Neuro-Immune Interactions in the Gut
Hirschsprung's Disease Associated EnterocolitisHirschsprung's disease (HD) is diagnosed shortly after birth and is characterized by the presence of megacolon. HD is caused when ganglion cells of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the wall of the large intestine do not develop before birth. This results in a lack of gastrointestinal motility and leads to stool obstruction. It is known that ablation of enteric nerves is associated with intestinal infection and inflammation. Indeed the most severe complication in HD is Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis (HAEC), characterized by explosive diarrhea, abdominal distension, fever and impending septic shock. Bacteria overgrowth and changes in colonic mucosal immune cell populations during HAEC suggest a possible defect in mucosal immune homeostasis. Under steady state conditions, the mucosal immune system must be tightly controlled to avoid harmful reactions against commensal flora and food antigens, while allowing protective immune responses against invading pathogens. This balance between tolerance and defense is influenced by the mucosal microenvironment, which in turn determines the phenotype and stability of mucosal immune cell populations. The goal of this project is to understand if the enteric nervous system plays a role in regulating mucosal immunity and how this might contribute to the development of HAEC.
Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Necrotizing Enterocolitis
EnterocolitisNecrotizingNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) affects up to 10% of very preterm infants. NEC mortality is high (30-50 %) and has remained unchanged over the last decades. New treatments are urgently needed. NEC pathogenesis is multifactorial, but bowel ischemia plays an essential role in NEC development. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) consists in inducing brief periods of non-lethal ischemia in a limb distant to an organ suffering from ischemia. RIC has been used in adults, children and term neonates with a variety of diagnosis. However, no study has been done including preterm infants with NEC.
Anaemetro I.V. Infusion 500mg Drug Use Investigation
Anaerobic InfectionInfectious Enterocolitis1 moreSecondary Data Collection Study; safety and effectiveness of Anaemetro under Japanese medical practice
Withholding Feeds During Red Blood Cell Transfusion and TRAGI
TransfusionFeeding During Transfusion2 moreNecrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating picture that all the neonatologists are afraid of facing during the follow up of newborns. During the last years, investigators ran retrospective observational studies abut NEC developing within the 48 hours after red blood cell transfusion. In the previous studies, the incidence of transfusion associated NEC (TANEC) was found to be 20-35%.Multiple transfusions potentially cause an increased risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and NEC. Investigators have also proposed a hypothesis about transfusion related acute gut injury (TRAGI), an adverse reaction of transfusion, similar to transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) seen in adults.In most of the neonatology clinics, withholding feeds during transfusion is not preferred. But several recent studies show an increase in the incidence of TANEC if the newborn goes on feeding before, during and after the transfusion process, especially if it is fed with a formula. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of withholding feeds during transfusion, on the development of TRAGI.
Brain Manganese Deposition in High Risk Neonates
Necrotizing EnterocolitisDigestive System Abnormalities1 moreExcessive exposure to manganese (Mn) results in Mn deposition in the brain causing adverse neurological effects. Sick infants requiring parenteral nutrition (PN) may be at increased risk of Mn neurotoxicity because neonatal PN solutions contain high concentrations of Mn. This proposal will investigate brain deposition of Mn, a paramagnetic element, by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in preterm and term neonates receiving Mn-supplemented PN and gestational age-matched control infants. The goals of this project are to identify neonatal populations that are at increased risk of excessive brain Mn deposition based on their gestational age, iron status, hepatic function and dietary Mn intake, and to make evidence-based recommendations for appropriate Mn supplementation and monitoring of infants receiving PN.
Vancomycin vs. Nitazoxanide to Treat Recurrent C. Difficile Colitis
Clostridium EnterocolitisPseudomembranous Colitis1 moreThe purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of treatment with nitazoxanide vs. vancomycin for diarrheal disease due to Clostridium difficile in patients who have failed previous treatment with metronidazole.
Response of Clostridium Difficile Infection to Metronidazole Therapy
Clostridium EnterocolitisPseudomembranous Colitis1 moreIn this record review study, our objective is to determine the rates of cure, failure and relapse following treatment of C. difficile colitis with metronidazole.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Clostridium Difficile Infection.
Clostridium DifficileEnterocolitis1 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether a bundle of measures specifically designed for patients with ICD and applied by and Infectious Diseases expert during a year period (2017) will improve the prognosis and reduce the rate of recurrence, compared with the baseline phase (2015) in which no intervention was made.
Splanchnic Oxygenation After the First Enteral Feed in Preterm Infants: Prediction of Feeding Tolerance....
Necrotizing EnterocolitisVery Low Birth Weight InfantsEnteral nutrition of preterm and intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) infants is still a challenge for neonatologists. Due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, preterm infants are at high risk of developing feeding intolerance (FI) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is the most feared gastrointestinal complication of prematurity. The occurrence of FI often prompts clinicians to withhold, decrease or discontinue enteral feeds; thus, the establishment of an adequate early enteral nutrition is frequently hampered. Early identification of preterm infants at high risk for gastrointestinal complications could help clinical decisions on the introduction and the advancement of enteral feeding. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides a non-invasive monitoring of regional oxygen saturation (rSO2). A significant correlation between lower abdominal rSO2 values in the first week of life and subsequent NEC development has been reported. To date, however, splanchnic oxygenation patterns in response to the first bolus feed and possible correlations with subsequent FI development have not been yet established. This observational prospective study aims: to assess abdominal rSO2 patterns in response to the first bolus feed; to evaluate possible correlations with subsequent development of gastrointestinal complications.
Heat Killed Probiotics in the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Necrotizing EnterocolitisEnterocolitis1 moreProphylactic probiotics have been shown to decrease the incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in premature neonates. However, there is some resistance to giving live bacteria to small babies. Based on animal data, the investigators hypothesized that heat inactivated probiotics would also reduce NEC.