Simultaneous choriocarcinoma in mother and newborn infant

A male infant, born following an uncomplicated pregnancy, was severely anaemic at birth following significant foeto-maternal haemorrhage. At three weeks of age a tumour was found in the liver with evidence of metastatic disease in the lungs. The infant died before treatment could be started. Postmortem revealed choriocarcinoma which led to subsequent diagnosis in the mother who also had pulmonary metastases. The mother has been successfully treated. The case is described in detail and followed by a discussion and a literature review of reported cases of simultaneous choriocarcinoma in infant and mother. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Circulating quantities of sodium,potassium, calcium,inorganic phosphorus,and magnesium in serum of healthy newborn infants

The main serum ions were determined in healthy, full-termborn infants having different plasma volumes. The serum sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations were found to be constant, thus their circulating quantities were dependent on the actual plasma expansion. The serum inorganic phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were found to be inverselyrelated to the plasma volume and therefore the circulating total quantities of these ions remained constant in different expansion of the plasma volume.

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Zusammenfassung Biologisch wichtigste Ionen wurden im Serum von 24 ausgetragenen, gesunden Neugeborenen unter verschiedenen Plasmavolumina bestimmt. Die Natrium-, Kalium- und Calcium-Konzentrationen zeigen sich konstant, deshalb sind ihre zirkulierende Menge von der aktuellen Plasma-expansion abhängig. Die Konzentration des anorganischen Phosphors und des Magnesiums im Serum steht im umgekehrten Zusammenhang mit dem Plasma-volumen, demzufolge bleibt konstant die Gesamtmenge dieser Ionen im Kreislauf.

     

Plasma manganese, selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels in the mother and newborn infant.

Manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels were determined in 56 paired samples of maternal and cord blood plasma at birth in both term and preterm pregnancies. Correlations existed between maternal and newborn plasma levels for Se, but not for Mn or GPX. Values of Mn, Se and GPX were all greater in the term than the preterm infant. Levels of Mn were greater in the pregnant than the non-pregnant woman, but levels of Se and GPX were lower during pregnancy.     

Soothing effect of amniotic fluid smell in newborn infants

Newborn young of several mammalian species are attracted to the odor of amniotic fluid (AF); these chemical cues also appear to calm neonates and help them adapt to their novel postnatal environment. AF odor likewise elicits positive (head orientation) responses by human infants. The present study systematically examined whether the odors of AF and mother's breasts influence the crying of the newborn infant, when separated from its mother. The total crying time from 31–90 min postnatal was registered on tapes in 47 healthy fullterm newborns, allocated to one of three conditions: exposure to either AF or breast odor or no exposure (controls). Babies exposed to AF smell cried significantly less (median 29 s) than babies in the two other groups (breast odor—301 s, controls—135 s). The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the fetus may become familiar with chemical cues present in the intrauterine environment. Our data provide new evidence of the human baby's fine olfactory discrimination capacity, and add to the growing body of evidence indicating that naturally occurring odors play an important role in the mediation of infants' early behavior.     

Reference values of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, inorganic phosphate and magnesium levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of children

Concentration of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, inorganic phosphate and magnesium was determined in cerebrospinal fluid of 155 children (ages 1 month - 16 years). On the basis of clinical criterions the children were considered to be "healthy". The total number of examined children was 2 500 (1978-1983). The statistical age- and sexspecific investigation of the results showed no significant differences. Compilation of the values resulted in a physiological concentration of sodium 132.3 +/- 17.6 mval/l, potassium 2,59 +/- 0.37 mval/l, chloride 113.1 +/- 15.5 mval/l, calcium 3.47 +/- 1.45 mval/l, inorganic phosphate 1.11 +/- 0.21 mg/dl and magnesium 2.60 +/- 0.46 mg/dl.     

Special needs of the newborn infant in fluid therapy

The preterm baby, although less able to tolerate high fluid and solute loads, has a remarkable ability to adapt to a rather broad range of environmental challenges, and thus renal function in the preterm infant should no longer be considered impaired. Lower rather than higher fluid administration is the current trend in neonatal care because it is safer and more physiologic. Although changes in body weight over time provide a good indicator of water balance, determination of plasma and urine electrolytes and tonicity are also essential in the monitoring of fluid therapy in preterm infants.     

Maternal tactile behaviour correlated with mother and newborn infant characteristics

Filmed observations of spontaneous interactions between mothers and their newborn infants (N = 50) were used to quantify the occurrences, duration and frequency of maternal tactile behaviours (stroking, kissing, touching the clothes, etc.). The analysis of the data shows that these maternal behaviours vary from one mother to another according to the activities of the newborn infant (sleeping, arousal but not feeding, feeding) and to different biological (sex of the infant, birthweight) and social (socio-economic status of the mother) variables. These results would suggest discussion topics concerning the differences between the mother-infant interaction systems.     

The Vater association in a newborn infant of a diabetic mother

Concerning the case history of an infant of diabetic mother, the authors analyse the possible relationship between a VATER association and a poorly controlled diabetes mellitus in the early weeks of pregnancy. Caudal regression syndrome, the most frequently observed malformation noted in infants of diabetic mothers and VATER association are the results of an "AXIAL MESODERMAL DYSPLASIA". Furthermore, the factors causing VATER association occur before the seventh week of pregnancy like those responsible for the anomalies observed in infants of diabetic mothers. It is possible that a poorly controlled diabetes mellitus before conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy could favour the appearance of VATER association.     

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and hypoglycemia among term newborn infants

To evaluate whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia. Retrospective recording of medical charts of full-term infants born following observation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid to examine glucose levels in the first hours of life. Out of 803 infants of the study group, 68 (8.5%) had glucose levels lower than 47 mg/dl. Most (6.7%) had mild hypoglycemia, and 14 (1.8%) had moderate or severe hypoglycemia (1.4% and 0.4% respectively). No infant developed clinical signs clearly related to hypoglycemia. Low-risk infants born following meconium-stained amniotic fluid are not at increased risk for neonatal hypoglycemia.