Background: The low yield and quality of buccal-derived genomic DNA have reduced its applicability in various genetic research. The aim of this study was to assess the quantity, purity and genotyping efficiency of genomic DNA isolated from neonatal buccal swabs. Methods: Paired buccal swabs and whole blood samples were collected from 60 neonates with the mean age 5 days (SD=1.57). The genomic DNA quantity and purity were measured by using Infinite® 200 PRO NanoQuant reader and agarose gel electrophoresis. High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was used to analyse the sequence variants present in uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1 c.211G>A) and nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 3 (NR1I3 IVS8+116T>G) genes. Results: Buccal swabs provided lower mean genomic DNA concentration (18.78 ± 8.39 ng/μl versus 40.02 ± 13.03 ng/μl), yield (2.63 ± 1.17 μgversus8.00 ± 2.61 μg). The purity of buccal samples however were inconsistent with 16 samples (26.7%) having A260/280 ratios below 1.8 which indicated protein contamination. Genomic DNA purity for all blood samples were within the ideal range with average absorbance ratios of 1.8−2.0. However, all buccal genomic DNA demonstrated 100% genotype call rates for all variants. A complete genotype concordance was also observed between paired genomic DNA samples. Conclusion: Despite related to a reduced quantity and purity, neonatal buccal genomic DNA could generate reliable HRM genotyping results. Therefore, buccal swab collection is a promising alternative to the invasive blood sampling to provide genomic DNA for genetic analysis involving paediatric population.
Neonatal mastitis and abscess are rare and most often unilateral. Neonatal breast massage for physiological breast hypertrophy is suspected to be a predisposing factor in the case reported here: a 14-day-old neonate with bilateral neonatal breast abscess, treated effectively with intravenous cloxacillin and surgical aspiration.
Caregiving for children with cerebral palsy (CP) has proved to negatively impact on the physical and psychological well-being of their primary caregivers. The aim of the current study was to examine the overall impact of caregiving for children with CP on the primary caregivers' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and family functioning, and to identify potential factors associated with primary caregivers' HRQOL and family functioning. The cross-sectional study involved a total of 159 primary caregivers of children with CP with a mean age of 42.8 ± 8.4 years. Demographic data and information on the physical and leisure activities of the primary caregivers were collected, and their quality of life (QOL) was measured based on the self-reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM). Primary caregivers in the current study have shown good HRQOL and family functioning, with scores of 82.4 and 85.3 out of 100, respectively. Through multiple linear regression analyses, the mother's level of education, family monthly income, sleeping problems in children with CP, and the existence of children with other types of disability have been identified as factors contributing to HRQOL and family functioning. The findings help set out the course for stakeholders to establish action to enhance the QOL of primary caregivers.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disorder attributed to an ischaemic stimulus in preterm infants. Haemoglobin, the main component for oxygen transportation, may be implicated in ROP development. This retrospective study compared the mean weekly haemoglobin levels between infants with and without ROP over the first six weeks of life. Premature infants of less than 32 weeks gestational age and less than 1.5 kg birth weight were grouped into age and birth weight-matched ROP cases and controls. Weekly mean haemoglobin levels were documented. An independent t-test was used to analyze the difference in mean haemoglobin levels between infants with ROP and infants without ROP. Adjustment for confounders was performed using one-way analysis of covariance. There was a statistically significant difference in adjusted mean haemoglobin levels between the ROP and non-ROP group during the first week of life (p = 0.038). No significant intergroup differences were observed at the other weeks. Haemoglobin monitoring during the first week of postnatal life may be useful to guide ROP screening in premature infants.