Absence of amiloride-sensitive sodium absorption in the airway of an infant with pseudohypoaldosteronism

We report the measurement of transepithelial voltage across the nasal epithelium in a neonate with pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) type 1. A 5-day-old infant was seen with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and elevated plasma renin and aldosterone levels. Sweat Cl(-) concentration was also increased. Measurements of voltage showed a basal value of zero and the absence of an amiloride-sensitive voltage. However, voltage changed as expected for normal cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated Cl(-) transport. These data demonstrate the absence of amiloride-sensitive Na(+) transport across airway epithelia in a neonate with PHA. The findings suggest that measurements of voltage could be of value in the diagnosis of PHA.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病化疗后并发脓毒症临床分析

目的探讨儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)化疗后并发脓毒症的临床及病原学特点。方法回顾性分析2008年4月至2014年12月诊断为ALL并以CCLG-ALL 2008方案化疗后并发血培养阳性脓毒症患儿的临床及病原学资料。结果 545例诊断ALL并以CCLG-ALL2008方案治疗的患儿中112例(145例次)化疗后并发脓毒症,发生率为20.55%。标危和中危组患儿脓毒症高发于诱导缓解治疗阶段,高危组患儿脓毒症高发于巩固治疗阶段。最常见感染部位是呼吸道。血培养病原菌以革兰阳性菌居多。革兰阳性菌对万古霉素、利奈唑胺、替考拉宁敏感率高,革兰阴性菌对美罗培南、亚胺培南敏感率高。高危型、中心静脉置管、中性粒细胞计数0.1×109/L及中性粒细胞缺乏持续时间7 d者脓毒症发生率显著升高(P0.001)。112例患儿治疗有效率95.17%,脓毒症相关病死率1.28%。结论脓毒症是ALL患儿化疗后的重要并发症及死亡原因之一。     

Impact of high-flow nasal cannula therapy in quality improvement and clinical outcomes in a non-invasive ventilation device-free pediatric intensive care unit

Objective

To analyze the change in quality indicators due to the use of high-flow nasal cannula therapy as a non-invasive ventilation method in children with respiratory distress/failure in a non-invasive ventilation device-free pediatric intensive care unit.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of children with respiratory distress/failure admitted 1 year before (period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy) and 1 year after (period after high-flow nasal cannula therapy) the introduction of high-flow nasal cannula therapy. We compared quality indicators as rate of mechanical ventilation, total duration of mechanical ventilation, rate of reintubation, pediatric intensive care unit length of stay, and mortality rate between these periods.

Results

Between November 2012 and November 2014, 272 patients: 141 before and 131 after high-flow nasal cannula therapy were reviewed (median age was 20.5 mo). Of the patients in the severe respiratory distress/failure subgroup, the rate of intubation was significantly lower in period after than in period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy group (58.1% vs. 76.1%; P<0.05). The median pediatric intensive care unit length of stay was significantly shorter in patients who did not require mechanical ventilation in the period after than in the period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy group (3d vs. 4d; P<0,05).

Conclusions

Implementation of high-flow nasal cannula therapy in pediatric intensive care unit significantly improves the quality of therapy and its outcomes.

     

Meningococcal purpura fulminans treated with medicinal leeches.

INTRODUCTION: Meningococcal septicemia remains one of the most common infectious causes of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit. Numerous treatment strategies aimed at the thromboembolic complications inducing purpura fulminans and limb/digital ischemia have been attempted, with variable results. The successful use of medicinal leeches for pneumococcal purpura fulminans has been described, and we present a similar case of meningococcal purpura fulminans. PATIENT AND INTERVENTION: A 5-wk-old female infant with meningococcal meningitis and septicemia and progressive purpura fulminans of the left hand was treated with medicinal leeches. Medicinal leeches were applied to the left dorsal hand on a daily basis for 4 consecutive days. RESULT: The swelling and limited functionality visibly improved after 48 hrs, and by 120 hrs, perfusion in the distal phalanges of the thumb and middle finger was evident. Reperfusion of the distal phalanges was not fully sustained, and at 6 wks the plastic surgery department debrided the distal phalanges of her left hand, excluding the thumb. She fully recovered from the meningococcal septicemic shock; the functionality of her left thumb was preserved, and she has limited functionality of her left hand. CONCLUSION: The unique combination of salivary products in leech therapy has theoretical benefits and requires future study.     

Renal function in cystic fibrosis

The effect of saline extracellular volume expansion (4 ml/min/10 kg b.w. X 60 min) on renal function has been studied in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and in normal age-matched controls. Basal values for glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), tubular sodium and chloride (Na, Cl) handling were similar in both groups. Saline expansion resulted in an increase in GFR and RPF in the CF patients: 127 +/- 18 ml/min/1.73 sqm BSA to 166 +/- 5; p less than 0.001, but not in the control group: 112 +/- 10 to 120 +/- 20. These hemodynamic changes were associated with increased proximal tubular reabsorption of NaCl in the CF patients whereas controls had reduced NaCl reabsorption. Renin and aldosterone levels suggested that increased NaCl reabsorption in CF patients was not secondary to chronic extracellular volume contraction or salt loss. These results support the hypothesis that the renal tubule is involved in the generalised electrolyte transport disorder exhibited in other epithelial structures. This study also indicated that the regulation of renal hemodynamics is altered in CF. The relationship between the disorder of proximal tubular salt handling and changes in renal hemodynamics is not known, but the observed changes imply a tubulo-glomerular feedback mechanism.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes of circulatory homeostasis in surviving pediatric intensive care patients with meningococcal infection

OBJECTIVE: In the course of a meningococcal infection, invasive and severe disease occurs in a restricted number of individuals. The predominant mechanism of death in case of meningococcal septic shock is circulatory failure. Inotropic requirements between patients vary widely. We investigated whether polymorphisms in genes regulating the hemodynamic response influence the amount of inotropics required or the susceptibility to severe meningococcal disease. DESIGN: Retrospective case control study. SETTING: Single-center pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). PATIENTS: Fifty-six cases (all consecutive patients admitted to the PICU between 1993 and 2001 with a proven meningococcal infection) and 136 controls. Patients were divided into two groups according to their inotropic requirements. INTERVENTION: DNA analysis was performed to determine the polymorphisms of the beta-adrenergic receptor gene-1, beta-adrenergic receptor gene-2, alpha-adducin, angiotensin converting enzyme, and angiotensin II type-1 receptor-1 genes. RESULTS: For the alpha-adducin gene a significant difference of the genotype distribution was found between the cases and controls. The odds ratio for admission to the PICU with meningococcal sepsis with or without meningitis, for carriers of the variant allele (Gly460Trp or Trp460Trp) was 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.11-4.04; p < 0.02). Cases, homozygote for the wild-type allele of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor at locus 389, were more likely to have a low pediatric risk of mortality score on admission (odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.11-11.76). No difference was found in the distribution of the beta-adrenergic receptor gene-1, beta-adrenergic receptor gene-2, angiotensin converting enzyme, and angiotensin II type-1 receptor-1 polymorphisms between the two groups of patients or between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients admitted to the PICU with a meningococcal infection, the variant allele of the alpha-adducin gene was more prevalent compared with controls. Patients with the variant allele of the beta-adrenergic receptor gene-1 at locus 389 were more likely to have a high pediatric risk of mortality score on admission. The mechanism and clinical relevance of these findings is unclear.     

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure, failing conventional ventilation. DESIGN: A prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Twenty pediatric patients (ages 12 days to 5 yrs) with acute respiratory failure (pneumonia, 14; sepsis with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 3; pulmonary edema as a complication of upper airway obstruction, 2; salicylate intoxication with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 1), failing conventional ventilation (median alveolar-arterial oxygen difference [P(A-a)O2] 578 [489-624] torr, median oxygenation index 26 [21-32]. INTERVENTIONS: HFOV was instituted after a median length of conventional ventilation of 15.5 (3.3-43.5) hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ventilator settings, arterial blood gases, oxygenation index, and P(A-a)O2 were recorded before HFOV (0 hrs) and at predetermined intervals during HFOV and compared using the one-way Friedman rank-sum procedure and a two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. Initiation of HFOV caused a significant decrease in FiO2 at 1 hr that continued to 24 hrs (p 相似文献   

Altered erythrocyte sodium-lithium counter-transport and Na+/K+-ATPase activity in cystic fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit normal concentrations of sodium and chloride in spite of the disturbance of Cl^- and Na+ transport in epithelial cells. To characterize compensatory mechanisms in the regulation of sodium homeostasis, erythrocytes of 13 CF patients were analysed for sodium-lithium counter-transport (SLC), Na+/K+ -ATPase activity and intracellular sodium content. Values were compared to those of healthy controls. Patients with CF had normal serum sodium and chloride concentrations and renal excretions of these ions were within the physiological range. Intracellular sodium concentration was similar in the CF and the control group (6.8 ± 2.2 vs 5.7 ± 1.0 mmol/l RBCs). Red blood cells' SLC and Na+/ K+ -ATPase activity were elevated in CF patients (381 ± 106 μmol/h/l RBCs vs 281 ± 64; p < 0.01) and (445 ± 129 μmol ATP mg prot/h vs 322 ± 84, p < 0.01). Our study demonstrates that transmembrane cation transport systems are highly activated in CF. The increased sodium transport may be part of a compensatory mechanism of sodium homeostasis in children with CF.     

New treatment of neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage with hemocoagulase in addition to mechanical ventilation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a new treatment for neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage with hemocoagulase in addition to mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Forty-eight newborn infants with pulmonary hemorrhage were included and divided randomly into 2 groups. Among them, 28 patients were treated with hemocoagulase in addition to mechanical ventilation, and the other 20 neonates served as controls and were treated with mechanical ventilation only. RESULTS: Both the length of pulmonary hemorrhage and the duration of mechanical ventilation in the survivors were significantly shortened in the infants treated with hemocoagulase in addition to mechanical ventilation as compared to controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, all infants that were unable to remain in the neonatal intensive care unit died after discharge, and when their outcome was estimated as non-survivors, the mortality in the patients with this new treatment was 39.3% (11/28), which was significantly lower than in controls (75.0%, 15/20; p < 0.05). When the discharged infants were not included in the statistics, the mortality in the hemocoagulase group was 10.7% (3/28), which was also significantly lower than in controls (40.0%, 8/20; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The new treatment with hemocoagulase in addition to mechanical ventilation is effective in newborn infants with pulmonary hemorrhage.     

Early elevation of plasma von Willebrand factor antigen in pediatric acute lung injury is associated with an increased risk of death and prolonged mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: Von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF-Ag) is a marker of pulmonary and systemic endothelial activation and injury. Adult studies indicate that patients with plasma vWF-Ag levels > or = 450% of control early in the course of acute lung injury (ALI) have an increased risk of death. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether vWF-Ag is elevated in the early phase of ALI in children and whether the magnitude of the increase was predictive of two important outcomes: mortality or duration of mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Two-center, prospective observational study. SETTING: Two pediatric intensive care units: one in an academic university setting and one in a major community children's hospital. PATIENTS: After appropriate consent, plasma was collected from 48 pediatric patients on day 1 of ALI, 45 patients on day 2 of ALI, and four intubated controls. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean PaO2/FiO2 at the onset of ALI was 140 +/- 70, and mortality rate was 17%. vWF-Ag levels on day 1 of ALI were higher in patients compared with controls (287 +/- 183 vs. 87 +/- 84% of control [mean +/- SD], p < .05). Patients with vWF-Ag levels > or = 450% of control on day 1 of ALI had a markedly greater risk of death (odds ratio, 7.0; confidence interval, 1.31, 37.30; p < .05). Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated vWF-Ag level and either presence of multiple organ system failure or Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score independently predict increased risk of death. vWF-Ag levels on day 2 of ALI were significantly higher in patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation (316 +/- 173 vs. 191 +/- 89% of control, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Early injury to the systemic and pulmonary endothelium, as measured by plasma vWF-Ag levels, is associated with an increased risk of death and prolonged mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients with ALI.     

Oxygen consumption and ouabain binding sites in cystic fibrosis nasal epithelium

Ion transport by the epithelium lining the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a raised transepithelial PD and an increased amiloride sensitivity (1). These properties could arise from normal sodium transport across an epithelium with decreased cell chloride permeability and limited chloride secretion. Alternatively, a higher than normal rate of sodium absorption could contribute to these abnormalities. We investigated the latter possibility by measuring oxygen consumption and specific ouabain binding of CF and atopic polyp epithelia and normal turbinate epithelium. Tissue from CF patients consumed oxygen at a rate that was two to three times that of non-CF tissues and had 60% more ouabain binding sites than non-CF epithelium. These results are not consistent with an isolated defect in chloride permeability but support recent findings that the sodium conductance of the apical cell membrane and net sodium absorption by CF nasal epithelium are greater than those of non-CF nasal epithelium.     

早期机械通气治疗手足口病危重症的临床观察

目的 探讨手足口病危重症患儿机械通气的指征及早期机械通气在手足口病危重症治疗中的价值.方法 对我院2008年7月至2009年9月PICU收治的66例手足口病危重症患儿的临床资料、气管插管上呼吸机指征及预后进行回顾性分析.按入院时间分2组,A组(2008年7月5日至10月31日)根据传统机械通气指征上呼吸机,B组(2009年4月21日至9月30日)予早期机械通气,比较两组治愈率、好转率及病死率.结果A组42例患儿治愈18例,好转4例,死亡20例(其中放弃治疗后死亡8例).B组24例患儿治愈22例,好转2例,无死亡病例.A组治愈率42.6%,B组治愈率91.7%,A组病死率47.6%,B组临床效果显著优于A组,差异有显著性,(Hc值=16.7856,P<0.001).结论 早期机械通气是提高手足口病危重症抢救成功率和降低病死率的有效途径.     

早期机械通气治疗手足口病危重症的临床观察

目的 探讨手足口病危重症患儿机械通气的指征及早期机械通气在手足口病危重症治疗中的价值.方法 对我院2008年7月至2009年9月PICU收治的66例手足口病危重症患儿的临床资料、气管插管上呼吸机指征及预后进行回顾性分析.按入院时间分2组,A组(2008年7月5日至10月31日)根据传统机械通气指征上呼吸机,B组(2009年4月21日至9月30日)予早期机械通气,比较两组治愈率、好转率及病死率.结果A组42例患儿治愈18例,好转4例,死亡20例(其中放弃治疗后死亡8例).B组24例患儿治愈22例,好转2例,无死亡病例.A组治愈率42.6%,B组治愈率91.7%,A组病死率47.6%,B组临床效果显著优于A组,差异有显著性,(Hc值=16.7856,P<0.001).结论 早期机械通气是提高手足口病危重症抢救成功率和降低病死率的有效途径.     

早期机械通气治疗手足口病危重症的临床观察

目的 探讨手足口病危重症患儿机械通气的指征及早期机械通气在手足口病危重症治疗中的价值.方法 对我院2008年7月至2009年9月PICU收治的66例手足口病危重症患儿的临床资料、气管插管上呼吸机指征及预后进行回顾性分析.按入院时间分2组,A组(2008年7月5日至10月31日)根据传统机械通气指征上呼吸机,B组(2009年4月21日至9月30日)予早期机械通气,比较两组治愈率、好转率及病死率.结果A组42例患儿治愈18例,好转4例,死亡20例(其中放弃治疗后死亡8例).B组24例患儿治愈22例,好转2例,无死亡病例.A组治愈率42.6%,B组治愈率91.7%,A组病死率47.6%,B组临床效果显著优于A组,差异有显著性,(Hc值=16.7856,P<0.001).结论 早期机械通气是提高手足口病危重症抢救成功率和降低病死率的有效途径.     

Inherited Na transport disorders: the taming of the syndromes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The study of inherited renal sodium (Na) transport disorders has greatly benefited from the use of new molecular biology research tools. This review discusses the recent findings that have expanded our knowledge and may impact clinical decision-making. RECENT FINDINGS: The genetic and molecular biology diagnostic tools have to a large extent validated conclusions drawn from physiologic studies that documented suppressed or enhanced Na transport in specific distal nephron segments in various disorders. However, many surprises were also encountered. In several conditions, no mutation in the Na transporter itself was found despite apparent dysfunction of the transporter. Further search has led to discovery of additional mechanisms. Some involve mutations in other transporters, especially potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) channels, which secondarily affect function of the Na transporter by altering electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane. Examples include certain types of Bartter syndrome. In other patients, search for mechanism has led to discovery of novel physiologic regulatory pathways that, if abnormal, will lead to up- or downregulation of an Na transporter. Examples include some types of Bartter syndrome and Gordon syndrome. Genetic diagnosis has also revealed hitherto unexplained phenotypic heterogeneity between patients carrying the same mutation, implying a contributory role for other factors. SUMMARY: Genetic and molecular diagnosis will have an expanding role in the understanding and management of the Na transport disorders. Predicting prognosis and inheritance pattern, as well as treatment plans will in the future be based on genetic diagnosis.     

Oral and nasal enteral tube placement errors and complications in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To report five cases of errors in the placement of oral/nasal enteral tubes in a pediatric intensive care unit, and to review literature on placement techniques and complication rates. DESIGN: Case series and review of the literature. SETTING: A 19-bed pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: A 14-yr-old male with respiratory distress following a near drowning, a 10-yr-old male with recurrent acute lymphocytic leukemia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a 16-yr-old female with complex congenital heart disease and respiratory failure, a 16-yr-old male with status asthmaticus, and a 2-yr-old male with congenital heart disease. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN RESULTS: Five cases of enteral tube placement errors occurred in our combined medical-surgical pediatric critical care unit within the past year. All five resulted in placement of the feeding tube in the respiratory tract, four occurred despite the presence of cuffed endotracheal tubes. Three of the five patients had subsequent worsening of their respiratory status. One developed a pneumothorax, one developed pulmonary hemorrhage, and one developed an increased oxygen requirement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the pediatric intensive care unit may have characteristics that place them at an increased risk for misplacement of oral or nasal enteral tubes into the respiratory tract. Placement of enteral tubes into the respiratory tract may cause serious morbidity and possibly mortality. Checking the placement of enteral tubes with traditional methods does not prevent misplacement in the respiratory tree, and new techniques should be considered.     

Effectiveness analysis of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in pediatrics patients with acute respiratory failure in a tertiary hospital

Introduction. High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is a rescue therapy for hypoxemic patients who deteriorate in conventional mechanical ventilation and/or for the air-leak syndrome treatment. A recent meta analysis showed that HFOV might have reduced mortality in pediatric and adult patients compared with conventional ventilation. In this context it's important to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in everyday use. Objectives. Main: To analize the effectiveness of HFOV in everyday practice in a center without extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) capabilities. Secondary: To describe demographics and causes of severe respiratory failure of patients requiring HFOV. To assess the relationship between potential predictors and the occurrence of mortality. Population and methods. Retrospective study analyzing medical records of all patients that required HFOV in a tertiary care pediatric hospital pediatric intensive care units between march 1st 2008 and july 1st 2010. Results. Sixty-nine patients received 76 HFOV treatments. Eighty percent were diagnosed with acute lower respiratory infection or sepsis and 62.3% (n= 43) had preexisting chronic co-morbidities. The majority of HFOV treatments were because refractory hypoxemia (93.4%). Non survivors patients had worse clinical status at PICU admission, higher multiorgan failure, worse oxygenation and pulmonary condition. Conclusions. Everyday use of HFOV in a population with high incidence of chronic, oncologic and/or immunocompromised patients was associated with a survival of 33.4%. More prognostic studies are needed for a more effective selection of HFOV candidates.     

Intraosseous access in the setting of pediatric critical care transport.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate safety and efficacy of intraosseous needle placement among health care provider groups in the setting of pediatric critical care transport. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Pediatric critical care transports to a pediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Children undergoing pediatric critical care transport between January 1, 2000, and March 31, 2002, requiring intraosseous access before arrival to the pediatric intensive care unit. INTERVENTIONS: Intraosseous access placed for emergent vascular access. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the study period, the transport team performed 1,792 transports and identified 47 patients requiring 58 intraosseous placements. These were placed by emergency medical technician-paramedics (18%), referring emergency medicine physicians (42%), and the transport team members (40%). The intraosseous needles were placed with a mean of 1.2 attempts per placement and a first attempt success rate of 78%. Main site of placement was the proximal anterior tibia (95%). Access was maintained for a mean of 5.2 hrs. The intraosseous needle was used for fluids, medications, and laboratory studies. Admitting diagnoses included respiratory distress (28%), cardiopulmonary arrest (26%), neurologic insults (17%), dehydration (15%), sepsis (11%), and other (3%). Ages ranged from 3 wks to 14 yrs (mean 2.2 yrs) and weights from 2.1 to 60 kg (mean 12.3 kg). Complications were noted in seven of 58 (12%), all limited to local edema or infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: Intraosseous placement is frequently needed in the care of critically ill pediatric patients before they reach the pediatric intensive care unit. We have demonstrated that intraosseous needles can be placed safely with similar rates of success when comparing different provider groups. Emergency medical technician-paramedics, emergency medicine physicians, and pediatric critical care transport teams should be familiar with intraosseous placement.     

Respiratory function monitoring during mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care unit

Noninvasive monitoring of lung function during mechanical ventilation has been used to study disease processes causing respiratory failure. Pediatric pulmonary function monitoring during mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit in patient with respiratory failure is becoming more common in western countries. The article describes a review of principles and methods of respiratory function monitoring in the pediatric age group. It attempts to incorporate experience from original articles previously published as well as the experience in monitoring pulmonary mechanics at our institution. Routine monitoring of pulmonary mechanics in patients being mechanically venticated may have significant impact on morbidity and/or mortality of pediatric patients with respiratory failure. Key articles pertaining to lung function testing in pediatric age group from past 15 years were used as well as clinical experience encountered by attending pediatric intensivists at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital was incorporated. Over the past ten years the use of monitoring of gas exchange and bedside pulmonary mechanics monitoring as a part of respiratory function monitoring has become more common. With better clinical information to precisely document the status of lung function, it may lead to improved methods of ventilator management which may prevent complications and may significantly impact on morbidity and/or mortality of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.     

Intravenous gammaglobulin therapy for prophylaxis of infection in high-risk neonates

The safety and effectiveness of intravenously administered gammaglobulin therapy for prophylaxis of infection was evaluated in 133 high-risk neonates. The infants were stratified into two groups: infants with birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g and gestational age less than or equal to 34 weeks, and infants with birth weight greater than 1500 g and receiving intensive care and assisted ventilation. Forty-three infants in group 1 and 25 in group 2 were given gammaglobulin at a dose of 0.5 g/kg/wk, for 1 month in group 1 and during intensive care in group 2. Forty infants in group 1 and 25 in group 2 served as controls. Serum total IgG and group B streptococcus-, Escherichia coli-, and CMV-specific IgG levels similar to those in adult controls were observed in the treated infants 2 hours after gammaglobulin administration. In the treated infants in group 1, the incidence of infection was 51%, and of septicemia 5%; in the controls the incidence of infection was 77% (P less than 0.02), and of septicemia 20% (P less than 0.05). Infection was the main cause of death in one treated and six control infants in group 1 (P less than 0.04). In the infants with birth weight greater than 1500 g receiving intensive care and assisted ventilation, no significant differences were observed in the incidence of infection or septicemia in treated and control infants. No side effects were observed after intravenous gammaglobulin administration. These data show that intravenously administered gammaglobulin is both safe and effective for prophylaxis of infection in preterm very low birth weight infants.