Systemic group B streptococcal disease in neonates and young infants in Norway 1985-94

In the period 1985-94, 237 out of 575 248 (0.41 per 1000) live born infants in Norway were reported to suffer culture-confirmed systemic group B streptococcal disease before their 90th day of life. The annual incidence increased from 0.20 per 1000 live births in 1985 to 0.64 in 1994, due solely to an increase in cases with an onset before the seventh day of life. Future studies should address the possible causes of this increase.     

Aldosterone cord levels in preterm newborn infants

We measured umbilical cord aldosterone concentrations in 64 premature newborn infants. The median serum aldosterone level was 74.5 ngdl^-1 (range 22-280 ng dl^-1). Of the studied perinatal factors, only gestational age and birthweight presented a significant influence on the umbilical cord aldosterone levels. Newborn infants with a gestational age of over 34 weeks and a birthweight of over 2000 g had a significantly higher aldosterone cord level than those aged 34 weeks or younger and 2000 g or less in weight.     

Dummies and the sudden infant death syndrome

The association between dummy use and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was investigated in 485 deaths due to SIDS in the postneonatal age group and compared with 1800 control infants. Parental interviews were completed in 87% of subjects. The prevalence of dummy use in New Zealand is low and varies within New Zealand. Dummy use in the two week period before death was less in cases of SIDS than in the last two weeks for controls (odds ratio (OR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 1.02). Use of a dummy in the last sleep for cases of SIDS or in the nominated sleep for controls was significantly less in cases than controls (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.73). The OR changed very little after controlling for a wide range of potential confounders. It is concluded that dummy use may protect against SIDS, but this observation needs to be repeated before dummies can be recommended for this purpose. If dummy sucking is protective then it is one of several factors that may explain the higher mortality from SIDS in New Zealand than in other countries, and may also explain in part the regional variation within New Zealand.     

Ethanol‐induced male infertility: Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum

This study investigated the effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf extract on infertility induced by ethanol in male rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each: Group 1 (positive control) received 0.9% saline only; Group 2 (ethanol alone) were given only 30% ethanol orally at 7 ml/kg body weight per day, thrice in a week; groups 3, 4 and 5 were given ethanol and co‐treated with 50, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract, respectively, while Group 6 was given ethanol and co‐treated with a fertility drug, clomiphene citrate. Ethanol treatment resulted in significant (p < .05) decrease in LDH activity, G‐6PDH activity, glycogen content, 3β and 17β HSD activities and testicular and epididymal Zn and Se contents and furthermore decrease in testicular sperm count, viability and marked increment in total sperm abnormalities, rate of sperm analysis parameters and consequently decreased reproductive hormone levels. Interestingly, co‐administration of ethanol with either T. conophorum extract or drug almost ameliorated the toxic assault imposed by ethanol on reproductive organs and improved seminal qualities of the rats.     

Gender and the sudden infant death syndrome

Abstract A nationwide case-control study compared the prevalence and magnitude of risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in male and female infants. The risk factors of SIDS and their magnitude for males and females are very similar. After adjustment for potential confounders male infants had a 1.42-fold (95% CI = 1.04, 1.94) increased risk of SIDS compared with females. Risk factors identified in most epidemiological studies are not the reason for the increased SIDS mortality seen in male infants.