Somatostatin analogue inhibits intestinal regeneration

This work analyzes the mother-son segregation of MN blood group in malformed and normal newborns. MN blood group was measured in 90 malformed, 70 paired normal newborns and their respective mothers, at the Maternity of the University of Chile Clinical Hospital. The expected values for the different mother-child pairs were calculated according to the ITO matrix method, using maximally probable appraisers. Among malformed newborns, there was an excess of heterozygous sons when the mother was homozygous for the MN system. Among malformed males, there was an excess of MM-MN and MN-MM mother-son pairs. Among control newborns, no distortions were found. These results suggest that there is a strong association between MN heterozygosis, sex and congenital malformations.     

Level of antifibrinogen antibodies in newborns and women during the postpartum period

In newborns and women who have just delivered antifibrinogen antibodies level was measured by means of immunoenzymatic method (ELISA). It has been found significantly higher antibodies level in women than in newborns. All newborns had lower antibodies level than their mothers. It has been found significantly lowered antibodies level before 38 week of gestation. Especially high antibodies level was observed in women who gave birth after 42 week of gestation and in newborns born in the same time.     

Outcome of pregnancy after clomiphene therapy

Of 159 pregnancies conceived after clomiphene therapy, 141 ended in childbirth, including seven sets of twins. There was a probable increase in the number of infants born with major malformations. These were exclusively to women who had not previously borne a normal infant. The incidence of malformed infants compares well with that published after gonadotropin therapy. The possibly higher incidence of malformations seen after drug-induced ovulation would therefore seem to be due to the underlying subfertility state and thus not a direct drug effect.     

Type A behavior and alcohol consumption: effects on resting and post-exercise bleeding time thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites

Iowa has participated in the national survey for the prevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women since July of 1989. As of February 1992, blinded testing for antibodies to HIV has been performed on blood spot specimens from 100,717 newborns. Of this number, 14 were confirmed as positive by Western blot. In the Iowa survey the prevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women was 0.14/1000 or 1/7000. This is similar to the prevalence that was observed for PKU in newborns during this time period. However, assuming only 30% of mothers transmit HIV to their babies, the predicted prevalence of HIV infection in Iowa newborns is 1/23,000. Certainly HIV disease is a public health concern with a frequency in Iowa mothers similar to that of other diseases screened for in the Iowa program. HIV meets the remaining WHO criteria for newborn screening, as well: the HIV screening test is simple and reliable and has a low incidence of false-positive and false-negative results; confirmatory testing, counseling, and medical care are available; the quality and length of life of affected individuals are improved by treatment; and data show that early diagnosis and treatment result in a cost advantage to society. The major obstacle to the addition of HIV testing to a newborn screening program is obtaining informed consent without jeopardizing program effectiveness.     

Salivary lead and cadmium in a young population residing in Mexico city

Antisperm antibodies were determined in the sera of 250 infertile couples and 100 puerperal women as controls using the immunofluorescence technique. Couples with significant circulating antisperm antibodies were placed on low-dose prednisolone 5 mg daily for 3-6 months. Initial routine semen analysis and hypoosmotic swelling test were done and repeated after 3 months of therapy. The incidence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) was 18.8 and 17.6% in the men and women, respectively, compared to 4% in the women controls (p < .02). In the men, the main determinants (with incidence) of ASA included smoking (33.9%), past history of sexually transmitted disease (33.3%), surgery to genital tract (28.6%), trauma (27.3%), and unexplained infertility (18.5%). In women whose husbands had antisperm antibodies the incidence of circulating antisperm antibodies was 38.3%, while endometriosis and thyroid dysfunction had incidence of antisperm antibodies of 21.4 and 16.7%, respectively. In the 27 (10.8%) case of unexplained infertility, the incidence of antisperm antibodies was 22.2%. High follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the men and low midluteal-phase progesterone in the women were associated with increased expression of antisperm antibodies. Antisperm antibodies adversely affected quality of sperm. Low-dose prednisolone significantly reduced the titer of antisperm antibodies and improved the sperm parameters and conception rate.     

Effects of efferent neurotransmitter acetylcholine and cochlear active substance ATP on cochlear outer hair cells

Toxoplasma antibody serological tests were carried out using the Dye test on sera of pregnant and postpartum Nigerian women to investigate whether there was any association between the levels of antibody titres and the occurrence of stillbirths and congenital malformations. There was a high prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in the sera of both pregnant and postpartum women. The prevalence rates for the pregnant women ranged from 72.5% to 88.8% with an overall rate of 75.4%; whilst for the postpartum women, the prevalence rates ranged from 75.0% to 94.4% with an overall rate of 80.5%. The toxoplasma antibody titres of the sera from the live-born babies as well as stillbirths and congenitally malformed babies ranged from 1:16 to 1:1024. The exact role played by toxoplasma in the occurrence of stillbirths and congenital malformation in our area of study is, however, not clear. For future research, it is suggested that larger samples be studied in order to enhance the validity of the findings of the present study.     

Sex and age-dependent gaps in tetanus immunization

To test tetanus immunity, tetanus antitoxin titres were measured in the serum of 692 subjects (354 males, 338 females), aged one day (newborns) to 92 years (mean age 29 years). Those aged 18 to 65 years were first-time blood donors, the remainder were healthy newborns, while the children and those over 65 years were patients without immune-compromising disease. An inadequate protection (titre < 0.1 IU/ml) was found in 107 (15.5%), of whom 75 (70%) were females. Women aged 20 years and above also had significantly lower average antitoxin titres than men (1.7 vs. 3.5 IU/ml); P < 0.0001). The inadequate immunization protection of many young women is reflected in the lack of protective antibodies in 10 of the 49 examined newborns. In addition, 18% of children aged between 1 and 15 years had inadequate immunity against tetanus. In the whole group the titre level decreased with age, while the proportion of unprotected persons increased. Apart from the obvious age and sex dependency of the demonstrated inadequacy of immunological protection against tetanus, attention should also be paid to the lack of protective antibodies in newborns and the marked gaps of immunity among children.     

Transitory neonatal hypothyroidism caused by transplacental transfer of anti-receptor antibodies of hypophyseal thyroid simulation. Case report and estimated incidence]

Transient neonatal hypothyroidism induced by transplacental transfer of thyrotropin receptor-blocking antibodies is rare, but should be diagnosed early because its course, treatment, and prognosis are different from the other forms of congenital hypothyroidism. Transient neonatal hypothyroidism should be suspected in infants with a history of maternal autoimmune thyroid disease. We describe two siblings whose mother has been treated for idiopathic primary nongoitrous hypothyroidism since adolescence. High levels of thyrotropin receptor-blocking antibodies were first detected in maternal serum at the time of the first child's birth. At the time of the second child's birth antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were found in addition to the thyrotropin receptor-blocking antibodies. Both children were clinically healthy newborns without evidence of congenital malformations. Thyroid suppression, reflected by high levels of TSH during neonatal screening, was transient in both infants. Hormonal substitution was only necessary in one child for a period of 4 months. When tested at the age of 6-7 months, maternal antibodies had completely disappeared from the infants' sera. At ages 7 and 4 years respectively the 2 children do not require treatment and show normal growth and neurodevelopmental skills. In the north-eastern part of Switzerland congenital hypothyroidism has an incidence of one in 3300 live-born infants, the most frequent form being permanent congenital hypothyroidism (1:4500). In this population, analyzed over a period of 16 years, the two cases reported represent the only observations of transient neonatal hypothyroidism due to thyrotropin receptor-blocking antibodies; the incidence can thus be estimated to be approximately 1:310,000 live newborns. In this rare condition, early recognition is pertinent in order to avoid unnecessary treatment and parental anxiety.     

The prevalence of red cell antibodies in pregnancy correlated to the outcome of the newborn: a 12 year study in central Sweden

BACKGROUND: All maternal red cell antibodies found during pregnancy in a 12 year period have been compiled. The efficacy of the current antenatal screening and management programme has been ascertained by reviewing the outcome of all newborns to these immunized mothers. METHOD: Patient selection was carried out by computerised searching for all known records of registered antibodies during the study period. Each mother's obstetric record and her baby's hospital file was studied and relevant clinical treatment and laboratory data on both mother and child was recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Eight hundred and twenty-one alloantibodies were detected in 629 immunized pregnant women with 753 fetuses. An overall antibody incidence of 0.57% was observed which included 373 clinically significant antibodies found in 261 mothers (0.24%). Multiple antibodies were present in 8.2% of all samples. Anti-D, by itself or in combination with other Rh-antibodies, caused more severe forms of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) with 46% of all Rh-positive babies having phototherapy and 29% having exchange transfusion. Three of 18 Fya-positive infants required phototherapy and one required exchange transfusion and in the 16 Kell-positive babies, three required phototherapy and one required exchange transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Few antibodies to blood group antigens other than those in the Rhesus system were found to cause severe HDN. Antibodies that are generally considered non-significant did not cause HDN in this study. All antibodies that induced HDN were detected in time so that adequate measures could be taken to reduce the effects in the newborn. The antenatal screening and management programme currently in use is considered to be reliable.     

Births following oral contraceptive failures

Neonatal outcome was studied in 108 infants conceived while their mothers were taking oral contraceptives. The infants tended to be born to younger, less educated mothers and were more likely to have been exposed to hormonal pregnancy tests. Ten newborns were malformed; 8 of these were males. One was anencephalic, and 1 infant had Down's syndrome. There was also a significantly large number of twins and an excess of perinatal mortality. These results are similar to those of previous studies, showing a small but increased risk of adverse outcome in infants born after oral contraceptive failure.     

Seasonal differences in neonatal jaundice

Cytomegalovirus is the main agent of congenital viral infections. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus infections of two groups of newborns of differing socioeconomic status. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from urine or oropharingeal secretions in 218 children born in a private clinic and 471 born in a public hospital. Positive viral isolates were confirmed with indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. Infection was detected in 12 children (1.82%), four coming from the private clinic (1.86%) and 8 coming from the public hospital (1.81%). Ninety two percent of infected children were asymptomatic. Urine and oropharingeal secretion samples had the same yield for viral isolation. It is concluded that the incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection is similar to that described in developed countries.     

Beyond signing the death certificate

Progressively since 1982 and as part of a nationwide programme for the diagnosis and prevention of genetic diseases, maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) screening and ultrasound fetal monitoring has been implemented in all pregnant women in Cuba. In Havana City, 328,983 pregnant women underwent MS-AFP screening between 15 and 19 weeks of gestational age. With a cut-off level of > or = 2 multiples of the normal median (MOM), 1767 amniocenteses were carried out to determine the levels of amniotic fluid AFP and 685 malformed fetuses were diagnosed. By ultrasound fetal monitoring, an additional 686 malformed fetuses were detected. As a result of the programme, the birth prevalence of neural tube defects has fallen by 90 per cent.     

The diagnosis of brain lesions in newborns with an intrauterine herpetic infection

Enzyme immunoassay and DNA hybridization technique were used to diagnose herpetic infection. Blood and liquor antiherpetic antibodies were detected, with anticytomegalovirus antibodies used as reference ones. Intrauterine herpetic infection was detected in 61.5% of 91 risk group newborns. We should like to emphasize that two laboratory tests should be used to diagnose an intrauterine herpetic infection in newborns. Detection of antiviral antibodies in the CSF is a valuable method for the diagnosis and differentiation of brain involvement in intrauterine herpetic infection.     

Susceptibility of penicillin-susceptible and -resistant pneumococci to CFC-222, a new fluoroquinolone

Rotavirus (RV) strains infecting newborns often have unique neutralization antigens (P serotypes) on their outer capsids that are distinct from those found on RV strains that cause diarrhea in older children. We examined the hypothesis that unusual RV strains preferentially infect newborns because the newborns lack maternal neutralizing antibodies to these strains. To test this hypothesis, sera and saliva samples collected from neonates infected with 116E-like (P[11]G9) strains in the maternity ward of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi were tested for neutralizing antibodies against common RV strains and those infecting newborns and these titers were compared with those of newborns who did not become infected (controls). The infected neonates had significantly lower levels of cord blood neutralizing antibodies to 116E than the controls, suggesting that immunity to neonatal RV infection is acquired transplacentally through maternal antibodies. Further, this study confirmed the immunogenicity of the AIIMS neonatal strain 116E, a vaccine candidate, in its ability to evoke a potent RV-specific immunoglobulin A and neutralizing antibody response in serum and saliva among the infected babies. Our findings have important implications for the development of an effective RV vaccine. In India, where G9 strains are common in the community, the use of 116E as a vaccine, together with the rhesus tetravalent vaccine, may provide a broader protection against all the circulating RV serotypes, including serotype G9, which is not represented in the current rhesus RV tetravalent vaccine (G1-G4).     

Future directions in CT technology

Since its emergence 25 years ago, group B streptococcus has become recognized as a cause of serious illness in newborns, pregnant women, and adults with chronic medical conditions. Heavy colonization of the genital tract with group B streptococcus also increases the risk that a woman will deliver a preterm low-birthweight infant. Early-onset infections (occurring at < 7 days of age) are associated with much lower fatality than when they were first described, and their incidence is finally decreasing as the use of preventive antibiotics during childbirth increases among women at risk. New serotypes of group B streptococcus have emerged as important pathogens in adults and newborns. Clinical and laboratory practices--in obstetrics, pediatrics, and clinical microbiology--have an impact on disease and/or its prevention, and protocols established at the institutional level appear to be critical tools for the reduction of perinatal disease due to group B streptococcus. Since intrapartum antibiotics will prevent at best only a portion of the full burden of group B streptococcal disease, critical developments in vaccine evaluation, including study of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines, offer the potential for enhanced prevention in the relatively near future.     

Maternal and perinatal mortality due to eclampsia

Forty-four mothers with eclampsia and their newborns managed during the year 1988 at the University Hospital of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi were analyzed. The incidence of eclampsia was 2.2% of all hospital deliveries. Eclampsia was more common in women (below 20 years) and at gestation of 36 weeks and below, and amongst the mothers deprived of antenatal care. The maternal mortality amongst cases of eclampsia was 31.8% and perinatal loss was 38.6%. A relatively high incidence of eclampsia and maternal and perinatal loss was considered to be related to lack of antenatal care and late referral to the hospital. Our findings suggest that more frequent use of properly timed cesarean section can improve the maternal outcome.     

Chlamydial serologic studies and recurrent spontaneous abortion

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the putative association between immunoglobulin G antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and recurrent spontaneous abortions. STUDY DESIGN: Sera from 106 idiopathic recurrent aborters and 81 of their partners were tested for immunoglobulin G antichlamydial antibodies by whole inclusion immunofluorescence and compared with 3890 sera from a general antenatal population. Positive sera were further investigated by microimmunofluorescence to determine species (Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci) specificity. RESULTS: Twenty-six (24.5%) of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions had immunoglobulin G antichlamydial antibodies compared with 28 (34.6%) of their partners (chi 2 2.25, p < 0.05) and 788 (20.3%) of the general antenatal population (chi 2 1.16, p < 0.05), and the incidence of antibody positivity showed no trend with increasing number of previous abortions. Fourteen women with recurrent spontaneous abortions had antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, 12 to Chlamydia pneumoniae. The prevalence of antibodies to C. trachomatis did not differ significantly between women with recurrent spontaneous abortions and their partners, but the male partners had a significantly (p = 0.005) higher prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies. Chlamydial antibody seropositivity did not correlate with subfertility or subsequent pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION: There is no association between immunoglobulin G antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and recurrent spontaneous abortion.     

Vaccination of pregnant macaques protects newborns against mucosal simian immunodeficiency virus infection

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of newborn rhesus macaques is a rapid, sensitive animal model of human pediatric AIDS. Newborn macaques were readily infected by uncloned SIVmac following oral-conjunctival exposure and had persistently high viremia and rapid development of AIDS. In contrast, when 3 pregnant macaques were vaccinated against SIV, 2 of the newborns that had transplacentally acquired antiviral antibodies were protected against mucosal SIV infection at birth. These results suggest that intervention strategies such as active immunization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women and anti-HIV immunoglobulin administration may decrease the rate of perinatal HIV infection.     

Neonatal evaluation of obstetrical criteria of prematurity

Paediatric maturity was assessed in newborns whose birth weight was above or equal to 2500 g, of 1742 women of single pregnancy who delivered vaginally, and in 81 newborns with birth weight below 2500 g, by means of Ballard method. The range of maturity was 39 +/- 3 points of Ballard/Klimek score. There were only 14 newborns with birth weight below 2500 g born before 37 gestational weeks, which is only 30.4% of all newborns with a score below 33 points. The neonatological assessment of physical and neuro-muscular maturity of the newborns, allows to determine the degree of maturity and simultaneously the obstetrical criteria (newborn weight below 2500 g and 37 weeks of pregnancy), indicate only a lower limit of possible maturity.     

Nursing in lactation mastitis]

Nowadays, the pathogenic staphylococcus plays the most important part in the etiology of mastitis. Further in depth studies of this disease are still necessary. The presence of this disease raises the question of breast feeding. Lactation mastitis disturbs the function of the manmary glands and decreases the quality of the milk. The authors conducted a clinical and bacteriological study of 102 women with unilateral purulent mastitis and their newborns. 95 women went through an operation within 2 days of their admission. The operation for mastitis is a serious intervention which necessitates a good training. 20 healthy women and their newborns aged up to 2 months, served as a control group. Before the operation, the examinations had revealed that the milk from the unaffected breast also contained pathogenic staphylococcus. As a result, the newborns nursed from the healthy mammary gland were showing frequent signs of infection. It is concluded that mothers with purulent lactation mastitis should not breast feed their children as this creates a serious risk of infection for the baby.