Adhesion molecules may play a role in the evolution and severity of neonatal sepsis. The purposes of this study were to determine whether serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, L-selectin, and P-selectin levels are useful tools in the diagnosis of proven sepsis in newborn infants, and whether their levels are related to the clinical severity of the disease. A cohort of 25 consecutive newborns meeting criteria for clinical sepsis, 10 hemoculture-negative (HC - ) and 15 hemoculture-positive (HC + ), were prospectively followed and compared with 12 healthy newborns (six /= 39 weeks). Serum soluble (s)ICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sL-selectin, and sP-selectin concentrations were measured at the time of the septic workup, then followed by up to three determinations in each newborn every third day. The Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP)-II severity was assessed at the moment of highest clinical severity of the disease. At the beginning of sepsis, sICAM-1 levels increased in both groups, being higher in HC + sepsis than in HC - ; sVCAM-1 only increased slightly in HC + sepsis. Soluble ICAM-1 levels were independently related to group of sepsis, and not to days of life. The best initial sICAM-1 cutoff level for diagnosing HC + neonatal sepsis was 274 microg/L. The highest sICAM-1 levels were positively correlated with SNAP-II scores. Soluble L-selectin and sP-selectin did not change. Soluble ICAM-1 levels increased in HC - and HC + sepsis, but concentrations > 274 microg/L suggest HC + sepsis. These levels were related to the clinical severity of the disease. Soluble VCAM-1 levels increased only slightly in HC + sepsis. Soluble L-selectin and sP-selectin did not change.

Plasma ET-1 levels in neonatal sepsis are related to the severity of clinical manifestations, especially oliguria, acidosis and systemic hypotension.

Inherited urea cycle disorders represent one of the most common groups of inborn errors of metabolism. Late-onset urea cycle disorders caused by partial enzyme deficiencies may present with unexpected clinical phenotypes. We report 9 patients followed up in our hospital presenting late-onset urea cycle disorders who initially manifested neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental symptoms (the most prevalent neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental diagnoses were mental retardation, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], language disorder, and delirium). Generally, these clinical pictures did not benefit from pharmacological treatment. Conversely, dietary treatment improved the symptoms. Regarding biochemical data, 2 patients showed normal ammonium but high glutamine levels. This study highlights the fact that neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental findings are common among the initial symptomatology of late-onset urea cycle disorders. The authors recommend that unexplained or nonresponsive neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental symptoms appearing during childhood or adolescence be followed by a study of ammonia and amino acid plasmatic levels to rule out a urea cycle disorder.

Benzydamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, currently available as mouthwash, aerosol, dermal cream, vaginal douche preparation, pills and otic drops. Up to now no cases of poisoning due to this drug have been reported. A 6-year-old girl with an accidental poisoning with benzydamine is described. The episode consisted of hallucinosis without other symptoms and resolved spontaneously in 17 h.