Fetal alcohol syndrome: report of three siblings.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Haddad.
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In this study we used a single photon emission computed tomography technique (SPECT) with radiolabelled 99mTcHMPAO to assess cerebral perfusion in newborn infants with documented cerebral lesions and to determine to what extent brain SPECT might be useful in the neonatal period. A total of 15 newborn infants with the following cerebral pathologies were enrolled: severe parietal bilateral periventricular leucomalacia (PVL, n = 6); moderate parietal bilateral PVL (n = 2); intraventricular haemorrhage grade II with unilateral parietal parenchymal extension (IHV + PE, n = 3); cerebral infarction (CI, n = 2) in the zone of middle cerebral artery; and post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus (n = 2). Follow-up was available in all infants. Alterations in cerebral perfusion were seen in only 12 of 15 infants and at the location of severe PVL, PE and CI. We have noted that the regions of diminished perfusion extended beyond the apparent extent of cerebral pathology delineated by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Markedly diminished perfusion was seen in 1 infant with hydrocephalus, which recovered following placement of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Regarding outcome, SPECT data failed to provide additional information than that of neuroradiological investigations. We conclude that the use of SPECT, under these conditions, to assess alteration of cerebral perfusion in the neonatal period will not provide any additional information than that of neuroradiological investigations.
Penetration of cefprozil into the middle ear fluid was investigated in patients with chronic otitis media. A total of 89 patients ranging from 7 months to 11 years old participated in the study. The middle ear fluid was removed by ventilation tubes inserted through the tympanic membrane at times ranging from 0.38 to 5.97 h after oral administration of a single dose of 15 or 20 mg/kg of body weight. A blood sample was also collected as soon as the middle ear fluid was removed. Plasma samples were analyzed for the concentration of cefprozil by a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. Middle ear fluid samples were analyzed for the concentration of cefprozil by a microbiological assay. The concentrations of cefprozil in plasma ranged from 0.38 to 15.97 micrograms/ml at the 15-mg/kg dose level and from 1.28 to 21.47 micrograms/ml at the 20-mg/kg dose level. The corresponding middle ear fluid concentrations of cefprozil ranged from 0.06 to 4.44 micrograms/ml and from 0.17 to 8.67 micrograms/ml, respectively. Cefprozil penetrates well into middle ear fluid in patients with chronic otitis media.
PURPOSE: To compare the performance of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with histologically proved osteoid osteoma underwent CT and MR imaging before excision of the lesion. CT and MR images were compared regarding lesion conspicuity and detection of marrow, soft-tissue, and/or synovial changes adjacent to the primary lesion. RESULTS: CT was more accurate than MR imaging in detection of the osteoid osteoma nidus in 63% of cases. MR imaging was better than CT in showing intramedullary and soft-tissue changes in all cases. This may produce a misleading aggressive appearance on MR images. There was a statistically significant correlation between presence or absence of marrow or soft-tissue changes and treatment with antiinflammatory medications (P < .05). CONCLUSION: CT remains the best imaging modality for diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. MR images should not be interpreted without reference to plain radiographs and CT scans if serious errors in diagnosis are to be avoided.
In this study, we used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiolabelled 99mTc HMPAO to assess cerebral perfusion during maturation in the neonatal period. Results of SPECT examinations in 18 newborn infants, in whom gestational age ranged form 30 to 41 weeks, and who were found to be neurologically normal in retrospect, were reviewed. The developmental changes in cerebral perfusion during the neonatal period shown by SPECT parallel findings of other methods on maturational changes of the central nervous system (neuropathological studies, positron emission tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging). Cerebral perfusion progresses from the central part of the brain to the cerebellum, sensorimotor and then visual cortex. A close relation seems to exist between cerebral perfusion, metabolism and behavior under normal conditions in the neonatal period.
This study was designed to examine beta-nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in human cord blood by a two-site enzyme immunoassay using MAb 27/21 to mouse NGF and to determine whether beta-NGF levels show developmental changes. Blood was collected at delivery from 61 newborns, 55 neonates appropriate for gestational age (46 term infants and 9 premature infants), 5 neonates small for gestational age, and 1 neonate with congenital hydrocephalus. In addition, samples were collected from 2 microcephalic children (microcephaly vera) aged 15 and 18 mo, 2 control children, and 4 healthy adults. Mean levels of NGF in preterm infants (n = 9; 13.7 +/- 8 pg/mL) were significantly lower than levels in term infants (n = 47; 21.2 +/- 8.8 pg/mL; p = 0.034 by Mann-Whitney U test). There was no correlation between birth weight, length, head circumference, and beta-NGF levels. In microcephalic children, NGF levels were low (8 pg/mL) compared with control infants' values (22 pg/mL). In adults, beta-NGF levels were higher and ranged between 238 and 292 pg/mL. Our study demonstrates that beta-NGF levels can be assessed in human newborn sera using a two-site enzyme immunoassay with MAb 27/21 to mouse beta-NGF, that beta-NGF levels are extremely low in newborns compared with adults, that beta-NGF levels seems to show developmental changes, and that beta-NGF levels may be used to assess NGF utilization under normal and pathologic conditions such as cerebral malformations.
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is being used more frequently in neonatal intensive care units to avoid endotracheal intubation and its attendant complications. Nasal deformities secondary to the nares-occluding prongs employed to deliver the CPAP in former preterm infants have been recognized, and prevention and surgical treatment of these deformities are discussed. An awareness of the potential for these deformities is important to all pediatric otolaryngologists as nasal CPAP is gaining increasing favor as a primary treatment for respiratory disease of the newborn.
Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of an increasing number of diseases and inflammatory states. They may cause tissue damage by their chemical modification of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleotides, and lipids. Lipid peroxidation occurs as a consequence of free radicals acting on the polyunsaturated fatty acids of cellular membranes. To determine if free radicals play a role in the pathogenesis of otitis media, lipid peroxides and their by-products were assayed in the mucosa of a guinea pig model of otitis media. Both lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the tissues of the middle ear mucosa. Comparisons were made between an infected and a control group. Both LPO and MDA were found to be significantly elevated (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively) in the infected mucosa. Correlation of the biochemical data was made with histologic studies. The significance of these findings as well as suggestions for future experimentation are addressed.
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Acute otitis media is extremely common in children under 6 years of age. This article reviews the pathogenesis and epidemiology of this problem. Treatments are outlined, including choice of antibiotics, decision-making for tympanocentesis, and approaches to recurrent otitis media. Complications such as mastoiditis, although rare, still occur and are discussed. Prevention of acute otitis media also is reviewed, including information on vaccines.
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A newborn presented 1 week after birth with the sudden onset of stridor and respiratory distress. At endoscopy, the supraglottic and subglottic tissues were edematous and erythematous, and numerous plaquelike ulcers were seen on the mucosal surface. Cultures of the lesions yielded herpes simplex virus type 2. The infant required a prolonged course of acyclovir and remained intubated for 31 days, but ultimately had both virological and clinical cure. Evaluation and further treatment of this unusual presentation of herpes simplex virus are discussed, as are the implications of herpes infections in neonates.
BACKGROUND: Several devices are available for transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus. Most of these devices either require complicated intracardiac maneuvering, have not been tried in humans, or need a large-sized sheath for implantation of the device. METHODS AND RESULTS: During a 26-month period ending November 1992, 14 patients underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with an adjustable buttoned device delivered via a 7F sheath under an institutional review board-approved custom-made device protocol. The children were 15 months to 8 years of age with weight range of 7.2 to 19 kg. The patent ductus arteriosus measured from 2 to 7.5 mm (median, 3 mm) at the narrowest diameter and was conical, short, or tubular. They were occluded with devices measuring 15 to 20 mm. The ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow decreased (P < .01) from 1.9 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SD; range, 1.3 to 3.2) to 1.05 +/- 0.1 (1 to 1.3). Continuous murmur of patent ductus arteriosus disappeared in all except 1 patient. Small residual shunts were detected by color Doppler studies in 4 of 14 patients (29%). All patients were followed for 1 to 24 months (mean, 6 +/- 7 months). The device was intact in all patients, and no breakage of the wires was noted. No shunts were seen in 12 of 14 patients (86%), and minute residual shunts were seen in 2 children. No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the adjustable buttoned device is feasible and effective and can be accomplished via small 7F sheaths; a 7F sheath is adequate for all ductal sizes; and the adjustable length of the loop accommodated all types of patent ductus arteriosus. Clinical trials on a larger number of patients are warranted.
A chart review was undertaken of 30 patients who were presented to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1983 to 1990 and underwent surgical management for suspected subperiosteal abscess of the orbit (SPA). All patients had preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans. Twenty-seven of 30 CT scans were reevaluated, of which 20 (74%) demonstrated findings consistent with or suggestive of SPA. Opacified sinuses were seen in 100% of this study group. Abscess collections were found in 21 patients (70%). Predominant organisms included: Streptococcus pneumoniae (38%), Streptococcus pyogenes (33%), and Haemophilus influenzae (14%); Moraxella catarrhalis was not isolated and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from only one patient. CT scans were found to be accurate predictors of SPA in 16 (80%) of 20 patients. All patients did well following surgical intervention without visual or central nervous system sequelae. We conclude from this study that CT scans should be obtained when SPA is suspected, and antimicrobial therapy should be directed toward the bacteria isolated from these abscesses.
The authors report two cases of cutaneous recurrent herpes occurring after a neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) infection and comment on the role of acute or suppressive therapy by aciclovir (ACV). The two infants were not treated by ACV after the neonatal period. None of the recurrent cutaneous herpes episodes was followed by viral widespread. One case reported by Bergström et al on a relapse of HSV2 encephalitis occurring after a cutaneous herpes in a child argues for the use of ACV in recurrent herpes. However, ACV might alter host defense response to HSV2 infection in neonates and children. Thus, it seems not yet recommended to use ACV either as acute or suppressive therapy in recurrent cutaneous herpes unless a progression of the viral disease is noted.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the major features of enterovirus infections in the neonatal period based on our own experience. METHODS: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations concerning 21 neonates having experienced a Coxsackie B or an Echovirus infection between 1987 and 1991, were retrospectively reviewed. Aetiological diagnosis was made by classical viral isolation and/or by evidencing Coxsackie B-specific IgM antibodies with an immunocapture enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: In 13 neonates the infection occurred between June and September. The onset of clinical signs ranged from day 1 to day 25 after birth with two separate periods: before 7 days of age, suggesting a perinatal transmission of the virus, or beyond this date, more likely connected with a postnatal transmission. Clinical manifestations included hyperthermia, gastroenteritis, meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia and myocarditis, with a diphasic pattern in 6 cases. Most of the neonates improved gradually and developed normally. The Coxsackie B-specific IgM assay was the most rapid method whereas viral isolation, even though it took more time, was the most sensitive technique to establish the aetiological diagnosis in neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Enterovirus infections in neonates are difficult to diagnose and to differentiate from bacterial infections. A viral-like illness in the environment of the neonate allows the clinician to anticipate the clinical signs and a possibly fatal disease. Identification of the causal virus should be performed by both viral isolation and search for specific IgM antibodies. Treatment and prophylaxis are so far disappointing.
OBJECTIVE: To assess plasma acyclovir levels in pregnant women given oral acyclovir during late gestation and to determine the role and effect of oral acyclovir on asymptomatic shedding of virus in cases of recurrent genital herpes. METHODS: Five pregnant women with proven genital herpes isolate (herpes simplex virus [HSV] 2) after 37 weeks' gestation were studied. Oral acyclovir was administered every 8 hours at dosages of 300, 400, and 300 mg in two subjects, and 200 mg five times daily in the other three until delivery. Plasma acyclovir peak and trough levels were determined. Viral cultures were obtained from both the mothers and neonates at delivery. RESULTS: There was no difference in acyclovir plasma levels among the patients. Furthermore, acyclovir levels were comparable to those of nonpregnant adults. The drug failed to suppress asymptomatic shedding of virus and transmission of HSV 2 to the neonate in one of five of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that asymptomatic shedding of virus is not prevented by use of oral acyclovir during late gestation in proven recurrent genital herpes even though plasma acyclovir levels were within the normal range.