Development after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene transplacentally and through human milk.

Objective: To determine whether exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE), either transplacentally or through breast feeding, affected scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 6 or 12 months of age.

Design: Cohort followed from birth to 1 year of age.

Setting: General community.

Management of hypernatremic dehydration due to insufficient lactation.

Critical malnutrition and hypernatremic dehydration resulting from inadequate breast-feeding have previously been reported; the finding of elevated sodium concentration in expressed samples of mother's milk from these infants is found concurrently. This is the first case report describing successful relactation following management of hypernatremic dehydration in a breast-fed infant. Mother's milk was of inadequate volume and had a high sodium content.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in human milk: effects on growth, morbidity, and duration of lactation.

We followed 858 children from birth to one year of age to determine whether the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in breast milk affected their growth or health. Neither chemical showed an adverse effect on weight or frequency of physician visits for various illnesses, although differences were seen between breast-fed and bottle-fed children, with bottle-fed children being heavier and having more frequent gastroenteritis and otitis media. Children of mothers with higher levels of DDE were breast-fed for markedly shorter times, but adjustments for possible confounders and biases did not change the findings.

Neonatal effects of transplacental exposure to PCBs and DDE.

Neonatal effects of transplacental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) were examined in a study of 912 infants. Birth weight, head circumference, and neonatal jaundice showed no relationship to PCBs or DDE. We also administered the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scales, which are psychologic and neurologic tests designed for use in newborn infants.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in human milk: effects of maternal factors and previous lactation.

The authors measured polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in maternal serum, cord blood, placenta, and serial samples of breast milk from 868 women. Almost all samples of breast milk showed detectable levels of both chemicals. Overall, values for DDE in this study are within the range of those found previously, whereas those for PCBs are somewhat higher.

Group B streptococcal disease: its diagnosis with the use of antigen detection, Gram's stain, and the presence of apnea, hypotension.

Antigen detection was found to be a rapid and useful technique in diagnosing group B streptococcal (GBS) infections. Of the two techniques described, latex agglutination was more sensitive than countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis. Concentrated urine was the best body fluid to test with 100% containing antigen.

Neonatal septic arthritis.

Neonatal septic arthritis of the knee was encountered in nine infants during a two-year period, representing an incidence of 16.5 per 1,000 admissions to a neonatal intensive care unit. The etiologic agents included Staphylococcus aureus (3), Klebsiella (1), Streptococcus, group B (2), and Candida albicans (3).