ABSTRACT
A perinatally, somatically, and neurologically aggravated child born at 26 weeks weighing 860 g with preterm neuropathy is described. Typical difficulties of neonatologists and pediatric ophthalmologists in the treatment of preterm babies with this grave ocular disease are described: the diagnosis cannot be confirmed by ophthalmoscopy because the optic media are not transparent, cryo- or surgical treatment has to be delayed because of severe somatic and neurological status, and intra- and postoperative complications develop despite thorough preoperative preparation.
Subject(s)
Infant, Premature , Neonatology/methods , Ophthalmology/methods , Retinopathy of Prematurity/therapy , Contraindications , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures , Retinopathy of Prematurity/diagnosis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Examinations of the organ of vision in 79 preterm infants showed lack of sensitivity of the conjunctiva and cornea, unstable precorneal membrane, and insufficient lacrimal production; these features may promote the development of diseases of the anterior segment of the eyeball. Decreased reaction to a light stimulus and lack of the pupil reaction to light are characteristic features of a preterm infant. The position of the baby lying in an incubator and poor transparency of ocular media impedes the ophthalmological examination and require special training of the physician. Pathological changes in the fundus oculi of a preterm baby should be regularly checked up by an oculist during the postnatal period.
Subject(s)
Eye/pathology , Infant, Premature , Blinking , Eye/physiopathology , Eye Diseases/etiology , Eye Diseases/pathology , Eye Diseases/physiopathology , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Exposure/adverse effects , Pregnancy , Prognosis , Reflex, PupillaryABSTRACT
An outbreak of purulent meningitides in a hospital ward for preterm babies, caused by Serratia marcescens strain of serovar 05/13 with multiple resistance, is described. Data on the results of the long-term observation of the ward showed that during three months preceding the outbreak the consecutive spread of the infective strain and its colonization of the intestine of children occurred. At the moment of the outbreak S. marcescens 05/13 was the dominating intestinal microflora in 37% of children in the ward and constituted 30% of the total aerobic flora in the intestine of the examined children. No S. marcescens strains were isolated from the feces and urine of the medical personnel and mothers. The importance of the observation of microflora colonizing newborn infants in the ward for the evaluation and prognostication of the epidemiological situation is discussed.
