Biomedical subjects

Nia Fraser

Publications and source records attributed to Nia Fraser.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Neonatal omphalitis: a review of its serious complications.

UNLABELLED: Until the advent of aseptic deliveries and aseptic umbilical cord care, many deaths occurred from umbilical infections. Omphalitis is a localized infection of the umbilical cord stump, most commonly caused by a single organism, which usually responds well to appropriate antibiotics. Umbilical sepsis is relatively uncommon in the developed world but is endemic in less-developed regions. Complications of omphalitis are exceedingly rare, but potentially catastrophic. Many of these babies will require surgical intervention. This paper aims to review the serious complications of omphalitis and how these should be managed. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware of the rare but potentially lethal complications of omphalitis. Prompt recognition of serious sequelae is crucial for survival.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMed2005

Tracheal agenesis with unique anatomy.

A premature infant with a unique form of tracheal agenesis is described. The combination of difficulty in intubation, abnormal course of the nasogastric tube on plain x-ray, and gastric perforation raised the suspicion of an upper airway malformation. Tracheal agenesis is an extremely rare, typically fatal, congenital anomaly with scattered case reports of its successful management. On many occasions, the diagnosis is a retrospective one at postmortem examination. The possibility of surgical correction rests on early diagnosis, anatomy, birth weight, and associated anomalies. Early recognition is mandatory, but in our case, the low birth weight precluded consideration for reconstructive surgery.

Fatal Outcome↗

PubMed2003

A prospective study of neonatal inguinal herniotomy: the problem of the postoperative hydrocele.

Previous studies have reported an increased incidence of complications following neonatal inguinal herniotomy (IH) in boys. The incidence and natural history of postoperative hydrocele in such cases has not been described. A prospective follow-up study of a consecutive series of male infants weighing less than 3 kg at the time of IH was undertaken. Regular follow-up examinations were scheduled for at least 1 year. Thirty-eight boys weighing less than 3 kg underwent IH during an 18-month period. One subsequently died from complications of prematurity. Complete follow-up data were available for 29/37 (78%) patients, yielding a total of 46 IHs. There were 2 recurrent hernias (4%), 2 unequivocally atrophic testes (4%), and 1 iatrogenic testicular ascent (2%). Five ipsilateral hydroceles complicated the postoperative course of 4 boys (14% of patients, 11% of herniotomies). Two of these were explored, but in neither case was a recurrent/residual patent processus vaginalis found. One hydrocele was aspirated without recurrence, and the remaining 2 resolved spontaneously. The complication rate in small infants undergoing neonatal IH is significantly higher than in older boys. The presence of a hydrocele after neonatal IH may simply reflect the accumulation of fluid in the distal hernia sac and, provided there is no evidence of a recurrent inguinal hernia, an expectant approach is recommended.

Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMed2002

An unusual left-sided abdominal-wall defect.

Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal-wall defect (AWD) that typically occurs to the right of the umbilicus. Rarely, a mirror variation of the above may occur with a defect to the left of the umbilical cord. This report concerns a neonate born with an unusual AWD in the left upper quadrant, distant from an intact umbilicus.

Gastroschisis↗