Neonatology: A Practical Approach to Neonatal Diseases

Neonatology: A Practical Approach to Neonatal Diseases

Neonatology is a science in rapid evolution, and updated information is crucial for the correct and successful care of
newborns and fetuses suffering from severe disorders, who until a few decades ago had no chance of survival.



Written in a clear and easy-to-follow way by the most renowned experts in the field, this new textbook wants to offer
to neonatologists and pediatricians a modern and complete view of the various problems and aspects of neonatology,
currently one of the most complex and advanced fields of pediatrics. The volume contains comprehensive, clear and up-to-
date descriptions of the current knowledge of neonatal diseases and of their pathophysiology and treatment, and
provides a selection of other relevant information with an evidence-based approach. Figures and diagrams are used to
improve understanding of complex problems, and references have been chosen to enable in-depth evaluation of clinical
problems. The text pays particular attention to the various diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures for which reliable
guidelines are not yet available. The use of summaries, tables, and accurately selected guidelines or recommendations
that will accompany the text will supply quick references and instant solutions to the concerned specialists during
their daily practice.


Table of Contents




1) EPIDEMIOLOGY Mortality and morbidity 2) GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERM AND PRETERM FOETUS AND NEWBORN The foetus
The newborn 3) THE FOETUS AT RISK Foetal and placental risk factors Genetics of congenital malformations Epigenetic
mechanisms Congenital malformations: early diagnosis and prognosis Pre- and postnatal inflammatory mechanisms
Chorioamnionitis Diagnosis of foetal distress Multiple pregnancies Intrauterine Growth Retardation Obstetric aspects
Neonatal aspects Intervention strategies 4) THE NEWBORN AT RISK FOR SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY
Common problems and their prevention Ethical problems Proposal of guidelines for care of extremely low birth infant
Decision-making Follow up of high risk newborns Early diagnosis of poor outcome Outcome of high risk newborns and
quality of neonatal intensive care CNS plasticity Care of handicapped infants and children 5) ORGANIZATION OF PERINATAL
CARE Overview Care of high risk newborns General recommendations and training of doctors and nurses Neonatal transport
services The problems of discharge and home care of newborns Risk management Guidelines and protocols Collaborative
learning and work The neonatal environment Information and psychosocial intervention in neonatology 6) NEONATOLOGY AND
THE LAW 7) "CARE" 8) PAIN IN NEWBORNS Pathophysiology Diagnosis and prevention 9) NEONATAL ANALGESIA AND ANAESTHESIA
10) NEONATAL CARE IN THE DELIVERY ROOM Initial management Approach to low risk newborns Early detection of neonatal
depression and asphyxia Resuscitation Oxygen toxicity 11) EXAMINATION OF NEWBORNS Physical examination Primary
investigations Second level investigations Early diagnosis of neonatal abnormalities 12) NEONATAL NUTRITION Overview
Physiology of the gastrointestinal tract Hormones and gastrointestinal function Nutritional recommendations for healthy
newborns, breast milk and promotion of breast feeding Nutritional recommendations for very low birth weight newborns
Enteral nutrition of low birth weight newborns Parenteral nutrition Postdischarge nutrition of preterm infants Calcium
homeostasis: - Pathophysiology - Calcium and phosphorus requirement Micronutrients and vitamins Safety of medication
during pregnancy and breastfeeding 13) INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS 14) INFANTS OF DRUG ADDICTED MOTHERS 15) INFANTS OF
SMOKING MOTHERS 16) NEONATAL PHARMACOLOGY 17) LUNG DISEASES Overview Lung embryology Neonatal pulmonary physiology of
term and preterm newborns. Approach to neonatal respiratory diseases Respiratory tract malformations Meconium
aspiration syndrome Molecular structure of surfactant: biochemical aspects Surfactant metabolism in neonatal lung
diseases Respiratory distress syndrome: predisposing factors, pathophysiology and diagnosis Respiratory disorders in
preterm and term infants: pulmonary haemorrhage, transient tachypnea, neonatal pneumonia Air leakage Chronic lung
disease Rare lung disease Persistent pulmonary hypertension and diaphragm hernia Treatment of respiratory failure. Non-
invasive ventilation Treatment of respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation Surfactant replacement therapy Nitric
oxide therapy in neonatology Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Problems of steroid treatment of fetus and newborn 18)
APNOEA Control of breathing in newborns Apnoea and risk of SIDS 19) NEONATAL CARDIOLOGY Cardiovascular physiology,
pathology, clinical investigations Early diagnosis of congenital heart disease. -when and how to treat Arrhythmias and
heart muscle diseases Neonatal blood pressure Hyperviscosity syndrome Patent ductus arteriosus 20) NEONATAL JAUNDICE
Bilirubin metabolism, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, physiological neonatal jaundice. Pathological unconjugated
hyperbilirubinemia, isoimmunization, red cells abnormalities, infections Pathological unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia,
liver uptake disorders, disorders of conjugation, disorders of enterohepatic circulation Treatment of
hyperbilirubinemia 21) LIVER DISEASES Pathology and treatment of liver diseases Conjugated jaundice Surgical treatment
of bile tract malformations 22) GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT Oropharyngeal malformations Oesophageal atresia Gastrointestinal
malformations and intestinal malrotation Rare surgical emergencies Meconium plug syndrome Hirshsprung disease
Gastroenteritis and intractable diarrhea Necrotizing enterocolitis Surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis 23)
FOETAL AND NEONATAL HYDROPS 24) HAEMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY Overview: Coagulation Disorders Pathophysiology of
coagulation and deficiencies of coagulation factors and platelets in newborns Risk of thrombosis in the newborns,
clinical and laboratory investigations Inflammation and thrombosis Clinical aspects of platelet disorders Red Blood
Cell Disorders Foetal and neonatal haemoglobin Neonatal anemia Therapy with haematological growth factors Leucocyte
Disorders Physiology and abnormalities of leukocytes Neonatal neutropenia Immunological Aspects Basis of foeto-neonatal
immunology Congenital immunodeficiency Inflammatory mediators in neonatal asphyxia 25) NEONATAL MALIGNANCIES 26) FOETAL
AND NEONATAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES Overview: Foetal Infections Rubella, HIV, HCV, HBV, Human Parvovirus B19 TBC, Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis Neonatal Infections Bacterial and Fungal Infections, sepsis (included prevention of perinatal GBS
infection), meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis, gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis,
miscellaneous (ophtalmia neonatorum, otitis, skin infections, tetanus) Septic shock Viral Infections: enterovirus,
respiratory syncytial virus, etc Vaccination of high risk newborns: laboratory aspects, clinical aspects 27) INBORN
ERRORS OF METABOLISM 28) NEONATAL ENDOCRINOLOGY Endocrine diseases of newborns Disorders of thyroid function Disorders
of sexual development Rare endocrine diseases 29) KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT DISEASES Pathophysiology of fetal and
neonatal kidneys Acute and chronic renal failure Diagnosis and treatment of renal and urinary tract malformations 30)
NEUROLOGY CNS development and causes of brain damage in foetus and newborn Coagulation and inflammation in the
development of brain damage Normal and abnormal neurobehavioral development of premature infants Neurological
examination of newborns Neonatal EEG Neuroimaging CNS malformations: Genetics aspects Prenatal diagnosis Post-natal
diagnosis Pathophysiology and biochemical basis of hypoxic-ischemic syndrome Clinical aspects and treatment of hypoxic-
ischemic syndrome Neuroprotective strategies Cerebral hemorrhage Stroke Neonatal seizures Perinatal CNS damage Timing
of brain damage Markers of fetal and neonatal brain damage Thrombosis in the development of brain damage Epidemiology
of brain damage Neuromuscolar disorders 31) NEONATAL ORTHOPAEDICS 32) DERMATOLOGY 33) OPHTALMOLOGY Malformations
Retinopathy of prematurity, epidemiology, athogenesis and basis of prevention Retinopathy of prematurity,
ophtalmological aspects of prevention, treatment APPENDIX Protocols