[Increasing frequency and diagnostic difficulties in intestinal stenosis after necrotizing enterocolitis].

Background: Stenosis after necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has increased from 15 to 57% over the last 10 years in our unit. The aim of this study is to point out the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment, and search for factors explaining this increase.

Patients And Methods: From 1986 to 1991, 42 newborns had NEC, followed by intestinal strictures in 19 of them (57% of the 33 survivors).

Pulmonary mechanics in ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome after exogenous surfactant administration: a comparison between two surfactant preparations.

The effects of two surfactant preparations on lung mechanics have been studied on 24 ventilated premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): 13 were given artificial surfactant (Exosurf Neonatal, Burroughs-Wellcome) and 11 natural porcine surfactant (Curosurf, Laboratoire Serono France). Measurements of respiratory system compliance (Cdyn, Crs) and resistance (Rrs) were performed immediately before surfactant administration and repeated 6, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours later. With Exosurf treatment, 6 hours after surfactant administration inhaled O2 concentration (FlO2) could be lowered from (0.

[Transient intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome in premature infants].

Background: A chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is sometimes seen in premature neonates who are fed early and subsequently suffer from digestive intolerance for several weeks.

Patients: Seven premature babies (mean gestational age: 30.5 weeks, mean birthweight: 950 g) suffered from abdominal distension and failure to pass stools at a mean age of 2.

Helium-oxygen mixture in respiratory distress syndrome: a double-blind study.

In a randomized, controlled trial, the lungs of infants with respiratory distress syndrome were ventilated with either a helium-oxygen mixture or a nitrogen-oxygen mixture. In the helium-oxygen group, infants required a lower inspired oxygen concentration and a shorter duration of ventilation. There were also fewer deaths and fewer cases of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the helium-oxygen group.

[Subdural hematoma of the posterior fossa in a full-term newborn infant].

The authors report a case of subdural hematoma of the posterior fossa in a full-term neonate. The lack of specific symptoms is frequent. Diagnosis relies on CT scan and NMR data.

[Primary ulcero-necrotizing enterocolitis of the newborn. Advancements in management. Improvement in prognosis].

We report our experience acquired over the last seven years with the management of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates. This condition occurs mainly in small-for-dates, premature, critically ill infants. Diagnosis rests on the combination of clinical evidence of intestinal obstruction with non-specific signs of a decline in general health and suggestive roentgenographic findings.

[Antenatal diagnosis of lung malformations. Apropos of 9 case reports].

The authors report 9 cases of prenatal diagnosis of lung malformations. The diagnoses was performed between 17 to 33 weeks amenorrhea (mean = 25.5 weeks).

Use of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) in controlling a significant ileal output in a 5-year-old child.

We report the efficacy of a long-acting somatostatin analogue, associated with conventional therapy, in controlling profuse ileostomy losses in a child with short bowel syndrome following a volvulus. The first therapeutic effects of the treatment [50 to 100 micrograms/day of SMS 201-995 (Sandoz Ltd.) subcutaneously] appeared 48 h after institution.

High-dose thiopental pharmacokinetics in brain-injured children and neonates.

High-dose thiopental was administered in 8 children with uncontrollable seizures or hypoxic encephalopathy (group A) and 7 full-term neonates with neonatal asphyxia (group B). All of them were submitted to artificial hyperventilation to maintain pCO2 near 3.5 kPa.

[Priapism in the young adolescent (author's transl)].

Priapism is exceptional before puberty and a new case is here related. Facing the failure of the medical treatment, a caverno-saphenous shunt is realized at the 72e hour. In connection to this case, we present a review of etiological and pathological knowledges applying to this anomaly of erection.

[Early diagnosis of respiratory distress in premature infants. Application of the Clements test to the gastric fluid].

The stomach of the newborn infant contains swallowed amniotic fluid. The gastric fluid of 66 newborn infants was placed in contact with alcohol, following the technique reported by Clements in relation to amniotic fluid. The stability of the bubbles formed after mixing correspond to the presence of surfactant.