[Kidney function in the newborn infant of 32 to 36 weeks gestation: the usefulness of the excreted sodium fraction]. / Función renal en el recién nacido de 32 a 36 semanas de gestación: utilidad de la FENa.

A total of 20 healthy premature newborns, with a gestational age between 32 and 36 weeks were studied for a year. The objective of the study was to determine the utility of the excreted sodium excretion fraction test (FENa) as a parameter used to evaluate renal function in this type of patients, using comparatively the excretion of creatinine. Of the patients studied, 12 were females and the rest males; the medium gestational age was 35.1 weeks (ranging from 32 to 36 weeks); their average weight at birth was 1,943 g (ranging from 1,372 to 2,626 g); serum creatinine varied from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL; urinary sodium was measured at 5.37 and 38 mEg/L; the excretion of creatinine was measured at 8.26 +/- 5.18 mL/min/1.73 m2. The FENa varied between 0.1 and 1.71% (x = 0.78 +/- 0.48). The results obtained showed that the FENa is a useful parameter to evaluate renal function in premature newborns with a gestational age between 32 and 36 weeks.

[Incontinentia pigmenti. A report of 2 familial cases]. / Incontinencia pigmenti. Informe de dos casos familiares.

Six patients, four still in a pediatric age, included in two family cases of pigmenti incontinence are presented; there exists a previous family history of this disease in cases which have not been considered before. A review of the literature with a discussion of the clinical aspects observed in this group of patients was carried out.

[Frequency of poisoning in a general hospital in Mexico City]. / Frecuencia de intoxicaciones en un hospital general de la ciudad de México.

We analyzed 56 cases of children with diagnosis of poisoning, which were attendant at the pediatric emergency room at "Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez" General Hospital, during a period between October 1st 1987 and September 31st, 1988. A greater incidence among infants below 5 years of age was observed, 16.07% of these were newborn infants. Male infants were the most affected. The most frequent causes were iatrogenic and accidental incidents. Only 4 cases of suicide attempt was reported. Medically prescribed drugs were the most frequent cause of poisoning. Of these, anticholinergic agents were the number one cause. Among other types of agents, a relatively high incidence of mushroom poisoning was observed. General death rate was 10.71%. Through a survey answered by 400 physicians, we studied their knowledge of basic concepts of toxicology, commercial names, doses and side effects of certain drugs; 24% of these were pediatricians, and the rest were general physicians. This survey reveals adequate knowledge of commercial names of drugs, but poor knowledge of basic toxicology, doses and side effects of these drugs.

Ambroxol, nuevo broncosecretolitico en afecciones broncopulmonares en pediatria. / Cambroxol, new bronchosecretolytic in bronchopulmonary disesases in pediatrics

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio clinico multicentrico nacional del tipo abierto no comparativo. Fue realizado en tres centros hospitalarios, en un total de 74 ninos con afecciones agudas y cronicas de las vias respiratorias, cuya manifestacion mas importante era la retencion de secreciones. Como secretolitico, el ambroxol modifico favorablemente el curso del padecimiento en 83.7% de los casos.Solo se uso medicacion antibiotica y/o broncodilatadora cuando se considero necesario. La tolerancia al medicamento fue excelente