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Biomedical subjects

J Standen

Publications and source records attributed to J Standen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

[Early erythropoietin use for the prevention of anemia in infant premature].

BACKGROUND: Anemia is common among very low birth weight newborns and requires frequent blood transfusions. Erythropoietin was been reported to be useful in the prevention of this anemia. AIM: To assess the benefits of early (before the third week of life) Human recombinant Erythropoietin (r-EPO) administration to reduce the requirement of blood transfusions in very low birth weight newborns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty newborns under 1500 g of birthweight were randomly assigned to receive r-EPO (n = 29) or placebo (n = 31) three times per week, during four weeks. Packed red cell volume and reticulocyte counts were measured weekly. Serum erythropoietin was measured prior to eighth dose. Transfusion requirements were recorded. RESULTS: r-EPO reduced transfusions from 1.41 +/- 1.1 to 0.69 +/- 1 transfusions/newborns (p < 0.001). At the fourth week of treatment, reticulocyte count was 14.8 +/- 7 and 6.4 +/- 4.9% in the active treatment group and placebo group respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: r-EPO reduces the requirement of transfusions in low birth weight infants.

Anemia, Neonatal↗

The effect of early dexamethasone administration on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried to evaluate the effect of early administration of dexamethasone on the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and/or death in surfactant-treated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). STUDY DESIGN: In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 109 preterm infants with RDS and birth weights between 700 and 1600 gm, who were treated with mechanical ventilation and surfactant, were randomly assigned before 36 hours of life to receive dexamethasone (n = 55) or placebo (n = 54) for 12 days. RESULTS: There were no differences in the incidence of BPD and/or death between groups. However, fewer patients in the dexamethasone group were oxygen-dependent at 36 weeks after conception (8% vs 33%, p < 0.05). The dexamethasone group had a lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (0% vs 9%, p < 0.05). The incidence of arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, and sepsis was not affected by the treatment. Basal and poststimulation serum cortisol levels did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: The administration of dexamethasone early in the course of RDS does not decrease the incidence of BPD and/or death in preterm infants. However, dexamethasone may reduce oxygen dependency at 36 weeks after conception.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Gas-filled liposomes as echocardiographic contrast agents in rabbits with myocardial infarcts.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated gas-filled liposomes as echocardiographic contrast agents in rabbits with myocardial infarcts. METHODS: Ten rabbits underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Five animals underwent echocardiography before and after production of myocardial infarct (MI) and four animals had post-MI imaging only. In either case, images were obtained before and after injection of a single dose of 1 mL of gas-filed liposomes. Three radiologists blinded to clinical information reviewed the pre- and postcontrast images and assessed endomyocardial border definition, wall motion, confidence levels for normal versus abnormal wall motion and visualization of papillary muscle and mitral valve. RESULTS: Postcontrast scans showed significant improvement (P < .05) in endomyocardial border definition, visualization of wall motion, papillary muscle and mitral valve as well as increased reader confidence level. CONCLUSIONS: These results are encouraging and suggest that gas-filled liposomes may be a useful contrast agent for echocardiography.

Animals↗