No abstract

No abstract

Our results suggest that regional cerebral blood flow and the presence of apoptotic cells, 3 h after hypoxic-ischemic injury, are correlated.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of cerebral hypoxia‐ischaemia induced by partial occlusion of the umbilical cord on the relationship of the regional cerebral blood flow and the cerebral cell death in near‐term fetal lambs. Methods: Fifteen near‐term lambs were assigned to two hypoxic‐ischaemic groups with or without life support (3 h), and a healthy one. Hypoxia‐ischaemia was induced by partial occlusion of the umbilical cord (60 min). Routine light and electron microscopy, and the TUNEL method for apoptosis were performed. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by coloured microspheres. Cardiovascular, gas exchange and pH parameters were also evaluated. Results: Both hypoxic‐ischaemic groups produced a transient acidosis and a decrease of base excess in comparison to the healthy group. Cortical and cerebellar zones, where the regional cerebral blood flow values were similar to baseline, showed an increased number of oligodendrocyte‐like apoptotic cells. In contrast, in the inner zones, where regional cerebral blood flow was increased, the number of apoptotic cells did not increase. Necrotic neurons were observed in the basal nuclei, mesencephalon, pons and deep cerebellar nuclei. Conclusion: Our results suggest that regional cerebral blood flow and the presence of apoptotic cells, 3 h after hypoxic‐ischemic injury, are correlated.

Introduction: Fever is the manifestation of the organism's defense reaction against various infectious or non infectious agents. Aim of this study is to present the final diagnosis in neonates admitted in our unit with main symptom during admission the fever. Material and method:We studied retrospectively all neonates admitted during the last 2 years with cause of admission the fever. We referred in certain parameters such as: sex, age, level of fever, some laboratory indices( CRP, white blood count (WBC), urine, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures), somministration or not of antibiotics and final diagnosis.Results: During the 2 years period there were hospitalized 1018 neonates. 81 neonates, 48 boys and 33 girls had fever as the main admission symptom. Their age in admission was 2-29 days. All neonates were mature. Their temperature in admission was 37,2-39,9°C. Half of the neonates (40/81) had as final diagnosis a systemic infection (24 urine infection, 6 meningitis, 6 sepsis, 4 bronchiolitis) and the other half (41/81) had a viral infection. An abnormal WBC was found in 26/81 neonates (14 with systemic and 12 with viral infection). CRP was positive in 32/81 neonates (10 with systemic and 22 with viral infection). Blood cultures were positive in 16 neonates, urine cultures were positive in 24 neonates and CSF cultures were positive in 4 neonates. All of the 40 neonates with systemic reaction received antibiotic therapy. 25/41 neonates with viral infection did not receive any antibiotic therapy while 16/41 neonates received antibiotics because of the positive markers of infection. In 4 of these neonates the therapy was interrupted on the 3rd day after evaluating the clinical condition and the laboratory results of the neonates.Conclusions: Half of the neonates with fever had a systemic infection and the other half a viral infection. 52/81 (65%) neonates received full antibiotic therapy, 25/81 neonates did not receive any therapy and in 4/81 (5%) neonates therapy was interrupted on the 3rd day. The laboratory tests in admission were indicative neither for viral or microbial infection nor for the use of antibiotics. Every neonate with fever must receive antibiotic therapy until the laboratory tests and the clinical condition are evaluated for continuing or not the therapy. SAO PAULO, (BRAZIL) Background: The increase on multiple births has been associated with a rise of low birth weight rates (LBW) in developed countries. In Brazil, despite the steady increase of LBW rate in some settings, there is no evaluation of the impact of multiple births on LBW rates. IMPACT OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS ON LOW BIRTH WEIGHT RATE IN PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZILObjective: To investigate the influence of multiple births on trends of low birth weight rates in the city of Porto Alegre, one of the most developed areas in the South of the country. Methods: This is a registry-based study of all live births from 1993 to 2002. The data were obtained from the SINASC (live birth information system). The Chi-Square test for trend was calculat...