Outcome of patients with cystic fibrosis admitted to the intensive care unit: is invasive mechanical ventilation a risk factor for death in patients waiting lung transplantation?

Objective: The admission of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to the intensive care unit (ICU) is controversial. Our aim was to study the long-term outcome of patients with CF who were admitted to the ICU and the effect of ventilation modality.

Methods: The medical records of 104 admissions (1996-2006) of 48 patients with CF (age 18+/-9 years) were reviewed.

Spirometry follow-up in young children with hemato-oncologic diseases.

Background: Treatment of hemato-oncologic patients is often associated with severe pulmonary complications. Pulmonary function is routinely evaluated in older children, whereas in young patients, forced spirometry measurements are infrequently performed.

Aim: To assess severity of airway disease using forced spirometry measured prior to and after treatment (over 3 years) in hemato-oncologic children aged 3-7 years in comparison to a healthy population.

Management of isolated rectal bleeding in newborn infants: comparison of two time periods.

Aim: To demonstrate the differences in treatment of isolated rectal bleeding (IRB) by comparing two study time period groups and to evaluate whether decreased treatment intensity increased complications during the follow-up period.

Methods: Retrospective recording of medical charts of 307 neonates with IRB during two time periods.

Results: The rate of IRB in both period groups was similar among term and near-term infants, but significantly lower among preterm infants in the later period study group.

Maternal hypotension during elective cesarean section and short-term neonatal outcome.

Objective: To investigate the extent and risk factors for hypotension among women undergoing elective cesarean section, and whether maternal hypotension has any impact on perinatal infant outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of data on 919 mother-infant pairs after elective cesarean section that involved the use of regional anesthetic. Data collection included information on maternal blood pressure during the cesarean section procedure and any infant perinatal complications.

Hypoglycemia rates in the first days of life among term infants born to diabetic mothers.

Objectives: To discover the risk factors for developing hypoglycemia in newborns born to diabetic mothers and to characterize the rates of glucose concentrations in the first two days of life.

Methods: Retrospective recordings of medical charts of 576 healthy term infants of diabetic mothers during an 18-month period. We determined the following pre-feeding glucose concentrations: 'normoglycemia' (> or =47 mg/dl = 2.

Pulmonary function studies in children treated by chemoradiotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Background: Management of pediatric patients with malignant and hematological diseases is frequently associated with pulmonary complications. We assessed pulmonary function at diagnosis and during a 5-year follow-up to identify risk factors associated with pulmonary deterioration.

Procedure: Ninety patients (age range 3-20) who were treated at the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Sheba Medical Center, Israel, were entered into the study.

Comparison of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia to other staphylococcal species in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Hospital acquired infections including staphylococcal species are common in neonatal intensive care units. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was recently observed in our unit. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of all neonates with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia during an 11-year period were retrospectively reviewed.

Somatostatin treatment of congenital chylothorax may induce transient hypothyroidism in newborns.

Aim: To describe a group of neonates with congenital, non-traumatic chylothorax, one of whom developed transient hypothyroidism following treatment with somatostatin.

Methods: The charts of seven infants with congenital chylothorax were reviewed in terms of their clinical presentation, the severity of their disease, the complications they presented and the duration of their hospitalization. Their pituitary-thyroid axis function was monitored in particular.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate--that is the question: why are some mothers opposed to giving their infants hepatitis B vaccine?

Objective: To identify the characteristics of mothers who prevent their newborn babies from receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.

Methods: Women who gave birth and prevented the administration of routine hepatitis B vaccine to their newborn infants (study group) were compared to women who complied with vaccination (control group). During their hospital stay, both groups were asked to answer a questionnaire constructed to evaluate relevant demographic data, knowledge and attitudes liable to differ between the two groups.