Subject(s)
Stomach Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Radiography , Risk Factors , Rupture, SpontaneousSubject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple , Vitelline Duct/abnormalities , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Ileal Diseases/congenital , Ileal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Ileal Diseases/surgery , Ileum/abnormalities , Ileum/diagnostic imaging , Ileum/surgery , Infant, Newborn , Intestinal Fistula/congenital , Intestinal Fistula/diagnostic imaging , Intestinal Fistula/surgery , Male , Radiography , Umbilicus/abnormalities , Umbilicus/diagnostic imaging , Umbilicus/surgery , Vitelline Duct/diagnostic imaging , Vitelline Duct/surgeryABSTRACT
A randomized controlled study was done to determine whether the addition of heparin, in very low concentration (0.25 U/ml), to fluids administered through an umbilical artery catheter (UAC) would affect the duration of catheter patency. UAC occlusion occurred in 2 of 15 patients in the heparin group and in 11 of 15 patients in the control group (p = 0.001). Using life-table analysis, the functional life span of UAC was estimated. On day 8, 100% of UACs in heparin group and 9% of UACs in control group were patent (p < 0.05). Coagulation profile remained unaltered after addition of heparin compared with that before the start of the therapy. There was no difference in the incidence of subependymal intraventricular hemorrhage between the two groups. It is concluded that heparin in such low concentration is effective in prolonging duration of UAC patency without causing adverse effects.
Subject(s)
Catheters, Indwelling , Heparin/administration & dosage , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/therapy , Umbilical Arteries , Blood Gas Analysis/methods , Catheterization, Peripheral , Fluid Therapy/methods , Heparin/therapeutic use , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/epidemiology , Infusions, Intra-Arterial , Life Tables , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Protein C is lower in newborn infants than in adults. There are conflicting reports regarding functional activity and the presence of des-gamma carboxylated species in the newborn. We have compared protein C activity and antigenic level in newborn infants and found the activity: antigen ratio to be lower than in adults (0.69 versus 1.0). We discuss this finding in relation to the previously published reports.
