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Biomedical subjects

R S Pildes

Publications and source records attributed to R S Pildes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Early postnatal dexamethasone therapy in premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome: a double-blind, controlled study.

To determine whether early (less than or equal to 12 hours) postnatal dexamethasone therapy would facilitate removal of the endotracheal tube and improve outcome in premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome, we conducted a double-blind, controlled study of 57 infants whose birth weights were less than 2000 gm. The placebo (n = 29) and treated (n = 28) groups were comparable in birth weight (mean +/- SD: 1273 +/- 323 vs 1318 +/- 359 gm), gestational age (30.1 +/- 2.1 vs 30.8 +/- 2.7 weeks), postnatal age (8.7 +/- 3.1 vs 8.5 +/- 3.1 hours), and pulmonary function at the start of the study. The dose of dexamethasone was 1.0 mg/kg/day for 3 days and then was progressively decreased for 12 days. Infants in the dexamethasone group had significantly higher pulmonary compliance, tidal volume, and minute ventilation, and required lower mean airway pressure for ventilation than infants in the placebo group. The endotracheal tube was successfully removed from more infants in the dexamethasone group (16/28 vs 8/29; p less than 0.025). Nineteen infants (65%) in the placebo group and 11 (39%) in the dexamethasone group (p less than 0.05) had lung injuries. Dexamethasone therapy was associated with a temporary increase in blood pressure and plasma glucose concentration and a delay in somatic growth. We conclude that early postnatal dexamethasone therapy improves pulmonary status, facilitates removal of the endotracheal tube, and minimizes lung injuries in premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome.

Clinical Trials as Topic

Maternal and cord serum glycosylated protein in neonatal macrosomia and correlation with birth weight.

Maternal glycosylated hemoglobin and glycosylated protein and cord glycosylated protein were measured at delivery in 20 normal mothers of 20 macrosomic neonates over 4000 g (group I) and compared with values in two groups of mother/infant pairs: 20 normal/20 appropriate for gestational age (group II) and nine diabetic mothers/ten neonates (group III). Infants in group I, by design, weighed more (mean +/- SD 4403 +/- 337 g) than those in group II (2902 +/- 278 g) or group III (3365 +/- 898 g) (P less than .001). There was no significant difference in weight between group II and group III infants. Birth weight ratio was greater (P less than .001) in group I than in group II or group III (1.39 +/- 0.1, 0.9 +/- 0.08, and 1.08 +/- 0.25, respectively); group III infants had a higher birth weight ratio (P less than .05) than those in group II. Hematocrit (%) was higher (P less than .05) in group III (62 +/- 3) than in group I (59 +/- 5) or group II (57 +/- 6) infants. Glycosylated hemoglobin values were similar in all three groups. Mean serum glycosylated protein was higher (P less than .001) in group III (13.8 +/- 2%) than in group I (10 +/- 2%) or group II (9.8 +/- 2.5%) mothers. Cord glycosylated protein was also higher (P less than .001) in group III (12.3 +/- 1.9%) than in group I (9 +/- 1.3%) or group II (8.6 +/- 1.7%) neonates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Birth Weight

Metabolic rate and energy balance in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To determine energy use and growth of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), we studied metabolic rate and energy balance in five infants with stage III-IV BPD (birth weight 1309 +/- 530 gm, gestational age 32 +/- 3 weeks, postnatal age 59.8 +/- 14.2 days) and in five control infants (birth weight 1540 +/- 213 gm, gestational age 33 +/- 2 weeks, postnatal age 42.0 +/- 4.2 days). Infants with BPD had significantly lower energy intake but higher energy expenditure than did control infants. Weight gain and energy cost of growth were significantly less in BPD infants than in control infants, as were urine output and output/intake ratio. We conclude that infants with BPD (1) absorbed caloric intake as well as did normal control infants, (2) had low energy intake and high energy expenditure, resulting in poor weight gain, and (3) had low energy cost of growth, suggesting an alteration in composition of tissue gain, with relatively high water content.

Body Weight

Indomethacin therapy in premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus--determination of therapeutic plasma levels.

To determine the therapeutic range of plasma indomethacin levels for ductus closure, we evaluated the ductus response and renal side effects on two therapeutic regimens using different dosage; regimen I received 0.3 mg/kg q 24 h for a maximum of 3 doses, and regimen II received 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg at 24-hour intervals, for a maximum of 3 doses if needed. Infants in regimen I had significantly higher plasma indomethacin and higher ductus response rate than infants in regimen II. Urine output (U/O) was comparable between the regimens, but serum sodium was lower in regimen I than in regimen II. In both regimens, U/O and serum sodium return to normal by 72 h. The plasma indomethacin levels at 12 h after 1 dose correlated significantly with ductus response and hyponatremia. There appeared to be a minimal level of plasma indomethacin above which U/O decreased; with a plasma level greater than 170 ng/ml the majority (greater than 97%) of infants showed a decrease in U/O. While there was a 50% or greater chance that ductus would close when the plasma levels reached 600 ng/ml or more, a great proportion of infants would also develop renal side effects. Thus, a safe therapeutic range of plasma indomethacin appeared to be very narrow. However, when the dose of indomethacin is increased to optimize constrictive response, there is no significant increase in incidence and severity of renal adverse effects. In view of the transient nature of renal side effects, they should not hinder indomethacin therapy if ductus closure is indicated.

Ductus Arteriosus, Patent

Chest physiotherapy in preterm infants with RDS in the first 24 hours of life.

To evaluate if chest physiotherapy is beneficial to premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) during the first 24 hours of life, 20 infants were randomly assigned to two groups; 10 infants in Group I received routine chest physiotherapy and suction, and 10 infants in Group II received suction only. The birth weight, gestational age, postnatal age, Apgar scores, blood gases, acid-base status, and ventilatory requirements prior to study were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in the amount of endotracheal secretions removed, the PO2/FIO2 ratio, blood gases, and pH during the study. The incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), Grade I and II intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and mortality was comparable. However, five of 10 Group I and zero of 10 Group II infants developed Grade III or IV IVH (P less than 0.05).

Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous

Green vomiting in the first 72 hours in normal infants.

From June 1980 to September 1984, forty-five newborns (weight greater than or equal to 2000 g), initially presumed normal, were seen with bilious vomiting in the first 72 hours and were prospectively followed up. Nine (20%) required surgical intervention, five (11%) had nonsurgical obstruction such as meconium plug or left microcolon, and the remaining 31 (69%) had idiopathic bilious vomiting. Infants with idiopathic bilious vomiting had a benign transient course and resumed feedings by 1 week of age; 30 of the 31 had normal or nonspecific findings on initial plain abdominal roentgenogram. Specific findings on the initial plain abdominal roentgenogram were noted in five infants, and four (80%) of these had a lesion requiring surgical intervention; 56% (5/9) of neonates with surgical lesions had normal or nonspecific findings on the plain abdominal roentgenograms. None developed bowel ischemia or midgut infarction secondary to a volvulus as they were identified by contrast studies shortly after the initial episode of bilious vomiting. Although the majority of "normal" neonates with bilious vomiting do not have a surgical lesion, this study indicates that 56% of surgical cases will be missed if contrast studies are not done.

Age Factors

Glucose homeostasis during anesthesia and surgery in infants.

Baseline, preinduction, postinduction, and postsurgical plasma samples were collected for glucose, insulin, and cortisol in 16 neonates and infants. Glucose infusion rate was maintained constant (mean +/- SD 4.1 +/- 1.2 mg/kg/min) prior to and during surgery; additional fluid losses during surgery were replaced by fluids without dextrose. The weight at the time of surgery was 3,038 +/- 1,397 g. Postnatal age at the time of study ranged from one day to 40 weeks and the duration of surgery was 83 +/- 35 minutes. Plasma glucose values were higher than baseline values soon after induction of anesthesia (88 +/- 11 v 130 +/- 36 mg/dL; P less than .05); postsurgical glucose values were significantly higher than postinduction values (210 +/- 109 mg/dL v 130 +/- 36 mg/dL, P less than .01). Postsurgical plasma glucose had a negative correlation with weight of infants at the time of study (P less than .01; r = .61). Insulin changes were minimal and variable. Cortisol values did not change significantly from baseline values until the end of surgery (11.9 +/- 8.3 v 22.2 +/- 10.6 micrograms/dL; P less than .05). Hyperglycemia (greater than 150 mg/dL) was noted in 10/16 infants. This study indicates that glucose levels should be monitored and that additional fluid losses should be replaced by fluids without dextrose in neonates undergoing surgical procedures since hyperglycemia is a common occurrence.

Anesthesia

Indomethacin therapy in premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus and oliguria.

Simultaneous administration of one dose of indomethacin (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) and furosemide (1 mg/kg, i.v.) was given to 8 consecutive premature infants who had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and oliguria because of prerenal failure. Four infants responded with ductus closure and 2 infants showed improvement in echocardiogram and clinical distress. There was a significant increase in U/O, GFR, FENa and FECl following drug administration. This study suggests that simultaneous administration of indomethacin and furosemide can be safely used in infants with PDA and oliguria.

Anuria

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in tiny infants.

When the maternal supply of glucose is removed, endogenous hepatic glucose production and enteral or parenteral nutrition become the primary source of glucose supply. Because of this, the 1000-gm infant has special problems with glucose homeostasis. This article reviews these particular difficulties.

Blood Glucose

Indomethacin therapy in infants with advanced postnatal age and patent ductus arteriosus.

A trial of intravenous indomethacin therapy was performed on 11 premature infants whose postnatal age was 8 weeks or more (mean 65.3 days). In an attempt to maintain the desired plasma level, indomethacin was given at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg, at 8-hour intervals (total dose 0.9 mg/kg) for a total of 3 doses. In spite of desirable plasma indomethacin levels (which ranged from 280-870 ng/ml) and area under the curve (24.1 micrograms/hr/ml), calculated from time 0 to 24 hrs after the initial dose, none of the infants responded to indomethacin with ductus closure. There were a transient significant decrease in urine output, creatinine clearance, and fractional excretion of sodium. The present study confirms the clinical impression that Indomethacin is ineffective for the closure of ductus arteriosus in infants with advanced postnatal age.

Cardiovascular System

Prevention of gastric inflation during mask ventilation in newborn infants.

Ten premature infants who had recovered from the respiratory distress syndrome were subjected to cricoid compression during mask ventilation. Each infant was ventilated with an AMBU face mask for 3 min with the nasogastric (NG) tube, without the NG tube, and without the NG tube but applying cricoid pressure during ventilation. The results of the study indicated that, similar to insertion of an NG tube, cricoid compression can prevent gastric inflation during mask ventilation.

Cricoid Cartilage

Renal response to frusemide in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome during the first three postnatal days.

The renal effects of frusemide treatment in infants with respiratory distress syndrome shortly after birth and during the first three postnatal days were evaluated. Eighty five infants were randomly assigned to two groups. Forty two received three doses of intravenous frusemide (1 mg/kg) starting at age, mean (SD) 7.5 (4.1) hours and given at approximately 24 hour intervals. Forty three control infants were treated similarly but were not given frusemide. The groups were comparable in birthweight, gestational age, and Apgar score and in pulmonary status, blood gases, serum electrolytes, and postnatal age. Infants who received frusemide had significantly higher fractional excretion of sodium and chloride at 12 to 24, 24 to 48, and 48 to 72 hours, and higher calcium excretion at 24 to 48 and 48 to 72 hours after entry into the study than control infants. The study group had a significantly higher urine output and greater weight loss than the control group at 48 to 72 hours after entry into the study. There was no significant difference between groups in serum sodium, potassium, and calcium and in fractional excretion of potassium and the glomerular filtration rate. Infants with an Apgar score of more than 3 had higher urine output and had a better diuretic response to frusemide than those with a lower score. The results suggest that perinatal hypoxia may play an important role in renal function and in diuretic response to frusemide shortly after birth and early in the postnatal life of infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Apgar Score

Decreased plasma glucose following indomethacin therapy in premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus.

The effect of indomethacin on carbohydrate metabolism was studied in six premature infants with significant patent ductus arteriosus (mean +/- S.D., birth weight 1,066 +/- 244 gm, gestational age 30 +/- 1.6 weeks). All infants were in a glucose steady state between 50 and 100 mg/dl over a 2-hour period before indomethacin administration. There was a significant fall in plasma glucose at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours following intravenous indomethacin infusion. Since there was no significant change in insulin levels from the baseline, the mechanism of indomethacin-mediated lack of prostaglandin inhibition of insulin release was not substantiated. Based on this study, plasma glucose levels should be followed closely in the first 24 hours following intravenous indomethacin administration.

Birth Weight