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Biomedical subjects

R L Ariagno

Publications and source records attributed to R L Ariagno.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Sequelae of acquired cytomegalovirus infection in premature and sick term infants.

To assess the risk of long-term sequelae after acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in premature and sick term infants, 55 CMV infected patients were matched prospectively with 55 control patients and these matched pairs were evaluated at 3 years of age. Sensorineural hearing losses were present in four of 43 CMV infected patients (all mild-moderate) and in two of 43 controls (one severe). The incidence of neurologic sequelae was not increased in CMV infected patients with birth weight greater than 2000 gm. Among patients with birth weight less than 2001 gm, moderately abnormal EEGs were found in four (17%) of 23 CMV infected patients and in one (4%) of 23 controls, and severe handicaps occurred in four (14%) of 29 CMV infected patients and in two (7%) of 29 controls. Severe handicaps in premature infants were significantly (P less than 0.05) associated with early onset of CMV excretion (less than 8 weeks of age) and severe cardiopulmonary disease. Among the premature infants who were documented early excretors, three of 13 had severe neuromuscular impairment, four of 13 had severe handicaps (DQ less than 70, severe neuromuscular impairment, or profound loss of vision or hearing), and an additional four had DQs of 70 to 79. Among their matched control subjects, none of 13 had severe neuromuscular impairment, two of 13 had severe handicaps, and an additional two had DQs between 70 and 79. None of the premature infants who were documented late excretors (greater than or equal to 8 weeks of age) had any neurologic sequelae. The risk of neurologic sequelae and handicap may be increased in premature infants with onset of CMV excretion in the first 2 months of life.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗

Apnea during sleep in the pediatric patient.

Pediatric respiratory disorders during sleep are primarily apneic problems that can be associated with a number of abnormalities. When apnea is secondary to a disease process, the main focus should be on the identification of that disease process and on the institution of appropriate therapy. When the apnea persists or when it is idiopathic, additional evaluation may be required to identify an appropriate course of management.

Airway Obstruction↗

Neonatal bilirubin production estimated from "end-tidal" carbon monoxide concentration.

The relationship between the pulmonary excretion rate of carbon monoxide (VECO) and the concentration of CO, in a sample of breath, drawn through a nasopharyngeal catheter at end-expiration, was assessed in 25 studies of nine preterm and 14 term infants. The VECO and this approximate end-tidal sample of CO (ETCO) correlated significantly over a wide range of CO elimination rates: VECO = 10.45 ETCO + 2.25 (n = 25, r = 0.95). The ETCO correctly predicted elevations in VECO greater than 2 SD of the mean VECO for normal infants (13.9 +/- 3.5 microliter/kg/h), with 90% sensitivity and 73% specificity (p less than 0.01). Three subjects with Rh isoimmune hemolytic disease were easily identified by the ETCO as well as the VECO. The ETCO is a simple, noninvasive measurement for rapidly identifying infants with significant hemolytic disease.

Bilirubin↗

Five cases of near-miss sudden infant death syndrome and development of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Five full-term infants were referred for "near miss" sudden infant death syndrome events, which occurred between 3 and 12 weeks of age. After a complete pediatric evaluation and 24-hour polygraphic monitoring, each infant was monitored at home with a cardiorespiratory monitor. Each was followed regularly (with repeat polygraphic recordings) up to 4 years of age. All five infants developed heavy snoring at night and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was confirmed by polygraphic recordings; surgery was recommended. Four of the five children underwent adenoidectomies between 3 and 4 years of age, and this significantly improved their condition. These five cases are the first polygraphically documented histories of the development of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Adenoidectomy↗

Evaluation and management of infantile apnea.

Knowledge regarding the etiology and optimal management of prolonged apnea and its relationship to SIDS is still limited. The majority of infants with prolonged apnea do not die of SIDS, although the risk of SIDS in this group is greater than in the general population. Many infants with prolonged apnea who are perceived by parents and physicians as having had a "life-threatening" event may be at risk for another. Appropriate assessment following this event includes a careful history and physical examination to determine cause and severity. Etiologies to be considered include infections, metabolic aberrations, seizure problems, cardiac arrhythmias or congenital heart disease, anatomic airway abnormalities, gastroesophageal reflux and impaired regulation of breathing. If a specific cause has been identified for the infant's apnea, appropriate treatment often will lead to resolution of the apnea problem. If a specific etiology has not been identified or if the risk of "life-threatening" prolonged apnea seems to persist, electronic cardiorespiratory monitoring may be considered. Appropriate treatment for asymptomatic infants who are at increased statistical risk of SIDS is controversial. Asymptomatic infants may be candidates for home monitoring, but as yet, there are no reliable tests to predict which infants are at risk for prolonged apnea. Monitoring at home must be prescribed by the physician and should be continued until judged no longer appropriate by the attending physician. Skilled caregivers are crucial to the continuous observation and management of these patients in the hospital and at home. Therefore parents should be taught monitor use and also CPR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗

Sequelae of maternally derived cytomegalovirus infections in premature infants.

Eighteen of 106 (17%) infants of seropositive mothers, with birth weights less than 1500 gm, acquired cytomegalovirus from a maternal source. Neutropenia, lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly developed in some infants concomitant with the onset of CMV excretion. Infected infants who excreted CMV at less than 7 weeks of age had longer oxygen requirements than infants who did not excrete CMV until they were older. Passively derived maternal antibody to CMV fell more rapidly over the first few months of life in sick premature infants than would be expected in term infants. Among six infected premature infants, five had undetectable antibody titers when CMV excretion began. Loss of passively acquired antibody and early excretion of virus appear to be associated with symptomatic CMV infections in premature infants of seropositive mothers.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Detection of gastric contents in tracheal fluid of infants by lactose assay.

We designed an in vitro assay to detect the presence of lactose in the tracheal aspirates of premature, ventilator-dependent infants. This method was employed to identify recurrent, unrecognized aspiration, which could prolong the requirements for ventilator support and contribute to the development of chronic lung disease. One hundred five determinations of lactose were performed on the tracheal fluid obtained from 42 ventilator-dependent infants who were receiving enteral feedings. There was a wide range of lactose levels (0 to 3,270 nmol lactose/ml tracheal aspirate). Six infants had samples that were highly suggestive of aspiration (greater than 200 nmol lactose/ml tracheal aspirate). Twenty infants had questionably positive samples (25 to 200 nmol lactose/ml tracheal aspirate), and 16 infants had samples that were considered negative for aspiration (less than 25 nmol lactose/ml tracheal aspirate).

Enteral Nutrition↗

Predicting survival among ventilator-dependent very low birth weight infants.

Ventilator-bound very low birth weight (VLBW) infants represent an increasing proportion of our nursery population. We reviewed the hospital course of 38 VLBW infants who required more than 1 month of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) between 1976 and 1978. Twenty-eight infants survived; 10 died. There were no significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors in estimated gestational age (EGA), Apgar scores, first pH, first mean arterial pressure (MAP), h of IMV required, or birth weight; nor did the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), or transport differ. Pneumothorax was significantly more common among those infants who died. When ventilator settings were reviewed, significant differences were found consistently between the 2 groups of 3, 5, and 7 days of age, but not at 1, 14, 21, or 28 days of age. A predictive model for estimating the probability of survival of such infants was developed based upon these data, employing birth weight, mean airway pressure (MAWP) at 7 days of age, and occurrence of pneumothorax, and was applied prospectively to a group of 29 such infants born in 1979 and 1980. Prediction of outcome was significantly more accurate than chance alone. We conclude that prolonged ventilator dependence is largely confined to VLBW infants; that it is the rule among infants less than 750 g; and that accurate, objective assessment of an individual infant's prognosis may lead to improved care.

Birth Weight↗

'Near-miss' for sudden infant death syndrome infants: a clinical problem.

Three hundred six infants were referred for evaluation of "near-miss" sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) from 1973 to 1980. Following the hospitalization and medical evaluation, there were 156 infants (115 term and 41 preterm) for whom there was no explanation for the presenting event and who were considered near-miss infants; 88% of these infants were seen during the first 3 months of life. A repeat near-miss event was reported in 63% (term) and 83% (preterm) infants. Twelve percent of term infants and 17% of the preterm infants had ten or more repeat events. A home apnea/cardiac monitor was prescribed for 88% of the infants for an average duration of 5.6 months in term infants and 3.5 months in preterm infants. Monitoring had been discontinued in 69% of the infants by 7 months of age. One full-term infant was later a SIDS victim. The risk of a repeat near-miss event is concluded to be sufficiently great to demand immediate hospitalization, medical evaluation, home monitoring when there is no specific treatment, and close clinical follow-up. Follow-up studies are needed to determine whether there is any long-term morbidity for infants who have had near miss events.

Age Factors↗

Movement and gastroesophageal reflux in awake term infants with "near miss" SIDS, unrelated to apnea.

Forty-five term infants who had a "near miss" for SIDS were studied with a continuous overnight polygraphic recording of endoesophageal pH, respiration, and ECG. Recordings were examined for occurrences of GER and for central apnea of 10 seconds or greater duration. There were 341 apneic events greater than or equal to 10 seconds recorded in 46 studies, with a mean of 7 +/- 7. In 91% of the infants, no apneas exceeded 15 seconds. Only 31 episodes of apnea greater than or equal to 10 seconds occurred during GER: in two of these episodes the apneic event was greater than or equal to 15 seconds. Twenty-four of the 31 apneas greater than or equal to 10 seconds during periods of pH less than 4 occurred in one infant. A total of 356 precipitous pH drops was recorded (mean 8.7 +/- 7.4). The pH drops occurred most frequently when the patient appeared to be awake (73%), and in 84% of events there was movement before and during the pH change. We conclude that the majority of these near miss SIDS infants had GER associated with movement during awake periods, without any temporal relationship to apnea. Although reflex apnea following GER may be seen in some term infants, this problem may be more significant for the immature infant.

Apnea↗

The effect of sleep state on active thermoregulation in the premature infant.

Alterations in thermoregulatory mechanisms related to sleep state may play an important role in the problems of homeostasis experienced by the premature infant. In the adult, homeothermic regulation of body temperature may be suspended during REM. We measured oxygen consumption (VO2) in six premature infants 33-35 wk gestation both at thermoneutrality and during a mild thermal stress to determine whether thermoregulatory responses were intact during REM sleep. All infants were studied under radiant warmers. Skin temperature was allowed to fall 7-8 times during a 6-8 h study period while VO2, VCO2, heart rate and TcPO2 were continuously recorded. Sleep state was scored using EEG, EOG, EMG and behavioral criteria. A total of 1,162 one-min epochs were scored. In all states including REM, VO2 was significantly higher during the cool periods. The mean increases: 21.5%, 23.3%, 11.1% and 5.3% for Awake, Indeterminate, REM and NREM respectively. When REM and NREM were compared at thermoneutrality, there was no difference in the VO2 (8.80 +/- 0.11 and 8.93 +/- 0.15 cc/kg/min, mean +/- S.E., for REM and NREM, respectively). We conclude that in contrast to the adult, active thermoregulation occurs in the premature infant during REM sleep.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

Favorable results of neonatal intensive care for very low-birth-weight infants.

From 1961 to 1976, 229 infants with birth weights ranging from 751 to 1,000 gm were admitted to the Stanford University Hospital Intensive Care Nursery. The overall neonatal mortality for these infants was 63% (144/229), and there were ten late deaths. Before 1967, no infant in this group who required mechanical ventilation survived; thereafter, 30% (34/114) of the ventilated patients survived. Of the 75 long-term survivors 60 participated in a high-risk infant follow-up program; these included 23 infants who had received mechanical ventilation. The mean birth weight of these infants was 928 +/- 67 (SD) gm. Seventeen children (28%) had significant morbidity: seven (12%) with severe handicaps and ten (17%) with moderate handicaps. During this same period, seven infants weighing less than 750 gm at birth were also observed. The three infants who had not required ventilatory support thrived; the other four infants had required respirators and were significantly handicapped. More recently, neonatal mortality for infants with birth weights from 751 to 1,000 gm has improved: for 1977 to 1980, it was 28% (33/118). Furthermore, neonatal mortality for ventilated infants in this weight group was 27% (26/95). These data indicate an improved prognosis for very low-birth-weight infants, even with ventilatory support.

California↗

Congenital central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome in six infants.

Six infants with congenital alveolar hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) were seen and observed over several years. Two had an association of CCHS with Hirchsprung's disease. All infants were treated by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. Three infants have survived (including one with CCHS and Hirchsprung's disease). However, all survivors have required frequent rehospitalization. The infant with the longest survival (now 4 years of age) has developed significant daytime problems involving the "behavioral control" of ventilation. One infant was considered as a "near miss for sudden infant death syndrome" and became significantly symptomatic after establishment of delta (stage 3-4 non-rapid eye movement) sleep, which normally develops between 2 and 4 months of age. CCHS involves autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and the question of a defect involving the integration of chemoreceptor information more than a direct defect of the central chemoreceptor is discussed.

Chemoreceptor Cells↗

A double blind study of the effects of oral indomethacin in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus who failed medical management.

Over a two year period, 52 infants were found to have clinical signs of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Twenty-seven responded to fluid restriction and furosemide; the remaining 25 infants entered the Indomethacin (IN) study protocol. Their mean (+/- SE) gestational age was 29.3 (+/- 0.6) weeks and birth weight was 1,142 (+/- 80) gm. Either a placebo or IN (0.25 mg/kg) orally was given for two doses, 24 hours apart; if no response occurred, the patient was crossed over to the opposite medication. Using Chi-square analysis, a significant response rate to IN was found. There were no significant differences in birth weights, gestational ages, or fluid intake between responders and nonresponders. However, both responders and nonresponders required a prolonged ventilator course, suggesting factors other than PDA causing prolonged ventilatory requirements in these babies.

Double-Blind Method↗