Urinary 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in management of 21 -hydroxylase deficiency

Objectives: The study was designed to assess the reliability of measurement of 24-hour urinary 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) by radio-immunoassay (RIA) as an alternative biochemical assessment for monitoring the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21 -hydroxylase deficiency (21 -OHD) and to assess the need for sample purification by column chromatography to improve assay specificity.
Methodology: Morning serum 17-OHP was measured using RIA and 24-hour urinary pregnanetriol using gas chromatography. Twenty-four-hour urinary 17-OHP was measured in samples from 17 prepubertal patients with CAH due to 21 -OHD, and 20 normal prepubertal children as controls. In 24 urine samples, RIA of 17-OHP was performed with and without column chromatography.
Results: There was a good correlation between 24-hour urinary 17-OHP and 24-hour urinary pregnanetriol (r = 0.962, P <0.01) and between 24-hour urinary 17-OHP and morning serum 17-OHP ( r = 0.955, P <0.01). There was no significant difference in the RIA of the urine samples with and without purification by column chromatography.
Conclusions: The measurement of 24-hour urinary 17-OHP is a reliable alternative for the biochemical monitoring of 21-OHD, and RIA specificity is unaffected by omission of column chromatography.     

Osteoporosis in severe congenital neutropenia treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has substantially improved life expectancy for children with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). Severe osteoporosis, reported in this population, may relate to the disease process, or be a therapeutic side-effect. This report details bone loss, quantitated absorptiometrically and histomorphometrically, in a child with SCN and vertebral collapse, and the positive response to anabolic steroid and bisphosphonate therapy.     

The dysmorphic lung: imaging findings

Congenital lung malformations are not infrequent and can be discovered in adults. It is, therefore, necessary to know their radiological manifestations in order to avoid diagnostic errors. We classify the congenital lung malformations in two main groups: dysmorphic lung and focal pulmonary malformations. We review the radiological spectrum of dysmorphic lung, based on a classification that emphasises the pulmonary abnormality, adding variants when diaphragmatic or venous abnormalities are present. In our opinion this approach allows for a rational use of advanced imaging techniques (CT, MRI). Correspondence to: Josep M. Mata.     

小儿先天性巨结肠42例手术疗效分析

手术治疗小儿先天性巨结肠４２例，其中Ｄｕｈａｍｅｌ术９例，Ｓｗｅｎｓｏｎ术１１例，Ｓｏａｖｅ术６例，Ｒｅｈｂｅｉｎ术１０例，直肠后壁肌切除４例，直肠肛管纵切心形斜吻合术２例。术后污粪、便秘、小肠结肠炎及肛门狭窄发生率２１％。认为：手术疗效是与术前充分准备，选择适宜术式，术中精细操作，术后加强护理，精心喂养等直接相关     

人HLA半相合混合脐血在SCID小鼠移植的实验研究

目的：探讨不同供者来源脐血混合移植的可行性和植入特性。方法：分别将两份人HLA半相合混合脐血或单份脐血输入经亚致量照射后的严重联合免疫缺陷（SCID）小鼠，观察两组脐血在SCID小鼠体内的植入状况及多系造血重建特性。结果：混合脐血和单份脐血移植均可在受鼠体内植入，形成供－受混合嵌合体，并能重建多系造血，存活率和植入率无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。用多聚酶链反应－序列特异性寡核苷酸（PCR－SSO）探针检测人HLA－DQB1基因发现，HLA半相合混合脐血移植可有1份或2份脐血植入，其中造血祖细胞含量和体外克隆形成能力高者，更易于植入，造血重建特性与单一脐血移植比较无统计学意义。结论：HLA半相合人混合脐血可同时在SCID小鼠体内植入，形成来自供－受三者的多嵌合状态，并能重建造血及免疫功能。     

Revascularization of a thrombosed aortopulmonary shunt with the use of the AngioJet thrombectomy system.

We report the use of the AngioJet F140 rheolytic catheter to recannalize an acutely thrombosed aortopulmonary shunt in a 21-year-old female with palliated, complex congenital heart disease. After extracting the thrombus that filled the entire length of the shunt, three stents were placed at sites where the lumen was compromised by distortion or thrombus. Unobstructed flow was restored to the left pulmonary artery that persisted at 1-year follow-up.     

Congenital esophageal atresia successfully treated by early ligation of a tracheoesophageal fistula and delayed repair of the esophagus in a premature infant: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a premature infant with esophageal atresia (EA) and a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) associated with cardiac anomalies who was successfully treated by an early ligation of the TEF following gastrostomy, and delayed repair of the esophagus. A 1212-g male was born prematurely at 31 gestational weeks, at which time he was diagnosed as having EA with TEF and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and atrial septal defect (ASD). A gastrostomy was initially performed but following extubation he gradually became tachypneic. A chest roentogenogram revealed atelectasis and ground-glass appearance, and reintubation was required. Ligation of the TEF was performed 53h after his birth. Following the improvement of his respiratory condition through ventilatory support and the intratracheal administration of pulmonary surfactant, he underwent repair of the esophagus on the 6th day of life. Postoperatively, he suffered from heart failure, but was treated with peritoneal dialysis and pharmacological closure of the PDA. Weaning the infant from the ventilator proved difficult, but it was finally achieved when he had reached a weight of 2268g at 3 months of age by enteral feeding. Our experience of this case demonstrates that early ligation of TEF should be performed for a premature infant with EA and TEF before respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has developed. If a gastrostomy is required to prevent gastric distention, it should be followed by simultaneous or immediate ligation of the TEF.