Isolated prenatal choroid plexus cysts do not affect child development

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pd.2757/abstract;jsessionid=C19BFABA56741F16859D212540B68474.d01t01
A prospective design was implemented to identify CPC cases and controls in mid-pregnancy. Cases (n = 25) and controls (n = 45) participated in a follow-up visit when children were 18 months of age.
Results

No significant differences were found in any outcome measure between children with prenatal CPC detection and those without.
Conclusion

Findings should provide reassurance to practitioners and parents that isolated CPCs in fetuses with normal karyotypes do not affect child development after birth.

Outcome at 4.5 years of children born after expectant management of early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

http://www.ajog.org/article/PIIS0002937811002225/abstract?rss=yes
outcome at the age of 4.5 years in 216 children, born after expectant management of severe early-onset hypertensive complications of pregnancy.
Results
Fetal and neonatal mortality was 9% and 8%, respectively. Of the 178 survivors, 149 (84%) were seen for follow-up. Mean GA was 31.4 weeks and 90% were born growth restricted. Abnormal developmental outcome occurred in 20% and abnormal composite outcome in 37%.
Conclusion
Perinatal mortality or abnormal child development occurs in one third of pregnancies with early-onset and severe hypertensive complications and is highest in the lowest GA and BW ranges.

Intubation bot lets doctors safely shove tubes down unconscious human throats

http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/16/intubation-bot-lets-doctors-safely-shove-tubes-down-unconscious/
Dr. Thomas M. Hemmerling from McGill University Health Centre (who also helped develop the McSleepy anesthetic android) has created the world's first intubation robot. Called the Kepler Intubation System (KIS), it's a robotic arm with a video laryngoscope that's controlled via joystick -- allowing MDs to slide an endotracheal tube into any with minimal fuss and maximum safety.

Antenatal Steroids for 22-23 weeks gestation

http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476%2810%2901151-0/abstract
a retrospective analysis of 11 607 infants born at 22 to 33 weeks of gestation between 2003 and 2007 from the Neonatal Research Network of Japan.
Cox regression analysis revealed that ACS exposure was associated with a significant decrease in mortality of preterm infants born at 22 or 23 weeks of gestation (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.97; P = .03). This effect was also observed at 24 to 25 and 26 to 27 weeks of gestation and in the overall study population.
Conclusions

ACS exposure improved survival of extremely preterm infants. ACS treatment should be considered for threatened preterm birth at 22 to 23 weeks of gestation.

Antibiotic Exposure in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and the Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476%2811%2900238-1/abstract
Results

One hundred twenty-four cases of NEC were matched with 248 control subjects. Cases were less likely to have respiratory distress syndrome (P = .018) and more likely to reach full enteral feeding (P = .028) than control subjects. Cases were more likely to have culture-proven sepsis (P < .0001). Given the association between sepsis and antibiotic use, we tested for and found a significant interaction between the two variables (P = .001). When neonates with sepsis were removed from the cohort, the risk of NEC increased significantly with duration of antibiotic exposure. Exposure for >10 days resulted in a nearly threefold increase in the risk of developing NEC.
Conclusions

Duration of antibiotic exposure is associated with an increased risk of NEC among neonates without prior sepsis.