Microcirculatory changes in term newborns with suspected infection: an observational prospective study.

Background. In adults severely disturbed microcirculatory flow can be observed by Orthogonal Polarized Spectral (OPS) imaging techniques during sepsis. Therefore we set out to assess for microcirculatory changes in term newborns with suspected early onset infection using OPS.

Microcirculation in preterm infants: profound effects of patent ductus arteriosus.

Objectives: To assess potential effects of a hemodynamically significant persistent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) in the skin microcirculation in preterm neonates.

Study Design: In 25 patients (<32 weeks of gestation; birth weight <1250 g) with sPDA (n = 13) or no significant PDA (non-sPDA; n = 12) functional vessel density and vessel diameters were investigated prospectively. Sidestream dark field imaging was performed in the skin of both arms from the third day of life until PDA closure or until day 7 or 8 for the non-sPDA group.

Changes in microcirculation as early markers for infection in preterm infants--an observational prospective study.

In adults with severe sepsis, the disturbances of the sublingual microcirculation can be quantified with orthogonal polarization spectral imaging. We investigated the cutaneous microcirculation of preterm infants with proven infection (PosInf) and with suspected but unproven infection (NegInf). In 25 infants, orthogonal polarization spectral images were obtained daily, videos of the images were blinded, and analyzed off-line.

Mitochondrial toxicity in HIV type-1-exposed pregnancies in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of HIV type-1 (HIV-1) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on placental mitochondria.

Methods: HIV-1-infected pregnant women and HIV-1-uninfected controls were enrolled prospectively. Placental mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers were determined by quantitative PCR, subunits II and IV of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) were quantified by western blot and mitochondrial ultrastructure was evaluated by electron microscopy.

Functional vessel density in the first month of life in preterm neonates.

Changes in microcirculation have been recognized as central to many disease processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors, which influence the microcirculation of the skin during the first month of life in premature infants. Red blood cell (RBC) velocity, vessel diameter, and functional small vessel density (FSVD) were measured daily for the first 30 d on the upper arm in preterm infants with gestational age <30 wk.