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Biomedical subjects

L R Blackmon

Publications and source records attributed to L R Blackmon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Nosocomial sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit.

During a 12-month study of the causes of and risk factors for nosocomial sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we detected 23 episodes of nosocomial sepsis in 20 of the 155 infants at risk who were hospitalized in the NICU for at least one week. The associated mortality was 20%. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 15 (65%) of the episodes. Low birth weight, multiple gestation, and prolonged hospitalization were significant risk factors for nosocomial sepsis by univariate analysis; together, these three factors correctly predicted 80% of the infants with sepsis and 82% of the control subjects. By logistic regression analysis, however, length of stay was not a significant risk factor, but rather a confounding variable that was highly associated with birth weight. Analysis of risk factors for nosocomial sepsis showed that previous antibiotic therapy placed an infant at risk for candidemia; assisted ventilation was a risk factor for sepsis caused by group D Streptococcus and Candida albicans. Sepsis was related to infected or malfunctioning intravascular catheters in nine of the 20 infants with sepsis. Further investigation to determine strategies for preventing nosocomial septicemia in the low birth weight infant is warranted.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

The association of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and group B streptococci with preterm rupture of the membranes and pregnancy outcome.

There is conflicting evidence regarding a possible causal role for Chlamydia trachomatis in the development of preterm premature rupture of the membranes. We investigated the relative prevalence of endocervical infection with C. trachomatis and group B streptococci in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes compared with a control group taken from the same obstetric population. C. trachomatis was isolated from 23/52 (44%) patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes versus 13/84 (15%) women in the control group (p less than 0.001). This association was independent of infection with group B streptococci or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Group B streptococci were isolated from 16% of the patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes versus 4% of the control population (p less than 0.05). The risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes associated with group B streptococcal infection was independent of infection with C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Endocervical infection with C. trachomatis did not significantly affect early maternal complication rates after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Localized pulmonary interstitial emphysema: treatment by bronchial occlusion.

Selective bronchial occlusion for the treatment of localized cystic pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) offers a means to facilitate weaning from ventilatory support and to preserve potentially functional lung parenchyma. We employed a commercially manufactured balloon catheter, placed under direct visualization to occlude a left mainstem bronchus in two cases of localized PIE. This is the safest method for selective bronchial occlusion so far reported. Therapeutic success was achieved with either continuous or intermittent bronchial occlusion. Evaluation of pulmonary function with nuclear scintigraphy aids in determining the most appropriate position for the occluding catheter and permits assessment of the resultant improvements in pulmonary function.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1977

Hypotension and bradycardia associated with airblock in the neonate. Preliminary report.

The hospital courses of 19 infants were analyzed retrospectively to determine if there was a relationship between hypotension and extra-alveolar air: interstitial emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and penumothorax. Of the 16 infants who subsequently developed PT, 12 had hypotension with IE/PM from one to 86 hours prior to the onset of PT (median 6.5 hours). When compared to blood pressure values obtained before the development of IE/PM, the decrease was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Four of the six infants of greater than or equal to 38 weeks' gestation had bradycardia throughout the duration of EAA. Hypotension and bradycardia appear to be associated with airblock and thus may alert the physician to those infants who are at greatest risk for developing PT.

Bradycardia↗