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Biomedical subjects

A Marco Tello

Publications and source records attributed to A Marco Tello.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Diode laser therapy in retinopathy of prematurity: more than a decade of experience].

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the most important causes of blindness in childhood. The introduction of diode laser has represented a significant advance in its treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our results in the treatment of this entity after more than a decade of experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-two eyes in 92 premature infants with ROP treated with diode laser in the Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet from 1992 to 2003 were studied. The characteristics of the population (gestational age, birth weight, sex, stage and affected zone) and treatment outcomes were analyzed. The change in the criteria indicating this treatment was also analyzed. RESULTS: In the treated population, mean gestational age (27.9 weeks) and birth weight (1015.9 g) were similar to those in other published studies. A favorable outcome was achieved in 169 of the 182 cases (92.8 %). The change in criteria increased the proportion of favorable outcomes to 96.1 %. DISCUSSION: Diode laser therapy is currently the treatment of choice in ROP. This treatment, based on guidelines for earlier intervention, provide greater efficacy without increasing morbidity.

Female↗

[Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as markers of vertically-transmitted neonatal bacterial infection].

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal infection is a major cause of morbidity in the neonatal period. Several parameters have been used to assess neonatal sepsis. C-reactive protein (CRP) shows high specificity for bacterial infections, but an increase in CRP is often not detected until 12 to 24 hours after onset of the infection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the early diagnosis of vertically-transmitted neonatal bacterial infection. METHODS: Thirty-four newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with an initial diagnosis of respiratory distress were included. Twelve newborns presented the criteria for clinical sepsis or pneumonia (group I) and six had positive blood culture. The remaining patients did not present the clinical criteria for infection (group II). IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP levels and the ratio between immature and mature neutrophil count were assessed at 8.8 +/- 7.3 hours of life. In 17 patients the same parameters were assessed at 67.4 +/- 24.8 hours of life. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers were assessed. RESULTS: No differences were found in the perinatal features of either group. Analysis of markers of infection revealed the following significant differences: ratio between immature and mature neutrophil count: (0.25 +/- 0.21 vs 0.12 +/- 0.09; p=0.048), CRP first determination (1.4 +/- 0.8 mg/dL vs 1 +/- 0.5 mg/dL; p=0.036), CRP second determination: (3.8 +/- 1.8 mg/dL vs 1.4 +/- 1.1 mg/dL; p=0.008), IL-6 first determination: (582.2 +/- 810.5 pg/mL vs 31.3 +/- 24.2 pg/mL; p=0.000). Sensitivity/specificity (%): ratio between immature and mature neutrophil count: 41.6/83.6; CRP first determination: 16.6/90.9; CRP second determination: 83.3/87.5; IL-6 (optimum cut-off value: 55 pg/mL): 100/72.7, and TNF-alpha: 16.6/85. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 determination in the first hours of life is a more sensitive early marker of neonatal infection than other classical markers because of its early elevation. Like CRP, early TNF-alpha determination has high specificity but low sensitivity.

Biomarkers↗

[Severe neonatal mitochondrial cytopathy caused by isolated COX defect].

We report a neonate with isolated cytochrome c oxidase (COX) defect and severe multisystemic involvement. The patient had severe encephalopathy, predominant since birth, and died due to hypoxic-ischemic myocardiopathy. He was the second son of non-consanguineous, healthy parents who also had a daughter with chronic encephalopathy. The neonate presented dysmorphic phenotype, hepatic and muscular involvement, and possibly tubular involvement. Metabolic studies revealed markedly increased lactic/pyruvic concentrations. Diagnosis was based on muscular enzymatic studies and ultrastructural mitochondrial anomalies, while the mitochondrial DNA and results of the COX technique were normal. Histological examination revealed a massive subendocardial infarction. Aspects of this entity with relevance for genetic counseling are discussed.

Cytochrome-c Oxidase Deficiency↗

[Megabladder-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome].

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis is a rare congenital disorder characterized by urinary bladder distention and hypoperistalsis throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. We present a new case with the typical clinical and radiological findings of the syndrome. This diagnosis should be suspected in patients who present with intestinal obstruction and urine retention and should be confirmed with imaging techniques, including abdominal plain films and urinary ultrasonography. Histological findings are non-specific; we found thinning of the intestinal muscle layer and connective tissue proliferation. The prognosis is generally very poor. Our patient died from sepsis at the age of 25 days.

Colon↗

[Inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension in a newborn].

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess from a clinical and analytical point of view the response to inhaled nitric oxide in patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was analyzed in ten patients with PPHN who received inhaled nitric oxide. The ventilatory and gasometric data were reviewed before treatment, during the first hours and afterwards, in all patients, in the surviving group and in the most common associated disease group (intrauterine pneumonia). The parameters analyzed to assess the response to NO treatment were the oxygenation index (IO) and the PaO2 increase. Statistical analysis was performed by using a comparison of means. RESULTS: The mean oxygenation index before starting the treatment with inhaled NO was 39 +/- 7.3 in the total group and 38.4 +/- 8.8 in the surviving patients. At 2.9 +/- 1.1 hours after treatment a mild improvement was observed in the total group and it was more evident in the surviving group (32.4 +/- 15.2 and 26.4 +/- 7.8, respectively; p < 0.05). After treatment was discontinued, the IO was 24.7 +/- 21.9 (p < 0.05) and 12.8 +/- 7.5 (p < 0.001). The PaO2 increment in both groups was 51.2 +/- 55.5% and 66.8% +/- 28.1%. The patients with intrauterine pneumonia showed the highest PaO2 increase after treatment was discontinued (78.3% +/- 41.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with inhaled NO in term newborns with PPHN produced a sustained improvement in oxygenation. This treatment might reduce the number of patients who need extracorporal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation↗

[Clinico-epidemiologic study of bacterial meningitis in Aragon].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to know the incidence, etiology, prognostic factors and rate of mortality of bacterial meningitis in Aragón (Spain). METHODS: The clinical records of all the patients with bacterial meningitis seen in the hospitals in Aragón (Spain), from 1985 to 1988 inclusive were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean of the annual rates of incidence for Aragón (Spain) was 7.52/100,000 inhabitants. In patients under the age of 15 years the most frequent etiologies were Neisseria meningitidis (59.0%), Haemophilus influenzae (13.7%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.4%); the global rate of mortality was 3.5% similar to that of sequelae. In those over the age of 14 years, the most frequent etiologies were N. meningitidis (33%), S. pneumoniae (18.4%) and Staphylococcus spp. (13.6%); the rate of global mortality was 19.5% and that of sequelae 10.8% with resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and/or ampicillin in 45.5% of the cases in children and in 26.3% in adults. No significant evolutive differences related with the existence of resistances or the administration of antibiotics prior to lumbar punction were observed in any of the age groups. CONCLUSIONS: N. meningitidis is the main etiologic agent in Aragón in both children and adults. The greatest rates of mortality and sequelae were observed in the youngest and oldest age groups with a similar relation being seen in infection by gramnegative bacilli and S. pneumoniae, thus making these patients to be considered as being at high risk.

Adolescent↗