Clinical analysis of the difference between full-term and preterm infants with purulent meningitis / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To discuss and compare the clinical characteristics and difference of full-term and preterm neonatal purulent meningitis(NPM),for early diagnosis and reasonable treatment.Methods 72 newborns with NPM were collected.According to the gestational age,33 cases were divided into the full-term group(37-42 weeks) and 39 cases were divided into the preterm group (＜37 weeks).The clinical data,symptoms and signs,the related infection,the lab tests of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and pathogenic examination were analyzed and compared.Results The sex,the day age of hospital admission and onset between the two groups were no difference(P＞0.05).The rate of low-birth weight infant was 6.1％,which was significantly lower than preterm neonates(59.0 ％)(P＜0.05).The mainly clinical manifestations of full-term newborns with NPM were fever(75.8 ％),convulsions (45.5％),poor response(78.8％),and poor eating milk(45.5％).But the mainly clinical manifestations of preterm neonates with NPM were jaundice(30.8 ％),apnea(20.5 ％) and lower muscular tension(61.5 ％).There were 17 cases(51.5 ％) with NPM combined with septicemia in the full-term group,which was more than preterm neonates(20.5 ％)(P＜0.05).According to the results of the lab tests,18 full-term neonates (54.5 ％) with NPM with increased CRP levels were more than preterm neonates (28.2 ％) (P＜0.05).Besides,the preterm NPM neonates showed higher protein levels (2.35 ± 0.78) g/L and lower glucose(1.84 ±0.69) mmol/L in cerebrospinal fluid than these in the full-term group(P＜0.05).However,there was only 2 full-term NPM neonate with a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture,and 15 patients with a positive blood culture(8 full-term neonates and 7 preterm neonates).Conclusion Because of the atypical clinical characteristics and difference between the full-term neonates and the preterm neonates,the clinical symptoms and signs of neonates should be closely monitored.Therefore,it's suggested that the early diagnosis and reasonable treatment be a key plan for the low mortality and disability.

Clinical analysis of the difference between full-term and preterm infants with purulent meningitis / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To discuss and compare the clinical characteristics and difference of full-term and preterm neonatal purulent meningitis(NPM),for early diagnosis and reasonable treatment.Methods 72 newborns with NPM were collected.According to the gestational age,33 cases were divided into the full-term group(37-42 weeks) and 39 cases were divided into the preterm group (＜37 weeks).The clinical data,symptoms and signs,the related infection,the lab tests of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and pathogenic examination were analyzed and compared.Results The sex,the day age of hospital admission and onset between the two groups were no difference(P＞0.05).The rate of low-birth weight infant was 6.1％,which was significantly lower than preterm neonates(59.0 ％)(P＜0.05).The mainly clinical manifestations of full-term newborns with NPM were fever(75.8 ％),convulsions (45.5％),poor response(78.8％),and poor eating milk(45.5％).But the mainly clinical manifestations of preterm neonates with NPM were jaundice(30.8 ％),apnea(20.5 ％) and lower muscular tension(61.5 ％).There were 17 cases(51.5 ％) with NPM combined with septicemia in the full-term group,which was more than preterm neonates(20.5 ％)(P＜0.05).According to the results of the lab tests,18 full-term neonates (54.5 ％) with NPM with increased CRP levels were more than preterm neonates (28.2 ％) (P＜0.05).Besides,the preterm NPM neonates showed higher protein levels (2.35 ± 0.78) g/L and lower glucose(1.84 ±0.69) mmol/L in cerebrospinal fluid than these in the full-term group(P＜0.05).However,there was only 2 full-term NPM neonate with a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture,and 15 patients with a positive blood culture(8 full-term neonates and 7 preterm neonates).Conclusion Because of the atypical clinical characteristics and difference between the full-term neonates and the preterm neonates,the clinical symptoms and signs of neonates should be closely monitored.Therefore,it's suggested that the early diagnosis and reasonable treatment be a key plan for the low mortality and disability.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34-Positive Cells as Predictors of the Incidence and Short-Term Outcome of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neurological handicap in developing countries. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD34-positive (CD34⁺) stem cells exhibit the potential for neural repair. We tested the hypothesis that hUCB CD34⁺ stem cells and other cell types [leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs)] that are up-regulated during the acute stage of perinatal asphyxia (PA) could play a role in the early prediction of the occurrence, severity, and mortality of HIE. METHODS: This case-control pilot study investigated consecutive neonates exposed to PA. The hUCB CD34⁺ cell count in mononuclear layers was assayed using a flow cytometer. Twenty full-term neonates with PA and 25 healthy neonates were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The absolute CD34⁺ cell count (p=0.02) and the relative CD34⁺ cell count (CD34+%) (p<0.001) in hUCB were higher in the HIE patients (n=20) than the healthy controls. The hUCB absolute CD34⁺ cell count (p=0.04), CD34⁺% (p<0.01), and Hobel risk scores (p=0.04) were higher in patients with moderate-to-severe HIE (n=9) than in those with mild HIE (n=11). The absolute CD34⁺ cell count was strongly correlated with CD34⁺% (p<0.001), Hobel risk score (p=0.04), total leukocyte count (TLC) (p<0.001), and NRBC count (p=0.01). CD34+% was correlated with TLC (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: hUCB CD34⁺ cells can be used to predict the occurrence, severity, and mortality of neonatal HIE after PA.

Evaluation of TSH Levels in the Program of Congenital Hypothyroidism Newborn Screening in a Pilot Study of Preterm Newborns in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Preterm infants (<37 weeks of gestation) have low levels of thyroid hormones due to multiple factors. Objective: To evaluate levels of thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH) in the program congenital hypothyroidism (CH) newborn screening in a sample of preterm infants in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: The Secretaría de Salud Distrital screening protocol for CH (blood sample is collected from the umbilical cord in all the newborns) remeasured the serum TSH and heel TSH when preterm infants completed 37 weeks of gestation. Results: A total of 59 preterm neonates were rescreened, of which 2 neonates had elevated levels of TSH and 1 neonate had transient hypothyroxinemia. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov 2-sample/bilateral statistical test was used to compare the neonatal TSH levels of preterm and full-term newborns, which do not follow the same distribution. Conclusion: In our pilot study, 2 of the rescreened infants presented high levels of TSH and 1 had transient hyperthyrotropinemia, suggesting the need for rescreening of preterm infants. Additionally, a larger study should be performed to determine the screening cutoff values for preterm newborns.

Clinical evaluation of Calsurf in treating full-term neonatal respiratory distress syndrome / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of domestic exogenous pulmonary surfactant (EPS)-Calsurf in treating full-term neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods (1) From January 2011 to June 2012,154 full-term neonates with RDS were divided into Calsurf group (74 cases) and Curosurf group (80 cases),comparing differences in changes of arterial blood gas,the length of hospital stay,hospitalization expenses,duration of mechanical ventilation,inspired oxygen time,the incidences of complications and repeated EPS use rates between two groups.(2) In order to compare the effectiveness of different doses of Calsurf in treating full-term neonatal RDS,from July 2012 to March 2013,80 RDS patients who received Calsurf were divided into mild-moderate group (grade Ⅱ ～ Ⅲ on chest X-ray,50 cases) and severe group (grade Ⅳ on chest X-ray,30 cases).Furthermore,each group was divided into two subgroups,which were low-dosage(per-time 30 ～40 mg/kg) and high-dosage group (per-time 30 ～40 mg/kg).Results (1) Before administrating Calsurf and after administrating it at 0.5 h and 6 h,the pH,PaCO2 and PaO2 of RDS patients were no significant difference in two groups (P ＞ 0.05).(2) There were no significant difference between the duration of mechanical ventilation,inspired oxygen time,length of hospital stay in two groups (P ＞ 0.05).But the hospitalization expenses in Calsurf and Curosurf groups were 28.778 versus 31.827 thousand yuan,respectively,with the average reduction of 9.6％ in Calsurf group (P ＜ 0.05).(3) There were no significant difference between the morbidities and mortalities of multiple organ failure,persistent pulmonary hypertension,acute renal failure and pneumothorax in two groups (P ＞ 0.05).(4) In mild-moderate grade RDS patients,the low-dosage or high-dosage of Calsurf had similar effectiveness in improving bloog gas (P ＞ 0.05),the repeated Calsurf use rates of both subgroups were 16.0％ (4/25) and 20.0％ (5/25) (P ＞ 0.05).While in severe RDS patients,high-dosage Calsurf got a better effectiveness in improving bloog gas than low-dosage Calsurf(P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the repeated Calsurf use rates of the low-dosage and high-dosage subgroups were 20.0％ (3/15) and 33.3％ (5/15),with a 40％ reduction in high-dosage subgroup.Conclusion (1) Both Calsurf and Curosurf can significantly improve the conditions of hypoxemia and hypercapnia,moreover,the length of hospital stay and duration of mechanical ventilation of both groups are similar,with less hospitalization expense in Calsurf group.(2) Both low and high-dosage Calsurf have similar curative effect on mild-moderate RDS,but for severe RDS,high-dosage Calsurf works better,reducing the repeated EPS use rate to some extent.

Diagnóstico por imagem e aspectos clínicos da trombose venosa cerebral em recém-natos a termo sem dano cerebral: revisão em 10 anos / Imaging diagnosis and clinical findings of cerebral venous thrombosis in full-term neonateswithout brain damage: a ten-year review

OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar os métodos de imagem e os aspectos clínicos em quatro recém-natos a termo diagnosticados como trombose venosa cerebral, sem dano encefálico, adscritos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Revisão em 10 anos com quatro casos diagnosticados como trombose venosa cerebral por meio de ultrassonografia transfontanela com Doppler e confirmados por ressonância magnética/angiorressonância, correlacionados aos aspectos clínicos e evolução neurológica. RESULTADOS: A ultrassonografia foi normal em 75 por cento dos casos e a ressonância magnética, em 100 por cento. No caso alterado, a dilatação venosa foi identificada. O Doppler e a angiorressonância estavam alterados em 100 por cento dos casos. Dos aspectos clínicos, a hipóxia (100 por cento) e a convulsão precoce (100 por cento) predominaram, com potencial evocado alterado em 50 por cento dos casos. Na avaliação do neurodesenvolvimento, todas as áreas estiveram dentro da normalidade até a última avaliação. CONCLUSÃO: A ultrassonografia associada ao Doppler é capaz de identificar as alterações da trombose venosa cerebral, devendo ser complementada com a ressonância magnética, que é o padrão ouro de diagnóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare imaging methods and clinical findings of cerebral venous thrombosis in four full-term neonates without brain damage, admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten-year review of four cases diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis by transfontanellar ultrasonography associated with Doppler fluxometry and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography in correlation with clinical findings and neurological progression. RESULTS: Ultrasonography presented normal results in 75 percent of cases and magnetic resonance imaging in 100 percent. Doppler fluxometry and magnetic resonance angiography were abnormal in 100 percent of cases. Hypoxia (100 percent) and early seizures (100 percent) were predominant among clinical findings with evoked potential changes in 50 percent of cases. In the assessment of the neurodevelopment all the areas remained within normality parameters up to the conclusion of the present study. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography in association with Doppler can identify changes related to cerebral venous thrombosis and should be complemented with magnetic resonance imaging that is the gold standard for diagnosis in these cases.

The Difference between Clinical Manifestations and Feeding or Delivery Methods in Healthy Full-term Neonates and Those with Nosocomial Rotaviral Infection

PURPOSE: Rotavirus is the main cause of infantile diarrheal disease worldwide. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference between clinical manifestations and feeding or delivery methods in healthy full-term neonates and those with nosocomially-acquired rotaviral infection. METHODS: The study was conducted on 348 babies who were delivered in Dongguk University Kyongju Hospital from Jan 1 to June 30 in 2001. Stool specimens were collected from clinically symptomatic neonates. We studied the rate of positive stool rotazyme ELISA tests and positive symptoms. We compared the frequency of clinical manifestations according to the feeding methods [breast feeding(BF) or formula feeding(FF)] and the delivery methods[normal vaginal delivery(NVD) or Cesarean section(C/sec)]. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 152 of 348 babies. The rate of positive rotazyme ELISA test was 43.7% in healthy full-term symptomatic neonates. The most common symptom of rotaviral enteritis was mild fever; the others were watery diarrhea, abdominal distension, vomiting, delayed weight gain, irritability, poor oral intake and dehydration. Compared with FF neonates, BF neonates have lower frequency of symptoms, especially watery diarrhea, delayed weight gain and poor oral intake. The symptomatic frequency was higher in FF and NVD neonates than BF and C/sec. CONCLUSION: The symptoms of rotaviral enteritis were less frequent in BF or C/sec delivered neonates. BF appeared to alleviate the rotaviral enteritis but further studies are needed. The cause of the lower frequency of symptoms in C/sec delivered neonates was unknown.

Study of Nosocomial Infection of Rotavirus in Preterm and Full-term Neonates

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to investigate rotavirus infection by comparing clinical characteristics of the nosocomial infection of rotavirus between preterm and full-term neonates. METHODS: The subjects were admitted from May to December, 1996. In 71 preterms, 44 were Rotazyme positive, 27 were negative, and in 321 full-terms, 64 were Rotazyme positive, 257 were negative. We studied the rate of positive Rotazyme ELISA test and positive symptoms. We compared clinical manifestations and parameters between both groups. Stools were examined with occult blood, stool culture and Rotazyme ELISA tests. RESULTS: The rate of nosocomial rotavirus infection in neonates was 27.6% and increased as the neonates matured. Rotazyme positive rate is not significantly related to sex, birth weight and symptoms with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) between preterm and full-term neonates. But, jaundice developed more frequently in Rotazyme positive groups. When the neonates matured, they had longer durations of positive symptoms and positive Rotazyme tests. Also they had shorter onset times of positive symptoms and positive Rotazyme tests. Positive symptoms rate was 74.0% in total, 95.5% in preterm and 59.4% in full-term. Abdominal distension, jaundice and NEC increased significantly in preterms. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus can be a significant pathogen in preterms more than in full-terms. Neonates suffering from suspected sepsis should be investigated for rotaviral infection. A new oral vaccine and oral immunoglobulin is needed for eradicating rotavirus infection in the nursery. Further studies about isolations, infection pathways, immune responses and treatment of rotavirus are needed.

Evaluation of the serum erythropoietin levels in neonates

Erythropoietin is the major hormonal regulator of erythropoiesis. It is controlled by many factors inducing hypoxia in tissue. The serum erythropoietin levels of neonates have shown gradual dccrease until 1 month of age, which they are reactivated in the period of physiologic anemia. This change is exaggerated if the meonates are born prematurely, and the levels of erythropoietin respond to lower hemoglobin are lower than those of term neonates and adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the values of erythropoietin levels to compare hemoglobin on the preterm and term neonates until 1 month of age. The results were as follows: 1) At birth mean erythropoietin values of preterm and term neonates were 16.5+/-1.4mU/ml, 16.5+/-1.7mU/ml respectively, there was no significant difference. Also erythropoietin values in preterm and term neonates were 23.6+/-13.3mU/ml, 10.9+/-1.5mU/ml respectively. Resticulocyte counts in preterm and term neonates were 10.7+/-3.3%, 5.7+/-2.9% respectively, so they were significantly higher in preterm than in term neonates. 2) The changes of mean hemoglobin, reticulocyte counts and erythropoietin according to postnatal ages were that those of reticulocyte counts and erythropoietin were significantly increased about 1 month of age. 3) At the 1 month of age, mean erythropoietin values in preterm neonates were lower than those of term neonates and adults, despite of the lowest hemoblobin. This results showed that erythropoietin values in preterm neonates during the physilolgic anemia were lower values than those of term neonates and adults in spite of the lowest hemoglobin.