Sucrose solution is recommended as relevant pain relief management in neonates during acute painful procedures; however, only a few studies have analyzed the potentially adverse effects of sucrose administration to preterm neonates. The goal of this study was to examine the potential side effects of sucrose for pain relief in preterm infants, assessing feeding and weight gain during hospitalization and their feeding patterns postdischarge. The study sample consisted of 43 preterm neonates divided into two groups: a sucrose group (SG, n=18) and a control group (CG, n=25) in which no sucrose was administered. The SG received 0.5 mL/kg 25% oral sucrose for 2 min prior to all acute painful procedures during three consecutive days. A prospective review of medical charts was performed for all samples. The study was done prior to implementation of the institutional sucrose guidelines as a routine service, and followed all ethical requirements. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of weight gain, length of stay with orogastric tubes, and parenteral feeding. Postdischarge, infant nutritional intake included feeding human milk to 67% of the SG and 74% of the CG. There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding human milk feeding patterns postdischarge. Neonate feeding patterns and weight gain were unaffected following the short-term use of sucrose for pain relief.

There is an economic advantage in introducing neonatal screening for galactosaemia in the national neonatal screening programme. This advantage could increase with a reduction of the current interest rates in the economy.

IntroductionCongenital syphilis (CS) is a serious public health problem in Brazil, being the cause of fetal death and other perinatal complications, besides it is a good indicator of prenatal quality. The objective of this study is knowing the frequency of CS notification at Antonio Pedro University Hospital of Federal Fluminense University (HUAP), Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, and analyse several data from the compulsory notification sheets (CNS) of this disease.MethodsRetrospective temporal study about the frequency of CS’s notification in HUAP (Epidemiological Surveillance Department) in the period from 2008–2015.ResultsWe found 56 CNS. We analysed data on diagnosis, treatment, signs and symptoms of CS, among others. We exclude four sheets (4/56/7.14%) because they do not contain minimum data for analysis. So, we worked with 52 CNS of the eight-year period. Only 9 (9/52/17.37%) CNS were fully met. The numbers of childbirth/CS/% in HUAP were: 2008 (389/8/2.05%); 2009 (373/6/1.60%); 2010 (442/4/0.90%); 2011 (508/0/0%); 2012 (521/1/0.19%); 2013 (640/9/1.40%); 2014 (522/14/2.68%); 2015 (422/10/2.37%). Maternal age: 6 pregnant women (11.5%) between 14 and 18 years, 25 (48.1%) between 19 and 25 years, 18 (34.6%) between 26 and 40 years and 3 (5.8% ) Ignored. About prenatal care: 10 pregnant women (19.2%) performed in HUAP, 34 (65.4%) in basic health units in Niterói and other cities in the state, and 8 (15.4%) did not done. The diagnosis of maternal syphilis occurred during prenatal care in 37 (71%) cases, in childbirth in 12 (23%) and after childbirth in 3 (6%). Only 11 partners (21.1%) were treated. Forty-eight (92.3%) newborns were treated appropriately. Cases evolutions: 46 (88.5%) were still alive, 3 (5.8%) were stillborn, 2 (3.8%) evolved to postpartum death and 1 (1.9%) was an abortion.ConclusionThe notification and complete padding of the CS’s CNS is of crucial importance for CS control with the pregnant women and prenatal evaluation. We found many flaws for a federal university service.