[Cholestasis associated with sepsis in newborns]. / La colestasi associata alla sepsi nel neonato.

Cholestatic jaundice is a well-known complication of gram-negative bacterial infections in the neonates. Newborn and premature infants are particularly vulnerable to cholestasis because of immaturities in bile forming mechanisms. The Authors describe two premature infants who developed cholestasis in the course of a proved bacterial infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae. The main clinical aspects of this association are illustrated and the recent concepts of pathogenetic mechanism of intrahepatic cholestasis is discussed.

Aetiological factors in hypospadias.

Epidemiological and genetic variables in hypospadias were analysed during the years 1978 to 1983 in a case control study of congenital malformations in the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy. During the observation period, in a sample of 41 078 male newborns, 168 had hypospadias giving a prevalence at birth of 4.1 in 1000 males. Hypospadias was divided into three types: type I or mild (75.0%); type II or moderate (21.4%); and type III or severe (3.6%). Coexisting malformations were found in 8.9% of cases. The heritability coefficient was 0.669. Maternal risk factors correlated with hypospadias were found to be early age at menarche, threatened abortion, and exposure to progestins. Low birth weight and shorter gestation were also correlated with hypospadias.