Rapid diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome by oral aspirate in premature newborns.

Objective: The stable microbubble test on gastric aspirate and on amniotic fluid has been used for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn. However, no study has performed this test on oral aspirates from premature infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the stable microbubble test on oral aspirates from preterm newborns to predict respiratory distress syndrome.

Surfactant deficiency in full-term newborns with transient tachypnea delivered by elective C-section.

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that full-term newborns delivered by elective cesarean section who develop transient tachypnea have low gastric microbubble counts. In the present study, microbubble concentrations in oral fluid samples were used to evaluate pulmonary maturity.

Objective: To evaluate lung maturity in full-term newborns delivered by elective caesarean section using the stable microbubble test in oral aspirates collected at birth.

Surfactant with and without bronchoalveolar lavage in an experimental model of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Objectives: To assess the effect of surfactant administration, preceded or not by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with dilute surfactant, on pulmonary function in experimental severe meconium aspiration syndrome.

Methods: Twenty-one newborn pigs received 20% meconium in saline intratracheally and were randomly allocated to one of three groups: I, control; II, surfactant only (poractant alfa, 200 mg/kg); or III, dilute surfactant BAL followed by 125 mg/kg surfactant. Arterial blood gases (ABGs), lung compliance, and resistance were assessed.

Effects of therapeutic approach on the neonatal evolution of very low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus.

Objective: To analyze the effects of treatment approach on the outcomes of newborns (birth weight [BW] < 1,000 g) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) on: death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH III/IV), retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical (ROPsur), necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery (NECsur), and death/BPD.

Methods: This was a multicentric, cohort study, retrospective data collection, including newborns (BW < 1000 g) with gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks and echocardiographic diagnosis of PDA, from 16 neonatal units of the BNRN from January 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011. Newborns who died or were transferred until the third day of life, and those with presence of congenital malformation or infection were excluded.

Surfactant deficiency in infants with severe acute viral bronchiolitis.

Objectives: To evaluate surfactant content and function through the lamellar body count (LBC) and stable microbubble test (SMT) in mechanically ventilated infants with severe acute viral bronchiolitis.

Study Design: Controlled cross-sectional study of 32 infants receiving mechanical ventilation: 16 with a diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis and 16 with normal lungs. Tracheal fluid was collected and LBC was performed in an automated cell counter.

Experimental model of atelectasis in newborn piglets.

Background: There are few studies using animal models in chest physical therapy. However, there are no models to assess these effects in newborns. This study aimed to develop a model of obstructive atelectasis induced by artificial mucus injection in the lungs of newborn piglets, for the study of neonatal physiotherapy.

Clinical features and follow-up of congenital syphilis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features and outcomes of children treated for congenital syphilis (CS).

Methods: Infants born alive in the public sector of São Lucas Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 1997 to 2004, whose mothers had syphilis and neonates with CS born in other facilities and admitted during this period were included. Follow-up was performed from birth up to 5 years.

Surfactant deficiency in transient tachypnea of the newborn.

Objective: To evaluate surfactant production and function in term neonates with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).

Study Design: Samples of gastric aspirates collected within 30 minutes of birth from 42 term newborns with gestational age ≥ 37 weeks (21 patients with TTN and 21 control subjects), delivered via elective cesarean delivery, were analyzed with lamellar body count and stable microbubble test.

Results: Results of lamellar body counts and stable microbubble tests were significantly lower in the TTN group than in control subjects (P = .

Lamellar body count and stable microbubble test on tracheal aspirates from infants for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of lamellar body count in tracheal aspirates from intubated preterm babies to predict respiratory distress syndrome.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Three neonatal intensive care units.

Comparison of noninvasive techniques to measure blood pressure in newborns.

Objective: To compare blood pressure measurements in newborn infants using the flush method, pulse oximetry and oscillometry according to Doppler findings.

Methods: Noninvasive blood pressure measurements were made using three techniques (flush method, pulse oximetry and oscillometry) in three groups of newborns: 15 normal term infants, 16 stable preterm infants, and 14 critically ill infants. All measurements were video recorded, edited separately, coded and analyzed independently by three neonatologists.

Prospective operationalization and feasibility of a glycemic control protocol in critically ill children.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safe operationalization of a pediatric glycemic control protocol in the setting of a general pediatric intensive care unit in a developing country.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort study carried out over 12 months.

Setting: Fourteen-bed pediatric intensive care unit in Brazil.

Lamellar body count and stable microbubble test on gastric aspirates from preterm infants for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Lamellar body count (LBC) in amniotic fluid is being used to identify infants at risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who would benefit from surfactant prophylaxis or very early therapy. The test in gastric aspirates of newborns has not been properly explored.

Objective: The main objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of LBC alone or in combination with the stable microbubble test (SMT), done on gastric aspirates from preterm babies to predict RDS.

Tadalafil improves oxygenation in a model of newborn pulmonary hypertension.

Objectives: Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, significantly improves oxygenation when used in animal models and patients with pulmonary hypertension. Tadalafil is a new and clinically available phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that, aside from causing pulmonary vasodilation, has been shown to increase cardiac output in pulmonary hypertensive adults. Its hemodynamic effects on the newborn, however, have not been tested.

Bronchoalveolar lavage plus surfactant in a piglet model of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Introduction: Meconium aspiration produces airway obstruction and surfactant inhibition. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and surfactant replacement have been proposed as treatments for the syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of BAL with normal saline followed by a supplementary dose of surfactant in a piglet model of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Congenital toxoplasmosis: late pregnancy infections detected by neonatal screening and maternal serological testing at delivery.

The first aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborn infants treated by the public health system in Porto Alegre, a city in southern Brazil, using neonatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM. The second aim was to investigate whether the cases detected by this approach could have been identified by the prenatal screening for antibodies to T. gondii that was performed in the same population.

Selective surfactant prophylaxis in preterm infants born at < or =31 weeks' gestation using the stable microbubble test in gastric aspirates.

Objective: To evaluate the stable microbubble test (SMT) ability to select candidates for surfactant prophylaxis for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Study Design: We followed patients treated according to a new routine for surfactant prophylaxis based on the SMT to determine timing of the initial dose of surfactant, proportion of infants using surfactant, and the predictive value of the SMT. Gastric secretions were collected after birth.

Stable microbubble test on tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Exogenous surfactant should be used as early as possible in the presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), but diagnosis may only become clear late in the course of the disease. The stable microbubble test (SMT) in the tracheal aspirates could help in the decision to give early surfactant to preterm babies with respiratory distress.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the SMT on tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of RDS in newborns requiring mechanical ventilation.

Evaluation of surfactant function at birth determined by the stable microbubble test in term and near term infants with respiratory distress.

Unlabelled: Surfactant function using the stable microbubble test (SMT) was investigated in term or near term infants with respiratory distress. Newborn infants > or = 34 weeks gestation with an initial clinical hypothesis of transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) needing supplemental oxygen and controls were included. Gastric aspirates were collected immediately after birth for SMT.

Stable microbubble test and click test to predict respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants not requiring ventilation at birth.

Aims: To determine the usefulness of the stable microbubble test (SMT) and of the click test (CT) on gastric aspirates obtained soon after birth to predict respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm babies not requiring ventilation at birth.

Patients And Methods: The study was carried out with a cohort between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age. Gastric secretions were collected before 1 hour of life and frozen for further analysis.

Congenital syphilis: identification of two distinct profiles of maternal characteristics associated with risk.

Background: Behavioral and socioeconomic factors create considerable obstacles to the elimination of congenital syphilis. A clear understanding of maternal risk factors is important to define interventions in every community.

Goal: The goal of this study was to investigate maternal risk factors for congenital syphilis.

[A sixteen-year epidemiological profile of a pediatric intensive care unit, Brazil].

Objective: To review epidemiological data from patients admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Brazil, and to compare them to medical aspects associated to disease severity and mortality. Also, to profile these patients, including demographic data, disease prevalence, mortality rates and associated factors.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected from all patients admitted in a PICU of a university hospital between 1978 and 1994.

Pyridoxine-dependent seizures associated with hypophosphatasia in a newborn.

Pyridoxine dependency and congenital hypophosphatasia are unusual metabolic disorders. We report a female infant born from healthy consanguineous parents with shortening of limbs, detected during pregnancy by ultrasonography. Immediately after delivery, the baby was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit because of respiratory distress.