Incidence of cerebral hemorrhage in newborn infants diagnosed by echography in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Among 84 at-risk neonates studied over a 1-year period, 15 presented with cerebral hemorrhage (CH) detected by ultrasound. The incidence of CH was 46% in premature infants with a gestational age less than or equal to 35 weeks and 5% in neonates with a gestational age greater than 35 weeks. In 12 cases, CH was subependymal and the totally regressed. In 3 cases, the bleeding was more severe. There were 3 deaths among the 15 infants. This study underlines the high frequency of CH among the neonates in Yaoundé, and justifies systematic screening for it in the high-risk population and points out areas in which perinatal care could be improved upon and premature birth prevented.     

Increased renal medullary echogenicity in neonates

The prevalence of increased renal medullary echogenicity in healthy neonates was looked for. A group of 178 neonates underwent renal ultrasound on the first and second days of life. On the first day of life 58 % had hypereochoic material in their renal collecting system, whereas on the second day only 33% were found to have ultrasonographically demonstrable increased echogenicity in their kidneys. Urinary protein concentrations in infants with increased renal echogenicity were significantly higher than in those without increased renal echogenicity.

     

Serum pancreatic lipase as a screening test for cystic fibrosis.

Pancreatic lipase catalyses the hydrolysis of emulsified triglycerides to form a transparent solution of monoglycerides and fatty acids. Levels of serum pancreatic lipase were measured in neonates known to have cystic fibrosis and compared with levels in control infants. During the first weeks of life infants with cystic fibrosis had raised serum pancreatic lipase values in parallel with raised serum trypsin values. A simple and specific turbidimetric dried blood spot assay for serum pancreatic lipase was used as a screening test fo cystic fibrosis in the neonate.     

Respiratory inhibition after crying in infants

BACKGROUND: Among full-term neonates, the authors discovered infants who showed respiratory inhibition after crying which involved a marked decrease in SpO2. The infants were found to present increased echogenicity or a cyst in a cranial region termed the ganglionic eminence, or to have a subependymal cyst. The authors prospectively examined the relationship between respiratory inhibition after crying and these changes to examine the prevention and treatment of the episode. METHODS: The authors conducted cranial ultrasonography to screen 381 full-term neonates who showed no abnormalities at birth and whose parents requested ultrasonographic screening of the head, followed by polygraphy of infants who showed increased echogenicity or a cyst in ganglionic eminence, or had a subependymal cyst. The authors similarly conducted polygraphy for 50 neonates without cranial ultrasound abnormalities; the former constituted the control group. Respiratory inhibition was defined to be central apnea immediately after crying with a decrease in SpO2 to <60%. RESULTS: Among 381 neonates examined, 104 showed cranial ultrasound abnormalities; 60 of the 104 neonates indicated respiratory inhibition after crying. Oxygenation failed to improve the episode in 17 neonates with severe respiratory inhibition. However, theophylline alleviated the episode, and SpO2 no longer decreased to <60%. Theophylline was discontinued successfully by 6 months after birth, while 50 neonates in the control group showed no respiratory inhibition after crying. CONCLUSION: Respiratory inhibition after crying which involved a marked decrease in SpO2 was observed in full-term neonates who showed no abnormalities after birth. These neonates could be screened by cranial ultrasonography.     

Developmental patterns of heart rate and variability in prematurely-born infants with apnea of prematurity

At equivalent post-conceptional ages, prematurely-born infants have higher heart rates and reduced heart rate variability, relative to full-term neonates. Premature birth might exert long-lasting effects on central and peripheral mechanisms that control cardiovascular activity. We assessed development of heart rate and heart rate variability in symptomatic preterm infants up to 6 months of age. Fifty 6.5-h evening recordings of EKG and breathing were obtained from prematurely-born infants (gestational ages: 24–35 weeks). Cardiac R-R intervals were captured with a resolution of ±0.5 msec. One-min epochs were selected from three periods of regular respiration in recordings from premature infants and 72 recordings of full-term infants at comparable post-conceptional ages. Mean heart rate and heart rate variability were determined for each recording. At 40 weeks post-conception, prematurely-born infants with apnea of prematurity showed higher heart rates and reduced heart rate variability than did full-term neonates. These differences between premature and full-term infants persisted throughout the next 6 months in those infants born prior to 30 weeks gestation, and in those infants born at 30–35 weeks who experienced respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) during the neonatal period. The findings suggest that premature delivery, or complications thereof, exerts long-lasting effects on cardiac control.     

Urinary tract infection in very low birth weight preterm infants

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in preterm neonates ranges between 4 and 25%. The need for a radiologic investigation has not yet been established in very low birth weight premature newborns (<1500 g birth weight). PATIENTS AND METHODS: For an 11-year period (1990 to 2001), medical records of 62 very low birth weight premature infants admitted to a Level III neonatal intensive care unit and who developed UTI were reviewed retrospectively. Results of renal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrograms were compared between extremely low birth weight infants (birth weight, <1000 g) (Group A, Patient 34) and premature infants with birth weight between 1001 and 1500 g (Group B, Patient 28). RESULTS: UTI was more common in Group A (12.2%) than in Group B (5.7%) infants. Renal ultrasound detected mild renal pelvic dilatation (unilateral or bilateral) in 9 infants in Group A (26%) and in 1 infant in Group B (3.5%). Voiding cystourethrograms were performed in 26 of 34 (76%) infants in Group A and in 17 of the 28 (61%) premature infants in Group B. Vesicourethral reflux (VUR) was observed in 6 infants, 2 in group A (7.7%) and 4 in Group B (23%). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the rate of VUR was lower in very low birth weight premature newborns than that reported in the medical literature among term newborns who developed UTI. VUR was less frequent in extremely low birth weight infants who developed UTI than in infants weighing 1001 to 1500 g.     

Hyperechoic thickened ependyma: Sonographic demonstration and significance in neonates

In the neonate, hyperechoic thickening of the ependyma is believed to be related to ventriculitis. Yet, in our experience, this sign is much more often observed in association with subacute intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), without infection. Sixty premature neonates were prospectively studied. The observations of transfontanellar sonograms (intracranial hemorrhage, ependymal echogenicity, and ventriculomegaly) were correlated with the results of MRI, lumbar punctures and clinical work-up. Intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 28 patients, and hyperechoic thickening of the ependyma was observed in 21 of them, all of whom had IVH. In 9 of these 21 patients IVH was diagnosed retrospectively thanks to the visualization of the hyperechoic ependyma. In all but one, this sign persisted for at least 2 months after disappearance of other signs of IVH. MRI demonstrated the presence of hemosiderin and ferritin in ependymal or subependymal location only in patients with hyperechoic ependyma. One of our patients had in utero diagnosis of IVH owing to the visualization of the same hyperechoic aspect of the ependyma. Nine of the neonates with hyperechoic ependyma developed ventriculomegaly, and three underwent surgery. Hyperechoic thickening of the ependyma in prematures often results from a subacute IVH. It is related to hemoglobin catabolites which can be detected by MRI. It does not require immediate potentially harmful diagnostic punctures. The presence of this hyperechoic rim allows a retrospective diagnosis of IVH and indicates a clinical and sonographic follow-up in newborns at risk for secondary hydrocephalus.Presented at the 31st Congress of the European Society of Pediatric Radiology, June 1–3, 1994, Brussels, Belgium and selected for publication by an International Group of the ESPR     

Significance of radiographic findings in early-onset group B streptococcal infection.

Chest radiographs on 73 neonates with early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection were reviewed. Eighty-six percent of the infants were premature (less than 38 weeks); 68% weighed less than or equal to 1,500 g. In infants weighing less than or equal to 1,500 g, the predominant radiographic pattern was hyaline membrane disease (HMD) (80%). There was a significant increase in radiographic HMD in 1,000 to 1,500-g neonates with GBS infection (77%) when compared to a control group of infants without GBS infection (44%). Mortality in 1,000 to 1,500-g infants with GBS infection and radiographic HMD (95%) was also significantly higher than in the control group of infants with hmd HMD and no GBS infection (38%). In larger premature and full-term infants, the radiographic findings were not specific and also were not helpful in distinguishing GBS infection from other newborn respiratory disorders.     

Quantitative ultrasound measurements of bone speed of sound in premature infants

We measured bone speed of sound in premature infants by quantitative ultrasound. A total of 44 neonates participated in the study including 29 premature infants (median birth weight 1264 g, range 578-2420 g; median gestational age 31 weeks, range 24-36 weeks) and 15 full-term infants (median birth weight 3360 g, range 2700-3730 g; median gestational age 40 weeks, range 37-41 weeks). The left tibial speed of sound (SOS) was measured by quantitative ultrasound. Bone SOS was successfully measured in all infants. We found a significant correlation between tibial SOS and gestational age (r = 0.78, P < 0.0005), but a significant inverse correlation between tibial SOS and post-natal age (r = -0.78, P < 0.0005). Bone SOS was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in full-term infants (3101 m/s, range 2899-3314 m/s) compared to premature infants (2821 m/s, range 2516-3139 m/s), and compared to a subgroup of the premature infants who reached corrected age of full-term infants (2706 m/s, range 2516-2892 m/s, n = 13). Bone SOS was lower (2745 m/s, range 2533-3036 m/s, n = 16) in very low birth weight premature infants (birth weight < 1500 g). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that tibial speed of sound was reduced in premature infants (in particular very low birth weight) compared to full-term infants even when premature infants reached the corrected age of their full-term peers. The potential role of this technique in assessing osteopenia in premature infants warrants further exploration.     

Characteristics of arterial stiffness in very low birth weight premature infants

Premature birth is a factor of increased blood pressure in adulthood. Little is known about the physiologic characteristics of the arterial bed in neonates. The aim of this study was to characterize in vivo the arterial compliance in neonates and its maturation profile in very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants. A group of stable, VLBW premature infants was compared with a control group of near term neonates. The abdominal aortic wall distensibility coefficient (DC) and whole-body arterial compliance (WBAC) were determined using specifically designed noninvasive methods, based on ultrasonic measurements in combination with synchronous, beat-to-beat recording of aortic pulse pressure (PP). On the fifth day of life, WBAC and the CD were lower in VLBW premature infants than in controls. Furthermore, WBAC and the DC remained unchanged in VLBW premature infants 7 wk after birth. In conclusion, VLBW premature infants are characterized as early as the fifth day of life by high arterial stiffness, which persists when they reach their theoretical term. It can be speculated that early alteration of arterial elastic properties may pave the way for long-term elevation of arterial pressure in VLBW premature infants.     

Bone measurements of infants in the first 3 months of life by quantitative ultrasound: the influence of gestational age, season, and postnatal age

Background: There are a few quantitative ultrasound (QUS) studies of bone status for Chinese children. Objective: To evaluate the clinical application and to investigate the bone status of neonates and young infants with QUS. Materials and methods: An ultrasound bone sonometer was used to measure the bone speed of sound (SOS) of the tibia in 542 neonates within 3 months of birth. Results: At birth, no significant difference of SOS was found between boys and girls, but there was a significant difference of SOS between premature infants and full-term infants. The SOS in neonates born during spring and summer was significantly lower than those born during autumn and winter. There were significant correlations between SOS and gestational age, and between bone SOS and birth weight in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Multiple regression analysis found that gestational age and infant birth season were two important factors influencing SOS. During the first 3 months, there was no significant difference in SOS between sexes. The SOS of infants showed an inverse correlation with postnatal age, and the decrease of bone SOS with age in premature infants was more marked than in full-term infants. Conclusions: QUS is suitable for evaluating bone status in infants with high precision. The study offers some basic data for neonates and young infants.     

早产儿脑室内出血高危因素的探讨

目的 采用床旁头部B超研究早产儿脑室内出血(IVH)发病情况,并对相关实验室检查结果 进行分析,以探讨IVH的高危因素.方法 2003年2月至2004年3月我院儿科病房共收治114例早产儿,应用东软NAS-2000型三维彩超诊断仪对早产儿在生后3 d进行床边头部B超检查,探查IVH发病情况;在生后24 h内进行血气分析、血细胞分析、凝血三项测定.结果 114例早产儿中,IVH34例,占29.8%.胎龄28～34周早产儿IVH发病率(43.8%)高于35周以上早产儿(12.0%),1500 g以下早产儿IVH发病率(58.8%)高于1500 g以上早产儿(24.7%),差异均有非常显著性(P＜0.01).与非IVH患儿比较,IVH患儿血红蛋白、血细胞比容明显增高(P＜0.05);凝血酶原时间、部分凝血活酶时间延长(P＜0.01);低氧血症、高碳酸血症、酸中毒发病率增加(P＜0.05).结论 小胎龄、低体重、贫血、血细胞比容增高、血小板计数下降、凝血异常、低氧血症及酸中毒可能与IVH发生有关.     

早产儿脐血维生素K依赖因子水平及产前补充维生素K1对其影响的研究

目的了解早产儿是否存在维生素(Vit)K依赖因子水平低下及其与早产儿脑室周围-脑室内出血的关系,探讨产前补充维生素(Vit)K1对早产儿血浆VitK依赖因子水平的影响及对脑室周围-脑室内出血的预防作用.方法将有早产可能且至分娩时孕周不足35周的孕妇分为两组对照组133例,在产前给予地塞米松注射;对照组44例,产前给予地塞米松+VitK1.两组早产儿各30例留取脐动脉血离心零下20℃以下保存用凝固法检测Ⅱ、Ⅶ、Ⅸ、Ⅹ等凝血因子活性水平,同时留取同期出生的健康足月新生儿30例脐血标本作对照.两组早产儿生后1周内常规作头颅超声检查以明确有无脑室周围-脑室内出血及其程度.结果早产儿与足月新生儿脐血VitK依赖因子活性水平分别为Ⅱ(25.6±9.5)%对(36.7±4.9)%,Ⅶ(59.0±17.7)%对(64.5±10.6)%,Ⅸ(24.7±8.9)%对(30.2±5.7)%,Ⅹ(30.2±5.0)%对(34.3±12.6)(P<0.05).母亲产前补充VitK1后其婴儿脐血VitK依赖因子水平分别为Ⅱ(36.4±6.9)%,Ⅶ(69.6±16.6)%,Ⅸ(25.7±10.9)%和Ⅹ(39.3±8.0)%,除Ⅸ因子外,Ⅱ、Ⅶ和Ⅹ因子活性均显著升高(P<0.05).脑室周围-脑室内出血发生率在对照组为52.6%,观察组为31.8%(χ2=5.744,P=0.017);重度出血对照组为12.0%,观察组为2.3%(χ2=3.626,P=0.057).结论早产儿存在VitK依赖因子水平低下,可能为其易于发生脑室周围-脑室内出血的原因之一.分娩前母亲补充VitK1可显著提高其血浆Ⅱ、Ⅶ和Ⅹ因子水平,并对脑室周围-脑室内出血有一定的预防作用.     

Interactions of Endotoxin with Cortisol and Acute Phase Proteins in Septic Shock Neonates

ABSTRACT. CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were studied in 13 septic shock neonates. Endotoxin was recovered from eight infants. Serum Cortisol concentration from infants with en-dotoxemia (917 ± 596 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that from infants without en-dotoxemia (398 ± 239 ng/ml). Serum Cortisol correlated well with immature neutrophil counts denned as the unit "band/neutrophil". Increased Cortisol level and immature neutrophil counts preceded the elevation of CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in four extremely premature neonates. We conclude that positive interactions between endotoxin, Cortisol and acute phase protein synthesis are present in the initial period of infection, and delayed acute phase protein synthesis is suspected in extremely premature neonates.     

Interactions of endotoxin with cortisol and acute phase proteins in septic shock neonates

CRP, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were studied in 13 septic shock neonates. Endotoxin was recovered from eight infants. Serum cortisol concentration from infants with endotoxemia (917 +/- 596 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that from infants without endotoxemia (398 +/- 239 ng/ml). Serum cortisol correlated well with immature neutrophil counts defined as the unit "band/neutrophil". Increased cortisol level and immature neutrophil counts preceded the elevation of CRP, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in four extremely premature neonates. We conclude that positive interactions between endotoxin, cortisol and acute phase protein synthesis are present in the initial period of infection, and delayed acute phase protein synthesis is suspected in extremely premature neonates.     

Disappearing suprarenal masses in fetuses and infants

This paper presents 12 infants (9 boys, 3 girls) in whom the diagnosis of a suprarenal mass (10 left, 2 bilateral) was made on antenatal sonography. All were otherwise healthy neonates who were born at term after a normal pregnancy, labor and delivery. The masses ranged from 1 to 3.5 cm in diameter on initial scans at gestational ages of 19–35 weeks. Eleven masses were hyperechoic and 4 of these contained small, well-defined cysts. The 12th was hypoechoic. Follow-up sonography showed complete disappearance of the mass antenatally in 1 case and postnatally by 4–6 months in 5 cases; there was marked diminution in the size of the mass by 2 months of age in 4 infants, by 4 months in 1 case and by 15 months in 1 case. Eleven were managed nonoperatively. Laparotomy (after disappearance of the mass) in the 12th case revealed only some fibrous tissue. The 11 echogenic masses resemble previously reported imaging findings in infants with histologically proven intra-abdominal sequestrated lung. Conservative management with careful sonographic follow-up should, therefore, be considered in otherwise healthy fetuses or neonates with these imaging findings. We are less certain what the hypoechoic mass represented. Received: 14 November 1996 Accepted: 4 February 1997     

Value of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound in patients with congenital muscular torticollis

Background

Sonoelastography has been utilized to evaluate various myopathies. However, the benefits of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound (US) in patients with congenital muscular torticollis are unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the value of adding sonoelastography to conventional US in patients with congenital muscular torticollis.

Materials and methods

This study included 27 infants clinically diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis and 17 healthy infants who underwent conventional US and sonoelastography. The echogenicity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was assessed as isoechoic, heterogeneous, hyperechoic or hypoechoic compared with normal muscle. The thickness of the involved and contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscles was measured. Elastographic findings were scored from 1 (soft) to 3 (hard) by two independent radiologists.

Results

The sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, difference and ratio between involved and normal sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, and elastographic score differed significantly between the patient and control groups. Of the 27 patients, 11 had isoechoic, 5 had heterogeneous and 11 had hyperechoic muscles. Congenital muscular torticollis patients with isoechoic muscle showed significantly higher elastographic scores than the control group, but there were no other significant differences by conventional US.

Conclusions

Adding sonoelastography to conventional US is helpful for the diagnosis of congenital muscular torticollis, especially in patients with isoechoic sternocleidomastoid muscle.     

Timing of injury in utero causing respiratory inhibition after crying

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the timing of injuries in utero that cause respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC). We evaluated infants with cranial ultrasound abnormalities diagnosed during hospitalization. Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of preterm infants who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at Nara Prefectural Hospital in Nara, Japan from January 2006 through December 2010. Inclusion criterion was gestational age less than 34 weeks. We evaluated the perinatal factors and cranial ultrasound abnormalities associated with RIAC, feeding hypoxemia, and prolonged apnea. We also evaluated the timing of appearance of cranial ultrasound abnormalities. Results: A total of 125 infants were examined. Mean gestational age was 30.6 ± 2.4 weeks and mean birthweight was 1465 ± 454 g. The numbers of infants who showed RIAC, feeding hypoxemia, and prolonged apnea were 44, 48, and 63, respectively. Among 91 infants who showed cranial ultrasound abnormalities, 67 had increased echogenicity in the ganglionic eminence (GE). There was a significant correlation between increased echogenicity and RIAC (P < 0.001). Of the infants who showed increased echogenicity in the GE, 19 had this finding during the course of hospitalization. In these 19 infants, however, gestational age of those with RIAC was less than 31 weeks. Conclusion: We speculate that the timing of intrauterine injury resulting in RIAC in infants is less than 31 gestational weeks.     

Prothrombotic factors in neonates with cerebral thrombosis and intraventricular hemorrhage

AIM: To investigate whether the factor V Leiden mutation (FVL), the prothrombin gene G20210A variant or the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype are risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) thrombosis or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in neonates. METHODS: Thirteen full-term infants with cerebral infarct documented with magnetic resonance imaging were assessed with the whole spectrum of assays for thrombophilia including the three DNA-based prothrombotic factors. The frequency of congenital defects was compared with that observed in 38 healthy full-term infants. The genetic defects were also assessed in 55 premature neonates, gestational age <32 wk, 17 of whom developed IVH, grade II-IV. The remaining 38 premature neonates without IVH were used as controls. RESULTS: In the CNS thrombosis group: a prothrombotic factor was detected in 53% of patients and an underlying disease or a triggering event in 61.5%. The frequency of FVL in thrombosed neonates was higher (23%) than in the group of healthy full-term infants (10.5%), although it did not reach statistical significance. IVH developed in 30.9% of premature neonates. Apart from several maternal or neonatal risk factors for IVH, FII G20210A was found in a considerably higher prevalence in the cohort of neonates with IVH (12%) than in those without (2%), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of cerebral thrombosis or IVH in neonates is multifactorial. Along with underlying diseases or triggering events, congenital prothrombotic factors (FVL or FII G20210A) showed a trend towards a higher frequency in full-term infants with CNS thrombosis or premature neonates with IVH than in controls. However, their contribution to neonatal cerebral thrombosis or IVH remains to be determined.     

Renal ultrasound in the neonatal period

Ultrasound was used for imaging the kidneys in 55 neonates. The normal kidney in a neonate is characterized by prominent medulla and fetal lobulation, the main renal vessels are frequently demonstrated. Of 29 infants with normal kidneys by ultrasound, 4 had renal disease (3 acute tubular necrosis, one partial renal artery thrombosis) and one had a pelvic kidney. In 24 infants congenital abnormalities or acquired renal disease was diagnosed. Multicystic dysplastic kidney and hydronephrosis were the most frequently observed abnormalities. Polycystic kidneys at the early stage (both adult type and infantile) appeared as enlarged hyperechoic kidneys. In 2 neonates the kidneys were normal but they had adrenal mass lesions.Based on the paper presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Detroit, Michigan, October 1980