Platelet activation in newborns detected by flow-cytometry

Platelet function was investigated in full-term infants on the first, the fourth and tenth days of life and compared to normal adult controls. Platelet function was analyzed through a new cytofluorimetric technique with two murine monoclonal antibodies, PAC-1 and anti-GMP-140, directed against two membrane proteins expressed on the activated platelets' surface. The percentage of activated platelets detected with PAC-1 and anti-GMP-140 was evaluated at basal condition and after in vitro stimulation with a weak agonist (ADP) and a strong Txa2 analogue inducer (U 46619). At day 1 platelet activation at basal condition was negligible and similar to adult controls both with PAC-1 (1.2 vs 1.1%) and anti-GMP-140 (2.6 vs. 3.3%). On the contrary, after ADP stimulation the percentage of PAC-1-positive activated platelets was significantly reduced in neonates compared to adults (22 vs. 66%; p < 0.001) and even more after U 46619 (11 vs. 72%; p < 0.001). The percentage of anti-GMP-140-positive activated platelets behaved similarly after adding both ADP (26 vs. 46%; p < 0.01) and U 46619 (37 vs. 67%; p < 0.001). The reduced platelet activation after ADP and U 46619 persisted at day 4 both with PAC-1 and with anti-GMP-140. On the contrary, at day 10 newborn platelets analyzed with anti-GMP-140 behaved similarly to the adult ones both at basal condition and after stimulation with ADP or U 46619 (6 vs. 3% at basal state, 42 vs. 46% after ADP addition, and 55 vs. 67% after U 46619). These data demonstrate that the reduced platelet activation present in newborns is restored by the tenth day after birth.

[Clinical aspects and diagnosis of neonatal infections caused by group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus]

Early-onset infection findings caused by Group B Streptococcus occur within 24 hours of birth (60 per cent of cases) but they may appear anytime during the first 5 days of life. In our experience early-onset infection affects both preterm and term neonates. The Authors report the usual clinical signs described for bacterial infections. Unusual findings are also reported: among 34 infants with early-onset infection, the congenital diaphragmatic hernia was associated with GBS septicemia in two neonates; beads of perspiration were the first only clinical finding in one neonate too. Two cases of late-onset infection are also reported.

Mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus. Lombardy Study Group on Vertical HCV Transmission

To assess the risk of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), we followed up 116 babies of anti-HCV positive mothers, of whom 22 were coinfected with HIV and 94 had HCV alone. None of the babies whose mothers had HCV alone acquired HCV, while 8 babies (36%; p < 0.001) of mothers co-infected with HIV acquired HCV (5 babies) or HCV and HIV (3). There was no association between any specific maternal HCV genotype and enhanced risk of neonatal infection. HCV-RNA levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in mothers with HIV coinfection than in those with HCV alone. These data indicate that maternal HIV status correlates with enhanced level of viraemia which favours neonatal infection.

Congenital renal damage associated with primary vesicoureteral reflux detected prenatally in male infants

To assess the course of vesicoureteral reflux, we performed cystography, renal scintigraphy, and urography in all neonates with the prenatal diagnosis of renal pelvic dilation and revealed the presence of primary reflux (grades I to V) in 27 cases. Higher grades of reflux were associated with congenital renal damage, as shown by reduced tracer uptake during scintigraphy. Reflux was diagnosed more frequently in male infants (male/female ratio, 6:1), in many of whom bladder abnormalities were found by cystography. In another group of seven infants, in whom the reflux was associated with other urologic abnormalities, there was no sex prevalence. We conclude that severe primary reflux associated with hydronephrosis usually affects male infants and may be due to abnormal embryologic development of the male urethra, and that the kidney damage is primary and not the result of urinary tract infections. This pattern differs from that of vesicoureteric reflux diagnosed at an older age, which is observed most commonly in female patients.

Mild fetal hydronephrosis indicating vesicoureteric reflux

The management of neonates with mild hydronephrosis diagnosed antenatally is still debated. Although some of these infants are normal, it is recognised that others will have mild obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction or vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). A prospective study was performed in all newborn infants with an antenatal diagnosis of mild hydronephrosis (47 babies, 62 kidneys) born over a two year period in order to assess the frequency of VUR. Voiding cystography in 14 patients with 21 renal units showed VUR. Two patients underwent surgery and the VUR resolved; the other 12 received medical treatment. Repeat cystography was scheduled for 12-18 months later, when a high rate of spontaneous cure was observed. The remaining patients were monitored by ultrasonography but only in one case did hydronephrosis deteriorate because of the presence of severe ureteropelvic junction obstruction. It is concluded that mild dilatation of the pelvis might be an expression of a potentially severe malformation such as VUR, and a careful follow up of these cases is mandatory.

Intrauterine growth in the offspring of epileptic mothers

The present paper concerns the fetal growth of 315 newborns of epileptic mothers prospectively followed from the beginning of pregnancy. In comparison with Italian standards, neonatal weight, length and head circumference at birth were below the 10th percentile in respectively 15.7%, 1.1% and 19.2% of the newborns. Weight at birth was above the 90th percentile in 8 cases. Observed frequencies were significantly higher than expected frequencies for both weight and head circumference. The percentage of newborns with a small head circumference increased significantly according to the number of drugs taken by the mother during the first three months of pregnancy: 7.1% with no drug, 16.8% with one drug, 23.6% with two drugs and 50% with three drugs. A statistically significant correlation was found between gestational age-adjusted head circumference and drug-level scores during the first trimester. Head circumferences below the 10th percentile were fewer among newborns treated with CBZ than among newborns treated with either PB or VPA.

Malformations in offspring of 305 epileptic women: a prospective study

This paper deals with malformations detected in 26 of 315 newborns of 305 epileptic mothers followed prospectively. In 3 more cases, malformations were detected in utero and therapeutic abortion was performed. Two hundred and seven women were on monotherapy, 102 on polytherapy and 9 were not treated. In total, malformations overall incidence was 9.1%. Minor anomalies were detected in 42 newborns (13.3%). A higher rate of malformations and minor anomalies was found among offspring of mothers treated with valproic acid (VPA). In the VPA group, mothers of malformed babies had higher plasma levels in the first trimester than mothers of babies without malformations. The need for accurate prenatal diagnostic studies in pregnant women with epilepsy is stressed.

The fibrinolytic system in the newborn: role of histidine-rich glycoprotein

The fibrinolytic system controls fibrin deposition and its clearance. The efficacy of this system can be evaluated by plasminogen concentration determinations and by the behavior of factors such as histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) which controls plasminogen activation and alpha 2-antiplasmin which controls plasmin activity. Circulating plasminogen levels are decreased in the neonatal period. We studied factors affecting fibrinolysis in neonates and observed that an important reduction in HRG accompanied the reduced circulating plasminogen levels, with the result that 85% of circulating plasminogen was not bound to HRG and was thus free for binding to fibrin and for activation to plasmin. This condition is consistent with the increased fibrinolytic activity secondary to the "clotting activation' observed in the neonatal period particularly on the 1st day of life.

Leukaemoid reaction with megakaryocytic features in newborns with Down's syndrome

A leukaemoid reaction was observed in 3 newborns with Down's syndrome. Thrombocytopenia was present in 2, requiring platelets transfusions in 1, and red cell transfusions were necessary in 2 patients. Blast cells characterization by specific monoclonal antibodies showed a prevalence of megakaryoblasts in all 3 cases. This feature was confirmed in 2 of them by the demonstration of platelet peroxidase (PPO) activity under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A spontaneous remission of the leukaemoid picture was observed after 2-3 months. However, in 1 case a relapse of the myeloproliferative disorder with the same features of the blast cell population was diagnosed after 16 months. Chemotherapy with low-dose Ara-C, started because of a relevant clinical involvement, induced a complete remission.

Ultrasound contributions to the management of the severely isoimmunized fetus

Twenty-four out of 81 fetuses affected by anti-D isoimmunization underwent ultrasonic guided intrauterine transfusions (2.8 I. U. T.s per fetus). The absolute value and trend of delta OD 450 micron value was correlated with the severity of fetal condition as evaluated by ultrasonography following simple semiquantitative grading of ascites (mild, moderate, severe) and diagnosis of hydrops. The evaluation of disease was monitored in this way during transfusion therapy. Transfusion procedures have been ultrasonically guided. When ascites was present a few milliliters of isolytic solution allowed the bubbling effect to be observed. In the case of no ascites we confirmed the needle positioning by a cineradiographic sequence lasting a few seconds. Fetal transfusions were repeated every 10 to 15 days and the amount of packed red cells to be injected was determined according to the week of gestation. Post-transfusion monitoring included ultrasonic reevaluation of fetal parameters and non-stress testing. All fetuses were delivered via cesarean section before the 35th week of gestation. In no case was treatment started after the 31st week. Seventeen fetuses were transfused before the 26th week (71%). In 13 fetuses transfusions were started before ascites had appeared. Only 5 fetuses worsened and the 3 which became hydropic eventually died. The delta OD-450 value of these 5 cases before therapy had already indicated that they were more severely affected. Survival rate in this group was 69%. Eleven fetuses showed different degrees of ascites or hydrops at the time of the first transfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of the concentrations of ceftazidime in the serum of newborn infants after intravenous and intramuscular administration

The concentrations of ceftazidime in serum were studied in 16 preterm and term neonates to whom a single dose of 50 mg/kg had been administered intramuscularly or intravenously. After intramuscular injection, concentrations of ceftazidime in serum were comparable to those obtained with the intravenous dose, although they were more variable. Peak serum levels ranging from 50 to 102 micrograms/ml were reached 30 to 60 min after intramuscular injection. The concentrations declined monoexponentially after the peak, with a mean half-life of 3.8 +/- 1.1 h. Concentrations of ceftazidime in serum declined biexponentially after intravenous injection, with a terminal half-life of 4.7 +/- 1.5 h.

Neonatal morbidity risk: a study of the relationship to birthweight and gestational age in four Italian centres

Data collected in four Italian centres, in the framework of a multicentre survey of perinatal preventive medicine sponsored by the Italian National Research Council from 1973, have been used to evaluate the relationship among neonatal morbidity (NM), birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA). A linear logistic model, whose structure is the same in all the centres, appeared to be appropriate to fit the observed NM relative frequencies corresponding to each cell of the two-way (BW X GA) layout. Fitted models have been used to represent NM risk as a function of GA and BW, providing a chart of neonatal morbidity risk for each centre. Although such charts show recognizable similarities (among the centres) confirming the coherence in the results attained, some differences of expected morbidity risks occur in the classes with higher GA and BW. The characteristics of the women attending, especially socio-economical level and incidence of high-risk pregnancies, which are specific for each perinatal centre, may account for some of the differences in NM risk for given GA and BW classes.

Kinetics and efficacy of theophylline in the treatment of apnea in the premature newborn

Aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) was administered to 27 premature newborns to prevent apneic spells. Of the 22 patients monitored for theophylline concentration, a therapeutic blood level was reached in 19 in 1--2 days, and 3 stayed below it. "Toxic" blood levels (less than or equal to 20 microgram/ml) were reached in 3 cases, one of whom showed signs of toxicity. Theophylline treatment was not efficient in the prevention of apnea when a serious underlying disease was present. Theophylline blood half-life (mean:27.0 h) and clearance (mean 12.9 ml/h/kg) confirmed the slow elimination pattern of the drug in the premature infant.

Blood glucose and plasma insulin and glucagon response during intravenous glucose tolerance test in newborn infants affected by erythroblastosis foetalis

Intravenous glucose injection (1 g/kg b.w.) was performed in eight newborn infants affected by erythroblastosis foetalis (IEF) and in seven controls during the first day of life in order to study insulin and glucagon response. The IEF infants were affected by mild or moderate hemolytic disease and their blood glucose values and plasma insulin concentrations before and throughout the test did not differ significantly from those of the controls. After the glucose injection the plasma glucagon concentrations showed great variations in both groups. The control infants did not show any significant changes; in the IEF infants, significant decreases were seen at 3 and 20 min of the test. These data seem to indicate that the alpha-cell sensitivity to glucose is greater in IEF than in normal infants and is not dependent on the development of the glucose-mediated insulin release mechanism.