Effects of smoking in pregnancy on neonatal lung function.

AIMS: To assess the effects of smoking during pregnancy on lung mechanics and lung volumes in the immediate neonatal period, before infants are exposed to passive smoking. METHODS: Lung function tests were carried out within 72 hours of delivery in infants born to 100 non-smoking and 189 smoking mothers. Lung growth was assessed by plethysmography and lung mechanics using the single breath occlusion technique and oesophageal balloon/pneumotachography. Antenatal maternal serum cotinine values were obtained from 133 mothers. RESULTS: Smoking was associated with a significant reduction in birthweight (mean 256 g, 95% CI 0.164 to 0.392), and length (mean 1.26 cm, 95% CI 0.48 to 2.00). Lung volume was not reduced when related to weight. Smoking was associated with a highly significant reduction in static compliance (Crs). This effect remained significant after relating Crs to weight and lung volume. Regression analyses showed that the Crs association was limited to the boys. Smoking was associated with a small but significant reduction in respiratory system conductance (Grs) (single breath occlusion technique) and total pulmonary conductance (Gp). These associations were limited to girls. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking in pregnancy reduces static compliance in boys and conductance in girls. There was no evidence that maternal smoking adversely affected fetal lung growth.

A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of ranitidine and famotidine on intragastric acidity in critically ill pediatric patients.

We examined the efficacy of intravenous ranitidine and famotidine on raising intragastric pH in each of 10 critically ill pediatric patients. The severity of illness was assessed by using the modified zinner index score. The study had 3 phases and each phase took 24 hours. Intragastric pH was measured by continuous pH monitoring digitrapper for 72 hours. In phase 1 and 3, the patients did not receive any H2 blockers. In phase 2, they were randomized to receive intravenous ranitidine or famotidine. The majority of cases had intragastric pH < 4 in day 1 (base line). Ranitidine and famotidine increased total time of intragastric pH > or = 4 from the base line during day 2, 38.2 +/- 16.9 per cent and 60.3 +/- 24.8 per cent respectively (P0.004), but there was no statistical difference between the 2 medications in both Zinner index score 1 and score greater than 1 group (P 0.08, 0.45). Three cases in the famotidine group had successful prophylaxis with total time pH > or = 4 more than 80 per cent. Famotidine appeared to have a trend toward increasing intragastric pH in critically ill pediatric patients.

Ultrastructural defects of the ciliary epithelium in a child with Kartagener's syndrome.

Kartagener's syndrome is a well known classical triad of presentations consisting of bronchiectasis, sinusitis and situs inversus. It is now recognized that the syndrome is an extreme presentation of primary ciliary dyskinesia, a large group of conditions with ultrastructural ciliary defects, leading to poor ciliary motility in various organ systems. A case of Kartagener's syndrome is presented in an eight year old Thai boy in whom the ultrastructural ciliary defects have been examined and described in detail for the first time in Thailand. Incomplete lack of dynein arms was recognized. In addition, disorientation of ciliary axis was noticed. Due to severe bronchiectatic changes of the right lower lobe and right lingular lobe which did not improve despite adequate antibiotics, these lobes were surgically removed. The child has done well since, but still suffers occasional and recurrent bouts of sinusitis.