Low serum cortisol in term newborns with refractory hypotension.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to measure baseline serum cortisol levels and clinical response to glucocorticoid therapy in a group of term infants with refractory hypotension.

Study Design: Seven term newborns with refractory hypotension were included. Serum cortisol levels were drawn before initiation of glucocorticoid therapy and measured by either fluorescence polarization immunoassay or radioimmunoassay.

Serum cortisol levels in very low birth weight infants of substance-abusing mothers.

Objective: Recently, hypoadrenalism was described in extremely low birth weight infants. We have been measuring serum cortisol levels in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants to assess their adrenal function. It was noticed that infants of substance-abusing mothers (ISAM) had unusually high serum cortisol levels.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to reduce nosocomial infections in very low birth weight neonates.

Objective: We carried out a randomized placebo-controlled trial in very low birth weight neonates (VLBWNs), comparing the incidence of nosocomial infections after the prophylactic use of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF) versus placebo in VLBWNs.

Study Design: VLBWNs (n = 264), weighing 501 to 1000 g, /=4000/mm,3 peripheral blood progenitor studies, and 24-hour polymorphonuclear leukocyte C3bi receptor expression were compared between the 2 treatment groups.

Very low birth weight infants and their families during the first year of life: comparisons of medical outcomes based on after care services.

Objective: To evaluate factors contributing to optimal medical outcomes during the first year following discharge of very low birth weight infants from tertiary neonatal intensive care units.

Study Design: This was a prospective investigation of the health and development of 81 very low birth weight infants following discharge from two tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Los Angeles. Infants were assigned to four groups receiving a variety of after care services in their homes.

Very low birth weight infants and their families during the first year of life: comparisons of psychosocial outcomes based on after-care services.

Objective: To evaluate psychosocial outcomes in families of very low birth weight infants during the first year postdischarge.

Study Design: This was a prospective investigation of family functioning in families of 81 very low birth weight infants discharged from two tertiary care neonatal intensive care units in Los Angeles, CA. Infants were assigned to four groups receiving a variety of after-care services in their homes.