 5.2 (4.7-8.8) ng/mL, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<12 ng/mL) was high in both the neonates (86.5%) and mothers (93%). Serum 25(OH)D levels of the infants and mothers showed a strong correlation (p<0.001). While the majority (93.7%) of the neonates had normal/high phosphorus levels, iPTH levels were low or inappropriately normal in 54.2% of the patients.Conclusion:Vitamin D deficiency prevalence was found to be high in LNH. Efforts to provide vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should be encouraged. Evaluation of vitamin D status should be included in the workup of LNH.

Chylous ascites (CA) is a rare entity which can result from congenital malformation of the lymphatic system or develop secondary to trauma, inflammation, abdominal surgery, or neoplasia (Sooklin L et al., BMJ Case Rep 2020; 13: e235849). The therapeutic approach in the management of CA includes the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)-based diet, serial paracentesis if required, and medical or surgical treatment options (Campisi C et al., J Vasc Surg 2006; 43: 1244–1248). This report describes a preterm infant with congenital CA who was resistant to TPN, an MCT-based diet, octreotide, propranolol, and repeated paracentesis, but who was successfully treated with the addition of sildenafil. Article published online: 06 August 2024 © 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause microvascular alterations that can lead to irreversible complications in multiple tissues and organs. Detrimental effects of COVID-19 on retinal structure have recently been reported in adult population. However, literature data about neonatal population is very scarce. Thus, we aimed to assess possible retinal changes of neonates recovered from COVID-19 infection in this prospective, observational, descriptive study. Methods: The neonates recovered from COVID-19 infection were included to the study between 01 September 2020 and 30 April 2021. Their initial ophthalmological examination was made after a negative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction obtained and all patients were re-examined 1 month later. All examinations were performed by same retina specialist using a binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results: A total of 15 neonates [9 (60%) male, 6 (40%) female, mean gestational age of 38.9 ± 0.9 weeks (ranging from 37 to 40 week)] were evaluated in the study. The mean age at the time of hospitalization was 17.5 ± 8.7 days (ranging from 2 to 29 days), and the mean duration of hospitalization was 12.5 ± 6.2 days (ranging from 4 to 27 days). Except for one patient with bilateral avascular area in Zone-III, no further retinal manifestation related to COVID-19 was found in the study. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection can cause retinal damage in neonates. Therefore, these patients should be closely monitored for signs of ocular involvement.

J Indian Prosthodont Soc, Official publication of Indian Prosthodontic Society