ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: A retrospective study was carried out comparing 61 very low birth weight infants (VLBW) with percutaneous central venous catheters with 92 infants managed with peripheral cannulae. Eighteen infants developed one or more episodes of catheter-associated bacteraemia. In 70% of cases the infection was successfully treated with the line in situ. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine risk factors for bacteraemia. The duration of intravenous fluids and of intermittent positive pressure ventilation were both significant risks for infection (odds ratios and 95% confidence limits 4.4, 2.7-12.0 and 2.5, 1.0-6.1 respectively), but the presence of a silastic catheter was not an independent risk factor (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence limits 0.1-3.0). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous central venous catheters provide a satisfactory means of delivering parenteral nutrition with minimal disturbance to ill VLBW infants.
Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Bacteremia/etiology , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Williams syndrome was first described in 1961 (Williams et al. 1961) and is a well-recognised clinical syndrome characterised by growth deficiency, learning difficulties and a typical facies. We describe a 9-year-old girl with classical features of Williams syndrome who presented with acute vocal cord paralysis for which no other cause was found.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/diagnosis , Face/abnormalities , Growth Disorders/diagnosis , Vocal Cord Paralysis/diagnosis , Bronchoscopy , Child , Echocardiography , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Heart Murmurs/diagnosis , Humans , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/diagnosis , Syndrome , Tracheostomy , Vocal Cord Paralysis/surgeryABSTRACT
A 14 year review of meningitis in babies showed that overall mortality and survival without handicap has not improved. The failure to improve the prognosis of these babies during a period when overall perinatal mortality fell rapidly is because smaller babies are being affected and different organisms are being cultured.
