Usefulness of the most popular neurodevelopmental tests in preschool assessment of children born with very low birth weight.

Background: The aim of our study was multifaceted neurodevelopmental examination of children born prematurely with very low birth weight (VLBW) in order to evaluate the usefulness of popularly used tests. The second aim of the study was exploration of risk and protective factors of neurodevelopmental impairment.

Methods: Eighty-nine VLBW patients were evaluated at the age of 50 months.

[Intellectual and motor development of extremely low birth weight (≤1000 g) children in the 7th year of life; a multicenter, cross-sectional study of children born in the Malopolska voivodship between 2002 and 2004].

Introduction: A better understanding of the developmental problems in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm infants may enhance their chances of proper adaptation to their environment and make it possible to retrospectively assess perinatal and neonatal methods of treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cognitive and motor development of ELBW children born from 2002 to 2004 in the 7th year of life. Based on these results and perinatal mortality data, it was established what chance the children have to live free of severe complications.

[Assessment of somatic development and body composition in the 7th year of life in children born as extremely low birth weight infants (≤1000g); a multi-centre cross-sectional study of a cohort born between 2002 and 2004 in the Malopolska voivodship].

Unlabelled: Children born with extremely low birth weight often present delayed growth in the first years of their lives: they remain shorter and weigh less than their peers. Current reports published worldwide state that later in life these children are at an increased risk of cardiac and vascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. Abnormal distribution and the excess of fat tissue predispose them to develop the metabolic syndrome.

Biliary complications following adult liver transplantation with routine use of external biliary drainage.

Objectives: Biliary complications are still common and often related to the use of biliary drains in liver transplant setting. We analyzed the incidence, treatment and outcome of biliary complications following adult orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) performed between February 2002 and October 2004.

Methods: Overall there were 46 OLTx performed in 44 patients.

Liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure without venovenous bypass and without portacaval shunting.

Preservation of the caval vein during liver transplantation (OLT) has gained wide acceptance but portosystemic bypass or temporary portocaval shunt is still believed to be indicated in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Herein we have described our initial experience with piggyback OLT without venovenous bypass and without portocaval shunting in five such patients. Division of the portal vein was always delayed until the native liver was completely dissected off the caval vein.

[Permanent local nerve injuries after carotid endarterectomy].

Unlabelled: Functional assessment of nerves, especially motor rami of cranial nerves, in patients at postoperative period after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), is particularly important in case of necessity of contralateral carotid artery surgery. Bilateral damage to recurrent laryngeal or hypoglossal nerve is a potentially life-threatening complication. Sensory disturbances due to intraoperative injuries of cervical plexus branches may cause residual discomfort in numerous patients.

[Verification of the diagnosis of Buerger's disease in outpatients].

The aim of the paper was to estimate the correctness of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) diagnosis in ambulatory patients. 99 patients with initial diagnosis of TAO selected from 3137 outpatients, have been examined in consulting unit for vascular diseases, from 1996 to 1998. Burger's disease has been diagnosed in 26 patients in accordance with Shionoya's criteria.

[The experience in employing reciprocal gait orthoses].

The paper presents the experience of the authors in employing reciprocal gait orthoses in a group of 23 patients age 3-25 years (mean age 7.8 years). The orthoses were indicated in patients with flaccid paresis (17 children with myelodysplasia and 3 patients with traumatic paraplegia) and with arthrogryposis (3 patients).