Umbilical Cord Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Cortisol Levels in Preterm Infants Born to Pre-Eclamptic Mothers

ABSTRACT. The influence of early-onset pre-eclampsia upon the umbilical cord serum levels of Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was studied in fifty-one preterm infants not exposed prenatally to corticosteroids. Preterm infants born to pre-eclamptic mothers (group A) presented lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels than preterm infants born to non-pre-eclamptic mothers (group B). The umbilical cord serum levels of Cortisol were similar between both groups. It is suggested that the decrease in the cord serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in preterm infants of pre-eclamptic mothers plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the subnormal maternal urinary estriol excretion, and that the accelerated pulmonary and cerebral maturation of preterm infants born to pre-eclamptic mothers is not explained by an increased fetal serum Cortisol concentration.     

Fetal and Neonatal Cortical Adrenal Function in Birth Asphyxia

ABSTRACT. Eighteen newborn infants, gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks with birth asphyxia were compared with 23 normal newborn infants to determine serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in cord blood and in venous blood samples collected 12–18 hours after birth. Both groups were similar in gestational age, birthweight, proportion of small for gestational age and large for gestational age infants, proportion of infants delivered by cesarean section with and without labor, and proportion of mothers with pre-eclampsia. There was no antenatal exposure to corticosteroid. The asphyxiated newborn infants had a significantly higher mean cord serum level of cortisol, and a significantly lower mean cord serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate than the control group. Mean serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels collected 12–18 hours after birth were similar between both groups. It is suggested that elevated cord serum level of cortisol is related to birth asphyxia stress stimulating the adrenal definitive zone, and the low cord serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is secondary to a transient hypoxemic-ischemic insult to the adrenal fetal zone.     

危重症早产儿血清皮质醇水平的变化

目的 以血清皮质醇水平作为监测指标,观察其变化与临床的相关性,评价危重症早产儿皮质醇水平与短期预后之间的关系.方法 出生72 h内转入湖南省儿童医院新生儿科的早产儿90例(胎龄＜37周),排除遗传代谢性疾病,母孕期及患儿出生时均未用过糖皮质激素.全部患儿分别在入院时(日龄72 h内)、日龄7 d、日龄14 d静脉采血,留取血标本,分离血清,放射免疫法检测血清皮质醇水平.3个时间点皮质醇水平进行比较.结果 血清皮质醇水平在下四分位组(P25之下)时,发病率及病死率无明显增高.血清皮质醇水平在上四分位组(P75之上)时,机械通气、危重患儿比例、病死率、糖代谢紊乱、消化道出血、Ⅲ~Ⅳ级脑室周围-脑室内出血及脑白质软化、慢性肺疾病发病率呈上升趋势.其中在入院时及日龄14 d时,血清皮质醇水平在上四分位组的患儿,机械通气的比例显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);日龄7 d时及日龄14 d时,危重症患儿比例显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). 结论 在早产儿中,应激发生时机体已具有调节皮质醇分泌的能力.血清皮质醇水平增高与疾病的严重程度、并发症及预后密切相关.     

早产儿胎膜早破与呼吸窘迫综合征

目的探讨胎膜早破对早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS)发生的影响。方法回顾性分析1997-2000年在我院分娩、胎龄为27-33周的早产儿。依据产妇胎膜早破是否超过24 h,将早产儿分为胎膜早破组44例与对照组99例。采用t检验、x2 检验及Fisher确切概率计算法分析数据。结果两组胎龄分别为(32.30±1.31)、(31.9±1.7)周,出生体质量分别为(1834±378)g、(1838±431)g。两组破膜至胎儿娩出时间分别为(111.9±124.6)、(3.4±6.0)h,经统计分析有显著差异(P<0.001)。胎膜早破组RDS发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。胎膜早破组孕产妇官腔内感染率与新生儿败血症发生率较对照组高,但无显著差异。结论对于<33周的早产儿,胎膜早破超过24 h可能促进胎肺成熟,进而显著降低RDS发生。     

Fetal Adrenal Development During the Second Trimester of Gestation

Four hundred and fifty pairs of adrenals were studied from human fetuses ranging in age from 15 to 27 weeks of gestation (menstrual age). They were collected from spontaneous and medical abortions. The adrenal weight increased from 0.2 to 1.5 g during the second trimester. The left adrenal was significantly heavier than the right for the same gestational age. The length (L₁), the height (L₂) and the thickness (L₃) of the adrenals were measured. The index of length (L₁ X L₂ X L₃) correlated well with the fetal age, except for the Potter Syndrome in which it was decreased. This index could be a useful indicator for ultrasonographic and pathologic studies of the fetal adrenal gland. The cells of the fetal cortex contained lipid droplets during the first weeks of the mid-trimester, and this storage progressively decreased after 20-21 weeks. The fatty transformation that is used as an indicator of the mode of death of stillborn infants cannot be applied to abortions during the second trimester. In a few instances, hypoxia was associated with adrenal hypertrophy.     

Flow Cytometry of Fetal Adrenal Glands with Adrenocortical Cytomegaly

Adrenal glands from four autopsied fetuses of 18 to 36 weeks gestation showed varying degrees of cortical cytomegaly. Formalin'fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from these four pairs of glands were studied by flow cytometry to analyze their DNA content and cell cycle parameters. Flow cytometry of Case 1, which had diffuse bilateral cytomegaly, demonstrated a major diploid peak, an increased percentage of tetraploid cells, and a decrease in S phase compared to an age-matched control with no evidence of cytomegaly (Case 2). Cases 3, 4, and 5 showed focal and/or unilateral adrenocortical cytomegaly and were diploid by flow cytometry with no differences in synthetic or tetraploid fractions compared to the control tissues. The focal distribution of the lesions or the limits of resolution of the instrumentation could account for some of these results. However, the findings in Case 1 suggest that the cytomegalic cells are tetraploid in DNA content and may have decreased DNA synthetic activity. A current hypothesis that these cells have undergone a period of sustained hyperactivity followed by exhaustion in reaction to an unknown stimulus is supported by our observations.     

脐血生化指标的变化及其与胎儿窘迫的关系

目的探讨脐血乳酸(LD)、pH、血糖(BS)、总胆红素(BIL)、电解质、渗透压(OP)等变化与胎儿窘迫的关系。方法胎儿宫内窘迫35例为窘迫组,正常妊娠40例为对照组。窘迫组中新生儿出生无窒息为窘迫Ⅰ组,有窒息为窘迫Ⅱ组。分别测定脐血乳酸、pH、BS、BIL、Na 、K 、Ca2 和OP。结果1.窘迫组新生儿窒息发生率(29.03%)显著高于对照组(2.50%);2. 窘迫Ⅰ组LD(2.83±0_83)mmol/L和窘迫Ⅱ组(3.44±0.45)mmol/L,均显著高于对照组(2.45±0.63)mmol/L。窘迫Ⅰ组LD与窘迫Ⅱ组比较,亦有显著性差异;3.各组pH、BS、BIL、Na 、K 、Ca2 、OP水平均无显著差异(P均>0.05),但窘迫组高血糖发生率(8.6%)显著高于对照组;4.窘迫Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组脐血LD水平与pH均呈显著负相关。结论脐血LD水平有助于判断宫内窘迫的发生及预后。     

Vaginally Born Low-Risk Preterm Infants: Fetal Acidosis and Outcome at 6 Years of Age

ABSTRACT. In a population of vaginally born low-risk preterm infants fetal acidosis (scalp pH <7.20) was found in 50% (6 out of 12) of infants of 29–33 weeks' gestational age (Group I) and in 9% (2 of 22) infants of 34–36 weeks' gestational age (Group II). At 6–7 years of age the children underwent a neurodevelopmental examination including a Griffith test. Five out of 6 Group I infants with fetal acidosis and 10 out of 20 Group II infants without fetal acidosis had minor or moderate neurodevelopmental problems. On the Griffith test Group II infants scored below Group I with more coordination and fine motor problems on the tested subscales. Fetal acidosis was more common in very preterm infants but cannot be used per se as a reliable indicator of long-term outcome.     

Possible Etiological Factors in Extensive Periventricular Leukomalacia of Preterm Infants

ABSTRACT. During a twelve-month period five cases of extensive periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in preterm infants with a gestational age of 31–32 weeks were diagnosed by routine ultrasound screening of preterm infants. The perinatal courses and later development of these infants were compared with 12 other infants with a comparable gestational age born during the same time period. PVL babies were delivered more often by the vaginal route ( p =0.0034), and their mean highest serum total bilirubin value was significantly higher ( p =0.0054) than that of the control infants. The mean value of the highest blood pH during the first 72 hours of life was also significantly higher ( p =0.0311) in PVL babies than in control babies. On the basis of these results we speculate that in addition to ischaemia in the periventricular area, bilirubin toxicity may play an additional role in the severe damage seen in extensive periventricular leukomalacia.     

Normal Pattern of the Cerebral Function Monitor Trace in Term and Preterm Neonates

ABSTRACT. Cerebral Function Monitor (CFM) recordings were performed on 10 term and 19 preterm healthy infants. Term infants were monitored once, while preterm infants were followed serially. Forty-six recordings were made on 7, 14, 16 and 9 occasions in the age groups 30–31, 32–33, 34–35 and 36–37 weeks. All infants were examined clinically at 18 months of age and found healthy. By drawing weighted lines derived from the lower and upper limits of the CFM traces, mean values of minimum and maximum cerebral activity were calculated for the different age groups. In the term infants different CFM traces were identified corresponding to quiet sleep and active sleep. In the preterm infants a similar cyclic variability of the CFM trace was noted. A gradual increase in the minimum cerebral activity was found with increasing gestational age, resulting in a gradual narrowing of the trace.     

促红细胞生成素治疗早产儿脑损伤的效果

目的探讨促红细胞生成素(EPO)在防治早产儿脑损伤中的作用。方法早产儿30例。男23例,女7例;随机分为常规治疗组、EPO治疗组,各15例。EPO治疗组于生后即开始予EPO治疗。所有患儿随诊至1岁,定期行脑电图、脑干诱发电位(ABR)检查及头颅B超等影像学检查,并于纠正胎龄40周行新生儿行为神经检测(NBNA)。结果1.EPO治疗组NBNA评分正常者占73.33%,明显高于常规治疗组(26.67%),差异有显著性(P<0.05);2.纠正胎龄1个月时二组患儿ABR异常率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),随访至3~6个月时,EPO治疗组ABR异常率明显小于常规治疗组(P<0.05)。EPO治疗组后期ABR的异常程度较前明显减轻。结论早期使用EPO可改善早产儿预后,减少或减轻早产儿脑损伤。     

Plasma Ionized Calcium, Phosphate and Magnesium in Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants

ABSTRACT. Blood concentrations of ionized calcium, phosphate and magnesium were determined on days 1, 3 and 5 in 32 preterm infants, appropriate for gestational age, and 25 small for gestational age infants. The results were compared with those of a reference group of 31 fullterm newborns. Preterm infants had lower mean ionized calcium levels than the reference population. Ionized calcium levels were positively correlated with gestational age and postnatal age. The sickest infants had the lowest calcium levels. Intrauterine growth retardation did not seem to influence the calcium levels. Small for gestational age infants had lower phosphate values than the reference group and the values correlated with the degree of growth retardation the first day. Magnesium concentrations increased with time and did not differ significantly between the study groups and the reference group. Magnesium values did not correlate with calcium or phosphate values.     

Influence of Mode of Delivery on Fetal Pituitary-Thyroid Axis

We measured the cord serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in 922 neonates delivered by mothers who had no thyroid disorders. The T4 and T3 levels increased progressively from the 27th to the 40th week of gestation. However, the TSH levels varied widely and had no correlation with gestational age, because they were affected by the mode of delivery. The mean cord serum TSH level in neonates delivered by vacuum extraction was 16.3 ±10.0 µUml (n = 30), which was significantly higher than the level following normal vaginal delivery (9.5 ± 6.0 µ U/ml, n = 622) (p < 0.005). The mean cord serum TSH level following elective caesarean section was 6.5 ± 3.1 µ U/ml (n = 79), and this was significantly lower than after normal vaginal delivery (p< 0.005). TSH levels in high-risk neonates were significantly higher than in neonates without risk factors. A significant positive correlation was found between the duration of the second stage of labor and the cord serum TSH level (r = 0.45, n = 412, p<0.01). However, there was no correlation between the cord serum TSH level and the congenital hypothyroidism screening TSH level (r = 0.01, n = 468). We conclude that the cord serum TSH level reflects delivery stress and that an elevated level does not influence the congenital hypothyroidism screening TSH test in which blood is obtained at five days of life.     

未足月胎膜早破对早产儿神经发育的影响

目的探讨未足月胎膜早破对早产儿神经发育的影响。方法将早产儿根据产前有无胎膜早破分为未足月胎膜早破组（n=40）和对照组（n=37）。分别对二组患儿在纠正胎龄至40周、纠正胎龄后3个月、纠正胎龄后6个月进行新生儿神经发育评分（NBNA）及婴幼儿智能运动发育检测（CDCC）,比较二组神经发育情况。结果未足月胎膜早破组3个月及6个月运动心理发育指数（PDI）明显低于对照组,经统计学分析有显著性差异（Pa〈0.05）。二组NBNA评分、3个月及6个月智能发育指数（MDI）比较则无明显统计学差异（Pa〉0.05）。结论未足月胎膜早破对早产儿远期运动心理发育有明显的延迟和滞后的影响。     

晚期早产儿的临床回顾分析

目的 研究晚期早产儿存在的临床问题.方法 回顾性总结我院新生儿病房及新生儿监护病房2007年9月至2008年9月收治的晚期早产儿508例、足月儿1 514例的临床资料.记录低体温、呼吸窘迫、暂时性呼吸增快、低血糖、黄疸、颅内出血的发生率及临床转归.结果 与足月儿相比.晚期早产儿低体温(13.4%vs 0)、低血糖(19.9%vs 3.0%)、呼吸窘迫(38.6%vs 10.8%)、暂时性呼吸增快(31.0%vs 13.1%)、颅内出血(5.1%vs 2.3%)、黄疽(55.0%vs 33.0%)及喂养不耐受(52.4%vs 14.2%)的发生率高,差异有非常显著性(P＜0.01).晚期早产儿接受机械通气、应用肺表面活性物质和经鼻持续气道正压通气呼吸支持的比例高于足月儿(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).晚期早产儿未完成治疗的比例高于足月儿(P＜0.01).结论 晚期早产儿比足月儿存在更多的临床问题,是不应被忽视的高危人群.     

早产儿和足月儿脑性瘫痪的临床特征

目的探讨早产儿和足月儿脑性瘫痪(CP)的临床特征,确定脑损伤的病因与时间,为病因预防提供依据。方法回顾性分析2005年9月-2007年8月在安徽医科大学第一附属医院小儿神经康复中心住院的267例CP患儿的围生期脑损伤高危因素、临床特点、头颅CT和MRI表现。早产儿组102例。28周≤胎龄<37周;出生体质量1000～4000g,平均2228.82g。足月儿组165例。37周≤胎龄<42周;出生体质量2100～4600g,平均3250.18g。计量资料采用频数分布及中位数,计数资料采用频数分布、百分构成比及χ2检验进行描述与分析。结果早产儿组痉挛型双瘫高于足月儿组(χ2=7.93P<0.01),足月儿组偏瘫型(χ2=8.17P<0.01)和共济失调型(χ2=4.21P<0.05)高于早产儿组。高危因素主要顺位依次为窒息、低出生体质量、黄疸、颅内出血和双胎。早产儿组并2种以上高危因素,病理性黄疸,双胎,低出生体质量的情况较多;而足月儿组并窒息、颅内出血较多。早产儿组癫高于足月儿组(χ2=10.37P<0.01)。除癫癎外,早产儿和足月儿并发症的差异均无显著性意义(Pa>0.05)。头颅影像学方面早产儿组CP集中表现为脑室周围白质软化,足月儿CP影像学异常分布范围较广。结论早产儿和足月儿在CP类型构成、高危因素、并发症和头颅影像学方面均有差异。对早产儿早期随访、早期干预,有利于CP的早期诊断和治疗。     

Lattice Theory Analysis of the Relationship of Hyaline Membrane Disease and Fetal Pneumonia in 96 Perinatal Autopsies

A previous study of hyaline membrane disease of the newborn demonstrated that the hyaline membrane was derived from necrotic epithelial cells, and it was suggested that a no flow-reflow episode affecting the pulmonary circulation might account for the cell necrosis. An unexpected statistical finding in that study was a highly significant negative correlation between hyaline membrane disease and chorioam-nionitis. Because it seemed to us that fetal infection could be expected to produce the circulatory pathophysiology suggested to produce hyaline membrane disease, we reexamined the issue by reviewing a group of autopsied infants. Data were collected on clinicopathologic variables from 42 stillborn and 54 liveborn infants ≤ 12 h of age with lung and placenta slides available for review. Correlations and multivariate regression analysis showed that the inflammatory responses in membranes, cord, and lung are interrelated but that hyaline membrane disease develops independently. However, lattice theory analysis, which represents the pathogenesis of a progressive disease process as edges along a mathematical lattice or hyperdimen-sional cube, showed that this separation was not absolute. Despite the negative correlation of hyaline membrane disease and fetal pneumonia, there were 10 (10%) patients with both conditions and a total of 19 (20%) with hyaline membrane disease and inflammation of membranes, cord, and/or lung. We suggest that the coexistence of hyaline membrane disease and fetal pneumonia in some patients implies a possible pathogenetic relationship between the two entities. Given the nature of the two processes, it seems likely that the direction of causality is that fetal pneumonia would give rise to the hyaline membrane disease of the newborn.     

Adrenal hypoplasia and pituitary agenesis in a normocephalic infant, with a review of the literature

Abstract A case of adrenal hypoplasia and pituitary agenesis in a normocephalic female infant is described. Twenty-eight other cases from the world literature were reviewed. There were 18 females and 11 males. More than one affected infant was described in five families, suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. The mode of presentation, subsequent course, pathology and possible pathogenesis are discussed.     

Influence of Long Term Inhalation of Beclomethasone Dipropionate on Pituitary Adrenal Axis Function in Asthmatic Children

目的　通过检测相关激素水平 ,探讨哮喘患儿吸入二丙酸倍氯米松后对垂体 肾上腺轴功能的影响。方法　将研究对象分成 4组 :正常对照组、哮喘组、短期吸入二丙酸倍氯米松组和长期吸入二丙酸倍氯米松组。应用放射免疫法 ,测定上述 4组儿童的促肾上腺皮质激素 (ACTH)和皮质醇 (cortisol)水平 ,以评估垂体 肾上腺轴功能状态及吸入二丙酸倍氯米松后对其的影响。结果　 4组儿童的血清ACTH和cortisol水平之间无明显差别 ;ACTH兴奋实验短期吸入治疗组和长期吸入治疗组与正常对照组和哮喘组比较皮质醇基础值无明显降低 ,与哮喘组比较反应值 (刺激值 -基础值 )则明显降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　吸入治疗一定时间后可使肾上腺皮质功能达到轻度抑制状态 ,但并不随吸入时间延长而产生累积抑制效应。     

Pharmacokinetics and dosing of arbekacin in preterm and term newborn infants

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to determine pharmacokinetic variables and to characterize a new initial dosing regimen of arbekacin (ABK) for preterm and term newborn infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 40 infants treated with ABK in a tertiary care neonatal unit over a period of 18 months. At birth, the infants were 23 5/7-40 0/7 weeks and weighed 530-3428 g. Serum ABK concentration was measured at two points in a course of treatment. Data were analyzed by a one-compartment model to obtain volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance (CL) of ABK. These variables were correlated with the patients' demographic and laboratory data. The new initial dosing regimen was determined based on these data. RESULTS: Sixty pairs of blood samples were taken from the infants. They were divided into three groups: preterm early (PE), gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks and postnatal age (PNA) < 28 days; preterm late (PL), GA < 37 weeks and PNA >or= 28 days; and term (T), GA >or= 37 weeks and PNA < 28 days. The Vd was 0.50 +/- 0.02, 0.48 +/- 0.04, and 0.43 +/- 0.03 L/kg, and CL was 0.59 +/- 0.04, 1.12 +/- 0.10, and 0.78 +/- 0.09 mL/min per kg (mean +/- SEM) in PE, PL, and T, respectively. The new dosing regimen is 5 mg/kg every 48 h, 5 mg/kg every 24 h, and 4 mg/kg every 24 h for PE, PL, and T, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With the new dosing regimen, more infants achieved serum ABK levels within the optimal range than the conventional one.