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Biomedical subjects

N R Roberton

Publications and source records attributed to N R Roberton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fatal acquired cytomegalovirus infection in a neonate with maternal antibody.

An extremely premature infant was born to a mother who had antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Despite having acquired transplacental antibodies, the baby developed an episode of presumed CMV hepatitis at the age of 10 weeks after blood transfusions from seropositive donors. Although the hepatitis settled, the baby developed chronic lung disease from which he died at the age of 5 months. Post mortem, widespread infection with CMV was demonstrated. The fact that serious CMV infection can develop in an infant of a seropositive mother further justifies the routine use of blood from CMV-negative donors for all transfusions given to infants of low birth weight.

Antibodies, Viral

Small for dates babies: are they really a problem?

One hundred and sixty four infants less than 5th centile for gestation specific birth weight were born at gestations greater than or equal to 37 weeks in the Cambridge Maternity Hospital in 1982. Of these, 60 were less than 2-3rd centile--that is, greater than 2 standard deviations below mean birth weight. Serious disease was rare: only six (4%) had recognisable malformations. There was only one neonatal death, a baby less than 2-3rd centile with the Neu-Laxova syndrome. Nine (5%) became hypoglycaemic but with no serious symptoms: one of these was already on the neonatal unit with respiratory distress syndrome and was given intravenous dextrose, and the remaining eight all responded to milk feeds. Only 13 out of the 164 patients (8%) were admitted to the neonatal unit, eight of the 12 survivors for 48 hours or less. Small for dates babies of 37 weeks' gestation or more pose few neonatal problems and can be safely cared for on a postnatal ward.

Birth Weight

Morbidity and survival in neonates ventilated for the respiratory distress syndrome.

In a retrospective analysis the records of all (210) infants ventilated to treat the respiratory distress syndrome over three years were reviewed. A mortality of 19% was found. Intraventricular haemorrhage was associated than a significant increase in mortality in infants of less with 30 weeks' gestation (p less than 0.001) and was the commonest cause of death. Pneumothoraces developed in one third of babies regardless of gestational age but were significantly associated with an increase in mortality only in infants of 27-29 weeks' gestation. Patent ductus arteriosus was present in 31 infants and was commoner in babies of very low birth weight. The presence of a patent ductus arteriosus was not associated with decreased survival but was significantly related to an increased need for prolonged respiratory support (p less than 0.001). Thirty six infants developed chronic lung disease, three of whom died. Comparison with data from earlier studies indicated a steady improvement over the past decade in outcome for infants ventilated for the respiratory distress syndrome.

Cerebral Hemorrhage

Fatal echovirus 11 infections in outbreak in special-care baby unit.

In December, 1977, an outbreak of echovirus 11 infection occurred in the special-care baby unit of the Cambridge Maternity Hospital. 3 neonates died, and of 24 infants on the ward during the epidemic 6 others were infected, 3 with symptoms. 3 infants had similar symptoms but virus could not be isolated. The pathological changes in the 3 fatal infections, have not previously been reported for echovirus 11; nor have fatal infections occurred in an epidemic in a special-care baby unit.

Adult