Antenatal corticosteroid therapy in premature infants.

Objective: The objective was to examine the effect of antenatal corticosteroid treatment on premature infants, with special attention to any possible adverse effects on neonatal outcome.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all singleton and multiple pregnancies delivered in our perinatal center between 1991 and 1999, who had a birth weight of < or =1,500 g and who were subsequently admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Three hundred and sixty-five infants were included in the study and divided into two groups.

Organization and operation of a home parenteral nutrition program with emphasis on the pharmacist's role.

A home parenteral nutrition program was organized at Mayo Clinic-Rochester Methodist Hospital in 1975. To date, 26 patients with chronic malnutrition usually due to either severe short bowel syndrome or extensive Crohn's disease have been trained in home parenteral nutrition for a total treatment period of 430 patient-months. Home parenteral nutrition is an attractive alternative for these patients in that it dramatically improves nutrition, promotes rehabilitation at home, and probably decreases long-term expenses.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. A comparison with prochlorperazine and a placebo.

The antiemetic activity and side-effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were evaluated in 116 patients (median age 61 years) receiving combined 5-fluorouracil and semustine (methyl CCNU) therapy for gastrointestinal carcinoma. In a double-blind study, patients were randomized to receive THC, 15 mg orally three times a day, prochlorperazine, 10 mg orally three times a day, or placebo. The THC had superior antiemetic activity in comparison to placebo, but it showed no advantage over prochlorperazine.