Pediatric research
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Seven- to eight-year follow-up of the CoolCap trial of head cooling for neonatal encephalopathy.
We sought to determine whether 18- to 22-mo neurodevelopmental outcomes predicted functional outcomes at 7-8 y for survivors of the CoolCap study of therapeutic hypothermia for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. ⋯ All surviving children who participated in the CoolCap study and were assessed at 18 mo were eligible for reassessment using the WeeFIM instrument that qualitatively measures self-care, mobility, and cognitive function. Center investigators obtained consent from the families for a certified researcher to administer the WeeFIM instrument by phone.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Feasibility of noninvasive continuous finger arterial blood pressure measurements in very young children, aged 0-4 years.
Our goal was to study the feasibility of continuous noninvasive finger blood pressure (BP) monitoring in very young children, aged 0-4 y. To achieve this, we designed a set of small-sized finger cuffs based on the assessment of finger circumference. Finger arterial BP measured by a volume clamp device (Finapres technology) was compared with simultaneously measured intra-arterial BP in 15 very young children (median age, 5 mo; range, 0-48), admitted to the intensive care unit for vital monitoring. ⋯ Excluding these erroneous measurements resulted in clinically acceptable measurement bias (-3.8 mm Hg) and 95% limits of agreement (-10.4 to + 2.8 mm Hg) of mean BP values. We conclude that continuous finger BP measurement is feasible in very young children. However, cuff application is critical, and the current set-point algorithm needs to be revised in very young children.
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Multicenter Study
The role of mannose-binding lectin in susceptibility to infection in preterm neonates.
Preterm neonates are susceptible to infection due to a combination of sub-optimal immunity and increased exposure to invasive organisms. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system, which may be especially important in the neonatal setting. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of MBL on susceptibility and severity of infection in preterm neonates during their first month of life. ⋯ In addition, MBL levels were also low in the first week of life and lower in neonates with a wild type genotype who were less than 28 wk gestation or a birth weight of less than 1000 g, thereby increasing the number of neonates with a low MBL level at birth. MBL deficiency was associated with an increased risk of sepsis (p < 0.01). This study indicates that MBL levels are low in neonates at birth and renders premature neonates to an increased risk of infection.
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Multicenter Study
Post-exercise airway narrowing in healthy primary school children.
Changes in lung function after exercise in healthy primary school children have mostly been described in field studies. More complete description and insight into relevant mechanisms may be provided in lung function laboratory. The aim was to describe airway caliber and response to deep inhalation (DI) after exercise in healthy primary school children. ⋯ DI induced significant decrease in Rrs (p = 0.01) that was not different between E5 and baseline. Healthy primary school children exhibit changes in Rrs and spirometry after exercise indicating small but significant airway narrowing. The response to DI similar at baseline and E5 suggests airway narrowing from hyperemia in the bronchial wall rather than airway smooth muscle constriction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Left ventricular contractility in extremely premature infants in the first day and response to inotropes.
The aim was to assess myocardial contractility in infants born <30 wk gestation developing low systemic blood flow (SBF) in the first day, and the effect of dobutamine versus dopamine. Superior vena cava (SVC) flow was used as a measure of SBF at 3, 10, and 24 h (n = 106). Infants with low SVC flow randomized to dopamine or dobutamine. ⋯ Contractility was not improved by either inotrope at either dose. In conclusion, infants developing low SVC flow in the first day have worse myocardial contractility at 3 h. Neither inotrope increased contractility, but dopamine increased LV stress at 20 microg/kg/min.