Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
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Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of disorders. Publications from different countries point to differences in the disease manifestation of JIA among different populations. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of JIA in Turkish children. ⋯ Compared to reports from Western countries, remarkably different features of JIA were found in Turkish children, which included higher frequency of polyarticular JIA, higher prevalence among boys, lower rate of ANA positivity and uveitis. Further studies are required to understand how genetic and environmental differences affect JIA expression.
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Late-onset circulatory dysfunction of premature infants and late-onset periventricular leukomalacia.
The sudden appearance of hypotension and oliguria without obvious cause following stable circulation and respiration in preterm infants is frequent in Japan. Such episodes are referred to as late-onset circulatory dysfunction of premature infants (LCD). Volume expanders and inotropic agents are often ineffective against this condition, whereas i.v. steroids are significantly effective. A major problem is that cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) often develops a few weeks after an episode. The aim of the present study was to clarify the risk factors, including LCD, related to cystic PVL. ⋯ LCD was significantly associated with cystic PVL, especially late-onset PVL. Elucidating the cause of LCD might reduce the incidence of PVL and improve the neurological prognosis of preterm infants.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Nasal flow-synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation to facilitate weaning in very low-birthweight infants: unmasked randomized controlled trial.
Nasal flow-synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NFSIPPV) is a new non-invasive ventilatory mode that delivers synchronized mechanical breaths through the nasal prongs. An unmasked, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of NFSIPPV and conventional nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in increasing the likelihood for successful extubation in very low-birthweight infants. ⋯ NFSIPPV in the post-extubation period is safe and more effective than NCPAP in preventing re-ventilation.
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The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum S100B as a clinical marker of intracranial lesions in newborns. ⋯ Serum S100B level is a useful marker of acute perinatal brain damage, and is particularly valuable for fetal distress. In newborns with birth asphyxia, serum S100B levels serve as a biochemical marker of HIE.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized controlled trial of short-term withdrawal of i.v. immunoglobulin therapy for selected children with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
The aim of the present paper was to determine whether monthly i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) could be safely discontinued in antiretroviral-treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. ⋯ In antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected children short-term withdrawal of monthly IVIG was not associated with a significant increase in incidence of infections or a decline in immunologic function (CD4 count, viral load and IgG levels). These results suggest that monthly IVIG can be safely discontinued in HIV-infected children who are clinically stable and receiving combination antiretroviral therapy.