[Iron absorption in low birth weight and anemic infants (author's transl)]

A total of 35 iron balances were performed using a milk formula containing 6.25 +/- 1.23 mcg./dl. of iron. Twenty balances were done during the first 3 days of life (group 1) in low birth weight infants with 36.2 +/- 2.6 weeks of gestation and with birth weights of 2.13 +/- 0.28 kg. Thirteen of these infants received a calcium lactate supplement of 800 mg./kg./day. Ten balances were carried out at 13.9 +/- 4.12 days of life (group II) in LBWI with 36.0 +/- 2.1 weeks of gestation and with birth weights of 2.08 +/- 0.22 kg. Five balances were performed in a heterogeneous group (group III) of patients with iron-deficiency anemia (transferrin saturation: 6.3 +/- 2.9%). In group 1, the absorption coefficient for iron was 48.5 +/- 13.6% and of the 562. +/- 155.9 mcg./kg./day of iron ingested, 577.7 +/- 277.7 mcg./kg./day were retained. There were no statistically significant differences between groups I and II, but there were significant differences for ingestion, excretion and iron retention (p less than 0.001). In group I, iron absorption was not modified by the addition of calcium lactate. There was a positive significant correlation (p less than 0.001) between ingestion and net iron retention in groups I and II. Balances performed on five anemic children showed absorption coefficients of 10.5, 11.5, 41.6, 60.0 and 74.2% respectively. In view of our data, recommendations as to the optimal iron supplementation of cow's milk and as to the most desirable time to initiate it are analyzed.

[Study of serum copper and ceruloplasmin in the newborn (author's transl)]

Serum samples for copper and ceruloplasmin were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Peripheral blood samples from 30 children-bearing mothers and umbilical cord samples from their clinically normal full-term products were obtained. Mean serum copper for mothers was 216.23 +/- 49.44 mcg./dl. and that for newborns was 48.87 +/- 7.95 mcg./dl. (p less than 0.001). Maternal ceruloplasmin was 66.53 +/- 8.22 mcg./dl. while values for newborns were 11.6 +/- +/- 3.41 mcg./dl. (p less than 0.001). A significant difference (p less than 0.005) in ceruloplasmin values for newborns with a 38-40 week gestation and those with a 41-42 week gestation, were found. The results are compared with those reported in the literature.

[Hypothermia, respiratory distress and umbilical catheterization as risk factors in necrotizing enterocolitis (author's transl)]

Fourteen patients diagnosed of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NNE) admitted into the neonatal unit since August 1977 are presented. They were matched to a control group of 130 newborn infants born during that same period of time for sex, weight and gestational age. All patients were formula fed except for three who followed mixed feeding. NNE was closely associated to hypothermia (p less than 0.005), respiratory distress (p less than 0.001) and umbilical catheterization (p less than 0.005). Umbilical catheters introduced for reasons other than distress did not increase the incidence of NNE. Low birth weight infants were more frequently affected than those weighing over 2,500 gm (ratio, 27:1). Evolution was lethal in six cases. The remaining eight are presently under follow up with no evidence of disease.

[Morphological study of adipose tissue during the first year of life (author's transl)]

Forty-one sample of adipose tissue were obtained by needle biopsy from thirty-two newborn at term and nine infants between two and 12 months. Number of fat cells of the newborn with birth-weights appropriate, large and low for their gestational age were similar (6-7 X 10(9). The babies whose birth weights were large for their gestational age showed a significant increase (p less than 0.001) in size of the fat cells (m + SD = 71.3 +/- 7.9), compared with those of low birth weight and control samples: 41.2 +/- 3.6 and 55.6 +/- 3.9 micrometer respectively. Percentage of body fat increases from a mean figure of 13.8% at birth to 24.9% at three months, in babies of normal weight. Growth of fat deposits is due to an increase in the size of adipose cells, reaching a mean value of 85.2 micrometer, without differences in number of fat cells present at birth. In the newborn as in infants diameter of fat cells has an important and positive correlation with the body weight and fat quantity. The same type of relationship exists between infants age and diameter of fat cells (r = 0.93). Four obese infants studied showed an increase in size of fat cells (m + SD = 112.7 +/- 10.9 micrometer) without modification in number of cells.

[NBT test evaluation during the neonatal period (author's transl)]

161 determinations of NBT performed according to the technique described by Park et al. on 67 patients of ages ranging from 1 hour born to 66 days, with weights between 1,610 to 4,600 g, and gestational ages from 34 to 41 weeks. During neonatal period, reduction of NBT is increased. Birth weight, fetal distress and neonatal asphixia do not seem to affect the NBT index during the first week of life. There is an inverse correlation (r = -0.557, p less than 0.001) between days of age and NBT test. Comparison of NBT test among infected and no infected newborns of various ages, showed significant differences (p less than 0.001). While NBT test may not be the key to detection of infection in neonatal period, according to results, it seems to be a fast and relatively simple test when seriated controls are performed on newborns believed to be infected.

The evolution of the training policy at IMA

Training at IMA has been during the last years an expanding activity which reflects the growth of the French MEDLINE network. Initially, before 1973, when IMA was the only centre in France to have access to the MEDLARS system, courses were aimed at increasing the general level of awareness of the biomedical community. After decentralization of the on-line access, it has become necessary to train search analysts for future associate centres, and now IMA organizes two types of course, one for search analysts and one for non-searchers, librarian students or end-users such as researchers for instance. Details of these two kinds of training courses are outlined.

Calcium intake in the first five days of life in the low birthweight infant. Effects of calcium supplements

Sixteen low birthweight infants were allocated to two groups. Both groups 1 and 2 received a formula with Ca/PO4 ratio of 1.21. Group 2 infants received a supplement of 800 mg/kg per day of Ca and Mg lactate, and the daily Ca, Mg, and PO4 levels were measured. Calcium intakes (mg/kg per day) were, comparing groups 2 and 1: 82 v. 33 on the 1st day; 133 v 45 on 2nd; 170 v. 56 on 3rd; 224 v 72 on 4th; 263 v. 88 on 5th. Magnesium intake (mg/kg per day) was 4.9 v. 3.8 on the 1st day; 8.3 v. 5.3 on 2nd; 9.8 v. 6.5 on 3rd; 15.5 v. 8.3 on 4th; 16.0 v. 10.0 on 5th. Phosphate intake was similar in both groups. Mineral content of vomits and regurgitations showed more Ca than P, with a ratio of 1:68. Comparing the two groups, in the supplemented infants, serum Ca rose from the 3rd day by an amount which was related to Ca intake: serum Mg was lower from the 4th day and was negatively correlated with Ca intake.

Therapeutic and collateral effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in vitamin D deficiency

The clinical and biochemical response to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-HCC) and vitamin D3, 150 microgram/day for 20 days has been compared in infants aged 3--18 months with nutritional rickets. The infants were allocated at random to Group I (11 infants) treated with 25HCC and Group II (9 infants) treated with vitamin D3. In addition 15 matched control children without rickets were allocated to Group III and received 25-HCC 75 microgram/day for 20 days. Preliminary studies showed that plasma calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and urine pH all differed significantly between the rachitic and control groups. The biochemical parameters in both groups of rachitic children became normal after treatment with the exception of plasma alkaline phosphatase which remained elevated. The control group showed a significant increase in plasma and urine calcium values in spite of the low dose of 25-HCC. The findings suggest that 25-HCC is as effective as vitamin D3 in the treatment of rickets but did not demonstrate any therapeutic advantage.

[Variations in hyperbilirrubinemia in low birth weight newborns under phototherapy and continous or discontinous agar oral administration (author's transl)]

Therapeutic attitude in hyperbilirrubinemia is always worth because other infrequent complications but not for this, less important. Phototherapy innocuousness, largely demonstrated, fosters its profilactic use at beginning and not only for those babies with serum bilirrubin over 10 mg % in the first day of life. Previously we have reported positive results with agar oral administration without collateral effects. On this grounds we have planned the following experience in a homogenous group of L.B.W.: one group was fed with agar previously to each formula administration; other group received the same amount of agar but divided in only three administrations in 24 hours; the last group received continuous phototherapy for 96 hours with a white cold fluorescent light from a source of 8-Vita-lite lamp of 40 watts with a intensity of 500 foot candle and 30 lumens. All of these babies weighed less than 2.500 g. and were between 10 and 90 percentil of Lubschenko diagram. They were fed with the same formula and same time table with no infusions, rejecting all that presented any type of pathology. Obstetric conditions were basically identical. This population was randomly divided in four groups. 1) Control group with no profilaxis, but with identical bilirrubin andhematocrit determinations. 2) Group with continuous agar oral administration, 125 mg. before each of the seven formula feeding. 3) Group with discontinuous agar administration, 250 mg. before three of the seven formula feeding. 4) Group with continuous phototherapy for 96 hours. These is initial identification of the groups with statistic signification, and after that a quantitative and sequential evolution of bilirrubin is analized in each group.

¿Por qué tienen éxito y fracasan las personas con poder y sin poder? poder y atribuciones de control

El objetivo principal de la presente investigación es analizar el impacto del poder en las atribuciones causales; concretamente, se analizan las que realiza el observador ante el éxito y el fracaso de personas que difieren en el poder que poseen en su trabajo. Los resultados muestran que tanto los éxitos como los fracasos de las personas con alto poder, se explican mediante atribuciones controlables internas, específicamente, refiriéndose al esfuerzo de persona poderosa. Sin embargo, la explicación de los resultados logrados por personas con bajo poder presenta un patrón diferente. Mientras que el éxito se atribuye al esfuerzo del subordinado, el fracaso, a su poca habilidad. Los resultados se analizan en relación con hallazgos anteriores y a su implicación en el mantenimiento del statu quo.