The relationship between abdominal aortic intima-media thickness and lipid profile in neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia.

Neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia are known to be associated with lipid alterations that might increase the risk for cardiovascular disease in adult life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preeclampsia on lipid metabolism, aortic intimamedia thickness (aIMT) and subsequent atherogenic risk in newborn infants. Aortic intima-media thickness was measured in 60 neonates of mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 30 neonates of mothers with preeclampsia and group II; 30 neonates of mothers with severe preeclampsia) and 30 healthy neonates (group III). Maternal and cord serum lipid profiles were determined in all groups. Mean abdominal aIMT measurements were higher in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 0.36 +/- 0.03 mm and group II; 0.36 +/- 0.04 mm) compared with the control group (group III; 0.33 +/- 0.03 mm, p = 0.006). Serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 39.2 +/- 42.0 mg/dl and group II; 39.5 +/- 56.5 mg/dl) compared with the control group (group III; 14.9 +/- 18.8 mg/dl, p = 0,039). Serum HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia (group I; 17.3 +/- 12.3 mg/dl and group II; 17.1 +/- 12.8 mg/dl) compared with the control group (group III; 27.6 +/- 13.0 mg/dl, p = 0.002). In conclusion; neonates of mothers with preeclampsia have significantly higher aIMT with lipid alterations. This may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in adult life.

Cervicothoracolumbar spinal epidural abscess and cerebral salt wasting.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare infectious disease. However, if left unrecognized and untreated, the clinical outcome of SEA can be devastating. PURPOSE: To report a rare clinical presentation of a cervicothoracolumbar SEA with cerebral salt wasting (CSW). STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: Clinical history, physical and laboratory findings, and magnetic resonance imaging studies of a patient with cervicothoracolumbar SEA and CSW. RESULTS: We report the case of a 15-year-old boy with cervicothoracolumbar SEA complicated with CSW and treated with conservative methods. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CSW can be seen at the follow-up period of the SEA and the clinicians must be aware of this entity.

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia in a newborn: a response to autologous blood therapy.

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare condition that may present antenatally with pleural effusions and hydrops, and the prognosis is reported to be very poor. Treatments for lymphangiectasia have included corticosteroids for patients with primary inflammatory conditions, dietary modifications, surgical resection for isolated lesions, octreotide, antiplasmin therapy and fibrin glue pleurodesis. However, there is no experience with pleurodesis by autologous blood therapy in the literature. We present a newborn with primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis who developed progressively profuse chylous pleural effusions after enteral full feeding from the 8th day of life and improved with pleurodesis by autologous blood therapy.