Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies among newborns in Port-Said city

The present study was carried out to detect the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among the newborns delivered at Port-Said General Hospital, and to reveal some factors related to the spread of this infection. The study included 200 cord blood samples taken from the newborns immediately after delivery. A case sheet was taken from each case including full obstetric history of the mother together with complete clinical examination of the newborns. Each blood sample was analyzed for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Positive cases for IgM antibodies were subjected to eye examination, skull X-ray, abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan for assessment of the clinical complications of congenital toxoplasmosis. It was found that 19 cases [9.5%] and 7 cases [3.5%] out of 200 cases were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Out of the IgM seropositive newborns, 4 cases showed pathognomonic complications in the form of either hydrocephalus, meningoencephalitis, ocular [convergence squint] and/or abdominal [jaundice and splenomegaly] manifestations. Statistical analysis of the factors related to toxoplasmosis revealed significant relation to contact of mothers with cats, their illness during pregnancy [fever and lymphadenopathy] and the occurrence of congenital anomalies in the newborns. It was concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis among newborns in Port-Said city is not uncommon, and search for IgG and IgM antibodies before and/or during pregnancy is recommended especially in high risk groups

Neonatal lymphocyte phenotyping by flowcytometry

This study was done on 50 newborns divided into 30 fullterm and 20 perterm newborns to evaluate their immune status by studying the cell subsets in cord blood and to establish a reference range for lymphocyte subsets in the cord blood. Dual coloured flowcytometric immunophenotyping was performed on mononuclear cells, Our results showed higher percentage value of cells expressing CD7 than CD3 which indicates the presence of more immature cells in cord blood as CD7 is the earliest T-cell marker to appear before any of the mature T-cellmarkers. The prominent representation of the naive suppressor-inducer cells CD4+ CD45R+ in both preterm and full term groups may be a possible explanation for the inability of the newborn to respond to certain antigenic stimuli. Furthermore, in both preterm and full term groups, the cord blood contained a high percentage of CD38+ cells and a relatively low level of CD25+ cells indicating evidence of immaturity of the immune system rather than activation. Also, the CD5 positive cells were found to be higher than the percentage values of CD7 as CD5 was expressed on both T and B cell lineages in cord blood. The preterm group had a significantly lower percentages of circulating CD56+ natural killer [NK] cells than full term neonates [p < 0.001]. In conclusion, flowcytometric evaluation of cord blood lymphocytes contributes well to the understanding of the neonatal immune system and provide valuable diagnostic information's to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality

Study of some factors underlying the development of respiratory distress syndrome among premature neonates

RDS is one of the major neonatal problems associated with preterm birth and it is considered to be the leading cause of death in the neonatal period. RDS was known to be caused by quantitative and qualitative surfactant deficiency, which is synthesized by type II alveolar pneumocytes and its synthesis and secretion are influenced by hormones, as corticosteroids and insulin. The present work was designed to investigate the relationship between gestational age, birth weight, neonatal plasma glucose and cord blood insulin and cortisol concentrations and subsequent development of RDS. 65 preterm neonates delivered at Benha University Hospital included in this study, where all preterm neonates are subjected to complete pregnancy, natal history, weight record, apgar score. Chest X-ray and blood gases were done for RDS group. Cord blood samples were collected at the time of delivery for insulin, cortisol estimation and venous blood sample was taken half an hour after delivery for plasma glucose estimation. The preterm neonates were followed up in nursery for the subsequent development of RDS and were categorized accordingly, into RDS group and non-RDS group. RDS group was further classified into mild, moderate and severe [expressed as the fraction of insipred O2 Fi O2 and blood gases]. It was noticed that the mean gestational age and weight were significantly lower in RDS group. The study revealed that, mean insulin level was significantly higher and mean cortisol level was significantly lower in the RDS group, in comparison to non-RDS group, but there is no correlatin between their concentrations and severity of the disease. Meanwhile, no significant difference was noticed concerning neonatal plasma glucose-between both group. We concluded that RDS is more common in preterm neonates with lower gestational age and birth weight. Cord blood insulin is significantly higher and cord blood cortisol is significantly lower in preterm neonates who subsequently developed RDS, so both of them can be used as a predictor for subsequent development of RDS in preterm neonates, but their concentrations are not indicators for the severity of the subsequent disease. On the other hand, there was no correlation between neonatal plasma glucose and subsequent development of RDS or the severity of the disease in our study

Pérfil lipídico en sangre del cordón umbilical / Blood lipid profile of the umbilical cord

Se analizó el plasma residual obtenido del cordón umbilical de 481 recién nacidos a término, sanos, de la provincia de Sancti Spiritus, para determinar a través de métodos enzimáticos y colorimétricos el colesteroltotal y triglicéridos. Se halló la concentración máxima normal del colesterol mediante el cálculo del límite de tolerancia superior (3,15 mmol/L). Diez recién nacidos (2,07 por ciento ) tienen un alto riesgo de padecer de una hipercolesterolemia familiar

Effect of exercise during pregnancy and dam age on maternal blood chemistry and fetal growth

in order to determine the effect of maternal exercise on maternal nutritional status and fetal growth, young (Y=45-50 days old) Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 to 8 animals: control pregnant (CP), control non-pregnant (CNP), exercise-trained (swimming 1 j/day, 5 days/week, for 19 days) pregnant (TP) and exercise trained non-pregnant (TNP). Four equivalent groups of adult rats (A=90-100 days old) were also formed. Serum glucose, total protein, albumin, hematocrit and liver glycogen were determined in female rats and pups. There were no statistical differences in serum glucose, total protein and albumin levels, litter size or birth weight among exercise-trained animals, controls and their respective pups. Hematocrit was significantly lower in pups of exercise-trained young and control rats of the same age and physiological status (YCNP+4.1 ñ 0.2; YCP = 2.7 ñ 0.9; YTNP + 4.9 ñ 0.8; YTP = 2.7 ñ 0.4; ACNP = 6.1 ñ 0.6; ACP = 3.1 ñ 0.8; ATNP = 6.6 ñ 0.8; ATP = 2.2 ñ 0.9 mg/100 mg). We conclude that pups of adult female rats are spared from the effects of this kind of exercise training during pregnancy. On the other hand, it appears that maternal adaptations to exercise training in young rats are able to preserve only some aspects of pup metabolism

Alpha thalassemia frequency in newborn children from Porto Alegre, Brazil

Foram estudadas 599 amostras de sangue do cordäo umbilical de recém-nascido de Porto Alegre, através de métodos eletroforéticos. A prevalência de Hb Bart's foi de 3,7%, com uma freqüência maior em bebês negros (5,4%) do que em brancos (2,5%). Vinte e um recém-nascidos apresentaram níveis de Hb Bart's entre 1 e 4%, e um 5,1% desta hemoglobina. Esta criança apresentou uma reduçäo no VCM e HCM compatíveis com o traço talassêmico, sendo, portanto, classificada como homozigota para talassemia alfa+, enquanto os recém-nascidos com níveis mais baixos de Hb Bart's foram considerados heterozigotos para esta condiçäo. Cálculos de máxima verossimilhança indicaram que este método detecta somente a metade dos indivíduos-alfa/alfa alfa. Sendo assim, a prevalência do haplótipo-alfa foi estimada em 6% e 2,5% entre negroides e caucasóides, respectivamente. O número de eritrócitos e outros parâmetros hematológicos, a idade gestacional, o peso e os índices de Apgar näo diferiram significativamente entre os bebês e os portadores da Hb Bart's

Síndrome de down diagnosticada por cordocentese em feto com obstruçäo de vias urinárias: relato de caso / Down's syndrome detected by cordocentesis in fetus with urinary tract obstruction: a case report

After ultrasonographic diagnosis of oligohydramnios and megabladder presumably caused by urethral obstruction in a 23 weeks gestation fetus, the authors decided for the placemtne of a catheter connecting the fetal bladder cavity to the amniotic chamber. Afterwards, taking into consideration the known association between urinary tract malformations and chromossomic abnormalities, a cordocentesis was performed despite difficulties imposed bu oligohydramnios and postfundal positioning of the placenta. Tests results were avaiable in three days, revealing trisomy 21. The authors conclude that whenever fetal malformation presents itself, chromossomic studies are mandatory before any type of intrauterine therapeutic measure is tried. After the 20th week of gestation cordocentesis is preferable to amniocentesis because it provides quicker results

Cordocentese: proposta técnica / Cordocentesis: technique proposal

Os autores apresentam uma proposta de técnica de corocentese para obtençäo de amostra sangüínea fetal pura, baseada na experiência do Centro de Medicina Fetal de Goiânia. Descrevem materiais utilizados, táticas para a escolha do local de punçäo cutânea, assepsia e anti-sepsia, introduçäo da cordoagulha, dados de inserçäo do cordäo, confirmaçäo quanto a localizaçäo do vaso puncionado, coleta e acondicionamamento do sangue fetal, com ou sem administraçäo de medicamntos, sangue e/ou seus derivados. Os autores com isto acreditam estar contribuindo com uma etapa importante para o desenvolvimento da propedêutica diagnóstica e terapêutica em Medicina Fetal

Cordocentese: resultados preliminares de 29 casos / Cordocentesis: preliminary outcome of 29 cases

Os autores analisam um total de 29 cordocenteses realizadas em 22 pacientes no Centro de Medicina Fetal de Goiânia (Fêmina Diagnóstico), no período de novembro de 88 a junho de 1989. Relacionam a aceitaçäo do método pelas pacientes, sendo as indicaçöes principais isoimunizaçäo pelo fator Rh e síndrome infecciosa. da Gestaçäo (toxoplasmose). Correlacionam a localizaçäo placentária e a dificuldade técnica do método, assim como a presença de intercorrências, e concluem ser o metodo atual de escolha para obtençäo de amostra sangüínea fetal pura, associado a um baixo risco para o feto

Detection of alpha thalassaemia in sickle cell trait patients by Hb-Bart's screening & quantitation of Hb-A & Hb-S.

Haemoglobin fractionation in 27 subjects with sickle cell trait revealed 12 (44%) with sickle cell haemoglobin less than 35 per cent (23.4-34.2%, mean 30.4 +/- 3.3%) suggesting an association of alpha thalassaemia. Electrophoresis of 91 samples of cord blood revealed demonstrable amounts of haemoglobin Bart's in 7 (7.7%); six between 5 and 10 per cent and one with less than 2 per cent. It appeared that the six infants with higher amounts of haemoglobin Bart's were homozygous for alpha-thalassaemia + (-a/-a) genotypes and one was heterozygous for alpha-thalassaemia + (-a/aa) Results of haemoglobin electrophoresis done on 2754 blood samples analysed from hospital records, retrospectively did not reveal haemoglobin-H and haemoglobin Constant Spring in any of the samples.

Gestantes diabéticas: hallazgos en líquido amniótico y sangre del cordón umbilical; comparación con gestantes no diabéticas / Diabetic pregnant women: findings in the amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood; comparison with non-diabetic pregnant women

Con el objetivo de conocer la actividad de las células beta fetales, se determinaron las concentraciones de glucosa, insulina libre y total, y anticuerpos antiinsulínico en el líquido amniótico y la sangre del cordón umbilical de 11 gestantes diabéticas insulinodependientes y sus hijos, y se compararon con las mismas valoraciones en 5 gestantes no diabéticas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en todos los casos. Se reafirma que la hiperglicemia materna provoca hiperinsulinismo fetal y por ende es causa de la alta morbilidad neonatal en el hijo de madre diabética

Níveis de hemoglobina no sangue periférico materno e no sangue da veia umbilical / Hemoglobin levels in both mother peripheric and umbilical vein blood

Em grávidas a partir do primeiro trimestre, atendidas no Ambulatório de Pré-natal do Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeiräo Preto da Universidade de Säo Paulo, por ocasiäo da primeira consulta, foram feitos história clínica, exame físico geral e obstétrico e entrevista destinada à obtençäo de dados com respeito à alimentaçäo e ao nível sócio-econômico. As gestantes äo receberam orientaçäo alimentar, suplementaçäo de ferro ou transfusäo de sangue. Os valores de hemoglobina, glóbulos vermelhos e hematócrito foram determinados no sangue periférico materno, nos três trimestres da gestaçäo e no parto e no sangue da veia umbilica. Correlacionamos os níveis de hemoglobina materna nos diferentes trimestres da gestaçäo e no parto com os níveis do sangue da veia umbilical. Concluímos que as gestantes estudadas tinham ingestäo alimentar precária; os valores médios de hemoglobina, glóbulos vermelhos e hematócritos, durante a gestaçäo e parto, estavam dentro da normalidade; no decorrer da gestaçäo houve diminuiçäo dos valores de hemoglobina e elevaçäo por ocasiäo do parto; os valores de hemoglobina do segundo e terceiro trimestres da gestaçäo mostraram correlaçöes com os valores de hemoglobina do primeiro trimestre da gestaçäo,, os valores de hemoglobina do sangue da veia umbilical näo mostraram correlaçäo com os valores do sangue periférico materno

Plasma lipids and blood glucose in infants of toxemic mothers.

Maternal and cord blood of 34 toxemic and 27 non-toxemic mothers and their infants were studied for lipids and glucose. All the lipid fractions in cord blood were significantly lower (P less than .001) than that of the mother in all groups due to relative impermeability of the placenta. AFD infants of toxemic mothers had significantly higher (P less than .001) value of FFA and triglyceride as compared with AFD infants of non-toxemic mothers. However SFD infants of toxemic mothers had higher FFA only when compared with that of non-toxemic mother. This is possibly due to sympathetic stimulation related to placental insufficiency with hypoxia and hypoglycemia that lead to mobilisation of adipose tissue into FFA and glycerol in fetus. Plasma phospholipid, cholesterol, HDLC, LDLC of infants of toxemic mothers were significantly lower (P less than .001), more so in SFD infants, possibly due to impaired liver function. 53% of infants of toxemic mothers also had hyperbilirubinemia. Cord blood glucose in toxemic group was significantly lower (P less than .05) than AFD infants of non-toxemic group.

Valores normales de hemoglobina y hematocrito en sangre de cordon umbilical / Normal values of hematocrit and hemoglobulin in umbilical cord blood

La necesidad de contar con valores de hemoglobina y hematocrito normales, que puedan servir de parámetros de referencia en cada una de las regiones geográficas, motivó a los autores a realizar este estudio de tipo prospectivo. Se revisó la literatura extranjera y nacional. Procediéndose a la recolección de 100 muestras de sangre de cordón umbilical. Se determinó media, promedio y desviación standard. El rango fué de: 12.0 - 20.3 para la Hemoglobina y de 39-66 para el Hematocrito, el promedio 15.58 y 40.22 respectivamente. Las variables: edad materna, peso al nacimiento, sexo y APGAR no influyeron en los valores citados

Hiperplasia adrenal congênita e gravidez / Congenital adrenal hyperplasia and pregnancy

A HAC, distúrbio familiar na esteroidogênese do córtex adrenal, resulta da deficiência de enzimas necessárias para a síntese normal de esteróides. Há excesso dos precursores de cortisol, com hiperandrogenismo e também alteraçöes menstruais, hisustismo e esterilidade na mulher. A deficiência da enzima 21-OHD abrange 90% das causas de HAC. Dentre as diversas formas descritas, a forma clássica é a mais freqüentemente associada a esterilidade e distúrbios menstruais. Gravidez a termo, nessas pacientes, é muito rara. Cerca de 90% dos casos relatados dizem respeito a forma tardia ou atenuada da doença, em que as alteraçöes säo menos graves. Relatamos dois casos de pacientes portadores de HAC por 21-OHD, forma clássica virilizante simples, que tiveram gestaçäo a termo, com recém-nascidos normais. Ambas usavam corticoterapia desde a infância e submeteram-se a correçäo da genitália com neovagina na puberdade

Perfil bioquímico fetal: gasometria e equilíbrio acidobásico dos sangues umbilical e interviloso obtidos in utero pela cordocentese; nota prévia / Fetal biochemical profile: umbilical and intervillois blood gases and acid-base equilibrium obtained in utero by cordocentesis; preliminary note

Através da cordocentese säo feitos a gasometria e o equilíbrio acidobásico [pH, pO2, pCO2, excesso de base (BE), bicarvonato] dos sangues umbilical e do espaço interviloso em 10 conceptos de alto-risco. Säo pormenorizadamente descritos dois casos. Através do perfil bioquímico (PBQ) fetal procura-se a interpretaçäo mais correta da propedêutica biofísica näo-invasiva e o esclarecimento da fisiopatologia da insuficiência útero-placentaria