Objective. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of hemoglobin effect on the pregnancy outcomes. Methods. We searched MEDLINE and SCOPUS from January 1, 1990 to April 10, 2011. Observational studies addressing association between hemoglobin and adverse pregnancy outcomes were selected. Two reviewers independently extracted data. A mixed logistic regression was applied to assess the effects of hemoglobin on preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age. Results. Seventeen studies were included in poolings. Hemoglobin below 11 g/dL was, respectively, 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.19), 1.17 (95% CI: 1.03–1.32), and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.05–1.24) times higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age than normal hemoglobin in the first trimester. In the third trimester, hemoglobin below 11 g/dL was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.08–1.58) times higher risk of low birth weight. Hemoglobin above 14 g/dL in third trimester decreased the risk of preterm term with ORs of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.26–0.97), but it might be affected by publication bias. Conclusions. Our review suggests that hemoglobin below 11 g/dl increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small gestational age in the first trimester and the risk of low birth weight in the third trimester.

OBJECTIVE:Insufficient tools for bedside prediction of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LNS) initiated this study. The objective was to develop and validate a simple prediction-scoring model for LNS defined as culture-proven sepsis occurring 72 hours after birth. METHODS:The study was performed at a university hospital in Bangkok. The derivation phase included medical records of 1870 neonates, randomly selected from 9347 records of neonates who had been hospitalized for >72 hours during 1998 to 2000, of which 1824 records were available. In all, 100 neonates were clinically suspected of sepsis and 17 had proven LNS. The validation phase included 73 neonates suspected of having sepsis during July 2002to June 2003 and 25 who had LNS. Weighted coefficients from Cox's proportional hazards model and receiveroperating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used. RESULTS:The incidence density of LNS was 17/11355 (1.5/1000) person-days. A scoring model was developed and consisted of the following: hypotension (score 4), abnormal body temperature (score 3), respiratory insufficiency (score 2), neutrophil band form fraction >1% (score 2), platelet count <150 Â 10 3 /ml (score 2), and umbilical venous catheterization (1 to 7 or >7 days; score 2 or 4). The area under the ROC curves for prediction of LNS in a neonate suspected of sepsis in each of the two phases was 0.85 and 0.80, respectively (p ¼ 0.436). The mean probabilities of LNS were approximately 0.10 (low risk) for scores from 0 to 3; 0.50 (intermediate risk) for scores from 4 to 6; and 0.70 (high risk) for scores Z7. CONCLUSION:A simple prediction-scoring model for LNS was developed. Validation of the scores suggested good diagnostic performance.

The case of a preterm infant weighing 1120 g who successfully received recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) without complication for control of a life-threatening bleeding event resulting from a ruptured umbilical artery is reported. After performing an exploratory laparotomy at 27 hours of age, hemorrhage from the surgical wound and various sites persisted. By 63 hours of age, the infant had received a total of 192 mL (171 mL/kg) of packed red blood cells, 115 mL (103 mL/kg) of fresh frozen plasma, 8 mL of cryoprecipitate, and 75 mL (67 mL/kg) of platelet concentrate without stabilization. Hemorrhage ceased after 2 doses of 40 microg/kg/dose recombinant activated factor VII given at 63 and 70 hours of age, with subsequent stabilization of the hematocrit and without need for additional transfusion therapy.