Background:Probiotics are thought to interfere with the mechanisms involving in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates. Objectives: This study was planned to assess the effect of prophylactic probiotics for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight neonates. Patients and Methods:This prospective triple-blinded, interventional, randomized clinical trial enrolled 136 low birth weight newborn infants with a minimum birth weight of 700 g, from September 2010 to September 2011. The study and control groups were compared regarding; 1-occurrence of NEC, 2-time to reach full feeding, defined as days required to reach full enteral feeding, 3-duration of hospital course, and 4-incidence of sepsis and death. The study group was fed with milk and Protexin (restore) and the control group was fed with milk and a placebo that was physically indistinguishable from the probiotic powder. SPSS version 16 was used, and P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: One hundred thirty six neonates were enrolled in the study. Seventy six (54.4%) were male. The mean of gestational age and birth weight were 31 weeks and 1407 grams, respectively. The mean age to start feeding was 4.36 days. There was not any significant difference in the NEC cases between the two groups. Conclusions: This study did not show any benefit from prophylactic probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in low birth weight neonates which could be probably due to low dose probiotics used.

Introduction: Outcomes of neonates of infertile couples that are golden babies and care of them is an issue of importance. But it is not yet clear if the prognosis is different between them and neonates from fertile couples. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of neonates conceived by assisted reproductive techniques.Methods: In this cohort study, a total of 165 newborn who were conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and 165 naturally concieved newborns were enrolled. The study was prospective from April 2017 to October 2019. All newborns were examined by neonatologist after birth and their outcome were followed up to two year. The outcomes were compared with neonates from fertile couple using appropriate statistical tests.Results: The preterm neonates (60% vs. 38%) were higher in ART cases (P<0.001). The mean gravid and parity were lower in ART group (P<0.001) and the nulliparity was higher in them. Multiple pregnancies were higher in ART cases (45% vs. 10%; P<0. 001). Cesarean section rate was higher (91% vs 67%) in ART cases (P<0.001). Pre-eclampsia rate was higher in ART cases (16 % vs. 6%; P=0.004). Female sex was higher in ART group (P=0.035). Birth weight was significantly lower in ART group (P=0.002) and the Apgar was also lower (P=0.002; P=0.012). Intrauterine growth restriction was significantly higher (17% vs. 7%) in ART group (P=0.006). Necrotizing enterocolitis and respiratory distress syndrome were more common in ART group (P<0.001). Hospital stay was longer in ART group (P<0.001). Re-admission, and weight less than 5th percentile were more common after two year in ART group (P=0.021).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, pregnancy after ART has more side effects before and after birth and also in infancy; not only because of multigestation but also due to manipulations in ART.

Background: Outcomes of neonates of infertile couples that are golden babies and care of them is an issue of importance. But it is not yet clear if the prognosis is different between them and neonates from fertile couples. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of neonates conceived by assisted reproductive techniques. Methods:In this cohort study, a total of 165 newborn who were conceived by ART and 165 naturally concieved newborns were enrolled. The study was prospective from April 2016 to October 2017. All newborns were examined by neonatologist after birth and their outcome were followed up to oneyear. The outcomes were compared with neonates from fertile couple using appropriate statistical tests. Results:The preterm neonates (60% vs. 38%) were higher in ART cases (P<0.001). The mean gravid and parity were lower in ART group (P<0.001) and the nulliparity was higher in them. Multiple pregnancies were higher in ART cases (45% vs. 10%; P<0. 001). C/S rate was higher (91% vs 67%) in ART cases (P<0.001). Pre-eclampsia rate was higher in ART cases (16 % vs. 6%; P=0.004). Female sex was higher in ART group (P=0.035). Birth weight was significantly lower in ART group (P=0.002) and the Apgar was also lower (P=0.002; P=0.012). IUGR was significantly higher (17% vs. 7%) in ART group (P=0.006). NEC and RDS were more common in ART group (P<0.001). Hospital stay was longer in ART group (P<0.001). Re-admission, and weight less than 5th percentile were more common after one year in ART group (P=0.021). Conclusion:According to the obtained results, pregnancy after ART has more side effects before and after birth and also in infancy; not only because of multigestation but also due to manipulations in ART.

The heart rate characteristic (HeRO score) is a figure derived from the analysis of premature neonate's electrocardiogram signals, and can be used to detect infection before the onset of clinical symptoms. The United States and Europe accept this diagnostic technique, but we require more tests to prove its efficacy. This method is not accepted in other developed countries so far. The present study aimed to investigate changes in the heart characteristics of two neonates in Akbar Abadi Hospital in Tehran. Experts chose one newborn as a sepsis case, and the other neonate was healthy. The results were analyzed and compared with previous studies. In this research, a group of five neonates was selected randomly from the neonatal intensive care unit, and cardiac leads were attached to them for recording heart rates. We selected two neonates from the five cases, as a case (proven sepsis) and control, to analyze heart rate variability (HRV). Then, we compared the differences in the heart rate of both neonates. Analysis of HRV of these two neonates showed that the pattern of HRV is compatible with reports from US studies. Considering the results of this study, heart rates and their analysis can provide useful indicators for mathematical modeling before the onset of clinical symptoms in newborns.