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Biomedical subjects

J E Rawson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Rawson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Metabolism and disposition of indomethacin in preterm infants.

38 preterm infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus received indomethacin intravenously. Plasma samples were collected at 2, 4, 6 or 8 and 12 h after each of 3 doses. Indomethacin, demethylindomethacin and p-chlorobenzoic acid were determined in plasma and urine along with acid-labile metabolites using HPLC. Fifty-eight percent of the infants demethylated indomethacin; half of the unchanged and demethylated drug was found as conjugates in urine; 14% deacylated the drug. Shorter elimination half-life, smaller area under the plasma concentration-time curves and increased plasma clearance were associated with demethylation. Postnatal age greater than 2 weeks correlated with both demethylation and failure of indomethacin to effect ductal closure.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1990

Intravenous gamma globulin as adjunct therapy for severe group B streptococcal disease in the newborn.

Group B streptococcal (GBS) disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns despite aggressive antibiotic and supportive therapy. Recent success with the prophylactic use of intravenous gamma globulin (IVIg) in newborns suggests that use of IVIg may be an additional therapy for infants with severe GBS disease. Eighty-four infants with GBS antigen in serum, urine, and in some cases spinal fluid were identified by a rapid latex agglutination assay. Twenty-four of these infants had both neutropenia and serum GBS antigen titers of 1:10 or greater and had the highest risk of dying from their infection. Before the availability of IVIg, seven of the first 12 of these infants identified with the highest risk factors died (58%). Twelve additional patients with these highest risk factors have been treated with IVIg. Two of these 12 died (17%), p less than 0.01 when compared with the previous highest risk group. In surviving patients in both IVIg-treated and non-IVIg-treated groups, the time for recovery from neutropenia was 2 to 4 days. Our study suggests a possible beneficial effect of IVIg as adjunct therapy in severe GBS disease.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pedi-pack transfusion in a newborn intensive care unit.

Two hundred and ninety-one transfusions using 221 pediatric frozen red blood cell packs (Pedi-Packs) were given to 141 newborn babies and infants in the newborn intensive care unit. In 18 patients, 47 transfusions were studied for transfusion and clinical characteristics. Two possible hemolytic episodes are described in detail and remain unexplained. Blood loss for laboratory tests was found to average 3.1 ml/kg per day spent in the newborn intensive care unit. The rise in hematocrit was found to be excellent. Overall, the transfusion of thawed pediatric red blood cell packs was found to be convenient, safe and effective. Because of pretesting possibilities with the use of this source of red blood cells, one of the problems associated with a walking donor program is eliminated.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Problems with a walking donor transfusion program.

A walking donor transfusion program is outlined in detail. A total of 205 transfusions from 72 walking donors were given to 57 newborns in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit over a nine-month period. The average recipient weighed 1,762 g and the average transfusion was 15 ml of blood. Because a suitable walking donor was not always available when a transfusion was needed, 19 units of regular adult blood were also used to support the program. No immediate or delayed transfusion reactions were noted, but one fatal incident of serum hepatitis transmission occurred. Our experience suggests that a walking donor program carries an inherent significant risk of transmission of hepatitis and alternative methods with strict blood bank control are needed to assure maximum safety in neonatal transfusion.

Adult↗