Since few data are available about factors affecting renal maturation especially in the lower gestational ages (G.A.), the aim of this work was to study postnatal renal function in a representative population sample of preterm newborns (G.A.

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The specific aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants after the 15th day of life. Between 1 October 1994 and 1 October 1995, 107 preterm infants, gestational age < or = 34 weeks, were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and received rHuEpo subcutaneously, 900 U/kg week-1, 3 times weekly, supplemented with iron and vitamin E. Treatment was started at 8 days of life and lasted from a minimum of 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months. A total of 116 preterm infants of the same gestational age, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1992, served as controls. Entry criteria were gestational age < or = 34 weeks and no major congenital malformation. There were no differences in routine care between the two groups. Hematological measurements and transfusion requirements were followed during therapy. The infants were divided into two groups according to birth weight (< 1500 g and > or = 1500 g), and for each group the number of patients who received blood transfusions and when blood transfusions occurred, before or after the 15th day of life, was recorded. There was a statistically significant difference only for transfusions carried out after the 15th day of life (p < 0.002). No adverse effects attributable to rHuEpo during the treatment were noted. The results indicate that early rHuEpo treatment, in combination with iron supplements, is effective in reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants after the 15th day of life.

Behavioural problems in childhood are related to diencephalic structures dysfunction, wich are dependent on dietary Fe, Cu and Zn.Aim: To describe Fe, Cu and Zn differences between cortical (CS) and diencephalic structures (DS) between an Iron deficient diet group (ID) and a Control.Subjects and methods: Two litters of Wistar rats, had her dames submitted to an ID during lactation, or to an standard diet (Control). The ID group, at P21 weaning, remained in the diet until P30. Then they were put down, had their middle fosse brains were separated throughout the white matter in CS and in the DS. These products were homogenised and analysed by atomic absorption. Results for Fe, Cu and Zn in CS and DS were analysed between diet groups (Mann-Whitney test). CS and DS values for Fe, Cu and Zn, were compare in each diet group (Wilcoxon test).Results: The ID-CS-Fe (Medianϭ31.8 mg/g; Lower Boundϭ28.05-Upper Boundϭ33.58) was significantly lower (Uϭ0.000; pϭ0.0001) than ). The ID- ) was significantly lower (Uϭ0.000; pϭ0.0001) than Control- ). The ID-CS-Cuϭ11.5(10.028 -13.06) did not show significant differences than the Control-CS-Cuϭ11. 7(10.96 -12.35). The ID-DS-Cuϭ12.6(12.07-13.68) was significantly higher than the Control-DS-Cuϭ10.9(10.63-11.18) group. ). The ID-CS-Znϭ60.2(54 -66.8) was significantly lower (Uϭ18.5; pϭ0.015) than the PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT. SAN JOAN D'ALACANT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (SPAIN)The omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are crucial to brain development and can be altered, as etiologic explanatory cofactor, both in neurological and psychiatric conditions. Aim: To describe the omega-3 and omega-6 LCPUFA serum pattern in both neurological and psychiatric patients.Patients and Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients were recruited from June 2003 to December 2004. They were categorized into the following groups: Mild Mental Retardation (MRϭ16); Static Encephalopathy (SEϭ13); Progressive Encephalopathy (PEϭ8); Epilepsy (Epϭ24); Pervasive disorder (PDϭ18); Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHDϭ20); and a mixed group with recurrent headache, febrile convulsions and soft neurological signs as a Control Group (CGϭ11). A serum sample was analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Then the total omega-3 and omega-6 LC-PUFA wt/wt percentage was calculated. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare every group to CG.Results: 1) Omega-3: The MR group (Medianϭ1.6; CI: 1-4.7) was significantly lower (Uϭ39; pϭ0.015) than CG (Medianϭ2.3; CI: 1.2-6.9). The SE group (Medianϭ1.7; CI: 1.5-2.3) was significantly lower than CG (Uϭ32; pϭ0.022). The PE group showed a near significance lower wt/wt % (Medianϭ1.9; CI: 1.4 -2.5) (Uϭ23; pϭ0.091). The Ep, PD and ADHD groups did not show significant differences from CG.2) Omega-6: The MR group (Medianϭ34.3; CI: 25.1-36.3) was near significance lower (Uϭ49; pϭ0.056) than CG (Medianϭ38.84; CI: 33.60 -41.54). The SE group (Medianϭ33.2; CI: 22.9 -35.8) was significantly lower than CG (Uϭ30; pϭ0.015). The PE group was also signif...