[Total and specific IgE determination in children allergy. A comparison with the skin tests (author's transl)]. / Determinación de IgE total y específica en la alergia infantil. Correlación con las pruebas dérmicas.

Authors have carried out 478 IgE determinations by radioimmunoassay on children under 14. 78 determinations on healthy children were used to obtain normal IgE values according to age. The remaining determinations referred to 400 children, who came to the Allergy Department. In 120 cases IgE values above 100 U/ml were obtained. In 97 cases a skin test and a specific IgE determination (RAST) carried out compared to 11 allergens. Authors compared the results in order to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of both tests. The RAST specificity was higher than the skin test. The predictive value of the positive RAST was 0.96. Because of its easy accomplishment, innocuity, high specificity and high predictive value, the total and specific IgE determination turns out to be very useful in the diagnosis of children allergy.

[Trypsic inhibitors in serum and hyaline membrane disease (author's transl)]. / Los inhibidores trípsicos del suero y la enfermedad de la membrana hialina

Alpha1 antitrypsin (A1AT), alpha2 macroglobulin, alpha, quimotrypsin, interalpha1 antitrypsin and trypsin inhibitory capacity in serum of newborn with hyaline membrane disease, are compared with values obtained in other dis orders, and with normal newborn at different gestacional age. Significant decreased level of A1AT and trypsin inhibitory capacity were found in hyaline membrane patients, that were in order to symptoms severity and time in which samples were obtained. A1AT immunofluorescent study of hyaline membrane in died newborns was positive allowing to explain the low levels found in serum. Presence of fibrine IgG, C1a and C3 in hyaline membrane is according to it's composition by plasmatic components. Thus a new pathogenic mecanisme (derived of the plasma viscosity in the alveolar layer) could be present in hyaline membrane formation.

[Alpha-fetoprotein and neonatology: Postnatal estimation of gestational age and idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (author's transl)]. / Alfa fetoproteína en neonatología6 valoración de la edad gestacional y en el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria idiopático

Cord serum AFP levels have been determined in 66 newborn samples, between 30 to 42 weeks of gestational age. Results showed some relation between AFP rate and newborn maturity degree, so it was possible to foresay the gestational age with some limits of error +/- 17 days in full-term newborn, and +/- 10 days in premature ones. Cuantification in the amniotic fluid of 18 high risk gestation gave normal AFP rates. AFP of thirty patients with respiratory distress was tested. An AFP increase was present in 14 of 15 cases of hyaline membrane. On the remaining 15 cases of respiratory distress only 3 gave high levels. These facts point that AFP can be used as a suitable parameter in the biochemical diagnosis of hyaline membrane.