ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot trial was to determine whether rates of contact dermatitis following cutaneous antisepsis for central catheter placement were similar among neonates treated with chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone-iodine. Chlorhexidine gluconate absorption was also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Infants weighing > or =1500 g and > or =7 days of age were randomized to a 10% povidone-iodine or 2% chlorhexidine gluconate site scrub before catheter placement. Primary outcomes evaluated included dermatitis, catheter colonization and chlorhexidine gluconate absorption. RESULT: A total of 48 neonates were enrolled. Colonization rates were similar among treatment groups (P<0.6). Dermatitis did not occur at chlorhexidine gluconate (central catheters, n=24; peripheral catheters, n=29) sites. Seven neonates had measurable chlorhexidine gluconate concentrations (range 13 to 100 ng ml(-1)) during catheterization. CONCLUSION: In this small trial chlorhexidine gluconate antisepsis was tolerated by study neonates. Chlorhexidine gluconate was cutaneously absorbed. Larger trials are needed to determine efficacy and tolerance of chlorhexidine gluconate in neonates.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/adverse effects , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects , Chlorhexidine/analogs & derivatives , Dermatitis, Contact/etiology , Povidone-Iodine/adverse effects , Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacokinetics , Catheters, Indwelling/microbiology , Chlorhexidine/adverse effects , Chlorhexidine/blood , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Male , Pilot Projects , Skin AbsorptionABSTRACT
We studied possible sources of variations in selected anthropometric indices and their relationship to neonatal metabolic problems in seventy-four singleton neonates born at an approximate gestation of 40 weeks, by selected anthropometry. There were significant differences particularly in values obtained for birth weight, mid upper arm circumference, chest circumference and the Ponderal Index. At the moment it is not possible to set discriminant values on any of the anthropometric indices as this will require a much larger sample size, however the authors believe that the use of anthropometry in predicting metabolic problems in neonates has some potential and serial measurements of particularly chest circumference, mid upper arm circumference and the Ponderal Index could form the basis of future studies.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry/methods , Asphyxia Neonatorum/diagnosis , Hypoglycemia/diagnosis , Infant, Newborn , Metabolic Diseases/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening/methods , Polycythemia/diagnosis , Arm/anatomy & histology , Birth Weight , Case-Control Studies , Discriminant Analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Nigeria , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Thorax/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
A study of one hundred and thirty five children with convulsions admitted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria over a 15-month period, October 1986 to December 1987 showed that 65 (48%) of the children received some traditional remedy at home prior to presentation in hospital. Crude oil and palm kernel oil either singly or in combination were the most commonly administered remedies. The central nervous system was more affected by remedies containing crude oil than others (P < 0.05). Administration of cow's urine to convulsing children, reported from other parts of Nigeria, was not observed in the present study and would appear to be uncommon in this part of the country.
