Evolution of critically ill patients with gastroschisis from three tertiary centers

OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect with increasing occurrence worldwide over the past 20-30 years. Our aim was to analyze the morbidity of newborns after gastroschisis closure, with emphasis on metabolic and hydroelectrolyte disturbances in patients at three tertiary university centers. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2009, the following patient data were collected retrospectively: (A) Background maternal and neonatal data: maternal age, prenatal diagnosis, type of delivery, Apgar scores, birth weight, gestational age and sex; (B) Surgical modalities: primary or staged closure; and (C) Hospital course: levels of serum sodium and levels of serum albumin in the two first postoperative days, number of ventilation days, other postoperative variables and survival. Statistical analyses were used to examine the associations between some variables. RESULTS: 163 newborns were included in the study. Primary closure of the abdominal defect was performed in 111 cases (68.1 percent). The mean serum sodium level was 127.4¡6.7 mEq/L, and the mean serum albumin level was 2.35¡0.5 g/dL. Among the correlations between variables, it was verified that hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia correlated with the number of days on the ventilator but not with the number of days on total parenteral nutrition (TPN); mortality rate correlated with infection. The final survival rate was 85.9 percent. CONCLUSION: In newborns with gastroschisis, more aggressive attention to hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia would improve the outcome.

Torcicolo congênito: avaliação de dois tratamentos fisioterapêuticos / Congenital torticollis: evaluation of two physiotherapeutic approaches

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a evolução clínica e comparar a eficácia do tratamento fisioterapêutico intensivo ou mínimo, em neonatos e lactentes com torcicolo congênito. MÉTODOS: Foram atendidas no Ambulatório de Fisioterapia e Cirurgia Pediátrica do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas 47 crianças com torcicolo congênito. Analisaram-se, retrospectivamente, antecedentes maternos, neonatais, apresentação clínica e tratamento fisioterapêutico, classificado de acordo com a freqüência das sessões. O tratamento intensivo foi definido como sessões de fisioterapia realizadas pelo fisioterapeuta no ambulatório, acrescidas de exercícios diários realizados pelos pais em domicílio. O tratamento mínimo foi considerado quando apenas o fisioterapeuta realizava as sessões semanalmente no ambulatório, sem a participação dos pais. RESULTADOS: Quanto às características demográficas da população, observou-se: idade média materna=26 anos; parto normal=40 (85 por cento); mães primigestas=35 (75 por cento); idade média ao diagnóstico=50 dias. A presença de nódulo intramuscular foi notada em 46 (98 por cento) pacientes. As seguintes doenças estiveram associadas: luxação congênita de quadril igual=4 (8 por cento); fratura de clavícula=2 (4 por cento); pé torto congênito=1 (2 por cento). O tratamento intensivo foi realizado em 34 (72 por cento) pacientes e a cura observada em 100 por cento, após 74 dias, em média. O tratamento mínimo foi aplicado em 13 (28 por cento) pacientes e a cura observada em dez (77 por cento), tratados em média por 130 dias. CONCLUSÕES: O torcicolo congênito apresentou evolução clínica favorável em ambos os grupos. O tratamento intensivo propiciou maior índice de cura em menor tempo de tratamento.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical course and to compare the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic treatment performed daily or once a week in newborns and infants with congenital torticollis. METHODS: 47 patients with congenital torticollis were assisted at the Physiotherapy and Pediatric Surgery Services of the Clinical Hospital of Campinas University. The following data were retrospectively collected: maternal and neonatal history, clinical presentation and physiotherapeutic treatment classified according to the frequency of the exercises. Intensive treatment was defined as sessions performed at the daycare clinic by the physiotherapist plus daily sessions performed by parents at home. Minimal treatment was defined as weekly sessions performed only by the physiotherapist at the daycare clinic, without participation of the parents. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the studied patients were: mean maternal age=26 years; first gestation=35 (75 percent); vaginal delivery=40 (85 percent); mean age at diagnosis =50 days. A sternomastoid nodule was felt seen in 46 (98 percent) patients. Diseases associated with congenital torticollis were: congenital hip dislocation=4 (8 percent); fracture of clavicles=2 (4 percent); and club feet=1 (2 percent). Intensive treatment was performed in 34 (72 percent) patients for an average of 74 days and the cure was achieved in 100 percent. Minimal treatment was performed in 13 (28 percent) for an average of 130 days and ten (77 percent) patients achieved cure. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital torticollis had favorable outcome in both groups. The intensive treatment was followed by higher rates of cure in smaller period of time.