Fetal urinary tract abnormalities detected on maternal ultrasound

Twenty-one cases of fetal urinary tract abnormalities were detected on maternal ultrasound in a 5 year period. Six fetuses died and 13 of the 15 surviving cases have had corrective urological surgery, usually during the neonatal period. Maternal ultrasound provides advanced warning of major urinary tract abnormalities in the newborn. Therefore, appropriate investigations and medical management can be instituted early and potentially destructive urological lesions can be corrected as soon as possible. As yet, antenatal intervention does not seem to be warranted as the most common cause of bilateral upper tract dilatation in the surviving cases in this series was primary reflux, and In the cases that died the urinary abnormalities were not salvagable.     

Fetal growth and the timing of exposure to maternal smoking

BACKGROUND: Maternal smoking during the third trimester reduces the birthweight of the full-term neonate. We assessed the relationship between the timing of exposure to maternal smoking, gestational period, weight and body length for both full-term and preterm neonates. METHODS: A retrospective study with a questionnaire was conducted in 1194 infants who participated in the official medical examination for 3-year-old infants. RESULTS: The risk of preterm birth from mothers who smoked during any trimesters was significantly increased. The body length of neonates whose mothers smoked during the third trimester was shorter than that of neonates whose mothers did not smoke during the third trimester. The weight of full-term neonates whose mothers smoked during the third trimester was lighter than that of neonates whose mothers did not smoke during the third trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking during any trimesters increased the risk of preterm birth. Maternal smoking during the third trimester reduced the body length of both full-term and preterm neonates, and the birthweight of the full-term neonate in a somewhat dose-dependent manner.     

缺铁性贫血铁剂治疗过程各项铁参数动态变化的相互关系

目的：探讨缺铁性贫血铁剂治疗过程各项铁参数动态变化的相互关系。方法：对２９例缺铁性贫血患儿以菲普利（Ｆｅｒｐｌｅｘ，元素铁４ｍｇ．ｋｇ＾－１．ｄ＾－１）治疗４０天，观察治疗前及治疗后１、３、５、６周各项参数，血清铁蛋白（ＳＦ）锌原卟啉（Ｚｐｐ）血红蛋白（Ｈｂ）网织红细胞（Ｒｅｔ）的动态变化，并以正常值为横坐标，各项参数进行值为纵坐标制成图，显示各项同铁参数变化的相互关系，结果：ＳＦ推导值线在治疗后     

静脉补充铁剂防治早产儿缺铁性贫血的价值

贫血是早产儿临床常见疾病之一,不仅影响患儿生长、发育,还对运动、认知学习、行为等产生不可逆影响,静脉铁剂对于无法经口服补铁或口服补铁无效的患儿是一种有效防治早产儿贫血的方法.但目前静脉铁剂用于早产儿的安全性及开始时间仍存在争议.现就静脉铁剂对于防治早产儿缺铁性贫血的有效性、安全性进行阐述.     

Cardiovascular function before and after iron therapy by echocardiography in patients with iron deficiency anemia

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to estimate the left ventricular contractility using the ratio of left ventricular end-systolic wall stress to left ventricular end-systolic volume index in patients with iron deficiency anemia, for which there are no previous reports. METHODS: Cardiovascular functions were evaluated using echocardiography and pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 30 children aged 3-14 years (hemoglobin 4.9-8.5 g/dL), before, during and after iron therapy. We also studied 38 healthy children as a control group. RESULTS: The left ventricular preload was significantly higher and the left ventricular afterload was lower in the patients with anemia before iron therapy. The ratio of left ventricular end-systolic wall stress to left ventricular volume, an index of systolic function that is independent of preload and afterload, was significantly lower in the patients with anemia before iron therapy (before iron therapy 2.13 +/- 0.44, after therapy 3.52 +/- 0.76, healthy controls 3.42 +/- 0.70). Left ventricular early diastolic filling was significantly higher in the patients with anemia before iron therapy. The cardiac index was also significantly higher before therapy because of the increases in preload, heart rate and early diastolic filling, as well as the decrease of afterload. There were no significant differences in the indices of cardiovascular function between anemic patients after iron therapy compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of left ventricular end-systolic wall stress to the left ventricular volume index and the cardiac index suggested that a hemoglobin concentration < or = 6 g/dL was associated with left ventricular dysfunction and circulatory congestion.     

Serum transferrin receptor levels in the evaluation of iron deficiency in the neonate

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major global problem. Early onset of iron deficiency in developing countries makes it imperative to identify iron deficiency in neonates. Most conventional laboratory parameters of iron status fail to distinguish neonates with iron deficient erythropoiesis. Serum transferrin receptor (STFR) levels are a recent sensitive measure of iron deficiency and the present study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of cord serum transferrin receptors in identifying iron deficient erythropoiesis in neonates. A complete hemogram, red cell indices, iron profile: serum iron (SI), percent transferrin saturation (TS%) and serum ferritin (SF) was carried out in 100 full-term neonates and their mothers at parturition. Cord and maternal STFR levels were estimated using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Anemic women had a significantly lower SI, their TS% and high STFR levels suggesting that iron deficiency was responsible for the anemia. In the neonates of iron deficient mothers, cord SI, TS% and cord ferritin were not significantly different from those of neonates born to non-anemic mothers. Cord STFR level correlated well with hemoglobin (Hb) and laboratory parameters of iron status, and its level was significantly higher in neonates born to anemic mothers than in those bom to non-anemic mothers. It was the only laboratory parameter to differentiate between neonates bom to anemic and non-anemic mothers. Therefore, STFR is a sensitive index of iron status in neonates and identifies neonates with iron deficient erythropoiesis.     

儿童轻度缺铁性贫血间歇补铁疗法的有效性研究北大核心CSCD

目的研究间歇性补铁疗法治疗儿童轻度缺铁性贫血的临床疗效。方法前瞻性选取147例轻度缺铁性贫血患儿分为间歇补铁组(n=83)和常规补铁组(n=64),检测两组患儿治疗前、治疗1个月后和治疗3个月后血红蛋白水平,对两组的治疗有效率及不良反应发生率进行统计分析。结果经过补铁治疗后,常规补铁组和间歇补铁组血红蛋白水平均较治疗前升高(P<0.05)。治疗1个月后,常规补铁组治疗有效率(61%)高于间歇补铁组(42%)(P<0.05)。治疗3个月后,常规补铁组治疗有效率(86%)与间歇补铁组(78%)比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。常规补铁组的不良反应发生率(25%)高于间歇补铁组(8%)(P<0.05)。结论虽然间歇补铁法对轻度缺铁性贫血患儿的短期疗效不及常规补铁法,但是长期疗效无差异;而且相对于常规补铁法,间歇补铁法可降低不良反应发生率,减轻家庭经济负担,提高患儿治疗依从性,值得临床推广应用。     

小儿幽门螺杆菌感染与缺铁性贫血的临床研究

目的探讨儿童幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染与缺铁性贫血(IDA)的关系。方法将43例H.pylori阳性伴IDA患儿分为3组,A组15例采用奥美拉唑 克拉霉素 阿莫西林抗H.pylori治疗2周,同时服用铁剂治疗;B组14例单纯抗H.pylori治疗2周;C组14例单纯口服铁剂治疗。治疗前及治疗后2个月分别查血红蛋白、血清铁及血清铁蛋白。结果A组贫血治愈14例,治愈率93.33%(14/15例);B组治愈8例,治愈率57.14%(8/14例);C组治愈4例,治愈率28.51%(4/14例),三组比较差异有显著性(χ2=12.04,P<0.01)。反映铁储备贮存形式的指标血清铁蛋白三组比较差异有显著性(q=5.53～24.36,P均<0.01)。结论H.pylori感染与IDA之间存在相关性,单纯抗H.pylori治疗及单纯口服铁剂治疗不能达到预期的效果,只有在补铁同时抗H.pylori治疗才是最佳方案。     

Gastrointestinal smooth muscle tumors and iron deficiency anemia in children

Smooth muscle tumors are rarely seen in the pediatric population. We present a child with smooth muscle tumor of low malignant potential in the ileocecal valve region in whom iron deficiency anemia was the only presenting sign. Abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan, barium enema, and colonoscopy revealed the mass. Following resection of the tumor the anemia was corrected and the child feels well. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 28:441–443, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Novel mutation in the TMPRSS6 gene with iron‐refractory iron deficiency anemia

Iron‐refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by congenital hypochromic microcytic anemia, low transferrin saturation, low serum iron, normal–high serum ferritin, and increased hepcidin. This disease is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in TMPRSS6 that lead to high hepcidin and result in severe anemia. We report our experience with an 11‐year‐old Japanese girl with hypochromic microcytic anemia, low serum iron, and high serum ferritin, with anemia that was refractory to the oral iron that was prescribed frequently from early childhood. Presence of high hepcidin suggested a diagnosis of IRIDA, which was eventually confirmed by identification of a novel homozygous mutation, p.Pro354Leu, in the TMPRSS6 gene. This case suggests that serum hepcidin should be routinely measured for differential diagnosis when patients with IDA are unresponsive to oral iron or have unusual clinical features.     

The anemia of familial Mediterranean fever disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of anemia detected in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the effect of disease activity and colchicine therapy along with inteleukins to laboratory tests, including serum transferrin receptor (TfR), in the diagnosis of anemia seen in FMF in children. After detecting anemia in 63.4% of 172 FMF patients followed up by our rhematology outpatient polyclinics, it was decided to study 3 groups of patients: group 1, 17 newly diagnosed FMF patients; group 2, 36 FMF patients on colchicine therapy; and group 3, 17 healthy children as control for the symptom of anemia. All 3 groups of patients were investigated for their hematological parameters, iron status, including soluble transferrin receptor (sTFR) concentrations and sTFR index, and IL-6 levels. Anemia ratio was 9/17, 53%; 11/36, 31%; and 1/17, 5% in the groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a significant difference between hemoglobin (Hb) values in the first group and the second (patients who were on colchicine therapy). Furthermore, in the second group there was a significant difference between the Hb concentrations at the time of diagnosis and after colchicine therapy (p = .003). There was a positive correlation between Hb and plasma iron and transferrin saturation in group 1 and disease beginning age, iron, transferrin saturation, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the second group. In the first group the anemic patients' iron and transferrin saturation were significantly lower than normal, while ferritin levels were higher. In the second group, a good correlation was found with ESR and Hb levels; the higher ESR values were detected in patients with lower Hb values. Of the anemic and nonanemic patients of the first and second groups, values for interleukin 6 and iron parameters, including sTFR, were found similar. Anemia detected in FMF patients was found related to iron status more than interleukins. Colchicine therapy had a positive effect on anemia as well as on disease activity. Resolution of symptoms of FMF occurred with correction of the anemia, if the patient ESR values also decreased on colchicine therapy.     

Human parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crisis in iron deficiency anemia

Human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) infects and replicates in erythroid progenitor cells. Its specific cytotoxic effect on these cells results in aplastic crises in patients with congenital hemolytic anemias. Aplastic crisis due to HPVB19 infection in a healthy girl revealed occult iron deficiency anemia. The condition is characterized by a high serum iron level in the aplastic phase and rapid recovery after administration of iron. Temporary HPVB19-induced red blood cell aplasia could occur in patients with other anemias, particularly those with non-inherited form of hemolysis.     

Serum lipid and lipoprotein profile in children with iron deficiency anemia

BACKGROUND: A close association has been found between serum lipoprotein abnormalities and the risk of atherosclerosis. In adults, high stored body iron, high serum iron concentrations and low iron binding capacity were found to be risk factors for coronary heart disease. Iron-deficient diets have caused contradictory lipid changes in rats. This report investigates the relationships between iron deficiency, macronutrient intake and the serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six children with IDA, aged 3.0 +/- 1.3 years and 60 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were evaluated. The mean total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein (a) levels and LDL-C/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and TC/HDL-C ratios of the IDA group were significantly lower than those of controls. While there were no differences in triglycerides and apolipoprotein B (apoB) values between patients and controls, apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) and HDL-C levels were higher in the IDA group. Dietary energy, carbohydrates, total fat and protein intakes of the IDA group were lower than those of controls. After oral iron supplementation, the lipoprotein profile of patients with IDA became similar to controls. In the multivariate analysis, while energy was taken as a covariate, there was no difference in the lipid profile of patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IDA are also deficient in macronutrients. The low atherogenic serum lipid profile of IDA is not a direct result of iron deficiency itself, but related to decreased energy and protein intakes.