Have the boundaries of the 'grey zone' of perinatal resuscitation changed for extremely preterm infants over 20 years?

AIM: To determine the boundaries of the grey zone of discretionary resuscitation over the past 20 years. BACKGROUND: As the likelihood of survival improves over time, the BW- and GA-specific boundaries of discretionary nonresuscitation should fall. HYPOTHESIS: Between 1988 and 2008 reductions in BW- and GA-specific mortality would drive a parallel reduction in BW and GA boundaries of discretionary resuscitation. METHODS: We determined the likelihood of resuscitation and survival to NICU discharge for all infants born <700 g or <26 gestational weeks from 1988 to 2008. In addition, for 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008, we determined the BW and GA for the 10 smallest infants who were resuscitated, and the 10 largest infants who were not resuscitated. We excluded any infant born with congenital anomaly. RESULTS: Mortality fell from 80% in 1988 to 28% in 2008, and as expected, the percentage who were resuscitated rose from 63% in 1988-93 to 95% in 2004-2008. However, unexpectedly, over the 20-year study period, the smallest infants who were resuscitated despite extreme immaturity did not change (450-550 g and 23-24 weeks) and the largest infants not resuscitated did not change (600-700 g and 23-24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Neither the BW nor GA boundaries of the grey zone of discretionary resuscitation have fallen over the past 20 years. Factors guiding resuscitation at the border of viability are complex and incompletely understood.

Phase II study of a moderate-intensity preparative regimen with allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for hematologic diseases: the Texas Transplant Consortium experience.

Conventional preparative regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation are associated with excessive regimen-related toxicity (RRT) in some patients because of underlying comorbidities, advanced age, or prior treatment. We studied a preparative regimen designed to reduce RRT, yet allow for adequate engraftment and development of a graft-versus-malignancy effect. Thirty patients (median age, 57 years) were entered on study. Twenty-nine patientsreceived stem cells from HLA-identical siblings and 1 from a sibling mismatched for 1 antigen at the A locus. Sixteen patients had received previous stem cell transplants (6 allogeneic and 10 autologous). The preparative regimen consisted of fludarabine 30 mg/M2 per day IV on day -10 to day -5, busulfan 1 mg/kg per dose PO (n = 6) or 0.8 mg/kg per dose IV (n = 24) for 8 doses every 6 hours on day -6 to day -5, and horse-derived antithymocyte globulin 5 mg/kg per day IV (n = 12) or 15 mg/kg per day IV (n = 18) on day -4 to day -1. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine (CYA) 3 mg/kg BID PO starting on day -3 (n = 13) or CYA and methotrexate 15 mg/m2 IV on day +1 and 10 mg/m2 IV on day +3 and day +6 (n = 17). The median number of CD34 cells transplanted was 3.19 x 10(6)/kg. All patients demonstrated recovery of hematopoietic function. Twenty-six (89%) of 29 evaluable patients achieved greater than 90% donor cell chimerism before day 100. Three patients never achieved greater than 90% donor chimerism, and another 3 patients subsequently lost donor chimerism. All 6 of these patients had autologous reconstitution with progressive disease. RRT was minimal; 7 patients had greater than grade II nonhematologic toxicity and there were no toxic deaths attributable to the conditioning regimen. Transplantation-related mortality was 7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6%-8%) at 3 months and 28% (95% CI, 23%-34%) at 12 months after transplantation. Non-relapse-related mortality was most often due to infection. Grade II or greater GVHD developed in 56% of evaluable patients, and all patients with disease response developed GVHD. Actuarial estimates of overall and disease-free survival at 12 months were 52% (95% CI, 43%-63%) and 30% (95% CI, 24%-37%), respectively. Although this preparative regimen allowed adequate engraftment with minimal RRT, GVHD and infectious complications caused significant morbidity and mortality. Further study to define appropriate patient populations for this regimen, while limiting GVHD and infection risks, is needed.

History of sexual abuse in incarcerated adolescents with gonorrhea or syphilis.

From July 1983 to June 1984, 2521 adolescents were medically screened at entry into a detention facility in New York City. A medical history, physical examination, serology for syphilis, and culture for gonorrhea were obtained from each entrant. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 136 persons with gonorrhea and/or syphilis (79 boys and 57 girls) and 136 sex-matched infection-negative controls. Several characteristics were compared including age, age at first sexual intercourse, sexual abuse history, contraceptive use, and pregnancy status. Among infected cases, 8% of males and 32% of females reported a history of sexual abuse, whereas among controls, no males and 14% of females reported abuse. A history of sexual abuse was strongly associated with gonorrhea or syphilis (odds ratio = 3.4; 95% confidence intervals, 1.5-8.0). These data suggest an association between sexual abuse and subsequent high-risk sexual behavior manifested by a gonorrhea or syphilis infection.