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Biomedical subjects

B Laubscher

Publications and source records attributed to B Laubscher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: first case associated with a Chlamydia pneumoniae infection].

UNLABELLED: Skin reactions to drugs or infections can be very important. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old boy developed fever, a diffuse pustular rash and a respiratory distress. Chest X-rays and serology were consistent with an acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. A skin biopsy revealed an acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. CONCLUSION: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a disease manifested by a diffuse eruption of follicular sterile pustules. Most of the cases are drug induced, but they may be secondary to viral or bacterial infections. We report the first case of AGEP in a child with an acute C. pneumoniae infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

[Role of prescribing doctor in hyponatremic seizures of enuretic children on desmopressin].

UNLABELLED: Enuresis nocturna is regularly treated by desmopressin, a vasopressin analog. Its side effects, notably neurological, are fortunately rare. We comment on 5 enuretic children on desmopressin who suffered from hyponatremic encephalopathy (natremia 115-127, median 117 mmol/l). RESULTS: Side effects appeared at therapeutic doses (10-40 mg/d intranasal). An excessive fluid intake at night was often noted, leading to a dilutional hyponatremia. This may be due to a lack of correct information to the parents. These children presented after a period of warning symptoms, such as headache, vomiting and altered consciousness. Parents could have sought earlier medical attention if they had been informed about these symptoms. CONCLUSION: In the absence of fluid restriction, severe hyponatremia can occur in enuretic children on desmopressin. It is therefore mandatory for the prescribing doctor to adequately inform patients and parents to limit fluids at night when desmopressin is used, and seek medical help quickly if any sign of intracranial hypertension appears.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2000

Elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure following extubation of preterm infants.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine whether elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) following extubation of preterm infants was well tolerated and improved short- and long-term outcomes. A randomized comparison of nasal CPAP to headbox oxygen was undertaken and a meta-analysis performed including similar randomized trials involving premature infants less than 28 days of age. A total of 150 infants (median gestational age 30 weeks, range 24-34 weeks) were randomized in two centres. Fifteen nasal CPAP infants and 25 headbox infants required increased respiratory support post-extubation and 15 nasal CPAP infants and nine headbox infants required reintubation (non significant). Eight infants became intolerant of CPAP and were changed to headbox oxygen within 48 h of extubation; 19 headbox infants developed apnoeas and respiratory acidosis requiring rescue nasal CPAP, 3 ultimately were re-intubated. Seven other trials were identified, giving a total number of 569 infants. Overall, nasal CPAP significantly reduced the need for increased respiratory support (relative risk, 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.73), but not for re-intubation (relative risk 0.89, 95% CI 0.68-1.17). Nasal CPAP neither influenced significantly the intraventricular haemorrhage rate reported in four studies (relative risk 1.0, 95% CI 0.55, 1.82) nor that of oxygen dependency at 28 days reported in six studies (relative risk 1.0, 95% CI 0.8, 1.25). In two studies nasal CPAP had to be discontinued in 10% of infants either because of intolerance or hyperoxia. CONCLUSION: Elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure post-extubation is not universally tolerated, but does reduce the need for additional support.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of neonatal diaphragm function using magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves.

A nonvolitional test to assess diaphragm strength in neonates has not been previously described. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of cervical (CMS) and anterior (AMS) magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves in neonates. Double circular stimulating coils (90-mm) were used. For CMS, one coil was placed over the cervical spine to bilaterally stimulate the phrenic nerve roots, whereas for AMS the coils were placed on the anterolateral aspect of the neck to allow unilateral and bilateral stimulation. Diaphragm contractility was assessed as transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) measured with balloon catheters positioned in the midesophagus and stomach. Stimulus supramaximality was assessed by examining diaphragm twitch Pdi (TwPdi) across a range of stimulator outputs; 85, 90, 95, and 100% of maximum. Pressure signals were measured by differential pressure transducer and displayed in real time on a computer. Patients were studied supine during sleep. CMS was performed on seven neonates (mean gestational age [GA] 38 wk, range 33 to 40 wk) and AMS on 18 neonates (mean GA 37 wk, range 32 to 41 wk). The mean (SD) TwPdi with CMS was 2.5 (0.8) cm H(2)O. CMS was not supramaximal; reducing the stimulator output below 100% caused marked reductions in TwPdi, also the shape of the pressure waveforms suggested that CMS may not have activated the diaphragm alone. Mean (SD) TwPdi with AMS was 4.5 (1.3) cm H(2)O on the left, 4.1 (0.9) cm H(2)O on the right, and 8.7 (3.9) cm H(2)O for bilateral stimulation. The shape of the pressure waveforms suggested that AMS was more specific and a plateau in TwPdi at higher stimulator outputs indicated supramaximality. We conclude that AMS may provide a useful technique to assess diaphragm function in the neonate.

Diaphragm↗
PubMed1999

Oral vitamin K1 prophylaxis for newborns with a new mixed-micellar preparation of phylloquinone: 3 years experience in Switzerland.

UNLABELLED: In 1995, a new water-soluble mixed-micellar analogue of vitamin K1 (Konakion MM paediatric) was introduced in Switzerland to replace the formerly used fat-soluble Konakion drops for the prevention of vitamin K1-deficiency-bleeding (VKDB) in infants. According to the new guidelines, an oral dose of 2 mg is given after birth and again on the 4th day of life. We examined the compliance with these guidelines and the impact on the incidence of VKDB. To assess compliance, questionnaires were sent to all hospitals with delivery services 6 months after the introduction of the new guidelines. Using the database of the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit (SPSU) which records rare paediatric diseases, we assessed the incidence of VKDB in Switzerland between July 1995 and June 1998. In addition, we determined the precise circumstances under which the episodes of VKDB occurred. More than 99% of infants received vitamin K1 prophylaxis. Since July 1995, 93% of newborns have received prophylaxis according to the new guidelines; the remaining infants were given fat-soluble Konakion drops or parenteral vitamin K1. Within 3 years, one case of classical and 12 cases of late-onset VKDB (11 confirmed, 1 probable) were reported to the SPSU. Of the 11 confirmed late-onset cases, 7 received the recommended prophylaxis, whereas 3 had not and 1 had been given fat-soluble Konakion drops. All confirmed cases of late-onset VKDB occurred in fully breast-fed infants and 8 of 11 had hepatobiliary disease. CONCLUSION: With the introduction of two oral doses of a mixed-micellar vitamin K1 preparation administered in the 1st week of life, the incidence of late vitamin K1-deficiency-bleeding has decreased from 7.2:100,000 between 1986-1987 to 2.8:100,000 between 1995 and 1998. This regimen may be suitable for prophylaxis of vitamin K1-deficiency-bleeding, however, it does not fully protect infants with cholestatic disease from late-onset bleeding. If oral prophylaxis is considered for these infants, vitamin K1 has to be administered repeatedly to all infants during the breast feeding period.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Appropriate positive end expiratory pressure level in surfactant-treated preterm infants.

UNLABELLED: Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is routinely used when ventilating preterm infants, and high levels are recommended in those with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Elevation of PEEP increases lung volume, as does surfactant administration. We postulated that in surfactant-treated infants even modest PEEP levels could result in overdistension and (CO(2)) retention. To test that hypothesis, lung volume, compliance and arterial blood gases were measured in eight preterm infants (median gestational age 28 weeks, range 26-35 weeks) at three PEEP levels. The infants, all with RDS, were studied at a median time of 18 h, (range 12-68 h) after their last dose of surfactant. Infants were routinely nursed at 3 cmH(2)O of PEEP, the PEEP level was then raised to 6 cmH(2)O or lowered to 0 cmH(2)O in random order. The new setting was maintained for 20 min; the PEEP level was then changed to the third level (0 or 6 cmH(2)O) again for 20 min. At the end of each 20-min period, lung volume, compliance and blood gases were measured. Lung volume was assessed by measuring functional residual capacity (FRC) using a helium dilution technique. Compliance was measured by relating the volume change from a positive pressure inflation maintained until no further volume change occurred to the pressure drop (peak inflating pressure PEEP). Increasing PEEP from 0 to 3 cmH(2)O and particularly to 6 cmH(2)O resulted in increases in FRC (P < 0.05), oxygenation (ns) and paCO(2) (P < 0.02). Specific compliance (compliance/FRC) (P < 0.05) and pH (P < 0.02) fell. CONCLUSION: Following surfactant treatment, relatively low levels of positive end expiratory pressure (</=3 cmH(2)O) may be appropriate.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Plasma arginine levels and the response to inhaled nitric oxide in neonates.

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) can be an effective vasodilator in pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PHN). The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in arginine levels, from which endogenous NO is produced, explain the variability in response to NO and whether the arginine levels were lower in term and preterm infants with PHN than in infants without PHN (controls). We prospectively studied 30 infants (17 born preterm) with clinically diagnosed PHN and treated with iNO and 22 controls (14 born preterm). Three NO levels (10, 20, 40 ppm) were administered to the PHN infants to identify that associated with maximum oxygenation. Twenty-seven infants with PHN improved following iNO and had lower arginine levels than those infants who did not respond to iNO (p < 0. 05). No significant relationship, however, was noted between the arginine levels and either the magnitude of change in the oxygenation index in response to iNO or the NO level associated with maximum oxygenation. The median plasma arginine level prior to iNO of the PHN infants was 12.5 (range 2-53) mu mol/l, but not significantly lower than that of the controls (median 24, range 3-82 mu mol/l). We conclude that differences in plasma arginine levels are unlikely to explain the variation in response to iNO and that, although arginine levels tended to be lower in infants with PHN, this is not a consistent finding in either the term or preterm infants.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Comparative effects of theophylline and caffeine on respiratory function of prematurely born infants.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative effects of theophylline and caffeine on neonatal respiratory function. Fifty-three preterm infants (45 infants with a median gestational age of 28 weeks, range 24-34 weeks completed the protocol) were randomized to receive either theophylline (loading dose 4 mg/kg followed by 4 mg/kg/day) or caffeine (loading dose 10 mg/kg followed by 5 mg/kg/day). Compliance of the respiratory system (CRS), strength of Hering Breuer reflex and the inspired oxygen concentration requirement were measured immediately prior to, 24 h and 7 days after commencing therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in the patient characteristics of the two groups, but only the theophylline group contained immature infants (i.e. < 26 weeks gestational age (n = 7)). At 24 h, there was a significant improvement in CRS and reduction in supplementary oxygen requirements in the caffeine group (p < 0.01), in the theophylline group no such significant effects were seen. In the study population overall, after 7 days of treatment in both the theophylline and caffeine groups there was an improvement in CRS (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively) and a reduction in the inspired oxygen concentration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). There was, however, a significant reduction in the strength of the Hering Breuer reflex only in the caffeine group (p < 0.05) and this was a decrease which related to the change in CRS (p < 0.05). The only statistically significant difference in the magnitude of change in CRS, reflex strength or supplementary oxygen requirements between the two groups was that the reduction in inspired oxygen requirement in the caffeine group was greater than that in the theophylline treated infants at 24 h (p < 0.05). We conclude theophylline and caffeine have similar effects on neonatal respiratory function, but our results suggest caffeine administration may be associated with an earlier onset of action.

Bronchodilator Agents↗
PubMed1998

Serial lung volume measurements during the perinatal period in infants with abdominal wall defects.

METHODS: Daily measurements of lung volume (functional residual capacity, FRC) were made during the perinatal period in eight infants (median gestational age, 37 weeks; range, 34 to 38 weeks) with abdominal wall defects. RESULTS: On the first day of life and before surgical intervention, four infants had FRCs below the reference range; the occurrence of low lung volumes was not significantly related to gestational age or diagnosis. Lung volume was further, but only temporarily, impaired by surgical closure of the abdominal wall defect, with a reduction in the median FRC from 25 mL/kg (range, 18 to 36) preoperatively to 12 mL/kg (range, 5 to 19) on the first postoperative day (P < .02). CONCLUSION: These data are consistent with abnormal antenatal lung growth in certain infants with abdominal wall defects.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of airway pressure-triggered and airflow-triggered ventilation in very immature infants.

Failure of patient-triggered ventilation in very immature infants may be due to the use of inappropriate triggering systems. Two types of airflow trigger were therefore compared consecutively to an airway pressure (SLE) triggering system. Each comparison was made in 10 infants, < or =28 weeks of gestation. Comparison was made of the delivered volume, trigger performance and blood gases using each system for 1 h. Both comparisons showed that the airflow triggering systems performed better: one (Draeger Babylog 8000) had a higher sensitivity (p < 0.01) and the other (Bird VIP airflow trigger), in which inflation was terminated by sensing a reduction in inspiratory flow, had a lower degree of asynchrony (p < 0.01) and a tendency to deliver higher volumes. These results suggest that triggering systems sensing airflow changes may be superior to those sensing airway pressure changes in very immature infants. The use of a mechanism to synchronize the termination of inflation to the end of the patient's inspiration may offer further advantages.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Volume delivery during high frequency oscillation.

AIM: To examine the delivered volume during "high volume strategy" high frequency oscillation, used as rescue treatment in preterm infants; and to identify factors, other than frequency and oscillatory amplitude, influencing the magnitude of volume delivery. METHOD: Twenty infants (median gestational age 29 weeks) were studied on 45 occasions. Two oscillator types were used (SensorMedics and SLE). Delivered volume was measured under clinical conditions with the arterial blood gases within a predetermined range. A specially calibrated pneumotachograph system was used. RESULTS: Overall, the median delivered volume was 2.4 ml/kg (range 1.0 to 3.6 ml/kg); on 32 occasions the delivered volume was greater than 2.0 ml/kg and on seven greater than 3.0 ml/kg. The delivered volume related significantly to disease severity; there was an inverse correlaton between delivered volume and both the oxygenation index (OI) (r = -0.51) and AaDO2 (r = -0.54). CONCLUSION: Delivered volume during HFO may, in certain infants, exceed the anatomical dead space, permitting some direct alveolar ventilation.

High-Frequency Ventilation↗