Sajjadian N, Shajari H, Mofid R, Jahadi R, Alizadeh Taheri P,
Volume 70, Issue 12 (5 2013)
Abstract
Background: The relationship between season of birth and human diseases is well known and such a relationship could be mediated by seasonal and environmental effects on early events of extrauterine life Empirical neonatological experience suggests that prevalence and degree of neonatal jaundice might be dependent on seasonal variation, mainly due to the sunshine duration. However, evidence based data on this issue are scarce. Thus, we have analyzed the seasonal effect on the rise of serum bilirubin level during the neonatal period.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was done on a sample of 629 term and healthy infants born consecutively in Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during the years 2008-2009. The cord bilirubin level and then the serum bilirubin level near to 48 hour of age were measured. Seasonal differences in rise of serum bilirubin were studied.
Results: Rise of serum bilirubin in spring was 3.951.4 mg/dl, in summer 3.761.69 mg/dl, in fall 3.511.60 mg/dl and in winter 4.791.99 mg/dl. Serum bilirubin level in cord blood did not appear to be correlated with season of birth. After correction for the possible effect of these variables the relation between season of birth and rise of serum bilirubin remained significant. The rise of serum bilirubin in winter was significantly higher than other season (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Season acts as an independent etiological factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Mean rise of serum bilirubin in winter is higher than other season. This provided information to improve education for nurses in identifying risk factors and the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia readmissions.
Negar Sajjadian , Ramin Jahadi ,
Volume 71, Issue 9 (December 2013)
Abstract
Background: Anemia at the time of birth may cause some problem like asphyxia, heart failure shock or even death in a neonate. Different etiologies can be considered for this problem. Parvovirus B19, as a viral organism, can cause hydrops fetalis and neonatal anemia and consequent complications. We present here a case of newborn infant with severe anemia who had human parvovirus B19 infection.
Case Presentation: A male newborn with gestational age of 36 week was born from a mother with poor prenatal care and history of contact with domestic animal. The neonate was very pale with Apgar score 2 at 1 min and received resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and repeated blood transfusion The hemoglobin level was significantly low. Analysis was made based on the clinical presentations. According to the case history, physical and laboratory findings, neonatal severe anemia induced by parvovirus B19 infection was suggested and Laboratory work up documented his infection with parovirus B19.
Conclusion: Parvovirus B19 (B19 virus) is the smallest single strand linear DNA virus in animal viruses, which is the only strain of parvovirus that is pathogenic in humans. Human parvovirus B19 may cross the placenta and result in fetal infection, morbidity and death. Parvovirus is an uncommon cause of neonatal anemia and hydrops fetalis so this etiology must be considered in differential diagnosis of anemia at birth.