A prospective study was performed in 168 pregnant women in order to evaluate the frequency of perinatal transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis and to measure its effects on the child's health during his first 3 months of life. The micro-organism was detected by an immunoenzymatic method specific to Chlamydia antigens, and microimmunofluorescence was used for serological testing. Cervical smears taken at the end of pregnancy were positive in 3 women (1.7 per cent), while the sera of 37 women were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. Altogether, 26.8 per cent of the women explored had had a contact with the micro-organism. Conjunctival smears taken from 1 month old infants were all negative, but 4 infants (out of 126) had positive nasal smears. The mothers of 2 of these had been exposed to the bacterium, but all 4 mothers had negative cervical smears. Antibody titres in 3-month old infants were 1.2 dilution on average below those found in the mothers. Women exposed to Chlamydia trachomatis are frequently unmarried; their pregnancies tend to shorter than normally, and their infants have more frequent episodes of rhinitis. These peculiarities are insufficiently pronounced to single out a population at risk that might benefit from detection of the bacterium.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Giant axonal neuropathy. Apropos of a case].

A new case of giant axonal neuropathy is reported about an 11 years old boy born with the Robin anomalad. The diagnosis is based on a peripheral nerve biopsy. This new observation can be added to 12 others ones which have already been published to study the characteristics of this peripheral neuropathy. The etiology and physiopathology are unknown.

Axons↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Polycystic kidney and Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis. Apropos of 2 cases].

Abdominal tumor is discovered in a 4 months old boy and a 2 years old another. The paraclinical exploration leads to the diagnosis of polycystic disease. But the clinical course permits to precise that the renal lesions are those of tuberous sclerosis. Indeed the children exhibit adenoma sebaceum at ages of 4 and 7 years.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. Apropos of 8 cases].

Eight cases of intracranial arachnoid cysts are reported. They are benign congenital lesions who result from an abnormal development of the earliest arachnoid. A subsequent development is possible. The macrocephaly is the first sign and other symptoms give evidence to the localization. Thanks to the C.T. scan one can make the diagnosis, appraise the repercussion and put the therapeutic indications. The surgical treatment is reserved to symptomatic forms. The peritoneal shunt takes the ablation's place. This method is easier and less liable to complications. The results depend on the localization, the pattern of operation and the precocity of the diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied