Objective Severe pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension are associated with reduced survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH (P = 0.83). Delivery occurred at 35.6 ± 2.4 weeks in the FETO group and at 37.4 ± 1.9 weeks in the controls 10/20 (50.0%) (RR, 10.0 (95% CI,) P < 0.01). Conclusion FETO improves neonatal survival in caseswith isolated severe CDH.

Blood levels of regulators of the complement system in preterm babies were reported in few studies only. The aim of this study was to set up a complement profile in premature and term babies focusing on the development of blood levels of MBL, key regulatory proteins and on classical pathway activity, which may allow an estimation of potential susceptibility to infection. Complement activity (CH50), levels of mannan-binding lectin (MBL), complement regulators (factors H and I, C1 inhibitor, properdin) and C3a as marker of complement activation were assessed in three groups of healthy newborns: (1) prematures (≤34 weeks); (2) late prematures (>34-<37 weeks) and (3) term neonates (≥37 weeks). CH50 increased with gestational age with lower titres in cord blood than in day 5 postdelivery venous blood. MBL concentrations were not significantly different among groups. Quantitative and functional C1 inhibitor were below adult normal range in prematures <34 weeks and lower in cord blood as compared to day 5. Factor I, factor H and properdin remained below adult values in all groups. Low C3a levels excluded that low complement titres were due to activation-induced consumption. These results demonstrate the relative immaturity of the complement system and its regulation, especially in premature infants.

The immune system of neonates has been considered functionally immature, and due to their high susceptibility to infections, the aim of this study was to analyse the phenotypic differences in leucocyte populations in healthy preterm and fullterm newborns. We evaluated the absolute numbers and frequencies of dendritic cells (DCs) and DC subsets, monocytes and T and B lymphocytes and subsets in the cord blood of healthy moderate and very preterm (Group 1), late preterm (Group 2) and full-term (Group 3) newborns and in healthy adults, as controls, by flow cytometry. The analyses revealed statistically higher absolute cell numbers in neonates compared with adults due to the characteristic leucocytosis of neonates. We observed a lower frequency of CD80 + myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs in Group 1 and reduced expression of TLR-4 on myeloid DCs in all neonates compared with adults. TLR-2 + monocytes were reduced in Group 1 compared with Groups 2 and 3, and TLR-4 + monocytes were reduced in Groups 1 and 2 compared with Group 3. The frequencies and numbers of na€ ıve CD4 + T and CD19 + B cells were higher in the three groups of neonates compared with adults, while CD4+ effector and effector memory T cells and CD19 + memory B cells were elevated in adults compared with neonates, as expected. Our study provides reference values for leucocytes in cord blood from term and preterm newborns, which may facilitate the identification of immunological deficiencies in protection against extracellular pathogens.

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of infection by respiratory viruses in preterm infants submitted to mechanical ventilation, and to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and radiological patterns of viral infections among hospitalized infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with any kind of acute respiratory failure. Seventy-eight preterm infants were studied from November 2000 to September 2002. The newborns were classified into two groups: with viral infection (Group I) and without viral infection (Group II). Respiratory viruses were diagnosed in 23 preterm infants (29.5%); the most frequent was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (14.1%), followed by influenza A virus (10.2%). Rhinorrhea, wheezing, vomiting and diarrhea, pneumonia, atelectasis, and interstitial infiltrate were significantly more frequent in newborns with nosocomial viral infection. There was a correlation between nosocomial viral infection and low values of C-reactive protein. Two patients with mixed infection from Group I died during the hospital stay. In conclusion, RSV was the most frequent virus in these patients. It was observed that, although the majority of viral lower respiratory tract infections had a favorable course, some patients presented a serious and prolonged clinical manifestation, especially when there was concomitant bacterial or fungal infection.

BackgroundNosocomial candidaemia is associated with high mortality rates in critically ill paediatric patients; thus, the early detection and identification of the infectious agent is crucial for successful medical intervention. The PCR-based techniques have significantly increased the detection of Candida species in bloodstream infections. In this study, a multiplex nested PCR approach was developed for candidaemia detection in neonatal and paediatric intensive care patients.MethodsDNA samples from the blood of 54 neonates and children hospitalised in intensive care units with suspected candidaemia were evaluated by multiplex nested PCR with specific primers designed to identify seven Candida species, and the results were compared with those obtained from blood cultures.ResultsThe multiplex nested PCR had a detection limit of four Candida genomes/mL of blood for all Candida species. Blood cultures were positive in 14.8% of patients, whereas the multiplex nested PCR was positive in 24.0% of patients, including all culture-positive patients. The results obtained with the molecular technique were available within 24 hours, and the assay was able to identify Candida species with 100% of concordance with blood cultures. Additionally, the multiplex nested PCR detected dual candidaemia in three patients.ConclusionsOur proposed PCR method may represent an effective tool for the detection and identification of Candida species in the context of candidaemia diagnosis in children, showing highly sensitive detection and the ability to identify the major species involved in this infection.

Rev Bras Crescimento Desenvolv Hum. 2007;17(3):95-103 Cristina Mika Suzuki, et al. 95 Rev Bras Crescimento Desenvolv Hum. 2007;17( Resumo:A gravidez na adolescência é um problema de saúde pública por ser considerada uma gravidez de alto risco. A incidência de prematuridade e de baixo peso ao nascer entre filhos de mães adolescentes varia dependendo da região e pais estudado. Objetivo: realizar uma análise comparativa da freqüência de prematuridade e baixo peso entre filhos de mães adolescentes e adultas. Método: estudo prospectivo comparativo de uma série de casos no qual foram incluídos 132 mães e seus recém nascidos (51 mães adolescente e 81 mães adultas) internados em dois hospitais públicos da cidade de São Paulo, no período de junho de 2005 a maio de 2006. Em relação às mães foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: idade, raça, escolaridade, ocupação, número de gestações e de abortos, pré-natal (número de consultas), antecedentes mórbidos antes e durante o pré-natal, tipo de parto e uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas. Em relação aos recém-nascidos foram analisados: Boletim de Apgar, sexo, peso de nascimento, idade gestacional, adequação nutricional e aleitamento materno. Resultados: A gravidez na adolescência esteve relacionada com nascimentos de crianças prematuras (16-31.4% no grupo de mães adolescentes e 7-8.65% no grupo de mães adultas, p=0.01), e esta relação não foi observada com o baixo peso ao nascer (14-27.5% no grupo adolescente e 16-19.8% no grupo de mães adultas, p=0.17). Não houve diferenças significantes em relação aos outros parâmetros. Conclusões: a assistência pré-natal pareceu diminuir a freqüência de baixo peso ao nascer em filhos de mães adolescentes. Não houve interferência na freqüência da prematuridade. Palavra

objectIve. To quantify and compare variations in oxygen saturation throughout the suctioning procedure (before, during, and after) using two endotracheal suction systems: open suction system (OSS) vs. closed suction system (CSS). Methods. A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out with 39 newborn infants of gestational age ≥ 34 weeks using pressure-limited, time-cycled, continuous-flow mechanical ventilators. The infants were classified into two groups according to ventilatory parameters: Group I was ventilated using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≥ 5 cm H 2 O and mean airway pressure (MAP) ≥ 8 cm H 2 O; and Group II using PEEP < 5 cm H2O and MAP < 8 cm H 2 O. results. No statistically significant differences were observed when OSS and CSS were compared in both groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in post-procedure oxygen saturation in both groups. conclusIon. Both endotracheal suction systems can be used with no drawbacks of OSS in relation to CSS, provided the sample is similar to that of the present study.

OBJETIVOS: verificar a prevalência de asfixia perinatal e de encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica (EHI), em recém-nascidos (RN), segundo 2 critérios diagnósticos, e avaliar a evolução neurológica de acordo com cada critério. MÉTODO: Estudo tipo Corte transversal prospectivo de 30 RN de termo com asfixia perinatal, classificados em 2 grupos, de acordo com 2 critérios diagnósticos adotados: 1-ACOG/AAP (1996): pH de cordão 57,0, disfunção múltipla de órgãos, manifestações neurológicas na 1ª semana de vida e Apgar no 5º minuto de vida, entre 0-3. Critério 2- Buonocore (2002): pH de cordão < 7,2, Apgar de 5º minuto de vida, entre 4-6 e FiO2 > 0,40 para saturar 86%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de asfixia perinatal quando utilizado o critério 1, foi de 0,64 por 1000 NV e pelo critério 2 de 1,1 por 1000 NV. Quando analisados os 30 RN que apresentaram asfixia perinatal a freqüência de encefalopatia foi de 53%, ou seja, mais da metade das crianças asfixiadas apresentaram esta grave complicação Os RN do grupo 1 apresentaram estatisticamente maior sofrimento fetal, relacionado com o estágio de gravidade da asfixia. Os RN dos 2 grupos apresentaram alterações cardíacas, hepáticas e renais, acidose respiratória e metabólica. Os RN com acidose metabólica e níveis elevados de CKMB tiveram maior grau de comprometimento neurológico. Foi verificado em 85% dos RN com encefalopatia (estágio 1 e 2 de Sarnat), Apgar de 5º min. de vida 4-6, e naqueles com encefalopatia grave este valor ficou entre 0-3 (p=0,018). Na avaliação de Sarnat e Sarnat, verificou-se uma proporção maior de RN do grupo 2 nos estágios mais leves. No estágio 3 (mais grave), encontrou-se proporção maior de RN do grupo 1 (p = 0,016). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 16,7%. CONCLUSÃO: O critério 1 teve melhor correlação com a gravidade e mortalidade dos pacientes. No entanto, por ser muito rigoroso exclui os RN que sobrevivem e evoluem com quadro de encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica e que seriam incluídos com o critério 2.