Infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in preterm infants

Infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome due to bacteria is rare and its appearance in preterm babies is uncommon. The signs, symptoms, laboratory values, and clinical status of three preterm babies with infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa are described and differences between preterm and infant cases are discussed in this report.

Breast milk beta-glucuronidase levels in hyperbilirubinemia

Breast milk beta-glucuronidase was thought to be one of the etiological factors in the pathogenesis of late-onset breast-milk jaundice, but results of these studies are conflicting. In this study breast milk beta-glucuronidase levels were determined in groups with physiologic jaundice, early breast-feeding jaundice and late breast-milk jaundice. No difference in beta-glucuronidase levels of these three groups was found in samples taken on the 4th and 15th days of life. beta-glucuronidase activity in breast milk declined from the 4th to 15th day in all groups. These results imply that factors other than breast milk beta-glucuronidase activity should be investigated to reveal the pathogenesis of late-onset breast-milk jaundice.

Serratia marcescens: an emerging microorganism in the neonatal intensive care unit

As smaller babies survive in neonatal intensive care units, late-onset septicemia with unusual pathogens appears. Between 1 January and 31 December 1998, in Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, seven infants had S. marcescens isolates. Four babies had septicemia with the microorganism. The case fatality rate was 50 percent in infants with S. marcescens septicemia. The combination of ceftazidime or imipenem with amikacin appears appropriate for the treatment of newborns with Serratia infection.

Accessory scrotum: an unusual localization of scrotal skin

Accessory scrotum is an extremely rare congenital scrotal anomaly defined as the occurrence of scrotal skin outside of its proper location with no testicular tissue. We report a preterm twin male infant who had an accessory scrotum located on the right inguinal and proximal femoral region.

Toxic methemoglobinemia after injection of prilocaine in a newborn. A case report

The acute onset of cyanosis in an infant is an alarming development. We report an infant who became cyanotic after injection of prilocaine. Prilocaine is a local anesthetic that is widely used in clinical practice, but usage in infancy easily causes methemoglobinemia. Acquired methemoglobinemia occurs in individuals exposed to an increased amount of agents that oxidize hemoglobin iron.