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Selected AbstractsInvestigation of prolonged neonatal jaundiceACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2000S Hannam Jaundice persisting beyond 14 d of age (prolonged jaundice) can be a sign of serious underlying liver disease. Protocols for investigating prolonged jaundice vary in complexity and the yield from screening has not been assessed. In order to address these issues, we carried out a prospective study of term infants referred to our neonatal unit with prolonged jaundice over an 18 mo period. Infants were examined by a paediatrician and had the following investigations: a total and conjugated serum bilirubin, liver function tests, full blood count, packed cell volume, group and Coombs' test, thyroid function tests, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels and urine for culture. One-hundred-and-fifty-four infants were referred with prolonged jaundice out of 7139 live births during the study period. Nine infants were referred to other paediatric specialties. One infant had a conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, giving an incidence of conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia of 0.14 per 1000 live births. Diagnoses included: giant cell hepatitis (n= 1), hepatoblastoma (n= 1), trisomy 9p (n= 1), urinary tract infections (n= 2), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (n= 3) and failure to regain birthweight (n= 1). Conclusions: In conclusion, a large number of infants referred to hospital for prolonged jaundice screening had detectable problems. The number of investigations may safely be reduced to: a total and conjugated bilirubin, packed cell volume, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level (where appropriate), a urine for culture and inspection of a recent stool sample for bile pigmentation. Clinical examination by a paediatrician has a vital role in the screening process. [source] Screening for factor XI deficiency amongst pregnant women of Ashkenazi Jewish originHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 6 2006R. A. KADIR Summary., A pilot study was conducted over a 6-month period to evaluate antenatal screening for factor XI (FXI) deficiency amongst Ashkenazi Jewish women booking for their pregnancy in a single obstetric unit. Fifty-four women of Ashkenazi Jewish origin were recruited during their visit for the routine first trimester ultrasound scan. They completed a questionnaire about their personal bleeding symptoms and had blood taken for FXI levels (FXI:C). Seven (13%) women had partial FXI deficiency. Five (9%) were newly diagnosed, and in the remaining two, the diagnosis was known previously. One infant with severe FXI deficiency was identified as a result of maternal testing. This study has shown that FXI deficiency is common amongst women of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and supports its antenatal screening in this population. However, further studies are required to evaluate its cost-effectiveness and the effect on pregnancy outcome. [source] Audit of feeding practices in babies <1200 g or 30 weeks gestation during the first month of lifeJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 7-8 2006Barbara E Cormack Aim: In 2002, the composition of the breast milk fortifier used in our hospital changed, giving increased protein and energy. We therefore decided to prospectively audit nutritional management in our unit and to compare nutritional intake and growth in our babies with published data. Methods: Data were prospectively collected over a 3-month period on infants <1200 g or 30 weeks gestation. Prescribed and delivered volumes of all parenteral and enteral fluids were recorded. Babies were weighed as per unit protocol. Results: Thirty-four infants met the audit criteria. Data are median (range). After the first week of life, energy and protein intakes were 147 (78,174) kcal/kg/day and 3.9 (2.1,4.8) g/kg/day respectively. Daily weight gain was 17 (,3.2,35.4) g/kg and was significantly associated with both energy and protein intakes (P < 0.001). However, standard deviation scores for weight fell from 0.15 (,1.9,2.0) at birth to ,1.0 (,2.9,0.8) by 36 weeks corrected age. Time to commencing enteral feeds was 1 (1,3) day and to full enteral feeds was 8 (5,28) days. One infant was diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis and eight with chronic lung disease. Mean protein intake was significantly lower in babies with chronic lung disease (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Overall, nutritional intakes and weight gain in this cohort of babies lie within the recommended ranges, although protein intakes in the smallest babies are at the lower end of the range. Enteral feeds are introduced early and advanced rapidly, but we have a low incidence of necrotising enterocolitis. However, babies still fell across weight centiles, suggesting that actual intakes for these tiny babies may be inadequate. [source] Oligozoospermia: recent prognosis and the outcome of 73 pregnancies in oligozoospermic couplesANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2006J. A. Van Zyl Summary The minimum value for each of the five main semen parameters, below which conception rarely occurred or did not occur at all, was calculated in a group of 1884 couples complaining of primary and secondary infertility: 304 conceptions including first as well as consecutive conceptions, occurred. The parameters evaluated were (minimum value calculated in this study between brackets) volume (1.0 ml), sperm count ml,1 (2.0 million), total sperm count (4.0 million), motility (10%), forward progression (2.0 MacLeod units: scale 1,4) and normal sperm morphology (3%). The pregnancy rate in the group of 308 oligozoospermic men and the minimum value of semen parameters were the cornerstones in determining the prognosis for oligozoospermic patients. A sperm count of >2.0 million ml,1 was considered relatively adequate for eventual conception judged by the 68 of 308 (22.1%) pregnancies that occurred among oligozoospermic men in this study, provided that the other five semen parameters showed values above the minimum value. In cases where the average sperm count was <2 million ml,1, the chances for conception became rare, viz five of 308 (1.6%). The total number of pregnancies in the group classified as oligozoospermic was 73 (23.7%). With these pregnancies there was no increase in the rate of foetal wastage and congenital abnormalities. Abortion occurred in 15.09% and ectopic pregnancy in 0.9% among first and consecutive pregnancies. One infant among the 56% boys and 44% girls was born with congenital abnormalities. Most of these infants had a normal birth mass of >2500 g. [source] Catheter-based closure of atrial septal defects in the oval fossa with the Amplatzer® device in patients in their first or second year of life,CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 7 2009G. Fischer MD Abstract Objective: To assess feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the use of Amplatzer® occluders in closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) in children in the first 2 years of life. Background: Although scattered reports on such closure have been published, no agreement consists on the policy. Methods: In 654 patients of all ages, closure was achieved in 632 (96.6%). Data were analyzed retrospectively in all 71 children where an attempt had been made to close the ASD before their second birthday. Results: Median age and body weight were 17.2 months (range 3.9,23.8) and 10.0 kg (range 3.8,14.5), respectively. Median fluoroscopy time was 13.6 min and median device size 15 mm. Successful closure was achieved in 68 children (95.8%). Three times the procedure was aborted: in one, the device repeatedly straddled the septum; in the other two, a small left atrium restricted the movement of the left-sided disc. One device embolized and was reimplanted after retrieval. One infant with multiple disorders died 6 days after closure from acute sepsis probably unrelated to the procedure. No other complications occurred. Only trivial shunts closing with time were registered during follow-up. Symptomatic patients profited markedly from closure. Conclusion: The results and complications of ASD closure with the Amplatzer® device in patients in their first 2 years of life compare favorably with procedures in older patients, provided that the size of the septum and the dimensions in the left atrium are taken into consideration when selecting the size of the device. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Methadone-exposed newborn infants: outcome after alterations to a service for mothers and infantsCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2007J. Miles Abstract Objective, To evaluate the impact of a shared care approach in clinical management with a drug liaison midwife (DLM) service for mothers and infants established in 1995,1996 in an inner city area and to address the problem of congenital abnormality and microcephaly with fetal drug exposure. Methods, Descriptive analysis of data in live births of women enrolled in a methadone maintenance programme in 1991,1994 (n = 78) and 1997,2001 (n = 98), including time spent in hospital, treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), admission to the neonatal medical unit (NMU) and follow-up for child health checks. Results, In 1997,2001 compared with 1991,1994, the mothers used more methadone in the last week of pregnancy (median 40.0 mg/day vs. 21.5 mg/day, P = 0.0006) and there were more preterm deliveries (36% vs. 21%, P = 0.03). The infants spent less time in hospital (median 5 days vs. 28 days, P < 0.0001), a smaller proportion had treatment for NAS (14% vs. 79%, P < 0.0001), and NMU admission was reduced (median 14 days vs. 26 days, P < 0.0003). Neonatal convulsions (P = 0.0001) and jaundice (P < 0.001) occurred less frequently, and more infants were breastfed (P = 0.001). One infant in each study group had a cleft palate and none had microcephaly. Child health checks for 18,24 months showed a favourable outcome in 1997,2001. Conclusions, We altered antenatal care and modified neonatal management, subsequently infants spent less time in hospital and NMU admissions were reduced with less NAS treatment. Congenital abnormalities and microcephaly were not common and as regular child health checks were possible, the impact of the DLM service in shared management merits further investigation, for mother,infant bonding and developmental outcome. [source] A simple method to reduce the inspiratory oxygen fraction for high pulmonary blood flow patients in an operating roomPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 12 2007AYAKO ASAKURA MD Summary Background:, Low inspired oxygen acutely increases pulmonary vascular resistance and decreases pulmonary-systemic blood flow ratio. We present a simple method to lower inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2 < 0.21) without supplemental nitrogen, during mechanical ventilation by an anesthesia machine. Methods:, After institutional approval, seven healthy adult volunteers and three infants (0,12 month old) scheduled for congenital heart surgery were enrolled in this study. All the infants were diagnosed with congestive heart failure because of high pulmonary blood flow and were thought to benefit from low FIO2. The volunteers performed spontaneous ventilation (fresh air flow rate = 10 l·min,1, tidal volume = 600 ml, frequency = 10 br·min,1). The infants were mechanically ventilated with air (fresh air flow rate = 6 l·min,1, tidal volume = 10 ml·kg,1, 15 < frequency < 30 br·min,1 to adjust PaCO2 between 5.8 kPa and 6.5 kPa (45,50 mmHg), after induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. The fresh gas flow rates were determined by the following formula. Fresh gas flow rate = (FIO2 , FEO2) EVE/(0.21 + FIO2 , FEO2 , target FIO2). We recorded FIO2 every 5 min for 30 min. When arterial oxygen saturation decreased >15%, fresh gas flow rates were increased to adjust FIO2 to 0.21. Results:, In all of the seven volunteers and three infants target FIO2 was achieved in <10 min. FIO2 was kept at 0.18 ± 0.01 (SD) by calculated fresh air flow rates. In one infant, SpO2 decreased >15% 20 min after lowering FIO2, we had to discontinue this study, and increase fresh gas flow to ventilate the infant with FIO2 0.21. In the other two infants, FIO2 was maintained throughout the study. Conclusions:, This simple and convenient method to decrease FIO2, has a utility in clinical situations, in which pulmonary vascular resistance is to be increased to improve systemic oxygen delivery in patients with high pulmonary blood flow during cardiac surgery. [source] Case of congenital infection with Candida glabrata in one infant in a set of twinsPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002Hirokazu Arai No abstract is available for this article. [source] Domperidone versus cisapride in the treatment of infant regurgitation and increased acid gastro-oesophageal reflux: a pilot studyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2009Badriul Hegar Abstract Aim: Although domperidone is used frequently to treat infant regurgitation, efficacy data are scarce. Cisapride was previously used in the same indication. Methods: Domperidone and cisapride were compared in an investigator-blinded, prospective comparative trial by evaluating (a) the frequency of regurgitation, (b) acid reflux and (c) cardiac side effects in infants regurgitating >4 times/day since >2 weeks and with reflux-associated symptoms of discomfort, after conservative treatment failure. Results: Within the first treatment week, the frequency of regurgitation decreased in both groups, more rapidly in the cisapride group: the median regurgitation decreased from 6.22 to 3.50 in the cisapride group versus from 4.80 to 3.70 in the domperidone group. The decrease in regurgitation was still significant after 1 month: cisapride from 6.22 to 1.55 versus domperidone from 4.80 to 1.25. However, the natural decrease in the incidence of regurgitation induced by age should also be considered. The median reflux index decreased after 1 month in the cisapride group from 3.60 to 1.75 versus from 2.70 to 2.45 in the domperidone group. One child treated with cisapride developed a significant QT prolongation. Conclusion: The decrease in regurgitation was comparable in both groups, although acid reflux decreased more in the cisapride group. Cisapride induced QT prolongation in one infant. [source] Infant carrying: The role of increased locomotory costs in early tool developmentAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2007C.M. Wall-Scheffler Abstract Among the costs of reproduction, carrying one's infant incurs one of the greatest drains on maternal energy, simply because of the added mass alone. Because of the dearth of archaeological evidence, however, how early bipeds dealt with the additional cost of having to carry infants who were less able to support their body weight against gravity is not particularly well understood. This article presents evidence on the caloric drain of carrying an infant in one's arms versus having a tool with which to sling the infant and carry her passively. The burden of carrying an infant in one's arms is on average 16% greater than having a tool to support the baby's mass and seems to have the potential to be a greater energetic burden even than lactation. In addition, carrying a baby in one's arms shortens and quickens the stride. An anthropometric trait that seems to offset some of the increased cost of carrying a baby in the arms is a wider bi-trochanteric width. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] |