Serial sonographic monitoring of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and its sequelae in the preterm neonate

This study documents changes in ventricular size and brain parenchyma that occurred in 41 preterm neonates that had intracranial hemorrhage, out of 136 preterm neonates that were serially examined. Serial real-time sonographic examinations disclosed a close relationship between the severity of ICH and the development of progressive ventricular dilatation. Eighty percent of preterm neonates with minor degrees of ICH [localized subependymal hemorrhage (SEH) or SEH with small intraventricular hemorrhage (SEH/IVH)] did not develop significant ventricular dilatation, whereas all of the neonates with IVH and/or intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) developed moderate or severe ventricular dilatation. Spontaneous resolution of moderate and/or severe ventricular dilatation did occur by the end of the third week of life in approximately one third of neonates with ICH. The therapeutic implications of the findings are discussed.

Betamethasone, albuterol, and threatened premature delivery: benefits and risks. Study of 469 pregnancies

This report details the outcome of pregnancy in 469 patients admitted before 34 weeks' gestation with premature labor with intact membranes (253 patients) or premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) but no labor (216 patients). Betamethasone significantly reduced the incidence of severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) both in patients with intact membranes and in those with PROM. PROM had a significant beneficial effect on the incidence of RDS in both groups of patients, those who had received betamethasone and those who had not. Fetal sex did not significantly influence the respiratory response to either PROM or betamethasone administration, except that betamethasone treated female fetuses showed a significantly better response to PROM than similarly treated males. Except in patients with PROM associated with a cervical suture, betamethasone administration did not increase the risk of perinatal or maternal infection.