In this randomized trial, antenatal screening (at a median gestational age of 12 weeks 3 days) and treatment for hypothyroidism did not result in improved cognitive function in children at 3 years of age.

A mutation that abrogates the function of ADAM17, an enzyme that cleaves cell-surface proteins such as tumor necrosis factor α, was found to be associated with inflammatory skin and bowel disease in a pair of siblings.

Neonates with HSV and CNS involvement or skin, eye, and mouth disease were treated with IV acyclovir for 2 to 3 weeks, then acyclovir suppressive therapy or placebo for 6 months. Infants receiving acyclovir suppressive therapy had better neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The potential role of IV immune globulin in the management of neonatal sepsis has been suggested by several retrospective studies. In this international study involving 3493 infants with sepsis, IV immune globulin was not found to have any clinical benefit.

Mapping of the β-globin gene in families with overexpression of fetal hemoglobin (γ-globin) revealed deletions near the δ-globin locus, to which the repressive transcription factor BCL11A binds. Absence of the binding site leads to overexpression of the hemoglobin γ-chain and fetal hemoglobin.

In this study of 34,989 births, a PCR-based detection method was found to have reasonable sensitivity and specificity for identifying congenital CMV from either liquid or dried saliva. This advance has implications for a variety of potential detection strategies.

The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis is evolving. In this report, over 3000 cases from selected areas of the United States are described; from 1998 to 2007, the incidence of bacterial meningitis decreased by 31%, but the disease still often results in death.

A novel mutation in a Gγ-globin gene (hemoglobin Toms River) causes transient neonatal cyanosis and anemia because of alterations in the oxygen-binding pocket. The hemoglobin binds oxygen slowly and is not fully saturated, but this condition does not cause hypoxemia.

In this trial comparing prenatal repair of myelomeningocele with standard postnatal repair, the prenatal-surgery group had better outcomes and better mental and motor function at the age of 30 months. However, these benefits came with some increased risks.