Simulated amniotic fluid-like solution given enterally to neonates after obstructive bowel surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Withholding postoperative feeding is common in neonates recovering from surgeries for congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which leads to prolonged exposure to total parenteral nutrition, intestinal atrophy, and feeding intolerance. Because amniotic fluid plays a significant role in fetal gut maturation and development, the aim of this study was to test a hypothesis suggesting that feeding tolerance could be improved in neonates recovering from surgeries for congenital obstructive bowel abnormalities by enteral administration of simulated amniotic fluid-like solution given enterally (SAFE) containing recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 40 late preterm/term neonates recovering from GIT surgeries. Neonates were randomly divided postoperatively into two groups: 20 neonates received the test solution (SAFE group) and 20 neonates received distilled water (placebo group) with a gestational age range (34.3-40.4 versus 34-40 wk, respectively) and mean gestational age (37.10 ± 1.68 versus 36.90 ± 1.83 wk, respectively). Treatment was started postoperatively and the test solution (or distilled water) was discontinued when daily enteral intake reached 100 mL/kg. RESULTS: The study group showed better feeding tolerance as demonstrated as reflected by an earlier achievement of 50, 100, 120, and 150 mL/kg enteral feeding per day with a higher enteral caloric intake on day 7 post SAFE administration and a higher rate of weight gain (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Enteral administration of SAFE may improve postoperative feeding tolerance, enteral caloric intake, and weight gain.

Function of the audiovestibular system in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect inner ear by disrupting either the hearing or balance system. Affection of hearing can be anatomically categorized into conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, while affection of the equilibrium system manifests either as an isolated manifestation like vertigo or as a part of a spectrum like Meniere's disease. Most cases show asymptomatic affection requiring an objective audiovestibular assessment. More focus should be given to routine evaluation especially with disease flares and for proper treatment. In pediatric patients, more concern should be given owing to the added effect of ototoxicity with several drugs and the educational impact of such comorbidity.

Study of audiovestibular dysfunction in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Inner ear dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosis patients has been reported but audiovestibular involvement is not well documented especially in pediatrics. This study was designed to evaluate silent audiovestibular dysfunction among SLE children. METHODS: Case control study examined in allergy and immunology clinic; pediatrics hospital and audiovestibular clinic; Ain Shams University from January 2009 to December 2010. Thirty-five systemic lupus erythematosus children (diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology); age group 8-16 years, were randomly selected. Five of them were excluded due to one or more exclusion criteria (previous otitis media, stroke, lupus cerebritis, meningitis or encephalitis, audiovestibular symptom). Ten of them refused enrollment or could not complete full battery. Seventeen females and three males, mean age 12.9 ± 2.6 years, completed the study. Control group included 20 normal subjects, age and sex matched. Full clinical assessment, basic audiological evaluation and vestibular testing (videonystagmography VNG and computerized dynamic posturography CDP) were conducted for children included in the study. RESULTS: Five systemic lupus erythematosus patients had sensorineural hearing loss strongly associated with +ve antiphospholipid antibody and two had conductive hearing loss. Two children in control group had conductive hearing loss (p=0.05). Abnormal VNG findings was significantly higher among systemic lupus erythematosus children (40%) compared to controls (0%) and associated with +ve antiphospholipid antibodies (χ(2)=10, p=0.002, Fisher exact test=0.003). Twenty-five percentage of systemic lupus erythematosus children had abnormal CDP findings reflecting impaired balance function associated with positive antiphospholipid antibodies showing significant statistical difference compared to controls (0% affection) (χ(2)=5.7, p=0.017, Fisher exact test=0.047). CONCLUSION: Silent audiovestibular dysfunction is prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus children especially those positive for antiphospholipid antibodies necessitating routine regular evaluation.