Aim: To asses the cardiac morphology and functional changes specific for newborns from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies.Material and method: A cohort of IUGR infants were evaluated by serial echocardiographies at delivery and at the first and six months follow-ups. IUGR newborn delivery status was compared to that of newborns in the control group according to gestational age (AGA).Results: Left heart measurements were significantly lower in IUGR newborns compared to AGA babies. Left ventricular size increased at follow-up inthe IUGR group (p<0.05). Systolic dysfunction (the myocardial performance index (MPI)> 0.47) was identified in 40% of the neonates in the IUGR group (16/40), respectively 4.76% in the control group. IUGR neonates had a significantly increased proportion of systolic malfunction (p=0.004).Conclusion: IUGR patients had reduced left ventricle dimensions compared to AGA babies. The MPI stands out as a marker of leftheart function in newborns. Systolic dysfunction was a hallmark of the cardiac adaptation in IUGR neonates.

Classic galactosemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) involved in galactose metabolism. Bacterial infections are a known cause of early morbidity and mortality in children with classic galactosemia. The most common agent is Escherichia coli, but in rare situations, other bacteria are incriminated. We report a case of a three-week-old female patient with galactosemia, who presented with Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis/sepsis. She received treatment with antibiotics, supportive therapy, and erythrocyte transfusion, but after a short period of improvement, she presented acute liver failure with suspicion of an inborn error of metabolism. Rapid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy from urine showed highly elevated values of galactose and galactitol. Under intensive treatment for acute liver failure and with a lactose-free diet, her clinical features and laboratory parameters improved considerably. Genetic testing confirmed compound heterozygous status for GALT mutations: c.563 A>G [p.Q188R] and c. 910 C>T, the last mutation being a novel mutation in GALT gene. In countries without an extensive newborn screening program, a high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment of galactosemia.

Very limited data exists on the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii from Eastern Europe. We present the first Romanian case of symptomatic congenital toxoplasmosis in which the T. gondii strain was isolated after inoculation in mice of a cerebrospinal fluid sample from a living neonate. The T. gondii strain was genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers distributed on 10 of the 14 chromosomes of T. gondii. The strain had a type II genotype.

Objectives Late first-stage or second-stage cesarean section is commonly associated with fetal head impaction, leading to maternal and neonatal complications. This situation requires safe delivery techniques, but the optimal management remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with delivery techniques via cesarean section. Methods An electronic search of three databases, from inception to June 2021, was conducted. Cohort and randomised comparative studies on maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with techniques to deliver an impacted fetal head during cesarean section were included. The methodological quality of the primary studies was assessed. Review Manager 5.4 was used for statistical analyses. Results Nineteen articles, including 2,345 women were analyzed. Three fetal extraction techniques were identified. Meta-analyses showed that the “pull” technique carries lower risks as compared to the “push” technique and the “Patwardhan” technique is safer compared to the “push” or the “push and pull” technique. Conclusions In the absence of robust evidence to support the use of a specific technique, the choice of the obstetrician should be based on best available evidence. Our study suggests that the “pull”, as well as the “Patwardhan” technique represent safe options to deliver an impacted fetal head.

Bacground and aims:The physiological levels of calcium and magnesium are very unstable in the first few days after birth, due to abrupt interruption of placental supply, low level of PTH and high levels of calcitonin, physiological acidosis. Infants with intrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth are at risk for hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia. Often asymptomatic they can be undiscovered and untreated. There are a lot of controversies in regards with the physiological low limit of calcium and magnesium; are their values, smaller than those which are biostatistic classified, without any clinical and electrocardiographic aspects, physiological or not for ontogenetic age?The aim of these paper is to establish the incidence of early hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia in low birth weight infants and the risk factors that impose the cases in a screening program.Methods: Calcium and magnesium were determined in 120 newborns (50 term SGA newborns, 50 prematures and 20 AGA newborns), 48 hours after birth.Results: Hypocalcemia was detected in 16% of term SGA with Rohrer index below 1.8 and 16% of prematures with gestational age under 32 weeks and birth weight below 1500g. Hypomagnesemia was detected in 4% of term SGA and 16% of SGA prematures. 4 term SGA have had hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Onely 5 cases of term SGA with hypocalcemia were simptomatic. Conclusions:Low birth weight infants and severe intrauterine growth retardation are high risk factors for mineral disturbance. Screening is usefull in SGA new bornes with low Rohrer index and prematures under 1500g.