Viral Infections During Pregnancy:The Big Challenge Threatening Maternal and Fetal Health

Viral infections during pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes,including maternal and fetal mortality,pregnancy loss,premature labor,and congenital anomalies.Mammalian gestation encounters an immunological paradox wherein the placenta balances the tolerance of an allogeneic fetus with protection against pathogens.Viruses cannot easily transmit from mother to fetus due to physical and immunological barriers at the maternal-fetal interface posing a restricted threat to the fetus and newborns.Despite this,the unknown strategies utilized by certain viruses could weaken the placental barrier to trigger severe maternal and fetal health issues especially through vertical transmission,which was not fully understood until now.In this review,we summarize diverse aspects of the major viral infections relevant to pregnancy,including the characteristics of pathogenesis,related maternal-fetal complications,and the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of vertical transmission.We highlight the fundamental signatures of complex placental defense mechanisms,which will prepare us to fight the next emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in the pregnancy population.     

新生儿肠系膜上动脉综合征二例

例1:患儿女,16 d,因呕吐6 d入院.呕吐发生在喂奶1 h后,每日呕吐4～9次,量较多,为奶汁和黄色胆汁样物质,无腹胀、腹泻,呕吐后饥饿感明显.入院查体:生命体征平稳,体重2 950 g(出生体重3 200 g),腹软、肝脾无肿大、肠鸣正常,心肺、神经系统及其他均无异常.     

出血性休克与脑病综合征4例

1 临床资料 例1,男,9个月,因发热40℃,呕吐、腹泻2d,抽搐12h,收住本院内科病房.查体:嗜睡,面色苍白,反复抽搐,呼吸急促,轻度腹胀;血常规无异常,CRP52mg/L大便黄稀.     

胸腺增生致上腔静脉压迫综合征1例

1 临床资料 患儿,女,9个月,因右眼肿胀4 d,右面部肿胀3 d,右胸壁肿胀0.5 d入院.4 d前患儿被玩具撞伤右眼角处,开始出现右眼睑肿胀、淤血,到本院眼科就诊,诊断:右眼外伤.予局部处理,肿胀逐渐消退.     

深圳地区2004-2006年儿童腹泻病病原体分布情况

目的 探讨深圳地区2004-2006年儿童腹泻病病原体分布情况.方法 收集深圳地区2004年1月-2005年4月腹泻病患儿粪便标本,采用ELISA法检测轮状病毒(RV),2005年5月-2006年12月采用胶体金法检测RV.真菌性腹泻以40倍高倍镜下同时可见菌丝和孢子为实验诊断标准.阿米巴性腹泻以见溶组织内活动性阿米巴原虫(滋养体或包囊)为实验诊断标准.细菌性腹泻(菌痢)以40倍高倍镜下WBC( )以上,同时可见RBC为实验诊断标准.不确定性腹泻为排除以上4种腹泻外的腹泻.结果 RV腹泻主要发生在10月至次年2月,但夏季6-7月也有一个小高峰,共占40.49%;真菌性腹泻无明显季节性,占3.59%;细菌性腹泻明显在每年的6-9月高发,占39.67%;阿米巴性腹泻仅检测到10例,除1例是春末检测出来外,余皆在夏季检出,占0.03%;不确定性腹泻主要发生在12月至次年的3月,占16.24%.腹泻最高发年龄为＞1～2岁,占24.83%(8 287/33 382例),≤6个月组为最低发年龄组,占6.65%(2 217/33 382例).结论 婴幼儿腹泻种类出现明显的感染交叉性、季节交叉性的特点,具有一定的复杂多样性.加强饮食与环境卫生,切断传播途径,提高儿童主动免疫水平是预防急性腹泻的重要环节.     

褪黑素对哮喘大鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的影响及抗感染作用

目的 探讨褪黑素(MT)对哮喘大鼠CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(CD4 CD25 Tr)的影响及抗感染作用.方法 SPF级SD大鼠32只随机分成4组,每组8只.哮喘组:造模第1、7天,大鼠腹腔注射卵清蛋白(OVA)和氢氧化铝混悬液体,第14天,用10g/L的OVA溶液对大鼠进行雾化激发,1次/d,20min/次,连续7d;MT组:致敏、诱导哮喘方法同哮喘组,在每次激发前30min,腹腔注射MT0.1mg/kg;地塞米松组:致敏、诱导哮喘方法同哮喘组,在每次激发前30min,腹腔无菌注射地塞米松0.5mg/kg;对照组:注射、雾化方法同哮喘组,以9g/L盐水替代OVA和氢氧化铝致敏液及雾化液.各组于最后1次雾化激发后取其外周血涂片染色,计数其外周血嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)百分比;收集其肺泡灌洗液(BALF),计数其炎性细胞总数;制作肺组织石蜡切片,HE染色计数其呼吸道周围EOS数目;用免疫增强浊度法检测其血清IgE水平;用流式细胞术检测其外周血CD4 CD25 Tr水平.采用SPSS 10.0软件进行统计学分析.结果 哮喘组外周血CD4 CD25 Tr/CD4 T细胞值与呼吸道周围EOS细胞数呈高度负相关(r=-0.73 P<0.05),与BALF细胞总数亦呈高度负相关(r=-0.78 P<0.05),与血清IgE水平未见显著相关.CD4 CD25 Tr/CD4 T细胞值哮喘组显著高于其他各组(Pa<0.01),其他3组比较,差异无统计学意义(Pa>0.05).MT组呼吸道周围EOS计数、外周血EOS比例、BALF细胞总数及IgE水平显著低于哮喘组(Pa<0.01).结论 CD4 CD25 Tr参与哮喘的发病.MT能显著降低哮喘大鼠CD4 CD25 Tr的数目,对哮喘大鼠CD4 CD25 Tr的调节作用与地塞米松相当,可有效减轻哮喘大鼠呼吸道炎性反应和血清IgE上升水平.     

腹腔镜Palomo手术治疗精索静脉曲张的疗效

目的 通过与儿童精索静脉曲张精索内静脉结扎术比较,探讨儿童精索静脉曲张腹腔镜Palomo手术治疗的效果.方法 收集2000年1月-2007年6月本院收治的8～15岁儿童精索静脉曲张64例(65侧,其中1例为双侧),精索静脉曲张的诊断依据为一般检查能摸到静脉曲张团块, Valsalva试验团块增大,外观血管显露.采用精索内静脉结扎术治疗29例(常规手术组,29侧),平均10.8岁, Valsalva平均分度2.6度;腹腔镜Palomo手术治疗35例(腹腔镜组,36侧),平均12.1岁, Valsalva平均分度2.6度,比较二组患儿手术时间、住院时间、复发率、并发症发生率及术后异常率(复发加并发),以评价二组手术疗效.采用SPSS 11.0软件进行t检验和X2检验.结果 腹腔镜组的平均住院时间(2.7d)与常规手术组比较(5.5d)有统计学差异(P<0.05),腹腔镜组并发症发生率(2.8%)与常规手术组比较(17.2%)有统计学差异(P<0.05).手术时间(腹腔镜组平均37min,常规手术组平均33min)、复发率(腹腔镜组2.8%,常规手术组6.9%),二组间比较均无统计学差异(Pа>0.05).患儿术后异常率(复发加并发)腹腔镜组(5.6%)低于常规手术组(24.1%),二组比较有统计学差异(P<0.05).结论 腹腔镜Palomo手术治疗儿童精索静脉曲张的疗效优于精索内静脉结扎术,并且该手术方法简单易掌握.     

婴幼儿进食行为异常的临床评估和干预

目的 对婴幼儿单纯性进食行为异常进行临床评估和有效干预.方法 采用进食行为评估、体格测量、膳食分析、多元回归分析等评估77例上海市6个月～3岁婴幼儿的异常进食行为,分析异常进食行为与婴幼儿膳食能最摄入的相关性;对其中47例婴幼儿完成了为期3个月的综合干预,并对干预前后的婴幼儿膳食及生长状况进行对比分析.采用SPSS 10.0软件进行统计学处理.结果 在评估的婴幼儿中最常见的3位异常进食行为是进餐时间不固定[36/77例(46.8%)]、挑食[34/77例(44.2%)]、进餐位置不固定[34/77例(44.2%)].72.7%进食行为异常婴幼儿的膳食能量摄入不足,少部分婴幼儿有生长落后;而与膳食能量摄入不足相关的异常进食行为依次为:进餐时间不固定、挑食、拒绝新食物、进餐位置不固定.经干预后,婴幼儿的膳食能量摄入有明显增加(P<0.01),体质量和身长增长加快,按年龄体质量和按身长体质量的Z-score均明显较干预前改善(Pа<0.01).结论 上海婴幼儿的异常进食行为有其本身的特点,异常进食行为可造成膳食能量摄入不足而影响体格生长,针对性的综合措施可以进行有效干预.     

儿童结核性脑膜炎的诊断和治疗

结核性脑膜炎是严重威胁儿童生命健康的神经系统感染性疾病.在小儿肺外结核病中结核性脑膜炎是最常见的,尽管目前开展了足量的化疗,结核性脑膜炎仍有高发病率和病死率的特点.虽然近年来研究者从细菌学、分子生物学及免疫学等方面对小儿结核性脑膜炎的诊断进行了研究,但均末获得突破性进展,对小儿结核性脑膜炎的诊断仍依靠综合分析患儿的临床特点以及通过辅助检查的结果判断.早期及时诊断和完善的治疗是降低结核性脑膜炎病死率及后遗症发生率的关键.     

新生儿惊厥的处理

惊厥是新生儿期常见急症之一,是中枢神经系统或全身性多种疾病的一个症状,是提示脑损伤可能恶化的指标.反复惊厥可影响新生儿脑的发育,产生后遗症.对惊厥患儿,应立即给予紧急处理,同时积极查找病因.     

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.