Choroid plexus tumors: antenatal diagnosis and follow-up.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Gold.
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Serial ultrasound imaging of the brain was carried out in 87 preterm infants of 27 to 36 weeks' gestational age while they were in the special care nursery and during their first postnatal year. None had evidence of intracranial disease during the neonatal period and 94% had good neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age. Lateral ventricle area measurements were plotted against independent variables including postnatal age and head circumference at the time of the examination. The measurements increased as age and head circumference increased. During the first six weeks of life the mean (SD) postnatal head circumference growth velocity (rate of growth) was 0.53 (0.13) cm/week and the mean postnatal ventricular area growth velocity was 0.39 (0.19) mm2/week. A reference range for lateral ventricle area values was developed from these serial measurements in infants with documented good short term developmental outcome.
The association between measurements of lateral ventricle area (determined by serial ultrasound scans) and outcome was studied in 70 preterm neonates of 33 weeks' gestation or less. The study group was subdivided into four groups according to cranial ultrasonographic findings at 2 weeks postnatal age: group A (n = 15) had isolated periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage; group B (n = 20) had periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage and dilated ventricles; group C (n = 24) had periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia with or without dilated ventricles; and group D (n = 11) had isolated periventricular leukomalacia. Eighty seven preterm infants with no evidence of intracranial disease and good neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years formed the control group. A poor outcome was observed in infants in group B, C, and D, particularly in those who had persistent dilated ventricles at 6 weeks postnatal age and extensive periventricular leukomalacia. There was no difference in outcome between group A and controls. During the first six weeks of life ventricular area growth velocities were significantly higher in groups B, C, D, compared with normal controls and group A. We suggest that persistent ventricular dilatation at this early stage carries a bad prognosis, which is the result of atrophy of the brain.
Two antibiotic-susceptible and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains were administered to hospitalized premature infants in order to protect them from intestinal colonization by hospital-acquired antibiotic-resistant enteric organisms (EOs). Three groups of 16 premature newborns received respectively strain ECA, strain EMO and both strains simultaneously. A fourth group was used as a control. Resistant EOs became spontaneously established in the digestive tract of a majority of the unadministered children. Both ECA and EMO were able to colonize the digestive tract of a majority of the subjects, and reached high population numbers (greater than 10(7)/g) in the faeces. Both strains appeared as able to reduce significantly the establishment of antibiotic-resistant EOs. This effect was more prominent with EMO, which also impaired the implantation of ECA when both strains had been administered simultaneously. The use of such innocuous microorganisms could thus constitute an additional means of preventing nosocomial infections of intestinal origin.
In a randomized prospective trial, we investigated whether vancomycin (chosen for local microbiological reasons) given by instillation into the oropharynx of intubated neonates could reduce the frequency of pharyngeal and tracheal colonization, and then broncho pulmonary infection. Two groups of 20 neonates intubated for an expected ventilation period of more than 7 days were included in the study. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for weight, gestational age and duration of treatment. One group (V+) received 4 drops of a 5% solution of vancomycin every 8 h. The control group (V-) had no local treatment. Oropharyngeal and tracheal aspirates were collected twice weekly for bacterial examination. During ventilation, colonization occurred in the oropharynx of 5 V+ (on day 18 +/- 10) and 18 V- (on day 5 +/- 2.5; p less than 0.001); the colonization occurred in trachea of 5 V+ (on day 19 +/- 11) and 17 V- (on day 6 +/- 3.6; p less than 0.001). The same bacteria were identified on both sides in all infants colonized. This treatment produced no adverse effects and seemed particularly valid for very low birth weight infants.
The authors describe the measurement of cardiac output by Doppler echocardiography in neonates and infants. After reviewing theoretical considerations, the authors review the various practical aspects of the method. They emphasize the need for an excellent technique so that possible errors are avoided. In their experience, the most appropriate measurement site is at the sinotubular junction of the aorta, as the velocity signal is obtained by subcostal and the diameter measured by parasternal long axis view.
It is not yet known how important bacterial colonisation of the newborn is but in most maternity units this, when it occurs, is treated by parenteral antibiotic therapy. We have, in a prospective study, given antibiotics orally (amoxycillin or clavulanic acid-amoxycillin) in neonates who were colonised by bacteria, and have studied their clinical progress in the first month of life, using a questionnaire to be filled in by the parents. There were 119 neonates treated in 19 months and of these 87.4% of the parents replied to the questionnaires. The children did well in every case. A pharmacokinetic study showed that 76% of the amoxycillin given by mouth was absorbed. It seems, therefore, to us to be useful to give antibiotic treatment by mouth in these neonates.
The hospitalisation of low birth weight neonates has an effect on the parent-child relationship. A prospective study on the effects of returning home and on home conditions was conducted in the neonatal unit over a 6-month period. Fifty infants were included in the study. The results showed that difficulties in the parent-child relationship took place after the infant returned home in 11 cases (22%). Examination of the possible role of factors prior to or during the hospital stay indicated the significance of the following: premature delivery, disturbances during the childhood one of the parent's, and the infant's stay in neonatal intensive care unit.
Convention mechanical ventilation (MV) is installed after nasotracheal intubation by means of a volume generator or pressure reducer. Careful monitoring of the child's respiratory status is indispensable; sedatives and/or muscle relaxants may facilitate MV. The method is indicated in case of oxygen-resistant hypoxaemia or of global alveolar hypoventilation, or to cope with a severe general or neurological stress. While MV is being applied, there main and dangerous complications may occur: respiratory obstruction, pneumothorax and lower respiratory tract superinfection. Weaning must be progressive. As regards the practical handing of MV, the best way to adjust the respirator constants is to evaluate the time constant according to the nature of the lung disease and to the stage it has reached in its course. In the most severe situations, and particularly in case of hyaline membrane disease, one must try to obtain the best possible adequation between severity of the disease and ventilatory stress, without preestablished arbitrary limits.
An antibiotic-susceptible, innocuous Escherichia coli strain of human origin was administered to premature infants in order to protect them from nosocomial colonization by antibiotic-resistant enteric organisms. The strain was given to 16 untreated patients in the first six hours of life, and to 11 patients treated with antibiotics in the first six hours after cessation of treatment. The strain was able to colonize the intestinal tracts of all treated infants and 14/16 untreated infants. Colonization of these patients by antibiotic-resistant enteric organisms was compared with results obtained in a control group of 15 unadministered and untreated infants. A significant difference was recorded in the first ten days after administration. Our results show that previous antibiotic treatments did not impair intestinal colonization by an antibiotic-susceptible strain, and demonstrate the in vivo antagonistic abilities of the administered strain. Such antagonistic strains might thus be used for control of nosocomial infections of intestinal origin due to antibiotic-resistant enteric organisms.
A continuous-wave form Doppler monitor was used to examine the effect of caffeine on cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in 7 clinically stable preterm neonates suffering from apnea. Caffeine, in the form of caffeine citrate, or saline were given intravenously at loading doses of 20 mg/kg. Every subject was his own control. Placebo (saline) was systematically injected prior to caffeine citrate. Simultaneous recording of heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, TcPO2, TcPCO2 were made before, then at the end of the injection, and 30, 60 and 120 min after the end of each administration of either placebo or caffeine. Compared with placebo, caffeine injection was not associated with significant changes in CBFV. An increase was found in both heart-rate and respiratory rate (p less than 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure, TcPCO2 and TcPO2 did not change significantly. Our data suggest that a caffeine citrate loading dose of 20 mg/kg as currently used at the beginning of treatment of apnea in preterm neonates has no effect on CBFV.
Continuous wave Doppler monitor was used to examine the effect on cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) of caffeine in 7 clinically stable preterm neonates suffering from apnea. Caffeine, as caffeine citrate at a loading dose of 20 mg.kg-1 BW, or saline were given intravenously. Every subject was his own control. Placebo (saline) was systematically injected prior to caffeine citrate. Simultaneous recording of heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, Tc PO2, and Tc PCO2 were made before, at the end of the injection, and 30, 60 and 120 min after the end of each administration of either placebo or caffeine. Compared with placebo, caffeine injection was not associated with significant changes in CBFV. An increase was found in both heart rate and respiratory rate (p less than 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure, Tc PCO2 and Tc PO2 did not change significantly. Our data suggest that a caffeine citrate loading dose of 20 mg.kg-1 BW as currently used at the beginning of treatment of apnea in preterm neonates has no effect on CBFV.
The control of salmonellosis in the national livestock of the GDR is carried through on the basis of central regulations issued by the Head of the Veterinary Service. The crucial points of these programmes are zoo-sanitary, organizational and immunoprophylactic measures. The effectiveness of the immunoprophylaxis against salmonellosis in cattle and pigs has increased after using live vaccines. At present, the elimination of the host-adapted serovars and the decrease of serovars important for infections in man is focused on. Particular attention is payed to the serovars S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. The objective requires a well coordinated cooperation between the Veterinary Service and the Public Health Service.
The administration of the Escherichia coli (az) strain has already been used successfully to protect premature infants against intestinal colonization by nosocomial strains of antibiotic resistant enteric organisms. The purpose of the present study was to assess the protective value of this strain in older full term babies after cessation of an antibiotics treatment. Two groups of children treated with antibiotics of respectively 8-90 days and 3-12 months of age were studied and compared to two control groups of untreated children. In both groups of children, the implantation of E. coli az was higher in treated than in untreated subjects. The group of younger children was significantly less colonized by antibiotic resistant hospital acquired enteric organisms, whereas in 3-12 months old children non protective effect of E. coli az was recorded. Therefore, the antagonistic effect of the strain studied appeared as age dependent.
A 63-year-old woman with psoriatic arthritis developed arthralgias and shoulder girdle myalgias which were controlled with amitriptyline. Some months later she presented with headache, jaw claudication, weight loss, and chest pain. Anemia of chronic disease, cholestasis, steatorrhea, and pericardial effusion were noted. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) was diagnosed on temporal artery biopsy and prednisone was begun. Her symptoms rapidly abated but steatorrhea continued. It is suggested that these problems were related to GCA. Physicians need to be alert to the diverse presentations of GCA.
A case of subdural and intracerebral hematoma which appeared spontaneously in a neonate with severe hemophilia A is reported. This rare complication justifies some preventive measures in families at risk : antenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of sex, vitamin K administration to the mother at the end of pregnancy and plasma assay for factors VIII and IX in the male neonate. Clinical and ultrasonographic examination of the intracranial content must be repeated during the first week of life and specific replacement therapy must be instituted if the clinical condition requires it.
A six-month pilot study of variable weight training (VWT) was undertaken to assess its impact on body weight, pulmonary function, muscle size and strength, and social function in 12 adolescent and adult patients with moderately severe cystic fibrosis. Exercise for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has often been recommended as an adjunct to physical therapy, although aerobic exercise has not resulted in weight gain in CF. Compared to a three-month control period, six months of VWT resulted in significant increase in weight (2.88 kg, p less than .02), muscle size (1.6 to 1.8 cm upper arm, p less than .01), strength (increase from 16 to 32 muscle groups at normal strength, p less than .005), and decrease in residual volume (1.77 L, p less than .03) and RV/TLC (12.4 percent, p less than .02). There was no significant improvement in other measures of pulmonary or social function. VWT appears to be a form of exercise in which even moderately ill CF patients can engage safely, leading to desired weight gain and increased strength. These results warrant further study of the effects of VWT on pulmonary function and CF morbidity.
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