Acta Medica Port
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Multicenter Study
[Congenital or Early Acquired Deafness: An Overview of the Portuguese Situation, from Diagnosis to Follow-Up].
Congenital deafness or early acquired deafness affects 1 to 3 out of 1000 newborns without risk factors and 20 to 40 out of 1000 newborns with risk factors. The universal newborn hearing screening enables its early identification. Children with congenital deafness/early acquired deafness have a higher prevalence of other conditions, especially ophthalmologic and neurodevelopmental ones, and at least 30% to 40% have at least one associated comorbidity. ⋯ Results show that Portugal made an important path in the screening and follow-up of children with SC / SPA. It is important, with the ultimate aim of continually improving the care of these children, to reflect on the involvement of specialties other than otolaryngology, such as the National Early Childhood Intervention System in the follow-up of these children.
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Spasticity is a complex problem in patients with neurological disorders and may distress their quality of life. Intrathecal baclofen infusion pumps reduce spasticity with low doses and minimal side effects but are not free from complications. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal baclofen infusion pumps as well as patients' satisfaction. ⋯ Intrathecal baclofen infusion pumps are safe and effective in the treatment of spasticity. Infusion pumps provide a high level of satisfaction regarding treatment and quality of life.
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Observational Study
Usefulness of Early C-Reactive Protein Kinetics in Response and Prognostic Assessment in Infected Critically Ill Patients: An Observational Retrospective Study.
The ideal biomarker to assess response and prognostic assessment in the infected critically ill patient is still not available. The aims of our study were to analyze the association between early C-reactive protein kinetics and duration and appropriateness of antibiotic therapy and its usefulness in predicting mortality in infected critically ill patients. ⋯ Early C-reactive protein kinetics is not associated with response and prognostic assessment in infected critically ill patients. Nevertheless, a fast response pattern tends to exclude initial inappropriate antibiotic therapy.
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Case Reports
Passive Transfer of Hepatitis B Antibodies through Intravenous Immunoglobulin in a Neonate.
Passive transfer of antibodies secondary to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion is a rare but important side effect that can lead to the wrong diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. It has never been reported in a newborn. A male newborn, vaccinated against hepatitis B and diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, presented positive hepatitis B core antibodies at 12 days of life. ⋯ Passive transfer of antibodies was confirmed at 44 days of age, after seroreversion of hepatitis B core antibodies. Passive transfer of antibodies after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion can lead to a misleading diagnosis if not recognized. In our patient it could have been especially harmful had it prevented heart transplant. Screening for hepatitis B should be performed at least 1 month after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion.