Echocardiographic abnormalities in infants of diabetic mothers.

In order to evaluate the presence of myocardial hypertrophy and/or abnormalities of postnatal cardiovascular adaptation, echocardiograms were performed on 34 infants of diabetic mothers. Based on cardiopulmonary assessment, the IDM were divided into three groups: Group I with congestive heart failure predominating: Group II with respiratory distress predominating: Group III asymptomatic. Hypertrophy of the interventricular septum and of the walls of left and right ventricles was frequently present in IDM: this change was most notable in association with clinical CHF. Six IDM, four of whom were found to have CHF, had additional echocardiographic signs of subaortic stenosis. All IDM had normal indices of left ventricular performance, despite the presence of CHE. In IDM with respiratory distress, the right ventricular pre-ejection period to ventricular ejection time ratio was elevated, suggesting an abnormality of the transitional pulmonary circulation. Poor maternal diabetes control and maternal systemic hypertension were closely correlated with evidence of myocardial hypertrophy in the infants.     

Reduction of contact factors in sickle cell disease

Surface-mediated reactions of clotting were compared in 21 black children with homozygous sickle cell disease, 12 age-matched controls, and 15 adults. Both the coagulant and antigen titers of Hageman factor (factor XII) were decreased in asymptomatic patients compared with those in the control groups. These findings were associated with slight but significant reductions in the plasma titers of prekallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen. A further decrease from the initially low titers of these contact factors was observed during vaso-occlusive crises. Additionally, we observed a disparate relationship between Hageman factor coagulant activity and its antigen titers. These data provide evidence for reduction of the contact factors in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease.     

The effects of short-term oral iron therapy on developmental deficits in iron-deficient anemic infants

To assess the effects of iron therapy on developmental test scores in infants with iron deficiency anemia, 68 Guatemalan babies 6 to 24 months of age, with and without mild iron deficiency anemia, were tested with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development before and after one week of oral iron treatment. The two major findings of the study were developmental deficits in the anemic group prior to treatment, and lack of rapid improvement with short-term oral iron therapy. The mean pretreatment Mental Development Index of the anemic group was significantly lower than that of nonanemic infants. The anemic group's pretreatment Psychomotor Development Index was also lower than that of the nonanemic control group. In a double-blind randomized study, six to eight days of oral iron therapy did not reverse these deficits. Consequently, the deficits of the anemic group cannot be unequivocably attributed to iron lack. However, no significant differences were found between anemic and nonanemic groups in birth histories, socioeconomic level, or general nutritional status which might otherwise explain the lower developmental test scores of the anemic babies.     

Perinatal galactose metabolism

Galactose is a major nutrient in normal newborn infants and serves as a substrate for energy production and fuel storage and a regulator of carbohydrate assimilation. Inborn errors of galactose metabolism have contributed to our understanding of the potential toxicity of this carbohydrate. In addition to the classic acute manifestations of neonatal galactosemia, long-term follow-up of surviving patients have revealed unusual neurodevelopmental and reproductive problems. Many investigators have suggested that the newborn infant can utilize galactose better than adults and that neonatal galactose assimilation exceeds that of glucose. Galactose may be an excellent substitute for glucose among hyperinsulinemic infants of diabetic mothers or premature infants with glucose intolerance. However, until further investigations are performed to define the role of galactose in newborn nutrition and to determine its potential toxicity, galactose should not be used as the primary carbohydrate in sick newborn infants.     

Fibromuscular dysplasia of renal arteries: an important cause of renovascular hypertension in children.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of renal arteries was the cause of hypertension in four consecutive children with renal artery stenosis. Two were asymptomatic, the third had had hypertension for seven years but had not been treated, and the fourth, a 9-month-old infant, presented with cardiac failure. Heart enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy were present in all. Rapid sequence urograms demonstrated a smaller kidney and delayed appearance and disappearance of the contrast medium on the affected side in all. Angiograms showed left RAS in all. Peripheral plasma renin activity was elevated in only three of the four patients. Antihypertensive and diuretic drugs were not very effective therapeutically. Ischemia of the ipsilateral kidney probably prevented normal growth and led to shrinkage of the kidney in one patient. Following nephrectomy the BP has remained normal without any therapy for 24 to 64 months. With normalization of BP, accelerated growth ensued, the cardiomegaly regressed and the hypertensive retinopathy resolved. These patients demonstrate that: (1) FMD is an important cause of RAS. (2) the well-known radiologic feature of FMD, the beaded appearance, is usually not seen in children. (3) control of BP leads to normalization of linear growth, usually impaired in severe hypertension, and (4) target organ complications such as cardiomegaly, LVH, and hypertensive retinopathy are reversible in one to 10 months.     

Pharmacokinetic determination of ranitidine pharmacodynamics in pediatric ulcer disease

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ranitidine were evaluated during three methods of administration in 12 children ranging in age from 3.5 to 16 years with documented gastric or duodenal ulcer disease. First, a continuous intravenous infusion of ranitidine was administered to determine the serum concentration necessary to suppress gastric acid secretion by at least 90%. From these data a therapeutic dose of ranitidine was calculated and administered on separate days via the intravenous bolus and oral routes. Half-life, volume of distribution, and clearance values for ranitidine were the same after intravenous bolus and oral doses (1.8 vs 2.0 hours, 2.3 vs 2.5 L/kg, and 794.7 vs 788.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively). The bioavailability of ranitidine given orally averaged 48%. Serum ranitidine concentrations necessary to inhibit gastric acid secretion by at least 90% ranged between 40 and 60 ng/ml for all children studied. No adverse clinical or biochemical effects were observed in any child during the 6 weeks of orally administered treatment. Endoscopic reevaluation after 6 weeks indicated complete healing of initial ulcers.     

A guide to the use of phototherapy in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Nomograms have been designed to provide rational and consistent guidelines for the use of phototherapy in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. In the management of 195 neonates in the first week of life, phototherapy, given according to these nomograms, was successful, except in some severe cases of Rhesus incompatability, in controlling hyperbilirubinemia in both premature and term neonates. When compared to the more random use before the introduction of the nomograms, phototherapy was reduced significantly without an increase in the requirement for exchange transfusions.