[Percutaneous cannulation of the radial artery in severely ill premature and newborn infants].

Cannulation of the radial artery is an easy and safe alternative to the usual procedure of catheterization of the umbilical artery to secure blood for gas sampling and for monitoring blood pressure in critically ill neonates. The use of a fiberoptic light source further improves the success of percutaneous radial artery cannulation. We performed this procedure in 264 critically ill babies and it was successful in 211 (80%).

[Automated exchange transfusion in premature and newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia using a peripheral arteriovenous vascular access device].

The technique of exchange transfusion using a plastic catheter in the umbilical vein developed by Diamond and modified by Allen was instrumental in decreasing the mortality and morbidity in newborn infants with jaundice. Allen et al. demonstrated that the development of kernicterus in infants with erythroblastosis with indirect hyperbilirubinemia could be prevented by this method.

[Esophageal function of infants with sudden infant death--risk].

In 24 patients at risk for SIDS (12 infants with a near miss event and 12 infants with apnea and perioral cyanosis during sleep) respiratory and esophageal function were investigated by impedance pneumography (IP) and esophageal manometry combined with simultaneous pH-monitoring (EMPH). Both groups had ad early pathologic breathing pattern, but did not show any difference in the recorded parameters (number of apneic spells, longest apneic spell, apneic spells longer than 10 seconds, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, mean apnea time). Near miss infants had about 50% more manometric refluxes (15.

[Ingestion of caustic substances in childhood].

Patients who ingest caustic substances continue to pose difficult problems in diagnosis and management. Flexible fiberoptic endoscopy and radiological studies have helped to assess the extent of damage caused by corrosives. A number of non surgical techniques are available for therapy, mainly corticosteroids and antibiotics.

[Stress adapted parenteral amino acid substitution in operated premature and newborn infants].

Parenteral nutrition contributes considerably to the survival of operated newborns. The postoperative period, however, gives rise to special metabolic problems. Commercially available L-amino acid (L-AA) solutions may lead to imbalances in the postoperative period.

[Liver diseases in children and their relatives with homozygous and heterozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency].

Over a 6-year period 26 infants and children with homozygous (2 Z and 6 ZZ) or heterozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (12 MZ, 6 MS) were observed prospectively and their families investigated. 7 of 8 homozygous patients had neonatal hepatitis, whereby 3 of these showed maximum transferase activities during the 5th to 9th months of life. At the age of 7 years 2 of these patients were clinically normal, but only one patient had normal transferases.

Aetiology of urinary symptoms in sexually active women.

Two hundred and fifty six unselected women, 50 of whom had urinary symptoms (frequency of urination or dysuria, or both), and who were attending a department of genitourinary medicine, were investigated. The urinary symptoms were associated both with pyuria and the isolation of undoubted pathogens from midstream urine (MSU) specimens. No associations were found between urinary symptoms and the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis from the urethra or cervix; the recovery of Mycoplasma hominis from the urethra, cervix, or MSU; the recovery of Trichomonas vaginalis or Candida albicans from the vagina; or the presence of bacterial vaginosis.

[Cross sectional echoencephalography in infants].

Importance of echoencephalography increased during development of neonatal intensive care. In addition to investigations in neonates 2-D-echoencephalography even during pregnancy and infancy can be used for detection of intracranial pathology. A standardized method of investigation and the knowledge of the pathology of the expected lesions are of fundamental importance.

[Mortality and morbidity of newborn infants in intensive care (birth weight less than 1,501 grams)].

A comparative analysis of the mortality and morbidity of premature infants with a birthweight below 1.501 g, born in the years 1974, 1978 and 1981, is given. The mortality rate has remained unchanged in the years 1974 (when a neonatal intensive care unit was installed at the University Children's Hospital Graz) and 1981 with 33% and 32% respectively.

[Percutaneous-peripheral vena cava catheterization in intensive care of premature and newborn infants. Comparison of Shaw's silastic catheter with the customary polyvinyl catheter].

Central venous catheters inserted via peripheral veins are commonly used in neonatal intensive care. Handling of two commonly available catheters made of different materials were compared during application in 85 neonates under intensive care. Polyvinylchloride and silicone rubber were used as catheter material.

[Incidence and etiologic factors of persistent ductus arteriosus in relation to the severity of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome].

Out of 332 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of RDS, 214 were mechanically ventilated more than 48 hours and 118 less than 48 hours. The incidence of a hemodynamically active persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) revealed a significant difference for both groups. (54% versus 4,2%).

How infectious is syphilis?

In a study of the sexual contacts of patients with primary and secondary syphilis, 65 of 127 (51%) contacts at risk developed syphilis. There was no significant difference between figures for homosexuals (48/98, 49%) and for heterosexuals (17/29, 58%). Our findings are similar to those of the prepenicillin era, but the question, Why are so few contacts infected? remains unanswered.

[Pulmonary agenesis in partial trisomy 2 p and 21 q].

A case with bilateral cheilognathopalatoschisis, and dysplastic features agenesis of the left lung is reported. Complete absence of one lung is a very rare malformation and was due to our knowledge not reported in partial trisomy 2 p or 21 q.

[Life-threatening hypernatremia caused by faulty preparation of fully adapted infant formula].

Two male newborns developed severe life threatening hypernatremia with serum sodium levels of 181 and 196 meq/l respectively. Both children were fed a two-to fivefold concentrated powdered infant formula since birth. Shortly before admission diarrhea developed in both patients.

Intracranial haemorrhage in the term neonate diagnosed by computerised tomography--perinatal history, symptoms and outcome.

An intracranial haemorrhage was diagnosed by computerised tomography in 35 term neonates. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was found in 23, intracerebral haemorrhage in 9 and subdural haematoma in 3 patients. Perinatal risk factors indicating trauma or hypoxic events were evaluated in more than 50%.

[Chest physiotherapy in childhood respiratory disorders (author's transl)].

The effect of chest physiotherapy in the treatment of pediatric pulmonary disorders was evaluated for one year by means of a specially devised progress chart. A high percentage of atelectases was successfully reopened. The right upper lobe was most frequently involved, followed by the left upper, right lower and left lower lobe.

[Ductus ligation in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome of the premature infant].

In a 13-month period, ligation of the persistent ductus was carried out in 23 prematurely born babies with severe respiratory distress syndrome who were all respirator-dependent. Mean gestational age was 30.6 weeks (26-36 weeks), mean birth weight 1490 g (850-3090 g) with 3 patients under 1000 g.

Artificial ventilation in severe IRDS using inspiratory plateau, prolonged expiratory time and low frequency.

57 preterm and 1 term infant suffering from severe idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome with respiratory insufficiency were mechanically ventilated with an inspiratory-time of at least 1.5 sec and an inspiratory:expiratory ratio of always less than 1:2. Consequently the respiratory frequencies were below 14/min (low frequency ventilation).