Normal morphology of sacroiliac joints in children: magnetic resonance studies related to age and sex

Objective. To determine in a prospective study the normal MRI morphology of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in relation to age and sex during adolescence. Design and patients. A total of 98 children (63 boys, mean age 12.7±2.8 years; 35 girls, mean age 13.7±2.3 years), ranging in age from 8 to 17 years, with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) but without signs of sacroiliitis fulfilled the study prerequisites (no back pain and no pathologic changes of the SIJs on physical examination before MRI in a 1.5-year follow-up). An additional eight HLA-B27-negative boys and eight HLA-B27-negative girls without arthritis served as controls. The MRI protocol comprised a T1-weighted SE sequence, an opposed-phase T2*-weighted GE sequence, and a dynamic contrast-enhanced study in single-section technique. Results. Noncontrast MRI permitted differentiation of “open” from ossified segmental and lateral apophyses of the sacral wings, with a significant difference in age (P <0.05) between children with open and ossified apophyses. Ossification of the apophyses of the sacral wings was seen significantly earlier (P <0.05) in girls than in boys. Girls also had a significantly higher incidence of transitional lumbosacral vertebrae, pelvic asymmetries, and accessory joints. In the contrast-enhanced opposed-phase MRI study, normal cartilage of the SIJs showed no contrast enhancement whereas the joint capsule showed a moderate enhancement. Conclusion. There are significant age- and sex-related differences in the normal MRI morphology of juvenile SIJs. Our findings might serve as a standard of comparison for the evaluation of pathologic changes – in particular for the early identification of juvenile sacroiliitis.     

新生儿胃穿孔18例诊治报告

目的 :探讨新生儿胃穿孔的诊断、治疗效果及预后因素。方法 :对 1 8例新生儿胃穿孔病例诊断、治疗及预后因素进行分析。结果 :1 8例患儿均有拒奶、腹胀、呕吐、呼吸困难等症状。腹部立位 X线片示膈下有大量游离气体。其中单纯穿孔 6例 ,多发穿孔 4例 ,胃壁缺损 7例 ,全胃壁缺如 1例。单纯及多发胃穿孔行胃修补术 ,3例同时行胃造痿术。胃壁肌层缺损行病变组织切除、胃壁修补及胃造痿术。 1例全胃壁肌层缺如仅行腹腔引流术。本组存活 8例 ;死亡 1 0例 ,病死率 5 5 .5 6%。死亡原因为多脏器功能衰竭、DIC。结论 :新生儿胃穿孔预后差 ,且受发病时间、就诊时间、病变严重程度等综合因素影响     

The effect of supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy on breast milk immunoglobulin A, soluble CD14, cytokine levels and fatty acid composition

BACKGROUND: Breast milk contains many immunomodulatory factors (soluble CD14 (sCD14), IgA and cytokines) with the potential to influence infant immune development. OBJECTIVE: To determine if changes in breast milk omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) composition as a result of maternal dietary fish oil supplementation during pregnancy can modify levels of these immunological parameters in breast milk. METHOD: In a randomized controlled trial, 83 atopic women received either 4 g fish oil capsules (containing 3.7 g n-3 PUFA) (n = 40) or 4 g olive oil capsules (n = 43) from 20 weeks gestation until delivery. Breast milk was collected 3 days post-partum and fatty acids were analysed by gas liquid chromatography and IgA, sCD14 and cytokines (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) were quantitated by ELISA or time resolved fluorescence (TRF). RESULTS: Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in breast milk from women supplemented with fish oil (n = 33, DHA mean 1.15%, SD 0.47% and EPA mean 0.16%, SD 0.07%) than in samples from the control group (n = 40, DHA mean 0.50%, SD 0.17% and EPA mean 0.05%, SD 0.02%). Breast milk arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6) levels were significantly lower (P = 0.045) in the fish oil group (mean 0.55%, SD 0.12%) compared with the control group (mean 0.61%, SD 0.14%). Breast milk IgA was positively correlated with DHA (P = 0.046) and 22:5n-3 (P = 0.003), but inversely correlated with linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) (P=0.034). Levels of sCD14 were also positively correlated with 22:5n-3 (P=0.009). Cytokines involved in IgA synthesis (IL-10 and IL-6) were also significantly correlated with both IgA and n-3 PUFA levels, although there were no differences in the levels of breast milk IgA, sCD14 or cytokines between study groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy significantly alters early post-partum breast milk fatty acid composition. omega-3 PUFA levels were positively associated with IgA and sCD14 levels, suggesting a relationship between fatty acid status and mucosal immune function.     

Effect of mite-impermeable mattress encasings and an educational package on the development of allergies in a multinational randomized, controlled birth-cohort study – 24 months results of the Study of Prevention of Allergy in Children in Europe

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) is an important risk factor for the development of asthma and allergic disease in childhood. Higher levels of HDM allergen are linked to increased sensitization to HDM. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of mite-impermeable mattress encasings and an educational package on the development of allergies in a newborn cohort. METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-six newborns at high risk of developing allergies were enrolled in three European countries (Germany, Austria, UK) in a prospective, randomized, controlled birth-cohort study. Children were randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. Intervention measures included the use of mite-impermeable mattress encasings for the child's bed and a simple educational package on allergen avoidance. The control group received basic information about allergies. Children were followed up at age 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS: 80.9% of the children were followed up to the age of 24 months. No difference in the prevalence of sensitization to HDM (control vs. intervention group: 8.4% vs. 6.1%, P=0.33) or the development of symptoms (recurrent wheezing 10.3% vs. 10.7%, nocturnal cough 12.5% vs. 12.5%) or allergic diseases (asthma 3.5% vs. 5.1%, eczema 20.0% vs. 19.6%, rhinitis 28.9% vs. 25.8%) could be found between the control and intervention group. CONCLUSION: In this study, HDM avoidance did not show a protective effect on the development of sensitization to HDM or symptomatic allergy in children at age 24 months.     

早期饮食干预对婴幼儿呼吸道变态反应疾病的影响

目的 观察早期饮食干预对婴幼儿呼吸道变态反应疾病发展的影响。方法 选取2003年1月-2004年6月复旦大学附属儿科医院0～6月变态反应疾病高危婴儿176例，在进行环境控制的前提下，随机分为干预组（饮食干预）和非干预组，随访两组患儿变态反应疾病发生、发展的情况。结果 （1）在干预6、12、18个月后，干预组发生两种以上变态反应疾病的人数均显著少于非干预组，过敏症状的严重程度较非干预组也显著减轻（P〈0．005）。（2）饮食干预18个月后，两组患儿在吸入性过敏原筛查阳性比例上的差异没有显著性（χ^2=0．002，P=0．969），但干预组患儿的肺功能显著优于非干预组（P〈0．005）、干预组的食物过敏原筛查阳性比例显著低于非干预组（χ^2=8．91，P〈0．01）。结论 对变态反应性疾病高危婴儿进行饮食干预，能减轻或消除呼吸道变态反应疾病症状，改善肺功能。     

第1产程潜伏期指导对分娩的影响

目的 :观察规范指导对处于分娩第 1产程潜伏期孕妇的影响。方法 :为处于分娩第 1产程潜伏期的 15 0例产妇讲解分娩知识 ,训练助产动作 ,树立自然分娩信心 ,并动态观察产妇的分娩情况。以条件相同 ,未在潜伏期做指导的产妇 15 0例为对照组。结果 :观察组总产程、第 1产程活跃期及第 2产程明显短于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,新生儿窒息率、剖宫产率明显低于对照组(P <0 0 1)。第 1产程潜伏期、阴道助产率及产后出血发生率两组差异无显著性。结论 :在第 1产程潜伏期对产妇进行规范指导可以缩短产程 ,促进自然分娩 ,降低新生儿窒息发生率。     

Pulmonary effects of closure of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome

The pulmonary effects of closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were investigated in 11 premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome. Successful closure of a PDA did not improve the short-term severity of pulmonary disease (24 and 48 h after treatment) as judged by the arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio or the amount of ventilatory support. Also, pulmonary mechanics measured 24 h before, 24 and 48 h after treatment, were not statistically different.Conclusion Infants with severe respiratory disease requiring high ventilation pressure and high oxygen concentration, where structural changes in the lungs are already established, will rarely show short-term improvement in pulmonary disease as a result of closure of a PDA. The overall clinical condition may, however, improve as a result of reduced cardiovascular strain. Earlier treatment of a PDA could reduce the ventilation period and the possible risk of developing chronic lung disease.     

新生儿血糖监测（附32例临床分析）

应用英国产“ＨＹＰＯＣＯＵＮＴＧＡ”微量血糖测定仪（氧化酶光电比色法）对同期住院新生儿不分病种连续３天进行空腹血糖监测。结果在原发疾病情况下表现出低血糖发生频率高，而低血糖症状又被原发疾病所掩盖。在３２例中足月儿２３例，足月小样儿４例，早产儿５例，在３２例９６次监测中发现低血糖１４例，其中足月儿９例，早产儿５例．发病率为４３．７％；高血糖３例。无一例死亡。提示：新生儿患病情况下，易发生低血糖，其发生与疾病、孕周有关而与体重无关。因此，在新生儿期必须注意及时喂养与补充葡萄糖，防止低血糖时间过长对脑部造成损伤。     

足月新生儿颅内出血的CT诊断

经CT扫描诊断的足月新生儿颅内出血8例,就其病因、CT表现特点及CT与超声检查的比较进行讨论。提出新生儿颅内出血与孕期、胎次、分娩方式均有一定的关系,同时还应注意新生儿因脑发育不成熟在CT扫描图像上有其特殊表现。     

Nasopharyngeal glioma: A unique presentation in infants

Despite the complex embryological development of the nose and surrounding structures, significant developmental nasal anomalies are rare. Of the various anomalies like-nasopharyngeal cysts, hairy polyps, dermoids, haemangiomata, fibromas, mucocoeles, lipoma, aplasias. We are presenting a rare case of Heterotopic Brain Tissue in the nasopharynx. This 1.5-month-old patient was operated through transpalatal route and mass excised. Histopathologicaly it consisted of various central nervous tissue elements. Seven months post surgery patient is thriving well.