Early exposure to latex products mediates latex sensitization in spina bifida but not in other diseases with comparable latex exposure rates.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of latex sensitization in patients with spina bifida (SB) has been attributed to repeated and early exposure to latex products. Other diseases such as gastroschisis/omphalocoele and post-haemorrhagic/congenital hydrocephalus are also associated with repeated and early latex exposure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the high prevalence of latex sensitization in patients with SB is rather related to the underlying disease itself than to disease-associated known risk factors. METHODS: We compared children with SB (n=35), children with gastroschisis/omphalocoele (G/O, n=20) and children with post-haemorrhagic/congenital hydrocephalus (PH, n=45). All children with SB and PH had a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt since a very young age. Patients who underwent three or less surgical procedures matched in terms of age, number of operations, atopy and gender distribution, and were analysed for IgE sensitization rates to latex. RESULTS: In the SB group, 16 of 35 patients (46%) showed elevated latex-specific IgE antibodies in contrast to one of 20 patients (5%) in the G/O group and four of 45 patients (8.9%) in the PH group (P<0.0005 and P<0.005, Fisher's exact test). Comparing matched control groups (

Severe liver haemorrhage during laparotomy in very low birthweight infants.

UNLABELLED: A review is presented of severe liver haemorrhage as a serious complication in surgery on very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Clinical data and pathological findings, as well as the outcome of the treatment, of five VLBW infants (<1000 g) who experienced liver haemorrhage during surgical exploration for necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation were reviewed retrospectively. At the time of surgery, all infants had signs and symptoms of impending sepsis. The bleeding was predominantly "spontaneous" without obvious iatrogenic liver damage. In three infants, severe liver haemorrhage could be stabilized by early liver tamponade using absorbable thrombostatic sponges and polyglactin mesh. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative liver haemorrhage potentially life-threatening complication of surgery in preterm infants, which is not frequently investigated. Immediate perihepatic liver packing may be used to achieve adequate bleeding control.

Duodeno-jejunal atresia with volvulus, absent dorsal mesentery, and absent superior mesenteric artery: a hereditary compound structure in duodenal atresia?

Duodenal atresia predominantly represents an isolated entity, but could also be part of a complexly structured intestinal malformation. We report four children, including two from one family, with duodeno-jejunal atresia associated with malrotation, volvulus, and absent parietal attachment of the mesentery. Gross absence of the mesentery and absence of distal parts of the superior mesenteric artery were the most remarkable findings. The small intestine was supplied retrogradely from the right colic artery. Consideration of embryological theories of this malformation takes into account the important role of the duodeno-jejunal flexure during the process of entry of the small bowel loops into the abdomen. Familial occurrence suggests autosomal recessive inheritance. We propose differentiating the pathoanatomical findings in our patients from classical apple peel small bowel syndrome (APSB).

Proctocolitis in breast fed infants: a contribution to differential diagnosis of haematochezia in early childhood.

Dietary protein induced proctocolitis in exclusively breast fed infants is rarely taken into consideration as a cause of rectal bleeding or blood streaked stool in the neonatal period and early infancy. Eleven babies are presented in whom it is believed that bleeding through the rectum was due to proctocolitis as a result of allergy triggered by cows' milk protein transferred to the infants via the breast milk. Colonoscopy was performed in five infants, revealing benign eosinophilic proctocolitis. Standard treatment was the exclusion of the allergen from the mother's diet. Resolution of visible rectal bleeding took place within 72 to 96 hours after elimination of the offending protein from the mother's diet.

Sonographic diagnosis of intussusception of the appendix vermiformis.

We present 2 cases of intussusception of the appendix vermiformis (IAV) in children. Sonographic examination demonstrated a lead point within a characteristic multiconcentric ring sign, and longitudinal sonograms showed the inverted appendix protruding into the cecal lumen. A contrast-enema study, using a water-soluble contrast medium, was performed in each case, and a "coiled-spring" sign or "spiral shell" appearance confirmed the diagnosis. A surgical reduction of the appendix and an appendectomy were performed in each case.

[Isolated rupture of the jejunum after trauma in a child. A complex mechanism of injury with difficult diagnosis]. / Traumatische isolierte Jejunumruptur bei einem Kind. Ein komplexer Unfallmechanismus mit schwieriger Diagnosestellung.

Isolated rupture of the lower jejunum after blunt abdominal trauma is rare. The pediatric population, especially school-aged children, sustains these isolated injuries due to blunt trauma more frequently than adults. The lack of severe clinical symptoms in the beginning and therefore a delay in diagnosis are the main problems of these traumatic injuries. We report on a 7-year-old girl who sustained isolated rupture of the lower part of the jejunum secondary to blunt trauma. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the complex mechanism of injury. Additionally, we discuss the different ways of diagnosis with a review of the literature.

[Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (PHHI)--surgical management of neonatal hypoglycemia]. / Persistierende hyperinsulinämische Hypoglykämie (PHHI)--Chirurgische Sanierung einer neonatalen Hypoglykämie.

Sporadic persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia in a newborn is a rare disease which requires early surgical treatment if conservative therapy fails. We report on a newborn female in whom PHHI was diagnosed at the second day of life. She presented with severe hypoglycemia and high levels of plasma insulin. Conservative treatment failed and a near-total pancreatectomy was performed on the 24th day of life. The postoperative outcome and the follow-up studies showed the patient to be euglycaemic. If hypoglycaemia is resistant to conservative therapy, surgical treatment is recommended. A loss of pancreatic exocrine function is not necessarily to be expected.

Short-bowel syndrome associated with subtotal necrosis of small intestine after rectal trauma.

We report on a 4-year-old girl who experienced rectal trauma during swimming, sitting on an uncovered draining valve in the swimming pool. This resulted in a powerful suction effect on her rectum, followed by rupture of the sigmoid colon and evisceration of the small intestine. Laparotomy showed a near complete necrosis of the small bowel because of thrombotic lesions and wall lacerations of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). A subtotal bowel removal associated with a jejuno-ileostoma was carried out, a total length of about 35 cm of the small intestine could be left in situ. Parenteral nutrition was stopped after eight months. At the moment defecation takes place 2-3 times a day, growth and weight gain are quite normal.