Antibiofilm potential over time of a tricalcium silicate material and its association with sodium diclofenac.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to investigate, over time, the antimicrobial activity against polymicrobial biofilms and ability to inhibit biofilm formation, of Biodentine (BD) alone and with 5% and 10% sodium diclofenac (DC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of BD alone and modified with 5% and 10% DC against polymicrobial biofilm growth in dentin was determined by a modified direct contact test. The study groups were (1) BD; (2) BD + 5% DC; and (3) BD + 10% DC. The viability of microorganisms after 1 and 4 weeks was quantified by means of an ATP assay and flow cytometry. The antibiofilm efficacy of the materials, preventing polymicrobial biofilm formation over time, was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: The results obtained with both the ATP test and flow cytometry showed that BD alone and with 5% and 10% DC exerted antibiofilm activity with respect to the control, in the two evaluated times (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed a tendency of increased antimicrobial effect, both over time and depending on the DC concentration. These results coincide with those obtained in CLSM analysis, where efficacy increased with time and DC concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Biodentine, over time, showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy on polymicrobial biofilms. The addition of 5% and 10% DC to BD enhanced this effect, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Doxycycline-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles inhibit Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on dentine.

AIM: To evaluate in a laboratory setting the antimicrobial properties and the potential to inhibit biofilm formation of novel remineralizing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) when applied to dentine surfaces and to ascertain the effect of the functionalization of these NPs with zinc, calcium or doxycycline. METHODOLOGY: The antimicrobial activity and inhibition of biofilm formation of polymeric NPs were analysed on human dentine blocks that were infected with Enterococcus faecalis before or after application of NPs. LIVE/DEAD ® testing under Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and bacterial culturing were employed to analyse biofilm biovolume and bacterial viability. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was also employed to assess biofilm morphology. One-way anova with Welch's correction and post hoc comparison by the Games-Howell test were performed for comparisons between groups. RESULTS: The un-functionalized NPs displayed the greatest antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis biofilms as they provided the lowest biovolume (3865.7 ± 2926.97 µm3 ; P < 0.001) and the highest dead/injured cells percentage (79.93 ± 18.40%; P < 0.001), followed by Dox-NPs (biovolume: 19,041.55 ± 17,638.23 µm3 , dead/injured cells: 45.53 ± 26.50%; P < 0.001). Doxycycline-loaded NPs had the largest values of inhibition of biofilm formation with the lowest biofilm biovolume (8517.65 ± 7055.81 µm3 ; P < 0.001) and a high dead/injured bacterial percentage (68.68 ± 12.50%; P < 0.001). Un-functionalized NPs did not reduce biomass growth (P > 0.05), but attained the largest percentage of compromised cells (93 ± 8.23%; P < 0.001), being able to disrupt biofilm formation. It also produced occlusion of dentinal tubules, potentially interfering with bacterial tubule penetration. CONCLUSIONS: A new generation of bioactive nano-fillers (doxycycline-functionalized polymeric NPs) had antibacterial activity and occluded dentinal tubules. Incorporating these NPs into endodontic sealers may have the potential to enhance the outcome of root canal treatment.

A laboratory study of root canal and isthmus disinfection in extracted teeth using various activation methods with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and etidronic acid.

AIM: To evaluate in a laboratory setting the antibiofilm activity of several irrigating protocols including conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher, with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and etidronic acid in infected isthmuses and root canals of extracted human mandibular molar teeth. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-six mesial roots of mandibular molars, half of them with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the apical third between the two root canals (type 1), and the other half with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the middle third and one canal in the apical third (type 2), were included. The root canals were contaminated for 7 days with an Enterococcus faecalis suspension. There were three experimental groups plus a control group (n = 7 per type of root canal anatomy). All the root canals, except for the control group that was not treated, were chemomechanically prepared and then assigned to one of the experimental groups according to the final adjunctive procedure: conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation or XP-endo Finisher activation. The irrigating solution used was a combination of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 9% etidronic acid, and the final protocols were applied for three cycles of 30 s with a 3 mL volume. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated at each location (root canal and isthmus) and third (cervical, middle and apical) using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the live/dead technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (descriptive statistics) and SUDAAN (P-value calculations). RESULTS: Root canals had significantly lower biovolume values than the isthmuses (P < 0.05). The biovolume in the root canals was significantly reduced in all the experimental groups in all the thirds except for conventional irrigation in the apical third (P > 0.05). In the cervical and middle thirds, ultrasonic activation was associated with the lowest biovolumes (P < 0.05), followed by XP-endo Finisher. In the isthmus, disinfection was similar in all the thirds for all the protocols. Conventional irrigation was associated with intermediate values with no significant differences from the control group or from the activated protocols (P > 0.05), although the latter were significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). No differences were found between ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher in the middle and apical thirds (P > 0.05) in the isthmuses. CONCLUSIONS: In this laboratory study on extracted teeth, the isthmus was more difficult to disinfect than root canals. In the root canals, ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher had a greater effectiveness than conventional irrigation. In the isthmuses, no differences were observed between the two activation techniques and conventional irrigation.

Comparación de la eficacia de la fototerapia convencional con tubos de luz azul vs. LEDs / Comparison of the efficacy of conventional phototherapy with blue light tubes vs LEDs

Introducción: La hiperbilirrubinemia (HB) es la principal causa de ingreso en unidades neonatales de bajo riesgo. Nuevos dispositivos de fototerapia (FT) permiten el uso de irradiación a dosis alta. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia de la FT aplicada con equipos de tubos de luz azul (30 AW/cm2/nm) y FT con tecnología LEDÆs a dos niveles de irradiancia (30 y 40 AW/ cm2/nm) en términos de duración del tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, controlado y randomizado. Los recién nacidos de término o cercanos al término que necesitaban tratamiento con luminoterapia fueron aleatorizados a tres grupos: 1) luz azul a 30 AW/cm2/nm (LC), 2) LED a 30 AW/cm2/nm (L30), y 3) LED a 40 AW/cm2/nm (L40). Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes, 54 en LC, 56 en L30 y 55 en el grupo L40. El peso al nacer, edad gestacional, horas a la aleatorización y los valores BST al ingreso a FT (18,9 ± 2 mg/dl en BL, 18,9 ± 2,2 en L30 y 19 ± 1,6 en L40) fueron similares. El tiempo total (horas) de FT fue: 54,4 ± 6,9 en LC, 53,4 ± 10,7 en L30 y 41,7 ± 6 en L40 (p <0,001). Los niveles de BST en la interrupción de FT (10,1 ± 1,7 mg/dl, 9,9 ± 1 y 8,9 ± 1,8, p = 0,002) y 24 horas después (9,6 ± 1,3 mg/dl, 9,8 ± 1,4 y 9 ± 1,8, p = 0,04) fueron menor en el grupo L40. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con LEDs a 40 AW/cm2/nm reduce en 12 horas la duración del tratamiento en comparación con LEDs o luz azul a 30 AW/cm2/nm. (AU)

Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia (HB) is the main cause of admission to low risk neonatal units. New phototherapy devices (PT) allow the use of high dose of irradiance. Objective: To compare the efficacy of PT in terms of hours of treatment between blue light tubes and LEDs equipments with two levels of irradiance. Material and methods: Prospective controlled trial. Term or near-term infants with need of PT treatment according to AAP recommendations were randomized into three groups: blue lights PT with 30 AW/cm2/nm (BL) or LEDs PT with 30 AW/cm2/nm (L30) or 40 AW/cm2/nm (L40) at skin level. Results: 165 patients were included, 54 in the BL group, 56 in L30 and 55 in L40 group. Birth weight, gestational age, postnatal hours at randomization and total serum bilirubin (TSB) level at entry (18.9 ± 2 mg/dl in BL, 18.9 ± 2.2 in L30 and 19 ± 1.6 in L40) were similar between groups. Total time of PT were 54.4 ± 6.9 hours in BL, 53.4 ± 10.7 in L30 and 41.7 ± 6 in L40 (p <0.001). TSB levels at PT discontinuation (10.1 ± 1.7 mg/dl, 9.9 ± 1 and 8.9 ± 1.8, p = 0.002) and 24 hours later (9.6 ± 1.3 mg/dl, 9.8 ± 1.4 and 9 ± 1.8, p = 0.04) were lower in L40 group.Conclusions: PT treatment with LEDs at AW/cm2/nm reduced the duration of treatment in 12 hours compared with BL or LEDs at 30 AW/cm2/nm. (AU)

Comparación de la eficacia de la fototerapia convencional con tubos de luz azul vs. LEDs / Comparison of the efficacy of conventional phototherapy with blue light tubes vs LEDs

Introducción: La hiperbilirrubinemia (HB) es la principal causa de ingreso en unidades neonatales de bajo riesgo. Nuevos dispositivos de fototerapia (FT) permiten el uso de irradiación a dosis alta. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia de la FT aplicada con equipos de tubos de luz azul (30 µW/cm2/nm) y FT con tecnología LED’s a dos niveles de irradiancia (30 y 40 µW/ cm2/nm) en términos de duración del tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, controlado y randomizado. Los recién nacidos de término o cercanos al término que necesitaban tratamiento con luminoterapia fueron aleatorizados a tres grupos: 1) luz azul a 30 µW/cm2/nm (LC), 2) LED a 30 µW/cm2/nm (L30), y 3) LED a 40 µW/cm2/nm (L40). Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes, 54 en LC, 56 en L30 y 55 en el grupo L40. El peso al nacer, edad gestacional, horas a la aleatorización y los valores BST al ingreso a FT (18,9 ± 2 mg/dl en BL, 18,9 ± 2,2 en L30 y 19 ± 1,6 en L40) fueron similares. El tiempo total (horas) de FT fue: 54,4 ± 6,9 en LC, 53,4 ± 10,7 en L30 y 41,7 ± 6 en L40 (p <0,001). Los niveles de BST en la interrupción de FT (10,1 ± 1,7 mg/dl, 9,9 ± 1 y 8,9 ± 1,8, p = 0,002) y 24 horas después (9,6 ± 1,3 mg/dl, 9,8 ± 1,4 y 9 ± 1,8, p = 0,04) fueron menor en el grupo L40. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con LEDs a 40 µW/cm2/nm reduce en 12 horas la duración del tratamiento en comparación con LEDs o luz azul a 30 µW/cm2/nm.

Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia (HB) is the main cause of admission to low risk neonatal units. New phototherapy devices (PT) allow the use of high dose of irradiance. Objective: To compare the efficacy of PT in terms of hours of treatment between blue light tubes and LEDs equipments with two levels of irradiance. Material and methods: Prospective controlled trial. Term or near-term infants with need of PT treatment according to AAP recommendations were randomized into three groups: blue lights PT with 30 µW/cm2/nm (BL) or LEDs PT with 30 µW/cm2/nm (L30) or 40 µW/cm2/nm (L40) at skin level. Results: 165 patients were included, 54 in the BL group, 56 in L30 and 55 in L40 group. Birth weight, gestational age, postnatal hours at randomization and total serum bilirubin (TSB) level at entry (18.9 ± 2 mg/dl in BL, 18.9 ± 2.2 in L30 and 19 ± 1.6 in L40) were similar between groups. Total time of PT were 54.4 ± 6.9 hours in BL, 53.4 ± 10.7 in L30 and 41.7 ± 6 in L40 (p <0.001). TSB levels at PT discontinuation (10.1 ± 1.7 mg/dl, 9.9 ± 1 and 8.9 ± 1.8, p = 0.002) and 24 hours later (9.6 ± 1.3 mg/dl, 9.8 ± 1.4 and 9 ± 1.8, p = 0.04) were lower in L40 group.Conclusions: PT treatment with LEDs at µW/cm2/nm reduced the duration of treatment in 12 hours compared with BL or LEDs at 30 µW/cm2/nm.

Estudio de la frecuentación de un servicio de urgencias extrahospitalario / Study of emergency medical service frequentation rates

Fundamento y objetivo: La masificación y uso inadecuado de las urgencias hospitalarias se mantiene, a pesar de la aplicación de medidas como la creación de servicios de emergencia extra hospitalarios. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la utilización de este servicio en Aragón y analizar si existe variabilidad en su uso, en función de diferentes variables. Método: Estudio observacional sobre la utilización del Servicio 061 ARAGÓN, durante el año 2003. Se realizó un análisis bivariante, en el que se comparaban las tasas de frecuentación de urgencias por grupos de edad, sexo y zona de salud y un estudio de variabilidad de las tasas de frecuentación por zona de salud, mediante la medida del coeficiente de variación (CV). Se ajustó un modelo de regresión logística para identificar qué variables influyen en la probabilidad de que la llamada se realice en día festivo. Resultados: Las tasas de frecuentación más altas se observaron en las zonas de la ciudad de Zaragoza y, en éstas, en mujeres, a diferencia de lo observado en las provincias de Huesca y Teruel. La variabilidad por zonas de salud fue mayor en mujeres. Aumentó la probabilidad de solicitar el servicio en domingo la menor gravedad del aviso y la redujo el tener menos de 60 años y ser hombre. Conclusiones: Los servicios de emergencias extra hospitalarios han centralizado la coordinación de la atención a los procesos urgentes y han aumentado la accesibilidad al sistema sanitario, pero se observa una variabilidad en su uso cuyas causas deberían ser analizadas (AU)

Background: Despite the application of several measurements, such as the creation of a emergency medical service(EMS), massification and inadequate use of hospitalary emergency departments are still current concerns. The aim of the present study was to assess the utilization of these services in Aragon and to analyce the covariables influenting in their use. Methods: Observational study regarding the use of the Service 061 ARAGON, during 2003. A bivariant analysis was performed to compare the rates of frequentation in EMS by groups of age, sex and health region, and a study of variability of frequentation rates by health region was made using as the coefficient variation % (CV). A logistic regression model was used to identify the main variables which could have any impact on the likelihood of calling 061 ARAGON on the weekend days. Results: In contrast with the findings in the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, the highest rates of frequentation were observed in the zones of the city of Saragossa and the percentage of women was higher. The variability for health regions was also higher in women. The probability of asking for the service on Sunday increased with the lower severity of the illness and decreased for males and people under 60 years of age. Conclusions: EMS have centralized the coordination of emergency care and increased the accessibility to healthcare system, however, the variability in the use should be analysed (AU)

Enfermedad de orina a jarabe de arce / Maple syrup urine disease

Las enfermedades metabólicas pueden presentarse con síntomas, signos y laboratorios inespecíficos, que si no se consideran entre los diagnósticos diferenciales pueden retrasar el diagnóstico de estos pacientes, lo que lleva a un alto grado de secuelas neurológicas o muerte en etapas tempranas. La enfermedad de Orina a Jarabe de Arce es una enfermedad metabólica de baja incidencia caracterizada por la acumulación de niveles tóxicos de valina, isoleucina y principalmente leucina. Se presenta un paciente sin antecedentes que a los 11 días de vida comienza con mala actitud alimentaria, letargia y fontanela tensa. Descartadas las causas infectológicas se realizó un screening para enfermedades metabólicas. Se diagnosticó Leucinosis (Enfermedad de orina con olor a Jarabe de Arce) y se inició el tratamiento con restricción de leucina, valina e isoleucina en la dieta. A los pocos días del tratamiento el paciente mostró evidencias de mejoría clínica y en los parámetros de laboratorio.

Clinical signs, symptoms and lab tests of neonatal metabolic diseases may be unspecific and a high grade of suspicion is necessary to include them among the differential diagnosis avoiding a significant delay in recognizing this condition and consequent risk of neurologic handicap or early dead. Maple syrup urine disease is a congenital metabolic disorder with a low rate of prevalence and characterized by a toxic accumulation of the amino acids valine, isoleucine and mainly leucine. In this report we describe the history of a patient apparently healthy that on the 11th day after birth initiates symptoms like poor feeding, lethargy and tense fontanel. Excluded sepsis a work up for metabolic disease was performed, being diagnosed a leucinosis (Maple syrup urine disease). A dietary treatment with leucine, valine and isoleucine restriction was immediately initiated and a few days after the patient showed significant clinical and lab improvement. A short description and discussion of this disease is presented.

Comparación de dos métodos para reducir la pérdida insensible de agua en recién nacidos prematuros de muy bajo peso / Comparison of two methods to reduce the insensitive water loss in very low birth weight infant

Introducción: La pérdida insensible de agua (PIA) es mayor a menor edad gestacional y peso de nacimiento. El método estándar para reducirlas es mantener al recién nacido en un ônidoõ, con un gorro y cubierto por una lámina de plástico. Hipótesis: Una alta HR (HRA) en la incubadora (80 por ciento) es más eficaz para reducir la PIA durante las primeras 72 horas de vida, comparado con baja HR (HRB). Diseño: Ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado. Objetivo: Determinar si la PIA se reduce significativamente en una incubadora con alta HR. Población y Métodos: RN <1.500 g de peso y 32 semanas de edad gestacional colocados en una Incubadora NATAL CARE® fueron asignados a recibir HRB o alta. Se realizó control de peso, líquidos aportados, diuresis y natremia durante los primeros 3 días. Resultados: Ingresaron 20 pacientes con HRB y 21 con HRA. No se hallaron diferencias clínicas entre ellos. El máximo descenso de peso fue de 8,9 por ciento para el grupo HRA y de 14,5 por ciento para el grupo HRB (p <0,001); la recuperación del peso de nacimiento fue de 10,3 días para el grupo HRA y 16 días para el de HRB (p <0,001), la media de líquidos aportados fue de 87 y 104,4 ml/kg/día respectivamente (p <0,001). La natremia del grupo HRA fue de 134,1 mEq/l y 138,6 mEq/l para HRB (p<0,0001), se registraron 7 casos de hipernatremia en el grupo control. Conclusiones: Estos resultados indirectamente confirman que los recién nacidos prematuros manejados en un microclima de HRA, tienen menos PIA sin aumentar sus riesgos en los primeros días.

Early and aggressive nutritional strategy (parenteral and enteral) decreases postnatal growth failure in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postnatal growth and nutritional deficits after the implementation of two different nutritional strategies in two consecutives periods of time. METHODS: An early and aggressive nutritional regimen was used in a cohort of 117 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Amino acids were administered at the rate of 1.5 g/kg/day along with 5.6 mg/k/min of glucose flow on day 1 of life, and progressively increased to 4 g/kg/day and 13 mg/kg/min. Intravenous lipids were started at 0.5 g/kg/day at 24 h from birth, and increased to 3.5 g/kg/day; enteral feeding was begun at day 1 of life. Uni- and multivariate analyses were used to compare this group with the conventional group of 65 VLBW infants conservatively fed. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that in the aggressive group there was a 66% reduction in the risk of post natal malnutrition at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17-0.67). This difference persisted in the multivariate analysis. Energy and protein deficits were lower in the aggressive group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early and aggressive introduction of total parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding resulted in better growth in weight, length and head circumference, and a reduction of nutritional deficits at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age.

Impacto al año de edad gestacional corregida de un protocolo de alimentación enteral y parenteral precoz e intensiva implementado en el período neonatal, sobre el crecimiento y neurodesarrollo / Impact at year of corrected gestational age of an early and intensive enteral and parenteral alimentation protocol implemented in the neonatal period, on growth and neurodevelopment

La indemnidad del sistema nervioso central (SNC) depende de factores intrínsecos (genéticos y hormaonales) y extrínsecos (nutricionales, ambientales, sociales y emocionales) y es medida indirectamente por la valoración del neurodesarrollo. Tanto el retardo del crecimiento intrauterino como la falla del crecimiento postnatal que se observa en prematuros con muy bajo peso al nacer (RNMBP) han sido relacionados con la aparición tardía de problemas en el neurodesarrollo. Una intervención nutricional durante la primeras semanas de vida podría minimizar el déficit durante el tercer trimestre de gestación. Diche interrupción, sumada a la morbilidad asociada a la prematurez, condicionan la falla en el crecimiento postnatal...

Aspectos psicológicos en el paciente superviviente / No disponible

No disponible

Método de trabajo en una institución geriátrica basado en los diagnósticos enfermeros / Working method in a geriatric institution based upon nursing diagnoses

El trabajo que nos ocupa, realizado en la residencia y centro de día geriátricos de la "Fundación Sta. Eulalia", situado en la ciudad de l'Hospitalet de Barcelona, pretende potenciar nuestro rol autónomo hacia el desarrollo completo y específico del proceso de atención de enfermería apoyándonos en el establecimiento de diagnósticos enfermeros estandarizados. El objetivo que nos planteamos es: "Elaborar un método que nos permita integrar en la práctica asistencial la metodología delproceso de atención, incorporando como parte del mismo, los diagnósticos de enfermería de la North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), todo ello enmarcado en el modelo conceptual de Virginia Henderson". El trabajo se ha basado en una muestra de 43 ancianos de la residencia "Fundación Sta. Eulalia" escogidos al azar en octubre de 1998. Se utilizó la historia de enfermería para la recogida de datos, y se valoraron todas las necesidades, marcando a continuación los problemas detectados y estableciendo los diagnósticos de enfermería según la taxonomía de la NANDA. Una vez finalizado el período de implantación del método valoramos las hojas de registro en las que deben figurar los diagnósticos de enfermería, objetivos y plan de actuación escogido según el "Cuaderno de diagnósticos enfermeros y planes de cuidados estandarizados en gerontología" confeccionado durante este trabajo de investigación. Para finalizar, las conclusiones a las que hemos llegado son: - La implantación de un método de trabajo basado en los diagnósticos enfermeros favorece la continuidad en los cuidados, la comunicación y la coordinación dentro del equipo. - El hecho de que se trabaje con un método de trabajo específico enfermero (modelo conceptual con aplicación de diagnósticos enfermeros) estimula el rol profesional y su diferenciación de otros profesionales. - Todo ello permite ofrecer una mejor calidad de cuidados individual izados a la población (AU)

[Standard of birth weight for gestational age in 55706 healthy newborns in a public maternity of Buenos Aires]. / Estándar de peso para la edad gestacional en 55706 recién nacidos sanos de una maternidad pública de Buenos Aires.

UNLABELLED: Birth-weight-for-gestational-age patterns in Argentina are scarce and outdated. The same study has been performed within our institution for 8 years already. Our hypothesis is that there could have been population changes with repercussions on fetal growth. The objectives were: 1) to determine new normal values of birth weight (BW)-for-gestational-age; 2) to study growth speed and acceleration, and 3) to compare these new results between trienniums. POPULATION: All liveborn babies between 1988-1998 (n = 67,857) were included. Those with BW lower than 500 g, gestational age (GA) lower than 25 weeks or mistakes in the appraisal of GA and outliers (birth-weight-for gestational-age > 2.5 DS of the median) were excluded. Those without maternal or obstetric history that could have influenced the BW were defined as "healthy newborns" (n = 55,706). The software Persi, that employs 34 of the 93 variables included in the Perinatal Clinical Record (SIP/OPS/OMS, Agustina v 5.1), was used. Birth weight median, standard deviation and error, coefficient of variation, skewness and kurtosis's coefficients, real and polynomial percentiles, standard distribution (Z), and the corresponding charts were generated in an automatic way for each gestational week and through the use of the method of least squares (polynomial models up to 4th grade). Results were as follows: maximum variability 15% as from the 30th week, maximum absolute speed in the 36th week (263 g/week) and a positive acceleration, up to the 36th week, and then a negative one (maximum -127 g/week2 in the 42nd week) was observed. Skewness varied between -0.247 (31st week) and 0.129 (38th week), and kurtosis was around 3, from which it can be inferred that the population has a normal distribution. Compared to the score z, the new curves showed a maximum error of 1.53% for the 10 percentile and 1.50% for the 50 percentile. By analyzing the data by trienniums (88-91, 91-93, 94-96 and 97-98) a growing mean BW (3243 +/- 539 g to 3286 +/- 508 g; p < 0.001) and 10 percentile (2600 to 2690 g, p < 0.001) trend was appreciated. IN CONCLUSION: new values of birth weight-for-gestational-age were determined, and a secular increase trend of the mean birth weight (+43 g) was observed.

Estándar de peso para la edad gestacional en 55706 recién nacidos sanos de una maternidad pública de Buenos Aires. / [Standard of birth weight for gestational age in 55706 healthy newborns in a public maternity of Buenos Aires]

Birth-weight-for-gestational-age patterns in Argentina are scarce and outdated. The same study has been performed within our institution for 8 years already. Our hypothesis is that there could have been population changes with repercussions on fetal growth. The objectives were: 1) to determine new normal values of birth weight (BW)-for-gestational-age; 2) to study growth speed and acceleration, and 3) to compare these new results between trienniums. Population: All liveborn babies between 1988-1998 (n = 67,857) were included. Those with BW lower than 500 g, gestational age (GA) lower than 25 weeks or mistakes in the appraisal of GA and outliers (birth-weight-for gestational-age > 2.5 DS of the median) were excluded. Those without maternal or obstetric history that could have influenced the BW were defined as [quot ]healthy newborns[quot ] (n = 55,706). The software Persi, that employs 34 of the 93 variables included in the Perinatal Clinical Record (SIP/OPS/OMS, Agustina v 5.1), was used. Birth weight median, standard deviation and error, coefficient of variation, skewness and kurtosiss coefficients, real and polynomial percentiles, standard distribution (Z), and the corresponding charts were generated in an automatic way for each gestational week and through the use of the method of least squares (polynomial models up to 4th grade). Results were as follows: maximum variability 15

as from the 30th week, maximum absolute speed in the 36th week (263 g/week) and a positive acceleration, up to the 36th week, and then a negative one (maximum -127 g/week2 in the 42nd week) was observed. Skewness varied between -0.247 (31st week) and 0.129 (38th week), and kurtosis was around 3, from which it can be inferred that the population has a normal distribution. Compared to the score z, the new curves showed a maximum error of 1.53

for the 10 percentile and 1.50

for the 50 percentile. By analyzing the data by trienniums (88-91, 91-93, 94-96 and 97-98) a growing mean BW (3243 +/- 539 g to 3286 +/- 508 g; p < 0.001) and 10 percentile (2600 to 2690 g, p < 0.001) trend was appreciated. In conclusion: new values of birth weight-for-gestational-age were determined, and a secular increase trend of the mean birth weight (+43 g) was observed.

Effect of early versus late administration of human recombinant erythropoietin on transfusion requirements in premature infants: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVE: The administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), started after the first 2 weeks of life, reduces the transfusion requirement in premature infants. However, its use throughout the first 2 weeks of life, when anemia results predominantly from phlebotomy losses, remains controversial. We investigated whether early use of rHuEPO would reduce the total transfusion requirement and/or the number of transfusions throughout the first 2 weeks of life. METHODS: We randomized 114 infants with birth weight (BW) <1250 g to receive rHuEPO (1250 units/kg/week; IV; early group: n = 57) or placebo (late group: n = 57) from day 2 to day 14 of life; subsequently, all the patients received rHuEPO (750 units/kg/week, subcutaneously) for 6 additional weeks. All infants were given oral iron (6 mg/kg/day) and folic acid (2 mg/day). RESULTS: The early group showed higher hematocrit and reticulocyte counts than the late group in the first 3 weeks of life, but there was no difference in the total number of transfusions (early: 1.8 +/- 2.3 vs late: 1.8 +/- 2.5 transfusion/patient) or the transfusion requirement throughout the first 2 weeks of life (early:.8 +/- 1.1 vs late:.9 +/- 1.3) could be demonstrated. In infants with BW <800 g and total phlebotomy losses >30 mL/kg (n = 29), a lower number of transfusions was received by infants in the early group, compared with late group, from the second week to the end of the treatment (early: 3.4 +/- 1.1 vs late: 5.4 +/- 3.7 transfusion/patient). No clinical adverse effects were observed. Thrombocytosis was detected during the treatment with rHuEPO in 31% of the infants. CONCLUSIONS: In the whole population, the early administration of rHuEPO induced a rise of reticulocyte counts, but not enough to reduce the transfusion requirement. The most severely ill infants (BW <800 g and phlebotomy losses >30 mL/kg) seemed to benefit from early use of rHuEPO, and this deserves additional study.

[Fat distribution in children and adolescents of both sexes]. / Distribución de la grasa en niños y adolescentes de ambos sexos.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe anthropometric indexes of fat distribution in 6.0 to 14.9 year old children and to estimate the timing of differentiation of fat patterning in male and female children and adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied a sample of 1,360 children (701 boys and 659 girls) from Zaragoza, Spain. We have measured triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknessess and waist and hip circumferences. With these measurements, we have calculated the indexes of fat distribution including waist-to-hip circumference ratio and triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio. We present the percentiles of these indexes. RESULTS: All percentiles of the waist-to-hip ratio were higher in males than in females. Percentiles 5, 50 and 95 of the triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio showed similar values in males and females, except that percentile 95 was higher in males than in females after 10.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The waist-to-hip ratio seems to define earlier the pattern of fat distribution in children than does the triceps-to-subscapular skinfold thickness ratio. If we take into account the waist-to-hip ratio, the pattern of fat distribution is already present in school age children.

[Assessment of the submandibular adipose skinfold for the determination of a nutritional status in children and adolescents]. / Valoración del pliegue adiposo submandibular para la determinación del estado nutricional en la infancia y adolescencia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to show the validity of a new skinfold thickness for measuring nutritional status in children. We also compare submandibular skinfold thickness with other anthropometric measures and indices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 899 boys and 837 girls between 3.0 and 15.1 years of age. All of them were healthy and from different socioeconomic statuses. We measured weight, height, obesity indices, circumferences, indices of body fat distribution and indices of body fat. Data were divided according to age and sex. We calculated the percentiles of submandibular skinfold thickness and correlations between this parameter and all other measurements were performed. The mean values of the two sexes were compared by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Submandibular skinfold is an easy and fast skinfold to measure. Its value is maximum at 10 and 11 years in girls and boys, respectively. This measurement is higher in girls than in boys at 5, 7, 10, 13 and 14 years of age (p < 0.05). There was a high correlation between this skinfold value and almost all of the measurements and indices studied, especially with the body mass index (r = 0.589), the sum of the four conventional skinfolds (r = 0.844), arm circumference (r = 0.513), arm fat area (r = 0.776) and percentage body fat (r = 0.830). CONCLUSIONS: Submandibular skinfold thickness in children and adolescents shows a high correlation with body fat indices. It is for this reason that it could be used as a new measurement to assess nutritional status and obesity in children.

Chloracne in the 1990s.

BACKGROUND: Chloracne is a disease associated with toxicity of halogenated compounds used in some industrial processes. A patient affected by chloracne led us to study a total of nine cases from a single factory. METHODS: We studied the clinical features of nine patients exposed chronically to chlorobenzenes. On all of them blood samples were drawn and biopsies of affected skin and liver were taken. Their work environment was visited and studied. RESULTS: All nine patients were men and had polymorphic skin lesions, characterized mainly by comedones and cysts. They had chronic conjunctivitis and seven had cysts in the Meibomian glands. All of them had polyneuropathy and liver damage and seven had hypertriglyceridemia. Compounds known to cause chloracne were found in exceedingly high concentrations in the water used in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Every patient exposed to halogenated compounds with the cutaneous manifestations of chloracne should be carefully investigated for systemic complications (such as ophthalmic, neuropathic, hepatic, and lipoprotein abnormalities).