Acta paediatrica Scandinavica
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Acta Paediatr Scand · Sep 1987
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialComparison of different rates of artificial ventilation in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.
The effectiveness of three different ventilator rates of artificial ventilation (30, 60 and 120/min) was studied in 32 preterm infants, all of whom were suffering from the Respiratory Distress Syndrome (16 were paralysed). Ventilator pressures, I:E ratio and MAP were kept constant at each rate. ⋯ Two different ventilators were used in the study and a significant change in PaCO2 (reduction) occurred only in non-paralysed infants ventilated at a rate of 120/min by Sechrist ventilators (p less than 0.05). This difference may be a direct reflection of differences in ventilator performance at fast rates.
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Acta Paediatr Scand · Jul 1987
Case ReportsTreatment of caffeine intoxication by exchange transfusion in a newborn.
The symptoms of acute poisoning after accidental administration of ten times the usually prescribed dosage of caffeine in a premature infant included the following neurological signs: incessant tremors, hypertonia, continuous opisthotonos posture, whining and crying and digestive disturbances. The very high serum caffeine levels, 160 mg/l, determined 66 hours after the first administration was confirmed by the very high cerebrospinal fluid caffeine concentration 115 mg/l. Two exchange transfusions performed at an interval of 16 hours produced a large decrease in serum caffeine levels of approximately 40 mg/l each time, and a similar decrease in the cerebrospinal fluid concentration. The clinical status of the infant improved very rapidly and the child's psychomotor development was normal at 3 months of age.
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Acta Paediatr Scand · Jan 1986
Interactions of endotoxin with cortisol and acute phase proteins in septic shock neonates.
CRP, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were studied in 13 septic shock neonates. Endotoxin was recovered from eight infants. ⋯ Increased cortisol level and immature neutrophil counts preceded the elevation of CRP, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in four extremely premature neonates. We conclude that positive interactions between endotoxin, cortisol and acute phase protein synthesis are present in the initial period of infection, and delayed acute phase protein synthesis is suspected in extremely premature neonates.
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Acta Paediatr Scand · Sep 1985
Case ReportsSilent seizures in sick infants in early life. Diagnosis by continuous cerebral function monitoring.
Cerebral electric activity was surveilled with a Cerebral Function Monitor (CFM) technique in 87 newborn infants under neonatal intensive care. A total of 26 infants had electrographical signs of repeated seizure activity. Among these infants 14 had periods of one hour or more of silent seizures activity. ⋯ The occurrence of silent seizures and their pattern in relation to the clinical condition and management was unpredictable in most cases. Besides general limpness or flaccidity in an outward quiet baby these infants showed no clinical fits or clonic convulsions. The findings indicate that anticonvulsive therapy in small infants may be insufficient and need re-evaluation, since the long-term effect of silent seizures on cerebral function and activity is still uncertain.