Neonatology
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In infants with pulmonary hypertension (PHT), right ventricular (RV) function may be altered and contribute to disease severity. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a new echocardiographic modality which directly measures myocardial velocities and may allow quantitative assessment of systolic and diastolic ventricular function in infants. ⋯ TDI permits non-invasive assessment of RV myocardial velocities in infants. Reduced systolic and diastolic velocities in PHT may represent impaired systolic contraction and early diastolic relaxation. Therapies which target inotropic and lusitropic function may be appropriate in infants with PHT and RV dysfunction. The load-dependency of TDI measures in infants and the effects of specific therapies on RV function in PHT require further investigation.
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Early hypotension is a common problem among preterm infants. Studies have shown conflicting data regarding the definition of hypotension, the way to treat it and the correlation to outcome. ⋯ This study supports the hypothesis that early provision of antihypotensive therapy is related to intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and major neurodevelopment impairment.
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Historical Article
History of neonatal resuscitation. Part 2: oxygen and other drugs.
Oxygen was used in neonatal resuscitation from 1780, within 5 years of its detection. It rapidly gained general acceptance and infiltrated delivery rooms and, a century later, neonatal special care units. ⋯ Continuous distending airway pressure for oxygen administration was available at the beginning of the 20th century, but was not widely accepted. Alkali and analeptic drugs gained widespread but short-lived use after the Second World War.
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Historical Article
History of neonatal resuscitation - part 3: endotracheal intubation.
Endotracheal intubation to resuscitate neonates was used by Scheel in 1798. A century before endotracheal anesthesia was developed, inventive obstetricians constructed devices for endotracheal intubation of infants and mastered their insertion, localization, and airtight sealing. Fell's laryngoscope, Magill's intubation forceps and tissue-friendly materials were significant contributions of the 20th century to endotracheal intubation of the newborn. The striking absence of scientific studies on the most efficient resuscitation techniques for neonates can be explained by the difficulty to adjust for the personal skills of the resuscitator.
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Neonatal asphyxia may lead to the development of ischemia-reperfusion induced intestinal injury, which is related to oxygen-derived free radical production. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a thiol-containing antioxidant which increases intracellular stores of glutathione. ⋯ In newborn piglets with hypoxia-reoxygenation, NAC may improve mesenteric blood flow and oxygen delivery without significant effect on tissue glutathione content. The protective role of NAC in the reoxygenated intestine after severe hypoxia warrants further investigation.