儿童神经精神性狼疮14例临床特点及危险因素分析

目的 总结儿童神经精神性狼疮（NPSLE）的临床特点,并探讨儿童系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）并发NPSLE的相关危险因素。方法 对2005年1月至2013年8月在中国医科大学附属第一医院儿科住院的14例NPSLE患儿临床资料进行回顾性分析,同时选择同期入院的31例无NPSLE的SLE患儿作对照,对两组患儿的发病年龄、性别、临床表现、实验室检查等因素进行单因素及多因素分析。结果 NPSLE患儿的主要临床表现为头痛2例（50.0%）、偏侧型运动障碍7例（50.0%）、精神异常5例（35.7%）、癫痫样发作5例（35.7%）、不自主运动2例（14.3%）、视物不清2例（14.3%）等。13例行头颅磁共振成像（MRI）检查均有异常表现。单因素分析显示患儿口腔溃疡、血淋巴细胞减少、血小板减少、C反应蛋白（CRP）升高、抗心磷脂抗体阳性、抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体阳性、抗u1-RNP抗体阳性、尿红细胞增多、血K+升高、血尿素氮升高、血肌酐升高为有统计学意义的危险因素;进一步行非选择性多因素回归分析结果显示抗心磷脂抗体阳性、CRP升高、血肌酐升高是发生NPSLE的独立危险因素（OR=8.296、11.170、30.415,P＜0.05）。结论 头痛、运动障碍、精神异常以及癫痫样发作是NPSLE患儿最常见的临床症状,抗心磷脂抗体阳性、CRP升高、血肌酐升高是SLE患儿发生NPSLE的危险因素。     

儿童系统性红斑狼疮神经精神表现研究

目的观察系统性红斑狼疮患儿神经精神表现发生率、临床类型以及预后,探讨其发生与相关因素的关系。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2015年12月上海市儿童医院收治的87例系统性红斑狼疮患儿临床资料,患儿分为有神经精神表现的神经精神性狼疮(NPSLE)组与非NPSLE组,对所有SLE患儿病程、活动指数(SLEDAI评分)、红细胞沉降率、血清补体值、自身抗体中抗双链抗体、抗核糖体P蛋白抗体和抗心磷脂抗体阳性率等指标进行比较并作统计学分析。结果 87例系统性红斑狼疮患儿中出现神经精神表现的NPSLE患儿23例,发生率为26.4%,病程3~11个月。23例NPSLE中以头痛症状为主。大部分血清学均呈狼疮活动表现。87例SLE患儿中有39例头颅影像学检查异常。21例行脑电图检查,12例异常。NPSLE组与非NPSLE组病程、红细胞沉降率、补体、自身抗体阳性率、活动指数等差异无统计学意义。23例经治疗短期预后良好,但在随访中有2例因心衰死亡。结论儿童NPSLE表现各异,其可发生在疾病非活动期在内的任何阶段,早期发现并及时积极治疗可改善短期预后。在相关药物治疗过程中也可能出现精神症状。     

77例神经精神狼疮患儿临床分析

目的 分析神经精神狼疮(NPSLE)患儿的临床特点.方法 回顾性分析77例NPSLE患儿的临床表现、实验室检查、神经影像学特征、治疗及预后,并采用Logistic回归模型分析相关指标与NPSLE复发的关系.结果 本组系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患儿NPSLE患病率为17.3%,75%患儿发病后2年以内出现NPSLE.其表现形式多种多样,最常见的症状是头痛(31.8%),其次足癫痫样发作(29.1%).活动期92.2%患儿SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分≥15分,表现为重症狼疮.常伴有发热(88.3%)、皮疹(84.4%),最易同时受累的系统包括肾脏(76.6%)、血液系统(67.5%).与其他实验窜指标相比,NPSLE急性期抗核抗体(ANA)阳性率最高(98.7%),其次是血沉增快(86.3%)和补体降低(72.7%).90.1%腰椎穿刺结果异常,60.7%头颅CT异常,54.8%头颅磁共振成像异常,73.9%脑电图异常.常规治疗采用糖皮质激素加免疫抑制剂治疗,79.2%联合应用大剂量甲泼尼龙冲击治疗;51.9%疾病急性期进行了甲氨蝶呤+地塞米松联合鞘内注射治疗;26.0%急性期应用了静脉免疫球蛋白治疗;2例患儿进行了自体外周血干细胞移植治疗.住院死亡率9.0%,NPSLE复发率22.0%,75.0%患儿24个月内复发.SLEDAI评分对预测NPSLE复发有显著意义(X2=3.987,P=0.0459,OR=1.172,95%CI 1.003～1.370).结论 本研究初步探讨了儿童NPSLE患者的临床特点,分析了可能导致NPSLE复发的相关因素,为进一步认识及合理治疗儿童NPSLE奠定了基础.     

儿童神经精神性狼疮的研究进展

儿奄神经精神性狼疮(NPSLE)是系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)的严重并发症,可发生于SLE病程的任何阶段,其可能的发病机制是多方面的,包括自身抗体的产生、微血管病变、鞘内前炎性因子的产生和过早的动脉粥样硬化等.其临床表现复杂多样,中枢神经系统症状在儿童常见,可以出现严重的反复发作性头痛、癫痫发作、腩血管意外及精神症状.综合运用血清学、脑脊液检查、神经影像学检查有助于NPSLE的诊断.治疗主要应用免疫抑制剂和对症处置.早期诊断、积极治疗可能有助于改善患儿的预后.     

儿童特发性血小板减少性紫癜合并颅内出血20例临床分析

目的 探讨特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)合并颅内出血(ICH)患儿的临床特点.方法 选取2001年1月至2010年7月住院的ITP合并ICH患儿20例为观察组,另随机选取同期住院无ICH的ITP患儿40例为对照组;将两组临床资料进行对比分析.结果 观察组除皮肤瘀点、瘀斑外其他出血症状出现率高于对照组,观察组患儿血尿发生率较高,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05);观察组出现颅内出血前有头颅外伤病史者占35%,对照组2.5%,差异有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05);两组发病时血小板计数差异无统计学意义(P ＞ 0.05).观察组18例(90%)患儿血小板计数＜ 20 × 109 /L时出现ICH,其中15例(75%)血小板计数＜ 10 × 109/L时出现ICH.血小板计数＜ 10 × 109 /L者死亡4例,血小板计数高10 × 109 /L者死亡1例,诊断1周内出现ICH的患儿病死率为28%,诊断1周后发生ICH的患儿病死率为18%.结论 血小板计数在ITP发生ICH中并不是绝对因素,对于严重血小板减少伴有头部外伤和(或)血尿表现的ITP患儿应警惕ICH的发生.     

儿童狼疮性脑病临床特征

目的探讨儿童狼疮性脑病(NPSLE)的临床特点、辅助检查及治疗。方法对11例NPSLE患儿的临床资料进行分析。结果11例NPSLE患儿均有不同程度的头痛症状,意识障碍及失语各1例,抽搐、记忆力减退和共济失调各3例,出现病理反射及脑膜刺激征各4例。血清学均呈狼疮活动表现。3例脑脊液常规无异常,寡克隆抗体明显升高。其中10例行头颅CT检查,异常9例;10例患儿行脑电图检查,正常1例,且与CT无交叉。经个体化综合治疗,11例患儿神经精神症状均有不同程度的改善。结论系统性红斑狼疮累及神经系统症状最常表现为头痛。目前NPSLE主要根据临床表现作出诊断,血清学、影像学及脑电图检查有助于狼疮性脑病的诊断。对NPSLE的治疗强调个体化的综合治疗。     

儿童神经精神性狼疮头颅正电子发射断层显像特征分析

目的分析儿童神经精神性狼疮(NPSLE)头颅正电子发射断层显像(PET/CT)的特点。方法对2012年4月至2014年2月在北京协和医院儿科确诊为NPSLE,且在6个月内出现神经精神症状的患儿行头颅~(18)氟-脱氧葡萄糖PET/CT检查,并对其神经精神症状、头颅PET/CT结果进行分析。结果 NPSLE患儿共19例,其中女13例、男6例,发病年龄7~14岁,中位年龄为11.3岁。神经精神症状表现依次为头痛(8/19)、惊厥发作(7/19)、认知功能障碍(2/19)、精神病(1/19)、运动失调(1/19)。所有患儿均行头颅磁共振成像检查,仅4例异常。NPSLE患儿头颅~(18)氟-脱氧葡萄糖PET/CT检查均有大脑皮质糖代谢减低,其中最容易受累区域是颞叶(17/19),其他受累区域依次为顶叶(16/19)、枕叶(14/19)、额叶(10/19)。8例有基底节糖代谢相对增高,3例伴丘脑糖代谢相对增高。结论 NPSLE患儿PET/CT脑显像主要表现为大脑皮质糖代谢减低,伴或不伴局部糖代谢增高。     

儿童系统性红斑狼疮100例

目的探讨儿童SLE的临床和实验室指标特点及狼疮性肾炎(LN)的肾脏病理类型。方法选取2001年1月-2011年1月本院住院确诊的SLE患儿100例,其中LN 82例,分析其临床表现、实验室和病理检查资料,应用SAS 9.1软件对SLE及各病理类型LN按临床及实验室检查特点行χ2检验。结果 100例SLE患儿,男19例,女81例;发病年龄(10.28±2.98)岁。发病高峰为9～14岁的女性患儿。新生儿1例。临床表现以发热(54%)、皮肤损害(54%)最常见,其次为水肿(34%)、关节炎(22%)、肝脾大(18%)、淋巴结大(15%)、口腔溃疡(4%)。SLE患儿的肾脏累及率为82%。其中肾炎性肾病占33%;血液系统累及率较高,其中贫血59%、低清蛋白血症53%、血小板降低20%;呼吸系统感染40%,肝损害26%,中枢神经受累16%,浆膜炎13%。免疫学检查血清ANA阳性(82%)、补体C4降低(77%)、补体C3降低(70%)、ESR加快(59%)、dsDNA阳性(52%)。48例肾活检病例均有病理异常,病理类型以Ⅳ型最多,占27%;肾脏累及和无肾脏累及组患儿在补体C3降低(P=0.040 9)、抗dsDNA阳性(P=0.023 0)、水肿(P=0.023 6)方面比较差异均有统计学意义。将48例肾活检病例分为增殖性和非增殖性肾炎2组,对Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ型+Ⅲ型和Ⅴ型+Ⅳ型(增殖性病变)和Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅴ型(非增殖性病变)进行统计学分析,发现补体C3降低(P=0.042)、抗ANA阳性(P=0.000 6)、ESR加快(P=0.021 9)、贫血(P=0.003 8)差异有统计学意义。结论儿童SLE肾脏、血液系统及呼吸系统累及率最高。补体C3降低、dsDNA阳性和首发表现为水肿的SLE患儿可能更易累及肾脏。肾脏病理表现为增殖性病变的患儿更易发生贫血,补体C3降低、抗ANA阳性、ESR加快提示增殖性病变处于活动期。     

小儿严重脓毒症并发多器官功能障碍综合征的研究

目的 小儿脓毒症是PICU的常见疾病,具有较高的病死率.本研究旨在了解小儿脓毒症的临床特点及转归,探寻儿童严重脓毒症的死亡危险因素.方法 分析2008年1月至12月收入我院PICU的脓毒症病例,对严重脓毒症患儿作单因素分析,并建立Logistic回归模型,探寻儿童严重脓毒症的死亡危险因素.结果 纳入脓毒症患儿103例,病死率16.5%.严重脓毒症45例,其死亡危险因素是PRISM Ⅲ评分(OR 1.502;95%CI 1.131～1.995)和病程中外周血血小板计数最高值(OR 0.991;95%CI0.982～1.000).小儿严重脓毒症伴随1、2、3、4个及4个以上脏器功能障碍的病死率分别为10.0%、11.1%、44.4%、68.8%,差异具有非常显著性(P＜0.001).最常受累的是心血管系统(75.6%)和呼吸系统(66.7%),严重脓毒症伴发MODS死亡危险因素是呼吸系统(OR 23.179;95%CI2.095～256.522)和肾脏(OR 9.637;95%CI 1.698～54.703)功能受累.结论 小儿严重脓毒症的死亡危险因素是PRISM Ⅲ评分和病程中外周血血小板计数最高值.小儿脓毒症合并MODS提示预后不良,其病死率与发生功能障碍的脏器数目呈正相关,呼吸系统和肾脏功能受累是儿童脓毒症死亡的危险因素.     

儿童神经精神狼疮早期诊断和治疗

系统性红斑狼疮（systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE）侵犯中枢神经系统和外周神经系统,导致出现相应神经精神性症状及体征,称为神经精神性狼疮（neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus,NPSLE）。NPSLE并不少见,可见于1/4～3/4的SLE患者,且病死率为7%～19%［1-3］。NPSLE已成为SLE的重要死亡原因,目前国内对儿童NPSLE关注不多,因此在某种程度上未能及时对NPSLE作出正确诊断。     

Bibliometric data: a disaster for many non-American biomedical journals

Bibliometric data published by the Institute of Scientific Information in Philadelphia (ISI), and which was previously discussed in Acta Paediatrica , has increasingly been used despite all the relevant and severe criticism that has been raised against this method of evaluating individual research results and grading scientific journals. It is obvious that the present trend regarding the use of bibliometric data as a basis for priorities and funding of research and for the promotion of individual scientists favours American-oriented research projects at the expense of those that are based on concepts of predominantly European relevance.

Conclusion: For the future of non-American research, it is important that no single super-power, i.e. the USA, should dominate scientific priorities. The condition for efficient European competition is that European Centres with high levels of competence for creative research and training of scientists from all over the world are established. In addition, it is important that the results of European research are published in prestigious European journals, as was the situation before World War II.     

alpha -SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIN DISTRIBUTION IN THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE COMPARING HYPOPLASTIC AND NORMAL FETAL LUNGS

We investigated the intra-acinar pulmonary vascular muscularization in the developing human fetal lung between the 17th and 24th gestational weeks, that is, during the canalicular phase of lung development. Fifteen hypoplastic and 25 normal developed lungs were included in this study using monoclonal alpha -smooth muscle (sm) actin antibodies for smooth muscle detection. Computer-aided image analysis was performed for morphometrical measurements and statistical evaluation. Alphasm-actin-immunoreactive intra-acinar vessels down to a luminal diameter of less than 10 mu m were detected in hypoplastic as well as in normally developed lungs. Crucial differences presented as follows: significantly higher density of intra-acinar vessels, especially due to alpha -sm-actin-negative vessels less than 30 mu m in luminal diameter, in the control group; significantly higher alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity per section unit as well as per vessel in the hypoplastic lung group. As suggested by others, alpha-sm-actin-positive cells of the intra-acinar vessel wall in the developing human lung were demonstrated to be smooth muscle cells, their immediate precursors, and pericytes. We conclude that the increased alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity represents muscularization of the vessel wall in functional terms and may be regarded as one structural cause among others for the establishment of persistent fetal circulation in hypoplastic lungs.     

Whole-body mineral measurements in Swedish adolescents at 17 years compared to 15 years of age

Aim: To provide reference data for bone mineral variables in 15- and 17-y-old adolescents and to analyse the relationships between these variables and measures of bone and body size, gender, puberty, growth, various lifestyle and environmental factors and socioeconomic background.

Methods: In the same 321 randomly selected adolescents (147 boys and 174 girls) living in two different regions of Sweden, the total bone mineral content (TBMC), bone area (BA) and total bone mineral density (TBMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at ages 15 and 17 y. The effects of bone and body size, gender, growth, sexual maturity, physical activity, region of domicile, social conditions, food habits, smoking and alcohol intake on TBMC and TBMD were examined in multivariate analyses.

Results: In the 15-y-old adolescents, BA, height, gender, physical activity, maturity and weight explained 91% and 48%, of the variance in TBMC and TBMD, respectively. In similar analyses in the 17-y-olds, the corresponding figures were 92% and 62%, respectively, when BA, height, growth, physical activity, gender and region emerged as significant in the model. In all these analyses, BA explained most of the variance in TBMC and TBMD. No significant reduction of variance was found when different measures of social conditions, smoking, food habits, alcohol or dietary intakes of energy, calcium or vitamin D were included in the models. The reason why region of domicile had a significant impact on TBMC in the 17-y-olds is not known. The fact that the normal fluoride concentration in drinking water (1.1 mg/L) is 10 times higher in the region where TBMC was higher than in the other region is an interesting observation.

Conclusion: Almost 90% of the variance in TBMC and 50% of that in TBMD was explained by measures of bone and body size and only a few percent by gender, physical activity, Tanner stage, growth and region of domicile.     

VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS INFECTIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT PATIENT

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the human herpesvirus family, causes the clinical syndromes of chickenpox during primary infection and shingles on later reactivation. In immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, VZV can produce life-threatening infections. The most serious forms of VZV infection involve hematogenous dissemination of the virus to vital organs, such as the lung, brain, and liver. Advances in immunoprophylaxis, antiviral chemotherapy, and vaccine development have provided effective tools to limit the morbidity and mortality previously associated with VZV infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. In this review, we discuss virologic aspects of VZV, pathogenesis of VZV infection, methods of viral diagnosis, clinical manifestations of infection in both normal and immunocompromised patients, and available preventative and therapeutic measures.     

The potential role of rapamycin in pediatric transplantation as observed from adult studies

Although pediatric patient and renal graft survival rates have shown marked improvements during the past decade, the persistent toxicities of immunosuppressive drugs and chronic allograft attrition remain major obstacles in transplant therapy. Results in adult patients suggest that complete steroid withdrawal is possible in the majority of recipients under treatment with a cyclosporin A-rapamycin (CsA RAPA) regimen. Furthermore, preliminary studies suggest that a marked reduction in the dose of CsA may be possible under the umbrella of RAPA coverage. The gain in immunosuppressive efficacy afforded by RAPA has not only been obtained without an increased morbidity owing to infectious or neoplastic causes, but also with the potential for reducing the incidence and/or progression of chronic rejection.     

Génétique des schizophrénies : mise en perspective des schizophrénies à début précoce et autres pathologies du développement

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe brain disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, flat and/or inappropriate affect and cognitive impairment. The lifetime risk is about 0.5% with heritability of 65–85%. The prevalence of early-onset schizophrenia (defined here as before 15 years of age) has not been well studied, but is likely to be 5–10% of all cases. The rarity of early-onset SCZ has made it difficult to study. We focus on genetic studies of adults with schizophrenia, highlighting results for early-onset schizophrenia where available. Prior to the past 5 years, studies failed to find replicable association or linkage between SCZ and specific genes when appropriate statistical corrections for multiple testing were used. Many false positive results were probably reported using the candidate gene approach. Recently, the development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) “chips” has permitted large genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses that suggest that across all age groups, a proportion of genetic risk can be attributed to a large number of common SNP, each with a very small effect on risk (odds ratios of 1.1 or less). The greatest known genetic effect is conferred by the 1.5–3 Mb 22q.11.2 deletions, which occurs in ∼ 1/4000–1/6000 births with SCZ developing in 20–30% of carriers. Large SNP and aCGH microarray studies have now identified associations between SCZ and other rare, large copy number variations (CNV, insertions and deletions) with high odds ratios (5–10), including deletions of 1q21, 2p16.3 (neurexin-1 gene), 3q29 and 15q13.3, and duplications of 16p11.2. Some of these CNV are also associated with autism or other developmental disorders as well as epilepsy or intellectual deficiency, suggesting some overlap in the mechanisms that contribute to risks of these disorders. Based on preliminary data from larger-scale analyses in progress, approximately 1–2% of cases carry a CNV that has been clearly associated with SCZ (ORs 4–12). Whole exome and genome sequencing studies of large adult samples will be the next steps to identify rarer SCZ-associated mutations, including point mutations and smaller as well as rarer CNV. Genetic findings are beginning to contribute to an understanding of biological mechanisms of SCZ risk and may lead to new approaches to treatment.     

INACTIVATION OF PULMONARY SURFACTANT AND THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE LUNG INJURIES

Inactivation of pulmonary surfactant may be important in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment of surfactant dysfunction by instilling exogenous surfactants may improve gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics. Surfactants used for treatment vary in their attributes and effects, so when various surfactants are considered for therapy, resistance to inactivation is an important consideration. Animal models of acute lung injury exist in which the relative merits of surfactants can be compared. We hypothesize that the surfactants most resistant to inactivation in vitro will be the ones that are most effective in treatment of animal models of acute lung injury. Surfactants with higher concentrations of surfactant proteins (specifically A, B, and C) are more resistant to inactivation. Nonionic polymers mimic surfactant proteins in preventing surfactant inactivation under some conditions. Adding nonionic polymers to surfactant containing minimal amounts of SP-B and SP-C markedly improves lung function of animals with lung injury. Making surfactants more "inactivation-proof" may improve surfactant therapy of acute lung injuries.     

Plasma Proinsulin and C-Peptide Concentrations in Children with Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia

ABSTRACT. Plasma concentrations of proinsulin and C-peptide were measured in five children presenting with svere hypoglycaemia associated with elevated plasma levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in order to determine whether the profile of circulating B-cell products related to the underlying pathophysiology of the pancreas. Results were compared with data from 13 normal infants. Four children, three neonates and a nine year old girl, were subjected to partial or total pancreatectomy. The neonates had nesidioblastosis, nesidioblastosis with a microadenoma, and a functional abnormality without histological derangement respectively; the older child had a localised adenoma. The remaining child, a neonate, had transient hypoglycaemia and elevated IRI levels associated with hyperlactataemia and hyperalaninae-mia. All the children had markedly elevated plasma proinsulin concentrations; the highest levels were seen in the child with an isolated adenoma and in the neonate with nesidioblastosis and a microadenoma. Both of these children also had substantially elevated plasma C-peptide concentrations. The remaining three neonates had plasma C-peptide levels, which although in the normal range for normoglycaemia were inappropriately elevated during hypoglycaemia. It is concluded that elevated proinsulin and C-peptide concentrations are seen in children with hypoglycaemia associated with increased plasma IRI levels and that the profile of the concentrations does not provide a reliable marker for the nature of the underlying pancreatic abnormality.     

Growth tracks in early childhood

Aim: Child growth is modulated by numerous factors and, particularly in infancy and early childhood, often tends to follow apparently irregular patterns, with many centiles crossed before the later growth channels are reached. The aim of this study was to visualize the diversity of individual growth. Design: The study investigated 333 girls and 329 boys without chronic illnesses from four paediatric practices in Kiel, Germany. The children were measured on natural     

Residual pulmonary hypertension in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide: a follow-up study regarding cardiopulmonary and neurological symptoms

Inhaled nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator in acute severe pulmonary hypertension and is increasingly used as rescue treatment in intensive care algorithms aiming at reducing severe hypoxaemia in neonates and children. Although the immediate effects may seem impressive, longterm outcome regarding residual pulmonary hypertension and other sequelae has been studied in only a very few patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate residual pulmonary hypertension, cardiopulmonary or neurological symptoms in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide in severely hypoxaemic and/or pulmonary hypertensive mechanically ventilated children. The study was performed in four paediatric intensive care units in university hospitals in Sweden, Norway and Australia. Patients who had received inhaled nitric oxide as part of their intensive care treatment for severe hypoxaemia and/or pulmonary hypertension, and in whom 6 mo had elapsed since treatment, were included for evaluation. Thus 36 paediatric or neonatal patients were examined for circulatory, respiratory or neurological disorders with clinical examination, echocardiography, chest X-ray and a capillary blood sample. Four patients with congenital heart disease had residual pulmonary hypertension. Nine patients were receiving bronchodilators. Sixteen patients had minor (n = 15) or moderate (n = 1) changes on a chest X-ray. One patient had a possible delay in psychomotor development. Conclusions: In spite of the severity of their primary illness, we found that the overwhelming majority of the surviving children were asymptomatic and doing well. The few residual circulatory and respiratory symptoms could be related to the initial condition.