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Background: The impact of arterial blood pressure on cerebral oxygenation during immediate postnatal transition is poorly understood.
Purpose: Here we investigated the association between arterial blood pressure (BP), cerebral tissue oxygenation index (cTOI), and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) during the immediate postnatal transition in preterm and full-term neonates. Methods: This prospective observational study included preterm and term neonates who did... |
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Background: Cerebral hypoxia-ischemia impairs brain development in extremely preterm infants and is associated with poor neurological outcomes. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive continuous monitoring method for regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2).
Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical feasibility and neurological impact of a neurocritical care bundle that incorporates prolonged multidisciplinary hemodynamic monitoring and a stepwise management algorithm. Methods: Preterm infants with... |
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Background: Multiple perinatal factors influence hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HS PDA) in preterm infants.
Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with HS PDA in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) and determine the predictors of surgical ligation. Methods: This retrospective study included VLBWIs born at 23–32 weeks’ gestation whose HS PDA properties could be identified using... |
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Background: Although most neonatal disorders are preventable, their global burden has not been comprehensively investigated in the context of underlying epidemiological patterns. Thus, here we conducted the first comprehensive assessment of the global burden of neonatal disorders and their 5 subtypes in 1990–2021 with projections through 2050.
Purpose: To comprehensively assess the global burden of neonatal disorders in 1990–2021 and forecast... |
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Question: Is helmet therapy more effective than conservative management in treating positional plagiocephaly? Finding: Both approaches reduced cranial asymmetry with comparable correction speed. Helmet therapy showed a trend toward greater severity reduction. Meaning: Early treatment initiation was the strongest predictor of improvement. Helmet therapy may offer additional benefit in more severe cases. |
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Question: How does the gut microbiota profile of infants with biliary atresia (BA) differ from that of infants with non-BA cholestasis and healthy infants in the Indonesian population? Finding: The unique fecal microbiome composition of the BA group differed significantly from that of the other 2 groups. Meaning: There is an urgent need to improve dysbiosis in BA and non-BA cholestasis to prevent worsening liver injury in cholestasis. |
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Question: Does a respiratory severity score (RSS)-guided postnatal corticosteroid protocol improve respiratory outcomes of extremely preterm (EP) infants without worsening neurodevelopmental outcomes? Finding: The protocol enabled targeted and early steroid use, thereby reducing severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia without affecting mortality or causing neurodevelopmental impairments. Meaning: The RSS-guided protocol may offer a more precise and individualized postnatal corticosteroid therapy for EP infants. |
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Question: What are the recent trends and determinants of breastfeeding in South Korea? Finding: Breastfeeding rates in South Korea declined significantly from 2007 to 2021, with lower rates observed in preterm, low-birthweight, and multiple-birth infants as well as rural or lower-income households. Meaning: Targeted interventions, including prenatal education, postnatal support, and community-based programs, are required to address disparities and improve breastfeeding rates. |
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Question: Does the gut microbiota differ between very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with versus without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)? Finding: Common respiratory pathogens were notably elevated in the BPD group, whereas anaerobic and butyrate-producing taxa, key components of postbiotics, were dominant in the non-BPD group. Meaning: In gut-lung communication, the interplay between the intestinal and respiratory systems may implicate pro- and postbiotics in VLBW infants with BPD. |
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· Previous reviews of extrauterine growth restriction focused mainly on weight growth restriction caused by nutritional factors or pathological conditions. · This review summarizes recent developments in the pathophysiology of nonnutritional length growth restriction in very preterm infants with focus on the impact of sustained neonatal inflammation on their short- and long-term outcomes. · Further research is needed to investigate optimal strategies to improve length growth restriction in very preterm infants. |
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With advancements in neonatal intensive care, the limit of viability has shifted to 22–23 weeks' gestation, whose survival rates vary across countries and institutions. These rates are not static and can be improved through the proactive and centralized care guided by national protocols, including maternal transfer to high-activity regions with better neonatal intensive care practices before delivery. |
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Question: How stable are the revised Korean Developmental Screening Test score classifications in early infancy? Finding: A significant number of infants improved into the peer and high-level group (≥-1 standard deviations), especially in the gross motor area. Meaning: The early detection of developmental delay requires a comprehensive medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and repeated developmental screenings. |
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· Preterm infants often experience speech and language development delays during early childhood, impacting children's ultimate outcomes. · Promoting breastfeeding, increasing parent-infant interactions in a single-family room, promoting a nurturing language environment by parental book reading and language interventions, and parent-integrated interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit could potentially enhance children's language development. · Integrating these strategies through family-centered care is essential. |
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Question: Do interventions based on Meleis' transition theory affect mothers' readiness for baby care and breastfeeding? Findings: We found a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in mothers' readiness for newborn care and breastfeeding (P<0.001). Meaning: This intervention increased breastfeeding rates while ensuring that mothers were ready to care for their babies and prepared for the role of motherhood. |
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Question: How do structural and staffing characteristics of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) influence the mortality rates of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs)? Findings: NICUs with higher staffing levels, particularly with more neonatologists, and those offering advanced care levels were associated with lower mortality rates. Additionally, regional disparities were observed, with some areas demon-strating significantly higher survival rates. Meaning: Adequate staffing and equitable regional distribution of medical resources are crucial for improving survival outcomes in VLBWIs. Efforts to enhance NICU staffing and address regional healthcare disparities are essential for optimizing care quality and reducing mortality in this vulnerable population. |
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Question: Does online responsive teaching (RT) impact children's and parents’ emotions and behaviors, and do parents find it satisfactory? Finding: Online RT significantly improved children's pivotal and problem behaviors, decreased parenting stress, and enhanced parental interactive styles with high satisfaction. Meaning: This pilot study's findings suggest that online RT can enhance child outcomes, offering accessible interventions amid challenges such as limited access and pandemics. |
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Question: Is vitamin E a viable therapeutic option for managing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia? Finding: This randomized clinical trial examined the effects of oral vitamin E supplementation on bilirubin reduction (primary outcome), phototherapy duration, and length of hospital stay (secondary outcome) in 138 infants. Meaning: Infants administered vitamin E versus placebo demonstrated similar reductions in bilirubin levels and length of hospital stay. |
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· Clinical studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in infants should be supported by rigorous laboratory diagnostic criteria. · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads to infants similarly to other viral respiratory infections. · Among infants ≤1 year of age beyond the immediate postpartum period, COVID-19 is relatively mild, but even the low risk of severe disease requires prevention. · Comorbidities increase infection vulnerability and complications in infants. · Clinical and laboratory data do not sufficiently distinguish COVID-19 from other respiratory viral infections. · Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is uncommon among infants. · Unique infection sequelae, including multi-inflammatory syndrome in children and neonates and long COVID require further study and refinement of diagnostic criteria. · Infection control standards applied to mother-infant dyads should be tempered by standard preventive strategies, maternal input, accommodation potential, and overall safety. · Maternal vaccination prevents disease in early infancy. |
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· The infant gut microbiome is highly dynamic and individualized. · Microbes are vertically transmitted from mother to infant during delivery and throughout infancy. · Delivery mode, gestational age, diet, and antibiotic use influence infant microbiome composition and function. · In animal studies, the microbiome played critical roles in the structural and functional development of the infant gastrointestinal and immune systems. · Microbiome-targeted therapies have great potential to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. |
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In neonatal resuscitation: · Laryngeal masks are recommended when endotracheal intubation or positive-pressure ventilation fails. · Laryngeal masks are useful even during chest compressions. · Laryngeal masks aid neonates >34 weeks’ gestation and/or with a birth weight >2 kg. · Main usage barriers include limited experience (81%), preference for endotracheal tubes (57%), and lack of awareness (56%). · Second-generation laryngeal masks have a built-in esophageal drainage tube that prevents regurgitation into the glottis, and an orogastric tube can be inserted within the esophageal drainage tube to protect against gastric inflation. |
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· Concrete evidence exists of early parent-infant attachment supported by family-centered care (FCC) in the neonatal intensive care unit. · FCC involves the parents’ presence and participation in the infant’s care and decision-making. · A private and comfortable space should be provided. A single-family room is ideal; however, a quiet space with a recliner can be a good alternative. · Care culture changes and staff training are required. |
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Question: What are the current palliative care protocols, palliative course, and implementable palliative care programs for hospitalized pediatric patients with neurological diseases in Italy? Finding: We studied 34 newborns with nervous system diseases, all of whom had a poor prognosis. Meaning: Despite current legislation in Italy, no palliative care network has been implemented. Given the vast number of patients with neurological conditions, standardized palliative care guidelines and protocols are required. |
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· Question: What level of parenting stress is experienced by parents of children with developmental delays (DDs) without autism spectrum disorder, and what factors contribute to it? · Findings: Parents of children with DDs experienced high parenting stress that were significantly mediated by their children’s low interactive behaviors. · Meaning: The interactive behaviors of children with DDs mediate parenting stress. |
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· Congenital hearing loss is common, with an approximate incidence of 1.5 per 1,000 newborns and affecting 1.2%–11% of preterm and 1.6%–13.7% of neonatal intensive care unit neonates. · Etiologies vary, and up to 80% of cases are genetic. · Newborn hearing screenings follow the 1-3-6 rule, and babies at high risk of hearing loss should be referred to otolaryngology for early detection and timely intervention. |
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· Among survivors, 60.9% of infants born at 22 weeks’ gestation had moderate to severe impairments, whereas 50.3% born at 23 weeks’ and 42.2% at 24 weeks’ gestation had moderate to severe impairments. · Moderate and late preterm infants reportedly have less severe disease than very preterm infants, but they still experience adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. · The careful follow-up and early detection of developmental problems in these patients are required. |
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Question: Is a commercial thickened formula able to alleviate oral feeding-associated desaturation and bradycardia in preterm infants? Finding: Thickened formula feeding significantly reduced oral feeding-associated desaturation and bradycardia in preterm infants. Meaning: Thickened formula feeding stabilizes oxygen saturation and heart rate during oral feeding among preterm infants with feeding difficulties. |
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Question: Do probiotics added to maternal nutrition affect infantile colic symptoms and intestinal microbiota? Finding: Infants whose mothers ingested probiotics demonstrated decreased crying frequency and intensity and significantly increased bacterial diversity in the stools. The bacterial variety was substantially affected by the added probiotic product. Meaning: The addition of probiotics to maternal nutrition in early infancy could play an important role in preventing infantile colic. |
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Some neonates, especially those who are premature, may experience hypertension while in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The most common causes are prematurity-related and the hypertension usually resolves over the first 1–2 years of life. Unfortunately, the increasing population of NICU graduates is at risk for later cardiovascular and kidney disease in childhood and adulthood. This population requires careful attention to blood pressure and weight throughout their life course. |
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Question: Plastic feeding bottles are used commonly to feed infants who cannot be breastfeed. Does plastic bottle feeding produce biochemical changes in infants? Finding: The plastic bottles leach out endocrine disruptors and affects bodily functions in terms of biochemical alterations like increased blood urea, raised creatine-kinase–MB levels, and altered lipid profile in infants exposed to bottle feeding. Meaning: Plastic bottles feeding alters bodily functions in infants. |
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Nutrients are important in the developing immune system. Human milk supplies diverse bioactives to prevent acute infection or chronic inflammation. Immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and glutamine in human milk decrease gastrointestinal and respiratory infection. Human milk oligosaccharides promote the growth of intestinal microbiota, the gut barrier, and antimicrobial or antiviral activity. Micronutrients act as anti-inflammatory immunonutrients, too. However, the toxicity of some nutrients from an overdose should be considered. |
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics is an open access journal. All articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
Copyright © 2026 by Korean Pediatric Society.





