A portable real-time in situ gamma-ray analysis system.

A portable CeBr based gamma-ray detection system was designed and built for rapid turnaround, high throughput, real-time, and in situ sample analysis. The new technique allows automated data transmission from the field unit to a central laboratory controller to ensure laboratory quality of the data collected by field users without gamma-ray spectroscopy expertise. The method validation data indicates that the system's data quality objectives are adequate for radiological or nuclear emergency response or targeted surveillance programs where gamma-ray analysis is needed.

Delayed meconium passage in small vs. appropriate for gestational age preterm infants: management and short-term outcome.

Objective: Delayed passage of stool is a result of both gestational immaturity and illness severity. Small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants are at high risk of gastrointestinal (GI) complications. We aimed to analyse the effects of a strict nutrition and stool protocol on GI problems in SGA compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants.

Cost-effectiveness of palivizumab for respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk children, based on long-term epidemiologic data from Austria.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in infants at high risk for severe RSV lower respiratory tract infection, such as premature infants, infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and those with congenital heart disease, based on long-term epidemiologic data from Austria.

Methods: A decision-tree model was used, and the analysis was based on a lifetime follow-up investigating cost-effectiveness of palivizumab versus no RSV infection prevention. The primary perspective of the study was that of the healthcare system, the second that of society.

Prematurity: influence on mother's locus of control.

The aim of the present study was to compare the beliefs of mothers of term infants with the beliefs of mothers of preterm infants in regards to their locus of control mainly influencing their personal health and well-being. Mother's beliefs regarding the level of internal (self), social external (other individuals) and fatalistic external control (e.g.

Tilting the head changes cerebral haemodynamics in neonates.

Background: Tilting only the head influences cerebral haemodynamics in term and preterm neonates.

Objective: To evaluate near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a method to detect changes of cerebral oxygenated (HbO(2)) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (Hb) and 'cerebral tissue-oxygenation-index' (cTOI) while tilting. Furthermore to investigate whether the comparison of cTOI and 'cerebral mixed venous oxygen saturation' (tiltSvO(2)), calculated out of the increase of HbO(2) and Hb, improves reproducibility.

Unchanged heart rate-respiratory frequency ratio in preterm infants during spontaneous arousals.

Aim: To find out whether a correlation of heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency (RF) defined as HR-RF-ratio (HRR) may be helpful to identify arousals in term and preterm infants.

Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 25 term infants (gestational age 40.1 +/- 1.

Is bladder voiding in sleeping preterm infants accompanied by arousals?

Background: As it has been reported that bladder voiding in sleeping full-term infants is consistently accompanied by a cortical arousal, it was the aim of the present study to find out whether this could also hold true for preterm infants.

Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 21 healthy preterm infants (10 female). The infants' gestational age at birth was 31+/-2.

Risk of concurrent bacterial infection in preterm infants hospitalized due to respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of concurrent bacterial infection in preterm infants hospitalized due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of all infants hospitalized due to RSV infection between January 1, 2001 and July 31, 2005. Patients were identified by ICD-10 diagnosis of RSV infection including codes J21.

Does bladder voiding during sleep and wakefulness change the behavioural state of infants?

Aim: To evaluate whether bladder voiding in healthy infants is accompanied by body movements or any changes in heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) or electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency during sleep and during wakefulness.

Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed on 33 healthy infants (17 female) born at term. The infants' age at study entry was 41+/-10 d, and actual body weight was 4876+/-403 g (mean+/-SD).

Comparison of heart rate responses during cortical and subcortical arousals in term and preterm infants.

The aim of this study was to determine whether prematurity affects heart rate responses during spontaneous arousals. Polygraphic recordings were performed during undisturbed daytime naps in 35 preterm infants (gestational age at birth 32+/-2 weeks) and 35 term infants. Arousals were scored according to the recommendations of the International Paediatric Work Group on Arousals and categorized either as cortical arousals (CA) or subcortical arousals (SCA).

Cerebral hemodynamics during arousals in preterm infants.

The aim of the study was to evaluate potential changes of cerebral blood volume (CBV) related to arousals in preterm infants. As arousals are known to change different physiological parameters, it was postulated that this could also hold true for CBV. Polygraphic recordings were performed in 38 preterm infants (18 female, 20 male).

Bladder voiding in sleeping infants is consistently accompanied by a cortical arousal.

The aim of the study was to find out whether bladder voiding in healthy sleeping infants was accompanied by any arousal reaction. Polygraphic recordings were performed in 21 healthy infants (11 female) born at term. The infants' age at study entry was 42 +/- 4 days and actual body weight was 4852 +/- 689 g (mean +/- SD).

Thrombophilic polymorphisms--factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutations--and preterm birth.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the influence of three common thrombophilic polymorphisms, factor V Leiden (FV), prothrombin G20210A (PT), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations, on preterm birth of unknown cause.

Patients And Methods: A single-centre case-control study of women with preterm infants < or =35 weeks of gestation, in whom obvious maternal, uterine, and fetal causes responsible for preterm birth were excluded (n = 35). The controls were 54 women with term infants hospitalised in the same ward.