ABSTRACT
Trusses are not usually used in management of inguinal hernia of the very low birth weight infant. A potential benefit of this therapy is maintenance of hernia reduction, thus delaying operative repair until the infant is larger and healthier. We designed a safe and effective truss with supplies found in most neonatal intensive care units.
Subject(s)
Hernia, Inguinal/therapy , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Trusses , Hernia, Inguinal/pathology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , MaleABSTRACT
Growth of > or = 10(5) colonies of bacteria per milliliter obtained at bronchoscopy in children and adults correlates with bacterial pneumonia. To determine whether quantitative tracheal aspirate cultures aid in diagnosis of pneumonia in the neonatal intensive care unit setting, tracheal aspirates were obtained from 25 infants who had recently undergone endotracheal intubation; 15 of the infants had suspected pneumonia and 10 control infants had undergone intubation for suspected apnea of prematurity (4 infants) or elective surgery (6 infants). Studies also were performed to detect Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, viruses, and Pneumocystis. Tracheal aspirates from 2 of 15 infants with suspected pneumonia grew > or = 10(5) bacteria, and 1 was positive for respiratory syncytial virus. These infants were considered to have pneumonia. In 12 infants whose tracheal aspirates grew < 10(5) bacteria, respiratory decompensation later was explained by other causes in 11 infants, and there was one false-negative culture. There were three false-positive tracheal aspirates in the control group. We conclude that tracheal aspirates of infants who have recently had an endotracheal tube placed may be useful for diagnosing pneumonia and for identifying the causative agent.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/isolation & purification , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Pneumonia/diagnosis , Trachea/microbiology , Colony Count, Microbial , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Mycoplasma/isolation & purification , Pneumocystis/isolation & purification , Pneumonia/classification , Pneumonia/microbiology , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/diagnosis , Prospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Ureaplasma Infections/microbiology , Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
We evaluated the effect of 1 g/kg intravenous immune globulin (IGIV) on immunoglobulin levels and half-life, the dose and frequency of IGIV administration necessary to maintain IgG levels at greater than 400 mg/dL, and IGIV effect on immunoglobulin levels after discharge in infants less than or equal to 32 weeks' gestation and less than or equal to 1500 g. Fifteen infants received 31 infusions at IgG levels less than or equal to 400 mg/dL. Immunoglobulin levels were obtained 24 hours postinfusion, weekly during hospitalization, and monthly after discharge. Mean IgG postinfusion was 980 mg/dL. Mean IgG half-life was 18 days (range 7 to 41). Smaller infants with greater than or equal to 5% of blood volume removed per week experienced shorter immunoglobulin half-lives. IGIV caused increased IgG levels after discharge and did not delay endogenous production of IgG. We conclude that 1 g/kg IGIV given to infants less than or equal to 32 weeks' gestation and less than or equal to 1500 g every 1 to 6 weeks during hospitalization, depending on weight and blood volume removed, prevents hypogammaglobulinemia of prematurity.
