Activities of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase and branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex in tissues of maternal and fetal sheep.

Branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAAT) and branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase (BCODH) activities were determined in sheep maternal and fetal liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, adipose and placenta in the fed and 5-day-starved states at 125 days gestation (term is 147 days). BCAAT activities were quite low in maternal skeletal muscle, low in fetal and maternal liver, high in fetal muscle, and very high in placenta. No significant changes occurred with maternal starvation.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp in neonates.

Two premature infants with acute necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp are reported. In both cases the infection most likely arose from infiltrations of intravenous fluids into the subcutaneous region of the scalp. Aggressive surgical debridement, as well as antibiotic therapy, resulted in healing in both infants.