Congenital hepatoblastoma in a growing health economy.

A 43-year-old woman, whose pregnancy was complicated by the presence of a large single solid intra-abdominal fetal mass, was referred from the private sector into our fetal maternal unit at the Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.Investigations subsequently confirmed that this mass was a congenital hepatoblastoma, one of the very rare embryonic tumours. The baby had chemotherapy and surgical excision of the tumour.

Syndromic congenital diarrhoea: new SPINT2 mutation identified in the UAE.

We are reporting a new mutation in the SPINT2 gene (c.443G>A (p. Arg148His)) that explains the association of choanal atresia with congenital sodium diarrhoea (CSD) in an Emirati family in the Middle East.

Meeting the challenge: implementing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in a culturally diverse country.

This paper describes the successful implementation of the WHO/Unicef Baby Friendly Hospital initiative (BFHI) in a large, culturally diverse hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Breastfeeding rates in the UAE are high (>90 per cent), although mixed feeding is considered the norm. Traditional religious practices for birth are common which may inhibit exclusive breastfeeding.

A case of unilateral Horner's syndrome diagnosed in retrospect following epidural analgesia during labour and caesarean section.

Horner's syndrome is a rare complication of epidural analgesia in labour. Although it is a sign of high sympathetic block, patients are usually haemodynamicaly stable. We report a case of undiagnosed Horner's syndrome complicating epidural analgesia in labour, where a standard dose of local anaesthetic was given for an emergency caesarean section without problems.

Congenital multifocal osteomyelitis at 24 weeks' gestation.

We report an extremely rare case of congenital nonsyphilitic osteomyelitis in a very preterm infant, providing a unique illustration of the radiological appearances at birth, which may serve as a reference to facilitate diagnosis.

Neonatal resuscitation--an analysis of the transatlantic divide.

Aim: To highlight the main differences between the current editions of the Newborn Life Support (NLS; Resuscitation Council, UK) and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP; American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association), and to analyse differences between the evidence underlying NLS and NRP.

Material And Methods: We undertook a detailed comparison of recommendations and references, based on the NLS and the NRP provider course manuals issued in 2006. Literature on neonatal resuscitation, published in 2005 and thereafter, was searched, focusing on controversies between NLS and NRP.

Skeletal dysplasias with osteopenia in the newborn: the value of alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline phosphatase is a commonly measured enzyme in clinical practice. Normal, excessively elevated and depressed serum or plasma levels have clinical value in the approach to the differential diagnosis of skeletal dysplasias associated with osteopenia in the newborn period. Two cases are described to illustrate this contention.

A study of congenital cardiac disease in a neonatal population--the validity of echocardiography undertaken by a neonatologist.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of, and profile the spread of, congenital cardiac defects, and to assess the accuracy of the echocardiographic diagnosis as performed by a neonatologist.

Design: Hospital-based study.

Methods: All neonates meeting our criterions, specifically those with a persistent murmur 48 hours after birth, underwent an echocardiographic examination to exclude an underlying congenital cardiac defect.

Sternomental distance as the sole predictor of difficult laryngoscopy in obstetric anaesthesia.

Sternomental distance and view at laryngoscopy were documented in 523 parturients undergoing elective or emergency Caesarean section under general anaesthesia. Eighteen (3.5%) had a grade III or IV laryngoscopic view (Cormack and Lehane's classification) and were classified as potentially difficult tracheal intubations.

Epidemiological study of complete and partial hydatidiform mole in Abu Dhabi: influence age and ethnic group.

An unmatched case control study of molar pregnancy was carried out at this hospital between 1978 and 1987 to investigate the influence of maternal age and ethnic group on the incidence of complete and partial hydatidiform mole. The age specific incidence of complete mole was minimal between the ages of 30 and 34 years (relative risk 1), showed a minor peak in teenagers (relative risk 3.1, 95% confidence interval 6.

Breech delivery in a Middle East hospital.

This paper provides an analysis of the results of 206 deliveries in which the patient's preference influenced the mode of delivery.

The incidence and morphology of hydatidiform mole in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1978-1986.

In a combined retrospective and prospective study of the frequency and morphology of hydatidiform mole in Abu Dhabi between 1978 and 1986, the incidence at Al Corniche Hospital was 2.02 per 1000 deliveries. Morphological classification showed that complete moles formed 80% of the total.