Relationship between antenatal inflammation and antenatal infection identified by detection of microbial genes by polymerase chain reaction.

Although antenatal infection is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and neonatal diseases, the exact mechanisms are largely unknown. We sought to clarify the relationship between antenatal infection and intrauterine and neonatal inflammation. Samples were obtained from 41 preterm infants of <33 wk gestation delivered to 36 mothers and analyzed for the presence of 16s ribosomal RNA (16s rRNA) genes using PCR and for the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8.

Pulmonary Ureaplasma urealyticum is associated with the development of acute lung inflammation and chronic lung disease in preterm infants.

Previously, we have reported marked pulmonary inflammation in infants who develop chronic lung disease of prematurity. We revisited these infants who did not have clinical or laboratory evidence of infection and searched for Ureaplasma urealyticum, group B streptococci, and other microbes by reverse transcription-PCR performed on RNA extracted from 93 bronchoalveolar lavage samples. From infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome, 6 (gestation, 28 wk; birthweight, 880 g) were positive for U.

Experience with intravenous glucagon infusions as a treatment for resistant neonatal hypoglycemia.

Background: Based on limited anecdotal evidence, glucagon is used for the management of intractable neonatal hypoglycemia persisting in the face of high glucose administration rates.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term response of blood glucose levels to an intravenous infusion of glucagon.

Design: A retrospective observational study in which all newborns who received glucagon infusions (usual dose, 0.