Brief Report: Autism in the Courtroom: Experiences of Legal Professionals and the Autism Community.

Online surveys were used to sample the views of judges, barristers and solicitors (n = 33) about their engagement with autistic individuals in criminal courts in England and Wales. Despite an understanding of some of the difficulties experienced by individuals with autism, and the adjustments suitable for supporting them, legal professionals reported constraints arising from a lack of understanding by others within the criminal justice system. These results are considered alongside the views and perspectives of autistic adults (n = 9) and parents of children on the autism spectrum (n = 19), who had encountered the criminal courts as witnesses or defendants and were largely dissatisfied with their experiences.

Neonatal intestinal perforation caused by intestinal muscularis defect associated with vascular ectasia.

We describe a rare case of a viable preterm infant who developed a spontaneous localized perforation of the small bowel caused by a segmental absence of the intestinal musculature and associated with vascular ectasia. The findings may support a causal relationship between absence of the intestinal muscle coat and a vascular network disorder which may be responsible for the gastroenteric defect.

Cerebral blood flow measurements in the newborn dog.

Current methods of cerebral blood flow (CBF) determination provide only discrete, episodic data and are limited in assessing dynamic changes in cerebral circulation. We adapted a venous outflow technique employing cannulation of the superior sagittal sinus in newborn puppies to measure changes in CBF rapidly and sequentially during ventilatory maneuvers. CBF velocity (CBFV) was measured simultaneously with Doppler ultrasound of the anterior cerebral artery.

Prenatal administration of indomethacin as a tocolytic agent: effect on neonatal renal function.

Renal function was evaluated in premature infants whose mothers received long-term indomethacin for tocolysis. Creatinine, urine and serum osmolalities, fractional excretion of sodium, and glomerular filtration rate were compared during the first 10 postnatal days in 14 preterm infants exposed to indomethacin in utero and in ten control infants. Renal function in both groups was comparable, with no significant differences on any study date in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine, ratio of urine osmolality to serum osmolality, fractional excretion of sodium, or glomerular filtration rate.

Prenatally acquired cytomegalovirus encephalopathy.

A case is reported of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. A baby girl was born at an estimated gestational age of 35 weeks to a 26-year-old Hispanic women. There was maternal cocaine abuse and poor prenatal care, and variable decelerations, abruptio placentae, and meconium-stained fluid occurred in the intrapartum period.