Archives of disease in childhood
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Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was measured in 349 infants aged between 5 and 10 days to establish a normal range for different gestational ages. Significant differences were observed between term and preterm infants, the highest values being associated with the shortest lengths of gestation. ⋯ A significant correlation was found between raised plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and radiological changes of osteoporosis, metaphyseal change, and periosteal reaction. Plasma alkaline phosphatase appears to be of value in screening for and monitoring rickets of prematurity.
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Oxygen embolus is thought to be a rare complication of mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. In the patient described there was clinical and radiological evidence of embolisation within the heart and great vessels, but at necropsy gas was seen only in the cerebral arteries.
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Case Reports
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. A report of successful experience with bilateral diaphragmatic pacing.
Bilateral diaphragmatic pacing was successfully performed in an 18-month-old child with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's curse) as an alternative to long-term mechanical ventilation. Subsequent complications were related more to cor pulmonale and tracheostomy care than to the pacing itself.