Optimally Controlled Diabetes and Its Influence on Neonatal Outcomes at a Level II Center: A Study on Infants Born to Diabetic Mothers

Background and Objectives: We investigated the effect of optimal maternal glycemic control on neonatal outcomes among infants born to mothers with diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we assessed 88 eligible mothers admitted to the obstetrics department for pregnancy evaluation. Our analysis included 46 infants born to diabetic mothers (IDMs) and 138 infants born to unaffected mothers, all admitted to the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Results: Mothers affected by diabetes were generally older and exhibited a higher body mass index (BMI) and a greater number of gestations, although parity did not differ significantly. Cesarean section emerged as the most frequently chosen mode of delivery. A significantly higher proportion of infants in the affected group presented with respiratory disease (3% vs. 19.5%), which required NICU admission (4.3% vs. 23.9%), phototherapy (18.1% vs. 43.5%), and had congenital heart defects or myocardial hypertrophy (15.2% and 26% vs. 3% and 4.3%) compared to matched controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study underscores the persistence of adverse neonatal outcomes in IDMs, even when maternal glycemic control is optimized. It calls for further investigation into potential interventions and strategies aimed at enhancing neonatal outcomes in this population.

The management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in a small for gestational age neonate - Case report

Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections are rare, normally acquired through vertical transmission in the peripartum period, usually manifesting before 14 days of life and being identified on the basis of history, clinical and laboratory evaluation. We present the case of a small for gestational age male infant born at 38 weeks gestational age with neonatal herpes simplex virus infection. The diagnosis was delayed because the attention was focused on an unidentified bacterial infection. In cases where a clinical picture suggestive of infection is described, with laboratory tests that support the diagnosis of infection, but with cultures that do not highlight bacterial or mycological agents, we must not forget about viral agents, specifically among those newborns from intrauterine growth restricted pregnancies. Neonatal HSV infections can be present even in the absence of herpetic vesicles in the newborn and even if the mother is asymptomatic.