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Biomedical subjects

R Caldera

Publications and source records attributed to R Caldera.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

[The effect of human albumin in association with intensive phototherapy in the management of neonatal jaundice].

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of phototherapy in lowering serum bilirubin levels in neonates varies inversely with the rate and degree of hemolysis. Combining this therapy with albumin perfusion could enhance its effectiveness. This study examines total, unconjugated and unbound fractions of bilirubin in infants treated by phototherapy alone or by phototherapy plus albumin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 211 neonates treated from January 1990 to March 1991 for severe neonatal jaundice were analysed. Jaundice was due to ABO incompatibility in 113 cases and hereditary hemolytic anemia in 6 cases; its cause was unknown in 92 patients. Other causes of jaundice such as Rh incompatibility, premature delivery before 34 gestational weeks and neonatal infections were excluded from the study. All 211 neonates were given phototherapy from admission with similar light energy. 114 babies (group I) received only phototherapy, while the 97 others (group II) were also given human albumin, (1.5 g/kg), during the first 2 hours of phototherapy. RESULTS: The decrease in serum unconjugated and unbound bilirubin after 4 hours of phototherapy was 34% in group I and 45% in group II (p < 0.0005). There was no difference between both groups after 24 hours of phototherapy. Other factors such as the initial concentration of serum unconjugated and unbound bilirubin, age at the onset of therapy, and ethnic skin color also influenced the decrease in bilirubin after 4 and 24 hours of phototherapy, in addition to albumin perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin perfusion plus phototherapy appears to induce a rapid and early decrease in unconjugated, unbound bilirubin, the fraction that is potentially neurotoxic, while phototherapy alone acts over a longer period.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

Maternal-fetal transfer of fluoride in pregnant women.

Gas chromatography was used to measure the maternal and fetal plasma inorganic fluoride values at term in 91 women. They were assigned to one of four groups: group A were untreated controls; group B received a single daily dose of 1.5 mg of fluoride (as calcium fluoride) during the final trimester of pregnancy; group C was given a single dose of 1.5 mg of fluoride (as sodium fluoride) and group D was given 2 daily doses of fluoride (as sodium fluoride) totaling 1.5 mg. There was a significant difference between the cord plasma fluoride levels of the newborns in the untreated group (mean: 27.8 micrograms/l) and that of the combined supplemented groups B, C and D (mean: 58.3 micrograms/l). There was no difference between the average fluoride levels in the three supplemented groups. There was no significant effect of maternal age, infant birth weight, gestation or diet during pregnancy on the cord plasma fluoride level. These results indicate that fluoride supplementation during the final trimester of pregnancy will significantly elevate cord plasma fluoride concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[In utero treatment of fetal tachycardias with a digitalis-beta blocker combination. Apropos of 2 cases].

The authors report two cases of fetal tachycardia treated in utero by digitalis (Digoxin) and a beta-blocker (Sotalol). The first case did well on treatment but the second case gave rise to difficulties in treatment both before and after delivery. A study of the literature and an analysis of our findings makes it possible for us to point out the following: echotomography is valuable in screening for fetal cardiac rhythm troubles and echocardiography is useful to work out the cause and to follow the progress of the case, this condition can be treated in utero and Sotalol, a beta-blocker, is valuable in overcoming the troubles of the rhythm, it is difficult to follow up the treatment by relying on maternal blood levels of the drugs used, finally the cause of the abnormal rhythm possibly alters the expectation of success from the treatment.

Digoxin↗
PubMed1986

[Preliminary study on transplacental transfer of fluoride. Apropos of 41 mother-infant couples].

Comparing the levels of ionised fluoride in the serum of maternal blood at the time of delivery and cord blood shows that there is a good correlation between the two levels (r = 0.66). This makes it possible to say that fluoride is transferred easily across the placenta. The transfer is not influenced by the parity of the age of the mother nor by epidural anaesthesia, nor by the Apgar score. It does, however, correlate with the duration of the pregnancy.

Adolescent↗